That's right -- today is Record Store Day. And though I'll be in the recording studio with Ryan Sinn, making new music that will hopefully find its way to vinyl one day, I thought I'd take the opportunity to revisit a past labor of love of mine, which I intend to develop in the future.

Anders Larsson home portrait by Jessy Parr

This project is my Master's Thesis (for the MALAS program at San Diego State University), entitled Wax Without Honey: The LP as Post-WWII American Zeitgeist. In some 70 odd pages, I explore Mid Century American technology, military history, gender and ethnic identity, ideas of copy vs. original, the concept of "hi-fidelity", and more. And while the work does include obligatory grad school nods to the likes Deleuze and Baudrillard, I think I have succeeded in keeping the thesis rooted in real-world applications in a meaningful way. Here is the abstract: http://www.andersmlarsson.com/writing/#/wax-without-honey-the-lp-as-post-wwii-american-zeitgeist/

Over the next year, I plan on making additions and revisions, and releasing the entire work. More details to come as this evolves, and  -- as always -- thanks for staying tuned in!

While this writeup is about the modern home recording pioneer R. Stevie Moore's new album, Fifteen Tons, this is decidedly not a review of the work. Two criteria exclude me from being qualified to write something in the way of a review: First, I am an unapologetic, dyed-in-the-wool RSM fan. As such, I could never claim to even be interested in contributing a disinterested perspective on the artist's music. I enjoy all the creative twists and turns Moore takes on their own merits, and feel it would be a pointless exercise to categorize or rate them. Second, I am lucky enough to make a brief appearance on the release, playing drums on the track "Boysage".

R. Stevie Moore's "Fifteen Tons" is now available digitally. Click the image to view and hear online.

So while I won't claim to provide my readers with a conventional review, I am eager to explore just some of what I find most striking about the new work upon my first of many listenings.  The release consists of 19 songs, 18 of which are Moore's. Track 3, entitled "Be Your R. Stevie Moore" is the work of Japanese artist Boys Age, and pairs with Moore's earlier mentioned "Boysage". This clever and catchy coupling, incidentally, will be released  on vinyl this summer through Bleeding Gold Records.

Lyrically, there is a highlight in the characterstic RSM exploration of art vs. commercialism  ("Why do the little guys always want to be...suc-cess-ful?") found in "Grammy", which includes everything from name drops as diverse as Kenny Rogers, John Denver, and Snoop Dogg, to the unofficial proclamation of Howard Stern fans everywhere, "Baba Booey!". "Bathroom" sounds like the lost Led Zeppelin instrumental gem you've somehow never heard, and the unexpected and evocative chord changes of "Mile High Club A8" serve as a great reminder that RSM is the real deal, and seemingly able to create poignant, emotionally charged music at will.

"FAKE" is sure to befuddle and/or delight listeners in equal measures, and appears to be a spontaneous, 7 and a half minute spoken word and musical improvisation caught on tape (or is it fake?). This offering is indicative of Moore's renowned eagerness to embrace chance and filter it through a lens of humor, something he puts masterfully on display in an appendix of sorts to the album with "Pricing". "Pricing" is apparently a recorded response of Moore's to a listener's lengthy and unsolicited Facebook editorial that RSM music is quite often overpriced online. In brilliant R. Stevie Moore fashion, this response (a verbatim reading of the comment, without any musical accompaniment) was posted for online purchase -- at $2.00.

In classic R. Stevie Moore fashion, the composer/musician turned a disgruntled consumer's Facebook post into a new work, entitled "Pricing" Click the image to hear the result.

Tracks like "Thanks for Playing" and "When Wife" bring with them a rocking muscularity that provides a pleasing juxtaposition with the looser, spoken word pieces, and the entire collection is easily listenable in one sitting. My words here are -- of course --  just scratching the surface of  such a fun, irreverent, modern, and rewarding work , but why spend more time reading about the music when you can listen to it first-hand? 

Thanks, as always, for staying tuned in!

It's been quite a spring for San Diego music thus far, and now things are really beginning to heat up here in America's Finest City. I had a wonderful time this past weekend playing at the Maritime Museum with G Burns Jug Band (welcoming the Swiss Schworer family, who are sailing around the world on their 15 year plus Top to Top Global Climate Expedition), followed by Little Italy's Art Walk, in addition to two shows at Adams Avenue Unplugged (Kensington Park and the Rabbit Hole). I ended this mega music push with an epic surf-o-rama courtesy of the 105ers set at the Ken Club.

