NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!! NEWS FLASH!!!
This blog has moved to a new location! You can now find it at www.la-story.com.
I haven't left Fashiontribes.com. I am still part of the staff. It was to streamline the blogs.
Why the move?
So you can find it easier and the pages will load faster.
There's a ton of new podcasts and features waiting to go up. So check out the new location and let me know what you think!
Stevie Wilson
Maybe you have heard about the carnage in DARFUR.. or maybe not.
If not, call this a reality check because you NEED to know that there are people being slaughtered out there. You might think that there is nothing you can do. Maybe you feel that you can barely make ends meet and you cannot help in any way.
Guess what- YOU CAN.. By using your computer to watch the NEW DAY video from THE KIN trigger a donation to halt the brutal genocide in Darfur simply by watching The Kin's video hosted by Revver.com.
"The tragic genocide that the people of Darfur are being forced to endure is horrifying - my brother and I felt we had a responsibility to do whatever we could to help," says Isaac Koren, one half of The Kin duo. "The groundbreaking technology of Revver presented us with a solution where anyone with a computer - a child, grandmother, taxi driver - can make a difference immediately, to save lives and halt the genocide in Darfur."
The Kin aims to raise $350,000 with a high-tech campaign tapping the power of the Web, video and music.
A complex and bloody civil war that has left 400,000 people dead and more than 2 million displaced in just three years, the Darfur conflict is a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape and mass slaughter unmatched in the 21st Century.
Aletheia Entertainment recording artists The Kin, led by Australian brothers Isaac and Thorry Koren, are the most recent artists to join the growing world contingent of concerned citizens.
The brother musicians have made a video of a stirringly soulful acoustic performance of their song, "New Day" available through Revver.com. (I know where it was shot because I saw them perform there -- just for me and my photographer-- that will come in another blog)
As a "Revverized" video, "New Day" has technology embedded into the clip which triggers a donation to SaveDarfur.org every time a viewer watches the entire video and clicks through to the sponsor's link displayed at the end.
Viewers who visit the video at http://www.thekin.com/savedarfur to see and hear "New Day" will definitely consider it time well spent.
"This is a song about overcoming oppression," says Thorry. "The words visualize a time when people come together for peace."
"A lot of people want to help, but they don't think they can afford the time or the money," Isaac Koren concludes. "We're happy to help bring critically-needed aid to Darfur in a very simple way: All you have to do is watch a video.
This fantastic spontaneous acoustic performance shot in a California parking garage, this is acoustic musicianship at its best.. with their gorgeous harmonies and passion for the topic with the accompaniement a single guitar, these guys are smokin'. The lyrical message is one of hope and that we can make a difference-- YOU can make a difference. They are trying to make a difference and have already started the process. You need only to watch the video and click on the link. Pass it on to friends and tell them to watch (they will love the unique vocalizations and style of this new band) and then click the link.
It doesn't get any easier than this my peeps. So watch the video.. it's an easy 3-4 minutes to see these guys LIVE acoustically --in a garage no less- listen to the power and passion in their voices, their lyrics, in their presentation. You can help.
.
Stevie Wilson
Maybe you have heard about the carnage in DARFUR.. or maybe not.
If not, call this a reality check because you NEED to know that there are people being slaughtered out there. You might think that there is nothing you can do. Maybe you feel that you can barely make ends meet and you cannot help in any way.
Guess what- YOU CAN.. By using your computer to watch the NEW DAY video from THE KIN trigger a donation to halt the brutal genocide in Darfur simply by watching The Kin's video hosted by Revver.com.
"The tragic genocide that the people of Darfur are being forced to endure is horrifying - my brother and I felt we had a responsibility to do whatever we could to help," says Isaac Koren, one half of The Kin duo. "The groundbreaking technology of Revver presented us with a solution where anyone with a computer - a child, grandmother, taxi driver - can make a difference immediately, to save lives and halt the genocide in Darfur."
The Kin aims to raise $350,000 with a high-tech campaign tapping the power of the Web, video and music.
A complex and bloody civil war that has left 400,000 people dead and more than 2 million displaced in just three years, the Darfur conflict is a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape and mass slaughter unmatched in the 21st Century.
