January 15, 2012
Synchronicity LA Salon Presents Ariel Climer
Cycling is live music!
Ariel is one of the founding members of Synchronicity LA. Hear her speak some poetry in the Synchronicity LA arts studio.
November 17, 2011
The I Heart People Tour
We had the honor and privilege this last summer to take an amazing idea; to share ourselves and our expression, wrap it up in our passion for community and sharing, pack it up in a veggie oil bus and take it on the road! In our travels we hit up the west coast and were able to be a part of a beautiful and uniquely creative manifestation of ourselves and our community. In taking to the road and sharing with you all, we came to learn so much about the world around us. And we had some fun, dammit.
August 23, 2011
The BLVD Gaggle Ride
Synchronicity LA is part of a greater community known as the BLVD. There are over 30 individuals calling the same block of Westmoreland BLVD our home. We have monthly meetings and share creative workspaces and community meals 4 nights a week.
We love riding our bikes. Our first BLVD gaggle was a success! Stay tuned for more in the future!
We love riding our bikes. Our first BLVD gaggle was a success! Stay tuned for more in the future!
June 27, 2011
The I Heart People Tour (Trailer)
Musics! Big Veggie Oil Bus! Potlucks! Amigos! Art! Screenprints! Rollin' down the West Coast August 1-7!
I get to go on tour!!! Dreams are coming trueeeeee!
I get to go on tour!!! Dreams are coming trueeeeee!
June 7, 2011
My Synchronicity Family. On our Retreat last weekend!
May 10, 2011
Dishes
A small taste of community living... All of our cups seemed to have disappeared. So i went on a cup hunt in all the nooks and crannies of Synchronicity LA. I found over 75 of them. Then I washed them and took some pictures and sound.
March 18, 2011
Ask me how my last weekend was with my gurlfren.
Hi it's Tin and Ryan. We like to take trips and also like to substitute put M's in words where they don't belong. Here we are gandering up Highway 395, seeking advemture within valleys and mountains. Moo.
January 10, 2010
Deeragon Attack - "Positive Energy" at The Michelson Compound
Amigos Justin Shelp and Tristan Porter make up 2/2 of Deeragon Attack. Here they are bloodyin' fingers and breakin' sticks at the Michelson Compound.
December 17, 2010
Synchronicity LA's Living Room Presents:
The Red River's Bill Roberts
I remember listening to The Red River’s Little Songs About The Big Picture when it was released last month and thinking, “If our house had a spirit band, it would be the Red River.” The album captures so much of the essence of our house, both in the way that we unashamedly get wild, sing, dance, and celebrate our friendship and free spirits… and in the way that we share our quiet, more painful and vulnerable moments together. And, truly, can one exist without the other? It reminds me of an excerpt from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your
laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
Bill from The Red River brought his music to Synchronicity LA’s living room. Above he plays the track “Dirty Dave” from Little Songs About the Big Picture, which, by the way, was named Top Ten Albums of the year by NPR’s music guru Bob Boilen! Tin Santos and friends help out with the vocals on this track. You can get a sense of the spectrum of the album with these two tracks.
Below he plays When We Are Wild… may as well be our house anthem.
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your
laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
Bill from The Red River brought his music to Synchronicity LA’s living room. Above he plays the track “Dirty Dave” from Little Songs About the Big Picture, which, by the way, was named Top Ten Albums of the year by NPR’s music guru Bob Boilen! Tin Santos and friends help out with the vocals on this track. You can get a sense of the spectrum of the album with these two tracks.
Below he plays When We Are Wild… may as well be our house anthem.
November 19, 2010
Tin Santos Performs "Nobody Knows" at the Synchronicity LA Salon
Tinsel, you are one of a kind.
October 12, 2010
Synchronicity LA Salon - Ellie Ferrer Performs "States"
A pleasure to introduce the music of Ellie Ferrer, Tin's kid sister. I've put more energy than usual into thinking of a way to supplement this video with words. You see, upon meeting Ellie, listening to her music, hearing her thoughts, it's so tempting to whisper to someone "Do know how old she is?... 15!" And with that, It is pretty easy to astonish.
Now let's tangent. I remember growing up and being five years the junior of my sister. Excuse the sports reference but I was in love with the game of basketball as a teen. I loved playing with my sister's friends and never thought a handicap was appropriate--didn't want to hear you call me 'big guy' or use the tone of voice appropriate for your golden retriever. Just wanted to play. No asterisk.
