She made the switch from marketing management to graphic design during her senior year of university at Cal State University of Los Angeles and that marked a turning point in creating the perspective that is shaping her life and career. Her early relationship with AIGA Los Angeles was formed through her college professor. Lindquist is the type of person who seeks to identify gaps in any design that she can fill. At AIGA LA she is able to create new programs and features to the website not only because she has the skills but also the desire to invest in improvement. This passion and skill was evident to Andrew Gibbs, a fellow board member of AIGA LA and founder of The Die line so he decided to bring her on board.

As a freelance designer Diane has worked with Grand Park, Team Friday, and Annenberg Space for Photography among others. I asked how she is able to manage her time and how she goes about finding freelance work.”Everything  that I have done in my career has come form a relationship. When people know you have a good heart and talent these things come as a way of people wanting to reach out and support. At AIGA many of the chairs positions are filled by people that have careers in design. Though some people may want to be a part of a community for those connections to resources, Diane is interested in the community to get the know the people themselves. ” I want to be a part of a community where I can geek out about type ,or letter spacing, or color. And being involved in that network you get to know people.”

Los Angeles has become a city known largely for the entertainment industry and the superficiality that might bring but Diane has a different perspective as a someone who was born and raised here. “For those that say LA  is ‘too spread out’ or ‘there is no sense of community’, that is a load of crap. You CAN reach out, you CAN connect and separate and reconnect, here.” This push and pull of relationships in LA can propel you. There are more people that you are able to experience and have the chance to make connections that can take you anywhere you want to go. “It comes down to knowing who you are.” Diane says.  ” When you know who you are, people have something to connect to.”

At the Dieline Diane,sets and maintains the framework to create the best possible user experience, at AIGA Los Angeles she creates and facilitates opportunities for people to interact with the foundation. At her core Diane Lindquist is a communication designer who’s true passion is building relationships and cultivating community in the city she loves. With a firm personal history she is able to form strong bonds with people. Her genuine interest in the well-being of others these bonds come about naturally and easily maintained.

Diane Lindquist

To help you navigate the Young Angelenos have partnered with GOOD to create this updated voter guide. Its been revamped and made a bit more reader friendly.

Browse through it or read the whole thing but get informed for the May 21st election.

One hot button election is the Mayoral Run-Off. Its like the ultimate tie breaker for who will be in charge of the city!

Click the image to download the PDF

Happy voting.

Here is a link to where you can find your poling place.

Just trying to be helpful!!

http://lavote.net

]]> http://citizensofculture.com/2013/05/10/good-voter-guide-to-the-may-21st-los-angeles-election/feed/ 0 6a00d8341bf67c53ef0168e5474bc8970c-800wi cultureseeker full_1361918880good-voter-guide YoungAngelenos 1496573_300 http://citizensofculture.com/2013/05/05/a-kid-named-cud/ http://citizensofculture.com/2013/05/05/a-kid-named-cud/#comments Sun, 05 May 2013 06:57:31 +0000 aguycalleddef http://citizensofculture.com/?p=3700 Read more]]>

“I tried to tell all my friends when I was a kid that I had powers, and nobody wanted to believe me”. Powerful words from the self proclaimed Lord of the Sad and Lonely himself, Kid Cudi. No matter what you may think of his rapping or singing, one thing is for sure, he has a very interesting way of telling his story and coming from a very emotional place. For those that have followed his constant evolution his latest offering, “Indicud” (which you can stream in full below) will still be an interesting musical ride. And for those that haven’t been following him through every phase this is a great place to pick up no matter where you left off.

First he was the man on the moon, then he was Mr. Rager, then he was the WZRD, now he has drawn from all of those beings to become a new version of dope he calls “Indicud”. “Indicud”  is his own play on words for what most of know as the marijuana body high known as Indica. In his own words the project started out just as him learning how to make his own beats and just took off with a mind of it’s own. In thee wild world of music I like to consider every album a film, the producers are the directors and the song writers/artists are the actors. In this case we get to witness Cudi self produce and write every song for a full album or act and direct every scene for an entire film. Hmmmmm could be scary right? The intro “The Resurrection of Scott Mescudi” starts us off on a very suspenseful note somewhere that sounds like a dark forest surrounded by crickets and the unknown. The drums appear and a wobbly bass walks in you are entranced for about 3 minutes of this tribal influenced instrumental. That instrumental leads us into a very warped bass driven stand out called ” Unfuckwittable”  which sets the tone nicely. The next song “Just As I Am” is a smokers anthem, which features Chip The Ripper now known as King Chip (he SLAY’s the opening verse by the way) this was the first song I heard from the the project and sounded beyond amazing. The tripped out visuals are below.