Aletheia Entertainment recording artists The Kin, led by Australian brothers Isaac and Thorry Koren, are the most recent artists to join the growing world contingent of concerned citizens.
The brother musicians have made a video of a stirringly soulful acoustic performance of their song, "New Day" available through Revver.com. (I know where it was shot because I saw them perform there -- just for me and my photographer-- that will come in another blog)
As a "Revverized" video, "New Day" has technology embedded into the clip which triggers a donation to SaveDarfur.org every time a viewer watches the entire video and clicks through to the sponsor's link displayed at the end.
Viewers who visit the video at http://www.thekin.com/savedarfur to see and hear "New Day" will definitely consider it time well spent.
"This is a song about overcoming oppression," says Thorry. "The words visualize a time when people come together for peace."
"A lot of people want to help, but they don't think they can afford the time or the money," Isaac Koren concludes. "We're happy to help bring critically-needed aid to Darfur in a very simple way: All you have to do is watch a video.
This fantastic spontaneous acoustic performance shot in a California parking garage, this is acoustic musicianship at its best.. with their gorgeous harmonies and passion for the topic with the accompaniement a single guitar, these guys are smokin'. The lyrical message is one of hope and that we can make a difference-- YOU can make a difference. They are trying to make a difference and have already started the process. You need only to watch the video and click on the link. Pass it on to friends and tell them to watch (they will love the unique vocalizations and style of this new band) and then click the link.
It doesn't get any easier than this my peeps. So watch the video.. it's an easy 3-4 minutes to see these guys LIVE acoustically --in a garage no less- listen to the power and passion in their voices, their lyrics, in their presentation. You can help.
.
Stevie Wilson
Come on girlies! If you missed the fem Fashion Elements sale last week at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica (or didn't but want to shop till your credit card smokes), then get your gas tank filled up and head to the OC -- to the Irvine Hilton (just off the Freeway!) and fill your trunk with designer clothing and accessories at MUCH LESS THAN RETAIL PRICES!!
What brands are you going to see? Check out these babies:
Orange County
2B Free-- Love them!
American Laser Centers
B. Boheme
BCBG--works for me!
Blowout Men
Cheena Chandra Jewelry-- GORGE jewelry
Christine Price Inc.
Contrabrand
Convoy
Eleanor Group - Spa Services--heavenly
Flux Nouveau
Geren Ford-Yummy!
Joan Nguyen
Julieri
Kristin Kahle Design--fabulous belts
La Chica Chic-- the most adorable bags
Lesa Wallace Handbags
Marisa K
Mike & Chris-- killer brand I have 4 pieces from this line
Nap
Natalie Anne Designs
Nyali
People for Peace- love them!
Rock de Goth
Rock & Republic-- rockin' jeans
San Damian Collection
Shop Robertson
Shu Shu Belts
T-Bags
Theresa Kathryn--great bags!
Too Faced Cosmetics-- Gorgeous cosmetics
Wahine Jewelry
Yoga Army-- cool yoga and leisure wear
Yesodra's Designs
And More…
Event sponsors include
944 Magazine, MONSTER Energy, ZMario, Sambazon and more!
The VIP shopping starts at 11 AM. Best to get going early and do order tickets online-- it speeds you through the check in process and saves you dinero!
Shop, get a spa treatment, have fun!
What more can a girl ask for!
Stevie Wilson
This is a time of weddings, Mother's Day, graduations, and seasonal changes that often make one reflect on the "state" of your personal situation--particularly if you are "in love"; in a budding relationship or a more solid one; planning a wedding or newly married; or perhaps have a long standing relationship or marriage in place. No matter what, love is something that should be expressed because it creates a deeper bond between both partners. There is no one gift that can really create or nurture that sentiment or feeling better than music.
Recently released from Astonish Entertainment is the debut CD of gifted musician David Martin. He may not be a singer or musician you have heard of yet, but he's going to be burning up the airwaves and the concert trail pretty quickly. Don't let the "eye candy" looks fool ya! He's got the musical chops to drive you to tears with some of his songs. Lyrics are phenomenal and the music itself is amazing. This singer, song-writer, musician did all the composing and even produced his own CD to make sure it had the right "feel" while working with top notch musicians behind him.
