WFK had the pleasure of interviewing one of the most talented and true musicians from Miami, Raffa Jo Harris. Every music lover from this latitude should know the girl with a beautiful voice, who is not afraid of standing in front of crowds and opening her heart out. Raffa and her partner in crime, Rainer, had influenced many local songwriters who explore into folk and soft rock melodies.

On February 9^th, Raffa and Rainer will be performing at The Virginia Key Grassroots Festival representing Miami’s very own music talent.

WFK: Minimal, beautiful and deep songs are some of the principal elements of your music.Can you describe, what’s the ideal scenario for composing a song?
I have to be alone…there can’t even be anyone in the next room. I only ever pick up my guitar when I have an empty house or apartment. And I usually have to be a little heartbroken. Or a lot heartbroken if its gonna be a really good song.

How did your love story with music start?
Same as everyone’s, I suppose… Mama singin’.

What was the first song you ever wrote? Are you still playing it in your live shows?
The first song I ever wrote was for a high school theater project. And no, I would never dream of singing it in front of people. I write a lot of crap. I try to keep the worst of it to myself.

When did Rainer come along? What’s it purely musical attraction at first sight?
Rainer and I met around 2000 we didn’t start playing regularly together till 2005.  But yes, as soon as we played that very first show together at the old Tree of Zion restaurant in ’05, Raffa and Rainer was born.

How do you complement each other artistically?
I make songs, Rainer makes magic.

Listening to your folk, soft-rock and tender songs, it’s hard to guess your roots where planted in Miami. In spite of that, is this flashy city reflected anyhow in your music?

There is a lot more to Miami than just the flashy part of it… Same as there is more to us than tender folk songs.

“No mercy”, an album of 11 great songs which also features over 30 other artist, had a strong impact in Miami’s music scene. Are you planning to release a new album anytime soon?
We’d really like to. Realistically though, right now we basically can buy a tour van or make an album. The road is beckoning…..

On February 9th you will be performing at The Virginia Key Grassroots Festival. What’s your favorite thing about playing live? What do you guys have planned for the show?
The best thing about playing music live is its the purest way to share it. We get to open our mouths, strum and bang on things, and people get to hear it. There’s no middle man. We’ll be playing with a full band for the festival which is always fun.

::Wasabi Quizz ::

Miami tastes like… El Palacio de los Jugos
What inspires you? Miami, bro.
What’s your heaven like? I wouldn’t have to choose between buying a tour van, recording an album, and rent. I’d have more time with my family. And we’d all dwell in a connected paradise of caves…like Fraggle Rock. Otherwise, I’m pretty much living in it.
Cassette, CD, vinyl or mp3? Vinyl
The first record ever that you remember buying: Debbie Gibson Electric Youth
The last record that you purchased or downloaded: I found the Cranberries, No need to argue at Red, White and Blue for 95 cents. I remember almost every lyric from middle school. So good!
Raffa’s top 5 music wise :Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Denny Denny Breakfast, Jenny Lewis, Jesse Jackson our very own.
What song, from other artist do you admire,  you’d wish you have composed it yourself? There are too many to name. People are really effing brilliant.
You would kill to play in the same stage with: I’d settle for just seeing Tom Waits. He’s been running around my heart since high school and I’m sure that I’m a better person for it.
Freedom in your own words: see #3

 Raffa and Rainer will be playing on February 9 at 8.45
@ The Virginia Key Grassroots Festival
 

The Hongs is a multicultural band based in Miami since 2006. Their sound flirts with calm, deep, but powerful and progressive melodies at the same time.  Their main purpose is to explore the space between the electronic and organic.This Sunday, January 29 the Hongs will be playing at The Armory Studios during a cultural “varieté” that will include the performance of Krisp and live fashion sculpture powered by Wasabi Fashion Kult.

Days before the event, WFK inquired Gordon Myers, The Hongs’ mentor, to dig into the band’s music essence. Let’s see what Gordon has to offer:

WFK: When did your affair with music start?
The affair started in Discovery Bay, Jamaica 1977. Strapped to Mums back, I slept through Bob Marley and the Wailers!

What’s the story behind The Hongs?
The original band started in Brooklyn NY in 2004 as an acoustic song writing duo with my video artist Sue Mi Ko . In 2006 I moved to Miami. Eric Escanes (Suenalo) and I began 9:30am rehearsals and the modern version of the band was born.

You state that The Hongs are a ‘multinational dance conglomerate’, what do you mean by that?
The band has always been an expression of diversity. Quite accidentally, band members have been Jamaican, French, Mexican, Jewish, Costa Rican, Scottish, Cuban and Argentinean. We are currently exploring dance music hybrids. Jesse Murphy coined the term ROCKDISCO.

Your songs blend a calm atmosphere with a tense an obscure vibe. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I try taking inspiration from all around me. Personally song writing became an outlet to block depression and mental illness. It worked…I think.

Is Miami anyhow reflected in your sound?
Our sound is the collision of multiple genres. Miami being one of a few truly cosmopolitan and diverse cities in the United States could be viewed comparatively. Miami was the perfect back drop for the Hongs to come into existence.

