Being a Chinatown bus Century 2000 regular, it gets pretty frustrating dealing with such ghettoness. Especially leaving from New York to Philly, when I do get the chance to go back home, I first arrive on Canal St and then get harassed by those aggressive Chinatown bus ladies with them screaming in my ear, “Where you go!?” The buses are also pretty unpredictable when they relocate their spots every three months or so. What’s worst is that there buses usually smells of piss or something really foul. And I always end up with a broken chair. Now, all the Chinatown bus companies have some pretty mean competition. I didn’t believe it at first when my friends, who also did the NY to Philly commute every weekend, told me that they would ride to New York for only $1.50, sometimes. The ride back from Philly to New York would be only $3.50. That’s amazing! Especially since Chinatownb bus company, Century 2000, just raised their prices from $10 to $12 for a one way fare.
This 36-year-old Philadelphia native, DJ AM, is now gone. He’ll be terribly missed. After surviving the plane crash last year, it all seems like a final destination moment, perhaps it was his time to go. DJ AM was found dead at his $2 million SOHO apartment from a drug overdose. Cops found him lying face-up and shirtless. They also found a crack pipe and some prescription drugs in his residency.
I can’t even begin to describe to you how devastated I am to see DJ AM go. He was part of my life, after high school, growing up in New York. I was young, new to the whole club and hipster scene. Me and my friends who’ve I just met from orientation at FU would end up at some over-exaggerated loft party where DJ AM or Steve Aoki was djing. Yeah reminiscing of those exciting-yet-kinda-scary rainy fall nights in the lower east side, of course, at first I thought it was kinda lame that DJ AM was heading these parties, after all, he did lose some credibility by dating TV reality star, Nicole Richie, but after being to more-than-a-few of his parties, including the one while he was on the Barcardi B-Live tour, he was an awesome DJ. Mad propz. R.I.P. DJ AM.
It’s kinda of disappointing after having had watched The Whackness and later realized that you missed out on all the fun of the 1994 NYC griminess. Most of us have lived in New York for many years, but we can’t stop feeling like psuedo New Yorkers. Unlike NYC, Philly has a soulful vibe to it. If you want to experience real art, come to Philly. We still have all of our assholes and than some, most importantly we’re real about our work, without the fancy high-end price tags.
The famous Manhattan gossip blog, Gawker has been trying to revive the New York grimy art scene, since a lot of public speculation around the world has been noting about NYC losing its soul. One of their attempts is…
Gawker Artist, Billi Kid is collaborating with multiple graffiti and street artists to present the opening of Mom and Popism, August 15th. Kid is the curator who’s goal is to reinterpret Karla’s Murray’s latest book Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York. The collaborating graffiti and street artists are some of the most notable artists in the community, which includes Blanco, Buildmore, Cake, Celso, Cern, Chris (RWK), Crome, Cycle, David Cooper, Destroy & Rebuild, Enamel Kingdom, Goldenstash, Infinity, Kngee, Lady Pink, Matt Siren, Morgan Thomas, Peru Ana Ana Peru, Plasma Slugs, Royce Bannon, Shai R. Dahan, Shiro, The Dude Company, Tikcy, Under Water Pirates, Veng (RWK), Zoltron and Billi Kid.
This is a trailer for the latest video from Rob Harris and The Green Diamond crew. Rich Mahogany has been in the making for the last couple of years and features a few of the talented skateboarders from the NYC area including Lou Sarowsky, Yaje Popson, Kyle Iles, Dan Forkin, Brett Land and Billy Rohan. Also featured are the many visitors from all over the world that have stopped by to live, sleep, or just chill at Harris’ apartment (The Green Diamond) in the East Village. We will keep you updated on the premier date for the video which is due to come out sometime next month.
Firstly, the Knitting Factory in New York, who will be shutting its Manhattan doors for good in the coming months, has curated the third in our series of “Annual 10 Year Anniversaries.” What began as a wisecrack of a title for a showcase finally holds weight (the first two were held in the earlier 2000s in the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles). For one night on one stage, many of the original constituents of our label’s roster will assemble, performing a stack of sets intermingled, taking a look back as we look forward.
Beautiful Fafi piece that was on Bedford Ave & S. 1st from when Fafi was visiting NY. It was stolen but given to Fille de Joie until Fafi returns. More Info: http://www.mobliving.com/blog/948
I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about this straight-out-of-NYC’s-Chinatown Heavy Roc Music, which was started by 21 years old, New School student, DJ B-Roc.
I got a chance to listen to one of Heavy Roc Music’s latest track. Play the youtube below to listen to “Say Goodbye,” by Samuel and the Knocks.
Comment me and let me know your thoughts are about the song.