Martin-- known in the industry as a rising star-- was asked to open the show for Bill Boards Annual event. The headliner was Sir Elton John-- so it was quite a coup to be asked and then actually get up there on stage and rock the house with his gentle melodies and harder edged tunes.
Something In Your Eyes is a collection of love songs-- some ballads, some uptempo, some with serious rock and roll vibes and some acoustic tunes. Gifted in crafting lyrics, particularly love songs and ballads, Martin displays a talent that has "legs" (longevity) and this debut CD displays this distinctive talent best because making a love song sound "real", "authentic" and "genuine" isn't the easiest thing in the world. This CD is a "diary" of his marriage of 10 years and how much he treasures his wife and the life they have built together.
Consider this a CD to be a collection of "love letters" to the woman he adores and it encompasses the good and the bad-- the hard times and the fun and "off the wall" times of being married to a musician who is essentially a traveling troubadour always on the road.
The title track racks up an impressive orchestral arrangement that would work equally as well with just a piano or a guitar. Check out the video because it's a real heart breaker (links below). The model in the video with him, isn't just a model... it's his wife. When I first saw the video, I had nothing more to go on but the music. I had very little information. I watched the video and saw that this was no "usual" video--sparks were flying between Martin and the girl in the video and I was betting that it was his wife-- but hesitated to put it into a blog.
I was able to interview David Martin via phone (such a nice guy too!) and we talked about the ins and outs of that video (interesting side note: the director was the actor who played the Cobra Kai karate champ in the Karate Kid movie. If you haven't seen No More Kings, check out the reference), where it was made, and I asked a lot of questions -- all of which are answered on the podcast which will be posted soon. (You didn't think I was going to give you all that 411 NOW did you?)
More than a musician, Martin is a husband who is passionately in love and wants to express this to his wife in the only way he really knows how-- that he loves her more than the first bloom of passion.
Quicktime high:
Quicktime low:
Windows Media high:
Windows Media low:
The other songs present different aspects of their relationship and there are the rough patches where they have to be strong. Stand is one of those songs as is Be Strong. The song that hit me the hardest and told me the most about David Martin's ability as a musician, a writer of significant poetic ability, and a producer (no mean feat that-- producing his own CD), was the song Connected. You will have to wait for the podcast to hear the details but it's more acoustic in flavor, but it's about what we all need to "know" and "do" if we are in a relationship. While we are busy with our lives, sometimes we forget to take the time to "connect" one on one, eye to eye, and reach the core of the other person's soul and heart. Martin does just that in that song. He reaches out and touches you and tells you how and what it takes to make a relationship work. For a musician who admittedly is circling the globe and spends not nearly as much time at home as he would like despite the use of the cell phone, there's nothing like being face to face with the one with you love .
If you are in a new or long-standing relationship, whether engaged or newly married, or maybe not married at all but in a partnership/relationship, this is a CD for you. It's a CD of hope and anticipation for those who aren't there yet-- because you too can have this sort of passion in your life. Just realize that this type of relationship requires work and it's not always easy and there is that rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. You can do it.
I highly recommend this CD. While I spend a lot of time reviewing music and cds in various genres, I make sure that I spend a lot of time listening to each CD-- immersing myself in the music --to get a feel of what each musician brings something to the plate that's unique. I have a deep appreciation for what each musician communicates in his music yet I listen, evaluate, chart the evolution of the music with a slightly detached perspective. Very few musicians dig a hole deep in my heart with their lyrics. This guy is one of them.
No matter who the special person is in your life, when you give this CD to them, note the changes in them as the music hits them that you are showing your partner that you really appreciate what you have together.
David Martin's SOMETHING IN YOUR EYES CD. Song entitled I Will Love You
Check out David Martin at DavidMartin.com
Visit him on myspace at www.myspace.com/davidmartin
Sold already? Want to buy this record? Check out Itunes for a download to your iPod.
Or you can buy it at Amazon.com.
Stevie Wilson
Enjoying the wave of the mixed media jewelry trend, the Jewelry Weblog is loving the mix of suede and glass from Sepia.