On January 29 you will be playing at The Armory Studios. What are the essential elements of The Hong’s live shows?
Our live shows tend to be High Energy, Uptempo and LOUD. Currently the band is triggering “electronic effected sounds” with traditional instrumentation. We use traditional songwriting formats combined with untraditional sounds.

The Hongs will be playing @ The Armory Studios

on January 29

 

In this interview, the lead singer and composer of one of the weirdest and most talented groups from the last decade tells WFK how he fell in love with art and the dark side of being a true artist.   

WFK: Everybody knows the story of your musical career after you joined the Elephant Six Collective, but what happened before that? When did you start feeling passionate about music?
I guess when I was about 13 or 14. I started making songs and recording in my bedroom. By then I was inspired by heavy metal music but my inspiration has changed a lot over the years.

What was the primordial musical intention when you created of Montreal, back there in 1996, is it still the same?
Yes, pretty much is a labor of love to me. I made it pretty much by myself and I got inspired by different things; I wanted to made something personal, exceptional and interesting and the essence stayed kind of the same from the beginning.

Both your music and performances are notoriously influenced by other art disciplines such as theater, cinema and literature; you were even involved in the A Pollinaire Rave comedy tour. Is there any other artistic discipline that you would like to explore or combine with your music?
You kind of name most of them, you can definitely try to incorporate different things like gardening or other unconventional ideas. We also have lots of pretty strong visual elements on our live productions over the past four years, as far as projecting images and putting thought into the lightning and the stage. But for this future we are actually spending a lot of attention on the visuals and the projections and trying to create a sort of transportive experience for the audience.

You are an artist that was never afraid of opening up and singing to your deepest feelings, in one of the songs that is going to be included in your upcoming album you even declare: “I spend my waking hours haunting my own life / I made the one I love start crying tonight / And it felt good”.  Did you ever get involved into serious trouble because your conception of art?
Yes, definitely it creates some issues with the people I’m in a relationship with because I incorporate a lot of my personal life into my songwriting and people, understandably feel sort of victimized in a way to see that they are displayed in front of the world like that because especially is only my perception, it’s only from my advantage point which is not a real fair thing to do. I mean is not fair to the other people involved but in the same time I think that art really has to come from a very personal place if not it doesn’t have much value and it feels superficial, in my mind.

I think that you are one of the few artists left who are so true and sincere in your songs, although, as you said before, it can get you in trouble. So, have you ever thought about changing that way of making art?
Well, I have done some roll playing and I have definitely written songs to fantasy, I have created characters and you know in a way that is more a fantasy based line rather than personal. I guess sometimes you got trough phases were nothing really dramatic is going on in your life but you want to keep on writing songs and creating this “personas” allows you to stay productive without a soap opera happening in your life.

Paralytic Stalks –of Montreal’s upcoming album- is probably one of your darkest albums so far; are the Georgie Fruit days gone?
I think that I will keep on playing some of those songs, I don’t think that I need to have a funeral for Georgie Fruit or anything like that but this is just a period of me needing to do something different. I don’t worry that much about the things of the past, I’m just only interested in moving forward and trying to live in the present moment and do whatever feels right in that moment.

In the past, of Montreal released many conceptual albums such as The Gay Parade, The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy and Coquelicot. It’s Paralytic Stalks a conceptual record? If so what is the concept behind it?
I think there are lots of recurrent themes but I don’t know if you can really consider it a conceptual album just because there is not real narrative or a story necessarily, it’s almost like general scenes from a period of my life.

of Montreal is one of the few bands that still support cassette, Paralytic Stalks is going to be release in this format among others, and you even have released your own Cassette Box Set.  What do you find so enchanting about this format?
I think I’m fond of it because it’s something different that it used to be extremely popular and then it completely fell off. Now nobody even considers it as a possibility but they are so cheep to get, you can go to any thrift store and get a cassette for 10 dollars, I mean they are still around but … I think they are kind of cute in a way, this little plastic things.  And also when I first started recording I was recording in a cassette four tracks so all of my early demos were on cassette, so I definitely have a sort of connection with them, pleasant memories about them.

On December 10 you will be performing in Miami with a DJ set. Can you tell us about some of your favorite tunes that you will be playing that night?
I will probably play some Parliament and some Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and then some more contemporary stuff like Erykah Badu, mostly some kind of funky soulful songs.

 MUTE MIAMI PRESENTS: AU REVOIR SIMONE,The BLOW, DJ KEVIN BARNES (of Montreal)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
@ GRAND CENTRAL 

Steve Aoki knows what he wants. At only 19 years old, he created his own record label with no other motivation than his passion for art. Now, at 33, he is one of the most respected DJs and producers, not only in electronic, but also in the new-rock world . His label, “Dim Mak Records” has edited tons of albums from artists across various genres: From The Kills, Block Party and The Gossip to MSTRKRFT and Fischerspooner.

In Miami, on November 23rd, in MANSION Night Club, Steve Aoki will be playing some of his amazing musical creations included on his upcoming debut album, “Wonderland.” Off course we had to catch him and ask him a couple of question before the show! Here is our phone-conversation!

