A Community Fundraiser To Save Penmar!

There have been too many good times to count at the corner of Penmar and Palms over the years. The little row of bungalows have hosted countless parties and gatherings of friends, and have been a headquarters for the community for years. As Gentrification continues to rear its ugly head here in Venice, now the Penmar bungalows are in jeopardy. The property has been purchased by an overseas investment group who intend to build more big, ugly, boxes (BUBS), and who could care less about the community.

So that Community came together on Sunday to have a fundraiser to help pay for legal fees as the residents prepare to do battle with the Man. Some may feel that it's just too bad, someone bought the property, live with it. But enough of that. If no one ever stands up to anything, the bad guys win. Penmar residents and their neighbors are standing up, speaking out, and it's a wonderful thing to behold.

Friends and neighbors gathered in the golden hour, and enjoyed a fried chicken spread donated by Hatchet Hall. Several different friends have lived in these bungalows, passing one on to the next friend when they moved, so there were plenty of stories being swapped about the good times had there over the years.

It was touching to see many residents of the surrounding neighborhood show up in support even though it's not their exact battle ... as one woman spoke and pointed out, "It's here now, but it will happen there." People are the fabric of our community, and if all our housing is unaffordable (and ugly with no sense of place or history) and owned by companies that don't even live here, it erodes the character of the neighborhood. And no one wants that.

Entertainment was provided by current resident Lacey Kay Cowden, who regaled us with her beautiful tunes as the stars began twinkling overhead. It was beautiful, enhanced by the knowledge that we were all together in solidarity for a meaningful purpose.

Former residents Matt Ellis and Vavine Tahapehi shared their songs in the backyard that they transformed into a lovely gathering spot for our family of friends, and it all felt timeless - just as it should.

Might as well be resident Paul Chesne brought it home with his custom brand of rock and roll, frequent visitor Paddy Wilkins (DJ Bright Moments) kept the party going with his spinning, and it was greatly enjoyed by all assembled, from oldsters I'd never met before, to our brand new friends that are looking forward to growing up in the uniquely wonderful Venice that we were there to protect.

This stupid project has already been approved by the City Of L.A. (seeing $$$ signs, no doubt), but the concerned neighbors are appealing it. There is a hearing TOMORROW JANUARY 18 with the West L.A. Area Planning Commission. All who care about the future of Venice are encouraged to attend and wear red in solidarity. The information is all on this flyer or you can contact the group at Palms.Penmar@Gmail.com:

This is a time of mass protest in America. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that the PEOPLE band together to accomplish that things that make life in American - and Venice - worth living. This hearing is a wonderful warm-up for the week (year, four years ...) of demonstrating that is about to go down. Please consider joining everyone in making your voice heard.

Save Penmar! Save Venice! Save The United States! Save The World! It all starts somewhere ...

Big Red Sundays!

The very fun Sundays at Big Red Sun returned yesterday with an afternoon of music and friends in the charming backyard garden of this great space on Rose Avenue. Everyone is so busy these days, it was a true and rare delight to get the gang all together in the name of Summer fun, live music, and friendship.

We were out gathering up the BYOB supplies, so missed the opening set by our good friend, Scott Passaglia, but he got the party started, that's for sure. There was shopping in addition to music listening, and many friends left the day with new jewelry and art purchased from the little airstream trailer store set up out back. We arrived just in time to pull up a bench and listen to tunes brand new and old by one of our local favorites, Lacey Cowden.

Cowden fully entranced the garden party, and had every eye and ear riveted to her throughout her set. Even her dog, Bootsy, was rapt and totally flattened by the story-telling tunes of her very talented owner. It was honestly so quiet for her that I'm pretty sure all auto and pedestrian traffic had been held out on Rose out of sheer respect. It was silent - until massive applause pierced the skies at the end of every tune. Always take the chance to hear Cowden sing ... it's something special.

After a little mingling in the sun and enjoying the perfectly curated tunes from DJ Bright Moments (Paddy Wilkins) between sets, it was Matt Ellis' turn to beguile the garden. He too brought out new tunes to blend in with his well-known and loved selections, and we all tapped our toes along as the sun got a little lower and colors turned to twilight. Vavine Tahapehi joined her husband on a couple of numbers, and all was right in the world as you glanced around at all of our friends smiling and enjoying themselves, seemingly far away from any cares of the outside world. Which is precisely what afternoons like this are for  - to remind us of all the good that still exists. Right here.

