Music ChinaShop Tea Set Vol. #3

August 21, 2009 - 12:38 pm

Photo by Curious Josh

A look back at 10 great songs we posted for download in July 2009!

Pseudo Slang – Bedouin – Pheudo Slang is the collaborative effort of Emcee Sick of Xtracts of Slang and producer Tone Atlas of Pseudo Intellectuals.

Corridor – Barricks – Corridor is the alias for multi-instrumentalist Michael Quinn’s musical project.

Rainbow Arabia – Omar K Max Justus Remixinspired by Sublime Frequencies comps, Factory Records, Congotronics adding many new tropical, african, eastern flourishes to their latest material.

Adultnapper – Echologist The ScoreOne of electronic music’s most important artists, this Brooklyn based producer and DJ comes to the scene after stints in grad school (philosophy) and hardcore punk bands.

Afghan Raiders – Admirals Doorbells - these generally peaceful guys have been electrifying dance floors with their infectious riffs and outrageous stage antics, which include showering the audience with gold balloons and bringing hardcore headbanging to dance music.

Battlehooch – The Special Place – perhaps more than their music, their attitude toward their work and the art of their peers had the Bay Area underground embracing Battlehooch as the way forward.

Nas- Film – The Red Bull Big Tune 2008 winner, C-Sick collaboration with Hip-Hop lyricist Nas.

Stellastarr – Freak Out – American Indie Rock band based in NYC.

Black Heart Procession  – Rats - Indie Rock band based in San Diego, CA.

Awol One- Celebrate – Since coming up through the indie hip-hop scene in the late-90s, , Awol with his gruff resonance is a voice to remember but one that has never been easy to define.


Music Brian Glaze of Brian Jonestown Massacre

August 20, 2009 - 3:46 pm

brian-jonestown-1

World Famous in San Francisco Records | On his second album, Green Living, Brian Jonestown Massacre drummer Brian Glaze cleverly mixes a bit of new wave — think Low and Scary Monsters-era David Bowie; a pinch of Lou Reed — with the poppy-yet-no frills rock of his mainstay outfit. With cohorts The Night Shift in tow, Brian Glaze embarks upon another musical venture outside the Massacre and into the mp3 players of many of his devoted solo followers.

Words by Jeff Nau

Brian Glaze – Bad News

Read the full story

Featured Music Bobby Evans and Freakazoid Robots

August 20, 2009 - 3:43 pm

jeansazoid3

Delicious Vinyl | With a smash hit single, Freakazoid Robots, DJ Bobby Evans has created something modern, danceable, yet defiantly retro — a tune which simultaneously summons the precision of a contemporary expert DJ, while paying tribute to retro arcade oldies like Millipede, Galaga, and all the forgotten Ballys’ games of yesteryear. But it’s not just music for those who harbor an uncontrollable Tron fetish, keep their Betamax video players laying around out of sheer nostalgia, or prefer NES to XBox — Evans’ newest is a summoning to the dance floor of old for anyone who hears the call, and has no choice but to answer. And with a new video by Marcus Herring, Bobby Evans assures his ascension to electronica stardom and into the hearts of fans (especially those who instinctively know what a good beat is) across the globe.

Words by Jeff Nau

Freak-a-Zoid Robotz – Them Jeans Remix

Read the full story

Music Future of the Left: Sounds Right to Me

August 20, 2009 - 3:41 pm

Future of the Left

“If anyone out there knows how to change a string, I’ll get down on my knees and show you what heaven looks like.”

I don’t know what’s more shocking—that Andy Falkous, lead singer and guitarist for Welsh rock band Future of the Left, is petitioning the audience for a guitar tech, or the image of him pleasuring the rather large, gruff-looking fan that hoists himself on stage to fix his instrument. But subtlety and predictability are not characteristics that Future of the Left care to cultivate, especially when performing at LA’s Spaceland to a packed crowd of eager, jostling fans. “I guess it’s something that I’ve broken three strings on the last three songs,” he continues, and the audience cheers, undoubtedly anticipating more frenzied steel snapping from Falkous.

Read the full story

Fashion Fall/Winter Fashion Focus

August 20, 2009 - 3:40 pm

mcqueen

Fall officially hits the Northern hemisphere on the 22nd of September – which, horrifyingly, only gives us a little over a month to bask in our last days of summer.  Quick! Break out the sun-dresses & gladiator sandals because it won’t be long until it’s too chilly to wear them!

The good news is that fall (& by extension, winter) is a true sartorialist’s wonderland.  While summer is all about wearing as little as possible & allowing our skin to breathe, fall is about covering it up a bit – & doing so with exceptional style & grace.  It’s our opportunity to show what our wardrobes are really made of,  so embrace it!

