Hoppin' and Skippin'

Niney make me smiley

2012-02-01T21:35:00.001+00:00

This song will put a smile on your face :)

Little Pink Box

2012-02-01T21:30:00.000+00:00

I've found my favourite shop on Etsy so far. I literally went there and bought 7 pairs of earrings from Hong Kong and they are not a dissapointment. Thanks Little Pink Box!

2012-02-01T21:21:00.001+00:00

Nice work VB x

Best Xmas rap!

2011-12-24T22:52:00.001+00:00

Watch "Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rapping (live on TOTP jan'80)" on YouTube

BBC Radio 1Xtra - Aaliyah documentary

2011-10-04T23:14:00.001+01:00

Listen to this beautiful and sad documentary part of BBC 1Xtra's Gone Too Soon season about musicians who had untimely deaths. This episode is about the 22 year old singer and actress Aaliyah who died in a plane crash after shooting a music video 10 years ago.
Listen this on BBC iPlayer

RIP Dj Mehdi

2011-09-13T21:14:00.001+01:00

The legendary Ed Banger producer passed away today following an accident in which a roof collapsed at a party. He was only 34.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOyU_OzRXnM&sns=em

Fela Kuti

2011-08-02T23:36:00.001+01:00

14 years today Fela Kuti died.I was lucky enough to see Fela the musical tonight. The musical itself is such a testament to the great man in the way it represents his music, his ideals and his sheer energy. The night was made even more special when Femi Kuti joined the cast on stage at the end to sing and celebrate his father.

Scuba @ Boiler Room, London

2011-07-13T07:55:00.000+01:00

I witnessed an amazing set from Scuba at the Hotflush Boiler Room special a few weeks back. Wasn't that familiar with Scuba's old work before, and unlike everyone doing their thing on serato (and Roska did do it very well indeed) Scuba kept to to the old skool mixing style and smashed it. There is of course the regular Boiler Room video recording, closeup of the dj and this will be an inspirational one to watch because he was so on point for every mix. The crowd in the background were loving it and I was too. Best track a mix of 'It's A London Thing'!

Check out video and download for mix here!

BR #58 Scuba by BOILER ROOM

SBTRKT debut album (Young Turks)

2011-07-08T00:28:00.000+01:00

Rodigan special on Gilles Peterson!

2011-07-08T00:21:00.000+01:00

Really enjoyed this David Rodigan special on Gilles Peterson available on BBC Iplayer. I first saw Rodigan dj last year at Secret Garden Party and it was an amazing vibe from this guy who frankly looked a bit like a geography teacher, but who was totally representing with the dubplates and had lots of reggae heads on stage showing support. It was the perfect sunny sunday at a festival.

In the show he tells the story of his roots in reggae and its so nice to hear someone still so passionate and unfazed by the music and the industry after decades in it, especially in reggae which can sometimes seem a retrospective genre these days. Highlights include an encounter with Bob Marley and reggae clashes in New York. Listen here!

R.I.P Gil Scott Heron

2011-05-28T10:44:00.000+01:00

Very sad news today of the passing of legendary spoken word poet and musician Gil Scott Heron at the age of 62.
His work was so diverse from this classic 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' to the recent collaboration with Jamie XX on the remix album 'We're New Here'. Here's to you Gil.

Must See Documentary!

2011-05-27T08:35:00.003+01:00

Having lived in East London for a few years, I have occasionally ventured to the Stamford Hill area for a house party etc. Whilst there you are definately aware of a large Jewish presence, indeed with over 20,000 people it is the largest Hasidic Jewish community in Europe and you will often see Jewish men on their way to and from prayer wearing fur Kolpik's.

It is a stricter more observant form of the Jewish religion and therefore a million miles away than what we would understand from Western religion. This documentary on BBC One, part of the Wonderland series is about a Hasidic Jews guide to love, marriage and finding a bride. And although it ultimately follows the more extreme and eccentric characters of community, it really is very insightful into another way of life. You may even draw some parallels to your lifestyle. My favorite bit is the break dancing. Intrigued - Check it out here!

Better late than never - Tom Vek 'A Chore'

2011-04-26T14:02:00.000+01:00

No idea where the blimen 'eck he's been since the ace debut album 'We Have Sound' five years ago. But here is Tom Vek's new single 'A Chore' available on itunes now. Look out for his new album Leisure Seizure out on June 6th!

