Status Issue 9 - The Music Issue feat. DJ Am

technology

travel

food

fashion

ENTRY PERIOD WILL BE FROM

OCTOBER 15 to DECEMBER 31 TH

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“LOVE THE NIGHT”

The night shows everything at a different light. Share its wonder and colors with captivating photos and get a chance to win a Cyber-shot TX1.

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UPLOADING 80%

Take a photo using a point and shoot camera with the theme “Love the night” under the following categories: Fashion, Food, Technology and Travel.

Share the story behind the photo.

Email your entry at cybershottx1@gmail.com

Use the format below to email: Subject: Dream Dinner – Perfect Angel Hair Pasta Pomodoro Category: Food Name: Nina Lumabas Contact No. : 9122223 Address: 38 Firefly St. West Triangle Quezon City Photo: pomodoro.jpg Blog/Story: Dream Dinner – Perfect Angel Hair Pasta Pomodoro I finally found the perfect restaurant! It’s the Old Plant at Eastwood where you can find good company, good wine and perfect pasta. Its angel hair pasta is a remarkably marvelous dish though made with just a few ingredients. As we sat outside in the night, the mood has even made the experience helluva lot heavenly. The dim candle lights danced around my dish and the angel was just captivating. *Incomplete info will not be considered as an entry.

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File Format: JPEG only Max size per JPEG image: 5” X 7” in. (300dpi) You can submit one photo entry per category For multiple entries please send only one photo per email Submission of entries is from Monday to Friday only. The top entries per category will be featured online at www.cybershotonline.sony.com.ph every Monday.

The grand winner will be notified via phone by Sony Philippines. Deadline of claiming of grand prize will be on March 15, 2010.

Prize will be claimed at the Sony Philippines Head Office. Unclaimed prize after deadline will be forfeited.

Only the best across all categories will be captured.

No professional editing allowed Participants may later be requested to submit JPEG images with higher resolution.

judging Online voting @ www.cybershotonline.sony.com.ph Judging criteria by representatives of Sony Philippines & Status Magazine

Creativity & Innovation

Message/Relevance to the theme

Image Quality

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STATUS MESSAGE

ON HEAVY ROTATION W

e have this little hypothesis—music is the soundtrack to our lives. This music issue, we get up in the mix behind music’s innovative artists, DJs, bloggers, and make a tribute to one of the most influential mixmasters in the world.

The legendary DJ AM, wasn’t only pushing the idea of what DJ-ing is about, he was also the courage that actually blended music we wouldn’t have even imagined possible. By bringing a lot of unknown artists to his A-(play)list, he definitely shed light on what the mainstream forgot to appreciate. We celebrate this influence, and we celebrate music veterans like DJ Jazzy Jeff who inspired a legion in his field. We welcome MC Wale who picks up to answer hip-hop’s void of flavorful verses.

The ladies have also put their two cents in the game. Kid Sister and her amazing style make us love hip-hop and dance, but it’s her graceful approach to this newfound fame that makes us respect her even more. Ladyhawke may be a reluctant singer-songwriter, but is this same reservation and energy that captivates us.

Au Revoir Simone’s low-fi electro-folk meanderings give us back the meaning of delicate, melodic.

There is always space for the rule-breakers, of course. LA’s Far East Movement is moving far past cultural stereotypes and pushing their approach to hip-hop.

Iceland’s Riceboy Sleeps’ experimental ambient music is a mystical sojourn into the world of silences and slowness. Paris’ DJ Mehdi is showing us just how perfectly electro and hip-hop make love. Music video directors--Rik Cordero of Queens and Pancho Esguerra of Manila--show us how the lack of resources does not equal the lack of artistic vision.

It’s becoming more about the music more than records once again. Today, we present to you this little sound mirror. This is our emotions, our thoughts, our way of connecting that goes, “I get you, and you get me.”

- STATUS TEAM

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STATUS ISSUE 09

...is up in the mix.

STATUSPHERE...................................18 SUBCULTURE....................................21 BEATS.........................................22 SCREEN........................................23 INK...........................................24 IGNITION......................................26 TECHPACK......................................27 Kid Sister

ABOUT FACE....................................28 BRICK & MORTAR................................30 GO-SEES.......................................32 SWAG SHIRTS........................................36 JEANS.........................................37 SHOES.........................................38 SUNGLASSES....................................39 ACCESSORIES...................................40 BAGS..........................................41 MARY JANES....................................42 LEATHER JACKETS...............................43 BOOKS.........................................44 Jabbawockeez

SARAH MEIER...................................46 TEYANA TAYLOR.................................48 KJWAN.........................................49 DJ MEHDI......................................50 FAR EAST MOVEMENT.............................51 RICEBOY SLEEPS................................52 BLACK KIDS....................................53 RED-I SOUNDSYSTEM.............................54 DUSTER........................................55

Wale

WeSC

Tech Pack

Kicks

STATUS ISSUE 09

...is up in the mix.

JABBAWOCKEEZ..................................57 RIK CORDERO...................................58 THE HYPE MACHINE..............................60 JAVIER LAVAL..................................61 JOSH MADDEN...................................62 PANCHO ESGUERRA...............................64 KHAVN DE LA CRUZ..............................65 ANGEL CABADA..................................66 FRANKI CHAN...................................67 JULES JULIEN..................................68 MARILYN ROXIE.................................71 TOMI UYSINGCO, SHINJI MALANGIT, FRANCIS CAPAL.71 DANIEL DE LARA................................71 LEONARD GONZALES..............................71 JAZZY JEFF....................................72 WALE..........................................74 DJ AM.........................................78 KID SISTER....................................82 LADYHAWKE.....................................84 AU REVOIR SIMONE..............................86

DJ Red-I

TABATHA MCGURR................................88 JABBAWOCKEEZ..................................90 STATUS SINGAPORE RELEASE PARTY................91 URCC..........................................91 FLUXXE........................................92 MANILA DESIGN WEEK............................92 PUMA ARCHIVE UNCOVERED........................93 DUBPLATE......................................93 GRADUATION CELEBRATION........................94 MARC JACOBS FASHION SHOW......................95 LOVEMADE X HAN CHOLO..........................95 Ladyhawke

KYLEE FAUSS...................................98 TEACH YOUR PET HOW TO DJ......................109

I

n our music issue, we present to you the tribute for DJ AM (also known as Adam Goldstein).

He is the man who squeezed in being a scratcher for the likes of Papa Roach, Madonna, and Jay-Z, hitting the drums for Time in Malta, collaborating with Travis Barker, and rising from a plane crash—all in one life.

Swag Photographed by Jeff Vogeding

contributors

RAYMOND ANG

Since his band died in high school and his guitar skills have decayed, RAYMOND ANG has discarded his hopeless rock star aspirations and just trolls music blogs, stages concerts in the shower, edits his school paper The Guidon, and writes music features for STATUS. He is currently patiently waiting for the next Strokes album or Kelly Clarkson’s Manila concert, whichever comes first.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Rosario Herrera ART DIRECTOR Revo Naval ASSOCIATE EDITORS Victoria Herrera Nante Santamaria MARKETING DIRECTOR Jon Herrera ASSOCIATE MARKETING DIRECTOR Mesh Villanueva ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MAITA BAELLO DESIGNERS Nicole Bianca Po Patrick L. Jamora EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Raydon L. Reyes Tracy Collantes

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NICK ST. James

NICK ST. JAMES is a director for TV shows, commercials, and music videos. “I’m a director of things…and sometimes a photographer. I like girls,” he says. This issue, he writes about the British drama film Billy Elliot—his favorite movie of all time. Also, check out how he captured auteur and Kamias Road netlabel chief Khavn de la Cruz in black and white.

INTERN Patricia Perez CJ Salvador CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah Meier-Albano Raymond Ang Christine Braganza Francis Cabal Marla Cabanban Nathaniel De la Cruz Toff De Venecia Gino de la Paz Karl De Mesa Vincent Golangco Patti Grandidge Don Jaucian Shinji Manlangit Tabatha McGurr Miyo Sta. Maria Nick St. James Raphael Sta. Cruz Eirene Uy

Mangored

TABATHA MCGURR

According to photo graphics savant duo MANGORED, one of the things they do best is laughing at themselves.

That, and taking pictures, illustrating, and layouting—all of which they learned from “the real world.” Their passion and embraceit-all work dynamic made them the perfect pick to shoot music video director Pancho Esguerra.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Aliver Barry Ambrosio Merlin Bronques The Cobrasnake Kristin Genn David Holloway Kai Huang Nick St. James Patrick L. Jamora Scott Kidder Revolution FINANCE Eva Ventura PUBLISHER Whiz Kids Publishing

A 19-year-old writer from Brooklyn, New York, TABATHA MCGURR currently works at Married To The MOB, where she’s been operating the MOBLIVING blog for around four years. She enjoys staying at home, playing with her dog, getting her ass rubbed on by her boyfriend, and spending quality time with a nice jar of the sticky.

What’s your STATUS? We’d love to hear from you!

Email us. whatsyourstatus@statusmagonline.com It’s also available digitally at WWW.STATUSMAGONLINE.COM For advertising opportunities, please email advertise@statusmagonline.com / marketing@statusmagonline.com Or call (02)8901708 / (02) 8956833 Status Magazine / Unit 3 / Ecoville / Metropolitan Avenue / Makati

STATUSPHERE

MOB WARS

PARAPHERNALIA W

I

hen Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, and Sienna Miller opt for LIA SOPHIA jewelry instead of their usual Harry Winstons on the red carpet, you know there’s something special about it.

Since 1986, Lia Sophia has been producing gorgeous accessories, all under the supervision of the Kiam family. Their elegant necklaces, teardrop earrings, chunky bangles, and other accessories are crafted with such amazing detail and crazy precision. Lia Sophia spruce up their gold and silver collections with colorful cut crystals and glass beads, making them versatile, perfect for just about every occasion.

t looks as though MARRIED TO THE MOB “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Fall 2009 line has swooped in with the perfect answer for the hottest casual street wear around. MOB’s latest poster girl, New York socialite-slash-artist Teyana Taylor models a wide variety of musthaves, from trendy statement tees to super comfy hoodies. But if you’re worried about looking just like everyone else at the mall or on-campus, don’t worry—MOB’s new line is all about the basics, but with a fun, rebellious edge that’s sure to set you apart from the rest of the pack.

www.liasophia.com

www.mobliving.com

THE GLAM, AND THE RESTLESS

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nspired by the “young, restless, and glamorous,” this boutique-favorite brand is the choice of the tragically hip. From NY to LA, Dolce Vita has been a bankable shop for the staple and the trendy. Revel in their peep-toe lace-up leather boots, studded to the knees or strapped to the ankles. Ankle-high or flat, crumpled or distressed, this Nylon and InStyle-recommended line is your go-to shop when you want, need “soleful” style.

www.shopdolcevita.com

ON POINT T

he creative minds behind London-based footwear brand POINTER are inspired by everything. “From art and music to skateboarding and breakfast,” which proves that they can spot the possibilities anywhere. Gareth Skewis and his like-minded conspirators focus on clean, welldesigned shoes to exude a mature and sophisticated look.

It’s quite toned down compared to your trend-of-the-moment trainers. So if you’re looking to update your closet with a classic selection, there’s Pointer to grow into.

www.pointerfootwear.com

BAND OF BROTHERS W

hen four of the most popular pro skaters decide to combine forces to create an eyewear company, you are faced with the ultimate crew—BRIGADA. Started in 2006 by Jim Greco, Andrew Reynolds, Terry Kennedy, and Erik Ellington, the boys wanted to create a company run solely by skateboarders. Yes, these pros have been endorsing everything from head to toe, but why decide to start an eyewear company? “We all wear sunglasses, why not start our own company?” They sketched up their logo at a local diner, and off they went. Each frame has a clear influence of each skater’s style but why the Mafioso names for the frames: Scarfo, Pastore, Corleone, Nino Gaggi, Pazzo? Maybe they aren’t just friends, they’re family.

www.brigadaeyewear.com

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statusphere

STRIPED FOR RANSOM S

tand out from the crowd this fall with these ADIDAS x RANSOM shoes. Inspired by the outdoors, this line presents a back-to-basics look, mostly bold monotone and muted colors, oozing a relaxed, downto-earth feel. They also rouse a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of heritage brands such as Sorel, Red Wing, and the vintage workwear idea. Their smooth suede finish guarantees a loose, luscious stride on your next walk in the park.

www.adidas.com/originals

CROWNED GLORY H

ailing from London, CHRISTY’S HATS has established a fine reputation in hat-making since 1773. Fast forward to 2009, where its evolution Christy’s Crown Series is creating its own rep of cool, fun, and stylish hats for both men and women in young Hollywood. Creator and creative director Tony Merienda is bringing a fresh vision to the brand. He puts a modern twist to classic silhouettes like caps, fedoras, and buckets by using new materials, patterns, and colors. The trendsetters simply love it—just ask Joel Madden who’s been seen shoppin’ in their LA boutique.

www.christyshats.com

ZIP IT B

efore somebody comes peering in, it shouldn’t hurt to deck up your soul windows first. Give it the modern spice from the ‘90s-born VON ZIPPER, standing out in the aviator-and-wayfarer obsessed world of eyewear. Now carried by Billabong Sportswear, VZ has turned into a staple for surfing and skateboarding stars who like to play stylishly rough under the sun. Donning a balance of bold, sleek, vintage, and sporty, these shades, curiously tagged with names like Cookie, Hitchhiker, Lexicon, and Banshee don’t have to zip your individuality against cliché and UV rays.

www.vonzipper.com

MPOSSIBLE!

DIME AA DOZEN

“

C

an one actually raise the quality of menswear around its limitations on wearability? M BARETTO accomplishes this with ease as the men’s line designer for the edgier ready-to-wear Folded & Hung. In his Holiday ’09 Philippine Fashion Week show, he sends slim-fit trousers with lower crotches, understated sheen on staple pieces, bolder shades of red and purple coupled with tartan patterns, all under the influence of black. No way exclusive for the metro man-about-town.

Kitten With Claw,” DIMEPIECE DESIGNS takes girl power to a whole new level with its Fall/Winter 2009 collection.

For its “Nine Lives” line, DimePiece duo Ashley Jones and Laura Fama introduces Cassie as the new poster girl. Chichi prints and ultra-feminist slogans are splashed across the tees and s, sending off major empowerment shockwaves to all the girls. Their hoodies, sweatshirts, leggings, and jodhpurs are just as fierce, fabricated with crazy mixes of mesh, jersey, and fishnets. And to cap it all off, DimePiece is releasing a line based on Cassie’s new album Electro Love, all available exclusively on their site.

www.dimepiecedesigns.com

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STATUSPHERE

A WOMAN’S TOUCH W

elcome to a lavish woman’s abode.

Near Singapore’s Chinatown, THE SCARLET is a boutique hotel nestled between specialty shops and bars.

Curiously characterized as a “woman,” in its every corner lingers her touch— passionate, sensual, and glamorous.

And thus the rich, opulent, and luxurious colors, her first signs of seduction. At a relaxing roof deck lounge, Scarlet will entice you in a flavorful restaurant and lure you in her stylish bar. As you enter the lobby filled with the textures of sleek, dark marble, velvet curtains, and gilded mirrors, you are led through dimly lit hallways to a French chic bedroom. The seductive lighting reveals a lush, voluptuous boudoir surrounded by glittering lamps, picture frames, and curtains. She is an unrequited love who’ll keep you coming back for more.

33 Erkshire Rd., Singapore 06933 www.thescarlethotel.com

TOKYO MEETS PARIS I

magine biting into a delicious éclair and sensing a hint of aromatic green tea. Yes, a sweet surprise and an unconventional one at that. This is the kind of treats you will find at the patisserie SADAHARU AOKI PARIS. Pastry chef Sadaharu Aoki opened his first shop at Paris in 1998 and has expanded to two other locations in the city of lights. But it wasn’t until 2005 when he opened his shop in his homeland Japan. Traditional ingredients such as Yuzu (Japanese citrus), hôjicha, genmaicha, mâcha, ginger, wasabi are what make his desserts so desirable. Be it in the patisserie’s popular macaroons, green tea éclairs, vanilla millefeuilles, or cream puffs, the creation of Japanese flavors in French pastries is an innovation in its own right as much as a delectable treat.

www.sadaharuaoki.com

MY GJELI AMOUR P

ronounced with a silent “G,” GJELINA is a hidden restaurant gem in Venice Beach, California. The vibe is very Venetian chic; no trendy LA crowds rather the creative Abbot Kinney types. It’s also a place for those who enjoy downright fresh farmer’s market ingredients that transform into rustic Mediterranean cuisine. The brick flooring and wooden plank ceiling set the tone for the indoor dining room while the crisp air and neighborhood noises is reserved for the outdoor patio.

Gjelina offers everything from charcuterie + cheese boards, colorful salads, small plates, pizzas, and bigger entrées.

www.gjelina.com Must-try’s: *mushroom + goat cheese + truffle oil pizza *woodroasted sunchokes *crispy Niman ranch pork belly *crispy duck confit.

If that sounds like a mouthful, don’t worry—the seasonal menu driven by what’s fresh opens up room for trying new dishes each visit.

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FREE SAMPLES N ot just another site for streaming free music, WHOSAMPLED.COM makes you a musical historian overnight and turns a commoner into the ultimate music geek. This ever-growing community-based platform boots a library of cover songs and sampled music you can “spin” side by side with the tracks they were based on. Discuss the resurfacing of past trends, and you can submit content to spark a new hot topic yourself. Want to know where Kanye West got that beat from his new single? Just type in the song title, and let its search engine track it down for you. Ever got curious who got samples from Madonna? Just search for her name, and they’ll show you who’s channeling the Queen of Pop. In an era where technology makes sampling a DIY project, WhoSampled, while making you the go-to person for music debates, gives back credit where credit is due. Want to pull another Vanilla Ice on us? Think again.

www.whosampled.com

SUBCULTURE SEE EVIL, HEAR EVIL, SPEAK EVIL T

he way independent thinkers’ thoughts dance around the norms is damn near incomprehensible. Hence, to take a gallery moniker like PURE EVIL is left to anyone’s guess. In Hoxton’s underbelly, this two-leveled limbo was inspired by the graffiti painting of Twist and the free skating culture in California, where its owner Pure Evil lived for 10 years.

Upon his return, he began a rampage on the walls of London with fanged demon figures. Now, they all rest in a homely spot along Leonard Street—on the first level a versatile art space of Victorian descent and at the basement, a bleaker setting available for what satisfies the gallery’s criteria.

This is no place for arbitrary and incomplete artworks though. Pure Evil requires an amount of enlightenment after encountering artists and their work. Having done solo exhibits around the world, impressing Pure Evil is a tall order in itself. Built to be a rite of passage for self-supporting artists and a bastion against commodification, it also has a music production studio that delivers a surround media art sensation. Unlike many galleries, Pure Evil treats an artist as he should be: breaking limits.

–Miyo Sta. Maria

GO ANAL

CAN’T BUY ME CHARM

S

eeing their remote parking lot could be so moving; you just might ‘cycle your way home even if you took the train to J. Ruiz station, at which foot is BZKLETA with its surplus and vintage bikes filling three floors and overflowing to the sidewalk.

Owner Lee Pua, busy restoring bikes timelined since the ‘20s, approximates 650 in his workshop’s lot, 200 in his personal collection, plus loads more getting sold out at the store. Depending on what and how much they need, vintage lovers, fans of things luxurious, and daily passersby are counted as customers of his cruiser, three-wheeler, ladies’, and utility bicycles.

What started as a hobby of collecting and restoring old things—from cars to turntables, a jukebox to a slot machine—became a full-blown business emptying trucks after trucks of used but charming and affordable bikes. As Lee would say, “The man with the most toys wins.”

G, BABY! A

IN TUBES AND

BARRELS S

o you think you can surf? Then you should try the famed wave barrels at CLOUD9, Siargao Island this coming October 21-27.

