Mumford and Sons' Banjo Player Is Making Techno as "The Floppy Disc Jockey"

July 24, 2015, 6:30 am

≫ Next: Belle & Sebastian's "Perfect Couples" Music Video Is a Super-Cute Dance Party

≪ Previous: Congrats Kylie Jenner, You're a High School Graduate!

$

0

0

Photo: @johnsonty

A photo posted by Mumford & Sons (@mumfordandsons) on Jul 22, 2015 at 5:12am PDT

Mumford and Sons banjo player Winston Marshall is now making techno music as "The Floppy Disc Jockey," which, we're going to go out on a limb and assume is probably not the direction the Belleville Three envisioned this whole thing going in.

Also known as Tech No Notice (lol, get it?), seems like Marshall fancies himself a techno "connoisseur," saying in a recent interview that his foray into electro is all thanks to Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford, or as Marshall calls him, "Fordy."

"Simian Mobile Disco changed my life," he said. "They put me onto the EDM world. Although they would hate that term, they're more techno." 

He added toward the end of the interview, "The trick to techno, as a connoisseur, is that you got to do two things: keep your hands down and your mouth shut."

---

Belle & Sebastian's "Perfect Couples" Music Video Is a Super-Cute Dance Party

July 24, 2015, 6:43 am

≫ Next: Unmasking Beauty with FOMOFUKU

≪ Previous: Mumford and Sons' Banjo Player Is Making Techno as "The Floppy Disc Jockey"

$

0

0

Belle & Sebastian have shared the new music video for "Perfect Couples", off their latest LP Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance.

Groups of couples dance and float around a suburban living room with a Wes Anderson-approved color palette.Though the video is teetering on the 9-minute mark, you gotta stick around for the group dance sequence.

It's dizzying, tedious, and adorable -- but isn't that what love is anyway?

Check out the video above.

Unmasking Beauty with FOMOFUKU

July 24, 2015, 7:31 am

≫ Next: The 5 Saddest Things About Michael Jackson Wanting to Play Jar-Jar Binks

≪ Previous: Belle & Sebastian's "Perfect Couples" Music Video Is a Super-Cute Dance Party

$

0

0

In an age where editorials often present beauty in a all too familiar way with homogeneous cast of characters, Paper is happy to challenge the norm and present a different take on the standard beauty story. One that uses a diverse cast of models and plays with the alluring possibilities of face masks, with designs from buzzy mask designers Fomofuku. (Check out our Q&A below with the Fomofuku designers Bon Duke and Hana Kim below!)

Dianara wears a Kenzo dress, Cosmetics by Make Up Forever

Mari wears a Kenzo jacket, H&M top, and Forever 21 denim, Cosmetics by M.A.C

Jason wears a Hunter jacket, PLAC shirt, Nail Polish by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics 

Bojana wears an Adidas jacket, Topshop t-shirt and overalls, Cosmetics by Marc Jacobs Beauty

Jake wears a Lucio Castro shirt, PRPS jacket

Besa wears a Topshop raincoat, and Zara pants, Cosmetics by NARS

Philip wears a Topman button-up shirt and sweater, and a Nixon watch, Cosmetics by M.A.C

James wears a Kooples t-shirt, and A PLAC jacket, Cosmetics by Urban Decay

Anna wears an Adidas jacket and Opening Ceremony shirt, Cosmetics by Kat Von D

Hair by Janelle Chaplin using Original Mineral
Makeup by Michael Anthony,
Photo Assistant: Jeff Rose
Models: Dianara at Muse, Mari at Muse, Bojana at Muse, Besa at New York Models, Anna at Soul, Jason Santore, James White, Philip K at Soul and Jake Brodsky

We chat with Fomofuku founders Bon Duke and Hana Kim, whose new collection comes out next month. You can follow them on Instagram here.

Tell us about Fomofuku. Where do you see its role in the realm fashion vs. function?

Face masks are ubiquitous in some Asian cultures and it is becoming more popular there to wear them as a fashion accessory. On a recent trip to Vietnam, we picked up a few of these "fashion" masks and my friends went crazy over them.  When you stop and think about it, we have accessories to style every other part of our body so why not masks? Like sunglasses and hats, masks can offer utility but for FOMOFUKU, a means to express personality and more importantly, have fun with it.  Personally, when we think of when and where we would wear a mask... festivals, raves, skiing... we think of having a good time. And they definitely make for a good instagram photo. In the end its all about having fun and keeping it simple. 

How do you think masks relate to self expression and identity? 

Historically, masks have been used to hide or protect a person's identity. We think it can do the opposite and can be utilized to accentuate identity, make a statement and/or redirect focus.  You see a lot of musicians wearing masks and other facewear for these reasons.  Like hair and makeup, a mask is a canvas to self express. In addition to our prints, FOMOFUKU will be offering white masks in our signature contour shape to allow people to customize their own.  

Can anonymity be beautiful? 

Yes... even more so in this digital age.   

Its great to have a tease or only partially show something and it can be a beautiful thing when done well. Everyone is about exposure and showing face but isn't there always something special when its not fully revealing in an image? Its almost like placing bait or a constant draw for someone to return and look back.

What are your opinions on diversity in fashion beauty? 

It's boring, really.There is no risk or anything that inspires people. It's more like, 'buy this or that because this person or celebrity uses it.' Fine, yes, it makes money... but who's gonna break that and make amazing beauty stories? We feel like if a person looks at a beauty story they should be able to walk away inspired and make there own path of beauty for themselves. Yes, they can also walk away with some product guidelines, but its so about product placement nowadays. Where are the Serge Lutens and inspiring, raw, real beauty that people can interpret for themselves?  

What inspires your art? 

Food, actually. It's a basic thing of sharing. As in sharing a meal with others and experience those moments. It's a core basic natural behavior where it brings people together. It also shows you different cultures and stories that you encounter through it. That's what we want to do with our work -- share it with others.Having different inputs and views always helps you grow. That's why shooting fomofuku was fun. It's an interesting way to approach beauty. 

Where do the prints come from?

The mask prints are designed in-house. We have prints in everything from marble and peeling paint to kawaii kitty faces to burgers and fries to tropical flowers.  We are attracted to the unconventional and plan to create a diverse offering to speak to different styles and occasions. 

Who would you like to see wearing one of these masks? 

K Pop star ShinEE, Sia, Miley, Biebs, Cara, Katy P, Die Antwoord, Young Thug, Fetty Wap, Drake , M.I.A.,Tokimonsta, Skrillex --  basically anyone, really.

The 5 Saddest Things About Michael Jackson Wanting to Play Jar-Jar Binks

July 24, 2015, 8:01 am

≫ Next: The Makers of Butter Coffee Bring us "Fat Water"

≪ Previous: Unmasking Beauty with FOMOFUKU

$

0

0

VICE did the world a favor and interviewed Ahmed Best, the man who played Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequels, because sometimes you just have to wonder: "What's that guy up to?" There's a lot of interesting stuff in the interview about Best's perspective on the role, criticism of the character, and George Lucas' directing habits (namely . In fact, Best kind of throws Lucas under the bus for many critcisms that fell on young actor Jake Lloyd (playing Anakin Skywalker).

