Sound of Music

A couple of different events got me thinking a lot about music lately...

- Michael Jackson's death
- My new ipod touch
- Limewire
- etc..

Have you ever thought (or been asked) about your favorite song? Can you name one off the top of your head? I can, it might come as a surprise but my favorite song of all time has been "Love and Happiness" by Al Green for many years now...


My favorite part of the song is at the 30 second mark.... just brilliant!

Even though I'm currently listening to mostly hip hop, I do like a bunch of music, and sometimes I get on these little trips about what kind of music I listen to...

When I first started going to college all I wanted to listen to was Too $hort and E-40 (with a sprinkle of some other bay area artists)
Then I got into classic rock pretty heavily (Mostly Pink Floyd, Santana, Led Zeppelin and other similar artists) because I began listening to Lamont & Tonelli on 107.7 The Bone http://www.landtworld.com/main/

Since then I have an appreciation for almost all genres of music, hip hop and rock are still on top of my list but I really dig surf(abilly), reggae, Spanish music (musica nortena & corridos mostly), country (older country,when it was real country), blues, and some alternative.

I've had the pleasure of watching some of my favorite artists live... Like..
Ramon Ayala
The Ventures
Vicente Fernandez
Too $hort (4x)
Dj Z-Trip (2x)
Jimmie Vaughan (3x)
San Quinn
Mac Dre
Tech N9ne
Murs
Southern Culture on The Skids (2x)
Deke Dickerson (2x)
Dj Quik
Knocturnal
Shane Dwight
The Drifters
Dj Ratster
Dj Sho-T
The Pyronauts
...and many other indie bands and artists

and I have to say my favorite live performances have been by Dj Z-Trip, Jimmie Vaughn and Too $hort.

Z-Trip really knows how to work the crowd, and unlike many dj's he mixes live

Too $hort is the best live rapper I've ever seen, he doesn't rap over his own lyrics like most rappers, and he doesn't bring his whole entourage onstage like most.

Jimmie Vaughan makes love to his guitar onstage. He is super talented, you can just see the passion he puts into his music when you watch him live.

Since we're on the music tip, here are some of my favorite videos I've found online...

The Grouch is one of my favorite hip hop artists

Jimmie and his late brother working the double neck! Unbelievable!

Z-Trip blowing out candles.... cool

I'm a big San Quinn fan and I really dig this song.

Wish I was there!

anyways "Let the music play!"
-Juan

Inspire Me!

Here are some images that are just plain cool. Most of them inspire me, some I just like.

I'm a huge fan of typography... stuff like this rules!


One of my favorite designers is Coby Gewertz, seems that anything he touches is awesome. He made this "louvered" shirt design, it's so simple and elegant. Something that the is hard to find in custom/hot rod automotive shirts. No skulls, spider webs or crap needed for one to know it is true hot rod shirt. I dig it!

and Coby also made this awesome shirt design, even if you're not into cars you gotta love his style. htpp://www.carsnotculture.com

This is an illustration I found online that I fell in love with the moment I saw this. It might just be a simple rose, but I love the detail.


Love this logo, clean, simple... ambigram



Yeah General Motors once ruled!

Another image that just rules.. There's a lot going on, yet it is very simple at the same time.

There is a lot of bad typography everywhere.. It's time to use good typography people!


Calligraffiti is a combination of Calligraphy and Graffiti.
Calligraffiti: traditional handstyles with a metropolitan attitude. I dig this logo!


The execution and subject matter are both killer!

I just dig this.

Told ya I dig typography, this is awesome!

I love "live music" photography. This is a great capture, makes me feel like I'm right there with Murs and his fans.

Estevan Oriol is one of my favorite photographers. His raw style is so great.

Here's some playful photography, I like the subject and execution on almost all of Mark Velasquez's photography.

but I didn't shoot the deputy

This is sweet.

That's what I need to do!

And as always thanks for visiting my blog, hope these images inspire you like they've inspired me!

peace.

Celly Cell

More cellphone photography...


Best tacos in Salinas (from La Paloma)

First time on a plane (Is there supposed to be snakes?)


Part of Lee Pratt's collection

My god-daughter

Don't trip on my chucks, it's a cali thing.

Supremes!

Lil Watcha installing his stereo system, If you didn't build it don't slump it

My mom and her mother's day flowers


At the Tech N9ne concert at the Salinas Fox Theatre, best cell phone pic I've ever taken


I went to the children department to pay for something at JCPenny and was amazed that every kid that walked by had to jump through this hop scotch deal. Every kid! Who ever is responsible for this idea nailed it! Pure genius.

peace.
-Juan

Weekend Warrior

Wikipedia: Weekend is a term referring to two traditionally non-working days in a seven-day week...

Me: Weekend is a term referring to two traditionally car show going or car shooting days.

Well this past weekend I did manage to go to a couple shows... A little different than your usual shows.

FRIDAY: Got off work a little early picked up my brother and camera and headed to San Jose to pick up Lil Watcha.

That's the lil ninja...

Then we headed to downtown Oakland to visit The Royal Jokers' First Cruise Night http://www.royaljokers.blogspot.com/

The location was 1/4 Lb Giant Burger.. nice little spot


A few of the cars that showed up

Big Watcha is everywhere... even at the Oakland First Friday Artwalk.

More of the cars.

When in Oaktown you're guaranteed to see some Police brutality, oh wait they're letting the guy get in the Police car himself. How nice of them.


You know how I know you're gay?


The Mejia Merc is "too many fancy"

SATURDAY: Wanted to wake up early to head out to the Marina Swapmeet and sell some junk, but I woke up too late (story of my life) so I just went to go look around with my friend Knowie. He bought some tools (actually ripped a guy off) and I bought a sweet Dick Tracy toy.

Nice wheels, wish I had the money to buy them.

Nice moto with a little 110 motor.

Future Hot Rodder!

having lunch in his fiberglass body


That's me with Low Riding legends, Chaco (old school photographer for Lowrider Magazine in the late 70's and Rod Powell)

A nice little bus.

Then I went home to get picked up by Silk so we could go to the Monterey Beerfest.
Salud!

This one's for you

It's pretty cool to see some of my work being served at the Beerfest

Hipsters are the new jocks... Think I could pull that look? haha

Then later that day I went to help my friends move into their new home. On Sunday I woke up really late, like afternoon late and went to help my friends again. I see many nights hanging out at their new home in my future.