Famed for its big swells coming directly from the deepest stretches of the Pacific, Cloud 9 has long since attracted the attention of the best surfers from around the world such as Hawaii’s Jamie O’Brien and Bruce Irons, Australian shredder Owen Wright, and Jadson Andre from Brazil. These tube riders can only describe the southern Philippine island as a haven with “flawless, hollow barreling waves”—clearly every surfer’s dream come true.

Those who dare to brave the onslaught of waves will get the chance to win $20,000 at the week-long tournament sponsored by top sportswear company Billabong. Talk about a good reason to get into the water. –Raydon L. Reyes

Fun facts about vinyl: it sounds great; it has genuine clicks, pops, and hisses; and you can use it as a flat surface to separate the seeds from the leaves.

t Cubao X, Manila art scene’s thriving hub, it seems fitting to see VINYL DUMP, a newly relocated twostorey record store pricing reasonably according to the condition and value of titles ranging from Bach and Bob Dylan down to Steppenwolf and Sesame Street.

If leaving the house isn’t your thing, there’s always EBAY, which has a lot second-hand record-peddlers.

But if you want something more trustworthy, go to WIREDSTATE. COM, where most sellers are record-lovers first and businessmen second, which is why they know exactly how to grade and price their merchandise.

It’s also the best place to get turntables, spare parts, audio gears, and even outer

sleeves for your precious collection.

For the super budget-conscious, there’s always BANGKAL in Makati.

For years, it has been a thrift-shopper’s paradise with prices starting at 25 pesos per record, and if you’re good at flipping and scouring, you could score a Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd album without putting a hole in your pocket.

Appreciating records now is not only for the serious audiophile. If you love music and want to experience or relive the glorious sound of the needle hitting the record, then you better start collecting now because vinyl is definitely here to stay.

In the wise words of the band called Say Anything, “Go analog, baby! You’re so postmodern!”

–Shinji Manlangit

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BEATS

MUSIC REVIEWS

DJ Virman www.myspace.com/djvirman

DJ Josh Madden www.myspace.com/joshmadden

DJ Fashen

www.myspace.com/djfashen Udachi and Jubilee “Paypur” A monster!

Super grimey and loud, like my next door neighbor!

Duck Sauce “aNYway” Super funky! ATrizzy and Armand Van Hizzy take this classic funk record and breathe new life into it. I play this every night!

Lil Wayne, Drake- “Every Girl (Gant-Man Back it Up Juke Mix)” This track is fun to cut up at the beginning. Then jump into Gant Man signature style with the “Back it up” sample for a sec, then drop back to the original 77 bpm’s. A dancefloor heater!

The Ting Tings - “We Walk (Calvin Harris Remix)” Super dope remix by Calvin Harris!

Ting Tings are a favorite of mine, and the synth laced dance remix of this track stays on repeat.

Steve Aoki and Zuper Blahq – “I’m in the House (Grandtheft Remix)” Remixed by Grandtheft of Team Canada and the Eh Team DJ’s. Super ticey bassline. It will make the hairs on your neck stand up!

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - “Home” This isn’t an electronic song. Like most of “Up from below,” [it] was recorded live. Every time I hear it, it makes me happy for some different reason.

The Answering Machine “Lightbulbs (James Yuill Remix)” I saw photos [Hedi Slimane] took of them, and I know he has good taste.

So I looked them up. I wish people played this track in clubs.

Chiddy Bang “Fresh Like Us” I don’t know how I found this kid.

He’s unsigned and he’s from Philly. “If hate is the new love/ then we fittin’ to get married.”

Gallows- “In the belly of a shark” The U.K. should be so proud to call these guys their own! This is not from the new Gallows record, but it’s the song I’d play to introduce you to them. I run mile after mile to this song on repeat every day. The lyrics are so co-dependent, I love it!

Reni Lane- “We don’t forget” I love girls. I love girls who sing. I love girls who sing really great songs. Reni reminds me of Chrissie Hynde, Harriet Wheeler and Nina Persson, all at the same time.

Far East Movement- “2 Is Better” Here’s another introduction to the hiptronik world by the Far East “ ur songs sound like Thrasher’s Movement, featuring Lil’ Eddie Hall of Meat videos, dreamy and Bay Area artist Ya Boy like surfing on a milkshake wave,” (We Run LA). Produced by the BEE EYES try to describe their Stereotypes as a follow up genre. Proclaiming themselves as to their last collaboration a bunch of potheads who happen to “Girls on the Dancefloor,” this play music, Bee Eyes is composed record speaks for itself: “2 of punk bassist Diego Abad, is better than 1”! “skate-and-destroy” Idris Vicuña on drums and guitar, and crossculture drifter Julius Valledor LMFAO - “Shots” who claims he can sing in 20 I’m not a different voices. super drinker

What’s usually referred but when I to as a mix lo-fi surf rock (think hear this song Wavves) and 90’s alternative come on in the (think Sonic Youth), Julius clubs, it makes plainly calls “pop songs that me wanna take sound a little crude.” Their shot after shot single “Who Does,” which was after shot. Just do the math: recorded with “a lousy computer LMFAO + Lil Jon = Party Rock! mic and the worst recording software ever,” caught fire in The Pharcyde the blogosphere and landed them - “Passin’ Me features in a couple of e-zines.

By” Julius adds, “We were offered a Here is one couple of deals to make a record! of my favorWe’re pretty stoked.” ite old skool

“Most of our songs cuts. I have end up being about our friends, to play this girls, religion, conspiracies, record when I am spinning. things we hate, the current This is one of the few records political and social climate of I’ll rap and DJ to at the same the Philippines.” Not to mention, time. the idea of doing what hasn’t been done before. “So in a way, Dr. Dre and our music is counter-cultural,” Snoop Doggexplains Julius.

“Nuthin but a

With four released G’Thang singles, a mixtape, and a bunch In my opinion, of live bootlegs, Bee Eyes are the best West just waiting a little to release Coast gangsta their first full-length. Expect rap song of all it on vinyl, and expect it to be time! This is the song that badass. “Bee Eyes hope to inspire put Long Beach on the map. It people to challenge the status quo takes me back to my childhood and fuck the man! Oh, how Black days growing up in Long Beach.

Panther/ Weather Underground of I feel proud when I play this us!” record.

ACT UP: BEE EYES O

www.myspace.com/beeeyes

DUCK JOCKEYS No, they’re not the sweet and sour Chinese seasoning you put on your spring roll. Duck Sauce is actually the new collaboration between two major DJs in the club scene, A-Trak and Armand Van Helden. Promising to meld vintage disco house tunes and the latest hip-hop sounds, the duo will soon have you gyrating to the beat of songs like “aNYway” and “You’re Nasty,” with their newly released Greatest Hits EP. That is, if you can ignore the comical duck logo holding a vinyl record in its hand, wing, or whatever.

www.myspace.com/ducksaucenyc 22 - www.statusmagonline.com

DIRECTOR’S CUT: Billy Elliot (2000)

SCREEN MOVIE REVIEWS

CINEMANTICS: N Taxidermia (2009)

V

omit, skins, bodily fluids, goo, and other vile grotesqueries abound in György Pálfi’s Taxidermia. You want to look away, but despite the unnerving visceral images flashing on the screen, you can’t help but flirt with these deeply rooted tauntings in mankind’s unmapped cranial regions, where pulsating desires copulate with the moralist trappings we were raised up with.

A triptych about three generations of men according to short stories by Lajos Parti Nagy, an innovator of Hungarian literary language, it begins with a soldier enduring servitude under a lieutenant whose wife he impregnated. Morbidly obsessed with sex, he is killed by the officer while mounting a slaughtered pig.

The narrative continues with the soldier’s son, Kálmán, who is born with a pig’s tail and grows up to be a plus-sized speed-eater, eager to compete in the Eating World Cup. It is here where Pálfi engages with the romantic, where Kálmán and his fellow champion speed-eater wife carouse in sweet idylls occasionally broken by more hurling of gastric matters.

It is Kálmán’s son, Lajos, the focal character of the third segment, who becomes the titular taxidermist to sew himself up into a preserved statue. Mind-numbingly kinetic, Taxidermia demonstrates Pálfi’s ability to craft tales with veiled socio-political underpinnings, romantic notions, and immersions on immortality. This Un Certain Regard selection in 2006 proves to be an audacious graphic spectacle grounded by a solid affection for the characters’ plight to escape their dreary lives and fixations. –Don Jaucian

Like someone else’s Freudian slips and sensual assaults blown into theatric proportions.

early 10 years ago, I came across a bunch of olive wreaths on a DVD cover, and at the time, I was a sucker for olive wreaths on any movie. I took Billy Elliot home, and the following week, I couldn’t stop thinking about the movie. I rented it again and again and eventually bought it. It’s the story of a boy, in 1980’s coal strike Northern England, who finds solace in ballet. None of that one line description is in any part cool, but what the movie is, is silently beautiful and honest.

And don’t let the ballet thing lead you to think that Billy Elliot is a diatribe on homophobia. While it brushes on the subject, it doesn’t dwell in it. Billy Elliot is simply a movie about a passion that develops in a 10-year-old boy, played by first time actor Jamie Bell, who finds out that dance is the only way he can cope

with his feelings. Billy Elliot is beautifully shot in a subtle way. The soundtrack is amazingly picked and used. It’s taught me that you can make any tepid story interesting and captivating as long as it’s told well.

I bet there are movie buffs and filmmakers snickering at my choice of movie, wondering why I, as a director, didn’t talk about a Fellini or Lynch or Gilliam or Aronofsky film. I guess that’s fitting, because Billy Elliot had lots of manly, dirty English coal miners wondering why Billy didn’t play football or boxing or wrestling. And no one ever made a movie about them.

–Nick St. James

While Billy doesn’t say much more than “Dunno” repeatedly, his dance sequences speak volumes.

DIBIDI: Always: Sunset on Third Street (2005 & 2007)

I

t’s not hard to realize why this film stole the hearts of Japanese moviegoers back in 2005 and birthed out a sequel two years after. The ordinary inhabitants of Third Street in 1958 Tokyo could have very well been you and your neighbors: Chagawa, an awkward writer who just can’t seem to catch a break; Suzuki Auto, the hot-tempered car repair man; Junnosuke, the abandoned boy passed on from stranger to stranger; Hiromi, a dancer seeking redemption, and a whole bunch of bums and drunkards.

There isn’t really a sole protagonist. Instead, the film sews together a seamless story of the everyday battles a little community faces amidst Japan’s post-war economic boom. Behind the rising symbol of progress that is Tokyo Tower, you watch how these people run after mini victories only to stumble again—such is their lot. Cases in point: the Suzuki family finally get their own TV only to be disassembled the same night. Roku, the apprentice from the province, gets her first taste of cream puffs that turn out to be rancid.

But everything comes in cycles. Always also tells of finding faith again in the most unexpected places.

It is where writers discover that being read, not winning literary prizes, is the greatest achievement , where a woman with a blemished past learns she is lovable still, and where little boys find a gift, hidden in a patch sewn to an old mended sweater, that bails them out of trouble. This is the film’s greatest charm: the ability to capture the constant push and pull between past and future, between the life you left behind and the life you’re now trying to make. –Eirene Uy

all are flawed in their own little stories yet endearing to the audience.

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INK

BOOK REVIEWS

And the Geek Shall Inherit the Earth

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

By Carljoe Javier

C

By Ben H. Winters

A

fter the success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it was only a matter of time before they made another novel in the same vein. Written by Ben H. Winters with the text of the Jane Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters promises to deliver the same brand of surrealist imagery brought on by the marriage of “creature feature”-lore and Austen’s brand of social commentary—“A guaranteed fun-filled romp!” to put it in Hollywood terms.

The story follows the Dashwood sisters and their lives and loves…one of whom is—you guessed it—a half-man, half-sea monster named Colonel Brandon. Much like PP&Z, SS&SM features detailed illustrations that leave almost nothing to the imagination. Yet if PP&Z proved one thing, it’s that there is indeed a market for these kinds of stories.

Quirk Books editor and series creator Jason Rekulak struck gold with an otherwise insane idea, and it just goes to show that a little inspiration goes a long way. All you need is that one tiny nudge. Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love?

Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels? Clearly, this newfangled formula of “Classic Literature + monsters” sells… so who’s buying? –Francis Cabal Disguising tribute as desecration, homage as gimmick, though it is unlikely that Quirk Books will win over the Austen purists.

elebrity panties losing their ‘mystic streak’, mutant powers, Indiana Jones aspirations, and pirated DVD vendor wars are just some of the things that populate Carljoe Javier’s first book And the Geek Shall Inherit the Earth. While the cover, illustrated by pop-art vanguards Electrolychee, may suggest venerable forms of trifles and whimsy that only geeks might care about, it’s funny, cohesive, and makes for a fairly light reading even a non-geek could probably finish in one sitting.

An account of being a reality show contestant might not be as funny as you would imagine, but what sets And the Geek apart from the usual trite is Javier’s ability to dissect our fixation to these voyeuristic exercises. Ostensibly capturing ravenous consumerism and the frantic state of our era, he easily dispenses nuggets of geekdom like your ever-reliable uncle who spends much of his time analyzing the Mythology of Lost or recounting misadventures while holding a cold cerveza bottle. His subjects are quite endearing: everyday stuff and not-so-fortunate events filtered through his Comic Book Guy perspective sans the snootiness and elitist tendencies.

Devoid of any pretentious literary aspirations that many writers with Javier’s pedigree suffer from, it is also able to summon a palpable air of nostalgia, a remembrance of things past, these recollections becoming the means to immortalize. Because crazy and mundane as they may initially seem, there are longstanding quirks and resolute gems lurking somewhere underneath.

–Don Jaucian Fortunately sparing us from obscurantist geek rantings, Javier splices our collective consciousness in his beer-goggled writing approach.

Nick Knight

By Nick Knight

T

ime shrunk and reality expanded in this page of Visionaire, Japanese American model Devon Aoki’s first editorial shoot, which is now appearing on the cover of Britain’s fashion photography lord’s eponymous new book Nick Knight. It’s been a long exposure to the business of light since his photo book Skinheads in 1982, the proceeding 12-year retrospective, and Flora—a series on Kingdom Plantae’s stunning muse, but Mr. Knight is not resting far from the forefront of his art.

Before blogging went mainstream, he has already founded SHOWstudio.com, home to live shoot and show broadcast, an overall bearing of creative process, and interactive fashion projects like a call for open collab with him and Alexander McQueen for Puma’s S/S 2010 campaign.

This October, he’s revealing some unpublished photographs together with his most

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beautiful and important images in this collection.

This is the kind of work that eats up 6-8 weeks of post-production, he reveals of his photos for John Galliano to which he uses a special “Dior lens.”

In his further exploration of methods and new technologies, Knight brings us to his sacred light box, fully revealed with his commitment to the future. And you don’t have to pay him the purported £100,000 a day rate. –Nante Santamaria

“I see [my work] as conversation,” he says, and what better way to invite dialogue than to put his corpus on the page?

IGNITION

IGNITION CONVERTIBLE COMFORT

T

hink of a top down car’s open-air freedom without sacrificing the quiet and comfort of a coupe. The new LEXUS IS300C is the best in its aerodynamics class, boasting a strong and rigid body structure, reengineered to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness.

Fresh exterior features with modifications from the lights to the wheels make it more charming. Inside, the IS convertible has three interior trim color options with an enhanced LCD display.

Electric Power Steering (EPS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) improves control while meeting the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II certification. Overall, its a pretty sweet ride bringing together expected quality and luxury.

HIGHLIGHTS Maximum Output : 228hp @6200 rpm Torque : 196nm @ 4400 rpm Fuel Economy: 7.8L / 100km $24,000

THE MIX FACTOR A

n all-wheel drive sedan? You don’t see or hear that often. Subaru’s pursuit for the ultimate driving experience continues with the introduction of the IMPREZA 2.0R-SAT. Its sophisticated exterior and ergonomically designed interior is matched with high performance capability and drivability.

HIGHLIGHTS Spacious interior, useful center console box with an accessory socket and a cozy night ambience in the cabin make driving more pleasurable. Known for its Symmetrical All Wheel Drive (AWD) system with Active Torque Split System, Subaru gives the car astounding traction and handling. Time to schedule a test drive.

Maximum Output : 150hp @ 6400rpm Torque : 196nm @ 3200rpm Fuel Economy: 8.2L / 100km $24,000

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TECH PACK

Nokia 5530 Xpress Music Has 2.9” 16M-color TFT LCD 16:9 touchscreen display (360 x 640 pixels) 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and VGA@30fps video.

Quad-band GSM support. Wi-Fi connectivity. MicroSD card memory expansion, ships with a 4GB card.

SRP: $285

TECHPACK Style by design. These are for the ultimate techies who want to live it up.

Leica M9

The 18 megapixel Leica M9 is the first digital rangefinder to feature a 24×36mm full frame sensor, and measures just 139×37x 80mm and is compatible with any Leica M lens.

SRP: $8015

Sony Cybershot TX1 Has 2.9 inches Full Touch Interface, 3D Surround Sound, Wireless Lan Photo and Video Sharing online, 3.2 Megapixel camera with LED flash.

SRP: $285

Stack iPod Docks

Made out of natural hardwoods. They come in either American Walnut (iPod Classic/5G or Nano 3G) as well as Scandanavian Birch (iPod Nano 3G).

SRP: $92-$102

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About face

HELLO BRIGHT EYES

Whether you had a late night out or just a late night, those dark circles under your eyes are casting you in a less than pretty light. Here are some products that’ll shed some light on those peepers.

Hydrate Mandate

Philosophy’s new Eye Hope advanced antiaging eye cream provides proven results that won’t leave you hoping for long. This multifunctional formula hydrates, calms, and soothes the skin, while its light-scattering properties help brighten skin tone-a promise you can believe in, providing antioxidant protection against future damage.

Lighten Up

Drink 1.5 to 3 liters of water a day to avoid dark circles and puffy eyes

Three Cheers

Puffy eyes are never pretty.

Which is why SkinCeuticals gives us the A.G.E. Eye Complex— a penetrating treatment that provides three dimensions of action and results: at the surface, just under the skin, and within the skin. With four percent blueberry extract, it improves the strength and elasticity of the skin for healthier looking peepers.

Body Shop’s Lightening Touch has an amazing little wand that contains ingenious light-diffusing particles that instantly brighten your under eyes. Its Marula Oil, Organic Beeswax, Vitamin E, and essential fatty acids help to restore smoothness and suppleness while locking in moisture.

Double Time

L’Oreals’ White Perfect Double Eye Zone Brightener is the perfect two-step way to achieve that dewy-eyed look.

First, the gel is enriched with caffeine known for its replenishing action. Second, the cream contains the new flashwhite effect to brighten the eye contour immediately and visibly. Equipped with Melanin-block, it helps to control the melanin production from the source to reduce the appearance of brown spots.

BEAUTY BITE: KÉRASTASE INSTITUTE Experience luxury hair treatment at its finest as Kérastase’s cutting-edge technology and truly effective products bring hair care to perfection. Located at the ground floor of 6750 at the heart of the Makati District, Kérastase Institute by Salon ESA is the first in the Philippines to offer the latest Recherche Avancée L’Oréaldeveloped technology for hair and scalp treatments. Combined with top-of-the-line customer service

and a palatial environment, you’re guaranteed a true beauty experience. Whether it’s Gloss Treatment you seek or just a regular haircut, a visit to the salon would have you coming back to experience every service they have to offer. After all, the hair is every girl’s crowning glory.

Ground Floor 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines Tel: 8191040

&

brick

BRICK & MORTAR

mortar K.I.N.

51 Haji Lane Singapore 189244 +65 97906901 www.knowitnothing.com

I

f you want to find an exciting mix of tailored and well-edited menswear, you must make your way to K.I.N. (Know It Nothing) in Singapore’s hip Haji Lane. Opened in May 2007, K.I.N. is “a space with a hybrid of all things important, independent brands with design rele ce, good service, good music in an environment that is more organic than the rest,” explains owner Suraj Melwani.

