Wednesday 31 March 2010

Kitsuné - Semi-Naked Models Battle It Out

Ultra chic Parisian label Kitsuné has its finger in many pies. And to help them promote these 'kitsch' pies they've decided to strip down. Or rather their 'well-fit' models have taken it upon themselves to de-robe for the good of the 'cause'. The game is simple really, the two mannequins race against one another to see who can be the first to take off an outfit and put on another. Between them sits an iPod dock blarring the music of non-other than Kitsuné affiliates Two Door cinema Club, Silver Columns, The Drums et al. All the featured songs appear on the Kitsuné Maison 9 album released April 26. And the garments? Everything you see them put on and most importantly take off is from the new Autumn Winter 2010 collection.

It's a sort of cross promotional stint; a melange of three of the most luring elements in society. Fashion, Music & Sex. Well, I'm convinced. But don't take my word for it. Take  a gander - it's only fair.

Saturday 27 March 2010

Aurel Schmidt for Opening Ceremony





















NY based artist Aurel Schmidt has made everyday debris a cause for celebration for Opening Ceremony. Schmidt was chosen as one of the Whitney Biennial's 2010 exhibiting artists. Each chosen artiste was limited to one submission. Schmidt's piece entitled Master of the Universe / Flexmaster 3000 (see below) uses the quotidien detritus, including cigerette butts, condoms and insects; normally considered dirty and ugly, to create a specimen of beauty. It's a warts-and-all reactionary statement. 


Since her 2007 series Dirty Pretty Things the Canadian born artist has forced the viewer to move away from their comfort zone, to view a different type of beauty; one that is not widely accepted. This March welcomes the ubiquitous Aurel Schmidt on Tee. There are 11 in the series which when put in the correct order spell, you guessed it, Opening Ceremony. They're 60 USD a pop and are just what the doctor ordered. 


















Terry Richardson takes her portrait here. NSFW (obviously).

Friday 26 March 2010

Mr Chaz Budnick






















The name Chaz Budnick doesn't carry much of a punch but Toro Y Moi certainly does. The 23-year-old Californian creates blissed out rhythmic funk. But that's not the only thing he's responsible for. Heard of Les Sins? It's his side project that whispers in your ear and causes tingles down your spin. His sexy tunes seduce you with sun drenched lyrics and heavy synths. It's a l'il more Cali than his current sensation Toro Y Moi but no less captivating. Pressing 'play' will cause disco house to pulsate through your veins. Chaz Budnick is most certainly at the forefront of 2010's artists to watch. It's French House that'll remind you of Cassius and Starsailors. What a way to start the year.


http://www.myspace.com/lessins

Thursday 25 March 2010

Blissed out ambient electronica



http://www.myspace.com/thebabeinthewoods



www.myspace.com/neonindian



http://www.myspace.com/toroymoi

I'm beginning to see a pattern - & I like it.

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Ldn LeCool Interview - Dusty Limits




Culture vulture Le Cool London lives here.

Interview: Men w/ political inflexions


















MEN is a complete paradox. It's an ironic statement that on stage consists of 2 girls and 1 guy. However, off stage we're offered a whole smorgasbord of talent. MEN shares its member with sassy feminist electro band Le Tigre. Check out the whole interview at This is Fake DIY.

Review: Air @ The Roundhouse, London

Check out the rest of the review 'ehe.

Monday 22 March 2010

LeCool London 18 - 24 March


Paper Route Interview on SUP Mag



Check out the rest of the words at SUP Mag.

Check out their music 'ere.

Monday 15 March 2010

Crookers Interview - 'No more girls just angry people'

I recently interviewed beat mongers Crookers - The pair are as Italian as a big ol' bowl of Gnocchi pasta. Hell Phra still lives w/ his Mamma. They take everything with a grain of salt and are the masters of self-effacement. Bot's demure nature is a great compliment to the greagarious nature of co-creator Phra but in the box all inhibitions are put to the wayside. 

Their album launch at South London's Fire was a melange of alchemy and  debauchery. Good decisions were made - rocking up to witness the magic- as were equally bad decisions - candy that induced involuntary reactions of rejection-.

Their debut album 'Tons of Friends' is a canvas of the musical elite; a testement to their off the cuff approach and to all that is aurally delightful.

Check out the interview - it's all in a honest vein - the only way I like 'em.

Sunday 14 March 2010

LeCool London 11- 17 March











Like that bacon cremated? Give us a little finger pop at this week's LeCool London.

Saturday 13 March 2010

Lady Gaga - Spot the Product Placement



















Lady Gaga's latest song Telephone (feat. Beyonce) has been matched with a video of epic proportions. Channelling Tarantino's Kill Bill saga Gaga goes for the ultra gloss pop art look; a satirical comment on the world as a consumerist society inundated by information and technology (which is also the main purveyor, obviously). The video is a comment on today's world; a world of instant gratification where we are constantly at reach and on call (via the telephone). 


It's all very clever really. The video comments on her apparent gender ambiguity (a rumour she started), has real porn star Alektra Blue, makes use of the 'pussy wagon' borrowed from the Kill Bill set, features her sister Natali Germanotta and uses the diner from US crime show NCIS. However, we do wonder what 'avant-garde' dribble Gaga’s gonna spit out to substantiate the ‘post-modern’ product pollination; a further comment on global conglomerates and the hypodermic needle

Now that would be a little to convenient, wouldn't it Gaga?

For visual ticklers click here.


Monday 1 March 2010

Dorian Concept - Just Call Him Fingers

What started as an alternative to playing Mario Kart has exploded into a synthesised melange of samples and wonky beats. Dorian Concept is a 20-something producer from Vienna, Austria. He learned the piano as a child (he's self taught!) and then one day discovered the joys of marijuana. It kind of gave him the 'buzz' he needed to release something visceral from within. Now he's a force not to be reckoned with and somewhat of a YouTube star; his tweeks get over 200,000 hits.

He's debut album 'When Planets Explode' hit shelves March of 2009 and it offers 10 spaced out tracks referencing jazz, hip hop, lounge and electronica.

Catch him if you like: J Dilla, Madlib, Jazzanova & or Vienna's own jazzed-out maestro Joe Zawinul.

March 12 he'll be orchestrating an intimate session at London's Jazz Cafe. So come witness the jazz scales and electric freedom as his fingers hyper-actively skip over the keys. 

It may sound something like this:

What are you looking at?

My photo
I am more than prone to monologues; however, this is solely due to the manner in which they compliment a witty anecdote and their ability to resemble concrete evidence when it is so obviously lacking. I often wish I could emulate that aloof character who coolly stands in the corner smiling mysteriously as if she has a secret. However, I fear resisting the temptation to involve myself in other people’s conflicts and responding through body language rather than verbose banter may come across as contrived and arrogant. And, I am not willing to take that chance.

Ye Faithful