So I'd rather just recognize Ellie as a fellow artist who is creating music and sharing with us. But I kept going back, can't help it. Thinking about my first time playing music at the salon. The way my face was beet red blushed and my ears were ringing and I couldn't hear the notes i was playing and I was sweating and thinking about what expression I had on my face and that the guitar was kinda sliding off my lap because the chair i was sitting on was a little tall. And I was playing in front of familiar friends, the people I live with every day. And there Ellie was, her first time playing for us. She looked us in the eye and took a moment to share how special she felt to be a part of our salon. In her own eyes she carried confidence and piece of mind. Then she took a deep breath, and sang her song.
So It must be clear that my words are not meant to asterisk her performance. You'll see, it needs no such thing. Just needs mentioning that I believe she is expressive beyond her years, and I'm quite excited to follow her growth as an artist.
Now let's tangent. I remember growing up and being five years the junior of my sister. Excuse the sports reference but I was in love with the game of basketball as a teen. I loved playing with my sister's friends and never thought a handicap was appropriate--didn't want to hear you call me 'big guy' or use the tone of voice appropriate for your golden retriever. Just wanted to play. No asterisk.
So I'd rather just recognize Ellie as a fellow artist who is creating music and sharing with us. But I kept going back, can't help it. Thinking about my first time playing music at the salon. The way my face was beet red blushed and my ears were ringing and I couldn't hear the notes i was playing and I was sweating and thinking about what expression I had on my face and that the guitar was kinda sliding off my lap because the chair i was sitting on was a little tall. And I was playing in front of familiar friends, the people I live with every day. And there Ellie was, her first time playing for us. She looked us in the eye and took a moment to share how special she felt to be a part of our salon. In her own eyes she carried confidence and piece of mind. Then she took a deep breath, and sang her song.
So It must be clear that my words are not meant to asterisk her performance. You'll see, it needs no such thing. Just needs mentioning that I believe she is expressive beyond her years, and I'm quite excited to follow her growth as an artist.
October 12, 2010
Craig and Marla, You're Married Now
"Wait, so you're married, and you still live in that.. 'thing?'" That's what one of Craig's work colleagues asked him the other day. I can imagine Craig smiling with one side of his face, giving a gentle nod. Yeah, Craig and Marla are married. They did the deed in June of this year. They share a humble room on the second floor of house of 10 bachelors and bachelorettes. You'll find Craig (aka MC Draperies) in our studio, cooking up beats and throwing down rhymes about sex, drugs and community living. Meanwhile Marla is in the driveway, sipping something delicious, headphoned, and whirling and swirling her hoop dream 'round her hips. I'm not sure I've ever heard of a married couple living under the same roof as so many wanderlust kids that weren't their own (yeah, we're still children). But they helped found our community 2 years ago, and really, where else could you imagine these two? And more importantly, what would our house be without them? We'd be out a mother, that I know. And what's a family without a mother? And without Craig all jokes would be told, I guess, 'over' our breaths--much less subtly. Also, our collective liver would be much too healthy. So here's to Craig and Marla. And here's a taste of what it was like to celebrate their love this summer. I think I can speak for the rest of our house when I say I look up to your love.
July 27, 2010
Synchronicity LA Salon - MC Draperies
Too busy howlin' at the full moon so the Maxey Fish and Sea Quarter Moon Consecution continues with MC Draperiesas the moon starts its wane. MC Draperies is an up and coming rapper who sings songs about sex, drugs, and community living and he aspires to be on top 40 radio as soon as possible. He's working on 100 songs in 2010 and you can dig them at www.PaperSafety.com
July 11, 2010
Aisea Taimani - "Remember Me"
The moon is new and the Maxey Fish and Sea Quarter Moon Consecution goes on, this time with a video of Aisea Taimani at the Synchronicity La Salon AND a palindrome emor dni lap ad nan olas al yticinorh cnyseht taina miata esia fo oediv ah tiwe mits iht no seogh o i tucesnoc noom retrauqe htdna wens i noom eht.
July 4, 2010
Johanna Chase - "Maxing Out the Boards"
Johanna and the band sets out across the desert and into the Phoenix Pride Festival. Here she performs "Maxing Out the Boards" from her new album soon to be released. She resides on the web at http://www.johannachase.com
June 26, 2010
Poet John Paul the Third - "LA, Our City"
The moon is full and the Quarter Moon Consecution continues.
Poet John Paul the Third is a spoken word artist based in Los Angeles, CA. Here he brings his piece, "LA Our City," to the people with spontaneous performances on the LA Metro.
