Ayo, America!

Never Not Lurking

2010-08-24T21:11:00.005+01:00

Too busy sipping on Lokos, JJ, Lean, Nutcrackers, Devil's Springs, and not paying for good weed to even keep up with this shit. We're at that time in August when the sun is tired of shining, what a bitch. Hope you're summer was even half as good as mine.

HOLLA.

Photo: Adèle Austin

Open Invitation: 40oz Bounce V

2010-05-22T22:29:00.004+01:00

This is my third time posting up a 40oz Bounce joint, Summer up East doesn't officially kick off until everyone and they moms hits up the 40oz Bounce BBQs Uptown, it just wouldn't be Summer without them. Van and The Dealers are throwing the first installment on Memorial day weekend, the 30th of May, and if you happen to be in the city, best believe you need to stop by. The energy never disapoints, and shit is always LIVE. Nutcrackers, Nemos, Lean, and JJ all on deck, with food, super special brownies, and endless honeys for the homies.

BRING A TOWEL.

"Niggas don't give a fuck, we smoke, we drink, until the sun sets"

"A Sunny Spring Mix"

2010-05-19T02:35:00.003+01:00

Hemaly and I are on this music project, and together we form Girl Fantasies. This is, like, mad out of the blue but remember, 3 years ago when this was a music blog? I made a mix, first one EVAR, sent it to some homies a few weeks ago, all I've got was LOVE from it, I take that as a good thing, even though I didn't make any of 15 tracks selected. I also featured my homeboy's O.K. Drums' Wordspit remix because it is SO FUCKING GOOD.

See what you think of it yaselves, and dl:

GET IT, GET IT, GET IT GURLS.

sidenote: I really like Alma-Tadema, it's classy-corny type shit, MAD GOOD.

"Fuck Ya'll Niggas"

2010-05-11T02:34:00.006+01:00

Back on my drawing shit.

Shauna was saying how she's going to start some stickers and shit, and told me I should probably get on it as a start, good idea to me, so I came up with the cones.
(Summer 2010 'fuck the police' Ice Creams - so necessary)

Sidenote: No homo but, homegirl can whine like a mofucka.

Happy Holidaze

2010-04-20T13:53:00.003+01:00

The Ski Mask Way
has been
FULLY UPDATED.

You Got NO Ass

2010-04-18T01:18:00.004+01:00

Joel' got one of my favourite tumblrs out there, and you have no ass:

Prove him wrong.

(Not at all SFW, soz)

HOODRATS. ALWAYS LOVED THEM!

Extra Treat:

I Love Tuesdays AKA Boiler Room Days

2010-03-19T18:03:00.005Z

It's like being invited to a party, but not having to go anywhere. They provide the music, you just sit back, BYOB, and get shit poppin'. Boiler Room is brand spanking new to Platform, and straight up is MAD FUCKING GOOD. Podcasts available every week as well.

Don't see any other niggas out there doing this shit.

I'M JUST SAYIN'

Set It Off, Jada Pinkett

2010-03-08T18:28:00.004Z

Photo Blog // Tumblr // This Shit // Formspring // Platform

It's all in there.

HBIC

Killin' U Hoes

2010-03-01T21:05:00.009Z

46 DEGREES & SUNNY - BITCHES.

I went for breakfast and cycling. Shit felt gooooooooooooood.

Sorry NYC, times like these, I don't miss you at all.

AYE.

I'm out.

x

Best Thing Going

2010-02-05T19:58:00.004Z

Finally the full-length inspired from the 80s Jersey Boardwalk - This is another fucking brilliant way to do a video LookBook, and this is the best video LookBook I've came across. Ever.

Familiar faces and an A+ for Cass Bird & Sophomore.

TIGHT.

Bagay Maleur, Piti!

2010-02-03T19:05:00.010Z

Those are my Mom's Veve flags. Look it up.

I speak fluent Creole/Kreyol: An unknown fact to about 63% of the people I know.

These are only some of the essential 'CHOONS' that made up my upbringing, brings back loads and loads of kid memories. Ahhhhh, fuck outta here with winter, I want coconuts and beaches, bitches!

Koudjay - Si Yo Vle

Rev - Tan An Chanje

Ram - Ibo Lele

Boukman Eksperyans - Imamou Lele

Sweet Micky - Ou Lala

Emeline Michel - A.K.I.K.O

Konpa Kreyol - Kimele'm

While you have these in the background, check out my Platform tribute post with some photos of Haiti before the Earthquake done a while back. The music should set the tone.

BOOM.

Look At That Sexy Mama

2010-01-26T00:48:00.005Z

This, is how you do a video lookbook:

I'm just sayin'
treat:

What's Up, Jim Goad?

2010-01-14T20:25:00.005Z

Hey Jim, I'm real happy for you and all, and sure moral elitism and "I told you sos" can rack up testosterone levels to all-time highs, but leave the controversial racial shit to Rush Limbaugh & Pat Robertson, stop soiling my daily dose of Street Carnage and keep that shit moderately liberal, please.
I'm more offended you used THEM to publish your article, seriously, that's like being hit in the face with a shovel when you're rolling down a hill of roses.

But tis uh-merica, and it's your personal opinion, and I've nothing against it my friend, believe that, but I'm still keeping an open-ear to hear news about my cousin Sarah who's trapped under the rubbles of her house as I write, but is still alive (oh, no!) and my other 45 old high school mates who have not been seen since Tuesday.

But, oh right they probably asked for that, didn't they? Gotcha.

Fucking slaves, why'd they all have to revolt 200 years ago against the French and get us in this mess of an earthquake/poverty/unstability? Dipshits.

Lots of Love,

xx

Don't Start No Shit, It Won't Be No Shit

2010-01-11T20:23:00.008Z

(Jah Jah)

40oz Bounce was so legit, the cops shut us down 3 hours into it. I've managed to snap a few flicks, saw loads of familiar faces. All in all, very good. Think we should keep the shit outdoors and stricly for summer, please, I don't like cops messing up my good time.

Photos: Adèle Austin

All Good, Money.

Season's Greetings!

2009-12-28T07:32:00.009Z

This is Eric. Always nice to see Eric. Where's the holiday spirit? Smile! Hazy days! (makes no sense, I know, but he's stoned the fuck out, right?)

Looked at my backyard, and saw the snow had made a mockery of my summer days.
This really doesn't do it justice, I mean, YOU CAN'T EVEN FUCKING SEE THE CANDY CANES. IT HAS CANDY CANES.
Haitian Rhum. For measure.

Then me and the homies hit up Johnny Rockets, on 56th Street (Old High School joint!), three days later on Sunday.

New Year's Eve is friday. HOT DANM.

BYE!
XXXXX

40oz Bounce VI: What's Really Good?

2009-12-27T04:01:00.003Z

The Bounce is Back! The Bounce is Back!
This time in Billyburg! With NINJA-FUCKING-SONIK.
Here's a little memory recall on how the Bounces began, and how they go down:
40oz Bounce IV

40oz Bounce III

'Spread love it's the Brooklyn Way'

Nicki Minaj//Nicki Lewinski//Nicki The Bad Ass Bitch

2009-12-21T01:44:00.006Z

Sampling Sasha in the last one.
THIS BITCH IS BAAAAD

This Shit Is TIGHT

2009-12-16T17:49:00.005Z

Mark made this video. It's pretty fucking legit.
BTW, Platform are throwing their Christmas warehouse party this saturday. We're all on deck (+ god knows whoever the fuck else). Free Booze, No Covers. Come out.

YA'LL NIGGAS NEED ANYTHING ELSE?

Things I've Lied About Over The Decade a.k.a Now You Know Part.I

2009-12-04T12:54:00.000Z

I'll be two decades older next year (WHOA), so I can't keep carrying these set of lies. I AIM TO BE A BETTER PERSON, I'm reaching TWENTY, man, TWENTY, 2-0. Let's leave this teen bullshit in the past, and move the fuck on, people. I don't ever lie, so this is almost digging through an inner Holy Grail:

#1. I REALLY hate beer (2000)

I never buy alcohol, so every time I'm out I depend on the friends around me to pass along, and the chicks I hang with have a strong affinity for BEER & LAGER. Anytime I'm handed a full can of Red Stripe, I always smile in gratitude, but if they could read my inner thoughts I'm damning them all to hell for keeping their Baileys to themselves and giving ME the fucking bitter booze. I love a 40 oz. Bounce, but beer tastes like SHIT. Any brand, flavour or kind.

#2."The last time I got shitfaced drunk, I was eleven" (2007)

Technically, this isn't exactly a lie - and it's for that reason, and that reason alone I've kept myself off booze since then (That's about 8 years), because to be honest, it's a) not exactly that appealing or 'hot' to be drunk off your head, and b) cost mad bread$£$£$£ - Until June of this year though, whilst walking home to the Tube station after some happy hour courtesy of the good people who run Platform (thanks, guys!), I was seeing triple, couldn't think logically, almost stumbled on that fucking skateboard that's been there for the past, what? 9 months? And was giggling to myself on the Central line wondering if anyone'd guess I was off my face? Half a cup of whiskey mixed with coke, that's all it took. Never again.

