tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35334146720883818852024-03-20T09:53:25.798+00:00Bossman75Art, Fashion, Interviews, Music, OpinionsBossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-23959894475238425512019-12-28T14:50:00.001+00:002019-12-28T14:50:32.897+00:00My Journey BeginsMy journey has begun and this blog has ended. Thank you for the support over the years. <div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-14600395177999719802019-06-27T13:22:00.002+00:002019-06-27T18:24:44.935+00:00SCUM<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br></span>
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<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0021/8559/2941/files/Scum-gif_540x.gif?v=1559550121" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="539" height="106" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0021/8559/2941/files/Scum-gif_540x.gif?v=1559550121" width="320"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Think punk meets nineties sport and everything in-between."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't find a great deal of information about <a href="https://fakescum.com/" target="_blank">SCUM</a> so I'm gonna give my best hypothesis ahead of today's second drop of designs.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I do know for certain is the brand is fronted by <a href="https://www.ratboy.co.uk/" target="_blank">RatBoy</a>, a musician hailing from Essex and winner of NME magazine's <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Best New Artist 2016</span>. Although I've not knowingly heard anything he's done, just him being on Tim Armstrong's Hellcat Records label is enough for me to scramble to catch up. And I say <i>fronted by</i> because it's a partnership between Jordan and a streetwear stalwart who shall for now remain nameless. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From what I can tell RatBoy has already tried his hand at design using SCUM as a label with t-shirts on his own bigcartel site and US online retailer Zumiez, but this certainly strikes me as more of a cultivated collection of work between both parties. </span><br>
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<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0021/8559/2941/products/9_470x.png?v=1561027888" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0021/8559/2941/products/9_470x.png?v=1561027888" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm gutted I missed the first drop, hopefully they'll repost as an archive at some point. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The graphics SCUM portray are the well worn streetwear aesthetic of dissent and provocation on what look like old FUCT blanks. You know the saying, if it ain't broke....</span><br>
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<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0021/8559/2941/products/12_470x.png?v=1561028041" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0021/8559/2941/products/12_470x.png?v=1561028041" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With politics being so heavily covered in all forms of media over the past couple of years it comes as no surprise to see it featured in this brand, as tiresome and contrite as I find this personally. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Judging by today's <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fakescum/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> post the execution of satire by paying homage to iconic graphics from what could be considered a peer label does make it somewhat more credible.</span><br>
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<a href="https://scontent-lht6-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/add5ab3c8502d96eebb666d671907ffd/5DB05114/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/65186090_2155954194695750_6151570156756988870_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.cdninstagram.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://scontent-lht6-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/add5ab3c8502d96eebb666d671907ffd/5DB05114/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/65186090_2155954194695750_6151570156756988870_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.cdninstagram.com" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love imagery as much as the next guy but I really am interested in the origins and identity of a brand and hope to find out more in the near future. For now though I am content with the mystery and if I had a time machine I'd not hesitate to go back and grab the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God Bless America, Super Charged and Nice Day tees for the summer.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The new collection drops today at 6PM BST here - <a href="https://fakescum.com/collections/t-shirts" target="_blank">SCUM</a>. FUCK YOU HAVE A NICE DAY.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Bossman75</span><br>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-82834397563445028492019-05-12T13:42:00.000+00:002019-05-12T13:43:41.558+00:00KAPITAL x MARVEL Collection Denim Westerner <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Adrift in space with no food or water, Tony Stark sends a message to Pepper Potts as his oxygen supply starts to dwindle. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers -- Thor, Black Widow, Captain America and Bruce Banner -- must figure out a way to bring back their vanquished allies for an epic showdown with Thanos -- the evil demigod who decimated the planet and the universe.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can never accuse me of not being topical. <i><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/04/avengers-endgame-review-marvel/587821/" target="_blank">The Atlantic</a> </i>called <i>Avengers: Endgame</i> the 'Perfect Goodbye', and for those not familiar with denim aficionados <b><i><a href="https://www.kapital-webshop.jp/" target="_blank">Kapital</a></i> </b>then this is the 'Perfect Hello'. I myself was not aware until a few years back when I caught glimpse of shorts worn by DJ Excel and from then I've done nothing but admire their work, mostly because of their ingenuity and attention to detail but also because I can't afford anything from their collections. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now I would be highly disappointed if you hadn't read the <i>Avengers: Endgame</i> synopsis above in the voice of the late great <i>Don LaFontaine</i>, in any case I suggest doing so when reading the brand biography taken from the <i>Haven</i> page <a href="https://shop.havenshop.com/collections/kapital/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. For the rest of you <i>Bodega</i> sum up the brand in simpler terms - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; text-align: center;"><i>"Combining heritage-manufacturing styles borrowed from classic American workwear with traditional Japanese dyeing and weaving techniques, Kapital infuses tradition with new meaning, making it a highly inspirational brand."</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now having read either of those if you aren't even the least bit curious about what the brand does then I can't help you. However if you are interested in denim, comics and I suppose I should include spending a shit ton of money then the next part of this post is going to rock your World.</span></div>
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<a href="https://shop.havenshop.com/products/kapital-x-marvel-collection-denim-westerner-heroes" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Q7knAEWmKE/XNgSe1UYtOI/AAAAAAAAG98/kRCGx6ubEUU03gFeo-ZwIVRoD9FyudEpQCLcBGAs/s320/Kapital-x-MARVEL-Collection-Denim-Westerner-_HEROES_-INDIGO-1_2048x2048.progressive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: start;">KAPITAL</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: start;"> pairs with comic book conglomerate, Marvel Comics, for this deconstructed denim jacket capsule. Weathered chain-stitched patches embellish the well-wrought denim, with distinct depictions of Marvel superheroes and villains alike. Leather reinforced seams, military-inspired pins and star-shaped rivets create a multidimensional aesthetic. (Haven)</span></div>
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<a href="https://shop.havenshop.com/products/kapital-x-marvel-collection-denim-westerner-villains" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-PQSqV0GYc/XNgSgUhWu8I/AAAAAAAAG-A/wXNKPC-rY80hcOps79zXQcLwsMMOsa3OQCLcBGAs/s320/Kapital-x-MARVEL-Collection-Denim-Westerner-_VILLAINS_-INDIGO-1_2048x2048_a8a1f718-bb9e-43f7-a7bf-42736e37f9ff_2048x2048.progressive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Whilst my knowledge of the Marvel Universe is notably limited my opinion as a fan is that in terms of original comic book character representation these are truly works of art. I can't think of a more fitting article of clothing to collaborate on, one that's as American as Steve Rogers, and if a denim jacket could be an Avenger it would have to be <i>Captain America</i> (despite the fact he actually wore leather). Some (including myself) might question the price tag as these jackets weigh in at approx. £4500 each and yet I'm certain there is someone that can justify the cost just as I am certain my bank account manager (and wife) would advise me against buying one of these.</div>
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So for now my admiration continues and I'm hoping I do something no matter how small to promote the fruits of Kapital's labour and pay homage to a movie I thoroughly enjoyed (despite Brie Larson's attempt to ruin it). I hope to see those with a more bountiful discretionary income than myself supporting the brand by wearing these because ultimately if you have the money it's gotta be spent on something, and if you're not having fun spending it then you're doing it wrong.</div>
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Both jackets are (perhaps not surprisingly) still available at <a href="https://shop.havenshop.com/collections/kapital?page=2" target="_blank"><b>Havenshop</b></a>.</div>
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Postscript; In my research for this post I found that <a href="https://hypebeast.com/2018/4/kapital-marvel-heroes-villains-denim-jackets-release" target="_blank"><i>Hypebeast</i></a> had images and details of the capsule in late 2017, and posted an article about the release in April of 2018 which means I haven't looked at <i>Hypebeast</i> for anything other than retrospectively for something like three years now. </div>
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-Bossman75</div>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-62424300184239875662019-05-02T21:07:00.000+00:002019-05-02T21:09:34.415+00:00Rhodes Contemporary Art presents Nick Smith: Pinched<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3g__xFybruE/XMrwSrtqAZI/AAAAAAAAG30/HLp1RnKaN5Uy0-7R-Io0AnkVwdtIcSBFQCLcBGAs/s1600/1e704a20-24db-4945-bf5f-8b645ff313ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3g__xFybruE/XMrwSrtqAZI/AAAAAAAAG30/HLp1RnKaN5Uy0-7R-Io0AnkVwdtIcSBFQCLcBGAs/s320/1e704a20-24db-4945-bf5f-8b645ff313ab.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.5px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"The theft of the Mona Lisa in the early 1900s from the Louvre is commonly regarded as the first great art heist of the 20th century. This incident saw the dramatic elevation of the artwork in the popular consciousness, creating the phenomena that surrounds it today. </span></i></span><i style="font-size: 15.5px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since then there has been a wealth of stories behind such heists as galleries and private collections. Pinched examines these often surprising, always colourful heists and explores the absence of these works within art history and cultural identity."</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.5px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicksmith_art/" target="_blank">Nick Smith</a> is back in town showcasing twenty new mixed medium artworks and screen prints at<i> Rhodes Contemporary Art</i> (formerly the <i>Lawrence Alkin Gallery</i>). I'm a big fan of Nick's work (<i>Kanye is fully paid for</i>) and this is my first chance to visit the gallery following the change of management so I'm really looking forward to stopping by after work.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmX2FZNwMps/XMr3ASqa1GI/AAAAAAAAG4o/-X-hL0oPd9s1kyBhP1GljYAsr7luasBWQCLcBGAs/s1600/53117282_3055434271148875_4255555243494548896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmX2FZNwMps/XMr3ASqa1GI/AAAAAAAAG4o/-X-hL0oPd9s1kyBhP1GljYAsr7luasBWQCLcBGAs/s320/53117282_3055434271148875_4255555243494548896_n.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.5px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Following his '<i>condiments and commandments</i>' show <i>Psalms</i> at <i>Nelly Duff</i> in November, and having recently produced a limited run of <i>Nike AM90 Infrared</i> prints for <i>#airmaxday,</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15.5px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"> Nick returns to the more serious business of deconstructing highly recognisable fine art and putting it back together one colour-chip at a time. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.5px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In this body of work Nick explores the topic of art theft, and following ex</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">tensive research collected from media archives, crime reports,
