Kinetic the Blog

Band Crush: Come to the dark side The Manichean is here.

2010-08-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

By: Z

They might sound all dark and mysterious at first by their name but with each passing day, it seems they sure are one of the acts you can’t miss in town. They belong to Houston’s Press quality musicians list located in the area. Progressive, overly dramatic rock with narrative threads plus progressive poppers, as they describe it, is what we listen to whenever you catch The Manichean.

The Manichean is a Texan progressive rock band from Houston, formed in 2001 currently based in the Montrose Area. Founded by vocalist Cory Sinclair and guitarist Justice Tirapelli-Jamail as “A Kerosene Saga” finding people along the way and right musicians they became what is now The Manichean, the band blends in various influences such as Herman Hesse and Ayn Rand writings, The Deftones, Faith no more, Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan, Return of the Frog Queen, the album and The Mars Volta.

Cory Sinclair (left) and Justice Tirapelli-Jamail (right) by Matt Adams

They are known for their energetic live shows, Kinetic’s band crush of June at the Free Press Summer Fest, Houston Press Awards Best New Act nominee as well as Best Progressive Rock Band in 2010.

The Kinetic Crew bumped into Cory and Justice at the Empire, their office had a nice, interesting, talk and graciously asked them a few questions. These are their answers.

Kinetic Crew: First of all, Why The Manichean?

Cory Sinclair: Obscurity, reverence, intellectual-arousal.

Justice Tirapelli: It’s history, a very dark and interesting one. I also appreciate the fact that it’s both singular and plural... Like me.

CS: Like Justice the person *or* ‘Justice’ the concept?

JT: Correct-ish…

KC: Did you guys all start as The Manichean?

CS: No. Justice and I began as ‘A Kerosene Saga’, but changed that when it was decided to expand and shift thematic elements. Still, the material written while under this former moniker has been adapted to ‘The Manichean’.

KC: Who plays what? Names and instruments?

Current Roster

Cory Sinclair – Voice, words

Justice Tirapelli-Jamail – Guitar, composition

Ash Big Cash – Bass

Gustavo Roman Navarro Campos Conrado Bazurto Bonilla Butron – Violin / fiddle

Dylan Tirapelli-Jamail – Drums

Sean Spiller – Guitar, keys

Cory Wilson – Saxophone / horns

But we love working with multiple musicians while in the studio.

The Manichean at Mango's by Matt Adams

KC: Do you rather play a certain style/model/brand/color?

JT: I’m not exactly sure if you are referring to the music or a guitar perhaps, (ha ha yes we meant guitar!) but in either case it doesn’t really matter to me what style/model/brand/color it is. If what I’m playing feels right then I’ll keep going with it until it takes me to wherever it chooses.

KC: How did The Manichean come together? How long have you known each other?

JT: Following a bond between Cory and I that started when I was in high school and blossomed into ‘A Kerosene Saga’ (initially just the two of us covering ‘Neutral Milk Hotel’ songs with Cory’s poetry stringing a narrative between them), different people sort of just started falling into the places that they were always meant to fill, making what is now ‘The Manichean’. Upon meeting Gustavo (violin) after a play in which he and Cory had acted, the fiddle was the first addition to the music besides acoustic guitar and voice. Everyone else began working with us within the past two years. Between meeting Ash BigCash (bass) and Cory Wilson (sax) in bars, working with Sean Spiller (guitar, keys) initially as an engineer on our ‘Whispers’ EP, and having an amazing drummer, Dylan Tirapelli-Jamail as my brother and friend, we’ve all just sort of come together in a spectacular way. I speak for both Cory and myself when I say that we couldn’t have better people, or better musicians with us than we do now.

CS: True. And the extended family of musicians we record with are equally as important in their talents.

KC: Do you have a record label?

JT: We are currently unsigned; however we released the‘Whispers’ EP under our own label, ‘Lacerus’. It’s not a working label by any means, simply a visage that made sense to us until perhaps something comes along.

CS: Yes, Lacerus is something of a specter of ourselves.

KC: Any favorite venues?

JT: We have had the pleasure of playing all over the place in Houston and Austin, TX. After a long beginner’s period of taking any shows that came our way we’ve covered a large number of the primary venues in Houston. Helios (now AvantGarden) is amongst our favorite, purely for the intimate feel that comes with such a small room jam-packed full of sweaty people. The space allows for a lot of energy to be thrown back and forth, and we feed off of that.

CS: Definitely AvantGarden, it’s so wonderfully aristocratic-bohemian. I would also be excited to play the new Free Press / Pegstar owned FITZGERALD’S once that’s all up and running. Do read – (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2010/07/free_press_summer_fest_team_ta.php)

KC: Crowd's favorite song?

CS: I think that most people’s favorite live song at this point is ‘Lacerus’. It’s powerful and rapid, yet graceful.

JT: I’d have to agree. It feels as though people have really grasped onto that song in a great way. I like that such a large group of our listeners seem to feel so connected to ‘Lacerus’ in particular, seeing as it’s about the darker side of human nature and how awful people can be.

CS: I think we made it so pretty so that people might reflect upon the darker side of human nature. Mmm.

KC: Do you play your own material or any covers?

JT: All original music, all original words.

CS: All original words, all original music.

KC: Who does the writing? What do your songs talk about?

JT: Our writing process is equally collaborative and separated. Generally I'll be playing either alone or around Cory and if something that I end up playing stands out to me then I'll expound upon it. I may record an initial idea on Cory's MacBook as soon as it hits me or I'll work on it for a significant period of time before going to him and saying, "Here are all these parts to an idea I showed you a while back". Once I hand whatever I've got off to Cory, he spends time culminating the vocal melody and the story begins to come to fruition. Each time we get together to create we either start something new or pick up something we’ve been working out on our own and arrange, rearrange and over-think it until we hit a wall or decide we shouldn’t drink anymore. Eventually we feel comfortable enough handing it off to the musicians for them to put their individual stank on it and it becomes what it is. The music tends to occasionally change bit by bit over time. As far as what the songs talk about…

CS: This is the ‘Whispers Saga’, yet to be described across the next three albums. The explanation is in the words… Just read the words.

KC: Producer/band or anyone you'd love to work with?

CS: Clint Mansell (from “Pop will eat itself”), Cedric & Omar of ‘The Mars Volta’, ‘Two Star Symphony’ of Houston.

JT: I would also love to work with the above mentioned and would only add the desire for a visual collaboration with Darren Aronofsky (Director of “Requiem for a Dream”) or upon seeing the cinematography in “Mister Lonely” Harmony Korine.

CS: Harmony Korine?! That would be quite the spectacle. Did you hear about Terry Gilliam directing “Arcade Fire” live at Madison Square Garden? Devine.

KC: Favorite band experience of all times?

JT: Nothing immediately comes to mind, but our performing at Free Press Summerfest in 2009 is definitely up there. It was, and continues to be the largest crowd we’ve played to. I’ve yet to experience anything during any other performance quite akin to it. The ‘Whispers’ EP release show at Mango’s is way up there as well. I felt a lot of love for us at that show.

CS: My favorite times with ‘The Manichean’ come forth with every performance, so I believe every time you see me after a show, or in the studio, that is the best day of my life.

The Manichean at Free Press Summer 2009 by Matt Adams

KC: Worst?

JT: Cinco De Mayo of 2009. We were scheduled to play a free show at this warehouse and we were last on the bill AND we were running sound with our PA. I’d watch the bands and between sets I’d walk to the bar just down the street and get a shot and a drink. I did this too many times. Following these mistakes, the band that was supposed to play before us was about to go on and the police showed up to the warehouse following a noise complaint. Naturally, I took this as a reason for me to go back to the bar, besides, the show was cancelled, right? WRONG. They moved ‘Muhammad Ali’ and us to Mango’s to finish the show. To make the rest of a long story short, I was babysat until I effectively trashed our performance and illegally smoked half a pack of cigarettes inside of the bar. Even after arguing with different members of my band about my extremely poor form, I thought the show went great. That is, until the following day when I saw the video footage that had been taken of the show, and me, all night. That was my last show fail.

CS: Yea, dummy… Mine was the time we killed a drifter to get an erection.

KC: What is to you the ‘Music-making process’?

CS: Getting drunk with Justice.

JT: Getting Cory with drunk… wait… whuh?

KC: Ha ha ha

KC: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

JT: Our music has evolved a very great deal since the two of us began ‘A Kerosene Saga’. What began as nothing more than guitar and vocals has transformed into an organism that presents at times up to nine musicians playing live. ‘The Manichean’ has taken every day that it has been alive to grow into what it is now. What Cory and I are striving for is creating something limitless, something without boundaries. At this point we can do whatever we want with the songs and the poems to create whichever form of performance we desire. We try to make it as unexpected and awe-inspiring as we can. If ‘A Kerosene Saga’ was the basic, simplistic seed, then ‘The Manichean’ is the plant that is constantly evolving from that seed and is never the same in any stage it takes on.

