Music at the Mint
Moi and Sean of Tomorrows Bad Seeds play The Mint Salon
There’re four forms of live music in the south bay; or rather four primary ways in which music comes to us (excluding house parties). There’s the occasional and annual city-held, outdoor concerts. The music venues. Bars that book entertainment. And then there’re those random spots, unaffiliated with alcohol consumption, that come forth with unexpected events for the arts. Of late, we’ve seen unique shows come from Lopa Lopa Vintage Clothing, Java Man, The Comic Bug, Gum Tree, South Bay Customs, among others. The unique quality of these shows is captured within their nature: they’re not based on money. These establishments don’t hire entertainment to make a fat buck off the booze train like the bars do. Sure, there’s some publicity in it for them and someone might buy a shirt, coffee, or comic book; but it’s faint, nominal, and not a make or break dollar night – in some cases they might even lose a bit of money. With these phantom venues it’s usually about art and community. The next one on the radar takes place on Saturday at The Mint Salon in Hermosa Beach, featuring an acoustic session with Tomorrows Bad Seeds’ Moi and Sean.
It’s an event like the others aforementioned that focuses on art, local businesses supporting local business, and bringing community together. The event will feature artwork exhibiting the talents of most of the tattoo artists affiliated with the Hermosa Tattoo Company, and a piece by Max Becker. Food will be catered by Silvio’s, with goodies and giveaways from local sponsors Spyder, Gasser Lounge, and M1SK Clothing.
Elias Shephard, South Bay native and owner of The Mint, has been organizing local events like this for years.
“About eight years ago I did my first art show in Redondo Beach,” says Shephard. “Most of them are benefits.”
Shephard’s benefit shows have raised money in the past for The Wellness Community, The Cooper’s Cure (for a local child diagnosed with M.S.), and the Nathan Gocke recovery fund (local surfer who became paralyzed from spinal cord injury). One show featured work donated by 40 different artists and raised a good $3000.
The hair stylist has been chopping mops and beautifying bad hair day refugees for 8 years, but has been passionate about art for much longer.
He says, “Since I was five to six years old my mom would take me to the Getty… I always had a love for art. When I opened my salon, it gave me an opportunity to turn half of it into an art gallery, so I don’t have to rent places out anymore.”
Those in need of a new doo can get their hair done while also appreciating the environment of an art gallery. Let’s call it a “refined hair doo”, shall we?
Shephard wants to “help bring this art culture down to Hermosa Beach,” he says. “There’s barely any art shows around here… there’s a slow movement happening… and more people doing this would be better. My main goal is to speed up an art movement in the South Bay with local artists, and bring local businesses together, and promote local businesses together.”
He intends to be in the heart of South Bay’s local art movement – alongside My Beating heART shows and the Hermosa Beach Art Walk.
“I’m going to do a new show with either local live music or DJ every month,” he explains. “I’m currently looking for local artists and musicians to be a part of this movement… including photography, and all artists for sale… and we’re gonna work in some benefits in the future.”
Next month The Mint will feature local landmark photography by Karen Mozian. Local musician Tim Matson is already scheduled for a gig in March.
The event this Saturday, featuring music by Tomorrows Bad Seeds’ Moi and Sean, begins at 6 p.m. The Mint Salon is located at 69 Fourteenth St. in Hermosa Beach. After party to commence at Waterman’s. Local artists feel free to contact Elias Shephard at (310) 341-8792. ER