It's been awhile since we've heard a new track from the Swedish sweetheart Lykee Li, but wait no more, she's got some new stuff circulating and it's goooood for your ears.
She's got a new EP out featuring a new single and b-side called Get Some/Paris Blue up for download on her web site, and guess what? IT'S FREE! So click on over there and get your Lykee on...
Will and Jada definitely know how to raise some kids! 9 year old Willow Smith just released her first music video for her single "Whip My Hair." It's hard to believe you're listening to someone who wasn't alive when we were partying in 1999.
She's like a little Rihanna in the making, besides being signed to Jay-Z's label, she divas it up in front of the camera with her cool and quirky fashion sense. In the video she sports a mohawk, a braided heart, and long braids that are a makeshift paint brush for her hair whipping-Pollock like designs.
I'm not gonna lie, this is a pretty dope video. The killer hook "I whip my hair back and forth" repeated for the chorus is sure to be a club and dance explosion. People are gonna be whipping their hair everywhere.
This past weekend was crazzzyyy, and amfm is ready for action this week! Gotta get ready for the Serve 60-amfm event coming up in November, and start planning the next issue of the mag. In the midst of all the craziness, I got to check out some dope art.
Went to an art show in Sacramento at the Phono Select record and music store, which I must say is a pretty nice spot; It just opened in September. They have some sweet records, some underground music, cheap CD's and plenty of trinkets and good reads to check out while you're browsing.
The show featured artists, Shaun Burner, and Waylon Horner. Their art styles meshed well together with their crazy pattern-like mazes and metropolis structures on wood and paper. It's amazing what can happen when a marker meets a hand.
I got a picture of one of the artists, Shaun Burner by one of my favorite pieces, a face done in black marker on white paper, so simple in essence but yet so striking. I was immediately drawn to it's whimsical detail and bold image of the face.
It was a good time. There was a nice crowd, nice vibe, and DJs, Riff Raff and Whores,spun and set the tone for a happening night.
Animal Collective's music and accompanying music videos music are always a trip. They have a celestial feel to them, and you can't help but find yourself entranced. Even their album art for Merriweather Post Pavilion was eye provoking, the patterns playing tricks on you.
Their lastest video installment from the album for their song "Bluish" came out earlier this week on their web site. As beautiful as it is strange, it is quite simply the shit, so check it out below..
Fall is in bloom. The temperature and the leaves are changing. The jackets are coming out, and the Toms are coming off...
For all you Toms lovers out there that were about to put away your summer Toms, the good for all shoes have got a new installment of styles fit for the fall season.
Toms is featuring a new set of high top Toms Botas, and autumn-inspired fabrics like corduroy, twill and wool and is rich with warm colors. One addition least expected is the women's Toms wedge shoe. I'm not a big fan of wedges, but Toms can get away with it, maybe...
Are you ready for Kanye? Are you ready for Good Music Fridays? In honor of his upcoming album release, West has stated that he will be releasing tracks every friday from now until the release.
This past Friday he set "Monster" loose, which is a bumpin track featuring Rick Ross, Jay Z, Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver, yes Bon Iver! This song goes soooo hard. Everyone flows insane on it, boasting and banging beats. Nicki Minaj goes CRAZY, but I like it...Looks like Kanye's gonna do it again. Let him boast all he wants if he's making beats like this one!
This is Anie. She's awesome! She was styling at the show at the Rickshaw this weekend with a killer combo. Stripes, Leopard and Fishnets OH MY! She showed class through the pattern clash, and it worked! Work it...
This weekend has been all things music for amfm! Saw a show in San Francisco at the Rickshaw Stop this weekend put on by Pretty Blue Presents and loved every bit of it! Each set had me dancing in a musical fervour. We checked out a set from Sister Crayon, Religious girls, Rainbow Arabia, and a DJ duo that knows how to make you sweat, Lazer Sword.
(Sister Crayon)
Sister Crayon as always puts on a great set. Was mesmerized by the drum machine in "Here We Never Die" and the beautifully haunting vocals from front woman Terra Lopez. You could truly feel the music as the bass vibrated through the bodies of those standing in the front row.