Artist Jonny Alexander drew this beauty while watching G Burns Jug Band live in Kensintgon Park at Adams Avenue Unplugged

But the fun isn't ending there -- May is going to be a doozy, in the best of all possible ways! First up, G Burns Jug Band: Propelled by the momentum of a soon-to-be-released second album, and a string of fantastic shows, I'm thrilled to be playing a series of upcoming performances with this band. May's highlights include a May 5 show at the Black Cat Bar, and May 7 and 9 appearances at Gator by the Bay.

Catch me drumming at another unforgettable show with Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates 

May also marks the local return of DIY/Outsider pioneer and legend Gary Wilson. On Tuesday, May 26, Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates will perform at the Hideout. Though Gary is internationally known and active, we only get the pleasure of seeing and hearing him perform live in his adopted home of San Diego sporadically, so I highly recommend taking the opportunity to catch his unique act. Gary is releasing two new albums in 2015, and I recently interviewed him about a collaboration he did with Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt on Sweatshirt's new single, "Grief", which you can watch here.

Last - but certainly not least - I will have the pleasure of playing an afternoon gig with Erika Davies in Old Town on Sunday, May 3.  Erika's vocal and compositional talents are some of San Diego's finest, so it is always a treat to play music with her.

I'll be drumming with Erika at 1:20 on May 3 for Old Town's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Thanks, as always, for tuning in!

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of performing with G Burns Jug Band four times, and I wanted to include a short writeup on the first of those four, since it was unique. Before we headed up the street to play at Little Italy's Art Walk, we had the pleasure of performing at the San Diego Maritime Museum, welcoming the Schwörer Family as they arrived in America's Finest City.

The Swiss Schwörer family made a stop in San Diego on their international "Top to Top Global Climate Expedition". Photo: Bart Ziegler

The Swiss Family (Father Dario, mother Sabine, and children Sabine, Andri, and Noe) has been traveling around the world on their boat, the Panchamama, since 2003.  The Schwörers climb the highest mountain of each continent they visit, spreading their embodied message of ecology through their Top to Top Global Climate Expedition.

G Burns Jug Band playing as the Schwörers arrived on San Diego shores. L-R: Batya MacAdam-Somer, Meghann Welsh, Anders Larsson, Jonathan Piper, Clint Davis. Photo: Bart Ziegler

The experience of playing for the distinguished guests as they arrived on shore took me back to the ship homecomings I used to play as a drummer in Navy Band Southwest. I always enjoy playing washboard with this G Burns Jug band, and the added fun of our international guests made the morning an especially memorable one. I had a wonderful time meeting the Schwörers, who were eager to show us the Panchamama, and thank us for the traditional American music we provided as they arrived.

Thanks, as always, for tuning in!

I had the pleasure of playing washboard on two occasions with G Burns Jug Band at this year's installment of the Gator by the Bay festival in San Diego (Thursday, May7 and Sunday, May 10). Gator by the Bay is an event sponsored partially by the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and features a wonderful mix of Louisiana and Southern California musicians, food, culture, and more.

Considering my own biography (logging in several years in both Louisiana and California), I was thrilled to be a part of this festival for the first time this year. It warmed my heart to hear the words and music of musicians from Louisiana, and it was truly an honor to play the washboard with G Burns Jug Band in this setting.

G Burns Jug Band played Gator by the Bay 2015 on Thursday May 7, and Sunday May 10

Whether I'm booked to play this festival next year or not, I will most certainly be back (that is unless I'm actually in Louisiana then), and in the meantime I will be busily and happily scratchin' and tappin' away with G Burns Jug Band. 

Thanks, as always, for tuning in!

It's official! According to Jimmy Kimmel Live's website, Earl Sweatshirt will be on the ABC late night program this Wednesday, May 13. 

That in itself would be exciting enough, but what the site doesn't indicate is that when Earl and the trio BadBadNotGood perform his new single, "Gief", he will be joined onstage by none other than DIY/Outsider pioneer Gary Wilson. Earl sampled Gary on the song, and I recently did an exclusive writeup on the collaboration: http://www.andersmlarsson.com/blog/2015/3/30/gary-wilson-on-being-sampled-by-earl-sweatshirt-for-grief

I'll be posting more about Wednesday's televised performance later this week, with insight from Gary himself, so check back soon. Thanks, as always, for tuning in!

