vol one • issue five
THE
SUMMER BELLE Architects of Future Music Dreams
exclusive with artists Panama and Hisham “XS” Abul Fotouh
america’s sweetest
Eryn Woods opens up
+
NYCs Top 10 Live Music Venues
SOUNDS OF
SUMMER
381 5th Ave 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016 www.kb1111.com H Office:212.213.0601
Model: Allison, KB Model Mgmt Photographer: Mae Richards
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BECAUSE THE WORLD’S
SMOOTHEST
VODKA DESERVES THE WORLD’S
COOLEST
BOTTLE
Letter Fr o m The President
myCULTURE Magazine explores and celebrates the rich cultural diversity shaping fashion and our lives in the great metropolis we call New York City and (better yet) our home. Join the elite with myCULTURE. For advertising information please call 212.213.0669 or email info@myculturemagazine.com
The Summer Season
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he summer season is always one that needs very little words and replaced with laughter and fun! ENJOY THE WARM MONTHS! THE BEACHES! THE PICNICS! AND THE BARBECUES! I’LL SEE YOU IN THE HAMPTONS! •
Karem Belalcazar President/CEO KB1111 Inc.
Model: Genesis - KB Model Mgmt • Photo: Alexandra Szebenyik
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outh Link offers prevention and early intervention programs that exist in partnership with police departments, housing authorities and dedicated business leaders who support a powerful solution that brings crime down and offers new possibilities to youth at risk for violence and gang involvement. It is a division of North American Family Institute (NAFI) currently operating in ten cities including Hartford, Providence, Indianapolis and Boston. Over the past two years:
• Over 1000 youth and 700 officers have graduated from Youth Link programs. • Youth Link has assisted keeping kids in school or, when necessary, obtaining GEDs.
• Youth crime has fallen by as much as 40% in neighborhoods where
Youth Link has been active. • Hundreds of Youth Link participants have obtained part-time employment. • Dozens of youth have completed our Culinary Arts Program in Boston and have taken part in a profit-sharing catering business. • Youth and police have replaced feelings of animosity and distrust with mutual respect and understanding, creating sustainable relationships. • Many graduates have steered from gangs and attended local colleges, camps and sports academies. • Gang life has been deglamorized. College has become a reality and the kids who were once prime candidates for gang recruitment now want and expect more out of life than what was previously thought possible. They are dreaming big and it is working. • Today Youth Link operates in ten cities, including Hartford, Providence, Yonkers, NY and Indianapolis and Boston.
For more information, contact: Jay Paris, Director • jayparis@nafi.com 617.480.8238 • www.youthlinkusa.org
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WWW.KENCHENSF.COM 4 m y CULTURE
Le tt e r Fr o m Th e C r e a t ive Director
SP BAR A Y O G A
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Get the same unique Ayurvedic glow (The Ayurvedic treatment completely detoxifies your skin by removing waste from your facial lymph nodes, giving you vital, healthy skin! Special Ayurvedic herbs and essential oils are used to reduce inflammation and help heal the skin. The results from this facial include restoration of new collagen and elastin, balance of skin’s pH and a natural glow. in express time with an addition of yoga acupressure points on the facial muscles (‘because how often do we work the facial muscles?’) and includes an Organic Ayurvedic Chocolate Tamarind Mask. Benefits: Detoxifying, Healing, Illuminating and Re-balancing. ideal for Sensitive, Dry, Dehydrated, Mature and Pre/Post-Op
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Instead of a one-size fits all spa menu, our spa offers clientele a customized skincare program based on their individual skin type and needs. B Spa uses an impeccable line of facial cocktail treatments, the latest advanced skin therapies and other services to nourish your body and preserve your skin. We strive to maintain and prolong a vital healthy glow for each individual.
