Coachella 2009 Lineup Announced- Paul McCartney, The Killers, The Cure to headline

It's that time of year again- the 2009 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup has been announced. Paul McCartney, The Killers & The Cure will be headlining, along with tons of other performers that'll be getting down and dirty. So what do you think? - Overwhelming/Underwhelming?

** Checkout FoundTrack's 2008 Coachella coverage for a recap of the many zany adventures we got ourselves into...

(click to enlarge)

** Checkout the official Coachella site for more info, ticket purchases, and updates. Who knows, maybe Goldenvoice will surprise us with a last minute additional a la the Purple one himself, Prince:

FoundTrack’s Winter ’09 Compilation (Track 4/22) - We Have Band - Oh!

We Have Band-Oh! (Track 4/22)

Album- “Oh!” Single (Purchase)
Label- 50 Bones ("Oh!" Single)/Kitsune (Maison 6 compilation)
www.myspace.com/wehaveband
http://www.wehaveband.com/
Photo by Mikael Gregorsky

London’s We Have Band bring an unmistakably danceable vibe to FoundTrack’s Winter ’09 Compilation with their single “Oh!” featuring Thomas WP on Vocals/Guitar/Bass/Programming, Dede WP on Vocals/Percussion/Sampler, and Darren Bancroft on Vocals/Drums/Percussion/Sampler. We Have Band are another example of electro-masterminds emanating from overseas, and the track’s contagious call and response form, trippy ambiance, and echoing, ascending “Oh’s” produce an energizing mood ideal for a night out on the dance floor. Already subject to multiple remixes (Micachu Remix, Gentleman Driver, and Andrew “Friendly Fires” Remix), the original is still available for download on the FoundTrack compilation, so get grooving and get dancing. Additionally, We Have Band’s “Oh!” has an oh-so-appealing debut music video directed by Tom Ellis at Last Seagull


Relatively new on the UK scene, We Have Band have not released an official EP or album (there is a WHB Sampler floating about somewhere), but “Oh!” has been released as a single on the UK 50 cents label and placed on the hip Kitsune Maison 6 Compilation. The group is currently touring through Europe and will be hitting North America for SXSW in March (18th-22nd) before heading back to their home continent for the final dates in April. Meanwhile, we DO have We Have Band’s website, Myspace page, and iTunes downloads to enjoy.

FoundTrack's Winter '09 Collection (Track 3/22) - N.A.S.A. - Money (ft David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip)

N.A.S.A. - Money (ft David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip) (Track 3/22)
Album - The Spirit of Apollo (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Anti
http://www.myspace.com/nasa


N.A.S.A. (North America South America) is the collaborative work of Producer/DJ Squeak E Clean & his spacegoing partner in intergalactic crime, Brazilian DJ, Zegon. Their new and mucho hyped debut album, "The Spirit of Apollo" is set to bring together perhaps the largest group of high profile/high talent musicians the world has ever seen. The album features everyone from rock artists like Karen O & Nick Zinner of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sean Lennon, John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Waits, Lovefoxxx of Cansei de Ser Sexy, Nina Persson of The Cardigans etc.), Funk artists like George Clinton, Techno technicians like Barbie Hatch, World musians like David Byrne, Seu Jorge, Reggae folks like Sizzla and Hip-Hop heavy weights RZA, Method Man & Ol' Dirty Bastard of Wu-Tang, Cee-Lo Green of Goodie Mob/Gnarls Barkley, Kool Keith, Fatlip & Slimkid3 formerly of The Pharcyde, Bushwick Bill of Geto Boys, De La Soul, etc.), Amanda Blank and M.I.A.. NUTS!

The album will be released in the US on February 17, 2009 and N.A.S.A. is going on tour to promote the pants off of it... if you're in LA make sure to RSVP and try and get yourself in to Cinespace Tuesdays tomorrow, January 27- it should be a banger banger!:

To keep you busy in the mean time, checkout this rad behind the scenes studio tour with Squeak E Clean (who's blog our very own DJ KnewJack contributes to) and get a taste for what went into the record:

N.A.S.A. In The Studio With Squeak E. Clean from joshua on Vimeo.

