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Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, April 29, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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B2 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 We’d like to hear from you! What’s on YOUR Mind? Contact us at: editor@mtnviewsnews.com or www.facebook.com/ mountainviewsnews AND Twitter: @mtnviewsnews Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com | ||||||||||||||||||||