Vote for your favorite emerging designers in StyleBakery.com's third annual "On The Rise" contest and you could win a $500 shopping spree at ravinstyle.com
Papierblog's ongoing mother's day gift guide highlights fragrances from Chanel
How to look like a bathing beauty, even when you don't feel like one. When it comes to Summer '07 swimwear, Second City Style has the ultimate swimwear guide for your body type.
Alexa Wilkinson Has An Amazing Appetite for Life and Music Check out her Lullaby Appetite CD and Podcast on LA STORY
Girlawhirl Gift Guide: Mother's Day Gifts-- All with special discounts for girlawhirl.com readers!
Go nude! In a podcast interview with CoverGirl makeup artist Molly Stern, Fashiontribes learns the best tips & tricks for rocking this hot trend for summer.
A Gift Guide for Mother's Day from the Bag Snob!
SheFinds Asks Hot or Not? The Return of Wayfarers
Styleaholics : Month of May Sample Sales Galore from D&G to LeSportsac
Stylehive gets the inside scoop on Zac Posen's widely rumored new blog project - check out the exclusive interview with the charismatic designer!
Inspired by or a coincidence. EBelle5 discovers the similarities between BeBe and the Louis Vuitton Riveting Bag.
This platinum Stella McCartney bag's playing PETA-friendly is nice, but leatherless or lambskin, Kristopher digs it.
My Fashion Life says "hell no" to the Jeans Bikini pant
eBeautyDaily addresses a common home haircoloring problem and its solutions.
Coquette loves the look of cute cropped cardigans.
Alexa Wilkinson is a name you might not recognize right now but very soon, you are going to hear her tunes climbing the charts and her voice will be on the radio a lot! Her first CD, Lullaby Appetite, currently available on iTunes and will be nationally released June 2007 on DNK Records (home to Josh Kelley.)
Photo my Mario Antoine
Having been a musician since the age of 10, Alexa Wilkinson is a formidable talent in a small package. Don't let her youth fool you! She's seen enough of life to carry her tunes and give you a fresh feel and also some edge to the music that won't disappoint. Her fresh, smooth vocals slide easily around the extremely hummable melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and sprite guitar playing. The lyrics are rich with expression, exposing a vulnerability and honesty sans naïvete. Young she may be and willing to learn, but immature isn't in the vocabulary to describe Wilkinson. Rather there is an emotional maturity of looking at life with an optimistic eye, learning from one’s mistakes, and moving on.
Recently I was able to snag some interview time with Alexa Wilkinson while she was in Denver on tour. As of tomorrow 4/30, Alexa along with Josh Kelley and Keaton Simons and gang will be back in LA hitting 2 dates in Los Angeles: the Coach House on 4/30 and then The Troubadour on Friday 5/4/2007-- where Keaton Simons will open for Alexa and Josh. Definitely a tour date worth heading into the city to see! Here's a podcast of PART I of the interview with Alexa. Look for part II soon!
Part 1 of Alexa Wilkinson, singer/ songrwriter/musician
Photo of the recording production crew including Josh Kelley
Josh Kelley, a serious musican/artist/record producer promoting his third album on this tour, learned of Alexa’s talent and collaborated on and produced five of her songs by July, 2006. Other collaborators include Michael Brauer (Coldplay, Paul McCartney, and Grammy winner John Mayer), David Thoener (Matchbox 20, Faith Hill, and Santana), and Greg Calbi (John Lennon, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and Lenny Kravitz)--so there is some SERIOUS writers and musicians involved in this album and it belies that talent that's quite evident from the opening .
Alexa and Kate Voegele (as described in the podcast)..
Josh Kelley commented on working with Alexa,
“I was immediately impressed with Alexa’s music—she is an extremely talented singer and songwriter whose unique sound will no doubt propel her to the top. She’s got such a natural, easygoing style to her music that anyone from all ages can relate to. I’m proud to have her on tour with me
The Bitter End
Want to hear her tunes? Check out her myspace site below--and also Itunes.com too to purchase your favorites. I highly recommend the ENTIRE CD since there's a lot more to the music than what you will notice from 1-2 listening of the tracks. She's sharp as a tack.
www.myspace.com/alexawilkinson
Look for Part II of the Alexa Wilkinson Podcast coming soon! Probably after the Monday Coach House date on 4/30 .. and then I will follow up with the Coach House interviews of Josh Kelley, Alexa Wilkinson and Keaton Simons!
