It's another early rise, smoked salmon, tea, and the joys of email. A few hours later, I'm off to pick up Rodriguez at 9:30 so we can hit soundcheck at the ASCAP Artist Cafe on Main Street in Park CIty, where Rodriguez will be performing this afternoon. It's his first scheduled performance of the festival. We get there early and meet the ASCAP staff. All are incredibly helpful and kind. Looking out the green room window, you're situated about 20 yards from the ski lift under bright blue skies and the sun beating down. It's a gorgeous day. After soundcheck, Loretta at ASCAP introduces us to Sir Paul's son James McCartney who is scheduled to perform right before Rodriguez hits the stage. It's a surreal moment. Before landing in Utah, I didn't know Paul had a son. He's cordial and talks Native American jewelry with Rodriguez and his daughter Sandra. They trade CDs. Rodriguez and Sandra stick around to watch James' soundcheck while I rush off to meet the folks from Sony Pictures Classics who just purchased the Rodriguez doc for North America. Afterwards, I grab pizza/burgers with Searching For Sugar Man's Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, director Malik Bendjelloul, and producer Simon Chinn. I wolf down a burger which ain't bad. Other than that heavenly salsa bar at Chubasco's, the food in Park City hasn't been that great. I've got no complaints though. This has been the trip of a lifetime. Sugar, Malik, and I search out some wireless -- due to my current web withdrawals. We stumble on some complimentary coffee, tea, and web action. Sugar hits a bookstore next door while I head to the ASCAP Artist Cafe for set up.
[caption id="attachment_4746" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Soundcheck at ASCAP Artist Cafe"]
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It's already packed inside with a long line outside. Anticipation builds. It's great to see all the familiar faces, including Andy from Vetiver, Eric from the Fruit Bats, Tiffany Anders of the Don't Knock The Rock Film Festival, and Light In The Attic illustrator Drew Christie who's in town screening his new short Song of the Spindle at Sundance. By the time Rodriguez walks on stage, you can feel the anticipation in the room. The vibe couldn't be better. He plays "Sugar Man," "I Think Of You," and a couple covers, while sharing some wisdom along the way...
[caption id="attachment_4750" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="The wait for Rodriguez at ASCAP Artist Cafe"]
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[caption id="attachment_4747" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Rodriguez at ASCAP Artist Cafe"]
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I grab drinks with Sugar and Malik, and then stop by Rodriguez's with Regan and Pete for more celebratory moments. [caption id="attachment_4751" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Rodriguez, Malik Bendjelloul, Stephen Sugar Segerman, Sandra Kennedy, Matt Sullivan, Amanda Kennedy"]Do you know the secret to life? All you gotta do is keep breathing in and out.
The mystery of life? You never know when it's going to end.
And love? Don't be a silent partner.
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The night ends with throwing ice balls at a 2-story window in hopes that my roommates open the door before hypothermia sets in. Bless their souls, as they hear my desperation 10 minutes later. That would've been a bad ending.
The next morning it's day six and my last few hours in Park City. I have coffee with Jay Zynczak, the son of Sandra Dedrick from The Free Design. Since reissuing The Free Design's catalog in 2003, Jay and I have been in touch for years but never met in person. It's great to finally put a face to the voice. Afterwards, I visit Rodriguez, his family, Sugar, and Malik, saying goodbye and wishing them luck at the rest of the festival. I find it strange parting ways after the momentum and amazing vibes of the past few days. The clock is ticking though. I quickly pack and jump on the shuttle to Salt Lake. At the airport bar/restaurant, I randomly run into Wymond Miles and his wife. Wymond is the guitarist from San Francisco band The Fresh & Onlys who were Rodriguez's brilliant back-up band during his last U.S. West Coast tour. This seemed too strange stumbling into each other. Don't underestimate the power of Sixto though. He has a tendency to bring people together. The only other guy who should be here is South African Brian Currin. Brian, we'll have to meet up one of these days! Anyways, I hadn't seen Wymond in a couple years. Over beers, we exchange Rodriguez memories. This spring, Wymond's solo debut comes out on the label Sacred Bones. I'm very much looking forward to that record. On the plane I listen to Cold Fact and am having a difficult time comprehending the events of the last few days. Did that just happen?
