Sunshine, Surf... money in the bank??

 The Great British Summer is such as tease! You spend the majority of the year wrapped up in woolies dreaming of hazy summer days, only to be presented with a fair share gale force winds, showers, chilly beach days and flat surf when the time comes. 

I've been back from a season in the Alps for a couple months now and although I was bombarded with updates of the heatwave back home while I was away (why do people always tell you how good home is when you go abroad??), my return has, predictably, gone hand-in-hand with the disappearance of said premature summer. And with last weeks predicted heatwave no-show, I'm expecting to have to wait more than a little longer for it's return...

Not your average day in Blighty

  For most the idea of actually living out that dream summer, whether in Cornwall or Costa Rica, is a wistful but financially costly one. Fortunatley I've had the chance to get my research on with several different companies from around the world and come up with some pretty cool temp jobs, at home and abroad, that will get your wallet by while you have the summer of your life. From teaching english, oudoor activities or lifeguarding, to working at surf camps and hostels, hopefully you can decide where you want to go and how to make it work. For my full article check out this months SurfGirl magazine section on how to work a surf season, combining good times, good waves and a pay cheque too! Hope you like it.

FOAMO gets it on in the Alps

Mashup master and super nice bloke Foamo annihilated Tignes’ infamous Loop Bar last night with a set that got seasonnaires proper frothing ahead of his headlining slot at Thursday’s Big Tea Party!

Alongside his proverbially insane remixes of Breakage’s ‘Fighting Fire’, Dub Pistol’s ‘I’m in Love’ and La Roux’s ‘Bulletproof’, the British DJ smashed out a great mixture of house, electro, dub and grime that really pushed all the right buttons, turning this small, popular alpine bar into a beer spilling, break-dancing riot-fest.

Breakage - Fighting Fire (Foamo remix) by Foamo

Admitting he had no clue what to play ahead of his set, the DJ waited to see how hard, low, funky or slow the crowd were willing to go.

Talking afterwards Luke from support act Too Many Front Men described Foamo as an exceptional talent:

“He’s an entertainer. He does what a DJ should do which is perform to the people and he plays with an insane energy which so evidently translates to his audience.

He felt the crowd, he felt the vibe and he played accordingly - now that’s the sign of a true professional”.

Foamo tears up Tignes' Loop Bar (photo courtesy of Tom Greenhill)

Having just returned from gigging in Australia and ahead of his Ibiza season, Foamo will be playing at the British Universities’ Mad Hatters Tea Party alongside Rico Tubbs and Baobinga in Tignes on Thursday.

Catching up with the man himself over apres ski, he admitted that despite being an international globe-trotter his first time in a winter alpine resort had been pretty special:

“I’ve never been anywhere like this before, it’s just amazing, I had no idea what to pack so I brought loads of jumpers but it’s bloody boiling!

I had a snowboarding lesson before I came away, so I’ve been out on the mountain a bit by day and enjoying some crazy parties by night. Yeah there isn’t much time to sleep!”

  FOAMO.NET mixtape (download at www.foamo.net) by Foamo 

BRISTOLIAN AND WORLD LEADING STREET ARTIST TO AUCTION PIECES FOR CHARITY

Nick Walker, world-reknowned sellout artist and infamous player in Bristol's graffiti revolution of the 80s, is to donate some of his work the Mad Hatter's Ball and Art Auction in aid of Art Action for Kids in Bristol.

With an inate ability to mix beautiful delicacy and humour with the most hard hitting of political and religious messages, Walker's artwork has become highly desirable and sought after the world over, with sellout art shows from LA to London to Paris.

Notably the 'Walls on Fire' graffiti artist sold £750,000 worth of paintings and prints within hours at the start of his first one-man U.K show, back in 2008.

Walker's contribution to the Art Auction and is hoped to bring them one step closer to reaching their £500,000 charitable target.

For more information on Bristol's Mad Hatter's Ball, email info@madhattersball.co.uk.

