Just in time...

"Sorry kid, I need your scooter to get to work!" - Me.

I ride my bike to work. Standard maintenance is pretty low, and it gets me a good cardio workout before and after work, which is some of the times you need the most endorphins. My route too and from work is pretty flat, which makes for an enjoyable, unstressful ride. Plus, it’s southern California, so the weather is top notch.

But, this week I got a flat on my way into work. I was crunched for time and had limited options. Go back to the house? Out of the question. Be late? Call out? Out of the question. I was already halfway to work. Should I call a Lyft? Walk? Run? Nah. Lyft would take too long to get to me, I checked. Walking or running would leave me nice and sweaty. Being sweaty and smelly for an entire shift at work is not a good look.

Luckily living in Silicon Beach, there is always a new startup doing something unusual that challenges the conventional ways we have become accustomed too for convenient travel. Bird, a new app-based electric scooter company, had just infiltrated the Venice and Santa Monica area with a billion electric scooters littered around the neighborhoods. Essentially, any user can walk up to any of these parked scooters, open their app, unlock the scooter, pay to ride it and then leave it wherever when the user gets to their destination. Once the ride is ended with the app, the scooter locks back up. It’s wild. I open the app and found one close by up for grabs. As I approached a little girl ran right by me to claim the scooter; her dad trailed behind her. I got snaked! I was just a few feet away from my easy and inexpensive way to work, and I watched as someone else stole it from under me. 

What was my move? Try to find another? The next closest scooter was seven blocks away; there was no way I was going to make it. Push her out of the way and take it? Harsh, but it just might work. I hung around for a minute to see if they were going to take it. They bumbled with the app trying to figure out how to unlock the scooter and get going. My only advantage was that I knew how to use the app. 

I let them attempt a few times to get going and then couldn’t wait any longer. I was about to go with the push them out of the way option, but as I loaded the app, another user had just parked one on the same block. Since the daughter-dad combo couldn't figure out the app on this one, I saw them eyeing the other one, as if they were going to figure it out with the new scooter on the block. The little girl and I locked eyes; it was a showdown. The race was on! We both darted towards the new scooter, and I won. 

“Sorry kid, I need to get to work!” I screamed as I scooted away into the sunset. Well, kinda. I mean technically the sun was out but not setting. And it was sweltering out. And I was on my way to work, not really a sunset situation. 

I made it with a minute to spare.

On a good note, later that day I saw the daughter-dad combo scooting around Santa Monica, so all ended well.

Don't get in my way when I need to get to work.

-YourFriendMatt

Year 2...

"Holy shit, I moved across the country 2 years ago today." - Me.

This week, 2 years ago, Jamie and I woke up to what would be any other typical sunny California morning to an empty apartment. Except on this morning we could not have felt more out of place. We slept on a air mattress, had no idea where anything was and the pressure of getting it figured out quickly was upon us. What else were we do to do? Go get coffee.

This was the first photo I took as a Santa Monica citizen...

From there we decided to go max out my credit card on buying a bed and max out her Target card buying all the stupid shit you need for a home...such as tupperware, bath room rugs, extension cords, cleaning supplies etc. Such a bummer to see how much all it cost and realize you are an adult. There was nothing fun on this receipt...but I do love having tupperware for left overs.

But, that was year one. This year was all about figuring out who we are and exploring our surrounding. We kicked the year off celebrating with friends and getting too drunk to remember! We drove up the coast to San Fransisco and it took forever! Someone broke in, I got promoted and we saw the Phillies lose to the Dodgers. I got stuck in the airport for 2 days, we found Randy’s donuts and stayed in an airstream in the middle of Malibu.

I was able to start recording with bands and play shows in historic venues like Whiskey A Go-Go, The Mint and The Viper Room. We found Marty McFly’s house and hung out at the Pawnee Municipal building…its in Pasadena…not Indiana. We became Disneyland Passholders and have gone as often as possible…celebrating most holidays and birthdays there. I even spent Back to the Future day there and then watched all three movies back to back. 

We have explored museums, found Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach. We almost died on a mountain and found some of our favorite restaurants. We were able to catch Back to the Future on the big screen at The Hollywood Bowl with a full orchestra. My mom and sister came for a visit and Jamie and Liv got piercings in Venice…that then got infected and neither of them currently have them in. Met Travis Barker our from of their show at the Roxy. I was able to shoot a music video with a band and I even got to see The Movielife in Ponoma for their reunion show. 