But perhaps the most unflattering thing George Lucas does in the course of Best's account is passive-aggressively telling Michael Jackson he didn't get the role of Jar Jar by introducing Best to Jackson backstage at Wembley arena as his Jar-Jar. Apparently, Jackson wanted to do "prosthetics" and actually play the character (like in the "Thriller" video), where Lucas wanted to turn everything into a gleaming CGI turd. To be honest, Jackson avoided taking a huge L, but that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of sad things about this story. Let's rank them, from least sad to saddest.

5. Ahmed Best Getting His Feelings Hurt -- I have nothing against Ahmed Best, but having George Lucas be kind of a dick to you by introducing you are "Jar Jar" and embarrassing you in front of Michael Jackson is probably not that sad in the grand scheme of things, especially when it's part of the experience of joining massive, beloved franchise.

4. Michael Jackson Getting His Feelings Hurt -- I know what I just said! But, as weird and creepy and probably a bit predatory as Michael Jackson was, it's not hard to imagine his childlike enthusiasm for being Jar Jar, and how disappointing it might have been to find out via being introduced to the person who got the part instead.

3. The Fact That Michael Jackson Even Wanted to Play Jar Jar in the First Place -- I guess people were really excited about the Star Wars prequels at the time, but the thought that the dude who made "Billie Jean" and "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller" and is low-key the best part of The Wiz would want to be involved as this weirdo caricature marketing opportunity is just a bummer.

2. Lucas' Worry that Michael Jackson Would Be "Bigger" Than the Widely Panned Phantom Menace -- Thank god there wasn't a pop sideshow to distract from the important work of art that was The Phantom Menace. Now all we have to pay attention to is the movie, and...

1. The Existence of the Star Wars Prequels -- More than enough words have already been spilled and time wasted thinking about how horrible these movies are (though if you want a refresher, the infamous 70-minute Phantom Menace review is still worth your time). Kids will basically love almost anything thrust in front of them. Accordingly, entertainers making art explicitly for children should feel a sense of obligation to give them something they can look fondly on as adults, rather than with a deep sense of shame that they wanted to see this on their seventh birthd -- wait, what were we talking about?

The Makers of Butter Coffee Bring us "Fat Water"

July 24, 2015, 8:41 am

≫ Next: Naomi Campbell Joins Cast of AHS: Hotel

≪ Previous: The 5 Saddest Things About Michael Jackson Wanting to Play Jar-Jar Binks

$

0

0

Put down that dandelion coffee because the haute-du-jour drink of today is apparently, literal fat water. 

Yep, FATWater, created by Dave Asprey, aka the founder of butter-infused Bulletproof Coffee, is the newest paleo/gluten-free/vegan/low-calorie liquid that triggers weight loss by ketosis and increases hydration. Because who doesn't love to be hydrated while their body eats itself? 

But how is it possible to drink fat and lose weight, you may ask. Why am I not getting ripped from my excessive milkshake intake? Should I start eating butter with every meal? Was Paula Deen onto something?According to Asprey, he has made it so his "patented coconut oil nanoparticles" help your body absorb water better and burn fat at the same time. Holy shit! 

And while it's not creamy, it apparently tastes "wetter on the tongue." Which is good, seeing as how it's, well, water. That is, $30 water.

[h/t Munchies]

Naomi Campbell Joins Cast of AHS: Hotel

July 24, 2015, 9:17 am

≫ Next: Stay Up Late With Janet Jackson's Sentimental Video For "No Sleeep"

≪ Previous: The Makers of Butter Coffee Bring us "Fat Water"

$

0

0

Photo by Paul Porter/BFA.com

It turns out that the cellphone-slinging, Delevingne-pushing, airplane disrupting model Naomi Campbell is just super method. IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW.

Today, FX announced that the modeling legend will join the cast of American Horror Story: Hotel. She'll be playing a fashion editor (and Lady Gaga's character's nemesis). Naomi has dabbled in television in the past -- from this year's Empire to an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

AHS creator Ryan Murphy has described Hotel as "bloodier and grislier" than the previous seasons, but until it premieres in October, just watch the latest teaser on a loop.

Stay Up Late With Janet Jackson's Sentimental Video For "No Sleeep"

July 24, 2015, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Watch Kylie Jenner Meet Caitlyn For the First Time

≪ Previous: Naomi Campbell Joins Cast of AHS: Hotel

$

0

0

Hoo boy, yeah, you won't be getting "No Sleeep" tonight, especially after putting Janet Jackson's sultry new video on repeat.

The first visual from Janet's hotly-anticipated new album, "No Sleeep" has us following her around candlelit digs on a rainy day, haunted by sentimental projections of her late brother Michael -- which fits well with her gentle "I'm missing you" croon.

Watch the video above and let the "Queen of Insomnia" keep you company tonight.

Watch Kylie Jenner Meet Caitlyn For the First Time

July 24, 2015, 11:18 am

≫ Next: Friday Superlatives: The Best, Worst And Weirdest Of The Week

≪ Previous: Stay Up Late With Janet Jackson's Sentimental Video For "No Sleeep"

$

0

0

E! has been releasing clips all week ahead of Caitlyn Jenner's docuseries I Am Cait, premiering this weekend, and today we get a new snippet showing Jenner's youngest daughter, 17-year-old Kylie, meeting her for the first time.

Though the rest of the Kardashian family has said they were most worried about how Kylie would deal with the change, she exclaims, "hey pretty," when she walks into the room and sees Caitlyn with her and makeup done.

Later in the segment, Bruce's 88-year-old mother Esther gives Kylie a portrait of herself when she was 17. When Caitlyn points out that Esther was already married at the time, Kylie acknowledges the tyga in the room and remarks "kinda like me." Caitlyn good-naturedly bristles at her comment and the entire scene is touching and funny.

Does this mean E! has made a reality show that might actually make us feel something? What is happening?

I Am Cait debuts Sunday, July 26th, at 8 pm. 

---

Friday Superlatives: The Best, Worst And Weirdest Of The Week

July 24, 2015, 12:15 pm

≫ Next: Dark Fashion Through The Ages Inspired By American Horror Story

≪ Previous: Watch Kylie Jenner Meet Caitlyn For the First Time

$

0

0

Best Headline of the Week: Because how can you beat "Pooping cyclist started foothills fire"? -- Sandra Song

Pop Star Most In Need of The Elements of Style: Katy Perry. She posted this incomprehensible, punctuation-starved tweet defending Nicki Minaj during her feud with Taylor Swift this week. Girl, what? -- Elizabeth Thompson 

 

Least Sincere Apology: Ian's on this week's Bachelorette Men Tell All episode, when he got down on one knee as if proposing to his fellow contestants and declared that his behavior on the show was "not a representation of who I am." Leave it to Ian to make an apology all about him. -- Suzannah Weiss
 Most Mouth-Watering Sculpture: Artist Hanna Liden's Everything installation at Hudson River Park celebrates New York's signature delicacy, the bagel. A "not edible" sign may be in order. -- S.W.