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With a catchy tune, a hilarious music video and a radiance of “fun” as it played, songs of the summer can remind you of the unforgettable times you had.
s the president of myCULTURE magazine stated, summer is a time for less words and more fun. But the summer has always been a time of music for me. All the parties and get togethers focuses on the music of the summer and THE summer song. Last summer, we were all keen on maybe calling someone. You could not step a foot in a restaurant, hotel, walk down the street or even ride a subway car in peace without hearing “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. With a catchy tune, a hilarious music video and a radiance of “fun” as it played, songs of the summer can remind you of the unforgettable times you had (especially during the cold months). It’s not just summer songs that remind us of days past. myCULTURE wanted to dedicate an issue on music as it is an art form that touches everyone in their own personal way. Either if it’s that love song that just speaks to your feelings or hearing the Carpenters and reminds of your childhood. The internalization of music is one I think is one of the most important connections you can make to yourself as a person. Music will remind you or bring you back to a place where you are open to the opinions of the universe. But we all tend to love the music of the warmer months. During this is the time when the only thing we can think about the entire week while sitting in our office chairs is,“What am I going to do this weekend?” The long winter months make us reminisce about the summertime and the excitement of what can happen when the season makes its way around. Music makes us happy, sad and feel a range of emotion. During summer my memory is filled with smiles and laughter and helps me think about the light at the end of the tunnel during those long winter months. I hope you’re by a pool or on vacation while reading this, because we will see you there.
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B
Irvin Ajes Creative Director
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-Diana Seo, B Spa Bar creator
310 W. Broadway, New York, NY, 10013 • 212.274.8888 • www.bspabar.com 1031 Boston Post Rd Rye, NY 10580 • 914.921.0880 • www.bspasalon.com www.my cul turemagaz i ne.com 5
On the cover
Eryn Woods
Publisher KB1111 Inc.
President & CEO
Karem Belalcazar
Chairman/ Irvin Ajes
Creative Director
Artistic Director
Tony Iatridist
Writers Irvin Ajes
Rachel Gertner
Hugh McIntyre
Xhiljola Nano
Maxwell Rex
Jennifer Searles
Photography
Jeremy Barton
Alex Covo
Steven Cruz
Michale Doyle
David Duong
Brandon Haynes
Nikko LaMere
Seth London
Mae Richards
Production Team
Whitley Nnatubeugo
Stylist
Hair
Make Up
Kelly Love Maxwell Rex Attitudes by Moe Lisa Zogalis Attitudes by Moe Crystal Cao
Brand Manager
Nicole Kroese
Public Relations
myCULTURE Public
Relations Sales
myCULTURE Marketing
MyCULTURE magazine 381 Fifth Avenue 3rd Floor, New York,NY 10016 212.213.0601 myculturemagazine.com info@myculturemagazine.com ©2013 myCULTURE Magazine. All rights regarding the printed edition of myCULTURE and www.myculturemagazine.com are reserved. Reproduction of any part of Capacity and/or this associated web site without the written permission of publisher is prohibited. All views and comments expressed in myCULTURE are solely the opinions of the writers and contributors. myCULTURE reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertising content or materials submitted to it.
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22 America’s Sweetest
Kupcake
Jun • Jul 2013 www.myculturemagazine.com
magazine
featuring: President’s Letter Creative Director’s Letter The Best Alternative To Tanning
2 5 8
Salon secrets everyone should be aware of
Watch Me Walk Shape up for Summer
A Classic Look for the modern man
The Summer Southern Belle
10 14 16
Style of an Antebellum woman
Summer Beauty Fate Items
18
Summer season products that withstand the heat
Summer Beauty Trends Express your Summer style
Architects Of Future Music Dreams
19 34
34
Exclusive interview with “XS” and Panama Cadogan
The Sounds Of Summer Ten songs to fit every mood
The Sounds Of The City The ten best venues for a great show in the city
Credits
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Health & F i t n ess
The Best Alternative to Tanning By Xhiljola Nano
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As summertime approaches, many people turn to artificial tanning in order to get a baseline bronzed look before they hit the beach. However, how effective is this base tan everyone is jumping to achieve? Often times, people believe a base tan will give them more protection when they tan in the real sun, but this is false! A current growing industry which is becoming an alternative to the tanning bed is spray tanning. It was introduced in 2000 and has lured many customers in lieu to the high recommendations made by dermatologists.