CS: Botany reference like ‘Whoa!’

KC: What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

CS: Self-management.

JT: Keeping Cory clothed around children.

KC: What's the ultimate direction for your band?

CS: Cross-art form collaboration, widespread panic.

JT: Napoleonistic domination with taller people in charge and a bigger tolerance to arsenic.

SC: …That sentence is rife with incongruity.

JT: Shut up.

KC: What advice do you have for young musicians who want to form their own bands?

JT: Take every opportunity that comes your way if it gives you the chance to further your music, don’t shy away from something because it’s different or unconventional, and when approaching anything constantly be asking yourself, “What is the overall gain?” If there is no gain there is no point, unless you’re just out to have fun. And that’s cool, too.

CS: Keep writing. Write with as many other people as you can. Write alone. Just keep writing.

KC: When's your next show?

CS: We just performed at the 2010 Houston Press Music Awards

Showcase. The Showcase had over 60 local acts and a few national acts spread across eleven stages along the Washington Avenue corridor. This also was our last performance for a significant amount of time as we will be recording the second part of the ‘Whispers Saga’, our first LP.

KC: Where do we get your music?

CS: iTunes, Bandcamp, CDBaby.com… It’s pretty easy to find.

KC: Anything you'd like to add?

CS: I’d like to say the words ‘At The Drive-In’…

JT: As far as new releases from ‘The Manichean’, we will be releasing ‘Lacerus’ as a single with a number of remixes of the song crafted by several extremely talented Texan musicians sometime this fall – more information is soon to come. In addition to that, we will be returning to the studio toward the end of September to record our next addition to the ‘Whispers Saga’. This LP entitled ‘Your Kerosene Eyes’ will be a prologue of sorts, our Chapter Zero. It will be deeply rooted in our origin and more stripped down than our previous recording. To record this particular album we will be traveling a short distance to Pozo Hondo Studios, a residential recording studio in Round Top, TX. We’ll be staying there for a week to materialize the new full-length. You can expect for the album to be released before the spring of 2018…

CS: Word.

For more info check out the following links:

www.myspace.com/themanichean

http://themanichean.com/

www.facebook.com/pages/the-manichean

www.twitter.com/themanichean

SPIN IT! : Q&A part 2: DJ Dus

2010-07-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

We heard of DJ DUS from a friend of a friend of a bunch of friends, which made us be so eager to see him play live so when we actually got to check him out at SXSW '09 at Creekside we were so happy that he did not only meet our expectations but went beyond and blew our minds. Blending Hip hop with Cumbia and making it appealing to any crowd! The Kinetic Crew asked him some questions and here are his answers.

K: Why DJ Dus?

D: My name is dusty and i've never been one for fancy stage names.. even tho now i wish i could add a T to the end.. i unno

K: Have you always used that as your alias?

D: yup, since i was born.

K: Your hood:

D: downtown corpitos texas

K: Projects worked on:

D: Did a remix for los kumbia kings back in the day, produced paula deanda's album for arista records and sold like 400,000 records, did some stuff for dj kane's albums, produced and wrote for LA CONQUISTA an all girl band from monterrey, and now im doing my own label AMERICANO and am working with hip hop and alternative latin groups from TEXAS

K: What kinda music do we jam to when you’re spinning?

D: electro cumbia and club hip hop.. crunk i guess

K: How old where you when you started spinning?

D: 12

K: Are you on a record label?

D: AMERICANO.

K: What do you use when you dj (Serato, Diital dj, Ableton, Tracktor, etc.)?

D: serato itch and ableton 7

K: Why do you use that?

D: cus i can add beats to the songs im playing live on ableton and skratch and mix with serato all at the same time

K: Where can we see you spin?

D: with the peligrosa crew in austin texas. or at a neighborhood bar in corpus christi!

K: Where can we catch you next?

D: ill be up for peligrosa in august

K: Name of a must have track on your set:

D: enemigo publico #1

K: Who’s coming up with crazy power jams right now?

D: thats easy: toy selectah, dj orion, and dj panik

K: Partner you’d love to work with:

D: toy selectah!

K: How has producing music evolved since you first began doing it?

D: i used to make beats strictly on my mpc2000, i would have to sample the records into the mpc, chop them up and then play them to the tempo on the mpc, bounce those tracks to a recorder, then layer it, then go to a big studio and record the artist, go to another studio to mix and master.. now i can do it all in my laptop.

K: What has been your biggest challenge as a dj/producer so far?

D: not being shy about my music and actually playing it out instead of just making it for my ipod.

K: Favorite dj experience of all times so far?

D: mmm sxsw was cool but i didnt get any good time slots really... pachanga fest in austin was fun as hell, i did that set like a band would, i even stopped the set a few times and talked to the crowd, it was fun. cinco de mayo here in corpus was freaking nuts

K: Worst request ever:

D: lady gaga "telephone"

K: Most cliché track played by djs right now?

D: "my chick bad" by ludacris, freakin banger! haha i love it tho

K: What’s the advice you would give young upcoming dj producers who are barely steping into the music business?

D: drop as much music as u can, dont hold back ur bangers cus noone will ever hear them. I had the best unsigned band ever and we never showed anyone our stuff, and then we disbanded and noone ever will (el sancho)

K: Where do we get your music?

D: djdus.bandcamp.com

K: Anything you’d like to add?

D: support anything local.

Catch DJ Dus at Club Deville 900 Red River st. Austin, TX $3 21+

For more on Dus check out:
www.djdus.com
http://www.myspace.com/dustyoliveira
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJ-DUS/106184423128
http://twitter.com/djdus

The Must See: Titan Arum

2010-07-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

BY: Z

Titan Arum is town!

What is Titan Arum? Titan Arum (believe it or not it means “ugly penis” o.O) but besides that it’s a flower and belongs to the group of the largest flowers in the world!! Even though you can find it in many botanic gardens in the around the globe, it belongs to the Tropical forests of Sumatra only. She’s known as the “Stinky Flower” or “The Corpse Flower” due to its smell.

The Corpse Flower is 7 to 10ft tall and from 5 to 6ft in circumference when it blooms, its bract or outer leaf is green and has the shape of a loaf French bread, when it booms its stretch is hollow and purple-ish.

Houston has it’s very own Stinky Flower at Houston Museum of Natural Science, they’ve named her Lois and for the next week you can see and smell for yourself one of the slinkiest flowers in the world, first explorers say this was a “Man Eating Plant”, the HMNS will keep The Cockrell Butterfly Center open 24 when she blooms, Louis was expected to be in full bloom on the weekend of July 9-11^th but this flower is totally unpredictable, so keep an eye on her because it will only bloom once in a lifetime.

“We’ve had ours for over six years now and this is the first time it has bloomed, we’re very lucky. She might be the largest, smelliest flower in the world but its beauty is unparallel” said Dr. Nancy Greig.

Don’t miss out on checking out one of the rarest flowers in the world brought to you. The HMNS will be open around the clock for you to come have a look at this beauty, tickets are $8 and discounts may apply so no excuses! Schedule your visit here http://store.hmns.org/Default.aspx?dspgrp=5

See you guys there.

Pictures by Kim Montgomery check out her blog here: http://whitegirlridingthebus.blogspot.com/2010/02/white-girl-riding-bus-will-debut-on.html

Spin it! : Q&A part 1: Sonora.

2010-06-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

We met Sonora a few months ago, but got to actually see him spin at Sonido Mundial in one of the clubs in San Antonio, TX in late May. We wanted to share with you his cumbia rhythms that will keep you dancing all night long. Check out his work on www.myspace.com/soycumbia. Here's a little about Sonora.

K: Why Sonora?
S: It means "loud" in Spanish. so if you personally knew me, you'd understand.

K: Have you always used that as your alias?
S:Sonora Longoria, I could just use my full name DJ Joseph Albert Perez De Longoria ha ha. :)

K:Your hood:
S:At the moment I currently reside in San Antonio TX.

K: Projects worked on:
S: Right now I'm finishing up a digital release for "Cabeza Netlabel" .working on an EP/mix for late summer and producing some tracks for a couple artists.

K: What kinda music do we jam to when you’re spinning?
S: besides cumbia and all of its sub genres, everything can range from African riddims to soca to kuduro to baile funk and dirty tropical bass. Its a trip, its like expressing adhd through music.

K: How old where you when you started spinning?
S:16? around there.

K: What do you use when you spin (Serato, Digital DJ, Ableton, Tracktor, etc.)?
S: I PREFER serato, but have had to play on just about everything. I'll rock an ableton set time to time though.

K: Where can we catch you next?
S:Will be heading to north Carolina and DC in July, and Houston with Mexicans With Guns in August.

