Strictly Social June Photos

I threw another successful party last week in LA with Anthony David and some others. Macy Gray was even in the house!
See the photos

Los Angeles Pride 2008

So I found myself in West Hollywood last weekend for Los Angeles Pride. I was with a few of my cool female friends and we ran around. Basically it was just another excuse for me to get drunk, take my shirt off and ogle cute boys. Good times.

Nu-soul Presents Strictly Social w/ Jamal, Erik Rico & More

Nu-soul Magazine and Soul Union present an evening of ECLECTIC SOUL FUSION!

On Wednesday June 25 come and experience STRICTLY SOCIAL and see what the buzz is all about.

Featuring Performances from:

jaMal (with full band)
www.myspace.com/malskimusic

Erik Rico
www.myspace.com/erikricomusic

Chase Allen
www.myspace.com/chaseryanallen

and special guest Maya Azucena
www.myspace.com/mayaazucena

Show begins at 10:30pm

Come early for a special listening session of Dwele's new album "Sketches of A Man" available June 24
www.myspace.com/dwele

Resident DJs: Destroyer, Milky Wayne & MXYZLPLIX

Only $5 with RSVP b4 10:30pm
RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com
$7 otherwise

Strictly Social
Wednesday June 25, 2008
@ Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
9pm-2am
21+

Robyn Review

Check out my review of one of the hottest new albums out right now. Introducing the firecracker from Sweden, Robyn.



Artist: Robyn
Title: Robyn
Genre: Pop/Electronica/Soul
Read the review

Strictly Social Photos with Sy Smith

May's edition of Strictly Social was a hit! We were celebrating the release of Sy Smith's latest album Conflict and the people definitely came out to show her love. Early birds were treated to a listening session of the album before the show got under way. The acoustic musings of the adorable Wendisue got everyone warmed up. Then came Europe's Jonas, who seduced the crowd with his velvet voice. Check this dude out! Special guest jaMal came through to introduce the lady of the evening, Sy Smith. Sy commands the audience's attention like no one else, and she sang some new hits from Conflict as well as some classics like everyone's favorite tune "Aquarius Rising." The vibe was beautiful all night as new friends and old mixed and mingled in support of good music. Don't miss the next Strictly Social on Wednesday June 25.

All photos by Steven Blank Photography













Purchase Sy Smith's Conflict
Sy Smith on Myspace
Jonas on Myspace
Wendisue on Myspace
Strictly Social on Myspace

Jamais Vu Photoshoot

I shot with photographer/visual artist Jamais Vu over the weekend. The shoot was for a book he is doing about the apocalypse. I got to carry a big gun and wear some burnt up clothes and growl and snarl. It was a lot of fun, just over too fast. I am supposed to be a survivor of the end of the world. Can't wait to see the final images!

Check out Jamais Vu

Nu-Soul presents Strictly Social w/ Sy Smith - Wed May 28

Nu-Soul Magazine and Soul Union Present an evening of Eclectic Soul Fusion!

STRICTLY SOCIAL returns on Wednesday May 28 to celebrate the release of Sy Smith's new album Conflict.
There will be a special listening session of the new album beginning at 9pm with lots of giveaways.
Read the Nu-Soul Magazine album review

Live Performances by:

Sy Smith
www.myspace.com/sysmith

Jonas
www.myspace.com/jonasoul

Wendisue
www.myspace.com/wendisuemelody

SHOW STARTS AT 10:30PM

Guest DJ set by

DJ Daz
dazdillinja.podomatic.com

Resident DJs
Destroyer
Milky Wayne
MXYZLPLIX

Featuring the photography of Buddhabong
buddhabong.com

FREE WITH RSVP B4 10PM
RSVP at events@nu-soulmag.com
$5 otherwise

Strictly Social
Wednesday May 28, 2008
@ Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
9pm-2am
21+
www.myspace.com/lastrictlysocial

Another Mark Bower shot!

Got another shot back from my Mark Bower shoot. This one is a little sexier. The disc is on thje way so I should have all of them this week!