#3. I've taken my mom's Pericles belt, but told her she probably lost it (2008)

(This is a rough translation from French)
Mom: I've had that belt for 20 years, I honestly can't believe I've lost it now, where could it possibly be? I've looked everywhere. You sure you haven't seen it?
Me: Nope. Mom: Seriously. My favourite belt, and it went really well with [...stopped paying attention]
Me: Well, If I knew, I'd be the first one to tell you. I'll look in the basement again tomorrow. Mom: Absolutely cannot believe it.

I do feel about about this one, because my mom is 'outta this world', but yeah HI MOM! I've got your belt in a suitcase, left in London. Sorry, yeah I had it all along, because it looks mad nice. I thought you'd forget about it by now, but since you keep mentioning it all.the.time, which adds on to my guilt, I'll bring it back. X

#4. Fashion (2005)

About 95 percent of my graduating class thought I'd end up in Art school, studying fashion design (BARF), truth is, I got off that since what could be passed as a Payless strap-on was selling out for triple figures (675$ For this shit? Bypass). I've still got my handsewn dresses I made 6 years ago, and great memories from Parsons, but FUCK THAT. Happy I ditched that. Style on the other hand, is a different (but long) story.

#5. Cats (2002)

I like to go on about how much I hate cats, and how gross they are, and how fun it must be to kick them 20 miles and hear the frantic fear in their sad sad little raspy voices; or throw water on them because they hate it, cats hate getting wet. BUT CAN ANYONE ACTUALLY RESIST THIS?

Adorbz.

Now you know.

I'm Not Late, I'm Not Late At All

2009-11-29T21:46:00.007Z

Rosa Acosta's Supreme shoot with Terry Richardson STILL got these niggas screaming GOT DANM.

NSFW

God Bless America.

Stuff I Looked Up/Fiend For On Ebay Recently

2009-11-22T21:31:00.014Z

Hero 20'' Boys Low-Rider // $123

20'' Low-Rider with Spoke // $199

The Hundreds California Snapback // $23

THIS SHIT // $125

NY Rangers Snapback // $19

Mens Waxed Barbour Beaufort // $45
80s Buffalo Bills Tank Top // $4.95

Canadian Beer Tank (Top) // $5.95
Holyfield vs. Akinwande Shirt // $9.95

I'm gonna stop now, cause I'm broke as fuck. :*(

They Tell Me My Shit's The Bomb

2009-11-18T22:06:00.007Z

I'll make a mix to this, I swear I'll make a mix to this shit, and Imma call it REALEST SHIT OF ALL TIME.

Favourite Line: "While we...Still makin gangsta hits, You'll be...Still jockin gangsta dicks".

Favourite Line: "Feels so good to be a Crooklyn Dodger"

Favourite Line: "Now there she goes again, the dopest Ethiopian"

Favourite Line: "While we out here say the Hustler's prayer: if the game shakes me or breaks me I hope it makes me a better man, take a better stand, put money in my mom's hand, get my daughter this college grand so she don't need no man"

Favourite Line: "I'm still breaking these pebbles like Bam Bam"

HELL YEAH.

Chola

2009-11-16T18:46:00.008Z

My life isn't crazy, but yeah, I can roll with that!

SUMMER 2010, HERE I COME.
HOLLA.

I Think You've Missed This One

2009-11-13T22:57:00.006Z

Yep, I'm sure you've missed this one, but either way it was pretty great, I didn't get the chance to see Blood Orange because A) I'm not familiar with Lightspeed Champion, so my interest for that was pretty low and B) I left right after my hour and a half set cause I had classes the next day and I take my eight hours very very very seriously.

If you missed this one, come to the next Platform party! We're currently within planning talks, so I can't really tell you much, but it's gonna be fucking MAYJAH blud, booze DJs and all INNIT! We're turning ONE YEAR OLD TRICK, it's a must-come-to.

"I'D DIE FOR MY NIGGAS"

X

X Gon Give It To Ya, What??

2009-11-09T12:20:00.000Z

This is fucking funny:

Are you following the presidential race?
Not at all.

You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton.
His name is Barack?!

Barack Obama, yeah.
Barack?!

Barack.
What the fuck is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?

Yeah, his dad is from Kenya.
Barack Obama?

Yeah.
What the fuck?! That ain’t no fuckin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the fuck outta here.

You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before.
I ain’t really paying much attention.

I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black…
Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack Obama. What the fuck, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his fuckin’ name. Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your fuckin’ name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.

So you’re not following the race. You can’t vote right?
Nope.

Is that why you’re not following it?
No, because it’s just—it doesn’t matter. They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. It doesn’t really make a difference. These are the last years.

But it would be pretty big if we had a first Black president. That would be huge.
I mean, I guess…. What, they gon’ give a dog a bone? There you go. Ooh, we have a Black president now. They should’ve done that shit a long time ago, we wouldn’t be in the fuckin’ position we in now. With world war coming up right now. They done fucked this shit up then give it to the Black people, “Here you take it. Take my mess.”

Right, exactly.
It’s all a fuckin’ setup. It’s all a setup. All fuckin’ bullshit. All bullshit. I don’t give a fuck about none of that.

We could have a female president also, Hillary Clinton.
I mean, either way it doesn’t matter. I don’t care. No one person is directly affected by which president, you know, so what does it matter.

Yeah, but the country is.
I guess. The president is a puppet anyway. The president don’t make no damn decisions.

The president…they don’t have that much authority basically?
Nah, never.

But Bush pretty much…
You think Bush is making fuckin’ decisions?

He did, yeah, he fucked up the country.
He act like he making decisions. He could barely speak! He could barely fuckin’ speak! Can’t be serious. He ain’t making no damn decisions.

Well Barack has a good chance of winning so that might be something.
Good for him, good for him.

We're all going to die.

Old School DMX Interview with Hot97's Funkmaster Flex.
I heard DMX is still pretty much OD grimy in jail, punching jail guards in the face and shit.

Corrup-shun!!!!11

2009-11-01T19:59:00.003Z

I'm at CTRL+ALT+SHIFT's Unmasks Corruption exhibition this 5th of November since I've got a story illustrated by Woodrow Phoenix in their new comic book. Because I love illustrations, I'm getting pretty EXCITED about seeing the book (Ferry Gouw's in there as well, oh boy, oh boy!)

I don't know how these things work, I'll try not to be sloppy and shit and I'll take phone pics of cool people drinking champagne (if there is any).

And I found this quite amusing:

Vice: How did you get involved in the project? Jason: We’d worked as a team in advertising and had both gone freelance afterwards. My friend John Dunning, who I’ve collaborated on pitches with before, asked me to do something for the CAS Unmasking Corruption project and suggested I collaborate with this writer from Haiti – but that would be silly when there’s so much violence and corruption in South Africa. So I phoned Kate and we got together to make a proper South Africa story.

Hahahahahhahahahahahahhahhahahahahahahaha, I like Jason Masters, he would've adapted my story pretty well I think. But, FUCK THAT, Woodrow Phoenix took it to the ballpark, awesome, awesome job.

I wrote a short (debatable) blog about all of that on Platform few weeks ago, if you're not into reading the CAS Comics Vice interview, (it's almost the same shit, just different subjects, be aware, except of course mine's not an interview, obviously, but you get the point)

'Habitual Line Stepper'

2009-10-31T20:12:00.004Z

"I Said look bitch, I'm RICK JAMES".

This never gets old.

Girls, Girls, Everyday

2009-10-23T15:29:00.002+01:00

40oz Bounce - Harlem/Riversiiiiiide

2009-10-15T21:00:00.000+01:00

My three months at home in 'rehab' have called it quits on me. It's loads of bullshit, and we all wished summer would last at least a month longer, but whateva - it was fun whilst it all lasted.

Final send-off happened in Harlem, with my homies at A.L.I.E.N NYC, and 'Van' (who's one massive dude, with amazing pot brownies). The 40oz Bounce Boys always do a great job at bringing all the dopest kids out, from the L.E.S, Brooklyn, and Harlem's very own. And that shit goes down every summer.

Holla At The Empire State, Would You Please!

40oz Bounce III

PHOTOS: Adèle Austin

Save Money, Ink Yourself

2009-09-01T16:55:00.006+01:00

Photo Blogging from the East Coast for Platform

Platform Photo Blog

AND, if you have not checked out the Style section yet, man are you missing out.

Homemade Tattoos
Photos: Tom Beard

Bushwick, Where You At?

2009-08-27T00:05:00.011+01:00

I love how ridiculous house parties with boozed up teens can get, but nothing is better than simulated sex positions, grinding to dancehall, and getting ear-raped by some Yuksek and Major Lazer. It's not a party until someone gets laid and something gets broken. Isn't this what summer is all about? FUCK YEAH.

Ninjasonik, Tell 'Em How It's Done,

Exactly.

Photos: Adèle Austin

Gang Bang at Ground Zero!

2009-08-06T05:43:00.005+01:00

Back from a lovely month break, Man! Trying to resist posting stuff I've liked in a matter of days proved to be harder than I'd expected, fuck, specially when the lovely Dash Snow dies, (FUUUCK THIS). That being said, I'm looking at another one of these motherfucking breaks right now, shit feels good.

You know what else feels goooood? ZaZa's Sooner or Later.