K: Name of a must have track on your set:
S: Fauna - Mira (hongo x hongo) that track will always set things off. never fails.

K: Who’s coming up with crazy power jams right now?
S: A lot of homies are really coming out with fire. peligrosa boys Orion and Dus, Uproot Andy, and my boy MWG

K: Partner you’d love to work with:
S: Lido Pimienta (girls got mad talent, big things from her in the future!)

K: How has producing music evolved since you first began doing it?
S: When I was 13 i was making screwed and chopped music, now I'm bouncing all over sounds the world has to offer.

K: What has been your biggest challenge as a DJ/producer so far?
S: In my opinion i think its the "what makes you different from EVERYONE else" part. Finding your own sound and what makes it you, and yours.

K: Favorite DJ experience of all times so far?
S: Playing and opening up for the craziest show put together, Tormenta Tropical SXSW 2010. That was like the dream team of tropical/cumbia heads, sharing the decks with Oro11 Disco Shawn, Isa GT, Chief Boima, Maluca, nguzunguzu, toy selectah, lvis1990, poirer, kingdom. this list goes on.

K: Worst request ever:
S: i think everyone has gotten there share of lady caca. but the WORST thing anyone has ever asked/requested from me was "i don't understand what they're saying can you play something in English, something like new order"

K: Most cliché track played by djs right now?
S: i wouldn't call it cliche, but i would say just about everyone has and probly always will include nguzunguzu's "el bebe ambiente" that track is a heavy hitter! they actually blew the power out at sxsw with that track

K:What’s the advice you would give young upcoming DJ producers who are barely stepping into the music business?
S: have fun.

K: Where do we get your music?
S:you can check out my soundcloud at soundcloud.com/sonoraaa or sonoralongoria.tumblr.com for updates on
where you can find some stuff, or just do it up google style.

Sonora will be playing with Mexican with Gunz in August in Houston, TX. Dates and Venues to be confirmed soon.

Free Press Summer Fest brought it!

2010-06-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

By: Z

I played sick on June 5th and 6th at work so i could go to the Festival, the heat was terrible even though i was wearing sunblock but hey! we're in Texas and great shows awaited. The Festival was amazing!! The Line up was great awesome artists from local bands to well known around the country and Europe rocked Eleanor Tinsley Park like it had never been before.

I barely made it to Medeski Martin and Wood who started the party with a much different sound than before while almost at the same time Houston-based Perseph1 (have a listen www.myspace.com/perseph1) was rocking the 29-95 stage. Yokomono, representing my hood, jammed their tunes while everyone dance to them, I'm glad i got to see Shina Rae at the KTRU Stage, i didn't wanna miss her. One of the things i loved was to see The wild Moccasins, which is one of my favorite local bands sharing the stage with Ra Ra Riot followed by every one's favorite Kid Sister at the Main Stage. Girl Talk was insane, we all got on the stage and danced, toilet paper everywhere, his set included Ciara's "My Goodies" Gun's n Roses "Paradise City" and Dr. Dre's "Next Episode" At one point Gillis aka Girl Talk lost his shirt, got on the DJ table and said "Houston dance or go home" the crowd went crazy trying to keep up with Gillis losing more than their shirts.

New bands i enjoyed: The Eastern sea.

All time favorite djs: Fat Tony, Squincy Jones, Fixture, Damon Allen, Fredster, Grrrl Parts and Dayta.

We had a blast on Sunday, people spread picnic blankets over the hillside to enjoy post-rock band Lymbyc System at the Main Stage following Uh huh her, which I've always liked playing at the Main Stage, it didn't rain but poured during Lucero's performance. Canadian band Stars had the stage full of white roses while they play new tunes to promote their coming album "The 5 ghosts".

The "special guest" was Bun B and Slim Thug although we already knew this weeks before the festival, they surprised us with the performance they put on, showing why they're Houston's underground kings. Their show lasted an hour, Slim thug starting off with "Yo it's hot as fuck but i came to party" pimping out the stage with "i ain't heard of that" "Thug from around the way" and of course "Three Kings" which fit perfect to a transition, Bun B's set was next, he's a local artist supporter, he shows up at any hip hop gig in town and people still can't believe he's there. He performed songs like "Big Pimping" and "International Players Anthem"

Flaming Lips was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. what a show! We all know about their shows, right? If you don't let me describe it to you, there are always psychedelic lights, bubbles and confetti with drug-free and drugged fans having a blast jamming to songs like "The Fear" dancing among balloons, what i had no idea of was the way they were gonna get on the stage in which was coming out of a woman's womb and Houston welcomed them excited to see them play. It had been 10 years since The Flaming Lips last came to town.

The Lips played "Worm Mountain" to open their set and suddenly there we were from confetti cannons, to humongous balloons in which Wayne got in and walked over the crowds hands, bear costumes and dozens of dancers. They also played old tunes like "In the morning of the magicians" The Lips front man asked the crowd to feel love in the air and smoke weed, apologizing for their 10 year absence. People actually played an important part while the Lips performed "I can be a frog" making animal noises to break out with laser giant hands for "The Science of sleep" to close the show with "Do you realize" Eleanor Tinsley filled with confetti, everyone came together, what a way to close the two day festival.

New band crush: The Manichean

Local band favorite of all times: Tax the wolf.

Band we wanted to perform at FPSF: The Live Lights

The Manichean at FPSF '10

I've been to many festivals and I'm so glad Free Press Summer Fest didn't disappoint me, even though it rained, mostly on the second day and we became mud-people the festival was amazing, local bands playing next to the best, the shows were on time, stages were on point and food and drink vendors were everywhere. I'm glad to know Houston wants good shows!

Pictures by Breakfast on tour

Bonnaroo, say what?

2010-05-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, Bonnaroo, for those who don’t know (I didn’t) Bonnaroo is a Music and Arts Festival held annually in the city of Manchester, TN. (Tennessee? Random? Heck Yes!) The Great Stage Park is the place, multiple stages of live music including reggae, country, electronica, hip hop, gospel, alternative, Americana, folk, etc. (So eclectic, I love it!) Craftsmen and Artisans have on sale their unique and awesome work, which I think it’s pretty cool. Boonnaroo was named the “Best Festival” by the Rolling Stone Magazine in 2008 calling it “The ultimate over the top summer festival”. This year’s Bonnaroo will start rocking our summer from June 10th to June 13th, every year close to 80, 000 souls gather in the countryside to tear it up!
First held in 2002, with only 72 bands and artists on their lineup, Bonnaroo had a major success and has been that way for the past 8 years. In 2004 Bonnaroo had scheduled 2 Latin alternative bands for the first time, which were The Lonely Boys and Los Lobos. Bonnaroo has grown throughout the years from only less than half of the acts for this year’s festival, 8 years ago to 160 + on 2010.
Bonnaroo has gone all out for this year’s Latin alternative lineup, there will actually be a special tent featuring some of the best Latin Alternative acts these days, Nacional Records, who has already joined forces with Bonnaroo in the past, has been invited to assist at this year’s Bonnaroo for the Latino Alternativo lineup, so all day long on Saturday attendees will be jamming to awesome music from the Latin Alternative scene, plus djs, visual arts and more. Grammy award winners Los Angeles basedOzomatli *will be headliners at this tent and not only that but they’ll also be mc’s during the whole day, also Los *Amigos Invisibles (Venezuela),Aterciopelados (Colombia), Nortec Collective: presents Bostich y Fussible(Mexico), Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico), Bomba Estereo (Colombia), who is on the top 5 bands to check out at Bonnaroo by Spin Magazine.
Bonnaroo is not done! If you are like me and love soccer, they’re screening World Cup matches over the weekend on the Field of Dreams on large screen projections of matches! Don’t you just love it? Don’t miss it!
For schedules, info, music and arts, tickets, activities + attractions, FAQ’s, contests and more check out www.bonnaroo.com or www.indieoma.com/

La Maldita Vecindad from a white girls perspective.

2010-04-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

By Sindy Lagunas and E. C. Girls

I was excited to hear that one of my favorite Mexican rock bands, La Maldita Vecindad, would be playing at the House of Blues.

NAME: La Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del 5to Patio (The damned neighborhood and the son's of the fifth patio.)

BIRTHDATE: Mexico City 1985

SOUNDS LIKE: Rock, Ska, and a bit of Mexican bolero.

WARDROBE: Pachuco ALL ABOUT: Adventures, dilemmas, delivering a positive message of peace and improvement in all societies. This was definitely one of the craziest Latin shows i have attended in a while. The energy was loud and the audience was eager to hear them play. It was around song #3 that Shannon and Mary found me, I must admit that i was nervous to invite them. I wasn't sure if they would like it or how they would react to the guys in Mexican wrestling masks and the loud aggressive girls. When i turned and saw them having a killer time all my worries melted away and went back to the screaming and dancing like the other nuts.

