review

“Summer Pasture” Filmmaker Lynn True

Originally published Mar. 1, 2011

LOS ANGELES – In the documentary “Summer Pasture,” a hard-working young wife, Yama, points out to her husband with mild annoyance that “no one was watching over our yaks.” Locho, her husband, a herder who seems to spend more time in front of a mirror checking his own complexion than his grazing animals, blames their runaway “naughty horse” for taking him away from his herding duties.

Scene of nomadic life from “Summer Pasture,” Photo courtesy of Documentary.org

“Little things like that are really telling of a typical couple,” said Lynn True with an amused smile, the producer and director of the movie. “That’s what I was looking for.”

There are a number of scenes like this one throughout the movie and it was revealing in many ways.

“Summer Pasture” offered an intimate glimpse of Tibet and traditional nomadic life in the 21st century, which is seldom seen by outsiders. But, it also showed that, despite the faraway setting, the every day struggles, worries, and hopes of the young Tibetan couple and their infant daughter were largely universal and easily recognizable. (more…)

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Olin And The Moon & Or, The Whale Concert Review

Originally published Mar. 15, 2011

LOS ANGELES – Alternative country rock bands Olin And The Moon and Or, The Whale sang about love and heartache on Mar. 13 at the Satellite in Silver Lake, offering bittersweet stories with gritty guitars and warm harmonies.

Lead singer David Lebrel, Photo courtesy of whenyouawake

“Let’s hang out and get weird,” lead singer David LeBrel of Olin And The Moon told the small crowd. He and the band then launched into “Terrible Town,” a foot-tapping country rocker with dirty-sounding guitars. The song sounded like it belonged in every small-town tavern jukebox.

The night didn’t get weird like LeBrel wanted, but it was somewhat odd and notable how often the baby-faced and undersized frontman — who was just a little bigger than his guitars — kept offering Olin And The Moon beer koozies that were for sale. (more…)

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