The Enemy of Average! Wild Surfwear- USA Made

Puppy's Planet!!! Nancy Sinatra

Puppy Stopnik Posted on November 13 2015

By Puppy Stopnik

Nancy Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of the well known singer/ actor Frank Sinatra.

Nancy began her career as and actress in the early 1960s but initially achieved success only in Europe and Japan. In early 1966 she had a #1 hit "These Boots Are Made For Walkin." She appeared on TV in high boots, and with colorfully dressed go go dancers, creating the image of the swinging sixties.

Singles followed including the number 2 top hits of 1966 "How Does That Grab You, Darlin?" and "Sugar Town". These became her second million sellers. Nancy did a duet with her father that reached #1 in the U.S. and UK. This song got awarded a Grammy for record of the year. The same year Nancy traveled to Vietnam to preform for the U.S. troops.

Sinatra remained with her original label until 1970. In 1971 she signed with RCA resulting in 3 albums. By the mid 70's she slowed down her musical activity and ceased acting to focus on being a wife and mother.

Blake Hansen and friend Maddy. San Onofre, Ca.

Alex Seastrom Posted on November 11 2015

Photos Alex Dafnis

Tuesday Art ATTACK- Roy Dowell “Untitled (2009)”

Christian Franzen Posted on November 10 2015

By Christian Franzen

Roy Dowell was born in New York in the year 1949. As a toddler, Dowell's family left the east coast and settled in Southern California. He earned both his Bachelor of Fine Art from the California Institute of Arts, and then went back to receive his Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1977. It was at the California Institute of Art that he met his life partner Lari Pittman who's is also a successful artist and teacher at UCLA.

Being a child of the 1950's, Dowell's paintings offer a certain nostalgic aura to the viewer. Dowell was always interested in the Mid-Century Modern architecture that exploded in popularity throughout his youth; its influences permeate the artists body of work. Dowell is also a big music lover leading to illusions of musical motifs of the Modern era within his work. The works Dowell creates utilize a mixed media approach; he uses all sorts of papers and scraps as well as paint to create exciting cohesive compositions.

At first Dowell showed his work at the original Los Angeles Galleries packed into La Cienega Boulevard in the earlier years of the Los Angeles artist movement. Now he is represented by the prestigious Margo Leavin Gallery located in the downtown packing district of Los Angeles.

Currently Dowell serves as head of the Graduate Fine Arts Department at Otis College of Art and Design in addition to being a full time artists out of his West Hollywood Studio.

Tuesday Art ATTACK

Noah Foskett. San Clemente, Ca.

Alex Seastrom Posted on November 09 2015

Photos Thomas Green

Radical Tune Sunday- Winter - All The Things You Do

Alex Seastrom Posted on November 08 2015

Radical Tune Sunday

Summer Songs- ~friendly songs~ free cake for every creature

Philip Seastrom Posted on November 07 2015

Saratoga Springs, New York's free cake for every creature is the handy work of the talented Katie Bennett! Katie and her band create a striking and intimate sound that grabs you! When your hear free cake for every creature it conjures the image of a songbird singing from it's secret journal. It's a must listen!! Make sure to check out their new album digital album "Moving Songs" and their album "Pretty Good" through Double Double Whammy records!!

~friendly songs~ by free cake for every creature

1. The Gerbils- “Fluid”

This weird and spirited love song is probably my favorite song of all time. The lines, “Your voice gives me goosebumps when you call my name/ and I want to goose bump again” are probably the greatest lyrics ever written. Listen to The Gerbils, know The Gerbils, and you will be just fine.

2. Amy Bezunartea- “New Villain”

I played with Amy last week with my other band, “Hello Shark”, in a basement in Philadelphia, and was captivated by her incredible voice and personable lyrics. This song especially is so lovely.

3. ylayali- “blueberry pineapple”

ylayali is francis, who also drums for free cake. He quietly releases a collection of songs almost every season, and they’re all the best. I feel a lot of <3 <3 <3 for this song.