CCTV and police statements he's tackled the most wanted list of the twentieth century’s biggest
art heists. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“Each piece lost represents a partial loss of our heritage and art history. My fascination is not with the images themselves, but the stories behind the thefts. What is the motivation? And how does the theft influence the artwork’s place in our current cultural landscape?”</i> - Nick Smith</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More info can be found on the gallery website </span><a href="https://rhodescontemporaryart.com/exhibitions/64/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and the show runs until June 1st giving you plenty of time to make it across in case the heavens open tonight or you're watching the Arsenal game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Bossman75</span></span></div>
Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-89141021515001411902019-04-30T15:23:00.000+00:002019-05-01T05:56:03.564+00:00"WHATCHU' TALKIN' 'BOUT WEDNESDAY" - STORM WATKINS (AGAIN)<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p4Lf2xeFL8/XMbjp_u5beI/AAAAAAAAG3g/9YRkmy13dGE-romnCFMEkyvAyyqMTaAxgCLcBGAs/s1600/STORM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p4Lf2xeFL8/XMbjp_u5beI/AAAAAAAAG3g/9YRkmy13dGE-romnCFMEkyvAyyqMTaAxgCLcBGAs/s320/STORM.jpg" width="319"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Storm Watkins again? Aww yeah!! Again n' again!</i></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By sheer coincidence the last WTBW post I did was an interview with <i>Storm Watkins</i> back in September of 2017. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This time the post is about his latest instrumental album</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <i>"Make Producers Great Again"</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> that was released on Monday of this week.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Storm hit me up at the beginning of this year letting me know this was in the works and I had hoped to follow up with him and build expectations, but it's here now and here are my thoughts.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Firstly let's talk about the cover art - a red cap with the album title emblazoned on the front - akin to the <i>Make America Great Again</i> cap <i>Donald Trump</i> used in his 2016 campaign. For half the nation it's a symbol of shaking up the system, draining the swamp, a call to action for the working class. For others it's a seen as a symbol of hate and has been used as an excuse for violent attacks both physical and against free speech. Whichever side of the political aisle you sit on it's certainly unmistakable and thought provoking.</span><br>
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<a href="https://is2-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music113/v4/df/e0/a6/dfe0a637-5d3e-cf5c-218a-6643eb317ce8/source/512x512bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://is2-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music113/v4/df/e0/a6/dfe0a637-5d3e-cf5c-218a-6643eb317ce8/source/512x512bb.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's what <i>Storm</i> has to say about choosing the polarising imagery - </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"<i>Well, I chose the title for 2 reasons. The main reason was because production in hip-hop to me has become very lazy. Meaning it's basically spoon fed these days. Almost every beat you hear has the same hand me down loops/drums/sounds. Like it's very rare to find a producer who still goes out their way to dig for sounds/drums. And the second reason being that I knew naming a project with a title that strong would push me to limits I didn't know I could reach. It would challenge me to make the music speak for itself. The amount of work that went into making this is what I mean by making producers great again. Even down to the detail within the mixing of the album. The artwork itself was just simply me putting my twist on the whole MAGA phrase.</i>"</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For me</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> in the current climate</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> it would have been equally lazy to make this about politics in any serious way. Storm has shown that despite all the noise the music or to be more precise the craft is what's paramount, and that's how I think it should be not just in Hip-Hop but across all genres</span>.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And importantly not an homage to <i>Fred Durst.....</i></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">....</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I'm just kidding</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For those still unfamiliar with Storm's work once again I strongly suggest you head to his <a href="https://stormwatkins.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a> page and download everything (instrumental and vocal) you can. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can all but guarantee there's something for everyone to connect with.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Storm</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> says this was the longest he's worked on a project and having listened to </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Make Producers Great Again</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> half a dozen times in the last twenty-four hours the diligence is apparent. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The project is instantly immersive with bold yet refined production, faultless sampling and</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> each track is accompanied by a somewhat </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">imperturbable</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> bass</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. It's predominantly melancholy in a very edifying manner and a</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">s promised there's a vast collection of influences throughout, from <i>Dionne Warwick</i> to <i>Dipset</i> at least that's what my mind conjured up as it perambulated the forty-two minutes and thirteen seconds. Put on some headphones, roll down your car windows and judge for yourself. </span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">You can listen to and buy the album </span><a href="https://song.link/album/i/1461718145" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">I want to thank Storm for keeping in touch and for continuing to create art of this magnitude. 🙏</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- <i>Bossman75</i></span><br>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-76141238815612706682019-02-21T14:06:00.001+00:002019-02-21T14:06:14.718+00:00Throw Away Your Television<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just an observation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been commuting to work from a different station for the past ten months and the walk from the car takes me around seven minutes and through a few different roads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of an evening as I pass by my eyes are drawn through curtain less windows and most if not all of these homes have an enormous TV that dominates the space entirely. I can't honestly remember seeing anything else of significance adorn the walls of these rooms, no pictures, no book shelves just blank walls and a screen that demands your attention even from the outside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This in itself doesn't mean a thing and I'm aware of that, particularly if I'm only comparing to my own living space. Also it's likely different for singles, childless couple and families and people could have all these other things in plenty of other rooms but I've no intention of knocking on doors and asking questions. I remember we had a TV growing up, and a stereo stack system with wall mounted speakers, record shelves, book shelves, cabinets, CD towers, art on the walls and family photos scattered around. That was some thirty years ago and it's not just the size of the TV that has changed but I would guess the importance as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My wife and I have a inside joke about being asked why we don't have the TV mounted and why we choose to hang artwork on the walls instead. We have an average sized TV (erring on small) on a table and art on three of the four walls. That doesn't mean every time we have guests it sparks conversation, or that we spend our time contemplating the meaning behind the work but it certainly has more of a positive affect than the TV. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eRa5mGuHXyg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eRa5mGuHXyg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course I'm not saying <i>literally</i> throw away your television, or ignoring the fact that there's plenty of outstanding new programming as well as that of nostalgic importance. Maybe it's a question of human interaction, family values even and has technology changed our lives for better or for worse in regards to these things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don't really know what I'm trying to say but I was just so grateful to have had the notion to write something, no matter how confused and disorganised. I'm going to spend some time over the next few days working through my drafts and get more finished as part of getting myself better after what's been too exigent a period of my adult life </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">mentally, emotionally and physically</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Bossman75</span>Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-76760716205970723592019-01-01T00:29:00.001+00:002019-01-01T00:29:40.042+00:00Arduous 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a number of reasons 2018 has been exhausting for me physically and mentally. That's not to say it was bad, I welcome a challenge and I have much to celebrate and be thankful for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am however deeply upset about having lost the desire to write. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a number of drafts I plan on finishing one of which goes some way to explain the year I've had. Another a recap of my trip to LA in December of last year where I hung out with some buddies and met some amazing folks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For anyone who still checks in on my blog thank you from the bottom of my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's to happy and healthy new year and to regaining my cognitive skills in 2019.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Bossman75</span></div>
Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-44014829718376619882018-05-19T10:16:00.000+00:002018-05-19T10:17:05.325+00:00SMPTE color bars: common NTSC test pattern<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz9lLmViCWNpNooN7mpheUeUeRJLYWgy2TmKSe95vr7CdaRtA_VTduLi4vHGML-dXsMEDAhb-Dnm5kOjh6aCY6_pfqGHrMP8FihtnYo5zXP8Nixyfl8dNqAyOeVHmF0BEhYzjx42V51VX/s1600/PM5644-1920x1080.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz9lLmViCWNpNooN7mpheUeUeRJLYWgy2TmKSe95vr7CdaRtA_VTduLi4vHGML-dXsMEDAhb-Dnm5kOjh6aCY6_pfqGHrMP8FihtnYo5zXP8Nixyfl8dNqAyOeVHmF0BEhYzjx42V51VX/s320/PM5644-1920x1080.gif" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PM5544: common PAL test pattern</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A test card, also known as a test pattern or start-up/closedown test, is a television test signal, typically broadcast at times when the transmitter is active but no program is being broadcast (often at sign-on and sign-off). - from Wikipedia</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've had so much happen in the last few months that everything outside of work has been put on hold temporarily. I miss writing and will be back as soon as things settle down a bit. There are past events I've yet to write about, as well as future art shows and gigs so hang in there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Bossman75</span><br />
