Much to his chagrin, bass genius Thundercat has spent too much time absorbing bad news on his phone.
“We're basically cell phones right now,” he said. “That's what life feels like. It's kind of weird what we're going through right now, to say the least. You have to try to stay inspired, keep moving forward. But you're processing absolute hell and war deep down, and you're still supposed to look cute.”
In Sunday Funday, the people of Los Angeles tell us step by step their ideal Sunday in the city. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.
That whiplash feeling—processing pain and destruction, while singing and dancing to survive, all through the same rectangle—is the backdrop for Thundercat's new album, “Distracted,” their fifth LP and first in six years. The album is a typically dense and fun showcase of his extravagant musicianship and is packed with guests like ASAP Rocky, Tame Impala and Lil Yachty.
But he's movingly introspective on songs like “What Is Left to Say” and “I Wish I Didn't Waste Your Time.” “She Knows Too Much” features a touching cameo from his late friend and frequent collaborator Mac Miller.
“After [Miller’s] “Death, there were a lot of questions, a lot of stones left unturned,” Thundercat said. “But this song came from the simplicity of making music among friends. It's a language, a snapshot. It was a beautiful moment between us.”
Thundercat, born Stephen Bruner, grew up in Los Angeles immersed in the city's progressive jazz scene, playing with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Suicidal Tendencies. These are some of the places around Los Angeles that are still keeping your inner comic book nerd satiated and your musical curiosity fueled, no matter what grim news is blowing up your phone.
9am Find a coffee that slaps.
If I notice that I'm surfing, if things are getting too dark and weird and twisted, I'll put my phone down and have some coffee and get too much energy. I'll go with the good boys of Commissar. That's good coffee.
My day is not always about picking up my instrument, but rather when I feel good. If I'm not intentionally writing or working on someone's music, a lot of times it's just me. The time in between is just as important as the time spent on the music, so it's learning to be okay without the bass in your hands for a second.
But there's still a lot to learn about the harmony and melody of that instrument, you know? Nothing is worth spending time with an instrument and learning it another way. That's how Larry Graham came up with slap bass. There are no limits to what you want to create. It's simply about how far your mind can go.
Noon. Pick up a comic
I look a lot like a Lebowski type character. The things I enjoy bring me peace, like fashion and comics. the family in golden apple on Melrose have been my family since I was a child. The family there has always taken care of me and avidly supported my career. They remember that my dad brought me; I remember the day Image Comics premiered at Golden Apple. It's nothing but love, art and wonderful people to meet at Golden Apple; They have been one of the lines of my life that has been constant. The landscape of Los Angeles continues to change, but Golden Apple has been a beacon of nerdism.
5 pm Fun at the movies.
I have always been a fan of Universal CityWalk AMC Cinemasalthough they charge ridiculous prices. Everyone is trying to keep their industry alive right now; It's one of those brave, brave type things. But at the same time, the experience there is absolutely golden.
I love watching movies there, because there is so much to do there. There is a comic book store Halloween horror nights, Nintendo land. there is a hot topicbecause I'm a goth hoochie dad. I've been going my whole life. I just enjoy going to the movies there alone or with friends. Sometimes they get bored, because I'll still choose to do this, but I don't care, because it's a movie theater that I love. It's always a pleasure to have AMC at Universal City Walk.
8 pm Top-notch sushi
One of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles is a restaurant called Asanebo. It is a highly prestigious sushi restaurant. The chefs are very loving and caring. They make the most incredible food on the planet. It's a beautiful setting – one of the best sushi restaurants, I would say, in the world. But for me it's about the history and the family that is built there, from the waitresses to the hosts. There they treat you like royalty.
10 pm Fun with friends and all that Los Angeles jazz.
Most of the time I don't know what the hell is going on. Many times I prefer to sit on the couch and watch “Star Trek.” I don't always want to get up immediately and just sacrifice myself for nightlife.
I really enjoyed growing up playing all over Los Angeles, but a lot of those places don't exist anymore. We could play outside the Hollywood Bowl. We'd play at a dive bar or we'd play at a wedding, but my childhood friendships were tied to the functionality of music in my life. If we played in a musty bar or some weird coffee shop, we'd say, “I can play with Kamasi.” [Washington]and they are going to pay us in sandwiches.”
enjoyment The world stage in Leimert Park. Bottom end theory on the Airliner: he would come out with Flying Lotus or Tyler would release an album and come perform. It was about my friends and being with the people I love.
I think as time goes on, I enjoy spending time with my friends, whatever that entails. If it's going to a club and all that, seeing a friend perform, my friend Anderson has a beautiful club called Andy. There is a restaurant called Versewhich is owned by my friend Manny, who serves absolutely amazing food and has live music. It's just fantastic. They just raised a blue note here in Los Angeles, which is amazing.
Where would you go to listen to a song from me and Channel Tres where you can dance on someone's butt? I'm still going to say Andy's, but I can end the night at Living room. It's a good place to listen and enjoy the nightlife, just a great club.
