Dress Me :: Stereo @ Parkwest

::: Tonight :::

pro·cras·ti·nate

[proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh-] verb, -nat·ed, -nat·ing.

–verb (used without object)
1. to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.
–verb (used with object)
2. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

The Procrastinator's Creed

1. I believe that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already.

2. I shall never move quickly, except to avoid more work or find excuses.

3. I will never rush into a job without a lifetime of consideration.

4. I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

5. I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my obligations.

6. I truly believe that all deadlines are unreasonable regardless of the amount of time given.

7. I shall never forget that the probability of a miracle, though infinitesmally small, is not exactly zero.

8. If at first I don't succeed, there is always next year.

9. I shall always decide not to decide, unless of course I decide to change my mind.

10. I shall always begin, start, initiate, take the first step, and/or write the first word, when I get around to it.

11. I obey the law of inverse excuses which demands that the greater the task to be done, the more insignificant the work that must be done prior to beginning the greater task.

12. I know that the work cycle is not plan/start/finish, but is wait/plan/plan.

13. I will never put off until tomorrow, what I can forget about forever.

14. I will become a member of the ancient Order of Two-Headed Turtles (the Procrastinator's Society) if they ever get it organized.


Shout Out Out Out Out - Self Loathing Rulz


Tales of Mere Existence by Lev Yimaz - Procrastination

The Answering Machine - 'Light Bulbs'

While I work on other posts, plus my own work, jog, read, dance, dream and look out my window... enjoy The Anwering Machine... watch and then listen while reading other blogs.



MySpace + Hedi Slimane

Special Screening: The Darjeeling Limited

Bonus for those who have not seen it. Special screening today at Regal South Beach @ 7:40pm. Q &A with Jason Shwartzman.

Give US Control

Image taken from Ju$t Another Rich Kid. More on Ju$t Another Rich Kid soon. Or check out MODE ET UTOPIE. Thank you Riz!

Joy Division - She's Lost Control + Joy Division - Shadowplay + Do we need ANOTHER cover of this…? YES, only if it’s by Jose Gonzalez - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Park Hotell - The Guest Who Stayed Forever

This goes out to Andreas Von Scheele. Which was kind enough to grant MΞ an insightful interview (posted below). As he is from Sweden, so are these fellows. Likem'? Scroll down after Andrea's interview for another poppy video (great lighting on both) and to listen to a couple of MP3's.


Swedish-pop energy

MySpace

Interview :: Andreas Von Scheele

As contributor of all sorts to FLY DVD, Andreas Von Scheele is a young talented writer, director, photographer, editor and yes... translator. He’s written, edited and directed a remarkably anti-war short story, The Lottery. In addition to revitalizing Mario Bava’s cult classic film, Rapid Dogs, he’s also worked with Cloak, Valentino and Calvin Klein for the short stories in FLY DVD. Not to mention his directorial / editorial work and collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld on Farewell to Daylight. Here, Andreas discusses with MΞ his inspirations, past, present and future... and on not wanting to die twice:

MΞ: How did you get involved with FLY DVD?

AVS: I was first contacted by a photographer named Nicola Majocchi, a friend of mine from Bormio, Italy. He needed someone to oversee the technical aspects and DP for an editorial film he was doing for Valentino (On the FLY Zero issue.) We shot the piece and I edited it. FLY at the time was just starting out and needed an editor, so they hired me to edit Tiziano Magni’s piece for Calvin Klein and Nicholas Wagner’s piece. I also shot and edited a piece for Cloak.

MΞ: Karl Lagerfeld, Cloak, Valentino, Calvin Klein… how much do the designers have a say in these short films, i.e. Parallax View, Farewell to Daylight?

AVS: The designers contribute the costumes. Everything else is FLY and the director/photographer.

MΞ: When will we see the second part to Farewell to Daylight?

AVS: I’m game, as long as I don’t have to float naked in frigid dirty water and die twice. It’s up to FLY.

Above: Scenes from Farewell to Daylight. To view all of Andreas' short films visit his website. Yes, you will also see him "floating naked in frigid dirty water". Great music on Farewell... Plus, superb editing in Rivulet (CK) and Ascendant (Valentino), also found in his website.

MΞ: Are you much inspired by fashion as you are on horror films?

AVS: To be totally honest, I’m not very knowledgeable of either. I love a good story. I’m more a fan of old classic films like La Dolce Vita or Ingmar Bergman films. I love Through A Glass Darkly, Casablanca and Chinatown. I’m mainstream in the sense that if it’s a good film I’ll watch it over and over again, even if it’s a Zombie film. I also have a pretty high tolerance to Tarkovsky type stuff.

MΞ: Are there other aspects of film making that you would like to explore?

AVS: Comedy. And, of course, making money.

MΞ: What classic and new discovered films would you suggest?