Well, that just happened! If you tuned in last night to ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, and didn't believe your eyes, it's time to stop doubting them. You did indeed see Gary Wilson making a guest appearance onstage with Earl Sweatshirt (and BadBadNotGood)as he performed his new single "Grief". But you don't have to take my word for it -- here's the video:

I spoke with Gary a few days ago about this, and he dubbed it "Gary's Hollywood Experience". Here are some brief words from the man himself:

For those like me, who simply can't get enough of the DIY/Outsider legend, here are just some upcoming Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates shows:

May 15 - San Diego, CA (Gym Standard)

May 26 - San Diego, CA (the Hideout)

June 27 Guerneville, CA (Deathstock Festival)

June 28 Los Angeles, CA (The Echo)

June 30 Portland, OR (Holocene)

July 1 - Seattle, WA (Chop Suey)

Thanks - as always - for tuning in!

I'm excited to announce that I will be playing drums for a series of shows with Lady Dottie and the Diamonds throughout the summer. Every Sunday from 11 a.m. -3 p.m., you can catch the multi San Diego Music Award-winning band, rooftop and poolside at Hotel Palomar in Downtown San Diego.

As always, Diamonds Joe Guevara and Stephen Rey will be providing A-team support to San Diego's number # blues diva, and the fact that these shows are at a poolside, rooftop bar that serves great food makes this a no-brainer.

Additionally, I will be playing drums for Stephen Rey and Lady Dottie and the Diamonds this Saturday evening (May 23, 2015) to celebrate the grand opening of Park & Rec in University Heights. No need to choose between these Memorial Day weekend shows, though -- feel free to dance the night away in University Heights, and then soak up the sun by the pool the next day, and every Sunday this summer!

Thanks for tuning in!

Good things come to those who wait, and I feel certain you will all agree that what I am sharing here is considerably more than a good thing. It took a while to post this because of all my proverbial irons in the fire, but I am thrilled to finally get to this exciting and long-overdue gem. For your viewing pleasure, feast your eyes on the video premiere of Max Daily's brilliant original performance of "The Apprentice".

Max (who also created the glass butcher's display and the figures seen here especially for this performance) and Mark Ryan Severance were kind enough to share their talents at this San Diego performance, which also featured Gary Wilson, Poontang Clam, and the photography of Ashley Montoya.

This special night at the Til Two Club in City Heights was captured on film thanks to David Robles (Robles Productions). Thanks for tuning in!

The San Diego Reader was kind enough to spotlight the evening, which featured performances by Gary Wilson, Max Daily, and Poontang Clam

Please understand that I am not - nor have I ever been - a fan or supporter of the Golden Arches. Nonetheless, when I heard via a couple of respected San Diego musicians that a banjo group performed every Tuesday evening at the McDonald's located near the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and 54th, I had to see and hear it for myself.

And sure enough, the rumors were confirmed when I caught the San Diego Banjo Band performing classic American music to a sizable and appreciative audience at Mickey D's. I felt compelled to support any venue (unorthodox though it may be) making this music available to fans of all ages, so I partook in a small box of edible items (purporting to be chicken-based) as I listened to the enthusiastic musicians play classic roots music on washboards, accordions, guitars, and horns. 

I readily admit it -- the concept worked, and I'm already eager to go back. The San Diego Banjo Band plays every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at this unexpected venue. 

Big Macs, fries, and a some washboard?

G Burns Jug Band will celebrate the release of their second full-length CD, The Southern Pacific and the Sante Fe, at the Black Cat Bar on Saturday, July 4. Fittingly, the evening's soundtrack provided by the band will be one of traditional, vibrant  American music.

G Burns Jug Band consists of Clinton Davis (guitar, tenor banjo, fiddle, mandolin), Anders Larsson (washboard), Batya MacAdam-Somer (fiddle), Jonathan Piper (tuba, jug), and Meghann Welsh (accordion, tenor banjo). The evening's bill also includes Creature & the Woods, and there's a reliable rumor circulating that pie will be included in the event's offerings.

G Burns Jug Band, from L-R: Clinton Davis, Anders Larsson, Meghann Welsh, Jonathan Piper, Batya MacAdam-Somer. Photo by Matthias Janecek, 2015

The Black Cat Bar is located at 4246 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 280-5834

That's right -- this jug band is hittin' the road! While thousands of people will be convening in our hometown San Diego for the annual mega-phenomenon that is Comic-Con International, G Burns Jug Band will be proverbially getting out of Dodge, and spreading our old school American music throughout the Golden State. In fact, I'd like to think I'll be creating a new superhero of sorts, called Washboardman, and I'll be backing up a band of crime-fighters including Jug Man, Accordion Woman, Banjo Man, and Fiddle Woman.