Spray tanning is a liquid solution that combines aloe vera, a bronzer and dihydroxyacetone (a chemical that interacts with the skin to produce a brown color over several hours). Treatments for spray tanning range from $30 dollars to $150 dollars. However, this sunless tanning method has its own side effects. It has been shown that people who are more prone to use sunless tanning methods are also more prone to go visit tanning salons. Therefore, the people who use sunless tanning methods have higher risks of skin cancer and prematurely aged skin than those who use no tanning methods at all. Regardless, spray tanning is healthier than tanning in salon booths or beds.
Here are some tanning salon secrets everyone should be aware of: First, it is important to note that tanning indoors is not safer than tanning outdoors. Tanning salons sell their product as the “smarter choice” in to achieve a base tan, but it is not the smarter choice at all. In fact, tanning indoors is much worse than tanning outdoors because your body is exposed to a much higher concentration of the UV-rays than the UV levels of the sun. Second, there are people who suffer from the tanning disorder; coined only as “tanorexia”. Basically, these people know the negative side effects of tanning but are still incapable of stopping due to their addiction to achieve a bronzed look. Many people who suffer from “tanorexia” have also been known to suffer from anxiety and depression at much higher rates than their peers. Additionally, tanning salons do not turn these tanorexics away, people could come in and tan every day if they wanted. Third, the FDA does not have high regulations for tanning beds, as a result, they have often been covered with sweat, urine, semen and bacteria. There have been numerous cases when people have suffered from different rashes due to the bacteria accumulated on a tanning bed. Fourth, tanning salons lobby for government protection because the World Health Organization has named tanning beds as the number one cancer-causing substance.
Instead of tanning salons… Currently, many people are becoming highly aware of the dangers of tanning and are turning to spray tanning as a safer alternative. However, specialists have noted regardless of how you achieve your tan, anytime 8 m y CULTURE CULTURE
the skin gets darker, you are causing ultraviolet damage. So, what is the best alternative to tanning? If you really think about it, the best thing is to not tan at all. Dermatologists recommend getting natural rays in moderate sessions while still using UV protection.
The best thing to do for your skin is to stay fit, healthy and moisturize. There are many different, healthy body treatments and masks you can do to enhance the natural color and wellbeing of your body without damaging it with unnecessary UV-rays. Go for the healthier alternative and skip the artificial tanning. •
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Health & F i t n ess
Watch Me Walk B y J e n n i f e r S e a r l e s , N A S M C P T a n d o w n e r o f T h e Wo r k s P e r s o n a l Tr a i n i n g www.TheWorksPersonalTraining.com
I know you’ve wished this before “If I could just have a tighter butt... I wanna flaunt a tight booty on the beaches of Brazil and look bangin”... ok, maybe not in those words, but you get my point. If you are wanting a better buttock area, a few changes are in order. Although roundness to the bum is partly genetic, with the right diet, some cardio and the inclusion of the following exercises into your routine, that Bootylicious Brazilian Beach Butt (or at least something like it) can be yours to keep. The Butt of No Jokes, The Gluteal Muscles. So what makes up a butt? The large gluteus maximus, the smaller gluteus medius and even smaller gluteus minimus muscles, and overlying fat. Having sculpted versions of these muscles, and lower levels of fat are what help to define the butt. Running, climbing, stepping and walking all help to work the gluteal muscles and give them that much desired rounded shape. Since strength training is what helps sculpt a muscle, it suffices to say that you need it in any butt-sculpting program.
