Andy Hermann
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Podcast producer for @WonderyMedia: Against the Odds, American History Tellers, American Scandal, Jacked. Once and future music journalist. Opinions mine.
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Articles by Andy Hermann
Poncho Sanchez Provides the Percussive Punctuation
News, From the Magazine, Poncho Sanchez By Andy Hermann I Sep. 20, 2019 Poncho Sanchez’s new album, Trane’s Delight, offers a distinctly West Coast blend of Latin soul, r&b, post-bop and cool-jazz. (Photo: Paul Wellman) The first jazz record Poncho Sanchez bought with his own money, when he was about 12 years old, was Coltrane—saxophonist John Coltrane’s 1962 studio album for Impulse. The youngster took the album home to his garage, where he had a turntable set up next to his congas.
Jack's Mannequin
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Blindfold Test: Kirk Whalum
News, From the Magazine, Blindfold Test, Kirk Whalum By Andy Hermann I Aug. 21, 2020 Kirk Whalum’s most recent leader date is Humanité (Artistry/Mack Avenue). (Photo: Anna Webber) During his four-decade career, Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum has played numerous genres of music, infusing it all with his gospel and Memphis-soul roots. As a collaborator, he was worked with such high-profile artists as Whitney Houston, Marcus Miller, Bob James and Quincy Jones.
Pairing Cocktails and Iconic L.A. Albums
Last updated:July 17, 2020 My love of cocktails began with a desk. It’s an antique wooden desk that belonged to my wife’s grandfather, featuring a foldout top and a warren of shelves and cubbyholes that once stored important papers but now store bitters and glassware. It probably weighs over 400 pounds; we had it shipped here from the East Coast about 10 years ago at an absurd expense.
The key to creating a relevant and long-lasting business is to firmly plant yourself in the psyche of your customers, discover how...
The key to creating a relevant and long-lasting business is to firmly plant yourself in the psyche of your customers. While this sounds somewhat devious, it’s really just about putting yourself everywhere and making yourself approachable. Photo, Georgia de Lotz. Think about big brands such as Apple. New generations grow up knowing the brand because everyone uses its products.
Turning 30? Your best days are ahead of you, here's nine life lessons you'll learn as you embark upon your fourth decade of life...
Everyone always says that your twenties are going to be the best years of your life, but I’d like to argue that your thirties can be equally as fun; if not better. When you’re in your early twenties, you’re still young and figuring life out. You might not have fully found your identity, and are still exploring around; trying to find places and people to call home. However, by the time you reach your fourth decade, you tend to be more self-assured and know what you want out of life.
As Live Music Shutters, One Industry Figure Keeps Positive
Britt Witt, former head booker at the Hi Hat now at Collide, is determined to not let the current pandemic crush the industry she loves. At an age when most music-obsessed kids are just beginning to sneak into shows, Britt Witt was booking them. It was 2001. Blogger had just launched and Witt, at 13, was an early adopter, posting album reviews and concert write-ups. When out-of-town bands began contacting her, looking for advice on how to book shows in L.A., she decided to help.
Jeff Miller
Jeff Miller is the Chargers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times. He previously spent 20 years as a sports columnist for the Orange County Register and, before that, the Miami Herald. He also served as the Angels beat writer for The Times and the Register. His other stops include the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Dirtybird: 15 years flying high
To get to the headquarters of one of America’s most successful dance music labels, you need to head into the suburban tracts of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. There, amid the ranch houses and “drive like your kids live here” signs, husband and wife duo Barclay and Aundy Crenshaw run Dirtybird Records out of a nondescript building behind their home. It’s at the end of the property, behind the swimming pool and sprawling yard, where a pair of chickens called Cassius and Disco live.
Beyond ‘Blurred Lines’: How Forensic Musicology Is Altering Pop’s Future
After the "Blurred Lines" verdict was upheld, artists and forensic musicologists speak out on how the decision has changed the pop landscape. Illustration by Chelsea Johnston. When a jury decided in March of 2015 that Robin Thicke, Pharrell William and Clifford “T.I.” Harris were guilty of copyright infringement in lifting elements of their song “Blurred Lines” from the Marvin Gaye classic “Got to Give It Up,” the estate of Marvin Gaye grew several million dollars richer.
Remembering Scott Timberg
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DECEMBER 16, 2019 SCOTT TIMBERG, the polymath arts journalist with a fierce love for the city of Los Angeles and a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of music and literature, died on December 10. He was 50. The cause was suicide, said the family.