And just where can you find this troupe of American roots superheros, you ask?  Here's the rundown:

• Thursday, July 9:  Berkeley (Freight & Salvage) 7:00 p.m. - no cover
• Friday, July 10:  Santa Cruz (Club Zayante grounds) 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 11: Los Osos (Red Barn Community Music Series) 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 12: Santa Barbara (Pure Order Brewing Co.) 4:00 p.m.

I hope to see some of my California friends this week as we bring our foot stompin' live set and brand-new CD, the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe, to new faces, ears, and hearts. For those who can't make it -- don't fret! I will, of course, be posting photos and videos of our jaunt up north for the rest of you dear people around the globe. As always, thanks for tuning in!

Most people familiar with the work of DIY/Outsider Music pioneer Gary Wilson know his Stones Throw Records classic track, "Gary's in the Park." Well, this Saturday, August 15, Gary will literally be in the park when he and his Blind Dates perform at San Diego Art Institute's special event in Balboa Park, titled "Body/Space/Time".

The organizers write that this happening will "bring together performance art and music," and that attendees of this special evening will get to experience "how these two disciplines create live performances by using the body, space and time as points of commonality." Besides Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates, the event will feature Amy Alexander and Dynasty Handbag.

As usual, I will be behind the drums supporting Gary, and we are set to go on at 9:30 p.m.

San Diego Art Institute:

1439 El Prado

San Diego, CA 92101

San Diego's music scene is a lot of things, but boring isn't one of them! I'm getting wild and calling Thursday, August 13 the beginning of this warm summer weekend of music here in America's Finest City. I will be playing washboard at the Casbah with G Burns Jug Band, hot on the heels of the band's newly released CD, the Southern Pacific & the Santa Fe. Creature and the Woods is celebrating the release of their new EP, and Mike Pope and the Verigolds will also be performing.

On Saturday, catch G Burns Jug Band again at the NTC Artwalk. This is free, all ages, and takes place (quite respectably) during daylight hours, robbing all would-be reasons for not attending.

Then, on Saturday night, I have to be honest: things are going to get a little weird (in the best of all possible ways). I will be backing up the international Outsider/DIY pioneer Gary Wilson at the San Diego Art Institute event titled "Body/Space/Time". Besides Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates, Amy Alexander and Jibz Cameron will be performing at this unique happening, which will be "using the body, space and time as points of commonality," according to the event organizers. You may have seen Gary on Jimmy Kimmel recently, or heard one of several Gary name drops by Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Dam Funk, Questlove, or Beck. Now is the opportunity to see the legend at smack dab in the middle of his artistic peak right in our own Balboa Park.

Finally, on Sunday, I'll be ready to hit San Diego's best weekly pool party with Lady Dottie and the Diamonds. The San Diego Music Award-winning group brings their well-known brand of soul, rock 'n roll, and blues to Summersalt (Hotel Palomar in downtown, San Diego) every Sunday this summer from 1-4 p.m. It's hard to beat food, drinks, sunshine, and a great pool with a live soundtrack while you enjoy all the above.

Thanks, as always, for tuning in!

Recently, Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates performed at San Diego Art Institute's special event in Balboa Park, titled "Body/Space/Time". I gave some background to this special event here.

                 Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates (Joe Guevara, Charlie Bottino, Ian McGehee, and Anders Larsson)

Though I didn't get to enjoy the work of Dynasty Handbag and Amy Alexander while I was backstage getting ready for our set, I heard glowing reviews from those who did. It felt especially inspiring to be on the same bill as these kind of artists, and I'm grateful for the San Diego Art Institute's commitment to bringing dynamic, unusual entertainment to Balboa Park.

Don't worry if you're one of  those who missed the floor-rolling, baby powder-covered set of classic Wilson weirdo hits -- videographer/photographers David Robles, Nick Lane, Galina Betker, and Jayden Fullerton were on the scene, documenting the proceedings for posterity. 

Enjoy the video and photos here, and I will be posting several more in the near future. As always, feel free to check out my Gary Wilson page, which I update often with photos and video from our Blind Date adventures.