Most Tasteless Insult: Mail Online's US editor-at-large Piers Morgan referred to Nicki Minaj as a "stroppy little piece of work," once again proving he's just an internet troll with a more professional-sounding title. -- S.W

Photo via Women's Running

Best Fitness Cover of the Month: The August 2015 issue of Women's running made some real strides (lol) when it chose a plus-size model for its cover. There has only been positive feedback to this refreshing image that proves that runners come in all sizes. --J.K.

Best Cosby Slam: Judd Apatow's scathing Cosby impersonation during his standup set on the Tonight Show this week. -- J.K.

Best News That Will Probably Scare The FCC: This week, our cover star/all-around badass Miley announced that she'll be hosting the VMA's on August 30th. As for Robin Thicke...let's just hope his invitation was lost in the mail. -- Taylor Silver

Best Display of Canadian Pride: After Meek Mill called out Drake for using ghostwriters on his songs, Toronto politician Norm Kelly swooped in to defend the King of the 6's honor. -- T.S.

Hottest Fashion Accessory:Vagina yarmulkes!Perfect for Reform Feminists or if you're just in the mood to freak Bubbie out. -- T.S.

Best Surprise Album News (You Hear That Frank Ocean?): Though Albert Hammond Jr.'s new LP Momentary Masters doesn't come out until July 31st, you can stream it in full here. Also check out our interview with him where he talks about the new record and scuba diving.


Best Photo You Didn't Know You Needed In Your Life: It really just speaks for itself.
-- T.S. 

Coming soon. 👪❤️

A photo posted by Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) on Jul 23, 2015 at 1:11pm PDT

Most Squee-Inducing Instagram: Chance the Rapper has a baby "coming soon"!!! -- S.S.

Tastiest Artworks: There's apparently an artist named Scorpion Dagger who specializes in Renaissance x hot dog gifs. Because, Internet. -- S.S.

Dark Fashion Through The Ages Inspired By American Horror Story

October 2, 2015, 6:25 am

≫ Next: Your Guide to Avoiding the Hurricane with New Netflix Titles

≪ Previous: Friday Superlatives: The Best, Worst And Weirdest Of The Week

$

0

0

Good evening, and welcome to The Hotel Cortez. We're pleased to have you with us, and offer you some advice well worth taking: Don't get too comfortable, and we recommend against an open door policy. The new season of Ryan Murphy's thrill and chill fest is upon us, taking place at the mysterious Hotel Cortez in Los Angeles and spanning four decades. Many things are best when they've got a bit of an edge to them, and that certainly includes fashion. While you're watching all the dirty deeds go down, take sartorial notes: It's best to pair misbehavior with a fabulous wardrobe inspired by looks from the 1930's, '70s, '90s and today. We teamed up with American Horror Story: Hotel to bring you looks that take their cue from the thrillingly dark plot twists and dips you'll experience this season. Tune in for the premier of American Horror Story: Hotel Wednesday, October 7th at 10pm on FX.

Always pair a defiant gaze with a luxurious fur collar and some lace, and add a deconstructed hat veil with it's own story to tell for good measure. 

It can look pretty good to be bad. Case in point: This slicked-back, well-coiffed gentleman with the upright starched collar and jaunty bow tie. 

Grab your best swingin' wide lapeled pantsuit, lose the bra, and practice your most defiant pose. For accessories, try a revolver. See more of the season's killer lookshere.

It's always best to keep men in the palm of your hands. It's no surprise we're drinking the '90s kool-aid again when it comes to style-- the IDGAF vibe paired with a head scarf and a dark lip always does the trick. 

 

When you need to look unsettling at the drop of a body, pair pantyhose with elaborate and colorful makeup and nail it every time. Nothing to see here.


Styling: Kevin Breen
Hair: Joey George at the Wall Group
Makeup: Clelia Bergonzoli at the Utopia Agency
Special thanks to Screaming Mimi's

Your Guide to Avoiding the Hurricane with New Netflix Titles

October 2, 2015, 7:45 am

≫ Next: A History of Musicians Issuing Cease and Desists to (Mostly) GOP Politicians

≪ Previous: Dark Fashion Through The Ages Inspired By American Horror Story

$

0

0

Fall is officially here, but in the fun, hay rides and colored leaves way -- it's just kind of gross and wet out (at least if you're in New York), and there's apparently a hurricane coming up the East Coast named after Joaquin Phoenix or something. So there's no real chance you're going to get anything done this weekend -- just start planning what you're going to watch on Netflix, starting with the new titles on the streaming service this month. Here are some activities you won't get to do because of the hurricane, and the Netflix titles that will serve as a rough approximation of them.

Saving the City -- Batman Begins (2005)

The Batman movie that helped jump-start the current superhero craze, Batman Begins is still the trimmest of the Nolan trilogy. It's fun to watch, has a genuinely well-told origin story, and also features a pretty excellent villain role for Liam Neeson. Why do we fall? So we can stay down on the couch.

Exercise -- Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Remember when this Hillary Swank-Clint Eastwood boxing movie was a huge deal and won a ton of Oscars (including Best Picture)? We sort of do! Take the opportunity to watch someone else get sweaty and revisit the film, to see if it was really deserving of all the hype (while Hurricane Joaquin dramatically thunders outside your window).

Netflix and... Wait, Hold On -- Boogie Nights (1997)

If you don't have a, uh, "buddy" for the hurricane, consider Paul Thomas Anderson's great film about the porn industry. There's Mark Wahlberg with a giant prosthetic penis, a great late-game performance by Burt Reynolds, and enough obsession with sex to hopefully tide you over for a weekend... by yourself.

Cooking Yourself Dinner -- Barefoot Contessa

The Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics collection hits the streaming service, giving you an opportunity to watch and learn about the glamour of cooking from the one and only Ina Garten without having to do any of the hard work -- while you take the simplest path and order Seamless. Also, take this weekend opportunity to read Eater's excellent profile of Ina.)

Drama with Friends -- The Vampire Diaries

Season six of The Vampire Diaries is on Netflix now, ready to catch you up to speed on all of the insanity on one of The CW's most successful shows. Don't go somewhere where you'd have to just fight with your friends, especially when you can watch other people do it while looking much better and being more interesting. Also, this is the first taste of the month of CW dominance on Netflix, including the first season of Jane the Virgin and The Flash, both of which are good options for fall TV catchup.

A History of Musicians Issuing Cease and Desists to (Mostly) GOP Politicians

June 17, 2015, 7:45 am

≫ Next: "'Happy' is a Revolutionary Song": Al Gore and Pharrell Talk Music, Optimism and Live Earth 2015

≪ Previous: Your Guide to Avoiding the Hurricane with New Netflix Titles

$

0

0

(Photo of Donald Trump by Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com; Photo of Neil Young by Aleks Kocev/BFAnyc.com)

In light of Neil Young basically telling Donald Trump to fuck off after the billionaire played "Rockin' in the Free World" during his announcement that he was running for president yesterday, we're revisiting our story from the 2012 cycle that looked at the long, long history of musicians issuing cease-and-desist letters to (mostly) GOP candidates.

