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Secret Beirut Show, Brooklyn 9/19/07 |
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NOTES ON NEW CULTURE
THE
EVERYBODY TALK ABOUT POP MUSIC ISSUE
Tuesday, OCTOBER 23, 2007 |
JAMIE T
Jamie T, who is already a national treasure in his native UK, has finally released his critically acclaimed album "Panic Prevention" in the USA. Part Mike Skinner, part Billy Bragg, Jamie spits out tales of his working class London life in an uncompromising cockney accent. At only 21 years old, Jamie has already been nominated for the UK's most prestigious music prize, The Mercury. Be sure to pick up his album and check him out live when he comes back to the states. At hIs recent NYC show at Bowery Ballroom, he delivered a stellar performance to hundreds of screaming Jamie T devotees, all while chucking his famous [cassette!] mixtapes into the crowd. This country has already embraced Lily Allen! Jamie T is next! Get on board. -AL
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BEFORE THEY WERE HUGE…
DARLIN'
Ever heard of a French band called Darlin'? No? What about Phoenix or Daft Punk? "Duh!" you say? Well, I have news for you, Darlin' IS Phoenix and Daft Punk. Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (now Daft Punk) joined forces with Laurent Broncowitz (now a guitarist in Phoenix) at school in 1987 when they realized that they shared the same love for bands like The Beach Boys and The Stooges. They formed Darlin', a three-piece outfit playing gritty guitar rock. The group was slammed by the music critics and a journalist from Melody Maker even called Darlin' just a bunch of "daft punks." This was how Thomas and Guy-Manuel first came up with a name for the electronic duo they formed in 1993. Laurent moved on and joined his brother Christian's band Phoenix. Amen. -AL
FLAKE MUSIC
Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, everyone flocked to one record store: Bow Wow Records. I would go there every weekend to stock up on CD's, posters, and Grand Royal Magazines. Behind the counter of my favorite record shop was a grizzled happy go-lucky sales associate named Marty. Everyone around town knew that Marty was in a band called Flake Music (there aren't that many bands in Albuquerque) and that they had an album out that was sold locally. Flake Music eventually changed their name to The Shins. The rest is history. Get a Flake Music album on Ebay to hear The Shins in their absolute purist form. -AL
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HEDI SLIMANE'S DIARY
Hedi Slimane has long been an icon in the fashion world as former head designer for Dior Homme. What a lot of people don't know about Slimane is the fact that he is just as passionate about photography as he is fashion design. In the Diary section of his official website, Slimane shares his work with the world and we aren't talking about a few selected shots. Click on a calendar date to view all of the photos he took that day. You will see everything from stylish young boys in the Parisian clubs to rocker Pete Doherty petting a kitten. Each stunning Slimane image is is a work of art in itself, and is a wonderful way to have a peek into the everyday life of a creative genius. -AL
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CELESTE MAGAZINE
Think that Mexico is only cheap fish tacos and sorority sisters getting sloppy on Spring Break? Think again. Mexico City has become a creative hotbed of late and Celeste Magazine is a product of this exciting new movement. The magazine features a unique Latin American perspective on fashion, art, music, and culture and the photographs are absolutely incredible. You can't find Celeste at your local newsstand yet-it is only available in the USA at selected American Apparel stores and from their online shop. -AL
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SHINJI AOYAMA
Shinji Aoyama is one of Japan's most celebrated experimental film directors and a large collection of his older work has finally been released in the USA on DVD. Aoyama is best known for his groundbreaking art house classic "Eureka", which tells the story of two teens being hijacked on a bus by a crazed killer. It became an instant crowd favorite at Cannes and Aoyama was awarded two prizes at the festival in 2005. He has continued to release films about some very bizarre and interesting subject matter. In one of his most recent releases, "Eri Eri rema sabakutani" a deadly virus plagues the world in the year 2015 and the only hope for saving the planet are a group of musicians who attack the virus by playing noise music. A majority of Aoyama's films are now available on Netflix. Rent one today. -AL
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3030
3030 Press is a new Hong Kong-based publishing house that is out to achieve one goal: educate the international community about contemporary visual Chinese culture through the release of compelling art books. 3030's first release "New Photography In China", showcases the work of thirty Chinese photographers under the age of thirty, and their unique visions have made quite an impact. The book is currently being sold around the world and a large scale exhibition of its featured work will take place at the Hong Kong City Festival in 2008. The team behind 3030 want the world to know that there is more to Chinese art than Buddha statues and Mao icons, and by the way things are going, it won't be long before they succeed. -AL
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KID NATION
"Kid Nation," the new runaway hit for the fall season, is by far the best show on television. Forty kids aged 8-14 were planted in an old western town with the challenge to run it for forty days with no adult supervision. Every child cast on this show is clever and endearing, and when asked about world issues, can debate more articulately than our current president. Only time will tell if they can run "Bonanza City" successfully for forty days, but I doubt any of the show's followers really care. As long as the kids don't turn on each other a la Lord of The Flies we will be watching faithfully till the very end.
