Though not a new phenomenon by any means, the concept of the speakeasy has finally made its way to South Florida. Read More
Miami
aka Vice City, Little Cuba, Magic City, the MIA, the 305
Into The Candyfuture
Lolo | December 12th, 2009
As a makeup aficionado as well as someone with unnaturally bright red hair, I love the colorful world (wide website) of Xenia, aka Miss Doe Deere of doedeereblogazine.com. Her blog doles out makeup tutorials, advice and style diaries, but the best part is that she actually has her own line of ultra-vivid eye dusts and lipsticks called Lime Crime. I’ve ordered a few myself and I’m definitely a fan of her “Candyfuture” movement to brighten up the universe. Read More
Thriftastic New Locations
Lolo | December 11th, 2009
Times are tough, and recycling is awesome! Because of those factors, Miami recently got not one but THREE new locations where thrift and vintage clothes are sold. Read More
The Fuzz Is Back In Miami
Lolo | November 30th, 2009
Enter the Jacuzzi Boys and Electric Bunnies, two South Florida bands keeping fuzzy garage rock alive with lots of subtropical psychedelia and experimental style. Both bands have recently released new LPs on the excellent Florida’s Dying Records. Read More
Ohh Shirt + Vegan Fashion Passion
Lolo | October 30th, 2009
My friend Sergio has a growing company called Ohh Shirt. He’s a thrift store wizard and finds the most amazing tees, records and sneaks. He doesn’t have a bricks and mortar location but he pops up at random fashion/shopping events around the city. Last month this hip-hop party called (((SHAKE))) set up the Shakeland Mall (a play on the famous Dadeland Mall in Miami) and had vendors all over. I scored an awesome retro Epcot Futureworld tee from Sergio and I love it. Read More
It’s a Full-On Electro Movimiento
Lolo | October 29th, 2009
Lots going on musically in the MIA, plus a few international acts I can’t get enough of…
First up: PANIC BOMBER. Classical-pianist/music-engineering-technology-major-turned-dance floor-composer-extraordinaire . He recently was voted “Best Electronic Artist” in Miami and played at my Friday night party a few weeks ago with a full horn section and it was BAD ASS, part Daft Punk and part rock star. The whole room was jumping until the end when they demanded an encore. Do yourself a favor and download the free EP off his website or just launch the “Panic Player” and listen. He’s playing again on Friday the 13th and I can’t wait…
Ever drunk Bailey’s from a shoe?
Lolo | October 28th, 2009
Since “season” (aka the end of the tourist-starved summer) started up again in Miami, I haven’t had much time to watch for pleasure. However, most of my immediate group of friends are currently obsessed with The Mighty Boosh.
The easiest way to explain it is a British Flight Of The Conchords on acid, with a little Monty Python thrown in. It’s super trippy, funny, and infinitely quotable with lots of current pop culture references and musical numbers. We’ve been putting the DVDs on loop at the record store for informal Boosh-a-thons.
Where The Wild Things Whip It
Lolo | October 15th, 2009
I haven’t been to a movie theater since the last round of posts – such are the time constraints of a Scout…
However, I will be making extra effort to go see Where The Wild Things Are. I loved the book as a kid, love Spike Jonez, love Dave Eggers, love Karen O who did the soundtrack and beyond that, I love puppets! A friend of mine was interning last summer at the Believer/Wholphin offices and one of his intern tasks was to copy of disk of production stills from the film. Needless to say we all freaked out when he came back and showed them to us.
No-Strings attached downloads
Lolo | September 25th, 2009
As a DJ, I’m a big fan of rcrdlbl.com who offer no-strings-attached downloads of exclusive tracks and remixes by a huge array of artists. Every time I play the Kings of Leon “Use Somebody (RAC Remix)” someone runs up to the booth to ask where I got it. I’m no music snob though, I tell them!
I’m currently addicted to the boards at craftster.org. It’s an awesome site full of DIY spirit and modern attitudes, with tons of great tutorials and project sharing. The best part is that everyone is friendly and there are no ignorant haters fouling it up.
My cross-stitched bookmark of a John Waters quote got almost 9,000 views:
In Miami, the site offtheradarmusic.com is great. Run by several local DJs and music fans, it links to tons of new music and posts lots of MP3s. They’ve been doing it for years and have amassed a following and turned people on to a ton of new music.
Local artists Friendswithyou (http://www.friendswithyou.com/) have one of the cutest sites on the Internet, period. They started out years ago making strange plush dolls and now have a while line of toys and merch with Kid Robot and make commercials for Pop Tarts!