AVS: The Apartment and Bringing Up Baby are two of my favorites. People are always surprised to hear this after seeing my work. Wong Kar Wai’s Happy Together and
Wes Anderson’s films are a great joy in my life.

MΞ: Will FLY DVD change how people view designers? Will it modify main media publishing?

AVS: Yes. Watching a short film is a lot more fun then turning the pages of a magazine. It’s also much more powerful. Designers and their marketing machines don’t see the potential yet and don’t understand that they can get great work done for the same amount of money as a photo shoot. When they notice, they will start putting more money and resources into short film. I see this happening at FLY.

MΞ: Out of all of Mario Bava’s films, why Rapid Dogs? Will it be a feature film? When will it be released?

AVS: The original Rabid Dogs, was released posthumously and it’s Bava’s best story. The script to the feature film is finished. We’re waiting for money.

MΞ: Talk to us about International Media Films? Love the website.

AVS: Thanks. I actually did the website myself using LiveType, Flash and Contribute. IMF is the passion of Alfredo Leone, a truly wonderful man. Our hope is to transition out of the film library into production. We’re looking for major funding. It’s the last piece of the puzzle. Anyone out there have about 10 million to spare? ;)

MΞ: What were your major inspirations in making The Lottery?

AVS: I wanted to do an anti-war film and I felt that most war films glorified war even when they were anti-war. So I wanted to show how destructive war could be even before any fighting started.

MΞ: You seem to capture the "create-a-mood" scene very well. How challenging is it for you to work with less experienced actors?

AVS: Thank you. I’ve been really lucky that all the inexperienced actors that I’ve worked with have been very talented. And I learned very early on that if an actor was struggling in a scene or with dialogue, it wasn’t their ability to perform or act that was the problem. I realized that there was something very wrong with the scene or with the writing or dialogue. As soon as the problem was fixed, the actors had no problem with the scene.
I think, bad acting is often just bad writing.

MΞ: What school? How long have you been doing this?

AVS: I’ve been doing this since college at Villanova ten years ago. I adapted an August Strindberg play, The Stronger into a short film. I’ve been hooked ever since.

MΞ: What do you enjoy more, editing, directing, photography, writing?

AVS: I love the directing. I really hope to have more opportunities in this direction.

MΞ: Translator???

AVS: Some how I learned Italian and I translated a novel called Scosse by Ilaria Borrelli. I also translated a script called Princess of The Sparrowhawks. It’s really tough work. I’ve turned down a few jobs, because it’s a very time consuming and mind numbing process. That said, I would probably do more translating if it meant I could move to Rome.

MΞ: Besides Rabid Dogs, Is there any special project that you are working on or would like to do?

AVS: I’ve been working on a script for 3 years called Prodigal with my writing partner Justin Daly.
Thematically, it’s about creating more evil by fighting against it. It’s this vicious circle we’re in. One day we’ll finish it.

MΞ: What's your approach to integrating songs into your work?

AVS: All trial and error. I usually start with the least likely type of music to work and then work back from
there.

MΞ: Listening?

AVS: Gogol Bordello, FatLip, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Moneybrother, The Ark and forever and always - The Kinks.

MΞ: Reading?

AVS: I’m a huge George Saunders fan. I also love Cormac McCarthy, and Mark Z. Danielewski. T.C. Boyle’s early short stories.

MΞ: Hobbies?

AVS: I try to stay in shape. I did a triathlon last year and loved it. In a perfect world I would get out and swim, bike and run more. I ran track in college and I really miss it. I try to meditate everyday, but it’s ends up being more like once a week. Meditation is something that could change the world if there wasn’t such good TV on all the time.

MΞ: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?

AVS: The subway. The E train. I just don’t know how we all get through the day. It just amazes me and I want to tell everyone’s story.

MΞ: Any colleagues or newcomers you'd like to mention that are doing distinctive work?

AVS: Photographer Darrell Taunt: http://www.darrelltaunt.com/. My wife, Willa Carroll, just published her first poem in The Tin House Magazine. She’s amazing.

MΞ: Dretheviking?

AVS: I’m Swedish. I would love to do a Viking Epic film. [See photos taken by Andreas at www.flickr.com/photos/dretheviking/ ]

MΞ: Any final words of advice?

AVS: Never give up. I wish everyone happiness!

A couple of weeks ago I posted Andreas' short film for FLY DVD and collaboration with Cloak. Below is an image and you can see it again here, just in case you missed it.



FLY DVD + Andreas Von Scheele + MySpace

Locally you can find FLY DVD magazine at one of the best boutiques in Miami... BASE. Listen to great music @ BASE and surf through their great selections of goodies from all over the world.

