Kristian Hoffman News

In the Opium Den

  • 14 June 2008: Apparently NEWS is no longer NEW!!! SO - MYSPACE is YOUR SPACE!!!

    In the Opium Den
    Your MySpace Lifesaver!



    As you can see from the criminally infrequent additions to this page, the most recent being April 2005 (!!!!), it's been difficult for us to keep up with all the myriad goings-on in Kristian's Kooky Kareening Kareer!

    Also a question that often arises is:
    "Hmmmmm - What exactly should go on the official 'What's New' Page - - - - as opposed to this Official 'News' Page?"

    For the last couple of years, the decision seems to have defaulted to regularly (although still lamentably infrequently) posting almost all perceptual "News" on the "What's New" page.

    The original intended distinction was that brief notes on the "What's New?" page would lead you to lengthier information-packed discourses here on the "News" page. As we can see, we were obviously a little too ambitious for our own good!

    So our suggestion for the nonce is to check the "What's New" page regularly for BIG events in Kristian's life and career.

    For more casual and frequent updates about concerts, recording, and other novel dalliances, the best place to look is probably Kristian Hoffman's Official MySpace Page, which Kristian personally maintains and checks in on three or four times per week, touring schedule allowing.

    Of course we will still post any lengthy tomes we have the energy to write occasionally here on the "News" page, and it's always fun to return here, if only simply to enjoy the adorable "Calico Cat and Gingham Dog" wallpaper!
  • 12 April 2005: The issue of TABU Magazine is out and and it is FABU!

    Tabu Magazine
    click for full-scale image

    It has a 6 full page all color feature on the work from Kristian's most recent art show plus a couple of chestnuts, including one of Kristian's personal favorites, "Bindy and Bradley".

    It is issue # 28 - it is not dated.

    Please be forewarned that this is a traditionally graphic adults-only Tattoo "art and ink" cult style magazine, so there is plenty of nudity, outrageous tattoos (a picture of Porky Pig with his own semen all over his face involuntarily comes to mind). If a photo of a tiny penis with embarrassing shrinkage and razor burn around the crotch with a fly lovingly inked onto the shriveled tip is likely to make you gag, perhaps this is not the magazine for you!

    But, given these facts, the layout is joyfully new wave - it has a real Zig Zag Magazine circa 1981 feel! Very Ian McCulloch DOES Morrissey! So look for it sensitively wrapped in a plastic bag at a news stand near you! Special thanks to Lauren Blake and Joe MacDonald who pursued this project for months.

  • 2 April 2005: Coming soon -- a new Mumps compilation:
    Label: Sympathy For The Record Industry
    Title: Mumps - How I Saved The World

    Will have all the tracks of the original Eggbert compilation, plus a couple of exclusive tracks; AND an accompanying DVD with approximately an hour of vintage 70's footage from live shows and rehearsals, plus footage from the early 90's Joseph Fleury benefit reunion concert and rehearsals, plus a still gallery of vintage flyers. It is being edited by Dave Markey of Desperate Teenage Lovedolls fame.

    AND a 24 page booklets with loads of new photos and notes - designed by none other than Steve Stanley!

    Here is the Sympathy for the Record Industry press release about the compilation.

  • 2 April 2005: The April 12 issue of Tabu will feature Kristian, his art, and an interview by Lauren Blake. There will be scrumptious and beautiful color pictures of the art from Kristian's show. Start checking your newsstands now -- the magazine may be available ahead of the issue date.

  • 5 March 2005: The song "Nomi Song" was featured on the MP3 blog Fluxblog, along with a review of the movie. Link to Fluxblog.

  • 25 February 2005: Kristian is working with Ann Magnuson on Ann's next single -- two songs co-written by Ann and Kristian. Recording being done at Earle Mankey studios.

  • 26 November 2004: In the November 26-December 9 issue of L.A. Alternative Press, Kristian's illustration of Val Kilmer accompanies Jay Sosnicki's scathing review of "The Ten Commandments."

  • 11 November 2004: The film The Nomi Song by Andrew Horn, is enjoying its L.A. premiere today with Kristian Hoffman and Ann Magnuson in attendance. The film details the meteoric rise and tragic premature ending of the career of singer Klaus Nomi through vintage film clips and interviews with his musical cohorts. If you don't know who Klaus Nomi was, see the movie, and you will wonder how you lived so long without knowing of Klaus' incredible music. As the movie poster states, "He came from outer space to save the human race."

  • 15 October 2004: In the October 15 - 28 issue of L.A. Alternative Press, Kristian's illustration of the New York Dolls accompanies Jay Sosnicki's review of their L.A. appearance.

  • 3 April 2004: Kristian's three solo albums as well as the Mumps anthology are now available on-line through CD Baby, whose sole purpose in their existence is to promote the music of independent musicians. A much better place to send your cash than (insert the name of any mega-retailer here). Here is a link: Kristian's page at CD Baby. If that doesn't work, go to their home page at www.cdbaby.com and search for Kristian Hoffman. Browse while you're on the site for music by other great indie artists.