As a DJ, I’m a big fan of rcrdlbl.com who offer no-strings-attached downloads of exclusive tracks and remixes by a huge array of artists. Every time I play the Kings of Leon “Use Somebody (RAC Remix)” someone runs up to the booth to ask where I got it. I’m no music snob though, I tell them!
I’m currently addicted to the boards at craftster.org. It’s an awesome site full of DIY spirit and modern attitudes, with tons of great tutorials and project sharing. The best part is that everyone is friendly and there are no ignorant haters fouling it up. Read More
Hungry for Food, Inc.
Lolo | September 24th, 2009
I haven’t seen it yet, but this summer I’ve heard more talk about Food, Inc. than every other movie except Bruno. I follow food industry news and have been vegetarian for 15 years, but it’s cool that this film is giving people a new perspective. The whole movement has inspired me to join a local food co-op and I picked up my first batch of locally grown goodies this week!
Farm Fresh Miami organic produce box:
Everyone I know has raved about Ingluorious Basterds, but my boyfriend is out of town and I’m waiting for him to get back to see it!
People are talking about Jennifer’s Body, but mostly in reference to how god-awful it looks. There was a great discussion on the Bust Magazine blog about whether or not such a cheesy-looking flick is worth sitting through just because the female screenwriter claims it to be empowering (or at least not just an excuse to see Megan Fox’s boobies).
I’m super busy so I don’t get out to the movies as often as I’d like, but I’m mad at myself for still not having seen the newest Harry Potter film. I know I’m 27 but I read all the books in sequence and would like to do the same with the accompanying movies.
In one of my favorite genres – music documentaries – I just saw 30 Century Man, the doc about British singer/musician Scott Walker. He was (and remains for the most part) a very misunderstood figure but got some great props in the film from Brian Eno, Thom Yorke and David Bowie.
Farm Fresh Miami organic produce box
I haven’t seen it yet, but this summer I’ve heard more talk about Food, Inc. than every other movie except Bruno. I follow food industry news and have been vegetarian for 15 years, but it’s cool that this film is giving people a new perspective. The whole movement has inspired me to join a local food co-op and I picked up my first batch of locally grown goodies this week! Read More
The best comic book store in the country
Lolo | September 24th, 2009
Tate’s Comics in Ft. Lauderdale (Lauderhill actually) is a huge, incredible store for comics, vinyl toys, Japanese snacks, books, collectibles and more – lots of Miami folks make the drive because there’s just no one in better. In fact, they just won the prestigious Eisner Award for being the best comic book store in the country.
The Awarehouse is a multi-functional art gallery and event space in the Wynwood Art District. They’ve got a huge patio and a fully equipped inside stage which makes it perfect for the layered events Miami is full off. All ages too which is a plus as there’s not much for the under 18 set to do in Miami.
Midtown Miami is finally starting to take off. It’s a mall/living complex that brought a much-needed Target and other shops to the downtown area. Now more people are moving into the condos/rentals and cool spots like Lime Mexican Restaurant and Shuichi Take Fitness Club are opening there too.
Full disclosure: I do work there, but The Vagabond is definitely one of the best clubs in Miami. It’s promoter-driven in that the nights are very defined… Tuesday’s Stone Groove is funk, soul and spoken work, Thursday’s (((SHAKE))) party is hip hop and dubstep, Fridays at The Vagabond are indie/electro/classics and Saturday’s long running Back Door Bamby party features everything from legendary house DJs (Digweed on down), burlesque, drag, and beyond.
Tate’s Comics in Ft. Lauderdale (Lauderhill actually) is a huge, incredible store for comics, vinyl toys, Japanese snacks, books, collectibles and more – lots of Miami folks make the drive because there’s just no one in better. In fact, they just won the prestigious Eisner Award for being the best comic book store in the country. Read More
Thrift and vintage boutiques driven by ‘de-stashing’
Lolo | September 22nd, 2009
Thrift and vintage is more popular than ever. I know of several different boutiques, both online and bricks-and-mortar that have started up lately, mostly by girls with way too many clothes that are “de-stashing” by selling stuff.
Miami’s Shop Bar, which is in an actual bar:
Rocky Grimes or just R. Grimes is a local silk-screen artist who makes amazing clothing with original, edgy designs. His work has been featured in Juxtapoz Magazine among others. Here’s a pic of a silk-screened vintage tie with one of his t-shirts:
Who wears short shorts? Half the girls in Miami! At the clubs I have seen some ridiculously short, near-cheek-baring, underwear-esque styles lately. I blame Lady Gaga…
Karelle Levy of Krelwear is definitely one of the most popular designers in Miami. Her knitwear is sexy and instantly recognizable. I have a pair of her sparkly legwarmers that I always get compliments on. She hosts the Monday night “Stitchin’ Boozin’ Bitches” session at The Standard Hotel and does events all over town and the world.