We wound up the night at the always-wonderful Galley (where they had the Olympics showing out on the patio tv - excellent), and another Big Red Sunday was on the books. Be sure to keep an ear out for the next one, because it's a perfect way to while away an afternoon in Venice. Thank you to all who made it happen!

The Greatest Escape - A Matt Ellis CD Release Show Celebration

A good chunk of Venice ventured east last night to celebrate the release of our brother Matt Ellis' new cd, The Greatest Escape. As it was at 11:30 on a Wednesday in Thai Town at Harvard & Stone, the large westside turnout was extra impressive. But not as impressive as the show, or the new cd.

Leggy Peggy opened the night with some acoustic numbers, before Ellis and his band took the stage to regale us with their brand new songs (the cd was released via Itunes everywhere on Tuesday). It was actually a bit of a modern miracle how rocking they were, considering we were all in a slump after our pre-show Thai meal, and almost asleep.

But then Ellis and his band opened up with "Different Man" off the new album, and it was all the way on from there (and drinks helped). They went right into "I Don't Mind Losing", and followed that one with "Dangers Of The Night", with all its visual storytelling of a girl on her own in sketchy circumstances. That's the thing with most of Ellis' songs, they're all very visual and with full exposition of the tale he's telling, like all the best songs are.

"Heart Of Mine", from the Births, Deaths And Marriages album, can never be played without my thinking of the Ellis family pet, Banjo. He starred in the song's video, and it's just about the cutest dog thing ever. Love it.

But not as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE the lush, beautiful "Seven Years At Sea". It's my favorite track on the new album, and maybe on any of Ellis' albums. Matt's wife, Vavine, joined him to sing this truly gorgeous, impossible to get out of your head song that details their life and times moving across the seas from Australia to Venice. I completely welled up and had a massive lump in my throat as they sang to and with each other ... for one, because their love is so true and rare (since 19!), and also because Vav is leaving today for two months in Australia and we're all really going to miss her.
I love this stunner of a song, and you will too.

Vav stayed up there for their also-lovely "River Too Wide" (whose video we all starred in, as Dia de los Muertos people!), and it was again awesome. Of course.

"Thank You, Los Angeles" is a good companion tune to "Seven Years At Sea" as it chronicles the time spent in Ellis' new home, and all that has gone down while living here. It's been one hell of a ride, that's for sure.  "Anyone had a shit week?", asked Ellis. One guy named Jake answered in the affirmative, and said it was also his birthday, so Ellis dedicated "Setting Sun" to Jake. It was a swell birthday song, and I really think Jake felt better, according to his smile.

All the band was feeling it, and were extra rocking for the title track, "The Great Escape". On the way to the gig I had told Matt that I cannot get this one out of my head, especially the part that goes "Fire away!" Okay, it's almost tied for favorite.

The final jam of the night took the hipster-rustic Harvard & Stone and turned it into a bit of a honkey-tonk. "I Know A Killer" had everyone dancing in there, a rare feat in a small bar on a weeknight in Los Angeles. So fun. Ellis stopped the song in the middle to break it down ... "This is a band record, two years in the making, and I want to thank them ...". Josh Norton on his fiery guitar got thanked, as did Grant Fitzpatrick on his bass, Tim Walker on pedal steel, and Richard (whose last name I'm blanking on) on drums, who was filling in for Fern Sanchez. They are stellar, and each vastly deserving of the accolades Ellis gave them.

"Now, let's finish this song, have some shots, and whatever else!" said Ellis as they blasted out the last of their show. The "whatever else" was a little tame for us, considering the hour, but we all headed back west feeling both well rocked and thankful - both to Los Angeles and for good friends.

The Greatest Escape is available everywhere now on ITunes.

Congratulations Matt!!!

Matt Ellis "Candy" Video - Co-Starring Lincoln Place

The great new video from Matt Ellis (my awesome friend) is done and ready for your viewing pleasure! The cover of Iggy Pop's "Candy" is directed by Jordan Levy (my awesome neighbor),  co-stars Matt's wife, Vavine (also my awesome friend) and Lincoln Place, the embattled apartment complex off of Lincoln Boulevard in Venice - that sat vacant for years over legal wrangling, while houseless people slept outside in the cold.