Park Hotell - Low on Resistance

As I was searching for more info on one of my fav NEW bands nowadays, I found this clever music blog: Eardrums, here is what he had to say... couldn't have said it better myself:

Park Hotell is a trio from this fine city, Luleå, and they have recently released their first EP on Glorycrew records, the 6 track The Guest Who Stayed Forever EP (can be bought from parasol, or as downloads here). They don’t like to be compared to anybody, so I won’t, but they play mostly upbeat indie with a strong focus on the bass and roots somewhere in the 80's and 90's , - and before I start to compare, I’ll hurry to say that some of their roots probably lived in Manchester during the 80s… I didn’t compare now, did I??

MySpace + Park Hotell - Born a Thief + Park Hotell - C Asshole (demo from myspace)

Stick to the Status Quo

Sta-tus quo: to maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are. [Works well for others]



As of late I’ve been thinking about several topics to post. I get the “general” idea that blogs are to follow a certain law: if you wanna be cool follow one simple rule, don't mess with the flow, no no stick to the status quo. One problem, now that I’ve gotten to know all my favorite blogs out there and then some, I find it hard to stick to the stuff I know. Even though I appreciate reading about the “same thing” in different arrays and all sorts of angles which makes me want to comment on every single post; how many times can I say “great” on every announcement I like, which also seems to be related to so many others? I don’t quite get how we can get accustomed to the same things, sooner or later it just all seems, I don't know... the same. Some blogs have the formula in their HTML DNA, you know what formula…! Stick to the stuff you know, it is better by far to keep things as they are, don't mess with the flow, no no stick to the status quo. BUT... would it not be great to see:

The Sartorialist write something about the non-smoking generation (do it again).
DISNEYROLLERGIRL share her favorite outfit for roller skating. Or give us her fav recipe.
Face Hunter show us some cool graffiti from all your travels. Even better, post a nice playlist of the music he plays in his myspace. Same goes to Allure (music of her blog), she always selects the right tunes.
Alice Olive post a color picture (she actually has), BUT to share with us what she listens to on her way to work, or one of her many anecdotes (assuming) of her snapping a picture while looking at the beautiful ark detailing at the building as she waits for the perfect lighting and all of a sudden someone pumps into her, would be a nice tale… or something in that variety.
Mode et Utopie sharing her views on Continental Philosophy or Lacanian Psychoanalysis.
Mrs. Fashion letting us know what latest hip-hop beat she’s nodding her head to.
The Clothes Horse sharing some trip with her family and listening to Hawaiian music. Oops, she does did. This is a great example. I really think it encourages posting comments, even though sometimes the comments seem silly… sometimes, at least mine.
Others that are cool and break the rules: libertylondongirl, DIE CULT URE!, Where do I start, Where do I begin? & F&ART
Note: Music blogs are being left alone. I believe the ones I visit are getting bank.

Don’t get me wrong, all that do stick to the status quo do it well, and maybe deep down I’m hoping I can do it as well as they all do… one day. But for now, even if it takes me awhile longer to post, I for one will not fall into re-pe-ti-tion, or at least try (exception: Joy Division)… AND my FLY DVD posts??? They have a purpose.

Taking some well advice from Mr. Federico Slivka Lederer, graphic and multimedia designer. He was interviewed by Josh Spear last week:

Be careful with repetition. It’s not good, from any point you see it. Go away from repetition, because it has a power that attracts us, that seduces us, even though we try to escape from it!

For this reason, you have to be careful; when you find yourself driving through the same streets every day to go to work, when you find yourself doing the same jokes, or stumbling at the same stones, doing the same mistakes...We are all a bit “condemned” to repetition; having that in mind, it may be easier to fight against it, to run to the other side.

Systematic, automatic, mechanic... the world we live in tends towards repetition. It’s the most normal, even if we don’t realize. Or is it that we don’t want to see it?

Repetition is a sickness in some way, but fortunately it has a cure. As you can see, I still don’t have it, since I’m repeating myself a lot... I still haven’t found it, but I suspect the answer is in the dictionary.

We all have our status quo in tune by now, hopefully. It's our foundation, our comfort zone; it's what lets us explore the unknown. It allows us to make mistakes and learn. It lets us create the new. So, before I forget. It’s only fair that I post something way utterly, somewhat uncommon of me:

As I grow up together with my little princess I’m noticing more and more that I want her to be surrounded by things that are "meaningful", I do this unconsciously. As we help her search for her status quo: she’s in a small art school; she’s exposed to music, dance and art. She’s always busy; swimming, tennis and ballet. For the last 3 months I’ve been oppose to her watching HSM… trying to delay the title… watching High School Musical pt. 1 AND 2. I guess I was in denial of somewhat. Ms. Ξ was always trying to convince me in watching it, she was so certain that I would like it. I finally caved in, and to my surprise, she was right… I enjoyed it, maybe even more than my little Ξ. It’s no wonder that Disney is going to the bank with this hit (go slowly on the last two words). What parent would not want their child to watch this well formulated musical, with dance tunes, up-to-date fashion and choreography that makes you want to get up and dance? Even though my daughter will not be having the same “colorful life” as Troy and Gabriella (thankfully), she will grow up with parents that once wanted to be Danny and Sandy, or maybe more like Sid and Nancy, without the drugs and the violence… yeah, that would be Danny and Sandy. Seriously, watching High School Musical just added more to her childish age and made me feel young at heart, which at times it’s hard to maintain, and therefore easily falling more and more into my “echoing” stage which I ALWAYS quickly get out of... thanks to my surroundings!

