Jamie XX - Beat For

Jamie XX has certainly brought the strength with 'Beat For', the dark bass laden B-side to his debut solo effort 'Far Nearer'. A track with such sublime construction would almost make you think he has the Midas touch, so don't be surprised to find it doing multiple rounds through your speakers this week.

Jamie xx - Beat For (limited vinyl & download out now - http://farnearer.com) by Numbers

Three Things: Wallpaper, Norse Projects, Hermès

Today's Three Things feature a rehearsal video from Wallpaper, Norse Project's new denim range, and a youth targeted viral from Hermès.

WALLPAPER'S INDIAN SUMMER DESERT SESSION

Watch as Indie funk duo Wallpaper take feelgood and place it on a pre-medicated dose of steroids. Their drive through the barren Nevada desert is an enviable location for a rehearsal studio, and their nostalgia laden track 'Indian Summer' - with its infectious carefree nature harking 'best of summer' memories -  plays the perfect accompaniment.

NORSE PROJECTS WHITE SELVEDGE

With an appreciation for the uncluttered aesthetic, Danish brand Norse Projects makes its first foray into denim with trademark Scandinavian clarity. Constructed with 13.5oz white selvedge denim produced exclusively for the company at their European factory and a Norse Projects pin for understated adornment, the range encompasses three fits: Regular Straight, Slim Straight, and Tapered.

Image Source: http://www.norsestore.com/

HERMÈS FINGERBOARD VIRAL

Just when you thought you had earmarked fingerboards as a crazy childhood fad, French high fashion house Hermès revives the 90's playground toy to showcase their collections in an uncharacteristic tongue-in-cheek light. As the words 'Hermès' and 'Viral' in the same sentence represent a somewhat alien affair, the brand will have to wait on bated breath to see if the video resonates well with its younger target audience.

http://www.myspace.com/wallpaper
http://www.norseprojects.com/
http://www.hermes.com/

Three Things: S.E.H Kelly, Azealia Banks, Nanamica

This long overdue Three Things features menswear craftworkers S.E.H Kelly, rising star Azealia Banks, and the aesthetically minded Nanamica.

S.E.H KELLY AW 2010 - BOOK No.1

Operating under a strict 'Made in England' credos, a mark that almost guarantees heritage and superb workmanship, S.E.H Kelly has made a resolute inception into the field of menswear. The pieces from their Autumn/Winter collection emanate an unperturbed quality, succinctly paying homage to the unwavering attention given in the production process - from inspiration taken from their experience on Saville Row, to sourcing trusted relationships for every garment component with selected local suppliers.

Image Source: S.E.H Kelly

AZEALIA BANKS - L8R

Burgeoning talent Azealia Banks looks set to leave an unabashed mark on the hip hop industry. Armed with a razor sharp tongue and an insouciant swagger to match, L8R leaves us with a unrelenting bass pleasing snippet of her lyrical prowess. Attention grabbing gimmicks don't make the cut in her repertoire, delivering a distilled rawness that is almost unheard of amongst her peers.

NANAMICA CYCLE PACK

Renowned for handling the premium Purple Label for The North Face, Japanese label Nanamica once again demonstrate their tenacious affinity towards technical functionality and austere simplicity with their  Fall/Winter 2010 Cycle Pack. Made from Cordura Nylon, the pack's stark uninterrupted design is a prime example of utilitarian aesthetics.

Image Source: Present London

http://www.sehkelly.com/
http://www.myspace.com/azealiabanks
http://www.nanamica.com/

Three Things: Idiot Glee, Backyard Bill, Roy Slaper

Today's three things for your viewing pleasure come in the form of Idiot Glee's spine-tingling vocals, the work of Backyard Bill, and master of his craft Roy Slaper.

IDIOT GLEE - AIN'T NO SUNSHINE (BILL WITHERS)
Kentucky native James Friley's (otherwise known as Idiot Glee) haunting vocals deliver a new dimension of angst, whilst conjuring up images of smalltown USA, in this cover of Bill Withers' legendary tale of heartbreak and love lost. Make sure you pen down October 4th, the day of his debut release 'All Packed Up' on Moshi Moshi records.