4. allyson foster- “marshall”

I met Allyson in the health food store where she works in Anacortes, WA, while I was touring through there this past summer. She also plays in Mount Eerie and Hungry Cloud Darkening, but I’ve been loving these this solo “demo”.

5. Eva Cassidy- “Fields of Gold”

I found Eva Cassidy’s “Songbird” CD in my mom’s collection when I was 13 and haven’t stopped listening to it since. This song is so beautiful it’s sometimes hard to listen to.

6. Advance Base- “Kitty Winn”

Someone on the Advance Base bandcamp referred to the songs as “short story pop” and I love that. “Kitty Winn” is the story of a man’s life, the good and the bad. My favorite moment: "I sat & pet the cat / with my wife’s head on my lap / on the sofa in the den”

7. Davey- “Short Song”

Davey is the solo project of David Jaberi, who also plays in the band “Shaggy Sample”. I’m not really sure how to talk about “Short Song” without sounding like a sentimental sap, buuuttt….. its the kind of song that makes you put your hands over your heart and say, “oof”.

8. the lentils- “the bed is the killer”

“the lentils”, best band name!! This song rocks, and there’s evan a “Vegenaise” (a brand of vegan mayo) reference, which earns ‘em major points in my eyes because I’m vegan. I’ll leave you with this message: go vegan, y’all.

~friendly songs~ Playlist by free cake for every creature by Mowglisurf on Mixcloud

Summer Songs

Puppy Stopnik. Huntington Beach, Ca.

Philip Seastrom Posted on November 06 2015

Photos Jessie Stopnik

Christian Franzen. Huntington Beach, Ca.

Alex Seastrom Posted on November 05 2015

Photos Thomas Green

Mowgli Surf x Secret Headquaters Limited Shirt Out Now!!!

Alex Seastrom Posted on November 04 2015

We are excited to announce the release of our third collaboration shirt with Silver Lake's coolest comic shop, Secret Headquarters! Featuring the new shop logo "Mitch" this baby is cooler then the flip side of the pillow!! Not to mention artwork by Andrew Brandou!! Buy it now at secretheadquarters.com or in person at 3817 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Tuesday ART ATTACK- Cubism

Christian Franzen Posted on November 03 2015

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) Picasso

By Christian Franzen

Cubism was introduced to the masses by Braque and Picasso in 1907. Their new style shocked the art world while sending it into a cubist frenzy. The two painters where now the center of attention in the art scene.

One major factor lending itself to the development of Cubism was the 1906 death of famed French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. The following year there was a retrospective held to commemorate Cézanne's life of painting. This retrospective gave a large scale audience a look at Cézanne's radical new approach to depicting space and form. Georges Braque was one of the huge number of young artists that visited this retrospective. He was deeply impacted by Cézanne's work which would lay the foot work for Cubism.

Braque began to experiment with depicting form and space in the fashion of Cézanne. After experimenting for a while he went of over to his buddy Pablo Picasso's house and showed him what he had been up to. Picasso loved the new direction and together they began to develop what is now cubism. The two began such a close collaboration that they moved in with each other and they became inseparable from their work. They also didn't want anyone to steal their artistic vision so they told no one or showed anybody what they were up to. The final result was Analytical Cubism. In their paintings the artists deconstructed the subject, closely analyzed it, then reconstructed it within space. Structure is the signature element to Cubism and sets it apart from other popular movements of the time such as Fauvism.

Harbor in Normandy, 1909, Braque

With their vision completed, Braque and Picasso held a show exhibiting their new ideas in 1907 in Paris. The show was a huge success and vaulted both artists into even higher standings amongst the artistic community. Cubism became super popular and as a result many artists try to imitate Braque and Picasso. These copiers become moderately successful riding the coat tails but their paintings lacked substance and a true understanding of the reconstruction of space that Braque and Picasso had mastered.