As a fan of music[als] and being much aware that the following video does not compare to classics as Cabaret, West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz, Moulin Rouge, A Hard Day’s Night, Spinal Tap, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Tommy, John Waters’ Hairspray, Funny Face, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Nightmare Before Christmas and many many others…

Without any further ado, I leave you with my latest guilty pleasure:

Stick to the Status Quo as seen on High School Musical pt. 1
[DO NOT] Stick to the Status Quo

So, as there are now more blogs than ice cream flavors and music genres, lets all dip in and explore. Don't forget your spoon (add M&M's) and your iPod (press shuffle).

The limits of my language means the limits of my world.
Ludwig Wittgenstein

Control The Official Movie Trailer

Yes, I know... again!? Do understand, this is all I have until two weeks. My "imaginary" friends in the UK will see the film in its entirety TODAY! Joy Division Central reports that the film will be released in the UK on October 5th and the US on October 19th. So for NOW I give you THE OFFICIAL trailer and some other goodies...
Also check out **CONTROL :: OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE**

Above ::: Control The Official Movie Trailer

Above: This is exactly why this interweb thingy was invented: this is the earliest ever recording of the song ‘love will tear us apart’ by the mighty Joy Division on the John Peel BBC radio show in 1979. It leaked just 3 days ago, but I reckon it’s an official release to coincide with the Anton Corbijn ‘Control’ film. The footage from this clip is taken from two performances around that time: one in Manchester and one in Brussels (Plank).

Above ::: Interview ::: "I didn't make a Joy Division film, I made an Ian Curtis film", indeed, indeed you did Sir Anton Corbijn ::: Director/Photographer

The best cover on this song by Susanna & the Magical Orchestra

FLY DVD pt. II

"Imagine the possibility that your conclusions are based on nothing..."


Director Andreas Von Scheele colab with Cloak

insideFLY.com + MySpace + Andreas Von Scheele

Radiohead: How much is at the end of the rainbow?

Let the hype begin!



Leave it to Radiohead to always leave us in awe with their marketing plots and schemes. In an industry ailing with trouble and a need for new creation outside the box, Radiohead has yet giving us another surprise. Letting fans pay what they might think their In Rainbow album is worth. But be wary, as there is a tempted option to purchase a “Discbox” worth £40.00 (appox. $80). To true Radiohead fans… I’m sure it’s worth it; nevertheless I have qualms due to that sooner or later it will be released in some other packaging and as we all have been burned by some deluxe or limited addition of whatever fancy us, this will sure leave a scar in all, whether it be a healing or permanent scar we are just going to have to jump in the fire loop and cheer/jeer to the tune of Radiohead.

You'll be able to pre-order your download and receive a link by October 10th (name your price). If you chose the discbox above, it will arrive after December 3rd 2007. A regular album release will be early 2008. More details here. More to come, after Oct 10th... from all over!


In all their glory!

[MP3] John Mayer + Kid A (Excellent!)

[MP3] The Darkness + Street Spirit

[MP3] Damien Rice + Creep (Acoustic)

[MP3] Mark Ronson + Just (feat. Alex Greenwald)

DEAD AIR SPACE

Vampire Weekend

No this is not how I will spend my weekend: watching vampire theme movies (Bram Stoker's Dracula, one of my many favs) nor, waiting in some cave for bats to come and bite. This is about a band from NY, NY. I myself would call it "polite punk"... if there is such a thing.

Vampire Weekend - Campus
Poor quality video and sound... but you feel the good vibe

"Vampire Weekend’s not what you’d expect from New York rock. That’s part of the point. Hear it in groups like Dirty Projectors, Animal Collective, and High Places—the city’s best independent bands are less and less serious (Interpol), less fashion conscious (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), less hatefully avant-garde (Liars) and, crucially, less concerned with rock’s rhythmic predictability (the Strokes). No terrible beauties being born, no purple verse rising up from the cracks in concrete." Last Plane to Jakarta

ALL FOUR SONGS ARE A MUST LISTEN IN THEIR MySpace, especially A-Punk (my fav) and for you always grammatically correct scholars, listen to "Oxford Comma".

