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Unsigned The Magazine::Water Seed

2009-07-12T18:43:55Z

Water Seed

By: Us

New Orleans bred now Atlanta planted group Water Seed is a group seeped in soul, jazz and funk seasonings. These musical genres blend into a perfect recipe that just explodes all in your sensory perception. Whatever box you think soul music fits in, fuhget about it. While the group delivers the basics they also deliver so far beyond the basics you’ll have to rethink your preconceived boundaries.

Founded by drummer Lou Hill, pianist J Sharp, and bass player Marius Tilton, Water Seed has received accolades from music lovers across the world. We’re talking high praise from jaded professionals and excitable music lovers alike.

New Orleans musical rooted contributions run deep; a fact which has definitely worked in the groups favor.

“When we introduced ourselves as New Orleans musicians we had instant credibility, which was a blessing to us,” says Sharp. “All we had to was back it up.”

The group expanded to include vocalist Ryan Johnson and classically-trained flautist Cenise Stinson who performed in The Atlanta Opera‘s Aida. The additions have worked out beautifully and the groups sound is one that rivals any mainstreamed, signed talent.

Unsigned The Magazine::Music Talks Sessions

2009-07-12T18:43:27Z

Writer's Block

Writer’s block is a topic that so many people have written articles on over the years. It’s a topic that I believe will rise more and more to the surface. My reasons for feeling this way are that we have entered the “information” era; our minds are jammed with loads of digital information, then add to it our daily workloads, family responsibilities topped off with a scoop of fun, a sprinkle of social life and our brain’s capacity has pretty much reached its tipping point! Think back when you wrote your best songs. Try to remember where you were in your life and what you were doing. Most of all try hard to remember how you felt during that period. I’m talking about the two songs that everyone who heard them said “damn, that’s a great song!”

How do we remove writers block? How do we get back to opening our minds to hearing the music once again? There are so many different ways. I will share with you in this article what I do. I believe the first thing that should be looked at is the disconnection between the brain and the soul. Everything humans create comes from the soul. If you don’t believe you have a soul, that’s ok, please insert whatever you believe is the inner nucleus of your creations and if you’re not writing songs or creating something, it’s being blocked!

Writer’s block happens when there is a divorce between the soul and the physical body. This separation creates a lack of communication or disconnection between the body and the intellectual mind. If the body does not feel what the soul is saying, then the mind cannot interpret and process the feeling. Think about it just for a moment. Whenever you’ve created a song or played your best performance either live or in studio or just sitting in your room, think about what happened. Something deep inside inspired you, your body began to feel it. It’s different for each of us, for me I get goose bumps all over. If I continue to go with the feeling, the next think I notice is my mind trying to interpret, process and understand what my soul is creating and my body is feeling. That tends to be the difficult part for me, getting my brain to understand! However, once it kicks in, it’s a done deal, a new song is being born! When the soul is no longer able to communicate its feelings to the body we don’t feel the soul and there’s simply nothing for the brain to process. What’s creating the block? Too much input and thinking, yes I know I just asked you to “think different” in my last article! I guess the best way to explain this is there is a time and a place to think. Creating music is not one of those times, creating has very little to do with thinking. It has everything to do with “feeling.” However, make sure that when it’s time to think, that you “think different.” If you are constantly flooding your mind with thought and daily life input from ipods, computers, Pro Tools, cell phones, Logic and life drama, you can’t expect to create. If your mind is racing all the time thinking about stuff, it can’t connect with your body. It’s too preoccupied to listen out for body signals, “your feelings,” which in turn are messages from your soul, “your music and much more!” This is the formation of what we call writer’s block.

I don’t get writers block as much as I used to even though my brain is working so much more now then ever in my life! I figured I would have writer’s block all of the time these days. But when I asked myself “how come I don’t get writers block anymore?” I had no answer at the time. So I began looking once again into “me.” What I discovered was my brain just never stopped! It had been this way since I was six years old. I’d go to bed each night hearing music in my head, drum patterns, bass lines, string parts, you name it I heard it. Adding to that was constant inner talk and as I got older my dad who was an intellectual, drilled into my head to “think,” “think David, use your brain!” I became such a thinker that I could not shut my brain off.