By Tom Zoellner, Lynell George, Stanton Hall, Richard Thompson, Charles McNulty Verified, Janet Fitch, Steve Wasserman, Ted Gioia, Andy Hermann, Joe Donnelly Verified, Bill Holdship, Tony Ortega Verified, Tim Appelo, Dean Kuipers, Alissa Quart, Robert George, Willis Peter Bilderback, Jeffrey Turrentine Verified, Dana Gioia
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Los Angeles Review of Books
Verified
Poncho Sanchez Provides the Percussive Punctuation
News, From the Magazine, Poncho Sanchez By Andy Hermann I Sep. 20, 2019 Poncho Sanchez’s new album, Trane’s Delight, offers a distinctly West Coast blend of Latin soul, r&b, post-bop and cool-jazz. (Photo: Paul Wellman) The first jazz record Poncho Sanchez bought with his own money, when he was about 12 years old, was Coltrane—saxophonist John Coltrane’s 1962 studio album for Impulse. The youngster took the album home to his garage, where he had a turntable set up next to his congas.
Music Copyright After 'Blurred Lines': Forensic Musicologists Speak
When a jury decided in March of 2015 that Robin Thicke, Pharrell William and Clifford “T.I.” Harris were guilty of copyright infringement in lifting elements of their song “Blurred Lines” from the Marvin Gaye classic “Got to Give It Up,” the estate of Marvin Gaye grew several million dollars richer.
The Best Things to Do in L.A. This Weekend
Time for another spectacular summertime weekend. Here’s a roundup of the best things to do, from an LGBTQ film fest to a Little Tokyo food extravaganza. OutFest Through July 28 The leading LGBTQ film showcase promises to outdo itself with a slate of more than 150 features, docs, and shorts presented throughout L.A. Don’t miss the opening- and closing-night galas, which have previously screened such gems as Studio 54, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, and Other People.
The Best Things to Do in L.A. This Weekend: July 12-14
Make the most of these long, sunny summer days with our roundup of the best things to do in L.A. this weekend, from Cyndi Lauper at the Hollywood Bowl to a flower fest in Echo Park. Apollo 11: The Immersive Live Show Through August 11 The Rose Bowl has been outfitted with a âLunar Domeâ for this immersive theater show that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing.
The Best Things to Do in L.A. This Long Holiday Weekend
Home Things to Do The Best Things to Do in L.A. This Long Holiday Weekend @animeexpo | Unsplash | Columbia Pictures Independence Day falls on a Thursday this year, which means the lucky among us have a four-day weekend in store. We already rounded up the best places to catch the fireworks on the Fourth, but here are some other ways to spend the rest of the long weekend.
The Best Things to Do in L.A. in July
Summer is finally here, and that means it’s time for fireworks, festivals and concerts beneath the stars. From music to movie screenings, here are the best things to do in L.A. this month. Black Nile July 4 Brothers Aaron and Lawrence Shaw blow genre barriers to bits with a sound that fuses hip-hop, funk, and dub into jazzy improvisations. If you prefer your fireworks to be musical, this Independence Day show is not to be missed. Levitt Pavilion.
Music Plays a Leading Role in New Health Products for Alzheimer's and Dementia
“To be able to express a song, you’re literally capitalizing on the whole brain,” says Andy Tubman of Musical Health Technologies. On a recent Thursday at OPICA, an adult daycare center in West Los Angeles, a music therapist named Andy Tubman leads a group of 10 seniors through a sing-along of “America the Beautiful.” As the music starts, he points to his ear. “Listen for the words,” he coaches.
Music Plays a Leading Role in New Health Products for Alzheimer's and Dementia
On a recent Thursday at OPICA, an adult daycare center in West Los Angeles, a music therapist named Andy Tubman leads a group of 10 seniors through a sing-along of “America the Beautiful.” As the music starts, he points to his ear. “Listen for the words,” he coaches. The seniors — all experiencing “some degree of cognitive decline,” as Tubman puts it — start hesitantly at first. But with the therapist’s encouragement, most are soon belting out the familiar tune.
Obligations at Big Ego
Interview, News, From the Magazine, Chris Schlarb, David Lord, Anthony Shadduck By Andy Hermann I Jan. 28, 2019 Chris Schlarb opened Big Ego studios in his hometown of Long Beach, California, in March 2016. In 2018, he launched Big Ego Records as a vinyl subscription series. (Photo: Devin O’Brien) When Chris Schlarb opened Big Ego studios in his hometown of Long Beach, California, in March 2016, he didn’t also intend to start releasing records.