It's a historic place, and the video bridges past and present ... and offers a hint at the future too.  It's beautiful, and entirely a Venice production, from all the people involved to its transforming location. Without further ado .... "Candy"!

Big Red Sunday

Hello there! I'm a little behind on stories as I had to move. Again. More on that later, but amid the boxes and unpacking and re-situating (a little closer to the beach) and all the junk you have to do when you move, I found that my soul needed sunshine and friends more than organization. Thankfully, Big Red Sun and The Golden State on Rose Avenue hosted a day of music and fun in the sun last Sunday, where a whole crew of my favorite Venetians were participating.

Cup Cups were being served by Miss Vavine, and "The Dave" made my day. Delicious. If you're thinking about hosting an event and want some delicious party food to offer your guests, get a hold of Vav.

YUM. Miss Sophie was serving fresh roasted coffee alongside the Cup Cup cart, so I was all fed and set to get down to some of the best music in town.

Lacey Cowden started off the tunes, and I STILL cannot get her "Shotgun Lovin'" out of my head. I love her. Her rich, soulful voice just kills me. Get out to see her as soon as the opportunity arises, because a guy riding his bike by on Rose almost hit a parked car when he did a double take to see where the gorgeous music was coming from. So good she's causing accidents ... excellent.

Scotty P. took over the mic next, and I had a wave of nostalgia wash over me from the days when we'd sit on that dude's roof and hear him making up some of these very songs. He even made one up as he went along, about organic vegetables and Big Red Sun. I was a little disappointed that he left his shirt on, but it's still a little early in Spring, hence chilly. But still. Love you, Scotty P!

People came and went all day ... I stayed. People shopped, caught up, ate CupCups and BBQ from a cart parked in the street, and a taco truck pulled up in back as the party picked up.

It was a family affair too, as kids played among the plants and maybe even picked some flowers. Mia.

Paul Chesne rolled in with his band, and as usual, that's when it really got into the swing of things. He climbed up on the table and rocked the afternoon away.

I sat on a gorgeous red rocking couch with my friends and held my face up to the sun, listening to my friends jam, feeling awfully lucky. The stress of the previous week was totally forgotten for the moment, and I was able to simply sit and be grateful. And told people so all day, I couldn't help it.

The fun didn't stop there, however, as then there was a party to celebrate the short film by Venice's Joey Indrieri, Heading Weast, at the home of its star, Venice's Patrick Wilkins. In fact, almost the entire production company was made up of people who call Venice home, and it shows.

You may now watch it here:  http://hypebeast.com/2013/4/garrett-leight-presents-heading-weast-a-short-film-by-joey-indrieri

Yes! So many talented people mixed together all day, some of whom I hadn't seen yet all year, so the day was just completely great. And exactly what I needed the most.

Thank you to everyone involved in a perfect Venice Sunday elixir. Bless each one of you.

*Rumor has it that Big Red Sun is going to be throwing more of these Sunday Fundays this Summer. Stay tuned!

Booze, Bands and Burgers - A Cinema Bar Sunday

So the next time you hear about Matt Ellis and his wife, Vavine, throwing one of their Sundays at the Cinema Bar ... you should just get there. It's always a complete blast, and this past one was no different.

In these days where finding a good old dive bar is increasingly difficult, the Cinema Bar is simply a treasure. When it's packed to the rafters with all our pals from Venice and beyond, it's even better.

For a mere 8 bucks, you got four awesome bands AND a delicious burger grilled up on the back patio. The booze was extra, but it generally is ... and as Matt said, "We all had our whiskey boots on!" Yep.

The afternoon began with a rousing set (I'm told, I got there late like a loser) from our dear Lacey Cowden, who rules in so many ways I've lost count. Then you got a full orchestral throw down from The Herbert Bail Orchestra, with so many guys they barely fit in the little corner of the Cinema that is called the stage. Great tunes that kicked the day into high gear.

It's always a great opportunity to catch up with your pals too, as everyone is so busy that you rarely get to just grab a stool or picnic table bench and spin your tales over a cold one. So great, but there are conversations still to be continued, as the music was both too loud and too deserving of attention to be talking over.

Matt and his band tore it up. With scorching guitar from Josh Norton, smooth pedal steel from Tim Walker ...