I think ZaZa as a whole is just great. You can sleep with that shit on and it wouldn't bother you, you can go skinny dipping, whilst the sun sets, with this playing on an 8-track recorder and it still wouldn't bother you. For the first time in 19 years I want summer to end quickly.

Hope you're not out there taking your clothes off for free, I mean, for kicks.

Amen,

Photos:

Ed Cresdee

Nathaniel Sexton

Summer & Its Breaks

2009-07-08T01:06:00.008+01:00

So, the weather has gotten its shit together over here in New York lately, and it's increasingly hard to stay in on a computer taping away, whilst there are babes in shorts riding up in down the breezy parks these days. I'm doing like all my favourite music blogs, and going on a hiatus! and you should too! get out, for fuck's sake, it's fucking SUMMA!

I'll be writing more stuff for Platform though, and Chief as well, and shooting people with my lenses, because nice weather makes you do that.

But the best part of this little break, is possibly the work me and Hems (at City-Slick) are getting started on : 60 French Girls (Can't Be Wrong). It's going to be fucking A-team, because we're gathering the best creative heads we know to spew out bollocks on this project!

If you want in, shoot us an email.

Peace, mofuckas!

Photos: Tamara Lichtenstein.

Heartbreaker

2009-07-06T02:35:00.005+01:00

Heartbreaker - (n)
1. Someone who breaks hearts.
2. Girl/Guy amazingly stunning and out of your league.

when MSTRKRFT teamed up with John Legend on their Heartbreaker track, I don't even believe they thought it would be this fucking good.

The Laidback Luke remix is available for free download, thanks to the good people at RCRD LBL.

Jess Gough Still Surprises Me

2009-06-27T22:40:00.011+01:00

Photos: Jess Gough

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

2009-06-26T11:58:00.006+01:00

My favourite MJ videos/hits ever. This needs no explanation. Sorry Discovery, next post's yours.

A Sigh Of Relief

2009-06-25T01:08:00.005+01:00

So, Loud Mouth received a beatdown the other day, and complained about it. Womp Womp. If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen, dumbass. This whole ordeal just conjured a whole bunch of people who ask for way too much trouble, read the full post on HERE.

Note to Hilton, nobody gives a shit.

On a more positive side, I've posted up my first Chief Mag blog post today as "adhd", under a stream of smoke, babe judging, and laughter: The people at Bacardi are fucking DOUCHEBAGS.

Next post will be about Discovery, I told myself that a month ago!

The Boys And The Girls, They're Still Pretty

2009-06-13T02:31:00.007+01:00

Finally, the long awaited issue 5 of Regia is available, accompanied by Urban's LSTN No.5 - What these two have in common? The Big Pink.

Photos: Regia Mag.

Hey You: Oh, I Get It.

2009-06-10T22:26:00.004+01:00

Sometimes it's okay to be really into cheesy pop ballads that threaten to occupy whatever's left of your head-space. Sometimes you could even go as far as to spread it among your mates and make it one of your summer 'choooooooones'. Thank You, Pony (2x) Run (2x).

Fuck.

2009-06-05T15:39:00.006+01:00

I've been carrying on this bluff for about 7 months until I finally found the balls to call myself out on it (cause frankly, I just couldn't look at myself in the mirror anymore, dreadful, I know) - but I really, really, dislike Crystal Castles' music (the two of them are fine to me). And anyone who reminds me of them just makes things worst. but, ANYWAY.
Does anyone else think that Kap Bambino is just a cheap version of Crystal Castles?

I do.

I Found Jeffer

2009-06-04T22:40:00.010+01:00

It happened yesterday, around eleven and a half - I've done the unthinkable and actually recorded DJ Mehdi spinning it at that Vice May bank holiday sting (thing) - PATETHIC. But I can sleep at night now, bless.
Less boring 'update' - some 'bratpack' kids in Brooklyn recorded a tribute to a tribute mashup of The Breakfast Club and Phoenix's Lizstomania,
Smugness: The 'girl with the really obvious nose ring' who portrays Ringwald gets annoying at about the first minute in.
Choreography: -NAY, I am generally concerned about the kid in the blue shirt grinding/gesticulating on the fences like a mad cow disease patient. DO IT RIGHT OR DON'T DO IT AT ALL. Apart from him though, the video edit makes everyone else look really good.
Execution: 10, actually mistook it for a feature presentation. Feel like most of the job was left to the editors though. SIGH.

Photos: Soulkid. Rest over here.

He's Got Rolls, People.

2009-05-31T15:27:00.012+01:00

favourite's from So Me's latest film photo series.

And about Sebastian, it's more of a NEED than a want. Goddam it.

"Just Tell Them To Fuck Off"

2009-05-30T20:36:00.006+01:00

Birthday celebrations involving toffee cake // sociology exams // "skating" // Tenemos El Triplete! // climbing on roofs // dancehall // hip hop // reggae // electro // vodka sans redbull (sans redbull!) // wet kicks // 'sorry mate, not on the guestlist' // Sebastian Akchoté in Une Nuit Au Bordel // Get The Fuck Up // & Platform's Launch Party!

Need to drop off the guns at the office on monday, so my pictures will be up sometime this week - and I fear some of them might not be safe for work, cause I gave CHRIS & CIORAN my cameras to play with for about an hour. WHOA.

Photo: We Know What You Did Last Night.

Post Title & Advice, Courtesy of: Lena.

This Is Becoming A Sin

2009-05-25T18:56:00.006+01:00

Skipping revision to 'try' salvia, and overplay Sneaky Sound System. This ain't good.

Photos: Soulkid.

Breaking News: Pedro Died & It's All Over.

2009-05-17T01:29:00.004+01:00

Yellow journalism? Yes. But guess who joined Ed Rec a few days ago?! BREAKBOT.

Title, is of course, only fueled by rumours. Ask around folks, ask around.

Sébastien Tellier - Roche (Breakbot Remix)

Photo: Michael Otero.

My Favorite Thing This Week...

2009-05-12T15:35:00.003+01:00

Apart from the Youtube Gems. THIS is my favourite thing on Platform.

and if you fancy drugs or hate Miley Cyrus, check out the stuff I write on Platform.

Metric Does Phoenix

2009-05-11T21:52:00.006+01:00

Phoenix - Lisztomania [Alex Metric Remix]

What to say? Nothing really. With Phoenix, you either do or die. Metric does.

Photos: Ruairi Drayne

We're Having A Party!

2009-05-01T13:40:00.010+01:00

On Friday May 29th, Platform has something to celebrate, and if you're 18+, and can 'hang', they would want you there as well. There's loads in store for you, just get your ass down to the Black Lotus Karate Club and have a fucking good time, yeah?

This is what went down at last February's Platform House Party. MINT.

RSVP & Get some more info HERRRE.

Flyer: Dan Freeman.

Major Lazer x Diplo & Switch x Santigold

2009-04-30T22:00:00.006+01:00

I've just discovered this, thanks to Brodinski (holla!), and had a life changing experience.

Boys & Girls, It Is Coming

2009-04-25T00:22:00.014+01:00

Remember me warning you about the new Ed Rec release by the third week into April, hinting at the plausible material that will be on the 4th compilation CD? Well, folks - here's Busy P celebrating his birthday and dropping the first of many 'new' tracks, this one by SebastiAn.

Other memorable moment at Mr. P's birthday? Oh, only Thomas Bangalter spinning a few tracks alongside Mehdi, without his signature DP helmet - you know, the usual. What, did that last sentence made you cringe? Get used to it buddy, I think that one pretty much confirms the Punks are back for 2009, and you can hear me in the back screaming a really loud: "FUCK YES". And if you too have been the victim of a mild spasm upon hearing rumour that they will be secretly headlining Glastonbury this year, then join the club.

(1:44 - Omagah, Hand Sanitizer?)

But, as those who bore witness to this rather eventful soirée can tell you - it ended on a rather sketchy tone. Apparently, the Dim Mak boys pulled a fight with one rather huge bouncer, and the Ed Rec boys got pretty heated as well (oh snap, Kavinsky all worked up, Shit!) - Gentlemen, let's not clench electro war right when the weather's getting better, mkay? wait until August or something, and I think Webster Hall's a better setting anyways - Holla at me, I'll hook you up. My only plea is that De Rosnay gets to stay in my basement whilst I ship Augé to Hemaly's - then the deal's yours fellas.

Photo Credit: Rony's Photobooth

Is anybody else noticing the Ted Bundy/child pred look Bangalter's rocking now?

Amanda Blank Wants You To Fuck Her

2009-04-16T23:53:00.005+01:00

And she may just be the fiercest bitch in the MC game.
Now how long have we been hopping to her shit? Exactly. She's had questionable/suggestive lyrics, kept her possee on an overload of steez (Santigold, Benny Blanco, Spank Rock, Roxy Cottontail), and was doing that head shaving shit long before Cassie, Peaches or Kesh. She's so hot, Yuksek had to take a look.

And now Ms. Blank does her best versing since Loose, on her latest: Might Like You Better.

HOT.

photo credit: EveryoneIsFamous

You Leave Me No Choice But To Plot My Revenge

2009-04-12T21:35:00.011+01:00

Yet another major band crush: Tame Impala. Boys, you put the jive back in Seventies psychedelic-mellow rock, and you do it so well it hurts. What I like best here, is that they're really all blossoming 2o-somethings, but can easily be mistaken for any bonafide rockers out there. I swear I was born in the wrong era. This fits right in with my War and Foghat records, the brooding hippie within me is going fucking ballistic. If this is what the new kids are bringing to the block, hot damn, sign me up.