As I got older and life situations hit me from all sides, it just gave me more to think about and now worry about! There was an all out assault on me and I was not even conscious of it! The only time my brain stopped was when I was asleep. At the end of each day I was tired not because I did physical labor, but because I was thinking “hard” during every second of the day. The radio in my head shut off, something I thought could never happen. I had no feelings about much of anything and I did not write a song for ten years! When I looked into myself and asked why am I not writing songs, my first answer was the radio shut off. I now had to find out why it shut off. That’s when I began looking at how I was feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually. More so I started looking at what and how I was thinking. I started to connect the dots! Once I looked at my entire picture and understood what I was doing to myself, I was then able to compare current life with life past. What I discovered in the comparison allowed me to devise a method that resulted in fewer blocked moments or none at all. These days it’s close to none at all.

Warning, this exercise requires momentarily revisiting your past. “Living” in the past or the “future” does not promote good mental or emotional health. But limiting use of these gifts can help you – in present day – reconnect with health promoting feelings and thoughts that are temporarily misplaced.

What did I do? I started to remember how I felt when I was living at home with my parents. What was my life like back then? All I had to do was go to school, do my homework, hang out with my friends and play my bass. I said to my self, “maybe if I go back and recreate in my mind the feelings of those days, I might be able to spark something inside that would feel like those days when I was a songwriting machine.”

I’d remember the times when I would come home from school as fast as I could because a friend told me that they heard a new Commodores, Brothers Johnson, Earth Wind and Fire or Stanley Clarke song on the radio. If I had not heard it yet I’d get home as fast as I could after school, turn on the radio and sit on the edge of my bed playing my bass waiting for the dj to announce the group’s latest single. Everything inside of me was on fire! Goose bumps were up and down my arms and legs when the song finally played.

Unsigned The Magazine.Com:The Magazine for Independents::Music Talks Sessions

2009-07-12T18:42:59Z

The More You Know

The more you know about the jobs of each creative and business person working on your projects!

During several Music Talks Session a single point continued to surface. It was, "the more you know". To often we as artist get so caught up in being artist that we forget to educate ourselves in other aspects of music and business. Its important to know as much about business as you can because we are entrepreneurs. However, it's equally important to increase your knowledge on the jobs of musicians, producers and recording engineers, anyone you bring into your creative circle. This is not to say that we must go and take classes on production and engineering (though its not a bad idea). What is needed is an understanding working knowledge of what their jobs entail.

You know your primary instrument. You’ve been playing it for many yours. You know what to do in the studio and on stage to get out of it all that you are hearing. But do you know how to communicate what you are hearing in your head for your song/session to the keyboard player, drummer or the engineer? Do you know enough about chord structure and voicing (harmony) to get what you are hearing in your head out and across to the keyboard player? Do you understand syncopated rhythms enough to say to a drummer give me less syncopation?

Do you understand some of the basic recording and tech issues surrounding digital audio workstations (DAWS) like Logic Pro and Pro Tools? How well do you know MIDI? My point is, by lacking knowledge during the creative/production process you are compromising your songs and ultimately your career. It's important to understand the job of each player on your team and the jobs language. You should be able to express to them what you are hearing or what you need to have happen in the song or the production. The more you know, and the better you are at expressing yourself the more you will get out of the people working with you, the session and YOUR music!

David Knight

Music Talks Educational Network

david@musictalksedu.net

Visit our Website at: www. musictalksedu.net.

Unsigned The Magazine::Music Talks Sessions

2009-07-12T18:42:34Z

In addition to writing, recording and producing the best music you can create, understanding your fan base and the strategies involved in getting your music to them are equally important tasks. During a recent consultation the discussion of finding ones fans came up. I suggested that finding them was not the primary problem; instead, identifying them, discovering who they are, and defining what they look like on paper seems to be more important.

Unsigned The Magazine ::: The Magazine for Independents!

2009-07-12T18:41:52Z

Unsignedthemagazine.Com's cover page. This month's cover artist is Water Seed. Free download of their latest print issue. Unsigned The Magazine

Unsigned The Magazine:::The Magazine for Independents::Rage Almighty

2009-03-27T23:40:03Z

Rage Almighty : How He Says It

By: Mut Asheru

We've known about Rage Almighty for a mighty long time. We're impressed with his wordplay, charisma, and swagger. But most importantly we dig this man's humility and intelligence.

