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

"I Thought They Were Black?!"

This past year one of our favorite ReFlecktors put us on these natives of California. Since then "The Cataracs" have seen DJ's throughout the world show them "love in the club." Now Campa and Cyrano have teamed up with Greg Street to deliver a new mix tape filled with hyphy beats and feel good R&B jams.

Cataracs - "I Thought They Were Black?!"

How To Make It In America: John Varvatos

Last week How To Make It In America debuted to suspect reviews and this week was no different. How to Make It in America Episode 2: “Crisp” followed Ben and Cam around the city in search of a damn denim manufacturer. Whatever the underlying motivation is... "How to Make It in America" is off to a slow start and barring a dramatic leap in quality we might be following in Rachel's footsteps and "moving on to bigger and better things."

In fashion terms the series is following a familiar pattern and none of the threads really add up to much. This weeks highlight was a guest appearance by Detroits' own "John Varvatos" just in time to help wrap up NY Fashion Week.

How To Make IT In America: John Varvatos

Designer: John Varvatos

Founded: 1999, New York

History: John Varvatos started out as a designer for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein (where he pioneered the boxer brief), and launched his own line in 1999, combining Klein's sense of shape and Lauren's curatorial sensibilities into a rock 'n' roll-inspired collection of suiting, denim, and edgy knits. Varvatos won CFDA awards in 2000, 2001, and 2005, and also maintains a successful ongoing collaboration with Converse. In 2007, he was named GQ's Designer of the Year.

The Look: Sinatra meets Slash (Fall/Winter 2010-2011 Look Book)

Bonus:

Gorillaz - Stylo (Chiddy Bang Remix)

Alan Palomo: Neon Indian

'80s loving culture vulture does his best to make pop music music weird ... The mexico born Texas raised Alan Palomo delivers a laid back electro sound that will have you reminiscing about the summer. With hazy beats and dusty sounds Neon Indian is an upgrade to long time favorite of Soul Reflecksions MGMT.

Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer

Neon Indian - Mind, Drips (Mirror People Remix)

Neon Indian - Terminally Chill

Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer (Database Remix)

Neon Indian - Should've Taken Acid With You (Future Rock Remix)

Bonus:

Au Revoir Simone - Another Likely Story (Neon Indian Remix)

Grizzly Bear - Cheerleader (Neon Indian Remix)

YES!

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (YES Giantess Remix)

Bonus:

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (YG's Return of the King Remix)

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Alan Wilkis Remix)

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Curtis & Vodka Remix)

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Dirty South Remix)

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Cagedbaby Remix)

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Evil Nine Remix)

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Doorly Remix)

DL: Fish n' Stix Vol. 2.6 ("Beatin' Up The Beat")

Fish n' Stix Vol. 2.6(Beatin' Up The Beat)

Weekend ReFlecksions: 002(Grammy Re-Cap)

The Grammy's were held last night and we've got you covered better than a Beyonce "You Oughta Know" piece. Hopefully you were doing better things and able to find some interest in David Garrard Quarterbacking the NFC Pro Bowl team or strapping up for a high-speed affair with Cole Trickle & Nicole Kidman as CMT premiered the 1990 blockbuster "Days of Thunder." Diplo of Major Lazer kept many entertained on his twitter page with choice moments like "jeff beck needs to break his guitar over his own head" and his Major Lazer release of Halo. My favorite performer of the night was the 8 seconds Jamie Foxx's sister came out for a slashing performance... unfortunately she couldn't "blame it on the goose." At any rate there were few performances that I really liked(e.g. Zach Brown Band).

As the 2010 Grammy weekend comes to a close we are left with the BET Music Awards and our Weekend ReFlecsions .... take your pick.

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Ft. Theophilus London)

Hussle Club - I Have High Expectations For What I Want ...

J. Cole - Top Of The World

Jay-Z Feat. Rihanna, Bono, The Edge - Stranded

Calvin Harris - Girls(Groove Armada Edit)

Dragonette - Pick Up The Phone(Van She Remix)

Ray Mang - Look Into My Eyes

Barresto - We Wont Stop(Redial Remix)

Stephen Marley - Hey Baby(Feat. Mos Def)

Miami Horror - Make You Mine(Codebreaker Remix)

So Shifty + Ward 21 - Wine(Them Jeans Edit)

Amanda Blank - Get It Now(Digiraatii Remix)

Digital Freq - Disco Falls

MillionYoung: "Be So True"

Mike Diaz aka "Million Young" released his new EP this past week. The Ft. Lauderdale native's aching, arching and over the top vocals continue to make our stomachs shift .... but in a beautiful way.

Check out the new EP "Be So True"

MillionYoung - Feel The Same

MillionYoung - Mien

MillionYoung - Cynthia

Bonus:

Memory House - To The Light House(Millionyoung Remix)

Spirng/Summer 2010 (Common Projects)

Common Projects Achilles (2010), The sneaks come in white, black and are capped off with gum outsoles. It looks like the Spring/Summer 2010 release should hit retailers towards the end of January.

