“Piece By Piece” will soon be released as the next single from Anna Calvi’s second album, One Breath, on March 31st.
The track’s video (below) was filmed in one take by Mathy & Fran and is meant to portray Anna’s schweet guitar skills. Check it below.
It’s a big day for Saol Álainn, who is sharing new single, “Cis.Cism,” co-produced by Don Loemax. “Cis.Cism” is the AA side on his debut 7″, 005, released as a limited run via No Recordings this past November. Check out “Cis.Cism” and the “Nostroke” video, directed by Samuel Morris Hamad, below.
New Electric Ride, the Psychedelic indie rock band signed to Beyond Beyond is Beyond Records, is set to release its debut LP, Balloon Age on February 25th. The album contains psychedelic songs laced with tinny vocals, quirky keyboard, and a flanged up sound reminiscent of The Beatles, but before you go comparing them to John, Paul, George, and Ringo, a few words:
Balloon Age, an apparent ode to The Beatles (specifically Yellow Submarine) manages to pay homage to the Fab Four, while still showcasing New Electric Ride’s unique style. More pop-driven songs like “Bye Bye (Baton Rouge)” showcase the band’s ability to write a catchy hook without sacrificing their sound. Riff-driven tracks like “Lovers” highlight the group’s commitment to creating dynamic rock songs. But still, I found myself constantly comparing the album to the countless hours I’ve spent listening to The Beatles discography. While this comparison can be high praise, it can also be crippling. Whenever any band steps into the arena with The Beatles they tend to magnify their weaknesses and minimize their strengths. Luckily for New Electric Ride, the George-Harrison-style guitar can sound great if a song has enough catchy creativity to back it up – and in the case of Balloon Age, the creativity is palpable with each track.
Generally speaking, everyone’s favorite cook is his or her mom. My mom makes the best chicken piccata that I’ve ever tasted (mad props to Debra). At this point in the review, you’re probably asking, “Colby, why are you talking to me about delicious Italian cuisine and your mom?” What I’m getting at is this: While my mom’s chicken piccata will always be the best in my mind, I still like the dish when someone else cooks it, because that’s my taste. Maybe the sauce is too thick, maybe they forgot the capers… I’m still going to eat it, and nine times out of ten, I’m going to like it. Maybe the tinny vocals and the flanged up sound works better on some songs more than others, but I still like that Lennon sound. The question becomes, is the album a unique, successful expression of a new voice? And in this case, I believe that it is.
At some point or another, every rock band enters into the arena with The Beatles in some way whether they like it or not. I mean, The Beatles are basically the successful older brother that casts a never-ending shadow for the rest of us to live in. Maybe that’s the issue. Is it really fair to judge a band based on the scale created by legends? Even if that band draws creatively from the style of a legendary group like The Beatles? New Electric Ride seems to pose this sort of question in “A Submarine Song.” The band asks “isn’t it mean how no one can dream about writing a submarine song anymore?” Have people like me killed the dream by constantly judging one piece of music, art, or literature in relation to another?
What’s the point in creating music if you can’t dream of being the best? Can’t you at least aspire to write something as iconic and great as “Yellow Submarine?” Just because it’s been done before, can we not draw from and build upon the successful sounds laid down by our musical forefathers? If that’s the case, then I might as well just lay down the pen (or shut my laptop down), because I’m sure that I’ve consciously and subconsciously used phrases and styles from past writers who were far superior and more successful than me.
Look, I know as well as the next listener that it’s damn near impossible to listen to an album with tinny, flanged up vocals with harmony and not think of The Beatles, but before we judge a band based on that criteria, maybe we should consider other things – like how much we genuinely enjoyed listening to the album, regardless of whether or not it was as good as Magical Mystery Tour. There will never be another group like The Beatles or another album like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, but it’s refreshing to see a band take those sounds and make them their own in an attempt to create something new and great. New Electric Ride does just that with Balloon Age.
I’m done rambling now. Go listen to the album and eat some chicken piccata.
Atlanta’s newest fashion boutique, Winter Wren in Virginia Highlands, celebrated its grand opening Thursday night with a chic evening of great food and drinks, while offering 20% off all store merchandise. The soiree, which lasted from 6-9 p.m., was an opportunity for the retailers to show their appreciation for the neighborhood, which has already embraced their new addition, as well as their other boutique, 310 Rosemont.