Platform wrote a very amusing and insightful piece on the Perth band, read on.

Photos: Billie

"Hey, Nice Shades - What Kill?"

2009-04-12T02:20:00.008+01:00

Someone should explain La Roux to me (first of all, shouldn't it be La Rousse? as in female/chick/woman? We're trying to be edgy here, I see!). I don't feel like I'm grasping the idea just yet. Until that happens, I'll keep overplaying Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Remix of Quicksand. Kitsuné took a liking to the androgynous redhead, and Oh, but did you know the boys at Mad Decent took a spin at her hit as well? It's lovely, well have a listen.

Justice Can Fix U2 (If You Them Ask Nicely)

2009-04-08T23:54:00.008+01:00

I've never bought a U2 single/CD in my entire adult life, and I'm not about to, so the only time a U2 track would make the cut into my iPod is going to be through this brilliantly worked Justice remix. The track doesn't disappoint, besides - a Justice remix these days is harder to come by than humility at an AIG CEOs meeting, you do the math.

Well done boys, I'm lifting the ban, it has been a grueling 6 months!

U2 - Get On Your Boots (Justice Remix)

Trippy Shit You Might Not Know About Cole Mohr

2009-04-06T19:04:00.009+01:00

I know that underneath all the super expensive shit that designers impose models to strut and unprecedented hotness, that they actually live normal/average lives (if you're idea of normal is rubbing shoulders with both Carine Roitfeld & Karl Lagerfeld at the same time), but fuck this, I didn't know some of them dabbled in morbid humor like Cole Mohr & Co. does!
I have a job *coughs*, and no I ain't got no kids, but the Drawingklub is well...SICK AS FUCK.
There's not one thing that will offend you on there, no; there are many things. Being the callous prick that I often am, even I stumbled on one thing that made me cringe. It almost replicates the eye sore that a visual version of Bollocks to the Hippocratic Oath would give you, combined with the cultural commentary Carles would make (like the stuff about azns, you know, shit like that) ergo it's NSFW.
But don't let that stop you, it's a good way to waste your 'internetlolz' time, once you've adopted the mindset that it is purely ironic/satirical, and that in itself makes it okay in my book(marks).

It's cool though, I mean - shows they've got personality/zany-ness, however FUCKED UP, it may be - 'deranged' is relative anyway.

You're Been Warned.

photo credit: We Heart It & Drawingklub.

Tellier

2009-04-03T17:24:00.003+01:00

Moulinex does it, as only Moulinex can. After the A-Trak remix of Sébastien Tellier's Kilometer, comes this ill-induced version. So Good!

Free download, courtesy of the much loved RCRD LBL.

April Kicks In, Hard.

2009-04-02T22:38:00.011+01:00

Every April, I tell my mom "Soon as April hits, the year's already over". She, predictably, assumes I'm exaggerating, but ends up agreeing as soon as September hits. For New York, April means showers, loads of them, for me, it means that by the third week in - Ed Rec's annual May compilation will leak, and there's nothing I look forward to, musically, then new SebastiAn, Mehdi & Oizo mixes. Last year's mix didn't disappoint, well...unless you're counting Uffie's Robot Oeuf, actually - even that wasn't that bad.

I'll leave you with Jack Peñate's Tonight's Today:

& a Brilliant remix of Ra Ra Riot's Ghost Under Rocks by Passion Pit.

Zombie Love

2009-03-26T21:56:00.004Z

Handsome Furs' I'm Confused was my favourite indie rock track of all of February & March combined (whoa, hyperbole!), and their newly released video is threatening to be my favourite for April and May as well. Let's hear it for zombies, hotness!

NSFW Disclaimer: Not for the faint at heart, or mormons whose eyes will melt out of their orbit at the sight of boobs and vag.

You can get the song on Urbn Outfttrs Listen No. 3

Steve Aoki Will Scare You!

2009-03-25T19:40:00.009Z

Whilst wearing his Balmain jeans and you will LOVE it.

These Bloody Beetroots motherfuckers are at it again, this time,with Warp 1.9.

Cobrasnake is Dead!

2009-03-23T16:38:00.006Z

And that...is the caption I read, leading me to the now hotly celebrated Night Booth. In the cold cobble-stoned streets of Paris, through the slinky and sweaty hallways of the Regine, Rémi Ferrante makes his way; snapping models, socialites, music heavyweights, and fashion elitists alike, accompanied only by his MacBook Pro. Night Booth came to light during Paris Fashion Week 09, and is a favorite of Mila Jovovich, Kanye ‘Barely Needs Any Introductions’ West, Lou Doillon, JCDC, and countless others. He’s even got A-Trak intrigued, when the other half of the Macklovitch family spewed onto his twitter: “Dude walking around the club with an open laptop taking pics of people on Photobooth.”

And he does exactly that. While the average MacBook-possessing individual utilizes Photobooth for giggles and jokes (ah, face distortions, so fun!), Rémi Ferrante saw otherwise, and turned this ingenious little carnival-inspired tool into a brilliant, yet simple innovative way of capturing the parties, people and places we only hear about from other people, with low lights, and heavy grain, making you feel like a peeping Tom by default (but in every good sense of it, of course). Surely, Night Booth will live on beyond its Parisian borders and transcend onto the party scenes of London, New York, LA, and/or Tokyo in no time; but Rémi can assure his position as being the first to introduce this to the dark-lit social rooms.

And when he's put down his computer, he's busy being a legit photographer, with a real camera.

All Photos by: Rémi Ferrante, Night Booth.

"Mom! The Boys Are At It Again!"

2009-03-19T12:52:00.010Z

Right, So We've Got Two Things To Cover In This Post:

First -
You've possibly seen the commotion by now, another disco themed track, another radio rip, another Mehdi Pinson collaboration, another day and a new Justice track gets fed to the masses. Whether you've jumped the boat soon after the Coca Cola incident, or jumped in right after that (because, admit it, you know some people who did), you couldn't help but give We Kids a listen.
Now, am I going to front as if I own every Justice-induced merchandise, or attended every gig? No, not really, but it doesn't take a sound engineering degree, a full knowledge of Ableton live and the precision of a brain surgeon to know that We Kids < Everything Else Under Cross & Ed Rec. V. III Combined. Dare I say it? Fuck yes, these are not the same French bastards who released Planisphere, it can't be. The kids out there, have been living on a diet of recycled Justice tracks for the past two years, occasionally, some 'banging' remixes have been added as a treat, tease - and the promise of a new studio album in the works have kept them all going; in order not to raise a full blown fury among the 14-26 demographic, the boys sort of have to show who's boss, shut them all up with a new, but ear-raping track, and keep everyone else in the mix happy.

Second -
However, and this needs mentioning - Another plausible theory about We Kids, is that it isn't even produced by Justice, at all. Making all of my first paragraph completely void. Word on the street is that the aforementioned track is that of Keedz, some call them, "Justice under Disguise", or "Justice Rip-Offs". If I am to believe that second theory - and I do; putting aside my temporary ban on Justice material because of said track recycling, these guys wouldn't put out something this terrible given what they've produced last season for Dior, and the MGMT Electric Feel remix - and with that! comes a sight of relief. Creative Borrowing? Aesthetic Inspiration, perhaps? Yes, maybe, because this is some bullshit that castrates anyone who dares explain, or defend it.

What do we learn from this? Justice or Not, We Kids is 'de la merde'.

photo: Turkish Homework.

Just Aiming To Please

2009-03-11T16:01:00.008Z

If there are any bands who are certain to blow up this year, it's got to be at least these two: The XX & The Virgins.

The XX hail from Southwest London, and sound so good it's impossible to hate them even if you try. There's no loud tones, just sweet sweet melodies to woo you off your feet, and spazz you out. With a full EP in the works (and nearing completion), this quartet is sure to please ears from all sides of the border.

~~Womack and Womack - Teardrops (The XX Cover)~~

As for The Virgins, I'm starting to think that it's not a year of musical explosion unless one band from NYC isn't part of the hype. There seems to never be a shortage of good bands from NYC, and The Virgins don't do a bad job at maintaining that musical reputation. I feel no need to describe these fellas' 'game' any further, you should hear for yourself. Here's a pretty awesome remix of Rich Girls done by The Twelves.

~~The Virgins - Rich Girls (The Twelves Remix)~~

Photo Credits: Vice, & Starworks Blog Storage

What To Make Of This?

2009-03-06T22:33:00.005Z

At first glance, I thought MGMT went all holy military on me with some new material I haven't heard of yet, but then I leaned in closer and I busted out a sly 'Oh Shit' to myself: That's not MGMT, is it? No. They're Empire of the Sun. One half of Pnau, and one half of The Sleepy Jackson Apparently, they're the new 'hot thing' under the radar right now, at least in the U.K. (I am anticipating how U.S. fans will greet these two)

I know what you're thinking, maybe they just look the same, maybe musically speaking they're totally different?, in fact...polar opposites? But NO, wait a second...what's THIS video all about?

