Arcade44 » NYC

MS MR //Music

arcader — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:07:49 +0000

Today we bring you a track from an NYC band that definitely has our ears standing at attention. May we present, MS MR. The track, “Hurricane,” is available for download here. MS MR will be touring with Marina & The Diamonds this July/August across America. Catch them June 1st at Glasslands.

Tattoo You // Nick Doyle

arcader — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:39:52 +0000

“I’m looking for situations where I can not only think differently, but live differently,” explained artist Nick Doyle when the Arcade visited him recently. It was the eve of the closing of Alchemy, a recent exhibition at 7Eleven Gallery in NYC, and we took a spin through the group collection that included Doyle’s large-scale installation “Smoke and Mirrors,” offering a Godzilla-esque thrill for visitors who are allowed to manipulate the work, stimulating a volcano eruption over a city. Doyle has also been experimenting with tattooing, which he creates in the style of Russian prison tattoos. Doyle’s friend Borden Capalino patiently allowed the Arcade to capture the process as Doyle created a new work. Alchemy—as 7Eleven described it in exhibition materials—is a “philosophy applied to the world, to the elements, and to man himself,” which seems perfectly illustrative of Doyle’s interpretation. That which lasts and that which falls to dust—it’s all part of the experiences created by the LA-born artist making his mark in New York.

Up next for Doyle is Tom Sachs’ Space Program at the Park Avenue Armory in May. 7Eleven Gallery is between exhibitions, but stop by the gift shop for unique jewelry, books and original works of art.

—Angela Cravens

SXSW // GUARDS

arcader — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:05:48 +0000

We managed to get all five members of GUARDS up on the W Austin’s wet deck for an early morning cup of coffee, mid SXSW madness. No easy feat. We talked about Chevys, being a Manhattan band, rather than a Brooklyn one, how GUARDS came to be, and how Richie Follin of GUARDS happens to be the big brother of Madeline Follin of Cults. We had so much fun hanging with the band, and actually ended up running into these guys a few times around Austin. We are anxiously awaiting their first full album, especially after seeing what these guys are all about live. For those of you who may think that Manhattan is dead, GUARDS will prove that music on the island is alive and well. Don’t call it comeback.

Catch GUARDS at Mercury Lounge in NYC on Apr 26th

- Annick Mayer

Turn Down the Lights // Meshell Ndegeocello

arcader — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:11:24 +0000

The Arcade turns the lights down low and revisits Meshell Ndegeocello singing the songs of Nina Simone at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. On one magical night in Harlem, Ms. Ndegeocello shares a stirring rendition of Simone’s “Be My Husband.”

Spoonful // Hollis Brown

arcader — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:16:07 +0000

Tomorrow marks the 1st of March, which for us, really means 12 days until SXSW. In preparation we have been listening to an NYC band that is cranking out gritty Rock & Roll tunes reminiscent of a modern day Creedence Clearwater. The boys of Hollis Brown went down to Nashville to record their upcoming album Nothing & The Famous No One (out April 3rd.) Working with producer Adam Landry (Deer Tick, Middle Brother,) all tracks were recorded live, and straight to analog tape, feeling like something from another place and time. “Spoonful,” sounds like cracking a beer under a big Southern sky and we can almost taste it. Until the real thing, we will be kicking back at our desks and playing this track on repeat.

Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with the band and don’t forget to grab the MP3!

SXSW DATES BELOW

03/14

SXSW- AUSTIN, TX

The Parish, Navigational Society/Good Danny’s Showcase

03/14

SXSW- AUSTIN, TX

The Lone Star Riverboat, Bamm TV Showcase, 4:20pm

03/14

SXSW- AUSTIN, TX

The Rooftop Bar Red Gorilla Showcase, 9pm

03/15

SXSW- AUSTIN, TX

Molotov, STPP Showcase, 8:15pm

03/17

SXSW- AUSTIN, TX

The Lodge, Rethink Pop Music Showcase, 3pm

- Annick Mayer

Nomia

arcader — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:08:56 +0000

It should come as no surprise that Nomia designer Yara Flinn started out as a sculptor and video artist—just take a peek at her artful, sharp tailoring and her penchant for unexpected draping and cut-outs. Flinn let the Arcade sit in on a day of work at her Williamsburg studio recently, where we marveled at her technique as the conversation meandered around aspiration, influence and style. As one of five designers hand-picked by W Hotels Global Fashion Director Jenne Lombardo to participate in Fashion Next, Flinn described how “the program helps designers achieve a higher level of production value.” It certainly felt that we were on higher ground as we watched her looks march down the runway at The Box at Lincoln Center just days later. In the sophisticated, self-assured hands of the 29-year-old designer, these are utterly modern clothes—luminous, distinctive and totally next.

Want more Fashion Next? Coming up, we’ve got an exquisite peek into the Rochambeau studio, and don’t miss yesterday’s exclusive with designer Suzanne Rae.

Color us obsessed with the dreamy soundtrack you hear, care of Canadian electro duo SolarSolar.