What we soon come to find out from this project is that Cudi crafts the best “YOU SLEPT ON ME NOW F*CK YOU I’M ON” anthems since Mike Jones’ “Back Then” . Let me present to you exhibit A) “Kings Wizard”

And exihbit B) is the epic “Immortal” which is my favorite song on the the album!

If listened to closely “Immortal” contains an MGMT sample of a song called “Congratulations”  reversed and begins with Adam Sandler as Billy Madison screaming “I am the smartest man alive!!” (genius). “Immortal” feels like you are listening to the origin story of a new fearless unknowing super hero of some kind, the moment he is struck by lightening and realizes that he actually survived the accident. I would love to see a video for this song.

The next song or scene my ears are drawn is the single man’s anthem “Girls feat. Too $hort”. Yea, you read that right the 47 year old Bay Area legend Too $hort! This song is about umm …yea, girls. Every color, size, race, foreign, domestic, skinny, thick, interesting type of possible he loves them all. I can relate. The collab is a very odd paring on paper but once you get into the feel of this one it’s the late night  club jam anywhere in the world.

Next I am magnetically drawn to the very demented bright darkness of exhibit C) “Mad Solar”. The kick drum alone on this one is killer. Cudi somehow is able to take word for word everything I have been feeling the past two years by myself and put into one insane trip that lasts about 4 mins. There’s a certain level of thoughtfulness that is present on this song that really speaks to me. (Watch the live accapella version of the song Live on Jimmy Kimmel)

“Hard times they mold ya
Tell the haters ‘I told ya’
Let the world see how you win
No matter how you seem to them
F*ck ‘em”

Word.

The features start rolling through on this section of the album with two guest verses from very suddenly relevant and always influential RZA of Wu Tang on the very grimy “Beez”. Which sets the table perfectly for the very G “Brothers (feat. King Chip & A$AP Rocky)” which finds Cudi in full melodic humming mode going in on one of rappers most popular topics right now, loyalty. A$AP comes through with a very good and fitting Kendrick Lamar and Bone Thugs impersonation which is undeniable (no idea is original man why be mad?).

That brings us to the very fearless “Cold Blooded” which features young Cudder going super saiyen. He even  touches on the feelings of what drove him to leave Kanye’s G.O.O.D. music imprint. Everything about this track has a very raw energy driven by a very real hunger to succeed.

To directly quote cool cousin Cud

“Feeling way worthless
The lost black sheep of G.O.O.D. Music
Only good for a hook, huh?
Let me show you flows
Intuitive when it comes to many things I know
Cold
Most winters I would dream of being a winner
Feeling like less than shit to the doubters
Pain I promise to all who oppose my knowledge
My reign
The fucking essence of pain fuck rain
Standing in a monsoon of cool….”

Very real bars buried within the feel of feeling overlooked over and over and over coming it. The WZRD of emo strikes again!

As the album starts to find it’s way to the ending we are hit with a 9 minute twist in the form of “Afterwards (Bring Yo Friends) feat. Michael Bolton”. This is the most puzzling collaboration on and off paper I have seen since  Tim McGraw and Nelly brought us “Over and Over”. It some how will grow on you I promise, wait I can’t promise that, I don’t know.Well it begins as a very very basic yet bouncy house drum beat, then brings in some very weird tropical froggy sounding synths, things get  hilariously serious once Cudi’s new Uncle Michael Bolton  appears and croons “Bring yo friends!” (fantastic). The song has about 3 completely different movements to it, and by the end you will have no idea what you felt, you just know you felt it.

“Indicud” is quite the acquired taste, but if you are interested enough to challenge your palet you will find a buffet of undeniable emotion running through every song. I would call it Soundtrack to every emotional loners who likes to sing home along in the mirror. Other highlights on the include the very melodic rock influenced jam “Young Lady (feat. Father John Misty)”, The old school cinematic feel of “Solo Dolo Pt. II (feat. Kendrick Lamar)”, ” and very early mixtape Cudi feel one verse heater “Burn Baby Burn” (you guys have no idea how much I love one verse songs these days! Sometimes you just hit everything on the nail in one swing ya know?). I do believe if the album was condensed to like 12 gems it could be more undeniable, because at some point he start’s competing against himself here. One thing is sure there is a real evolution we are witnessing with an already interesting artist. Cudi seems to have a knack for being a very relatable martian with a human simplicity, which is quite an oxymoron in itself.

He may not be on G.O.O.D. music, but no need to be afraid the music’s still G.O.O.D.