Taking the long hard road of "Poet" can be difficult. A choice we here at the magazine might never understand in this ADD riddled society. Poets need us to be still and listen to their words. They need us to engage our imaginations as we listen to them so that we can paint the picture together. It's a truly interactive artform.

It's not easy to make people sit still and listen. Some poets have it...and some just damn don't. Dallas, TX is home to many a fine poet. Rage Almighty being among the cream of the crop.

When asked about why he continues to bless us with his poetic utterances he states, "I just want to be heard. Hip Hop has become the absolute love of my life, she has seen me through the best of times and the worst of times and I just want everyone to see what I see and feel what I feel, give back what has been given to me."

Unsigned The Magazine:The Magazine for Independents::Nima Fakhrara

2009-03-27T23:39:39Z

Nima Fakhrara

By: Mutdizzle

There's a new indie film on the scene called One Hour Fantasy Girl and it has within its framework a score done by up-and-comming film composer Nima Fakhrara, , a protege of Hans Zimmer and who scored the Joker theme along with other pieces in The Dark Knight.

Having studied Persian classical music since the age of 5, Nima has always found an interest in the sound and structure of ethnic music.

“My goal has always been to score films and create a new sound, “ says Nima.

A plus for Nima on the One Hour Fantasy Girl project was the freedom he had to get into the characters and really create a score that he believes moves the film along and creates an exciting atmosphere without getting in the way.

“Becky’s character was so rich and complex it was easy to get in touch with her emotionally,” states Nima.

Unsigned The Magazine::The Magazine for Independents:Steve Means

2009-03-27T23:39:14Z

Steve Means

By: Us

Steve Means is a 22-year old acoustic singer/songwriter from Cincinnati, OH. We first found him beating on a wooden box like contraption on stage while Jonathan Clay sang and strummed his guitar at the House of Blues in Dallas.

Since that fateful day a year or so ago we have come to respect and love this soulful accousitaceer for his sheer musical genius and oh-so-witty personality.

He’s such a vibrant thang.

Steve relocated to Nashville, TN from his Ohio home in order to further his career and has accomplished some wonderful things in his short 22 years of life. His new album Now or Never is a wonderful follow up to his 07 release “Rescue Me” and showcases more of that Steve Means wit and incredibly hooking hook writing ability.

Each song on “Now or Never” is a treasure more golden than the first. Check him out and thank us at any time for gold mining abilities.

For more info on Steve visit:

www.myspace.com/stevemeans

UnsignedTheMagazine.Com::Pierce Edens

2009-03-27T23:38:39Z

Pierce Edens

4 Reasons Why We're Watching Him

1. Pierce has a voice that's rock-country-animal personified. Picture that perfect pair of cowboy boots thats scuffed up and perfectly worn in from the everyday to and fro of life. Yeah he makes us feel comfortable, scuffed up and worn in. Something like the feeling you get when you finally figure out who you are after life has taught you a few things.

2. "Creeping Vines" is the perfect road song that Pierce sings and delivers with such soulful country flair that it's impossible to turn away from this track. This is a song you should drink whiskey to and share your hard earned wisdom with the world. Oh wait...we just did.

3. "Jailhouse" is another perfect tune. Not just cause the guitar dances and rocks all over the place or his gravel-tinged voice digs deep into your imagination but because the lyrics on this track are some kind of classic.

4. He's been classified as alt-country, rockabilly, blues, country...etc. We love it when folks don't know how the hell to classify someone's music. So we're not gonna try. We'll leave the classifications up to other folks. We're just here to make the introduction.

For More Information Visit:

www.pierceedens.com

Unsigned The Magazine::Tanner Horn & The Sextronauts

2009-02-05T05:40:13Z

I’m turned on. Could it be all this “Sex Rock” in the air that Tanner Horn and the Sextronauts are dishing out? There’s something truly sexy about a band with a charismatic, edgy sound and persona that drives us crazy in a good way.by Mut Asheru

Unsigned The Magazine:::Neal Miller

2009-01-18T20:09:06Z

Film Speak
W/Neal Miller

By: Mut Asheru

DVD scheduled to be released 1/15/08

Longtime, independent filmmaker Neal Miller took a moment out of his busy schedule to speak with UTM. His current project is Raising Flagg a film featuring Alan Arkin, Lauren Holly and Barbara Dana among others. He reveals how the film came together and also opens up about his film career.