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<br />Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-19701867135665244522018-03-15T14:04:00.000+00:002018-03-15T14:04:56.088+00:00Anonymous by Miaz Brothers<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anonymous by Miaz Brothers at Lazinc Sackville</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">16 March - 21 April 2018</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“<i>It is an exercise for the inner spirit; a flexible experience of stretching the awareness of what we see and perceive; a stimulation for the consciousness and the limits of our idea of the world and its symbols</i>.” - Miaz Brothers, 2018</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />I first saw work by the Italian duo the Miaz Brothers at the group show "<i>Still Here, A Decade of Lazarides</i>" and they've been one of my most revered artists since. Tonight they return to Lazinc for their third exhibition; '<i>Anonymous</i>'. Having missed both their previous shows, '<i>Dematerialized</i>' and '<i>Antimatter</i>' I couldn't allow myself to miss another chance of seeing their transcendental portraits in the flesh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The exhibition is a continuation of the Antimatter Series, keeping the same fundamentals of the series whilst bringing more impression to their subject matter which has not been seen before in their artwork.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;"> Whilst this new series of sixteen works stays true to the Miaz Brothers' unique technique, the artists have also experimented with new bolder brush strokes; the serenity of the work is maintained but with a haunting undertone. The portraits, seemingly out of focus, present a curious cross section of society and their mystery encourages an exploration of the concepts of anonymity. The viewer is compelled to look beyond the canvas and paint and engage with cognitive and visual preconceptions to make sense of these ambiguous paintings. </i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Honestly the austere method applied to the works makes me somewhat uncomfortable and yet the resulting superlative beauty is inescapable.<br /><br />I'm shocked to discover that my last visit to Lazarides might very well have been the <i>Golgo</i> exhibition '</span><a href="http://www.bossman75.com/2016/10/flesh-blood-substance-by-golgo.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">FLESH · BLOOD · SUBSTANCE</span></i></a>'<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> back in October of 2016. How can that be? Never the less I'm excited about my first visit to the gallery's new Mayfair home and the chance to experience a full body of work by the brothers who are admittedly a Lazinc favourite and justifiably so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75 </i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-70166409838575972962018-02-23T14:33:00.000+00:002018-02-23T14:33:45.962+00:00ON TREND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fashion is meant to be fun and not something to be taken so seriously. Just look at "<a href="https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-dressed-soccer-player-hector-bellerin/" target="_blank">football's best dressed player</a>" <i>Hector Bellerin</i> at London Fashion Week Mens from January. Arsenal's right-back was centre of attention despite being sat next to <i>Slick Rick The Ruler</i> who was as ever suited and draped in audacious jewellery. I love the <i>Fear of God</i> plaid trousers, denim jacket, hoody and hat ensemble, but I'm never going to like those stupid chunky <i>Balenciaga</i> trainers. He also looked great in golden pyjamas and <i>Gucci</i> slippers and importantly he looked like he was having fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As an adult I've been somewhat of a chameleon really, and I keep saying the older I get the more comfortable I am in my own skin. I'm well aware of trends and follow a number of brands but I don't think I could be accused of being very fashionable. Still, the awareness allows for appreciation and on rare occasion I might even consider trying something out but inevitably by that time the trend has passed. Obviously there are exceptions and I thought I'd share a couple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One example of it not quite working out would be the hooded cape. I bought one from Zara at the tail end of popularity and though it is comfortable (<i>and reversible</i>!) it doesn't really do all that much to any outfit and well looks kind of silly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">An example of it going better would be the damaged and oversized sweatshirt trend, which I loosely attribute my interest to <i>Kanye West</i> and his <i>Yeezy</i> collections. The military meets Mad Max aesthetic stirs something in me. I have a couple sweatshirts by <i><a href="https://otheruk.com/" target="_blank">Other</a></i> and a hoody by <i><a href="https://representclo.com/" target="_blank">Represent</a> </i>that get lots of wear<i>.</i> These two brands from the UK are producing outstanding collections season on season and are definitely making waves. Check their sits and Instagram for visuals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well since that success I've gone and fallen head first into another current trend, the sheepskin coat. Not that sheepskin coats haven't always been a thing, worn by the likes of legendary football commentator <i>John "Motty" Motson</i> to Dunkirk actor <i>Tom Hardy</i>. It's not like I didn't take a bit of time to think it over but the desire was overwhelming and in my defence I did it my way and didn't just buy something new. It's not like I got it right the first time either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCk4axONKPE/WpATfDdlyzI/AAAAAAAAGh4/CSHd5TYnna0GRwUbeMpvIsppKa5P1oL-QCLcBGAs/s1600/nintchdbpict000350535980-e1504638147283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="767" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCk4axONKPE/WpATfDdlyzI/AAAAAAAAGh4/CSHd5TYnna0GRwUbeMpvIsppKa5P1oL-QCLcBGAs/s320/nintchdbpict000350535980-e1504638147283.jpg" width="255" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6-RhMtnY-c/WpATfMpvFxI/AAAAAAAAGh0/HoCxcfYOOQQsRcvrta0UAey3J2XQ1pG0QCLcBGAs/s1600/farrier-jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="870" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6-RhMtnY-c/WpATfMpvFxI/AAAAAAAAGh0/HoCxcfYOOQQsRcvrta0UAey3J2XQ1pG0QCLcBGAs/s320/farrier-jacket.jpg" width="250" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A regular authentic shearling coat will cost a pretty penny, and the cheaper faux high-street versions don't really appeal to me. By the way during the time I've taken to finish this post</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> someone dropped 11k via <i><a href="https://www.grailed.com/listings/3144084-Saint-Laurent-Paris-Hedi-s-Personal-Suede-and-Shearling-Coat" target="_blank">Grailed</a></i> on a </span><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">AW13 YSL</span></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> coat owned by </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hedi Slimane. </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Crazy</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So anyway I tried my luck with a vintage coat from </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ASOS Marketplace</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Sadly the style was not to my liking despite the condition being really quite good for it's age and it was warm as all hell. I couldn't give up and kept my eyes peeled for an affordable coat more in the style of those in brand newsletters and magazines. I'm a recent convert to the selling app </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Depop</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> where I happened upon another vintage jacket this time in a more contemporary biker style, and in far better condition. I was hesitant but remembered just how difficult it can be to find something perfect so I pulled the trigger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What I got was even better than I could have imagined. Like I've said before with regards to my leather jacket, when its the right one for you it can send your confidence skyrocketing when you wear it. So I might well look like a trend rider but damn it if a sheepskin coat isn't the most timeless, comfortable and practical thing ever. Wearing it makes me stand up straighter, shoulders back and head held high. You can't put a price on that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now my attention has been drawn to what was '<i>athlesiure</i>' now turned '<i>luxleisure</i>' trend of wearing tracksuit bottoms. I've found a pair by <i>Universal Works</i> on sale an think I'll give them a try. There really may be no hope for me as long as I have a wifi connection and a desire to have fun with what I wear, which is the whole point no? Don't get me wrong my wardrobe isn't filling up, for every piece I bring in something goes to a new home to help pay for it. And seeing as I'm not bringing home Premier League footballer wages I will leave the high end labels to those that can afford them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span><br />
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-21075463454748411452018-01-26T14:22:00.002+00:002018-01-26T14:22:44.052+00:00COACH Wild Beast Camo Print<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlI4-wjXGio/WmsqZCUKZeI/AAAAAAAAGe0/q8GEvtcfffQeslAY1Ct21wHHqxrz2TpjwCLcBGAs/s1600/59417_bkm4v_swatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="456" height="127" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlI4-wjXGio/WmsqZCUKZeI/AAAAAAAAGe0/q8GEvtcfffQeslAY1Ct21wHHqxrz2TpjwCLcBGAs/s320/59417_bkm4v_swatch.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm a fan of camouflage, leather and a good sale. So this fits the bill perfectly (pun intended).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I remember seeing the <i>Wild Beast Camo</i> when it came out and being very interested. I can't believe that was two years ago, or that I hadn't realised the creation was by contemporary artist <i><a href="http://garybaseman.com/" target="_blank">Gary Baseman</a>*</i> until now. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Anyway, patience is a virtue and all that and now pieces from the collection are on sale online and in-store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Half Zip Wallet that I was particularly fond of doesn't seem to be available anymore, s</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">till there's the very affordable Card Wallet (below) and the sale also includes the larger Accordion Wallet and Pouch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For those with a less stringent budget after something bigger still, the Manhattan Backpack, Metropolitan Slim Messenger, Campus Backpack (below) and Campus Pack are all 50% off. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lrNnSN-7ymc/WmszUtl4ZdI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/JJCncmG_hVIHpJHQ3dT7UZKL-O5Nyb9NQCLcBGAs/s1600/75213_ejm_a0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lrNnSN-7ymc/WmszUtl4ZdI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/JJCncmG_hVIHpJHQ3dT7UZKL-O5Nyb9NQCLcBGAs/s320/75213_ejm_a0.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdhM6VXn7uE/Wmszu7quTNI/AAAAAAAAGfg/hnB-G39kFUYaEbVx2rj08ZLkz1nTeybQgCLcBGAs/s1600/72063_bkejm_a0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdhM6VXn7uE/Wmszu7quTNI/AAAAAAAAGfg/hnB-G39kFUYaEbVx2rj08ZLkz1nTeybQgCLcBGAs/s320/72063_bkejm_a0.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Baseman's graffiti-inspired take on camouflage adds a graphic edge to all these pieces. As far as luxury brands <i>Coach</i> doesn't enjoy the prestige of say <i>Louis Vuitton</i> or <i>Fendi</i>, but for me the artist collaborations and consistent quality make their leather goods relevant and as desirable as anything else on the market. Maybe that's the old school broke ass in me talking, I'll leave it to you to make your own judgement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">*<i>Side note - the Baseman Edition Smiley/Gnarly Face motifs for Coach are also dope! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span>Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-46041793750540361962018-01-11T13:30:00.000+00:002018-01-11T13:31:40.951+00:00Fast And Furious By Chris Brand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBON5BCBnB4/WlYQCB2o-sI/AAAAAAAAGdc/JNQJqac0DrYzqS12HhaLG9GN9KkypGvfgCLcBGAs/s1600/chris-brand-fast-and-furious-24x24-1xrun-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBON5BCBnB4/WlYQCB2o-sI/AAAAAAAAGdc/JNQJqac0DrYzqS12HhaLG9GN9KkypGvfgCLcBGAs/s320/chris-brand-fast-and-furious-24x24-1xrun-01.