2010 | ChinaShop

interview Stip Strip Hooray Interview with Dita Von Teese

December 15, 2010 - 11:17 am

This week, the queen of the striptease becomes queen of The Sunset Strip, when burlesque icon Dita Von Teese shimmies into a three night stint at The Roxy Theatre. Starlet and pin-up come to life, Ms. Von Teese has become known around the world for her traditional meets modern style of burlesque that draws inspiration from the glamour of classic Hollywood. Earlier this week, the iconic beauty took a break from rehearsals to speak with The Roxy Theatre about what stirs her martini and what gets her tassels twirling. Here’s what she had to say…

To view the whole interview with Ms. Von Teese go to TheRoxyOnSunset.com

Music ChinaShop’s 2010 Infinite Playlist

by Rich Thomas

December 13, 2010 - 11:17 am

Well, it’s not quite infinite, but we will be adding to it between now and the end of the year! But in the meantime, enjoy our nifty little SoundCloud playlist packed with songs from the past 347 days that really carved a niche in our brains. We’ve dropped a bit of everything in here, from the rousing beats of Groove Armada (nominated for a Grammy!) and the Midnight Juggernauts to the front porch balladry of Frazey Ford and Lou Rhodes. Double bonus: most of these tracks are downloadable and ready to be added to your own playlists. Enjoy the music, and stay tuned for some more ChinaShop Best Of’s!

Urban Exploration Those Who “Keep Austin Weird”

by Dustin Downing

December 9, 2010 - 11:49 am

Not many librarians are known for their influences on pop culture. Austin Community College librarian Red Wassenich is. But it’s not Mr. Wassenich as a man that is cause for celebrity, it’s the 3 words mentioned offhand on a local radio station in the spring of 2000 that are -“KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD.” This offhand remark has since become the slogan for a campaign to preserve small-ish local businesses, a merchandise cash cow for local tourism, and inspired copycats such as “Keep Portland Beered.” For me this slogan reflects much more on the populace of the “15^th largest city in the US” and the dualities of its inhabitants.

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Music Can Kanye ‘Survive in America?’

by Yael Reed Wachspress

December 7, 2010 - 12:20 pm

Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Pusha T, RZA and CyHi Da Prynce all repeatedly chant, “It’s like that sometimes, I mean ridiculous / It’s like that sometimes, the shit is ridiculous” over the track, So Appalled, debuted on Ye’s fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. And that’s exactly what the whole entire album is, ridiculous. Ridiculously good.

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Music Magic Music 12/3/10

by Amanda Boyd

December 3, 2010 - 11:52 am

Yo to the yo! The most wonderful day of the week is upon us once more and I’m here with some music updates and epic chat to make it that much more wonderful.

So. Wow. I’m completely loving Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros’ track “Fire & Water”. (I have an extreme weakness for folksy / country music, of which I place full blame upon my wonderful Papa Joe). The ludicrously large band (10 members – pow.) recently recorded an (awesome) iTunes session; stream the aforementioned track here and head on over here to pick up the rest of the session. Mandy totes digs.

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Music Aloe Blacc: Exploring Soul and Beyond

by Max Herman

December 2, 2010 - 12:08 pm

Prior to 2010, far too few were familiar with the talent of vocalist/MC/producer Aloe Blacc. This well-versed musician out of Orange County (now based in L.A.) has been releasing dynamic hip-hop with his longtime friend Exile as the group Emanon since the late-90s. Emanon’s last album, 2005’s The Waiting Room, was notably diverse drawing from reggae, folk, and much more. The LP was well received by those who heard it—just as Aloe’s solo debut Shine Through (released the following year) was. But Shine Through saw Aloe expand his vocal range from rapper to straight up singer who explored his Panamanian, Afro Latin roots with Cumbia-styled tracks while also tapping into his new soul sound.

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Music Matthew Dear Takes Williamsburg

by Courtney Dudley

December 2, 2010 - 12:07 pm

At first I was hesitant to make the comparison between Matthew Dear and David Byrne, but I’ve been listening to his discography all morning and I’m gonna stand by my guns. Like at the end of “Psycho Killer,” when Byrne makes his “Ay ay ay ay ay” noise. Or the “Ahh ha ha ha” in “Girlfriend is Better.” Well, Dear makes noises like that, but trips them out with fancy electro-pop reverb while playing the guitar, all with a full band behind him. Furthermore, Dear’s music, like that of Talking Heads, is experimental and inaccessible enough to appeal only to a progressive crowd—a little pretentious, even—while exhibiting real creativity and talent. The pretentiousness, in the end, is well earned.

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Music Forces Collide at Red Bull Culture Clash LA

by Shop Keeper

December 1, 2010 - 12:27 pm

After much success across the pond in London, Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash will make its U.S. debut in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 2nd at Exchange LA. Four L.A. based, but internationally known and well-respected music collectives will participate and battle to be named winner by the crowd. The collectives will be Dim Mak, Dub Club, Smog and Stones Throw.

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Music Street Drum Corps Tonight at the Roxy: Can’t Beat That!

by Barbie Brady

November 30, 2010 - 5:14 pm

If you missed the Street Drum Corps last week, or even the week before that, you have an awesome opportunity to catch them tonight at the Roxy in Hollywood. They are doing a month long residency and this is almost the last chance..almost..next Tuesday night will be there fond farewell. But shoot…don’t delay! They are just as incredible as you might think they are. Just ask Sam from the Suicide Girls and she’ll tell you all about ‘em.

Words by Barbie Brady

Music Converse Celebrates Musical Diversity

by Yael Reed Wachspress

November 29, 2010 - 4:01 pm

A group of popular UK musicians including, Bernard Sumner, Hot Chip and Hot City have teamed up with Converse to create an exclusive track. The collaboration was inspired by Converse’s year round celebration of the diversity of Uk’s music and creativity –honoring artists and their work.

The track, ‘Didn’t Know What Love Was,’ sounds like a revival of Deee-Lite from the 90s layered with rock and electronic undertones. And of course, the song wouldn’t be complete without a cool video to showcase their idea and provide some visual interpretation.

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