Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, April 29, 2017

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 29, 2017 

A DEEPER LOOK BEHIND THE MUSIC OF COLD 
WAR KIDS LIVE FROM THE CLIVE DAVIS THEATRE

BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS

By: Sean Kayden

On Monday night, indie rock aficionados Cold War 
Kids, dropped by the Clive Davis Theater which 
is inside the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles to 
discuss the origin of the band, their latest record 
“LA Divine,” and the inspirations behind it all. 
Scott Goldman, Vice President of the GRAMMY 
Foundation and MusiCares, interviewed lead 
singer Nathan Willett and bassist Matt Maust. The 
discussion became a personal and insightful look 
at band that has been growing a steady fanbase. The 
sold out event allowed for keen fans to ask the band 
any questions that came to mind. Soon afterward, 
the rest of the members appeared on stage to put 
on an intimate performance of new tunes and fan 
favorites. Undoubtedly, Cold War Kids have been 
dependable in crafting solid records for the past 10 
years that have guided listeners through the highs 
and lows in their lives. On their sixth album, “LA 
Divine,” which dropped a few weeks ago, Cold 
War Kids pays homage to the city of Angels and 
its entire eccentric splendor. It’s the latest release, 
to the follow-up to 2014’s “Hold My Home,” which 
featured their certified Gold hit single, “First”. 

 “In many ways L.A. is the least divine city, the 
most hedonistic and irreverent and disconnected 
from history,” says Cold War Kids’ singer/guitarist/
pianist Nathan Willett. Founding members of the 
group have circulated all over southern California 
from Anaheim to Whittier to Long Beach. Their 
extensive living surroundings have led to their 
eclectic sound that truly does capture an LA vibe, 
specifically this brand new release. “L.A.’s so 
massive, I feel like I’m always finding something 
new in it,” says bassist Matt Maust. “It’s an incredibly 
weird place, and I’m happy to have made a record 
that totally honors that weirdness.” The hour long 
discussion was engaging as it went deeper into the 
lives of these now veteran indie rockers, who aren’t 
so indie anymore with being on Capitol Records 
for the very first time. However, the change from 
Downtown Records certainly hasn’t gone to their 
heads or created false egos. They’re the same guys 
making the same great music they’ve been doing 
from the very beginning and there is tremendous 
respect in that, which was clearly shown by their 
fans. In addition to the personal stories they 
shared, the writing and music process, and the 
authors and books that have inspired them over 
the years, the band citied The Velvet Underground 
and The Smiths as influences. They did go on to say 
they grew up as admirers of the earlier work of U2, 
R.E.M., Depeche Mode, No Doubt, and Sublime.

 The sonic soundscape for “LA Divine” has 
shifted in tone from their previous work, but it’s 
not a drastic change as the band clearly stated. 
It unites crafty, laden hooks with the band’s 
signature post-punk tenacity. On this evening, 
the band performed six songs, two cuts from “LA 
Divine.” The first one from the album was their 
single, “Love is Mystical.” The upbeat song is 
scattered with a stomping piano and a vivacious 
bassline that’s truly hypnotic. When the chorus 
kicks in, it’s pure explosiveness. Willett, known his 
commanding, fortitude vocals, belts out lines such 
as “Love is mystical, love will break the chains…
give you the power to believe again,” which is 
quite persuasive coming from him. The other new 
track comes in the form of the pop-approached 
endeavor, “So Tied Up.” There’s this down in 
the dirty south sort of vibe being conveyed here 
and when the chorus bursts through, you’re 
undeniably hooked. Cold War Kid kids performed 
two of my favorite tracks as well, “Miracle Mile” 
and “Hospital Beds.” “Miracle Mile” is a shout-
out loud anthem with dynamic hooks, powerful 
arrangements, and an utterly addicting chorus 
with Willett pleading with you to, “Come up for 
air.” “Hospital Beds” is old school Cold War Kids 
and the song has aged tremendously well. It’s less 
theatrical than their new material with a more 
worn down vibrancy, an edgier resonance, and 
bleaker lyrics. As the band continues to develop 
and spread their wings, they haven’t lost touch 
with their indie upbringings. The expansion in 
their sonic palette, their conscious attentiveness 
to the changes of daily life and the world around 
us all are all touched upon with “LA Divine.” It’s 
a record that may symbolize the unusual city of 
Los Angeles. However, if you examine closer, it’s 
a record that can be interpreted in numerous ways 
beyond the artists’ initial intentions as well as what 
it can eventually grow into. Cold War Kids may 
be on their sixth record, but there are no warning 
signs of slowing down as they are truly embarking 
on a new chapter with seemingly more unwritten 
ones left to come. 