Butt-Boosting Exercises • Squat The grandfather of all glute exercises is most definitely the squat. It is a compound movement that directly targets the entire gluteal area and can be made light or heavy depending upon what your goals are. Want a bigger butt? Go heavy on the weights and less reps. Wanna tone it down? Lighten up and do more reps. The most important thing to keep in mind when performing this exercise is the form. Form: Standing with feet side by side and shoulder width apart, lower hips in a slow and controlled manner as if you are lowering yourself into a chair. Pause for a count, then slowly stand back up to the starting position. Keep your knees over your toes and your back and torso straight and tight. • Variation: Ball Squat If you’re new to this exercise, using a stability ball will ensure you use the proper form by creating a base for balance and axis of movement. Master trainer Dori Ricci, NASM, CPT suggests aiming for 3 sets of 15 of each of the exercise. It is also suggested for beginners to perform each of the exercises 3 times each week. Form: Stand up straight with a stability ball between your lower back and the wall. Place your feet slightly in front of you, hip-width apart so that your knees stay behind your toes. Once you are in position, perform the squat as described above. • Variation: Sissy Squat The sissy squat is a variation on the traditional squat. Although it focuses on the quadriceps, it is GREAT for hitting the glutes as well. For those just starting out, body weight is sufficient, although the more advanced may hold a weight plate in one arm to increase the difficulty. Form: Holding onto a support with your free arm, stand in a classic squat position. Slowly bend your knees and while lean1 0 m y CU LTURE
ing back, lower yourself to the bottom of a squat position. The difference here is you should be focusing your weight through the balls of your feet as opposed to your heels. Pause for a count, then raise your body back up to the starting position.
Lunges • Forward Lunge Another great butt-builder, the lunge also emphasizes the quads, hamstrings and calves. Since it is a compound movement, it packs a serious calorie burn! Form: With feet hip-width apart and side by side, take a big step forward and slowly bend your knees so that both knees are at 90 degree angles. Pause for a count, then step back and stand up in the starting position. Repeat with the other leg, or do all repetitions on one leg, then the rest on the other. Key points to remember: you should not move your front knee past your toes, and your back knee should come CLOSE to the ground, but not TOUCH it. • Variation: Reverse Lunge This is the identical to the forward lunge, but instead of stepping forward, you are taking a big step behind you. The reverse lunge focuses a bit more on the gluteal muscles (yay!) and adds variety to your workout. As a side note, lunges either forward OR reverse are great ways to improve hip flexibility and mobility... something that many lack, especially if you’re sitting at a desk all day! Form: The starting position for this is the same as in the forward lunge, but instead of stepping out in front of you, take a giant step backwards. As in the forward lunge, remember to keep your front knee behind or over your toes and do not let the back knee touch the ground. • Variation: Side Lunge This variation focuses on the gluteus medius and minimus (hips) and hits the dreaded inner-thigh area as well. Form: Standing with feet together, take a wide step to the side and slowly bend the outside knee to lower your body toward the floor. The shin should stay straight up and down and the feet should remain facing forward. Be sure to keep your back straight and your chest up while lowering yourself to the bottom of the movement. Pause for a count, then raise back up by straightening the knee and ending up at the starting position. Repeat on the other leg, or do all reps on one leg then switch to the other. • On the Ball: Leg Lift This exercise not only strengthens your glutes, but also the muscles in your shoulders and abdominal region. Start by lifting only one leg, then as you become stronger, try for both legs at the same time. Form: Lying parallel to the ground with the ball beneath your stomach balancing with your hands on the floor in front of you, lift a single leg up away from the floor by squeezing the glute muscle on that side. A good goal is for a few inches of lift, especially for those just starting out. Take care not to use the erector muscles of the lower back during the exercise. • On the Ball: Hip Lift Hip lifts are a small, isolating movement targeting the gluteus www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 1 1
Health & F i t n ess
maximus (the largest muscle in the body). It’s important to focus on your gluteal muscles with this one and make sure you’re not using the muscles in your back. Form: While lying on your back, place your feet together on the ball with knees bent at 90 degrees. Gently and slowly move the back of your thighs away from the ball by squeezing your glutes. Don’t worry about a huge movement here, about a 2 inch lift is what you should aim for.