- d e f

Upon walking into their newly opened retail space you will notice two fixed gear bicycles hanging on the walls. This is a collaboration with Republic Bikes and Nate describes they are sort of symbols, ” The bikes represent freedom, independence, and progression.”

Suburban Riot  embues the modern lifestyle where luxury is found in the ability to come and go as one might please. It is true that the greatest luxury is freedom of choice Nate explains,  ”If you don’t have to commute an hour a day, that’s luxury.”

His comment bring to mind the way do look at luxury, so many of us wear minimal jewelry and own fewer possessions than generations of the past. Instead we value technology, things that save us time and improve the quality of our lives. We honor complex devices that add simplicity to routine. Suburban Riot’s designs are simple as well,” it is a brand for people that want to set their own agenda and are ” creatively minded”, says Koach.

In the store you find well constructed menswear as well as basics and themes that transcend into their women’s line as well. Nate and Jason do the designing of the mens line and collaborate with choice female designers for the women’s apparel.

The two got their start in Venice seven years ago and their new store is a vision that has been at least five years in the making. In the early days Nate hit the streets of new york with his samples peddling his brand and trying to get things off the ground. Now, with their first retail location Suburban Riot wants to get to know the neighborhood.

They served free refreshments to the participants of CicLaVia and are looking to plan some events in the near future. “We want to be a place that brings a benefit to the neighborhood”, Nate tells as he describes some of the other products they carry. They sell more than just clothes, they have some after shave and are looking to add more concierge items to their store.

The new luxury as defined by Suburban Riot is one where we are not bound by our possessions but liberated by them. We choose the items we love and those that add the most value to our experiences. Nate Koach aims to create those items and facilitate that progress with his company and his space.

Sub_Urban Riot
111 W. 7th St. Unit R1
Los Angeles, CA 90014

FUCK . Those are the first words on thee album. It really sets the tone for the entire record if you ask me. Who knew eating a roach would get you this far? He’s done a lot since he  hung himself in Yonkers. Enter the wild world of a kid who admitted he was a Bastard the first time we heard him. Tyler, The Creator  has created his own world within the trilogy of 3 albums “BASTARD” , “GOBLIN”, and with his newest offering “WOLF” (follow along and stream the full album below)

. “WOLF” is the prequel to both “BASTARD” and “GOBLIN” and takes place at Camp Flog Gnaw, where Tyler has been sent and meets a slew of characters/alter-egos. There’s Tyler (of course), Wolf Haley, Dr TC (camp counselor/ therapist on BASTARD & GOBLIN), Ace the Creator, Slater, Tron Cat, and, on “WOLF”, we’re introduced properly to a new character Sam, who is a drug dealer. All of these characters exist as his split personalities that he splits time from time to time writing songs as. They are all obsessed with one girl, Salem. Salem who is Sam’s girlfriend takes center stage on this album. Emotions run high on his self directed video for “IFHY (feat.Pharrell)”.IFHY is a jealous Sam singing Salem a song about how much she means to him, after he finds out she’s been to the lake with Wolf Haley. This song gives you a peek into his emotions that seem to have him feeling toyed around with to the point he feels like an actual toy in a doll house chasing her from room to room. Experience the video for yourself below.

IFHY (feat.Pharrell)

At the end of “IFHY (feat.Pharrell)” we have another gem from the album “Jamba” (which is also his nickname for his grandmother). I love a good two in one video.

This album feels like an a lot more of a vulnerable Tyler than we have heard in the past. For example “Answer” is about the phone call’s he wishes his whole life would happen. It may be Tyler’s most mature song to date where he delves into the constantly resurfacing emotion of the absence of his Nigerian father and his now deceased grandma Jamba over a very Neptunes  circe 2002 influenced production.

“48″ is a song by Tyler performed as Sam who goes in depth over organs and horns and tumbling keys about why he became a dealer and really is remorseful for ruining the very lives of the people he sells to. The song also features some sampled Nas vocals breaking down the drug game and if you listen closely you can even hear Pharrell yelling “Yeah Nigga!” in the background.

“Colossus” is an interesting lil song that is somewhat Tyler’s version of the Eminem classic “Stan”. He flips the story to an in person perspective, that is more like the recorded dialogue that sometimes is unspoken that occurs when a fan meets his idol. On “Colossus” he meets his own number one fan at Six Flags as he is buying a churro and is approached being asked for a picture, which he initially says no to but… Yea you just gotta hear it for yourself.

Another highlight on the album is a nice hypnotizing three in one song ”PartyIsntOver/Campfire/Bimmer” .