Poet John Paul the Third:
It was a fun experience being able to speak these words in a public space and ride the streets of LA, trying to connect with the people of the city. With the content of the piece that I wrote speaking to the pain of our city and the scars that we bear with each other, I wanted to speak these words into the exact space where we are encountering our pain in each other, our daily transportation and how we get around in public spaces. Seeing the looks of the various faces of the people and their reactions portray a certain surrealism with the way the poem and its words weave into the space a certain embodiment of our fears towards each other. I noticed that I encountered a certain indifference to my presence, as if people hope to continue on with their days with as little distractions as possible and suddenly we find ourselves shut off to people, to their stories and to the magical encounters that we leave abandoned at the table of our indifference. (of course I would start writing poetry just trying to explain my poem) It is my hope that these words will spread out into the consciousness of our city and help us create a space in our lives, intentions and hearts that is willing to be surprised by our ability to connect, not in spite of our language barriers, but because of. Let this piece speak to you in whatever ways it moves and find ways to learn to embrace the people that you encounter in the special moments that life opens up to us. Enjoy!
Poet John Paul the Third is a spoken word artist based in Los Angeles, CA. Here he brings his piece, "LA Our City," to the people with spontaneous performances on the LA Metro.
Poet John Paul the Third:
It was a fun experience being able to speak these words in a public space and ride the streets of LA, trying to connect with the people of the city. With the content of the piece that I wrote speaking to the pain of our city and the scars that we bear with each other, I wanted to speak these words into the exact space where we are encountering our pain in each other, our daily transportation and how we get around in public spaces. Seeing the looks of the various faces of the people and their reactions portray a certain surrealism with the way the poem and its words weave into the space a certain embodiment of our fears towards each other. I noticed that I encountered a certain indifference to my presence, as if people hope to continue on with their days with as little distractions as possible and suddenly we find ourselves shut off to people, to their stories and to the magical encounters that we leave abandoned at the table of our indifference. (of course I would start writing poetry just trying to explain my poem) It is my hope that these words will spread out into the consciousness of our city and help us create a space in our lives, intentions and hearts that is willing to be surprised by our ability to connect, not in spite of our language barriers, but because of. Let this piece speak to you in whatever ways it moves and find ways to learn to embrace the people that you encounter in the special moments that life opens up to us. Enjoy!
June 18, 2010
ANNOUNCING:
THE MAXEY FISH AND SEA
QUARTER MOON CONSECUTION
One Maxey Fish and Sea Reel will be released with every quarter moon.
In celebration of this newborn tradition and tonight's waxing first quarter, Maxey Fish and Sea presents a premiere of Tin Santos and Julia McAlee's "Monkey Paws" as performed at the most recent Synchronicity LA Salon. This work in progress is brought to you by two spirited souls of Westmoreland Blvd. The performance is not without its bumps and bruises, but the song is too terrific not to give a glimpse. And the love that resonates through the Salon and its attendees is good and evident.
May 24, 2010
Live From Bolivia
I recently returned to Cochabamba, Bolivia to say a hello to my old basketball and bar teammates. My roommate Julia happened to be gallivanting around South America at the same time and met me in Cochabamba for a bit. We spent most of the time roaming the streets and playing music. Here's a sample of what we got into.
Julia sings "Synchronicity Jubilee" - Cochabamba, Bolivia
Julia sings a song in the Plaza Principal of Cochabamba, Bolivia. It was written as a pseudo-theme-song for our intentional community in Los Angeles, Synchronicity LA. This performance was full of a couple wonderful synchronicities. Enjoy them!
Ryan Sings "El Jefe de La Paz" - La Paz, Bolivia
While roaming the breathsucking streets of La Paz Bolivia, I met a friend who goes by the name Kapi. I wrote a song for him about how he rules the city of La Paz with his dangerous hanger.
Julia Sings "Hallelujah" - Cochabamba, Bolivia
Sprawling across Cochabamba's urban center is La Cancha market. It is well known for being one of the largest, most overwhelming markets in South America. Julia strapped on her guitar and took a casual stroll through the meat aisle, past the puppies, around the underwear, brushing shoulders with the carrot juicer, and ending amongst the veggies.
Julia McAlee is a singer-songwriter living in Los Angeles. You can visit her website here: http://juliamcalee.com/
She lives in an intentional community in central Los Angeles known as Synchronicity LA: http://www.synchronicityla.com/
Julia McAlee is a singer-songwriter living in Los Angeles. You can visit her website here: http://juliamcalee.com/
She lives in an intentional community in central Los Angeles known as Synchronicity LA: http://www.synchronicityla.com/
May 15, 2010
Synchronicity Salon Updates
The Synchronicity LA Salon is a fortnightly even held on the second Wednesday and last Sunday of the month. It features musicians, poets, artists and performances of all types. Our goal is to provide a safe space for all types of creative expression. It can be an open discussion for works in progress or a venue to show or perform whatever you fancy. This video might give you an overall feel for it, and here are some of the latest performances.
