Thursday 28 February 2013

MUSIC: Cyril Hahn for HUNGER



Cyril Hahn has released another killer mix, this time for  Hunger magazine. It's an hour of smooth, chill electronica.

I really like the fact that he hasn't included the tracks that made him blow up (Say My Name, Losing You, etc) because it shows that he's not wanting to play on the same shit all the time. I'm really looking forward to him releasing some original stuff.


Playlist below...

Wednesday 27 February 2013

MUSIC: Scooter



Scooter, who I've mentioned in a previous post (Cub Camp), has just dropped a very nice mix online, titled Track CityIncluded are tracks from Luca M, Marc Houle, Azari & III, Maceo Plex, and Tensnake ft Syron. 

Give it a listen. Then save it, and get it playing this weekend to get you ready for a long night.

LGBT: Westboro fail



The Westboro Baptist Church, widely known for their inappropriate hate across America, and their disgusting picketing at US Soldiers funerals, practically anything gay-related, as well as pretty much any large scale occasion, were faced with an anti-protest this week.

At Santa Monica High School, Calif. around 6 members of the Church showed up with signs including the usual "God Hates Fags", and "You Eat Your Kids" in order to target “brutish teachers & hateful parents" who "have broken the moral compass of this generation". In an overwhelming show of support for these people, hundreds of students from the school, as well as members of the local community showed up to anti-protest the Westboro monsters, and block them from view.

Continued...

Tuesday 26 February 2013

MUSIC: AlunaGeorge



New from AlunaGeorge! Attracting Flies is another catchy tune from the pair, with a melody and wood whistle sound that sticks in your mind from the first play.

These have a big year ahead of them, with this single being released March 10th as part of a remix package, and their debut album Body Music being released July 1st 2013.



LGBT: LGBT -> GSD


Above is a headline on Huffington Post today. Pink Therapy, a London-based therapy group believe that the term LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender [also Q for queer/questioning]) should be changed to GSD (Gender and Sexual Diversities).

In the video (below), two directors for Pink Therapy, Dominic Davies and Pamela Gawler-Wright, say that it is time to change this label in order to allow other diversities and groups into the 'spectrum' because too many are still currently excluded. In this 'excluded' bracket, they name swingers, members of the polyamorous community, and those within the BDSM community.

Continued...

Monday 25 February 2013

COMICS: Batwoman proposes to girlfriend


In the latest issue of DC Comics, Batwoman has proposed to her girlfriend, Maggie Sawyer. It comes fresh after the uproar caused when anti-gay writer Orson Scott Card was hired to write two instalments of a new digital-first comic, Adventures of Superman. Several groups called for a boycott of DC Comics with one AllOut petition receiving over 16,000 signatures.

DC Comics reintroduced Batwoman as a lesbian in 2006. Last year another character was reintroduced as gay - The Green Lantern, who is one of the companies oldest superheroes. Also last year, Marvel's Northstar, the first openly gay hero, married his boyfriend Kyle Jinadu.

While some people are criticising DC for not making the Batwoman proposal a bigger issue due to the controversy with Card, others are praising the company for normalising the issue of same sex relationship and marriage.

Sunday 24 February 2013

ART: Contemporary Emotion, Opera Gallery

Keith Haring
(More images NSFW)

MUSIC: Bright Light Bright Light



Rod Thomas, AKA Bright Light Bright Light has been described as 'the boy Robyn'. He is a producer, singer, writer and DJ. The electropop songs are powerful, emotional and drip with shimmering 80s and 90s influences. He supported the Scissor Sisters for their UK tour last Autumn, where I had the pleasure of meeting him. 

His debut album Make Me Believe In Hope was released last June, and was included in many 'Best Albums of 2012' lists. Above is a cover of Billie Ray Martin's Your Loving Arms which is being given away as a free download through the Soundcloud link. Listen to more tracks below...


MUSIC: Branko - Ghetto Bootsy



Vogue, ballroom fierceness. More below.