(Religious Girls, photo courtesy of Harlee DeMeerleer)
Religious Girls are an indie band with a metal edge. These three guys, not girls, put on a fun set as they banged on their drums and chanted like three brothers from a tribe. These guys started performing in basements, and their humble beginnings shine through on stage.
(Rainbow Arabia, photo courtesy of Harlee DeMeerleer)
Rainbow Arabia aka Danny and Tiffany Preston, is a husband and wife duo that knows how to bring their passion for music and each other together. The result is amazing! Front woman, Tiffany is what would happen if Karen O and M.I.A. had a love child. She got the audience pumped with a whistle and her charisma on stage as she danced with her mic cord. Have not been able to stop listening to "I Know I See I Love."
(Lazer Sword, photo courtesy of Harlee DeMeerleer)
The headliner for the night, Low Limit and Lando Kal of Lazer Sword kept the crowd jumping for an hour and a half set! Everyone was moving, fist pumping and sweating through their fashionable garb. It was so bittersweet to have the night end, and I've been dancing every since!
Chicago's InkRed University and Tuna Crackers proudly presents their newest hip-hop hybrid cool kid, Kellen "Klassik" Abston. This emcee, producer, saxist and musical prodigy, just released his first EP, Death of a Beatmaker yesterday, and it is taking everyone's ears by storm.
Klassik doesn't make beats, he makes music. He combines the elements of his saxophone training, and self taught piano skills, to the likes of hip-hop riffs and rhymes. Already a name in the jazz community, Klassik has performed at jazz festivals around the nation and globe.
Having shared the stage with the likes of Lupe Fiasco and The Cool Kids, his hip-hop is taking him to new heights. Joining forces with Tuna Crackers and fellow emcee Karl "Oye" Iglesias of InkRed University, Klassik was able to share with the world his love for all things music.
Oye is featured on the EP on track two, "Chasing Fame," which is all too true when you're trying to make it and catch your dreams. Klassik's pure talent shines through with each track, so chances are he won't be chasing it for long.
Check out the Klassik and the EP and support amfm's MKE folk!
Okay, so this week brought in a slew of new videos! So amfm is recapping this week's new video releases.
Kanye is back more powerful than ever in his latest release "Power" from his upcoming album tentatively called Good Ass Job. The video premiered yesterday on VEVO, and has been creating a buzz ever since. Short and sweet, the video is like a painting come to life. West is strong-statured and the Midsummer Night's Dream-like beauties are ethereal.
Rihanna and Eminem are lying left and right with the newest video for the single off of Eminem's new album, "Love the Way You Lie," which also premiered on VEVO yesterday. Rihanna is red hot with fire and her striking red hair. The video also features Megan Fox as the angry girlfriend.
The Hundred in the Hands leave Dredsen behind and get their party on in their latest video "Pigeons." Red party cup in hand, the video focuses on a drunken young lady, who stumbles around the party and eventually spews her guts out and wanders aimlessly around town at night. I think we've all been there...if only the rest of us could spew glittery confetti! Not sure where the pigeons come in though...
Do you like strangers? Do you like it when strangers stare or smile at you? Do you like drugs?? If you do, check out Ratatat's new video for "Drugs" off of their latest release LP4. Such an odd video...It's like being in an awkward situation, and I don't know if it's just me but it seems like the more smiling they do, the more distorted their faces become...and no I am not on drugs.
Janelle Monae is the it girl of pop and soul right now. It seems like everyone is talking about her, her tightropes, her many moons, and now she's giving you something new to talk about in her latest video "Cold War." The video showcases the bare minimum of Monae. It's simply a close up of Monae's beautiful face singing.
That Lil' Wayne, he gets us every time! So we fell in love with the Clockwork mash-up of The Office theme song and Lil Wayne's Hustla Musik awhile ago. So what do you get when you combine 500 Days of Summer and Lil' Wayne? 500 Days of Weezy!
Our most recent obsession is My Sick Uncle's mix of Lil' Wayne and the 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack. Another unlikely combination, but it somehow works! And it's sooo good! Using a play on words with the subtitle of the movie, "this is not a mash up album, this is an album about Wayne." And it is, there's even interview footage with Wayne talking and getting real.