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fast And Furious By Chris Brand Part Of The Saga Continues - Wutang RUN # 01978c</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you've mistakenly clicked on this post hoping to read about the film franchise then you will be disappointed. This is about a piece by multidisciplinary artist and <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/uglarworks/?hl=en" target="_blank">UGLARworks</a></i> member<i> <a href="http://www.cbrandworks.com/" target="_blank">Christopher Brand</a></i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was introduced to Chris a few years back during a trip to LA, and remember being told at the time to keep an eye on his work. His tattooing, fine art and murals have garnered him the highest admiration from his peers and fans alike. He shares a studio in Los Angeles with <a href="http://evanskrederstu.com/" target="_blank"><i>Evan Skrederstu</i></a>. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Evan on a recent trip to LA but more on that in another post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After having seen <i>RZA</i> and <i>Mathematics</i> at <i>Rough Trade</i> I was intrigued by the news of a related exhibition at <i>Miami Art Basel</i> for the "<i>Wu-Tang:The Saga Continues</i>" album. Even more so when I saw that Chris was not only doing a piece but also putting up a mural. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Progress clip from Chris' Instragram page</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This week I received the newsletter announcing that the artwork from the show was now available from <a href="https://www.1xrun.com/run/chris-brand-fast-and-furious&ref=ps" target="_blank"><i>1xRun</i></a>. </span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Produced by Mathematics and Executive Produced by RZA "Wu-Tang:The Saga Continues" is the first release under the 36 Chambers ALC. With The Wu-Tang Clan's music having long-served as an inspiration for artists over the past 24 years, it was only fitting to create a visual representation for the project. 36 Chambers ALC teamed up with Studio Invcbl to curate a new painting for each of the album's songs.<br /> <br />Presented for the first time during Miami Art Week 2017, this exhibition features new works from Aaron "Woes" Martin, Jose Mertz, Lauren YS, Dragon76, Baghead, Chris Brand, Abstrk, Reinier Gamboa, Eric Bonhomme, Mwanel Pierre Louis and Verse...</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The piece by Chris perfectly captures the mystique and mythology of an ancient martial arts battle, even if the songs lyrics are related to drug running and shootouts. <i>Fast And Furious</i> will cost you a cool 3 gs but considering it's a 1-of-1 by the artist, and affiliated with the legendary rap crew the price tag shouldn't deter the right fan or a collector of Japanese art. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit <a href="https://www.1xrun.com/exhibitions/1xrun-presents-the-saga-continues-wutang/" target="_blank"><i>1xRun</i></a> to see the rest of the collection whilst there is still time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span></div>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-16371159689370122202017-12-05T14:06:00.000+00:002017-12-05T14:11:28.064+00:00The Shoes That Saved Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“<i>We were enamored with Air Jordans. Michael Jordan was larger than life — he was Superman to me. My entire design background and ethos came from the ‘90s.</i>” - Virgil Abloh</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Collaborations come and go, and their memory barely lasts beyond the release date, however the hype for '<i>The Ten</i>' collection was almost inescapable and genuinely felt like something special was going down. For fans of <i>Nike</i> and <i>Virgil Abloh</i>, this collaboration will continue to be discussed until the end of the year at least, and likely will be eulogised in many 'Best Of 2017' polls and publications cementing it's place in sneaker history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'<i>The Ten</i>' consisted of the following styles - <i>Air Jordan 1, Blazer, Air Presto, Air Max 90, HyperDunk, Zoom VaporFly, VaporMax, Air Force 1</i> and <i>Air Max 97</i>. Some classics and some new kids on the block. Initially this didn't interest me at all, but the more background I saw and read around the process of picking these styles and remastering them </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(some have called them deconstructed) </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I couldn't pass up the chance to see them for myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In order to do so I visited the pop up store for <i>END</i> clothing after having won the raffle for a pair of the <i>Air Jordan 1</i>. Before collecting the shoes I looked at the collection on display and was astonished by the work done. All were familiar and yet completely different from their original blueprints. Most surprising to me were the <i>Prestos</i>. I considered them the most wearable and though not a fan previously I was smitten. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaqFywiwGfA/Wiak6WK-K9I/AAAAAAAAGbs/oh09WDOXqtwiVLHym98DgJ8AJVfZ_D2zQCLcBGAs/s1600/AIR-JORDAN-1-2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="620" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaqFywiwGfA/Wiak6WK-K9I/AAAAAAAAGbs/oh09WDOXqtwiVLHym98DgJ8AJVfZ_D2zQCLcBGAs/s320/AIR-JORDAN-1-2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But I was there for the <i>Jordans</i>, and speaking on the remarkable design <i>Abloh</i> explained <i>“The Jordan 1 was done in one design session. I work in a very like dream-like state. I see it, and it’s done.”</i> On reading how they came to be I was astonished, and entirely convinced it was true when holding them in my hand. From the many different materials used to the hidden references and minute details these were transformed into an ethereal piece of art. Seeing staff wearing them made me feel a little uncomfortable if I'm honest, but then that's what they're for, right? </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r56Ij03RwVQ/WialG7ykN1I/AAAAAAAAGb4/eQAkX_HpCLkbgRrasDQRyf7ZaSClOWA1ACLcBGAs/s1600/off-white-air-jordan-1-better-look-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r56Ij03RwVQ/WialG7ykN1I/AAAAAAAAGb4/eQAkX_HpCLkbgRrasDQRyf7ZaSClOWA1ACLcBGAs/s320/off-white-air-jordan-1-better-look-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXws9RY1Upw/WialGxjCg7I/AAAAAAAAGb0/IJems27AzrsoYj05-YzpGhzt5Y5dbdi0gCLcBGAs/s1600/off-white-air-jordan-1-better-look-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXws9RY1Upw/WialGxjCg7I/AAAAAAAAGb0/IJems27AzrsoYj05-YzpGhzt5Y5dbdi0gCLcBGAs/s320/off-white-air-jordan-1-better-look-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I always knew I'd be buying these to sell and retail for the shoes was a reasonable (considering) £160 and the resell was already anywhere up to ten times that on <i>eBay</i>. I'm not against resellers, if I miss out so be it. If I really wanted something I accept I'd have to fork up the going rate, and that hasn't happened for quite some time. That's down to simple things like maturing, having a family and priorities changing. These kinds of items do tend to regain value long down the road but I'm not in that game. I was only in this to save Christmas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fortune favoured me in winning the raffle, as it had blighted me with an expensive MOT and a couple other unforeseen expenses in the previous month. I hadn't realised how serious things had gotten financially but there was the very real chance that Christmas would have to be severely low key this year. So I had the opportunity to flip these quickly but for a price I could live with and that would cover the costs of the kids' main presents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It went as smoothly as I could have wished. In the days after posting the shoes to the buyer I was sweating a bit, having recently been scammed on <i>eBay</i> for a <i>KAWS Companion</i> but once delivered I could breathe again. They may not be everyone's cup of tea however the shoe did win the coveted <i>2017 Footwear News Achievement Awards “Shoe of the Year”, </i>and the</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> resell value remains at</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> around the £1000+ mark. And yet </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sneaker heads and street wear aficionados</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> are already onto the next exclusive drop, the next raffle and chance to buy a piece of what they hope will be history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not me, I happened upon something extraordinary and am still experiencing relief and joy at the outcome. It was a modern day Christmas miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span></div>
Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-37154172324631786842017-11-21T11:20:00.000+00:002017-11-21T11:20:40.242+00:00TATTOO at the NHMLA<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"<i>I'm super excited and honored to be a part of this very important exhibition 5,000 years in the making.</i>" - Chuey Quintanar</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last time I was in LA I got to experience Venice Beach, walk on Santa Monica pier and even caught a glimpse of </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">MADIBA</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, the </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nelson Mandela</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> tribute by </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">David Flores</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. I also managed to visit my favourite tattoo crew at </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Deer's Eye</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> studio in Santa Fe Springs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'll be in LA again for a few days next month and though it's a business trip I'm hoping to catch up with a couple friends when I'm not working, and get across to the <i>Natural History Museum</i> to see <a href="https://nhm.org/site/explore-exhibits/special-exhibits/tattoo" target="_blank"><i>TATTOO</i></a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Tattoo</i> explores more
than 5,000 years of history, culture, and art connected to ink through specially commissioned,
tattooed silicone forms; hand-drawn art; videos of tattoo ceremonies; interview footage of
luminary practitioners; and the technology and tools of the trade—all while also spotlighting the
vibrant tattoo scene in L.A. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“<i>As a Museum of, for, and with L.A., and committed to exploring the region’s nature and
culture, we are honored to present Tattoo in Southern California. This is the birthplace of
several pivotal tattoo movements, including the Long Beach Pike scene and the black-and-gray
style,” commented Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of NHMLA. </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966;"> <i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Tattoo provides a
special opportunity for our community to explore an often-misunderstood art form and shed