Barry Goldwater v. Broadway Producer David Merrick
When? 1964 presidential campaign
What song? "Hello Dolly"
What happened? Merrick threatened to sue Goldwater for his use of "Hello Dolly" (changing the lyric to "Hello Barry") during the 1964 presidential campaign. Incidentally, however, Merrick permitted Lyndon Johnson to use the tune and change the lyric to "Hello Lyndon."

Ronald Reagan v. Bruce Springsteen
When? 1984 presidential campaign
What song? "Born In the U.S.A."
What happened? Bruce Springsteen sent a cease and desist to Ronald Reagan for trying to use "Born in the U.S.A." during his 1984 presidential campaign against Walter Mondale.

George H.W. Bush v. Bobby McFerrin, 1988 Presidential Campaign
When? 1988 presidential campaign
What song? "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
What happened? Bobby McFerrin asked Bush Sr. to cease and desist from using his song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy"in his presidential race against Michael Dukakis.

Bob Dole v. Rondor Music International/Sam and Dave
When? 1996 presidential campaign
What song? "Soul Man"
What happened? During his race against Bill Clinton, Bob Dole tried to change the words to Sam and Dave's "Soul Man," written by the legendary Isaac Hayes, to instead say "Dole Man," leading Rondor International Music, who had rights to the song, to threaten a lawsuit.

George W. Bush v. Tom Petty
When? 2000 presidential campaign
What song? "I Won't Back Down"
What happened? Tom Petty sent Bush a cease and desist letter during the 2000 campaign against Al Gore.

George W. Bush v. Sting
When? 2000 presidential campaign
What song? "Brand New Day"
What happened? Sting asked Bush and his team to stop using "Brand New Day" in their campaign rallies but apparently permitted Gore to use the song in his campaign, even though he initially said he didn't wish his music to be associated with either party (but, hey, looks like Sting is friends with Al).

George W. Bush v. John Mellencamp
When? 2000 presidential campaign
What song? "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."
What happened? Mellencamp asked Bush to stop using "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." during his 2000 campaign.

George W. Bushv. John Hall of Orleans
When? 2004 re-election campaign
What song? "Still the One"
What happened? Kerry supporter John Hall objected to Bush using "Still the One" during the 2004 re-election campaign.  Interestingly enough, Hall went on to run for Congress and was elected as a Democrat in 2006. Later in 2008, McCain repeated Bush's mistake and tried to play "Still the One" during his own campaign. You can guess where that went.

Mike Huckabee v. Boston
When? 2008GOP presidential primary campaign
What song? "More Than a Feeling"
What happened? Boston's Tom Scholz, who wrote the song, sent a letter to Huckabee asking him to stop playing it at campaign rallies.

McCainv. ABBA
When? 2008 presidential primary campaign
What song? "Take a Chance on Me"
What happened? McCain, a noted ABBA fan, played the Swedish group's hit on heavy rotation but finally dropped it due to the cost of using it and a cease and desist letter from the band.

McCain v. Jackson Browne
When? 2008 presidential campaign
What song? "Running On Empty"
What happened? As noted earlier, Jackson Browne actually sued McCain for using "Running On Empty" in a campaign commercial and a judge ruled in Browne's favor.  The terms of the financial settlement were not disclosed.

McCain v. John Mellencamp
When? 2008 presidential primary campaign
What song? "Our Country" and "Pink Houses"
What happened? During the 2008 primaries, John Edwards supporter John Mellencamp had to ask McCain to stop playing patriotic rock favorites "Our Country" and "Pink Houses" at his rallies.  For his part, Edwards apparently had been allowed to play those same songs at his campaign stops.

McCain v. Foo Fighters
When? 2008 presidential campaign
What song? "My Hero"
What happened? When McCain started using "My Hero" on the campaign trail, the Foo Fighters released an official statement denouncing the association between their song and his candidacy.

McCain v. Van Halen
When? 2008 presidential campaign
What song? "Right Now"
What happened? When McCain used the Van Halen song to close his big rally announcing Sarah Palin as his running mate, the rockers took offense and immediatelyissued an angry statementdisassociating the band's music with the campaign.

Sarah Palin v. Heart
When? 2008 presidential campaign
What song?"Barracuda"
What happened? After Sarah "Barracuda" Palin played "Barracuda" on the 2008 campaign trail, the Wilson sisters emailed a statementtelling her to stop immediately.  After Palin didn't listen, they rightfully fired back with another angry statement saying, "Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women."

Barack Obama v. Sam Moore
When? 2008 presidential campaign
What song? "Hold On, I'm Coming"
What happened? In the only instance we could find in which a musician sent a cease and desist letter to a Democratic candidate, Sam Moore (from Sam & Dave) asked Obama to stop playing "Hold On, I'm Coming'" despite the fact that on a personal level, he thought it was "thrilling" that a black man was running for president.

Rand Paul v. Rush
When? 2010 senate campaign
What song? "The Spirit of the Radio"and "Tom Sawyer"
What happened? Though claiming it was a "copyright issue," the Canadian rockers nevertheless sent a cease and desist letter to Paul when he started playing the song at his senate campaign stops.

Charlie Crist  v. David Byrne
When? 2010 senate campaign
What song? "Road to Nowhere"
What happened? The former Governor of Florida used the Talking Heads song "Road to Nowhere" in a campaign ad, prompting Byrne to sue him over unauthorized usage. Byrne won and Crist eventually -- and sort of bizarrely -- had to make a public apology on YouTube as part of the agreement. (You can watch the apology video HERE.)

Michele Bachmann v. Tom Petty
When? 2011 GOP presidential primary campaign
What song?"American Girl"
What happened? Though Hillary Clinton notably used "American Girl" during her 2008 presidential run, when it was Bachmann's turn, Tom Petty took offense and protested her using it.

Michele Bachmann v. Katrina and the Waves
When? 2011 GOP presidential primary campaign
What song? "Walking on Sunshine"
What happened? Shortly after Bachmann started playing the song, the band issued a statement objecting to its use and saying that they had "instructed their lawyers accordingly."

Newt Gingrich v. Frankie Sullivan
When? 2012 GOP presidential primary campaign
What song? "Eye of the Tiger"
What happened? Earlier this year, Survivor band member and "Eye of the Tiger" co-writer Frankie Sullivan sued Gingrich over his use of the song during his campaign, adding that Gingrich had been using the track at political events as early as 2009.

Newt Gingrich v. The Heavy
When? 2012 GOP presidential primary campaign
What song? "How You Like Me Now?"
What happened? After using the song on the campaign trail, Newt Gingrich was ordered to cease and desist by the British band who posted the following message on their Facebook account: "If you heard "How You Like Me Now?" being used by Republican, Newt Gingrich, in his campaign, we'd like you to know it had fuck all to do with us and we are trying to stop it being used. TWATS."