** For More N.A.S.A. goodness, checkout the music video to our featured track "Money" that showcases original art and visuals by Shepard Fairey (creator of the now iconic Obama "Hope" image).

Jini's Pick of the Week - Album artwork

Recently, I've come across a few stories about album artwork so I thought I'd combine them in a bumper pick of the week.

First up, is a new innovation in digital album art with the introduction of animated album cover art. These are being designed with the thoughts that mp3 players will soon be able to display the new format. London-based consultancy Zip Design have been on this for quite a while and late last year they designed the animated cover art for McFly's album "Radioactive" which originally went on social networking sites as a moving avatar. Let's hope that mp3 manufacturers (*cough* Apple) will come out with this capability later this year.

Next up, is a great blog dedicated to music album cover art. Sleevage aims to be "the world’s best resource for great music artwork" and try to investigate how an album cover concept came about. For instance, the post for one of the most enduring album covers of all time for Nirvana's Nevermind, talks about how originally Cobain wanted artwork featuring himself on the cover but eventually put forward his own ideas that led to the baby in the swimming pool. The baby, Spencer Elden, recently re-created the photo in the same place, Rose Bowl aquatic centre in Pasadena, CA. One of the comments on the blog post made me laugh though, "Apparently Cobain refused censorship of the image (rightly so) and his only compromise was a sticker on the baby’s appendage that read, “If you’re offended by this, you must be a closet pedophile.”"

Finally, the most amusing of this special post, is the album covers re-created entirely in Lego, featured on this Flikr page. No explanation required, but see if you can figure out some of these lego masterpieces below:



Source
Source

FoundTrack's Winter '09 Collection (Track 2/22) - The Boxer Rebellion - Evacuate

The Boxer Rebellion - Evacuate (Track 2/22)
Album - Union (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Self-Release
http://www.myspace.com/theboxerrebellion
www.theboxerrebellion.com
Photo taken by Tessa Angus


In appropriate fashion, The Boxer Rebellion launch the new year and our Winter '09 collection with "Evacuate", a thrilling drumbeat and guitar-filled leap into an epic masterpiece. The lead hit was just recently featured worldwide as the Itunes FREE Single of the Week, an unprecedented move made even more remarkable given the band were and remain..although not for long, unsigned..In case you missed out on the free feature, "Evacuate" will continue to remain available to you via our winter collection download, so get your mittens on the goods while it's hot. Here's a video for the featured cut directed by D.A.R.Y.L. of Pulse Films.



Well...there's much more where "Evacuate" came from, the Boxer Rebellion's much-anticipated self-produced sophomore record, Union (physical release dates forthcoming). Criply mixed togeher by Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters/Feeder) and mastered by Kevin Metcalfe (U2, Prodigy), Union sees the UK four-piece taking their already lofty ambitions to subliminal heights with soaring Thom Yorkesque vocals and epic instrumentals in the vein of Coldplay/U2. From the tribal-drum explosion of current KCRW favorite "Flashing Red Light Means Go", through the aptly wintry atmospherics of "The Gospel of Goro Adachi" to live favorites "Semi-Automatic" and our featured "Evacuate", Union is an album that transcends convention in a seismic blast of unfettered invention. Listen to the album for yourself at Reverb Nation. The band is currently prepping for a Spring '09 tour so check their myspace for dates soon to be announced.

Found in New York: Semi Precious Weapons, Liam and Me, and Outernational

Hey there Foundtrack-ers! Meijin here, bringing you some exciting New York rock ‘n’ roll updates. Finishing off 2008 with a bang, I made my way to the Big Apple for a week to follow up on a couple fantastic acts I was privileged to experience at October’s CMJ Music Marathon.