light on the history and traditions of tattooing around the world and right here at home.</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">”</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The full Press Release can be read <a href="https://nhm.org/site/sites/default/files/marketing/Tattoo%20Press%20Release.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've seen work by some of my favourite LA artists at the "</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://thehundreds.com/blogs/content/time-tattoo-art-today" target="_blank">Time: Tattoo Art Today</a>"</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> show in London back in 2014, but being able to view work in their own back yard is very exciting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm particularly interested in seeing what tattooist </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chuey Quintanar</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> (above) has submitted. I'm blessed to have spent time with Chuey in and out of the chair, and am so very pleased to know he is part of this monumental exhibition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I will be keeping it low key but If you can think of anything else relatively easy to see or visit outside of working hours please let me know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span></div>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-36634951387946326992017-11-21T11:10:00.001+00:002017-11-21T11:10:55.820+00:00Dälek at The Underworld<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cilRTRlNtn8/Wg2l2mG9z5I/AAAAAAAAGYw/lk6Dq_vHFe0lNtxoKcpnGZhODdQGkvtmgCLcBGAs/s1600/0e5c8790-478e-0135-5f73-665a445c798f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cilRTRlNtn8/Wg2l2mG9z5I/AAAAAAAAGYw/lk6Dq_vHFe0lNtxoKcpnGZhODdQGkvtmgCLcBGAs/s320/0e5c8790-478e-0135-5f73-665a445c798f.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><i>“Endangered Philosophies is a very introspective record about very external forces. This isn't about one listen... it's about your evolving perception when you immerse yourself in the layers of sound and words. Endangered Philosophies is a record about the RIGHT NOW and yet will resonate differently each time it is listened to, in a word....timeless." </i>- MC Dälek</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Tonight <i>Dälek </i>(pronounced DIE-uh-leck)<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"> will </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">be at The Underworld in Camden playing tracks from their eighth album </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Endangered Philosophies. </i><br />
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<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They are champions of a very unique </span>experimental-hip-hop-rock-noise<span style="font-style: normal;"> sound with intense sociopolitical lyrics. It wouldn't surprise me if you hadn't heard of them before, but I guarantee</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> you'll not forget them once you've plugged in.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I saw them at the <i>Oslo</i> in Hackney a couple years back and they played a variety of songs from their twenty year catalogue alongside tracks from <i>Asphalt For Eden</i>. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the gig I remember struggling to find a way to describe the experience, then I read this - </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Witnessing Dälek live is like coming face to face with the bastard child of Public Enemy and My Bloody Valentine</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It promises to be another intriguing gig and I'm expecting perforated</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> ear drums at the very least so don't bother speaking to me tomorrow.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVk7LR7RrCo/Wg2tfjT8qlI/AAAAAAAAGZA/Pcm97SvS_Dw7WYcwy4akR4ANMPZIzFZUwCLcBGAs/s1600/artworks-000167546272-hk4um6-t500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVk7LR7RrCo/Wg2tfjT8qlI/AAAAAAAAGZA/Pcm97SvS_Dw7WYcwy4akR4ANMPZIzFZUwCLcBGAs/s320/artworks-000167546272-hk4um6-t500x500.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Support acts <i><a href="https://www.adcx.co.uk/" target="_blank">ADCX</a></i> from the UK and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/fuzz-orchestra" target="_blank"><i>Fuzz Orchestra</i></a> from Italy are sonically similar to <i>Dälek</i> but have their own distinctive styles from the little I've heard, but I'm really excited about seeing Japan's foremost dubstep artist <i>Goth-Trad</i>. I first heard of him via the artist <i>Usugrow</i> who did the artwork to his album <i>Psionics</i> (above).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Coincidentally <i>Usugrow</i> is presenting his new body of work <a href="https://www.stolenspace.com/portfolio_page/usugrow-garden/" target="_blank"><i>GARDEN</i></a> at <i>StolenSpace</i> gallery until the 19th. With just a few days left you still have a chance to view and even own one of his beautiful pieces if you hurry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span></div>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-40389187298894525002017-11-06T14:28:00.002+00:002017-11-06T14:29:49.867+00:00A Bathing Ape Pirate Store (online)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YK5O7j6bUs/WgBcDA_yYrI/AAAAAAAAGXY/kFR4wW84KdsFhAKa9S78Po4dUwVAM_qugCLcBGAs/s1600/http-%25252F%25252Fhypebeast.com%25252Fimage%25252F2017%25252F11%25252Fbape-a-bathing-ape-opens-online-pirate-store-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YK5O7j6bUs/WgBcDA_yYrI/AAAAAAAAGXY/kFR4wW84KdsFhAKa9S78Po4dUwVAM_qugCLcBGAs/s320/http-%25252F%25252Fhypebeast.com%25252Fimage%25252F2017%25252F11%25252Fbape-a-bathing-ape-opens-online-pirate-store-008.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">https://bapepirate.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This morning I was pleasantly surprised at the announcement of an online version of the <i>A Bathing Ape Pirate Store</i>. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The good news is that items that were once only available if a Pirate Store pop-up opened in your city, are now available online. The bad news is no overseas shipping, yet. So it's possible to cop but you'll need to get onto your Japanese friends or a proxy if you see something you like. Don't know if this means an end to physical Pirate stores, I guess time will tell. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Coincidentally this news comes just a few days after OG London Bapehead (amongst many other things) <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/markwhitfield/?hl=en" target="_blank">Mark Whitfield</a> </i>posted pics of an exclusive Pirate Store crewneck and hoodie </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">featuring my most coveted Bape logo</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> on his Instagram page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the years<i> Nigo</i> has paid homage to many styles and subcultures via his logos, and for me the Ape Crossbones logo best represents rock 'n roll / heavy metal music. Easy to see why it's a favourite of a badass like myself. <i>BAPEPIRATE.COM</i> has a couple winter items sporting the logo, the <i>Classic Down Jacket</i> and the <i>Crossbone Down Parka with both </i>already selling out in colours and sizes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At £150 (before shipping) these come at a good price and <i>Bape</i> outerwear has always been top quality. I can't see why these would be any different but you need to consider additional costs to purchase plus shipping. If you're not after a winter coat there's also the <i>Ape Crossbones Stencil Tee</i> available in four colours. I can only assume more styles will become available so check the site regularly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span><br />
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-70009385704335957782017-10-28T11:52:00.000+00:002017-10-28T11:56:09.100+00:00Stranger Things 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6R0cyYhQkgo/WfRnv50Ly2I/AAAAAAAAGWw/ZUtP9EtWEh8dBnYF7bxzD_VdvoBsz1zsgCLcBGAs/s1600/22794381_1749811635093666_6918269647506636800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6R0cyYhQkgo/WfRnv50Ly2I/AAAAAAAAGWw/ZUtP9EtWEh8dBnYF7bxzD_VdvoBsz1zsgCLcBGAs/s320/22794381_1749811635093666_6918269647506636800_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The kids from Hawkins are back in Season Two of the Netflix original Stranger Things. To celebrate this the guys at </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Stylecreep</i> are </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">offering an additional 10% off</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">with the coupon "STRANGER"<i>.</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They also enlisted </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">UK artist </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Rebel Yüth </i>to illustrate a</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://mailchi.mp/stylecreep/stranger?e=1cbb004b85" target="_blank">look book</a> featuring a multitude of brands worn by the cast. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Though I wish he had put <i>Will Byers</i> in flannel, would have been perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Following on from my post on tartan I felt it would be iniquitous to not do a feature on flannel. And despite the fact that it was 20 degrees earlier this week, layering season is upon us. Originating from</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Wales in the 17th century and worn mainly by farmers and blue-collar workers, it came to be adopted by alternative music fans </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in the 90s and is a present day staple in both luxury fashion and street wear. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he fabric is interwoven between subcultures</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and genres and i</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t continues to be a favourite of artists, outdoors men</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, cholos, hipsters and hypebeasts alike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whilst there are many great options available</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the guys at </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.stylecreep.com/Dickies" target="_blank">Stylecreep</a></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> are having a sale on </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dickies</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dickies</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> brand is synonymous with quality work wear and t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he styles available are Cooperstown, Ivyland, Meadville, New Hope, and Parkesburg. My favourites are displayed below, but your pick of flannels might be different so go have a look at </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the selection on the site </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and take advantage of the discounted prices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Highly versatile and always on trend this is arguably the fabric of the past, present and future. There have been many abassadors of flannel over the past couple of decades across grunge rockers, gangster rappers and predatory fashion photographers but the undeniable king of flannel is WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. HAVE A NICE DAY! 🙂</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span><br />
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-39006160010095315322017-10-24T15:34:00.000+00:002017-11-21T11:11:38.864+00:00RZA + MATHEMATICS: 'The Saga Continues'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"<i>For anybody that's a hip hop fan, you going to enjoy it</i>." DJ Mathematics on Shade45 w/DJ Kay Slay</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is not an official <i>Wu-Tang Clan</i> album, it's a collection of songs executive produced by the<i> RZA</i> and crafted by <i>DJ Mathematics</i>. If you don't think that makes a difference, just re-read the quote at the start of this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's being touted as a hip hop album not a Wu album and that speaks volumes. I read a review on <i>Pitchfork</i> that stated - <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">"<i>Mathematics knows the Wu-Tang blueprint well and is more than capable of executing; he supplies their staples: sample-heavy soul, knocking drums, and the usual snippets from martial arts cinema</i>."</span> I wanted to see how it fared against other <i>DJ Mathematics</i> albums, and honestly it's as Wu sounding as it gets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Arguably only <i>Redman</i> and <i>Method Man</i> shine on <i>The Saga Continues</i>, with requisite efforts from other Clan members like <i>Ghostface</i>, <i>Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, GZA </i>and <i>Cappadonna</i>. Ultimately it's a strange brew but enjoyable. It'll eventually be removed from my playlist whilst <i>Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)</i>, <i>Wu-Tang Forever</i> and <i>The W</i> shall remain. I've listened to all the Wu albums but I'm only feeling these three. And maybe <i>Iron Flag</i> at a push.