In between songs the singer would say a couple positive words, mostly about peace on earth, unity, and the best of all, "STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN"

I left the House of Blues soaked in beer, sore form all the pushing, and filled with great vibes from the people

Mary:

Knowing absolutely nothing about the band i was about to see other than Sindy mentioning that we should review it for the blog, I finally entered the main concert hall after a mazeof halls and elevators leading form the plush and over the top Foundation Room at the House of Blues.

The confusing and somewhat questionable route to getting to my destination made me feel as though i was going further down the rabbit hole, one step behind Alice herself.
Once the last door opened i Could hear the crowd, sense the energy of the fans as the rhythmic sounds of the aforementioned band ingested my being. I walked into a large performance space and was at once seized by th "Malditas" energys and endorphins. As i tried to ignore the energetic rotation of the mosh pit (yes, I said mosh pit!) in front of the stage i noticed the singer. He was jumping into the air, and skanking hard core, fueling an already ecstatic audience.

I was enchanted. I scanned the stage more carefully. The singer was wearing a wife beater with wide hanging trousers akin to the zoot suit style of the 20's, all whilst dancing up a storm in a pair of black and white tipped shoes. Near by the saxophonist played his part invigorating us with his sax solo riffs while clad in long black trench coat matching his long black hair.
These guys were stylish, musically trained and knew how to pout on a performance while having fun themselves. The band also consisted of a trumpet player, keyboard player, bassist and lead guitarist. The upbeat Latin ska style melody fed the hungry crowd and kept them going.

Upon finding Sindy standing center stage with her camera, Shannon and i joined in the fun. We were located directly between the stage and the mosh pit, our elbows only protecting us from the wave of equally if not more enchanted crowd going crazy. What a show!!! Crowd-surfing ensued the entire time as well as the rain of water and beer that was being thrown across the crowd. We danced, we cheered, we skanked and clapped our hands in the air as though possessed by a spell. I saw the largest man ever get carried by the crowd to the stage to the humorous dismay of the stage bouncers who caught all the crowd-surfers. The look on the fatty's face was of sheer accomplishment and disbelief. More than a few guys were sporting Mexican wrestling masks sans shirts, bringing to mind Jack Black in Nacho Libre thus adding to the hilarity of this sweaty and outrageous wonderland.
As i left the show, my clothes drenched in sweat and beer, my left elbow slightly skinned, my hair matted to my face, i couldn't help but feel as though i had truly been wonderful.

Shannon Pipper:

There's nothingn that i love more than my city, but music trumps Montrose and sometimes that means venturing out into the unknown... downtown. The Maldita had a message and i heard it loud and clear, streaming through the speakers, straight into my heart.
Music is love. Love is universal.

My kitchen Spanish is quite pathetic and it barely gets me through a work day. Needless to say, i probably only understood six words during the whole show and one of them was "Houston". That didn't seem to matter. I understood the passion that the lead singer spoke with. I felt his heart beat as he spoke between songs to the crowd who got louder and louder with every word he said. I understood the music because it knows no ethnicity, embracing anyone who will reciprocate the emotion.

Would i go back? Heck yess! i would and you guys are coming with me. After the show, our praises continue. We have told everyone and anyone about the show. The bruises i proudly sported for days have faded, leaving no proof of how we let go and got swallowed up by the Maldita Madness.

Source http://ecmontrosegirls.blogspot.com/ thanks to Shannon, Sindy and Mary. Y'all rule.

2010-04-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

The Lollapalooza 2010 Lineup!

2010-04-05T23:40:00.001-07:00

By: LucyRock

Hold on to your seats and crazy hats kids, because this years Lollapalooza looks to be crazier, cooler and better than ever; with some heavy Headliners: Green Day, The Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, The Strokes, The Phoenix and 80's band Devo, anyone remember the classic "Whip It" with the band that had the red crazy hats? Well they will be there!

Other bands present will be; The XX, Grizzly Bear, The New Pornographers, Erika Badu, Chromeo, Wolfmother, Metric, Matt & Kim, GoGol Bordello, Frightened Rabbit, Venezuela's own craziest live act: Los Amigos Invisibles, Minus The Bear, Cypress Hill, Hot Chip and many more!

While at Spinning at Perry's; 2ManyDJ's, Empire of the Sun, Digitalism, Mexican Insitute of Sound, Cut Copy (DJ Set) and many more will be DJing. The festival will be held this August 6 - 8th in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. The tickets are selling out fast! So you might want to get them while you still can!

For more info go to: http://www.lollapalooza.com/

SXSW Music Recap: Thursday - NACO Showcase

2010-04-05T16:50:00.000-07:00

By: LucyRock

From street performances, pop rock, cumbia and so much more could be what describe the showcases that we went to for the second day of the music showcasing of South by Southwest. The two main stops we did were the NACO and the Tormenta Topical showcases. Both were good as far as quality music goes to, at the NACO one we got to see Banda de Turistas, Sonidero Nacional and Gustavo Galindo and in the Tormenta Tropical we got to see awesome DJ’s like Nguzunguzu, Jubilee, Toy Selectah, Disco Shawn, Tanlines, Maluca and many more; not only that, but like typical Austin SXSW climate we got to see street performances from everyone to street hobos to un-known bands trying to break into the music scene.

The NACO Showcase

Although this showcase was not as packed like we have seen other showcases get filled up in the past, the bands that showcased their new album and work were fantastic. The Argentina boys that make “Banda de Turistas” gave a good and calm show, that with every little bit that their music gave people were dancing and singing along to, after that the very much awaited Sonidero Nacional, composed of Toy Selctah and friends like band members from grupo fantasma, DJ Dus and other out of the spur guests like the two chicas that got up in the stage and shook their hips, brought the crowd to full out life and made them shake their hips, spin and dance the good cumbia remixes that Toy Selctah was spinning while his friends played along with music instruments.

After that awesome hip shaking, spinning and dance the whole time cumbia set, it was time for a more fresa pop style of music and boy were we shocked, before Gustavo Galindo who is signed by Universal all we knew about him is that in his latest cd he had the same producer as one of our personal favorites Julieta Venegas. However the boy can fend for himself and gave a pretty good showcase, we can’t lie nor complain. Overall it was a weird mix of music from the beatles folk style of rock from Banda de Turistas, then the hip shaking cumbia of Sonidero Nacional with the music by Gustavo Galindo a guy that is inspired by musicians such as Juanes and Cafe Tacvba and opened for groups like Natalia Lafourcade, Babasonicos and Zoe.

After that, we couldn’t wait to get to the “Tormenta Tropical” paryt which was announced by the Sonidero Nacional boys by saying “you want more partying? Come down to our party, down that way on Iron Gate” and we said, "let’s go right after Gustavo Galindo, last night was awesome so this one has to be awesome as well…" and after a short time of asking directions and finding our way... we got to the Iron Gate.

For more pictures of the Thursday music maddness simply go to our: Flickr

SXSW Music Recap: Thursday - Tormenta Tropical

2010-04-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

By: LucyRock

Tormenta Tropical

Needless to say, the backyard was pumping people of every cultural background and from every place in town was present dancing and giving life to the place, when we go there Matt Shadetek was finishing his set spinning some sick old and new school rap then he was followed by two awesome girl dj’s Nguzunguzu and Jubilee, who had pioneer and master Toy Selectah, L-Vis 1990 and Kingdom and inside we had Tanlines and Maluca + Paul Devro.

The place was crazy, full of people dancing, laughing, having a good tiem and every now and then they had mc’s grabbing the mic out of nowhere either spitting rhymes or presenting other DJ’s to keep the crowd alive. At one point hot mama Maluca even got on top of the table and danced, the stage was taken over by different people who did not dared to get on the table did dance in front of the speakers or even dared to hang in mid air while dancing.

After that crazy night, we decided to get home and sleep, and evn thought our feet were saying no more, we only gave them a couple of hours rest to get ready to see School of Seven Bells, Los Odio, Hong Kong Blood Opera, Division Minuscula and many more!

For more pictures of the Thursday music maddness simply go to our: Flickr

SXSW 2010 RECAP

2010-03-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

BY Z

Hello Houston! we finally catch up on our sleep! These two weeks have been crazy, SXSW rocked our socks out, WMC can only get better and better plus lots of shows in the HTX and Austin. We are finally now writing it all down or should we say typing, as we sip on much needed coffee.

Wednesday day #1

Online magazine Remezcla and BMI came together for this year’s SXSW and hopefully many other projects in the Latin Alternative scene, their showcase took place at “Mi casa cantina” the party got the grove on with songs like “Chicle” from Los Angeles based band, La Santa Cecilia opening the show followed by Maneja Beto representing Austin.