WFK: We all know about your awesome work as a music producer behind DIM MAK RECORDS as well as your collaborations with some of the most influential electronic musicians from around the world, but I was wondering… when did you discover music or when did music discover you?
AOKI: At a very early age. I was 13 when I got involved in the hardcore punk community. Of course I listened to music before that: I used to love rap and hip hop when I was a kid, but when I really got involved in music was when I joined this punk hardcore community. That’s when I started learning how to play instruments, and by the time I was sixteen, I was in bands, playing on shows, very active in the community, and then kinda grew from there.

What was the first record that you ever bought?
It was DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince – Nightmare on My Street, 7 inch.

What is the motto of DIM MAK RECORDS? And when did you see the need for making your record label happen?
I was 19, it was 1996, so 15 years ago… God it was so long ago! …. I started my label when I was still in college, and I was putting up more like punk, hardcore records and new rock records, and it was just an extension of everything that was around me. I was putting up shows in my living room. I was already in bands. I was all day in the studio. I was involved in doing a scene. So, doing a record label was, to me, doing another art project. There wasn’t a business plan; it wasn’t a business. It was an art project that eventually became a business.

You are about to release a new album called Wonderland. Can you draw us a quick picture of your Wonderland world?
Wonderland is, to me, a collection of singles that I have been producing over the course of the last couple of years, and I worked with a lot of different vocalist and musicians to finish this album. Every track is very unique, is very different. The record I wrote with Travis Barker and Kid Cudi is very different from the one I wrote with LMFAO, and that record is completely different from the record I wrote with Will.I.Am. They are all very unique, I’m very happy about it, it’s a really exciting album.

"International Wednesdays presents Steve Aoki's Birthday Bash during Thanksgiving Weekend 2011 at Mansion Nightclub in Miami Beach. A night of heavy, high energy electro from one of the biggest names in the biz."

Wonderland is a strong name for a record. Do you think that this is your best musical production so far? What is so special about this new album?
I named it Wonderland because I live on a street called Wonderland, and I produced the entire album on that street. It’s an Avenue. I live on Wonderland Avenue in Hollywood Hills, and that’s a street that has lots of history. Also, my studio is called Wonderland. So, I said: “Ok, let’s call the album Wonderland”.
This album is a new chapter in my musical production because it really expanded my production. While working with all these different artists, I learned a lot. There are songs for the club, there are also great songs that are not for the club, and that’s where I’m learning as a producer… to have more like a spectrum approach to music.

You just mentioned that you had teamed up with an elite team of guest artists for WONDERLAND, including Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, Travis Barker, LMFAO, CSS and Kid Cudi. What does an artist need to have to be able to collaborate with you?
So far, most of them are all just friends ,and we all share something in common. For example, Tiësto and I have just released a single together: Tornado. We both come from different worlds, but we share something in common about a particular kind of sound that we both like. So, we said: “Let’s do a song together.” So, Tornado came out like that.

You have your own clothing line, and you design headphones; where do you think the meeting point lies between fashion and music ?
Fashion and Music are so intrinsically involved with each other. At the end of the day, fashion and music are both art, and you can combine all kinds of art together; that’s how I feel. When I look at amazing fashion designs, it gives me a different feeling than when I’m listening to a really amazing song, but I still feel that kind of passion for art– you know what I mean.
For example: When you define someone’s lifestyle, you can define it based on music and fashion –those could be the most important parts of someone’s lifestyle. I mean they are in their own worlds and they can exist without each other, but when they come together they can create someone’s identity.

On November 23rd, you will be playing some tunes from your upcoming album, WONDERLAND, at Mansion. What thrills you the most during a live show?
The crowd, as simple as that. The crowd is the most important thing of a whole live show: the way they react, they way they respond to music– if they connect to what I’m trying to do, what I’m trying to explain to them. To me, the music is the tool, and the people want the music, and I want to give an extra donation to the music, like doing other things around the music. But if they don’t get it, doesn’t work, but if they get it, feels that it works and that we are connected.

——————-

EN ESPAÑOL

Steve Aoki sabe lo que quiere. A los 19 creó su propio sello discográfico con ninguna otra motivación más que su pasión por el arte. Ahora, a los 33 es uno de los DJ’s y productores más respetados, no sólo del mundo de la electrónica sino también del nuevo rock. Su sello, “Dim Mak Records” ya ha editado centenares de discos de los más  diversos géneros; incluyendo a artistas que van desde The Kills, Block Party y The Gossip hasta MSTRKRFT y Fischerspooner.

El 23  de noviembre Steve Aoki estará tocando algunas de sus impresionantes creaciones musicales adelantando lo que será su álbum debut, “Wonderland.” Por supuesto que teníamos que llamarlo y hacerle unas cuantas preguntas antes del show!

WFK: Todos sabemos acerca de tus geniales intervenciones como productor detrás de DIM MAK RECORDS, así también como de tus colaboraciones con algunos de los nombres más influyentes de la música electrónica, pero me pregunto… cómo fue que descubriste la música o cómo la música te descubrió?
AOKI: Era muy chico, tenía 13 cuando me involucré con la comunidad hardcore – punk, por supuesto que escuchaba música antes que eso, me encantaba el rap y el hip hop, pero cuando realmente me involucré con la música fue cuando me uní a esta comunidad hardcore-punk; ahí fue cuando empecé a aprender a tocar instrumentos y ya a los 16 estaba en bandas y organizábamos recitales; era muy activo dentro de la comunidad y digamos que de ahí fue que surgió todo.

