Microsoft's Zune L.A. Space (ft. Photography by Craig Wetherby)

As some of you might have noticed as of late, Microsoft has been trying to create a more hip brand image for itself with products such as their iPod competitor the Zune, the Xbox 360, and ads featuring the likes of Jerry Seinfeld and Pharrell. As part of all this buzz creating, a few months ago the software giant took over a photo studio in Los Angeles and turned it into a really cool invite only lounge space called "Zune L.A." The spot serves as office space for the LA Zune team during the day, and in the evenings and weekends turns into a rad spot for special events. The Zuners have a few special friends helping out as well, including Vans, New Era, Puma and Paramount. We recently got a chance to check out the space:

Here's the badass multipurpose main room that can serve as a dancefloor... the padded walls are fall of you clumsy folks out there:


Obligatory DJ Booth photo:


Intermixed with the boutique hotel like atmospher are product demos guests can play with:


Lord of the Castle:


I pity the fool that clowns Abe Lincoln's mohawk!:


This thing here was by far my favorite gadget in the whole place! It's the new "Microsoft Surface" which is basically a coffee table sized touch screen computer... screw the iPhone! Here's me doing my best Beethoven impression on the built in piano software:

AND it can scan any object you lay on it... kinda scary like a real life Eagle Eye:

The Zune L.A. space is currently showcasing photography by the uber talented Craig Wetherby all throughout the venue. His work is super stylized and a blast to checkout- Make sure to take a peep at more of the photos at his official site:


The original hip hop pirate, Slick Rick:


Iron Lung aka Method Man aka the first rapper to blast ya with a hockey puck:


I don't know, but everyone loves seventies pilots and stewardesses:

And last but not least, you'll have to contend with these dudes to get in... they're there to protect all of the V.I.G.'s inside (Very Important Geeks):


** Learn more about Zune L.A. in this LA Times article