Guys, what's with the war paint? the tribal dances, and the feathers? All the 'quirkiness'. What happened to originality? did it get butchered in the back seat of a convicted murderer's van?
Ha! boys...I don't know what to make of this.

I'll give them that though, they don't sound terrible.

Centième

2009-03-04T17:03:00.015Z

Well, I suppose if it is any indication of a lack of consistency in posting, it's certainly only due to the fact that during the time elapsed from my last post to this one, I've crossed oceans back to London, went on a 'let's follow all these bands for a whole week' tour with a few friends, and miraculously manage to attend sociology classes all in between!

My god, I've finally reached 100 posts. That's nothing though, is it? That's like rookie years, I assume, but a full time undergraduate 18 year old with an immense love for music like me, has a hard time sticking to consistency when it comes to this blog. I feel as though I've neglected it, so much so, that a month's passed since I last wrote on here! this is ludicrous!

Right, right, evading from my lack of posting, here's what I have been doing these past days, because...while I may not be writing about music, I am most definitely downloading it, making it [with two friends, it's sort of like an embryonic project, but it promises!], and attending shows. The latest spark in my mind is to start band/live events photography, though I may not have a penchant for tits like Bronques, or really skinny and heavily tattooed yet adorable gay boys & Leigh Lezark like Geej, or even underage girls/boys at sweet 14s *coughs* M.Hunter *coughs*, I do have a real pushing from a few people, and seeing as how I get a real kick trotting my 'guns' to parties, I fairly enjoy it.

The Bloody Beetroots in Lessons on How To Tear Shit Up, in Islington.

Dananananaykroyd , Camden

Fight Like Apes also in Camden

Data.Select.Party, Shoreditch
& Acoustic Night, & Colour, and Loads More Here.

Surely the best music news I've got all month was the release of Yuksek's brand spanking new album, Away From The Sea, (it even features tracks with Chromeo, and...get this, Amanda Blank). Also, Phoenix's back with some brand new material, it's been a while; their newest single 1901 which the band is giving away gratuit is classic Phoenix, and anticipates a pretty damn good album for late May.

Now that this is all out of the way, I'm jumping off to finish a Criminology essay, and before I sign off...I suppose I'll mention this little piece of 'gem', that was featured on The Selby a few months back. Yes I am obliged to refer to it as an 'it', and 'gem', because frankly, the amount of hilarity and gloom this gives me at the same time is overwhelming. Pay strick attention to the bloke named 'Bunny', the intern who looks about 30 and the color-coordinated books.
Note to these new residents: If you don't like plaid shirts so much either A. Don't wear them, yes that means YOU Bunny - or B. Move out, I'm pre-tty sure you can find a plaid-free zone in Brooklyn. Fuck Off.

La Blogothèque: Concerts À Emporter

2009-02-02T18:55:00.010Z

It seems as if you can't stumble upon creative things without finding a few things French people are good at. It sounds redundant after a while, but when it comes to culture, they've got plenty of it, and they don't mind sharing it.

La Blogothèque produces a series of 'Take-Away Shows', with Indie Rock, Folk & Alternative artists where they perform songs in impromptu settings for a crowd or otherwise. The idea was started in April 2006, by Vincent Moon and Chryde, and since then, a skew of artists have strolled the streets of Paris, the sidewalks of New York, and the parks of Los Angeles, gyms, bathrooms, car parks, you name the place, surprising fans, and passersby alike :

"Every week, we invite an artist or a band to play in the streets, in a bar, a park, or even in a flat or in an elevator, and we film the whole session. Of course, what makes the beauty of it is all the little incidents, hesitations, and crazy stuff happening unexpectingly. Besides, we do not edit the videos so they look perfectly flawless, instead we keep the raw sound of the surroundings. Our goal is to try and capture instants, film the music just like it happens, without preparation, without tricks. Spontaneity is the keyword."

The first time I saw one of those Take Away shows, it was back in 2007, when the Kooks played an acoustic version of 'Ooh La' in a nearly empty Parisian walkway, in the summer of 2006 and landed meticulously on an all-girl high school where they made their way through the multiple cellphone capturing competition, and the amazement of a load of teenage girls singing along with Luke.

#12.3 The Kooks - Ooh la

But my favorite Take-Away Show, was hands down, Yeasayer en route to an apartment 'with a piano', and along the way, pour their hearts out in the Metro, the alleyway, the staircase, and finally, at destination, where they cause such a ruckus, the neighbors had to interrupt the session with complaints. What's great about that one, is that the band was reluctant to go ahead with the plan in the first place,and to add insult to injury, Vincent wasn't really a fan of Yeasayer after seeing one of their shows in Brooklyn; but by the end of the show, everyone had a treat! And balance was restored, both band and Vincent was delighted to have been part of the experience:

#87.1 - YEASAYER - No need to worry / Redcave

#87.2 - YEASAYER - 2080

~~2080/Tightrope - La Blogothèque Take-Away Show 87.2: Yeasayer~~

Lately, Current has been teaming up with La Blogothèque to bring the videos to the small screen, so if you have Current, you shouldn't miss the chance to catch these shows, in way better resolution than a PC screen.

To see the full lineup of artists and bands who have made Take-Away shows, go here!

And as a last treat, here's Beirut, performing in Paris:

#64.1 - Beirut - Nantes

And Fleet Foxes, in Paris:

Introducing...

2009-01-31T01:52:00.004Z

Raise Magazine. A magazine dedicated to spotlighting new and young photographers, alongside upcoming writers and contributers. It's a trimonthly magazine, and each issue showcases 7 photographers, and 7 writers, and they are all given the freedom to write/include whatever they want. They also feature some pretty decent music, like...some Valerie spawns [Anoraak, The Outrunners] The magazine comes from the already amazing Paris, France; so the contents are French.

Oh, and the best part, it is f-r-e-e, free.

You can download or read the entire first issue on the Raise website.

Enjoy Kiddies!

Coolcats Are Here

2009-01-22T00:02:00.004Z

After, what seemed like a century, So Me's much anticipated Coolcats website is officially up and running. Although the store isn't quite ready yet, there's a blog page where you can follow rants and ramblings by Busy P, Mehdi, Fafi, & So Me himself.

This guy, on the other hand, oozes greatness, I mean seriously.

But So Me's wins because he managed to whip out some old school Barack pics.

Olympic Airways

2009-01-12T15:29:00.006Z

Combine the geniuses that are Foals, with Ewan Pearson, and Happines, you get...

~~Foals - Olympic Airways [Ewan Pearson's Return to the Villa of Joy Remix]~~

The End

2008-12-31T22:00:00.013Z

It's funny how every end-of-year, I always look back how truly amazing/weird/awkward the year has been, and of all year prior to this one, 2008 has by far, been the most amazing/weird/awkward. Hands Down.

Of all the brilliant new mixes, the live shows, & the 'sorry kid, you must be 18/21 to get in there', the ones that stand out [they don't really stand out, it's just the ones I can remotely remember!], I think the following events have been the most crucial to me having a good/bad time in 2008:

- Free Movies at McCarren Pool hosted by The L Magazine [thanks to
the strangers/hipsters smoking what I & Co. believed to have been the best weed in the area]
- Getting accepted at St.John's [technically, this means little, but if it weren't the case, there are some cool individuals I probably wouldn't know *hint]
- Skipping to London for the next 3 years [where all the doors are fucking OPEN]
- Graduating [Goodbye uniforme de merde]

- Getting a bike [Vital, much?]

- Barry Obama [self-explanatory]

- News of a possible new Daft Punk Album in the works [ohmagahwtfbbq!]

- Skins, axing out the entire cast [& the replacement ain't that much 'wicked', folks]

- Laughing my ass out at 'fights' on williamsboard

- The 'Closing Down' of McCarren Pool [ahhhwtf?why?]

- Meeting possibly the biggest junkie [yet, so well dressed] I know, who's now my barely legal partner in crime, & fellow francophone.

- Pillow Fights in Union Square, Manhunt in Washington Square

- Justice at Matter

- The 'Closing Down' of Studio B, & The End

- Realizing that if I do not back away from my iPod & it's unrealistic level of volume, I most definitely will lose my hearing by the age of 23.

& Finally,

- Getting a camera [wisest decision of the year]

If I remember correctly, this is a music blog, so here are the tracks that I seriously overplayed all year [New & Old]:

- Daft Punk - Voyager [Revolte Remix]

- Dragonette - I Get Around [Van She Vocal Remix]

- Kleerup feat. Lykke Li - Until We Bleed

- SebastiAn - Dog [Choreo Edit]

~~- Midnight Juggernauts - Shadows~~

- Mystery Jets - Half In Love With Elizabeth [Foamo Remix]

- Van She - Kelly [Breakbot Remix]

- Timbaland - Miscommunication [Bloody Beetroots Remix]

- The Presets - This Boy's In Love [Lifelike Remix]

- Ghostface Killah - Charlie Brown [Guns'N'Bombs Remix]

- Knobbers - Crookers

- Danger - 11h30

- Maroon 5 - This Love [Cut Copy Galactic Beach House Mix]
~~- Elvis Presley - Crawfish [Pilooski Edit]~~

- College feat. Anoraak - Fantasy Park

- MGMT - Electric Feel [Justice Remix]

- Pnau - Baby [Breakbot Remix]

- Lil' Wayne - A Milli

- ~~M83 - Kim & Jessie~~

- Bon Iver - Re:Stacks

- Van She - Strangers [Strip Steve Remix], honorable mention [Yuksek Remix]

- autoKratz - Stay The Same

- Louis La Roché - Love

Now I'm Going To Stop There, Cause Seriously This List Could Go On...

