Ken Hada

July 9, 2019July 9, 2019

Does Disneyland Star Wars Land go to the Darkside?

Does Disneyland Star Wars Land go to the Darkside? Well, it did not do it for me or my 12-year-old son. In anticipation of visiting the new Star Wars land, I was hoping to have that Pirates of the Caribbean feeling. You know, when you emerge from the cave and see the pirate ship battling the fort? I’m sorry to say it didn’t happen for Apollo (my son) or me.

So what do I remember from my first visit to the new Star Wars land? Disney workers sweeping the ground while wearing Star Wars costumes. All kinds of food that seemed to be both familiar and from outer space, but did not hit the mark for my taste buds. And finally the ever ending opportunity to purchase Star Wars objects.

Why did Star Wars Land not appeal to me? It did not contain the spirit of Star Wars. And It seemed more geared for the parents than the kids. Finally it was so obviously not made by Walt Disney.

Would I visit Galaxy’s Edge again? Maybe to take pictures. And to give it a second chance. After all I was raised on Disneyland and Star Wars.

June 29, 2019June 29, 2019

Skateboard photographer Ray Zimmerman podcast

Skateboard photographer Ray Zimmerman is a misleading title, because Ray is photographer. In the first place he has made his living as a photographer his entire life. In the second place just have a look at his photography.

I first met Ray Zimmerman at Punkers pool ( a boutique made for skateboarding backyard pool) in Huntington Beach. I was shooting an add for someone (cant remember who). When I showed up to the pool there was Ray Zimmerman shooting. I froze in my tracks. I did not feel worthy. He said a friendly hello and said dont worry Ill be done in a few minutes. And after his shoot he came over to me and started to talk photography. He even showed me a flash hack that changed my photography. After this chance meeting with Ray my skateboard photography approach changed forever.

I had a long chat with Ray at the last Girls Combi Contest. And I asked him to do a podcast with me. I hope you get something out of our photography conversation that you can use in your own photography.

Skateboard Photographer Ray Zimmerman podcast

If you like skateboarding you might also check out my podcasts with

March 2, 2019March 2, 2019

The song “Home” Lyric Video

Home Lyric Video

Joey Grijalva and I wrote the song “Home” in 1992. The song lived on the album also named “Home” by our band Shoot The Moon. In fact Joey Grijalva and I wrote the entire Home album in a single evening.

If you owned a home studio in 1992 you could make a recording like this.

The Musicians

The musicians on Home are as follows, Joey Grijalva on guitars and vocals, Ken Hada, drums, keyboards, and backing vocals, John Horne Bass, and Julie Van Duren on backing vocals.

Joey Grijalva used a Carvin DC 135 through a Korg A3 for most of the rhythm guitar parts

John Horne used a Tobias Killer B bass plugged directly into the Studiomaster.

Ken Hada (me) used a Slingerland Maple drumset, with a DW wood snare drum. Ken hada used an assortment of Zildjian and Paiste cymbals.

For more information about how Shoot The Moon recorded their songs check out the Moon Studio section of this website.

January 24, 2019January 24, 2019

Lizzie Armanto Podcast complete interview

Lizzie Armanto Podcast skateboarding, fame

The Lizzie Armanto podcast was a time machine for me. I first met Lizzie for a photo shoot back in 2012. And soon after our first shoot we began to shoot a lot. As a matter of fact there was a time when we might go shoot skateboarding pictures 3 times a week. And as some of you might know Lizzie Armanto became a very famous skateboarder.

There is a interesting story that happened before I met lizzie for that first session. At the time I was the kind of photographer who would plop my gear bag in my trunk for sessions. But not the type who always had his camera in the car.

And so one morning I decided to browse a local thrift shop. And for some reason I decided to put my camera rig in the car. Even more confusing I did not know why I put it in there. I mean I had no plans to shoot anyone. Well previously I had contacted Lizzie asking her to do a shoot. I had not heard from her so I thought there was no interest.

