Half in Love with Elisabeth

Midland - Safi

2014-10-15T14:24:00.000+02:00

The Autonomous Africa series curated by JD Twitch has been set up to support African charities such as the Mtandika Mission in Tanzania. This charity specifically is a rather personal one for Midland - his parents helped set it up in the late 90s. Safi has been picked by the producer, now living in London, for the third instalment and has almost hypnotising qualities. It impresses with tribal drum patterns and a humming bass line that will most definitely get you dancing.

picture by David Kennedy

R&S Records and Millionhands

2014-09-29T22:17:00.001+02:00

I've been eyeing up the jumpers and tees from Millionhands for months and months - what finally convinced me was another limited edition shirt in collaboration with R&S Records.

Millionhands have been going since 2009, releasing high quality limited edition clothing in partnership with labels such as Visionquest, Let's Play House and the mighty R&S Records. It really is a friends for friends operation that has now grown into a great company you can only respect.

My charcoal speckled tee is one of my current favourites. Make sure to check out their current collection!

Weval - Gimme Some

2014-09-25T23:17:00.000+02:00

The newest addition to the Kompakt family are Dutch duo Weval. The first single Gimme Some from their new EP has just been released today and it sounds very exciting.
Some more material can be found on their Soundcloud. I highly recommend the Half Age EP.

Event tip: Ja Ja Ja Launch Party

2014-09-24T22:34:00.002+02:00

Ja Ja Ja is finally coming to Germany. After years of successful clubnights & festivals in the UK, this nordic affair is launching in Berlin tonight. The line-up is excellent and should not be missed. The event is part of the Play Nordic series...my obsession continues.

More information can be found here.
The official opening night will be on the 09.10. at FluxBau featuring Naomi Pilgrim, Alfred Hall & Blaue Blume.

Tuesday Jam: Zola Blood - Meridian

2014-09-02T21:42:00.000+02:00

Kasper Bjørke: TNR (feat. Jaakko Eino Kalevi)

2014-08-26T16:11:00.002+02:00

A song named after a font! It's from Scandinavia! What's not to like? I have to admit, I have a weakness for anything disco coming from the (very) northern hemisphere. Think Todd Terje, Lindstrøm, When Saints Go Machine and Bjørn Torske. Now Danish producer Kasper Bjørke has released the video to his new single TNR, first insight into his new album After Forever (22/09).

Ben UFO Live At Dekmantel 2014

2014-08-11T17:02:00.001+02:00

This is seriously a killer set from UK man Ben UFO. You can hear his set from Dekmantel - the most hyped festival this summer, on their Soundcloud. Only in its second year - but already people are going crazy for it. The line-up this year was amazing including everyone from the Ostgut Ton guys to Blawan or Prins Thomas. So naturally the whole Hessle Audio crew was there too. I'll make sure I'll be there next year.

TIP: mundraub

2014-08-01T15:15:00.001+02:00

Bevor man sich mit Familienpackungen Bananen und Nektarinen im Supermarkt eindeckt, sollte man doch erst einmal um sich schauen. Nicht nur flüchtig, sondern etwas genauer. In Berlin und ganz Deutschland wartet eine reiche Ernte nur darauf, eingesammelt zu werden. Nach diesem Prinzip agiert die Internetseite mundraub.org - eine Sammlung frei zugänglicher Obstbäume und -sträucher sowie Nüssen und Kräutern - alles übersichtlich organisiert auf einer Karte. Sogar die ersten Fundstellen in Europa sind schon mit dabei. Somit kann schnell und einfach gesammelt werden. Auch das Teilen ist erwünscht, damit sich auch andere an dem einen oder anderen Baum erfreuen können. Meiner Meinung nach eine feine Sache. Ganz nach dem Motto: Entdecke deine Umgebung neu!

Pional - It's All Over (John Talabot's Stormbreak Refix)

2014-08-01T13:07:00.000+02:00

Yay! One of my favourite producers has given Pional's It's All Over a "Refix". Well not that surprising given the fact that they have a lot of projects together but a nice listen for tired Friday ears anyways. Coming out on Hivern Discs on Monday, 04/08/14.

Cut Copy - Free Your Mind Deluxe Edition

2014-07-29T08:44:00.000+02:00

Cut Copy are one of my favourite Australian exports signed to Modular. They went from strength to strength and even though some people might have been put off by the spaced out rave that is Free Your Mind, I loved it. Now they are releasing a lovely deluxe edition including five bonus tracks, three of them unheard material. Give Believers a listen!

Erlend Øye - first single Garota

2014-07-28T14:24:00.001+02:00

More than a few sad faces could be seen after The Whitest Boy Alive announced they will no longer play together. Only a few weeks have gone by and mastermind Erlend Øye has dropped the video for his new single Garota. The album LEGAO will be released in October.

Tour dates:
07.10.14 Zurich - Kaufleuten
08.10.14 Munich - Alte Kongresshalle
10.10.14 Duesseldorf - New Fall Festival
11.10.14 Berlin - Astra
12.10.14 Hamburg - Kampnagel

Recondite - Clouded

2014-07-15T21:30:00.003+02:00

10,000 Days on Earth - trailer revealed

2014-07-15T15:45:00.000+02:00

The Nick Cave biopic has revealed a little more of itself. The first trailer has been released and it looks stunning. Another collaboration between Nick Cave, Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, the duo has produced several documentaries about the Australian musician as well as work for Gil Scott-Heron. The half documentary, half drama will be in German cinemas from 16th September and we can be excited.