An Original Tune by Jerry the Bear
Jerry is a long time friend of Synchronicity LA. I remember the first week I moved into the house, we had a Jerry the Bear concert in our living room. I was moved, and reaffirmed that moving to Synchronicity would prove to be an experience shared with amazing souls. Jerry lives in Chicago, but occasionally finds his soulful self around our parts.
Visit his Myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/jerrythebearmusic
Visit his Myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/jerrythebearmusic
Esteban Performs "La Bamba!"
Esteban Salcido is our friend. He makes music and poetry, other things and has a kind spirit. Here he is covering a timeless celebratory tune. I love his music style so much and hope to capture one of his original songs and share it with everyone that can't make it to the Salons.
Wes and a Poem
Wes is our across the street neighbor and regular at the Salon. I'm pleased to present this video of him using his words like he does so well.
May 12, 2010
I Drop Toms: Argentina
I had the pleasure of heading to the southland with some other TOMS folk, giving shoes to some Argentinian munchkins.
April 22, 2010
Go Bats: New Zealand 2010
A few friends and I journeyed to New Zealand to support our dear friends KC and Summer in their day of unity. So I documented our exploits.
March 18, 2010
Te Awamutu Courier
a new zealand newspaper
March 15, 2010
Westminiland
Raglan, New Zealand. My roommate brandon leads a tour of Westminiland Blvd.
March 10, 2010
TOMS Shoe Drop Argentina 2009
Hey! It's me, your friend. You may know by now that I work for TOMS Shoes. And you may know that for every pair you purchase, we give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One fo One, nice and simple. So buy a pair, ok?
Furthermore, my job is to make their videos. This week I made a video of the last shoe drop that some of my coworkers went on. That's when we give the shoes to the children. They took footage with this little toy camera called a Harinazumi, not important. What is important is that I'm excited about this video for 2 reasons. First, it features the music of our friend Robert C.E. Delong, who just came out with an amazing album a few weeks ago.
Secondly, I'm excited about this video because it is a glimpse into my near future. In late April I'll be going down to Argentina for a shoe drop just like this one. Lookin' forward to it. AND I get to make a one week pit stop in Bolivia to see a bunch of my old basketball teammates and friends of El Caracol! The future is bright.
February 27, 2010
The Salon at Synchronicity LA
Welcome to the BLVD! Synchronicity LA is the intentional community in Los Angeles where I reside. Every two weeks we wrangle up poets, musicians, writers, artists, performers of all kinds and create a venue to share works of creativity. We call it the Salon. Here's a taste.
Synchronicity LA member Poet John Paul the Third performs his spoken word piece, "Dedication to Women Who Love Women." When JP3 and I shared a room we'd improvise a little spoken word/slide guitar combination. Here we are collaborating at a Salon at Synchronicity LA.
Our beloved neighbor Tin performs another hit of hers, Mr. Shoeshine.
MORE ABOUT THE SALON
A fortnightly forum for performers, writers, musicians, and artists to meet, share, network, socialize, inspire and be inspired!
The gathering will provide: 1) a space for us to have our work seen where we can receive comments and critiques if we so choose (after everyone shares), 2) a supportive community and the possibility to network/collaborate with other creators, and 3) an outside motivation to proceed with projects that may otherwise disappear into the ether!
Projects need not be finished; you can be at any point in the creative process, and the Salon may serve to help you find direction and/or as a regular check-in on progress. All art is welcome… acoustic music, spoken word, poetry, prose, dancing, clowning, stand-up comedy, weird performance-arty stuff, paintings, drawings, sculpture… whatever you want to share.
In open-mic fashion, there will be sign-up slots so that there’s a structure to it, and some sort of time limit so that everyone gets their turn. Afterwards, we can just hang out and make merry and magic! Feel free to bring wine, but don’t puke on the poetry.
We’re just starting this up, so the day may change, but it will be happening every other week on Westmoreland Blvd.
Flapper garb encouraged but not mandatory.
MORE ABOUT THE SALON
A fortnightly forum for performers, writers, musicians, and artists to meet, share, network, socialize, inspire and be inspired!
The gathering will provide: 1) a space for us to have our work seen where we can receive comments and critiques if we so choose (after everyone shares), 2) a supportive community and the possibility to network/collaborate with other creators, and 3) an outside motivation to proceed with projects that may otherwise disappear into the ether!