One of the bands we were really looking forward to see live was Palenke Soultribe, based in LA with Colombian roots and flavor brought together Electronic music with Afro-Colombian rhythms burning down the house with “Popular Music” and “The Color of your dreams” at one point Itagui from Miami-based mash-up masters “Locos por Juana” joined them to perform.

Vicente Gayo was also one of the bands we were dying to check out and didn’t disappoint us whatsoever!! These kids from Mexico put on a hell of a show with songs like “No Move” and “Rec, Play and Stop” followed by Volovan and Maluca Mala who made a cover from Mexican singer Gloria Trevi who drove the crowd nuts!

Vicente Gayo photo by: Mario Contreras

Sounds of Spain never disappoint us, it took place at Entourage this year, we made a list of shows we wanted to see with no doubt and Los Planetas were on it, ever since their song “Mi hermana pequena” we haven’t stop tracking them down, of course we got pictures taken and all. Huecco performed in Houston with Maldita Vecindad the day before and we still had to go check them out, they’re just awesome!! Amaral and Nudozurdo made the crowd sing along their song and they gave out Paella, a Spanish dish and red Spanish wine which was pretty cool in case you were hungry!

Nudozurdo photo by: Mario Contreras

Los Planetas photo by: Juan Rivas

Next stop was Iron Gate, goods friends from Kinetic were spinning where all the real party was going down.

We checked out great djs such as Sonora, Chief Boima, Lazer Sword, Poirier, Geko Jones, which wasn’t playing that night but stop to say hi, Pagame Uproot Andy from Que Bajo was spinning when we got there, we could hear “Brooklyn Cumbia” blasting on the speakers as we were walking down the street towards the venue!! Other djs we weren’t familiar with but loved their mad skills were Ghosts on tape, Jahdan Blakkamoore. They also had great music in the inside of the venue with Lemonade, delorean, Orion and Dj Dus in charge of the party, they took turns and their sets were unbelievable.

Maluca putting it down at Iron Gate photo by: Lucia Ayala

Directly from Argentina: Banda de Turistas!

2010-03-08T01:26:00.000-08:00

By: LucyRock

Staying in Houston for your spring break? Well we have good news! It seems as if that all the good bands won't only be going to the awesome festivals such as SXSW, Nrmal and MtyMx and it looks like as if the cities around the music and political capitol of Texas, will be lucky enough to get some of them to go to them and play.
One of them being the Argentinan band named "Banda de Turistas". They will be playing at Amnesia Disco, with two local bands "Ultimo Instinto" and "Maria de Negro". Although a lot of poeple will be away from the space city, the ones staying should most definately go.
In the past, we have swinged by and stayed at shows in which "Maria de Negro" plays, their lead singer Maria has an amazing voice and they are truly one of the best local Hispanic bands in Houston, and it's always oh so good to see them play; plus seing "Banda de Turistas" for the first time in Houston, is a once in a lifetime chance that you don't want to miss! It's during Spring Break! Get off your couch and go listen to some good bands! Pre-sale tickets will be sold at Discomundo and Chilo's Seafood.
Want to check other tour dates? Music videos and mp3's done by "Banda de Turistas" and much more information of them: http://www.bandadeturistas.com.ar/

Willie Nelson

2010-03-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

By: Lucyrock

Our friends from the band Niña are just about to drop their latest EP “Willie Nelson VS Ralph Macchio” which includes the songs “Primavera 96” and their latest track "Willie Nelson". These two singles are pretty good showing some of the old style and a little new and improved Niña. We have seen them play live before in the SXSW's Gibson Guitar showcase back in 2008, and they give one of the best shows live and if you have a chance to see them live go see them.You can exclusively download and listen their latest track “Willie Nelson” the first track of their EP in their blog Niña

Listen and enjoy!

Cumbia in Screwstown Texas!

2010-03-05T15:30:00.000-08:00

By: LucyRock

For the first time ever one of the biggest DJ's out in the Mexican cumbia scene came down to visit and play for an open audience here in Houston, Texas's own and hottest indie music scene club "The Mink". Invited by Larry Tee, POSR, Grrl Parts, Damon Allen and Ceeplus Knives; Toy Selectah spinned an awesome set full of cumbia, afro beats, raverton, and so much more that kept the whole place pumping, shaking and dancing the whole time. At one point the crowd invaded the stage, and even an some few awesome dancers kept the whole crowd dancing. It was definately the show to not miss in February and we certanly hope you didn't and in case you did, or want to revive your memory here are some of the pictures!

To see more check out our: Flickr

Austin’s 411 and more!

2010-03-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

By Deja Zu

March is one of our favorite months of the year! We; in the lone star state, await all year around for SXSW which takes place in Austin, TX, be ready and prepare to expect bigger experiences just like they say it “everything is bigger in Texas!”

We don’t only mean the awesome bands; parties and showcases there are to crash but also restaurants, hotels, etc.

We bring you the scoop, all budgets, Check it out!

Real BBQ, Fried Steak and Margaritas?? Welcome to Austin, TX our Mecca!

To begin with most major airlines land on Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, located ten miles from downtown! Get a rental car to get around; as taxis can be limited especially during SXSW don’t forget to designate your driver!!!

Where to stay???
The Habitat Suites are very comfy and S.E.X.Y their green bona fides include using only nontoxic fertilizers and pesticides and biodegradable paper goods!! Rooms from $137; 500 East Highland Mall Boulevard; 800-535-4663; habitatsuites.com

Closer to downtown??
Hotel San José is one of our favorites!! Coffee shops are a walking distance and good food too! Rooms from $95; 1316 South Congress Avenue; 800-574-8897; sanjosehotel.com

No Budget??
Crashing an after-party never fails, waking up in unknown places is always a good sign of having a hell of a time!

Grub??
Whole Foods Market
The biggest market shopping trendy store!!! Buy some fresh Texas peaches, local Pure Luck Farm goat cheese! 525 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-476-1206; wholefoodsmarket.com

The Mighty Cone
Get really Texan! Enjoy an authentic taste of Texas in trailer park! Mobile vendors gathered in a dusty lot, a high-end Austin restaurant famous for local game. Don't pass up the grass-fed venison in a cone-shaped tortilla with mango-jalapeño slaw. Vegetarians should try the almond- and sesame-seed encrusted avocado cone with chili flakes!!
1600 South Congress Avenue; 512-383-9609; mightycone.com

Corner Store
Beer and Chips are always a must!!!

Enjoy!

The Monster Has Awaken: MtyMx - Festival de Musica y Arte Para Todas Las Edades

2010-02-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

By: LucyRock

A musical monster has awaken in the city of Monterrey, N. L.; Mexico, and it's set to awake from March 20 - 22 of 2010 bringing with it sounds not only from United States and other places around the world. This new monster is called “MtyMx” a festival of not only music but art of 30 different visual artists that will show their art just like the musicians, outside in the free air. This festival is the something fresh that we have been looking for, among our favorite bands that will attend are Los Planetas, White Ninja, Los Llamarada. Mockinpott, DD/MM/YYYY, Bam Bam, Los Fancy Free, Chikita Violenta, Ratas Del Vaticano and Quiero Club.

from left to right: top - Bam Bam, Chikita Violenta

bottom - Los Planetas, Quiero Club

The tickets range $200.00 pesos per day and $400.00 for the three days, you can purchase them online through paypal. If you have no place to stay, you can do hotel reservation in Hotel Fundador, they have different rates for the different rooms and beds that are needed, just email mtymxhotel@gmail.com so they can reserve the room for you.

We are so excited for this new event organized by Yo Garage and Todd P. we have actually gone to events organized previously be Yo Garage and they are always fun and have something new and exciting to show we really cannot wait to go to this event and hope that you do as well, you don’t want to miss the awakening of this amazing monster of music and art and unlike other festivals is open to all ages; so you can experience new music new art in the outdoors of Monterrey.

from left to right: top - The Coathangers, White Ninja

bottom - Ratas del Vaticano, Das Racist

For more information about the bands and more updates make sure to check out their official website MtyMx.

My Broken Embraces.

2010-02-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

By Daniel Salazar

“I’ve seen other films by Almodovar which were more meaningful in less amount of time”

Harry Caine, is a blind writer, who works with Judit and her son Diego, Caine is actually Mateo Blanco. He begins using Harry Caine as an alias after losing his sight in a car accident. News arrive of the death of corrupt stockbroker Ernesto Martel, who once produced a movie Mateo directed called “Girls and suitcases”

A pretentious man named Ray X, who is actually Ernesto Martel’s son, asks Harry to work with him on a story which Ray wants to direct. The story of a young man, son of a millionaire lady with no scruples, a son which was worried about art and had talent to be an artist, never accepted by his father. When his father died, his son wished upon burning his name so he could have his vengeance and get rid of his father’s memories.

The film now goes back to 1992 where Martel falls in love with his secretary, a wanna-be actress turned into a prostitute. He and Lena become a couple in 1994. However, when Lena auditions for “Girls and Suitcases” Blanco also falls in love with her.

