Category Archives: Music

Summer Playlist: Hollie Cook

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Summer is here people! And what better way could there be to enjoy the sunshine than with the laidback reggae sound of Hollie Cook’s second album?

Twice is the follow up to her self-titled 2011 album, which introduced Hollie as a one of the most exciting new female talents on the London music scene.

If you haven’t heard of her yet, she’s the daughter of Sex Pistols’ drummer Paul Cook and Culture Club backing singer Jeni Cook. Add into that mix her godfather – Boy George – and her childhood babysitter – David Bowie – and there’s little wonder that music runs deep in Hollie’s veins. Yet, hers is a truly original sound – a refreshing mix of tropical pop and dub, which combines to produce truly modern reggae… the perfect soundtrack for a British summer.

Twice was produced by the legendary Prince Fatty and kicks off with the tune Ari Up, a tribute to The Slits’ front woman Ari who died in 2010. Hollie provided backing vocals for the band when they re-formed in 2005 and has credited Ari as a mentor in her musical career.

The first single released from the album is Looking For Real Love; a soulful, but up-lifting reaction to losing a lover and learning to love yourself. It’s undoubtedly the ultimate Girl Power tune, and on repeat in my house:

So don your favourite tropical print, pour yourself a rum and sit back and enjoy the sunshine with Hollie’s dulcet tones…

‘Tis the season to get Sampled….

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Yes boys and girls, it’s that time of year again when you can head down to East London on Saturday 1st December and grab some new garbs for Crimbo. The first Sampled event was this time last year, and what a year it has been since then! Sampled 2012 promises to be bigger and better than before, with more labels, more records, and more fit boys than you care to dream of! 

The details:

The Orders & Main Squeeze presents

SAMPLED
SICKER THAN YOU AVERAGE SAMPLE SALE

Midday – 6pm
Sat 1st & Sun 2nd December 2012
Vibe Bar, 91-95 Brick Lane, London E1 6QLFREE ENTRY ALL DAYSampled combines a streetwear sample sale with a record fair art sale & club night. Featuring fashion brands at a fraction of their usual price, many of the UK’s best record dealers selling crates of vinyl, DJ’s sets of original Soul, Jazz, Funk & Disco breaks from a great selection of DJs… and a nail bar for the ladies.A great chance for you to do all your Xmas shopping under one roof!

THE BRANDS
Sampled hand picks your favourite streetwear brands at a fraction of their usual price.

Brands trading include:
LRG,
Mitchell & Ness,
Starter,
Gourmet Footwear,
Rogue Status,
Volcom,
DTA,
RVCA,
Famous Stars & Straps,
Chrome Bags,
Dephect ,
Expensive Taste,
Independent,
Santa Cruz,
Habitat,
Real Skateboards,
The Wild Ones,
Four Star,
Hype,
Chocolate,
Girl,
Any Forty,
Anti Hero,
Krooked,
PXL,
Spitfire,
Stones Throw,
Official &
Classic Material.

THE RECORDS
Mr Thing, Rapandsoulmailorder.com, Jake BBE, Spin Doctor, JP, Girth Devon, Diablo & DJ Snips trading in new & classic Vinyl & CDs from Hip-Hop box sets to rare Soul & Jazz LP’s.

THE MUSIC
Throughout the day an army of the finest DJs spin sets of original breaks as sampled by your favourite producers be they Hip-Hop, House or beyond.

THE ARTWORK
London based Illustrator and Artist Sri McKinnon will have a pop up shop selling prints and special one off pieces.

THE NAILS
One of the hottest talents on the London nail art scene is setting up shop so come and get pampered by Nails By Hells.

 
And if all of that isn’t enough, join us all for the club night on Saturday, then come back for round two (the same as round one but with hangovers) on Sunday 2nd!
 

THE CLUB
On Saturday night we take over Concrete on Shoreditch High Street for the Micall Parknsun ‘Grade & Liquor’ single launch party. Featuring an incredible line icluding of Micall Parknsun, Jehst, Mr Thing, Distinction, Mo Kolours & more…
 
Facebook Event: Here

The King of Country Cool

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Have you ever wondered who was behind Elvis’ signature style? Who made Johnny Cash into The Man In Black? And who helped all three generations of Hank Williams’ to become the stylish country boys they were/are? Well, the king of all things country attire is the one and only Manuel, also known as the “Rhinestone Rembrandt”.

Manuel measuring up Johnny Cash

Manuel learnt to sew from his brother at the age of 7, in his hometown Coalcomán, Mexico. Manuel moved to Los Angeles and worked for several tailors, but soon became bored with everyday clothing. With his flair for colour and glitz, he moved in to the world of costumes at Nudie’s famed western store, designing for the likes of Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger. After 14 years in western wear, Manuel branched out and opened his own shop in North Hollywood, eventually relocating to Nashville in 1989 to continue his association with the music industry.

From then on, Manuel’s original designs have become the trademark of American country music. 

Sample This

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This weekend was the first Sampled sale that took place on Saturday and Sunday. I was down to paint some nails and check out all the cute hip – hop boys that were there to pick up a bargain (or 10). Damn was it a fun weekend, amazing tunes, incredible brands at a fraction of the price and I got to paint some gorgeous girls’ nails. As I was busy, I didn’t manage to take photos, so I stole a load from the AnyForty & Sampled blogs (sorry guys!). Peep the Sampled website and start getting excited about the next one, and check out some of the nails I did here. 

Amy.

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Now that the dust has settled, and Amy Winehouse’s death has sunk in, it seems a good time to talk about it. I’ve never known Amy, never met her, but I feel like I have. Maybe it’s her songs, or maybe it’s because she’s a Camden girl, like me. But as soon as I heard her I was convinced that she was a talented, beautiful genius. I first heard her in a car in Italy. My friend’s sister had made a mix-tape (yes, it was that long ago!), and we were playing it on the drive from the airport to their house. I was about 14 years old. I jotted down the words of the song, and googled them when I got back to England a week later. That’s when I found out all about Amy, and I’ve followed her ever since.

Her first album changed my life. Really. The songs stuck with me and I found a singer/song writer that sang EXACTLY how I was feeling. I also loved the way she looked; a strong, slightly plumpy jewish girl, who I thought was gorgeous.

When her second album came out I was shocked by her apperance, but still very much hooked on her songs. They were darker, but as I’d grown older, so had she and her music. So I was still an Amy-fan.

Now, in hindsight, we all know Amy’s downfalls, and we all have our 2-pennies-worth to put in. But I think out of all this there is a serious message.

For years Amy dealt with addictions; addiction to drugs, to drink, and to to the man she loved. Amy was a normal girl (with amazing talent). She loved like the rest of us, cried like the rest of us, and lived like the rest of us. It’s difficult to pass judgement on a girl who is very much like me, and every girl I’ve met. I’ve loved more than I should, and drunk more than I should, but in most circumstances, it’s because I’ve had a hard time with living in the world that is set up for me. It is said that Amy was “on the mend”, and perhaps she was, but how much mending is there to do for a young girl who has had to deal with the world around her?

So, maybe after all is said and done with Amy’s death, it will bring to light the difficulties with being not only a woman, but a person in today’s world. Her lyrics spoke the tragedy of a loved lost, while her life paralleled it.

Rest In Paradise Amy.