Independent Music Publicists Grapple With a Shrinking Media Landscape
While music journalists are faced with fewer outlets and assignments, so too are music publicists scrambling to adapt to the new landscape. And they're doing it just as the music industry is finally emerging from its own 15-year slump, during which publicity budgets were slashed. There's one silver lining to that period of nosediving sales: It created more opportunities for independent publicists, as fewer labels could afford to retain full-time PR specialists in-house.
'Lip Sync Battle' Returns with Mariah Carey Tribute, Big Bird, Darren Criss, Lele Pons, Queer Eye Cast and More: Watch Exclusive Trailer
At first glance, the backstage area at Paramount TV’s Lip Sync Battle looks like a stylish, impossibly spacious cocktail lounge. Semi-circular black leather booths with gold trim dot the space, many occupied by dancers and crew enjoying a rare respite from the show’s breakneck schedule (two show tapings per day, each with multiple production numbers and set changes).
Despite Growing Pains, L.A. Jazz Scene Continues to Blossom
Interview, News, Anna Butterss, Jeff Parker, Kamasi Washington, Josh Johnson, John Beasley, Ben Wendel, Makaya McCraven, Paul Cornish, Martin Diller, Holophonor, Dwight Trible By Andy Hermann I Dec. 20, 2018 Josh Johnson (left), Alex Boneham, Jay Bellerose and Jeff Parker perform at ETA in Highland Park.
What a Fool, and Shad, Believe
Metaphor lies at the heart of Shad’s latest album, A Short Story About a War. On the one hand, the album is exactly what its title promises: a fictional narrative about a war-torn world in which enraged Revolutionaries battle the shadowy powers behind the Establishment, Snipers pick off street-fighting Stone Throwers from the safety of their perches, and a lone figure called The Fool wanders weaponless through it all because he doesn’t believe in the power of bullets.
Sound Bath at the Black Dahlia House: Sigur Rós’ Liminal Music Series Returns
I am not dressed warmly enough for this sound bath. I’m sitting on a red Persian rug surrounded by a veritable Noah’s Ark of LA hipsterdom, listening to the live world premiere of Liminal 3, the latest addition to an ever-growing “mixtape” of ambient music produced by Jónsi of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, his partner Alex Somers, and the group’s music director, Paul Corley.
What to Sip on a Trip to the Antelope Valley's Wine Country
Home Drinking What to Sip on a Trip to the Antelope Valley’s Wine Country This article, published in our November 2018 issue, has been updated in the wake of the Woolsey Fire, which devastated the Malibu Coast viticultural area. It looks like a mirage: grapevines standing in neat rows amid the Joshua trees of California’s high desert.
Producer Howard Benson Still Carries the Torch for Rock 'n' Roll and Motley Crue, But Not For So Much For Country
Few rock producers in the 21st century have enjoyed as much success as Howard Benson. The records he made with My Chemical Romance, Daughtry, P.O.D., Hoobastank and the All-American Rejects dominated the sound of rock radio in the 2000s, earning Benson two Grammy nominations for producer of the year and enough gold and platinum records to line several hallways at his studio in Woodland Hills, Calif., where today he does most of his projects. And those projects continue to rack up hits.
What's the Path to a More Diverse Music Industry? Panelists at the Billboard Live Music Summit Sound Off
What's the Path to a More Diverse Music Industry? Panelists at the Billboard Live Music Summit Sound Off 11/16/2018 by Andy Hermann The lively discussion touched on everything from inclusivity riders to mentorship programs, and urged summit attendees to do their part.
The Dropkick Murphys' Ken Casey Talks Rise From Bar Band to Touring Giant at Billboard Live Music Summit
The bassist and his manager reflect on the Boston group’s 22-year career and committed relationship to its fans.
Andrew McMahon Talks Playing the Long Game Into an Unlikely Hit & Solo Success at Billboard Live Music Summit
The former Something Corporate frontman and his team discussed their strategies for staying connected to the fans and true to McMahon's unique style. Singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon has had a unique career trajectory among artists of his generation.
Ableton Live Expert Laura Escudé on Being Behind the Sounds on Music's Biggest Tours
You might not know Laura Escudé’s name, but there’s a good chance you’ve seen her work. As a live show programmer, she’s toured with Kanye West, JAY-Z, Logic and Charli XCX. She’s programed music for Cirque du Soleil and American Idol. And through her company, Electronic Creatives, she manages an entire team of programmers and playback engineers that’s expanded her client base even further, to include such artists as Drake, The Weeknd, Pentatonix and Harry Styles.