Before heading east, I had organized a phone interview with Semi Precious Weapons through their label Razor and Tie. Right on schedule, Justin Tranter, lead vocalist of SPW, telephoned from Brooklyn during his peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch to talk band and beyond. Later that day, Justin went out of his way to send my questions to his band mates, and armed with this inside info, I formulated “20 Semi Precious Questions: An Interview with Semi Precious Weapons,” which is featured in All Access Magazine. SPW will be in town March 10th at Bar Pink, San Diego and March 11th at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. And for one more Semi Precious Weapons treasure, download a remix of “Magnetic Baby” by their fellow “Hell on Heels” tour company, Von Iva! (See photo on left : Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons ; Photo Credits Todd Owyoung)

A few days after the interview, I partied with the Brooklyn boys at “Playhouse” at Cain Luxe, and was informed about a “secret” show they were playing at Trash!, a weekly party in Webster Hall’s downstairs space. I arrived before midnight (early by New York standards) just in time to catch me a new find, Philly-based Liam and Me. LAM’s leading man Matt O’Dowd took my business card seriously and promptly followed up on sending me “Pretender,” and their single “Say It Out Loud.” Shouting along with Semi Precious Weapons’ 2 a.m. set, dancing ‘til daylight, and discovering my new favorite Eastern export made for a memorable evening. Please read up on Liam and Me and download their single on iTunes! ( See photo; Liam and Me; Photo Credits: Shawn Corrigan)

For the finale of my NYC stint, I maneuvered my way to Brooklyn for my first time in single-digit wind chills to claim my list-spot for Outernational’s show at The Music Hall of Williamsburg with the legendary Slackers. Outernational's performance and warm welcome kept winter off my mind, and their guitarist, Leo Mintek, finalized our plan for a sit down interview the next day. Take some time out and enjoy this exclusive interview with Outernational before they come out west for Warped Tour 2009. (See photo left; Outernational)

January '09 DJ KnewJack mix- "Red Room"

Every month FoundTrack Friend and resident party rocker DJ KnewJack provides you guys with some bangin' new tunes to get down to. Checkout his latest DJ mix "Red Room"- it's got everything you need to make sure you sound as fly as you look while YOU're hangin' out in a Crimson Room... Get your dancin' shoes out and crank this up:

#	ARTIST	TRACK NAME
1	The JBs	A Tribute to Disc Jockeys
2	Southside Break Crew	Freshest Jam
3	Kwanzaa Posse	Wicked Funk (Splice Edit)
4	Kwanzaa Posse	Wicked Funk (Funk Rebirth Mix)
5	P-Funk Allstars	Hydraulic Pump (PoM Edit)
6	Baby Oliver	Primetime (Uptown Express)
7	Rocky Marsiano	Hold of Me
8	Q-Tip	Manwomanboogie ft. Amanda Diva
9	Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra	Bongo Fury
10	Clockwork Voodoo Freaks	Deaf Mick's Throwdown
11	Liquid Liquid	Cavern (Cut Chemist Remix)
12	Stu Phillips	Knight Rider Theme (Todd Terje Edit)
13	Chilly	For Your Love (Yardbirds Cover)
14	Queen Samantha	Take A Chance
15	Talking Heads	I Zimbra (Peter Black Remix)
16	Jackson 5	What You Dont Know (Eli Edit)
17	Escort	Bright New Life
18	TJ Gorton	Club Cabana
19	Rockmaster Rus B	Addicted Funk (Bass Version)
20	Fred Wesley	House Party (DJ Apt One Edit)
21	Jestofunk	Stellarfunk (Conga Mix)
22	Chic	Errbody Dance (DLO Edit)
23	Connie Case	Get Down
24	Curtis Vodka	Black Apple Le Freak (Cow Bell Version)
25	Giorgio Moroder	The Chase
26	Donna Summer	I Feel Love (Gazeebo Edit)