Stevie Wilson
Macy Gray will be performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, May 3, 2007. Tune in at 12:05 pm for the show and catch her performance!
Wait!!! We have something better. Wouldn't it be great to see the show LIVE?
Wouldn't it be better to GO to the show and watch it live, for free!
Jimmy Kimmel Live is looking for YOU!! He wants to find Macy Gray fans to be part of his mini-concert on Thursday, May 3rd.
Jimmy Kimmel Live features celebrity guests and cutting edge performers with plenty of surprises, panic, and general pandemonium. The best part is that Macy Gray will play 5 songs for you.
If you are interested in seeing Macy Gray in person and being a part of the Jimmy Kimmel Live audience, please visit www.1iota.com and follow these simple steps:
Click the 1iota TV Shows button
Click the Jimmy Kimmel Live logo
Choose Macy Gray event link to request tickets
ATTENDANCE TO THIS EVENT IS BY INVITATION ONLY!!! Remember, BE QUICK, because space is EXTREMELY LIMITED!!
ESSENTIAL NOTICES & Important 411!
You must be at least 18 years old
You must be available on Thursday, May 3rd from 6:15pm – 9:00pm
You must have a valid photo ID
Please do not wear white, light blue, beige or logos, as they don’t come across well on camera
Please do not bring large handbags or knapsacks
No cameras or recording devices
NOW go get your tickets!! If you get tickets, if you go, PLEASE email me directly to tell me about it so that I can get feedback and post it on this blog..
Happy Jimmy Kimmel Live Time!!
It's spring time! Magazines and the weather have you thinking about new clothes, accessories, beauty products-- and oh yeah-- don't forget about the couple of holidays like Mothers Day coming up along with weddings and even baby showers! So check out the deets on the most interesting posts for the week!
Aspiring Handbag Designers: eBelle5 wants you to be discovered
Girlawhirl readers save $50 on new Stella McCartney totes at Intermix
LA STORY Gets Into Hot Water--with Spongeables and Spongelles Infused Sponges!!
Papierblog looks at Singapore designer Khoon Hooi from Singapore's Spring fashion week
Second City Style on designer Cyndi Chan. Just in time for Spring/Summer '07..
SheFinds - -Fashion, Beauty, FINDS -- Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Lo.'s bangles
Styleaholics, get to know YANA Handbags, an artistic, luxe collection of beautiful bags.
The Jewelry Weblog is passionate about Passion Works' jewelry, which will put a smile on your face.
Bag Snob digs the anaconda bag from Devi Kroell, the bag designer du jour!
Because any boss lady - including Kristopher - sometimes lives in a Bubble" (Louis Vuitton Ring)
Christina is lusting after the perfect fake tan at eBeautyDaily
Lisa Palleschi's debut album "RELEASED" goes into "re-release" this week. Consider it a re-birth of this CD which had it's first single, "Learning How to Love Again" was the # 1 most added A/C single in its first week.
Lisa Palleschi cut a demo in 2003 in a small Long Island studio owned by Richie Cannata, a collaborator with Billy Joel. Through the help of Steven C. Beer of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, she began traveling to New York, L.A. and Nashville to co-write and define/refine both her voice and her songs with the likes of such co-producers/co-writers as Jeff Franzel (Taylor Dayne, Clay Aiken, Shawn Colvin), Adrian Gurvitz (Sheryl Crow, Meredith Brooks, Steve Perry), Frank Filipetti (James Taylor, Carly Simon, The Color Purple) and Tom Kimmel (Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Art Garfunkel).
Lisa Palleschi: songwriter musician-- Podcast!
MP3 File
When I listened to this CD, I heard two distinct voices or themes-- and I asked Lisa about it (and you can hear more in the podcast)
"I think this album has two personalities. Half the songs are really pretty ballads, love songs, and the other half are more in-your-face, rock songs."