New Radiohead on the way

2014-07-14T12:14:00.002+02:00

The wait for some new Radiohead material could soon be over. According to Jonny Greenwood on BBC 6 Music they are going to start recording again in the autumn. "We're going to start up in September, playing, rehearsing and recording and see how it's sounding." After the 2011 album The King Of Limbs and various side projects such as Atoms For Peace this could well be album number 9.

La Roux album stream

2014-07-11T14:55:00.002+02:00

I have been pretty excited about the new La Roux album being released for some time now. One teaser after the other has leaked and the song Let Me Down Gently was seriously good. Now the album can be listened to via Soundcloud.

Camilla Sparksss is creating her own rainbow

2014-07-10T13:54:00.000+02:00

The music of Camilla Sparksss ist not your average easy listening summer jam. The first time I heard her album For You The Wild I was surprised. She's one half of the Duo Peter Kernel and moved to Switzerland to join the music scene from Canada. Let me assure you, Barbara Lehnhoff aka Camilla Sparksss, is taking her wild side with her. Her background is interesting: an upbringing in the wilderness, born at -27 degrees and hanging with wild brown bears when she was growing up. This all reflects in her music and it's great. This is dirty. It's electronic. It's vast synths. It's art pop. I mean check out her live show here - dancer included!

This disturbing video is one of my favourites by her:

Dinner Time

2014-06-01T19:31:00.000+02:00

Today I felt like something fresh and Mediterranean so I figured a Greek style dish would be the way to go. I picked up a load of mint from the Turkish market yesterday and had to use it somehow.

The recipe starts with 300g of pork. I wanted to get plain pork steak but all I could find was this grill steak already marinated in paprika.

Even though the meat has been marinated already I still added some more spices. Just combine the juice of half a lemon, a teaspoon of dried mint and coriander, a clove of garlic (finely chopped) and a good helping of pepper as well as a bit of salt. Mix it all together with a few tablespoons of olive oil.

Once everything has been mixed thoroughly it is best to leave the pork in the fridge for around 30 mins. That way all the flavours can be absorbed.

Now for the tzatziki. I am not sure what I made is very authentic but it tastes pretty good. Just combine grated cucumber, a clove of finely chopped garlic, some spring onion as well as more dried mint and salt and mix it with full fat natural yogurt. Ideally it is best to salt the grated cucumber first to make sure as much water as possible has been drained before adding to the yogurt but I was too impatient and skipped that step.

As an extra splash of colour roast one to two red peppers until they are quite charred around the outside. Leave to steam for 10 minutes and it is easy to peel off the burnt skin. Now season with salt, red wine vinegar and more mint.

Now all you have to do is grill the meat and everything can be assembled within a wrap or flatbread.

This recipe is based on Jamie Oliver's Souvlake, which can be found here.

This is my Sunday Jam

2014-06-01T13:59:00.002+02:00

This DJ Set is perfect for a Sunday of getting through those boring household chores. I especially like the disco tunes at the beginning, they make the spring clean bearable! For the tracklist have a look here.

The Whitepepper

2014-05-26T22:13:00.000+02:00

Beautiful clothes from The Whitepepper, a clothing brand based in East London. I really enjoy their style - simple shapes, amazing colours, soft but still bold. Above are some of my favourites, check them out!

Fawn and Rose

2014-05-19T20:27:00.000+02:00

One of my favourite jewellery designers has to be Fawn and Rose from Brighton. Jessica's handmade designs are exactly what I like and if you can't get enough of triangle shapes like me, you should definitely have a browse through her online shop. She is offering different chain lengths so you can choose what suits you. Please have a look, there's both great metal and wood work to be seen!

Fawn and Rose - Geometric Two Triangle Metal Necklace

This Is My Sunday Jam

2014-05-18T12:52:00.000+02:00

What a great return from one of my favourite producers: Lone recently shared this lovely gem from his forthcoming fifth album Reality Testing, set to be released via R&S Records on the 16th June 2014. In case you want to catch him in Berlin, next Saturday he'll be showcasing some new material at Prince Charles.

Collective Beauty Haul

2013-03-20T20:32:00.001+01:00

Clarins Eye Contour Gelo - £29.00

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water - £7.50

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm - £15.50

Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning for Face and Decolette - £18.00

Origins VitaZing Moisturizer - £27.00

Clarins Daily Energizer Cream-Gel - £21.00

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - £18.50

Daily Want

2013-03-11T00:32:00.004+01:00

Zara Office City Bag - £49.99

Available at www.zara.com

Happy holidays in Sharm El Sheikh

2013-03-04T21:44:00.000+01:00

No 7 Natural Blush Cheek Powder in Coral flush

2013-02-19T19:39:00.000+01:00

No 7 Natural Blush Cheek Powder in Coral flush - £8

Available at Boots

I picked up this lovely blush on a whim whilst browsing Boots the other day. I really liked the intense but also soft colour of it. Normally I prefer very pink blushes, especially with highlighting particles in them but this one looked a bit more "grown up" to me and diverts from my usual hunting ground.

The colour is being described as "coral" which isn't all that apparent, I would also like to put it in the "rose" category. It turns out quite matte, deep and - as I like it - also perky pink. The colour is very intense so you have to be careful when applying as it can quickly become too much. Overall I think it's a great every day kind of blusher which gives you a natural flush.