Scott Goodman: Untitled (2007)
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NOTES ON NEW CULTURE
THE COUNTRY NAMED AFTER A PAINTER ISSUE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2007
HEAR STYLE
LATE OF THE PIER
Sick of the new rave movement yet? Well hold tight, it's not QUITE over and that could be a good thing! UK band Late of the Pier are holding it down on the (still) neon dance floor and their eccentric and imaginative style is anything but run of the mill. These young lads claim to be just as influenced by avant-garde cinema as they are by other music artists, and their unique style has made such an impact on the English dance scene that they have recently signed to the influential indie label Moshi Moshi. But don't take our word for it, check out their MySpace. - AL
HEAR STYLE
THE SHOPPINGS
YES! We love new French bands. Especially when their songs are catchy and (gasp) actually in French. You may remember The Shoppings from when Colette assaulted the web earlier this year with all of their fancy birthday celebration stuff. Content created in honor of Colette's anniversary included a tribute song by Busy P, and the video for The Shoppings song "1997-2007- Colette" which featured designer Jeremy Scott. The band has become poster-children for a new Parisian youth culture that is obsessed with fashion and personal aesthetic. Each song on their debut album covers something fashion-related. "Comme Terry" praises photographer Terry Richardson while "Rien A Mettre" (Nothing To Wear), expresses the frustrations of a stylish Parisian hipster getting ready to go out. The Shoppings view these sometimes humorous songs as works of pop art, but that's not to say that they don't take their subjects very seriously; the band's singer is a fashion lecturer and trend manager for Nike. In an effort to steer away from becoming labeled as a novelty act, The Shoppings refuse to perform at runway shows and other fashion events but they haven't shut the door on designer collaborations. Their website will soon be selling band sweatshirts from chic high-end brand I Love Sweaters as well as custom Nike sneakers. - AL
HEAR STYLE
AFTER THE JUMP FEST
Attention New Yorkers! Put a big X over August 25 on your calendars. The very first After The Jump Fest is coming to Brooklyn! Some of the best NYC music blogs (including our friends, the very awesome Disconappers) have come together to plan the ultimate day of free outdoor music performances from great artists including The Virgins, Soulico, Ra Ra Riot, Apache Beat and many, many more. The festivities will take place all day outside of Studio B (259 Banker Street in Brooklyn) with Riot in Belgium headlining inside that night. Don't miss out, it's sure to be historic. - AL
CLICK STYLE
NOWNOW
NowNow is taking it to the next level, folks. This Melbourne, Australia-based web destination is part art gallery, part style blog, and part party photo site. NowNow shines the spotlight on unknown artists and designers and publishes thoughtful conversations about their work as well as portraits of Australia's fashionistas out on the town. It is the perfect snapshot of Australian subculture, which is quickly taking the world by storm. NowNow was recently named one of the Dazed & Confused "Digital 50"; a list of the most interesting and innovative sites on the web, so visit now now (sorry, we had to). - AL
TECH STYLE
TRAXXPAD
Sha Money XL is best known for being an intimidating hip hop mogul and G-Unit producer, but he can now add gaming entrepreneur to his resume. He has recently teamed up with Eidos to develop Traxxpad; portable studio software for the Sony PSP handheld device. The Traxxpad program allows users to utilize a wide range of beat making applications including drum machines, samplers, sequencers, and keyboards in the creation of their own music. The PSP microphone can be used in the Traxxpad program so MC's can record vocals on the go. They can also obtain and edit samples with the device and can easily convert their files into MP3's for CD burning or even ringtones. Sha Money XL is convinced that this program will single handedly change the music production game and we agree, although we are too afraid of him to argue. - AL
SHOP STYLE
MARC JACOBS MANIA AT COLETTE
Available in Colette's boutique and eshop starting August 22nd is the much talked about "Louis Vuitton & Marc Jacobs" documentary by Loïc Prigen. The film focuses on the backstage happenings at a Louis Vuitton runway show as well as a behind the scenes look at the life of LV creative director Marc Jacobs. The special features section has a few extra goodies as well including footage of an exclusive Marc Jacobs party in NYC , a press conference in Tokyo, and a trip to the LV factory.
