Serj Tankian's new album & the origins of hummus.

Last night Serj Tankian (System of a Down) celebrated his new solo album, Imperfect Harmonies, with a preview hosted by Logitech at Downtown's Watermarke Tower. Up in the penthouse suite, Serj, his band, and about 50 guests enjoyed an intimate listen to the new tunes.

Sure, we think Tankian's music is amazing, but the real reasons we love the artist...

* He's political. In addition to the many organizations Serj stands behind, he and fellow musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) founded their own, Axis of Justice, to fight for social justice.

* Tankian's concern for others knows no species-defined boundaries. He's a vegetarian.

* He's well groomed. In pictures, videos, and certainly last night, Tankian's facial hair is always styled just so. And we can't help but to respect a man who respects himself and his goatee.

Things that defined the party...

* A view that inspired even the fearful to step onto the small ledge for a look at the city below.

* Military cut jackets. Serj was sporting a beautifully cut one himself and some guests followed suit. No pun intended. Okay, maybe a little bit intended.

* Multinationalism. Serj is Lebonese, born to Armenian parents who fled the genocide, and moved the family to Los Angeles in the '70s. His band hails from Armenia, Italy, and Indiana. His security is from Brazil via the UK. I am from Long Island. The list goes on.

* A recurring conversation about the cuisine of Armenia. Okay, to be fair, this wasn't necessarily organic conversation. I kept bringing this one back up. To everyone I talked to. Why, I asked, is hummus served by Armenians, Russians Greeks, Lebanese, and Israelis?! I would not give up on the quest for truth at the party as I figured--if not here amongst so many Lebanese and Armenian, where would I ever learn the answer to the most pressing culinary question I've ever almost cared a lot about!? As it turns out, at least according to one guest who spoke with the semblance of great authority, hummus originated in Lebanon. The proof? The word 'hummus' is actually Arabic. And according to Serj's brother, the best Lebanese food in LA is to be found at Carousel in Hollywood and Skaf's in Glendale. You're welcome.

* A look at the new Ultimate Ears by Logitech custom in-ear monitors. These rad earbuds are saving musicians' hearing by creating molds customized for each user. An audiologist was even on hand last night to take custom measures of guests' ears. And for those of us who don't need the $1000+ models, UE has now launched a series of earbuds for consumer use, starting at just $19. Count me in please.

To order Serj Tankian's album, Imperfect Harmonies, click here.

[This post orginally appeared on Stuff I Like]

Culver City ArtWalk. I came, I saw, I took pictures.

What's cheaper than art I can't afford? Taking pictures of my favorite pieces that I can't afford and posting those pics here for posterity. Almost like having them on my walls. But much, much smaller and only visible on my Mac Book. As opposed to, ya know my walls.

N.B. There is a picture of a small boy in here. He is NOT an example of something I'd like to have on my wall. Do not get the wrong idea. But he did play nicely with my god-doggie.

N.Very.B. Galleries repped below include Carmichael Gallery, LeBasse Projects, Corey Helford Gallery, and Thinkspace, amongst others. Stop by and support all of them! The Culver City arts community is incredible and deserves the city's attention.

I won art. For a good cause. [Photo Gallery]

And when I say 'won,' I mean that I bought it of course. I simply bought it for a higher amount than someone else did. Which maybe I shouldn't have done. But it was for Stoked, the amazing non-profit which mentors kids through action sports. And they deserve my uninhibited, impulse buying. So this art's for you kids. Below, some pics from the Stoked private preview which happened last night to kick off today's Culver City ArtWalk. More pics from that awesomeness later...

Cool art by a cool artist...

Suitcase by Aaron Rose (director of Beautiful Losers)

These kids were big spenders. I'm pretty sure they bid on some big ticket items.

Gary Baseman and his pal. Gary, incidentally, is having a sick event during the LACMA Art Walk next Saturday. You should go. More on that later too...

I usually cry when I want to. Like when it's my party.

More cool art by another gent who'll be at LACMA next week.

This is me after bidding. I had this picture taken in case I didn't win. I won. You can visit this piece above my bed any time. That sounded suggestive. It wasn't meant to come out that way.

Gary bid on art too. Fingers crossed...

Didn't make it to the event but want to find out more about helping Stoked? Visit their site and donate your time or your money...or both!