Y cuál fue el primer disco que te compraste?
DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince – Nightmare on My Street, un vinilo de 7”

Cuál es la intención detrás de DIM MAK RECORDS y cuándo sentiste la necesidad de crear tu propio sello?
Fue cuando tenía 19, era 1996, así que fue hace 15 años.. Dios fué hace tanto!!! Pero bueno, empecé con el sello cuando todavía estaba en el secundario. Empecé editando discos punk, hardcore y de nuevo rock, pero el proyecto era sólo una extensión de todo lo que me rodeaba. Para ese entonces estaba organizando recitales en el living de mi casa, ya tocaba en bandas y estaba todo el día en el estudio, estaba involucrado en crear una escena. Así que hacer un sello discográfico era para mí otro proyecto artístico, no había un plan de negocios ni un fin comercial, fue un proyecto artístico que, eventualmente, se convirtió en un negocio.

Estás a punto de lanzar “Wonderland,” tu nuevo disco, podrías contarnos de qué se trata?
Wonderland en para mí una colección de sencillos que he estado produciendo en los últimos años para los que trabajé con diferentes cantantes y músicos invitados. Cada tema es único y es diferente. Los tracks que grabé junto a Travis Barker y Kid Cudi son muy diferentes a los que hice junto a LMFAO, el cual es completamente distinto al que produje junto a Will.I.Am. Son todos únicos y estoy muy contento porque el resultado es un álbum muy intenso.

Wonderland es un nombre muy fuerte para un disco. Creés que esta es tu mejor producción musical hasta el momento? Qué es lo que hace a este disco tan especial?
Llamé a este disco Wonderland porque vivo en una calle que se llama Wonderland (Maravilla) y lo produje todo en esa calle. Es una avenida en realidad, en Hollywood Hills y esa es una calle con mucha historia. A su vez, mi estudio se llama Wonderland asi que dije : “Bueno, llamémoslo Wonderland!”.
Este disco es un nuevo capítulo en mis creaciones musicales porque realmente expande el espectro de mis producciones.  Trabajando con todos estos artistas aprendí muchísimo. En el disco no hay canciones que son sólo para la pista de baile, hay grandes canciones, y en ese punto fue donde aprendí como productor, a tener una visión más abarcativa de la música. 

Hace un rato mencionaste que habías trabajado junto a un equipo de elite para este disco, incluyendo a Rivers Cuomo, de Weezer, Travis Barker, LMFAO, CSS y Kid Cudi. Qué es lo que tiene que tener un artista para poder colaborar con vos?
Hasta ahora he colaborado con amigos con los cuales comparto algo en común. Por ejemplo Tiësto y yo acabamos de lanzar un sencillo juntos, Tornado. Los dos venimos de mundos distintos, pero compartimos algo en común sobre un tipo particular de sonido que a los dos nos gusta, entonces dijimos: “hagamos un tema juntos”, y así salió Tornado.

Además de tus producciones musicales tenés tu propia línea de ropa y haces diseños para auriculares . Cuál es para vos la relación entre la moda y la música?
La moda y la música están estrictamente relacionadas, al final del día las dos son arte y vos podés combinar cualquier tipo de arte entre sí, así es como me siento con respecto a eso. Cuando miro un diseño increíble me da una sensación distinta a la que siento cuando escucho un tema increíble, pero aún así me hace sentir esa misma pasión por el arte cuando estoy expuesto a eso.

Por ejemplo, el estilo de vida de una persona se puede definir basándose en la moda y la música que consume, esos pueden ser los factores más representativos del estilo de vida de una persona.  O sea, ambas cosas pueden existir en esferas separadas e independientes una de la otra, pero si se reúnen pueden definir la identidad de una persona.

El 23 de noviembre vas a estar tocando algunos de los temas de Wonderland en Mansion. Qué es lo que encontrás más estimulante durante un show en vivo?
La gente, tan simple como eso. La gente es lo más importante de un show en vivo, la manera en que reaccionan, la manera en la responden a la música, si se conectan con lo que estoy haciendo, con lo que estoy tratando de explicarles. Para mí la música es la herramienta y la gente quiere la música, y lo que yo quiero darles es  una experiencia adicional a la música, haciendo otras cosas alrededor de ella. Si la gente no entiende eso que estoy tratando de hacer entonces no funciona, pero si lo entienden funciona y se siente que estamos conectados.

*Steve AOKI estará tocando en Buenos Aires on December 11 en El Teatro

Stop the Presses is a band that merged from the very deep of Miami’s music scene. Since 2010, this Hialeah group formed by Ali Culotta, Danny Portilla, Gus Rojo and Keko Kubat, had been spreading ska, funk and big band melodies all around Miami’s underground stages. With a Violent Femmes meets No doubt vibe their music can captivate any 90’s ska nostalgic – they even have their own fan club!-

This coming Friday Stop The Presses will be performing at Grand Central playing the songs that will be included in their  acclaim and upcoming first EP  “Does it Still Look Pretty?”

Check out WFK’s interview and get to know this new Miami group.