 Striking examples of Walker's work:

 

ALBUM PREVIEW: Andre Saraiva & Gildas Loaëc Presentent... KITSUNÉ PARISIEN

Another Kitsuné compilation to further establish the label's inherent knack of dishing up seriously tasty electronic beef to satisfy even the hungriest of disco appetites.

 The french music and fashion label's latest album folllows a similar premise to their 'Kitsuné Maison' collections, in exhibiting the talents of  ‘dazzling newcomers and prestigious acquaintances’.

With their previous albums streaming the likes of Digitalism, Penguin Prison, Fenech-Soler, Punks Jump Up and Two Door Cinema Club into our consciousness before anyone else, we'd expect nothing less than dazzling from the french taste-makers.

However the 'Kitsuné Parisien' collection, if the title hasn't already gives it away, steps away from the international scene to focus soley on francophone electronica from 'le capital'. 

Graffiti by Monsieur 'A'

 Compliled by Kitsuné co-founder Gildas Loaëc along with infamous graffiti artist, party go-er and promoter Monsieur 'A' (André Saraiva), the 'Parisien' collection (named after their fashion boutique) showcases some of the city's most promising electronic producers, with some even making their recording debut on this prestigious album.

Kitsune Parisien is also name to their fashion boutique, which opened in Paris last July. In September 2011, they launched a second KP boutique in Barneys, New York.

 In anticipation of it's release next Monday (21 February) Jerry Bouthier has put together a minimix, which is available to download. 

Despite its 'freshness' in music the new album is distinctly 'Kitsuné' in its encompassing, diversely comprehensive approach to electronic sound, reflecting the label's etymological roots; with Japanese tradtion denoting the ability of the 'kitsuné' (Japanese for fox) to change it's appearance and face.

Thus the album has a remarkable ability to offer a varied cross-section of emerging electronic sounds from the Parisian clubs; taste-making the next generation of music whilst appreciating its diversity.

The multi-faceted Japanese Kitsune

The French-sung electro pop of Adélaïde, by Destin, opens proceedings and provides a fitting start to the album, with smooth vocals and repetitive beats layered over a synthy resonance, to lure us comfortably in.

Track two features Birkii; a french violinist turned songstress/producer. Her serene yet funky approach to electro disco irk somewhat thought not entirely of Breakbot. All in all this understated and uplifting track casts no 'Shades of Doubt' and follows track one particularly well.

Birkii

Track three, Reccession Song by Yan Wagner, seriously cranks up the funk agenda. 80s yet très nouveau; familiar yet hard to put your finger on. Maybe if I elegantly put French Horn Rebellion, Chromeo and Empire of the Sun inside a bottle of coca cola and shook it hard, it would fizz out some Yan Wagner.

Housse de Racket - Château (Golden Bug remix) offers an interesting fusion of laidback electro-rock. Think guitar riffs and snare hits littered amongst synth lines, chords and catchy melodies.

The happy-go-lucky disco of Saké by Jupiter makes it a favourite of mine, for the moment. I'd love to hear it on a night out. French/English duo Jupiter, who are a couple in real life, also feature on Kitsuné Maison 9.

Jupiter

Logo are also making their second appearance, this time with Hello.jpg. Computer game-esque and more electro-house than the rest, it's a gem made for a hazy summer's day.

Track seven - RYSKEE feat. Jenny Wilson – Horrors Of Love (Jamaica’s Sunshine Remix) - slips back into funk. Upbeat disco that's worth winding down the windows of your topless car and turning up loud to.

 Youngguns BeatauCue take more electro-techno direction with eigth track Behold. An energetic display of electro laid over repetitive trippy beats.

Beataucue

 Track nine, Glory by Sauvage, brings in a darker mood with it's eerie melodies, unusual structure, soft disjointed vocals and glitchy beats. MGMT-esque for 2011.

1999 by Valley - a track about the city itself - is the album's biggest pop contestant. Pulsating beats, dominant vocals and a catchy chorus that gets better with each listen.

Désorbitée by Exotica again demonstrates the musical beauty of french lyrics. Whether you understand them or not, her soft, elegant vocals do the talking for this single, in sealing its amibient new-wave, dreamy effect.