Also available at Colette beginning August 27, is the Little Marc Box, which is guaranteed to trump any other baby shower gift out there. Each cartoon-covered box contains newborn-sized pajamas and a special Bearbrick Medicom Toy. Only 1000 Marc Boxes will be made, so act quickly! - AL
FLY STYLE
BIARRITZ SURF AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
I know what you're thinking: France isn't exactly known for its surfing...but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen there! And that one of the most enjoyable surf festivals in the world doesn't take place on its southern shores! The Rip Curl Surf and Music Festival in the sunny beach town of Biarritz, France will take place on August 24th and 25th and will contain several surf competitions as well as performances from some great artists. This year Xavier Rudd and one of our favorite bands Poney Poney will be playing free shows as a part of the festivities, as well as some band called Le Peuple De L'Herbe, which we have never heard of but they sound really, really cool. - AL
VISUAL STYLE
NEW IMAGE GALLERY
Our current fave gallery in L.A. is New Image, an unpretentious and exciting destination for the West Coast art lover. The gallery has just wrapped up an exhibition of work by Brazilian artist Herbert Baglione, who is best known for his influential ten-year presence in Brazil's famed Street Art movement. Baglione's illustrations and paintings which feature physically extreme, whimsical characters have been compared to everything from Southwest Pueblo cave art to that of an extraterrestrial.
When New Image re-opens from their summer break on August 25th, they will be showcasing the work of BAST, an artist who they describe as being "as tied to Brooklyn as rice is to China". BAST's images combine symbols of NYC's hip hop and street culture with that of the cartoon and superhero world. Disney-style characters carrying hand grenades and firearms are just the kind of scenes that you can expect from one of BAST's battered, colorful street art-inspired pieces. Don't miss this humorous and creative take on Americana at New Image this month! - AL
VISUAL STYLE
BLESS WALLSCAPES
Inspired by and created for their exhibition at the Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Bless is now selling huge pieces of photography they call "Wallscapes" featuring living spaces which contain Bless products. Each poster is 3x4 meters and is designed to feel as if you were walking into a giant collage. There are five different sets of Wallscapes and each individual image can be purchased for about US$750. You can place an order with the Ooga Booga store in Los Angeles by emailing them (info@oogaboogastore.com) or calling 213-617-1105. - AL
WEAR STYLE
TWENTY8TWELVE
The latest addition to the very long list of celebrity clothing lines is that of tabloid it-girl and rising style icon Sienna Miller. The collection, which is called Twenty8Twelve (Miller's birthday) will be designed mostly by her sister Savannah Miller, who just so happens to be a graduate of the fashion program at Central Saint Martins in London. Miller told Instyle Magazine that her inspiration for the collection is "Patti Smith, Keith Richards, free-thinking, radical people who aren't influenced by others." We can't wait to see it and we won't have to wait much longer since the Twenty8Twelve Spring '08 collection is about to hit stores and will be available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Neiman Marcus in LA, Holt Renfew in Canada, and a soon-to-be opened Twenty8Twelve boutique in London's Notting Hill. - AL
EAT STYLE
GINO RESTAURANT, NYC
In a city filled with celebrity chefs, ultra-modern restaurant dining rooms, and menus featuring the latest trendy cuisine, Gino on the Upper East Side stands out like a sore thumb. This classic restaurant hasn't changed much since it opened in the 1940's and it looks like something straight out of a JD Salinger novel or Wes Anderson movie (in fact, the its amazing zebra wallpaper was reproduced for the decoration of Margot's bedroom in "The Royal Tenenbaums"). Customers can order from a traditional homestyle southern Italian menu which includes prosciutto and mussels, veal, and of course, ravioli and manicotti. You can also just sit at the bar and order a delicious martini. Fur coat and cigarette optional. - AL
Gino is located at 780 Lexington Ave. (60th & 61st Sts.) 212-758-4466
READ STYLE
BEST UGLY
AvroKO has built a name for itself by being one of the best restaurant design firms in the world. The design duo are young, hip and passionate about using offbeat images, colors, and non-traditional ideas to develop some of the country's most sophisticated and interesting dining spaces. In their new book "Best Ugly", AvroKO describes how they develop each concept from start to finish and illustrate each example with glossy, sexy photographs. A must-have for anyone interested in restaurants, design, or beautiful photography. "Best Ugly" is available for pre-order on Amazon. - AL
VISUAL STYLE
THE THING QUARTERLY
Out of frustration with today's impersonal digital age, the art department at UC Berkley will soon be launching The Thing Quarterly, a "subscription based, mail order art project." Every three months subscribers will receive a new package that contains a household object which incorporates text created by a rising artist. Each box will be packed and wrapped just for you by The Thing's two editors and tied neatly with string. This year's contributing artists are Miranda July, Anne Walsh, Kota Ezawa, and Trisha Donnelly. A subscription costs US$120 for one year and you can get one here: www.thethingquarterly.com - AL
STYLE LISTS
LIECHTENSTEIN VS. BARCELONALIECHTENSTEIN
Liechtenstein is awesome. Only 35,000 people live within its 60 square miles and it has a 100% literacy rate! This little speck of a country is often overshadowed by its Swiss and Austrian neighbors and never gets a chance to shine so we asked our good friend Swen Dornig, right hand man to Liechtenstein's Ambassador to the United Nations, to fill us in on the country's best hotspots.