Mitt Romney v. K'Naan
When? 2012 GOP primary campaign
What song? "Wavin' Flag"
What happened? Though he said he'd "happily grant President Obama's campaign the use of""Wavin' Flag," the singer was unhappy when Romney started using it instead and threatened legal action.

Mitt Romney v. Al Green
When? 2012 presidential campaign
What song? "Let's Stay Together"
What happened? When the Romney campaign put out an ad poking fun of Obama singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," representatives from BMG pulled the video from YouTube, citing a copyright claim.

Mitt Romney v. Silversun Pickups
When?2012 presidential campaign
What song? "Panic Switch"
What happened? Finally, in the most recent example -- and one of the only occasions in which a candidate attempts to use an "indie song" -- Silversun Pickups issued a cease and desist after Romney starting playing "Panic Switch" at his campaign events. We're going to guess that some twentysomething campaign intern, maybe the same one who helped Urban Outfitters dream up these funky-fresh '2 Legit 2 Mitt' shirts, suggested this. (Or is Mitt a secret hipster who is wearing those mom jeansironically?)

Dee Snider v. Paul Ryan
When? 2012 presidential campaign
What song?"We're Not Gonna Take It"
What happened? After Ryan started opening his campaign stops with the classic glam metal party song, the Twisted Sister frontman quickly responded with the following barb, "I emphatically denounce Paul Ryan's use of my song 'We're Not Gonna Take It' as recorded by my band Twisted Sister.  There is almost nothing on which I agree with Paul Ryan, except perhaps the use of the P90X."  Zing!

DNC v. Cyndi Lauper
When? 2012 presidential campaign
What song?"True Colors"
What happened? The DNC used Lauper's song in a Romney attack ad. Cyndi was not a fan.

Honorable Mention:

Scott Walker v. Dropkick Murphys
When? 2015 (Though this was not during a political race)
What song?"I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
What happened?Walker played the song before he gave a speech in Iowa, prompting the Boys from Beantown to deliver one of the most withering tweets ever. It read: "@ScottWalker @GovWalker please stop using our music in any way... we literally hate you!!! Love, Dropkick Murphys."


Sources:
Daily Kos
The Toronto Star

"'Happy' is a Revolutionary Song": Al Gore and Pharrell Talk Music, Optimism and Live Earth 2015

June 18, 2015, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Beirut Gets Wes Anderson-Absurdist in their Video for "No No No"

≪ Previous: A History of Musicians Issuing Cease and Desists to (Mostly) GOP Politicians

$

0

0

Photo: Masha Macpherson / AP

Al Gore and Pharrell Williams want us -- one billion of us -- to "take climate action now" by signing a petition that they will submit to the UN's Climate Change Conference in December. To that end, they've announced Live Earth Road to Paris, a day of linked concerts, taking place this fall, that will span all seven continents. Last month, the two environmentalists (Pharrell works with the sustainable textile brand Bionic Yarn) spoke with us about their sky-high goals.

When did you guys meet?

Al Gore: Well, that would be back in 2007. Pharrell was already a giant figure in music and entertainment and popular culture back then. Of course it's way more than that now, but he had already been part of the Neptunes and produced all these amazing acts. When I called him up to ask him to consider helping with the first Live Earth, I honestly called knowing a lot about him and knowing that we would hit it off -- but we more than hit it off. I don't want to overstate this, but we had a conversation that went on for hours and it really was unusually gratifying. I felt like I had made a friend in short order, and it's kind of embarrassing to say this with Pharrell on the line, but I'm really super impressed with his mind and art, and we just have very similar outlooks and both want to make the world a better place. 

Pharrell, what was it like for you getting that call?

Pharrell Williams: First of all, Al, that was super kind of you. Second of all, you know, it's Al Gore, man! This is a guy who at that time had recently released [An Inconvenient Truth] and it was brilliant because the pundits made just as much noise as the advocates did. I credit him and his movement with just getting everyone's attention, whether they agreed or they disagreed. That was the best thing it could have ever done, because it made everybody weigh in with what they thought about it. And they paid attention all because of this brilliant film that this man put out. So here it is, like, the Vice President, who has made one of the biggest pieces of informative content about our home, something that we take for granted so much so that people kind of forget that we do live on a planet. You know, if you're going to and fro every day, you forget that the planet is round; it's not just this flat place that goes on forever. It's going through a change, and this guy did that. So, I guess that was a very long answer just to say... when you hear everything he'd done, then you know what it meant for me to get that phone call. 

What kind of engagement are you aiming for with Live Earth 2015, other than getting people to sign the petition? How do you want people to take action -- by raising their own voices? Using their social networks? Donating money?

AG: You know, we're not trying to raise money; we're trying to raise awareness. We're trying to raise commitment. And what we're asking people to do is not only to watch and enjoy Live Earth, but to become a change agent and sign the petition -- and if you want to, take a selfie and document the fact that you are signing @LiveEarth and post the photos and encourage your friends to sign the Live Earth petition. Volunteer to host a Live Earth viewing party. Use the hashtag #ClimateChangeAgent. Just get involved and make our system of advocacy and self-government and representative democracy work better than it has on a lot of issues, because we've got to make it work on this: the whole future depends on it. We're going to win this, OK? I'm very optimistic, but the reason I am optimistic is because I have faith that people are going to respond.

How do you stay focused on positive change and results while still letting people know that there are major problems that we have to take on?

PW: I think our biggest problem as a species is that people are just oblivious to the real effects. If anything, it's hard to get people to weigh in on something that they just don't see or detect. The awareness is needed because we have to get this petition signed. Without it, we can't get it done. It's that simple. Without the petition, we just can't get anything done, and we have to enlighten the folks. And that's what this is all about.

You both have kids. How do you urge your own families to follow your example, and what advice would you give to other parents?

AG: My kids are older than Pharrell's 'cause I'm older than Pharrell [laughs]. I'm blessed to have kids that really do understand this and have been making their own contributions to moving the problem towards a solution. I've got grandkids now, and one of the things that motivates me the most is [the question], What are we going to leave to our kids and grandkids? We are wired to respond to short term threats, but when we confront a huge global challenge, we've got to communicate with one another and use our capacity to rise above our limitations and see how much is at stake in order to be good parents and, in my case, grandparents, so that we can say to our kids, "We care about you. We care enough about you that we're going to try to build a future that's worthy of you." 

PW: My little boy is six, and I talk to him about the planet all the time so that, from a very young age, he's cognizant of our home. We only have one home. If your house burns down, there is no moving -- at least not now; we're not going to be on Mars for 20, 30 years, right? So we've got to figure this out here. There's smoke in the atmosphere, pun intended, and we have to open the windows to the greenhouse gases. 

Do you think that every celebrity, every politician has an obligation to do something like what you guys are doing?

PW: You know, when I first started out in the music industry, I had a huge problem whenever people would come down on athletes about their tattoos or the way that they act in public or how they dress when they're not in uniform. But I've learned that they were right. When you are known for something and you represent something, you're representing it all the time. A marine is not just a marine in uniform; a marine is a marine in his heart, no matter what he has on, so he rises to the occasion. And celebrities -- well, not myself -- are beacons of light and they are meant to enlighten. And if you're not doing that, then you're just going for selfish reasons. So I do think it is every artist's responsibility. In order for this beehive to work, every worker bee has to get involved.

