The Do-Over kicks off its 6th season on Sunday

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One hundred years ago, civic boosters sold Southern California via postcards of pristine scenery and endless orange groves.

Today, the Chamber of Commerce could trumpet the proliferation of first-rate summertime parties, which along with the backyard BBQ, have become seminal staples of 21st century Angeleno existence. And no weekend bash has become more dependable than the Do-Over, which kicks off its sixth season on Sunday at Crane’s Hollywood Tavern.

Founded by Stones Throw “Minister of Information” Jamie Strong, Chris Haycock, and Aloe Blacc of “I Need a Dollar” fame, the alumni of the Do-Over reads like a who’s who of the DJ World. Virtually every turntable wizard from the Low End Theory camp (Flying Lotus, the Gaslamp Killer) to the Stones Throw roster (Peanut Butter Wolf, Madlib, J. Rocc, Mayer Hawthorne, Dam-Funk) to A-Trak and the late DJ AM have rocked the party, which runs every Sunday until Oct. 31. The party has been so successful that it has even spawned a record label, which released its first 10-inch earlier this year, a split between Flying Lotus and Detroit DJ legend DJ House Shoes.

In typical Do-Over fashion, Sunday’s lineup remains a mystery, though word has already leaked that Mary Anne Hobbs will be spinning around 5 p.m. As for the rest of the guest DJs, expect at least one or two from the aforementioned list of alumni. In advance of the season, Pop & Hiss asked Jamie Strong a couple questions about how to throw a killer party of which even the Hold Steady would approve.

How did the Do-Over come about in the first place?

As much as it’s a cliche, Chris Haycock, Aloe and I wanted an outlet where we could bring in people of every ethnicity and every genre of music. At the end of the day, we’re all music fans and a lot of events are very segregated racially and musically. Because we’re friends with all sorts of people in different scenes and there seemed like there was no outlet for it, we decided to put it on. All the daytime parties on Sundays seemed to be pool parties where it’s about being seen, rather than the music. It’s in Hollywood, but it’s not a Hollywood party.

How has the party evolved from the first year to last summer. At first, was it difficult to bring people in? It’s always been crowded, but the one thing we noticed between the first year and now is that during the first month it would always be packed, but by mid-summer it would empty out during the middle of the day. But now, it’s steady from start to finish. One of the things that clubs often suffer from is burn out, or they draw the same crowd week in and week out, but we’re very fortunate to have both loyal fans who have come since year one and new faces just now finding out about it.

What do you attribute the party’s enduring success to?

It never hurts that it’s a free party. No matter the talent or the size of an artist, it’s always free even if it’s someone like Madlib or Flying Lotus. From the beginning, we wanted to make it as easy as possible to come, and sometimes money would be a deterrent. We didn’t want to be greedy. We also like to keep all of our guests a mystery -- the only way to know who’s playing is to come.

Do you have a favorite Do-Over party that sticks out the most in your mind?

My favorite was the kick-off party to our second year. It was raining and the place was completely packed and everyone was dancing outside in the rain, I think the opening week parties are always my favorite. The party runs for six months and takes six months off. When we get back together every May, it feels like a family reunion.

Download:

MP3: Flying Lotus - ‘Sangria Spin Cycle’

MP3: House Shoes - ‘The Makings’

HVW8 Do-Over Podcast (Left-Click)

-- Jeff Weiss