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WFK: Stop the Presses is pretty much a new band that has been being playing together only for one year. Before coming together, where you actually looking for the right band-mates or was the group formed spontaneously?
Well Danny and I (Ali) had been playing together before in a previous project that fell apart, so when we started Stop the Presses it was only the two of us. Guitar and Keyboard doesn’t have quite enough power for our sound, this was proven to us when we were booed off a stage by a transgender person. So, then we decided its time to form the rest of the band. We found Gus and Keko on Match.com, just kidding on Craigslist. Gus was by chance the first drummer we tried out and it was love at first sight, he just fit. And after auditioning 8 bass players, we found Keko. Lucky number 9. And he likes the Beatles too.

What was the first song that STP ever wrote? Are you still playing it in your live shows?
Frame and Tack was a song Danny and I started writing years before but finished at the beginning of the Presses. But the Mayor is the song that the four of us completed as a band. We still play both of those songs.

What are the must-haves characteristics of a song to be called a Stop the Presses song?
Harmonies, interesting musical changes, and nostalgic sounds from the past.

What kind of music keeps you alive?
Ska, punk, pop, reggae, jazz, big band, funk

You are about to release your first EP, “Does it Still Look Pretty?” during Hialeah Fest. Is Hialeah reflected in your music somehow?
There’s not a specific Hialeah sound, all of the Shack bands (the shack north) sound very different from each other, its more the feeling of community that Hialeah bands share.

Are there any artists from Miami that you find inspiring?
There are allot of great Miami bands, but inspiring, that would have to be Humbert.

Who are the Newsies?
Newsies are the dear group of fans that come to shows, dance, buy our stuff, and just like to hang out with us.

What can we expect to see-hear-feel in a Stop the Presses live performance?
You can expect to see me (Ali) fly across, or fall off the stage, depending on the night. High energy jams, lots of dancing, Danny’s bad jokes, chances to win free stuff and a fresh take on Ska music.

Stop The Presses will be playing this coming Friday at Grand Central

www.myfoxhouse.com

This is the story of  Tobi Salver, a South Florida native and her love affair with art. Graduating in graphic design, she can also paint, snap pics, and style. However, the one corner of art that has a kick for her and vice versa is fashion – vintage fashion to be precise. From dressing with her mom’s cardigan when younger to selling her clothing on e-bay for need of more clothing space, fashion has been hobby and passion that would eventually come back to her.
After school, she traveled to the West Coast to pursue her art career, but selling art was a tough industry, though she had solo shows and exhibitions. And like a true lover, fashion caught back with Tobi, as she got involved with wardrobes, props, and movies. Feeling a little home sick, she came back to Miami with that laid back Cali vibe, an everlasting smile and attached to what she knows best: her hobby of collecting, touching, wearing clothing and her love for the antique. She launched an extention of herself, her own online vintage and inspired vintage store: Fox House.

Describe Fox House in three words?
Free spirited, eclectic, vagabond.

What’s the best thing of being in Miami?
It’s a melting pot of different cultures, there’s no need to travel to find inspiration. I can just walk out of my doors and find so many delicious restaurants and flavors, colors, lines.

Which are your favorite cities to go shopping?
LA, in downtown there’s three huge showrooms were you can meet designers and discover many international labels. Recently, I’ve been noticing many new Australian upcoming designers showcasing over there.

Name someone you admire that has wear Fox House
I had the opportunity to styled a TV show for FuzeTV called “Rad Girls,” the girls indeed were rad and super talented.

Which is Fox House staple item?
Rompers! (Short jumpers)

Something that you’d never carry?
I hate the word: never. Who knows, I’m open to anything. I might never carry children’s clothes, but who knows…

Any local designers?
Not at the moment, but I have a couple lines in mind. I’m in the process of incorporating/promoting local industry.

What’s your favorite fashion blog and mag?
Blog: Honestlywtf.com
Magazine: Nylon and off course WFK!

What movie you wished you’ve styled?
Empire Records!

Your motto?
“Anybody can wear vintage” –At the end of the day, it’s about how you wear it.

www.myfoxhouse.com

–

Girl Power Quiz

Miami tastes like Red Curry. A melting pot of different ingredients that come together to make a hot delicious meal!
Romanticism is necessary for . . .  Keeping things new and spicy. Without it people would be either really bored, or really lonely.
I am proud of my . . . Home. I love creating spaces. My home is an extension of myself.
I can’t live with out . . . My animals! They make me smile everyday, and i love caring for them.
What is Wasabi? A spice that makes EVERYTHING taste better! I heart spicy!
The best kiss is  . . . The unexpected one. When someone out of the blue just grabs you and pushes you against a wall, and kisses you hard.
Top 5 music wise: At the moment, The Kills, Yeasayer, Biggie, Led Zepplin, Portishead
A hidden quality: I have a huge capacity to forgive.
Favorite cartoon character. . . The little mermaid! I wanted to be her when I was growing up!
What do you wear to feel sexy? Anything tight, loads of mascara, and sky high heels.
Freedom in your own words: Freedom is opportunity to do whatever it is you feel. Freedom in fashion is taking the rules, and breaking them to create something artistic and new.

L’effrontee

Cafeina rolled out the red carpet to welcome the very own ladies of L’efffrontee: A New York based online store that came to Miami to clink their champagne glasses with you and present a fashion installation previewing their Spring 2011 collection at the bar & lounge.