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tomorrow night the <i>RZA</i> and <i>DJ Mathematics</i> will will be appearing in person at the <a href="https://www.roughtrade.com/events/rza-mathematics-wu-tang-clan-the-saga-continues-q-a-dj-set" target="_blank"><i>Rough Trade East</i></a> to celebrate the release of 'The Saga Continues'. Cost of entry is the purchase of the album from the store, replacing ticket stubs with physical copies of the album. T</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">his tactic looks to be good for both the artists and the record store, and could be something we see more of in the future if consumers take to it. Interestingly this follows on from </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Shade45</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> clip below in which </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the hosts and guests</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> speak on the current state of streaming and downloads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can order the album on CD or vinyl and collect on the night. I rarely buy cds now but I have a small collection which includes all the early Wu releases that this will be added to. I'm not passing up a chance to see the <i>RZA</i> speak in the flesh, even if t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he store have stated that there will be no signing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>BONG!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span>Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-20724344443995805692017-10-20T10:13:00.000+00:002017-10-20T10:14:08.393+00:00Chaos to Couture<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94Lyg7SZUak/WeibaAq_ROI/AAAAAAAAGTk/1_zqKq8-s6QVHDo5aL1gfMqNg99XzyBBACLcBGAs/s1600/K-7A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94Lyg7SZUak/WeibaAq_ROI/AAAAAAAAGTk/1_zqKq8-s6QVHDo5aL1gfMqNg99XzyBBACLcBGAs/s320/K-7A.jpg" width="275" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br style="text-align: start;" /><a href="http://www.viviennewestwood.com/en-gb/blog/tartan-clan" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">The Tartan Clan</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Although I was born in America, I have plenty of UK lineage including a great grandmother that was Scottish. I've never been to Scotland myself, I did date a girl from Ayr for a short time if that counts for anything. And the closest I've come to wearing tartan was to a Halloween party at church when I was around eleven when my mother put me in one of her skirts and said "You're going as a Scottish person". </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Do yer dinger</i>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most people, myself included could be forgiven for only equating Tartan with Scotland, however I learned this week that the</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> fabric has a history dating back thou</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sands of miles and years, long before the Highland clan association. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I suspect that even more will only know of it's modern role in fashion. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The design, particularly the Royal Stewart</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">has been prevalent in fashion ever since </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">British punks along with <i>Vivienne Westwood</i> (</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the Queen of punk fashion</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> re-appropriated t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">artan</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> as a <i>fuck you</i> to the British aristocracy in the 70s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fashion houses like Westwood and McQueen, arguably the most popular to do so, have included tartan in their Autumn collections f</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">or a couple decades now</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Away from the couture it's no surprise that</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> streetwear brands have embraced the fabric and tapped into it's history of rebellious punk to the</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> more recent dissatisfaction</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> of 90s grunge (<i>plaid</i>). </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's ironic really that these outfits of defiance and opposition have become so mainstream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One traditional use of the fabric was as heavy travelling cloaks worn to ward off the bitter cold of the Scottish winters.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Even though where nearing the end of October, it's not yet turned cold here in the UK but we're seeing more tartan and plaid around. For your traditional punk look head to <i>Supreme</i> for a tartan outfit, and for a more grunge feel <i>Pleasures</i> have you covered in plaid. I'm a big fan of the breeks, but not so much of the entire ensemble. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Examples can be seen below.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have what it takes to rock this iconic fabric get to the web stores before they sell out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span><br />
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-20672194970870002692017-10-12T11:54:00.003+00:002017-10-12T11:55:58.787+00:00TOMMY JEANS 90S AOP CREW SWEAT<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnqGu4D3D5o/Wd9TXb42mJI/AAAAAAAAGSM/ThyKWfRsom0qSaTUCHStUghRGpyPmpGVgCLcBGAs/s1600/10-10-2017_tommyjeans_90saopcnknit_brightwhitemulti_dm0dm04003901_cj_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnqGu4D3D5o/Wd9TXb42mJI/AAAAAAAAGSM/ThyKWfRsom0qSaTUCHStUghRGpyPmpGVgCLcBGAs/s320/10-10-2017_tommyjeans_90saopcnknit_brightwhitemulti_dm0dm04003901_cj_1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />My love of Tommy blossomed in the 90s and I have very fond memories of visiting the Sloane Street store whenever possible.<br /><br />As part of the <i>Tommy Jeans 4.0</i> release the stand out item for me is the <i>TOMMY JEANS 90S AOP CREW SWEAT</i>. T</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">he sailing jackets and fleece tops are a close second but this is gloriously outrageous. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was also shown a photo recently of a button shirt with this pattern worn by Mercedes Formula 1 driver </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lewis Hamilton</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and thought this is just insane. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My wife's impression was a little different, "<i>Oh that's ugly!</i>" </span><div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXvgLCDZkPA/Wd9W588J__I/AAAAAAAAGSY/9BnuL_hUXwgj41NLvDrqovvH2u69y79fgCLcBGAs/s1600/LewisHamilton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXvgLCDZkPA/Wd9W588J__I/AAAAAAAAGSY/9BnuL_hUXwgj41NLvDrqovvH2u69y79fgCLcBGAs/s320/LewisHamilton.jpg" width="197" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I received a couple different email newsletters about this collection today and already pieces are selling out, including this sweat. You can find it in the UK at <i>End Clothing</i>, <i>Urban Outfitters</i> and of course <i>Tommy</i> directly. As much as I love this I can't honestly imagine myself wearing it, that's if I could afford it to start with. Still, it's an enjoyable trip down memory lane to when I was that bit bolder and my pockets were fuller.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i><br /></span></div>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-19541898022839889362017-09-22T15:43:00.003+00:002017-09-22T15:46:26.605+00:00Unlucky 13 - The International London Tattoo Convention 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99U2G7msFlQ/WcUttuB7WYI/AAAAAAAAGNo/cI5ZJVRwriM3nRGeXscQwABoqzTfLWBAwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tattoo-convention-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99U2G7msFlQ/WcUttuB7WYI/AAAAAAAAGNo/cI5ZJVRwriM3nRGeXscQwABoqzTfLWBAwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tattoo-convention-logo.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today the 13th edition of the <a href="http://origin.thelondontattooconvention.com/" target="_blank"><i>International London Tattoo Convention</i></a> begins and it's the first I've missed since 2008. Held once again at the Tobacco Docks and boasting over 400 international artists as well as live acts like the <i>Fuel Girls</i> and artists like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cam_rackam/" target="_blank"><i>Cam Rackam</i></a>. Each year it's touted as bigger and better than ever, and that's likely apart from one exception. The crew from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/deerseyestudio/" target="_blank"><i>Deer's Eye Studio</i></a> in LA won't be in attendance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If I'm honest as much as I like the atmosphere, the entertainment, the food and booze, really the reason I keep going is to see the guys.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjaemZd4b2c/WcUtqTyuL-I/AAAAAAAAGNk/Hd_PEmLB7-Ua5zbnqp6ldooAL0Z6-VnJgCLcBGAs/s1600/21827425_1822613318048678_9052058109383540736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjaemZd4b2c/WcUtqTyuL-I/AAAAAAAAGNk/Hd_PEmLB7-Ua5zbnqp6ldooAL0Z6-VnJgCLcBGAs/s320/21827425_1822613318048678_9052058109383540736_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In previous years I've had the honour of meeting some of the World's greatest artists, including legends like <i><a href="http://origin.thelondontattooconvention.com/artists/2017/post/2017-jack-rudy/?s=jack+rudy" target="_blank">Jack Rudy</a></i> who will be in attendance and I believe tattooing this weekend. A small part of me does wish I was going but not enough to do anything about it. This weekend I have plans which I would have gotten out of had they travelled but for whatever reason the show must go on without them. And without me. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PdMWtGpqRE/WcUtxvDCpII/AAAAAAAAGNs/M1ABJr2IWHsVGmyya8Lbo9mJmMxjeyEVwCLcBGAs/s1600/london-tattoo-poster-idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PdMWtGpqRE/WcUtxvDCpII/AAAAAAAAGNs/M1ABJr2IWHsVGmyya8Lbo9mJmMxjeyEVwCLcBGAs/s320/london-tattoo-poster-idea.jpg" width="226" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For anyone who hasn't been but is interested in tattoos, sexy alt ladies and things most would consider bizarre, you really should go. If you're lucky you'll find yourself a good studio or artist and even get some work done. The very least you can do is get buzzed (<i>drunk not inked</i>) and enjoy the spectacle. If you are going don't forget to enjoy the <i>Sailor Jerry</i> stalls and stop by the Pin-Up Lounge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span>Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-79500940982058747482017-09-06T15:38:00.000+00:002017-09-06T15:41:21.365+00:00"Whatchu' Talkin' 'Bout Wednesday" - Storm Watkins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKyGzVZ_vaM/WYsFySAIPbI/AAAAAAAAGFo/DpRnvjqxjNwhGufOJKPEjQWteWHsDyOEACLcBGAs/s1600/STORM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKyGzVZ_vaM/WYsFySAIPbI/AAAAAAAAGFo/DpRnvjqxjNwhGufOJKPEjQWteWHsDyOEACLcBGAs/s320/STORM.jpg" width="319" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"Music remains my first love..."</i> - Storm Watkins</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've yet to come across another musician with the prodigious output of Baltimore native and recently appointed CEO of All Gold Kings, <i><a href="https://stormwatkins.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Storm Watkins</a></i>. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've listened to his work for a handful of years now and still feel like I have barely scratched the surface. We spoke about doing an</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> interview with which I was hoping to capture the essence of an independent artist in 2017, and what</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I ended up discovering was more about the kind of music artists like Storm are creating and why it's so important. I suggest you head to his Bandcamp page and download everything you can whilst you enjoy this interview.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>The Interview</u></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Top 3 beat makers?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"Easy.. J.Dilla, Charles Hamilton, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/jerrell-lofton" target="_blank">Jerrell Lofton</a>"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">How have they inspired you?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"Dilla showed me that you can be as soulful as The Funk Brothers from Motown but still be as gritty & hiphop as ever. Charles showed me that there is no limits in music. Period. Jerrell (who taught me how to make beats) showed me simplicity is key. So those 3 guys are everything to me cause they mentored me thru their music."