Fleece Kawasaki (Kiazi Halpern) in L.A.’s Grand Park.
By Steve Simmons – published 10:18 p.m., Sept. 24, 2020
Singer/guitarist Kiazi Halpern, known as the performer Fleece Kawasaki, is a strong advocate for performing in public spaces.
He will discuss the importance of using civic areas as his stage and perform songs from his new EP Desert Flower in the next installment of “Grand Park’s Easy Mornings,” debuting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26 on the park’s digital channels. (See below for details.)
The episode is the third of four (the final one premieres Saturday, Oct. 3) free hour-long programs designed to encourage well-being, a sense of community and keep people connected to Los Angeles’ 12-acre downtown park that stretches from The Music Center on the west to City Hall on the east.
The four main elements of each program are: Morning meditations with Grand Park yoga instructor Courtney Seiberling; coloring workshops with GURL Museum Day; nature photography tips from Las Fotos Project; food truck demonstrations with participating food trucks from Grand Park’s Lunch à la Park program and performances.
“As ‘the park for everyone’ we are focusing on social connectivity and reducing isolation and anxiety in these challenging times,” says Marty Preciado, program manager for Grand Park. “With joyful, family-friendly programming we want to help people deepen their relationship with themselves, the community and public space.”
The program, originally designed for the park grounds, was re-invented for digital platforms, says Preciado. “We want to create a bridge between public space and the community, and foster social cohesion through performances, arts-based activities and park tours.”
“We’re always looking for ways to make the park accessible,” says Preciado, “and to translate the values-diversity, equality and inclusion- and mission through the work and eyes of our community partners.”
Members of “the Grand Park family” taking part in the series include: Diane Lindquist, award-winning multidisciplinary designer, and founder of GURL Museum Day; students Karina and her mentor Gabby of Las Fotos Project, a nonprofit that inspires teenage girls through photography, mentorship, and self-expression; Fatima Dodson, of Runway Boutique LA who discusses the importance of cultural programming in public spaces and organizes Head Wraps in the Park, an annual festival; singer Slim Jeff (Jefferson Kahlid) who explains the relationship and impact of public parks, accessible cultural programming and music from an artist-driven point-of-view, and Bruce Lemon, artistic director of Watts Village and Cornerstone Theater Company
Evoking a stroll through the park, Grand Park’s Easy Mornings intends to show views how they can enjoy outdoor spaces in their own neighborhood park. “This program isn’t exclusive to Grand Park. We’re inviting people safely enjoy the outdoors and engage with public space,” says Preciado.
Segments were filmed on location in Grand Park, following all L.A. County health protocols applicable to film production. “It’s exciting to launch a new program and learn how we are going to adapt for next year,” adds Preciado.
Another positive is that now that the programs are digital people can watch the programs any time after their Saturday premieres. “We are able to archive,” says Preciado and people can watch on their schedules, regardless of their geography.”
The park is currently open during regular operating hours (5:30 a. m.-10 p.m.) with safety protocols in place. Food trucks, a different one each day, are onsite for takeout only from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday in Olive Court, between Grand and Hill.
Going Public
Halpern, 27, recording under the name Fleece Kawasaki (taken from an internet rap video he did years ago) started busking on the LA Metro on trains and in the stations where Preciado heard him and recruited him to play in the park. Since it couldn’t happen physically, he was invited to Grand Park’s Early Morning session airing beginning Saturday.
There are advantages to playing in public spaces, Halpern says “I was working normal jobs and I didn’t have an outlet,” says Halpern. “I would do an odd show or open-mike night, but it’s great to cut loose in a space where other things are happening. People can listen if they want to; and it’s also kind like being paid to practice when you get tips.”
Harassment by Metro police is also a regular occurrence, constantly being ordered to stop playing or leave the train or platform. In one incident the trio he plays with, Fleece Jones, was approached by an officer saying, “You’re the guys who play music,” Halpern recalls. “We said ‘we’re not doing anything,’ we had actually intended to play, but we missed our train. He said, ‘you were loitering’ and my friend said, ‘define loitering.’ He replied that ‘it’s whatever I say it is.’’’ After the friend and Halpern himself took out their phones to record the scene, they were handcuffed and ticketed for more than $200 each. The case is still to be resolved.
Reaction from passengers was the exact opposite, Halpern says. “We get many shouts of ‘let them play’”. In one YouTube video a woman is heard applauding after a platform performance and scolding her fellow passengers, saying, “how can you not appreciate this.”
“Playing in public spaces takes a lot of the pressure off” says Halpern, “There are other sounds around you, so you don’t have to be captivating, and if you mess up a high note and a train is about to pass by, it’s fine. The thrill is bringing that sort of energy that people are not expecting.” His first day in L.A. after moving from New York. he did a 20-minute set in Union Station. “People were freaking out over it. I guess people are used to that in L.A.”
He also savors the creativity and the ability to test out new material. “I can play whatever I like at the moment that fits the vibe,” whether its classic Indian rock, covers of songs by The Smiths or Neil Young, or his own compositions.
Making His Way
Halpern started playing guitar at 13 and in high school. Inspired by Nirvana and teen-age angst, his fantasy was to “play cool bar shows on the Lower East Side. Eventually I knew I wanted to be happier and left New York and things behind and hope to make it here.” As a developing L.A. artist trying to make a name for himself, Halpern knew he had to produce a Fleece Kawasaki EP. Desert Flower features three original songs, plus a demo of I Want More, “that I snuck on a bonus,” Halpern says. He;s also completed demos for an album he hopes to self-release next year. “I recommend the DIY thing.”
Songs on the EP and album, covering 2015-2019, are inspired by “a breakup and the fallout and that period of time,” says Halpern, ”It’s like falling for somebody and it doesn’t work out and they’re flawed and you’re flawed. Songwriters tend to deify themselves and talk about the other person. I think having flaws on display is way more interesting,” says Halpern. “I write about the human condition and try to do something romantic. I tried to do the Bob Dylan political thing, and realized I was in way over my head. Feeling lovelorn inspires me so much more.”
His popular Desert Flower Interlude was inspired by a trip to Joshua Tree National Park. “I’d never seen the desert, it’s so starkly different from New York. Part of the lyrics read: “There’s a leak inside my soul, but I’m trying now to grow. With each day it gets bigger. Take me to the desert and off we go. It will never rain or snow on our parade. It’s such a perfect place, wouldn’t you say. Desert flower Interlude tell me that you feel it too. We’ll spend whole hours beneath the moon and never leave.”
He’s scheduled a return to Joshua Tree soon to film a music video for the song.
As Kawasaki he plays a 12-string Guild acoustic guitar, switching from a six-string version, because he finds it more useful in songwriting. He describes his style as “gloom pop. I like to think I coined the phrase,” says Halpern. “It can be morose in tone, yet still sound upbeat.” He’s influenced by The Smith’s guitarist Johnny Marr, Radiohead and Japanese bands The Pillow and Susquash, that inspired his love for Japanese anime when he went to school to be a graphic designer, before discovering the school’s music program. He also adds The Smashing Pumpkins and My Chemical Romance to his list. “I’m moved by anybody who tells good stories.”
Fleece Kawasaki music is available on Spotify and Bandcamp
Bandcamp: linktr.ee/fleecekawasaki.
Episodes of “Grand Park’s Easy Mornings” may be viewed on:
Facebook Live (@GrandParkLosAngeles)
