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The homie Harry submitted these Raf Simons boots from Autumn/Winter 2006 for a coveted feature. He’s owned them so long and beat them up quite well and he didn’t have alot to say about them. He summarized his feelings on these in the following passage.
6 Canadian winters. 4 soles sewn on. 2 heels replaced. 1 major re-attachment surgery. Countless polishes and salt treatments. Still alive and kicking.
I’ve regretted selling some of my early Raf pieces in the past so it always makes me so happy to see my friends who kept their Raf stuff and worn it to hell. What I love about these boots are the buckle detailing at the ankle. Buckle straps are usually hit or miss on men’s boots but this is a really great iteration of that concept. The sleek shape , beautiful leather make these absolutely worth hunting down. I suppose I’ll leave it at this, if you’re looking for a perfect black boot, don’t compromise and rush getting something that you don’t love. It’s better to wait for the pair that feels exactly right.
Photos by Harry Zhou
Whether or not you’re familar with the DFA discography , this short documentary is a must watch that serves as a primer for those unfamiliar with the New York based record label’s legacy and an engaging inside retrospective for long-time fans. The doc is narrated by comedian/podcaster Marc Maron and features appearances by DFA artists The Rapture, Juan Maclean, Holy Ghost!, LCD Soundsystem, The Crystal Ark, and more, along with DFA founders James Murphy, Tim Goldsworthy, and Jonathan Galkin. The film starts in 2001 with the label’s founding and quickly moves through the years of it’s “Too Old To Be New, Too New To Be Classic” existence.
Leather jackets gotta be the best outerwear choice this time of year. R&B artist Boy/Friend gets that and has named his debut album ‘Leather Weather’.
The album has a sensibility rooted in the 90′s but the sound is also influenced by classic pop and progressive juke.The album tells the story of constant break-ups to make-ups and finding love in New York City. Be sure to give the single GOOD 2 U a watch. It’s a performance video directed by the homie Ryan Kibler and a great introduction to Boy/Friend’s music. The track’s soulful, compelling listen that will keep you hitting play.
“Leather Weather” will be available to download on Tuesday April 30th and we’ll be sure to update you then.
Vines Expansion II by Marie-Dolma Chophel 2012
There will be an opening reception for a group exhibition of New York artists entitled ‘Situation Raw’. The opening reception will take place Thursday, May 9, 2013 from 6-9 p.m at Wix Lounge (10 West 18th Street, NY, NY)and is a collection of works curated by Rachel Wells who you may have seen previously here through her style profile.
Six local artists will be featured in the show: Jason Borbay, Jeremy Penn, Marie-Dolma Chophel, Brittany Brett, Jake Nelson and Cem Kurtulus. Raw emotion and stream of consciousness thought processes inspire many of the works shown. Each piece in this collection was chosen because of its emotional maturity and vulnerability. The exhibition will also feature, ‘The Hungry Boy, ‘ a short film animation and story by Jake Nelson and Cem Kurtulus. The exhibition will run until May 27th and is sponsored by Wix.
More information is available http://www.situationraw.com and you can RSVP directly via Facebook.
I snapped these photos of White Gallery at their show last Friday. The band opened for Light Asylum to a packed house at Steel Drums in Bushwick.
Photos by Rocky Li
Helmut Graphics via wolfboy 2027 at TheDaftClub forums
As Daft Punk’s next album Random Access Memories approaches it’s May 21st release, we take a look back at Daft Punk’s visual identity over the years. See the feature after the jump.
New York based White Gallery is playing a couple shows coming up. Through my friends in the band I’ve had the opportunity to preview tracks from their upcoming EP and I can’t wait to see them live for the first time. Their sound is difficult to describe but as soon as I heard ‘Twisted Summer’ for the first time, I knew this band was doing something special. White Gallery pays homage from pop music of the past but the band does not feel nostalgic. Brooding but also melodic, this is music you can make out to, dance to, or listen to with close friends on cross-country roadtrips.
On Monday, April 8th, White Gallery will be playing a show at Ella on Avenue A as part of a bill put together by Wax Poetics. If you can’t make it that show will also be web-streamed.
They will also be playing this Saturday with Light Asylum at Steel Drums (35 Beadel St Brooklyn) with DJ sets from from DJs Frankie Teardrop (Wierd), Jane Pain (Wierd), Ciarra Black, Teamphil.
I’ll be at both shows snapping photos and taking it all in. You can check out their music before hand on the band’s soundcloud.
Check this short teaser from the band.
I read the clickbait-y ‘Can an Asian Woman Be Taken Seriously in Rap?‘ article on The Cut introducing Awkafina. Government name Nora Lum, she is a New York based rapper/producer who I was going to write off due to the comparison to Childish Gambino (Who I can’t cosign under any circumstances).
After giving a few of her songs a listen , particularly the infectious NYC Bitche$, I was impressed by her ability to nail life in New York in 2013. It’s this type of witty cultural commentary that sets her apart from what other MCs are doing.
“Bitches be in Bushwick, they all live in Bushwick, they all love Bushwick, but I say fuck that shit”
“Pull over by the “burg, hipster pussy market. Feeding on the vegans despite the smell of armpits, the skinny ones an artist , it’s obvious they starving, your shit art don’t pay bills , it eats ramen”
Awkwafina is one to watch right now but it’ll be interesting to see how her sound develops in the coming months.
Hefna Gwap is a rapper from East Palo Alto california. Founder of the Elegant Caviar Group and a Smokers Club member, he made the move from the Bay to New York last year to push his music to the next level. I caught up with Hef at a recording session late last week at Premier Studios.
How was the whole process of moving to New York? What brings you here?
First off, I have two daughters. Everything I rap about I was doing it. I was selling dope and running in houses and robbing and shit. I had my first daughter (she’s two now). When I had my second daughter, it was a wake-up call. Alot of my close friends started getting killed or going to jail. Alot of people I shot videos for, alot of the people I was editing videos for got killed. Some of the people’s videos I was editing , they got killed right after I moved to New York in October. I was happy to leave, I did alot and I didn’t want to do that type of shit any more.
See the rest of the feature after the jump