About Samuel:
Born and raised in downtown Manhattan, Samuel was surrounded by musical influences from an early age; his mother, Linda Langford, was one-half of seventies feminist folk group, Jade and Sarsaparilla and long time co-worker and friend of I.R.S owner Ian Copeland. Samuel’s father is the former owner of an avant-garde dance studio in Santa Fe and was a student of experimental composer, John Cage. His grandfather, Manny Albam, was a noted jazz arranger and friend of Dizzy Gillespie. A passion for music is part of the family bedrock and Samuel’s ability to write and perform compelling dance tunes for the masses is a natural extension of his musical heritage.
While Samuel is constantly finding new music to inspire him, his favorite artists span from American Football’s Mike Kinsella to Bruce Springsteen to the Thai Elephant Orchestra, which is why his collaboration with equally eclectic New York City producer, DJ B-Roc, was a logical progression in his career.
The two met at a time when both were eager to expand their musical endeavors. Samuel was writing and editing his own music, producing lo-fi songs reminiscent of his favored indie-pop musicians. He had long been aware of B-Roc’s diverse collaborations with major artists such as Sean Kingston, Cameron and Hi-Tek. The pairs opposing backgrounds enabled them to meld styles and create music that isn’t genre-specific and appeals to a generation that favors new sounds and unlikely collaborations.
“Say Goodbye,” Samuel’s new single with The Knocks, features Wade from New York City-based band, The Virgins. The song is a seamless addition to any club’s play list and yet the lyrics, “eleven o’clock, the bar was crowded/I saw you/belle of the ball, you were breaking my heart,” are equally at home on the ipods of the young and brokenhearted.
It’s been awhile since the last time we’ve spoken, but I’m back and this time I’ll be updating you with the latest news from the sister city, NYC.
Tomorrow, if your in the big apple be sure to come out to the Fool’s Gold party at Webster Hall. Performances by Kid Sister (debuting tracks off her new album Dream Date), A-Trak, Treasure Fingers, Jokers Of The Scene, Trackademicks, Nacho Lovers, Sammy Bananas, and Nick Catchdubs, as well as a special DJ set from Fool’s Gold big bro Dave 1 of Chromeo… and perhaps a special guest or two?!?
If you’re not in NYC tomorrow, don’t worry because next week, October 28th,Fool’s Gold will be at the Barbary. And McJAWN has your free tickets to enter, but you’ll have to RSVP, to RSVP e-mail me at: webmaster@mcjawn.com.
Last night, Asics debuted an uber-modern yet ironically nostalgic piece of artwork that even toddlers of the world can appreciate — the world’s largest Lite-Brite construction. Yes, Hasbro-brand, elementary-school-era Lite-Brite. An 11’ x 15’ sculpture with an emblazoned neon image of the brand’s Gel-Lyte III sneaker was showcased at New York’s Splashlight Studios, while Chi-Town’s newest phenomenon Kid Sister, strutted her stuff on stage to entertain the schmoozing and boozing media-hipster crowd.
Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records were on hand to document (and verify) this historic four month project, which used 300,000 Lite-Brite pegs (wonder how many they lost under couches in the process?). The sculpture will make its way across the country, including an appearance at Winter X Games in Aspen. Finally, here’s something that simple sneakerheads and public school by-products can both understand.
My girl, Kid Sis working it
Yo I’m tryna do some lite brite art. Does anyone know where I can purchase them? Or would anyone like to donate their old ones they don’t use anymore? It’ll be put to good use, I swear!
U.K.’s TopShop opens in Soho in October! This line, which is also graced by Kate Moss, has been popping its shops all over the world, including Istanbul, Tokyo, Madrid, and just about everywhere else, and its finally hitting NY!
Topshop’s U.S. online store is now up and running which means – AHHH – for those of us who don’t often get to drop by their London store (and don’t feel like dealing with euros). With over 300 new lines every week and designer collaborations with names like Kate Moss and Celia Birtwell, Topshop has become a trend setter of high street fashion. And to Top it off, Topshop’s first U.S. store is set to open in New York sometime this October. So for those of you who can’t wait, shop, and for those of you who are more “I gotta try it on” browse – and then get to New York in October.
You know when you’re out of your element, once you feel weird about busting out the digital camera. That was me last night. I was at a party in SOHO. I brought Rob along, since he hasn’t really ventured anywhere past Chelsea (even though he’s been living in New York’s upper west side his ENTIRE life).
It was such a nice night. Before the ultimate-super-trendy-ankle-Chanel-wearing-red-hot-tight-tight-pants party in SOHO, I met up with my very good friend from Boston, Winston, half-way from Philly and Boston to NYC for his birthday. We blazed under the city lights, isolated on the bleachers in Central Park.