AG: I'm trying to figure out how to say something without sounding like I'm just praising Pharrell to the skies. When somebody is speaking the truth in a powerful way, you can feel it, you can sense it. If there's no artificiality, no fame chasing, no ulterior motive... to use a corny Star Trek metaphor, the truth has a tractor beam: when you plug into it, it pulls you along. And when you speak the truth and you feel it deeply, those who can hear you can feel it. Pharrell doesn't speak out a lot about a lot of stuff, but he gives a lot of thoughtful consideration to what he gets involved in. And then when he does speak, people know that he's for real.

How do you think music can galvanize people to take action beyond watching the concert or listening to the album?

PW: An important fact is so much easier to remember when it rhymes and it has a melody. That is the original job and purpose of a song. It is to communicate a message, make it easier to remember. So here we're just going back to primal roots as a species. 

AG: Yeah, science proves that people hear music in a way that is different from the way they absorb any other kind of message. Without getting geeky on you, they can measure the brain activity, no kidding. Music is powerful in any culture, in every nationality, all through any age of time. I don't pretend to understand it, but there is absolutely no question that people respond to music in a way that's very different and more powerful than they respond to practically any other kind of message.

What songs have inspired you to do what you're doing?

AG: I remember as a kid growing up in the south, when Bob Dylan wrote "Blowin' in The Wind" and then later on when Peter Paul and Mary made it accessible to an even larger audience, it was one of many songs in that era that blew me away. I don't remember songs having a powerful message that changed my whole relationship to other people the way those civil rights songs did. That was the beginning of my awareness of how powerful music could be in motivating people to make the world a better place. 

PW: This kid Sawyer [Fredericks] that won The Voice, he represents something very new and different. His music wasn't necessarily all over pop radio, but his songs and his covers that he sings were at the top of the iTunes charts. America's heartland voted for this kid, and he's up here singing songs by John Fogerty and Ray LaMontagne: very earthy and very folk. And where there is folk and Americana, there is consideration for "live and let live" and that incredible hippie spirit that we had in the '60s and '70s. I think that there is something happening in this country, and I can feel the day coming where there will be a lot of songs about what's actually going on. You're asking me about songs that have impressions on me -- I feel like they have yet to be heard. 

AG: By the way, the one song that has had the biggest impact on a global basis in the last few years really is "Happy." I mean, when the rulers in Iran feel like they have to sit up and take notice because the young people in Iran are singing and dancing to "Happy"; when the United Nations has a special day to celebrate happy [the International Day of Happiness], it's really something. It connects for me to what we are doing on Live Earth because it really is a joyful experience to have a mission that is so important and so consequential and so meaningful for our kids. Sometimes people look at these big challenges and they think, Woe is me, we've got these terrible threats facing us. No! It is a joyful privilege to be able to turn your labors to really making the world a better place. That may sound corny to you, but I've gone through a big change in the last few years about the attitude and spirit of what this work is about. I'm optimistic, I'm hopeful we are going to win this, and the work that we are inviting people to join in is really joyful work that has a joyful outcome. "Happy" is a revolutionary song, in a very surprising way. People think of social action and global change as a heavy burden to undertake... no, it's not that at all. It really is a happy and joyful task to be able to see a path toward making the world a better place.

Find more info on Live Earth Road to Paris here.

Beirut Gets Wes Anderson-Absurdist in their Video for "No No No"

June 18, 2015, 5:30 am

≫ Next: 10 Actors from the '50s and '60s to Crush Over

≪ Previous: "'Happy' is a Revolutionary Song": Al Gore and Pharrell Talk Music, Optimism and Live Earth 2015

$

0

0

Taking some cues from Wes Anderson, Beirut pull out the blush-tone pastels, Futura-mimicky typography and quirky hijinks in their new video for "No No No."

The title track of their new album due out in September, the video is a silly, absurdist parody of the American Bandstand set-up...which would probably explain the surprise baguette, puke scene and cardboard guitar. Oh, and a skunk. And this whimsical attitude is reflected within "No No No's" upbeat jaunt and gleeful brass, which contrasts nicely with frontman Zach Condon's sonorous, cognac-soaked voice. Watch the video below.

10 Actors from the '50s and '60s to Crush Over

June 18, 2015, 9:00 am

≫ Next: The New Antwerp Six: Rising Belgian Designers Shaking Up the Fashion Scene

≪ Previous: Beirut Gets Wes Anderson-Absurdist in their Video for "No No No"

$

0

0

Movie star hotties are not exactly a new phenomenon. Come with me into the fan mag mentality of days past, when film icons were always worth mooning over. Here are 10 titillating pinup types of the golden age. All together, they comprise a fabulous list of the husbands that got away, but not in my mind.


ALDO RAY  (1926-1991)
A Pennsylvania-born Italian American, Aldo provided a sturdy film presence with a husky voice and a bit of a twinkle. He played opposite Judy Holliday (The Marrying Kind) and Rita Hayworth (Miss Sadie Thompson) and his presence was always felt. The guy was solid.

TY HARDIN (1930-)
Ty starred in the TV series Bronco and in very of-their-time melodramas like The Chapman Report and Berserk (opposite cougar Joan Crawford). In another remarkable achievement, he's been married eight times. But mainly he's notable for his very handsome Palm Springsy looks, which endure on celluloid.


FRED WILLIAMSON (1938-)
A football hero who became a movie icon a la Jim Brown, Williamson was in one classic film comedy (M*A*S*H), one Liza movie (Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon), and a bunch of exploitation flicks (Black Caesar, Hell Up in Harlem). More recently, he stayed relevant with parts in From Dusk Till Dawn and Inglorious Basterds. Whatever his project of the moment, the man redefines hunk-a-dunka-do.

Via ImmortalEphemera.com

DENNIS O'KEEFE (1908-1968)
O'Keefe became an MGM player in the 1930s and kept working, partly thanks to his movie star looks. He did an occasional quality film, but generally nothing too distinguished (Topper Returns, Dishonored Lady). But who cares? Dennis had a square jaw, nice bone structure, and a lovely bit of a randy look in the eye.

JOHN GAVIN (1931-)
With his chiseled looks, Gavin could portray carnality without even trying. He did three extremely memorable films (Imitation of Life, Psycho, and Thoroughly Modern Millie) and he's also remembered for almost getting to be James Bond and for definitely being the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 1981-86. Accept no imitation of Gavin. He's the man for me.

ALAIN DELON (1935-)
Alain was alternately called the French James Dean and the male Brigitte Bardot, but he was his own homme, smoldering in art films like Purple Noon, Rocco and His Brothers, and The Leopard. The guy didn't make it as a Hollywood star, but he did make it as a real-life romancer, having been linked with Romy Schneider, Nico, and other lucky people. C'est si bon.