I later learn that the film goes on to win two Sundance awards, an Audience Award and a Special Jury Prize. 2012 is looking to be the year of Rodriguez.
[caption id="attachment_4752" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Malik Bendjelloul, Rodriguez, and Edward James Olmos, Sundance Awards - Photo Kim Raff _The Salt Lake Tribune"]
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No screening today so I sleep in, a little at least until we have to pack up and switch condos. I stop by the grocery store to stock up on some smoked salmon (from Federal Way, WA!) and catch up on work - the big thing being a conference call about a box set release for fall 2012. I wish I could spill the beans, but can't just yet. It's a beauty. The snow's starting to fall as I trudge through the white powder with Mel Eslyn and Nate Miller of Your Sister's Sister, a Lynn Shelton directed film playing at the festival. We hit a late lunch at a tasty Mexican restaurant called Chubasco's. The 15-deep salsa bar blows minds. I think Mel may have been in heaven with the mango salsa.
I grab some beer at the 7-Eleven on Park Ave. and quickly discover that this little convention store sells more PBR than any other convenience store in the country. It can't hurt that they're legally able to sell beer 24/7. In further weirdness, Utah has their own 'special' form of PBR (along with many other commercial beers), a watered down version that's reduced to 3.2% alcohol. Weird.
[caption id="attachment_4703" align="aligncenter" width="378" caption="The proud home of 24/7 PBR heaven"]
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Sugar and I meet at Rodriguez's. A couple hours later, we hear a knock on the door and meet Rob Holibaugh, the Sundance projectionist from Thursday's premiere at the Library Center Theatre in Park City. Coincidentally, he's staying in the apartment above and comes down to say hello. Great guy. He's based in West Virginia but every January for the past 10 years he flies into Park City to be a projectionist, seeing over 40 films in a 10 day period. Rob tells us how Searching For Sugar Man brought him to tears on Thursday evening.
Rodriguez trips out at the idea of sharing a bill with Paul McCartney's son James on Monday at the ASCAP Cafe. Rodriguez's son-in-law Pete (aka the greatest driver in Utah) pulls up a couple YouTube clips and we hear some James McCartney. The pressure of being a son of a Beatle has got to be tough. That's a documentary in itself.
The first major snow storm of the season hits that night and Pete kindly gives me a ride home. I say goodbye to both Chris and Megan, two good friends of Rodriguez's daughter. They made the trip from Detroit for the big premiere but head out tomorrow. More great people.
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Once again the response goes through the roof with multiple standing ovations, first for director Malik, and then Rodriguez. Both take part in the Q&A, along with Rodriguez's daughters Sandra and Regan, and Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, the man who started all this madness over 15 years ago. It's amazing to see the response and realize that 99% of the crowd has never heard Rodriguez's music prior to the evening. A girl in her early 20s passionately asks Rodriguez about his influences when writing Cold Fact and Coming From Reality. In typical Rodriguez fashion, he can't quite answer it. Not that he doesn't want to but he's shy, just about the most humble man on the planet, so he moves around the question, talking about how Malik is the hero here, making such a brilliant film. Rodriguez performs a song in the Q&A which goes down in fantastic fashion.
[caption id="attachment_4696" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Rodriguez serenades us"]
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Afterwards, we're greeted by a sea of the kindest people you've ever met. Rodriguez signs autographs and takes photos with some newfound fans. I remember meeting a Dallas couple who drove out from Park City for the screening, even changing their flight home to catch the film. And they missed the Mavericks game!
It's beginning to seem a bit crazy how the audience response gets better each night. But it does.
