Music KODE 9: On a Trip Way Back

May 17, 2010 - 9:54 am

Kode 9 in the shade

Kode 9 is a Glasgow-born DJ working out of London– which means if you’re searching for an artist with his finger on the pulse of the UK music/dance scene, look no further. On Red Bull Music Academy Radio check out his playlist, where he selects from a series of favorite inspirations. There’s a subtle ambiance to his mixes, which may conjure the imagery of an Antonioni or Fellini movie, or any rainy night from the celluloid frame of film-noir. It’s clearly where Kode owes his allegiance; just listen to tracks like ’9 samurai’, a nod to Kurosawa’s films. A recognized master of dubstep, Kode 9 drew most of his influence from early jungle when it first got big in the UK. In addition to his years of hard work behind the turntables, he’s got a PhD from the University of Warwick in philosophy and lectures regularly at University on the subject of media production. For a closer look at the mastermind behind the music, check it out here:

Fashion Karl Lagerfeld: Polymath?

May 17, 2010 - 9:52 am

Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld is many things: a German living in France, a white-headed wonder, a style icon, obsessive curator & head designer of Chanel, Fendi & his own line.  The movie Lagerfeld Confidential, released in 2007, followed the prolific designer & gave an insight into his daily life, & in 2006 he starred in Signé Chanel, a reality show about the creation of one of his collections.  He is also a photographer, illustrator & world traveler.  But it’s as if the man never sleeps, because on Tuesday May 11th of 2010, Karl Lagerfeld makes his directorial debut!

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Art/Design Featured Gallery The Department of Flying Vehicles : Ready For Takeoff

May 14, 2010 - 11:38 am

On Saturday, the Department of Flying Vehicles opened its doors for the first time to a motley crowd of art and music-starved east-siders. Nestled right in the beating heart of Silverlake, it’s a new creative space conceived and brought to you by the inexhaustible masterminds behind LACMA Muse and  Bizzarmy.

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Uncategorized Aardvarck

May 14, 2010 - 11:35 am

Aardvarck says ahhhh

If Flying Lotus reveres John Coltrane, then Aardvarck has clearly built a shrine to several jazz legends of old, placed it next to his turntables, and isn’t afraid to worship it live while he does his dirty work. Interspersed between ambient and classic rhythms of Coltrane and other jazz greats (is that Weather Report?!) is a cadence of claps and stomp-worthy beats, all provided by the man isn’t afraid to experiment with a variety of different rhythms, and crank the subwoofer up in his quest for the ultimate thunder. Wisely Aardvarck lets the rhythms and beats do most of the talking and keeps the other jazz bits, especially some of the more dated material, to a minimum. It’s worth checking out right now on Red Bull Music Academy Radio.

Fashion Anna Wintour’s Party Mixtape

May 13, 2010 - 10:04 am

Anna Wintour’s reputation as the feared editrix of Vogue is not undeserved.  She was, after all, the inspiration for Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada.  Her nickname is the charming epithet ‘Nuclear Wintour’.  Her haircut has been exactly the same since she was in her early twenties.

But here are some things you may not known about The Bobbed One.

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California Nightlife Gallery Red Balls and Rock N’ Roll

May 13, 2010 - 10:01 am

Who doesn’t think “porn industry” when someone mentions the San Fernando Valley? I mean, maybe other images ping pong back and forth, like lots of pine trees, gangbangers, or just a portrait of general suburban drudgery…but after an orgasmic experience of the edible kind, I will now think “perfect pizza and porn” when I hear it. Because not only is the Valley home to that lucrative backyard business, but residents also have access to an entire 20 inches…of delicious pizza crust, that is! And at Red Balls Rock N’ Roll Pizza, the coolest New York-style pizza joint on the west coast, you get yourself helpful servings of amazing Italian food, wide screen Hi-Def vintage concerts by The Stones, The Stooges, and Black Sabbath, and even live punk rock. All for a fraction of those NY prices.

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Gallery Music Happy Meal Melodies :: Relient K

May 12, 2010 - 11:33 am

Relient K is the McDonalds of Emo music.  They serve up tasty little melodies that stick in your head like cholesterol to your veins.  & like Mickee-Dees, they crank em out.  To date the quartet has sold over 2 million records, with three albums being given gold certification, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album.  In addition, Singer Matthew Thiessen continues to hold the billboard 200 hostage with Owl City’s Ocean Eyes and platinum single Fireflies which, like it or not, is in your head right now…

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Gallery Music Motion City Soundtrack Deserves a Gold Star

May 12, 2010 - 11:10 am

Motion City Soundtrack stole the show Sunday with an over-the-top introduction to their boisterous set.  The event kicked off with M.C.S. marching through the crowd hitting bongos and hand drums while the Freedom High School drum line pounded from the stage in full regalia.  When the gypsy procession reached the stage, the chaps joined the 30 or so percussionists already on stage, & slammed into crowd favorite “Everything is Alright.”  At the first power chord, the pits started churning like your strawberry mango smoothie and they didn’t quit till the last note.

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Featured Gallery Music Matt and Kim Do It the Old Fashioned Way

May 12, 2010 - 11:02 am

In a day and age when most bands you see live rely on a backing track, Brooklyn based dance-punk duo Matt and Kim do it the old fashioned way, with a drum set and a keyboard.  & The Lightning-bolt chemistry the two share on stage helps fill any gaps their instruments may leave.

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