Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 3, No. 36 - September 9, 2021
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Entertainment......................2
Hawthorne............................3
Lawndale..............................4
Inglewood.............................5
Legals.................................6,7
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South Bay Cities Are Strong
Alone But Unstoppable Together
It’s been 5 years when Mishel and Marcus Kowal lost their son, Liam Kowal (at 15 months old) who was struck and killed by a drunk driver on September 3, 2016. In his honor, Hawthorne Police
officers participated in “Liam’s WOD” (workout of the day) which is a workout to raise awareness and remind people not to drink and drive. Liam, may your legacy live on forever. Photo courtesy
Hawthorne Police Department.
Exploring Punk Music with Alec
Hodgman on A Fistful of Vinyl
By Kiersten Vannest
who already have a following and those just
“From sixth grade forward, on any given
starting out.
weekend, you can find me in a mosh pit.”
It’s not just the artists he works to humanize.
From a young age, Alec Hodgman was
Through his show, Hodgman has learned
ensconced in the world of punk music. His
to be vulnerable in front of an audience,
role models were into punk and played in
discussing his own life, and bringing to light
punk bands. He admired the unrefined and
issues surrounding mental health. Having
defiant nature of the music. Deeper than
gone through depression himself, he hopes
that, he found a community, and it is in the
that speaking freely might allow for a greater
interest of fostering that community that he
discussion.
went on to form the radio show A Fistful of
In addition to his radio show, Hodgman
Vinyl (KXLU 88.9 FM).
films his sessions and performances from
Hodgman himself is not a musician, but
artists and posts them on YouTube episodically.
his contribution to the music world shines in
Sometimes, about once a month, he
his work. “I’m a passable guitarist at best,”
says, he will read a comment on one of
Alec Hodgman hosts the show, A Fistful of Vinyl, on 88.9 KXLU.
laughs Hodgman, “and nobody would ever
his videos saying, “This saved my life.” A
he says, “is the thing that happens with an
want to hear me sing if they knew what
heavy comment, Hodgman is grateful that
audience and a performance interact.”
was good for them. But at the very least, I
someone could find solace in his show and
Hodgman does not get paid for his radio
can share some of the art that other people
the punk community.
show. “We make jokes about how we’re
are making.”
The punk community is one of radical
revenue negative radio, in the sense that it
A Fistful of Vinyl started with the intention
acceptance. It is a safe space where those
costs us money to produce, and we don’t
of giving air time to up-and-coming punk
who haven’t fit in other places in society can
take any of it,” he laughs. The show is run
bands, putting names on the scene, and
come and be who they are and be accepted.
completely on a volunteer basis, fueled
sharing music with new listeners. In addition
Members and fans don’t tolerate judgment,
by a passion for the music and the people
to playing their music, Hodgman interviews
bigotry, or any abuses of humanity and will
involved in it.
the artists. Usually, he says, he gets into
effectively blacklist anyone who violates this
Having attended Loyola Marymount University
conversations with artists about all things
unspoken code.
as a business student, Hodgman was
music-related and beyond. It’s important to
Many punk artists have survived or are
taught that the way to success and happiness
Hodgman to add a human element to the
going through some sort of internal or societal
was to get a good job and make a lot of
artists who are often idolized.
struggle, be it drug addiction, gender
money. What he’s learned from his work
Hodgman has interviewed artists both
on A Fistful of Vinyl revolves largely around
famous and underground. One day he might
being shown that success and happiness look
be interviewing Julian Casablancas of The
different for every person. Getting to know
Strokes, and the next day he is talking with
people from all walks of life, all of whom
the Taxpayers, a DIY punk band on the rise.
are creating art that can be enjoyed by the
“It’s this dichotomous situation where
same community, has provided Hodgman
you’ve always wanted to focus on those
with a wider view of humanity.
smaller artists, who would benefit the most
Hodgman’s dream interviews are Josh Ritter,
from exposure…but we also try to drive the
who he contends is the greatest lyricist
popularity of the channel by getting involved
working today, and Tohkay, who is famously
with some bigger artists,” says Hodgman. He
reclusive, but whose solo acoustic career has
strikes a balance, alternating between artists
transitioning, abuse, or depression and anxiety.
“To have a musical reflection of that that
the artists poured their soul into…I think is
the thing that creates a generally uplifting
atmosphere or sympathetic atmosphere,”
Hodgman says. For the audience to draw
parallels between their life and the music is
a raw and vulnerable experience. It’s what
the audience brings to the music that makes it
art, in Hodgman’s opinion. The discussion of
separating the art from the artist to Hodgman
must include those interacting with it. “Art,” See Alec Hodgman, page 4