... precision drumming from Fern Sanchez, heavy bass from Grant Fitzpatrick, and chill inducing trumpeting from Danny T. Levin ...

... and Matt leading the way on his acoustic guitar and vocals, they had the fun-loving crowd - wedged in and spilling outside - all the way into it for every note.

They debuted a couple of new cover songs among all the great Ellis originals we already know: "Can't Hardly Wait" by the Replacements (!!!), and "He Called Me Baby" by Candi Staton, that featured Vavine in full-throated soul diva mode. So excellent.

I looked around at all my friends and friends of friends having so much fun appreciating our mutual friends' music, and was full of gratitude for how real and fun we have it. Lucky people.

Lucky people also to catch The Ragged Jubilee, who closed out the now evening with their extra fun blues rock, that was eaten up by the now real loose room of folks digging it. Sunday afternoon rock with best friends after a Vikings win in the morning .... this was a very good day.

Shortly thereafter we split - to get doughnuts for some reason that seemed great at the time - and so the week ended, satisfied and smiling.

Today is Miss Vavine's birthday, and I wanted to say THANK YOU and LOVE YOU!!! For all the creativity, fun, music and love you bring to your life, and thus, ours.  CHEERS to a new year full of ALL of that, and more!!!

Cinema Bar Sundays. See you next time, Rockers!

Venice Represents at Tucson's Hoco Fest

A little bit of Venice split for Tucson over Labor Day weekend, and it was a (furnace) blast! I jumped in the van with Matt Ellis and his band and headed out into the desert, bound for Tucson's Hoco Fest ("Arizona's Solar Music Festival") at the historic Hotel Congress.

A long drive (thoughtfully and deliciously catered by Matt's wife, Vavine) was full of laughs, and when we stepped out of the van finally in Tucson, all we wanted was to be full of cold beers. It is damn hot there. I don't know how the residents handle it. Crrrrazy hot. But super fun.

After finally rousing on Sunday, we did a little seeing of the sights, and then headed over to the Hotel Congress for sound-check. Non-band members were enlisted as "Roadies" and wrist-banded as such. What a beautiful old hotel the Congress is. Wow. Much of Tucson turned out for the Hoco Fest (which was a benefit for WaveLab Recording Studio's Craig Schumacher, who mixed Matt's - and many others' - album, and is dealing with the dread cancer), making it even hotter the closer packed in we all were. That is rock and roll, and we love it.


There were two show areas, an outdoor courtyard stage, and the indoor (A/C!) Club Congress, where the Matt Ellis Band (Josh Norton on guitar, Cecil Campanaro on bass, and Fernando Sanchez smacking the drums) hit the stage. Great sound, gorgeous room, superb music, every last note. Things were spaced out so that when Matt played, the outside people came in to enjoy his jams, and the place was packed as they sailed through their set. Births, Deaths, and Marriages is Matt's latest album, and the song of the same name is one of my favorites. Tuscon's too, by the sound of the room when it was done (It's hard to have favorites when they're all real good, but I somehow manage). "So Many Lied", "Heart Of Mine" and "Too Late To Call" all ruled. Nick Luca (Calexico, Iron and Wine) joined the guys on keys, awesomely. Then Matt brought up Jacob Valenzuela ("There's so much talent in Tucson!" - Matt Ellis) from Calexico to blast his trumpet along on "Trying To Believe" and "Don't Let Me Forget" and that was when it really felt like Tucson was in full effect. I love the trumpet, and Valenzuela's playing gave the extra zest that made the songs and every person in the room dance even more.


Matt brought up Vavine to sing on their duet, "River Too Wide" (video coming soon!) and glancing around at the crowd's faces, you could see them falling in love with Matt & V's love. They are very special together, both as singers and as people. Too soon, it was time for the last song, "The Weight". The whole place sang along with Matt & Vav (even me, who has never previously dug that tune, and told them so), and it felt like family in there.


After sorting out the equipment and stuff (Roadies, remember), we immediately decamped for the bar, where it was whiskey time. I forget the name of the local one we drank ... and that explains it all. We watched great-every-time Calexico play on the outdoor stage, and it was grand. No notes or detail recall, as it was too hot + the aforementioned whiskey, but I know that I loved it. What I did not love was how long some bands take to take the stage (like you, Devotchka), when that should be flowing in a festival situation. We all really wanted to see them, but we weren't hanging out all night in the heat rain, good people. So I don't know how they were, but I hope whomever remained for them had a nice time.