Guitar Center Unveils Remodeled Hollywood Store and How It Plans to Come Back From the Brink
The news over the past several years has not been good for Guitar Center, Inc. (GCI), the music retail giant that’s still straining under more than $1 billion in debt, the legacy of an ill-timed leveraged buyout in 2007. But now, with that debt refinanced and no loan payments due until 2021, the 59-year-old retailer is attempting to spend its way out of its financial hole, adding over 30 new Guitar Center locations in the past four years and refurbishing many of its old stores.
Bob James Returns with Acoustic Trio Disc
News The Latest From Around The Music World News The Latest From Around The Music World Bob James Returns with Acoustic Trio Disc By Andy Hermann I Nov. 2, 2018 Bob James’ 1974 recording of “Nautilus” is frequently sampled by hip-hop artists.
There's a Cocktail Museum in San Pedro—but It's Popping Up All Over Town
Just off the corner of Hollywood and Vine, Lost Property is an unlikely outpost in a neighborhood chock-a-block with tacky souvenir shops and tackier nightclubs. It’s a serious whiskey bar, with dark wood paneling, crystal decanter chandeliers, and shelves of single malt Scotches and small-batch bourbons behind the small bar.
10 Reasons We're Excited About Coachella
To hell with the naysayers. Coachella 2015 is going to rock. Here are 10 reasons why. Given Southern California's huge Hispanic population, Coachella's relative lack of Latin and Spanish-language music has always been puzzling. This year's lineup still doesn't fully address the imbalance, but it's an improvement over past years, with appearance by Nortec Collective’s norteño/techno production team Bostich+Fussible, Latin soul jammer Chicano Batman, and Bay Area hip-hop/reggaeton duo Los Rakas.
We Do Not Need a 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Extreme II: Pornograffitti
Hey, music industry. We need to talk. I know you’ve been having a rough go of it lately, what with declining album sales and measly streaming revenues and that U2 stunt pissing off roughly 499 million iTunes users. I understand that you’re trying to squeeze every last buck out of your Hindenburg of a business model while there are still bucks to be squeezed. But listen. You know that whole “deluxe reissue” racket you’ve got going?
Follow your inner signal: A conversation with Georgia Anne Muldrow
So was there a point when you were working on “Overload” where it went from, “This is just something I’m working on with these guys” to, “Wait, I think I want this to be my song”? I think it was when I finished it and when Dudley heard what I was working on, and my teenage daughter was like, “Now you get it. You makin’ sense now.”’ Because before, she’d be like, “My momma’s so weird.” But when she heard that, she was like, “That’s what I’m talkin’ about.
Why Stars Like Beyoncé Are Subverting the Celebrity Profile—and Why It’s a Good Thing
The list of things hastening the demise of traditional media seems to get longer every day: declining advertising revenues, the rise of social media, the spread of “fake news” deepening the public’s mistrust. Now we must add to that list journalism’s most insidious agent of destruction yet: Beyoncé. At least that’s how Jon Caramanica, pop critic for the New York Times, sees it.
Not Impossible Labs Hopes to Make Concerts More Accessible for the Deaf -- and Cooler for Everyone
From the street, the Venice Beach headquarters of Not Impossible Labs looks more like a yoga studio than a tech company. Behind a wooden fence adorned with an inspirational quote in flowing cursive letters (“Most of all we wish for you to inspire and create a beautiful world today for everyone”) sits a modest but gorgeously restored Craftsman that was once the private residence of Not Impossible’s founder and CEO, Mick Ebeling.
Album Review: Christine and the Queens - Chris | Gigwise
'Easily one of the year’s most fascinating pop albums' The ‘80s were a very gender-fluid decade for pop music. On MTV, Annie Lennox wore tuxedos and Boy George wore kimonos. Prince sang ‘If I Was Your Girlfriend’ as his pitch-shifted alter ego, Camille. Madonna’s groundbreaking persona was both ultra-feminine and more sexually aggressive than the boys. Even the decade’s biggest star, Michael Jackson, presented a kind of lithe androgyny in his sinuous dance moves and supple falsetto.