The second screening of Searching For Sugar Man was an early one, happening at 9 AM at the Yarrow Theatre in Park City. I didn't think last night's premiere could be toped, but never underestimate the power of Sixto. While the film played, I chatted with Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman and Craig Bartholomew in the lobby of the theatre. Considering these two South Africans are the reason I'm standing here, I once again geeked out, asking questions about the intense process of finding Rodriguez well over a decade years ago. The three of us picked through certain lyrics on Cold Fact and Coming From Reality, leading to other unanswered clues. Time flew by so we sat down to watch the final half hour and still felt the goosebumps. Once again, the credits came up and a standing ovation ensued. The M.C. brought out Rodriguez, cast, and crew, and the audience went nuts further, which only escalated when someone yelled out "play a song!" Rodriguez grabbed his guitar, tuned up, and performed, covering a song by Paolo Nutini. Bless the joys of YouTube and witness it here -
Soon after, the press release lands that Sony Pictures Classics has purchased the film for North America, making this the first purchase of the entire 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Minds are further blown.
[caption id="attachment_4678" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="In the car, heading to Salt Lake City"]
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A few hours later, we head out to Salt Lake City for screening #3, happening at a gorgeous downtown city library. Craig drives his rental with the rest of us grateful for the lift: Sugar, the film's Director of Photography Camilla Skagerstrom, and Craig's wife Philippa Berrington, who a decade prior sung vocals on a cover of Rodriguez's "I Wonder" with a group called Generation EXT and rapper Tazz. I dug up the tune 
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The cast, crew, and family headed to Rodriguez's condo for a post-celebration party. Champagne, pizza, and other delights ensued. Rodriguez played a few songs. A couple hours later, it was sad saying goodbye to Camilla, Craig, and Philippa who all had to fly out the next morning. I felt lucky to have met them. Such great people. Camilla's an absolute sweetheart and her work on the film can't be understated.
[caption id="attachment_4680" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Director Malik Bendjelloul toasts"]
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I climb on the shuttle from the Salt Lake City airport to the homebase of Sundance in Park City. So far it's not as cold as I expected but imagine the temperature will be falling a good 10 degrees once we roll into Park City.
Small talk ensues on the bus with about 10 of us packed in like sardines. I ask the guy sitting next to me what he's here for. His name is Jim Brunzell and he's scouting films for Sound Unseen, a film festival that he helps curate. Small world. Coincidentally, in 2010, the 
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On way to dinner, I meet two local brothers on the bus. Talk focusses on taking "a frozen" and life in Park City. It's a pretty town of just 8,000 residents. One of the brothers works at local whiskery distillery 
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After dinner, we head to the Library Center Theatre for the premiere, which goes down well. Lots of tears and laughs flowing throughout the screening. During the Q&A they bring out Rodriguez and he receives a standing ovation. It was hard not getting choked up. I find myself with a massive perma-smile throughout both the screening and Q&A, even after seeing the doc so many times before. Lots of interesting questions unfold during the Q&A. Rodriguez is in fine style as always with his first line being "it's a great day to be in Utah." He humbly answers questions, but spends most of the time congratulating director Malik Bendjelloul for a much deserved fantastic job.
Afterwards, Sugar and I share some vodka and he gives me an LP that he's brought from his record store 
I've been waiting for this Rodriguez film documentary for what feels like centuries. You're probably wondering, what Sixto doc? Good question. About 4 years ago, as we reissued the 1969 album 
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Get your passports out, cuz this week were travelling all the way to Paris, Fance for our Record Store of the Week: Le Silence de la Rue! Nesseled in the citie's 11th arrondissement, Le Silence de la Rue is packed to the gills with rare used vinyl/CDs and a well curated selection of new releases. So if you're in Paris, go check 'em out and if not, definitely put Le Silence de la Rue on your short list of stores to dig sometime.
What’s your favorite record right now?
FREDDI/HENCHI and the SOUL STIRRERS " Crown of funk : the last set" on Wind Hit. This record kills!!
What record do you always find yourself listening to in the store?
THE BLACK KEYS " Brothers" and I immediatly start a transcendental levitation.
Is there a record you play that someone will usually buy/inquire about every time?
MONO IN VCF S/T. It sounds like an audio hypnosis!!