FLOOR WORK • Floor Work: Bridge Much more difficult than it looks, bridges are excellent for strengthening the glutes. They also engage the hamstrings and hips. Form: Lying on your back with bent knees, and feet hipwidth apart, gently arch your spine away from the floor to create a “bridge”. The arching should come from squeezing the glutes and the hamstrings, not from pressing your hands into the floor. When you have created your bridge (it should look like a diagonal line from your knees to your shoulders), pause for a count, then slowly lower your hips to the floor, vertebrae by vertebrae. • Floor Work: Side Leg Raises One of my personal favorites, as it gives the nice “dent” in the side of the butt, this exercise isolates the gluteus medius and minimus. Just a few inches of movement works these muscles quite well. Form: Lying on your side, legs straight and stacked and chest and shoulders back and in line with each other, slowly raise the top leg a few inches from the bottom leg. Pause for a count and lower back to the bottom leg. For a different burn, you can also do this exercise by rotating the top leg outward from the hip and lifting as described before. • Floor Work: Running Plank Also called “Mountain Climbers” this exercise challenges the glutes, shoulders, hips and core. For a bigger calorie burn while still strengthening the muscles, perform quickly and controlled. Form: With your body in a plank position on the floor (straight arms, hands on floor underneath your shoulders, core tight, toes together on the floor behind you), pull one knee into your chest. Straighten leg to starting position and repeat with the other leg. As stated in the description, speed of leg movement while keeping the abs tight and bellybutton pulled into your spine will give you a great burn while building and strengthening the muscles. Photographer: Mr. Jones
• Floor Work: Dirty Dog This exercise is excellent for isolating the gluteus minimus and medius, two of the smaller muscles in your buttocks. Form: While kneeling on all fours, arms straight with hands directly under your shoulders and knees hip-width apart, slowly raise one bent leg out away from your body, squeezing the side of your butt to complete the movement. Pause for a count at the top, then lower leg back to the starting position.
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Make sure you are concentrating on keeping your back completely straight and abs tight throughout the entire movement. Stair Work Aside from being a great butt-blaster, stairs are a great calorie burning fat-blaster as well. Form: There are many ways to do a stair exercise. You can run up stairs (although you may have been told otherwise when you were younger), walk up stairs, perform walking or running up stairs while skipping step, whatever form you choose, you are working the glute muscles. To maximize your glute activation, be sure to focus your weight through the front heel when stepping up to the next step. • Variation: Bench Step Up Stairs not available to you? No problem. You can get the benefit of the stair exercise by using a bench as a stair. Standing erect with a bench in front of you, place one foot on top and step up onto the bench. Keeping your back straight and chest up, focus your weight through the front heel, and lower back down to the starting position. For a real burn, repeat all reps on one leg, then switch to the other. For beginners, you can alternate your legs for the number of desired reps. Walking Hills Walking can be done without a gym membership and can be done whenever the fancy strikes you. All you need is a pair of sneakers, comfortable clothing and some desire to sculpt your butt. For a real challenge to the butt muscles, get yourself trekking uphill. This not only maximizes glute activation, it also burns tons of calories to maximize fat loss. If you have access to a treadmill, try walking on an incline of 5-7% at a brisk pace.
Firm Up Your Butt With Cardio I often am asked what cardio exercises best work the muscles in the butt. Here are some of the answer revolving stairs or gauntlet (GREAT one), elliptical, arc trainer.... treadmill (as described above). These all are excellent for sculpting the butt while burning calories and melting fat at the same time (WIN/ WIN).
Diet is NOT an Afterthought All of the exercises in this article are great for sculpting the glutes, but what’s the use of sculpted glutes if there’s an ugly layer of fat on top? In order to effectively burn off that layer of fat and SEE what’s been sculpted underneath, you must pay attention to your diet. Eat mostly clean, unprocessed foods in smaller quantities throughout the day. Aim to eat a small meal every 3-4 hours containing healthy fats, low-glycemic carbs, and lean protein. Avoid sugars and saturated fats, and monitor your alcohol intake. Eat well, do your cardio and these butt-sculpting exercises, and a firmer, sexier butt is on your horizon! Maybe a horizon in Brazil.... •
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Fa s hi o n Tr e n d s
Tailoring a Classic Look for the Modern Man By Maxwell Rex
Tailored suits, flappers, and all that jazz! A sense of dapper, class and wealth has sparked the world of men’s wear and has taken complete control over the summer season! The Roaring 20’s are back with a new twist for this millennia.