We have made a lot of memories this year, while experiencing the up’s, downs and b-sides of what life has to offer. I look forward to seeing where we are next year…and how many more memories we can make.

-YourFriendMatt

What is milk made of?...

"But seriously." Turning to his two friends as seriously as he could, "if it’s only 2% milk, what the hell is the rest of it made of?"

Recently Jamie and I were taking a walk. We overheard three college freshman aged, tie-dye sporting, coachella-going hooligans discussing, in detail, the components and ingredients of milk. They were walking in the same direction as us so we figured we might as well listen in to their views of the worlds. 

Now, I feel old when I hear myself start to say how concerned I am for the future, but holy shit, the ingredients of milk? They also then discussed how when it gets hot out, “it sucks, bad man.” The conversation quickly turned to a discussion about how they wished they could invent something to cool down the temperature. “I mean, maybe if we had a box that could cool down the air and then push it out to the rest of the room so we could all be chill, that might be awesome.” They all agreed as I slapped my forehead in disbelief. 

Their conversation bounced around so much we could barely follow. It was as if a kitten had discovered a yarn ball for the first time and was batting it around the living room floor. So innocent. So happy. So blissfully unaware of anything else at all that causes threat or problem that might lie in front of them.

Hearing the knuckleheads discuss their buffoonery in detail, it made me reflect on my younger days. Is there really a problem with the youth? Or are they just kids? Was I like this? I mean, at one point in my life I thought it was awesome to have blue hair, at another point I figured wearing girls jeans was awesome and for a very short time wearing only black, red and white was all I did. 

I am sure people made judgements about me, but I turned out fine. Listening to them now is definitely entertaining. I am sure these boneheads will get it figured out and change the world.

Maybe they will even invent that air-cooling-machine they thought was such a great idea.

Let's Write...

I don't know why but it seems crazy people are attracted to me. Recently I was sitting on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean working on some ideas. With my Moleskine in tow, I paced, trying to figure out a personal problem. I sat down and stared at the sea when a squirrelly transient took a seat next to me. A short, "Hey" squeaked out of him as I awkwardly turned his direction. "You know there are plenty of benches around here." Rolled through my head but all I got out was a short responsive, ”Hey.” 

"Want to write something with me?" He asked as I looked around for a camera filming us. This had to be a set up. He coughed, ”Look, you already have a book. Let's write." I mean, I guess he made sense. I took off my sunglasses and replied "Okay. What do you want to write?” I was in a fun mood. What the hell else did I have to do? This guy was brought into my life for some reason right? Let's figure it out. This opened can of worms that lead to a pretty fun story. He started telling me about the marines that were 100 yards off-shore, underwater, ready for us when we “disobey” and that the Santa Monica Pier wasn’t a pier at all but a portal to another dimension. “So, you want to write a Sci-Fi Thriller?” I responded. “Listen, man! Don’t get caught!” He barked and rose from the seat running away looking through me, as if I was a demon…or there was one behind me.

Something like this happens to me at least two times a month. I guess I just have that welcoming "I am just as bat shit crazy as you are" look about me.

Remember. Don’t get caught.

-YourFriendMatt

Summer Film Series

This is one year old today. The point of this was to make a short less than 3 minutes and still tell a story. We did that.

Enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt.

The Nose Ring...

Holy shit! I think you ripped it out!” Jamie screeched in my direction. “My bad.” Trying to subdue my laughter.

Recently my family came to visit for the week. My mothers first trip out to Southern California to see the life her son and girlfriend had made for themselves. My sisters first trip to LA as an adult. This is a big moment for our family and we were all thrilled. Not to mention Philadelphia is 12 degrees and covered in snow so it is a nice break from the "Polar Vortex" they are currently experiencing. 

Oh, ya know, just hanging at the tattoo shop with my mom. That is blood on my sister's shirt...

We had a few ideas planned for their trip and taking them to see the chaos Venice Beach offers was a must. I don’t know what it is but every time family comes to visit, we go a little crazy. In the infamous words of the famed Canadian actor-turned-rapper-turned-actor Drake...YOLO. Case in point, last time Jamie’s parents came for a visit she and her mother decided to get tattoos one afternoon. Why not? When they’re 2-for-1 you’d be an idiot to pass up that kind of deal. This time around it was Jamie and my baby sister who decided to get piercings. Surprisingly, but not really too surprisingly, my mother instigated the whole thing. She cheered them on from the sidelines and paid for it all. Way to go, Mom!