Raising Flagg actually took over 7 years to make. Neal and his wife took several years to write the script the way they wanted it. At one point it looked as if the film wouldn’t happen. From loss of financing to the exhaustive search for a distributor, which was thankfully found at Cinema Libre, Miller reveals how the film came together.

UTM – How did you get such a wonderful cast together for this film on an indie budget? You are an indie correct?

UTM:::Neil Burger

2009-01-18T20:08:24Z

We're "The Lucky Ones": Neil Burger Interview

by Gordon K. Smith

Director Neil Burger’s first film was the JFK-conspiracy mockumentary “Interview With The Assassin”, the second was “The Illusionist”, the better of 2006’s dueling period magician mysteries. But there’s no running theme of tricks or deception in his third, “The Lucky Ones”, which he also co-wrote with Dirk Wittenborn. There’s one surprising, almost surreal moment involving a bit of freak weather, but otherwise it’s a realistic comedy/road movie about three people -- Cheever (Tim Robbins), TK (Michael Pena) and Colee (Rachel McAdams), thrown together by circumstance on a trip from the east coast through St. Louis, Kansas City and Las Vegas. Oh, and they happen to be Army veterans back in America after a tour in Iraq, but Burger will be quick to tell you, as he did in a recent phoner, that this is no “Stop-Loss” or “The Deer Hunter”.

UTM: How did the story originate?

NB: I wanted to do a story that would speak to our times...I had the idea of a road movie that would capture the temperament of the country through the eyes of those who’d been out of the country -- Iraqi vets returning to the country after long tours...I interviewed real returning vets to see how they felt about the things they encountered. And I drove that trip myself, the one the characters take, part by myself, part with my cowriter.

Scott Sceidly ::: UnsignedTheMagazine.com

2009-01-17T06:20:17Z

Scott Scheidly

"The truth will set you confused"

(with a bio like this...who needs an article. lol)

Ohio Born. At age four I attempted my first art project by devouring a 10 pack of crayons thus turning my diaper into a Jackson Pollack. At age six I was introduced to the sweet nectar of school paste. At around this same time period I began producing turkey drawings by tracing my hand.

At age seven I lost my thumb in an unfortunate Big Wheel accident ending my successful "Hand Turkey Period". At age ten I ate more paste, however at age eleven I switched to water based paints & modeling clay. Between ages twelve to sixteen I was in a daze from the paints I had eaten which I found out to be oil based. I did not produce much art during this time which we will call the "Your Son's Not Quit Right Period".

At age seventeen I had kicked my habits and refined my skills and began to earn money with art for the first time by doing fellow students art projects for lunch money. At age

twenty I apparently graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and moved to Florida unbeknownst to me.

I still live in Florida where I enjoy floundering about and painting pretty pictures, and I still eat paste now and again just to remind myself of my roots and how I ended up like this.

Some day I hope not to be famous.

www.flounderart.com

Unsigned The Magazine:The Magazine for Independents::Wainwright

2009-01-17T06:19:29Z

Wainwright

By: Corbyn Bricie

Singing in a voice that almost sounds strangled at times lends Wainwright positive points in the unique department.

What does that mean? It means that it sounds at times that he is struggling to hit the majority of notes so they’re forced out in a guttural in and out of tune manner a la Mary J Blige. The trick here is his emotions shine through in the purest manner that sounds great once it sinks in that he knows what he’s doing.

His songwriting is lively, soulful and endearing. He’s not a hush mouthed troubadour, which has become the norm, but an open mouthed, great songwriting chap. His songs belong in movies.

BIO

Wainwright was born in Warrington England, a small working class town outside of Liverpool. As a young boy he relocated to St. Catharines Ontario. His music combines the raw northern English sound of his childhood with the stark purity of Canadian singer songwriters like Neil Young.

His unique voice and universal writing combine to make powerful and personal yet commercial songs that play equally to the heart and feet. In 2007 he hooked up with Los Angeles producer Charlton Pettus and started recording what evolved into his debut release. As the songs emerged recognition followed.