Website + MySpace + Vampire Weekend - "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" (MP3) + Vampire Weekend - "Oxford Comma" (MP3)

The Easy Way

Painting by Luke Chueh

I’m not sure why I’m writing about this just yet, sometimes I like to think of myself as Alejandro González Iñárritu[1]. As my write-as-I-discover seems more gratifying to me, I never know where some of my posts will take me. At times I have an idea before I sit in front of my monitor and listen to my favorite satellite radio station[2] (playing Belle & Sebastian’s Dirty Dream Number Two). Music is indeed my inspiration for all things that matter to me and all things that matter to me eventually will evolve in some soundtrack chosen by yours truly as I drive, jog, read… and yes work and sometimes waltzing off when the conversation just seems to go nowhere. But I digress; let me start on the subject on hand…

Though I myself I’m not a smoker, but at the same time I’m not oppose to other people blowing a cloud, today I find myself pondering this needy habit. I really don’t have a lot of friends and families jump starting one another’s boggys. I do have co-workers and acquainted personalities that would probably, if giving the time, become good amigos. To them and others I now will officially vouch for the book The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. I know I know… if I don’t smoke… why have I chosen to commend so called self-help book? Like I said, I’m not sure yet. (Satellite radio playing Vampire Weekend’s A Punk)

As much as I find it sexy-cool to see someone with a ciggie in hand[3], especially if you're Mia Wallace, Kate Moss or Rita Hayworth[4], plus have the correct perfume that is well balanced for your skin type and can engage with your particular smoke and manage to light me up. Consequently hypnotizing me to reach out for a candle or matches, or go through the embarrassing trouble to ask the other mesmerized gent for his square to jump start yours… in spite of everything, I will wish that at the end of our conversation you’d rather not smoke, even if you have also figured out the correct chewing gum[5] to blend with your breath of death. Yes, your aura and stance beaming through the dark pub full of smog will guide me through your runway and at times will seem like a bumpy landing, but I have never been afraid of flying, therefore will encourage all to step away from your sabotaging comfort zone and read this book. This book allows you to keep smoking while reading and promises that you will stop once finished, not gain weight and you will not feel deprived.

I’m now realizing I have other intentions to promote this two-hundred-fifty-six page book (other then smoking is bad for you and that it could kill you). See; I have become addicted (going four years straight) to a local small cozy bar in South Beach. A bar in which some giant God surgically removed a heart from a London Pub and reincarnated a piece of New York’s East Village soul and have supplied it with the tunes as if it was selected from some music Goddess, add to its immune system fine beer selections from all worlds that are some way compatible with all who enter this heaven and you have yourself a true magnet for smokers[6]. Well, occasionally friends and Ms. Ξ will resist on going out to this bar due to the smoke and smell, as some are allergic, therefore making all of us end up at the same old trendy South Beach places[7]. So in my efforts to somehow convey all The Room[8] followers to stop smoking I have chosen to post this. I'm not really sure how it’s going to get to them, and if it does reach them, how will this effect these cloud puffing cool cats AND if by some miracle they do happen to quit, oh... will heaven ever be the same?

Editors - Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors

[1] Alejandro González Iñárritu does not have a fully set picture when starting to film. Director of Amores Perros (Love’s a Bitch), 21 Grams and Babel.

[2] Sirius’ Left of Center… can’t live with out it.

[3] Nothing sexier than to see someone in the correct cigarette stance. One of the main reasons that teenagers smoke… to look “cool”.

[4] Names have been changed to preserve identity.

[5] I personally prefer mints. The site of any fe[male] chewing gum is not atttractive.

[6] At times the magnet pulls some obscure objects, although heaven is a place for all. I at times want it all to myself!

[7] I refuse to name these trendy-purgatories (hopefully they will stay there) known as the “it” place to be and be seen… please.
[8] Going strong since 2003! Crowd has changed a bit, but still faithfull. Early weekdays or latenights are the best times to beat the crowd.

Inspired by Jake Fogelnest of Sirius Radio Left of Center. Good luck tomorrow on your first day on being cigarette free. I know you can do it!

FLY DVD pt. III

You are so full of it… the romantic, flowers, man with a pig mask (my fav), silent man, charming man, alone



insideFLY.com + MySpace

What is that we are looking for!?

Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find...


The Church - Under The Milky Way
And its something quite peculiar,
Something thats shimmering and white
Leads you here despite your destination...

Late of the Pier

Something new… straight from the UK!

It’s Friday! Get ready to dance!


Late of the Pier – Bathroom Gurgle

MySpace

FLY DVD pt. IV

FLY DVD, a cutting-edge media publication dedicated to the world of fashion. Each issue is absolutely packed with incredible high-definition visual footage in the form of more than a dozen short films that serve to capture the essence of fashion lines by designers such as Yohji Yamamoto, Zac Posen, Yves Saint Laurent, Cloak and Marc Jacobs. I've seen FLY DVD's Zero Issue and was totally blown away to say the least.