Watch “Bimmer (feat. Frank Ocean)” below

“Bimmer” being my favorite, bangs HEAVY as Tyler’s finds a way to get Salem to the lake and  begins the song telling her how lame Sam and his impala are as they listen to Tame Impala. Frank Ocean plays the role of a background sample perfectly on this one it’s truly brilliant.

“Rusty” feat. EARL and Domo  is another highlight just bars on bars on bars, enough quotables for you spend a few hours on Rap Genius.

“Analog” fans are getting sick of the rape
All the “Tron Cat” fans are getting sick of the lakes
But what about me, bitch? I’m getting sick of complaints”

I feel you.

“Treehome95″ shifts the albums gears a bit and features the beautiful voices and aura’s of  Coco O. (of Quadron) & Erykah Badu. There are no rap verses here so open your minds sails, it’s a beautiful trip.

We’re almost into the conclusion and by now you have kinda come to the conclusion this album is KINDA out there. Cool, well get ready for “Tamale”, it’s a purely insane banger and sounds more fun and a bit different sonically than anything on here. I’m not even sure if this is a sample or is it someone just screaming like they ate a damn jalapeño. The song is fire though.

Tyler decides to end the album on an elegant note with “Lone”.  Which sounds like a score, and is about his last conversation with his dying grandmother. The song seems to lead you to believe her death was the reason for who he became on BASTARD. Being that his grandmother is who raised him.

“WOLF”  overall feels like a true evolution of Tyler as a Creator. Sonically it’s very Neptunes influenced in every chord, but you knew that already so who cares? Far from flawless but applaud it. There’s just less to say, more to enjoy with a project so well rounded it sounds like he finally got to say what he wanted to say the way he wanted to say it. No matter what we think or feel about it it can’t be ignored. Upon first listen every song on here has something  interesting about it. That little simple fact in this day and age is very rare for a rap album. To quote him one more time ”I got 99 problems and all of em are being happy” is a killer line made out of the best ingreints possible. Honesty. With three different album covers there was some thought put into this project and it shows. “WOLF” is as light as it is dark and is somewhat of an emotional roller coaster without a seat belt, so no matter how old you are or feel I hope you enjoy the ride.

Thanks, and Fuck you Tyler.

- ∂eƒ

A Promise to the Little Ones We Lost

I promise you,

This world had more kindness than it did filth.

I am so sorry that you will not get a chance to see.

He was lost.

No one found him.

So, he found you.

You would have felt what loving someone is in about ten years.

Mom and dad would have been concerned.

Some of you would have become teachers.

But, we say goodbye now.

He was once Adam, now Hate.

Only in adulthood we expect people to be animal.

You were just six.

Would have walked to him,

Hand to face,

asked,

“What’s wrong?”

The ones who could have reached out

Failed us all.

He was a young boy once without a friend

and could feel no pain.

No one saw him so

he came to see you.

I hope you looked at one another in your last moments,

and saw what love looks like.

We promise, we won’t just like a Facebook page.

We promise, we are going to go out there

and Love somebody.

We talk guns like Love is the taboo.

We promise we will give Love to someone who doesn’t have it so

they don’t come take it from other kids.

We will stop focusing on:

Does he fit the criteria?

What’s his IQ?

We know that the trigger is pulled when lack of empathy is coupled with self-hate

and the babies are gone.

We promise you Charlotte

Daniel

Oliva

Josephine

Ana

Dylan

Madeleine

Catherine

Chase

Jesse

James

Grace

Emilie

Jack

Noah

Caroline

Jessica

Avielle

Benjamin

and

Allison.

We will live harder, we will love more

Because we are missing you 20 that did that better

than any of us.

We will honor you now.

Your fall will not be for nothing.

Your moms and dads are staying strong.

They will miss you more as each day passes.

A request.

May you find peace.

And, send some to them.

They are brave

But you,

You are braver.

Nairy Kevork is a Los Angeles native poet and artist. She has been writing poetry for ten years and plans on writing her first novel in the coming year. She also focuses on surreal paintings and psychologically themed art. Nairy is studying to become a therapist and social worker and is working towards her dream of starting a nonprofit for at risk kids.

The showcase will feature groundbreaking technology from InVenture, ThrdPlace, iSocialite, AppMyForm, Recargo, City Innovation Group, and RideAmigos Corp. From web to widgets to mobile apps, these start-ups service entire municipal populations to increase civic engagement and improve the lives of citizens. The ticketed event will provide all attendees with early access, free consulting, and free use of these new tech-for-change products.

