http://fmlyfest.tumblr.com/

HEADS UP: we’ll be back this summer in both brooklyn and...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:06:00 -0400

HEADS UP:
we’ll be back this summer in both brooklyn and boston. holler if you’d like to help out and be a part of the magic.

fmlyfest@thefmly.com

<3

explore-blog: Lynda Barry, reconstructionist.

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:53:14 -0500

explore-blog:

Lynda Barry, reconstructionist.

where should we go next?

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:27:30 -0500

where should we go next?

EVERYONE IS SMILING :Dphotosbymichellehalac: RELIGIOUS...

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:58:07 -0500

EVERYONE IS SMILING :D

photosbymichellehalac:

RELIGIOUS GIRLS
FMLY FEST
2012

the-mesmerist: Well judging by my low grade fever, completely...

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 10:00:48 -0500

the-mesmerist:

Well judging by my low grade fever, completely shot voice, and the tiny black spiders I’ve been hallucinating in my peripheral vision due to an extreme sleep deficit, FMLY FEST LA must have recently concluded and probably was pretty fun.

The shows were divided between three spaces, Towne Hall, ArtShare, and FMLY’s newest project, the LA Fort. All three spaces were within a mile radius of each other in what I think was little tokyo? Since I can’t fit all of my thoughts into one post I’ll focus on the Fort today; it was definitely the most inspiring part of my trip which is saying a lot because the people and bands and art were totally fantastic as well.

Walking into the Fort I definitely felt a sense of anything can happen, there were two artists working on a colorful mixed media mural, as well as someone setting up a screen-printing station to be used on the giant pile of donated clothes. There were volunteers sweeping, putting up signs, and doing other more whimsical chores like hanging an upside down christmas tree next to an corner-mounted giant illuminati eye. I felt from them a real sense of excitement and ownership; how often do you have a chance to build an art venue from the ground up!? Talking to Cameron Rath and Daniel Kantor and other folks that are intimately involved with the space, I was pleased to see a pattern of horizontal decision making and deliberateness of action.

For instance, in asking about how the bands were picked, Cameron said they had an open call for participants and put together listening parties every two week long before the fest. From there they were able to make a shortlist of both talented bands that were their friends as well as others from different communities. This kind of transparency also comes into handling the expenses. It sounds like they have a small monthly membership fee (like some food coops have) and then those people have a say in how the space is run as well as other benefits (presumably less $ for shows?)

What I like about that system is that it both makes the community have an ownership role but also relieves a lot of the pressure of making tons of money at shows to pay the bills. As with any pay-per-month system, there is lots of room for it to go astray but I’ve got a lot of faith in women and men that I’ve met in FMLY so far and the purity of their intentions.

After spending some time in the neighborhood it was apparent that there is a large contingent of homeless or transient people around. Dealing with the tension that can arise between a group already prone to feeling displaced and middle class peoples that come in and change the surroundings in the name of “cleaning up the place” is a very uncomfortable reality to life in the city. I was really happy to see FMLY had already hooked up with Food Not Bombs to provide free or donation based food during the fest, as well as including some of the homeless people in the chores when they asked. I know the answer is never simple but the fact that The Fort was trying to be respectful and inclusive to the people already around seemed like a big step in the right direction.

Perhaps the most telling thing about The Fort was that by the end of the last day it was much more complete than two days prior, before the fest. The inside mural had been completed, tons more screens for printing had been made and used. A group of notable street artists had painted the entirety of the courtyard wall, the sound system was better organized, and someone had felt inspired to bring a small CNC table to make exact cuts which I think was used for making stickers? Instead of people coming to consume, to buy- they came in to be inspired, to create, to dance, to take a class, to be a part of something.

Studying the trials and victories of small art/community spaces trying to be semi-autonomous, with horizontal membership is hugely interesting to me. It always seems like an experiment, a microcosm of what life could be like if there were a ton less bullshit and it was instead replaced by personal responsibility and mutual aid. Seeing how much thought and heart and work went into The Fort, I can’t help but think its got a better chance than most for being sustainable. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed and try to lend a hand over there any chance I get.

THANK YOU FAM! much love for all the support and interaction...