Contrasted with a minimalist presentation of shoes, apparel, and accessories, the space has a rustic feel with its hardwood floors and old beams. Towards the back of the store, there is an airy feel at a small rock garden surrounded by white walls and a skylight. “We felt we could combine all of our tastes and experiences to provide our perspective on clothing/culture,” shares Suraj.

“I studied fashion design before,” he continues, “The store works as a good base to further our design aspirations later on.” This is apparently why the selections complement one another as if you can walk away with a complete outfit from the store.

Their most popular brands are Engineered Garments, Moscot Eyewear, and Sifr—all brands that focus on quality fabrics and exact tailoring. They also carry Ubiq, Vans, and Pointer—men’s footwear with subtle and classic silhouettes.

Refined yet approachable, this boutique thinks of a sophisticated man’s style as well as his lifestyle.

WARPED 14 Scotts Road, 03-119 Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213 www.warpedstore.com

A

ll that glitters is gold, but if you are a die-hard sneaker collector, all things limited edition is like gold. This is what makes WARPED one of the jewels on the crown of sneaker stores in Southeast Asia. They have garnered this reputation for carrying the most exclusive and hardest-to-find sneakers—Haze Dunk High, Tiffany Dunk SB, HTM AF1, Nike What The Dunk, and Supreme Trainers.

The first sneaker consignment store in Singapore, Warped is located in Far East Plaza, a few minutes off of the famous shopping area Orchard Road. When you get it, the store design is straightforward—just sneakers—row after row of the heavyweight brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok, and Vans showcased on the shelves.

Boutique owner Charissa Ashley boasts that they carry more limited sneakers in one place than anywhere else in Asia.

“Dead stock models that can’t be found in stores anymore,” shares Charissa, which lead to them setting up and running their own sneaker consignment store. Whether for newly released sneakers or dead stock, you have a good chance of finding what you want here.

“We’re psyched, to say the least, but this means we gotta keep pushing ourselves to be better and hence came the birth of our online store. Now we’re international! Each step is a stepping stone for us and we wanna push boundaries.” ‘Nuff said.

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GO SEE

gosee

Strapless Dress

It’s a small world after all. And for style, there is definetely no borders.

Cuffed Jeans Shorts

Denim Vest

Mini Skirt

Leather Jacket

Chain Bag

Ruffled Blouse

Black Jeans Duffle Bag

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New York

Los Angeles

Las Vegas

Singapore

Tokyo

Manila

New York Los Angeles

ngeles

GO SEE

Button Down Shirt

Cardigan

Cut-off Shorts

High-waisted Skirt Printed Shirt

Printed Scarf Hoodie

White V-neck

Distressed shirt

Cargo Shorts

Las Vegas Singapore

Tokyo

Manila

Fringed Boots

send them gosee photos to gosees@statusmagonline.com - www.statusmagonline.com/gosee - 33

WeSC Maraca Headphones [P2,770]

SWAG OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Photographed by Kai Huang and Revolution at Tryptych Studio Make up by Kay Rodriguez Hair by Jhera Fadol of HG Studio Modeled by Amanda Fikowski and Brent Javier

swag

Dim Mak [P1,600]

Puma [P1,230]

Billabong [P1,650]

Hurley [P1,800]

0] Ezekiel [P1,60

Puma [P1,230]

Psycho [P95 ] Psycho [P95]

Obey [P1,435] WeSC [P1,550]

posibili-tees Catch everyone’s attention in these tees.

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Shirt by Alternative Apparel [P915]

Billabong [P1,650]

Analog So ul [P550]

swag

IT’S IN THE JEANS You may not be born with a good pair,but these Sup Clothing jeans sure make up for it.

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swag

Marc Ecko Clancey - Bowery [P3,495]

Adidas Stan Smith 2 [P3,495]

DC A-250 [P4,990]

Puma SS Disc Blaze [P3,975]

Pointer Toby [P6,000]

Adidas Vespa [P3,470]

DC Black Spartan High [P6,990]

Generic Surplus Boat Shoe [P3,000]

RUN YOUR OWN LACE

Be ahead of the herd with these sneaker finds.

Puma Easter Basket II [P3,830]

DC Manteca 3MS [P5,290]

Mundo Patent [P2,190]

Pony [P4,300]

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Jacket by Puma [P3,430] T-shirt by Alternative Apparel [P915] Jeans by Levis Capital E Shoes by Pointer [P3,500]

swag

Scarfo by Ellington [P2,305]

5.

Corleone by Ellington [P2,880]

The Nino Gaggi by Kennedy [P2,305]

The Pazzo by Reynolds [P2,305]

Pastore by Greco [P2,785]

FREEZE FRAME

Bask under the sunlight (or limelight) in these stunning Brigada frames.

Shirt by Filippa K Sunglasses by Brigada www.statusmagonline.com - 39

swag

gold giggin’

The search is over for that pot of gold, accessorize like a stud with these golden signature pieces.

Bag by Possibility [P950] Shoes by Topshop [P5,395] Cuff by Anthology [P1,400]

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swag

Certain Adorn-ation Keep your valuables in these season-staple embellished bags.

The more the merrier.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Rags to Riches [P1,400] Aranaz [P9,500] Aranaz [P3,800] Aranaz [P4,400] Aranaz [P3,800]

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Top by H&M Skirt by Undernourished Manila Boots by Report [P5,545] Bag by Aldo [P2,095] www.statusmagonline.com - 41

swag 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Pretty Persuasion

Gone are the days when Mary Janes were only made for ‘lil girls. Slip your feet into these charming footsies.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Charles & Keith [P2,950] Charles & Keith [P1,999] Charles & Keith [P3,250] Aldo [P4,295] Nine West [P4,450] Steve Madden [P2,950]

Dress by Topshop [P3,995] Shoes by Charles and Keith [P2,850]

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swag

Anne Klein [P9,750]

Topshop

H&M

All To-leather Rev up your usual ensemble with these badass leather jackets.

Dress by Undernourished Manila [P1,675] Tights by H&M Leather jacket by Terranova [P2,850] Regaleali www.statusmagonline.com - 43

SWAG

“I Love You Baby” [P2,200]

“Doodle All Year” [P940]

By The Book Judge a book by its cover.

LOWRES

“Musikraphics” [P2,530]

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Fafi x adidas

C

Fafi x adidas originals collection

ontinuing the creative collaborations for called on the talented French artist Fafi.

Fafinette characters, she takes her creations drops in November, and is the artist’s third something for you.

their 60th Anniversary Collection, Adidas has Known for her adorable, independent, and sexy from the streets to our gear. This collection collab with Adidas. Ladies, this is definitely

Varsity Jacket

Honey Low

Honey Mid

Hot Pants

Graffiti T-Shirt

Overknee Socks

Superskate

Jumpsuit

Stan Smith

The Sneaker

STATUS INVADES “Call me all-access, but I ain’t a hoe.”

“Figured I’d put the blackmail material out in public and beat you punks to the chase.”

“I grew up in HK and have been eating this stuff day in and day out all my life. Vitamin S, baby. SODIUM.”

“I have this bad boy hanging on the inside of my closet door. It’s my Mom’s. I keep it up there to remind myself that I will never be cooler than her. Being a supermodel in the 70’s was way more bad-ass than any of us can comprehend.”

“For Emergency Use Only.”

STATUS INVADES

SARAH MEIER If there is one thing SARAH MEIER has got locked down, it’s her way with words. Which makes sense, her having been a host of MTV Asia, and now bringing us the lowdown on fresh designers via Philippine Fashion Week TV. We’d like to name a million things that makes Sarah one of our favorite homegirls, but really, it’s better when it comes from her mouth.

“I wasn’t a trust-fund baby, but what my parents passed on in assets was flippin’ MONEY.”

“That’s the lyrics to ‘I Used to Love H.E.R.’.

Common calls me Love Queen.

I call him the man I should’ve married...(no disrespect, B.Billions.)”

“This is one of two boards Willy Santos made for a party we threw back in the day called ‘Illa in Manilla’.

I think we were supposed to give them away, but you know what?

F that. It’s mine now.”

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“Some books I buy, not to read. Just to look at the titles.”

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MAESTRO

Wunderkind

To become the newest female star of hip-hop at 18 may be a far-fetched dream to some, but that’s a lived one for singer, rapper, choreographer, and dancer TEYANA TAYLOR.

By Tracy Collantes

H

arlem-bred prodigy Teyana Taylor made her debut television appearance by having her birthday featured on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16. Dancing since seven, Teyana’s been joining various groups and entering competitions, and today she’s proving to everyone that she’s got some serious skills. Dubbed as the protégé of Pharell Williams, Teyana is making a name for herself as the “Teen President.” She chuckles, “I call myself the Teen President cause I feel like I’m a positive role model that stands for the kids and young adults. Plus, I’m Obama Junior.”

Proving worthy of the title, Teyana’s already worked with major artists like Jay-Z by pop-locking it in his “Blue Magic” video. She also choreographed The Beyonce’s “Ring The Alarm” music video when she was just 15. “It was a great experience because I felt I represented for the teens all over, that you can always follow your dreams and work with celebrities you look up to.”

Her debut single “Google Me” was released last 2008 featuring none other than R&B artist Omarion in her music video. Currently signed under Star Trak Entertainment, her debut album From A Planet Called Harlem is in the works and scheduled to be released this year. “The music is unexpected. It’s a much more mature side of me. I want everybody to be surprised. You will be impressed,” quips the 18-year-old legend in the making.

With great flair for style and envy-worthy physique to boot, she’s currently Married To The MOB’s model for their 2009 campaign. Teyana knows all girls love their clothes, accessories and everything in between, so she’s got some big plans with creating her own clothing line in the future. Though her mom and manager Nikki has tried decking her in Gucci, she shies away from all that and wears clothes that fit her personality and taste, loving them good ‘ol Jordan’s and hoarding ice cream.

Amidst all the success, Teyana continues to keep it real with both feet planted on the ground: “I feel like everything happens for a reason and God puts me through certain things for a reason so I appreciate everything I go through,” proving she truly is wise beyond her years.

www.teyanataylor.com

While the indie movement has spawned sensitive confessionals and garish stage theatrics, Marc Abaya and his band KJWAN have stuck to their guns— retaining a Zeppelinlike intensity for their live act, both sexual and musical–always a tough act to follow.

By Raymond Ang Photographed by Patrick Jamora

T

onight, singer Marc Abaya is, true to form, the life of the party. Outside Manila music haunt saGuijo, he pulls out a cigarette and, before he can light it, is greeted with a “Marc! Pumunta ako dito kahit di imbitado…para sa inyo! [I went here even if I wasn’t invited, for you guys!]” by a guy in the corner. Don’t worry about the cigarette; that’s taken care of.

A bystander whips out his own lighter and lights Marc’s cigarette, paying homage to the rock god the way Greeks sacrificed boars for Zeus.

But while the Kjwan stage show rocks as hard as it roars, their new album 13 Seconds To Love features a mellower, more mature, more musically accomplished Kjwan. Gone are the days of the complicated guitar solos and the occasional drum fills; 13 Seconds distinguishes itself by going back to basics, good old songwriting.

In Malaysia, a DJ told Kjwan that you can tell whether you love a song in the

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MAESTRO

first thirteen seconds. This stuck with the band and became the catalyst for their third album’s focus on songwriting. “The guy has a point,” says bassist Kelly Mangahas. Marc adds, “If you listen to the great songs, you know they’re great in the first few moments.”

“We’ve already transcended the need to rock with your cock out,”

says Marc. “I think you can rock out with the most mellow

song, the most beautiful song. You don’t have to literally pull it out.”

Kelly, sucking down the last few puffs of his cigarette, and guitarist Boogie Romero soon join Marc as my photographer Patrick takes the band’s picture. Against a backdrop of graffiti, they have an easy rapport, one that can only be born out of puberty and teenage dreams.

The original members of Kjwan met as friends in grade school. Though they had always bonded over their shared affinity for music, it was only in 2003 when the fivesome announced themselves as a musical force with the cock rock of their breakthrough hit “Daliri.” Since then, the band has released a second album (2006’s 2StepMarv), picked up an international award (IKON ASEAN Competition), and dropped another careerdefining hit (the summer anthem “One Look”). The whirlwind success took a toll on the band, leading to a six-month break.

“There was a lot of pressure on us,” says Marc.

But the break proved productive. “Even during the six months, we already began writing songs, all of us individually sending via email,” Marc explains. “So when we got to the studio and started rehearsing with the demos that were existing, we kind of had a feeling that the album would be totally different.”

“Totally different” is what has distinguished Kjwan from their local peers. As former members of established bands Dicta License and Sandwich, each member comes in with his own range of influences. “What’s cool about being in this band is we’re open to different kinds of influences,” Kelly says. “Marc has the classic rock influence. I have the, I guess electronic,

funk. Boogie has the Alice in Chains. The challenge for the band is to accept these different influences and integrate it.”

It is this melting pot of influences—from Sting to A Perfect Circle—that has given the band a unique musical identity, and allowed them to connect with different cultures.

Aside from the IKON win, they’ve also headlined HG-Live in Hong Kong and music festivals in Singapore and Macau.

“The best thing is that we’re all in sync,” Marc says.

“We all wanted the same thing from the things we learned abroad, about the audience, about what people like to hear. We’re doing this for the people; otherwise, there’s no point.”

www.myspace.com/KJWAN

LOVE GUIDE

Boogie Romero (Guitar): “Sweet Child Of Mine” by Guns N Roses. The first few notes there get you agad. Sting’s “No Ordinary Morning” din!

The drums pa lang. You know it’s a steady song.

From the beginning, it hooks you.

Marc Abaya (Vocals):

“Stairway to Heaven”

by Led Zeppelin. That guitar riff? Heard it and fell in love with it. Locally, Razorback’s first single ever, “Tabi ng Bulkan.” The minute I heard it, I got inspired especially because at that time, early ‘90s, everyone was doing covers and then here comes this rock ‘n roll band in Tagalog with the nastiest words ever. And then after, I find out it’s about body odor.

Kelly Mangahas (Bass): I like “Three Libras” by A Perfect Circle. That intro got me right away. Another was “Pardon Me” by Incubus.

The song gets you in the first note.

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MAESTRO

FOR LOVERS AND DREAMERS

Beyond the DJ booth and off the beats, Paris-based DJ MEHDI shows us what it means to meet the spinner’s eye, locked from Bob Dylan to Spongebob.

By Christine Braganza

H

is hands are full—DJing on the right and producing music on the left—well, whichever. Juggling these two looks pretty daunting, but DJ Mehdi a.k.a. Mehdi Faveris-Essadi draws strength in doing both.

“It’s great; one’s always feeding off the other. I love both things with the same passion,” he insists.

Signed to the fashionable Ed Banger Records—home to fellow French electro artistes Justice, Uffie, and SebastiAn— Mehdi has concocted some of the best recent mixes in his first album Lucky Boy in 2006 and in his EP Piano Pocket in 2008.

He was 12 when Mehdi jumpstarted his DJing career by messing around with his dad’s record collection. His focused method: “Work, study, and work,” which has sticked since those early experiments.

Blending elements from both hip-hop and electronica, DJ Mehdi sums his approach into this simple equation: “beatmaking + having fun.” No doubt a tested formula.

You gotta check his impressive remix history which includes tracks by Miike Snow, New Young Pony Club, Santigold, Busta Rhymes, Ghostface Killah, and CSS to name a few.

Drawing influence from the “Bobs” also helped him create the Mehdi sound. “I love Bob Dylan, but it’s because I love everybody named Bob. Dylan, Marley, Dole, even Spongebob,” he humors us.

The cry for Mehdi echoes from clubs to festivals. “I really liked the whole Coachella Festival trip,” he reminisces 2008. But when it comes to comparing these venues, Mehdi says it how it is, “Clubs are for lovers. Festivals are for dreamers.”

Having toured all over Europe and America, Mehdi observes how the playing field has been leveled out across cities. “The music scene in

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Paris is the same as in every other city in the world: it probably looks good enough from the outside but it often looks quite boring from the inside. I love my city though, and I love my Paris crew.”

Collectively known as the Cool Cats, this crew consists of New Wave artist So Me, Ed Banger founder Busy P, Micheal Dupouy of creative agency LA MJC, and of course, one of the previous STATUS cover artists, graf mistress and wifey Fafi.

With us wondering how the creativity bug bites in their household, he whines, “She kills a good creative afternoon by playing that David Guetta and Kelly Rowland song all the time; can you believe it?” Well, we sort of can.

Considering Fafi’s quirkiness might also be an offshoot of Mehdi’s. Case in point, when asked what he does apart from making music, he confesses, “Eating or having sex. It’s either this or that or the other.” Followed immediately by “Just two minutes ago, for the first time, I said the truth in an interview.” With this charisma and wit into his music, who’ll groan if we put him on repeat starting now?

www.myspace.com/djmehdi

When asked what he does apart from making music, he confesses, “Eating or having sex.”

MAESTRO

“...artists from our generation are taking hip-hop and interpreting it in a new way which is making music exciting again.”

BUSTIN’ BARRIERS I

f you’re still linking Asian music with kung-fu movie soundtracks, you need a bit of catching up. Or you may not know, while moving to a catchy beat in the club, that you’re actually groovin’ to something that roots from the land where the sun rises first.

Such is the case with Far East Movement (FM).

Members Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman first grabbed world attention in 2006 when their song “Round Round,” hit the airwaves via The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. But the foursome was already hitting the hip-hop scene long before they landed that deal.

In 2003, FM put together a large-scale hip-hop event called Movementality to benefit a drug rehab center in Koreatown, Los Angeles. This is how they met their then would-be manager and business partner Carl Choi, a producer who represented Asian American artists in the States. Soon, their first album Folk Music was released and had 2006 partygoers dancing to a whole new kind of hip-hop, followed by 2008’s Animal.

What started out as a high school freestyle dance exhibition group in the random parking lots of California gradually became a mainstay

in both the mainstream and underground world of music.

With songs that meld street culture and Hollywood glam together, FM shows us that barriers are really meant to be broken.

So how did you guys come up with the name?

Prohgress: One of the first songs we ever recorded was called “The Far East Movement”... While we were performing it, we realized...[it] should be our name explaining our lifestyle and the music should be free to be whatever we want it to be without racial or cultural definition.

Why did you choose hip-hop?

Kev Nish: Hip-hop taught us more than our own parents or teachers did, just like half the other kids around LA, so it was a natural move for us…

The movement behind it is exactly that, “something we grew up on.” Lots of artists from our generation are taking hiphop and interpreting it in a new way which is making music exciting again.

There weren’t that many Asians in the hip-hop scene before you guys came. Did you ever feel any discrimination from the audience and your fellow artists then?

Proving that there’s more to hip-hop than just the bling, FAR EAST MOVEMENT talk about starting out in parking lots, being Asian rappers, and transcending cultural definitions.

By Raydon L. Reyes Photographed by Shinabi Studios

Kev Nish: People would always assume we rapped in another language or assume the worst before we got on stage. But then, once we finished performing, people would come up to us and tell us they expected the worst but were impressed by the show and rooted for us halfway through.

Who are your favorite musical artists? Which of them influenced your music the most?

Kev Nish: Our influences are all over the place. We grew up on Outkast, Tupac, Jay-Z, N.W.A., Nirvana, Blink-182, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chili Peppers... For our new music, we’ve been listening to… anything with that good ol’ simple rhyme scheme that can get a party movin’.

Who decides on the musical direction and creative process?

Prohgress: Usually, Kev will produce a track or producers will send us a track that we all dig then we think of a few concepts wherever we’re listening to the tracks...usually in the car and throughout the day we all start shouting out ideas till an idea sounds awesome enough for us to stop in our tracks and say “Yooooo...I can see that!”

What social message do you try to express through your songs?