The exhibition was a mixture of raw materials and unexpected objects which lacked design and beauty next to L’effrontee’s chic and sensual pieces – a clash of elements that only highlighted the beauty and refinement of their accessories.

L’effrontee aesthetic is a combination of worldwide designer labels showcasing fashion forward accessories that are far beyond the mainstream; focusing on the design aspect and the beauty of the object. L’effrontee embodies a French elegance with a hip flare of a young and rebellious New Yorque.

WFK had a quick chat with Christian and Beatriz, the founders of L’effrontee. They delved into their creative thinking and discussed the shop concept behind their brand. Meet Christina who loves originality, and Beatriz who hates the spotlight behind WFK’s lens.

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L’effrontee was welcomed by The Eh! Team, an event produced by Super Market Creative. On the decks Ess & Emm, Maxwell Blandford and Laura of Miami. Hosted by Jamie Jo Harris, Jiussana Briseni, Ariel Stein, Jessica Martinez and Li Milian.

Fashion Installation by L’effrontee, featured brands:
Camillia Skovgaard, Linda Farrow, Iosseliani, Nyla Noor, Jenny Kayne, Angle Jackson, Land by Land, Enugenia Kim, Penelope and Cocco.

Sponsored by:
Cafeina Wynwood Lounge, Zyro, Fragoli, Wasabi Fashion Kult, Ron Diplomatico and Super Market Creative.

New Breed Girl is the kind of fashion company that makes you smile instantly when you see their designs. Its mixture of cute monsters, Japanese inspired characters and graphic expressions remind you to enjoy life, see the glass half full, and always express yourself. It has a dash of London fashion sass, and the spirit of a Cali girl. Like their motto “Is not just a t-shirt is a way of life”, their designers, staff and team members live their life every day representing what a true New Breed Girl feels like.

Our featured NBG designer and long Wasabi friend is Delia Hodson; a UK lady that has batteries for life and won’t let anything stop her from making her NBG line gain entry into every girl’s heart and closet.

:: DESIGNER PROFILE::

Current Obsession?
Frozen Yogurt
Favorite Music?
Electro-house
Favorite Music Festival?
Coachella
Favorite City?
Paris
Favorite Activities?
Biking, shopping, dancing, laughing.
What makes you happy?
T-shirts
Describe your brand’s style?
Fun, happy, passionate.
What brands can you relate with?
Iron Fist, Kid Robot
Favorite store?
Topshop London, Blue Banana
Dreams?
To encourage teens to follow their passion and do what they want to do
Message?
Inspire girls of the world one t-shirt at a time!

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:: FACT SHEET ::

What:: New Breed Girl
Where:: www.newbreedgirl.com
What else:: T-shirt, bags, key chains, fun!
Who:: For women (coming soon for men too)
Founded by:: Patrick, Delia and Nigel [dog]

Iron Fist; a lifestyle brand that needs no introduction. Think shoes, monsters, and rebellious attitude and the pieces come together in your head. They are the badass California brand founded by  rockabilly dudes wanting to offer the dames a shirt and shoe that Michael Jackson’s Thriller cast would probably have been jealous off. It’s full of color, energy and sound. They gain inspiration anywhere from skate boarding to street culture and music. They dress the real, the raw and the bold – just those with an Iron Fist.

Check out our feature designer and his current obsessions. Jason Adams a San Jose fellow, an industrial designer invited to scratch, make some mess and decorate the brand’s latest products.

:: Designer Profile::

Current Obsession?
Trying to survive
Favorite Music?
Punk and love some old country too
Favorite Music Festival?
Hothunny, a rockabilly fest
Favorite City?
NY
Favorite Activities?
Skateboarding, art, hanging out with kiddos
What makes you happy?
Staying busy, kids and fam’
Describe your brand’s style?
Dirty and filthy but strangely beautiful
What drives you? To do what I want

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:: FACT SHEET::
What:: Iron Fist
When:: Launched in 2001
Where:: www.ironfistclothing.com
What else:: T-shirts, hoddies, dresses, heels, platforms
jackets, pijamas, bathingsuits, bags…. Can I be missing anything?
Who:: For men and women
Founded by: Mike and Travis
“Iron Fist” Made with love for a heartless world!

Tokidoki

Sometimes… it’s the beginning of an unknown adventure. Sometimes it’s also what Tokidoki means in Japanese. According to designer and creative director Simone Legno “everyone waits for moments that change one’s destiny, by chance or by meeting a new person (…) [sometimes] something magical will happen to us.”

In 2003 something magical happened to us indeed. It was the creation of Tokidoki, a Japanese inspired brand based in LA dipping everything it touches into color, cute figurines and digitalized contemporary Japanese gals. A universe of characters and a mixture of feelings and emotions represented by the pop art stencils of Italian artist, Simone Legno.

