The thought provoking LA pop world of Justus Proffit
Mannequin head hangs with Justus Proffit; photographed by Camille Mariet.
West coast folks with their ears to the ground are no doubt familiar with wunderkind Justus Proffit. From collaborating with DIY rock royalty Melina Duterte of Jay Som, curating the Los Angeles venue Top Space and making some of the most mesmerizing, understated and emotive music around — Justus Proffit is slated to help close out summer with the much awaited second album Speedstar arriving August 20 via the iconic legacy imprint of independent pop purveyors Bar/None. A record made from the artist's recalibration of artistic approaches, aesthetic connections and more in pursuit of a greater spiritual and personal peace — it revises the Elliott Smith canon for new contemporary feels that shines like the interstellar constellations of care, comfort, craftiness and a cool new state of mind and being.
Justus Proffit’s Speedstar lets the audience in to witness and experience the wonder of the artist’s own inner perceptive place of tranquility and pursuit of zen. The sentimental stream tributaries rush and rolick on "River of all my feelings", to the sun and sky meditations of existential melancholy and intrigue "There Goes the Fun", continued into the ebb and flow of the feelings that revolve around the inherent shifts of life with "Change". The conundrums of creation and destruction strum in heartfelt chords and strings on "Burning the Ground", to strutting and strolling cool with "Spitting on the Sidewalk", observing the pangs of human error on the power pop nouveau of "Big Mistake", or politely and reluctantly turning down the advances of others with "Invitation Declined". Every song strikes heartfelt chords as witnessed with the inverted expressions of "Upside Down Entertainer", traversing tales of wistful and wandering "Jangling Man" troubadours, before leaving the listening audience with the introspective and pensive deep end dive of "Thinking Type". Speedstar showcases the inner thought-scapes of an artist in the world of Los Angeles observing what it is, what it was and what the scene can be in the wake of a world in total flux. Join us after the following jump for an exclusive curation courtesy of the one and only Justus Proffit:
Justus Proffit’s Week in Pop
#1 Scatman
Scatman is a legend, this song will always and forever be the best song in the world. everyone already knows this, but just figured I remind them.
The Report of the Week
God bless this man, I wouldn’t ever know what to get at all the fast food places if it wasn’t for him. I appreciate his bold conviction, and risky behavior.
Chills
Chills is very scary, most of the videos are completely real tbh. If you are a super natural head this man did the deep digs so you don’t have to.
Coast to Coast AM
I grew up listening to Coast to Coast, it’s a crazy ass late night radio station that’s been around since the 80s, definitely recommend listening.
Indulging in the ennui from within the kaleidoscopic house of mirrors with Justus Proffit; photographed by Camille Mariet.
Remote Viewing
It’s like a type of astral projection, it takes a lot of practice. But i like to fuck around with it once a day if I have time. I like to meditate too.
Justus Proffit’s album Speedstar will be available August 20 via Bar/None Records.