The whole thing flows and a is truly a good listen and worth a download. Hear Lil' Wayne rap over tunes from Temper Trap, Morrisey and Simon and Garfunkel, say what! Check it out right now cause it's streaming right here!
26 year old designer Brian Lichtenberg is living the dream. Young and at the top of his game, Lichtenberg has dressed some powerhouses in the music business, like Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, M.I.A, Santigold and Beyonce. It can only mean one thing when the fiercest of the fierce, and the coolest of the cool want to wear your clothes...Lichtenberg is a clothing god.
Whether you're chillin' in a tee or getting glammed up, Lichtenberg has got it covered. His comfortable and cool tank tops, shirts and leggings are by no means basic. His prints and designs are eye catching and range from neutral colors to vibrant patterns and hues. His dresses are statement pieces with their sparkles and silhouettes.
He's got a lot on his plate right now in the fashion sense. He's teamed up with Android Homme for some sick sneakers, and he will be the first Forever 21 collaboration. Forever 21 is taking it's cue from Target and H&M, and has brought Lichtenberg in to make 12 awesome pieces to add to your wardrobe.
There has been much speculation, but no definite release date or first looks. But if you think his designer duds are worthwhile, imagine what the Forever 21 line will wow us and our wallets with. Stay tuned! For more Lichtenberg check out his web site here.
step 2: let it marinate through your musical veins
step 3: are you dancing yet?
New York's Hesta Prynn is a firecracker, not just because of her red hair, but because her music is hot! It's got elements of indie hip-hop, progressive pop, and electro. If you dig Santigold, M.I.A. and Miike Snow, you'll like Hesta Prynn. She was the former MC of the all girl hip-hop group Northern State releasing three albums with the band.
In 2008 Hesta Prynn went her own way, and her solo project was born. Teaming up with producer Chuck Brody of the Wu-Tang Clan, Hesta created her debut album, "Seven Sisters."
Stand out tracks include the title track, "Can We Go Wrong,"and "Motive." It's all a pretty good listen. Get your dance on, and LISTEN UP BELOW!
Target is at it again! Another collaboration is in the mix, Dolce Vita shoes for Target. If they aren't already sold out, these sweet shoes are available right now at the new Target that opened it's doors in East Harlem today. There's a rumor they might be somewhere in LA...
They officially hit select stores on August 22nd, and will eventually trickle to remaining stores. The price will make your feet and your wallet happy. Prices range from $29.99 to $34.99. If you want to guarantee yourself a pair, the studded oxfords are on sale for pre-order right now on Target.com.
However, if you believe in quality over quantity and want the real thing, check out Dolce Vita's shoe collection online. If you thought the Target collection was cool, then you're in for treat.
Bloc Party's frontman, Kele, has been doing his solo thing for a minute, and thus far the talk has been all good. His debut solo album, The Boxer, which hit stores and the web on yesterday, is more electro-driven than the guitar laden tracks of Bloc Party.
The Boxer isn't a total departure from his signature sound though so fans will not be displeased. You might mistake it for a new Bloc Party album...His newest single "Everything You Wanted" will be officially released in August, but in the online world, you can check it out in seconds. In fact, you can check out the video for the single below.
The new Broken Social Scene video for "Meet Me in the Basement" is louder than words and lyrics could ever be. The super group recently released this fan-made video mash-up depicting the crumbling state of the society that we live in.
The song comes off of their recently released album, Forgiveness Rock Record. A Broken Social Scene loving fan decided to make the video in response to some of the bands' comments about our turbulent times.
The video is in response to the June G-20 Toronto Summit where riots and police-civilian violence ensued. The video mashes footage of the riots, and the issues that we currently are facing that will eventually culminate into something far greater than we could see or know.
In between the serious issues in the video, the anonymous maker throws in the Justin Biebers, and celebrities we have as media distractions. The video sends a glaring message. Don't eat at Murder King! Watch out for Obama girl, and open your eyes, but first, watch the video...