Happily or not, Linda always makes an appearance with Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates. Photo by Nick Lane

Thanks to all those who made this such a special night, and to all of you tuning in now!

                                    Gary Wilson and me backstage at the San Diego Art Institute, pre-show. 

Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Galina Betker.

I'm over the moon to share a new video for the 2015 R. Stevie Moore single, "Boysage". The father of lo-fi/mo-fi wrote a real gem here, and it's a profound privilege to be playing drums on this track. I've written about the digital release and upcoming Bleeding Gold vinyl split single with Japanese artist Boys Age earlier.  

The visual talent behind the video is Ken Linck. Fans of stop motion and claymation videos will find a treasure trove of enjoyment on his Youtube channel. 

Thanks for checking out the music, the video, and as always -- thanks for tuning in!

Gary Wilson released his new album, entitled "Alone with Gary Wilson", on Cleopatra Records this month. Kim Taylor Bennett published a thoughtful writeup up on Vice Magazine's Noisey. (Incidentally, the writeup features an Ashley Montoya photo of Gary that hangs in my home.) 

Gary spoke with me for a moment about the new album, as well as future projects that are in the works. Enjoy, weirdos!

Read  more about Gary Wilson here...

I am finally able to announce that the split vinyl single for R. Stevie Moore and Boys Age is officially released. I write "finally" because although (or more correctly because) vinyl is once again the physical medium of choice for the majority of music listeners, it's not the easiest or quickest process in the world to get the stuff pressed these days.

But good things come to those who wait, and this is definitely a good thing. As the drummer on the Father of Lo-Fi's track here, "Boysage", I am admittedly not a disinterested party, but I'd also be dishonest if I didn't say that this track is classic, infectious RSM genius. I'm including Ken Linck's brilliant stop motion animation video here, which I think complements the song wonderfully.

The limited-edition single comes in various colors. Photo by Roger Preston.

The record has two sides, of course, and I highly encourage you to flip the disc over after listening to "Boysage" (about twenty consecutive times!) to check out Boys Age's offering, "Be Your R. Stevie Moore" (see what they did there?).

R. Stevie Moore and Anders Larsson in 2014. Photo by Bebe McPherson

While I encourage any and all RSM and Boys Age fans to buy a copy here from Bleeding Gold Records for a paltry seven dollars, I know they will sell out, since there are only 200 copies around to my knowledge. Rest assured when these gems are gone, however, that you can buy the song online here, as well as the complete album, entitled Fifteen Tons.

Thanks, as always, for tuning in!

San Diego's G Burns Jug Band brought home their first San Diego Music Award last night in the category "Best Local Recording" for their sophomore effort, The Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe. It's been quite a year for the quintet, with high-profile appearances up and down the West Coast, and coverage in the San Diego Union Tribune, the San Diego Troubadour, and No Depression.

G Burns Jug Band, L-R: Meghann Welsh, Clint Davis, Jonathan Piper, Anders Larsson. Not pictured: Batya MacAdam-Somer.

Hardly resting on their laurels, the group will be appearing at the Casbah, Black Cat Bar, and San Diego Citybeat's special event, "the Besties" in upcoming weeks. 

The award-winning recording was done at Rarefied Studios in San Diego by Chris Hobson.

I'm thrilled to announce that Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates will be a part of Ariel Pink's special event, Cuckoo's Nest. The event will not only feature the world-renowned genius of Gary, but also an outstanding lineup of remarkable talent, including: Old King Cole Younger, 5hagatha, Jerry Solomon, Richard Ross, and more. 

Gary and his Blind Dates recently played two shows opening for Ariel and Black Lips, so we're all excited to be playing at this special event on Friday. Last Saturday's show at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown was one for the books, and it was a privilege to be involved with artists like these.

Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates. Photo: Galina Betker, 2015

Anyone familiar with the music of Gary and Ariel knows there's a strong artistic kinship there, tapping into a shared tradition of unbridled creativity stemming from the Outsider/DIY culture, but reaching  considerably farther than mere experimentation.  Friday's show at Basic Flowers in Downtown L.A. (242 South Broadway St.) promises to be exceptional, and I'm looking forward to seeing you weirdos there.

Ariel and Gary at Pappy & Harriet's. Photo: Galina Betker, October 17, 2015

I will be keeping an eye out for Linda while playing drums on Friday, as always. Photo by Galina Betker, 2015