MICHAEL PARKS (1938-)
A motorcycle riding TV star, Parks played one of the ultimate roles -- a scantily clad Adam in The Bible -- as well as helping populate '60s swinging romps like The Idol and The Happening. Tarantino re-anointed him by putting him in Kill Bill films and Django Unchained. Any movie with him in it is a welcome exercise in Parks and recreation.


KEIR DULLEA (1936-)
A handsome, somewhat otherworldly actor, Dullea debuted in 1961's The Hoodlum Priest and went on to films like the missing person drama Bunny Lake is Missing (in which he played a psycho) and 1968's sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, in which he gave Hal a run for his gigabytes. Keir Dullea, not gone tomorrow.


TOM TRYON (1926-91)
From I Married a Monster From Outer Space to the hyped dud The Cardinal, the handsomely cheekboned Tryon didn't attain first tier movie stardom. But he then wrote the book The Other and he also came out of the closet, making it big as a novelist/gay. Interestingly, one of his books was the basis for Billy Wilder's cult film Fedora.



HENRY SILVA (1928-)
A New York actor of Sicilian and Spanish descent, this guy always projected an interesting, uncertain ethnicity and reliably played heavies, with roles in The Manchurian Candidate and Johnny Cool. He was cool all right. Henry had "it."

---

The New Antwerp Six: Rising Belgian Designers Shaking Up the Fashion Scene

June 18, 2015, 9:00 am

≫ Next: The Coolest Person in the Room: Jake Levy

≪ Previous: 10 Actors from the '50s and '60s to Crush Over

$

0

0

Avant-garde is an everyday thing in Antwerp, Belgium's most fashionable city. The world's diamond trading capital burst onto the fashion scene in 1988, when the Antwerp Six (Walter van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee), all graduates from Antwerp's Royal Academy of Arts, showed their deconstructed collections together at London Fashion Week. Current design stars Raf Simons, Kris van Assche and Bernhard Willhelm have all once called Antwerp home.

Aside from the fame of the Six, Antwerp's fashion stardom is largely due to the sterling reputation of the Royal Academy, where Walter Van Beirendonck is artistic director. With a highly selective admission process, the Academy draws talented fashion students from around the world for its conceptual take on garment creation. And as home to several luxury houses, the city just north of Brussels has become a hotspot for young fashion creatives, retaining many Academy graduates who choose to remain in the city when their studies are over.


Below, get to know six rising stars from the Antwerp scene.

Christian Wijnants

"Belgian fashion is about individualism," says the Brussels-born designer, whose rich, layered graphics combined with elegant knitwear are simultaneously subtle and outstanding and A-line skirts paired with over-sized cardigans take on a new look under his eye. It's a delicate hand that caught the attention of Dries Van Noten, who named Wijnants' graduate collection from the Royal Academy 'Best Collection' in 2000 before taking him under his wing in Antwerp. From there, Christian went on to work with Angelo Tarlazzi in Paris before he returned to Antwerp to launch his eponymous label in 2003. Having already sold his collection to more than 100 boutiques worldwide, including Barneys and Harvey Nichols, the designer will finally get his own flagship in Antwerp in September.

"Antwerp has a rich history and I love the city. It keeps on inspiring me."-- Christian Wijnants

Wim Bruynooghe

"There's a nostalgic greyness," to Antwerp that inspires Wim Bruynooghe, who grew up in the nearby coastal city of Ostende. Both cities have an openness that comes from their location directly on the North Sea.

With a palette of blues, grays and neutrals mixed with ruffles that tumble down from the shoulder or waist, the rough and tumble influence of the North Atlantic is  apparent. While the label is still relatively new, the recent opening of a flagship in Antwerp has held the buying public's attention in a fast-paced industry. "Creating a hype around a sweater seems way too easy and that's not what fashion should be about. We prefer instead to create a world."

Toos Franken

A small, one-woman shop, Toos Franken took a non-conventional path to launching her line in 2014. After working as an assistant in the pattern ateliers at Ann Demeulemeester and Haider Ackermann, Franken enrolled in a two-year patternmaking course before branching out on her own. These experiences as a patternmaker shine through in her womenswear, the entirety of which she still makes by hand. In her first collection, she produced about 150 individual pieces of about 30 styles; each piece feels, then, one-of-a-kind, which fits well with Franken's design philosophy.

"You should buy clothes because you love them and not because you want an excessive amount of them. It costs a lot of money to buy handmade in Belgium, so I don't want them to be worn out in a year or that people will recognize it as something from a previous season. They will stand out a little bit but I want my jacket to be something that you can keep for 20 years and then give it to your granddaughter."

Cedric Jacquemyn

Growing up in the shadow of the Antwerp Six shaped Cedric Jacquemyn's understanding of fashion entirely. The group's influence is seen not only in Jacquemyn's designs, which rely heavily on draping to create sophisticated urban menswear looks that layer well, but also very much determines the way his business has developed since its inception in 2010. 

"I've always been interested in Belgian fashion and in Antwerp. There's a focus on smaller, more independent fashion brands. If you look at Belgian fashion labels, there's always this quest for being free and though your life or your label may get more serious, the strength of the Royal Academy is that it forced creative thinking, which in turn becomes a reminder of your freedom. Doing what you believe in means it takes longer to get off the ground."

Still, Jacquemyn remains confident about the trajectory of Belgian fashion. "For the first time in Belgian history, you have labels who are no longer being designed by Belgians but all the labels stay true to themselves."

While that's true of his own designs, over the last five years, Jacquemyn says his label has changed very much on the business side. Having already shown in Paris, London and Copenhagen, Jacquemyn has decided to sit this runway season out in favor of gaining a closer connection to the wearer and concentrating on the more personalized sales approach. "We make the prototypes in my atelier by hand but work with Belgian production companies. It's important for us, then, to find more stores that are focused on quality, on the handmade garment. Shops becoming more like galleries is the future of fashion."

"There's a cooperative, not competitive atmosphere here, which is inspiring."-- Cedric Jacquemyn

Marius Janusauskas

The youngest of the bunch, Marius Janusauskas has just put the finishing touches on his first collection after graduating from the Royal Academy in 2012. "It was inspired by Gertrude Stein," he says. "The American traveling to Paris and the mix of two cultures and the mixing of symbols." An interesting inspirational mix, considering Janusauskus had to do extra legwork after first arriving in Antwerp after growing up in post-Soviet Lithuania.
 
"I came out of post-Soviet Lithuania, so for me the whole Western culture we were denied access to was so foreign, that barrier between us and them. I had to study Western culture, the symbols, looks and ideas that I was lacking before because of growing up with Russian culture."

That homework paid off with a collection that's both comfortable and wearable while also remaining forward-thinking in its style.

Photos by Quentin De Wispelaere

Devon Halfnight Leflufy

Though only just getting started in the fashion world, Devon Halfnight Leflufy already has the strong credentials necessary for a major breakthrough. One of 26 designers nominated for the second edition of the LVMH Prize, the Canadian-born menswear designer works with buyers in Paris, presents his collections in New York and has already been picked up by Opening Ceremony in LA, though he still calls Antwerp home, even after finishing his Master's from the Royal Academy. "I'm struck by the juxtaposition of history and tradition, against an emptiness that allows you to work and explore freely."