(The crimson-bearded dynamo himself- DJ KnewJack)

** Upcoming DJ KnewJack Event- FOUNDTRACK PRESENTS MONSTER LIVE PRE-VALENTINE'S DAY / V's B-DAY BLOWOUT!!! - Thursday 2/12 @ Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood

** Interested in having KnewJack DJ your party or event? Book him via email or at (310) 529-8160 and let him know you heard him on FoundTrack

** Checkout previous KnewJack mixes here

** Checkout KnewJack's blog posts over at the DJ Squeak E Clean Blog

Sebastien Hair's "Fallen" Short Film by director Mark Allen

FYI this image is from ANOTHER Sebastien shoot, NOT the "Fallen" shoot... I figured it would get the point across ;)

FoundTrack Friend and film gaffer Darryl Walthall sent us this short film he recently lit, entitled "Fallen." The piece was commissioned by hair styling brand Sebastian Professional, and directed by up and coming director Mark Allen, with creative direction by Robert Lobetta. The piece is a cool abstract with gorgeous visuals (thanks to DP Brad Rushing, and Darryl's fantastic lighting). Enjoy:



** For more short films by Mark Allen and Sebastian, checkout the director's site

Burberry Prorsum 2009 Men's Collection

One of the most recognizable trademarks in high-end apparel is the black, white and red pattern known as The Burberry Check. It was first introduced as a lining to the brands trench coats back in the 1920's. Today the trademark has become a well-recognizable symbol across the globe that signifies luxury and exceptional quality. Burberry was been on top of their game for sometime and positioned themselves well in the endorsement world - Her Majesty Herself, Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales both granted the company Royal Warrants - talk about an endorsements!

English fashion designer Cristopher Bailey took over in 2001 as the Creative Director, giving the traditional luxury fashion house a series of new collections and product lines - Burberry Prorsum is one of the those lines. The 2009 Spring Collection pays homage to the Brands traditional roots with it's pinstripe trousers, tuxedo shirts and velvet suits yet Baily is able to create a renewed life through the use of rumpling & boiling techniques that give the line a "disheveled elegance."

Christopher Bailey in his own words, "I feel like it was a moment to go back to who we are, and to the real icons of the company. It feels like the right moment," Bailey said after the show.


Photographer Mario Testino and Burberry Creative Director Christopher Bailey:


Check out the piece around his neck. What is that you ask? That is a Cravat - similar to an Ascot, which I told you earlier was having a revival - is simply a fancy form of necktie worn in the late 18, early 1900's:


I am a fan of the clean straight lines of the Jacket and Trousers. The glimpse of the rumpled tuxedo shirt underneath does it for me. The Hat and gloves make the outfit fun and functional - keeping you warm in the winter. The splash of color with the scarf makes this one of my favorite ensembles:


The cravat strikes again!!! I'm telling ya - don't sleep on Ascots and Cravats - they are going to be the new accessory for today's modern gent. Let's give the traditional necktie a break gentlemen:


Source- WWD

FoundTrack's Winter '09 Collection (Track 1/22) - Introduction by Tatanka

(Tatanka wearing his red, white, and blue, and balancing a beer on his head- What better way to celebrate the inauguration of our new President?)

Tatanka - Winter '09 Intro (Track 1/22)
Album - FoundTrack's Winter '09 Collection (Download)

Label - Haha, Us!

So, some of you folks might be wondering who this "Tatanka" guy is, that provides the intro voiceover for FoundTrack's seasonal music compilations. Well ladies and gentlemen, we're proud to finally reveal this talented devil's handsome mug for your viewing pleasure. I've known Tatanka for more than a decade now and he is a renaissance man by all accounts. By day, the man (real name Adam), is an editor and voice artist for National Geographic at their DC headquarters, and by night he is simultanteously a graphic designer, musician, and all around nice guy.