"Kid Nation" is on CBS Wednesday nights. -AL
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JORDAN MATTOS
In this day and age where the young fashion set are always clamoring to wear the latest creation that no one else owns, t-shirt designer Jordan Mattos has created quite a stir. Mattos pens custom made shirts by hand and will create anything that his customer fancies in his trademark ghostly type and fairy tale drawing style. He has been commissioned by everyone from Middle Eastern fashion mags to stylish friends like Chloe Sevigny who recently included her Mattos-designed Fassbinder shirt in her list of favorite things for VICE Magazine. If you would like Jordan to design a t-shirt for you, he would be happy to do it. Just log on to his website and he'll sketch you a wearable story. -AL
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CARTIER PANTHÈRE RING
Still under the impression that Cartier is only for your grandmother? Think again. The legendary French jeweler's Panthère collection is making a comeback with the young and affluent. Each art deco styled piece oozes with equal parts bling and individuality and are definitely not for the wallflower who doesn't want to be noticed. Forget about paying this months rent — jewelry pieces from the Panthère collection are both classic and edgy, which makes it a very worthwhile investment.
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MOUNTAIN DEW GREEN LABEL
If you're like me, the last Mountain Dew advertising campaign you can remember involved some extreme sports athletes barreling down a hill on a BMX, "doing the dew" when they reached the bottom. And that was in the mid-nineties. Fast forward to present day, where everyone's favorite acid green beverage has launched a full-on image overhaul. They have commissioned several Los Angeles street artists to design custom Mountain Dew bottles and are calling it Green Label Art. Visit the campaign's website to view all of the original label designs as well as videos by artists like Chuck Anderson, Jeff Staple, Methamphibian, and Chris Pastras. -AL
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INTERNET RADIO… FROM MY MACBOOK TO YOURS
Yes, I know, in these modern times it is difficult to weed through all of the internet radio streams/downloads/podcasts etc. without screaming in frustration. However, you should not let this content overload prohibit you from exploring all that this world of cyber brilliance has to offer you. There ARE other stations beyond those coming through on your iTunes Radio section and here are some of my favorites: -AL
-Viva Radio
Owned by American Apparel but run by the people. Stream archived shows by Flavorpill, Caroline Records and many others.
-SkyRock
The KROQ of France. French pop music is amazing… check it out.
-Beats In Space
DFA's Tim Sweeney hosts a weekly radio show on WNYU in New York City. On his website, you can listen to all past episodes which feature guest DJ sets by artists like James Murphy and Joakim.
-FBI Radio
Australia's publicly owned indie station. The playlists are a good balance of international buzz bands and local Aussie artists. Australian bands are hot right now.
-The Colette website
While you are shopping online for some of the coolest things out there, stream some of the coolest new music out there on the Colette player. You can also listen to the top five tracks that were played in the store last week.
-AOL Radio "All R. Kelly" Station
Pretty self explanatory.
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BENNETON GRAVEUR
This century-old engraver and seller of fine stationary has long been a Parisian treasure. Step through its doors on Boulevard Malesherbes to experience a world that is thought by many to be extinct. Customers can purchase fine stationary, exquisite pens, leather goods, engraving, and bronze casts, all of the same fine quality that was available when Benneton first opened its doors in 1880. Style maven Sofia Coppola visits the shop often, and recently purchased note cards featuring French and American flags to give to her boyfriend, Thomas Mars of the Parisian band Phoenix. You don't have to be in Paris to shop at Benneton Graveur, you can place orders by email from their website.
