I am over Hollywood!

I don't usually use my blog for rants but this time it is earned. Last night I was supposed to cover a Miguel Migs show in Hollywood at a new club called Ecco. It used to be a place called Tokio Bar which was one of the last cool places left on Cahuenga Blvd. They had $5 sake and it was free to get in. The music was always good and people were always dancing. Well that place is gone and now its this place called Ecco.

I can't even say anything about the venue itself. I never made it inside. My friend and I got a weird vibe from the start. There was this crazy chick going down the line taking signatures. And when I say crazy I mean it. She was probably coked out of her mind and she rudely asked everyone for their signature. Her tone of voice suggested that we should be lucky that she was allowing us to sign up for their mailing list because as she put it "This was a hot new club!" Then she had the nerve to be nitpicky about people's handwriting. If this is the first impression that the club was giving I shutter to think what the rest of my night would have been like.

When we got to the door, the door guy said he had no more list and that is going to be $20 to get in. Mind you, it was only 11:30 on a Wednesday night. He also asked me to put my camera in my pocket instead of letting it hang over my shoulder in the handy case that I bought for no other reason than he didn't like it. I have a principal that I like to stick by. If I am going to an event as a journalist or representing Nu-Soul and I have made prior arrangements with the people I needed to, then I don't pay. If I do pay I won't do a story or take pictures, etc. Since I was in direct contact with Caroline Hoste, who works directly with Miguel Migs at his own record label, I consider myself taken care of. I shouldn't need to explain who I am to anyone. If my name is on that list I should be getting in. No questions.

Yet time and time again I have been forced to deal with assholes who work at these clubs surrounding Hollywood Blvd who think their brand new club is so awesome just becuase they slapped some new paint on the walls and booked a big name DJ for their opening night. Who fucking cares. I didn't come to see your club. I came to support Miguel Migs and provide a service to him because I would like more people to know who he is!

Needless to say, I did not go into the club. Instead we went to Denny's and fed ourselves on pancakes. Hollywood is a shithole of lame ass losers and dumb ass clubs with corny people in the same Ed Hardy shirt and spiky faux hawks. They can all suck it. Long live Downtown LA!

Nu-Soul Two-Year Anniversary Party Photos

Strictly Social and Nu-Soul Magazine have done it again! On October 22nd Strictly Social returned to its new home at Little Temple for a very special evening celebrating two years on Nu-Soul magazine. The house was packed to witness the talented artists and DJs on display.

The night began with the selections of DJ Myxzlplix, fresh off his dope Strictly Social mixed CD. Les Brown & the Now took to the stage with their unique blend of soul, funk and rock. Les' energetic stage presence to passionate vocals had the crowd cheering. Stay tuned for this guy! DJ Kaleem was up on deck next and he rocked the house with an eclectic set that had the ladies moving. Then it was over to the lovely and talented Michelle Shaprow. The pixie-ish diva delivered a set that moved from chilled out electro pop to full on disco funk!

The performances were topped off by Oakland's Replife. This incredibly talented MC led the crowd in call and response chants, put himself in the thick of the audience and exuded a tremendous amount of stage presence and energy. Not to mention his beats are from another planet fusing the best in hip-hop, future soul, afro-beat, and broken beat. Resident DJ Destroyer kept things hot until they kicked us out.

Overall this was a very important night for Nu-Soul magazine and Strictly Social. Little Temple embraced us and we will be doing shows there on the third Wednesday of every month. Special thanks to everyone who came out and supported including Fusicology, Universal Rhythm, Aside Worldwide, Social Butterfly and Wendy for hosting her birthday party with us, and all the talented artists who graced out stage. Stay tuned for November 19.









Check out all the photos

Strictly Social on myspace

nu-soulmag.com

Love Fest 2008 photos

Ok, so I know this took me forever to post seeing as how the 2008 San Francisco Love Fest was a few weeks ago, but better late than never. So here are some photos from on of the highlights of the year. This event is a giant rave and parade right in the heart of downtown San Francisco in the middle of the day! Only in SF. Check out all the madness, craziness, and sexy people then link to the rest of the phtos on my flickr page!










See all the photos and videos

Buff 1 and Beatspoke reviews for Nu-Soul

Check out the newest reviews I wrote for my site Nu-Soul. Broken beats meet spoken word to create Beatspoke and their debut album. Buff 1 returns with his second session of feel good hip-hop.


Artist: Beatspoke
Title: No Rush
Genre: Soul/Broken Beat/Spoken Word
Read the review


Artist: Buff 1
Title: There's Only One
Genre: Hip-Hop/Soul
Read the review

Justin Monroe Book Release Party in LA Dec 5

So I am really excited about Justin Monroe's new book, especially since I shot with him. Whether or not my shots are used in the book is another story, but no matter. It was still exciting to be a part of the magic he creates. I had a lot of fun doing it too. I will be there on December 5th to show my support for this amazing artist!

I am hosting a NIkka Costa party in Hollywood

Nikka Costa is about to drop her new album Pebble To A Pearl on October 14 on Stax Records. Nu-Soul is celebrating this hot new soul release with a special album release and listening party at the brand new Kress Nightclub in Hollywood on Thursday October 9.

The party starts at 10pm so get there early. We'll be previewing the new album from 10pm-11pm and we definitely have several copies of the album to give away to those early birds.

Admission is FREE! Just arrive early since is the newest club in Hollywood and bring a female or two so you can get in faster. Don't forget to drop Nu-Soul or Norman's name at the door so you can get in!

We'll be partying in the downstairs area of this plush new club until 2am.