Common Projects come from the French collaboration of Flavio Girolami and Prathan Poopat. Constructed from Italian leather the sneakers follow in the same "footsteps" of their ancestors minimalistic approach .

Flavio Girolami and Prathan Poopat Interview:

Bonus:
Uffie - MC's Can Kiss

"Resurrection" (Download To Donate)

Leave it to the two misfits of Hip-Hop to put together yet another song for charity. The crisis in Haiti has captured the hearts of many throughout the world and with the help of Mike Shinoda(Linkin Park) the artist(s) joined forces to produce "Resurrection" a track that contains an encouraging message for the future of Haiti. All proceeds will go to Haitian Relief.

You can download the track/album HERE! But donate a little something if you can.

Lupe Fiasco Feat. Kenna - Resurrection

Bonus:

Follow Lupe's We Are Not Losers Campaign

We've got your Flashlight

Some may still be in the dark with their eyes shut tight to the rising of British ElectroPop artist Dan Black. We’re here to shine some light on the situation. However, we’ll let your favorite Solo Dolo flip the switch. Enjoy this Kid Cudi remix of Dan Black’s single ‘Symphonies’ off his debut album ‘UN’. Look out for these fellas in 2010, we expect big things to come.

Dan Black ft Kid Cudi - Symphonies (remix)

It's Your Turn to Take a Seat Usher, 'Cuz this is Our Confession...

It seems that the "cool" thing to do nowadays is to confess to wrongdoings (for related story click here). This past decade has provided us with more confessions than a Celebrity Rehab marathon on MTV. Self-disclosure is the new Ed Hardy. After confessions from the likes of David Letterman, Ex-Senator Edwards, Eliot Spitzer, Tiger Woods, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Mark McGwire (kind of), and other public figures, the media and citizens of the uber-forgiving and comeback story loving country that we live in open their arms and reestablish any love lost. With this in mind, we at Soul Reflecksions have a confession to make. We use a performance enhancing drug (PED). Our PED goes by the street name of Roy G Biv, and refers to a cocktailish concoction consisting of red bull, vodka, and a splash of orange juice. After shutting down some of the nation's ultra-chic nightclubs (e.g., XS, Tao, Mosaic [KC], Underground, and last but not least American Legion 757), people began to question the innateness of our exuberant personalities and knee-buckling dance moves. So, now that we've fully disclosed this guilt-packed confession, and our souls are purged, it's time to celebrate... ROY G BIV anybody?

Ingredients:
R: Red Bull
O: Orange Juice
Y: Yellow in Color when Mixed Properly
G: Good Tasting/ Drink from a Glass
B: Black Cherry
I: Ice
V: Vodka (leave the house vodka alone... tell 'em Diddy)

Bonus:

ROY G AND THE BIV: Jungle Fever

The New Colour In Sound -

This past week Scandanavian based company Zound Industries released their new line of Urbanears Headphones. Over the past 18 months the Scandinavian team worked diligently to come up with the design and concept. These headphones bring Fashion, Technology and Art together while promoting a deeper connection with color.

With a collection that allows headphones to fit into your everyday life, Urbanears at launch released 3 models that "optimize ingenuity, catalyze creativity and provide a medium for artistic expression ..." (Purchase)

Plattan: Full size headphone that offer a rich, secluded sound.

Tanto: The "traveling mans" headphone. Designed for mobility without compromising performance, Tanto is made for everyday use.

Medis: The minimal design offers a comforting music experience with the functionality of its larger siblings.

Bonus Track:

Empire OF The Sun: Without You (New Version)

Miss Arulpragasam

Fresh off her baby hiatus M.I.A. has made her way out of retirement and "Back Into Action." Yesterday she released the video "THERES SPACE FOR OL DAT I SEE" which will be featured on her upcoming album "Miss Arulpragasam" ... set to be released this summer.

M.I.A. - Theres Space For Ol Dat I See

Thom Yorke / xxxchange

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke teams upwith Brooklyn native Alex Upton (xxxchange) and gives us a remix to the 2006 hit "Eraser." Originally remixed by Stretch & Vern, xxxchange takes us to a euphoric place with this remix.

In 2007 CRS The group consisting of Lupe, Kanye and Pharrell sampled the original track which ended on Billboards "Best Songs of '07" chart.

Thom Yorke - The Eraser(xxxchange Remix)

CRS - US Placers

What Is A Morgan Page?

This past August our monthly Fish n' Stix Mix Tape series included the award winning dance smash "Longest Road." At that time many of our colleagues had never heard of and/or knew who Morgan Page was (e.g. Marcus: "Who's The Lady Singin' About A Trailer Park And Headed Down A Long Road To Nowhere?") Over the past six months the savvy Page has begun to emerge from the underground radar and gained the respect of his peers with multiple GRAMMY and IDMA nominations.

Morgan Page closed out a successful 2009 campaign with the release of his new dance hit "Fight For You" (See Below)

Morgan Page - Fight For You (Bass Kleph Remix)

Morgan Page - Fight For You (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix)

Morgan Page - Call My Name (Thomas Gold Remix)

Morgan Page - Longest Road(Deadmau5 Remix)