God knows what 2009 has in store, if the Mayans were right, it only means were closer to annihilation. Not that I am pessimistic or anything, I do look forward to seeing the earth graze a black hole and make it unharmed*. HA.

No, but seriously, if that does not kill us, the electro war will for sure take one of your limbs.

But Bam Bam's in charge now, so it'll all go smoothly. Half of Europe & All of Asia's already welcomed 2009. Guess it can't be that bad, folks!

Pictures by Hedi Slimane, & ICanTeachYouHowToDoIt

"You Guys!"

2008-12-30T01:02:00.005Z

I hate crossing seas, let alone oceans. Atlantic Oceans. Eight-hour flights are just not fun, but if you're like me and you pull an all-nighter, powered by 3 cans of Red Bull and a cup of java, you seriously don't give a shit cause you're passed out most of the trip. And you'd think I'd get a nice welcome home, [not that I didn't], but I run down to re-collect my most prized mp3s on my old computer, just to find out they've ALL been deleted. *sighs*. Oh, but it gets worst.

Attempting to venture out to the places I haven't been in ages, I make my out to Greenwich village, oh but the weather's a solid - 18 F [perfect]. My blood froze just in time for Christmas celebrations. But somewhere, somehow, we've managed to make this little trip back to New York a very exciting one. Bike racing from Columbus Circle to South Street Seaport, via Broadway ; illuminating dancers across Union Square, "dirty minds" at Barnes & Nobles, and hosting a round of Free Hugs.

Well, you know what they say: Home Is Where The Heart Is.

'Here's A Little Treat For Ya'

- Soulk!d

Picture By: Soulk!d

Lykke Li - Little Bit [AutoErotique Bootleg Remix] Click!

Chromeo, Oh, Oh!

2008-12-14T20:36:00.005Z

Christmas came early. Christmas came mad early.
Chromeo put on a chrometastic show at Sheperd's Bush last night, all in the name of Christmas. These guys can seriously get down, and the crowd was down to get down. Adding DJ Mehdi in their lineup sure as hell didn't hurt. Mehdi literally tore the house down [my fucking seat was shaking] for a solid 2 hours. And then, the opening act, is really what got the funkateers & chromettes started, that is Frankmusik.
So, this Frankmusik guy, I mean, the music, is quite cheery, and dance-y. Seems like everyone is working the synths and electronica these days, but it's hard to pull it off without sounding like you're trying too hard.

When he plays live, believe me, it's a treat. Now, thanks to Chromeo, I now have new musik, Frankmusik, on my iTunes Library. Mad Nice.
Chromeo came out two times, for encores of 100% & Waitin 4 U because the crowd went wild and wanted more [all in unison, Chromeo-oh-oh].
I also would add, that the boys provided me with some pretty damn good shots, very photogenic, very photogenic indeed.

Right then, if we're gonna go out with a big one, we best do it properly.

~~Chromeo - Me & My Man~~

Joyeux Noel!

Pictures by : Soulk!d (more over hurr)

We Have New Blood

2008-12-10T15:44:00.009Z

I find myself lurking into places I wouldn't begin to imagine myself being, say 3 years from now. It's awfully strange, to say the least, it's not everyday/night you get a casual invitation to do the rounds at a Strip Club, by the guitarist from a band from Cambridge, saying it would be 'fun', and another dude who pulls out little plastic cows, with a bow on it, from his pocket. I swear to God, I'm not abusing any substances, I'm not even into the vast availability of alcohol, but I do find myself in peculiar situations. But besides that, I find also, that I am not doing my JOB, as a "music blogger" (if I may call it such). There are countless new breeds of musicians, every fucking day, some of them sound the same, others are a bit more inneresting.
So, no more of this nonsense. Here are three bands, I think have a decent chance, if not massive; of capturing your attention, for the next few months/years/minutes.

Representin' Brooklyn, New York : It's Boy Crisis

First heard about them through Platform, then read more on the P.I.X, so third time, it was only fair I gave them a listen. As soon as you hear Dressed to Digress, in it's entirety, you'll suddenly feel like you'd want to pat them on the back, or some shit, for their cleverly thought of lyrics. Yes you will.

~~Dressed to Digress - Boy Crisis~~

Representin' Hackney, London : C'est La Grève Générale!

A duo who makes mashup sound better than the originals, they've already catered to Vice, Modular, CMJ Festival, and Fabric. They're also a favorite of a handful of, what you would consider to be the GMs and Fords of the music blogosphere [IHeartComix, Big Stereo, Missingtoof, blah blah]. Long story short, you want them on your playlists, you seriously do!

Representin' Paris, France: S.P.A!

They win for best facial masks, cause we've pretty much seen the high level of importance 'masks' play, in the electronic industry now [and the 'security' behind it, really, oh yes]. I've only seen two posts about these dudes and frankly, I fail to understand why. Bangin' tunes, bangin outfits, all in the name of music, you gotta love that.

~~Pets Dance [Thoughtless Hussies Remix] - S.P.A.~~

Et voila! I suppose I should just stick to this, while I'm at it. Next up, Chromeo on Saturday, with DJ Mehdi, and I can't think of a better way to spend 'Pre-Xmas' weekend, before going back to Brooklyn.

Satisfied

2008-11-29T01:07:00.010Z

If there's anything to be learned from going out at night, is that past 10h30 p.m. the temperature goes from a comfortable 55 degree Farenheit, to a -90. While Camden may be warm and snuggly, Richmond and the area surrounding the Thames is DEFINITELY not.
Enough environmental rant. I just saw Lykke Li tonight, and it was every bit of brilliant.
Did some dancing, did some shaking.

What I love about Lykke Li thought, is her energy. She sings about dancing, and boy does she play the part. You couldn't help but at least flail your arms from side to side.
But in any area with a heavy concentration of these, and there is music/concerts involved, do not expect anyone to be gesticulating an inch of their body; which sparked Ms. Li's comment of "Come on, Manchester was better than you guys, and there were like fifty people". She was not the only one to notice, as the band I will talk about in a few dedicated their "Don't Dance" song to the crowd. Class!
True story. Manchester probably WAS better than that crowd at Koko.
still an awesome show.
I guess it wasn't until we reached the end, when people realized they should start appreciating this a bit more, and well...really got down.

The best part about the whole night was that Esser opened for Lykke Li.

Esser is fucking incredible. Yes, we have some funky acoutrements involved, questionable hairstyles/cuts, but the sound is unlike nothing I've heard before. It's as if Crystal Castles [Alice Glass] and Vampire Weekend [Ezra Koenig] had a baby. That's what Esser sounds like.

Why exactly do they not like dancing?

photos by Soulk!d

In A Nutshell: A Pictorial Reaction

2008-11-23T22:25:00.026Z

I'm two months in. Still fresh and all, but after countless trips here and there, dodging TFL 'construction work' [codename for fucking up transportation for the rest of us, as does the MTA], I can pretty much paint a decent picture of this city.
So. There isn't a shortage of some pretty freaky shit around here: public bathrooms who turn into underground clubs at six in the morning, clubs under tube stations, and San Pedro Cactuses sold in open-air [please, do look up San Pedro Cactus]. The hipsters, are, as expected, pretty much everywhere, but their main concentration include the area surrounding Liverpool St. up until Chesire St. [yep, that whole block, and that's only the part I've seen...so who knows really], and around Old St., Shoreditch, Hackney, bref, Hoxton, it's notorious for 'the creative types' as they call them here.
They use 'reconstruction' as a euphemism for gentrification, those bastards.
People take looking good seriously. I mean seriously. The girls all look the same though, dissapointing. The guys all wear plimsolls, ALL OF THEM. Jesus.
Eerily enough, loads of French people in town every two weeks, or so. I mean loads, they're EVERYWHERE.
This place [where these kids are standing], is Blackman's. They sells plimsolls for £5, and you don't go inside to get your good either, you order up front, description/color/size, and head off happy, like at a swap meet, you know.
This seemingly normal building [yeah, the one riiight at the center] is The Old Blue Last, Vice's official pub. It looks peaceful from here, once night breaks, and sun goes down, it's fucking chaos. Trivial fact: there is a Gross Jar atop this building that I wish I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT.
The CobraSnake left his mark pretty much everywhere.
As did IHeartComix & Only Joe.
And CobraSnake again...

Everyone's a DJ...
They love Bam Bam
You can see where Coldplay got their inspiration...
You cannot walk into Soho and not be delighted by this fella. At all.

It is impossible to walk a mile, and see blank walls. Simply impossible...
Because London has been invaded.
They loooove this.
They do a lot of this.
But Mark Hunter wants to make it clear to you that he's been here...a lot.

All pictures by Soulk!d

Une Petite Diversion

2008-11-16T17:37:00.035Z

I'd love to talk about how stellar Hedi Slimane's black and white photography happens to be.
I've got distracted by the Vogue Homme March 08 Josh Beech spread that he was in charge of.

