Red Bull Newsletter

The Red Bulletin

Bringing You The Latest In Sports, Culture, and Lifestyle

Newsletter.indd 1

10/14/2015 12:50:58 PM

Frontman of Foals Yannis Philippakis Reveals 5 Songs That Have Influenced His Writing

I

f there’s one young band that deserves comparison with Talking Heads, it’s Foals. Just like David Byrne’s legendary group, this British fivepiece skillfully blends left-field styles such as post punk, disco funk and math rock with soaring indie-pop melodies.

Following the success of 2013’s Holy Fire, which peaked at No. 2 in the U.K. and topped the Australian album chart, the band has unveiled its follow-up, What Went Down, with a heavier, guitar-driven element added to the mix.

MAJICAL CLOUDZ: “BUGS DON’T BUZZ” “The first time I listened to this song [from the 2013 album Impersonator] was on New Year’s Day last year. It was like I had an intimate companion in my head, helping me through my hangover.

The tune is sparse—it’s all about the vocals. They make you feel like you’re in a poetic Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with someone telling you his innermost fears. It’s a dark, deep record, and I’ll love it forever.”

Newsletter.indd 2

IGGY POP: “THE PASSENGER”

“This song is on an alnobody else, and in his bum called Prison Songs, voice and lyrics, he capVolume One: Murderous tures a kind of fractured Home, a compilation Britishness. ‘War Report’ “I discovered this song of recordings from the [from the recent EP when I was 15. A girl I 1940s. The way those inBabyfather] is a weirdly had a crush on made me carcerated men sing is so appealing song that feels a mix cassette with this touching. It’s like they’re like he wrote it in half tune on it. My parents channeling their souls an hour in a hotel room. didn’t listen to rock music, so it was the first time through this song, drum- It’s thin and unadorned, which makes it sound I realized that classic-rock ming the rhythm with pickaxes. It’s haunting, very human. It’s surely hits are classics for a not everybody’s cup of reason. ‘ The Passenger’ is and it reminds you that the most powerful music tea, but I’m a big fan of so amazing and timeless because it’s such a simple in the world is just a voice his.” song—there’s no trickery. and a beat. You don’t need anything else.”

That honesty is exactly what I crave when I write DEAN BLUNT: “WAR music.”

REPORT” DARKSIDE: “GOLDEN “This elusive producer ARROW” does modern London like “I love this electronic duo because every decision they make is the opposite of what I’d do musically.

Take this track [from the 2013 album Psychic]: There are so many moments when I’d expect something to kick in, but they reverse it and create more negative space.

There’s a lot of space in Darkside’s psychedelic cosmos and yet it feels natural, which I enjoy a British Indie Rockband Foals lot.”

B. B. & GROUP: “OLD ALABAMA”

10/14/2015 12:50:58 PM

Dude, Where’s my Mat? The Ultimate Reasons For Why You Should Roll Out Your Mat Now

Y

ou and yoga? You might have heard of the potential benefits that practicing yoga could have, and they might even be true. But what’s the point in stretching and twisting like a wet towel? And isn’t that a “Girls Only” club anyways?

life. So, grab your mat and get ready.

1. TOUCH YOUR TOES, FINALLY

Have you ever asked yourself how it would feel if you could actually touch your toes? We have good news for you: doing yoga could help you It’s time for a refresher, reach this goal. Practicing guys. This ancient methyoga not only improves od of relaxation, exercise your flexibility, but also and healing that’s rooted increases your range of in Indian philosphy and motion, both of which dates back about 5,000 can help to prevent sport years ago was originally injuries. Plus, stretching designed for men. Trust aids muscle recovery and us, yoga won’t transform repair, allowing you to you into a super-sensitive, upgrade your workout all touchy-feely, less man- routine faster and more ly man - but get ready for efficiently. an intense physical and mental journey that will 2. CALM DOWN, MAN improve your everyday Newsletter.indd 3

Whether its performing a sport where you’re after a certain goal or sitting in an office with constant distractions around you or reading a book on the subway, being able to concentrate on a certain task and at the same time be aware of what is going on around you is not easy. And that’s were yoga jumps in: it helps you tame your inner beasts and most importantly, enhances your ability to focus. Additionally, it’s supposed to help relieve stress and improve your energy levels.

3. GET STRONGER Yoga is more than just stretching: the postures (called Asanas) are a series of focused isometric

contractions combined with specific breathing techniques that target flexibility, mobility and strength. It not only strengthens your core by engaging it in practically every yoga pose to stabilize your body, it can also count as cardio (at least if you are moving in a steady pace). By using your own weight, you minimize the risk of injuries as your body only moves in a way that it was designed to. If you find a class with the words “power“, “vinyasa“ or “flow“ in it, you can definitely skip the gym that day. For the more adventurous, try out a Bikram Yoga class (sweat for 90 minutes in a 40-degree room).

10/14/2015 12:50:59 PM

Don’t expect yourself to be super-bendy and hyper-mobile after you’ve taken your first yoga class; it takes patience and time, but it will pay off in the long-term.

4. GET LEANER AND TALLER Another benefit that comes from working with your body weight is that it makes your muscles lean and defined, while having a lower impact on your joints than you would have during your regular weight lifting session. If you supplement your workout routine with a yoga practice once in a while, you will activate sections of muscles that are usually ignored (for example the serratus anterior, also called “boxer’s muscle”, that is located under your armpit gets activated while doing the downward-dog). As yoga widens your range of motion, it also increases access to more muscle fibers, which leads to a more substantial hypertrophy - and that’s what gets you buff. Sitting in an office all day can lead to horrible posture, whereas a regular yoga practice helps to improve your stance by strengthening the core and lengthening the spine. Another great side effect: having good posture leads to a more

Newsletter.indd 4

self-confident appearance.

5. GET BETTER SLEEP

diabetes), depression and obesity, finding effective treatment for insomnia should be high up on your to-do list. Studies have shown that yoga also regulates the stress hormone cortisol that can lead to a weakened immune system if it is imbalanced. Having said that, yoga can help form the basis of a long-term, sustainable lifestyle that helps you have a more profound and longer sleep, as well as a better overall well-being.

The next time you find yourself wide awake at 3am calculating how many hours, minutes and seconds of sacred sleep you have left until you have to get up, stop tossing and turning and start doing yoga.

Research shows that a regular practice can relieve insomnia as well as improve your overall sleep quality, efficiency and duration and cures symptoms of fatigue, anxiety and stress. And, as lack of sleep can lead to 6. GET CLEAN other health issues such as cardiovascular diseases No, we are not talking (high blood pressure and about being more hy-

gienic. Yoga is supposed to have a cleansing effect on your body by promoting detoxification and healthy digestion. As you twist and turn during the practice, you massage your inner organs, stimulating your digestive system. It is also said that regular yoga can support a radical change of your lifestyle, as it is supposed to help you in being a more aware and balanced human being. According to some, even your body smell changes while you go through those life changes. Whether you believe it or not is up to you - but a little placebo effect every now and then won’t harm anyone.

LA-based yoga expert Dylan Werner.

10/14/2015 12:50:59 PM