Saving the best 'til last; Meaning by Cascadeur is nothing short of a musical epitome, justifying its place as the closing track. Rich in classical instrumentation, this emotive ballad sets piano hypnosis against searing vocals. It brings the compilation to a breathtakingly, dramatic end, and in an almost symbolic representation of the entire album leaves you wanting for more.

Pre-order your copy here. In the meanwhile all of the tracks mentioned above are available to preview on YouTube.

HIGH ALTITUDE FASHION: 2011/2012 snow preview

This week anyone who's anyone within the extreme sports industry was turning their full attention to next seasons gear at Munich's annual ISPO show.

The ISPO showcase -International Trade Fair for Sports Equipment and Fashion - is represented by all the major snow brands and provides a business link for all those within the industry to test and assess the technical equiment and trends for the up and coming season.

Whilst the winter of 2010/2011 is still in full swing, expect to see flashes of the new season in a resort near you soon with trendsetters and PR coups yet to parade themselves amidst some of this seasons biggest alpine events, notably the European Winter X-Games (16 -18 March, Tignes in France) and Snowbombing Festival (4-9 April, Mayrhofen, Austria).

So here's a cheeky round up of some key themes and tasty offerings to tease your powdometer and keep you one step a-shred (ah dear) for this season and the next.

Colour block (particularly by the likes of O'Neill (above), Burton (below) and Westbeach) and neon brights were in full force.

 Nikitta goes uber-casual with their range of slouchy, jogger-style pants:

 Analog demonstrated a similar street-casual approach with their mens pants:

 Denim Snowboard Pants

 Twill Snowboard Pants

Apres-ski made easy!? The 80s trend doesn't stop at outerwear, typified by these denim-look layers by Bula:

Jackets are getting longer, goggles are getting bigger, hats are getting brighter...

  

Von Zipper go laaarge

  Westbeach: going even longer 
for 2011/12 and dabbling in plaid 
when they're not colour blocking

 Pro Tec neon helmets good enough to eat. If you like your E-numbers

Flux DMCC: bindings to rave about

Mystical brights and cosmic colour blends:

Technical Outerwear by Volcom

Not for the shy: tie-dye jacket by Grenade

Lisa Filzmoser for Artec

And finally... K2 makes a statement with this selection of beauties, proving once again that they can do no wrong when it comes do performance, style and design(£££ you get what you pay for):

Listening to... 'RAISE YOUR WEAPON' - Deadmau5 (feat. Greta Svabo Bech)

Deadmau5 does mau5step.

I've always 'liked' Deadmau5, but that's about as far as the love goes. A good listen, a fail-safe, an artist I would go to see-maybe-never mind if not, that was about it. Until now.

It's not often you get what can only be described as the gawking, incredulous, stop-in-your-tracks 'omg...what is this song I need to know it and now!' moment. You know the one I mean.

'Raise your Weapon' is taken from Deadmau5' new album, '4x4=12', which is due for release on 6 December.

This single represents a new approach from the Canadian man behind the mask; forget the autotuned, powerhouse-electro beats of Ghosts N Stuff for now.

'Raise Your Weapon' is nothing short of musical mau5 progress; soft piano chords to draw us in towards Bech's emotive, hypnotizing vocals, which sear alongside balladic house beats before giving way to the grittier side of dubstep. 

Yet while it's structure sounds musically complex, the real beauty of the song is it's ability to remain utterly simplistic.

The bass is dropped but it's not textbook; admittedly it's heavy but it's not as overcooked as it so easily could've been. Deep, laid back 'mau5tep', with a scattering of mimimal-house aesthetics if you listen carefully, and somehow the vocals still cut it. It remains thoughtful. It remains raw. 

Ripping my heart was so easy, so easy. 

Launch your assault now, take it easy.

Raise your weapon, raise your weapon, one word and it's over. 

Ripping through like a missile, ripping through my heart

Rob me of this love

Raise your weapon, raise your weapon and it's over

How does it feel now to watch it burn, burn, burn?