 “LA Divine” is out now on Capitol Records. This 
summer Cold War Kids will be going on tour with 
Young The Giant. 

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett


WHAT TO DO WITH A 
CASH WINDFALL

Many of us like to fantasize about winning the 
lottery. We muse with our friends about how we 
might spend the money, and we dream about 
never wanting for anything ever again.

 The odds are against us, of course, at least as 
far as the lottery goes. But that doesn’t mean - at 
some point in our lives perhaps - we won’t actually 
come into a major amount of cash, usually in the 
form of an inheritance, or perhaps through the 
settlement of a legal claim.

 Planning before receiving such a windfall is 
critical if you want to keep it and have it provide 
for you the rest of your life and for your loved 
one’s after you are gone. 

 Most people who receive a windfall lose it 
almost as quickly as they receive it.

 If you see a windfall coming your way, get 
prepared BEORE you receive it:

 1. Consider putting any large windfall you 
receive into an asset protection trust, first and 
foremost. You may even want to consider 
appointing a co-trustee to govern the trust 
alongside you so you can honestly tell friends 
and family that you do not have unrestricted 
control to your assets when they come asking for 
handouts.

 2. Hire an advisor you trust to help you invest 
the assets you receive in a manner that is aligned 
with your values and will support you to use 
the windfall to support the long-term life you 
desire; if you need recommendations to a trusted 
investment advisor, contact us.

 3. Get all of your own estate planning documents 
updated, including your Will, Revocable Living 
Trust, Health Care Directives and Power of 
Attorney, plus establish a relationship with an 
estate planning attorney so if and when anything 
happens to you, your family will be supported to 
stay out of court and out of conflict.

 If you anticipate receiving a windfall and need 
legal assistance, or if you’d like to ensure your 
family stays out of court and out of conflict no 
matter what happens to you, schedule a Family 
Estate Planning Session™ with me so we can 
discuss your situation, goals, and get all your 
questions answered. Normally, a Family Wealth 
Planning Session™ is $750, but when you mention 
this article and are one of the first three families to 
book an appointment this month, I’ll waive that 
fee.

 Dedicated to your family’s health, wealth, and 
happiness,

A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission to 
help parents protect what they love most. His office is located 
at 49 S. Baldwin Ave., Ste. G, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. 
Schedule an appointment to sit down and talk about ensuring 
a legacy of love and financial security for your family by 
calling 626.587.3058 or visit www.GarlettLaw.com for more 
information.


Jeff’s Book Pics By Jeff Brown

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: ROTATING 

PUBLIC ART EXHIBITION PROGRAM III

The American Spirit: Who We 
Are and What We Stand For by 
David McCullough 

A timely collection of speeches 
by David McCullough, the most 
honored historian in the United 
States—winner of two Pulitzer 
Prizes, two National Book Awards, 
and the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom, among many others—
that reminds us of fundamental 
American principles.Over the course 
of his distinguished career, David 
McCullough has spoken before 
Congress, the White House, colleges 
and universities, historical societies, 
and other esteemed institutions. Now, 
at a time of self-reflection in America 
following a bitter election campaign 
that has left the country divided, 
McCullough has collected some of 
his most important speeches in a brief 
volume designed to identify important 
principles and characteristics that are 
particularly American. The American 
Spirit reminds us of core American 
values to which we all subscribe, 
regardless of which region we live in, 
which political party we identify with, 
or our ethnic background. This is a 
book about America for all Americans 
that reminds us who we are and helps 
to guide us as we find our way forward.

Good Night Stories for Rebel 
Girls by Elena Favilli and 
Francesca Cavallo 

A Sensational no.1 bestseller.’The 
real-life children’s fairy tale book 
so inspiring adults are reading it’ I 
newspaper ‘Absolutely beautiful - get 
one for yourself and one to inspire 
a woman in your life’ Stylist ‘In an 
ideal world, not only would mothers 
read this aloud to their daughters, 
but teachers would read it to schoolboys’ Sunday 
Times. What if the princess didn’t marry Prince 
Charming but instead went on to be an astronaut? 
What if the jealous step sisters were 
supportive and kind? And what if the 
queen was the one really in charge 
of the kingdom? Illustrated by sixty 
female artists from every corner of 
the globe, Good Night Stories for 
Rebel Girls introduces us to one 
hundred remarkable women and 
their extraordinary lives, from Ada 
Lovelace to Malala, Amelia Earhart 
to Michelle Obama. Empowering, 
moving and inspirational, these 
are true fairy tales for heroines who 
definitely don’t need rescuing.