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Where do your beats come from and why are they important to you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"My music started from me being able to vent about my real life & things that were going on through instrumentals. Every project from 2010-2014 were based on actual life experiences. I didn't make an official beat tape until 2015. I referred to every project prior to that instrumental albums cause they took so much out of me and I was literally living these projects"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Describe a Storm Watkins fan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"A hiphop head. A music lover. A person who appreciates the soul in music."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>What keeps you awake at night?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"The thought that maybe I won't be alive to get the credit I feel I'm due. That shit really haunts me. On a daily basis."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>What gets you out of bed in the morning?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"When I'm not working this regular job bullshit lol? Ideas. Creating something new always gets me up super early. I anticipate being able to create"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Can you make a living by being an independent beat maker?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"I feel like if I was out there more & knew the right people, I would be doing that now. So yeah."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>What is needed to achieve commercial success, and is that even a goal?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"Honestly, the rap game is so strange that I wouldn't even want the commercial success. Being underground is sort of a rush for me. It makes me want to go even harder each day. So the acclaim from a mainstream standpoint really doesn't bother me. At all."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>With your birthday coming up what is different about the Storm Watkins we know in 2017 to the Storm Watkins who first started making music?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"I grew up man. Musically & mentally. A lot of life experiences made me into a man. I always said that when me & music first met, I was just a boy. But I'm grown now. I used to seek a lot of attention from certain people thru my music. My albums were my forms of communication. The new me doesn't mind actually speaking to get a point across."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Can you tell us about how you come to name your tracks, and about your album cover artwork?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"The names of my beats come from the sample. Whatever I hear within the sample I use in the beat, I apply it to my everyday life & create a title. That's how personal my music is. I have a story for damn near every beat I ever made. Every beat has a personal memory. And with my artwork, I just love art. Whatever the name of the project is, I try to capture that in a photo and I just go from there."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Where do you go online to listen to music and why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"YouTube. So many hidden gems there."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Do you have anyone you've yet to work with that you'd like to still, and is there artist you have a particular infinity with already?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"Charles Hamilton. I have to produce a full length project for this guy before it's all over. And the only person that I feel that the chemistry is infinite, is my brother Jerrell. We can create any day and it will be fire. Every time."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Do you have a favourite beat? (Yours or another artist's.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"This is the hardest question ever. But hey, ima say a beat I made in 2010 called "Alone". With the Minnie Riperton sample. Made in one of the darkest periods of my life."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>Can you speak a bit on originality, sampling and creativity within making beats?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"First off, I gotta say I have the utmost respect for everyone who makes Original beats. I have some of my own so I know it's not the easiest thing. But just because a producer is sampling, does not mean it isn't original. It takes a lot to take a song or a sound and turn it into a complete different identity. I sample cause that's the type of production I'm inspired by. That's the type of beats that I gravitate to. But the way I do it, you have to kind of give it up if you ever heard the sample I used. I take too much pride in my chops man. My craft is everything to me."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">Many artists release albums on different formats and even related merchandise. Is this something you've ever considered or is digital the best way to listen to your art?</span><br /><br /><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">"I have a project or two that will remain untitled that I want pressed up on vinyl. But when the time is right, the world will have them."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a>What if anything is the music World missing in 2017?</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: #ffe599; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">"Originality. And Storm Watkins production."</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I had the interview questions ready from the start, but then Storm came through with some extra on his vocal albums which he really wanted to speak on. I thought I knew what I wanted to say regarding his albums in general, but after hours of trying I can't seem to convey just how and why his music resonates with me the way it does. It's something I'll think on and maybe address again somewhere down the road. Still I tried, and all I can do now is hope you listen and form your own opinion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>The Instrumental Albums</u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Storm has created some of the most genuinely sincere and profound instrumental music I've had the pleasure of hearing.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's not to say all of his work is serious and non-convivial, there are many projects that are quirky and fun and his ability to chop up classics like "<i>How Soon Is Now?"</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> by <i>The Smiths</i> on "<a href="https://stormwatkins.bandcamp.com/track/storm-need-love-too" target="_blank"><i>Storm Need Love Too</i></a>" as one example shows a creativity and understanding of music that belies his youth.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I'd describe his catalogue as an acutely soulful introspective audio elucidation of the human condition through instrumental hip-hop music. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><u>The Vocal Albums</u></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">"Fuck a Platinum plaque, I don't even rap in fact, so y'all can have that back. All I make is raw soul, and I give it to you all gold."</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">- from Golden</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I wasn't at all familiar with either vocal album until a couple weeks ago, and on hearing <i>"From The Source"</i> for the first time my initial reaction was damn that reminds me of <i>"Reasonable Doubt"</i>. I remembered reading an article on </span><a href="https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23194-reasonable-doubt/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Pitchfork</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">from earlier this year which I revisited and it validated my feelings somewhat. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">here are definitely more than a few similarities between the two albums<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and h</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">aving listened to it again i</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t's</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> certainly every bit as soulful and equally as honest in it's narrative, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">minus the <i>Scarface</i> thematic</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">. One of the standout tracks for me is <i>"<a href="https://soundcloud.com/storm-watkins/storm-watkins-for-the-fame?in=storm-watkins/sets/from-the-source-the-vocal" target="_blank">For The Fame</a>"</i>, as poignant a song about rappers today as I've heard from anybody.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">It wouldn't be that much of a stretch to also liken much of </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">"Soundtrack Of The Hungry"</i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"> to some of the more cogitative work by </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Kanye West</i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">. The parallels between the two talented beat makers that can rap as well as if not better than most of their peers is not lost on me. If you need convincing listen to </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">"<a href="https://soundcloud.com/storm-watkins/personal-theme?in=storm-watkins/sets/soundtrack-of-the-hungry" target="_blank">Personal Theme</a>"</i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"> and tell me that wouldn't fit seamlessly onto any Kanye album. W</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">hilst I try and avoid making comparisons for fear of doing the artist an injustice, I hope <i>Storm</i> understands these observations come from a place of respect and admiration for a couple of guys most consider to be the greatest in the game. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7p9hKmtbgI/WbAU9hJGVpI/AAAAAAAAGK8/i2gfex00xaUppA4NzxTpvmw-RbafOuCPwCLcBGAs/s1600/artworks-000165137037-jg7cht-t500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7p9hKmtbgI/WbAU9hJGVpI/AAAAAAAAGK8/i2gfex00xaUppA4NzxTpvmw-RbafOuCPwCLcBGAs/s320/artworks-000165137037-jg7cht-t500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">"</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/storm-watkins/sets/from-the-source-the-vocal" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">From The Source</span></a><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">", the first vocal album.. wasn't intended to ever be heard. I had the opportunity to record & everything I wanted to say just poured out of me. I told everything I wanted to talk about for so long. The darkest truths are on that album. But I recorded it as if nobody would ever hear it hence the reason why on the in the intro I say "My rap career just started & this where it will end.." It wasn't until my close friends encouraged me to upload it that I built the confidence to share it. So, if you want to know anything about me without diggin' thru the instrumental projects, go to that album.</span></i> </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwb8qF1HGj0/WbAU9YFRMcI/AAAAAAAAGK4/M5ATeloNsAABkZCwztqX3oaIX8pILDJFACLcBGAs/s1600/artworks-000180881023-yvilpa-t500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwb8qF1HGj0/WbAU9YFRMcI/AAAAAAAAGK4/M5ATeloNsAABkZCwztqX3oaIX8pILDJFACLcBGAs/s320/artworks-000180881023-yvilpa-t500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="75" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsqwjqbVJ5E/WZ16KmNbLLI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vBzxLZMkLNsuZlLUiQfMofyxnOKOVJ2DQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #ffe599;">Now.. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/storm-watkins/sets/soundtrack-of-the-hungry" target="_blank">"Soundtrack Of The Hungry"</a> was made due to the demand of fans asking for another vocal project from me after hearing From The Source. Still personal as ever. But I made that album with the mind state of a rapper. The concept behind it is me simply telling the rap game to make room for me. It's me telling music, I'm hungry & I want to be heard. Making that album convinced me that if I wanted to rap full time it's possible. Lot of great lyrics on there.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I long ago stopped watching music channels on TV, and only listen to BBC Radio 6 Music when I'm working but I do try and spend some time on platforms like Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Mixcloud where I've discovered some outstanding artists. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The internet allows you to connect so much more with people and s</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">eeing artists I've listened to for over twenty years releasing new music through these channels on independent labels is testament to the changes in the music industry. M</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">ore artists, emerging and established, are using the internet for self promotion rather than be reliant upon marketing firms and an ageing industry that takes less risks and benefits only a very few. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I read something by <i>Bob Lefsetz</i>, the go to music industry analyst and critic, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">about DIY artists </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that I felt was pertinent to this post - </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"The internet promised independence. But today independence is death. Because you're just another jerk with a megaphone and even if your product is great it's being drowned out by the hype for that which is not. So you need someone who can huff and can puff and can blow the house down."</i> </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">So whilst I believe the World is their's for the taking, for those artists without a preexisting global fan base there is still much to do. I'm no expert but I am willing to put in time and effort to discover and highlight artists that I believe in. There are some popular music blogs out there that have listeners just as eager and far more savvy than myself that I hope pick up on this, because with the right patronage Storm can achieve the greatness he's worked so hard for and rightly deserves.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPY1GxbEzD4/WbALKHWcKAI/AAAAAAAAGKo/m5atzsBBApM7PTbmSp4w9jvFBVn8HH8OwCLcBGAs/s1600/DI5e6g2XgAUzsWH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPY1GxbEzD4/WbALKHWcKAI/AAAAAAAAGKo/m5atzsBBApM7PTbmSp4w9jvFBVn8HH8OwCLcBGAs/s320/DI5e6g2XgAUzsWH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">I want to thank Storm for his time and patience, and I also want to wish him a very Happy Birthday today. He's celebrating by releasing a new instrumental album that he's been working on called "<i>Jigga Only</i>". Keep an eye on his <a href="https://twitter.com/StormWatkins" target="_blank">Twitter</a> for the link later today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span></div>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-29838418614529010692017-08-30T15:20:00.000+00:002017-08-30T18:23:01.541+00:00"Whatchu' Talkin' 'Bout Wednesday" - LU x VANS <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v99ppZjNO_Q/WabROlUQ4II/AAAAAAAAGKM/jhKgOF5OK78c_9xpulMenVSs77SuwPnKACLcBGAs/s1600/missy-elliott-the-rain-music-video-best-cameos-1499986700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="716" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v99ppZjNO_Q/WabROlUQ4II/AAAAAAAAGKM/jhKgOF5OK78c_9xpulMenVSs77SuwPnKACLcBGAs/s320/missy-elliott-the-rain-music-video-best-cameos-1499986700.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I feel the wind, five six seven, eight nine ten </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Begin, I sit on Hill's like Lauryn </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until the rain starts, coming down, pouring chill, </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I got my umbrella"</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a glorious weekend of sunshine today has been an absolute washout. Missy Elliott's song <i>The Rain</i> from 1997 comes to mind when dealing with this humid wet weather. The video, her first of many produced by <i>Hype Williams,</i> using a fish eye lens and featuring a host of artists was outrageous and can be seen below.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The <i>London Undercover</i> and <i>Vans Vault</i> collaboration was originally released back in 2016, but if you missed out, amazingly there are two skate-hi models with corresponding umbrellas available on sale via the <i>London Undercover</i> online store <a href="https://londonundercover.co.uk/shop/lu_x_vans" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVguxDgFXVA/WabSyLPzEPI/AAAAAAAAGKY/7gMg4HMVK0sJ8Vz3egWfCR7NY6bzmNI3wCLcBGAs/s1600/LU%2BVANS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="934" height="214" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVguxDgFXVA/WabSyLPzEPI/AAAAAAAAGKY/7gMg4HMVK0sJ8Vz3egWfCR7NY6bzmNI3wCLcBGAs/s320/LU%2BVANS.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Though the understandably more popular British Woodland Camouflage models are long sold out, the Optical Checkerboard versions, especially the Orchid Haze colour are a steal at these prices. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The shoes feature water resistant suede and laces, and matching umbrella fabric on the sides. The hand made umbrellas feature a Malacca Wood Handle & Beech Wood Shaft. You can buy them as a set or as individual items, depending how <i>Supa Dupa Fly</i> you want to be.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hHcyJPTTn9w/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hHcyJPTTn9w?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span>Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-55650759161992583282017-08-25T11:05:00.000+00:002017-08-25T11:06:42.679+00:00M*A*S*H*E*D - War Boutique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZVhsYDeQc8/WZb6a3__u_I/AAAAAAAAGH0/vB9NCQqOZIEj8i1sMIkcMl-LR8kNk0gQgCLcBGAs/s1600/WB-Mashed2.fullwidthevent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="940" height="178" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZVhsYDeQc8/WZb6a3__u_I/AAAAAAAAGH0/vB9NCQqOZIEj8i1sMIkcMl-LR8kNk0gQgCLcBGAs/s320/WB-Mashed2.fullwidthevent.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With these new works I wanted to physically manifest some of the real force and impact of modern-day weaponry, and perhaps invoke our collective responsibility and choices around the use and development of such forces”</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. - War Boutique</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having just avoiding possible nuclear war with North Korea, and following President Trump's announcement of sending more troops to Afghanistan, I wondered when was the last time the greatest nation on Earth last experienced peace. What I discovered was not what I expected, but in hindsight adds up. The truth seems to be that the <a href="https://www.infowars.com/america-has-been-at-war-93-of-the-time-222-out-of-239-years-since-1776/" target="_blank">USA</a> has been at war for 222 years out of the last 239 (since 1776).</span> I also read that a staggering <a href="http://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/2016/Costs%20of%20War%20through%202016%20FINAL%20final%20v2.pdf" target="_blank">$7.9 trillion</a> is being spent on 'defence'. Before you <a href="http://www.historyextra.com/qa/how-many-years-of-history-has-Britain-been-at-war" target="_blank">Brits</a> pipe up, it's apparently impossible to calculate how many years Britain has been at war. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My family has an ongoing history of service in the military something which I'm very respectful and proud of. And so I find I'm particularly drawn to anything military inspired within the art, music and fashion industry. I think there is a beauty that can and must be represented along with the horror. Which leads me to a new exhibition at the Lawrence Alkin Gallery in Soho - <a href="http://www.lawrencealkingallery.com/events/mashed" target="_blank">M*A*S*H*E*D</a> by artist War Boutique. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: #ffe599;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Using original military armour, weaponry and bullet-proof textiles, War Boutique’s work conveys strong anti-war messages, exposing the interface between the civil and military spheres, and playing on the parallels between the uniforms of war and mainstream fashion trends.</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The exhibition will also feature never-before-seen works from his new ‘Blast’ and ‘Shot-At’ series - with poignant echoes of the Action Art movement. The ‘Shot-At’ works are huge reflective metal shields contoured by the impact of 9mm rounds on a firing range. The ‘Blast’ paintings have been created by shooting canvases with paint-filled plastic bullets modelled on police baton rounds.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although the artist works across the usual mediums of canvas, print and even textile this exhibition is said to feature actual items directly related to war and conflict such as body armour, weaponry and ammunition. Fortunately as civilians many of us never see pieces such as these in the environment for which they are intended, so being able to inspect and get a sense of their purpose juxtaposed with how readily we have appropriated them within various cultural trends is incredibly interesting to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">M*A*S*H*E*D runs from the 6th of September to the end of the month, and you can read more about artist Kevin Leahy aka War Boutique <a href="http://www.warboutique.com/history.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span>Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533414672088381885.post-92167558888635588742017-08-10T10:25:00.000+00:002017-08-10T10:29:06.324+00:00The Simpsons Tattoo / THE 33 CENT STORE<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlcjWYrf9ro/WYwrVNEiBQI/AAAAAAAAGGE/N7rwuM8-Z00hdgFnXYBCD4D6z9ifUWsgACLcBGAs/s1600/WHITE_WEB_1024x1024%25402x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlcjWYrf9ro/WYwrVNEiBQI/AAAAAAAAGGE/N7rwuM8-Z00hdgFnXYBCD4D6z9ifUWsgACLcBGAs/s320/WHITE_WEB_1024x1024%25402x.jpg" width="312" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"<i>Who is playing with the London Symphony Orchestra?</i></span></div>
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<i>Come on, people...</i></div>
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<i>Somebody ordered the London Symphony Orchestra...</i>"</div>
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“...<i>possibly while high? Cypress Hill, I’m looking in your direction</i>.” </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The Simpsons Tattoo</i> Instagram page is selling these <i>Cypress Hill 'Hullabalooza'</i> t-shirts which coincides with real life discussions about a collaboration between the Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra via Twitter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is a truly outstanding idea and should have</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <i>The Simpsons</i> and <i>Cypress Hill</i> fans in </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">high spirits</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACVv7x7jfn4/WYwrrHwrJXI/AAAAAAAAGGI/5P8i9-tte88MB8pMcCEsQypaiiA7iXZEgCLcBGAs/s1600/33cents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1192" height="105" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACVv7x7jfn4/WYwrrHwrJXI/AAAAAAAAGGI/5P8i9-tte88MB8pMcCEsQypaiiA7iXZEgCLcBGAs/s320/33cents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can order yours <a href="https://33centstore.myshopify.com/collections/t-shirts" target="_blank">HERE</a> in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">WHITE, GOLD or LIGHT PINK in Large sizes only through pre-sale. More details available via the merchant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After some twenty plus years since the '<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homerpalooza" target="_blank">Homerpalooza</a>'</i> episode of <i>The Simpsons</i> it looks like the joke could become a reality. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWAVLgKD91I/WYwuNmO0DYI/AAAAAAAAGGU/zwpSlQ3-FGQbXpyWX6B-yzucb3E3SyMqQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen-Shot-2017-04-26-at-15.57.09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWAVLgKD91I/WYwuNmO0DYI/AAAAAAAAGGU/zwpSlQ3-FGQbXpyWX6B-yzucb3E3SyMqQCLcBGAs/s320/Screen-Shot-2017-04-26-at-15.57.09.png" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The buzz has somewhat died down since the last tweet exchange, but I for one would love to see the <i>Barbican Centre</i> full of baked fans, orchestra players and the Hill making something '<i>loco en el coco'</i> happen in the near future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BV3CYz34ziE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BV3CYz34ziE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-<i>Bossman75</i></span></div>
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Bossman75http://www.blogger.com/profile/01795661885815771526noreply@blogger.com