If dubstep offends you, maybe sit this one out. Otherwise, sit back. Press play. Have a gawk.

Listening to... 'PIPER'S SONG' - Gypsy and the Cat (Aeroplane Remix)

Gets me every time.

Australian duo Gypsy and the Cat have been doing the UK rounds for several months now (their first single, 'Time to Wander', was released here back in June) and this recent remix by Aeroplane should earn them some well deserved airtime.

Think high-pitched kaleidoscopic melodies and dreamy 70s-inspired beats. 'Piper's Song' emulates a distinctive and reminiscent breed of sunny laid-back synth-pop that should please fans of MGMT, Passion Pit, Kiwi group The Naked and Famous and fellow Australian synthsters Empire of the Sun. 

However in terms of theatricals, pan pipes is fortunately about far as they go (in other words no bizzare walking-on-a-dream-esque getups); a musical focus that may please many.

So sweet, catchy and unpretentious; prove me wrong if it doesn't brighten up a cold winter's day.

Digital download to be released 13 December 2010.

AMY WINEHOUSE for Fred Perry

It is a few weeks since a fresh-faced Winehouse launched her much-anticipated collection for Fred Perry and with Christmas on the way the line's 50s-inspired, feminine pieces will no doubt be taking pride of place on many a festive wish-list.

Pencil skirts, polo shirts and gingham prints are still the main order of the day but are given a more sophisticated and girly makeover thanks to the injection of Winehouse attitude.

If you're yet to lust over the demure 17-piece collection, dare to look now:

Listening to... 'NOT IN LOVE' - Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith

A delicious fusion of electro and indie, that manages to combine the nostalgic 80s tones we'd expect from The Cure's frontman, Smith, with an injection of electronic bleeps and digital distortion from new-wave masters Crystal Castles.

The song (orginally a track by 80s band Platinum Blonde) appeared on Crystal Castles self-titled album earlier this year, minus the addition of Robert Smith. Luckily Smith's romantic and convicting vocals go a long way in saving the song from its previous and excessive self; replacing much of the warped, distressed sounds CC usually rely on with a more understated but equally emotive sound. 

As such when Crystal Castles tense yet urgent pace lets loose towards the end, the result is all the more dazzling. 

This collaboration was always going to be risky and diehard fans may still be fighting from both corners, but for me it strikes a dreamy balance between old and new, and importantly a sound that I can't get out of my head.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Damn it was a good one. And to cheer you up from the fact that you have to wait a year 'til the next, here are some of my favourite halloween images courtesy of director/producer/writer/gothic-art genius Tim Burton:

Listening to... 'ON THE LAM' - Kele

I'm not going to lie, I am a MASSIVE fan of Kele, so this post may leave some musical objectivity at the door. But if you haven't yet heard the third single from the Bloc Party frontman's debut album, 'The Boxer', have a listen asap.

'The Boxer' album whilst not entirely removed is a clear progression from Kele's indie-rock roots thanks to a distinct electronic buzz throughout. Single 'On The Lam' takes things one step further. 

 The single makes its entrance with laid back vocals set against pulsating repetition and jagged beats, with drum kicks soon dropping into a grimy bassline of a chorus. Curiously even his distinctive bold vocals are digitally altered, to a higher tenor. 


For some his comprehensive electro-makeover may rather compromise the poetical intensity that we could have expected from a Bloc Party performance. However I think his 'new-wave' approach works here and on so many levels, because it does not detract from passionate melodies and his lyrics still pack a punch; yet it allows the emphasis of this song to be one of musical rather than lyrical progression. 

The result of this lyrical/melodic symbiosis is the kind of song that you can wake up to/work out to/chill out to/rave to. A rare versatile gem.


Most importantly, 'On The Lam' identifies Kele as 'Bloc Party frontman' but as a worthy solo artist in his own right.

Upcoming Tour Dates

15 - Institute Library, Birmingham 
16 - Arches, Glasgow 
18 - Ritz, Manchester 
19 - Electric Ballroom, London 
20 - Motion, Bristol