Kev Nish: We used to rap that one day, there needs to be Asian faces in mainstream radio and a portrayal of Asians in western media that aren’t fuelled by stereotypes.

What was it like performing for the Sundance and Cannes film festivals?

DJ Virman: When we first arrived at Sundance, the ASCAP staff told us we were the only unsigned act on the roster and the first all-Asian act to ever perform out there. It really put our trip in perspective and made us want to up our live show game.

Finally, what advice can you give aspiring Asians who also want to make it into the music scene?

Prohgress: Once you figure out that music is what you want to do and you can’t possibly do anything else, go 120% full steam ahead and don’t look back.

www.fareastmovement.com

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MAESTRO

RICEBOY

FEEDS

When Alex Somers lived the life of a starving artist, he mostly had just rice for meals. So when his partner Jónsi Birgisson of Sigur Rós, while composing, saw him in deep slumber, the musical duo’s name RICEBOY SLEEPS came. Sublime, radiant, emollient—their sound transforms us into children standing on a shore, birds drawn at mid-flight.

W

hile it has become a crime to be this poetic and far removed from everyday, the ethereal images and ambient music of Jónsi and Alex take us to the center of an otherworld swelling with memory.

Alex Somers, who’s done graphic design for the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, wasn’t stranger to frontman Jónsi Birgisson’s rhythm. So when they met, the artistic collaboration just followed.

Having founded a similar band called Parachutes, Alex continues, “We really know each other and can help one another realize where a song or artwork needs to go. And that relationship is really special, and it’s a really good feeling to create something out of thin air together...” While other artists rely on side projects to nourish and explore other aspects of their craft, Riceboy rather concentrate and elaborate on their present horizons.

In this eternosphere, everything else is silent. Time lapses and we reside in a new space, its edge trailing from their Reykjavík house. “In our living room, we have a piano, a celeste, a harmonium, a bunch of guitars, a few glockenspiels, a miniature vibraphone,” Alex describes the possibilities of their sound. It is the epicenter of a thick force, the material traces of experience.

Imagine this: two boys subsisting with a raw food commune in the navel of a Hawaiian jungle, mixing their acoustic tracks in a solar-powered notebook.

Here is a kind of life—one that says the world is close to the touch again, fresh to the ear once more, bare to the tongue and says welcome.

In what else are you musically and artistically interested in? Anything that we might be surprised to know?

We listen to Django Reinhardt and other old, crackly sounding music more than anything else. Even though our album has a dreamy sound, we love bad pop songs just like everyone else in the world; it’s fun... Two artists who really inspire us are Henry Darger and Sally Mann.

Hello, Alex. What’s on your menu for today?

A huge green smoothie for breakfast…

Is being raw food eaters totally unrelated to your artistic practice?

What we eat and the music and art we make are not directly connected, but since going raw, we’ve both seen our energy level and focus increase like crazy! And feeling amazing everyday, because of raw food, makes creating more spontaneous.

My hunger aside, how did you begin as musicians?

We both started by playing guitar around the age 12 or 13. Soon after guitar, I started playing drums and bass and got a four track recorder and one microphone. I started to record my own songs a lot in my bedroom...

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Tell us about your concept of pace and sound.

Our pace on this album is slow. The slow pace just felt right for these songs; they just unfold at their own pace…

Sometimes we slowed down recordings and played with them in samplers and computers in order to create different sounds.

We also really like dirty sounds! We didn’t want anything to sound too “clean” or “slick.”

Was it that vital that you made this album right where you live?

Mainly because we recorded the whole album at home: in our living room and kitchen. The album grew slowly over the period of five years, and it was such a natural evolution because the music became the output of our daily lives.

What are the most unusual reactions that you have received so far?

Jónsi’s friend told us that he was listening to the album while driving in his car and he kept realizing that he was driving way slower than the speed limit... The music kept slowing him down!

[Laughs]

www.jonsiandalex.com

MAESTRO maestro

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Black Kids Fil-Am frontman and scandalous Subic roots.

Reggie

Youngblood

walks

us

through

By Ralph Mendoza Photos Courtesy of Black Kids

A

musical

influences

FILIPINO ROOTS:

s soon as their LP Partie Traumatic hit the stores, Black Kids skyrocketed to stardom, rewarding fans with smash hits “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You,” “Hurricane Jane,” and “Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo).” 2008 was a mammoth year for this band composed of Reggie Youngblood (vocals and guitar), his sister Ali Youngblood (keyboard and vocals), Kevin Snow (drums), Owen Holmes (bass guitar), and Dawn Watley (keyboard and vocals).

And as they won the critics over, sold-out gigs in the US and abroad kept Black Kids even busier. Even Rolling Stone and the BBC lauded this five-piece outfit from Jacksonville, Florida, hailing them as one of the top acts to watch out for.

So what’s new? A lot actually. For the first time in magazine history, vocalist/ guitarist Reggie Youngblood shows us a quick but fresh take on his Pinoy ancestry and his childhood in the Philippines. Of course, Youngblood discusses other things.

guessed it came from Florida.

What do you find inspiring about living there?

I suppose living in Florida just made us enamored with music that wasn’t indigenous to Jacksonville, typically Southern rock or, er, rap-metal. We just wanted to sound different from all the local bands.

For the sake of those don’t know, how did Black Kids initially come together?

Kevin, Owen, and I have been playing in bands together since high school. When our last band disintegrated, I saw it as an opportunity to play with Ali for the first time.

She agreed, with the condition that we let Dawn in the group.

The way I see it, “Hurricane Jane” conveys some sort of drug abuse slant. Am I right?

Yeah, that tune is partly about drug-use...mostly about using them to self-destruct or escape from loneliness. The “Jane” character in the song is a composite of some temperamental women I’ve loved.

Your sense of pop music is refreshing and fun, but I never

his

What eras and bands heavily influenced you while growing up?

As a band, I think every decade from the Sixties on to the present has influenced us.

Growing up, I was very much a fan of radio or whatever was on MTV (this was when they showed videos perpetually).

Songwriters usually avoid writing about themselves because it could be boring. I heard the song “I’m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance” is based on personal experience though.

Well, if your life is boring, you should probably avoid writing about it. My life is semi-boring, so I take my experiences and grossly exaggerate them.

What can you say to people who easily pigeonhole what your band sounds like?

People tend to think that we are strictly sugary pop. Not so, our live shows tend to be more abrasive. We rock that shit.

What do you make of all this sped-up fame that your band has been enjoying right now?

It’s been a bit of a mixed blessing. We weren’t quite prepared for all the attention or scrutiny we’ve been subjected to. Some parts have been wonderful, though—mostly playing for appreciative crowds.

I’m sure you guys are an affectionate bunch, but what’s the biggest fight you guys ever had?

It was over a bottle of expensive Tequila. I felt that I didn’t have to share. Boy, was I wrong!

Aside from music, are there other hobbies that you guys make time for during your downtime?

Not really, we’re just trying to catch up with our friends— we haven’t seen them for two years! Actually, I just became a cat lady, overnight. The neighborhood cat gave birth to kittens in my stairwell, so now my girlfriend and I are fostering them.

What do you think is the pinnacle of success for Black Kids?

Survival.

www.blackkidsmusic.com

I was born at what used to be the Subic Bay Naval base. My mom’s from Bisaya, a mountain girl, I guess. Wait, are there mountains there?

MOM AND DAD'S LOVE STORY:

Well, as suggested above, my father’s a sailor. He initially met my mom by asking her to nanny for some other kids of his (I’ve never met them.) I guess he fell in love with the nanny, and through backhanded methods, stole her from her then boyfriend. Scandalous, right?

MEMORIES:

We moved when I was an infant and then moved back for a year when I was about five. I remember living in Olongapo and there was once a riot in my front yard. Scary. Um, my mom once took me to get my hair permed by a transvestite.

I’m not making this up.

FAVORITE FILIPINO DISHES:

Before I became a vegetarian, I really loved siopao (steamed meatpun). My sister Ali makes excellent vegetable lumpia (spring rolls) with soy meat.

MUSIC IN THE FAMILY:

I learned two days ago that Ali and I are supposedly related to some pop singer, Yeng Constantino. My mom swears by it, but I’m not certain. My middle name is Constantino, though.

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MAESTRO

FIRE THE SOUL DJs RED-I and ASTRID are on a mission to open our minds with their traveling sound system. So take off your earphones, and get ready to hit the streets. Change is coming...one dubstep at a time.

By Marla Cabanban Photographed by Kai Huang “

W

e please crowds by the art of mixing and blending different genres of music based on our influences. From hip-hop to dusty grooves from the ‘70s, layered with fat drums of hip-hop, drum and bass, or jungle beat, dropping it to reggae, and sealing it with dubstep,” describes DJ Red-I.

This Dubstep music that Red speaks of originated in the UK in the early 2000s.

It’s marked with its mix of drum & bass, garage, reggae, and techno. In Manila, it’s a genre quickly catching fire this year with DJ’s Red-I and Astrid, a.k.a. DJ Soulflower, paving the way with their hypnotic sets.

Behind his humble demeanor and a regal set of dreadlocks, Red says few, yet as he does, his chosen words reflect adoration for his chosen medium. For the uninitiated, Red is a multiawarded DJ who started out with a hip-hop outfit in the mid ‘90s. He has opened for foreign DJ’s such as Shortkut, Tittsworth, Apollo, and Ziggy Marley. Astrid, on the other

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hand, only started DJ-ing a few years ago under the influence of Red.

When Astrid talks about Dubstep music, you see that this isn’t just a job; this is her life, “Sometimes, the bass is so heavy you have to hold your heart.” This gives us a glimpse of how truly moving the music is.

“Our concept on bass music is since you feel it in your heart, it’s closer to your soul and is more real.”

Having known each other for nearly a decade now, both grew up with music in their families and have inherited impressive vinyl collections from their fathers. “We didn’t care what was happening in clubs. The jams were so real back then; we were just playing and exploring our collection, also sharing music with friends.”

It was a unique experience that invaded their minds.

“When we jam, sometimes we don’t realize the time, it would last sunset to sunrise.” They only wished to resuscitate the motherland’s already thriving Manila scene with new life.

Sharing music with friends evolved into sharing music to the community through their [production] group, Red-I Soundsystem, “...an old concept we’ve always discussed but only got established recently.” The duo travels to different spots to support the growing scenes of reggae and hip-hop in Manila, while at the same time, enlightening the crowd with their dubstepbased, genre-blending DJ sets.

Their DJ set-up is in a truck, absentmindedly and affectionately nicknamed, the “Ice Cream Truck.” They also throw a monthly event called Dubplate. The party is taken away from the confines of a typical bar and brought to the streets, where lovers and shakers revel freely as one.

As Red and Astrid share this was the way music was brought to the people in Jamaica during the ‘60s, Jamaica and Rasta being one of their more easily recognizable influences.

Such is one of the primary objectives of the collective, “The mission is to educate listeners, music lovers, or whoever gets down giving them the latest and freshest sounds…as long as it’s quality and real music.

People call it underground, but it’s not. Music is music.

It’s just not heard.” With barriers broken down, the Red-i Soundsystem brings good music that’s commonly overlooked by the populace.

In the end, it’s not only good music but also a

mentality for openness. “What you listen to affects your whole perspective of life. It affects the way you talk, your attitude, the way you dress.

For us, being open-minded to all genres of music gives you a wider view on life and deeper understanding.” Should that magic be liberated and leveled for the rest of the world. That may be what Red-I Soundsystem stands for. Jah bless indeed.

www.myspace.com/ redeyesoundsystem

SOUL SESSIONS The Advisors - Yugyugan Na

(Pinoy disco funk from the 70’s) 6Blocc - Never Scared Joker - Digidesign Nosaj Thing - FWD The Gaslamp Killer - Anything Worse Clitchy Hopkins - 3:02

JUNKIE CHICKS I

f the stiff-sleeved terno didn’t become the national costume for the ladies, it should probably be the duster—almost sheer on the village muse, ruffled on a street momma, and billowing floral on your abuela. But when we caught up with the girls of the new Manila supergroup Duster, nobody came in the namesake dress. Myrene Academia (bass) and Kris Dancel (guitar/vocals) both had graphic tees and short shorts on, while Katwo Puertollano (vocals) and Ristalle Bautista (drums) wore plaid buttondowns; it’s for just another 10 PM gig at saGuijo Bar. The girls are no stranger to this indie venue which has stolen the name of its street address. Katwo was also the legend vocals of the now-defunct Narda, Myrene has been playing bass for Sandwich and Imago while Kris, formerly of Fatal Posporos, is still strumming and cooing for Cambio. Ristalle was a welcome rampage when Raimund Marasigan of Sandwich got Radioactive Sago Project’s Lourd De Veyra to write for a bunch of scores he’s been setting aside at the studio.

Namedropping much? But it’s unfair to skip these genealogies. It’s an all-star cast you just can’t reduce to “Various Artists,” and you know it isn’t all that easy to have accomplished musicians come together. But this dream collaboration just had to happen, thank goodness, with the foursome eager to chat during this particular nightout.

MAESTRO It wasn’t just their rocker’s pedigree that brought the DUSTER chicks together.

They share addiction for many other things. Listen and get hooked.

By Rap Sta. Cruz

“It’s such a Pinay thing,” Myrene replies almost instantly when I asked about the name, but she’s referring to a particularly new kind of Filipina.

These chicks are in the metro, they’re no prudes, and they’re hell damn smart—half-chanting about the excesses of the famed high society gossip item in “Gucci Gang,” waving the city flag in “QC Girls,” hashing on Jeanette Winterson’s novel in “Sexxing the Cherry,” and uncompromising for having the “Balls”— (“Got to deal with it!” goes the backup vocals). With the catchy beats from Raimund’s post-punk closet combined with Lourd’s double-edged sticky lines, the girls found a new space. Notice how they twist and turn their song titles, like “Houseborken” and “Dekonstuccion?” “Very Lourd. The way his mind works is just like that,” Myrene says.

“We play original music, which already sets us apart from 89% of Pinoy acts,” Katwo adds with an ironic humility. Never mind the dubious figure; it’s a tad too obvious that while many of what we have are just “divas” tirelessly covering Mariah hits, here comes Duster going against the flow, with the rest of the 11% playing music for the next decade, jamming about the joys and despairs of “Retail Therapy,” a multiple stabbing grotesquerie (echoing “I just wanna hurt you/ I just wanna break your heart”).

More collaboration with other local artists is something we all should

look forward to. The girls are hoping to team up with Taken By Cars, Techy Romantics, and a hip-hop act like Dice.

“It’s not an alien thing. We all move in the same circle,” Kris says. Myrene adds a local movie star, “Sharon Cuneta. Why not?” You don’t really need to tell her why.

www.myspace.com/dusterchicks

ADDICT-A-DOODLE-DANDY

“Adik kami, adik kayo/ Adik na adik na tayong lahat!” is Duster’s battlecry in “Dek-A-Doodle-Dandy.”

We asked the girls (left to right) what gives them the natural high.

KRIS

(guitar/vocals): Sometimes, video games. But food is constant.

KATWO

(vocals): I love 30 Rock. I cannot get enough of Tina Fey!

Myrene

(bass): Food…street food!

Fishballs, isaw [grilled chicken intestines]. The more bad it is, the better. Ukay [thrift shopping]. And shoes!

Ristalle

(drums): Food, F.R.I.E.N.D.S.—even if I’ve watched it more than 10 times. And probably school. (She’s now on her third degree, by the way)

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mastermind

STATUS ISSUE 1 Status has ADD

STATUS ISSUE 2 Status is not at its desk

STATUS ISSUE 3 Status is out to launch

STEVE AOKI APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2008

IZA CALZADO X TILT JULY/AUGUST 2008

JONAS BEVACQUA SEPT/OCT 2008

STATUS ISSUE 4 Status is a piece of work

STATUS ISSUE 5 Status is revolutionizing rebellion

STATUS ISSUE 6 Status is hustlin’

UFFIE Nov/Dec/Jan 2008

JEREMY SCOTT FEB/MARCH 2009

ATRAK APRIL/MAY 2009

WWW.STATUSMAGONLINE.COM

STATUS ISSUE 7 Status is abstract

STATUS ISSUE 8 Status hearts fashion

FAFI JUNE/JULY 2009

LADY GAGA AUGUST/SEPT 2009

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mastermind

HIGHER JABBAWOCKEEZ moved the whole world after winning the first season of America’s Best Dance Crew.

Member Phil Tayag talks about their victory, their unconventional methods, and how putting their ones in the air means a whole lot more than just being the best.

By Vicky Herrera

T

he crowd emerged in the thousands. It looked at least 15,000, and they’re everywhere: on the streets, on the surrounding balconies, and pushed against the windows of the mall across the venue. This was the last show the Jabbawockeez was in their first tour stopover in Manila, and the response has been overwhelming. We made our way through the streets, passing the fans in masks and Jabbawockeez t-shirts, and sat down under the open-air tent.

When the Jabbawockeez finally hit the stage donning their signature masks; the roars seemed endless. This proved what we already knew. Dance touches everyone’s soul and soon you will realize that the Jabbawockeez are all about this.

The next day we are in a restaurant with member Phil Tayag a.k.a. Swaggerboy, sharing how they made it this far. Back in 2008, no one knew how big MTV’s first reality dance contest would be. Despite the fact that the group was already known within the national dance circuit, the show skyrocketed them to international fame.

Started in 2003, this 11-man dance crew is made up of Jeff “Phi” Nguyen, Rynan Paguio, Ben Chung, Kevin Brewer, Phil Tayag, Eddie Guttierez, Saso Jimenez, Randy Bernal, Chris Gatdula, Jomar Alegre, and Joe Larot. They got their name from “Jabberwocky,” a poem from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass.

Little did they know that making it onto ABDC would change their lives forever. “We didn’t take it too seriously. We wanted to win but that wasn’t the main focus. We really wanted to represent our crew.” At that time, before the show even aired, a lot of people were already copying their moves, with mime movements and Kabuki-inspired spectacles complete with masks and gloves.

Their motivation started to take a greater turn shortly before joining the show when their founding member Gary Kendell, also considered the “yoda” of the group, became sick prior to the taping. In the show, only 6 members of Jabbawockeez are representing the crew. “He was supposed to be the seventh member,” Phil recounts. Gary’s passing in the middle of the show’s season ignited an intense fire within the group.

“Pointing 1, his name is Geeone. That’s what all that one stuff is about. That was our main motivation to rep the name.” Phil stresses.

Soon after winning, the crew experienced a fast-paced lifestyle shift. “I think I was probably home total of three months after doing show after show after show.” Being a part of ABDC really prepped the group for tour life and how to get things done. It’s not really a discipline when Phil thinks about it, but more of a method. “The thing I try to do is mainly trust and have faith...to be receptive. If

you try to force the product, it’s not gonna happen.” He laughs about how each and every member is pretty much ‘ADD’ and loves to joke around. Their creativity as a group is a result of this organic chemistry. Phil says, “What does it look like if we try to force the product you see on stage?” He then thinks aloud of a possible viewer reaction “That’s weird! That’s not Jabawockeez!”

Since the show, the crew has done commercials for Pepsi and Gatorade, performed at the MTV Movie Awards, and with Shaquille O’Neal during the NBA All-Star game. They’ve also toured with New Kids on the Block, and to please the international fans, they’ve brought their act to different shores-Spain, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, North America, Puerto Rico, and where they got most love, the Philippines.

Looking back on their journey, Phil still doesn’t believe they’ve come this far.

“I don’t look at myself like a superstar,” he says. He thinks back to last night’s performance, on how he actually threw a fan his towel from the stage. He talks in disbelief, “Sweat? Why would you want that? That’s gross!

But then I kinda realized.

‘Whoa. We’re doin it big.’”

The plans of the boys can only grow bigger. From revamping their clothing line, and possibly creating a big production, similar to a Vegas-like show, as long as they stay true to who they are, Phil feels like they could do anything. He explains, “We’re not trying to be anything in particular.

