Brokechella: Brilliant Gems Brighten the Future

Photo credit: Lee Bishop

                                     
Some consider the best things in life are free, and well in this case Brokechella is almost free. The cost of entrance was $10 presale, $20 at the door or $25 for "Broke Passes" that covered your ticket, you received a bag of goodies and had access to the BIP (VIP) areas. As an avid event-goer we love options, and these prices are very affordable. This is the fourth year Brokechella celebrates the quality talent and diversity of emerging LA artists. I know it pierced your heart when you discovered Brokechella from your friend's Instagram picture with the hashtags: #goodtimes #dopemusic #thisbandrocks #lovetheearts #hesfunny #sofun #BROKECHELLA, but you quickly connected with your BFF and high-tailed it to the event. And for those that missed it, you MUST attend next year. 

Brokechella, founded and curated by cARTel: Collaborative Arts LA joined forces with Brownies and Lemonade and Shifty Rhythms to bring you a top notch music festival as well as an interactive arts playground called, "Broke Kingdom". The popular 1920's warehouse filming location of 590 Sante Fe Studios housed the activities, LA culture and love for the day. It was held in the heart of the city, of downtown Los Angeles, CA on April 19, 2014. Yes, it was during the 2nd weekend of Coachella, but it drew a crowd of 4,000 beautiful artists, content creators, musicians, fashionistas, plane janes, hipsters, cool kids, loners, natives, transplants and the most recognizable group; true lovers of the arts. 

The organizers of Brokechella had sustainability in mind, and partnered with the leading augmented reality developer Daquri, which created the 4D "Pocket Watch" and an app to be downloaded directly to your smartphone or tablet replacing the traditional bulky, not-so green brochure of set times. So, wherever you traveled in the Broke Kingdom you wouldn't miss the band you were looking forward to catching. As you frolicked around the lounge with a beer in hand from Lagunitas Brewing Co. while enjoying Starry Kitchen's balls in your mouth or trying the treats from the food trucks on foodie row. Moaning and groaning over the cute pups at Puppychella, spending your disposable income on some new, cool threads or shades from one of the trailer boutiques in the vendor marketplace. Even engaging in acts of KIND-ness or checking out the silent flicks and "Walk On Art" installations in the CFG Not-So-Silent Movie Theater. Okay, I think you get the point. There was so much to experience and all of your senses were being stimulated by the various forms of art. If you haven't already noticed I didn't even mention the music yet.

There were four stages: cARTel, Brownies and Lemonade, Shifty Rhythms and the Lounge, which are all separate entities showcasing their particular specialization of music. The cARTel stage had more of the indie rock band feel, Brownies and Lemonade had roots in hip hop, rap, r&b, soul and Shifty Rhythms focused more on electronic, bass, experimental, dance, future beats sound. The Lounge stage played to the singer/songwriter folk music audience, and this was where the comedy showcase was held. There were 50+ artists of immense talent that graced these stages. They enthusiastically shared their passion of artistic expression. The crowd and the performer connected because artists thrive off the energy, and the audience was so receptive, which always makes for memorable times for all involved. 

Every band, group, duo, solo artist, visual artist or comedian at Brokechella this year have rich resumes. Many have received awards and accolades, produced multiple, high quality productions of work or are actively touring around the nation and/or the world. Here's a few highlights of some of the artists accomplishments:

• Zibbz is a brother and sister trash pop, indie rock band from Switzerland that ranked #2 on the Swiss iTunes chart.

• Greenhorse, an electronic duo, from Wyoming describes their sound as 80's industrial, Chicago house, psychedelia, pop music who had their music featured on SNL and MTV.

• Hott MT, the Thai pop LA based collective, opened for the Flaming Lips as well as collaborated on a song with Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne.

• Oh Blimey, a female emcee, has epic victories in the world's largest battle league, Grindtime Now. She also has a forthcoming EDM release with rap legend Too Short from Oakland, CA.

• Alex Isley is the daughter of Ernie Isley, of the legendary Isley Brothers, writes and produces all of her music. The Love/Art Memoirs was my personal favorite album of 2012.

• Duckwrth was featured in Afro-Punk and is an artistic genius. 

• Malcolm Mays is an all around entertainer. When he's not film-making his rapping vice versa. 

• The Doublemints produce sophistiratchet sounds to get the party started. Inspired by 90's music and the booty poppin of '99 and the 2000's.  Issa Rae, one of the group members, is the creator of the YouTube workplace-comedy series Awkward Black Girl, Ratchet Piece Theater, The "F" Word, and The Choir.

• VerBS, an awesome rapper and member of the mighty Hellfyre Club, co-founded a platform in Leimert Park called, "Bananas" where he showcases musical artists from the indie, underground scene.

• Raven Sorvino won the Best Female Rap Artist at the 2012 Underground Music Awards in New York. She's also worked with buzzing rap artists Casey Veggies and Problem.

• Buddy, the lyricist, has production from some of the best in the game right now such as Pharrell, Cardo, Boi-1da and Chuck Inglish. He has features from Kendrick Lamar, Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus on his latest project, "Idletime".

• MOD Collective members Lil Texas, C.Z., Yung Satan with the Club, Trap, Bass, Electronic sound combined have shared the stage with acts such as Flosstradamus, DJ Snake, A-Trak, Shlohmo, Baauer and R.L. Grime. 

• Earnest Blount is a producer of beats and live visual art of the Wedidit Collective. He is also the co-founder of the audiovisual label Teaching Machine with Brainfeeder's Strangeloop.

• Kittens is a female DJ and Hip Hop aficionado who toured with Kid Cudi and played for Usher.

• Neo Fresco is the founder of the LA based collective and label Shifty Rhythms who has worked with Diplo, the founder of Mad Decent.

• Liza Oppenheimer is one artist you have to pay attention to her lyrics or you will miss the essence of her witty artistry that has gained her just after 3 gigs, a monthly residency at Bar Lubitsch. Her 4th performance was House of Blues and her 5th performance was Viper Room *DROPS MIC*.

• Sammy Obeid, from Oakland, CA, holds the record for achieving 1,001 consecutive days of comedy performances. He's appeared on America's Got Talent and is the first comedian to ever perform on the food network. His debut album, "Get Funny or Die Trying" was named by iTunes as the Best Comedy Album of 2013.

Brokechella completely impressed me in every area. They seriously thought your thoughts even before you had them. I also have to point out just because something is perceived as inexpensive doesn't mean it won't run like a well-oiled machine. After poking around in a few places it all makes sense to me why Brokechella was such a success. It may have started from small gatherings of artists wanting to share their craft with other artists known as, "Community Pool" at a coffee shop in Venice, CA, but cARTel had vision and passion to create a lane to express themselves. They planted the seeds, watered them, fertilized them, and watched the fruits of their labor grow. I'm sure they encountered many obstacles and road blocks, but all those challenges molded them into the seasoned team they are today. Everyone played their part in making Brokechella shine. "LONG LIVE THE BROKE KINGDOM!"

Photos courtesy of Lee Bishop