Summer Lovin' with Love Bailey, Goth Mom Memories and What's Going On in LA in July
Spotlighting performers, videos, music and events you should know about, plus my latest freelance work
Love Bailey and friends are hotter than July (Jordan Service/ jrdsrv)
Red, White and (Feeling) Blue
There were plenty of reasons not to celebrate our country on the Fourth of July, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t appreciate the holiday. I decided to take a break from my computer, my social media and my TV set. My partner and I played records, grilled some tri-tip and had fun with mixology, elevating cans of hard lemonade with extra shots and fresh citrus fruit.
Though I’ve had some real lows lately, I focused on the highs. My freelance roster is filling up with some amazing assignments and some work I’m proud of just came out (scroll down for links). I focused on the people, places and privileges I’m so lucky to have in my life, even as I thought about those who must endure discrimination and even erasure from our country thanks to the bullies and bigots currently in the White House.
So it was as good a day as it could be, even with the stressful after dark moments. As anyone with a furry friend knows, the loud bangs and bomb-like noises when the sun goes down on Independence night bring terror to pets. My new puppy Ringo had exactly the reaction to the fireworks flurry that I’d expected.
But a different kind of firecracker got my attention on the holiday via YouTube, and I’m excited to share it with my readers today.
Love Bailey, one of LA’s sultriest music artists and activists, has released a new video and it’s intentionally timed to spark conversation if not controversy, as we reflect on our country’s history and its shameful present-day prejudices.
“I know the world feels especially turbulent right now, so I wanted to share something hopeful—as a small, radical gesture of defiance and creative resistance,” she tells me.
The trans performer infuses thoughtful themes of identity and sexuality into everything she does, from films to music. Her latest is no exception. Debuting yesterday, Love’s new music video Tranz Panic, is a piece from a bigger film production she’s currently working on called "The Battle For Transmecula,” which she describes as a "Borat" meets "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" cinematic fantasy. Read more about the film and help it get made via their Seed and Spark page.
“Let this piece of art rise above the noise,” she declares. “It’s a triumphant stand for our community and a reminder that we will not be silenced.”
Bailey’s output offers more than music and art. She also has a book about to come out titled Dancing on the Fault Line, which chronicles her metamorphosis into her true self. The book follows a 14 year transition journey, chronicling both wild and hard times, including the emotional and physical aftermath and adjustments to becoming the beautiful butterfly she is today. Pre-order the Kodoji Press tome now.
Bailey also helms two unique spaces that deserve all the love: Doll Haus LA, a flamboyant and fantastical studio locale that can be rented out for photo shoots; and the Savage Ranch, a 60 acre creative home for artists, filmmakers and animals, as well as a refuge for underprivileged LGBTQ+ youth. Book them through Peerspace now and stay up to date on this provocative and powerful performer at LoveBailey.com.
The Damned at The Wiltern, May 27 (Lina Lecaro)
Goth-er Than Thou
How’s this for gloomster cred? My very first interview, for my very first music article (in LA Weekly) was with none other than the queen herself, Ms. Siouxsie Sioux. Thanks to local DJ and club legend Joseph Brooks, I got to chat with the iconic singer on the phone, discussing her band The Creatures and the pivotal question I couldn’t not ask: what does she think about being labeled “goth”? She was not —and I assume is still not— a fan, dismissing the term and those who identify with it as “pantomine.”
Over the years I’ve also chatted with The Cramps’ Lux Interior, Bauhaus’ Peter Murphy, The Damned’s Dave Vanian, and most recently, Nick Cave, to name just a few fiendish rock gods. I treasure each conversation for different reasons. Of these, Lux is the only one I can’t find online and he was the only in-person chat (backstage at the old House of Blues on the Sunset Strip), while the rest were phoners. My upcoming (some day… sigh) book will reveal more details, some of which will surprise fans.
If and when I monetize on Substack, my hope is to share some of the wilder chats and my rockstar misadventures in a separate place with pay-to-read previews of the book. In truth, like many writers, I have three separate books in my head and heart to tackle soon…
I bring all this up because I think my chats with She Wants Revenge’s Justin Warfield are, and will end up being, just as significant. I consider him and his wife friends, as we’ve run in the same circles for years, most meaningfully when we all became parents and hung at the same barbecues, family functions and Yo Gabba Gabba live shows backstage (former host DJ Lance Rock is a mutual bud and his heyday coincided with our toddlers’ and preschoolers’ TV habits).
Video from Warfield’s last LA show and one of the last live music sets at Genghis Cohen in May (Lina Lecaro)
My latest big freelance story, for Music Connection magazine, dives deep into the enduring appeal of dark music (yes, we use the word “goth,” but it’s not about any one term). We discuss Justin’s new project Warfield and look back at his trajectory, which is very much driven by his LA roots. I also have a great chat with Cleopatra Records’ Brian Perera, another LA native, about his company’s role in celebrating and promoting dark music genres.
☑️ Click the hyperlinked headline here (or buy the print magazine to see the full spread): Dark Devotion: Cleopatra Records and Justin Warfield are out to Keep Goth Sounds Alive for a New Generation of Music Lovers
This story is also meaningful because it marks a reunion of sorts with my former LA Weekly colleagues Brett Callwood (MM’s Ed-in-chief) and Shana Nys Dambrot (who debuts a new column, Sounds and Visions, about the collision of music and art). If that weren’t enough, my 18-year-old, who is an intern with the mag, has a review of Cruel World (which Warfield played with SWR) in the mag and our taglines are stacked together on the cover! So proud. Check out Warfield’s great videos (there’s a cameo from my Cade in the second one) below.
Speaking of darkness, I also got to review Saturday’s celebration for The Prince — and his legendary band Black Sabbath— for The Hollywood Reporter this weekend. Watched the whole thing via Livestream and reflected once again on all the bands who I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing from the bill, including Duff McKagan, Dave Draiman, Jerry Cantrell and Travis Barker to name and tag a couple.
☑️ Read my highlights from the “Back To The Beginning” show here: The Best Moments From Ozzy Osbourne’s Back to the Beginning Farewell Concert
(Courtesy City of Santa Monica)
What’s Going On (July)
One of my specialties as a journalist has always been curated guides for things to do in Los Angeles. I will consistently have them in some shape or form in this newsletter and I’m doing them for other outlets too. I really enjoyed creating a family-driven guide to July music events for LA Parent magazine. If you have kids, check out my free outdoor picks in the print edition and online.
☑️ Read it here: Summer Sounds Under The Stars
And finally, my very last piece for Los Angeles Magazine (written before I left) is an extensive guide to music, movies and events for the month of July. It’s a full 2 page spread in the print edition, which should be on newsstands (check Barnes & Noble stores) now, but just published online as well.
☑️ Read it here: Your Guide to July in Los Angeles
Next week I’ll be sharing more events you’ll want to know about in this newsletter as usual with quick links to click and get tix. As always thanks for reading my words, here and everywhere else. Much more to come…