The phenomenon that is the Hipster is a slippery creature to pin down and define. A 2009 Time magazine article took a pretty good stab at it: “Take your grandmother’s sweater and Bob Dylan’s Wayfarers, add jean shorts, Converse All-Stars and a can of Pabst and bam — hipster.” Ever wonder why it seems so slanderous to call someone hipster? Do you have a good handle on where the name comes from? ChinaShop goes back—way back—digging up the origins of the cultural phenomenon that is “The Hipster.”
It was day two of Northside Fest in Williamsburg and thunderstorms threatened to shut the main event down. But just before Yellow Ostrich went on the Steve Madden stage in McCarren Park, the clouds cleared and a double rainbow stretched over the Manhattan skyline, or at least that’s what I heard via Twitter. I had taken cover in a nearby bar and made it just in time to see the end of Sharon Van Etten as she played to a sparse, rain drenched crowd. The rest of Williamsburg poured in shortly thereafter, anxiously awaiting to see Beirut. The band had been relatively quiet since 2007 but with their release of The Rip Tide in August 2011, momentum picked up and they became a group everyone was talking about again.
Florence and the Machine may be a lot of things; mood makers for hipsters, sincerely passionate musicians, theatrical showman. But they never fail to engage the audience and enliven the soul. Florence (Welch) has a distinct vocal style that envelopes you like a wool blanket. While its inviting and warm, it also gets under your skin.
She admits that her best writing often happens when she is tired or drunk. Her ability to tap into that subconscious space and express it is powerful, moving and decidedly on point.
When it comes to a collaboration between Sade and Jay Z, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong or disappoint (according to the ever reliable and trust worthy pandabook). “The Moon and the Sky” (Remix) actually surfaced last Friday (after my glorious post was published), so if you’ve already heard this track, well, here’s a chance to bask in it once (or multiple times) more!
So I’m back in my favorite city in the world, lovely London (sorry New York, I do love you and you are incredible, but I’m afraid London wins in my book) and what better way to start this week’s post than with two tracks from UK based Jamie Woon, a singer/songwriter whom I’m definitely digging. First up is “Night Air”, off last year’s EP (co-produced with Burial) and “Lady Luck” is the first single off his upcoming debut album Mirrorwriting; listen to both here. Also check out this video of Woon singing in a canoe in Cambodia; no bells, whistles or fancy camera work, just a simple video of Woon sitting in a canoe. In Cambodia. Singing. Awesome.
Go to any music festival and you will most likely come across someone wearing a plush animal hood that has scarf like appendages that flow into mittens, or paws if you will. These fuzzy fashion accessories are products of Spirit Hoods. Made in Southern California by a group of hippie/hipster/vega/activists these hats represent a love for wildlife and efforts to give back to critical wildlife initiatives.
Last week, the Echoplex was rocked by a new installment of Check Yo Ponytail 2, a cross-genre 18+ club night dedicated to all things new, edgy and danceable. On the roster: Terminal Twilight, Teengirl Fantasy, Pictureplane, and DJ sets by that Killing Spree collective you might have heard of around town. With such an eclectic lineup of everything from coldwave to neo-rave [that really was not meant to rhyme, and I apologize] we knew it was going to be an interesting night, and we were not disappointed.
And how is everyone doing on this fine Friday? Doubtless even better now that you’re reading this gloriousness, no?
So the first single off Watch The Throne, the collaboration album between Jay-Z and Kanye West, “H.A.M.”, was released this week and it’s such a let down. The beat, produced by 19 year old Lex Luger, (I know, ridic.) is gorgeous but Kanye’s first verse doesn’t flow with it at all, Jay’s was good but nothing spectacular… I don’t know, I guess considering the immense talent these boys possess, I expected something better. Paws crossed the rest of Watch The Throne is far better. Check it out for yourself below.
At first I thought it was just me who felt as though this week was taking it sweet time and Friday would never get here, but after talking to a few people, the general consensus was that there were indeed multiple Wednesdays. But alas, Friday is (finally) here, Christmas is just around the corner and for the first time in my life, I’ve actually got all of my Christmas shopping done before December 24. WIN! So, what better way to end this ludicrously long week and kick off the weekend then with some magical music news from yours truly?!
OK Go released their latest video, this time for their song “Back From Kathmandu;” yet again these boys do not disappoint – time and time again they put out such interesting, unique and often hilarious visuals. Per OK Go’s press release, “The video documents the 8.5-mile parade we took through Los Angeles using Range Rover’s ‘Pulse of the City’ app to checkin’ and spell out the word’s ‘OK GO’ with the route. Make your own journey around your city, and be featured in a similar documentation video we’ll make in 2011.” Details here and “Back From Kathmandu” below.
It seems like everyone and their mother are coming out with headphones these days. First came Beats By Dre (paws crossed good ol’ Saint Nick brings me a pair for Christmas) then Beats by Beiber (they’re purple! Because that’s his favorite color! How adorable…) and now: TRON: Legacy Headphones by Daft Punk (who did the (awesome) soundtrack for TRON: Legacy) Medicom Toy. What makes these headphones oh so special, you ask? They have light-up LEDs! Totally reminds me of those kicks that were all the rage when I was 8, LA Lights. Anyone else remember those?! God, they were cool… Anyway, so these – totally ridiculous looking headphones – run for a cool $350 (USD) but! you also get a copy of the TRON: Legacy - soundtrack. Win.