Christian McBride & Bootsy Collins: ‘All for the Funk of It’
Interview, News, From the Magazine, Christian McBride, Bootsy Collins, Thundercat By Andy Hermann I Sep. 19, 2018 Bassist Christian McBride (left) and Bootsy Collins sat down for a moderated conversation with journalist Andy Hermann in Los Angeles. (Photo: Paul Wellman) “Greatest day of my life,” declared Christian McBride without a hint of hyperbole.
Christian McBride & Bootsy Collins: ‘All for the Funk of It’
Interview, News, From the Magazine, Christian McBride, Bootsy Collins, Thundercat By Andy Hermann I Sep. 19, 2018 Bassist Christian McBride (left) and Bootsy Collins sat down for a moderated conversation with journalist Andy Hermann in Los Angeles. (Photo: Paul Wellman) “Greatest day of my life,” declared Christian McBride without a hint of hyperbole.
Why Paul Oakenfold Became the First-Ever Artist to Play Stonehenge
Paul Oakenfold likes to boldly DJ where no man has DJ’ed before. In 2003, he became the first person to tote turntables onto the Great Wall of China. Last year, he played a set for the sherpas and mountaineers at Everest Base Camp. And on Thursday night, as the sun set over Salisbury Plain, he performed the first DJ set ever presented at the 4,500-year-old circle of monoliths that is Stonehenge.
The Story of Indigo Ranch, the Improbably Beautiful Birthplace of Nu Metal
The steep hills and canyons of Malibu are prone to fast-moving wildfires, but the one that broke out on November 24, 2007 was especially destructive. The Corral Fire burned nearly 5,000 acres in just four days, driven by 60-mile-per-hour Santa Ana winds and fueled by bone-dry chaparral. By the time firefighters contained it, more than 80 structures lay in ashes, among them an old ranch house containing a grand piano that had once belonged to Neil Diamond.
The New Figueroa Street Bike Lane Tames One of L.A.'s Scariest Cycling Streets
Crawling along at a glacial pace in L.A. traffic is never fun. But it’s especially not-fun when the event you’re about to be late to is the opening of a new bike lane. I’m on my way to a media preview of the soon-to-be-completed Figueroa Corridor Streetscape project—also known, in an effort to make city infrastructure sound cuddlier, as MyFigueroa.
Capitol Music Group's 2018 Capitol Congress Was About Newcomers, But a Beatle Stole the Show
Paul McCartney and Marc Maron speak onstage during Capitol Music Group's 5th annual Capitol Congress Premieres new music and projects for industry and media at Arclight Cinemas Hollywood on Aug. 8, 2018 in Los Angeles. “You still got it, Capitol!” said Sir Paul McCartney, addressing the 2018 Capitol Congress, Capitol Music Group’s annual gathering for its staff and other music industry insiders. Held Wednesday (Aug.
A Visit to Tónandi, Sigur Rós’s Virtual World Built on Billion-Dollar Technology
August 9th 2018 by Andy Hermann images courtesy of Magic Leap It looks like the kind of living room you might see in a downtown Los Angeles condo: tasteful mid-century furnishings, framed vintage sci-fi posters (2001, Blade Runner), a copy of Led Zeppelin I ready for action on the turntable. The only things that look out of place are the thick stalks of grass swaying gently on an end table.
Smoke Season talk Sensudentity
Gabby, you mentioned that you use your Prophet-6 now a lot in the studio. At what point in the process does software come into play? Gabby: From the start of songs, sometimes. For example, one of the songs on the new album, “Drenched,” has this departure from the main melody. Jason: Yeah, this whole outro thing, that’s a totally different part. Gabby: The whole song is about sex, so that part is symbolic of like leading up to a climax. But the patch came from Retro Machines MK II.
“MASSEDUCTION” Goes Massive: St. Vincent and Philippa Price Roll with the Punches
Annie Clark and visual artist Philippa Price designed St. Vincent’s latest tour specifically for festivals—and to make you ask, “Is this OK?” “Why are things the way they are?” asks Annie Clark, who, since 2007, has released an unbroken string of beguiling albums as St. Vincent. “And if that reason’s arbitrary, let’s change the way they are.
Cyclists and Drivers Battle Over Bike Lanes and the "Road Diets" Needed to Build Them
On a late afternoon in May, about 50 bicyclists gather in the Rose Bowl parking lot, some sporting black armbands. They’re here for the annual Ride of Silence, one of several such events taking place around the world—including in North Hollywood, Fullerton, and Thousand Oaks—to honor cyclists killed in traffic accidents. More than a memorial, the ride is intended to call attention to the perils cyclists face every day.
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