The history of America is filled with invention. The automobile, the lightbulb, even the cotton gin (thank you Eli Whitney!). Yes this nation of ours owes much to the everyman who has a little vision and a lot of can-do attitude! So it's nice to know that new ground is still being broken, even if it may seem like a return to the past. But Jeremy Dean is a man with an eye on the future. Like many people, Dean is worried about a world in which we can no longer support our appetite for oil. How would we get around from place to place? The need for a practical solution is obvious. Dean has an answer: one that would both solve the problem and make use of the hulking relics that will be haunting our landscape. The Futurama Cart is that solution. Carved from the body of a Hummer H2 the Futurama Cart features seating up front as well as a generously-sized cabin in the rear. How much horsepower does it have? How many can you find? That's right, instead of relying on a clunky and outdated internal-combustion engine, this is a Hummer carriage, powered with modern, all-natural, 100% renewable energy: Horses!

Related Links:
Futurama Cart Blog : http://backtothefuturama.blogspot.com/

Crown Jewels
Posted 26 February 2010 | by Alex Rees  

There are a lot of things that are just six steps beyond an oh-so-effortlessly cool about Marina Diamandis. But first and foremost in my mind: she’s Welsh. Hells yes. For an often overlooked little country whose musical history is dominated by Tom Jones and a bunch of mens’ choirs, she’s a welcome change of pace. The girl from the valleys has done quite well as the voice of Marina and the Diamonds, bright young things at the forefront of the Brit indiepop scene. (That’s with an emphasis on the indie, not so much on the pop.) After a slow burn ascension and some sneak attacks on the British charts through late last year, Marina’s debut album dropped in the UK a few weeks back: "The Family Jewels" is glittery piles of clever (and all too catchy) kitsch eclectica. Think Tori Amos high on that fake sugar in cheap soda or Bat for Lashes cubed.

With only the briefest of cameos currently lined up Stateside, SWSX ticket holders can catch her performances in all their manic glory at the festival. But if you’re not heading southwest, two dates in NYC are coming up in mid-March at the Bell House in Brooklyn and then Le Poisson Rouge in Manhattan. Buy tickets. It’s simple, and it’s an absolute imperative; I can say that because I’ve got mine already. So, you know, it’s not like it’s a competition or anything...but be there or be (a total) square.

Related Links:
Marina's Website : http://www.marinaandthediamonds.com/

J'Approve!
Posted 18 February 2010 | by Deanne Yee  

Fashion Week events can be a bit self-conscious and self-important, but I really enjoyed the vibe at the J'Approve! launch party at JF & Son in Nolita. Performance artist K8 (pronounced "Kate") Hardy playfully posed in eight different looks that she designed for the cheeky fashion label over the course of the eight hour event. I managed to arrive on the later end of the evening when the presentation began slowly devolving into the afterparty, which had a nice block party feeling. Travis Boyer, resident curator of JF & Son, led me through the collection, which consists of dresses and separates in a mix of polka dots, dark neutrals and a salmon pink print dotted with tiny fish ("the salmon roe - get it?"). I'm totally feeling the neon zippered bandeau tops that can also be worn as belts, an outrageous pair of oversized black cotton briefs with white fringe, and an oversized silk blazer and matching pants with polka dots reminiscent of designs by Martin Margiela, playfully named the "art dealer suit." Even though this is a collection that doesn't take itself seriously, the pieces are wearable and well-made. If you're in New York, you can purchase items from the collection at the Nolita shop and starting Monday, you can snag your favorites online through JF & Son's website.

Related Links:
Jf And Son : http://jfandson.com/

"Michigan Icarus" Vid Premiere
Posted 17 February 2010 | by Jay Buim  

We are very excited/relaxed to premiere this video for "Michigan Icarus" from The Seven Fields of Aphelion's new record, Periphery, which came out yesterday on the excellent Graveface records. Seven Fields is a member of the the wooded weirdos who perform under the name Black Moth Super Rainbow. This solo effort will melt your face off with its honey-sweet Now Age synthesizer sounds set against classic piano pads that make everything A-OK. Shot using cosmic kaleidoscope technology, the visuals match the musics calming, warm, familiar feel. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Related Links:
Seven Fields Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/thesevenfieldsofaphelion
Graveface : http://graveface.com/

Debut for PARKCHOONMOO
Posted 16 February 2010 | by Deanne Yee  

Choonmoo Park is a respected Korean avant-garde designer, and the dramatic Good Units space at Hudson Hotel was a fitting backdrop for the New York runway debut of PARKCHOONOMO, her Seoul-based menswear and womenswear label during Fashion Week. For F/W '10, pieces were heavy on monotone colors, with splashes of dark blue and grey and the designer layered jackets, coats and dresses to sublime effect. Some standouts for me included grey wool pieces coated with a subtle shimmer and a series of black dresses and coats loaded with zippers that made the wearer seem wrapped in a pile of puzzle pieces, which made sense after I read in the program notes that Park was inspired by the work of M.C. Escher.

Related Links:
Parkchoonmoo : http://parkchoonmoo.com/