Does Le Silence De La Rue specialize in any one genre or are pretty much all the musical bases covered?
We are open minded, from jazz to blues, funk, r'n'b, rock'n'roll, indie rock, punk rock, hardcore, ethno groove, garage rock, classic pop, afro beat, rap, reggae, latin beat, popular brasilian music, psychedelic music, kraut rock. We also sale french bands!!
What is your favorite Light in the Attic release and why?
Sixto RODRIGUEZ " Cold fact " because this record got 7 on the scale of the terrestrial happiness.
What is the coolest/most prized record has come into your store that you never thought you’d ever see?
George ARVANITAS " Soul Jazz " ( a french jazz session from the early 60's ). This record costs one eye!!
What do you love most about working at a cool independent record shop?
Essentially, to dicuss about music with our customers and to exchange our point of view.
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Seems like the store's / label's motto is "Always...Love Over Gold" which is adorned above your doorway. Can you talk a bit about this...would you call it a philosophy?
Yeah - it's a philosophy. I put that above the door to haunt whoever is working & whoever is shopping to making decisions based on more pressing things than finance - like asthetics & the golden rule & all that kind of thing.
[caption id="attachment_3192" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="it's a philosophy"]
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And speaking of the Mississippi Records label, can you give us a brief history of it?
The first four releases 
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A year or so later me & my old friend Warren Hill decided to start putting together reissues of stuff we liked in very small pressings. Another old friend of mine Alex Yusimov got in on it & started adding more punk oriented records to the catalogue. We were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time as not alot of labels were doing LP reissues of the type of things we were into back then even though the demand was there.
Thanks to timing & our practice of keeping everything relatively cheap we managed to sell alot of records fast which gave us the freedom to crank out alot of product. We've released only what is inspiring to us with little regard to whether it is salable or not. Somehow we've managed to keep selling this weird stuff. I am thankfull for that everyday. We've released 78 records & are just getting started.
What kind of folks frequent your store, and what sort of records do they typically buy?
We get all kinds & they buy all kinds. We have every type of music except modern electric dance stuff & modern corporate shlock (But we do have some pre 1990's corporate shlock despite my problems with it).
[caption id="attachment_3193" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="I can spot at least four records on the wall that I want. "]
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What is your favorite Light in the Attic release and why?
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What’s the funniest/weirdest/strangest encounter you’ve had with a customer in the store?
One time a lady came in & asked if we had any Gogie Grant LPs (Gogi was a middle of the road 1950s pop singer who had a hit called the Wayward Wind). I pulled out one & showed it to here & she said, "You know, I'm Gogie Grant" I held up the record next to her & she did indeed look like an older version of the face smiling at me from the cover. We small talked a bit about her career back in the day & she left.
About 6 months later an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT older lady came to the store & asked if we had any Gogie Grant records. I pulled out the same record & showed it too her & she said, "You know, I'm Gogie Grant." Before I could ask her anything about the previous clamer of that name or the fact that she looked nothing like the women on the cover of the LP she corrected herself - 'Well, I was the original Gogi Grant. I had a huge hit with my first single, The Wayward Wind on Columbia Records. Right after that I was captured by the Turks & put in a prison. An African tribe broke me out & rode me to freedom atop a glowing albino elephant. I stayed amongst the tribe as their Queen for many years but soon grew homesick. When I came back to the states I was mortified to find that Columbia Records had hired a proxy to capitalize on my hit song. They had some other lady...the lady on the cover of this LP....recording & touring under my name. It was tragic."
[caption id="attachment_3195" align="aligncenter" width="353" caption="Gogi...where are you really???"]
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Whatever the real story may be, I thought it was amazing that the two Gogi Grants would both happen to stumble into the same record store to tell their tales so close in time to eachother. I have since looked at many photos of Gogi Grant & have found a few early press photos that more closely resemble the African princess version of Gogi than the one on the LP.
What do you love most about working at a cool independent record shop?
It gives me a good reason to put on a suit & tie everyday.