Complimentary Sushi was provided by Genki Sushi, a local staple located just a few steps from Winter Wren in Virginia Highlands. Refreshing cocktails made with Cathead Honeysuckle vodka mixed with lemonade, mint and cucumber, combined with warm spring fashions almost made the crowd forget it was February. A jazz trio comprised of bass, saxophone, piano, and beautiful female vocals complemented the store’s elegant atmosphere.
Complete with a Free People shop-in-shop, the boutique also carries designer fashions from Michael Kors, Rebecca Minkoff and 7 Jeans, just to name a few. There are presently numerous sales throughout the store including some as high as 50% off on Michael Kors bags.
Store Manager Carrie Cala said, “Winter Wren comes in at a lower price point than 310 Rosemont and includes designs targeting younger customers, while maintaining sophistication. It will be a good opportunity for women in the area to get the brands they want without having to drive to Lenox Mall.” Besides factors of convenience, Winter Wren can also offer young women something most other design retailers do not; a student discount. Show your student ID and receive 10% off!
Winter Wren looks like the closet every girl dreams of having. With an eclectic variety of designs there is truly something for everyone, at prices everyone can celebrate.
Today, you can watch the video for “Everything is AWESOME!!!” by Tegan And Sara featuring The Lonely Island. The video goes along with their The Lego Movie collaboration.
Check out ABUELA’s new video for their track “True Colors.”
Today, you can watch Phantogram’s new video for “Fall In Love.”
Check it out here:
St. Vincent found herself collaborating with someone new this past week – not another musician, but a fashion designer! St. Vincent teamed up with Diane von Furstenberg for her 2014 fall collection fashion show, debuting many tracks for her hugely awaited self-entitled album. Check out the whole show below! This might be the greatest thing to ever happen. Happy #FW14
The third edition of Fashion Night Out ATL was held last Wednesday night at The Loft in Castleberry Hills to celebrate the kick off of New York Fashion Week. The event, which included a fashion show featuring some of Atlanta’s most talented designers and a silent auction, was an opportunity to raise money for two non-profit organizations.
The host for the evening, Renee Knorr of My Beauti Network, was decked out in a flowing black gown worn previously by Rihanna. Knorr’s dress, as well as others in the show, was donated by CAUSE For Elegance, a non-profit organization that accepts used garments at low or no cost for re-sale to fund charities like the United Negro College Fund. Knorr explained that events like these are important for Atlanta to “empower fashion through sharing” and thanked the audience for participating.
As the show began, models wearing Baba G’s gold winged earpieces and large collar necklaces walked the runway. His “wearable art” is a nod to African tribal fashion and has been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Erykah Badu and Willow Smith.
2013 Fashion Showcase Winner Alex Holliman’s designs were graceful displays of eye-popping sequins and unique pleats. They included a flirty black party dress with a leather bustier and a grey sequined gown with a mesh top and open back. The crowd applauded as his final piece, a red off-shoulder gown that flowed down the runway.
Designs by Linda Bezuienhout and H2G menswear were also featured in the show, as well as numerous donated red gowns from CAUSE for Elegance. The red dresses were part of a theme for February’s American Heart Disease Awareness Month. Funds from the auction also went to Easter Seals, which provides financial assistance to disabled and special needs adults and children.
For more information about Easter Seals please visit here. To purchase these red carpet looks, check out the Cause for Elegance Facebook page.
For more photos of this event, check out the album on our Facebook page!
“Forget makeup,” you may be tempted to say as you hit the snooze button yet again before getting up for class. Believe it or not, though, looking polished for school can be really important: who knows what kind of connections your professors may have? Who knows who you’ll meet? But doing your makeup for class doesn’t have to be a 45-minute drag. Got five minutes? That’s all you’ll need, if you’ve got the right products on hand.
1. Use a Beauty Blender Sponge to quickly stipple a BB Cream (or tinted moisturizer) into moisturized skin focusing color under the eyes to look more awake. We like Bobbi Brown BB Cream with SPF 35.
2. Apply Maybelline Master Glaze Blush in your preferred shade from cheekbones to temples, making sure to blend it in.
3. Dot and blend a shaded eyeshadow primer, like Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin, all over the lids. This product cuts out a step, so you don’t have to apply primer and then shadow.
4. Use Covergirl Bombshell Intensity Liner – in brown or black, whichever you prefer – to line the top lid and wing it into a subtle cat eye. Liquid liner is usually a little tough on a time crunch, but this product’s short handle makes it easier to maintain control.
5. Finish up the eyes with a thick coat of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara on only the top lashes – you don’t want to spend the day worrying about smudging.
6. Swipe on a sheer red lip stain, like Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic.
And voila! A quick, classic look for class. That wasn’t so bad, right?