Let it play through mid way... color + music = eye candy

FLY is the product of love for film, photography, music, fashion, art and culture. It is a platform for collaboration between established and emerging talent from all creative fields.

insideFLY.com + MySpace

Interpol Live :: Tonight

This is the only thing that matters today!

Great night to take out your skinny ties... (and holsters, if you prefer Carlos D's passe look)!

Above: Stencil art created by Shepard Fairey of OBEY.

No I in Threesome

Above: Very entertaining interview

Below:: Carlos D [Part 1 + 2]... composed and just being himself... with gestures and all

INTERPOL.com

INTERPOL.com

PS: Sorry to Sam Fogarino (drummer) for the non video interview coverage. Did not want to over do it with videos. But I do think he is the best dresser of the band. He wears the best vintage custom made suits made by Sinner/Saint.

Inspiration: Hedi Slimane

The funny thing about some of my research is that I discover things that are one way another related. I’m aware that this post has a lot going on, but I assure you that everything is tied into a minimal degree of separation…


My Space / Hedi Slimane

I’m motivated to post for a garçon brillant who has a vision unlike any other. From Collections Director at Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Homme in 1997 to being the Chief Designer at Dior from 2000 – 2007 and having a great ear for music taste[1] and a keen eye for photography[2], plus creating the costumes for Daft Punk. This lean design machine is on his own now and venturing into his exhibits[3]. Soon after he left Dior, he joined his friend Gus Van sant and started an amazing project called “Young American”. Recently (Sept. 13th) Hedi joined forces with Wallpaper*, he will be guest editing the well-put-together art magazine[4].


Wallpaper*.com

[1] These New Puritans + The Paddingtons + The Kills + Eight Legs + The Rakes
[2] Portrait of a Performer + London Birth of Cult + Stage + Berlin + Intermission +
[3] Upcoming exhibition in November at Gallery Almine Rech, in Paris, January 2008, in Tokyo, at Koyanagi Gallery, and May 2008 at Musac Contemporary Art Museum in Spain.
[4] Also guest editing: legendary artist Jeff Koons, and influential post war designer Dieter Rams.


T-shirt by Henry Holland.co.uk

If you love music + fashion + art, a must visit awaits you to Mr. Slimane’s site.
Hedi Slimane.com check out ROCK DAIRY PROJECTS and PLAYLIST. Listen in particular to These New Puritans (watch the video). Also his Diary, great b/w pics!

PS: Another unexpected discovery is that Hedi Slimane does not smoke, do drugs or drink. As I once commented on Sanddancer’s blog as well disneyrollergirl’s blog; it comes to show you that we do not have to be under the influence of anything besides your mind to be artistic, imaginative and inventive. Slimane channels his creativity through the diverse art forms and truly expresses it in the most successful way… Pathos + Ξthos = Logos!

To be continued…

I’ll leave you with a nice tune from These New Puritans

These New Puritans - Elvis

MORRISSEY Live in Miami!

A couple of months ago one of my favorite artists performed in Boca Raton, FL. You might have heard of him... unfortunately I did not get to see Morrissey. Due to work I could not make it to Boca. I was devastated, as I was when Interpol released their first tour dates and did not include Miami. I was planning to see him in New York in October and I just discovered that MORRISSEY WILL BE PERFORMING IN MIAMI @ http://www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/263/ on NOVEMBER 8th. His final tour date in the US.

I have to thank Live Nation for going all out and bringing music artists to the people. The Fillmore Miami Beach is a great venue brought to us by the world’s largest music company. Hopefully now Miami will see more class live acts!

Thank you Live Nation!


Morrissey - My Love Life

Live Nation Press Release + Live Nation.com+ The Fillmore Miami Beach

VIVA MORRISSEY!

The National

"Gothic in its detailing but jaunty in its execution, Boxer is something far richer than orch-pop".
(translation: rock 'n' roll topped with violins)


I know... not the best dressers...

Yes... their album Boxer is better then the rest, but you will not regret listening to their prior albums, in particular their 2005 release Alligator... one word: BEAUTIFUL!


The National - Apartment Story get ready to dance @ 2:25 thru the video

Goes to show you that all you need is a good beat and guitars and you are ready for a good dance... oh, and someone who has the guts to brake the ice and start it all... such as the lady with the nice patent red mary janes... she also knows when to stop.

MySpace + The National

Banned Books

and come what may... ended with Morrissey...

