The Beat Boxed: Robyn
I searched through my entire iTunes library for the most played track of 2010 and I discovered it was Robyn‘s “Hang With Me” from Body Talk Pt. 2
Posts by Annie:
The Beat Boxed: Jónsi
Jónsi, the mastermind behind the Icelandic group Sigur Rós, released his solo album Go earlier this year and I have been absolutely captivated by it. The music explodes deep into you, sprinkles you with fairy dust, ties a little string around your heart, lifts you up and takes you to magical places.
Building Fashion at HL23: Richard Chai and Snarkitecture
Artist Daniel Arsham, and architect Alex Mustonen, the team behind Snarkitecture, pair up with fashion designer Richard Chai to create an installation that melts the boundaries between fashion and architecture. Well there is no actual melting going on inside this temporary “ice cave,” which was created as part of Building Fashion at HL23.
The Beat Boxed: La Roux
An 80’s-inspired revivalist act, a trendsetter fighting against the trends, the anti-pop star pop star, whatever has been said about La Roux, the uniqueness of their futuristic sounds and Elly Jackson’s empowering lyrics is undeniable. The synth-laden pop has taken over charts in the UK and the US and continues to have an effect on everyone who listens. This appetite for synth pop keeps getting bigger and bigger, taking the once underground act the mainstream way. Although this was not the intention of La Roux (it was actually something they were against) but as it’s happening they are embracing it. Elly is easily recognizable with her signature wild red hair and her distinctive androgynous style and has become the photographer’s easy target. Their new album Sidetracked is now out, which is a snapshot of their biggest musical influences, but features only one of their new songs.
The Beat Boxed: Theophilus London
Were you one of the lucky ones who got to see Theophilus London perform at Hard NYC this past weekend? A couple weekends ago, I stepped into the Purple Lounge at the Standard not knowing what I was about to experience. Next thing I know I’m standing on the couches next to the stage grooving away. I was mesmerized by the performance of Theophilus London. His voice crept inside and soothed me while his beats moved me…literally! I see a lot of live shows and it’s rare that one can unexpectedly captivate me like this. I didn’t even have to hear it to know it…“It’s possible that he’s the arrival of a once-in-a-generation talent: Theophilus London is very much in this moment but not of it,” Hypebeast says. His music is a blend of rap and pop laced with creativity that doesn’t stop and it becomes something for everyone.
Top Five from Dwell on Design 2010
Annie May spent some time this past weekend at Dwell on Design. She explored the convention center floor and rounded up her top five favorites.
1. Project H Design
Project H Design connects the power of design to the people who need it most, and the places where it can make a real and lasting difference. This Hammock Bag from collection, Abject Object, a line of multifunctional products designed and manufactured in partnership with the Downtown Women’s Center and Chrysalis, was one of my favorites at Dwell! Read more here.
The Beat Boxed: Beach House
Teen Dream by Beach House is the perfect album for these lazy days of summer. Lying beneath the soft sultry sound is a something a little deeper and slightly darker than what may initially appear at the surface. You might even say it’s something to the likes that of a David Lynch movie. It’s the slower than average tempo and the dreamlike beauty in the voice and instrumentation of Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand that flutters into your mind and dances around like it’s the only thing there. You all should know the rules at the beach house. Relax, Relax, Relax.
The Beat Boxed: Bloody Beetroots
The Bloody Beetroots from Italy, heard of them? No, this is not some band that debuted at the Salon Internationale del Mobile in April, but I thought it seemed fitting since I have not written a Beat Boxed post since before Milan. Many of you may be obsessed with them, a few of you may have heard about them, some of you may have absolutely no idea who they are, but no matter what the Bloody Beetroots are taking the club and electronic music scene to new levels.
Bob Rifo and Tommy Tea are turning the world of electronic music upside down and changing the entire concept. These are not a couple of guys twiddling knobs; this is the DJ set as primal punk rock show. You can expect to find a full drum kit on stage, every keyboard or synth you’d expect to find in a studio, and even guitars; three people playing instruments, being mixed by a fourth person…LIVE. Their shows are about the experience and the insane amounts of energy being shared between the Bloody Beetroots and the fans. This is a show where absolutely everyone will be dancing as the beats are thrown down.
BD Is Not a Style Part 2: Konstantin Grcic
Read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.
Konstantin Grcic, one the most influential designers in the world, is recognized not only by the established, but admired by the young. He has his own style which cannot be compared to anyone else. The simplicity and functionality of his designs conceal a great lesson in technique and are even more than what meets the eye. The B Chair, debuted in Milan, was designed to complement the B Table from the Extrusion collection that Grcic designed for BD in 2009. This B Chair is made mostly of wood and has pieces of aluminum built in its structure allowing for the X-shaped legs and folding seat. This is a detail of genius! The variety of colors is not a bad touch either.