Legendary graphic artist Alan Aldridge (Beatles, Elton John etc) signed on to design the cover art and director Ben Gourley not only chose three of Wainwright’s songs for the movie “Moving McCallister” but wrote and directed videos for two more songs from the record. With the release of “Wainwright” on Town Records in early 2008, the word is spreading.

Instrumentation
Wainwright/ guitar/bass/keys/vocals
Charlton pettus/guitars/bass/keys
Fred Eltrimgham/ drums
Doug Petty/Keys

For More Info Visit:
www.myspace.com/wainwright

Unsigned The Magazine:The Heat:Album Reviews

2009-01-17T05:56:35Z

Turn It Over- Mike Rimmey

By: Carolina Jones

One listen and it’s evident why Mike Rimmey was for "Male Vocalist of the Year" at 2008 Inspirational Country Music Awards.

Inspirational is the perfect word for Rimmey’s music and his confident vocal delivery. With simple, honest and direct songwriting ‘Joy Comes in the Morning’ cuts a straight path to your heart. Song’s like ‘Turn It Over’ and ‘All About You’ garnered him a great deal of attention and radio play in 08.

Give yourself a lift and check out this album when you get a chance.

4 Signatures

TOP

Another Story - Monday's Fiction

By: T. Mathenia

Monday’s Fiction is a nice quartet out of Canada that shows a lot of promise with their CD ? The energy is there. Perhaps some vocal training for the lead singer is in order. He definitely has a good thing going but his delivery could use just a little tweaking here and there.

I also think the drums could be a bit more outgoing in the band scenario. Monday’s strength is their songwriting and vocal/instrumental arrangements which are varied and entertaining.

3 Signatures

TOP

Lantz Lazwell - Lantz Lazwell

By: Corbyn Bricie

There's something organically warm and rich about R&B artist Lantz Lazwell's sound. With a smoothly soulful persona he comes on soft with songs like 'Safe and Warm' but hits hard with soul grooved tracks like 'Rollin On' and 'Get You Out'.

Backed by a band that undeniably lend to his sexy, Lantz Lazwell and his laid back vocal delivery. His songs aren't crowded with unnecessary elements and is full of well placed arrangements focused toward the singular purpose of an effective groove.

4 Signatures

TOP

Lost ParadiseLost Paradise - Real Be Easys

By: S. Diggs

This band's energy is serious. "Lost Paradise" by Real Be Easys is an exercise in musical stamina. Complete with hypnotic drum cadences and a delivery that is all over the place this album is a one fun ass journey.

I can honestly say that this band doesn't sound like anyone else. Which in and of itself is a welcome relief. If shroom laced lyrics are your thing and heavy hypnotic guitar and rhythms fluff your feathers then this rock trio is for you. This is a live band if ever I've heard one.

4 Signatures

TOP

The Window - Katelyn Dawn

By: T. Mathenia

Awwww she sounds so sweet! Katelyn Dawn's "The Window" is one bright spot on the pop soundscape. The songs are straightforward, entertaining and intelligent. If a clear, beautiful sunny day had a sound Katelyn would be it.

3 Signatures

Unsigned The Magazine: Dirty Little Secrets

2009-01-16T19:22:29Z

(Sourcebooks Inc)
By David Seaman

Review by: Mut Asheru

We HAVE to recommend this book to anyone out there needing to create a solid pr buzz for themselves or their product. David Seaman's Dirty Little Secrets of Buzz cuts right to the heart of the matter for those of us who are short on time and mean business. This book is well planned out, written and entertaining as hell.

I spent a good half hour just reading over the the content section. The chapter titles are so provocative they made me feel like I was getting ready to be handed the keys to the elusive mystery of fame and success. Why? Because each chapter is broken down into 'secrets' which I found out by reading this book is a power word in the ad arena.

Seaman does a fabulous job of making the daunting task of garnering press seem doable through the power of the internet. The book is interspersed with interviews from net celebs to show producers and candidly reveals that the job of the press is to print stories that bring in readers not make you famous.

One thing I constantly hear at various indie conferences around the world is that you have to create a 'street buzz' for your product and then the big name folks will find you and throw money or whatever your way because you have shown you are a bankable product. Well the internet is the new 'streets' and with Seaman help you'll have your buzz up and running in no time.