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:56:00 -0500

THANK YOU FAM!

much love for all the support and interaction going on all over the world right now. fmly fest phoenix has been absolutely incredible today, and we can’t wait to celebrate through this whole weekend in los angeles. make sure to check out all of the workshops and visual arts as well! this is only the beginning…

ADOPT-A-BAND: MUTUAL BENEFIT

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 21:26:18 -0500

ADOPT-A-BAND: MUTUAL BENEFIT: a couple of spirited pups to share your home with!

fmlyfestadopt:

Members: 2

Music: mutualbenefit.bandcamp.com

Myself: Hiya FMLY, this part is stressing me out because you have to say why you are cool which in essence is not cool. George and I are silly and quiet and try to be thoughtful. We both really enjoy cooking for people and spirits, both…

mutualbenefit: in just over ten days mutual benefit will be in...

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:16:56 -0500

mutualbenefit:

in just over ten days mutual benefit will be in los angeles, gracing fmly fest, hugging every single one of us with these mesmerizing melodies. looking forward to swaying with our arms around one another.

Desert Island Feeling

Live in Austin, TX

Thanks to my sister, Whitney + her partner, Chico + my nephew, Peyton for making this!

FMLY Fest Music Leak #7 - VerBS

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 03:02:14 -0500

Hey all, it’s Stephen. If you have a moment, I’d like to share with you some music you can see at FMLY Fest 2012.

Have you heard of Verbs?

Verbs is the homie.

An extremely prolific homie. Operating out of Culver City, Verbs (Kyle Guy) has performed more than four hundred shows to date. He regularly hosts a huge event in Leimert Park known as Bananas (there will be one tomorrow- with 15 different artists). He’s also a friendly face at the odd FMLY Fest volunteer meeting. I hope you’re getting the picture.
He brings the same energy to his performances, blasting his music and flying around the stage while he raps. I was at an event earlier this year where the opening band was late and the crowd was going cold. Verbs, who was attending with a guest, offered to step up and do a show, right then and there. The crowd loved it, and in the end he did his entire set with plenty of time left before the band was ready. Saved the show.

You’ll have a chance to experience the heat of Verbs’ live performance at FMLY Fest 2012.

Here’s the link:
http://verbs.bandcamp.com/track/superhero-prod-cloud

See also:

Album:
http://verbs.bandcamp.com/album/the-progress-ep-3-manifest-awesome

FMLY Fest Music Leak #6 - Religious Girls

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:17:00 -0500

Hello again, I’m Stephen, back from a vacation in Seattle and ready to tell you about another musician playing FMLY Fest.

Today’s band- the incredible Religious Girls.

I’ll be honest here: When I found out about Religious Girls, they had already established themselves and were rather well-known among show-goers. By the looks of it, they have a massive following, built over a few years of constant touring. It seems their reputation for bringing incredible power to their live sets precedes them. The show has been described as riveting and electric. I can’t wait to see for myself, because I completely love their music.

Lucky for me, they’re coming down from their home in Oakland to play FMLY Fest 2012. Can’t wait.

Here’s the link:
http://youtu.be/t2nh4hY2zAY

it’s coming…

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:17:39 -0500

it’s coming…

How can I apply for a band for the fest in LA? The "adopt a band" only gives me the NY option

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 13:14:21 -0500

great question! at the moment no one has claimed the role of coordinating los angeles’ adopt-a-band. if you know anyone who is interested in hosting traveling artists please get in touch with fmlyfest@thefmly.com or visit a meeting at the la fort. hopefully we’ll be able to sort this out in the next couple of weeks.

fmly fest phoenix

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 12:53:12 -0500

in collaboration with our friends at tempe starving artist we proudly present FMLY FEST PHOENIX in arizona this december28. sixty plus bands both local and touring, live visual arts, a zine exchange, and interactive art displays.

our fest will be held on 5th st & roosevelt, featuring multiple stages surrounding some of our favorite shops between roosevelt and garfield: jobot, the lost leaf, rezbot, lawn gnome, and aside of heart. even better, THIS FEST IS FREE AND ALL AGES. let’s spread the word [fbook event].

if you are interested in helping this day be the best it can be, or have any questions, leave a note in the fbook event.

keep those rides in ship-shape, fam fest los angeles is just one...

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:15:42 -0500

keep those rides in ship-shape, fam fest los angeles is just one month and ten days away!

explore-blog:

So you know, points on your bike that require regular attention

FMLY Fest Music Leak #5 - Spaceships

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 14:32:08 -0500

Hey, it’s Stephen, and I’d like to offer my apologies for the long delay since last you heard from me.

