Best of the Top 10 of 2024!

Spring wanes in its own stupidity as summer's disgusting reign looms only days soon....which means it's damn time for my Best of the TOP TEN of last year! 

Drop yr breath + hold everything, list below!

•Ad of the Year (Print Media)

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Discovered this unexpected+quickly fun/powerfully=handsome LA Marathon exclusive from Nike® pasted up right down the block from my studio.

15 yrs of living on the route - this is the first running related thing to profoundly snag me. Mb that says something about me...or just the first time I've encountered a smart reference to that The Missing Persons song, perhaps in combo w/ Chris Focus' image? Whyever aside, my excitement in the art of advertising is restored.

...yet still steeped in the reality of any high-profile company's board-given right to underpay everyone it chooses, regardless of profitability. 

Dig the aforementioned FOC's responsible tone on the subject:

"When I got my first check from Nike for pacing and noticed my rate was the same as my old job, I knew it was time for me to bounce!" - March, 2024 (post-'thon)

Wrap it however you choose, no bows tied. If excitement + praise could only materialize in the form of a bonus, those responsible would easily make all the ends connect.

•Album of the Year

13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips 

by the American experimental rock band, Xiu Xiu. 

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I haven't listened to it yet. 

It's quite possible I may choose to never do so. No mistake -- I heart very much of Xiu Xiu's work. Always real for readers. A true parole podcast of self-initiated agitprop that sometimes returns as nèo-psychedelia "'cause-I-said-so" type of thing. 

It's thrilling to "may/may not" here, and with the American experimental rock band's constantly multi-instrumental frontperson​, Jamie Stewart's comments on the record, "interesting uselessness" + "a stupid contradiction that could have genuine consequences" (løve), I feel totally great about my decision.

•Paint Color Name of the Year

Teal We Meet Again - PPG17-32

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If a Hall of Fame exists for paint names, I severely hope it's coated nø less than 3 layers thick w/ this dark, pure, teal aqua-green example of definitively terrific +/or terrible punsploitation (with a jewel undertone).  A bold masterstroke of bravado in the typically tame theatre of commercial paint names, worthy of recognition, if a community exists in which shit like this is celebrated.

Known to interior walls as Pittsburgh Plate Glass Swatch Catalog #PPG17-32, the lively + saturated aqua hue's namesake can also be found on the nails of Dutch people worldwide thanx to Nailberry.

Don't trust me ist... 

In deze video laten we een nagellak swatch zien van één van de kleuren van Nailberry. 

...and a bit too similarly regarding this NAGELLAK SWATCH​.

NAGELLAK SWATCH

Ook te vinden als holografische nagelstrips van Color Street, meer andere nagellak via Red Carpet, en nog veel meer om je stomme Pinterest te vullen!

Whether brush to hand wall 2(two) coats or two(2) handed nail brush to color finger opaque polish coat, TWMA reviews maintain stability across markets:

House Beautiful says, "There's that pun we were all waiting for!"

and from Yahoo Money, 

" There's that nail polish-esque name we were all waiting for!​"

See?!

*Thx to Emji Saint Spero for bringing this to my attention by means of rightfully appropriated paint chip à la Home Despot.

•Best Live Event(s) I missed in 2024 of the Year

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Can go ahead and just sweep nearly the entire '24 calendar of any/all events presented by faves the Black Editions + the Unwrinkled Ear, along w/ the 1st season of Club Blamp Mop...

Borg Loom...

z...

z-Z-Boskpfh Tram...

 Rod Bond,  

      Crooge Form...

         ⬆️

(Club Blob Tub), acoupla hundred Patrick Shiroishi jams, a bumper crop of Martin Escalante blow outs + plenty of powerful programming by/feat. prolific pals, ahere + abroad, so on -- so it goes.

*Honorable 2023 mention (kinda thee mist show marking the beginning of the slide), the Unwrinkled Ear together w/ Surface World jam-a-thon...

John Bischoff, Sunik Kim, Sally Decker + Brendan Glasson, + Oceans Roar 1000 Drums

@ Coaxial Arts & Bird Feed, Ltd.