We did. Because we went all over Tucson, eating and drinking up a storm, (and being surprise serenaded by the most happy, cool Mariachis ever!) before collapsing into our individual trailers of fun. The next (late) morning, we hit up the most sublime tortilla purveyor ever, Anita's Tortillas, to grab piping hot tortillas and empanadas for the road. Amazing. We ate brunch at a dubious cafe called JerryBob's, and then set out to return to Venice.


Bright murals, hummingbirds, darling people, and lots of music and drinking is my lasting impression of Tucson, other than the obvious superheat. A truly delightful get-away. The loooong drive back was even great, as we saw the real Calexico (town), desert dust and lightning storms, RAIN, which I'd almost forgotten about, and more funny things (like the dinner search - The Lazy Lizard in Ocotillo, CA? "No way" - Josh) happening along the way. And just before leaving Arizona, I finally got my read about and searched for Prickly Pear jam. A total success of a weekend!


Gracias to Matt and Vavine Ellis for inviting me along on the gig! Gracias to Matt, V, Cecil, Josh, David, and Mei-Lai for being great fun to road trip with! Gracias to Brad, Dianna, Maxine, and Basil for being such gracious hosts! Gracias to Tucson for showing us all a great time! Loved it.

Matt Ellis: Births, Deaths & Marriages

I first became friends with Matt Ellis when I heard him playing his songs at The Habit, the much-missed Friday jam my brother, Paul, started at Abbot's Habit a few years back. I was impressed, and immediately went over and befriended him. That seems to be the way it goes with Matt, as last night The Stronghold was PACKED with friends for the digital release of Matt's new album, Births, Deaths & Marriages ... and we were all impressed.

Matt and his darling wife, Vavine, created an entire event around the release, complete with Hit+Run screen printing Matt t-shirt's of your choice right in front of you, a photo booth with props relating to birth (baby doll), marriage (bouquet, top hat) but no death - though someone did volunteer to zoom out and find a gun in the neighborhood. They had Matt's favorite Australian beer, Coopers, as a sponsor, and that helped get the party started off in a rowdy fashion. Giant burlap tapestries announced the album title, and lanterns were strung all over. The Stronghold has never looked better, and should keep the idea of moving the big couches back so that people can be up and dancing all over - which we were.


The music of the night started out with Will Courtney, a bearded troubadour (formerly of The Brothers and Sisters out of Austin) who reminds me a bit of Neil Young, sound-wise. The bad news was that many of the friends gathering hadn't seen each other in a while, so the catching up chatter at times kind of overwhelmed Will's on the quiet side acoustic songs. I'm going to need to re-visit his stuff, because I was into it (in between constant hugs and greetings).

The room was full to capacity when Matt took the stage with his band mates; Josh Norton on guitar, Simon Smith on bass, Marco Meneghin on drums, Tim Walker on pedal steel guitar and Stuart Cole (from Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros) on trumpet. People were already whistling and hollering before they even began, and it only increased when they opened with "Heart Of Mine" off the brand new album. There is a spirit of the open road flavoring the new songs, and it recalls the desert rock of Calexico at times, which makes sense as some musicians from that great band play on the album, and it was mixed at their spot, Wave Lab, in Tuscon, Arizona. All the good people in attendance were to have the digital copy in their in-boxes before they woke up today! (Hard copies coming in March. Expect another shindig.)


After thanking The Stronghold and the various sponsors, Matt asked "Is there a Mrs. Ellis in the house?" and Vavine took the stage to join Matt on their duet, "River Too Wide". Looking fantastic in a pink fluffy dress, and looking lovingly at her husband the entire while, the Sometime Songbird (Vav) made their love tangible for the entire room to see. It's also a toe-tapper, and got the house swaying, and that didn't stop from thereon out.

I spoke to Matt earlier in the day while setting up the place, and asked about the origins of the album's title, and the content itself. He said that all these events were happening (births, deaths, and marriages) during the songwriting process, and that you reach a certain age and realize that those are the very things that make the world go around. Each song has something to reflect on it all, and the title track, "Births, Deaths & Marriages" starts out with the line, "Will they even know my name?", and it's clear that he's been thinking about the babies born to friends all the way back home in Australia, and really feeling the distance ... "Missing you, back home." Again, though the tempo is way up, the tenor is rife with truth and feeling.