A few days passed and they headed back east. Jamie still had to nurse the fresh hole in her nose so it wouldn't get infected. I came home from work one night and our dog, Piper, greeted me by running around, jumping excitedly and accidentally knocking things over as she does. This creates an effect on the house and we all started rough housing.  Jamie and I went to pick up Piper at the same time when my left hand perfectly grazed Jamie's face, fingernail first meeting the faux-diamond-topped piercing sitting on the side of her right nostril. The piercing now stuck under my fingernail was ripped out of her nose with one swoop....accidentally of course. 

The scream of pain that came out of her next is still ringing in my ears. "You dick! What the fuck!" Followed by a string of obscenities that I couldn't make out as she ran for the bathroom. Blood running out of the inside and outside of her nose life a faucet. It was everywhere. I pulled the toilet paper off the roll and handed it to her to stop the rushing blood. “You are such a moron! Why would you do that! My nose!” And I just took it...laughing on the inside. "Yeah, I know, I'm a bastard." I agreed and apologized.

We got her patched up and she iced it down. She eventually got the ring back in her nose a few hours later as she shot eye-daggers from the couch I was not allowed to sit on now. 

Important safety tip: refrain from rough housing with a tiny, furry dog when you have a fresh nose piercing. It could end in disaster.

-YourFriendMatt

Catching up with Brandon...

Enjoying another warm, picturesque morning here on the sunny Gold Coast as the email notification goes off on my phone. Thankfully it’s not another spam email about today’s sales on whatever website that somehow got a hold of my address…this email lets me know that today is going to be a good day…that I’ll soon be speaking with the lead vocalist of Sons of the Sea—Brandon Boyd. Yes, that Brandon Boyd—the same lyricist and mesmerizing front man of the inspiring, multi-generational band Incubus.

Sons of the Sea’s just released a new music video entitled “Lady Black” and features model Lauren Marie Young—recognizable from ad campaigns such as American Apparel, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Fox Racing Girls and Playboy’s cover, and is directed by Brantley Gutierrez. 

The video, a steady-paced rock track—opens with our hero (Boyd) wandering through a gritty, washed out desert. Boyd staggers over dunes under a black veil and discovers a portal. Through it lies Lady Black—everything he’s been searching the universe for and more. When asked about her role Young stated, “I loved being the energy of Lady Black. The momentum really took on full throttle when everyone was in costume. It really felt like living on Mars.” The location, which is only a few hours from Los Angeles, gives the video an otherworldly feel. 

Since his hiatus from musical ventures Boyd has been a busy man with his art projects. Luckily, we were able to catch up and get some information about Sons of the Sea and what we can expect in the near future:

YFM: Was Sons of the Sea something you had always been working on or was it something that evolved during hiatus from Incubus?

BB: Sons of the Sea was a pretty spontaneous reaction to Incubus taking an indefinite period of time off. There was a part of me that was excited about the chance to stay home and just surf and paint, but the reality was that after about two weeks I was being flooded with song ideas and needed a place to unload them. Brendan O’Brien (record producer to The Fray, Pearl Jam, AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, Bruce Springsteen, etc.) happened to have a serendipitously timed period in between working on albums as well so we decided to finally make good on many years of threatening to write songs together.

YFM: Does Sons of the Sea have any festivals, concerts or shows booked soon where you'll be performing?

BB: At the beginning of this year we played a handful of shows on the east and west coast and it was a blast. It was a really new and fun experience and the audiences that came out very much seemed to embrace the creative leaps that were being taken. I'd love to perform live with Sons of the Sea more, and in different places, but being an indie project has some serious logistical limitations. What I need is a sugar daddy or a "patron" of the arts to help finance a tour. 

YFM: Where and when was the video filmed?

BB: We filmed it about two hours from LA at a very strange but very cool set that looks a lot like what I'd imagine a lunar base would resemble. A lunar base that was built by someone who used to deal drugs, that is. The second day was filmed at Dumont Dunes in California. 

YFM: Was there any theme or vision you and the production team were aiming for and why?

BB: Brantley Gutierrez and I have made a bunch of videos together and as a result we usually don't have much of an idea of what we're going to do heading into our projects. We'll have an idea or an outline, but then once we start that usually gets overshadowed by spontaneous magical interventions. This video was no different. The level of stunning beauty around us that day made it easy to make though, I have to say.