Tatanka's latest top secret project? He's actually BUILDing a stone wood-fired oven in his backyard where he'll be taking his secret pizza making powers to the next level. We here at FoundTrack commend you Mister Tatanka and thank you for all your hard work. Now go on and do what you do- like in this instance eating you're super cute new niece Ryla:

Weekly Events Calendar: Found in LA (Jan 19th-25th)

Monday January 19th (MLK Day)
Mad Mondays feat. DJ Sets by Metronomy, The Mae Shi plus resident DJ's Valida, C-Town, Spider, and Hoff @ The Standard Purple Lounge (West Hollywood) - FREE w/RSVP - madmondays at gmail dot com
Funkmosphere feat. Guest DJ's Dam-Funk @ Carbon (Funkmosphere)
Rocco Deluca, Musee Mecanique, Correatown @ Spaceland (FREE)
Robert Francis, The Amateurs, Lex Land, Avi Buffalo @ Echo (FREE)
Harry Shearer and the High-Value Detainees @ Largo (Coronet)
"JCVD" (2008) /"Double Impact" (1991) @ New Beverly Cinema
Manhatta and Other Restored Treasures @ REDCAT
Cavs vs Lakers @ Staples Center - Kobe vs Lebron and two best teams in the league go head to head

Tuesday January 20th (Inauguration Day)
KCRW Presents Walkmen, Beach House, Johnny & the Moon @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Theresa Andersson, Coby Brown @ Hotel Cafe
Obama Inauguration Party @ The Opportunity Workshop (152 N. Larchmont)
IM Radio Presents Inauguration Party feat. The Polyamorous Affair, DJ's Dorian (Transistor/Solid Gold), Mr. Coccon (Polyamorous Affair/IM Radio) @ Echo (FREE)
Indie 103 Presents Castledoor, Earl Greyhound, He's My Brother, She's My Sister @ Echoplex
Sara Lov, Willoughby, The One AM Radio, Evan Way (Parson Readheads) @ Spaceland
Crystal Antlers, Ancestors, Magic Lantern, Slang Chickens @ The Smell

Wednesday January 21st
Apt3 Pop-Up Party @ The Roosevelt (Tropicana Bar and Pool) - feat. designers Avezino and Florence Evil Genius and Anna Selena plus DJ Kid-Oh - FREE w/RSVP - Danddrsvp at mac dot com
KXLU Presents Metronomy, The Mae Shi @ El Rey
60 Watt Kid, Voices Voices, KaiserCartel @ Silverlake Lounge
NME Presents The Ettes, Useless Keys, Tulsa Skull Swingers @ Spaceland (Club NME)
Curumin with special guest Money Mark @ Echo (No Culture)
Missing Persons @ Viper Room
Glacier Hiking, Army Navy, Sara Haze @ Troubadour
Armada @ House of Blues
Fountains of Wayne (Acoustic) @ Largo (Coronet)
Cinefamily Presents The Man with the Movie Camera w/live score by Thavius Beck @ Silent Movie Theatre (Avante-Garde Silent Films)

Thursday January 22nd
Spin and Adidas Originals Present Chromeo @ Key Club
Love Grenades, War Tapes, Sam Sparro (DJ Set) @ Roxy
Dim Mak Presents Chromeo After Party & DJ Set @ Roxy
KCRW Presents Boozoo Bajou, Jeremy Sole @ Zanzibar (Afrofunke)
Ben Lee @ Largo (Little Room)
Van Stone, Creedle, El Ten Eleven, Falsetto Teeth @ Silverlake Lounge
Panthere, Neon Navajo, Protect Me @ Space 15 Twenty
FMLY Presents High Places, Hecuba, Infinite Body @ Echo
1960's Garage Mix Night @ Silent Movie Theatre (Garage D'Or)
Fountains of Wayne (Acoustic) @ Largo (Coronet)
Blue Note 70th Anniversary Tour feat. Ravi Coultrane, Nicholas Payton, more @ Royce Hall
Simon Shaheen Ensemble @ Skirball Cultural Center
"They Always Say That Time Changes Things" @ Hammer (Hammer Screenings) - This series of short films studies how time has been interpreted by experimental film artists from 1963 to the present. Featuring works by Andy Warhol and more