Of course, we can only work within the parameters we’ve been given…so here’s a summary of what you’re likely to see in the shops & on the street.  Remember that combining 5 trends at once is a sure route to fashion failure, so be selective & combine new elements with your old tried & true aesthetic for best results!

Read the full story

Music Four Year Strong

August 19, 2009 - 11:30 am

Four Year Strong

The eHarlequin.com writing guidelines under the category of “Historical Undone”, suggest that stories be, “…hot, sexy and subtly explicit without the lovemaking being vulgar or gratuitous.” I will try and use these guidelines to describe the recent performance of Boston based Pop-punk five way, Four Year Strong, at Emo’s in Austin.

I had arrived expecting a simple pop performance and must say that I was hella surprised by the immediate formation of a mosh pit at first note and the sorties of kamikaze stage divers which came in close succession.  It was akin to what one would imagine the experience would be of sitting court side during a conjugal visit between a Honey badger and a half-blind ninja in a Coleman camper.

Read the full story

Art/Design Welcome to the Magic Garage

August 19, 2009 - 11:30 am

What happens to all of that art and music that doesn’t make it to a big stage, or a big gallery, or garner a big paycheck?  You know, the stuff that lives on your basement walls or in the pages of your journal, or in the musky air of your garage? Not surprisingly, the people at (aptly named) Magic Garage, an LA-based underground art/music collective, wondered the same thing, and four years ago, decided to provide an answer to that question.  “The event started as a house party a couple people threw to show off their artwork and music, and it just kept getting bigger,” says Cat Erina, a Magic Garage organizer.  “Our main goal is to give exposure to artists and musicians who haven’t yet found their way into larger public venues.”

Read the full story

Event Travis Pastrana Gets Toasted

August 19, 2009 - 11:27 am

Travis Pastrana

Last night the legendary Travis Pastrana, Motocross rider, Rally Car Racer, Nitro Circus Troublemaker, got toasted by his friends and family at the Avalon in Hollywood California. A veritable who’s who of action sports heros were in attendance as well as celebrities galore. Red Bull was flowing like the elixir of life and an open bar always finds fast friends.

Surrounded by a room full of dare-devils and wild men I pondered a minute on the lives of these guys. How about a day in the office consisting of jumping out of an airplane sans parachute, while your buddy jumps out to catch you before you fall to your certain death? How does that effect my 401K? And does it come with a corner office? But these guys punch their time card, put on a smile and laugh all the way, either to the emergency room or the bank. And then it hit me, if you’re clearly not afraid to die, what are you afraid of?

Ryan Shekler

I found skateboarding Cutie-Pie Ryan Sheckler hanging out in the lounge before the show and I grabbed him to chat for minute. (Mainly because I’d get mad cred with my nephews but also because he’s got the world in the palm of his hand). Not even 21 years old yet he’s got a mansion, a Ferrari, and a black book that reads like the original King James. Ryan has started getting serious ink, and being a fan of the needle myself we bonded. I asked him if he’s ever worried about crashing and wrecking his art. “Naw, its all good, I’ve wrecked em a bit already”. Regarding his thoughts on the man of the hour Travis, “He’s just a big redneck! But he’s the most talented, nicest guy on the planet and I feel truly privileged to call him a friend.”  What Ryan’s afraid of…spiders.

Read the full story

Fashion Be a Brat!

August 18, 2009 - 9:50 am

The Brat Store

Roughly 6 years ago I stumbled on a well kept secret shop in Santa Monica, The Brat Store. Whether I was getting ready for that hot date, or stepping out to a show, they always had just the right outfit to make me feel a little hipper, a little cooler than the other kids at the bar. You have no idea how many times I’ve been out in that sweater with the star embroidery or the super cute bondage pants and got nothing but “I love that – where did you get it?” all night long. And its not just fashions for the ladies, she’s got the fellas covered as well. Unique tee-shirts, super cute golf/punk shorts and trend setting hats put over-exposed brands like Ed Hardy to shame.

Read the full story

Music Zaza

August 17, 2009 - 1:49 pm

Zaza

Kanine Records | Riding in on oceanic waves of drone and immense muscular drums, enter the spectral pop duo Zaza. While associated with their peers in Brooklyn’s recent exploding indie-pop/shoegaze scene, Zaza sonically contrast from their guitar-pop brethren in favor of something darker, more mysterious driven by haunting, ethereal vocals and rolling, cavernous rhythms.  Recently signing to Kanine Records (Chairlift, Grizzly Bear),  the duo is set to release their mesmerizing debut EP “Cameo” this August.

Zaza – Sooner or Later

Read the full story