This event is being hosted in conjunction with Mayor Villaraigosa’s press conference at Hub LA on Monday April 1 in which the City of Los Angeles’ new “MyLA311” app will be officially unveiled. This new City mobile application allows Angelenos to submit 311 service requests, locate city resources, and pay city bills through their smartphones. By taking advantage of a smartphone’s GPS and camera, the app promises to make reporting complaints and finding city services simpler and more accessible.

On April 3, Hub Los Angeles will also announce it’s exciting partnership with the newly formed Technology Center created by the LA Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center. The Technology Center will provide advising, and resources for Hub LA member start-ups.

“As home to a new generation of business leaders and start-ups dedicated to building a sustainable economy, Hub Los Angeles has created a community of values-aligned entrepreneurs fueled by collaboration and innovation,” says Elizabeth Stewart, CEO, Hub Los Angeles. “The six start-ups featured at the Civic Innovation Showcase—all of whom are Hub LA members—are representative of this drive to use business to enhance our civic lives in Los Angeles and beyond. The wave of entrepreneurs using tech to drive social change is about to explode in Los Angeles. The city is a playground for social entrepreneurs driven by the need to solve large urban issues.”

Civic Innovation Showcase and MyLA311 Launch Party

Hub Los Angeles 830 Traction Avenue, Third Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Parking lot fee $5-$7: free street parking available on Traction Ave.

First watch, then read:

In a small way child psychology has become more of a familiar topic. The understanding that it is not good for a child to see their parents constantly arguing is not a good thing, we know that sexual abuse can have traumatic and lasting effects on a person’s mental health. We know these things as concepts but at what point are the impacts of these experiences noticeable or lasting? Francesca explains “When you are young you don’t fully understand the adult world. I am interested in the moments that contribute to our personalities, when we experience anger and pain.”

It begs the question, ‘How many arguments is too many for a child to witness?’ ‘At what point does an affection moment between a child and adult become sexual if the child does not perceive it as such?’ These are questions with foggy answers and this film sets the mood for that discussion. It is not just the major events in your childhood that shape you , Francesca notes, “As a young woman, coming in contact with older men, sometimes you learn in small traumatic ways.”

The film was selected for the Atlanta Film Festival. Francesca is continuing to promote the film and the surrounding dialogue. “I would prefer a smaller number of people have a deeper connection with a film versus thousands of people having a shallow experience of it. People that like to read seem to like it a lot. I want the film to create a feeling inside you and for that feeling to stay a while.”

Mistakes Were Made asks you to notice the nuances of a child’s interaction with their world that can shape a their personality as an adult. Francesca subtly magnifies the socialization of the male/female dynamic through the eyes of a young women. We all know that no one is perfect, Mistakes Were Made helps us to see why.

Francesca Mirabella

francescamirabella.com

francesca.mirabella@gmail.com

There are very few artists that make you wait on a moment to feel a feeling you have waited your whole life to feel. Very few artists make you wait. In the age of very microwaveable music, James Blake gives you a buffet to digest. A patient listener will be reward with the masterpiece known as “Overgrown”. Every time my girlfriend hears a new song from the artist known as James Blake she asks the same question “WHO IS HE?!?!? And how does he make me feel this way???” Well upon first glance James is a very normal looking bloke, self produced singer song writer from London who started out recording EP’s in his dorm room. Upon first listen he is something MUCH more. I believe from his first self titled debut album “James Blake” in 2010 he was his own genre. A complete original. No xerox could duplicate what he was making. As an artist who doesn’t really say much, his music truly spoke volumes for him. I’m never sure what to call it, but why try? It’s James Blake. Below I invite you to enter a slight ease drop into his latest work “Overgrown”

He is one of those artists that even if you have no idea what the song is about you feel the meaning. It also sounds better when you are by yourself for some reason, or the music makes you feel like you are by yourself, I’m not truly sure. No matter what I want you to have your own experience with this record but my own personal highlights include “Life Round Here”, which sounds like your brain is being sucked into a new world in every note. “Retrograde” which is so soulful I get chills every time I hear it (which is like 6 times a day lol) easiest the best song released this year. “Take A Fall For Me” which features The RZA from thee legendary Wu Tang Clan (the first rapper  to ever appear on any James Blake project) spitting potent poetry over one of James’ more intricate arrangements. “Voyeur” which builds so subtly it sounds like you are being levitated above a technicolor dance floor being built in your brain. “To The Last” which has snare that  would melt the face of MF DOOM, and the HUGE victorious stadium feel present in the final song “Everyday I Ran”.

I feel I have said enough, in the words of James himself “Ignore everybody else, we’re alone now.”

“Overgrown” is out April 9th .

- d e f