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Bright colors are not ground breaking during the spring and summer time. But the range of colors that appear each season impress our retinas to consider more eye popping hues in our closets.
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hen you think of ascots, bow ties, trousers, and suits what do you imagine, a group of older gentlemen at a mundane and stuffy dinner party? On the contraire, seasons past have been culminating to the reemergence of suits into our daily uniforms; and I’m not just talking about the daily office job attire. The era of the plain white tee might have a new competitor in the classic white button down. The world renowned literary classic “The Great Gatsby” turned blockbuster film, we get a truly unique style to inspire the modern sophisticated man; Charlie Chaplin or Greta Garbo would appreciate.
has formed and embodied what our generation considers what is a gentlemen or “the self-made man”. The elements of a dapper are eye catching and incorporates fun trends.
A Dapper Dandy
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A Range of Color Bright colors are not ground breaking during the spring and summer time. But the range of colors that appear each season impress our retinas to consider more eye popping hues in our closets. Colors such as electric blues and crimson reds to soft pastel yellows, and neutral colors like ivory, and topaz create an elaborate color palette that would be hard for the fashion forward man not to explore. Etro, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers and even small boutiques are incorporating this wide range into their collections. The patriotic colors of the American flag are a staple but these eye catching colors are a way to revamp a hot summers day. The 1920s was a decade known for extravagance, ranging from the elegant styles of Duke Ellington to the flashy, serious and sharp looking Al Capone. This decade 1 4 m y CU LTURE
New Hemming-ways Taking inspiration from the golden era of the Roaring 1920s “tailor made” man is becoming a staple in mens trends. Brands like Versace and Dolce and Gabbana are beginning to incorporate their strong heritage of creative and personally tailored designs. Trousers which will never touch your Santoni Oxfords to wide legged pants with such a defined crease that can cut almost anything are important in this new movement. An innovative design introduced to dress shirts and even regular tee shirts are extra side panels to help contour to a gentleman’s body. Topman, Jeremy Argyle and others alike are helping to push along these new cuts, shapes and tailoring in order to introduce the regality and statuesque form of tailored clothes for men.
Grooming has evolved more into an art form after the term “metrosexual” was introduced in the early 2000s. The classic undercut, with its faded sides and slicked back or comb over side part has regained its popularity among our new generation. It adds that extra level of sophistication to pull the entire look together. For the more adventurous man, try finger waves for a new retro feel. The goal is to embody charm and easy without much effort. •
Taking inspiration from the golden era of the Roaring 1920s “tailor made” man is becoming a staple in mens trends.
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The Art of Grooming
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Fa s hi o n Tr e n d s
The Summer Southern Belle By Maxwell Rex
The temperate weather, fresh air, Southern drawls, wholesome comfort food and hospitality attract us Northerners to the southern way of life. Besides the southern charm, the completely different culture greatly influences the style of an antebellum woman. The fashion savvy of the north are tired of the cold weather and ready to revamp their closets. Who better to know how to dress for the warmer weather than a “Southern Belle”. Southern Charm
Playfully Colorful
Southern Charm has impacted women’s fashion by adding a nice twist to the “city gal” uniform. New looks and garments are being produced by emerging international brands such as Superdry and Topshop. Vintage tee shirts and cropped flannel shirts can make you want to sit on a porch and sip sweet tea. Iconic brands such as Prada and Burberry are starting to produce playful sundresses in flannel and floral prints. These can be paired with strapped saddle sandals or Billy Bob boots from Steve Madden, Nordstrom or Saks 5th Avenue.
Red, white and blue, in different variations of tones and textures are being spotted on our city streets and have become a staple during the warmer months. American flags stitched onto the backs of jean jackets and tri-colored blocked dresses show all-American pride. Lacoste’s Spring 2013 is heavy on these three colors. Along with these staples, we are starting to see very graceful and vibrant hues. Greens as luscious as gardens, yellows even sunflowers envy, and flirtatious oranges shown by Tracy Reese, allow sophisticated women in their Sunday best, wanting to have fun and enjoy brunch.
