MOM Ft Jeremy Sole [Photo Recap]

A couple weeks ago, I made my way out to see Jeremy Sole at Motown On Mondays at the Shortstop. Definitely my favorite Monday night spot right now. If you haven't been, make sure you check it out soon. The Root Down fam will be guest DJaying on Sept 10th for a special edition; Motown vs Stax. Make sure you save the date, more info coming soon....

*Photography by Ervin Arana 2012

Beat Junkies!

I've been a little M.I.A. on the blog. My apologies to those that do take the time to visit. Been caught up with life, but always in a good way. Any who, wanted to congratulate the Beat Junkies on their 20th year anniversary (couple weeks ago.) I didn't make it to the anniversary show, but I did catch a snippet when they came by Amoeba to perform. All I can say, WOW, big inspiration! Check 'em out on youtube

*Photo by Ervin Arana 2012

Motown On Mondays Ft DJ Spinna [Photo Recap]

Always been a fan of DJ Spinna production, everything from his Mos Def remixes to his production with Tortured Soul. The guy is just so versatile. But last night, I realized that I've never heard him spin before, which is outrageous!!!? How does that happen!!? Anywho, I'm glad I got to finally hear him spin last night, and all I can say is.... WOW!!! I'm so inspired. Here's a quick photo recap, big ups to DJ Expo & the rest of the Motown On Mondays Crew (SF & LA) for making it happen.

*Photography by Ervin Arana 2012

Photo LA 2012

I've been to the last two & was really inspired. So considering that this year I'm focusing more on photography, this event is a must for me! I suggest the same for anyone truly into photography. See you there. Here's the info directly from the site, photola.com

© Anthony Friedkin, Woman by the Pool, 1975

21st Annual International Los Angeles Photographic Art Exposition
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium | January 12th-15th, 2012

Confirming Los Angeles’ rising status as a destination and marketplace for curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts are the city’s many new galleries, world-class museums, and outstanding university programs. Now in its 21st year, Photo LA, the longest running art fair west of New York City, carries on its mandate to showcase emerging and established artists from around the globe. Photo LA continues the discourse on photography’s place in the fine arts, providing a platform for the display of vintage masterworks from the 19th and 20th centuries, contemporary photography, new techniques, and new forms of presentation alongside video and multimedia installations. This exciting juxtaposition creates the character that is Photo LA.

During the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, January 12-16, 2012, Photo LA returns to the landmark Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for the 13th time. As the Getty’s Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980 initiative continues into January, Photo LA will include installations focusing on post-WWII art created in Southern California. January is also LA Arts Month, a collective marketing effort by the city and its arts organizations to attract enthusiasts and collectors to Los Angeles.

Buy tickets HERE

Thank You! Low Key 1 Year Anniversary

I just wanted to thank everyone who came to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at Low Key. A very special thanks to Anthony Valadez, DJ Cee Brown & Jimetta Rose for truly blessing us with their talents! Peep the photo recap by yours truly (below) & Anthony Valdez HERE. Check us next time on Wednesday Nov 23rd, the night before Thanksgivings.

*Photography by Ervin Arana 2011

Soulstice

I got to see the lovely Gina Rene perform at Nu Thurdays tonight. I highly recommend you pick up Soulstice' new album titled In The Light, you won't regret it!

*Photo by Ervin Arana 2011

The Way I See It

*Photo by Ervin Arana 2011

The Way I See It

A little bit about myself that you may not know. Over the years, I've falling deeply in love with music, djayin & everything about hip hop culture. I'm grateful for every experience & look forward to having more. But deep in my heart, I always knew I was meant to do photography. I never neglected that feeling, but I never talked about it much.

Lately, I've had the itch to shoot more than ever & I decided not to keep everything to myself anymore. With that being said, I'd like to share my perspective of life, The Way I See It...

*Photo by Ervin Arana 2011

Street Life: Its the only life I Know

Photo LA started this past Thursday and will go on until Monday. Make sure you make your way to the Doubletree Guest Suites (1707 4th Street Santa Monica 90405) on Monday morning 11am for a panel discussion on Street Life featuring Estevan Oriol, Eriberto Oriol & RETNA.

Estevan Oriol has an incredible gift for capturing the raw essence of street life through his photography. He's definitely one of my all time favorites. For more info on Estevan; http://www.estevanoriol.com/

*Photo by Estevan Oriol

Arise at Root Down

Last Thursday Night LA's reggae roots band, Arise blessed the stage at Root Down. If you we're there, then you know the band did not disappoint, it was HEAT! Check out the photo's & join us this week for the 10 year anniversary of Breakestra's Live Mix Pt2





*Photography by Ervin Arana

Blue Note Jazz Photography

I've known about this book for years and always forget to pick it up. I think this Christmas I'll buy myself a present. If you know anyone into jazz or photography this might be a great gift!

