Kurt Brown exhibit this Sunday

My buddy Kurt Brown will be showing some of his photos this Sunday at O Bar in West Hollywood. Some of my shots that I did with him will be featured and projected on the wall. Not sure which ones but here is a reminder of what I shot with Kurt.

Vacation Recap: Part 1 - Summertime in NYC

So I am back from a fabulous 2 week vacation from Los Angeles. The first part of my trip took me to my hometown of New York for a few days. I moved away from NYC when I was 14 and I have not been back to the city in the summertime since I moved away in 1992. I decided to take full advantage and host an event for Nu-Soul Magazine while in town. The event, Strictly Social, was held in the East Village at a venue called Sutra and it was a massive success. We had around 300 people come through to show support on a Wednesday night and there were great performances from an assortment of artists including Replife, Sarah White, Jade, and Vice Lounge. Plus we had a visual artist named Shantell Martin come through. She did visual projections of a person's aura from her laptop, creating a unique image for each person.



I hung out with my friend Joseph who lives in Harlem and we went to a bar the second night to spend some dollars (if you know what I mean) and we also went to Orchard Beach (yuck). I miss New York in the summer!

At the beach 2008

Some pictures from the beach during Fourth of July taken by my friend Steven Blank.

J*Davey Interview

Influenced by everything from 80s new wave, gritty hip-hop, seductive soul, and punk, J*Davey has crafted a sound that has had the underground buzzing for years. J*Davey is leading the march into a brand new musical revolution.

Read the interview by Norman Mayers

Strictly Social moves to Little Temple July 23

On July 23, 2008 Strictly Social is moving to the heart of Los Angeles at the renowned Little Temple!

To celebrate we are bringing you an amazing lineup of talent that you won't want to miss.

Nu-Soul Magazine & Soul Union present an evening of Eclectic Soul Fusion.

Featuring performances from:

Jimi James
If you missed her in January now is your chance to catch this very buzzed about artist. Sure to grab you attention with her energetic and creative live show, sick flow, and futuristic style, Jimi James is one to watch!
www.myspace.com/rahrahgirl

Rogiers
Performing in support of his debut album Life & Music: All Of It, Rogiers delivers compelling songwriting and pristine vocals over diverse soundscapes ranging from future soul to dance beats.
Read the Nu-Soul Review
www.myspace.com/rogiers

This event will be hosted by Yolanda Johnson
Yolanda will be launching her jewelry line Beyoutiful by Pilar of Kreative Souls
www.myspace.com/yolandajohnson

Special Guest DJ Anthony Valadez (Temple Bar/Zanzibar/Little Temple)
www.myspace.com/anthonyvaladez

Resident DJs Destroyer, Milky Wayne, Myxzlplix

Only $5 all night with RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com
$7 without
Show begins at 10:30pm

9pm - 2am
21+

Strictly Social
Now at Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 660-4540
www.littletemple.com
www.myspace.com/lastrictlysocial

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