While in the thrift store my phone rings and displayed “Julie Van Duren” (a singer friend of mine). An so I picked up the phone and said “hi Julie”. There was long pause and a voice that said “this is not Julie it Lizzie”.

So Lizzie decided to shoot with me. And since I had my camera in the car we were off able to shoot that same day. And did it mean anything that I decided to put my gear in the car that day? Beats me but It makes a good story.

And I have a lot of stories about shooting Lizzie as well as Julie Kindstrand. But that is for another time. Maybe Ill write a book someday about my experience with this new wave of woman transition skateboarders?

For now check out this conversation with Lizzie Armanto.

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019

All You Feel

All You Feel a song written by Joey Grijalva and Ken Hada

All you Feel was not in my mind before a few days ago. In the first place John Terby posted a clip of my old band playing this song at a live show. Then Blake Rehling responded with some kind words about the song. Later on Blake text me and asked for both additional info and a mp3 of All You Feel. And this request set me off on a quest for this song.

Analog To Digital transfer

I eventually found a digital multitrack of the original recording. Previously I had transferred the audio from its original cassette tape four track machine. Next I remixed the song in Logic Pro. And created both Blake’s MP3 and a AIFF. I then created a Lyric Video in Davinci Resolve. It was during this process that I realized the impact of the words from this song. And that thought led me to the subject of songwriting.

songwriting

All you Feel is a song that I wrote with Joey Grijalva. When we played together in our band Shoot The Moon. And Im sure this song started with some chords from Joey. And some words and melody from me. Now that formula changed as our writing evolved. But right or wrong that’s how I remember this songs creation.

Songwriting is something I did because I thought it might one day pay off. And it was fun to do since I had zero training in the process. In fact most times I was just trying to finish songs so we could put out a tape or play a gig. Deadlines are such good things for artists.

The meaning of the song is in the opinion of the listener. Therefore I don’t like to define songs that I have written. So when I wrote the words for All You Feel, at that moment they came out of thin air. In other words I did not feel at the time that these words were important. Or that these lyrics pertained to me. Although I will say that I must have needed some of the advice this song gives. Or maybe it was advice for the future me?

January 10, 2019January 13, 2019

Lizzie Armanto Montclair

Lizzie Armanto Montclair skatepark

On February 20th 2012 I took some pictures of Lizzie Armanto skateboarding Montclair skatepark. Before on this day we had some breakfast at a place called Flake in Venice California. Afterward we probably drove to Montclair Skatepark. And after the skate/ photo session in Montclair I probably dropped her off at the Combi in Orange California.

Back in 2012 Lizzie Armanto and I would sometimes hit up to 3 skate spots in a day. And probably stopped at at least one tea place along the way. More importantly this was a great time for me to work on my skateboard photography technique. Above all it was just a fun time to hang out with Lizzie.

Here is another photograph I published many years ago from the same session.

October 23, 2018January 13, 2019

magician Michael Weber podcast unedited

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away I met magician Michael Weber. I was an elementary school kid looking for the latest in magic (the magician type). The time period was the 1970’s and the locations southern California. Michael worked at the The Magic shop. Michael Weber had a strong impact on my young self. You just don’t meet a guy like this everyday. Weber always made me laugh, amazed me, and was always kind to me. So how do you reconnect from a galaxy far far away (Twitter I guess)? And as you may have guessed Michael Weber is that same force of imagination, creativity and kindness, that he always was!

Lastly, if Michael Weber were to hear this podcast he would gently remind me ” every dance is too long” or “if it can be cut it must be cut”, and of course he’d be correct. But alas my style of conversation (podcast) goes against many of the wise concepts Michael genrously offered up in our chat. Even so, hopefully Michael’s wisdom and good sense will still prevail over my uncut unedited style of conversation.

Finally lets cut through this SEO-bullshit-intro. Michael Weber is someone I looked up to as a kid and still look up to. And I was surprised also very happy to have a conversation with him. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Michael Weber as much as I did having it.

Every Dance is Too Long Michael Weber complete