Review: Belle Brigade live at the Music Box

jenbruce — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:04:30 +0000

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing LA based band, The Belle Brigade, along with Dawes and Blitzen Trapper at the beautifully revamped Music Box in Hollywood, as they returned home after a 6 week tour. I’m not a music writer (officially, yet) but I always feel compelled to share because really good music floods my brain with a bunch of other ideas that usually somehow become woven into the fabric of my experience as an artist and designer. So I’m doing that here and now for the first time. Feels strange…

This tidal wave opening act, The Belle Brigade, conjured musings of meaningful experiences and feelings of connectivity amid the generally shallow and disconnected exchanges saturating the city of angels. I was happy to have arrived just before curtain, because for the first time ever, a group had me completely charmed four bars into their set. From that point on, I was dancing stomping and grooving to every song whether I tried to or not. The brother sister duo and their amazingly talented band mates offered such warmth and energy, I felt my insides open up instantly to the incredibly cohesive and heartfelt sound of their rock/folk/pop/world/americana tunes.

Barbara and Ethan Gruska (big sis and little bro) have such a playful and sincere connection to each other (just watch the ending of the video and you’ll see what I mean), seeing them interact on stage makes you feel like you’ve known them since you were all just kids. Their forthright and sincere presentation of imaginative and poignant lyrics combined with immense amounts of well-honed talent makes them a standout band in a sea of bands that remind you of other bands hailing form bygone eras.

So, I won’t try to akin them to a thread of a priori sounds and artists (i.e. Paul Simon, Joan Jett, Emmylou Harris, Band of Horses), because these artists have forged a sound all their own. It’s a sound that makes me feel the way I did when I heard (insert meaningful song here) on my CD player as I embarked on my first road trip with my best friend in my first car the day after we graduated high school, but minus the cliché. The Belle Brigade exude such a genuineness and sincerity, I forget about that silly critical distance thing a real music writer tries to keep and I just gotta say this band feels good all around. So go out and listen see them at their next show or get some of their music. You’ll be glad you did.

Derde Verde: Moon Mirror

jenbruce — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:02:09 +0000

This is a recent project I completed for the LA-based band, Derde Verde. Their new album, Moon/Mirror was released earlier this month and helped them with some packaging and collateral. I’m looking forward to the record release party. Hope to see you there!

bandcamp header

CD release show poster

Bumper sticker design

CD packaging

squirrel hobbies

jenbruce — Sun, 15 May 2011 18:07:56 +0000

The lovely Bianca D’Amico is offering her amazing terrarium wares today at Elephant Art Space. She is joined by the folks at The Brick House, and MODERNHAUS. Go check her out!

Bianca’s Blog is here squirrel hobbies.

Artist: Marley Carroll, B-side Fridays

jenbruce — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:07:11 +0000

Recently, a dear friend and musician, the talented Marley Carroll, began a project to present an unreleased b-side style track or a ‘sketch’ every Friday, asking artists to contribute an accompanying image. I’ve had the pleasure of contributing a couple of images and I’m looking forward to more ‘B-side Fridays”! For more info and tons of righteous downloads, visit Marley’s site. And stay tuned for more b-sides!

Spaces Standing Still

jenbruce — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:15:54 +0000

Plug: The Urban Craft Center. YES!

jenbruce — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:33:52 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of meeting some of the lovely folks at the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica. It is an awesome space that includes a unique and beautiful selection of craft supplies and goods and a groovy work space. You can sign up for a wide variety of classes taught by guest teachers, plan a crafting party or just drop in and make some stuff. Become a member and get special rates on it all! I loved the vibe and the ladies I met. I can’t wait to go back to this West side gem. You can also check out their website for class schedule, sign up and even buy primo craft supplies.

Artist: Timothy Ernst

jenbruce — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:35:13 +0000

These photos were taken at December’s ‘Venice Art Crawl‘ and feature works by Los Angeles based artist, Timothy Ernst. The collaged drawings consist of fractured images of lush body forms and delicate painted motifs on antiquated paper. As the viewer takes in the forms, their objectivity shifts from crude and obvious to intricate and deep in a quiet instant. As though witnessing the artist’s attempt at restoring beauty to the exploited female figures, one is simultaneously transfixed and repelled by the delicately grotesque forms that quietly demand reconsideration and affection. For more information on Ernst’s work, visit, www.royaleprojects.com.

Common Thread: more images!

jenbruce — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:33:22 +0000

Click to view slideshow.

Common Thread: Images and Gratitudes

jenbruce — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:27:01 +0000

Well, the show went up and the opening is over. It was so much fun and I couldn’t be more thrilled with how it all went down. Even as I was frantically preparing the work in my studio at the last minute and finishing the install until the wee hours of the morning, I was filled with contentment and satisfaction at being surrounded by the loveliest crew of supportive friends and family possible. I am so grateful!

I have some folks to thank for all of their hard work getting this show together! Firstly, Bianca D’Amico, you are amazing and I love you. Your inspiration and hard work made the show perfect. Timothy Ernst, you are the best art installer around and Eric Pausz, you come in a close second To my sister McKaylyn, you are so wonderful for helping out in all sorts of ways. I am so very happy to have you in Los Angeles with me. Sophia Marie, my perfect daughter, I love sharing every moment with you and you are the reason for everything I do! To Fred Page, the owner of Grace Lane Gallery, thank you for your faith and patience. Your graciousness and dedication are very much appreciated! We also had some stellar help from fellow artists, Adam Overton and John Burtle, putting together a collaborative project that included a public performance and some beautiful photo documentation. You guys were perfect players and we are so lucky to have had your help!

And of course thanks to those of you that braved the freeways, the rain and the Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk, seeing your lovely faces was the highlight of the day. Your support is priceless!

If you weren’t able to make it, the show is up until Jan. 30th, so there is plenty of time! You can also take in the California Biennial at the Orange County Museum of Art. I’ll even come with you and we can snuggle under the quilt or play cat’s cradle in the quilt fort!

Here are a few preliminary images of the installation, and soon there will be more courtesy of professional fine art photographer, Michael Underwood at Underwood Pix. Stay tuned!

Common Thread: A Collaborative Exhibition by Jen Bruce and Bianca D’Amico

jenbruce — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:33:19 +0000

I am thrilled to announce this two person show featuring myself and Bianca D’Amico at Grace Lane Gallery, 2865 E. Coast Highway, Suite 300, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625. Please come to the opening this Sunday from 11-5. We are presenting individual works, paintings, drawings, quilts and more, as well a collaborative project! The show runs through January 30th, I hope you can check it out!

Click to download the press release