Being a Jabbawockeez is being versatile and really connecting to everyone. I kinda think that everybody would like something about Jabbawockeez. Maybe people do hate on us, but it kinda doesn’t matter.”

www.jabbawockeez.com

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THE FLAIRE VISIONAIRE

With kids increasingly in question about the tune their futures will play, there lies in the midst of an economic meltdown, a new age, universal, street-ignited cultural renaissance. The front-runner, director from Queens, New York: RIK CORDERO.

By Sarah Meier-Albano

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mastermind

T

he director of the Busta Rhymes’ “Arab Money” music video has a checked shot list so extensive, that on his resume, Busta’s name is swallowed in text that reads off like a Hip-Hop Honors nominees roll: Q-Tip, Nas, Wale, Jadakiss, Royce Da 5’9”, Kid Cudi, Dead Prez, Rick Ross.

But lest you start believing that he’s born with a hip-hop silver spoon, let me give you some background: his dad is an architect and his mom is a nurse.

Rik Cordero has worked his way to the level of legendary hip-hop music video directors Hype Williams, Chris Robinson, Benny Bloom, and Gil Green. The only difference with this trailblazer is that he’s got his video camera in his face and has no idea we’re all watching him back.

What was the turning point, do you think, in your childhood that led you to the world of graphics/film?

In 1992, I stole my Dad’s VHS camcorder and shot my first film called The Deranged Fan about two DJs who get stalked by a psychotic fan in Hawaii. I was about 13-years old and thought it would be fun to shoot a horror movie with my friends.

I think that’s when I realized I wanted to do this for a long time. I still have the props from that movie in my house to remind me how I fell in love with filmmaking.

The Hype Williams name has been a rock in the music video industry. How did it feel being nominated alongside him and the others for Video Director of the Year at the recent BET Awards?

It was surreal. I really didn’t understand how I got nominated as only a few of my videos received network play.

I think it was a testament to the amount of power the Internet has in shaping the culture of music. I come from the digital generation and being so entrenched in the community and understanding the needs of the fans helped me achieve that nomination.

What doors have been opened recently that weren’t accessible before?

I’ve seen guerilla filmmaking embraced as more of a cost-effective way to shoot instead of being seen as the low end of the stick. With the technology that is out, it only makes sense to shoot cheaper, but same basic principles apply: tell a good story.

Have you ever read anything about yourself in publications that made you squirm?

All the time. I once read that I was a

cancer to filmmaking because I’ve lowered the bar for budgets. But that doesn’t make sense because even if I left, the budgets wouldn’t suddenly skyrocket upward. There’s a saying that goes “a good craftsman never blames his tools.”

I think those who don’t understand that will always find someone or something else to blame for their shortcomings.

We live in an ADD generation. What’s the secret to grabbing attention and evoking emotion now, something that differs from the heydays of music and film?

Well, I’ve never been one to go the traditional route of directing videos, so for me, the secret changes every day. My job is to be at service to the treatment, and if it calls for real emotions, then the challenge is to evoke true feelings from the artist that viewers can relate to. Having compassion helps too, and by definition, that means the ability to understand someone else’s struggles.

Of all the performing artists you’ve worked with, who did you walk away from a little wiser, a little more inspired?

Nas is definitely one of the best artists I’ve ever worked with on a video. He gave me a lot of confidence to trust my instincts and respect the intelligence of the audience.

Nas – “Be N***** Too” This video represents vulnerability in a way that never seems preachy or contrived. Nas’ song forces us to view race relations through his eyes and despite the ugliness to it, he still makes you feel hopeful.

The Roots – “75 Bars” The grittiness of this video, which I made with Black Thought, did made people think I was nuts.

Complete the sentence: Being a part of this generation in New York today is... ...all about compassion.

In your opinion, what does hip-hop’s future look like?

Hip-hop will always exist; it will never go anywhere. As long as there are kids who can feel tremendous passion for their music and artists without being brainwashed by corporate entities, then hip-hop will never die.

Projects that heads in Asia can look out for: My feature film Inside A Change will hopefully come to a theater near you. For more information visit www.insideachange. com What are some dreams that you would like to see realized?

I’d like to someday see filmmaking evolve into an art form whose merits aren’t dictated by budgets. Like music and painting, which came before film, these are art forms which you make an emotional connection to or not. You don’t judge their worth based on the tools which created them.

Q-Tip – “ManWomanBoogie” This video is a really sweet look at the forces between man and woman that goes from a surreal history trip to a multicultural dance party in the blink of an eye.

Consequence – “Uncle Rahiem” With Cons’ masterful storytelling, I was able to create a pretty realistic look at what happens when family turns into foe. DMC from Run DMC made an amazing cameo in this too.

www.three21media.com

“WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS OUT, IT ONLY MAKES SENSE TO SHOOT CHEAPER, BUT SAME BASIC PRINCIPLES APPLY: TELL A GOOD STORY”

+/- – “I’ve Been Lost” This video features my partner Nancy, and it ended up winning a few music video festival awards. The premise is basically one POV shot, following this girl around New York City, which eventually leads to tragedy. It’s a powerful video and the one I’m most proud of. I felt like I was really a director after shooting it. www.statusmagonline.com - 59

MASterMIND

“Some songs become anchors that remind me of past events, people, or moments. [It’s the] closest thing to time travel that I’ve found.”

FEED THE MACHINE Stripped of the usual media limits and sugared-up technocratic tactics, THE HYPE MACHINE puts the power to devouring good music back to the listeners’ mouseclicking hands.

By Raydon L. Reyes Photographed by Scott Kidder

T

hat democracy should prevail in music. This is the preamble of the music aggregator The Hype Machine. Founded by 23-yearold Anthony Volodkin, it is a fleeting grand archive of tunes collected from music blogs across the globe. It’s the site for streaming newly discovered and joyfully uncovered tracks loved and pimped by cybermusicologists in their free voices.

By “free,” Anthony’s referring to opinions untethered by editorial restrictions, marketing ploys, and the payola-driven radio industry. Back in his 2005 college days, Anthony saw the big light bulb for the HypeM prototype when, disenchanted with the limited list of new artists on the radio and in the magazines, he stumbled upon music blogs. That’s where he found raw kindred views in fellow audiophiles who were more than willing to share the songs that actually caught their fancy.

Today, HypeM has grown into a crew which includes Taylor McKnight, Zoya Feldman, Scott Kidder, and Arkadiy Kukarkin­­­ —all fervent music devotees who handpick blogs that make it easier to come across fresh sounds that you can enjoy with the rest of the cult, just as Anthony once did four years ago. Thanks to

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them, equally passionate music fans get a more authentic lowdown on the latest and hottest tracks. Through their love, sent through clicking a heart icon, they send their favorite music to the Zeitgeist list.

Maybe it’s about time to dump the Top 40. With 1.5 million tuning in from all over the world, who wouldn’t be pumped? As the crew say, “Music runs in our veins.

You already figured that out though.”

What’s the hype behind the name?

It’s a comment on how the media typically treats art... an effort to reinvent the process and make it more democratized. [It] refers to the excitement associated with music, new and old alike.

What does it take for a blog to be featured on your site?

We look for genuine voices; people excited about music, thinking, drawing, experimenting, creating. We want people who would blog whether or not they were listed on The Hype Machine.

It’s easy to tell when something is forced to be a “music blog”—the words stumble out uneasily, and something just doesn’t click. To quote Bukowski, “if it doesn’t come bursting out of you/ in spite of everything,/ don’t do it.”

Do you think music magazines are obsolete?

Magazines are far from obsolete, but they must change to accommodate the new expectations of the younger audiences. It is no longer enough to have a story about an artist from two months ago.

How do you think has sharing and blogging about music eliminated the bad side of marketing?

Blogs offer an alternative: because they are driven by music lovers, they are not so easily swayed nor can a single corrupt individual greatly affect the whole picture. In fact, the rest of the web constantly reminds me that quality is hyper-efficient, meaning that things of great quality will be rapidly spread and amplified, while those of lower quality will not be, despite investments and heavy marketing.

What’s the most surprising song you found in HypeM? Four years ago, a blog posted a few tracks from a Super Nintendo game soundtrack for Killer Instinct. The game came with an audio CD because of the exceptional quality of the tracks. I had the game and the disc back when it was released, so it was a pleasant surprise to stumble into someone being excited about it nearly 10 years later.

What would the world be without music?

It’d be pretty dark and cold.

For me, music communicates subtleties, feelings and energy that are sometimes impossible to describe with words. Some songs become anchors that remind me of past events, people, or moments.

[It’s the] closest thing to time travel that I’ve found.

HypeM’s definition of “music ecosystem” is… ...a space where all the participants give more than they take.

Finally, what would you want to see HypeM accomplish in the next year or in the coming years?

We are working to be the gathering place for passionate music fans seeking something new while being a barometer of what people are discussing and are excited about the most.

www.hypem.com

mastermind

“I’ve always been a visual person, and to me, designing or directing are no different.”

A GLIMPSE

INTO THE

FUTURE

Whenever someone asks Javier Laval where he’s from, he always says he’s from Zeta Reticuli, a binary star system 39 light years away from Earth. The truth is he’s actually light years ahead with his fashion, music, and lifestyle.

By Christine Braganza

A

fter an injury sidetracked his intentions of being a professional athlete, Javier Laval found himself doing street promotions and events. Today, he has become one of the major lifestyleminds behind Truestar Media, JL Productions, Robot is the Future, and his latest project Android Homme. If you thought that a branding agency, a production company and a luxe streetwear brand wasn’t enough, this self-proclaimed “culture connoisseur” has even tried his hand at directing, styling, and designing. Check out the Android Homme video or Keri Hilson’s style in the “Knock You Down” video feat.

Kanye West if you want proof.

So how does anyone who manage to juggle those stay up-to-date with all that happens around the

world? “I check out a lot of international magazines, and I frequent the blogs as well.” It’s as simple as that.

We listen as Javier tells us about his “Robot Man,” his love for metaphysics, and how everyone will change the world ten years from now.

You’re the creative director of Android Homme, Lifestyle Engineer of Truestar Media, and Chief Creative Officer of JL Productions; how does it feel to balance all of that every day?

I feel extremely grateful to be doing in life exactly what I want to do, so it feels amazing, and after a while, you just learn how to prioritize and be truly effective.

What made you decide to start Android Homme? Did you come across a lot of challenges in the beginning? Why did you decide to name your line after androids?

I decided to start Android Homme after a few meditations about what I truly wanted for myself. I envisioned a future forward world that was truly progressive yet accessible by many. Some of the challenges that I encountered were no different than most people encounter when they want to follow their dreams. I’ll be honest; most of the obstacles I encountered were my own limited beliefs about what was possible. I had to overcome all of those thoughts through re-programming, and then it all came very easily. Android is a programmable “robot” with human exterior, Homme is “man.” So the two together indicate “Robot Man.” You’ve tried your hand at directing, and based on the futuristic way the Android Homme video seemed, would you say that the line is all about futurism and space?

I’ve always been a visual person, and to me, designing or directing are no different. Everything starts with a concept and then the variables to execute that vision. Android is not necessarily about the “future” but more about the now and how the now greatly affects our future. The collection is designed for the evolving street customer and the open high-end fashion customer who wants to have a variety of footwear in his collection.

You talk a lot about the way the media has programmed us and altered mindsets; how did you pick up thoughts like that?

Well, I’ve always known that our perception of “reality” is questionable. We are products of our environments, and we’ve been programmed by our parents, culture, media, etc.. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing, unless you have bad or improper programming that hinders your ability to grow and evolve. I am wellversed in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and I read tons of books.

You mention the “Zeta Reticuli” every time you’re asked about where you live; why do you say that?

I had a woman come up to me one time while I was shopping, and she said she had something she wanted to share with me.

She told me a bunch of stuff about my past life, but she also mentioned that I was from the star system Zeta Reticuli.

I liked it, so I use it.

We heard your’e a fan of deconstructivist architect Zaha Hadid; does her work play an influence in your ventures?

She’s just dope. Inspiring.

All architecture and shapes inspire me and my ventures.

Would you say the mystic author Manly P. Hall heavily influenced you?

I would say that the world of metaphysics and the occult definitely influence me. I want to know the unknown and challenge the known.

You’ve got great taste; what with the clothing lines, production company, styling, and all of that; how did you develop it? What attracted you to style and design?

I think what attracted me to design was just being a fan.

I’m such a fan of remarkable design, colors, concepts, and shapes. If you think about it, design is everything... the planets, the flowers, the human, etc.. How could you not be attracted to the result of God’s divine thoughts and inspiration?

Ten years from now, what do you see happening in the fashion industry? Any predictions?

Ten years from now, everyone will have the ability to design, produce, customize their own products, and become their own brands.

Similar to NIKEiD but with your own concept and design.

This is going to happen in all areas of design and products. Exciting for all of us.

www.androidhomme.com

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mastermind

THE MADD STACKER DJ, stylist, and writer Josh Madden shows us that good style can apply to anything, even to animals.

By Raydon L. Reyes Photographed by Bronques

A

“

esthetics is king, inspiration is currency, and necessity is the mother of invention,” Josh Madden shares words from the wise. He’s just trying to explain how he fulfills being a stylist, DJ, and writer without caving from all the pressure.

Not only does he style for bands like Metro Station and Good Charlotte (the band of his brothers Joel and Benji) and for the Kangol and Ben Sherman clothing lines, he has also spun records for the likes of fashion photographer Nigel Barker and for the prolific auteur Woody Allen. To top it off, he also writes for pop culture e-zine Evil Monito.

How does a cyber-age Renaissance man in New York fit it all in one life? It all begins with a vision. This selfconfessed introvert makes a habit of forming an image by looking at the world through other people’s eyes, from the random pedestrians he meets daily to the brand managers or musicians he works for. It’s a matter of synching the image with pieces that he picks or tunes that he plays for the clients.

Josh learned this perspective-shifting technique when he started styling and sharing music with his friends in high school. He got his break when they hooked him up with DJ trio The Misshapes on a styling project for Paper Magazine, and then with rocker James Iha. Since then, he has taken on more roles as an artist in every field that captures his interest, including playing the piano, giving a new definition to the saying “seize the day and always move forward.”

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Kangol

Kangol

mastermind You’re a DJ, stylist, and writer, and the list goes on. What’s difficult for you?

I am really bad at video games. That’s a weird answer but I just woke up, so these will all be weird. Consider yourself warned.

What is it like being a pescetarian?

Please educate me as an interested convert.

Wow, we’re on our first date and this is the second question? (laughs) I didn’t stop eating [meat] for any specific reason. I just like seafood a lot. It’s been eight years. I honestly believe I couldn’t handle eating anything crazy.

You’ve styled for Good Charlotte, Hollywood Holt, Metro Station, Innerpartysystem, and The Misshapes, Nyle, as well as for KANGOL, Ben Sherman, House of Cassette, and Vans. Where do you find the time and energy to do everything you need to do?

I sleep four and a half hours a night.

I drink a lot of coffee. I work out five days a week. I drink a lot of sugarfree Redbull and cranberry juice. I stay relatively poor. I stay constantly inspired. I laugh a whole, whole, lot.

You once said in an interview that style is simply knowing and understanding yourself. How would you describe to us your personal style, both in music and in clothing?

Everything I own is either given to me or found at a thrift or vintage store.

It’s bigger than style for me, it’s understanding “you,” your identity, who you are, who you could be, who you’d like to be, and then I find the pieces that belong to “you.”

Who are your music idols? How do they influence your style?

Frank Sinatra, The Ramones, Morrissey, Damon Albarn, The Specials, Tim Armstrong, Robert Smith, The Beastie Boys, Robert Nesta Marley.

My favorite artists have their own, incredibly well-formed, view of the world, and they share that via their medium. The artists, just as designers, have this understanding of the world; they let us see the world through their eyes.

“I realize that each place, every stop along the way is what makes me operate the way I do.”

What has been the greatest struggle in your career so far? What have you learned from them?

I put myself through college. I worked hard and paid a lot of money for a piece of paper that said Bachelor of Science, Business Econ Marketing/Management, and my biggest struggle has been the realization that, that part of my journey was not a waste. I always look at myself like “Man, you shoulda just come to New York at 17.” Then I realize that each place, every stop along the way is what makes me operate the way I do.

In short, if we’re gonna be here, bumping around, all of us on this planet, moving though our lives, all little jumping dots on a globe, bumping and jumping…doesn’t it all start in each daily encounter? The idea is to live and be in the best way we can be with every person we encounter... it’s a tall order, but if you’ll try, I’ll try to.

How many tats do you have?

Not enough. My friend Grant Cobb does all of our tattoos. If I had it my way, Grant and I would spend three or four hours together every weekend.

Your friend and fellow DJ Junior Sanchez said you’re always there helping people out. What can you say about the nice things people say about you?

I’m speechless when people say nice things. Let’s be honest. I’m not supposed to be here. I’ve been carried through some things. This life that I enjoy has been made possible by my friends and family. I don’t think about the past much, only the future really... I’m fortunate to be alive.

What can we look forward to from your works?

I am designing a series of headphones with Aerial7, a line of jewelry with my friend Brooke Dulien for Moods of Norway, and styling everything people invite me to be part of, and DJing Wednesdays at The Eldridge in NYC and around the country!

www.myspace.com/joshmadden

Tell us about your advocacy of “bringing good to fellow man and to animals.” What do you do to push your cause forward?

Ben Sherman

House of Cassette

Ben Sherman

Kangol

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mastermind

C

an I bring a bear suit?” he asked when we were arranging the shoot. Had I not seen the commercials and music videos he’s directed, I could’ve said “Are you kidding me?” but the fitting response for Pancho Esguerra is a resounding ”Hell, yeah!”

The shoot itself becomes something like one of his sets—almost a tribute to Spike Jonze’s upcoming Where the Wild Things Are—and when he came, the towering but mild-spoken director of lately’s memorable music videos of quirk and finesse for Taken By Cars, Up Dharma Down, Urban Dub, and Bamboo, to give you a rough sampling of his indie to mainstream range, he was wearing a red Adidas jacket, easily recognizable for fans of Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. The old videocam he points at his head and his mint sneakers add the whimsy Michel Gondry touch.

It was a teenage dream. “I wouldn’t write down notes. I’d draw a doodle. I used to draw tattoos on the arms of my classmates,” Pancho relates why he initially wanted to take fine arts but landed in Comm, the closest thing offered at the university. When it was still uncommon for artists to have music videos, he made one for Hungry Young Poets, far back when he used a Video8 that he’d already lost the copy. He’d end up working for a sports program on TV but, after a year, finally took painting in UP. Fine Arts being a double major for many as AB Rock, he’d do a video for Ciudad, then Chubibo, then Sandwich until the labels came calling. He would be joined by frequent collaborators to form his current prod group Springboard. Today, there’s this coffee ad he made (with a walking number 5 mascot) screening on TV. He’s finishing a bloody music video while listening to Friendly Fires, Kings of Leon, and Foals, sometimes doing some pixel art, planning an installation show for another year of keeping his inner child intact.

“

First audience We do stuff...that entertain us. That’s how we view whether something’s good or not. If we’re entertained, then that’s enough for us.

Commercial and music video director PANCHO ESGUERRA was shot in front of a construction site in the business district.

After weirding out passing cab drivers and people in the convenience store, he says, “It’s alright. I make people do this all the time.”

By Nante Santamaria Photographed by mangoRED

Next move If ever I want to do a film, I want to do a movie that I want to be proud of for the rest of my life. I don’t wanna do a lot of crappy movies, so it’s either I get a lot of money and finance it on my own…’cause I don’t really think what I want to do will be financed by the big producers here... But for now, I’m not gonna hurry. Hopefully, it will come, but I’m fine doing my short mini-movies, my music videos… Feature films can wait.

Concept hunt The inspirations for all of that come from art that I like, objects that I like, or things that…I find intriguing. I dunno if I’ll ever grow up from doing those types of things. For now, it’s what I enjoy.