Nikka Costa Album Release @ Kress
6608 Hollywood Blvd
(At Hollywood and Schrader across from Geisha House. Enter on Schrader)

Check out Kress: www.myspace.com/kressthenightclub
Check out Nikka Costa: www.myspace.com/nikkacosta

Art Effect Thursday Sept 25

Nu-Soul Presents Art Effect, a bi-weekly event for lovers of art & music. Join us as we present to you some of the hottest DJs in the Gothic environment of Silverlake's Medusa Lounge.

Dance and drink to 2am with DJs LP & the Ghost.

Entry is FREE!Just drop Nu-Soul editor Norman's name at the door!

Art Effect Thursdays
Thursday Sept 25
Medusa Lounge
3211 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
www.medusaloungela.com

Solange review

Beyonce's little sister Solange has a new album out with a dope sound that is more Amy Winehouse than bootylicious. Check out my review below and listen to 3 full tracks!


Artist: Solange
Title: Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams
Genre: Soul/Pop/Electronica
Read the review

My trip to Atlanta 2008

This past weekend I went to Atlanta to attend the International Soul Music Summit. It was pretty cool sicne this year I was much more involved. I was actually on two of the panels, one on Music Media, the other for Soul Promoters. So I got to talk to a captive audience about my experiences in the industry and offer some advice.

BUt the best part was that I was able to promote Nu-Soul. We had a Strictly Social party in Atlanta. Despite some drama and hiccups everything went over pretty well. We had a nice crowd and the performances were great!!

Surfer, Dude

On Saturday I worked as a promotional model for the new movie Surfer, Dude with Matthew McConaughey. Basically i got to walk around in my board shorts, take pictures, and pass out some promo cards to promote the movie. My partner in crime was a lovely girl named Sarah from Brazil. Fun times!

Art Effect w/ DJ Destroyer hosted by moi!

I am teaming up again with promoter extraordinaire Jenn Laskey for the next installment of Art Effect Thursdays at the amazing Medusa Lounge.

This time Strictly Social's own DJ Destroyer will be on the decks. Destroyer has been killing it recently with new residencies at Zanzibar and Boardner's. If you have never heard his perfect blend of progressive soul and hip-hop check out Strictly Social mixed Volume 1 featuring tracks from Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Nicolay, Raheem DeVaughn, Jean Grae and more.

Download DJ Destroyer's mix here

Admission is FREE if you RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com or say that Norman Mayers invited you!

Check out photos of Art Effect

Art Effect @ Medusa Lounge
3211 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
East of Virgil Ave @ Dillon Street
$5 valet
www.medusaloungela.com

Bounce Rock Skate Sept 5

Nu-Soul Magazine presents Bounce Rock Skate on Friday September 5. Nu-Soul & Strictly Social are hosting the outside patio at Boardner's in Hollywood with LIVE PERFORMANCES from Chase Allen and Q Dixon.

www.myspace.com/chaseryanallen

www.qdixon.com

DJs for the night will be Kaleem, DJ 7, Loslito and Strictly Social's own DJ Destroyer spinning soul, r&b, hip-hop and more.

Admission is just $5 before 10:30pm and $10 after.

We have a special COMPLIMENTARY guest list until 11pm for Nu-Soul readers. Simply email events@nu-soulmag.com with the subject: Bounce Rock Skate

Plus there is $10 valet, the best deal in Hollywood on a Friday night!

Bounce Rock Skate
Friday September 5, 2008
@ Boardner's Hollywood
1652 N. Cherokee
Hollywood, CA

Art Effect w/ Vikter Duplaix Hosted by Me!

Jenn Laskey & Nu-Soul Magazine present a new Thursday Night experience in an untapped area of Los Angeles. At the crossroads of Hollywood, Silverlake, and historic Fillipinotown, sits the exotic and medieval Medusa Lounge. This brilliant new venue will transport guests to another time and place with its exquisite details and haunting ambience.

www.medusaloungela.com

ArtEffect Thursdays will combine the best in visual art with some of the city's best DJs and special guests. For this special launch party come witness the musical stylings of Grammy-nominated Vikter Duplaix on the decks along with residents The Beat Ventriloquists.

This event is Free if you RSVP at events@nu-soulmag.com or simply drop Nu-Soul editor Norman's name at the door!!!

ArtEffect Thursdays Launch Party w/ Vikter Duplaix
Thursday August 14, 2008
Medusa Lounge
3211 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Free with RSVP
$5 b4 11, $10 after without
$5 valet
www.redlightpromotions.com

My Trip to St. Martin

Ah, the Caribbean. Anyone who knows me knows I lived in Barbados for 5 years. I have been to quite a few of the Caribbean Islands but this was my first time to St. Martin. The island is actually owned by 2 nations. One side is Dutch and one side is French. I must say I was very impressed by this island. It was a lot more free that other islands in the area. Being Dutch and French there is of course a more laid back attitude towards nudity, thus there is a nude beach on the French side. Alcohol is cheap. Rarely was beer more than $2. Usually it was $1. There were casinos, strip clubs, lots of bars, movie theaters, nightclubs, cheap amazing food, and beautiful beaches. The cultures mingled freely so you would here French, Spanish, English and Dutch used side by side. I went with my family so I didn't go out to any clubs but I got drunk every day in my 5 star hotel villa! Enjoy the photos!

ArtEffect Thursdays Hosted By ME

I will be hosting anew Thursday Night event at a sick new LA spot called Medusa Lounge. On Thursday August 7 will be the launch party for the new night called ArtEffect, for lovers of music and art. Sounds Eclectic by Beat Ventriloquists. Stay tuned for the big launch next week August 14 with Vikter Duplaix.

FREE with RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com or just drop Norman's name at the door!

Check out the venue medusaloungela.com

Check out the DJs www.myspace.com/beatventriloquists