BACKYARD BILL

A site mercifully at the whim of the personal style of it's subjects, Bill photographs a selection of eclectic individuals wearing outfits that they feel most comfortable in, and in turn presents a set of pure visuals defined by the people themselves. The photo below, that belongs to a set of photos that embody the notions of freedom, is taken from his latest work with Happy Socks.

Image Source: Backyard Bill

ROY SLAPER

One to whet the whistle's of any denim enthusiasts out there, this video enters the studio of artisan and aficionado Roy Slaper as he labouriously undertakes the painstakingly intricate production process of a pair of handcrafted denim jeans. Ensuring that each pair is custom made to individual specifications, it's no wonder that Roy has no problems with disgruntled customers breaking down his door to seek their money back.

http://www.myspace.com/idiotglee
http://www.backyardbill.com/
http://www.roydenim.com/

Three Things: Budapest, Douster, Karvt

Today's three little bits of goodness come in the form of Hungary's vibrant capital, wooden gadget covers, and the Circle of Life - but not as we know it.

BUDAPEST

This is a photo I took this time last year in Budapest, a bohemian city with a dated grandeur that is great for the urban explorer. Part of its charm lies in not making an overt effort to promote a tourist culture, making quirky finds all that more interesting - such as Corvinteto, a rooftop club atop an old communist department store. Did I also forget to mention that Budapest is home to one of the few places in the world where you can grab a pint for 30 pence?!

DOUSTER - KING OF AFRICA

This one's a bass dial-turner. Relive the warmer days and carnival vibes, as Douster reworks the classic 'Circle of Life' from Disney's Lion King with a mix of funky inspired riffs and an almost tribal bassline, to make this a certified banger.

KARVT

Go all earthy-mother-nature-esque this autumn, with a real wood cover for your beloved apple product. With a range of different types available and a sturdy finish, there's no reason why you can't match your laptop cover to your mood - and possibly even your floor. http://karvt.com/

Image Source: Karvt

Three Things: Detachments, Creative Social, Kitsune X Mackintosh

Since graduating this summer, things have been surprisingly hectic, leaving this poor blog open to substantial neglect. Now, I'm not the most zealous blogger around (evident by the lengthy gaps of laziness - or 'hiatuses') but I figured if there was any point in keeping this project alive, I'd have to bite the bullet and put fingers to keys. With the sea of great material floating about the web, providing you with a twice weekly bite-sized chunk featuring three picks of creative goodness might just do the trick. I make no promises however, so take the 'twice weekly' part with a pinch of salt.

Detachments - Holiday Romance Video
Theres nothing like grainy imagery and french subtitles, to hark memories of great British seaside holiday nostalgia. Well, according to Detachments anyway. The haunting vocals however, complement the drab footage to create an altogether more atmospheric affair.



Creative Social
Held twice a year, Creative Social is an peace summit-esque meeting of creative minds. Whilst that may sound like a bit of a pretension-fest, the following few minutes contain some pretty inspiring discussions featuring some of the worlds most intelligent creative thinkers.



Kitsuné X Mackintosh
French creative house Kitsuné have teamed up with Mackintosh, purveyors of the quintessential British raincoat (lovingly named the 'mac'), for Fall/Winter 2010. The collection of three coats have been designed to represent the energy of three cities: Tokyo, Paris, and London, whilst still adhering to the elegant cut and functional details of the classic garment.

Image Credit: Kitsuné Blog

Levi's x Beardyman & Bass Clef

Tuesday night saw Beardyman and Bass Clef's turn to make their rampant mark on one of the intimate Levi's Craft of Music live sessions. Having made the short walk over to the Levi's store on Regent Street after work, we were greeted in the warmest form possible - a la open bar. However, the mainstay of the night wasn't the free tipple, but rather the unfeigned talent that was demonstrated by the two headlining acts for the evening, who treated the crowd to a plethora of gritty basslines coupled with an experimental vibe. Full details on the night's happenings can found by clicking below.

Cold War - Janelle Monae

'Cold War' by Janelle Monae is stunning. The compelling video can only be described as magnificent. So powerful. It's a complete paradox of visuals - mysterious yet vulnerably open, simple yet complexly intricate, soft yet hard, naive yet real. Give Janelle one take, and she'll throw back the rawest emotion I've seen in a music video for years. An extraordinary talent.