Friday January 23rd
Animal Collective, Ariel Pink, Lucky Dragons, DJ Turquoise, Wisdom @ Henry Fonda Theatre (SOLD OUT)
Pase Rock, Nadastrom, Destructo and Mr. White @ Avalon
F Yeah and Filter Presents Jay Reatard, Earthmen and Strangers @ Echoplex
Japanese Motors, The Growlers @ Echo (Club Underground)
Department of Eagles, The Cave Singers @ Troubadour (SOLD OUT)
F Yea Presents Thorns of Life, Underground Railroad to Candyland, Audacity @ Center for The Arts, Eagle Rock (Adv. tix - SOLD OUT)
Hotel Cafe/LA Weekly Presents Chris Pierce (CD Release Party), Chris Joyner, The Elevaters @ El Rey
Very Be Careful @ The Mint
Tim Brady - US Premiere of "20 Quarter Inch Jacks" @ REDCAT
Jon Brion & Friends @ Largo (Coronet)
"The Iron Horse" (1924) @ Getty (How the West Was Shot: Six Westerns, Six Decades)
"Star 80" (1983) @ Silent Movie Theatre (True Crime)
"Mind Game" (2004) @ Silent Movie Theatre (Beyond Anime)
The Original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1990) @ Nuart (Midnight Screening)
The British Television Advertising Awards @ LACMA - Now in its thirtieth year, this compilation presents approximately one hundred British television, Internet, and cinema commercials cited for excellence by the advertising industry’s top executives.

Saturday January 24th
KCRW Presents West Indian Girl (Release Party), Juliette Commagere, His Orchestra @ Roxy
Animal Collective @ Troubadour (SOLD OUT)
Tapes 'n Tapes, Wild Light, Wavves @ El Rey
The Raveonettes, The Soft Pack (formerly The Muslims) @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Future Cop, Thunderheist, We Are The World , Franki Chan @ Echoplex
PB Wolf, Dam-Funk @ Dakota Lounge
Nacional Records Presents Manu Chao viewing party for Austin City Limits @ 2500 Riverside at Fletcher in Silverlake - Special live performance from La Santa Cecilia, DJ Mexican Dubwiser
Griffin House, Katie Herzig @ Hotel Cafe
One Trick Pony (CD Release), Spider Problem, Evan Voytas @ Pehrspace
Freestyle L.A. feat. Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Expose, The Cover Girls, Shannon, and Debbie Deb @ Nokia Theatre
The Fab Feaux (Highly acclaimed Beatles Cover Band) @ Orpheum
"The Big Trail" (1930)/"Red River" (1948) @ Getty (How the West Was Shot: Six Westerns, Six Decades)
Bill Morrison Shorts @ Silent Movie Theater (The Artist and the Archives)
"The Peanut Butter Solution" (1985) @ Silent Movie Theatre (Fucked Up Kids Movies)
"Mask" (1985) Director's Cut @ New Beverly Cinema

Sunday January 25th
KCRW Presents Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings @ Club Nokia
No Age, Rings, Mika Miko, Abe Vigoda, David Scott Stone, Jennifer The Leopard, Wavves @ The Smell(1 pm matineé show)
Anavan @ Echo (Part-Time Punks)
Spurs vs Lakers @ Staples Center (12:30pm)
Carleton Watkins and the Elements of Time @ Getty
The Sweaters @ Space 15 Twenty (Sundays in the Courtyard)