YFM: What is next for Brandon Boyd, Sons of the Sea or any of your art and music ventures?

BB: Getting myself ready for a couple of art shows in support of my newest book So The Echo; most likely in and around Europe. Incubus will likely be writing for another offering soon and maybe Sons of the Sea will impress someone somewhere enough that they'll invite us for a Yacht tour around the Mediterranean.   

Do I smell a new Incubus album sooner than expected? It goes without saying the man is busy and driven with his artistic passions. Do yourself a favor check out the video, pick up the album and grab a copy of So the Echo. And if anyone knows a sugar daddy…excuse me…“patron” of the arts…send them Boyd’s way.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtqcTIf40RE

-YourFriendMatt

Moving Day...

Last week Ryan told me he was moving. "Totally awesome new place on the beach man! I am so pumped!" As a friend this is one if the last things you want to hear because an important question immediately follows up with that statement. The dreaded "Hey are you free this weekend?" Which translates to "Dude, please help me, I would do it for you...Come on! I'll buy you lunch! Just help me lift this fucking couch!" I let him plead his case, asked what actually has to be moved and where. Turns out we weren't going far, he didn't have that much, and beer was guaranteed. 

I arrived to his house on a hot, sunny Sunday afternoon. We were only moving him about a half a mile away. The biggest thing is his futon, no big deal. I figured he would have some sort of truck to get everything moved in one swoop. Wrong again, as I tend to be. My friend Ry drives a yellow Lotus convertible with trunk space the size of a shoe box. What the hell are we going to fit in that?

This is Ry...and the vehicle he thought would be good for moving...he is brilliant...at least he had beer...

Ry's car is so small that I, at 6' 2" stature, cannot fully fit into it and my legs do not fully stretch out in either of the seats. "How the hell are we supposed to move this crap when I can barely fit in this car." I ask. Ry is not the best critical thinker and he shrugged at this question. What else could we do?...We had a beer while we tried to figure this out. We knew we were going to have to get the futon moved and were stumped on how we were going to do it. Our friend Jeff stopped by while we were thinking of solutions for this problem. "Why don't you guys just water-taxi the futon over?" Jeff said. All of our eyes lit up. Ry lives on the Venice canals in LA and has 2 canoes... best idea ever right? We all ran to the canals to size up the canoes. A collective "This has to work" conversation broke out and we excitedly got on our way to execute our plans.

With a quick buzz and a new sense of accomplishment we decided we had to make one trip before our water adventure. The first trek we thought we would put as much in the trunk "space" as possible, sit me in the passenger seat, close the door and then pack more stuff on top of me through the roof. Sounds good right? Now that we were packed we set sail for a 2 minute drive around the corner to get his stuff moved to his new beach front house.

We both forgot it was St. Patricks Day weekend and it took us an hour to go less than 6 blocks...gotta love LA...all while it was 90 degrees out...with suitcases crushing me...and Rys gas light was on from the moment we left. To break down now would be poetic.

Finally arriving at Ry's new place we unpacked and I met Ry's roommate Scuba Steve. Turns out Steve is a photographer and when we told him about our plan to water-taxi a futon on 2 small canoes he wanted to document the whole thing.

Determination. stevenjayphoto.com...really rad stuff

We decided the car was now worthless and left it at Ry's new place. It only took us 6 minutes to walk back. "We should have just walked. " We both agreed. We quickly got the futon out back to the boats, tied it securely with guitar quarter inch cable (true band guys...it's all we had), and set sail to victory. 

"I can't believe how well this is working!" We kept yelling at each other paddling and taking chugs from our Pabst pounders we secured at the corner Asian market before our voyage. Everyone walking the canals clapped, cheered us on and Steve snapped photos. "It's to crowded to take the roads! We're taking to the sea!" Ry would yell to a passerby and slug his beer. "Yeah! It's moving day!" I would yell after him choking on a swig. At the end of our trek we still had to get the futon out of the canoes and carry it 2 more blocks...and we did so with passion and fury....mainly fueled by the beer.

stevenjayphoto.com

I still ill don't know where my shoes are but that is neither here nor there. Tales like this are what true friendship is all about. Ry is now happily moved in and loving his new location. We spent the rest of the night walking the beach, eating mexican food and drinking champagne. Not too bad. I think there is two morals to this story. First you can make any task, no matter how shitty it is...like helping your friend move, and make it an adventure. Secondly, when your friend asks him to help you move make sure he has beer.

YourFriendMatt