It is very noticeable how Almodovar links films inside films, his stories have always had a close relationship to theatre or films, and the lives of the characters that have that kind of lifestyle, approaching his characters closely in the story of a film, inside another film.

Tonino Guerra is mentioned in the movie, which to me is one of the greatest writers in the Italian film industry, especially in Italian Neorealism of 1940s and 50s, which I really liked.

Broken Embraces to me is similar to Federico Fellini’s 8 ½, Elevator to the Gallows of Louis Malle, personally to me because of the settings, scenery and takes but keeping it at the same fun level. Timing barely changes but it takes us away, this could’ve been hard to the expectation.

At last, in my opinion Broken Embraces is about loves of the cinema world of Almodovar the blending of the 7^th art with average lives, the reflexion of society shows us the difference of good and bad films in a film itself in their own version of other films. It’s also about a man who neglected his past or tried to and took more than 14 years to face it and make it right. Mateo ends up being a better character. I think it’s explainable why not to ignore Fascist dictatorships and make it right.

It seems to tell us no to ignore but to become better characters, everyone has had embraces wishing they would be forever when I the end these are broken. Broken Embraces is not only about troubled love affairs but about the responsibility to finish everything we get started everything, every new journey even in the blind.

Toy Selectah in Houston, Texas!

2010-02-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

By: LucyRock

Next weekend, one of the best DJ’s in Mexico, member of Sonidero Nacional and Mad Decent; DJ Toy Selectah is coming to spin and show us his latest work in Houston’s own club The Mink Backroom. He will be performing only with Houston’s best DJ’s Ceeplus Bad Knives, Grrrl Parts and Damond Allen. Not only that but alongside to them, Larry Tee and POSR will be performing! You do not, and I mean you do not want to miss this show! Peace!

Kinetic's Fashion Faves 2009

2010-01-12T18:56:00.000-08:00

By: Lizz Flores

Merry LatinCrunk Xmas!

2010-01-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

By: Zuleny

Hoping everyone is already fully recovered and catch up on sleep from Christmas day and New Years’partying (we sure are working on that!!) here is a little recap from our Christmas night with our peeps from the LatinCronk Xmas party held at Dean’s in Houston Downtown.

We got to Dean’s a little after 8:30pm while Ed San Chez was doing sound check, I said hi to Stephen, who is the guy in charge at Dean’s, we had a tamal and a cup of hot chocolate which we had there available for everyone as promised, which were delishhh I may add (maybe i was just hungry!), Ed San Chez started jamming with songs from Nortec Collective, Gustavo Cerati, The Pinker Tones and Bajofondo, while we danced and mingled. Later that night I started spinnin’ some Lady Hawke, Peaches, Nina Dioz, Le Castle Vania, Steve Aoki, Drop the Lime and Computer Club tunes and last but not least Panchitron (which was actually meant to open the show) started his set with Vampire Weekend’s remix by Toy Selectah, Buraka Som System's Wegue Wegue, Sonido del Principe amongst others. We each had 30 minute sets and each of us had about 3 sets.

Edson’s second set was off the chain! he played Selena's Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Locomia's self title track in which everyone pretended to use a fan on their dance moves, there was a point where we all went nuts and Shina, another Houstonian performer (more about her later) took it on the bar and got it on and we all got it on with her! Bartenders where so nice they had awesome special drinks and gave me a few tequila shots (it was like the read my mind...)

Panchitron played Guarachero Raverton in which he had a track called "Watagatpitusberry" song done over youtube by a group of teenage dominicans that represent The Washington Heights in New York City called 3patine7, which seems to sound a lot like “Beeper” from The Count and Sinden ft Kid Sister but with a twist of cumbia which make it sound awesome plus everyone loved.

We all had a great time and look forward to the next party sometime in January. We’ll have pictures soon courtesy of Sindy Lagunas former Houston Press photographer.

A Late Christmas Gift: The Live Lights

2009-12-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

By: LucyRock

‘Twas days before Christmas and before we kept going to more and more posadas and other Christmas parties, we decided to finally and gladly go check a local Houston act that has been making a lot of commotion, not only here in Houston but, also in the city of Monterrey, N.L., Mexico! This local band that has named itself The Live Lights was formed in 2008 by Bryan Khatib and Bryan Higginbotham and later with the additions of Vik Montemayor and Martin Rios, it became the and that we know today an awesome but rare mix of keyboarding new wave indie rock. The Live Lights have participated with local Texas acts like the Caterpillars and international acts like Peter Hook; this last one was their first performance in Monterrey, Mexico. Not only have they played in the big metropolitan cities, but they have also made themselves known in others like Brownsville and San Benito, Texas.

The Live Lights are heavily influenced by British rock among those bands, are my personal favorites The Cure and Radio Head. If you digg bands such as; The Killers, Zoe, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Interpol, then you pretty much need to go and check out this band. The Live Light live are pretty much beyond awesome and go far beyond the three songs LP, which leads us to believe that very soon some new songs and a new LP will be coming out soon (fingers crossed!), but in case you don’t even have this LP you need to get it asap! Go get it now in iTunes, listen to it and let us know what you think, and check them out!

Thanks to our fashion editor: Lizz Flores for tagging along, you rock chick!

Upcoming Shows:

ene 16 2010

8:00p

Jet Lounge w/ Ideophonic

Houston, Texas

ene 29 2010

8:00p

Galeria 409

Brownsville, Texas

ene 30 2010

8:00p

Escenica

Monterrey, Nuevo León

may 8 2010

8:00p

The V

San Benito, Texas

For more info on The Live Lights:

http://www.myspace.com/thelivelights

Holiday Dranks!

2009-12-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

By Zuleny

We've already talked about holidays and how we always like to throw parties on a holiday and what not so here's one more drink to your list for those parties.

Provided by Kahlua

Kahlua White Russian

Ingredients

2 parts of Kahlua

1 part of Volka

Add cream or milk, soy milk or skim milk.

Directions

Pour over ice in a rocks glass. Try with Kahlua Hazelnut, French Vanilla or Mocha. For a skinny white russian, add skim or soy milk.

Enjoy!

She puts passion in fashion!

2009-12-13T20:05:00.000-08:00

From the first time i saw Lizzie, she's always left me stunned with her style, thoughtfulness and cleverness on everything she wears as well as carries herself , so we so wanna introduced you all who's gonna be the sense of fashion in this blog. Boys and Girls meet Lizz.

By Lizz.

When I first read the questions for this article about 2 weeks ago, I have to admit, I read the questions at least 10 times before answering, why? well this was not a myspace survey or a gossip questionnaire you make boys fill out in middle school, this is an article about me my life in less than 20 questions wow, I thought “What do you do? (In the fashion Industry)?” this question made me realized that I’m nothing but a fashion junkie, I thought of this question for about two days, and honestly I’ll do pretty much anything for fashion flx, let’s see, a Vogue and a Nylon magazine over milk and eggs, or a month on Instant noodles for a pair of shoes from Barney's or Topshop.

I do have goals and aspirations I'd like to accomplish as I shop my life away such as having my own clothing line and become a Fashion Consultant/Stylist, but right now I'm just having fun.I think I was 12 years old when I bought my first magazine and I've been Infatuated with fashion ever since, It wasn't until I got out of High School that I realized that my obsession with shoes and clothes could also be somehow a career choice for me and that perhaps I could make money doing what I love; SHOP!

Last summer my boyfriend and I started our own clothing line for boys and girls called FORSa PINK, we had a lot of fun doing so, he came up with designs and I shopped for all the accessories to complement the whole 80's vibe. We put together 3 fashion shows within a year and had an online store where people from all over the world shopped our products, the line was doing really good but it required a lot of work and time, time which neither one of us had at that point in our lives so it became really difficult to continue with it and with hole in our heart we decided to close the site down for a while. Now I spend a lot of time looking at the runway shows on style.com, this season I'm loving everything from Balmain, Herve leger by Max Azria and Alexander Wang to name a few. My favorite designers the ones I will always go back to are Marc Jacobs and Betsey Johnson, I love everything that man does and Betsey J can do no wrong in my book.

It's really inspiring seeing the models walking down the runway with their designs, I can only imagine what that must feel like, which brings me to the next point, I'm working on getting products for a Japanese Inspired clothing line something like Betsey Johnson meets Sonia Rykiel, dresses, shoes, bags and all the good stuff. I am also taking jewelry making classes my lifelong dream is to start my own jewelry line, classes can get hard but while blasting The Strokes always relaxes me any music really, it all depends on my mood.