And the ones of the Californian skaters.

Whoever suggested he should go back to Dior Homme? The guy's just fine with his lens.
Okay, so maybe skinny boys would be happier if he did go back, but he better not drop his camera.
Cole Mohr, Louis Garrel, Daft Punk, Ash Stymest, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, Gus Van Sant, Beck. Is there someone he hasn't shot?
City Slick wrote a superb post on Slimane's Photography. He's mustered a solid appreciative fanbase for his works as a photographer, cause he's pretty much good at everything he does.

~~Touch Too Much [Fake Blood Remix] - Hot Chip~~

The Young & The Banging

2008-11-11T12:20:00.004Z

A yearbook, like you've never seen before. This ain't your plain, regular high school 'memories' pack, these are The Young & The Banging.

"Inspired by both the traditional American high school yearbook and Ezra Petronio's yearbook, "Bold and Beautiful", The Young and the Banging is the very first ever co-created yearbook dedicated to the new wave of young, cool and creative youth in downtown NYC"
- Heron Preston

About LAgirlsNY

Bam Bam!

2008-11-07T16:27:00.006Z

Of all the places I'd love to have been on the 4th of November, Union Square's probably at the top of my list.
I know loads of public places went wild with excitement after Obama's lanslide victory, but none like Union. None.
Here are a few pics my friend Christina took on over there, entitled "What You've Missed In Union On Election Night".

"Idiocracy Avoided: Ooh, I like That One."

Pictures by: C-Photos.

So...

2008-11-04T20:00:00.004Z

I've been getting some serious junk mail from Nylon, for about a week now, it wouldn't bother me unless I knew how the fuck they got a hold of my email.
So you're selling your soul to the worshiping of 'It Girls' AND you're spamming me? Bastards.
It's Officialy Do or Die day. I know I can't be in my comfortable liberal state of New York, where it's easy to proclaim your support for Obama and not get stoned, but the feeling in London, although not as strong, for obvious reasons, is still very much alive.
My friend from class was sporting her Obama tshirt today. Made my face light up. All over the Tube, there's jassive posters of Bam Bam plastered. Makes me feel at home a bit.
Do or Die, people. Show Up or Shut Up.

Obama 08, Ya'll.

The Rag Factory

2008-11-02T22:32:00.012Z

I tought this was interesting. So the good people at Zineswap threw their launch party, on Heneage Street just off Brick Lane at The Rag Factory last night. All for the sake of swapping home made goods, in which case zines, from all over Europe and beyond.
Some seriously interesting display. Some funkily clad bastards and some good music were of essence, the likes of Mirror! Mirror!, DEFN, My Panda Shall Fly, Wasp Display, and Sportsday Megaphone [the lead singer is fucking mental].
Bring Your Own Booze. Nice, cannot complain about that. Ever. Cupcakes all around [can you say fancy?], and a unisex bathroom. Fucking love it.
I, managed to take a few shots.
My favorite 'zine', should I mention, was possibly the one with the WasteYourself artists' display and scribbles on it. They do some pretty dope shit.
A little bit of Kraffhics doens't hurt either.

We managed to walk past a Public Bathroom on our way back, which, to my amazement, apparently hosts an underground basement club soon as it hits 6 in the morning. I wouldn't ask...

Pictures by Soulk!d
More Pictures Over There.

Skitzo Dancers

2008-10-29T12:07:00.013Z

I'm quoting a friend of mine when I say this: "Nobody drops a beat like Justice!"
I managed to go through 31 hours of non-sleep and total schizophrenic excitement after one hell of a night on the 25th.
Fuck, the last time I wrote on here, I was projecting just how badass teh gig would be, but damn I don't think I ever could've predicted any of what went down. Fuck no.
So, I'm venturing into this new self-employed 'hobby' these days, *ahem* nightlife photography. I mean, yeah, shit...there's not a lack of party photogs out there, but they're old, and I'm young :]
I'm pretty decent at it too, might as well give it a shot, eh? See? No? You don't think so?

p.s: to all you mofos behind the decks while Ed Rec was dropping some sweet beats, fucking dance! Hipsters NEVER dance. Putain.

~~NY Excuse - Soulwax [Justice Remix]~~

Pictures by: Soulk!d

A Cross The Universe

2008-10-05T17:47:00.004+01:00

These mofos will be in town at the end of October, along with Mehdi, SebastiAn, So Me & Busy P at This Is Not London.
It's a trailer release party, and it promises to be all sorts of epic.

"Oi!"

2008-09-30T18:32:00.004+01:00

So I crossed over to London, 'bout a week ago today.
You could argue that I have a pretty decent reason for not updating, this lovely piece of work. This city is fucking crazy, I can't even begin to make an assessment at the moment. No fucking way.
I'm in this 'cafe' in my school right now, funny, my classes only begun today, I love uni...I don't have to wake up till 10, and my lectures/seminars are no longer than 2 hours. Oh yeah.
Plus, I don't take 'useless' classes, no, none of that. My majors, and that's it!
So far I've only been to Camdem Town. Danm. It's everything I expected it to be, and more.
Me and Andrea are most likely off to East London on saturday, and I'll give Covent Garden a visit on sunday.
Indie Kids are basically everywhere, so I feel safe. Ha!
Boo hoo, I miss New York, I miss Brooklyn the most. I fucking hate the L train, but I haven't found it's replacement, so I still miss that streamlined bastard.
No music for this week, nothing new I can put up anyways, so I'll leave you with some Revolte & a track by Relation remixed by Lifelike, which I've seriously overplayed all summer.

& This Is Why I Lose Faith In People...

2008-09-17T03:00:00.006+01:00

I was happy today, I got my new Nylon issue [I can't say I'm a bonafied Nylon type of chick, I'm more into BPM, but who turns down a FREE subscription?]
It's a colorful touch to a rather bland mailbox, besides, their graphics are visually stimulating, and they tickle my senses! [oooh!], but lately, I've been getting less and less excited about the stuff they're writting about! [who gives a flying fuck about the new 90210?], I want to see REAL people, and REAL shit, no teen drama will ever come close to Skins anyway, at least not for me.
So the October issue I got today, no different. Here I was, anticipating what's buzzing on the other side of the Atlantic, and I get IT girls.
*sighs* Not only does the 'definition' in itself made me yawn, I quickly realized after just a few pages, that I'm only getting a paper version of The Cobrasnake. Harley Viera-Newton? what the fuck does she do for a living? Isabelle McNally, did she find a cure for AIDS? Tennessee Thomas? Who? Oh, and my favorite, Cody Kennedy, yes a letter short of her already hyped sibling, because apparently the world needs one more Kennedy chick. There's only four girls on the spread I give a bit of credit, one I'm slightly on the fence for, but they are Teyana Taylor, Alexa Chung, Coco Rocha and Abigail Lorick, because unlike the other bunch, they have jobs, they actually work.
The reason I'm even writing about this issue is really because I was baffled by some of the summaries. Almost all of them were "trying to figure out what exactly is in IT girl[...]" partially because they don't think they fit the bill, but if they were trying to play the dumb card, it worked, however I only saw it as a failed attempt to alienate themselves from this tag. You know who and what you are, just own up to it.

Nylon! if anything, I believe in your journalistic abilities, and yes because of you I have a reason to want to go to my mailbox at the end of the month; but we need to stop this oligarchic and random passing out of fame cards. We need more than just barely-legal do-nothings to act as our 'role models', we need kids who actually do something for a living! people with real talent, for fuck's sake! I'm not good on a keyboard, and I'm shit with a guitar, but I know loads of teens who do more than just sit around wasting their folks' hard-earned green, and who could use a little exposure. Come on Nylon! I need to see someone who hasn't been on every Cobrasnake set, someone I've never seen before, someone who has more than looks going for them, if you need directions on where to find such prodigies, I'll be happy to help!
I know you can do it & I'm patient. My subscription ends in three months by the way.

Indie Kids Rejoice!

2008-09-14T23:16:00.008+01:00

Specially if, like most of us, your scene hates Under-21s! [or Under-18s even] and try everything in its power to keep you away from the good stuff that goes down in your local clubs/etc. Alas, there are people who understand our struggle! Because not every son of a bitch on a guitar has to be 'of age', talent sees no age! Though it may take America quite some time before this notion sets in, in Europe however, the Indie scene is not only ruled by up and coming teens, it's also accommodated to make it very much possible for their talent to be heard, and seen by all who's following.

This post is a special Indie Music issue [because it'd be a terrible thing to limit myself solely to electronic/house and hip hop music, no?]. I'm putting on the table, some of the finest 'New Kids on The Block' musicians I've had the chance to stumble upon all month. Caution! Loads of videos and names to remember ahead.

Let's start of with the U.K., no stranger to incredible music, the alternative rock scene in London is not only still very much alive, it's also experiencing a saturation of new bands and artists, almost all of which are under 18. I could name loads of favorites, but I'm narrowing it down to my Top 3 from the Queen's Land:

Bombay Bicycle Club - According to NME, "the hottest band to come from North London for quite some time", and they're young. How young? "the band have only just taken their GCSEs. Don't be deceived though, there's a lifetime of experience in these glorious tunes."