Long Running Events
Becoming American - Teenagers and Immigration @ Skirball Cultural Center (Ends 1/25/09)
The Way We See It - L.A. Teens on Immigration @ Skirball Cultural Center (Ends 1/25/09)
Fairytale of Berlin @ Scion Installation L.A. (Ends 02/07/09)
Dialogue Among Giants: Carleton Watkins and the Rise of Photography in California @ Getty (Ends 3/1/09)
Christopher Russell Exhibition @ Hammer Museum (Ends 4/12/09)
Shirana Shabazi Exhibition @ Hammer Museum (Ends 4/30/09)

Resources
losangeles.ohmyrockness.com
KCRW Presents
LosAnjealous.com
Upcoming.yahoo.com
Going.com
Metromix.com
theguide.latimes.com

If you want to receive these listings by email at the beginning of each week ; sign up by sending me an email - nassir at foundtrack dot com

Jini's Pick of the Week - The Double Club

Last night, I had the opportunity to check out the latest trendy bar/restaurant/disco/art installation in Angel, London called The Double Club. The Double Club opened on 21st Nov 2008 and as the press release states, it offers "a unique approach to entertainment and hospitality, as well as creating a dialogue between Congolese and Western contemporary music, lifestyle, arts and design". It is in fact a Carsten Holler art project sponsored by the Fondazione Prada, where 50% of the club's profits go to the City of Joy charity.

As can be seen in the plan above, it is split into three rooms: the disco, courtyard bar and restaurant. Definitely the most impressive is the courtyard bar which has this great feeling of being outside indoors. My only complaint was that it took almost an hour to try and get served at the bar after 9pm, as it was packed inside by this point, and a steadily growing queue building up outside. However, the atmosphere was genuinely a relaxed and friendly one.

The food was tasty and even though it doesn't seem like much my friend and I stuffed ourselves on goat and spicy shrimps with a lovely side order of plantains and white mushy paste (aka chikwangue). We were even tempted by the cook who was bbq-ing burgers and various skewers in the corner of the bar space well into the early hours of the morning - last orders 1am!

We ended the night in the dance space, watching a live set of Congolese singer Gordon Masiala and the DJ positioned in the centre of the room on the revolving circular dancefloor. Plenty of opportunity to see people let it all go and show off their crazy dance moves to the Congolese tunes.

The place has a fantastic feel to it, with a vibe that I could probably only create on holiday in a tropical destination. Definitely worth a visit because it's only going to be around for 6 months - eat some goat while you can!

Obama wants you to Vote for Amare in 2009

Recently, our good FoundTrack homies Sherwin Shilati and A-Rod produced a series of promotional viral videos for the Phoenix Suns star Amare Stoudamire featuring celebrity endorsements from Barack Obama, Shaq, Beyonce, Michael Jordan, and the late George Washington. The video introduces us to Amare's Yes-man, Jay “Super Fan” Johnson, whose mission is to get the most electric, prolific, and graceful power-forward in the NBA, cough cough...Mr. Amare Stoudemire, voted as the starting forward for the Western Conference in the 2009 NBA All-Star game held in Amare's homecourt in Phoenix! The video has already received over 100,000 hits on youtube and has been featured on national TV for TNT's halftime show, ESPN's NBA Coast to Coast/First Take, and this week it will be in the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated. The videos were shot using the highly coveted Red Cameras and feature music from our favorite beatmaker, Boy Genius (Toussaint Hunt of Bedtime for Toys). Last word was that Amare is only a few votes behind and voting closes on Monday so make sure and rock the vote for Amare in 2009 at voteforamare.com, where you can also find the whole series. Here's one of the several videos featuring Amare's teammate Shaqovic.