1. Nexus
The legendary cocktails, a shady outdoor garden and relaxed atmosphere make this bar/restaurant a popular destination.
Äulestrasse 51, Kunsthausplatz
2. B-Eat
This restaurant/bar/club attracts all the young party people who appreciate good food and even better music. International DJ's spin regularly and there are even frequent Guitar Hero competitions!
Im alten Riet 22, Schaan
3. Zwei
On July 27th, Zwei hosted Hawaiian Nite -- "cool drinks, fresh fruits, and tropical feelings." 'Nuff said.
Im Stadtle Vaduz
4. Hubraum
As if Hawaiian Nite couldn't be beat! Hubraum has "Playboy Mansion," "BMX Freestyle Jam" and "Nico party" nights! I am booking my plane ticket right now.
5. Cafe Im Kunstmuseum
Cafe Im Kunstmuseum describes itself as THE place for "culture buffs and museum patrons, artists, musicians, bankers, last-minute tourists, sushi fans, and people who value style, art, trends, fashion and architecture." This cafe's cuisine is ultra-ultra modern, but not as modern as its minimal wooden interior.
Stadtle 31 -9490 Vaduz Furstentum Liechtenstein
BARCELONA
While Liechtenstein isn't exactly known for its flourishing tourist industry, Barcelona is quite the opposite. So much so that it is sometimes difficult for the average visitor to uncover unique destinations within the city that have not yet been tainted by tourists. This is why we are extremely lucky to have Barcelona aficionado and TravelNotes media maven Aliza Rabinoff help us out by giving us a detailed guide to one of Europe's hottest cities and its music scene.
1. Bubo and Bubo Bar
Satisfy your craving for a tartalata de xocolata or tortilla espanola at Bubo chocolate shop and Bubo Bar next door while strolling through El Born, one of Barcelona's hippest neighborhoods. Nestled under a shaded walkway right off Plaza Santa Maria del Mar, my favorite plaza in the city, Bubo and Bubo Bar beckon passersby with visually arresting and delicious edibles. Bubo, the chocolate shop, is known for its gorgeous design, as well as for its divine sweet treats, created by award-winning pastry chef Carlos Mampel. Next door at the bright, chic food bar, an array of traditional catalan tapas are reworked as little pieces of modern art - and they taste as good as they look! - AR
2. Sidecar
Having first opened 25 years ago, this subterranean live performance space/dancehall in the nighttime mecca of Place Reial in the Barri Gòtic continues to lure music and nightlife fans with an intriguing concert and DJ lineup. The venerated music space has put on shows by some of Spain's hottest music acts such as Manu Chao, Amparanoia,and Ojos de Brujo. Sidecar has also hosted secret gigs with bands such as Ariel Rot + Sergio Marakoff and Siniestro. The Ramones in their heyday also made a stop here! The best nights are the weekly Brazelona Sessions which feature a superb array of DJ's including DJ Turmix and DJ Andyloop. - AR
Placa Reial, 7
3. DioBar
Located on the edge of the super-trendy Born neighborhood, already teeming with ultracool
nightspots, this lounge/bar has all the right components: low-key greeters at the door, a trip down a
staircase to build the excitement, friendly bartenders, and a spacious, high-ceilinged bar awash in sexy dimly-lit hues. - AR
Av. Marques de L'Argentera, 27
4. Margarita Blue
Serving a tasty Mediterranean-meets Mestizo menu and some of the best cocktails en la ciudad (try the divine mojitos and the house specialty, the Margarita Blue), this restaurant/bar on the edge of Barri Gòtic and Port Veill is a great spot to start the evening before hitting the nearby hotspots or to settle in for fun international people-watching. The always stylish and always groovy DJ Turmix brings his magnifico mix of mambo, latin soul, funk, rumba catalana and r&b on Friday nights so snag a mesa near the DJ booth and sway while you sip! - AR
Josep Anselm Clave, 6
5. Hotel Majestic Terrace
The 360 views will take your breath away as you sit by the hotel's rooftop pool area and sip on a cool
chilled vaso de vino blanco at the pool's bar and plot out your evening. - AR
Passeig de Gracia, 68 - 10th floor
AMNIOTIC REACTION
On July 19, 2007, Passionate, GOOD Magazine & iDOO.com presented a very special Opening Reception Event for Guilain Joncheray's "Amniotic Reaction" multimedia art installation at POWERHOUSE ARENA in DUMBO - Brooklyn.
Fabian Alsultany of GlobeSonic Sound System and DJ Jacques Renault played and Avant-Garde Electronic Music Composer o.blaat performed (using a Wii controller to control her rig whilst evolving in the powerHouse Arena space). Wines courtesy of Beaujolais, juices courtesy of Sambazon.
More Event Pix at Flickr.