Braque and Picasso continue to work in the Cubist style. Around the end of 1911 Braque began to experiment adding sand and other things to his paintings to build up textures. He also began to incorporate wood wall papers and other collage-able items into his pieces. Picasso also liked the idea of collage and incorporated non art materials into his works so the two began another epic collaboration session. In 1912 Synthetic Cubism was born. Through this new era of Cubism collage was introduced as a high art form with the work Still Life with Chair-Canning by Picasso. Synthetic Cubism also lead to Picasso working in 3d sculpture, creating his brilliant series of guitars.

"Still Life with Chair-Canning" (1912) Picasso

The Musician's Table (1913) Braque

The whole Cubism movement wraps up in 1914 with the beginning of WWI. Both artists are successful after the war, but sadly Picasso's success tramples that of Braque. Cubism was a revolutionary movement that impacts art to this very day.

Stephanie’s Corner!: Isla Vista, California

Stephanie Schechter Posted on November 02 2015

By Stephanie Schechter
Photos Derek Street

This week in Stephanie’s Corner, I am going to actually welcome you into my little corner of the earth: Isla Vista, California! Isla Vista is the beachside college town next to my school, the University of California, Santa Barbara. Over 20,000 people, mostly students, reside in the 1.8 square mile neighborhood, which is officially a part of the city of Goleta. Because we live so close to our school, everybody rides bikes around town and to campus, which is super fun!

Most people know of the area for parties and crowds, but there is much more to I.V. than just that! For starters, the beach is RIGHT HERE! There are a bunch of awesome places to eat, like the infamous Freebird’s burritos! Someone once made a map of all the fruit trees in town, so we can gather delicious fruit year-round!

Also, the channel islands block the waves, so the surf is small most of the time, but sometimes, it can get REALLY good. We have two point breaks and a few reef and beach breaks, so there are plenty of waves to go around. If you’re ever near UCSB, come catch some waves and say hi to me!

Radical Tune Sunday- Grimes "Flesh without Blood"

Alex Seastrom Posted on November 01 2015

Radical Tune Sunday

Happy Halloween!!!!

Philip Seastrom Posted on October 31 2015

Puppy's Planet!!! Mac DeMarco

Puppy Stopnik Posted on October 30 2015

By Puppy Stopnik

Mac DeMarco is a Canadian singer/song writer, instrumentalist and self producer. During high school he was in several bands. Mac graduated and moved to Vancouver and released an album called "Heat Wave." The album sold out its 500 unit run. DeMarco was joined by Alex Calder and Jen Clement. They signed to Unfamiliar Records and toured with the Vancouver band "Japandroids" in 2009. Two years passed and Mac moved to Montreal to begin recording as a solo artist.

Failing to find work as a musician he participated in medical experiments for money and paved roads. In 2012 he released an EP titled "Rock and Roll Night Club." This impressed his new label "Captured Tracks" enough that they released a full album. This album contained slow grooves and low vocals. On January 21, 2014, DeMarco announced the release of his album "Salad Days." Mac says his mood for Salad Days was "I've been on tour for a year and a half and I'm tired." The album was listed #2 by NME in their top 50 albums list. He then started working on his album "Another One", which came out August 7, 2015. Mac says this track is a collection of love songs.

This is the kind of music that makes you feel like you're swimming in a pool of Jell-O. I've recently seen mac live and let me tell you, I feel like I'm still swimming.

Carson's Monthly Crunch!– Belly Deli – Ann Arbor, MI

Carson Hart Posted on October 29 2015

Restaurant Reviews by Carson Hart
Belly Deli – Ann Arbor, MI
Rating- 6.5/10

Yo what’s up! At my second food review in Ann Arbor, my friend Oliver and I take you all to the Belly Deli (not to be confused with a previous review at Billy’s Deli)! From the name alone, I expected a place that looked a little more fun. Due to the overall greyness of this place, I added some fun borders to relieve the stress!

Nice modern look from the outside. Nothing too fancy.

Here’s the menu! To be honest, that orange was the brightest thing I saw in there. Anyways, not too large of a menu. Prices weren’t too low or too high, they seemed about right. I do like how they include tax with the prices!

