The EMP (Experience Music Project) Pop Conference brings together academics, critics, performers and dedicated fans in a rare common discussion. On the heels of a blowout gathering in New York last spring, this year’s conference expands its scope to include five different gatherings over the course of a single weekend in Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Cleveland and Seattle. West Hollywood hosts the opening event of EMP L.A., organized around the theme “Locals Only: Pop and Politics in This Town.” Commandeering the “Locals Only” slogan—seen for years scrawled on renegade signs at certain L.A. beaches—EMP L.A. pays tribute to the importance of location, neighborhood and community in defining “minority majority” regions. EMPL.A.'s opening roundtable will feature authors, performers and musicians active in the independent music scene spawned by the all-ages venue Jabberjaw (1989-1997), formerly on Pico Boulevard in mid-city L.A. Moderated by musician, Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile, Partyline, and a member of the EMPL.A. planning committee), the panel features: Michelle Carr, Jabberjaw co-founder and editor of the forthcoming anthology, It All Dies Anyway: L.A., Jabberjaw and the End of an Era; Raquel Gutierrez, a volume contributor and local performer, writer, community organizer and Jabberjaw-scenester; Eric Erlandson, a local writer, and co-founder of the band Hole with Courtney Love; and David Scott Stone, a local musician who was formerly a member of such bands as LCD Soundsystem and The Melvins.

The event will not only feature an archival slide show and an open conversation about Jabberjaw, but brief readings of excerpts from the forthcoming volume. Be ready for surprise musical performances and DJ sets curated by Allison Wolfe and Erica Flores (Rock Camp for Girls, L.A.; EMPL.A. planning committee). Panel discussion is free and open to the public. For more information, please
call (323) 848-6460. TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing at (323) 848-6496.