Saturday 23 February 2013

MUSIC: DrDr - Show Me Love




Brighton trio DrDr are made up of 2 producers, Chris Campbell and Joe Woods, and one Vocalist, Donna Cursons. Together they produce what can be described best as Future Bass tracks. Using the influence of the talented Sbtrkt, Disclosure and Jamie XX they bring their colourful music background to produce upbeat on the floor tracks.

They released their first EP last year, called  No Compromise, but will be rereleasing it on March 24th this year on the rebranded Champion Records. To celebrate the release of the single Addicted on iTunes, they have put up a cover of Robin S's Show Me Love free to download through the link.

Wednesday 20 February 2013

MUSIC: Diplo - Butter's Theme



New video from Diplo. Excellent visuals as usual - spot Ellie Goulding.

I have to say, the past two Diplo releases have been spot on. Check out Keep It Gully below...

MUSIC: SSION - HIGH



Fresh from releasing the video for the incredible LUVBAZAAR last month, SSION have dropped another one! There's a giant fortune cookie, a pair of kitten heels, a dog eating a burrito and obviously so, so much more.

@SSION

FASHION: Adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony

MUSIC: Classixx



Although this track has been floating around the web for a long while now, it will get an official release  on their debut album 'Hanging Gardens' dropping May 14th. Perfectly in time for springtime and beer drinking in the sun!

FASHION: Adidas Originals Blue SS13


Monday 18 February 2013

MUSIC: Syron



Syron is a 19 year old singer-songwriter from South London. In less than a year she has been mentioned in iD magazine as one of '2012s Coolest Females', and blogged about by the XX. Her voice is similar to those of Katy B and Jessie Ware, both also South Londoners. Here is due for release in March, along with a remix EP. You may also recognise her from Tensnake's latest single, Mainline. 



Had to. Sorry.

MUSIC: AB Soto



AB Soto is a fierce little butch-queen-bitch and one of my favourites at the minute. He's just at the back-end of touring Japan, and above is an interview while on the road. His first release 'FAG OUT: VOL 1' is filled with dirty, sexy dance and club tracks, and come with even sexier videos. Listen FAG OUT below, and click read more to see some of his videos.


Sunday 17 February 2013

MUSIC: Cyril Hahn



Since releasing his Destiny's Child, 'Say My Name' remix last year, Cyril Hahn has rocketed to success, being signed to the same record label as Jessie Ware and Disclosure. His smooth house takes on classic songs has gone down well across Europe as well as the US and Canada. A huge thanks is owed to Annie Mac for hearing him and bringing him to BBC Radio 1.

MUSIC: Stromae



Stromae is amazing. His debut album 'Cheese' still gets played regularly on my iTunes, three years after being released.

His 'leçons' (lessons) are extremely popular on YouTube; he talks through a particular song- usually how the layers of sounds are built or how it come about, and it then leads to a performance of sorts.

The past two leçons (23 - 'Humain à l'Eau'/24 - 'Tous Les Mêmes) have been especially good. Not only are they really quite funny, but the songs are sounding fresh, the graphics in the videos are looking EXTRA FRESH and it all feels like a build up to a new single/album.

The newest video sees Stromae half-made-up as a female, including extensions in his short hair to emphasise the meaning behind song. He plays two parts of a relationship; both the male and female.

He really is more than just a DJ/Producer - his writing and artistic skill is insane. I'm so looking forward to his next album.

Saturday 16 February 2013

EVENTS: Cub Camp

Poster by: Jory Dayne
Artwork by Levi Hastings
Cub Camp is a "party for beards, tattoos and dirty boys". Beginning in Toronto (thanks to Scooter), Cub Camp has gained quite a large following, and is hosted as a monthly event.
Tomorrow they are taking the party to New York City for the very first time. I'm hoping for a London event at some point, because these parties look like they  k i l l  it every single time. What makes them even better is the amazing posters for each event! Click read more for a few more posters.

MUSIC: House of Shade



Berlin-based house. Soundcloud tags include, banjee, cunty, ballroom, disco inferno and diva bitch house. 

Give House of Shade a listen, and you'll be prepped to go out instantly.