The limits You know, we try to do things as much as we can with the third world limitations that we are given, but there is a limit to what creativity can do. You know, we can match them concept-wise, but the polish is something that’s hard to do. That comes with time; that comes with money… A lot of people in those companies are Filipino. It’s just a matter of getting the infrastructure and the money here…

Between takes This is what I like about what I do: if there’s no work, I get to relax, stay home, watch TV. I watch a lot of TV, maybe too much for someone like me. I don’t get to do as much because I’m working now, but I do enjoy watching movies…and then going out and looking for props.

Treasure chest Sometimes, I don’t think of concepts beforehand. I go around and see what’s there and try to sort of work in a story or a narrative with things that are available, ‘cause it’s hard to think of things and then find out that you can’t do them…so as much possible, I go around, think of the stuff that I have. In my house, there’s a room that has all the props I’ve used since I dunno when, and then there’s stuff there that I haven’t used yet, hopefully I will use some time. It’s all there.

Big Shoot I have no illusions of being asked to do a music video for, let’s say, Kings of Leon or something like that… I just want do a video that I get to do exactly what I want, how I want it to be done. I don’t know what that video is… something that will entertain me till I die.

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mastermind

BEAT OF MY OWN DRUM With Kamias Road, the netlabel, KHAVN DE LA CRUZ proves that there is more to him than filmless films and award-winning literature. He, too, is carving the new shape of music consumption.

By Karl R. De Mesa Photographed by Nick St. James

P

op used to be the kind of thing you could listen to without your head being caved in by the drivel. It was light and sweet but didn’t need to be full of empty calories.

Unfortunately, pop was also big business, so record labels did what any self-respecting entrepreneurs would do in like circumstances: they capitalized.

Advancing the cause of the local digital film movement (culminating yearly in the .MOV festival), a poet (Lines on the Sole), fictionist (Ultraviolins), and sonic agent provocateur, not to mention that he has literary awards and foreign film festival laurels in any continent you care to name up the wazoo, Khavn De la Cruz knows this type of behavior quite well. A phenomenon that is prevalent in movies as well as in music.

So trust me when I say that the director of films like Squatterpunk, The Family That Eats Soil, and Manila: In The Fangs Of Darkness knows what he’s talking about. Khavn, you see, aside from being an

auteur, is also a songwriter, piano wunderkind, and all around musical force to contend with.

In late 2004, during conversations with electronica artist and owner of QED Records Lionel Valdellon a.k.a. Acid 42, Kamias Road was conceptualized. Lionel narrates, “Khavn was asking why I distributed music freely and how to go about creating a netlabel. And I told him… [it] is not as complicated as someone may initially think.”

Though the two men’s schedules never actually meshed again, Lionel took the role of Kamias Road’s curator and webmaster.

As leader of a band called The Brockas, Khavn has been benchmarking the way music and its performance can be rethought with a bit of improv, controlled noise, and general mayhem. In his solo musical persona, Khavn also makes exquisite lo-fi pop music; many of which have been used in his films. It is here that he satisfies the softer, more emotionally vulnerable side of the two major facets

“They could have quite easily capitulated towards the social networking angle…but neither of them have ever been about pandering to what is painless, mainstream, or ‘the generic sludge…’”

of his art that pull in opposite directions: the transgressive punk that burns icons and the rebel priest singing hossanas of beautiful refusal.

Khavn muses that making the netlabel was “prompted by the fact that I had so much material that I couldn’t release to a bigger audience.”

He pauses and then holds out his hands: “Although I did have some tracks that had been sung by [pop stars] Cacai Velasquez and Jolina Magdangal, they weren’t really something I sought out...”

Hence, Kamias Road— a site that so far contains four albums filled with Khavn’s songs done on the anvil of home recording. Named after the street which Khavn calls home and that strangely obloid-shaped fruit whose sour extract is often used to perk up the nation-loved soup sinigang, the site is a haven for Khavn’s music otherwise unavailable for public consumption.

They could have quite easily capitulated towards the social networking angle with free templates and mediated hosting but neither of them have ever been about pandering to what is painless, mainstream, or “the generic sludge that these record companies belch out at such high prices” as Acid 42 points out.

There is a sense here of that punk and lo-fi aesthetic that Khavn so gleefully advocates in his Filmless Films’

Digital Dekalogo, the groundbreaking manifesto for Pinoy digital filmmakers that many of his colleagues and acolytes now hail as artistic psalm.

Lilting tunes abound in Pianos Everywhere (reinforced by occasional guitars and percussion); deeply overwhelming stuff can be found in Feel: Songs for the 4th Chakra of which “Girl With a Gun” is an instant classic of melancholic humor; meanwhile Box and Dula take us on tangents of fancy and whims halfBeatlesque and half-Lou Reed.

While Khavn and Lionel both know that major record labels will never die, it is their hope that Kamias Road will be another stomp on the music industry’s already ready-for-KO body. With its growing number of adherents, musicians and fans, netlabels are sure artifacts from the future where music has been emancipated from the need for commerce and greed.

Meanwhile, we have Kamias Road to dig into, all the superb pop you care to consume without the need for an Alka-Seltzer afterwards. If you like Ben Folds Five, The Lemonheads, Guided by Voices, and Sebadoh, then best point your browser to Kamias Road, and download all you can. It’s all free. www.kamiasroad.wordpress.com

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mastermind

TRICKS OF THE TRADE With Supra and Kr3w creating a worldwide skate wear craze, creator ANGEL CABADA has undoubtedly found the formula to reach that cult-status level: imagination, persistence, and a loyal posse to back you up.

By Vicky Herrera

W

hen it comes to being an influential skate brand, there are some that fly to the top and some that never even see the light of blogs.

Angel Cabada has achieved the former, building two fast-rising brands in such a relatively short span of time. With his other proskateboarder homies Jim Greco, Erik Ellington, Antwuan Dixon, and Terry Kennedy supporting these brands, it seems like Angel found the perfect set of role models to represent what he’s trying to do.

His brands have taken over the skate fashion scene whether he intended on it or not. One is Kr3w, the apparel brand he founded in 2002. It gives every kid the gear to skate in. From denim, shorts, sweaters, jackets, t-shirts, and hats to even accessories like watches, key chains,

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belts, shades, and necklaces.

His other brainchild dresses what Kr3w left out: the feet.

In 2006, he created Supra (meaning: “above and beyond” in Latin) whose claim to fame came from the release of their bestselling shoe of all time: the Skytops. These sneaks have become staples, if not fixations, in every skater’s wish list. And no, it doesn’t stop there. Angel also set-up his retail store Factory 413 with pro-skateboarder Chad Muska.

Deep breath. No, this budding empire didn’t happen overnight. “It took me 20 [years],” says Angel of how he got to this level.

Angel got his start into the business way back when he was 16. He started a brand called Team Santa Ana (TSA), and for ten years, he learned the apparel business inside and out. Here he tried, and failed, and tried again.

Learning all he could about running a retail brand. After leaving TSA, Angel decided to create clothes that he and his buddies—notable proffesional skateboarders—could wear.

Enter Kr3w, and later, Supra; brands made for skaters but not necessarily limited to.

Originally, you woulda thought the future kick flippers would have been the only ones rockin’ them. But we beg to differ, and Angel agrees, “The Paparazzi tells me it’s Heidi Klum, Lil’ Wayne, and so on.” So many

people are embracing the Supra style, which is now growing into a straight up lifestyle brand. (Note to reader: Angel’s advises to rock Supra and Kr3w best with “A pocket full of cash.”)

So here’s to the future of Angel’s hard work, “Expect more of Kr3w to come, we are just getting started.”

Angel has already evolved his Supra line to include the SupraTUF, which is made of tougher, weatherproof, and water-resistant materials, then the Supra NS (non-skate line) which slides on a more fashionable, lifestyle angle, the line for which DJ’s Samantha Ronson and Steve Aoki did collaborations.

Which brings us back to the question of homies.

How on earth did he manage to get all these boys (and girl) to see his vision. I’m going to turn the camera and ask a buddy of his how it happened.

“He takes care of his crew...

I’ve known him for over 15 years, been a good friend for a long time,” says Steve Aoki when it comes to working with Angel. “To collaborate [with him] is easy; he’s very open to ideas that I have for the Kr3w line and for the Supra signatures I do for them.”

There you go. His boys see what he’s trying to do, and they respect him for it. Heck, they even join him in the madness.

There is a lot going on, and it seems impossible to manage all of these at the same time, but there is no crazy secret to Angel’s accomplishments. It’s just plain hard work. “I work even when I sleep,” he says.

This persistence can only be attributed to the values he picked up while growing up skating. You know, the “die trying” mentality that pushes him to never give up. Coz if there’s an idea Angel has, he jumps on it fast. The rest simply follow suit and fly.

www.suprafootwear.com www.kr3wapparel.com

HEAVEN SENT Taco or Burritto: Taco Corona or Guiness: Corona Last book you picked up: Harry Potter Where you love to eat: Phobulous Liquor of choice: Tequila BEST PLACE TO FIND INSPIRATION: MY HEAD BEST PERSON TO SKATE WITH: MY OLD ROOMMATES, PENNY AND MUSKA

mastermind

“I had no choice but to make it work, or I was gonna be homeless.”

B

esides spinning, turning parties on, and introducing new sonic acts through his label, Franki Chan probably mutters IHEARTCOMIX in his sleep. It is, he says, his “little way of laying that [love of comics] out there and letting the world know there is an ultimate goal behind all this madness.” Turns out this dotcom would propel him into the league of the most influential to our listening habits.

With this obsession spanning “anywhere from superhero comics from the big companies to DIY-made personal comics,” Franki has proven that true love takes you where you wanna be. His appreciation that ranges from AC/DC to Stan Getz, Weezer to Snoop Dogg, and The Beatles to Diana Ross has made available a variety of music to his readers.

A heart born in the 80s, Franki gets a little bit nostalgic but hell more enthusiastic as he predicts what’s up and coming, gives some hard-earned advice to “making it,” and waves the geek flag.

Who in the music scene should we look out for?

Brooklyn has really been pumping out some great stuff with Ninjasonik, Cerebral Ballzy, Team Robespierre, and Trouble & Bass Crew. Mapei, Yacht, Acid Girls, Juiceboxxx, The Toxic Avenger, Totally Michael, Designer Drugs, The Glamour, the list goes on and on...

HEAR THE HEART

FRANKI CHAN admits having dressed up for the Comic-Con a few times. But now, he’s just too busy running his record label and maintaining the high-ranking music and comics blog IHEARTCOMIX. Waving the geek flag has never been so cool.

By Vince Golangco

With all the DJing, promoting, and managing your label, is there anything the great Franki Chan can’t do?

I’ve never been too good at sports. But really, a lot of those things all fall under the same creative center. I’m not the best businessman in the world, but I feel like I have a god eye for talent and working with people. I’ve also managed to squeeze some talent out of myself, so whether it’s a show, a record, drawing, or making music, in a lot of ways, it’s all just one big expression of the same idea.

How did you transform these hobbies into serious businesses?

Tons of hard work... I decided one day that I was going to do everything in my power to see this through, and that is what I’ve done… I never had money to lose, so I just gave it my all. I had no choice but to make it work, or I was gonna be homeless. Sometimes, that’s what you have to do.

What’s been the most challenging thing you had to overcome so far?

Poverty. I’ve never had much money, and I didn’t come from money. So in order to get the tools I needed and in order to do the things I needed to do, I really had to learn discipline in both how I spend money and the time I dedicate to work. I’ve had to take the time to learn a lot of skills myself so I wouldn’t need to hire anyone else to do them. This was a big lesson I learned from the DIY scene.

Tell me about one of the best events that you’ve been a part of.

SXSW 2008. That was one epic show! We organized a huge event on the top floor of a parking garage in Austin, TX. We teamed with Mad Decent and had three stages and over 50 acts play and a pool. It was a 12-hr show/party, and it got so rowdy. Over 3,000 people came, and people went totally nuts. Diplo, Matt & Kim, Cut Copy, Spank Rock, Simian Mobile Disco, and tons of others played. The year before, we had organized a huge event that got shut down by the fire marshal, so this was a great comeback.

Any advice for young kids who wanna do what you do?

Work hard, and do what you say. Those are the two key things to ‘making it.’ Talent will only take you so far.

If you have the drive, that will take you further. You need to decide what you want and do whatever it takes to get there. Learn from your peers and heroes. Don’t ever be above working for free to learn.

www.iheartcomix.com

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mastermind

NOIR

Mix and roll a pinch of surreal artists, a dash of 70’s music, a hint of irony beaten with a weekly diet of CD’s, kneaded with an intense passion for creation, and you get a JULES JULIEN rising.

Interviewed by Ada Lopez

T

ranscending languages through surreal visual imagery, all while fusing unorthodox pieces to explain to us how he sees the world through his mind’s eye, France-based illustrator Julien Roure dissects the different sides of life.

For Cadavres Exquis, his first solo exhibit, he shows Tokyo the dismemberment of bodies to depict fashion’s pitfalls as a curse to people’s creative ability.

And for Pref and Têtu magazines, he unfolds ideas in an entirely different avenue—from a lens-headed guy to hyperrealistic portraits of “big O”-faces or desolate (un) dressing. In a Beijing Series, he pits sponsors against each other to reveal the financial side of an “Olympics.”

The collection of his works is as surreal as it could get—from Cartier sunglasses to Acer notebooks, from badges to shirts, from gallery installations to graphic design. But playing with different ingredients is what makes him unique. Operating like a cook mincing and dicing ingredients, applying the right combinations and mixtures to create fresh artwork, he has us all eating up with our eyes open wide, enticed to this new taste on a byte-sized visual recipe.

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mastermind

“[Being an artist today] is a never-ending self-questioning; it is work that you take with you under the shower, in bed, at friends’ homes.”

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mastermind

You’ve recently exhibited in the Diesel Denim Gallery in Tokyo.

Were there huge differences in how Japanese fashion compared to Paris’?

Fashion in Japan is lived in a way much more varied and creative...outfits have a much stronger role than in France.

Which artists have had the biggest influences on your style?

In art : Sophie Calle, Nan Goldin, Odilon Redon, Otto Dix, Magritte, Erwin Wurm, Daniele Buetti, John Maeda. In graphic design: Ronald Curchod, Laurent Fetis...are artists with appealing universes; they move things and make reality tipping up...

Your work seems keen on irony. Your personal aesthetic?

I think that it is a side of my personality. We live today in extremes: financial, ecological, social, political and religious...and each extreme is dangerous. How not to be ironic in those conditions?

Do you agree that print is dead?

There is in France a culture and love for the paper magazines...

I think that the fashion and pictures magazines will not disappear. The relationship to the picture...is not the same on an iPhone’s screen than on a full page.

What’s on your playlist?

I buy at least one CD per week; it’s my diet, old or recent materials, an old band from the 70’s, classical music or other. I have 12,057 tracks on my iTunes, just as much in my cupboard...

Right now my heart goes to The Gossip’s Music for Men, Jeremy Jay, Animal Collective, Billy Bragg. What I listen the most on my iPod is Bach’s French and English suites for piano; I enjoy walking in Paris with that music.

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What’s your typical day like?

A typical day for me would be getting up at seven, sport at eight then work until evening. I live in Montmartre, at Amelie’s. [Winks] When I have spare time, I go out to read a bit on a cafe’s terrace... I live with my friend who is an office worker; he gives the rhythm of my day by going and coming. If I do not work for the week end, I always try to see art shows; there is always something to see in Paris...

What are you working on at the moment?

Right now, I’m working on a project for Nuit Blanche. It is a happening of contemporary art in which selected artists take over the cities of France...during the coming 4th October’s night. I am making posters...that will be disposed in the streets, on a dreams and insomnia theme. I have just finished a picture for Cartier too... I [have an] exposé in Paris in September, a collective exhibition, where I will show again the Cadavres Exquis from Tokyo.

If you hadn’t discovered art, what would you be doing today?

I do not know. As a child, I wanted to be a baker; it would still be enjoyable.

What do you think is the hardest part about being an artist today?

I think that a certain force and self-esteem is needed in order to start up in this lifestyle. It is a never-ending self-questioning; it is work that you take with you under the shower, in bed, at friends’ homes. There are no security and rest, but it is very exciting!

http://julien-roure.com

Droppin’

BEATS

A Future In Noise

By Marilyn Roxie Date Founded: July 2008

What is the purpose of your blog?

To provide commentary on music of the past and present that we feel is important to highlight and familiarize readers with, and certainly feature up-andcoming independent artists that could and should be future stars, particularly in the ‘Independent Music Discoveries’ section every Friday.

What about blogging music do you like most?

Networking with like-minded musicians and music-writers, getting lots of physical and digital submissions from independent artists weekly, and hearing albums before the release!

What advice can you give upand-coming music bloggers?

Always be honest! Though I’ve primarily featured music I’ve enjoyed anyhow, I’ve never made one false statement about how I felt about it. If you’re truthful and provide valuable critiques and insights that are uniquely yours, people will want to keep reading what you have to say.

Who are your favorite music artists?

I’m crazy about just about everything under the post-punk umbrella, like Joy Division, Gang of Four, Wire, Siouxsie & the Banshees, and so on. My two favorite bands of alltime are The Fall and The Beatles...and I’m quite in love with the Manic Street Preachers at the moment.

www.afutureinnoise.com

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK From little-known indie tracks to the Top 40, these music bloggers have brought you the good, the bad and the crazy in all things music – and yes, they really do know what they’re talking about.

Fuck Yeah Trains Yeah

By Tomi Uysingco, Shinji Malangit, Francis Capal Date Founded: August 2009

When did you start blogging, and why did you decide to start?

In the first week of August– we always wanted to do it.

Basically, the idea is to play music that we like and just leave the rest up to chance.

What about blogging music do you like most?

The music. It always was about the music, man. Sure talking to an artist is cool, but its the artist’s work in focus here.

What advice can you give upand-coming music bloggers?

Write what you know. Don’t listen to strongly-worded opinions like ours, but don’t cop our style either, chief!

Form your own opinion.

Who do you look to for musical inspiration?

Everything. As cliche as that may sound, inspiration could come from the highest high or a matchstick. The trick is knowing where to look.

Who are your favorite music artists?

Foreign: The Brian Jonestown Massacre and the whole Dig scene, Sonic Youth, Giant Drag, Times New Viking, Algernon Cadwallader, and the whole ‘90s midwest revival, etc.

Local: Stigmatics (best unkown band in the Philippines), Dr. Strangeluv, Legarda, Oh Man! Oh God!, Caitlyn Bailey, Decay Transit, Otis Green, Dining With The Bolsheviks, Sarcasm, etc.

fuckyeahtrainsyeah.tumblr.com

Asian Dan

By Daniel De Lara Date Founded: 2007

Why did you start your blog?

To move minds, hearts, and feet.

What about blogging music do you like most?

I love how many people I have met through the blog whether they are party promoters, label people, bloggers, or fans of the blog—but especially the bands, DJs and producers that I respect and love. I love learning that we are all just huge music geeks, discovering that artists I love are fans of the blog and check it daily.

Do you have any experience working in the music industry, or are you simply a music lover?

I worked at WERS 88.9 FM while in college and worked with artist like Peter Bjorn & John, The Stills, and Jamie Lidell. The blog has definitely opened up some doors into the music industry—so we’ll see where it will take me.

What advice can you give upand-coming music bloggers?

I realized that taste drives everything. Just keep posting music you like and really work to develop a niche genre for your blog that really showcases your personality.

Who are your favorite artists?

Phoenix, New Order, Van Halen, Breakbot, Sébastien Tellier, Erol Alkan, Sean Lennon, The Police, Soulwax, Steve Reich, SebastiAn, Vincent Gallo, Todd Rundgren, DFA1979, Mr. Oizo, The Beatles.

Ear Eye Nose Candy

By Leonard Gonzales Date Founded: a year ago

Do you have any experience working in the music industry?