Apart from having my own line I'd love to be a Style consultant for guys and girls, It’s really important for me to answer girls’ doubts on their appearance, I mean people from all over the planet express who they are through their clothes, so it would be nice is I can help people do so as well . I wanted to be a style consultant ever since I can remember. . I don't want to pick out dresses for girls and tell them what they need to wear or what they should buy. I want to help them find their personal style and develop an eye for fashion, educate them so they don't feel overwhelmed with all the trends out there. Like a little Miss Sex in the City said "Fashion Is not a Luxury Is a Right”

Speaking of fashion, I personally think every girl should have the perfect LBD a great pair of black pumps and a well tailored black jacket, the things one can never (and should never) have enough of are black shoes and jackets. The colors I love the most on myself are black, black and more black, some navy, gray and nude, a punch of color here and there. But you know every one is different and what works on me may not work on someone else. Everyone is entittled to their own style and look, however I’d love to see less Juicy Couture, sweat pants and flip flops and more high heels and edgy outfits on the streets of Houston, TX.

Overall I am really excited about everything in the fashion world and as soon as my line comes out, I will have a website where you can shop and see my work so you can check it out and hopefully give me some feedback.

I would love to see what you all think, for all your fashion questions and for more tips, you can reach me at lizzflores@aol.com I am beyond excited!!

Meet Stephanie Guajardo!

2009-12-11T10:42:00.000-08:00

By Zuleny

I first heard of Dia de las Chingonas by Lupe, the owner of Bohemeo’s, he showed me all the art that was exposed that day which we have showed you before. “Chingonas” means “Bad ass” in this case used as a feminine gender in Spanish that is why they called The day of bad ass girls, which would be the closest translation to Dia de las Chingonas, a day where Lizbeth Ortiz, Julie Zarate and Stephanie Guajardo had an expo showing their work and having some of their pieces on sale. We have now come to show you the work of last but not least Stephanie Guajardo.

Stephanie Guajardo, originally from Dallas, Texas is a self-taught artist who has been drawing off and on since she was a little girl. The majority of her art is graphite and watercolor on watercolor paper.“I love graphite and graphite loves me.” She says.

Most of the art she has on sale at http://stephanieguajardo.etsy.com/ is from her Frida Kahlo series originals and giclee prints that come in two sizes for six different drawings.
“I use the images of Frida Kahlo in her famous photographs. I create a detailed foreground and background that is influenced by Frida’s facial expression, her clothing, the way she carries herself or by what I think she may have been experiencing in her life at the time the photograph was taken” She says.

Her favorite artists or performers are Frida Kahlo, Trent Reznor, H.R. Giger, Diego Rivera, Luis Jimenez, M.C. Escobar and Benito Huerta. She likes MECA as her favorite Visual Art Space.
“Working with my hands is what i do best” She tells us and you can also see crafts, draws, sculpts and jewelry done by her. She uses watercolor on some of her drawings and plan to try painting on canvas sometime soon.

She plans to add more pieces over time to shop as she creates them or decide to sell work she already has on hand.

Check out http://arteabla.ning.com/profile/StephanieGuajardo?xg_source=activity or http://artshouston.ning.com/profile/StephanieGuajardo to purchase Stephanie’s work, be her friend on MySpace here http://www.myspace.com/blue_azul_baby and follow her on twitter http://twitter.com/StephGuajardo .

Xmas goodies!

2009-12-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

Little details that count

By Zuleny

When I saw this recipe for Orange rum hard sauce on the book of treats for Christmas I said to myself here is how I can make my Christmas be a little different, some people really look forward to Christmas and look carefully what the menu will be, shop for all the ingredients necessary to cook every meal and succeed! Other people stick to what they know and just cook what’s traditional. If so you wanna dip whatever your eating (turkey, Chicken, etc) in this sauce which is super easy to make, it only takes 10 minutes.

Orange rum hard sauce
Ingredients
4 oz/115 g unsalted butter or substitute (smart balance 50/50)
Brown sugar
1 Finely grated rind orange
Pinch of all spice
3 tbsp of Rum

Cream the butter in a bowl until it is very smooth and soft. Gradually beat in the sugar, orange grind, and all spice. Add the rum, a little at a time, beating well after each addition and taking care not to let the mixture curdle.
Spoon the orange rum hard sauce into a small serving dish, cover with plastic wrap, and let chill until required.

Natural artist.

2009-11-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

Meet Julie Zarate!

By Zuleny

Julie Zarate is one of our Houstonians we are proud to present ya’ll her work is exquisite and it can only get better!

Julie Zarate was born on November 17th 1970 her favorites artists are Diego Rivera, George Yepes, Gustay Klimt, Erte, Aubrey Beardsley, Paul Gaupin, Edgar Degas, Jack Vettriano, Juarez Machado, Edward Hopper, Vincent Van Gogh, Michael Viner, Alexander Calder, Maxfield Parrish, Henri Matisse, Leonardo Da Vinci, Patrick Nagel and Tamara de Lempicka.

Julie is a natural artist and composer of art on paper.
“Since the day I picked up a pencil, I was drawn in. The feel of the lead against paper, being able to create worlds from nothingness, it was a very powerful feeling.” She says.

Mostly self-taught, she’s gathered books on other artists and copied their work,
“When I was younger, I based my success on how accurate I could portray their work. As I grew older, I realized success lay in my finding my own way, my own style, forever my worst critic, I feel I have to yet succeed, but rather than expressing my humility, you be the judge” Julie says.
Within her galleries, you will find the culmination of many hours, weeks, years of her work. Whether influenced by Gaugin, Nagel, Rivera or any artist she’s come across her journey. Enjoy!

Check http://www.etsy.com/shop/six06?page=1 for more of her work which is also available for purchase.

Thanksgiving Super Foods!

2009-11-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

Cranberry Berry Healthy Berry Yummy!

By: Killer Chef

Hello, hoping you had a very nice Thanksgiving here a quick recap of what my favorite part was! Hope you like it! Introducing you all. CRANBERRIESSS!!!

Cranberries are glossy and red. They grow on trailing vines in marshes or bogs. The berries are at their pick in Fall and early Winter. Cranberries are a very good source of fiber, as well as vitamin C and other cancer-fighting antioxidants. Eating them regularly may support the immune system, promote digestive and urinary tract health and raise the body’s levels of HDL, otherwise known as good cholesterol. Buy them fresh whenever possible, or fresh frozen. Dried Cranberries are rich in nutrients but often are sweetened to offset their tartness. Choose deeply colored plum berries that feel firm. At home pick on the Cranberries and get rid of any mushy ones, store the rest unwashed and wrapped in plastic and the refrigerator, where they’ll last for up to 2 months. If well sealed in plastic, Cranberries will last for up to a year in the freezer. Try in quick breads, muffins and coffee cakes, or simmered in autumn fruit chutney with apples and pears or in sorbets!

CRANBERRY AND VANILLA BEAN SORBET
1 12- ounce package fresh or frozen cranberries about 3 cups.
2 ½ Cups of water
2 Cups of sugar
½ Teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 Vanilla bean, split lengthwise
¼ Cup fresh lemon juice
Combine cranberries, 2 ½ cups water, sugar and coarse salt in large pan heavy saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean. Add bean to mixture and bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low; simmer until cranberries pop and are soft, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
Remove vanilla bean from cranberry mixture. Working in batches, puree cranberry mixture in blender. Strain into large bowl; discard solids. Stir in lemon juice. Refrigerate cranberry mixture until well chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Transfer cranberry mixture to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer sorbet to container; cover and freeze.
For more log on to http://www.bonappetit.com/

Have you heard about Los Hijos de Manuela?

2009-11-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

By: LucyRock

A few days ago, we went to check out the local band "Los Hijos De Manuela" and to tell you the truth they are pretty rad, they play their own music in which they include a nice balad named "Claro" which we totally recomend you hear asap, and even came out to play two covers one of them the very well known "Suena Mi Esqueleto" by famous ska band Vicitmas Del Doctor Cerebro. If your into listening to a quality good pop rock local band, make sure you are on the look out and come out to their next show. This are just a few pics of what you missed!

Check their music and upcoming shows in their myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/loshijosdemanuela

Thank you to RockenHouston for the access!

Houston's got art!

2009-11-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

By: Zuleny

Hello friends! As everyone is now getting ready for Thanksgiving break (and so are we) we’d love you to check out this weekend’s cultural art event in the Houston Area, Music, Poetry, Theater, Dance, Film and Visual Arts will be some of the ingridients, we are sure you don’t wanna miss out. One of our favorite one is Lizbeth Ortiz, we do love her work and we are sure you all are gonna love it too. Check it out son!

Lizbeth Ortiz is a Houston-based artist born in Mexico City but moved to the U.S when she was only 2 years old, she later moved back to Mexico as she learned more about her culture and traditions. Lizbeth attended to High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX and she majored in Visual Arts and graduated in 1994. Some of her work is themed around phases of love as a result of witnessing the September 11th terrorist attack. Lizbeth’s first solo show was in October 2001 which would become the first of many “Dia de los Muertos” exhibit for her to create.