::DESIGNER PROFILE::

WFK: Current obsession
Soccer, designing characters
WFK: Favorite music
Punk Rock
WFK: Favorite city
Tokyo
WFK: Favorite activities
Boxing, drawing, soccer
WFK: What makes you happy?
Seeing my family happy
WFK: Describe TKDK style
Duality, existence, sexy and pure, serious and funny, eastern and western, bad and fun.
WFK: What other brands do you like?
Fendi
WFK: What other artist do you admire?
Banksy, Aya Takano

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:: FACT SHEET ::

What:: Tokidoki
When:: Launched in 2003
Where:: www.tokidoki.it
What else:: Collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, LeSportsac, Onitsuka Tiger,
Marvel, New Era, Hello Kitty, Fujitsu, Levi’s, Smashbox cosmetics,
Xbox, T-mobile, Fornarina, Skullcandy and Medicom Toy.
Who:: For men and women and kids
Designer:: Simone Legno

Dangered

Two heads work better than one, and wise minds think alike. Those are statements that can be applied to twin brothers Troy and Rory Coppock. These are two Canadian gentlemen in love with the earth. They grew up in atmospheres that allowed them to appreciate their plane tby camping, surfing and fishing after breathing.

Troy and Rory think alike and work together making an awesome team that came up with Dangered, a lifestyle clothing line for men and women. But what’s cooler from this surfer blood and planet-loving fashion line is their contribution to our planet. A 3% to 5% of sales are given back to global conservation organizations like WWF.

Troy and Rory are true believers that two heads work better than one, that’s why their aim with Dangered is to “raise human impact on the planet” and create awareness amongst everyone else. Let’s join them!

::Wasabi Hot Pick::

Summer dresses
Love your Wolrd Tanks

Men’s Tees

::DESIGNER PROFILE::

WFK: What’s your current obsession?
T&R: Our planet. All about raising awareness
WFK: Favorite music?
T&R: Reggae, good beats –house, country
WFK: Favorite City?
T&R: Vancouver, Hong Kong
WFK: Favorite Activities?
T&R: Golf, snowboarding, bike rides, camping, fishing, surfing.

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:: FACT SHEET ::

What:: Dangered, created to raise awareness
Where:: www.dangered.com
What else:: Tees, Polos, Hoodies,
tanks, summer dresses, shorts, button shirts
Who:: For men and women
Designer:: Troy & Rory

In this chaotic day and age, when a woman’s purse can host a toddler’s stay with continental breakfast, the daily tumultuous tasks boil down to the most minimal annoyances like the ever-popular where-are-my-sunglasses. Solution: strap those suckers to you and in the process add another adornment to your already spectacular outfit. HungChains, birthed by Rachel Lauren Bleemer and Alexandra Goodstone, is a modern but exciting take on a 50s staple. “The idea is to never lose your shades while looking good at the same time.” An accessory along with a necessity–no outfit is complete without jewelry or an accent piece–these chains attached to a pair of sunglasses or optical eyewear make it possible to take the specs off and hang them from the neck, nullifying the age old battle with the bottom of the purse or the dreaded ass-to-sunglasses epidemic.

• Name: Alexandra Goodstone
• Nationality: American
• Age: 22
• Profession: Manager at Hopstop by day…
• Dream: Utter Bliss. And for HungChains to get huge, and to win the lottery, and to travel the world, and, and and…
• Hero: My Mom
• Favorite Thing: my HungChain, of course haha

• Name: Rachel Lauren Bleemer
• Nationality: Italian American
• Age: forever young
• Profession: Slanging HungChains & Marketing Director at Miami International Film Festival.
• Dream: to make an impact in this strange world
• Hero: My dad from rags to riches.
• Favorite Thing: Standing on my balcony every morning and watching this Magic City grow. So inspiring

Living in the land of vampires and bottle suckers, how do you maintain your ambitions and what fuels the creative fires?
-Starts rapping –

“Regulators
We regulate any stealing of his property
And we damn good too
But you cant be any geek off the street,
Gotta be handy with the steel if you know what I mean, earn your keep!
Regulators!!! Mount up!”

You need to have tough skin in this city; I’ve learned more about how to do business in the past few months than any book. Lots of empty promises, people will disappoint you. Stay focused but have fun- nothing ventured nothing gained. I believe in myself and my product and that is fuel to keep me going.”

You are too much, so, with that said, what’s your, I’m assuming you actually have one, day-life consist of?
Roll out of bed wipe off lasts nights make up from under my eyes, walk the dog, check e-mails/social network, go into the office, do my work but secretly instant message Alex about HungChains, send out orders, boxing class. Then, depending on the day, some sort of social activity or cable TV. Rinse and repeat.

3. The names for the chains are such good quips, they give me such an imaginative picture in my head, does the chain inspire the name or vice versa?
The chains inspire the names. We love puns, innuendos; word play is fun!  We try to add some pizzazz to all aspects of hung from the packaging to the products themselves.

Everything is one of a kind hand made, but do you produce replicas? When someone orders one of the chains you just don’t remove it from the site, eh?
It depends on the chain.  We stick to the same designs but use different materials. We recycle old necklaces, bag chains, silk scarves, from various flea markets and vintage stores in Miami & NYC.  The inventory on those is small, so if you find a chain you love grab it before someone else does.

I think its spectacular you chose cigarette packs to use as your boxes to hold the chains, what sparked this idea? And how much would you say you smoked, if at all?
Since HungChains is a product so unique it couldn’t be packaged into something ordinary.  We were looking into some sort of “green” packaging but costs were high. Then light bulb went off while gazing at a cigarette box that was left rotting in the street–recycling a product that’s durable and free? We went with it and it gets just as much praise as the chains.