The Coolest Person in the Room: Jake Levy

June 18, 2015, 9:17 am

≫ Next: "Them Changes" Are Good: Thundercat Has a Mini-Album Coming Monday

≪ Previous: The New Antwerp Six: Rising Belgian Designers Shaking Up the Fashion Scene

$

0

0

photo via Instagram

In our column, "The Coolest Person In the Room," we're asking our favorite nightlife pros (hosts, DJs, door people, promoters, bar/club owners, club kids, bartenders, socialites) to tell us about who they think is the one party person whose look is always on point, whose energy is contagious, and whose scene is worth checking out -- basically, that person at the club who they've got their eye on and think we all should know. In each installment, the previous "coolest person in the room" will pass the baton and nominate someone else. 

Last week we featured Sussi Suss and he's been kind enough to nominate our next 'Coolest Person in the Room,'Jake Levy.

Who is Jake?

Jake Levy, an LA native now living in New York, is a self-made fashion icon. [Whether he's] posting outfits he styled on Instagram or twirling across the dance floor, everybody knows Jake. Jake often hosts parties atPaul's Baby Grand and Subrosa, and always keeps everyone dancing until the sun comes up. The amount of energy this eager-to-please sweetheart has is so bright and refreshing. You can't help but love him.

Why do you love him? 

Jake is one of my favorite people in NYC because he radiates joy; his carefree personality makes every night out with him spontaneous and always refreshing. Going to clubs with Jake is a blast but I think the best time to hang out with him is during happy hour, drinking a margarita, flirting with European men...He always has everyone's attention. His style is nothing like New York has seen in a very long time -- it's corporate, Amish, gypsy-chic -- and not just club looks. He's always in something eye-catching that makes people ask "Where'd you get that?"

What makes him unique in nightlife? 

Jake is unique because he is so new; he is like a breath of fresh air in a hot, sweaty club at 3:30 a.m. He drives with positivity and always has a smile on his face; welcoming to those who are afraid of nightlife and just want to make friends. In nightlife there are a lot of negative people, but Jake brings joy to partygoers's nights, constantly asking how they are doing. Being one of the founders of the Instagram hashtag/trend/phenomenon, "#HEELCONCEPT," he also has made waves in the fashion and art worlds by making people get creative. His Instagram photos are like paintings.

When was the first time you ever met him? 

I don't really remember where I met Jake for the first time...but I do remember the day I first started to really love him. Jake and his roommate Stefan were having a housewarming party at their new home so deep in Brooklyn that it could have been in the country. [It was this] house with an old library, huge gates and a courtyard, so I looked over to my friend Sebastian (the one who introduced me to Jake) and we giggled about how insane it was that he lived in this grand palace. And so we went up this spiral staircase, where Jake greeted us at his door in a gigantic purple ball gown -- it had a hoop skirt and everything. He was running around the apartment greeting everybody with a warm hug and showing them around, and it's times like this that could really make anyone love him. 

What is your favorite memory you have of Jake? 

One of my favorite memories is the night I was hosting Straight Acting at This n' That in Brooklyn. I needed an outfit to wear and literally had no idea what I wanted to do, so Jake threw together an outfit in 5 minutes that was so on point, I could have worn it on a red carpet. He mixed latex with a sunhat and JPG with fetish gear and flowers. He's brimming with fresh ideas and I trust him 100% with styling. 

"Them Changes" Are Good: Thundercat Has a Mini-Album Coming Monday

June 18, 2015, 10:07 am

≫ Next: Listen to Robyn's New House Banger "Love Is Free"

≪ Previous: The Coolest Person in the Room: Jake Levy

$

0

0

If you've been listening to many major music releases over the last couple of years, you've probably heard Thundercat, a.k.a. Stephen Bruner, an extraordinarily talented bassist and producer, even if you've never heard his name. A frequent collaborator with Flying Lotus, Thundercat is all over last year's You're Dead!, as well as Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly. (For a longer read on his contributions, check out Jeff Weiss'excellent profile in Rolling Stone.)

Now, Thundercat is releasing his first new record since 2013's excellent Apocalypse, a mini-album titled The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam that reportedly features Herbie Hancock, on Lotus' Brainfeeder label. Check out the first released track, "Them Changes," below, then start getting very, very excited. [via Pitchfork]

Listen to Robyn's New House Banger "Love Is Free"

June 18, 2015, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Scenes from Yoko Ono's Sunrise Performance at MoMA

≪ Previous: "Them Changes" Are Good: Thundercat Has a Mini-Album Coming Monday

$

0

0

photo by Simon Ryden

Robyn, amongst the greatest pop philosophers of our time (what's more moody existentialist than "Dancing On My Own"?), proclaims that "Love Is Free" on a new buoyant single that comes courtesy of a side project she's been teasing for a while now. 

Dubbed La Bagatelle Magique, the project is the result of recordings with bandmate Markus Jägerstedt and late collaborator Christian Falk, who died during the making of the album. As such, Robyn and Jägerstedt are still hoping to release a mini-album of completed material "really soon."

A verifiable club-ready, Euro-house banger (that also has a weird moment of Spanish?), listen to the track premiere on Annie Mac's BBC show, followed by an interview with Robyn herself. Listen below.

h/tThe Fader

Scenes from Yoko Ono's Sunrise Performance at MoMA

June 22, 2015, 3:45 am

≫ Next: Scenes from the Coney Island Mermaid Parade

≪ Previous: Listen to Robyn's New House Banger "Love Is Free"

$

0

0

A flash flood at the stroke of 4:30am couldn't keep the crowds away from attending YOKO ONO MORNING PEACE 2015, a global sunrise celebration on the summer solstice held at MoMA early Sunday morning. The event, which marked the 50th anniversary of Yoko's 1965 performance of Morning Peace in New York City, was a busy affair at the museum and worldwide: the experience was continued in 8 different time zones with gatherings also hosted in cities like Milan, Moscow, Sydney and Tokyo. Breakfast was served all through dawn, which included French pastries, juice, coffee and champagne and partygoers kept themselves awake by dancing to a set by FLAT WHITE aka Off-White designer Virgil Abloh. For those who didn't feel like noshing or dancing, you were free to explore the artist's solo exhibit 'Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960-1971' held on the museum's sixth floor or display your creativity in participatory art making stations with Yoko's poems. As the sun began to rise around 6am, Yoko took to the stage for a rambunctious set of screaming and dancing alongside Abloh. Soon after, Dev Hynes' band Blood Orange performed a stellar mix of new and old tracks including their hit song 'You're Not Good Enough' and a newly-penned one with NYC-based singer Empress Of. Check out photos from the performance, below.

'Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960-1971' will be on display at the museum through September 7, 2015.

Yoko Ono

FLAT WHITE aka Virgil Abloh

Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono

Dev Hynes

Dev Hynes