  • 17 July 2003: Kristian's friends Paolo Cilione and Claudio Camaione remixed a Madonna single ("In Hollywood"). Kristian's involvement in the remix is described on the Diaries page.

  • 6 January 2003: Remarks by Kristian were prominently featured in the PBS program LANCE LOUD! A Death In An American Family. Also featured was a clip of a performance by Mumps of the song "Could This Be Art?" -- but you can hear Kristian's original demo of that song right here on this website -- visit the Sound page.

  • 7 December 2002: Here is a press release about the "revisited" American Family episode, which will feature music by Kristian Hoffman. The program will air nationally on PBS January 6, 2003, at 9:00 p.m. (check local listings) and will be called LANCE LOUD! A Death In An American Family.

    The press release says, in part:
    Long before "The Osbournes," "The Real World," and "Survivor," there was "An American Family." And long before "Will and Grace," there was Lance Loud, the first openly gay person on television. "LANCE LOUD! A Death In An American Family" celebrates the life and legacy of Lance Loud.

  • 2 October 2002: Kristian will be recording a remake/cover/tribute of the instrumental theme to An American Family for the "revisited" episode, to be broadcast in January 2003 on PBS.

  • 2 October 2002: from the gossip column - Kristian recently attended the wedding of singer/actress/accomplice Ann Magnuson. Ann wore a shimmering peach and lavendar confection to wed the lovely and fetching John Bertram, architect and raconteur.

  • 13 August 2002: Commentary on & has been appearing in many different magazines and newspapers - check the Reviews Page.

  • 13 August 2002: Kristian has a number of live shows coming up in support of &. See the Gigs Page.

  • 4 July 2002: Kristian Hoffman was among the musical performers at the closing episode of The Strip, a campy late-night serial comedy penned by Justin Tanner, Patricia Scanlon and Hugh Palmer, which is going on hiatus after five months of sold-out performances at the Evidence Room in Los Angeles. The Strip presented a new installment each week, with a plot that defies description, but episodes involved murderous hillbillies, evil space aliens, and a fun-loving gang.

  • 25 June 2002: Kristian provides the following details about the record release party:
    My record release party is scheduled for July 10 at the Derby in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, at the corner of Hillhurst and Los Feliz (4500 Los Feliz Blvd., phone #323-663-8979) and of course I'll play a short set - so far the guests who've committed to sing are Ann Magnuson, Michael Quercio, Stew, Darian Sahanaja, and Paul Zone. My close friend and fabulous songwriter in her own right Carolyn Edwards (formerly of 3-D Picnic) will be singing backup and covering for Anna Waronker, who had a scheduling conflict, and the golden voiced Kristi Callen (of Wednesday Week) will be singing "Scarecrow" for Rufus, who'll be in NYC shooting a documentary.

  • 17 June 2002: L.A. Weekly has a fabulous article about KH and the new album -- the link is here: can you say GUSH??.

  • 11 June 2002: A feature on Kristian and the new album appears at RollingStone.com. Click here for the feature. Add your comments about Kristian at this page as well!

  • 11 June 2002: & record release party now scheduled for July 10th at The Derby, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA. We are working on setting up a show for New York as well.

  • 11 June 2002: & release date! Now available from your favorite on-line retailer and a record store near you!

  • 19 May 2002: eggBERT Records is now shipping copies of &.

  • 22 April 2002: & will be available in record stores on 11 June 2002.

  • 17 April 2002: The new album, &, can now be ordered from eggBERT Records.

  • 17 April 2002: Kristian spent the weekend playing in the in-house combo of a Burlesque show called the Velvet Hammer, while bumping-and-grinding bodacious babes in elaborate outfits became ever more scantily clad. Kristian says it was hard work! The bandleader used to be in the Providence, RI-based indie band Combustible Edison.

  • Kristian's new album -- titled "&" because it consists of duets with other singers -- is now scheduled for release on the eggBERT Records label in May of 2002. Here is the track list:
    • "Devil May Care" with Russell Mael of Sparks
    • "Get It Right This Time" with Anna Waronker of That Dog
    • "Anyone But You" with Stew of the Negro Problem
    • "Scarecrow" with Rufus Wainwright
    • "God, If Any, Only Knows" with Abby Travis
    • "Series of You's" with European Eurodisco star Paul Zone
    • "Revert to Type" with strings arranged by Van Dyke Parks
    • "Madison Avenue" with El Vez, the "Mexican Elvis"
    • "Just In Time" with Michael Quercio of the Jupiter Affect
    • "Palace of Corn" with Darian Sahanaja of the Wondermints
    • "Tender Even Then" with Maria McKee of Lone Justice
    • "Die For Cute" with Steve McDonald of Redd Kross
    • "Sex Choir Intro" with spoken word by Paul Reubens
    • "Sex In Heaven" with performance artist, TV and movie actress Ann Magnuson
    • "Can't Remember My Dreams" with confrontationalist Lydia Lunch