Cajun Dance Party - Also from London, the lead singer reminds me of a sleeker, more 'proper' Luke Pritchard, but they sound nothing like the Kooks, besides they have a chick on keyboards. R-a-d.

Lo-Fi Culture Scene - If you haven't figured your life out yet, and you're way over 21 you might reconsider watching these kids, as they are just that: kids. Not a day over 14, these lads are seriously giving rockstars twice their age something to talk about [and possibly, be ashamed of?]. As if you adults needed proof that, once again, talent sees no age, please, make way for Lo-Fi Culture Scene!

Crossing over to the French side of the Manche, the spur of indie rockers is no different. With the new wave of well established names such as Les Shades, Brooklyn and Second Sex, it's slightly impossible to think that the French, who are experts on electronic music, cheese, wine and clothes, could ever experience a shortage in their musical goodness making-factory. Behold!

The Dodoz - From Toulouse, this quartet lead by a female vocalist is a favorite of Les Inrockuptibles, and soon enough probably yours too.

Neimo - Another four-piece band, this time from Paris! they are however, the oldest one in this whole damn music post. Moderne Incidental out on the 22 of September.

The Tellers - Sticking to French-speaking quartets, although from Belgium, The Tellers are what I came to witness, just last night on an episode of Taratata. They sound a bit like Phoenix, and if you ask me, that ain't bad.

So that's 6 bands, 7 videos, but surely I won't put my pen down without sharing this little gem of a performance : a cover of the White Stripes' Seven Nation Army, sung by both BB Brunes and Hard-Fi [yeah, from that aforementioned incredible Taratata episode]. A nice touch is conveniently, a French-UK indie rock pairing.

Things Are Trippy in Brooklyn...Mad Fucking Trippy.

2008-09-08T23:26:00.009+01:00

I don't know how much of this I've missed, the time elapsed from August 15, to Now has been seemingly witnessed some peculiar occurrences in Brooklyn.
I, actually no...I think I am missing a lot of this. It's hard to keep up, despite having a ridiculous amount of time in your hands. I've been following these three stories for about two weeks now. Let's start with Pandamonium. What is it? no clue. Who made it? Umm, a bunch of hyperactive teenagers/young adults/people. Why? again, no clue. What's so interesting about it then? whoa! they took over Bedford, taking the L from Union & shit went down with the poliiiice. Serious? hell yeah I'm serious. Riot!

Then, came the holiest of grails, a fucking renegade party! under the Williamsburg Bridge! [these kids be crazy!]. It looked insane, even Clayton Hauck was there, snapping pictures. They had a local band perform out of a cleverly crafted phone-microphone, Japanther I believe is their name. Beer cans everywhere, arms flinging in all sorts of directions, for one night, that bridge was their playground, and it all came down beautifully. Until the police crashed it.

[check out that ghetto blaster, word up]

[you can sooo have a bike date *rolls eyes*]

[ah la la, la police vous emmerde, non?]

And finally...my pick for most distorted idea ever, goes to Misha Calvert, for organizing what's debated to be the most controversial pageant in Williamsburg's history [actually, the only pageant in Billyburg history]. Mr. & Ms. Williamsburg. [seriously.]
Altought Ms. Calvert is probably not the model citizen the Burg could be proud to have produced, there are people actually willing to participate, let alone show up. Who are they? I don't think I really want to find out. She did say that it was "part of the court-ordered community service she was sentenced to perform after being arrested for stealing a few Colt 45’s"
[someone is bugging the fuck out].

picture credits: Pandamonium (dantegeek) ; Renegade Madness (IThinkYoureSwell) & (EveryOneIsFamous)

Justice: The Movie?

2008-08-24T01:01:00.004+01:00

Or so it seems. So word on the street is that the Ed Banger boys are making a feature presentation, with [and I quote] "Naked girls & a dude that sounds like the cowboy from The Big Lebowski".
I dunno, sounds somewhat legit, I guess. No?. Maybe better than The Crusade, Pt. 1 [which apparently has a Pt. 2 in the works]
A screening of the trailer has already been held in Manchester, but we're probably going to wait a teeny bit longer to get some good stuff from Pedro & Co.
If anything, it might turn out like Para One's Hooligan Disco, which came out a while back. An epic tale of backstage debauchery and tour bus/car/moped chronicles. I really liked that Hooligan Disco skit, it had a little bit of everything: Surkin "being dramatic", Patrice and his truly impressive collection of SW*R shoes, Orgasmic cutting the finger of Guns'n'Bomb's Johnny Love off & everything else you'd imagine on a cross-country club hopping tour. I mean really,I live for this kind of [raw] footage.
The episode is a solid 45 minutes long:

Being a truthful account of Para One, Surkin, Curses! and Orgasmic's journey through North America, in search of endless skies and perfect parties. Chicago, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Riverside. Three weeks.

"Umm..."

2008-08-21T00:37:00.003+01:00

The RIAA: "Always Cramping Up My Style".

It's Those Little Things

2008-08-11T02:51:00.008+01:00

My greatest source of inspiration are my friends. It's cause they're all so damn wicked. Seriously. Every single one of them. And when they come up with incredibly cool ideas, It makes me want to keep up with the pace, ha! in a way. You'll never be cooler than your friends, and if you are admitting to being so, check yourself you're an asshole.

My friend Hemaly runs a blog where she cites some of the latest happenings in indie culture. From Colette, to French Flicks, to Nightlife Photography, to Louis Garrell and everything in between. It's by far one of my favorite blogs on the web, because there are so few dedicated to simply alternative stuff [because really, most blogs nowadays come with the stigma of being a fashion blog, if not a music one]. Although I'm mostly stuck in what's new on Hypem, City Slick is where I go to get my indie fix, after all, that is how I discovered Les Chansons d'Amour, among other things.

Inspiration is like gas, it keeps things running. Fortunately, it doesn't have a price tag. That being said, some people may abuse of it [plagiarism], others don't do shit with it [apathetic know-it-alls], but we all have it. At some point. Some of us keep it for long, and make great use of it. I do hope that's most of us.

"I feel the need to put up a track, since I've been slacking lately".
- Soulk!d

~~Lykke Li - Everybody But Me [diskJokke Remix]~~

New Justice

2008-07-26T00:35:00.008+01:00

I'm sounding like a complete groupie here, but I'm really liking this new Justice track. It has the perfect ratio of deep distorted rock synths and classic harmonious rhythms (did that even make sense?).
Besides, the Dior collection doesn't look half bad (no, it actually looks pretty neat).

Pic-Ture & Sticker by stracubo

Kids' Toys & Alcohol

2008-07-18T00:51:00.007+01:00

Thanks to an Anonymous tip from the Oizo post I bring you Partyshank [!]. As if there weren't enough acts from London [some good, some aiight, some terrible], It's pretty sweet to have a couple of kids who know how to use their equipment, and are not just pushing buttons here and there and turning knobs. They use kids toys' for Pete sake [yeah, among other things] but that's pretty trippy. You know you're good if Justice spins one of your tracks in a set. But it's not about that, Justice got their time, Partyshank is up next.
While you visit their MySpace, make sure you listen to Untitled Demo and Virgin.

Picture by Nic Shonfeld

It's A Beach Kill!

2008-07-07T01:05:00.006+01:00

If anyone knows The Grenade, you probably also know about his skills as a DJ, or part of the 'three man gang' alongside Heinrich Bulimic and PJtheViking [sounds familiar?], also known as The Experimental People [TEP for short].
But I bet you didn't know about his directing skills. Behold a movie of epic proportions [and soon to be cult favorite] Beach Kill. I mean this thing is going full force. The tshirts are already sold out [aww, too bad for you] and this baby's soon to be released, not to mention the music, which goes without saying, is pretty fucking amazing.
The synopsis is quite trippy, I'll leave you the trailer, guaranteed to entertain you.

Beach Kill Trailer from philippe grenade on Vimeo.

1983. The streets are rampant with sex and drugs. The night is filled with lust. The scent of greed steams up from the grates. But everything as we know it is about to change when ex-cop, Xavier Moustache, snaps and goes over the edge. Blood will be spilled for answers. Skulls will be crushed for truth. Moustache is the unstoppable force of the night.

& An Exclusive Sneak Peak, bitches! [Caution: Not For The Faint Of Heart]

Beach Kill Exclusive Sneak Peek from philippe grenade on Vimeo.

Then Came The Oizo Remix

2008-07-05T22:42:00.005+01:00

Mr. 'Oiseau' adds his flair to the Busy P/MURS collaboration. I'm not going to be a critic, I'll let you do the honors.

~~Busy P feat. MURS - To Protect And Entertain (Mr. Oizo Remix)~~

Respect Is Burning

2008-06-30T22:14:00.006+01:00

The legendary Respect Parties landed in NYC 0n June 26th, and the club kids are all bat shit crazy. Moby opened New York Été d'Amour on Thursday at Santos Party House, marking the beginning of what is set to be an exciting summer. It's like 8balling, or whatever it is you do to get high, it's a fuckin' rave.
The fiasco ends on September 25, and the lineup is ridiculous. Thursdays from now on, New York, you have NO excuse to stay in. This week, you get Dave 1 with a special DJ set, Dominique (!), Star Eyes (Trouble&Bass) , Alex from Tokyo and Neil Aline (oh yeah). Summer 2008 looking good yet?