From 1941-1965 Francis Wolff took thousands of photographs during the rehearsals and recording sessions that made Blue Note Records the world's most famous jazz label. This book presents over 200 of those intimate photographs and the text details the history of the label and the fascinating stories behind some of its most legendary recordings. A valuable reference section includes biographies of the artists and the names and dates of the sessions at which the photos were taken. (Synopsis taken from; http://www.barnesandnoble.com)

Easy Roc's Halloween Decor

Yes, I know Halloween was a month ago, but a couple days after Easy Roc's Halloween house party, I stopped by his house to shoot all the incredible decor that was still up. Chatting it up with Easy, he was already mapping out his decorations for next year. So again, don't make any plans for Halloween weekend in 2011, lol. His parties truly capture the Halloween spirit!








*Photography by Ervin Arana

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Last night was definitely a night to be grateful for. My night started with my weekly residency "Low Key" at Carbon in Culver City. Lots of folks came to vibe & groove with us. Special thanks to DJ Bennett (Amoeba Music) for coming thru as well.

Then I headed out to the 12th Annual Thanks Givends event to rock with all my LA peeps. Spinning 45's after Japan's DJ Muro & Stone Throws' Peanut Butter Wolf is no easy task, but your boy did it. After seeing those two rock, it's inspired me to hit the lab & sharpen up my skills! Much respect to both of them!

I didn't get say hello to too many folks, but I hope everyone had a great night! And don't forget, be thankful everyday, not just once a year. We're very fortunate to be living the life that we do :D

*Photo by Ervin Arana

Artwalk

I've been to the art walk in downtown LA a few times before, but this past Thursday was the first time I got to take my time and enjoy the experience. Out of respect to the artist, I didn't post any photo's of any art work (except for images of the protest). But from these photo's you can see that the art walk soon turned into the "ate walk" (as the dapper dames now call it , lol). Art walk goes down every second Thursday in downtown LA. Swing by next time, get inspired, meet new people and grab a bite to eat from one of the many food trucks! Check out the photo's, see you next month.....





*Photography by Ervin Arana

Thank You Afro Funké Pt2

It's an amazing feeling when you play for a crowd that's open to all genre's of music! Shout out to Jeremy Sole, Glenn Red, Cary Sullivan & Rocky Dawuni, thanks again for having me at Afro Funke'.

And for those who didn't make it, here's a snippet of what you missed, enjoy! Download HERE

Bouncing Cats

A couple years ago, the Rock Steady Crew (Crazy Legs, Ynot & myself) along with director Nabil Elderkin traveled to Africa to shoot a documentary titled, "Bouncing Cats." This film is about Abrahmz Tekya and the Breakdance Project Uganda's effort to better the lives of misplaced children affected by war. The week I spent in Africa with Abrahmz inspired me more than words can express.

"Bouncing Cats" is set to debut at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Tuesday April 27th; Lido Regency Theatre 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach Ca 92663. For tickets & more info; http://newportbeach.bside.com

*Photo by Ervin Arana (2007)

Record Store Day

Record store day was founded in 2007 to celebrate the unique culture of independent record stores throughout the world. I've spent a lot time at record stores and have fallen in love with this culture. So I thought I'd share my experiences with some of my favorite record stores. Here are a few words along with a record store pictorial...

The first record store I ever stepped into was Bagatelle Records. Every payday, I used to rush over to Bagatelle and dig through as many boxes of records as I possibly could. The store has it's designated sections for different genres of music, but my favorite place to dig, is in the random boxes of records Steve (the owner) has laying around the store. Steve always has more records stashed away somewhere, and you never know when he'll pull them out for you to look through. I'd say 80 percent of my record collection comes from Bagatelle. (260 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802)

Fingerprints has a nice selection of records, that I can't find anywhere else. I've taking a lot of chances on records there and found out about a lot of artist that I'm now a huge fan of. Don't sleep on Fingerprints. (4612-B E 2nd St Long Beach, CA 90803)

Fatbeats on Melrose is my first stop for Hip Hop. Whether I'm looking for something that just dropped or a classic 12" I may have missed, Fatbeats usually has it and has it cheap. (7600 Melrose Ave Suite J 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90046)

Then there's Amoeba Music. What can I say, the store feels like you're in music heaven. You can dig through the clearance section and find some serious heat for as low as $0.50. Any genre of music, Electronica, House, Hip Hop, Cumbia, and even country. Amoeba has something for EVERYONE! (6400 West Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028)















*Photography by Ervin Arana (2010)