One Year of Moods of Norway in LA [Photo Gallery]

In college, most of my friends went abroad to Spain or Italy or took more noble ventures to the likes of Burma and Tibet. Well, I had fantasies of the amazing health care system and fancy accents of Norway. This pipe dream lasted until I found out that the country was dark for half the year and had an alarming rate of weather-related suicides. Oh, and until I picked up the Norwegian 101 textbook from the library. That language is not something one can just 'pick up' as it turns out.

Lucky for me, and all of us really, three young designers from the little town of Stryn, Norway started Moods of Norway and brought it to Robertson Blvd. last year. And for a country that's so dark, these guys and their collection of women's and menswear are surprisingly colorful.

Pictures from the brand's one year anniversary party (and yes, that's a golden tractor)...

Chambers Clothing Preview Party: tequila + VICE + rabbits' feet [We Like to Party]

Last night, we headed downtown to celebrate the launch of Chambers Clothing, the sharp looking new line of menswear from Matt Goldman (artist & promoter extraordinaire) and Devin Carlson (of Fremont Apparel). The party was held at one of Cedd Moses' (many, many) new watering holes, Las Perlas. Las Perlas is a tequila bar and, to save you the trouble of asking should you go in, they do not serve other liquors. Though they may try to make you believe that certain tequilas taste like other certain liquors. Hmm.

The Chambers collection looks incredible. Incredible enough to make me wish I was either a dude or a much larger woman so that I could sport some of the looks. Fingers are crossed for a women's line to follow...

View the Chambers Look Book.

We Like To Party: Paper Mag + Converse bring art and expression to Los Angeles.

Yesterday, Paper Magazine and Converse hosted the pub's annual 'We Love LA' bash, this time with an art twist. While the evening festivities at the Montalban Theatre in Hollywood promised live music, DJs and a livelier tone, I also sensed they'd be accompanied by a buttload of sweaty, young hipsters so I opted for the lower-key daytime fare. The lovely Ana Calderon DJed. Canvas tote bags were available for stenciling and creative expression thanks to Karen Kimmel's Art of Exchange. Costumes, photo opps, and murals were available for the children and daring adults over 20. And daylight didn't stop an open bar courtesy of Yours Truly's favorite vodka, Grey Goose.

[Image Credit: Jessie B. R. ]

We Like To Party: the Silverlake Art Crawl fiasco.

When folks talk about a 'crawl' it generally involves a group of destinations--similar in theme and close in proximity. The Silverlake Art Crawl would have better been called a scavenger hunt. One with stops very, very, very far away from each other. In which guests are tasked with finding good art and interesting activities. Which were, as it turned out, relatively hard to find on the crawl's itinerary.

But here are some of the more interesting things and places spotted along the crawl.

Gogosha is an optical store for those with, shall we say, taste. We came upon it by accident after the first two stops along the crawl failed us. Pictured below are a ridiculous pair of sunglasses by Mykita and Willhelm that I tried on for kicks (as featured on Sex and the City).

We discovered Lawson-Fenning, a fabulous furniture and design store. Especially awesome? These big, big feet.

In the back of the store is yet another store, Ivanhoe Books, with beautiful coffee table books to last your living room's lifetime.

Materials & Applications hosted a fish taco party in their courtyard. M&A is a seemingly very cool research center, specializing in architecture, urban landscaping and design.

The fish tacos were made with tilapia fish bred in the center's most recent installation. This is either really cool. Or really gross depending on how you look at it. And depending on if you happened to overhear that tilapia are bottom feeders.

There happened to be some great street art right outside our parking spot. This was not thanks to the Silverlake Art Crawl. This was simple and pure luck.

The folks at Subliminal Projects Gallery (Shepard Fairey's Echo Park art lair), let us in early to get a sneak peak at WK Interact's show, 'How to Blow Yourself Up' which opened later on that night. I became aware of WK's work during a show I worked for Seth Carmichael of Carmichael Gallery. A-mazing.

We stopped by Junc Gallery to celebrate Blood is the New Black's 5 year anniversary with founder Mitra K. Great people. Great art. Great cupcakes (c/o Lemonade, my new favoritest spot for food in LA).

And worth sharing, is my new friend at the vintage lingerie shop next to Junc Gallery. She's fun. She's fabulous. She doesn't talk much.