Baby/Birdman - Keeps Spinnin' (Spinstrumental Version by DJ Again)

jk as back at d.j. again [NOW] F.R. af\

Sorry, Pringles, but Ramens want their Chickens back.

Right, I'm constantly amused by the latest ridiculous products dreamed up by such "food" companies. Endless absurdity fuel...totally taser.
Then this happened:

Pringles Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Flavor

"Everyone’s had those late-night moments pondering life’s deepest questions such as: “What would happen if ramen and Pringles combined?” Well, wonder no more because the answer is straight-up deliciousness. Straight out of a Pringles can. Available for a limited time this summer exclusively at Dollar General locations nationwide."
- pringles.com

I got a kick out many of their previous efforts such as:
-Grilled Shrimp Flavor
-Bruschetta Flavor
-Soft Shell Crab Flavor
-Yogurt... Bacon Caesar Salad, Cola... Blueberry and Hazelnut? (Actually that one makes me gag when I think about it.)

But who the fuck loves Top Ramen so much that they wanna eat a uniformly curved disc of dried potato puree that tastes like it? Maybe they love the flavor but find that ramen noodles are just too wet? I mean if you want Top Ramen, then why not just buy Top Ramen for fucks sake? It's like $.25 a pack or something, where as a can of Pringles is like $2.00-ish?

Finally, why is this incredible limited time only product exclusively available at Dollar General stores?!

I do have to give Pringles a hi five for their old commercials, where they pushed their not-so-oily quality by showing a guy eating a bag of normal potato chips wiping his "chip hand" across the chest of his silk shirt. Very taser!

*To whom it may concern: If Pringles is hiring people to come up with this stuff, please tell me where to submit my resume.

a kennedy wishlist...

Sure, the holidays have passed, as well as my birthday, but I feel gift giving knows no season.
So....
Here are 2 items I want, need. No, actually just want:

1. ROOMBA!
This would be the perfect pet for me. Considering my lifestyle, animals are a non-starter and I continually turn down offers of free plants to kill. 

Yes, my studio looks exactly like this, minus the kid, the woman, the furniture, the plant, the rug, and the hardwood floor.

Thought about Alexa, but it's creepy and I obviously still remember how to type, plus the tile floors of my studio don't clean themselves.
Remembering not to step on something and occasionally glimpsing an autonomous thing roaming about the rooms both inform my sense "compassion".
Some models talk when upset, which I like. Already have a name in mind: Coat Rack.

2. A new foot scrubbing brush thing.

As a pedestrian, feet are essential to maintain. The handle on my old one broke.
As a last ditch measure, I resorted to using a Stanley rasp. Actually, pretty effective! 

But, the right tool for the right job.

*Cognac and Hendricks gin are, of course, always welcome.

the/oral: oral music histories and interesting interviews

THEORAL - "...a collection of oral history of the creative music scene (improvised, experimental, new music, jazz, &c.)..."

Though only 2 books deep into the current 13 published, the words have thus far offered up views for terrific consideration which, for me, expand beyond the zones of thought on creative music, in terrific outbound directions.
Taser reading for sure, incredible lineup in the collection, highly recommended.

theoral #12: hamid drake/william parker + theoral #11: laura altman/monica brooks/andrew choate

The Oral hovers around Nickelsdorf, near the Austria-Hungarian border, which flares up annually w/ the outstanding Konfrontation Festival (which I sadly missed an op to attend last year).

As things happen, I had the opportunity to perform a piece w/ Andrew Choate at an event featuring a talk by the/oral editor Philipp Schmickl last year in Los Angeles.

Terrific show, and a wonderful hang afterwards at my studio where in a grand twist, Philipp and I discovered that we share the same birthday, same year, same day: 01/01/1980! He and Karin are amazing folks who I hope to meet again. Here or there!

