Sir Benji Hughes Goes Ren-Faire!

If you're looking for something genre-crossing and with lots and lots of hair, say hello to Benji Hughes, the irreverent croon-master who conjures visions of ZZ Top and Rapunzle while singing deceptively simple songs dressed in old school flair.

Citing influences as diverse as "beer, girls, the river, storms, space," Benji Hughes is part-heathen, part-comedian, part-transcendental poet, and all heart. He romances the stone as effortlessly as he kicks out the party jams. The end result is music that's oddly moving, funny and timeless.

Check out his latest video, a mere two days old in its Youtube life, feat. Benji rescuing our very own Kim Talon (of Eagle and Talon) from the clutches of evil. For anyone who misses the halcyon days of Mr. Hughes' packed Fold residency shows during his time in Silverlake (he now lives in his hometown of Charlotte, NC), I hope "Girl in the Tower" will give you the fix you so desperately need. Send $5 in well-concealed cash if you find yourself debating whether to laugh or not...



Directed by Manny Marquez (Ferraby Lionheart and Eleni Mandell).

Listen to more tracks here:
Benji Hughes - MySpace
Hear what Benji has to say about Mel Gibson here:
Benji & Mel - YouTube

Beck: Performs A Surprise Show at the Echoplex

Achem. I mean thank heavens for emails in Echo Park.



Last Sunday (Nov. 25), as an effort get chummy with new fellow Los Angelos (and with whomever was willing to make the drive) - Beck announced a last minute surprise show at the Echoplex. Again: last minute. Again: Echoplex. Oh, I know: sold out in seconds.

One more time: splendid.



The singer introduced his new band lineup: Justin on bass, Joey on drums (please don't ask for last names, I missed them) and producer Nigel Godrich (Godrich's first time ever on stage.)

The boys wowed our pants off with "Black Tambourine," "Where It's At," "Think I'm in Love," "Lord Only Knows," and Sea Change favorite "Lost Cause" when the band ran out of ideas/forgot they're set list.

P.S. 20 bucks on the latter?


I'm tired of fightin' too, boo...

He does this a lot, doesn't he?