Blue Scholars - Fou Lee Video

Filthy

Welcome to Cinemetropolis

Blue Scholars decided to drop their new album Cinemetropolis a little early! From concept (they will drop a video/short film for every track) to independent distribution, this album is exactly what Geo and Sabzi have built their careers on, originality and mastery of their craft.

You can taste test all tracks and then cop the album HERE.



Here's the first short film from the album:

Jake Shimabukuro EPK

Here's an EPK I made for Jake with footage from the upcoming documentary

Beatrock Music Anniversary Show Video

Happy New Year! 2011 looks like it's gonna be another big year for good people making good art (...and wedding vows and babies). Beatrock Music closed out 2010 with 1 year anniversary shows in Long Beach and San Francisco AND announcing two new artists joining the label: Kiwi and Rocky Rivera! Check out the video that Jerome and the rest of the Just Bomin Films crew put together of the SF show:

Jake Shimabukuro - Blue Roses Falling

I really need to step my blog game up. I somehow for got to post this video I made in June of Jake Shimabukuro playing Blue Roses Falling in Hawai'i Kai.

I've been so inspired by the location musical performance videos on La Blogotheque that I've been wanting to try something like this for a while.

This particular performance was pretty spontaneous. We were shooting a recording session with Jake at this decked out studio in Hawai'i Kai, there were three huge fans (the kind that blow air) trying to get the weed smell out of the studio lounge that Kanye had supposedly left the night before. Anyway,there was this amazing private dock behind the studio and we asked Jake to play a song.

Blue Scholars - Lumiere

Blue Scholars inspired by The xx. Photographer John Coyne inspired by Blue Scholars. Keep that energy movin!

Bambu - Who's That?!

This is what happens when Bambu jacks Das Racist for their "Who's That? Brooown!" beat produced by Sabzi, then gets a big craving for some donuts...

Band of Horses at the Greek

My obsession with Seattle bands continue. Last Saturday I saw Band of Horses at the Greek Theater on a beautiful 70 degree September evening. It was the perfect night at the perfect venue. Lead singer Ben Bridwell was not at his best as he explained to the crowd that he “may have contacted SARS or something". Having followed Jake Shimabukuro earlier this month on tour, I have a better understanding of the grueling pace and physical toll life on the road can be for musicians. Even though Bridwell couldn't hit all his notes, he sang his heart out and we all appreciated the effort. Who wouldn't love a band who has a song titled "Detlef Schrempf"...did I mention they were from Seattle?

Here's an amazing bike video cut to their song "The Funeral"


The video for "No One's Gonna Love You"

Power Struggle - ArtOfficialFreedom music video

It's one thing to be part of a community of progressive artists, but it's a whole other thing when some of those people happen to be your favorite musicians period. That's how I feel about Nomi, front man of Power Struggle. Over the last couple of years I've gotten to know this brotha on a personal level but I am still just a huge fan of his music. His lyrics and delivery have this emotion and vulnerability that few emcees can capture.

Here's the video for "ArtOfficialFreedom", one of my favorite tracks off Power Struggle's latest album Remittances. I actually wanted to do the video for this song but director Jerome Palencia beat me to it.

Power Struggle "ArtOfficialFreedom" Music Video from Just Bombin Films on Vimeo.

Bambu - "Old Man Raps" Video

Kid Heroes, Xylophone and Bambu do it again...



Behind-the-scenes...

bikos - You Want It

First music video by the hometown homies bikos!

Bambu - "The Queen Is Dead" Music Video

Produced by Chicharon Adventures and Oishi Media.

bikos - "Videogame Sandwich Diamonds" Acoustic Performance

A couple of years ago a group of friends that I grew up with formed a band called bikos. In a short amount of time they've already performed at some of LA's hottest (did I just say hottest?) music venues including the Hotel Cafe, Spaceland and the legendary Cinema Bar. They were recently featured in this Gorilla Acoustic video performing "Videogame Sandwich Diamonds".

Gabe rockin the ill Culver City High Centaurs warm-up jacket:


bikos' first music video is slated to drop soon. It's amazing to watch the kids you used to listen to over YMCA campfires evolve into rockstars!

MIA - Born Free

Out of all the films that have used this concept, I think this one is done the best...or I just love this woman! All my JA's out there, you recognize the mountains in the desert backdrop?

Goh Nakamura and Youtube

There was a article last Friday in the East Bay Express about Youtube's new "Musicians Wanted" project. The new project allows musicians to partner up with Youtube and actually share some of the revenue generated by their videos based on the number of views they get. The homie Goh Nakamura was featured in the article as one of the musicians who've partnered up with Youtube.

While I was at the Google compound last month I got a chance to talk to Michele Flannery, one of the people behind the Musicians Wanted project. We talked about how many of the young artists who've really been able to take advantage of Youtube are Asian American. She also talked about how many young musicians might be able to identify more with the lo-fi, singing-in-your-bedroom videos verses a full-blown concert on TV. Michele definitely knows what's up with the Asian American music scene, which is a good thing for all of us.

Go here to download Goh's latest album for free. Here's one of his music videos that has over a million views!

Erykah Badu - "Window Seat" Video

Badass Erykah!!!!! Here's the first video off Ms. E. Badu's New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh) due to drop on March 30th.



The "Inspired by Matt and Kim" credit in the opening of the video is in reference to the "Lessons Learned" video by Matt and Kim. At least Badu didn't try to hide the fact that the idea is off the bit. As much as I would rather watch Erykah over and over again, the filmmaker inside of me can't help but admit that the concept and execution is done better in this one...


*pause* Maaan, what the hell am I talking about! I'm bout to watch Erykah again!

Offical Video for "Slow Down"

Here's the final cut of Bam's video that I did a behind-the-scenes piece for a while back. Props to Cinematographer Anthony Ignacio for making this video look so clean. Too bad all the homies who thought they were gonna make their video hoe debut got left on the cutting room floor.

Hopie Spitshard - "Yummy" Video

The fam at Kid Heroes released their latest music video this week, "Yummy" by Hopie Spitshard. Shouts to the big homies producer/editor A.J. Calomay and writer/director Pat Ginelsa.

If you haven't copped Hopie's album "The Diamond Dame" you can get it here. But don't think about trying to illegally download it cause Hopie's also a current law student and will tax your ass!

Blue Scholars - HI-808 Video

The Scholars just dropped the first video off their new EP scheduled to drop later this month. Besides the fact that one of my favorite groups created an album inspired by one of my favorite places (Hawai'i), this video brings a smile to my face because the Hawai'i premiere/concert of my film A Song For Ourselves is goin down next month! Bambu and Dj Phatrick are already confirmed. Anyone in Hawai'i mark your calenders, it's going down September 24 in Honolulu. More details to come...