At this point are you collecting packs from your smoking friends and others in your life?
I’m not a cigarette smoker, I’ve tried but it just doesn’t do it. Luckily/unluckily I know enough smokers that have provided me with bags full of packs. One guy told me that because he saved his boxes, he realized how much he smokes and quit. Everyone has their vices, I’m not promoting cigarettes but it’s definitely a positive aspect to come out of it.

South Beach and Miami, at this point, I can say has been hung. Working with Are Bernard means Atlanta is soon to be hung and with Alexandra in New York, she’s got them hung up. Is there anything in the making for a global campaign or boutique?
We want the world to be Hung!  I wake up in the middle of the night with different ideas and products; the future will have more in store so stay tuned.

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Website? www.hungchains.com
-haha, make sure you add the s at the end or else you’ll stumble upon some serious Chinese porn.

Facebook? www.Facebook.com/rachelbleemer
That site turns peoples brains into mush but the networking is incredible.

Twitter? Follow hung for constant updates  www.twitter.com/hungchains
And follow www.twitter/RachelBleemer & www.twitter/agoodstone for more fun.

Email? info@hungchains.com
www.HungChains.com

Or you can purchase them at

Las Tias
2834 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33127

Midtown Consignment
2328 N Miami Ave Miami
FL 33127

After completing her JD at Yale Law, the universe decided to pull her lace-draped arm in another direction.  Taking her passion for Harajuku culture and creation, La Carmina is developing a playful world complete with innovative fashion design, uber-yummy food, art, and a playfully descriptive blog about the life and times of her adorable Scottish Fold kitty, Basil Yuen Farrow.  She is a daily blogger on her website, www.lacarmina.com and has, miraculously, never experienced writer’s block.  She also will be contributing to CNNGo, a new website where her part will be spouting off about Asian lifestyle and pop culture.  She is the author of three books:  The Cosmos in a Carrot, Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo and (soon to be released) Cute Yummy Time.

The most recent of books, Cute Yummy Time: 70 Recipes for the Cutest Food You Will Ever Eat, is photographed, written and illustrated by La Carmina herself.  Think koala pancakes, bread rolls shaped like little piggies and grilled cheese in hippopotamus form.  Her concept of “thinking outside the bento box” is not only adorable, but also deeee-licious.

Her ideas are born from her environment as well as the, surely well-decorated, corners of her mind.  Fearless and controversial, her ability to integrate creativity with an intellect and know-how has constructed the world that is “La Carmina.”  There are endless creative layers beyond her Gothic Loli exterior.  Is there anything this woman can’t do?  She doesn’t think so.  Quite frankly, neither do we.

1. Name – La Carmina
2. Nationality – Harajuku Alien is about right.
3. Age – 24
4. Profession – I’m the author of 3 books on Japanese pop culture and cute food (Cute Yummy Time, Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants Tokyo). I blog about Harajuku fashion and J-pop oddities on www.lacarmina.com/blog I also contribute articles to an Asia travel/lifestyle website (CNNGo) and design Marie Antoinette fashion.
5. Dream – I am loving my rollercoaster journey with Japan’s glam spooks. May the adventures continue!
6. Where are you from/live currently/are right this moment? – I travel back and forth between Tokyo and other cities (Vancouver, NYC, LA). You’re most likely to find me on the net: http://www.lacarmina.com
7. In 5 words explain your career timeline up to this moment – Blogging led to Harajuku insanity.
8. Hero - My Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow. Come see his blog, www.basilfarrow.com
9. Favorite thing - Nightcrawling in Tokyo. The all-night cyber Goth parties are the best in the world.
10. What does the “Gothic Lolita Movement” signify to you and to cultural expression? - I think the fashion is hauntingly beautiful and harkens back to a more elegant era.
11. Tell me about your personal heaven. Cute Visual Kei boys hand-feeding me cute food in a room full of cute earless cats.
12. One word that Basil Yuen Farrow would use to describe you. Mommy!
13. Your preferred method of transportation? Piggyback.
14. Theme song for your life when you are the happiest? Something obscenely Italo Disco, like Hazell Dean.
15. The most pensive? Same thing… Italo Disco cheers me up!favorite tim burton film? I heart Jack Skellington.
16. Most fascinating texture? Too bad liquid mercury will poison you… I loved rolling it around in my hands as a child.
17. Most inspirational author/designer/food-maker? Martha Stewart is hardcore.
18. Favorite city in the world? I’m predictable: Rococo Tokyo.
19. One thing the world has too little of. Pale skin, dark lips and fangs.
20. What shape best represents you?  Your art? I drew hundreds of dumpling-shaped heads for the cute Japanese-style characters in my cookbook, Cute Yummy Time — so probably that
21. Your guilty pleasure? Absinthe and tiger tail ice cream.
22. Your favorite word. Wahh! (It’s the sound my Scottish Fold cat makes.)

To order books: http://astore.amazon.com/wasfaskul-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=4

La Carmina’s contact info:

URL – http://www.lacarmina.com

MySpace   http://www.myspace.com/la_carmina
Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10225211197
Twitter       http://twitter.com/lacarmina
YouTube    http://www.youtube.com/lacarmina