Next up was "Don't Let Me Forget" and featured the trumpet wail of Stuart Cole, lending it more of that Calexico-style patina and majesty. It conjured up a ton of emotion to where our friend Nathan said, "It's gonna be alright!", cracking up all of us within earshot. Love it. "So Many Lied" calls out political liars, and Fox News types (one in the same, really) within the confines of a rocker of a tune - just the way I like my truths told. "So Much To Live For" was lovely and reflective, and timely, considering we'd all just heard about the suicide death (Births, Deaths, Marriages again!) of Boner from Growing Pains, another Venice resident. Looking around the room, the friendships and unconditional love coursing about made one think that's ALL there is to live for, and we have it in abundance. And so we celebrated that ... all night long.


"Too Late To Call" carried on that Tuscon vibe, with serious weight to it. "Trying To Believe" is a party tune that had Stuart back on the trumpet, and the entire room dancing and singing along the "doo Doo DOO YEAH!" chorus. The party was ON, and too soon it was time for the last song of the regular set, "Won't Let This Die". This one is very special to us, as we are a group of friends that is really like family. We've supported each other, traveled overseas together, laughed, cried, and loved through it all. "The Boys" - Matt, Paulie, Joey and Scotty, are celebrated in this sweet Bromance of a song, where the verses talk about the meaning of Matt's friendship with each. All of them had been busting ass all day to help get The Stronghold ready for the show, and to hear this serenade of deep and lasting friendship sung by Matt with all the boys singing along down front, almost made me choke up, in spite of the rocking fun of it all.


Wild shouts and screams filled the by now boiling hot space, and Matt came back up with the band to reward us with an encore. He had Vavine join him again, and they treated us to the song they sang at their own wedding in Australia, "When I'm Without You". It is sublime, and an absolute tribute to their long-time love. Vav got extra hoots and hollers for the high note, and rightly so. Again ... lump in the throat.


Which soon cleared and was replaced by our singing along with Matt and Vav's cover of Iggy Pop's "Candy", one of my all-time faves. It's a perfect duet for M&V, and the crowd l.o.v.e.d. it. "Life is crazy ...." Isn't it though?

The finale for Matt's set was the party anthem with a stern message, "Hey, Mister" from Matt's excellent last album, Tell The People. It goes off ... and had a little help from Paulie and Scotty on backup vocals too. The whole place was smiling, sweating and singing along, and as the cheers rang out at song's end, I had a flashback to the beautiful farm, Stump Jump, in Australia where Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were married. I had the rare honor and delight of being asked to speak at the wedding on behalf of the American contingent, and at the end of my speech to all our newly made friends down there who love and miss their Matt & V, I told them that I wanted them to know that as many of them that sat before me celebrating their love, there were just as many back in Venice that would've loved to be there. On this special night celebrating music, friendship, and love ... I felt the reverse, and just as powerfully. I knew that as many people that were shouting their love and support for Matt and V last night at The Stronghold, just as many back in Oz were wishing they were there.

You find out over time that you can feel Home in more than one place. Surely Australia is home for Matt and V, but so is Venice now. Venice came onto Matt's radar as a young lad because of skateboarding ... which soon led to him hearing about the music and artists that lived and created here. He came out to try living here when he wanted to make a big move on behalf of his music, and soon Vavine followed. They are now part of our family - for life - and the absolute Community of Venice. Matt wrote most of the songs for Births, Deaths and Marriages in his backyard garden in Venice. The beach, people, bike riding, burgers at Hinano's, coffee at Groundworks on Rose, drinks at The Townhouse, parties, dinners, holidays, drinking nights, trials and joys of our circle of friends all color the final product, directly or indirectly.

Music. Art. Community. Friends. Love. All of this made for a throw-down of an evening to celebrate it all. After a blistering set of Roots Rock (!) by the inimitable Restavrant - whom we also ADORE - and a ton more Cooper's, all there was left to do was rejoice ... and enjoy how lucky we are to be a part of such a talented, creative, kind, loving and FUN Family of Friends here in Venice, California.

Births. Deaths. Marriages. And I would add ... Nights like these.







*Matt Ellis can next be seen at the Troubadour on March 15, and at the SXSW Little Radio party right after that.