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FLATBUSH FARM
Flatbush Farm is the latest trendy eatery to set up shop in Brooklyn but unlike many of its predecessors, the food is unique and delicious. The theme of Flatbush Farm is that of stylish old farm nostalgia. The menu features hearty dishes such as duck choucroute and wild hare ragout pappardelle (try cooking THAT in your McKibben Loft kitchen, Brooklyn hipster!) and antique farm objects decorate the warm and homey space. The back of the restaurant opens into a vast and lush garden; the perfect setting for enjoying one of their eccentric beers on tap. Flatbush Farm is located at 76 Saint Marks Avenue (@ 6th Avenue and Flatbush), Brooklyn.
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WARSAW VS. KRAKOW
This summer, my travels led me to quite a magical place: Poland. I find it puzzling that more tourists don't visit this enchanting country. The people are friendly and charming, the landscape is incredible, and the exchange rate is amazing. Unlike pretty much every other European country, Poland is not tainted by a thriving tourist industry that traps visitors in expensive cities with suffocating crowds of fellow travelers. I would highly recommend a trip to Poland to almost anyone. Just don't expect a shopping mecca (poorly made Forever 21-esque clothing is pretty much all anyone wears), a thriving music and arts scene (most Polish kids listen to metal, and Metallica is still their favorite band) or any kind of historical architecture in the Warsaw area (I really hope I don't have to explain that one). Below is my guide to Poland's two largest cities and some of my favorite things in them. -AL
::: WARSAW
1. Kaplica Czaszek (Chapel of Skulls)
OK, so it's not exactly in Warsaw, but this chapel is well worth the day trip. Over 3,000 skulls and bones decorate this amazing chapel which was built in the 18th century by local priest Vaclav Tomaek. He wanted parishioners to have a constant reminder of the deadly consequences of war.
Located in the town of Kadowa-Zdrój.
2. Bazar na Kole
This local flea market is held every weekend and is THE place in Warsaw to pick up anything from Prussian helmets and Bulgarian DVD's to grandfather clocks and cheap vinyl.
ul. Obozowa 99
3. Marriott Hotel All You Can Eat Dessert Buffet
From Sernik (cheesecake) to Pope's Cake, this buffet has it all!
4. Oskar
Poland's best fast food chain. If you want to fit in with the locals, order a zapiekanka: a half-toasted baguette topped with melted cheese, mushrooms and sauce (it's considered the Polish pizza).
Locations everywhere
5. BrowArmia
A charming micro-brewery that serves some of the best beer in town. Warning: late nights can get rowdy at BrowArmia when Stag Night parties from the UK start to flood the place in Elvis and Chewbacca costumes.
ul. Królewska 1
::: KRAKOW
1. Las Wolski (Wolski Forest)
Rent a bike downtown and head toward the west hills to the Wolski Forest. Leave from Wawel Castle and cycle south along the river, turning right at the Nobertine monastery. The forest contains several war monuments and a zoo.
2. Noworolski Cafe
This historic restaurant is decorated with exquisite art nouveau paintings by Josef Mehoffer and just so happened to be Lenin's favorite hang out, where he frequently entertained his wife and mistress.
Rynek Glówny 1
3. Jama Michalika
The trendy meeting spot for all involved in the Mloda Polska art movement. It is also here that Poland's first cabaret, "The Green Balloon" was created.
ul. Florianska 45
4. Czartoryski Museum
Poland's most celebrated art museum and home of countless treasures from the 13th through the 16th centuries, including Rembrandt's "Landscape with the Good Samaritan" and the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting "Lady with an Ermine."
ul. sw. Jana 19
5. Plac Nowy
This is REAL Krakow. Once the city's Jewish neighborhood, it is now a cluster of unkept buildings and and scrappy market stalls. Plac Nowy is said to be the only place in Krakow where one can purchase horse meat and working class locals can be found during the day, ordering food through grimy hole in the wall establishments scattered throughout the square. After night fall, the university crowd takes over Plac Nowy, strolling from pub to pub clutching their textbooks.
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Benjamin Kosman
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Creative Director, Editorial Coordination
Angele Larroque
angele.passionate@gmail.com
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Pauline de Lassus
Art Direction
Anthony Bonamassa
Hanna Chang
Web Development
Wovenshade
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