A lesson in DIY video making from Ariel Pink

2011-04-14T22:54:00.000+01:00

As if the song wasn't good enough, the video is amazing. This is Ariel Pink - Are You Gonna Look After My Boys. Reminds me of making home movies as a child.
Look forward to seeing these guys at Field Day!

RECORD STORE DAY - Saturday 16th April

2011-04-12T23:36:00.002+01:00

A mention for just two of the great events around the UK celebrating Independent Record Store Day.

Jamie Woon, Wild Beasts, Chilly Gonzales and co are playing at Rough Trade East, Brick Lane.
I for one will be at Rough Trade at 11am for Chilly's piano recital.

Also Gilles Peterson and Brownswood are hosting a pop up record shop at The CAMP in Old Street. Vinyl junkies will have a right treat here! All proceeds to the Steve Reid Foundation which raises money on behalf of struggling musicians in need of help and support.

More info on events here!

Chillin to the max!

2011-04-10T16:09:00.001+01:00

Hackney central

Chillin on a summers day!

2011-04-09T17:14:00.000+01:00

The perfect soundtrack to a summers day in the park!

Any reggae, especially from the Trojan Records back catalogue...

Best Coast sounds soo much better when the weather is nice.

Gotta have beach boys.

Definately love the surfer vibes.

And a good dose of northern soul!

One week in Budapest

2011-04-03T21:52:00.001+01:00

One week in Budapest, a set on Flickr.

Off to Budapest

2011-03-26T08:25:00.001+00:00

I'm off to Budapest for a week of baths, caves and Hungarian fare. So will be back next week with tales and pics.

Hoya:hoya Sampler Feat. Eliphino

2011-03-23T00:10:00.001+00:00

1. Eliphino- Don’t Try Be
2. Lorn- Stranger
3. Ras G & The Afrikan Space Program- Speaker Smash

Soo good!
Out soon on Hoya:hoya

HOYA002 Sampler by hoyahoya

Pick Me Up - Somerset House

2011-03-22T00:19:00.000+00:00

Anyone with a penchant for graphic art is in for a right treat at Somerset House this week from graphic art fair - Pick Me Up. On till 27th March.

What is really cool is the interactive element (I designed a fanzine with cut outs, glue and a photocopier), the different design sections in the nooks and cranies of the side rooms and the affordability of the pieces many by the most promising stars on the graphic art scene...

Drawing Fashion

2011-03-22T00:00:00.000+00:00

Antonio, Joanne Landis Carnegie Hall Studio, New York Times Magazine, 1967

Antonio, Lingerie. Elle France, 1966

I know the exhibition at the Design Museum is over. But since I saw these two illustrations at Drawing Fashion they have stayed with vividly in my mind. Fashion illustrations always seems to be as innovative and ever changing as the fashion they portray. The 60s were the heyday, but the present is just as exciting for illustration, which some now call art.

Aurore de la Morinerie, Couture 1, 2010

Guardian Eyewitness App

2011-03-21T23:34:00.001+00:00

I recently got a HTC Desire HD. Whilst I don't like to get too techy about these things, this phone is pretty sweet. Mainly because it works as well as you'd hope.

Since I have got the phone I have had a bit of an app frenzy. I have recently downloaded the free Guardian Eyewitness app, which is soo good because 1) you get an amazing picture everyday which gives you a unique visual insight into a political, natural or human story in the world. 2) you get a tip on how the photographer composed or technically set up the picture. Genius!

Photographer: Tim Graham for Guardian

Chatsworth Road Market

2011-03-21T00:21:00.002+00:00

I made a fleeting visit to Chatsworth Road market yesterday afternoon. I ate an amazing venison, celeriac and red wine pie and generally enjoyed the relaxed vibe, that it can be hard to find amongst the Broadway Market and Columbia Road masses.

It is currently selling a variety of food (including kedgeree, wraps and aforementioned pies), clothes, jewelry, trinkets, fresh fruit and meat.

I'm really pleased to see it is ever expanding and a is looking to be a fortnightly event, find out more about next events and joining the market here.

First post - Hello!

2011-03-20T23:59:00.000+00:00

Hi welcome to my blog... here I will be posting interesting things happening in Hackney. Plus things that are inspiring me in music, fashion, radio and photography. Enjoy!