I learned a lot of secrets from this book that we plan on using here at the magazine to position ourselves better. More importantly, we're passing this book along to you because it's heartbreaking to cross paths with so many talented professionals that have no clue how to effectively build and maintain their pr hustle.

Ah Ha Moments:

1. Realizing that this book will actually help some of our readers.

2. Secret #2 - Be Outrageous or Die!

3. Secret #10 - Anatomy of a Blogger

4. Secret #17 - Building Online Street Cred

5. Finding out that we're buzz whores!

UTM:::DiSpagna Designs

2009-01-16T19:21:34Z

DiSpagna Designs:

By: Mut Asheru and Matthew DiSpagna (mostly Matthew)

Occasionally I come across wrapped stone jewelry that looks like someone’s child took a bunch of wire and got busy. But that’s not the case with Matthew DiSpagna’s beautiful one of a kind pieces. They are delicately artful, fun and sophisticated. They are indeed one of a kind. If you see a piece you like, purchase it because when it’s gone it’s gone and cannot be reproduced. We’ve asked him to share with us some pieces from his most current collection. Take it away Matthew!

First up, my second brooch ever, The Ether Drift Theory(EDT). EDT contains one Aquamarine and one Tsavorite Garnet wrapped in Sterling and Fine Silvers. This brooch measures 1.5" x 1" and took about 30 hours to complete. It's name comes from an old Aeon Flux episode of the same name, in which in the end, Aoen remains suspended eternally in an inanimate state, much like the stones in this broooch. EDT is currently for sale for $325.

Next up is Izar. Izar is a piece that was almost never created. Half way through this piece I almost scrapped the whole piece and I'm glad I didn't. Izar contains Orange Tourmaline, Purple Scapolite and Tri-Color Tourmaline wrapped in Sterling and Fine Silvers. Izar took approximately 27 hours to create, there is so much metal work that is unseen that makes up the structure of this piece.

Izar measures 1.2" x .8", it is very small and much tedious work went into this wrap. Izar is currently for sale for $350.

Lastly for the wraps, my most recent piece, Modesta. Modesta is by far my most favorite wrap to date. In this wrap is Aquamarine, Ethiopian Opal, Imperial Topaz, Rubellite and Tsavorite Garnet wrapped in Fine Silver, Sterling Silver, 14KT Red Gold and 14KT Yellow Gold. This is my first time working with Red Gold, it adds a nice feel to the work. Modesta measures 1.75" x 1" and is for sale for $475. This wrap is such an amazing piece of work in my opinion.

Now, onto the rings. A few months ago I released The Disepshun Collection. The Disepshun Collection is all my work that is made using tradition jewelry design techniques. Casting, metal forming, stone setting and soldering to name a few. The two rings I am presenting to you are sold, as they were custom projects.

First one up, A Mother's Ring(MR). MR was a custom ring made for my mother for Mother's Day. The materials used are Sterling Silver, one oval cut Peridot, my mother's birthstone, and 3 round cut Tanzanites, I am one of three boys, so each Tanzanite represents my brothers and me. Interesting side note, I did not size my mother for this ring, I just went for it and hoped.

Come Mother's Day I came to find out that the size was dead on! The project was very special for this, very very special. A ring of this style would cost around $300-$400.

Last but not least, Nia's Ring(NR). NR was also a custom project, it was my first time working with White Gold and my first time working with GIA Certified White Diamonds. This custom was fun, I had a very open line of communication with the buyer, who bought the ring for his girlfriend, who is a long time fan of my work.

The ring is in the shape of an "N" and to further personalize the ring, we used White Diamonds and Blue Sapphires because Nia is Greek. But wait, there's more, in addition to all this, we tired to fit the boyfriend's birthstone, a ruby, into the mix. Unfortunately, the red would totally mess up the Greek color scheme, so, instead of throwing that idea out, I went ahead and set the Ruby on the inside of the band, the Ruby is always in contact with Nia and she, if she chooses to keep it this way, is the only one who knows it's there. A small, yet very personal touch to this ring that makes it so special. The cost of this ring is around $2,500.

