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Free show reviews: Dum Dum Girls at The Getty, Gizzelle at Amoeba Hollywood, Goh Nakamura at Eloise’s House

If you read this blog, you’ve probably gathered that I fully advocate supporting bands by purchasing records from merch table, cool shops, or the labels themselves. Downloading free MP3s is strictly for bootlegs, demos, and so on. But I have no qualms about attending free shows–especially ones that I can take my four-year-old daughter to. And what could be better than a trip to see one of Eloise’s three favorite groups (Dum Dum Girls) at one of her favorite places (The Getty)?

The Dum Dums kicked off the museum’s free Saturday evening concerts two weekends ago with a full set of dreamy, goth-y, garage-y rock. The band has been touring in support of its excellent second album with its extra lush sound for a while now. So of course they sound as great as ever, but there are extra hints at showmanship this time around. Members step up, back, and converge in the middle of the stage. New bassist Malia fits right in, and Eloise and her cousins rocked out nonstop after the sun went down and the volume turned up. So rad to get an hour-long fix in such a setting, and Eloise even got a heads-up from her Facebook/Instagram fans Sandy and Dee Dee. Gotta find out when Sandy returns to town for a Fiore date, and keep checking the Getty’s Saturdays Off the 405 schedule as the summer goes on.

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Annie Hwang · eric nakamura · film festival · goh nakamura · laapff · michael aki · mikey culross · mye hoang · rafu shimpo · Reviews Cinema ·

Film Fest Photos

Film Festivals create photo ops and those make for weird photos. So here’s one of them that showed up in the Rafu Shimpo. I’m on the right not smiling. Yes, 1 shot, no smile, but I was having a decent time I think. Was I? There’s no mention of why we’re there, but we were and I guess Goh, cousin Mike (they star in Daylight Savings) and myself are Japanese American so here we are. It’s an honor regardless. They do mention the doc on photographer and friend, Mario Reyes along with other big points of the LAAPFF this year. Thanks Mikey Culross. (Rafu Shimpo – photo)      
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goh nakamura · goh nakamurathon · Music · MW · News ·

Goh Nakamurathon – 40, 40, 41 hours to go

Anyone who’s read Giant Robot magazine, been to one of the shops, or visits the website knows that we’re big supporters of Goh Nakamura and his music. While his roots are in ’80s metal and his style is more like Elvis Costello or Elliott Smith, his worth ethic is as indie as you can get. He plays living rooms and theater lobbies, sits in on local jam nights and community gatherings. Most recently, he’s been featured in two independent features, Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings, which are making the film fest circuit.  The movies directed by David Boyle are very cool and I hope everyone supports them, but in the meantime Goh hasn’t been releasing enough of his own new music… Yes, the Music from the Motion Picture CD is a cool collection of tunes and scores from both flicks, but we fans are ready for a full-on album. The Dream Sessions, Goh’s latest Kickstarter effort, would remedy that. He’s trying to raise money to record sessions in three studios. Three cities, three different sets of musicians, same rad guitarist and singer. To help publicize the campaign, he’s been webcasting live sets featuring various friends playing music or just hanging out. Today, I was the visitor, and brought Eloise as long as well. You can watch the link here, in which she sings along to The Ramones and The Go-Go’s and dances around to The Beatles. How lucky are we? Coming up on Wednesday is Tamlyn Tomita, star of Karate Kid II and patron saint of Asian American cinema. I hear she used to skateboard in pools, so watch the webcast, jump in the chatroom, and request Agent Orange’s “Bloodstains” or some other skate rock! Then support Goh, a rad musician, good friend, and awesome guy.
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anderson le · eugenia yuan · goh nakamura · joyful reunion · los angeles asian pacific film festival · michael aki · MW · News · Reviews Cinema · shinae yoon · tad nakamura · tad suzuki · the working man · wing ko ·

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival: The Working Man, Goh Nakamura, Closing Night

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival just ended and now I’m wondering what to do. Sounds like a good time to share some pictures. Of course, my focus was on my pals from The Working Man enjoying a moment in the spotlight.

I spotted my good friends Tadashi Suzuki (the star) and Wing Ko (co-director) before the shorts program began, and had a good time hanging out with them, saying hi to friends, and looking forward to their artful skate video’s hometown premiere.

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cinema · film festival · goh nakamura · michael idemoto · News · Reviews Cinema ·

Closing Night LAAPFF (Film Festival)

Another year rolls by. The LA Asian Pacific Film Festival has run through a week of film programming. Congrats to the folks who work on this festival. It’s looking up – way up. The closing night took place at the CGV Cinemas in Koreatown. The pics don’t do the event justice, but that’s my cousin Michael Aki who starred in the film, Daylight Savings. Yes, there are better photos of him, but these are iPhone specials!

 

 

People dancing and Michael stares at who knows what. A starlet?

 

Then it’s beer time. Chug.

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