—Angela Cravens

Swag: The Mixtape, Vol. 1 // Rashaad Newsome

arcader — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:35:16 +0000

Yesterday the Arcade brought you a bit of unadulterated awesomeness in the form of an exclusive look at the inner workings of artist Rashaad Newsome’s “Hair Affair & Five” performance at Art Basel Miami Beach. The artist is making noise with his electric performance work, but is also garnering attention for his exploration of hip hop culture, realized in his first solo show, “Herald,” at the Marlborough Gallery in Chelsea. Melding classical imagery with contemporary cultural references, “Herald” is realized in audio form through “Swag,” Newsome’s mixtape featuring artists like Erykah Badu and Diplo. Give it a listen, Arcaders. We think the project is fit for a king.

Zoner // Jesse Boykins III

arcader — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:53:38 +0000

Despite the 20 degree weather in New York yesterday, things were heating up over here at the Arcade. Bringing the fire was Jesse Boykins III, a NYC based soul singer that we can’t seem to get enough of as of late. Jesse was over on the West Coast when we talked to him, “writing, recording, [and] staying warm.” Staying plenty busy in the early days of 2012, Jesse is working on a mixtape called Zulu Guru with Melo-X & The Romantic Movement, some tunes with two producers from Europe, and finishing up an LP with Machinedrum. “A lot of music…” exclaims Jesse.

Born in Chicago, Jesse actually spent much of his childhood living in Jamaica. He then moved to Miami at around 8 years old. “Early on I was heavily influenced by reggae, gospel, R&B, and Latin music,” says Jesse. In 2002 Jesse’s life made a surprising turn up North. At 16 years-old “I got picked to be a part of the Grammy jazz ensemble,” explains Jesse. “1 out of 13 singers picked from the U.S.” After the Grammy’s, Jesse was recruited to attend the New School University for Music, an outrageously huge accomplishment for a teenager, to say the least. So at 17, Jesse made his way to NYC. “I had mixed feelings,” Jesse confesses. “The 1st winter was not my wave. I didn’t go anywhere, but the people I met in New York, all creative minds were super inspiring. I was constantly learning.” One of those creative minds happens to be Bilal, who Jesse studied with for three years.

If you visit Jesse’s tumblr you’ll see the quote “We Are The Reawakening Of The Romantic Movement.” We asked Jesse to explain what this means to him. “Our generation,” says Jesse, “we need to bring romance and chivalry back. My friends and I, Street Etiquette, MeLo-X, Mara Hruby, Chris Turner, Moruf, and Emily King are [all] firm believers in music being the easiest way to build a connection. So we create to spread love & emotional intelligence. That’s what The Romantic Movement is.” Romantic almost doesn’t seem to do Jesse’s music justice though. It is beautiful, sexy, raw, and human. The song “Zoner,” as Jesse explains, is “about not being able to open up to a woman and express to her your thoughts, and the second verse is not wanting to open up to society.” A Zoner, “to me,” describes Jesse, “is a day-dreamer, a visionary. A person with a perspective on life that is not like the majority.” The video for “Zoner,” was shot in Berlin in December of 2011. “Dr Woo directed the piece. Jesee and Andreea Pavel produced it. “The models are Dinah & Alani both berlin natives.”

When we asked Jesse of his plans for 2012 he hinted towards an upcoming documentary that he has been working on since March 2010. The documentary, Jesse mentions mysteriously, is about women. When we ask Jesse to explain, he laughs, “I can’t yet!” He does, however, hint that it is inspired by his upcoming LP Love Apparatus. After getting a glimpse into “The Romantic Movement” of Jesse Boykins III, it’s pretty clear that he is an artist to experience in the flesh. “The support and love I receive at my shows is the reason why I make music in the 1st place,” says Jesse. So stay tuned for tour dates in the Boston and Bay Area, coming soon!

- Annick Mayer

Little Red // Arcade44 Original Video

arcader — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:36:39 +0000

It was pouring rain when we met up with Little Red outside of Pianos on the Lower East Side. Walking over to Culturefix Gallery, our interview site, the boys from Australia seemed unmoved by the weather, excitedly asking questions about the neighborhood as they strolled down Rivington Street. Once they got a chance to sit down and relax, the jokes between the bandmates immediately started pouring out. Drummer Taka Honda had us cracking up, answering our questions with “multiple choice” answers, and although we already dug their music, it was impossible not to be huge fans after getting a chance to know these Aussies. As it turns out, we are not the only ones who have been charmed by Little Red. Their new album, Midnight Remember, was released in the US with much deserved excitement. We can’t wait to see what the band has in store for 2012!

—Annick Mayer

Penguin Prison // Arcade44 Original Video

arcader — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:14:55 +0000

It’s a simple message for complicated times: “Don’t Fuck With My Money.” Arcade44 caught up with Chris Glover aka Penguin Prison on the day that his self-titled album dropped, just after filming his music video at one of the biggest marches to date by the Occupy Wall Street movement, from Zuccotti Park to Times Square.

“I was just inspired and wanted to lend my contribution,” explains PP, surprisingly laidback on an evening at the center of so much action. It’s all in a day’s work for the NYC native, who invited us along to his performance at Dominion Theatre, where we caught “The Worse it Gets,” delivered to a riotous subterranean crowd. We even snuck in some record hunting at In Living Stereo, all while PP shared some insights into how he brings his music to life… and you won’t believe the inspiration behind his name!

—Angela Cravens