Get more here: https://theoral.wordpress.com

loafered.

thought i was hitting peak loafer...

thought last year's "el nino" would quell the addiction, at least a tad....

but no.

people often comment on the mound of loafers near the door in my studio. little do they know, like an iceberg, the bulk of the collection is hidden in the closet.

loafer hound for life.

special shoe envy award goes to lunch skirt for these totally taser green flats.

for some reason they never fail to improve my mood and general outlook on life.

live: borbetomagus

happy there was a container of complimentary earplugs at the entrance. this is the only 2nd time in my life i've felt i needed (had) to wear them.

stole this from the wire. as a rule, i don't take photos at shows.

i've listened to and appreciated these cats over the years, heard tales and read about their performances, but none of it prepared me for this live sound experience.
no ceremony, just an unrelenting blast of what these guys do from the instant the light turned green, until they stopped doing it. feel like i learned something.

this documentary (below), which lit the wick for the evening, was pretty good too. chris corsano's cameo was really funny.


POLLOCK Official Trailer from Jef Mertens on Vimeo.

*also, scoured my place for the past 2 weeks searching for a very old borbetomagus cassette... dang.

Air Bud: Convincing Fan Art

Bud shimmy, Bud shutter, Bud sores...

A delightful find sent to me by the Goatmoither! Holding in my hands the heartfelt sentiment of the one who so lovingly (re)produced this cover art, I feel the pains of defeat and triumph.
Unsure if it's dog football or dog frisbee, but I want to be touched. Who has a VCR??!!??

P>S>: Always trust the Kansas Citysun.

planning yr last meal - w/ automne zingg + joseph ploeg

Hungry?

Well, at like about the same time that Mark Rice and dropt our weird food book, this happened…

Comfort Eating With Nick Cave: Vegan Recipes To Get Deep Inside of You

Defensive Eating With Morrissey: Vegan Recipes From The One You Left Behind

These two delicacies combine the darkly humorous illustrations of Automne Zingg (aka: lacey space cake) with vegan recipes from chef Joseph Ploeg… 

Automne was already in like my top 3 of folks werkin’ over-the-moon style clever and cynical commentary, but to view it in such pro as fuck presentation is a joy!

These vegan versions of quality classics by Mr. Ploeg set page to page with her hilarious representations of two of the most bleak, heart-evoking icons will have you crying tears of laughter into your warm bowl of “Mac-N-Cheez For One”.

This combo meal kills, but will definitely make you reconsider it all just for one. more. bite.

My personal go-to comforter...

Recommended you stop looking over the menu and order something:

https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/artist/automne_zingg

"Lil' Help?" : A Charming yet Challenged Version of the American Masculine Kitchen

By: Mark Rice + Jeremy Kennedy

Thrilled about having this brand new flippable guide through next level foods and the consideration of, all finished up and out in the world! Had a terrific time launching this proper style at Open Press 2016 here in Los Angeles last weekend! Taser event, can't even...

Lil' about:

Straddling the fence between menus of possibility and absurdity, two artists tackle cuisine idealistically with what they are given and what they’ve absorbed. Presented in a stylish, e-z to use table top format.

Comes packaged in screen-printed literature mailer box, with exclusive sticker.

*Neither Goatmother Industrial nor Rebel Hands Press take responsibility for like anything.

~ 19 page, full color, ring bound table display, with screen-printed cover on chipboard.

~ Measure - 13h x 6w x 5d

~ Edition - 39

Think we done good...

Check it out over here: www.rebelhandspress.com

A few bonus process shots!
In a terrifying grid!

E.L.P.... minus the E.

tarkus-ing this mourning...

srsly some my fave cover art EVER.

everytime, everything about this record, i'm still like what the fuck. really...?!

thanks for the terrific work.

street terms: vol. 1

thought i'd put a lil more spark on this recent action...

Street Terms, Vol. 1

Artists: Elaina Morgan + Jeremy Kennedy

Photography: Rebecca Ramirez

In photographic form, Street Terms, Vol. 1 is the first in a series of art books cataloging the collaborative language-twisting works by artists Elaina Morgan (Brooklyn, NY) + Jeremy Kennedy (Los Angeles, CA).

Each installment is catalyzed by a coincidental encounter with a tangible, incomplete set of characters. Utilizing only what's included in their alphanumeric find, the artists create a collection of succinct absurdist meditations on contemporary culture and city life.

Vol. 1 features arrangements of mirror-polished brass letters discovered in the wilds of Echo Park, Los Angeles and shot on verdant turf by photographer Rebecca Ramirez.