David Rhodes' many passions have taken him on one journey after another. Snowboarding led to photography, which led to music, and making movies, and now he can add shoe designer to his list. amfm came across Rhodes for his collaboration with Keds, featuring a series of prints inspired by the future, the universe, and some of Rhodes nature imagery.
Aside from some sick shoes, this guy makes sick art! He is most widely known for his abstract photography of nature, music and cell phone art. Yes, that's right cell phone art...I too was a little skeptical at first, and a little confused as to what exactly cell phone art is, but I've seen it. And I'm not quite sure how he does it, but I'll tell you one thing, I like it. See for yourself at his website...
In his cellphone art collection "Music," the raw photos are taken at various concerts, taken in what appears to be a negative film effect that makes images appear neon. The photos are taken at just the right moment to either transpose the image or capture it in it's essence. "Creation" (above) is the first abstract picture he took with a cellphone at a 311 concert back in 2007. He says on his web site that that one photo "created a life of it's own."
He got some very cool shots at shows like 311, Rage against the Machine, and of Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. Not your typical band shots either, whether you like these bands or not, the art alone is cool enough. His other collections are just as inspiring. They inspire you to look at nature through a different lens, and you see the world a different way, the way Rhodes wants you to see it.
After all the work, technical problems and time setbacks, Issue Two of amfm has launched! You know that saying, patience is a virtue? That saying pretty much sums up the making of the second issue of amfm, for me as the editor, for the fans, and the artists featured in this issue. With the first issue coming out way back in December, this one’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here!
amfm has come a long way since the first issue. We have moved to the California coast, built a greater fan base, and have transformed from college magazine to the real world of print. We are even on Facebook now! Issue two is bigger and better than I could have ever imagined. amfm has a bunch of new features for you to read!
In this issue's art section we have features on nationally recognized LEGO artist, Nathan Sawaya and Sacramento LEGO prodigy David Tracy. We also explore the human figure and mind with Kim Loper in our the "Artist of the Month" feature. Find out what happens when art and clothing collide in the Mike Hoffmann feature on his clothing line Perked Nation, and learn to see the world through Freako Rico's art colored lenses. Our photography feature this issue comes from Adrian Quezaire's Second City series featuring Chicago through a lens.
In this issue's music section we've got features on flamenco guitarist and traveling musician, Evan Christian. Our "Artist of the Month" feature is on California band Nico Vega, who's music and words of wisdom will pluck more than just a musical string. amfm singles out four of it's favorite DJs in this issue, with Q&A's with Clockwork, OCD Automatic, DJ Fortune and DJ Charlie Hustle. We also explore what happens when two DJs team up and form a duo. Moneypenny is what happens.
In this issue's fashion section we chat it up with 410 BC, an clothing and skate company that puts the indie in fashion, while spreading their ethical message to the masses. As long as we are being ethical, amfm did a whole feature on eco-friendly fashion companies. We featured Brooklyn record recyclers WrecordsByMonkeys, Brazilian plastic shoe company, Melissa Plastic Dreams, and a Vancouver clothing line using recycled clothing to make clothing, Adhesif. There's also a feature on the coolest leggings you will ever see from maSh leggings designer, Kelsey Witte. And of course some style along the way in our Scene N Style section.
These shoes bring the whole beauty is pain saying to an entirely different level! By combining heels with spikes, studs, zippers and wooden accents, if looks could kill, these shoes would make you drop dead instantly, because they are jaw dropping...
I'm talking about the killer pumps by Ruthie Davis, a shoe obsessed designer who has been bringing on the fierce since she was two years old and fell in love with her first pair of mary-janes. After starting her shoe line in 2006, Davis's shoes have caught the attention of some of the fiercest in the land like Beyonce, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.
"Ruthie' s muse is the sassy, central female heroine from comic books or James Bond type movies who is decked out in mini dresses or cat-suits, but always wearing fabulous shoes and ready for action," it says on the designer profile on her web site.
The shoes definitely reflect the type of woman described, the type that can kick your ass! Not to mention if you happened to be a woman wearing these and you were attacked, the shoes can have your back and definitely come in handy as a weapon of defense...
-Days-Of-Weezy.png)
Posts