EVENTS: Kim Ann Foxman / Urulu


The incredible Kim Ann Foxman, one part of Hercules and Love Affair is playing at Basing House, London next month, Saturday 2nd March. Special guest Urulu is playing too. So. Excited!


MUSIC VIDEO: Gossip



Gossip released their new video for Get A Job yesterday, and it's so fun!

It is taken from the extremely underrated album 'A Joyful Noise' released last year, and is a smack in the face for all those people who don't work but live off other people. I also have to say that Beth is looking fabulous these days. It looks like she's lost a little bit of weight, and is looking so good for it!

Thursday 14 February 2013

MUSIC: RuPaul



The ever fabulous RuPaul released a video this week for "Peanut Butter". It's sort of NSFW.

MUSIC: Jessie Ware does Rihanna



The incredible Jessie Ware covered Rihanna's 'Diamonds' today on the BBC Live Lounge. The version is stripped down, with a subtle electric guitar and a male vocalist for backing. Absolutely beautiful.


LGBT: An Abominable Crime



An Abominable Crime: Anti-Gay Violence in Jamaica is a project by Common Good Productions.


What is AN ABOMINABLE CRIME about?   
AN ABOMINABLE CRIME is a documentary that explores the culture of homophobia in Jamaica through the eyes of two gay Jamaicans who are forced to chose between their homeland and their lives -- after their sexual orientations are exposed...
This film tells the stories of…  
Simone Edwards, a young lesbian who survives being shot down outside of her home by anti-gay gunmen and must choose between living in hiding with her daughter in Jamaica or traveling alone to seek safety and asylum abroad. Maurice Tomlinson, a human rights activist and lawyer, who experienced an avalanche of death threats when his marriage to a Canadian man is revealed by a Jamaican Newspaper. Does he dare to return to Jamaica to continue his activism?
Why make a documentary about gay Jamaicans? 
Homophobia is a human rights problem, and the struggle for equal treatment of LBGT people is a global human rights issue. 
In Jamaica being gay is a crime, homophobia is the status quo, and violence against the LGBT community is widely approved and accepted. HIV now infects nearly a third of the gay male community, who must live in the shadows or risk their lives. 
Since filming began in 2009, five characters in AN ABOMINABLE CRIME have fled Jamaica after dealing with gunfire, mob violence, and death threats. Today, people like Simone and Maurice must choose between their lives and their homeland -- exile or death. These stories are well worth telling because the impacts of Jamaican homophobia stretch far beyond the Caribbean as refugees like Simone and Maurice seek asylum and safety in the US, Canada, and Europe. 
AN ABOMINABLE CRIME is not just a film about homophobia and violence, it also demonstrates in a deeply personal and intimate manner how courage and love can transcend violence and fear.
You can pledge as little as $1 (less than 0.65p) to help this film be finished and distributed. It's an incredible cause. It's easy to forget that while we live in such a free society here in the UK, and many other countries around the world, there are LGBT people around the world struggling to survive making it to tomorrow. 

Visit the KICKSTARTER page to read more, and MAKE YOUR PLEDGE.

NEWS: Oscar Pistorius

Pistorius leaving Boshkop police station in Pretoria. Photograph: AFP/Getty
So sad to hear this. Oscar Pistorius was detained this morning for the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, who died of gunshot wounds.

It was alleged earlier that Pistorius had mistaken his girlfriend for an intruder, but this was denied by South African police officials. It was confirmed however that they have responded previously to 'disturbances of a domestic nature' at the home of the Paralympic star.



Tuesday 12 February 2013

MUSIC: KOORTWAH




KOORTWAH is a musical and visual project by Jake Courtois. New York based Courtois focuses on 'electronic rock'. As well as being beautiful, he has the most unique voice that works so well over his beats and sounds. 

MUSIC: Laura Mvula



Laura Mvula is a big sound to look out for this year. Born in Birmingham, Mvula is a soul singer-songwriter and is ready to release her debut album Sing To The Moon this March.

Listen to the beautifully addictive song, Green Garden, above.