Lizbeth is a member of the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture and has worked with artists such as Amalia Mesa-Bains and Delilah Montoya.
Today Lizbeth continues to collaborate with various oriented organizations as Teatro Bilingue de Houston and The Houston Institute for Culture.

More info on Lizbeth Ortiz’s work log on to http://www.lizbethortiz.com/

Don’t miss the chance to meet her at Chiahui Nahui a show in honor to Native American History Month at The Ripley House on 4410 Navigation, Houston, Tx 77011. Other artirts will be there as well such as, MJO, Jesus Navarrete, Tony Briones, Skees 181, Abidemi Olowonira, Stephanie Guajardo (one of our favorites and friends of Kinetic) and Robert Castillo. Music by Tres Alacranes, Tribe of Anga, Los Pistoleros and El Tlazho. Performers such as Danza Azteca, Kuumba Kids, Colombian Orchid Ballet, Rhythm Soldiers and Cafu Capoeira plus the’ll be having World tianguis vendors and poetry reading by Poets around the world tour. Don’t miss it!

El Arte de Nueva America

2009-11-17T22:23:00.000-08:00

LatinTron DJ's: Zuleny Garcia and Edson Sanchez

By: LucyRock

So could have thought it? In one of our favorite chill spots Bohemeo's the Latintron Dj's hosted a massive musical listening party! Listening party that we not only went to distress over final projects time, but also and most importantly to hear some awesome quality good music!

We got to hear first hand:

Quiero Club - Nueva America

If you haven't heard them you need to, these crazy techno rock kiddos are one of the best bands coming out of the Monterrey Indie Scene. They play in either and both English and Spanish without any accent problems; and can make you boogie more than any song done by Ricky Martin or any other commercial Latin American artist. This particular band has played alongside to Kinky, Paramore, The Kooks and The Flamming Lips and even opened up for Depeche Mode.

For more musica and see their upcomign events check their website: http://yotambienquieroclub.com/

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs - El Arte De La Elegancia

One of the biggest bands in the Latin Alternative Music World, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs have managed to do it again, and have decided to release a bunch of pop covers of their own B-side tracks, if your a die hard core fan, you'll probably start wondering by the second song and scream why did LFC went pop? But if your like me and adore them no matter what, specially that song "Matador" you'll like it; not their greatest work but I still dig it!

for more info on this crazily good original ska band go to their own website! http://www.fabulosos-cadillacs.com/

and the New cd releases of: Morrisey and Nirvana

Fun fun fun fest recap!

2009-11-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

By: Zuleny

Hellow peeps! As we try to recover from the Fun Fun Fun Friggin’ Fabulous Fest and after parties (which actually we made it to a couple of them after we finished writing this quick recap!) Here is a little something, something from Austin to wherever you might be reading this.

Austin never stops jammin’ as proof of that is Fun Fun Fun Festival ’09 at The Waterloo Park, two days filled with awesome music , 90 artists sharing 4 stages, Ramps to skate and a VIP full of free booze, (in which we thank FFF crew for letting us be part of that)FREE Frito pies and veggie kabobs which we think is kinda cool .

Crystal Castles Photo by Stefan Covert from The Austinist.

To be honest with you all i had not seen any of these artists before they amazed the hell out of everyone in the crowd with songs like Sid and Seth by Les Savy Fav and Street Jizz by Ssion.

Cool Kids were seen at the Beauty Bar later on that night in which they had a guest dj set.

Day 2, Sunday also began at noon with The Roller on the Black Stage followed by one of the most awesome Austinities and of course friends of Kinetic, also one of our favorites Peligrosa All-Stars, who usually play at Creekside and pack it crazy everytime (hopefully we’ll have more about them later)on the Blue Stage and following the others according Sunday’s schedule.
Favorites on Sunday were Peligrosa All-Stars, Health, the King Khan & BBQ Show, Buraka Som Sistema which started kinda late they still played power jams!, Crystal Castles was amazing and of course “Crime Wave” was a must!, Of Montreal and with no doubt Kid Sister closing day two on the Blue Stage with an awesome set. It ended about 10:00pm both days.

Mix Hell had an after party at The Beauty Bar, King Khan was at Red 7, The Trail of Death at The Mohawk and Discotronix at Plush, unfourtunately we didn’t get to go to all of them but heard they were a blast!
We’d like to thank the Fun fun fun fest crew and The Austinst for all the help!

We feel USED and love it!!!

2009-11-11T16:35:00.000-08:00

By Lucia M

According to Bert Mc Craken, lead singer of the U.S. band The Used, 11.06.09 Friday night inside the House of Blues and in front of 1,300 fans “Houston ---- did it!.” Coming out of a small town in Utah, The Used has been the American rock band to follow since; their debut album “The Used” raised them to fame in June of 2002. Now 4 albums, and even though their original drummer recently left them, this emo-punk-alternative rock band has managed to remain strong, fact that was proven in their concert when their fans went basically nuts with every single song; they played oldies and nuevecitas like “The Taste of Ink” “Buried Myself Alive” “Blood On My Hands“ “On My Own” the last one in Acoustic… yes guys, these hardcore machos can pull out an acoustic guitar and still be awesome! Every single person sang, jumped, mashed and ran against each other the whole time, it was bananas! We will definitely go back and see them when they fulfill their promise of coming back!!
Two smaller bands opened up for them, the punk band “Brand A” http://www.myspace.com/drivea from Los Angeles, California; whose influences are some of our favorite punk bands “Green Day” “The Misfits” “MXPX” and whose singer Bruno decided to crowd surf during one the song “Can’t Sleep It Off” while the audience flicked them off at their request.
“The Almost” the rock band from Florida built and made by Under oath drummer Aaron Gillespie, now promoting their sophomore album “Monster Monster” is a Christian band, that was able to hype the Houston crowd just like “Drive A” minus the cursing and flicking of.. que monos!
All in all, this was a concert that anyone fan or not, would have love to be in; I personally not until a month or two liked their music and their show is a must see for any rockero. Next time they come, make sure you check them out you really do not want to miss them!

Here's a few picks of what you missed:

Ps. We love them even more, because they brought a 12 yr old fan to the stage with her older brother, and took them backstage, chulos!!

Halloween week the yummy part!

2009-11-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

Halloween Goodies!!!

By: Killer Chef and Fat Kid loves Cake

We all love Halloween season for the costumes and parties and these lead to our favorite part which is drinks and food!! As you might not know Fat Kid is of the hispanic heritage bringing to the table the flavor and since i'm Irish i bring nothing but drunkeness, We decided to be fair and get you all something we both love! Candy Corn!! but wait this is our gourmet Candy Corn. Enjoy!

Candy Corn Cordials da Drink!!!

Ingredients

For the infused vodka:
1/2 cup candy corn
1 1/2 cups vodka
For the cordials:
2 ounces orange liqueur
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 large egg white
Candy corn, for garnish

Directions
Infuse the vodka: Combine the candy corn and vodka in an airtight container; set aside for at least 3 hours, then strain.
Make the cordials: Add 4 ounces of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Strain into 2 chilled martini glasses and garnish with candy corn. Drink and get crunk!

Halloween week!

2009-11-06T10:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Belated Halloween!

By: Tiger goes grrr!

Good afternoon! After a long week and lost of drinks too, we are trying to put this together for you guys! Hoping you all had a safe Halloween and for some Dia de Muertos. We celebrated both because we just love to celebrate hollidays.

Last October 29th Mexican alternative band group "Plastilina Mosh" in which Jonás and Alejandro Rosso are the lead, blasted the Escapade. This awesome band has achieved, since the release of their 1997 single-debut 'Niño Bomba', both critical and commercial success. The group often mixes several music styles like rap, dance and rock while often switching between English and Spanish and several other languages in the same song.

They played sets of 3 songs alternating with Venezuelan band "Amigos Invisibles" which we have to talk about too! for more info on their music check out http://www.pmosh.com/ Don't let any language be a barrier!! Besides they have tons of songs in English.

Amigos Invisibles was also a part of these event, making theis panas sing along with them to "Mentiras" and "El Barro" these guys just won the Latin Grammy for the Best Alternative Latin Album. Amigos Invisibles is a Venezuelan band that plays a blend of disco, jazz and funk mixed with Latin rhythms. For more on the their wonder go to www.amigosinvisibles.com

Also our fellow friends from www.rockenhouston.com will be posting soon interviews on them.

Kinetic on the works!

2009-09-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

KINETiC the zine

evolving worlds.

Hello fellow bloggers and readers! It's a pleasure to have you all here on this blog we as a team based in the beautiful city of Houston, Tx are currently working to bring you all a taste of the worlds best (to our opinion) side of Fashion, Arts, Films, Music and more. We'll keep you updated as this projetc grows.