Pre-Inaugural Jammy Jam: Daft Punk x Adam Freeland = "Aer Obama" Stop Motion Vid

Washington DC's gearing up for a few crazy days of celebration as the inauguration is only a few days away. Over in outer space or wherever they call home, Daft Punk and Adam Freeland must also be in a celebratory mood. The two have paired up to produce this super rad stop motion video featuring amongst other things a Bearbrick gettin' its dance on with an Obama doll. Enjoy:


Daft Punk vs. Adam Freeland - "Aer OBAMA" from Gold Greendot on Vimeo

** On a related note, check out our mysterious masked friend Gill Bumby's "Fair and Honest Appraisal" of Obama

Source- Hypetrak

Radtastic T-shirts by "Hips and Hair" - Be a Walking Canvas! (or a member of the Kelly Kapowski fanclub...)

("Love Me")

So last Saturday at the Apartment 3 moving sale, I noticed a few really rad and clever t-shirts by a new brand called "Hips and Hair" that seemed to be screen printed really really well. Moments later in a total "it's a small world" fashion, I bumped into my colleague Jordan from work and it turns out that his buddy Jonathan (who was also there) is the artist behind the brand:

(Hips and Hair Founder and Artist, Jonathan Bussiere rockin' one of his designs "Graff on Legs")

I learned from Jonathan (and through a bit of reading on the Hips and Hair blog), that the idea behind the brand is to create unique pieces of art in uber low quantities and print them using the best means possible. Therein, the owner / wearer of said shirt is essentially a fantastic walking canvas. I'm always down to support up and coming brands, but often times quality is a factor with new lines and the imagery is less than original. As for Jonathan's t-shirts, I'm happy to say the opposite is definitely true. The printing quality is meticulously high and more importantly the art is totally unique.- Jonathan's blend of iconic imagery mixed with abstract color is wickedlicious. Take a look at some of the designs below from recent collections and decide for yourself- If you're digging it you can purchase pieces directly from the Hips and Hair online store.

American Psycho is one of my favorite films and I'm a big Senor Bale fan, so this one totally popped out to me as an immediate favorite... love the use of the quote on the back of the shirt:

("Wayfarer Dream" - front)

("Wayfarer Dream" - back)

Who DOESN'T think Sophia Loren is one of the hottest ever?:

("Smokin Sophia")

Here's a sneak preview of a piece coming out in the Spring '09 Collection- Currently this takes the prize as my favorite of all of the Hips and Hair designs. Let's be honest here- which teenage dude in the 90s' heart DIDN'T have a Kelly Kapowski crush?!:

(Kelly Kapowski Ruined My Life)

And finally, I'm a sucker for great and original packaging- each Hips and Hair shirt comes in an individually hand painted 1 gallon chrome paint can!:


As long as Hips and Hair keeps pumping out fresh designs, expect to see way more coverage of their line on this here blog in the near future...

Planet Diesel crash lands on Manhattan's Fifth Ave (and so do a few Watches)

FoundTrack's Friends over at Diesel have a big surprise in store for NYC- The always cutting edge fashion brand (who's everyone knows best for cutting edge denim) is opening their fourth "Diesel Planet" sized store on the corner of famed Fifth avenue and 54th. The store is going to be pretty damn massive at 20,000 square feet and multiple floors.


As these renderings illustrate, a variety of materials will be used to create an "opposites attract" aesthetic. All of Diesel's signature and high end lines will be available for your hungry hands by Spring '09 if all goes to plan. Should be interesting to see what kind of tricks the new Diesel Planet location has up its sleeves to keep the space fresh as new season lines are released.

AND one last thing, while we're on the topic of Diesel and NYC, I recently got back from a hell of an amazing week in said city and took a visit to the SoHo store to pickup a pair of jeans. While I went in with the intention of on getting some denim, I ended up buying a badass watch instead. I've always been a fan of Diesel's watches for wicked casual wear- checkout these new digital offerings and enjoy...

This is what we all thought the future would look like in the 80s:

(Diesel DZ7092 w scrolling LED display)

Miami Vice couture anyone?:

(Dieel DZ7097 badass 80s I

And finally out of this bunch of three, this guy somehow stands out as the conservative gentleman in the bunch:

(Diesel DZ7099 Analog/Digital)