I decided on the Cheese Steak Sammy, which was actually delicious (I also like how they spelled “cheese” on the menu in the previous picture).

Oliver crunching on the Spicy Pork Sammy!

Almost done eating!

I also noticed that a large crowd came in all of the sudden, so it seems that people do enjoy the food here!

Don’t be mislead by the stars, smiles, and thumbs up. I’m just happy! As a final look on the deli, I probably will not find myself going there again. The food was tasty, and the service was extremely fast, but the aesthetic of where I go to eat is very important to me. Grey has its place, but only when used strategically. I didn’t feel like there was any character in the deli, and it seemed almost jail-like in it’s presence. Overall I give it a 6.5/10. Thanks and stay tuned for the next Monthly Crunch! Peace!

Noah Foskett. Strands, Dana Point.

Alex Seastrom Posted on October 29 2015

Photos Thomas Green

Christian Franzen. 9th Street, Huntington Beach, CA.

Alex Seastrom Posted on October 28 2015

Photos Thomas Green

Tuesday ART ATTACK- André Derain "Pont De Charing Cross"

Christian Franzen Posted on October 27 2015

By Christian Franzen

André Derain was born on June 10th 1880 just outside of Paris. He began studying painting on his own in the countrysides of France at the age of 15. Three years later he began a formal art education under the tutelage of Eugène Carrière. During his time with Carrière, Derain became friends with fellow painter Henri Matisse.

His artistic pursuits were put on hold from 1901-1904 while he fulfilled his military survive requirement. Once discharged from the military Matisse met with Derain and his parents to persuade them for the continuation of Derainn's art education. As a result Derain enrolled in the Académie Julian that same year.

The next year of 1905 would prove to be the most important year in Derain's life. In the summer of 1905 Derain accompanied friend and mentor Henri Matisse on a trip to the south of France. This trip was a pivotal experience for both artists whose collaboration and experimentation would rock the 20th century art scene. In the fall of 1905 Matisse, along with Derain and several of their friends held a far out exhibition at the prestigious Salon d'Autome. Exhibited were this groups new paintings utilizing bold saturated color and pattern. The use of overwhelming bold colors led famed critic Louis Vauxcelles to say the paintings looked like wild beasts or Les Fauve; and just like that Fauvism was born.

Following the ground breaking exhibit Derain went to London on a commission to create a series of paintings highlighting the city. He returned with a total of 30 paintings radically different than any other portrayal of the city previously seen. This series of paintings has become his most famous set of paintings.

"The Last Supper of Jesus" (1911)

In 1907, art dealer Daniel- Henry Kahnweiler purchased everything Derain had available making him a wealthy man. He then moved to Montmarte with many other of his artist friends where he continued to paint and engage in artistic endeavors with friends Pablo Picasso and American writer Gertrude Stein. Along with 1907 came the introduction of Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso's analytical cubism. Inspired by this Derain's paintings began to become more structural and the palette became increasingly muted.

Derain experimented with cubism and continuing his fauvism style, but the most drastic change to his paintings happened during WW1. In this new " Gothic Period", Derain began painting in the style of the old masters. Using reduced color, critical drawing, and glazes he created paintings reminiscent of the Neo-Classical days of French painters. He served in a majority of the war but upon return was praised for his new classical transcendence. Derain had reached the peak of his success and was highly prized for his return to classicalism. In the 1920's, now seen as an upholder of the traditional way of painting Derain was granted much more exposure to the masses than when he was an avant-garde painter. He won the Carnegie Prize in 1928 and was given numerous exhibitions globally.

"Young Girl" (1925)

Much later during the occupation of France during WWII Derain excepted an invitation from the Nazi party to view a exhibition for officially Nazi endorsed Arno Breker in Berlin. The Nazi's used this visit as propaganda to discourage occupied France. After the war he was labeled a traitor and ostracized. He died as a result of being hit by a car in 1954.