FASHION: Victoria Beckham for Elle



Monday 11 February 2013

FASHION: Marc Jacobs w/ Diet Coke



#DietCoke30


Following last years collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier, Diet Coke have brought the beautiful Marc Jacobs onboard for 2013, and the celebration of three decades in Europe. Jacobs will be the Creative Director for the 'Sparkling for 30 Years' campaign, and will look at the rise of female empowerment through the 80's, 90's and 00's in his designs.

MUSIC: P'Trique



P'Trique is one part of The Platform on Youtube. Before I watched this video, I had no idea what 'The Platform' was, but I just know that P'Trique is hilar-ious.

*tiny hand claps, lose control*

Saturday 9 February 2013

MUSIC: Strange Talk


****
On the opening title track, Cast Away, you can tell this album is going to be crazy-insane. Think Yeasayer, Van She, Passion Pit and The Sound of Arrows - and a bit more.

It seems the Australians really have the whole new wave/synthpop thing locked down - Van She's Idea Of Happiness was one of my favourite albums last year. Cast Away sounds like it'll be a perfect follow up for this summer.



Wednesday 6 February 2013

MUSIC VIDEO: Del & Xavier



Above is the just released video for Del Marquis' and Xavier's new single Let Me Tickle Your Fancy. It is a cover of Jermaine Jackson's 1982 track, with a perfectly fitting video.

You can see my previous Del & Xavier post here.

FASHION: David Beckham, H&M



Take just 1:41 out of your day to watch this short film directed by Guy Ritchie. You won't regret it.

Tuesday 5 February 2013

GAY: RIP Arpad


RIP to Hungarian porn star Arpad Miklos, 1967-2013

Mikos was found dead in his apartment, alongside a suicide note. NSFW pictures after the jump...

MUSIC: Pink ft Nate Reuss



Just released! Pink's new single featuring Nate Ruess from fun. The song was beautiful already, but this video has taken it to another level. Keeping things simple, the video features both Pink and Nate, as well as the stunningly beautiful Carey Hart.

The song is taken from The Truth About Love. 


LGBT


MPs have voted by 400 to 175 in favour of allowing gay marriage this evening in the House of Commons.

Introducing the Bill, equalities minister Maria Miller said the "depth of feeling, love and commitment between same-sex couples is no different from that depth of feeling between opposite-sex couples". 
"The Bill enables society to recognise that commitment in the same way, too, through marriage. Parliament should value people equally in the law, and enabling same-sex couples to marry removes the current differentiation and distinction," she said. 
Tory supporters of the Bill were joined by the majority of the Labour benches, including Tottenham MP David Lammy who attacked the idea homosexual and heterosexual people could be "separate but equal". 
“Separate but equal are the words that justified sending black children to different schools than their white peers,” he said. “It is an expert from the phrase book of the segregationist and the racist." 
“It is the same statement, the same ideas and the same delusion that we borrowed in this country to say that women could vote but only if they were married and only when they were over 30. 
"Separate is not equal, so let us be rid of it. As long as there is one rule for us and another for them we allow the barriers of acceptance to go unchallenged. As long as our statute book suggests love between two men or two women is unworthy of being recongised through marriage we allow the rot of homophobia to fester."

LGBT: Equal Marriage


http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Live.aspx

Watch the live debate above. Results expected around 7pm GMT.

MUSIC DESIGN: Horse Meat Disco


Monday 4 February 2013

MUSIC: Beyonce Superbowl

http://iam.beyonce.com/post/42231818029

Still speechless at just how incredible she was. Vocals were spot on, choreography was spot on, stage setup was spot on. DESTINY'S CHILD WERE ON STAGE. Insane.

Watch here.

Sunday 3 February 2013

MEDIA: Man About Town



The current issue (#11) of Man About Town is The Gay Issue - Not Thinking Straight. It is amazing, and I read it on one train journey, cover to cover.

Inside there are interviews with Marc Jacobs, Le1f, Mykki Blanco, Ian McKellan, Matt Lucas, Joel Simkhai (Grindr) and many more.

MUSIC: beGun



Beautiful chillwave straight from Barcelona.

Take a listen to the remix below as well, and another amazing track, Bangkok.





Give his other stuff a listen too, so fresh!