I'm not sure what's going on with A-Trak's album art work (see right). I certainly didn't feel compelled to buy it on a T-Shirt last night and would even go as far as to say that the mere presentation of it on a shirt confused me.
Though while the design may be questionable, one thing is for sure: the mix album, which will be pre-released on iTunes next week and available in stores on March 31st, should be a killer.
A few of us headed over to Studio B to check out the NYC stop of the "Infinity +1" tour in support of the album last night. DJ’s on deck were A-Trak and Medhi. When we arrived, Nick Catchdubs was finishing up and soon afterwards A-Trak and Medhi hit the stage for a 3-hour tag team set.
I was initially stoked at the concept of a collective set from these two but the reality of it was a total letdown. A-Trak is an amazing DJ, Medhi, not so much. Their styles weren't really cohesive and every time Medhi would lay down a tune, I found myself ready for A-Trak to get back on.
They played a lot of fun stuff including a couple Laidback Luke jams, Bodyrox’s "Yeah Yeah" and Treasure Fingers' "Cross the Dancefloor." The highlight of the night for me was a house remix of Animal Collective's "My Girls", possibly this version.
This was by far the most packed I've seen Studio B since they reopened, making dancing quite a challenge. Is Studio B back?
Note to self, Studio B - you need more bartenders. Also $8 well drinks? You're in Brooklyn! And a side note to Studio B goers - you get a free drink with your car service or taxi receipt now, so remember to show it at the door to get your drink ticket.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Infinity +1
Monday, March 9, 2009
Killing it all the way to Vermont
The '08-09 snowboarding season has not proved to be a great one for my crew. Not one, but two of my friends found themselves in surgery by the end of it. But those of us who are still standing were treated to a very special experience this past weekend courtesy of Override Events.
Between the "should be at work" hours of 1 and 2pm on Friday afternoon, a bus picked us up outside the Volcom store in Soho. We climbed over many large coolers to secure the three-seater spot in the back, cracked open a Brooklyn Winter Ale and the rest is history.
Our bus was a party on wheels the full length of the ride up to Vermont. With two headphone splitters in tow, we tried to keep it low key and watch movies but once we heard Onyx's "Slam!" (duh duh duh, duh duh duh - Let the boys be boys!) over the PA system, we let out a collective "F*ck Rachel and her wedding!" and got up to join the party.
I've never danced on a bus before. It's pretty awesome. It's even better when the selection ranges all the way from American Analog Set to Dr. Dré.
The weekend was filled with good, yet slushy riding in soft snow and a lot of fun times with new friends and interesting characters.
For those New Yorkers who partake in the daily weekend trips organized by local shops such as Emilio's and Paragon, I highly recommend looking into Override's trips as an alternative. The guys who run them are super cool, it's a blast and two days of shredding is always better than one.
Ovrerride is doing one final trip this year to Stratton that happens to fall on one of the organizer's birthdays. Check out the pics below for an indication of the amount of fun to expect just on the way up and see you on the slopes!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Nara at Marianne Boesky Gallery
Last Saturday evening, on a very cold winter's day, I decided to go west and much further uptown than I've been in a very long time to Chelsea. This is by no means a small feat but somewhat more tolerable when your companion is obsessed with the NYC bus system and can navigate you there with minimal walking in a very reasonable amount of time.
The purpose of this quest was to attend the opening reception of a show by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara at the Marianne Boesky Gallery.
This exhibit was the fourth solo show by the artist at this particular gallery. It featured a number of drawings and paintings of Nara's trademark girl character. The most interesting part was two immense hut-like houses that were constructed in the back of the gallery, one filled with stuffed animals.
Inside sources revealed that the artist almost did not make it to his own opening reception because he spent the previous night in jail for defacing public property. A few drinks, an artist and a marker can really only lead to one thing. Who can blame him? The world is his canvas.
The show is up until March 28th.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Viva La Arepa
Sitting in Bushwick Country Club on Tuesday night, retrieving drinks with dinosaurs, I found myself beyond befuddled when fellow robot Sondra informed me that she had never been to East Village Arepa eatery, Caracas. Unacceptable!
To you readers lucky enough to reside in the NYC vicinity or to anyone planning a visit, I kid you not, run, don't walk to Caracas. It has been one of my favorite spots in the city since I first discovered it. The Village location is small and bustling on most nights but you can always opt for a quick bite at the convenient adjacent takeout restaurant.
And by no means is this still news but I think it's worth noting. Caracas recently opened up a second Arepa Bar on Grand Street in Willamsburg near Roebling!