'Sky Surfing' - Toddla T x Wayne Marshall (Douster Remix)

It's pretty hard to get philosophical when a track like this speaks for itself. It is what it is - a straight up banger. Toddla T partners up with dancehall native Wayne Marshall to produce this energetic monster, tearing out every page of the rule book and clashing styles in one big musical orgy. I particularly like this remix by Douster, who strips the track back presenting it in a raw and gritty light, almost sounding like a homage to a class of earlier grime classics. Toddla T is playing Fabric this friday alongside bass don Drop The Lime, if you fancy a good night on his behalf. Check out 'Sky Surfing' below.

Photo taken from Toddla T's Myspace
Track courtesy of Big Up Magazine

Sky Surfing feat Wayne Marshall (Douster Remix) by bigupmagazine

Hotel Mexico

'It's twinkle' by Hotel Mexico is one of those songs that come along every so often, which leaves you feeling pensive and exhilarated simultaneously in one rather confusing four minute block. Having mastered and precision-layered their instruments in an orderly chaos, the psychedelic tones hint at themes of euphoria and nostalgia, whilst the constant energetic tempo may leave the listener in store for a shock, as they are abruptly dropped off at the silence of the end.

Hotel Mexico - Its Twinkle by Second Royal Records

Also check out 'Do You Do You HAIA', a track that didn't make the cut of the new album His Jewelled Letter Box. Whilst not as striking as 'It's twinkle', they've stuck to their progressive ethos whilst presenting a lot more of a cultural sound, which if anything to go by, is a promise of exciting things from a band that thrives on experimentation.

Hotel Mexico - Do you Do you HAIA by Second Royal Records

Photo courtesy of Hotel Mexico's Myspace

Field day festivities

There were smiles all round last week when I managed to get my grubby mitts on a last-minute pair of Field Day guestlist places. So late saturday afternoon (bearing a sickly hangover courtesy of the Manchester crew's visit the night before), armed with my camera and Sarah in tow, we arrived at a sun kissed Victoria Park. Now, before we'd even set foot through the gates, this year had already trumped it's predecessors by a long shot. Yes, after past year's apocalyptic noah's ark-esque downpours, the weather had finally got tired of pissing down shitloads on a field full of hipsters.

And what a difference it made. The chilled vibe was infectious, and the mood was uplifting. Even the booze tasted better. The line up didn't disappoint either, with Caribou, whose electronic goodness complemented the setting sun well; although unfortunately, half the festival seemed to think so too - which meant that any type of dancing movement resulted almost definitely in facial contact with the (hairy) back belonging to the guy in front, tripping off the copious amounts of ketamine he had just taken. Phoenix as headliners were an obvious stand out of the day, and their flawless set was an apt closer to a triumph of a festival.

The full photo set follows.

I scream

Was at Ben & Jerry's annual marketing ploy unlimited ice cream bonanza this weekend on Clapham Common. Unfortunately, we landed tickets for the day with the shit line up, but the lure of unlimited ice cream meant that it was not gonna stop us. Not a great deal to say about this one - High points consisted of nearly throwing up on a volatile mix of too much ice cream and cider, the sun making a welcome appearance, and the eclectic line up at the acoustic stage; Low points included the mediocre main stage line up, the vomit inducing cider, and Scouting For Girls headlining.

Click below for more ice cream fun.

The drinks are on the Creators Project

Last week, I managed to nab a couple of guestlist places to the Creators Project Party hosted by Vice and Intel. So managing to coax a few mates to don their glad rags under the promise of free booze, a favourable line up, and cutting edge art installations, we headed out on an early saturday evening to Victoria House in Bloomsbury. What followed was a relatively raucous affair, and upon sight of the open bar, we were like four hyperactive kids who had just been locked in Hamleys for the night.

Speakerwaves: M.I.A, Hurts, Sleigh Bells, Kele, and Serocee

My speakers have had a lot of good lovin' this week. Here is my pick of the crop.

M.I.A - XXXO

Looks like the hype surrounding M.I.A's forthcoming album is not unfounded. This track, the first single to be released, is a far cry from the earlier leaked Born Free, where she swaps brash punk tones for a more catchy electro vibe. M.I.A might be building up a persona around being some sort of controversial political activist through her music, but it's nice to know that she still knows how to party.