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Mississippi Records
4007 North Mississippi Avenue
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 282-2990
Ah...it's that time of year again. The year (2010) that we so anticipated last year comes to a grinding halt and we get all excited for the next year. It's a vicious cycle, but here at Light In The Attic, it's a cycle that we love. During the year of 2010 we all enjoyed some pretty, pretttay, prettaaaayyyy good sights, sounds, smells (?), tastes, and vibes!
As in previous years, we want to thank all the people that helped us out.
P.S. - if you're wondering why the above pic looks familar, it's because it's the original art made by Drew Christie (thanks again, Drew) for our first Year End Extravaganza. Patrick just added three candles and voila...artwork for this year!
So, without further delay, we give you the Light In The Attic 3rd Annual Year End Extravaganza!
Stefan Prescott
These are the things that helped me through the year, not necessarily all new this year or discovered this year.
Film
Kidulthood
Irreversible
Fired Up!
Wheedle' Groove Documentary
Music
Gorillaz
Alela Diane
Mos Def
Little Ann
Andreya Triana
Azari & III -Reckless with Your Love
Leela James
African Headcharge
Chico Hamilton
Seu Jorge @ Almaz
Food
Paseo (nuff said)
Show
VV Brown + Little Dragon
Other Culturally Important things that helped me through the year:
Record Stores
Qool Marv's Mixes
Chelsea Football Club ( although this has also been painful all year)
Learning about the Velvet Underground from the my LITA colleagues.
Gordon Parks
Dust & Grooves Vinyl Record collectors photos
The Onion
Lukasz Lysakowski Facebook Page
Rosemary Otero
1.) seeing the song "Tyrants" by Black Mountain, live November 29th @ the Showbox
2.) Jim Sullivan "U.F.O." on vinyl- BEST REISSUE OF THE YEAR!!
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Josh Wright
A little assortment, in no particular order -
- Moving Light In Attic HQ out of the ghetto and into our new office!
- My new little puppy, Maggie (editor's note: not the dog above!)
- Paseo and it's mighty Cuban sandwiches...you are always there for me when I need you
- Mankei and it's mighty spicy tuna rolls (I ate 10 one night!)
- Hawking vinyl at Pitchfork & WFMU (thank you to everyone who visited us!)
- UFO, El Gusano, Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat, TL Barrett!
Junip - Fields (Mute)
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And the general lifestyle? Beautiful weather, Griffith Park, The Bronson Caves (Batman!), Barnsdall Park, Malibu, Lake Hollywood Reservoir (besides how much a pain in the ass it is to find), Echo Park, Elysian Park, and on and on.
Randy Newman was so right, of course.
Pat Thomas
Winter's Bone movie and the resulting soundtrack on LITA's new cinewax imprint
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What record do you always find yourself listening to in the store?
We have a stack of "go to" records that we put on when we can't find anything else to play or it's busy. Mine is the 
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What’s the funniest/weirdest/strangest encounter you’ve had with a customer in the store?
All record stores have their fare share, but being new we haven't built up to that level yet. We do have a local guy that comes in the store and we give him dollar records for free. The next day he usually tries to sell them back to us forgetting that we gave them to him.
What is the coolest/most prized record that has come into your store that you never thought you’d ever see?
I actually have't found that "Holy Grail" yet at this store but we've gotten some interesting things in. I did find a minty copy of Milton Wright "Friends & Buddies" on the street a year ago on the way to see a movie with my wife. Talk about random.
What do you love most about working at a cool independent record shop?
I love the community aspect of it. It's a great feeling when you can hook someone up with a recording they've always wanted, and that you can have a venue for local artists to sell their releases. It's really cool that the record store has gone back to the Mom & Pop, a place where people can meet others and listen to some new music that they may have never been exposed to even in the age of the internet.
And lastly, how's the scene out in Richmond? Do you carry any local artists?
The scene is pretty strong right now...there's some cool labels and bands in RVA. I've been digging The Diamond Center lately. We're also lucky to have some other great shops in the area, like 