The new location is, for now, BYOB (which I decided over the weekend to start pronouncing as a word rather than letter by letter..."byob!" - it really rolls off the tongue.) The decor is very interesting. It looks completely unfinished with bare wooden planks, glass and metals covering the walls. And even more exciting, there is an outside area. I am already envisioning the endless brunch opportunities once the weather warms up!
Two tips:
1. Don’t even ask what’s in the sauce. They won’t tell you. It’s delicious!
2. Order the Yoyos appetizer – but get it for dessert.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
In Honor of NY Fashion Week, Your own Museum Tour!
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While clothes worked their way across catwalks this past NY Fashion week, museums and galleries are doing their own bit of fashion contribution but showing a variety of exhibitions honoring fashion. And while I write this through bitter tears brought on by this NY Winter season the multitude of art shows has eased a bit of my pain.
I start with the International Center of Photography, (didn't even realize there was such a museum) and their show on iconic fashion photographer, Edward Steichen who shot for Condé Nast publications during the mid-20th century and while any fashionista would be creaming over Steichen's photos I was frankly more smitten with the "Weird Beauty: Fashion Photography Now." Def. worth the commute to the westside!
Heading uptown and east, the Museum of the City of New York, who also exhibited a lovely "Black Style" show a few years ago is honoring, American couture designer, Valentina Sanina Schlee. While most people think of the big Europen dogs when considering couture artists, MCNY's show Valentina: American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity is creating some hype about badass American couture skillz and New York City's history in the apparell biz.
And while the Museum of Art Design does not exactly present fashion exhibits, I have found that some of their shows have been a great source of inspiration for the creative mofos in the city, including fashion designers. Their latest and one of my fave shows this season is based on taking ordinary objects and recycling these things into art pieces, great idea for the fashion industry, eh? One of my favorite pieces from the show was Portrait of Textile Worker which is comprised solely of garment labels.
Happy Fashion Week!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
SVIIB/Fujiya and Miyagi
Last night B and I met up at one of our fave watering holes, V Bar, for a glass before heading over to (le) Poisson Rouge to see a band I'm really into at the moment, School of Seven Bells.
Having still not mastered the elusive art of "perfect show timing," we arrived at LPR a good hour before SVIIB hit the stage. As we stood in the front while they played through eight songs from Alpinisms, I was completely transfixed on Benjamin Curtis, particularly his right foot as it seemed to create 90% of the music through the use of a delay pedal and other knobs and buttons on a control panel before him (pictured above). It was all very Kevin Shields.
SVIIB was opening up for Brit rockers Fujiya and Miyagi, a band I don't listen to very often but I think is really great live. I caught another one of their shows last October during CMJ at Mercury Lounge where the drawing act (for me) was opener Tobacco. Fujiya and Miyagi's set was a mélange of driving beats and funky numbers presented before a backdrop of pixelated old school arcade-like visuals.
We left the show right before the encore, in fact, we exited the room exactly when the band did. It was entertaining to overhear them pondering whether or not to give the crowd a few more as we made our way up the staircase.
SVIIB and Fujiya and Miyagi are touring into the beginning of March and this Friday, they will be at one of my old stomping grounds: Athens's Fabulous 40-Watt. So if any Athens peeps are keeping up with this blog, go check them out! Should be a great show.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Disco ball cake, record cupcakes
These desserts are made of pure awesomeness. I think an architect missed her calling as a pastry chef!
McQueen for the masses
You know Alexander McQueen right? As in the Alexander McQueen? The very same one Christian "I coined the term 'hot tranny mess'" Siriano interned for (and reminded us as often as possible) before taking top prize on Project Runway's fourth season?
McQueen is the latest in Target's "Design For All" series which really does put design within reach by mass producing lines from high end designers and offering those in their stores at very reasonable prices.
The collection debuts in stores on March 4th but those of us lucky enough to live in New York were treated to a preview sale over the weekend. I snatched up a few items including a pair of hot pint printed leggings with zippers on the bottom! Check out the pics below for a sample of what to expect at Target.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Craze-y for dnb
The not-so-unlucky streak of Friday the 13th went strong into the early morning hours of Saturday. After a delicious dinner at a dumpling restaurant called M, I found myself at Studio B with BFF extraordinaire, T$. When we arrived, Drop the Lime was doing a live set which was somewhat interesting but mostly lacking in excitement. The crowd energy instantly picked up the moment Craze hit the decks.
The highlight of the night for me was around the 3am hour when Craze asked the crowd if anyone was up for some old school drum and bass. He dropped (and instantly rewound) Konflict's "The Messiah" and then went into 5 or 6 tunes including a Total Science tune whose title escapes me now and the infamous "Fugees or Not" white label (was that Zinc?) Rolling amens and pure classics.
I haven't danced like that in like, a decade. Thanks Craze! Big Ups!