We were so burnt that he’d accidentally missed his train by a nano second.
Some of the other highlights were I bought this hat for $10 walking around in Nolita, crazy people at the 96th St McDonalds, open bar (however tequila is $5, [why tequila?]), talking to little Rach and brunch in Bryant Park with Jon the next day. Can’t complain.
“American Artist Marilyn Minter was born in 1948 in Louisiana and raised in Florida.
In the late 70’s after pursuing her MFA at Syracuse University, Minter moved to NYC where she taught at a Catholic boys school and became mixed up with the NY club scene. These experiences influenced her return to the Art world and in 1989 she produced her first show, which was inspired by hardcore pornography. With harsh criticism from feminists, Minter pursued with her work binding imagery from porn videos and beauty advertisements.
In addition to her work with photography, Minter creates paintings which reflect a photo-realist method.
In 2006 Minter collaborated with Creative Time and bought ad space in Manhattan’s gallery neighborhood of Chelsea. She hung four of her visually lush shoe images originally shot for fashion magazines, transcending the fashion ideal back to the human form, attempting to make the fashion image fresh and compelling.
Supreme will release a series of limited edition skateboard decks designed by Marilyn Minter. The series will consist of three decks designed by Ms. Minter.“
Moral of the story: save everything, savor everything. And fuck, don’t start calling me Whoo|Yen, shit is not cool.
I’m tired from coming home from NYC so late last night, and still, I’ve managed staying up to web chat with some friends in Europe. BTW, my Dad and Mom confronted me about my cigs.
I still have my math and theology hw due today that I haven’t started on. Urgh, I’ve also been behind with McJAWN. I’ve been so busy lately and stressed. Details about my new apt later. Homework now.
BTW, I got an e-mail from a old work buddy who now works at one of those ridiculous celebrity gossip magazines. Her identity will be concealed for we’re both disappointed that after two years working for a respectable political publication, she’s basically whoring herself at this new post.
Hey Wen, … I’ve been getting into Elliott Lucca lately. My job just got a whole bunch of bags from their new collection. I saved you a Portia Shopper. Brown? Not very exciting, if you want my opinion.
My third night living in NYC, I managed to meet Rebecca Minkoff, handbag designer extraordinaire; ever since then, my life has become more fulfilling.
After many years of trying to seek God on my own, my Agnostic-self has come to realize that perhaps clothing could be MY religion. Followed after a long 1-on-1 chitchat and a mini-tour of the design room in Minkoff’s lower-east-side office, I was able to discerned her from other brazen designers.
“Love the bags, not the labels.”
I have to admit, it’s hard to practice this postulation. What if Agyness Deyn started to rock Issac Mizrahi for Target? Absurd, right!? Doesn’t it make your stomach churn?
Ok, I admit it, I buy Target stuff occasionally, but than again, I’m a nobody. So, it’s acceptable in my case.
Anyway, after getting drunk off of spiked lemonade at McGAMES, my sisters and I went to the Bubble House for Dining Days. As soon as dessert arrived, these group of (I’m guessing) UPenn girls were seated in front of us. My concern was not about them, rather, my concern was about the Morning After mini, which inspired this entry. Philly does have taste, after-all.
My dwelling on 68 St sees many strange things. Apart from the rampant taxi drivers during the day and the bums who rule the streets at night (that or the monstrosity of vile Zara-wearing bitches who scream drunken foolishness), my Columbus Ave mornings are spent witnessing these two: Beth and James, skating on sidewalks; not for money, but for fun?
Today, as I was reading various NYC blogs, I am once again reunited with this oddly delightful sight. Apparently these two roller babies are part of a Central Park non-profit dancing organization called
First, I kinda need to quit these. They’re burning a hole in my pockets. I should have of listened to those nagging bitches telling me to quit because they’re cancerous. Dying… eh. $9 a pack… WHAT!? Now, why didn’t someone tell me sooner that cigarettes cost a fucking soul in NYC?
My favorite peeps are leaving me this fall, I’m having a mental break-down. I don’t think I can face another year in the city by myself; although, I miss it terribly. I can just imagine our traditional Sun brunches in the village… alone, 3 AM runs to the Starbucks, ridiculous hotel parties, sharing cabs, drunk rides on the Metro, writing on walls in the public bathrooms, discovering little restaurants on little streets… and… yeah… it sucks.
You know when you’re out of your element, once you feel weird about busting out the digital camera. That was me last night. I was at a party in SOHO. I brought Rob along, since he hasn’t really ventured anywhere past Chelsea (even though he’s been living in New York’s upper west side his ENTIRE life).
We were so burnt that he’d accidentally missed his train by a nano second.