I interned many years ago for Warner Elektra Atlantic Records. It was like a candy store at the time. I got lots of free records and free concert tickets. I am very much a music lover. I love to hate terrible music, and I love to give great music the credit it is due.

What about blogging music do you like most?

The thing I like most about blogging is being able to have someone halfway across the world stumble onto my site, and discover something new.

What are your pet peeves about music blogging?

My biggest pet peeve is people who leave comments on our blog ‘anonymously.’ When people leave attacks in a passiveaggressive way without even leaving a fake name, it drives me nuts.

What advice can you give upand-coming music bloggers?

The best advice I can give is to keep posting…everyday…even if you have to force yourself to post something. Try to be original. There are millions of music blogs out there.

Offer material you can’t readily find. A lot of blogs (featured on Hype Machine) post songs that have been already featured hundreds of times. Try to offer something that people don’t have or see everyday.

eareyenosecandy.blogspot.com

www.asianmandan.com

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HEavy hitter

, L O O OLD SCH

S K C I R T NEW

JAZZY JEFF rntabling, DJ tu d an B, R& earned him p-hop, techniques that the world of hi ng in hi so tc uo ra rt sc vi of A celebrated c and mastery an ear for musi th bo s se es ss po aim. worldwide accl cia

By Toff de Vene

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heavy hitter

“Music always told stories to me – about when and where I was when I first heard it.” “

D

rums, please!” Out comes Will Smith aka the Fresh Prince, decked in sky blue monotone, equally matched and complemented by his long-time partner and collaborator Jeffrey A. Townes aka DJ Jazzy Jeff, in head-to-toe orange attire. Segue to a smooth, throwback tune of the now classic and feel good hit “Summertime,” the two are spotted chillin’ on the wayside on what appears to be a moving porch, migrating through emerald fields, the big city, and past a spandex-clad Lolita who summons mischievous hoots from the two guys coloring their cool. Nothing to it, just boys being boys.

One pea of the talented pod is the “Magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff,” as a track in the duo’s first album would put. “Music always told stories to me–about when and where I was when I first heard it,” reveals the Philly-born artist who, at age ten, would practice on the turntable in his family’s basement to perfect his craft. He shares, “I just loved music and wanted to play at parties. I never thought it would come this far.”

The work that he put in proved instrumental to his ascent in the block party and ballroom circuit. “I got a lot of attention in the neighborhood, which was cool,” he says, adding, “I feel that my job is to make people happy with music by playing [their] favorite songs, [songs they hadn’t] heard in a while, or something new.” This nonlinear and experimental take on music enabled him to roll with various crews and emcees in the area­taking Philly by storm, one mind-blowing house party at a time. While he credits his ‘hood for the vast musical knowledge and his instrumental exposure to all genres of song, it was in 1985 when Jazzy Jeff would first touch base with then relatively unknown rapper Will Smith and jumpstart what would be a decades-long career in the music biz.

Since Jazzy Jeff’s MC had been out of commission one evening, Will stepped in and let’s just say, the rest is bro-mance history. Will became the smooth raconteur we all fondly know as the Fresh Prince, and Jazzy Jeff became the architect-DJ that put it all together. In 1986, they teamed up and released their first single “Girls Ain’t Nothin’ But Trouble” which spliced elements of the popular TV theme “I Dream of Jeannie” with Smith’s ridiculous wordplay and Towne’s smooth hip-hop beats–emerging proof of the duo’s incomparable eclectic savvy.

They later tailed this effort with the gold-selling “Rock the House”–an LP, which Jazzy Jeff pioneered alongside signature turntable moves like the “Transformer” and the “Chirp” scratch. For the latter, he would spin the record to make it sound like a bird’s chirp. “It’s all very natural to me now,” he shares, when asked if he’d still discover new “scratches” along the way. The LP also thrust the DJ into the legitimate spotlight with “The Magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff,” heightened later on by the duo’s sophomore endeavor, He’s the DJ. I’m the Rapper. On one side of the track, there was the Fresh Prince’s quick-witted and lyrical storytelling, and on the other, Jeff’s undeniable propensity and almost perfect manipulation of the turntable, translating the pair’s efforts into one of the first hip-hop double LPs in music history.

Jazzy Jeff’s heart and soul would bleed over his works. Through his fingers his genius would pave the way for many young musicians to take to the turntables and learn the craft. “That still trips me out,” he shares of being considered an icon and inspiration to young turntablists all over the world, adding, “It’s very hard for me to grasp. I really appreciate that. Wow!” 1990 marked an important year in Jazzy Jeff’s life in the limelight. It launched both his eponymous TV career as fan-favorite Jazz, Will Smith’s cheeky and ill-mannered best friend in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and A Touch of Jazz, a production facility he set up to cultivate homegrown talent from Philly. While in Fresh Prince, his TV persona became notoriously known for his signature shades, constant rejection by Will’s cousin Hilary Banks (played by Karyn Parsons), and getting dropkicked out of Will’s Bel-Air home through almost every episode, the Jazzy Jeff in real life cultivated musical acts like Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and Floetry. “We also had the honor of working with the likes of Michael Jackson and tons of other artists,” he adds.

Of all the acts that Jazzy Jeff has produced, he says he is most proud of Jill Scott in the latter’s debut album Who is Jill Scott? He shares, “We made something from the heart and made the whole world listen.” The album penetrated the market with fanfare close to nil but true to form in Jazzy Jeff’s tradition of letting talent do the talking, the album hit double platinum. That is, to this day, his careerlong tour de force although admittedly, the boy in him is most thrilled with recently coming out in the DJ Hero game

by Activision. “(It’s) the best thing so far in my career… wow… little kids will be playing DJ Hero as Jazzy Jeff… wowz!”

But a long tenure in the music industry is not without challenges. At the moment where an artist is propelled to turn to the past, and look forward through today’s cutthroat music scene, figuring out the nooks and crannies that keep an artist afloat and relevant to today’s pop-engrossed generation, audiences have consistently changed and made known their insatiable demands. Jazzy Jeff connects, “I feel that people [nowadays] are fans of records, not groups.

[Back then] we couldn’t wait for Run DMC or LL Cool J’s album to drop. We didn’t need to hear a single or see a video because we were fans of the act. Today, it seems like people won’t like something unless everyone else does. I blame radio for that.” Which is why he remains proud and grateful to Kenny Gamble, songwriter, producer, and pioneer of Philadelphia soul, for mentoring him on the ways of the music biz.

Today, Jazzy Jeff continues to bust his groove as one of the world’s celebrated DJs and music producers. He produced Will Smith’s first solo album Big Willie Style in 1997, and the latter’s sophomore release Willenium in 1999. In that the two have managed to stay friends and collaborators over the years, it makes you wonder if he would ever consider getting together with Will again for an album or reunion tour of sorts? “We have been talking about it for six years. It’s just hard with him being one of the biggest movie stars on the planet and with me traveling all over the world. But I’m sure it’s gonna happen,” he relates.

Looking back and moving forward, he sees a book and a movie in the near horizon, adding, “I’m also doing an album with a singer from Toronto named Ayah and an album with an MC named Phil Nash. I’m really looking forward to those.”

Evidently, more than two decades later, he’s still on top of his game. Silly, at times, yes. Psychedelic prints and hi-top fades, definitely no. But DJ-ing, producing, and letting his bona fide Philly talent still do most of the talking–most definitely. Though when asked what his hands would say if they could speak, he says, “Slow down… [laughs]” Damn straight.

www.djjazzyjeff.com

“Today, it seems like people won’t like something unless everyone else does. I blame radio for that.”

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RISE Hip-hop’s new kid WALE is our generation’s answer to the question “Where the quality MCs at?” For years, he has been the underground’s best kept secret.

Before he blows up into the mainstream and pushes music as we know it, Wale talks to us aboutfootball, having Diddy as one of his mentors, and what it takes to be Lady Wale.

By Sarah Meier-Albano Photographed by David Holloway

I

t was the summer of 2007 when I first heard his voice—riveting, relevant, dope. Who is this MC? His mixtape being passed around New York like was currency. His name is Wale.

An unconventional name but a name that would rise from the underground.

This DC native created “Ice Cream Girl,” the very first song I ever felt was good enough to put on my MySpace page (coz’ back in ‘07, that shit was representative of everything you stood for, right?). He released 100 Miles and Running, the first solo artist mixtape in years that I could listen to from beginning to end, followed by Mixtape About Nothing and Back to the Feature. He was responsible for “All I Need,” the remake ft. Tawiah, the song I dedicated to my husband on our wedding day. All major stuff on a “me” level.

And when I couldn’t bear turning on Hot 97 radio anymore, all of a sudden, Angie Ma had Wale on, and you could hear in her voice that she knew what I knew. There was renewed hope. A sense of optimism in what the now ADD-riddled scene has threatened to morph into. I know I knew when I was questioning my love for music.

Wale made it sound brand new to me again.

GQ named him “the greatest new rapper since Jay-Z” on the cover of their June ‘09 issue. Now that he’s done with the mixtapes and is graduating to albums, he is releasing his first full-length compilation Attention: Deficit this month. I can only anticipate how his new rhymes will touch our minds.

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RHYME

heavy hitter

“I don’t pray for the answers.

I just pray for the path.”

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HEAVY HITTER

“There’s certain things in hip-hop that I represent that there’s a lack of.”

On a personal basis, how much of your time do you spend online?

As far as my career goes, I connect with my fans on Twitter, and I post music.

That’s all it is because I don’t really do blogs or things like that anymore.

Do you feel that things like Twitter are essential to your rise?

Not necessarily. I just think it’s a new form of fan mail, y’know? It is what it is.

What was it like growing up in your neck of the woods?

It was, well...you know both my parents aren’t from this country, so when I was younger, I didn’t really experience much.

Like when I was hangin’, you would see a lot of police, a lot of Coroner vans and stuff like that, and I was a little bit oblivious to the drug dealing until I got older, like I didn’t really realize what was going on, you know what I’m saying?

Everything was more so like an outsiderlooking-outside-the-window perspective—I was never like, in the streets or nothing like that.

In “Chillin’” ft. Lady Gaga, you talk about the HS metaphor. What were you like in high school?

Oh [Laughs]. I was the jock, you feel that? I hung around with the girls because I felt that a lot of the dudes there acted like girls, anyway. I might as well hang with them, you know.

Did you find yourself hanging with older people a lot? Younger people?

Absolutely hung with older people. Even just now, I hang with older people. You know, I got put out of school a lot—I went to like a detention center school, like where my probation officer was in the building and all of that extra nonsense— extra security and all types of stuff.

After high school, did you continue school, or did you just jump into the game right away?

I actually played ball in college. I went to a small school in Pittsburgh, played football, then transferred to a school in Virginia. Then I transferred to one more school after that.

Did you always know that music was the career you wanted to embark on?

I can recall, every night-see, I don’t pray for the answers. I just pray for the path. Then I can make my own decisions, you know? I don’t want things to fall directly in my lap, I kinda want to figure things out for myself, and I think that’s what happened. The light shined down on the path that I was supposed to go to, I just felt like, this was it—it wasn’t really school or football or anything like that.

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Do you feel that there’s anything you learned as a football player-the discipline of being an athlete-that helped you in the music industry?

Oh yeah. Because when you play football, you gotta practice like 3 times a day sometimes in 90-degree weather, you know, so those times where I’d feel like my body couldn’t do it, I couldn’t move, but I was forced to get out on that field-exhausted, tired, hungry, whatever.

Dehydrated. You know it’s exactly what I do now—when I wake up at 8 o’clock, 7 o’clock to get on a flight to do like, one interview, in a different city.

You’re now able to say you work with some of the world’s most innovative and successful creative minds. Who has been influencing you lately?

I’m loving what K’Naan is doing now, I’m loving what Cudi’s doing now, and you know I don’t listen to too much stuff for real, I mean to be real with you, I’ve been listening to a lot of R&B recently, but yeah Cudi’s tape and obviously, what Jay-Z’s doing with the Blueprint 3.

If you weren’t in the music biz, what would you be busying yourself with?

Tryin to do something in sports, I guess...or fashion.

Now I don’t even know if MTV Cribs is still on air, but let’s assume the camera crew is rolling through. What are we seeing in the home of Wale?

A lot of shoes, a lot of clothes, socks, jeans, a lot of belts. Uh, no food... video games...

“Mr. Never Wear the Same Thing,” I’m snooping through your closet. What labels am I seeing?

A little bit of standard cliché rapper stuff like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The Hundreds, Mishka, BAPE, what else? Prada.

Ralph Lauren Purple Label. A lot of stuff. Dr. Romanelli…

You come to New York now and see that the recession is killing a lot of these streetwear labels. As a soldier that fought an uphill battle, do you have words for them to help weather out the storm?

I’ve seen a lot of them close down, and it’s so unfortunate because it’s a lot of BS that’s winning-things being massproduced or whatever. But you gotta believe in it. You gotta endure the rain to see the rainbows.

Let’s assume you’re able to sit down with somebody that’s like a mentor to you. Is there anybody that fits that role?

Puffy [now known as Diddy]. He takes on the mentor role for real. It’s a combination of a lot of people that I’ve

spoken to that have really helped me in what I’m going through—whether it be Pharrell, it could be Bron, it could be Jay-Z. These are people that I come to with my issues, and they collectively provide the mentor role. But I think Puffy is probably the one that does it most.

Did you ever feel hip-hop needed saving?

I think that balance has gotten out of hand, it’s like they’re OD’ing on one thing, and it’s kind of like, not necessarily killing it, but it’s making it less interesting and less important.

I try to contribute to the things that a lot of us need, us in the field.

There’s certain things in hip-hop that I represent that there’s a lack of.

And about the latest album?

I put my foot all the way in it. I mean, you have Mixtape About Nothing and 100 Miles and those are cool for what they’re worth, but there’s no story, no feeling really in it—it’s just like a quick fix.

The album is the complete opposite—it’s everything that you want. It’s your story, like I can understand where you’re coming from, because I’m coming from the same place.

You’re accepting your first Grammy. What category is it in, and what are you wearing?

Ha! I like that question. Category: Best New Artist. What I’m wearing: Something Dr. Romanelli made like one of one type stuff. Or maybe like a Hanes white t-shirt with Louis Vuitton jeans.

What’s the East Coast got that still can’t be replicated on the West? Vice versa?

I think East Coast got that soul, and the West Coast got that aggression. Not to say that you ain’t gon hear soul on Game’s album, but it’s just built more around soul on the East. The West Coast, it’s a more aggressive context, like you really feel their words.

They say behind every successful man is a woman that pushes the right buttons. What is/would the ultimate complimentary Lady Wale (be) like?

She would probably be just supportive right, and just definitive about what she wants in her life. That way, I could help her be where she needs to be, you know what I’m saying? She gotta be fly though [Laughs]; we can’t lose that. But naw, she has to be able to stimulate my mind on an intellectual level. And the number one thing is to just be proactive.“

www.myspace.com/wale

heavy hitter

LEMME TWEET THAT “Buisness can wait today is family day gonna see mommy too (african people say mommy till there60 ha) no dates no lunches nothin but fam 2day” “People back home always say i look like wale..craziest thing ever.. its really weird..im hungry ok bye” “Im gonna have an album listening session for dc md va writers and newspapers nd blogs i would invite radio stations..but whats the point ha” “When the lights come on in the club...some girls scatter like roaches.lol its amazing how fst they move in heels.”

“Im am so confident that i made the best album yall heard this joint is the personification of real music...”

“I’m talkin flow..talkin voice/ inflection ..I live and die for hiphop/this is hiphop of today/i get props to hip hop so.... Cmon man” “Diss me then u already dont exist to me..so if u decide to come to ur senses and sat “i was wrong” it still dont matter..u still dont exist.”

“My mac is at 4 % any final thoughts?? umm i love yall..maybe im crazy maybe im confused.i make alot of bad decisions online and in real life” “Always thought id find my dream girl leavn her downtown job wit light make up and some airmaxes in the car..or leavn the mosque/chrch in cvs”

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heavy hitter

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AND THE BEAT GOES ON

By Rosario Herrera photos by The Cobrasnake

Y

ou can never prepare yourself for waking up to bad news.

August 29, I woke up and did my normal routine of checking my phone to see what messages I got. The energy drained out of me. I couldn’t believe my eyes, “DJ AM is gone.”

I didn’t know him personally, but like so many all over the world, we all felt a sense of loss. New Twitter messages kept coming up for weeks with memories of AM or messages for him. I remember first hearing about AM through my DJ friends back in 2002. They all agreed that he was a good DJ, but they weren’t sure if his mash-up concept was gonna take off.

Then a year later he was all over the tabloids for dating Nicole Richie. The instant celebrity shed light to his musical style and I guess you can say the rest is history.

Together with his talent and fame, his mash-up concept started taking over the club scene and Hollywood parties. From ‘80s and ‘90s punk, rock, hip-hop, and electro, the world tuned in to the new sound. I fell in love with the way he mashed it all together. By taking music that didn’t have the mainstream opportunity, he gave the songs new life. It was a

new energy, a new sound—it was what we needed. He was spinning at all major clubs and private parties and was constantly traveling from Hollywood, Vegas, and New York.

I became a, dare I say it, “fan” of his music and started listening to his mixtapes in my car, at the gym, at home, and at the office. I’ve never in my life wild out to rock music? When I would listen to his mixes, it’s like I would escape reality and would enter my own world. Then he did something I haven’t heard of before—live DJing with a drum set and Travis Barker. It blew my mind. It’s crazy to think how one person did all of this and affected so many lives.

AM loved all kinds of music and played to please the crowd, whether they are A-listers or usual partygoers. He shared his passion for music when we interviewed him last year, “Music is my best friend. It has always been there to share with me whatever feelings I am feeling…” This revealed how humble he was towards his fame and influence. He found something he loved and pursued it with passion, which in turn touched countless lives all over the world. And if there was one influencer of the influencers, it was AM. www.statusmagonline.com - 79

“Music is my best friend.

It has always been there to share with me whatever feelings I am feeling…”

ADAM MICHAEL GOLDSTEIN A.K.A. DJ AM 1973 - 2009

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It takes a different kind of energy to get out of your seat and put your “Right Hand Hi,” but Chicago MC KID SISTER does it naturally.

With her debut album finally coming out this fall, all we gotta say is here’s to lookin at you, kid.

By Vicky Herrera Photographed by Don Flood

I

t’s 2 o’clock in the morning, and I’m ringing up Kid Sister for a phone interview. “The interview was never confirmed. Is it happening right now?” she asks. Oh my goodness, I’m already hyper off of two Red Bulls and a cup of coffee to stay awake, and to add to the frenzy of my deadline, she has no idea she’s supposed to be interviewed. I reply, “Yeah, uhm it’s happening right now.”

Luckily, she’s still down for the ride and initiates the conversation.

“So what’s up?” she asks as if I’m a girlfriend she hasn’t talked to for a while.

Her cheerful replies ease my stressed-out mood. I point the spotlight back to her and ask, “Well, what’s up with you?”

Within minutes, I feel like she actually could be my real homegirl.

That is the way I look at Kid Sister a.k.a. Melisa Young. Coming from a humble childhood, Kid Sister never really saw herself becoming hip-hop’s rising MC. She’s worked in places like Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret for a while, but according to her, she was horrible at it. A few years ago, she started rapping at her brother’s DJ Gigs (Her brother is J2K of DJ group Flosstradamous). In 2007, she signed to DJ A-trak’s record label Fool’s Gold and later on Downtown Records. She released her song “Pro-Nails” with Kanye West, and a few hit songs later (“Life on TV,” “Beeper,” “Family Reunion” with rapper David Banner, and most recently, “Right Hand Hi”), the blogs kept her on repeat. The album is another story.

Her album Ultraviolet has gone through quite a number of release delays since 2008. “Okay well, I’ve been waiting for them to release the record... It’s been moved again to November. But we’ll see, hopefully it sticks to that date,” Kid Sister says, trying to get her mind together for this unplanned interview.