Wanna See You Cry mp3
While I think she has a beautiful voice, after a while the love songs really start to feel the same-- hwoever when she cuts loose and switches the theme and "voice", she rocks and really comes across with a dynamic presentation. I would love to see this sort of thing develop more into a more fully developed presentation.. but as a first drop CD, great job!!
Palleschi EPK -- this is a cool little video that is really Lisa giving us the back story of her career and her life.
The 12 songs on the disc cover the gamut from post-break-up tune "New Beginning" which Palleschi states "It's about taking risks and not being afraid to fall on your ass!") to "Lightyears Away," which talks about living in the present-- being true to live in the moment: "It's about not worrying about little stupid petty stuff, tomorrow those things will seem light years away." Loving the "Already Gone" that what goes round comes back to bite you in the butt -- so apt at times whether it's about a guy or someone just getting justice (sorry but it just fits my state of mind currently) . "Once Upon A Time," talks about the drive to actually fulfill a dream rather than allowing something to die or the "would have/could have/should have" situation. According to Lisa, she "was thinking about all the people in the world who never followed through on what they really wanted to do in life."
Website:http://www.LisaPalleschi.com
Myspace.com: http://www.myspace.com/LisaPalleschi
Want to buy this CD? It's definitely a worthy addition to your collection or Ipod:
Amazon.com
Art Attacks and Strokes Bead Lunar Eclipse
This season, approach buying clothing and accessories as making a statement about you. An easy way to spice up a wardrobe is with jewelry-- Not just any jewelry and let's skip the bling please. Check out the more unusual presentations: look for pieces that are truly "outside the box" in terms of presentation and construction. Where would find such artwork+jewelry?
Art Attacks and Strokes.com is a one-stop museum, wish-book, idea book and lots more. It's more than jewelry but for this blog -- it's ONLY about the jewelry and the elegant simplicity of select pieces-- and they are made out of pyrex glass mixed with different minerals to create colors.
Chad Pitts is the master designer, artist and head magician (read THE magician) and creative genius behind Art Attacks and Strokes. There is more to the name of his company than pun-ful humor.. there is a message.
On his site, he posts this message
The goal at Art Attacks & Strokes is not only to create and promote glass art, but also to support environmental projects and art awareness programs. Art Attacks & Strokes is in the process of developing an “art-reach” program, with the goal of inspiring and evoking creativity in people from all walks of life. We particularly desire to reach individuals who ordinarily might not be introduced or exposed to the healing and therapeutic benefits of creating.
One of the leading factors of health problems is STRESS, and one of the best ways to relieve stress is through the creative process. Creative expression can come in any form: from painting, sculpting and glass blowing to dancing, building, to cooking and making music. Thank you for your interest in Art Attacks & Strokes. We hope you are pleased and inspired by what you see!
For himself, for others, he works and he teaches glass-blowing to help others create lovely objects. While the act of creation is so truly magical, it takes more than an act of winding, blowing, twisting the glass to turn out these beautiful pieces. It takes a creative mind-- thoughtful of color and how minerals interact with glass and are affected by heat.
This gorgeous heart is done in glass with gold that turns pink in the firing process. It's so amazing.
This is the Water Cross-- named for the water type tones in it.
What's so unique is that piece is different and he does custom work too -- so you can have something made for yourself, for a gift (Mother's Day, Father's Day, Bridal, Birthday) that's truly special.
\
This is the Rose Petal Pendant
There are othershapes that he works with-- tablets and spheres are really interesting and they lay nicely at the neck and are very low-key but can draw a lot of attention.
Contact Chad through ArtAttacksandstrokes.com website or through
www.myspace.com/artattacksandstrokes page. Check it out. Prices are on the photos. You can call or email him with requests.
I find the jewelry to be phenomenally gorgeous. It's unique and I have both a tablet and a bead and they look different when threaded on a gold or silver chain but they also work on rubber or leather string too. So it's up to you how you want it to look and it's as easy as threading the bead to change the look from funky to polished.
So don't have a heart attack-- have an ART ATTACK and shop your heart out at Art Attack and Strokes.
