The GOP is Coming to LACMA

October 29, 2008

I have a confession: I am a reformed rock and roll sexist. Upon being introduced to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, and Roger Daltrey, I just did not think it possible for there to be female vocalists who could measure up. I was grossly mistaken. After seeing the light thanks to Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, and Mama Cass, among others, I've had my ear to the ground for the next generation of rock queens. Amidst that search, I was fortunate enough to come across Kristin Gundred and her band, Grand Ole Party. In fact, I liked them so much that I booked GOP to perform at this Saturday night's sold-out Muse Costume Ball.

Hearing GOP for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised by the band's driving, throwback sound. Heralding a time when soul and funk shared the stage with rock and roll, the opening guitar riff of "Look Out, Young Son" immediately intrigues, only to bowl you over when Kristin belts out her first words over the drums. Take a look at the song's video, which was filmed with nineteenth-century cameras—a fitting complement to our exhibitions A Story of Photography and Vanity Fair Portraits!

[vimeo vimeo.com/888445]

Jason Gaulton
Muse Coordinator