Projects need not be finished; you can be at any point in the creative process, and the Salon may serve to help you find direction and/or as a regular check-in on progress. All art is welcome… acoustic music, spoken word, poetry, prose, dancing, clowning, stand-up comedy, weird performance-arty stuff, paintings, drawings, sculpture… whatever you want to share.
In open-mic fashion, there will be sign-up slots so that there’s a structure to it, and some sort of time limit so that everyone gets their turn. Afterwards, we can just hang out and make merry and magic! Feel free to bring wine, but don’t puke on the poetry.
We’re just starting this up, so the day may change, but it will be happening every other week on Westmoreland Blvd.
Flapper garb encouraged but not mandatory.
February 20, 2010
One Way Ticket to Fullerton
For Christmas, I got a present from my roommate Brandon. It was a one way train ticket to Fullerton, CA. Fullerton is a town about 30 miles from our home in Los Angeles. Fullerton is known for its petroleum extraction, transportation, and manufacturing. What an opportunity! But how to get back!???
He was nice enough to offer his company on this adventure. So we greased up our chains, hopped on the train, chugga chugga'd to scenic Fullerton....
and peddled home.
He was nice enough to offer his company on this adventure. So we greased up our chains, hopped on the train, chugga chugga'd to scenic Fullerton....
and peddled home.
February 18, 2010
TOMS One Day Without Shoes
This week I made a video about One Day Without Shoes. On April 8th, TOMS is trying to raise awareness of kids 'round the world without shoes. I think its just a good excuse to go barefoot without anyone giving you any flack. And yeah, that's my momma barefoot in the snow!
February 14, 2010
A Trip to Zealand, Nuevo
January 10, 2010
A Trip to The Motherland
С НОВЫМ ГОДОМ!
December 11, 2009
A Night of Discovery:
Featuring the Talents of Synchronicity LA
I remember the first night I moved into Synchronicity LA. We had a creative meeting and Mariah set the tone with a recital of an Andrea Gibson spoken word piece. It was so incredibly executed and such a perfect way to set the tone for that meeting and my whole experience at the house. I was in awe of the folks that surrounded me from that very moment and they have continued to astound and inspire me. Last Wednesday a handful of the talented souls in the house had a chance to show off their skillz in unison. This happens occasionally, and I just wanted to film it so I could brag about them to those further away from our home.
The occasion this time was A Night of Discovery at Azusa Pacific University. A Night of Discovery is something of a cover for what is forced to be 'secret' meetings of the Gay-Straight Alliance at APU. Unfortunately, APU is not very accepting of its own homosexual community and has banned the group from congregating on campus. A good number of my roommates are APU alum and strong supporters of the Gay-Straight Alliance. They brought their art and performance to Azusa to show their support and speak their mind. Johanna played her music that I could hear a thousand times and a thousand times after that and never grow tired of. Mariah and Amy recited spoken original word like they'd been doing it for a decade. Trent, Craig, Bethany, and Amy also put some of their intricate art on display.
The performance was titillating, the art exceptional, and the mood celebratory. I am so inspired by the creativity and intentionality that my roommates show to support those who need a little more lovin' than they're gettin'. Ya'll amaze me.
The occasion this time was A Night of Discovery at Azusa Pacific University. A Night of Discovery is something of a cover for what is forced to be 'secret' meetings of the Gay-Straight Alliance at APU. Unfortunately, APU is not very accepting of its own homosexual community and has banned the group from congregating on campus. A good number of my roommates are APU alum and strong supporters of the Gay-Straight Alliance. They brought their art and performance to Azusa to show their support and speak their mind. Johanna played her music that I could hear a thousand times and a thousand times after that and never grow tired of. Mariah and Amy recited spoken original word like they'd been doing it for a decade. Trent, Craig, Bethany, and Amy also put some of their intricate art on display.
The performance was titillating, the art exceptional, and the mood celebratory. I am so inspired by the creativity and intentionality that my roommates show to support those who need a little more lovin' than they're gettin'. Ya'll amaze me.
November 3, 2009
Listener: Talk Music
Last Friday my roommate JP invited a few of us from the house to play music as he spat his latest words. We opened up for Listener, who is one of the, if not the pioneer of 'talk music.' Its a real interesting mish mash of poetry, hip hop, often folk, electronic, or even punk sounds. Dan, from Listener, was adorned in a glorious coyote shirt which he hinted he only wears on Fridays, I like that--and oh boy he spoke with passion. Coyote shirt and passionate words plus often hilarious, often frightening stage presence equaled me wanting to roll some tape. Here he performs "Falling In Love With Glaciers." Enjoy.
October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween From Synchronicity LA!
We hope it's filled with frights and giggles.