You must understand, for the past two weeks I have been spending nearly all of my time at our brand new venue, The LA Fort, hoping to have it ready for its first event this weekend.

Also there to help out, almost every day, have been Kevin and Jessie of the brilliant duo Spaceships.

I first heard about Spaceships via their track on the FMLY Fest 2012 Mixtape (which features 23 of our 50-odd musicians) and vowed to see them play a live show. Now that I have, I can’t recommend them enough. The way Jessie masterfully cranks noise out of her guitar and her army of effects pedals is glorious to watch and just as good to hear. If you’ve ever enjoyed music that was labeled as “noise” or “wall-of-sound” then you really must give these two a run. They’re easily one of the finest such bands around right now, and that’s saying something.

Spaceships will be playing for anyone who comes to FMLY Fest 2012. Also for anyone who helps fund the new venue- somehow for less than the price of a keg.

Here’s the link:
http://spaceships.bandcamp.com/album/spaceships-ep

a gorgeous row of fmly posters :’)gingerpocket: my...

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 11:32:46 -0500

a gorgeous row of fmly posters :’)

gingerpocket:

my awesome pal, Brenna, took a photo of what was my spread last month for the Dirt Palace show at Soho20’s fourth annual Savoir-Faire in New York City. it’s a selection of posters i’ve done plus the 1,000 baby march silkscreen on marbled paper.

i’m a horrible documentarian of events! thankfully 99% of my friends are all excellent at it :)

FMLY Fest Music Leak #4 - EMILY REO

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:37:00 -0400

Hey it’s Stephen, and I’d like to share some more music from the upcoming FMLY Fest 2012.

Direct your attention to Emily Reo.

Emily Reo! Holy smokes. Another long-time part of the FMLY, she doesn’t play music so much as cast spells. Every time I have seen Emily Reo, I left thinking I had gotten lucky and seen that one perfect show where every sound fit together exactly the way it was intended. After three or four I realized: That’s just how she plays. Emily Reo will put a haze around you, and you’ll see stars you could swear weren’t there before. If you get the chance in December, do yourself a favor and find out what Emily Reo’s performance feels like.

I, for one, cannot wait to be there when Emily Reo plays at FMLY Fest 2012.

Here’s a link:
http://emilyreo.bandcamp.com/track/tell-us-all

<a href=”http://emilyreo.bandcamp.com/track/tell-us-all” data-mce-href=”http://emilyreo.bandcamp.com/track/tell-us-all”>tell us all by Emily Reo</a>

FMLY Fest Music RE-LEAK

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:33:09 -0400

Hello agian! Stephen here.

I have a great big apology for Raw Geronimo and the tasteful individuals who listen to their music. I hadn’t really done them justice with the video included in FMLY Fest Music Leak #1, and I think you all deserve a fresh take.

Luckily, I’ve got my hands on another video of this fantastic group at work.
I think you might enjoy it.

Here’s the link:
http://youtu.be/AFALB238SgA

fmly fest phoenix

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:50:23 -0400

in collaboration with our friends at tempe starving artist we proudly present fmly fest in phoenix, arizona this december28. with events and a lineup to be announced soon, we have already scheduled more than thirty musicians both locally and touring, in addition to live visual arts, a zine exchange, and interactive art displays.

our fest will be held on 5th st & roosevelt, featuring multiple stages surrounding some of our favorite shops between roosevelt and garfield: jobot, the lost leaf, rezbot, lawn gnome, and aside of heart. even better, THIS FEST IS FREE AND ALL AGES. let’s spread the word.

if you are interested in helping this day be the best it can be, or have any questions: tempestarvingartist@gmail.com or fmlyfest@thefmly.com.

FMLY Fest Music Leak #3 - FEEDING PEOPLE

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:00:30 -0400

Stephen here, with another drip from our saucepan in the sky- a sample from one of FMLY Fest 2012’s many great performers.

This one’s about Feeding People.

Feeding People were another pleasant surprise from a music festival for me. I knew they were good and I had heard they played a strong show, but I hadn’t expected to see the guitarist rip the crap out of his strings the way he did at the end of their set. I could have sworn I smelled smoke coming off their equipment. A fantastically enthusiastic bunch- but don’t take my word for it, just see them.

Yet another band who is even better “experienced” than “heard”, LA’s own Feeding People are performing at FMLY Fest 2012.

Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/eeLrCWAC52k