To Live and Shave in L.A.

To Live and Shave in L.A.

To Live and Shave in L.A. (TLASILA) is known for pushing sonic boundaries and deconstructing cultural narratives through a dynamic blend of musique concrète, fragmented electronics, and intense vocal performances. Their compositions range from extended, experimental pieces to concise, aggressive tracks, consistently defying categorization.

Origins and Evolution

The project began in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1991, founded by Tom Smith. Smith, a figure with roots in the late 1970s and early 1980s experimental scenes with groups like Boat Of and Peach of Immortality, and an early member of Jon Spencer's Pussy Galore, established the initial direction for TLASILA. He was soon joined by Frank "Rat Bastard" Falestra, a musician active in South Florida's experimental music scene with projects such as Scraping Teeth and the Laundry Room Squelchers. Filmmaker and electronic artist Ben Wolcott also became an early member, contributing his distinctive oscillator-driven soundscapes.

Artistic Approach and Output

TLASILA's artistic philosophy centers on challenging genre conventions, aiming for a state of creative unknowing. Their work is characterized by dense, multi-layered texts, unpredictable live performances, and a rigorous production process that results in recordings that resist easy classification. The collective has expanded to include nearly 20 members, releasing numerous albums on international labels and undertaking extensive global tours for over seventeen years.