Featuring DJs A-trak, Cee-lo, XXX change, Swedish House Mafia, DJ Gantman, Disturbia producer Brian Kennedy, and Estelle, she says, “it’s like a snapshot of who I am.”

Kid Sister had no idea she would be thrust into the MC spotlight of this generation. But looking back at her childhood, “My Aunt Rosie looked at what we took an interest in and really cultivated those things.”

From theater camp to voice

lessons, she credits her aunt for supporting her with these extra-curricular activities growing up. “I’m really glad I went through all this cheesy, nerdy, musical theater things when I was young because it laid out the groundwork for what I do today.” In a running competition, she compares, you gotta do your stretches and laps.

Kid Sister left music for a degree in film, but after a few odd jobs she eventually found herself back in the scene, this time with a few mentors to sharpen her skills. Like Dave Macklovitch from Chromeo. “He’s like my big brother. So whenever I have a problem...He breaks down what’s going on, and why people make decisions the way they do. He’s the one that has really kept me focused on what I need to do and really help me now.” And recently, she’s been rubbing elbows with the Root’s ?uestlove. “That’s my boy...He was talking to me the other day and he was like ‘this is how it works,” explaining why people do what they do.”

Aside from her business mentors, she’s always going to remember what she got from her family. “You do not have to be bougie coz no one is better than anyone else, and- one second.”

She puts me on hold to answer another call.

Pause.

Really long pause.

“Hello?” she asks.

“Hi, still here,” I reply.

“I am so sorry. My dog is at the groomers and she’s ready to be picked up. We’re giving her a lion cut and she looks hilarious. It’s the most funny, adorable haircut,” Kid Sister cracks up. “It’s summertime, so we decided to give her a haircut,” she continues to giggle. This is a little glimpse into the normal life Kid Sister still leads. No, she’s definitely not bougie indeed. Kid Sister is still Melisa Young, thankfully without the diva attitude.

And this fresh approach is welcomed in the scene, perhaps even begged for. Her creative process is a mix of light-bolt hits of inspiration and brainstorming sessions.

Sometimes, she’ll hear something when she’s on the bus or hanging out with her cousins and think it sounds really funny. On the other hand, “You have to sit down and kinda force yourself to do it. It’s like donkey work, you gotta get on the donkey and ride up the mountain, or you

are the donkey and haul the shit up and kinda make it happen.”

Her music is a product of everything influencing her, so you can’t really label her under one sound. Hip-hop? Yeah, we hear raps. Dance? Yeah, so the beat is fast. But no need to choose when the influence comes from everywhere. I bring this up, considering that today; everything is pretty much influencing everything. “That is the point girlfriend,” she agrees.

Kid Sister is rising fast, performing in festivals and gigs and the thought can be nerve-wracking. I wonder what she tells herself to chill out.

“Usually, I’m with my brother, so I’ll sit there making jokes, making fun of where we’re at.

No big deal! Like what I told you earlier. No one’s special, everyone is the same.” From the talk shows Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel, “Whatever, they’re just people who are doing a job, and I’m doing a job too.” That state of mind pretty much keeps everyone on equal ground. Though there are a few exceptions to the everyone is equal rule. “There’s this one time I saw David Alan Grier,” she says about her one starstruck moment. “It’s so funny like, I grew up with him.”

From playing intimate gigs at the town hall to a crowd of over 2,000 people, Kid Sister’s gigs have been taking her to places all around the world. Recently for instance, was in the Summer Sonic event in Osaka and Tokyo. “From where we started was so small, it was like a hole-in-the-wall bar that we love...It’s such a stark contrast.” And of course, “I got my nails done in Harajuku.” If there’s one statement look that has to be Kid Sister, it’s gotta be her nails. She didn’t come out with her “Pro-Nails” song for nothin.

So before we call it a night, we take a glimpse for what’s to come. Right now, there’s nothing but anticipation for the release of her upcoming album. Expect a lot of touring.

“I’m super excited. I can’t wait to start traveling. I’ve never gone to a North American tour yet, with a bus and a mini fridge. I’m kinda bucklin’ my seatbelt right now.” Hopefully, the album comes out as scheduled this time. We are all crossing our fingers. Melissa relates, “Oh God, if they ever get it out...

It happens to everybody, though.

It happened to Jay-Z. It happened to 50 Cent...But whatever, at this point, you gotta throw your hands up in the air and hope that everything works out for the best.”

www.myspace.com/kidsister

“It’s like donkey work, you gotta get on the donkey and ride up the mountain, or you are the donkey and haul the shit up and kinda make it happen.”

working girl

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WORKING GIRL

LUCK

With her enthralling presence, LADYHAWKE is captivating listeners with her soft, fragile tunes. Against a lifetime of reservations, she is finally coming out of her shell. Well, only if Jimi Hendrix comes knockin that is.

By Vicky Herrera

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T

he last time I brought up Ladyhawke to a buddy of mine, he could only utter, “I love her,” completely mesmerized, and I don’t think it’d be the last time I’ll get this reaction. Also known as Pip Brown, Ladyhawke is that effortlessly cool girl with messy blond hair and her signature look: boots, jeans, old t-shirt, and a black hat.

With a guitar in hand, she was one who never really meant to be famous.

“I’ve always just gone with the flow. Never had big plans, just really wanted to make music for myself.” It always starts out as that, just wanting to do something for the love of it, then success came knocking.

She blew the scene away with her hit songs “Paris is Burning” and “My Delirium” in her self-titled debut album last year. Right now, she’s co-headlining a North American tour sponsored by Perez Hilton. “Washington DC has been the best show at this stage, but each show has had a really nice bunch of people watching which is always appreciated when you’re doing shows in a place where you’re pretty much completely unknown.” Touring alongside bands Ida Maria and Semi-Precious Weapons is a major plus. “They’re all really nice people which makes a huge difference when you’re spending a lot of time on the road with other bands!”

Ladyhawke is no stranger to working with bands.

Playing music since the age of eleven, she used to be in a brass band as a percussionist, touring New Zealand and wearing uniforms twice her size. She’s also played in a few grunge bands in school. Music has always been an early influence in her life thanks to her singer mom and jazz musician dad.

The New Zealand native taught herself to play every instrument, starting with the drums, followed by the guitar, bass, and synth. But it is the guitar that has been her choice for the past several years.

The more professional periods of her career came when she started a band called Two Lane Blacktop. When everyone else quit the band, she packed up and moved to Melbourne, starting yet another band with Empire of the Sun’s Nick Littlemore called Teenager. And soon after, Ladyhawke was born, an alter ego which claimed its name from the title of a 1985 movie starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

And although her musical persona has nothing to do with the movie, it’s more of a way for Lady-Pip the person to separate Ladyhawke the musician. As it says in her site, “Me and Ladyhawke are two sides of one coin. She is an incredibly important part of my personality.”

Given her rising status, Ladyhawke credits her “natural inferiority complex” as a way to keep humble.

Her slightly awkward demeanor is credited to her physical battles growing up. Having to deal with erysipeloid (a disease contracted from seagulls), Asperger syndrome, and allergies to antibiotics and penicillin that once put her in a coma, Ladyhawke is a true survivor. So from tackling one stressful gig to the next, she just keeps on keeping on. “I’m not sure, I still struggle with nerves and anxiety at pretty much every show I play,” Ladyhawke laughs. “It never seems to leave.”

And all the constant touring can be a bit much sometimes. “I find all the press stuff probably the hardest thing to deal with, though.” says Ladyhawke. “It’s really hard for me to comprehend the amount of people that know I exist and form opinions on me based not on actually meeting me but on reading something in a magazine or on the internet. It’s a weird thought to process when you’re not the sort of person to really put yourself out there in normal situations anyway.”

Despite her reserved approach, Ladyhawke has a lot going on in her head. “Ever since I was a child I was always very perceptive, I can sometimes be more of a people watcher than participator.” She further observes, “It’s in doing this my whole life I observed the different ways each gender acts, relates to one an other, and is portrayed by the media. What is considered “normal” by society, to me seems incredibly old fashioned.”

Which explains her turn to a more tomboyish approach to dressing up. “It’s not fair that so many of the women and girls portrayed as role models in the media are nothing like most teenage girls actually are or can relate to. I guess it may seem silly to some people that I dwell so much on this stuff. But I have always wanted to be looked at as someone who doesn’t exploit my sexuality or gender in any way to get places in life.” But maybe we’ll be seeing her in a dress one day, say her wedding date?

“The day I get married is the day that Jimi Hendrix rises from his grave, knocks on my door, and tells me he’s here to play me a few ditty’s on his guitar,” she says. Maybe not, we realize. God, we just love her.

www.ladyhawkemusic.com

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WORKING GIRL

Salut Simone

“Music has always been about hybrids and creating new ideas from old ones. It’s how culture works and how we progress as a society.”

Watch out as AU REVOIR SIMONE’s Annie Hart speaks her barley tea-drenched mind, leaving no catty-myth ignored.

by Ralph Mendoza Photographed by Sarah Wilmer

W

ith the recent boom in women’s wrestling, people could loosely say that women are prone to catfights. Of course, Annie Hart would have to disagree. With full subtle force. And why shouldn’t she tell the world as it is?

Then again, all the fuss really belongs to Au Revoir Simone’s newest offering, Still Night, Still Light. Two years after The Bird of Music, the Brooklyn synth-pop trio return with their household brand of wistful, lo-fi reflexes— the stuff which made them memorable in the first place.

In this third LP, lush melodies are weighed against the warmer tones of their vintage keyboards, especially in songs like “Shadows” and “Organized Scenery.” Even the deaf can sense such a winsome ambiance.

Here, Hart (vocals/ keyboard) gently wrestles with STATUS in behalf of the group also counting Erika Forster (vocals/keyboard) and Heather D’Angelo (vocals/drum machine/ keyboard).

In terms of music, what are your respective guilty pleasures and why?

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Journey because it rules. I don’t feel guilty about it, but other people think I should...

Who are your wildest-dream producers?

Jeff Lynne.

You love your fans. What are some of the most memorable things they’ve done?

I do love our fans. Intensely. They are so sweet. One made us mix CDs of songs that she thought we’d like based on interviews she read with us. Two kids in Cincinnati painted us a Pee-wee Herman poster. Another group mailed us cookies to a venue while we were on tour. And tons have made videos to our songs and sent us sincere and heartfelt emails.

What was the closest thing to a catfight you’ve ever had as a band?

I’m actually about to get in one now because I’m wondering if you ask male bands the same question. Maybe you do, though, so I shouldn’t judge, but I’m not going to perpetuate the myth that

women are catty with each other. We’re adults.

What are your favorite fastfood combo meals?

I love seaweed onigiri with iced barley tea from train station stalls in Japan.

I think you’re all equally gorgeous. What do you girls do to stay this beautiful?

Thank you for the compliment.

I go to the gym and don’t eat fast food combo meals or get in catfights.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened onstage?

There’s too many to count, but last month, I fell off the front of the stage in London because it was so dark and the make-shift stairs didn’t work as well as they ought to have.

What are your thoughts on all these new hybrid genres surfacing and their effects on the music scene these days?

Music has always been about hybrids and creating new ideas from old ones. It’s how culture works and how we progress as a society. I

think any positive creativity advances the music scene and keeps people active.

What are you working on right now?

This interview and paying New York State Sales tax on our merchandise. We’re about to embark on a tour of Japan with our label there, Rallye, and we’re going to play Seoul for the first time because a New York designer, Kate Spade, is bringing us there for a show... I get to eat massive amounts of onigiri and drink barley tea as much as I want.

What can we expect from you girls in the future?

One of the things that we tend to do in this band is work on what projects we have in front of us and go where they take us. It’s a great system that allows us to fully concentrate on the task at hand.

On a shamelessly broad last note, what is music to you?

My life.

www.aurevoirsimone.com

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WORKING mind SOUNDING job GIRL BOARD

We all have our songs of the moment. Our playlists are prized possessions that we carefully curate to our tastes. The amazing thing is, even when years have passed, certain songs can always transports us back to special times in our lives. Brooklynbased writer TABATHA MCGURR remembers her first love and heartbreak with “Straight to Hell” by The Clash.

I

fell very hard for a boy. One morning that he’d slept over, I lay awake in bed surrounded by pink and white softness, and he disappeared into the kitchen. I had an iPod speaker deck there, which had been last used to play the nipple-stiffening James Brown off my playlist. He switched his own iPod in and turned on something that made my ears perk up because I recognized and enjoyed the sounds I heard, but they were slightly different from how I’d heard them normally.

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He came back into my room, and we lay there listening to the music.

It was The Clash’s “Straight to Hell.”

At the time, M.I.A. had just sampled the instrumental of that song for “Paper Planes,” which is why it sounded so familiar. But something about the original version made my insides feel like Jell-O. After that morning, I listened to that song all day long, everyday. It transported me no matter where I was.

When I hear The Clash sing that song, my mind would drop everything and bring me back to my bed, next to him. If I was bummed or needed to feel something or missed him, I played it.

I didn’t have a real boyfriend until I was 18. There were boys that I flirted with who would reciprocate, but that was all I was really ready for.

After the big one eight though, I finally felt like a woman, and I wanted to share myself with someone. Unfortunately, my vision was clouded and I shared myself with someone who didn’t appreciate it.

I had eyed him before, and I felt that I’d let the tension between us build enough to make things exciting.

We started dating, and with each week that passed, I felt my attachment get stronger. Every bit of him that I could absorb, I tried to. I wanted to like all of the things he would like so that I

could be closer to him. If he was really into a certain book, I made sure to check it out. Sometimes I would read sentences and stop myself to think that he’d read the same one. The reason I was so set on getting to know him through bits and pieces is because he wasn’t letting me otherwise.

Then something quite sudden happened. I lost my virginity to him after two months of dating, and we must not have felt the same about how things went down. After a few days of leaving me hanging—from an emotional noose!—he broke up with me. I must have drowned in a sea of “Straight to Hell”.

I listened to ‘our’ song even more when I was heartbroken than when I was happy. It was the verbal equivalent of staring at old pictures or reading love notes. The song basically became tainted. Even ages later, I have a hard time listening to it without associating it in some way to that period of time.

It’s unfortunate too, because I really liked that song.

I’m a big fan of the ideal that “If you love something, set it free.” It applies to just about everything. When you’ve found something that touches you in such a way, you have to make sure to use it with caution. If you have too much of it, you’ll learn to resent the things that made it so special before.

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night vision

NIGHTVISION JABBAWOCKEEEZ @Glorietta Park

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night vision

STATUS RELEASE PARTY @Butter Factory Singapore Photos by Revolution

URCC

@A- Venue Photos by Barry Ambrosio

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NIGHTVISION

GIGEE’S BIRTHDAY PARTY @FLUXXE

Photos by Jujin Samonte

MANILA DESIGN WEEK

@GREENBELT 5 Photos by Daniel Tan

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NIGHTVISION

PUMA ARCHIVE UNCOVERED @Mag:Net High Street Photos by Barry Ambrosio

DUBPLATE

@Cubao X

Photos by Adoborat

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TRANSACTION

TRANSACTION GRADUATION CELEBRATION Photos by The Cobrasnake

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TRANSACTION

MARC JACOBS FASHION SHOW Photos by The Cobrasnake

LOVEMADE X HAN CHOLO

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Where to find stuff in this magazine ADIDAS Available at all Adidas stores nationwide ANALOG SOUL Available at The Ramp, Crossings, Glorietta 2, Makati City ANTHOLOGY Available at Power Plant Mall, Makati City ALDO Available at Greenbelt 5, Makati City ALTERNATIVE APPAREL Available at Trilogy, Alvion Centre, Makati City Tel: 328-1071 ANNE KLEIN Available at Greenbelt 5, Makati City ARANAZ Available at Greenbelt 5, Makati City BILLABONG Available at Stoked, Power Plant Mall, Makati City BRIGADA EYEWEAR Available at Trilogy, Alvion Centre, Makati City Tel: 328-1071 CHARLES & KEITH Available at Greenbelt 5, Makati City DIM MAK CLOTHING Available at Trilogy, Alvion Centre, Makati City Tel: 328-1071

ECKO UNLTD. Available at all Ecko Unltd. stores and shoe departments nationwide EZEKIEL Available at Stoked, Power Plant Mall, Makati City GAUPO Available at Greenbelt 5, Makati City GENERIC SURPLUS Available at Trilogy, Alvion Centre, Makati City Tel: 328-1071 H&M See hm.com HURLEY Available at Stoked, Power Plant Mall, Makati City LEVI’S Available at all Levi’s stores MUNDO Available at The Ramp, Crossings, Glorietta 2, Makati City NINE WEST Available at Greenbelt 5, Makati City OBEY Available at Trilogy, Alvion Centre, Makati City Tel: 328-1071 POINTER Available at Trilogy, Alvion Centre, Makati City Tel: 328-1071

PONY Available at all Pony stores and shoe departments nationwide POSSIBILITY Available at The Ramp, Crossings, Glorietta 2, Makati City PSYCHO Available at all SM Department Stores Nationwide PUMA Available at Puma stores Nationwide RAGS TO RICHES Available at Aranaz, Greenbelt 5, Makati City SUP CLOTHING Available at 34 Haji Lane, Singapore

WeSC Available at Trilogy, Alvion Centre, Makati City Tel: 328-1071 ZOO YORK Available at all Zoo York stores and shoe departments nationwide ARTISTS AMANDA FIKOWSKI (Model) BRENT JAVIER (Model) JHERA FADOL (Hairstylist) Tel: 332-3577 Mobile: 0918-585-7683 KAY RODRIGUEZ (Makeup Artist) Tel: 932-3199 Mobile: 0918-901-4647 PATRICK L. JAMORA (Photographer) see behance.net/padraick

STEVE MADDEN Available at Greenbelt 5, Makati City

REVOLUTION (Photographer) +632-5020665 see peaceloveandrevolution.com

TERRANOVA Available at Glorietta 4, Makati City

STUDIO

THE RAMP Available at Glorietta 2, Makati City TOPSHOP Available at Power Plant Mall, Makati City UNDERNOURISHED MANILA See undernourishedmanila. multiply.com

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MUSE

MISS FAUSS

By Raydon L. Reyes Photographed by Kristin Genn

M

elting vinyl records and painting on them may sound like desecration for fans of the old-fashioned analog plates, but for 23-year-old KYLEE FAUSS, this was what jumpstarted her wildly successful jewelry brand Miss Wax. It all began when Kylee found an old Barbra Streisand record and decided to cut, melt, and glue it together to “turn her into a piece of art.” When her friends in San Diego took notice, she brought her samples to the UNIV shop in California where her pieces started getting some real attention.

Today, you can see her ‘60s and psychedeliainspired, oversized earrings gussying up the lobes of both underground and mainstream street figures such as DJ Eclipse and Rino of the Beat Freaks Crew. Kylee is also big on collaborations as with graffiti writer Retna and streetwear brand Hellz Bellz.

Her secret to striking it big? A rebellious past filled with alternative schools, fake ID’s, and bad boys. She joined hip-hop nights when the rest of her classmates were busy being good students. And just as she transforms classic records and used binders into accessories, she digs into this past to fuel her creativity. “All of my life experiences come into play for the pieces that I design. It’s all about going against the grain and being different,” Kylee points out.

The self-confessed hip-hop, electro, and classic rock junkie of course credits music as a big factor in establishing the San Diego-based Miss Wax: “I’m into so many different types of music…love the Beatles, David Bowie, Junior Boys, and Cut Copy. Music inspires me in all that I do.”

What’s next for this phenomenal designer? A brand new blog site, more collaborations, more high-end pieces, and more exciting accessories to keep the ladies yearning for more. “[I’m] a busy little bee. There are always so many things to be doing at once. I’m excited.”

www.misswax.com

“All of my life experiences come into play for the pieces that I design.”

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RACE CAT From the PUMA Motorsport collection