M.I.A - XXXO by hostessentertainment

Hurts - Wonderful Life (Arthur Baker remix)

This track by Hurts has all the workings to be an anthem for teenage struggle, but for now, the upbeat synths and feel good vibe will make this the anthem for your next friday night binge boozer. A definite beer spiller.

Hurts - Wonderful Life (Arthur Baker remix) by hannahaustin1984

Sleigh Bells - Crown On The Ground

One major thing to note about this track (or any track on the Sleigh Bells album for that matter) is that it deserves nothing less than speaker love. I learned this a few days ago listening the bass-less fuzz coming from my laptop at 3am, contemplating whether an appearance on Neighbours From Hell would be worth giving this track speaker justice. Unless you can blast this track on loud, don't press play.

Sleigh Bells - Crown On The Ground by pepitopea

Kele - Everything You Wanted

Despite concerning whats sounds like a pretty bitter break up, Kele turns the subject into a somewhat euphoric affair. I can imagine this song will sound amazing live, making Kele a must see if you're going to be at the Vice Creators Project party this saturday in London. If you can't wait until then, an awesome live version is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wytuUyvRZN0

Kele - Everything You Wanted by 1FTP

Serocee - Badeng

Even though Carnival is still a month and a bit away, the recent British heatwave means that it can't hurt to get in the spirit. And this track by Serocee, with its lendings from dancehall and funky, make it the perfect accompaniment.

Serocee - Badeng by madbal

Hello real world

So its officially been one week since I joined the real world. Yes, that fateful day when your status changes from student to unemployed (waste of space). Hence, I am spreading the gospel on this Mark Ronson video for the Creators Project, where he talks Winehouse and Hip Hop, in order to instill some sort of purpose back into my life. Am I suddenly some sort of Obama, empowered to change the world? Probably. But definitely watch this anyway.

Meet diplo

Meet Diplo, purveyor of last summer's crossover banger 'Pon De Floor' with partner Switch, as he talks to VBS in Jamaica about production, globalisation and diversity, and the evolution of the music scene.

plane and simple

If only everyone dealt with missing a plane in the same favour as Toddla T and Serocee. Not only would we see a decrease in stress related illnesses, but it would see the birth of a new burgeoning genre of hype music. An all round economy booster - Alistair Darling take note.

glorified bum

Had this on today for old times sake seeing as it's the end of the year n all. Makes me wish I was a teenager growing up in the 90's, a time when grime was something that grew on your windowsill and you cleaned it with JIF (cif wtf?). On the downside, the teenagers that were raving to this tune in the 90's are now probably resenting life - having left an age where it is socially acceptable to have 'glorified bum' (aka student) status, and entering an age which leaves them relentlessly vulnerable to the dreaded 'mid life crisis' status. So for now, I'll be grateful being 20 years old and deal with being 30-odd, kissing managerial ass to get a promotion to 'senior stamp licker' (or something like that), in another decade.

Scary.

smd x saam farahmand

Introducing Saam Farahmand. He's liked for his work with the Klaxons and Janet Jackson, and has been roped in to shoot a video for Simian Mobile Disco's flawless collaboration with Beth Ditto. Now not one to shy away from a challenge, he's only gone all out, penned down all the disturbing thoughts swirling about in his mind, and turned it into a short movie. I like this one - its similar to reading about Amy Winehouse (disturbing but captivating).

Vice has followed him around for the Vodafone Heroes project as he gets down and dirty with girl on girl action, lightbulb injecting, seductive dancing, drug play, ulterior motives, and other disturbing acts. All within the confines of a classic georgian wood panelled room.

Intrigued? http://bit.ly/8aeJPG

eye candy

Heres Tezza Richardson doing what he does best: making womens' tops randomly pop off. If he was a misfit, he'd definitely be the slutty bird with the insatiable appetite.



Also, the new video for the Jay Z x Mr Hudson collaboration dropped today:



ALSO, just thought I'd throw this into the mix. Just because.



So yeah, I didn't make it out today. Snow has won. It is slowly chipping away at the very foundations of my existence. That and the fact that I woke up at 3pm.



Looks good though.