New Artist Alert: Broken Bells

This may not be your typical "new artist" due to the established credibility of the individuals that comprise the group—Danger Mouse from Gnarles Barkley and James Mercer from The Shins /* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:1;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
—but Broken Bells is nonetheless a new collaboration, and therefore yet to prove themselves. Synergy is a hard resource to come by and not all teams are better than the sum of its parts; thus, we are hesitant to anoint this a formidable duo until we hear auditory evidence of a harmonious connection. If these two can harness the goods offered by Gnarles Barkley and The Shins (which propelled both to early fame) and omit the bad (which expelled both from the realm of sustainability), then they should at least present some worthy material for the iPod (or iPad). So, we at Soul Reflecksions are not vouching for Broken Bells quite yet, but we are warning you to keep an ear out for the new duo.

Debut Album: Broken Bells [self-titled]
Singles: "The High Road" and "Vaporize"

Official "The High Road" Video:

Pretty Lights

Noteworthy trilogies are rare. That is, for those of us that don’t live in a basement and and name our dog Gollum, noteworthy trilogies are rare. However, on Tuesday, Colorado based producer Pretty Lights (a-k-a Derek Vincient Smith) released the first EP of the Trilogy he plans on completing throughout 2010.

Pretty Lights uses a variation of electric sounds, broken beats and vintage samples to elegantly produce tunes that have made him a SoulReflecksions can't-miss amoung sumer touring artists. You can check out his beats at PrettyLightsMusic.com or catch him and drums/ visuals man, Corey Eberhard, on tour this across the country. The second and third legs of the Trilogy will drop on June 15th and October 12 respectively.


Below, Download "I can see your face", a track off the newly released EP: Makng Up a Changed Mind.

Pretty Lights - I can see your Face

How To Make It In America: LNA

Following Episodes 1 & 2 we were beginning to have our doubts with the new HBO series and started to believe Rosta Monsta had a better chance of making it in America. However Ben & Cam gained a little momentum in their pursuit of happiness and launch of Crisp NYC. This week Ben and Cam were able track down a pattern designer to create their prototype ("1970 denim"), while Rene looked to buy out his Rosta Monsta marketing partners with an offer they better not refuse. The series has picked up a little steam both internally (script) and externally (viewership)... let's just hope they stay on a parallel path.

"In movie terms the series was zipping down the wrong track ... one that would make "Ben Stiller" scream, but with the help of a hustling CAM and a kid who chose not to spread his wings; the show has begun to back the tracks right up and head down the path its producers had designed"

Each week we have continued our commitment to recognize established/up & coming fashion moguls who strive to "Make It In America." (See Below)

How To Make IT In America: LNA

Designer: LNA ( Lauren Alexander and April Leight )

Founded: 2007, Los Angeles

History: LNA was founded in the summer of 2007 by California natives, Lauren Alexander and April Leight. Started with the simple idea of creating the perfect men’s tee for women, LNA began as a basic T-shirt line that focused on fit, color, and the perfect cotton. That summer, the first collection launched at Barneys New York, Madison, and Henri Bendel. After receiving press in magazines such as Vogue and Nylon, along with a celebrity fan base that included Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton, Alexander and Leight decided that it was time to expand the line. “It was a natural progression for us”, says Leight. “Our idea behind the line has always been to create perfect basics with some edge”, says Alexander

The Look: “Our focus is always finding a new way to put our own spin on basics. Every season comes new inspiration and a new twist”

Bonus:

Kid Cudi - Know Why