I’ve been researching my latest book[1] to read and I came across some posters on books we’ve always heard were banned. Seeing them on these two posters reminded of matters that I was more conscious about when I was more of a free-spirit[2]. All of these books are classics! It amazes me of how censorship does no good, and if anything, it makes us desire the undesirable more! It makes me believe that the ban theory is a hoax just to sell the banned product itself (i.e. Harry Potter). Some way or another, the people behind these so called committees and organizations to band books have to feel some guilt as their constricted mind works on telling authors what they can write; and readers and students what they can read. To ban books such as Ulysses, Leaves of Grass, The Catcher in the Rye, AND come to find out… James and the Giant Peach[3]!!!??? And so many others have been unlawfully vetoed that this, in its own way should be a crime. Looking back to all banned books, it probably held us back literally for years. Who knows what and how many books would have been written. Imagine how many other inspirational songs Morrissey[4] could have written and not to mention the movies that Hollywood would have made. Nonetheless, banned or not, good literature will always prevail, as well as any art form that is scrutinized by censorship and suppression[5].



I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Evelyn Beatrice Hall (not Voltaire)


The posters above were designed by the artist Chuck Close, used and posted around New York for the famous Freedom Concert in New York. You can download high resolution PDFs here and here.

[1] Junot Diaz, Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. More on him soon!

[2] Still free-spirited. But belonging to another free-spirit and hoping one day that my little one will encompass mine into her own free-spirit ways.

[3] One of my favorite authors and books, Roald Dahl and his book James and the Giant Peach. I just cannot believe this was banned!

[4] Some books THAT inspired Morrissey (some books inspired BY Morrissey): How Soon is Never? By Marc Spitz, The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell, A Taste of Honey: A Play by Shelagh Delaney, The Lion In Love by Shelagh Delaney, By Grand Central Station I Sat Down And Wept by Elizabeth Smart, The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery (appears in the Suedehead video), The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland, Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall, James Dean Is Not Dead by Morrissey and many more.

Even though the books above were not banned, I assure you that enough material in some was sufficient to submit for censorship, i.e. The Well of Loneliness and Trainspotting. Morrissey REALLY didn't need any banned books to inspire him... it just so happened that I remembered Le petit prince and decided to mention Suedehead.

[5] Don’t let me get started in the art and music industry!

Morrissey - Suedhead

The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000

Original Sources for Morrissey’s Lyrics

Rubin... THE Savior?

This past Sunday I started to read an interesting article on Rick Rubin, mega producer and founder of the now defunked Def Jam. Supposedly he is the savior of the troubled record industry. I'm not sure what to think about Rick Rubin anymore. Well, the article started great, but really, the only thing I can conclude is that he got a great deal, his contract conditions with Columbia is a dream and how he loves the Gossip. Sony and Columbia has replaced well-knowledge music staff with high-paid executives and have tried to compensate it by Rubin’s hippie-spiritual-rub-my-ears and belly persona.

What I found the most interesting: “This summer, Columbia Records began a program called Big Red. The company invited 20 college students from Harvard, Penn State and the University of Miami to work on various music projects”, one being a focus group.

"The kids all said that: [which we all know]

a) no one listens to the radio anymore
b) they mostly steal music, but they don't consider it stealing
c) they get most of their music from iTunes on their iPod.

They also said that MySpace is over, it's just not cool anymore; Facebook is still cool, but that might not last much longer; and the biggest thing in their life is word of mouth. That's how they hear about music, bands, everything."

Honestly, I just don’t see how this guy is our savior…
Talking about some common opera singer from London that was discovered in the British version of American Idol, and him wanting to create a buzz on him before the album drops in the states. I don’t know, I understand there is a market for this, maybe I'm not in any way into popular shit as much. But I'm thinking longevity, Rubin is thinking about...? You tell me. Reviving the Chili Peppers, Cash and Diamond. Next up, Phish? Creed? Hootie? The Offspring? Look, I respect what he's done, especially with Def Jam... Let's see what he'll do at Columbia. As for the Gossip, hopefully he will not let them down.

Must reads on this:
Stereogum on Rick Rubin You can also see the video of the opera singing dude!

The Lefsetz Letter First in Music Analysis
Bob Lefsetz is to damn good!

New York Times Magazine: The Music Man

Interpol: "Mammoth" Video

Just a glimpse of what we'll see Sept. 19th @ The Bank United Center @ UM!

The background seems rather familiar. Rather not say what concert it reminds me of... hmmm?

Update soon on opening act Liars!

Endorsement: Miami Metrorail

Local post... Staying local, for once! ALL ABOOOOARD!