Mark Bower teaser photo

I did a shoot with Mark Bower on Saturday. This is the first shot I got back. It was an easy shoot. Nice and low key which is good since I haven't shot in a few months. Looking forward to seeing the rest of them.

Photos from my 30th Birthday Party

On April 30, 2008 Strictly Social was once again in effect. And what a night it was! Not only did we feature a showcase of Lina's label Moodstar Recordings, presenting three new artists to our audience, but we were also treated to special performances from Lina herself and Sweden's Kissey Asplund!

I had a great birthday this year. Well I think I celebrated for a full week but who cares? You only turn 30 once, right? I ended off the week in style at my monthly event Strictly Social. Lina sang happy birthday to me!!! and Swedish singer Kissey Asplund brought down the house.



The beautiful Lina



Ki Johnson



D'Cheri



The Berriz



Kissey Asplund feeling the groove













More on these artists:

Lina
Read the Nu-Soul interview

Kissey Asplund
Read the Nu-Soul interview

D'Cheri

Ki Johnson

The Berriz

Mariah Carey review

I reviewed Mariah Carey's album for Prefixmag.com

Read the review

Kissey Asplund Interview

Taking her cues from artists like Erykah Badu and Vikter Duplaix, Kissey melds genres with an understated yet quirky jazz delivery over butter smooth lounge beats and broken beat electronica. Her debut album Plethora has been creating a stir around the globe, heralding the emergence of a new star in the world of electronic soul.

Read the interview

Kissey Asplund to perform at Strictly Social April 30

This just in! SWEDISH SOUL SENSATION WILL BE PERFORMING AT NU-SOUL'S STRICTLY SOCIAL EVENT ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 30!

Keep an eye out for Kissey Asplund, she’s one to watch for the future! Kissey Asplund Swedish soul sensation, will be making a very special performance in Los Angeles for her very own Listening Party -on April 30th for Strictly Social. Kissey will be showcasing her debut album, Plethora entirely produced by Paris based hip-hop collective Papa Jazz Crew, a unique combination of future electronic soul beats and sweet jazz vocals.

The resulting album is a genre defying journey through jazz, hip-hop, electronic soul, all with a fresh future twist. Kissey takes us through a range of day to day stories of love lost and found, friendships betrayed, relationships on the rocks and even astral traveling.

Her debut single “With You” has received much hype by DJs Gilles Peterson (Radio 1), Osunlade (Yoruba Soul Radio), Marc Mac (4Hero) and Karizma.

Read the Nu-Soul interview with Kissey



RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com for free entry before 10pm! $5 after! Try to find a better deal in LA!

Sy Smith & Eric Lau reviews for Nu-Soul

Check out these reviews of what are sure to be remembered as two of the best independent soul releases of 2008. You must hear this music!


Artist: Sy Smith
Title: Conflict
Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop/Electronica
Read the review


Artist: Eric Lau
Title: New Territories
Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop/Nu-Jazz
Read the review

War Stories DVD mix

During the Winter Music Conference a mixtape or mix CD is as commonplace as $10 beers, which is why the team at Urban Breakbeat decided to take things to the next level with this special video mixtape. With sounds provided by the incomparable War Stories and visuals by Urban Breakbeat's own VJ Omni, this upfront DVD recalls the grass roots spirit of dance music's early days while utilizing the technology of today.

Jungle Sky's War Stories deliver a rough and tumble drum & bass mix aimed at the dancefloor with ample doses of reggae and hip-hop. The vibe is definitely old school as DJs Frydae and Type-R rediscover the excitement and limitless possibilities of the genre, packing a full night's intensity into a 30-minute mix. VJ Omni leaves his distinct imprint on the visuals, mixing in everything from dancing girls and break dancing robots, to tripped out kaleidoscopes and urban landscapes. The unique visuals can be used to create the perfect vibe for your own house party while the audio mix is sure to satisfy your DnB craving.

Watch the entire 30 minute AV mix by clicking the video window below...