Archive for May 22nd, 2009

Butt Ugly

by Liv Moe, Photos by Jesse Vasquez

Some fifteen or so years ago Kris Laskey was relaxing at the now-defunct Greta’s Café at the corner of 18th and Capitol when was approached about her bag. “It was this totally gee-gawed up purse made out of a tapestry, with crosses hanging all over it and Jesus on one side,” says Laskey. “This guy said ‘oh, my god, where did you get that? I’ll give you fifty bucks for it.’ and I said ‘where’s a paper sack?’” After obtaining a paper bag and empty the contents of her purse into it, the transaction was complete. Laskey was $50 richer and the road to Butt Ugly began. Read more »

Modaspia

by Jennifer Traverso Tosca, Photos by Jesse Vasquez

Ursula Dean is the mind behind five year old modaspia, a line of whimsical dresses designed and produced in Northern California. Read more »

Take A Chance On The River

by William Burg

Before freeways, before automobiles, even before the coming of the railroads, the fastest means of travel in California was by riverboat. From the Gold Rush era until 1940, steam-powered riverboats carried passengers up the Sacramento River from San Francisco to as far north as Red Bluff. The trip from Sacramento to San Francisco took about ten hours, Read more »

S-S Records Hits 50

A FramesSince its inception in 2001, S-S Records has been an institution in the music underground worldwide. As the label approaches its 50th release it increasingly garners praise from all corners, including a top 10 spot in the esteemed music periodical The Wire’s 2008 End-of-Year best-of list.  Midtown Monthly caught up with the incredibly busy Scott Soriano, the man behind the curtain, to talk about his label and the music he loves. Read more »