Even though the now existing Miami Metrorail system is limited to certain areas, I’m sure everyone can find a way to reap the benefits, other than commuting to work. Last week on my day off I decided to take the Miami Metrorail. I hopped in my car with three things that we cannot live without these days: cellular, camera and iPod. I felt excited and liberated as I drove towards the Metro Station. Even though it was a one day adventure, I felt I was going on vacation… by myself. I mean… I packed a bag, paid for a parking space, bought a ticket and went through a gate. How could I not feel I was on holiday? Honestly, the journey was sort of an out-of-Miami experience. Maybe it had to do with the nonchalant day I decided to have, maybe it was the people coming in and out of the train. Possibly not being stuck in traffic and deciding to head to Sunset Place to catch a movie was a good one-day vacation to take! Just not being in my car and not listening to wind whooshing between my songs AND having a chauffeur for a day was definitely a feeling of carpe diem. I felt tranquility listening to yet another self-made soundtrack chosen by my iPod (shuffle mode). The music synchronizing itself with the movement of the metro and the visual affects beaming through each window, was a positive indication that it was going to be no ordinary day. Ah, and is it not nice just to listen to the sound of the railroad tracks as the music fades away or as it abruptly stops, just to start shortly after, keeping me in my own recording studio.


Art in Public Places Above: Inspired by the orientation of the Palmetto Metrorail Station, Miami artist Robert Huff conceived East/West to harmonize with the busy lifestyle of passengers on their daily commute. The hand glazed ceramic tiles provide a visual system linked to the change of light and color throughout the day. Upon entering the platform, the variations of color on the support system reflect the warm colors of the rising sun. As passengers return to the station, they are greeted by colors reminiscent of the setting sun that progress from the hot colors of the late afternoon to the cool blues of the evening.

Perhaps I sound too enthuse about my metro experience. Compared to New York, London, France and other model cities, this encounter with my local transportation system doesn’t seem significant. But it did have me thinking. For one, Miami public transit is not as bad as I thought. Especially with gas prices as high as they are we should be using the metro more. I’m sure none of this is innovative, but my next date: not telling Ms. Ξthos where we are headed, park the car and hop on the metro. Also, next concert? Gather everyone and metro-bound it is! Next theatre play? Yes, the metro! Next amusement ride with my daughter? You guessed it, the metro! Actually, as I’m writing this, the next metro ride will be to see Interpol at The Bank United Center at the University of Miami, which is Wednesday, Sept. 19th. Can’t wait!

I also can’t wait for The MIC (Miami Intermodal Center) to be completed in 2011. Although the MIC will not put Miami next to those other advanced transportation cities, it will take a leap into making Miami a more developed multi-cultural destination. The MIC Program consists of a Rental Car Center, the Miami Central Station, major roadway improvements, the MIA Mover, and a joint development component. It will provide connectivity for residents and visitors of Miami-Dade County and the South Florida region, where none existed, between the transportation systems in the Palm Beaches, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and the Florida Keys, as well as decongest the streets in and around the busy airport.

Connectivity and decongestion... just what Miami needs!

Taking a well deserved break...? Priceless!

Viva Mondays Amigos!

So I hear it was a rough Monday, and if it wasn’t, I'm sure you've had yours. But does it not feel good just to get home and feel alive? Smell the B.O. of your significant other's hard day sweat, especially if AC is not part of your picture-perfect-work-environment? And listen to their passionate stories of work and how we already wish it was Friday? This is what is so good about having friends like you all. We can't wait to get together and talk about our not-so-good-times AND great times at work, on the street, what we ate, what's happening in the world, universe, space, etc. Having a beer or two and just hoping we all had longer days off just don’t happen as much as we would like them to. Let's face it; we can't live without Mondays just as much as we can't live without good friends!

So here is to Blue Mondays and good friends... like you!

PS: Promotions for all soon. If not... here are the next loto #'s 19 22 28 30 42 50

Above New Order - Blue Monday (original 1983)
Uploaded by casual_culture

Joy Division Part II: Out of Control

A Joy Division fan MySpace has announced the soundtrack for upcoming Ian Curtis biopic Control.

Control soundtrack:

1. New Order - "Exit"

2. The Velvet Underground - "What Goes On"

3. The Killers - "Shadowplay" (Joy Division Cover)

4. The Buzzcocks - "Boredom" (live)

5. Joy Division - "Dead Souls"

6. Supersister - "She Was Naked"

7. Iggy Pop - "Sister Midnight"

8. Joy Division - "Love Will Tear Us Apart"

9. Sex Pistols - "Problems" (live)

10. New Order - "Hypnosis"

11. David Bowie - "Drive In Saturday"

12. John Cooper Clarke - "Evidently Chickentown"

13. Roxy Music - "2H.B."

14. Joy Division - "Transmission" (Cast Version)

15. Kraftwerk - "Autobahn"

16. Joy Division - "Atmosphere"

17. David Bowie - "Warszawa"

18. New Order - "Get Out"

Also soon to be released, a very limited edition book of Joy Division shots by Kevin Cummins.

And finally, NME.com also reports that Joy Division will hit us with a brand spankin' new single called "Love Will Tear Us Apart" on September 24. I hear it's pretty good.

Control (2007) TEASER
Uploaded by scootaway

Joy Division fan MySpace + Paste: New Order spars as Corbijn exudes Control

Thank you PASTE & Pitchfork