Krelwear playsuit w/ short shorts, 2-in-1!
Miami’s Shop Bar, which is in an actual bar
Thrift and vintage is more popular than ever. I know of several different boutiques, both online and bricks-and-mortar that have started up lately, mostly by girls with way too many clothes that are “de-stashing” by selling stuff.
Rocky Grimes or just R. Grimes is a local silk-screen artist who makes amazing clothing with original, edgy designs. His work has been featured in Juxtapoz Magazine among others. Read More
Miami is the next Seattle
Lolo | September 22nd, 2009
I am happy to say that locally, there is some truly fantastic shit going on. I’ve said it before that Miami is the next Seattle in that there are a ton of talented acts ready to pop…
Awesome New Republic are one of the best bands out right now, period. They consider themselves to make “pop” music but have utilized just about every genre of modern music in their songs. They got a lot of press recently when Leighton Meester of Gossip Girls sang one of their tracks. The notoriously picky Pitchfork.tv site just debuted their latest video which is a must-see:
Awesome New Republic – Digital World:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVcJBZ37pBU
¡MAYDAY! are a local hip hop act that take it to the next level. They play with live musicians and did a track last year that Cee-Lo Green of Gnarls Barkley did guest vocals for! They have a super dedicated local following with a street team and everything.
Otto Von Schirach is a local favorite for his bass-heavy electronic music. He’s toured the world and put out a record on Mike Patton’s esteemed Ipecac record label. He did a cracked-out cover of “When Doves Cry” for a Prince tribute years ago at Sweat Records and now “Sliced Doves on Codeine” is one of his most-requested tracks.
Rachel Goodrich’s music is so original she needed to invent a new genre for it: shake-a-billy! She plays guitar, banjo, harmonica, a mean kazoo(!) and has been likened to a female Bob Dylan, with some Grateful Dead, Buddy Holly and Django Reinhardt throw in.
Here’s a short piece on Rachel from the local PlumTV affiliate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45nmZDsf2SA
Last but not least one of my personal favorite local acts is Life of Seals. They’re dreamy and melodic but with a more bombastic sound…imagine if The Postal Service rocked out a bit more. They create a huge wall of sound live and it’s hard to believe that band consists of only two guys.
I am happy to say that locally, there is some truly fantastic shit going on. I’ve said it before that Miami is the next Seattle in that there are a ton of talented acts ready to pop…
Awesome New Republic are one of the best bands out right now, period. They consider themselves to make “pop” music but have utilized just about every genre of modern music in their songs. They got a lot of press recently when Leighton Meester of Gossip Girls sang one of their tracks. The notoriously picky Pitchfork.tv site just debuted their latest video which is a must-see:
Television that is engaging but depressing
Lolo | September 21st, 2009
I must admit I purposely haven’t had a television for over 6 years, but I watch stuff on my laptop and follow what’s going on. Lots of my friends are following Mad Men – I caught the premiere and loved the vintage set details and costumes. My younger brother and his girlfriend hosted a Mad Men watch party at their apartment where everyone dressed retro and drank old-fashioned cocktails.
My boyfriend turned me on to the British sitcom Peep Show (available on Hulu). It’s an Odd Couple-esque black comedy about an office worker and an egotistical loser who are roommates. It’s shot in completely in first person POV and is drenched with British wit and misery.
The same actors in Peep Show have another series called That Mitchell and Webb Look that is absolutely hilarious. It’s clever, absurd, two-man sketch comedy in the vein of cult classic Mr. Show. If the name is a bit confusing I found out that in the UK their first popular series was a radio show called That Mitchell and Webb Sound. Hopefully if it comes over to the US they’ll just call it Mitchell and Webb…
A hilarious sketch about Christmas and heroin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCUqlM65osc
When I find myself with some spare time, I head over to Vice’s VBS.tv as they’ve always got something interesting to watch. I especially like their “Toxic [insert city]” series that shows how different places have become incredibly polluted. Engaging yet depressing…
I must admit I purposely haven’t had a television for over 6 years, but I watch stuff on my laptop and follow what’s going on. Lots of my friends are following Mad Men – I caught the premiere and loved the vintage set details and costumes. My younger brother and his girlfriend hosted a Mad Men watch party at their apartment where everyone dressed retro and drank old-fashioned cocktails.
My boyfriend turned me on to the British sitcom Peep Show (available on Hulu). Read More