~ 26 page full-color book (saddle-bound)

~ materials - matte cover stock, matte photo stock

~ measure - 6" x 8"

~ edition - 44

the launch party was in full effect w/ a taser soundtrack by llull and our "street terms: live!" interactive installation (both pictured below).

huge thanks to everyone who joined in, and insert blanc press for graciously hosting at outside gallery. we find ourshelves w/ a few fewer of this... launched, loaded, and still stocked! 

looking fwd to vol. 2 coming  soon!

check out www.rebelhandspress.com for a full scoop.

the taser side(s) of the world- drawings by rob hessler

my fandom for this fellow has been there from the moment i locked eyes w/ his work.

not only the work, but as a person, the experience is so damn taser.

a few years laters, and now with ~2,400 miles of distance between us, my incredible appreciation of this work has done nothing but grow.

(funny how that happens)

flipped worlds, feathered scopes, and re-revisited historical scapes... mr. hessler cleverly pulls together forever stare-at-able pieces in insanely exacting detail, with enough conceptual presence to draw plenty o' inkwell dry.

these grabbed photos are just a tease...

 not even the most intense, just a couple of faves. seeing rob's work in person is enough to make my wrist cramp, instant carpal tunnel vision....the amount of fancy, pen technique (to his own) involved in this action breaks my brain.

here's the online, a lot to offer. he's out there often, many cities... grab it live when/if you can.

http://www.robhessler.com/

+fb+

drawings by rob hessler

stimpson j. heater

since the heat broke in the studio, i bought several new heat machines.

my personal model looks kinda like stimpy.

it also rotates a lot and makes annoying sounds.

yes, it is an idiot.

recent cares, shares, mails...

right, 2016... some spectacular illness was terrifically offset by a visit from my b-day sharer, aurora dorey alice, a few staycation days. and a haul of really rad cards.

the (kinda) downtime gave me a moment to dig through a few new or recent readables grabbed up via mail or handoff...

from left to rights...

-rice harvester #14- The closing edition, and powerfully done up (love this cover art). from 1995 til here, wow... i'm looking through to see what issues i have and what i missed. i've known this human for years. From crazy-ass tales humorous and tragic, written or spoken, even in lost moments, hugs, his words have always made me feel a whole hell of lot more... human.
http://remoteoutposts.bigcartel.com/product/rice-harvester-zine-14

-theoral #11- (the abc of improvisation) conversations with laura altman, monica brooks and andrew choate- i caught a copy of this fine publication a while back via thee unwrinkled ear. don't believe i've encountered this apparently damn taser series before granted this access. just as one saint bollards re-informed my awareness of my outdoor urban surroundings, this work has spurred exciting new thought towards creative sound-making and beyond. further into this catalog i go: (http://www.theoral.org/)

-poems by elbe, vol. 2 - this 24 page collection of truth snips and hopscotch histories arrived perfectly stapled up during the holiday times. now read, my copy sits on a shelf of important things. however, it's size and design are very suited for the ass-pocket of most any pants for fast access to anxiety quells, bus moments, and daily mental snacks. small, orange, rectangular pill (high mg). taken in combination w/ alcohol or pregnancy may cause "funny" results: (SAN publications)

honored to have this terrific mention... taser dialed.

just finished this terrific share from lunch skirt (official table-blue studio librarian)
the lover- marguerite duras

i believe in these words, perfect timing. drone strike.

tomo!

just had the pleasure of meeting and jamming w/ this guy and mr. sun araw himself last night. 
at betalevel, beneath the crooked alleyways of la's incredibly spooky chinatown...on a dark and stormy nite.

tomo, man rips rad on the double bass, see example:

he'll be doing more things w/ the instrument here:

- January 4th, 8:30 pm:

with Charlie Rauh and Leonid Galaganov at 65 Fenimore Street, Brooklyn, New York City, USA.

- January 7th:

with Charlie Rauh and Leonid Galaganov at The Firehouse Space, Greenpoint, New York City, USA.

aside from his tasered up career in improvised music, composition, 2xbassing, etc., he is also a comic guru and makes some fine artwork. especially dig these #simpleisbest pen and ink drawings, as well as his watercolour approach here.

seems to have an obsession w/ birth. meant to ask him about that. i didn't.

www.tomojacobson.com