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold 
Story of Those Who Survived 
the Great American Dust Bowl 
by Timothy Egan 

In a tour de force of historical 
reportage, Timothy Egan’s National 
Book Award–winning story rescues 
an iconic chapter of American history 
from the shadows.The dust storms 
that terrorized the High Plains in 
the darkest years of the Depression 
were like nothing ever seen before 
or since. Following a dozen families 
and their communities through the 
rise and fall of the region, Timothy 
Egan tells of their desperate attempts 
to carry on through blinding black 
dust blizzards, crop failure, and 
the death of loved ones. Brilliantly 
capturing the terrifying drama of 
catastrophe, he does equal justice to 
the human characters who become 
his heroes, “the stoic, long-suffering 
men and women whose lives he opens 
up with urgency and respect” (New 
York Times). In an era that promises 
ever-greater natural disasters, The 
Worst Hard Time is “arguably the 
best nonfiction book yet” (Austin 
Statesman Journal) on the greatest 
environmental disaster ever to be visited upon our 
land and a powerful reminder about the dangers 
of trifling with nature.


The City of Pasadena is seeking proposals from artists, 
artist teams and galleries for the selection or commission 
of artworks as a part of the citywide Rotating Public Art 
Exhibition Program. Loaned artworks or site specific 
artworks will placed for a period of 3 years at various 
highly visible, key locations within the City in every 
Council district. Honorariums range from $6,000 (for 
loaned works) to $12,000 (commissioned site specific 
works).

 The Rotating Public Art Exhibition Program was 
established in 2011 to enliven neighborhoods, engage 
community and expand access to public art. The 
deadline for submissions is Monday, May 15, 2017 at 
5:00 p.m. PST. A Community Meeting will be held 
to review the Request for Proposal on Monday, April 
17, 2017 at the Permit Center (175 N. Garfield Avenue, 
Pasadena, CA 91101) at 6:00 p.m. Applicants need 
not attend the Community Meeting to apply.

 

 For more information, please see the attached 
Request for Proposals or visit the Cultural Affairs 
Division webpage: www.cityofpasadena.net/arts 

All Things By Jeff Brown


BOY WINS HERO AWARD FOR GIVING NEW 
SHOES TO THOUSANDS OF KIDS IN SHELTERS

A 14-year-old from Rhode Island, Nicholas Lowinger, was 
chosen as a 2012 Huggable Hero, winning $10,000 for his 
outstanding work in public service. The boy’s foundation, 
Gotta Have Sole, donates new footwear to children living 
in homeless shelters.New shoes not only provide the perfect 
fit for a child, but they also instantly increase a child’s self-
esteem. To date, Nicolas has purchased 5,000 pairs of shoes 
for homeless kids by collecting donations worth $200,000.
Although the 501(c)(3) non-profit charity was initially 
established as a simple community service project for his 
Bar Mitzvah in November 2010, Nicholas has continued his 
selfless service. Shelters around the United States send him 
footwear orders with specific shoe sizes and Nicholas collects 
and hand delivers packages to the kids in RI and MA, and 
sends the rest to needy families as far away as Texas.”I decided 
to give shoes because shoes take you places,” said Nicholas. 
“You can’t really go somewhere without shoes… and 
clothing is something people regularly donate to shelters.”To 
commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist 
attacks, Nicholas held a special event to collect and send new 
footwear to more than 90 children of the first responders.
Nicholas was named one of 15 “Huggable Heroes” by the 
Build-A-Bear Workshop this month, winning ten thousand 
dollars and earning a scholarship for himself, as well as 
$2,500 for his charity.All these young philanthropists from 
the U.S. and Canada realize that kids can impact their 
community in a major way.Monetary donations and new 
shoes are always appreciated. You can make a tax-deductible 
donation securely on his Facebook page or on his website, 
GOTTAHAVESOLE.ORGSend checks to ‘Gotta Have 
Sole Foundation, Inc.,’ and mail your donations to Nicholas 
Lowinger at:39 East Bel Air Road,Cranston, RI 02920


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