All my work is available at www.dispagnadesigns.com. Custom work is by far my favorite. Each piece is designed and executed with the buyer in mind. I keep close lines of communication open with all my clients; even when the project is long over. As far as inspiration, music is by far my strongest inspirations, its what drives me. All different kinds of music, as with my older brother Nicholas' album on Reverb Nation. I usually stream his music while I work. Other musical inspirations would have to be bands like The Indobox and Sound Tribe Sector 9. But another big inspiration is knowing that nothing is impossible, knowing that I can do whatever I want and I can push myself as far as I want keeps my sails filled with light and positivity.

UTM:::Maria A

2009-01-16T19:20:47Z

Haute Couture Autumn/Winter Collection 08-09

maRia aRistidou

Cyprus fashion designer maRia aRistidou presented for the first time her Haute Couture Autumn/Winter Collection 08-09 during the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week at Salons des Miroirs.

Her new Autumn/Winter Collection 08-09, is based on the luxury of the color of black, the variety of rich fabrics (silks, silk chiffons and satins, wools and cashmeres) and the amalgamation of touches of gold, salmon, red and white color which prevails maRia's style for her upcoming collection.

A video preview of maRia aRistidou Paris Haute Couture Fashion show Autumn/Winter 08-09 can be seen at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLdU9FwEoOs.

You can also view some images of her collection, shot by fashion photographer Greg Alexander at www.gregalexander.net.

UTM:::Vegan Queen

2009-01-16T19:20:21Z

The Vegan Queen: How Earth Month Met Fashion Week

By: delmetria l. millener

thawriter@yahoo.com

Earth Month has come and gone, and so has Fashion Week. But what did these two events have in common? Evelina Zdunczyk.

As CEO of the Vegan Queen, Zdunczyk gives couture a consciousness with her dynamic line of eco-luxury handbags and accessories that are kind to the environment and elegant to your fashion senses.

Eco-friendliness simply means replenishing the Earth’s resources for now and generations to come. But like fashion trends—in one day and out the next—being green is often considered a passing phase.

“This is not a fad,” said the Vegan Queen. “It is a line that hopefully will soon be a world-famous line that will be around forever to change women all around the world into Vegan Queens,” she said.

A socially and ecologically conscious, healthy and intelligent woman, the Vegan Queen’s line combines luxury with eco-friendliness proving you do not have to sacrifice style to be eco-fashionable.

A vegetarian and supporter of organizations that are dedicated to ending the exploitation of animals, the Vegan Queen’s collection embraces two aspects of herself—veganism and luxury.

“I grew up eating meat so it has been a conscious transition for me. I made the choice to be vegan because it makes me feel healthier and helps not only me but the world around me,” she said.

Luxurious and appealing are not the only words that can be used to describe the designer line. Vegetal leather, natural and non-toxic—materials used to create the high-end collection—can also be used and are completely safe for the environment.

“All are 100% vegan. They are [also] made of recycled materials and PVC-free polymers,” says the Vegan Queen. “They are very luxurious materials that are beautiful and durable, but also environmentally friendly.”

As with any decision, how to become eco-friendly can pose challenges. But buying Vegan Queen allows you to do good for the environment and be fabulously fashionable.

“Everyone cannot be vegan or vegetarian or live a totally eco-friendly life,” she said. “But if they buy the Vegan Queen line they are least doing one thing to help the environment and support this new idea of sustainable fashion!

Getting that message out there is a challenge. People are so used to separating “good for the environment” and “luxury,” and the biggest challenge is for people to understand that you can have both. Once people see how they can buy consciously and still buy beautiful, fashionable luxury—they love it!”

To purchase, visit www.veganqueen.com. To help save the planet, visit www.Earth911.com, www.treehugger.com or www.eartheasy.com.

As part of your environmental responsibility, make Earth Day last all year long. Recycle. Reuse. Reduce. Get Active. Go Green.

UTM::Quincy Jones

2009-01-16T19:19:41Z

How do I do Quincy Jones justice? I can’t. So the next best step is to let him take over and tell you his story in his own words. In the case of his new book “The Complete Quincy Jones; My Journey & Passions” he tells his story not just in words but in pictures, copies of his report cards, old newspaper articles about him or his family, copies of recording session schedules and payments...etc.