Silhouettes These playful prints and vibrant hues do not have such an impact without silhouettes to complement one’s body type. The right form to hug your body in all of the right places to accentuate your goodies but hide what you don’t want to be seen. Marchesa, Milly, Bibhu Mohaparta and Charlotte Ronson have created pieces which allow movement and a breeze are appropriate for summer picnics in the park or a nice outing with a special someone. Free flowing garments keep you cool and dry while you soak in the sun’s rays in beautiful weather.
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While enjoying nature’s beauty during this season, don’t forget about your own natural beauty. Ladies, do not be afraid to let your hair down for a more relaxed and fun look. A bun (like in our Summer Fashion Trends) is always a nice way to stay cool, but some outfits just need to let your hair flow. Corinne Bailey Rae, Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie and Miranda Kerr are amongst many in the public eye who sport the cool, chic, natural look. But if you’re a lady that loves big air
and volume, huge spiral curls that bounce with every touch of the wind. Country singers like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are good southern belles to draw inspiration. Cut-off Daisy Dukes that seem to have been washed over a thousand times to your basic flannel and button up tops, fashion forward women of New York City are enamored with the warm southern styles. Grab your Ray-Bans, your cotton tote-bag and a blanket and soak up those rays before the chill of a New York City winter! •
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Southern Charm has impacted women’s fashion by adding a nice twist to the “city gal” uniform.
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“Hairography”
Beauty Tr e n d s
Summer Beauty Fates Items By Rachel Gertner
Summer is here! That means enjoying the beach and boardwalk, swimming, being outdoors, and having barbecues—and of course, looking beautiful and stylish throughout it all. Just like you ditched your coat and heavy clothes for light weight dresses, shorts, tank tops, and sandals - your makeup routine will need a summer overhaul as well. This season, products that will withstand the heat, humidity, and long days of summer are key. Makeup should be multifunctional, water resistant, and have SPF protection. These products will keep you fresh and beautiful for all the summer excitement! Aqualillies for Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek Palette This eye and cheek palette is a must-have for summer! Inspired by the Aqualillies, considered the most beautiful and sophisticated synchronized swimming group in the United States, were the perfect muse for this stunning gold, circular compact adorned with aqua and orange art-deco fish scales. The palette contains six eye shadow colors and has a handy mirror inside to help you apply. Five of the eye shadows range in neutral tones from champagne to brown. There is one stand out bold, blue color called Poolside. Combining these shadows will create natural and smokey eye looks, and the blue shadow will add a pop of color as an eyeliner. The kit also has a blush that is the perfect peachy pink, a highlighter, and a bronzer. Being inspired by swimmers, this palette is waterproof and truly lasts all day. Pop this kit in your purse with a lipstick and mascara and it can survive in or out of air conditioning! $38.00, www.tartecosmetics.com.
Urban Decay Lush Lush Mascara I cannot say enough good things about this mascara, my new favorite! Urban Decay Lush Lush Mascara is easy to apply, long lasting, doesn’t clump lashes, makes lashes look long, full, and (wait for it….) yes, lush! For an added bonus, it is infused with a serum that grows, strengthens, and conditions lashes. This is a must have for summer and all seasons. $20.00. www.urbandecaycosmetics.com 1 8 m y CU LTURE
Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream SPF 30 Dark Spot Correcting In the summer, nobody likes heavy foundation. I look for a product that will be light weight, even out my skin, and have multiple properties so I don’t have to use a primer, moisturizer, and sunblock. This product is perfect! It is a primer, moisturizer, foundation, and sun block in one! It controls oil and shine, and helps reduce the look of dark spots, age spots, and acne scars. I recommend using a foundation brush to apply for even application. $42.00, www.smashbox.com.
Stila After Glow Lip Color Stila has come out with a creative new “day to night” spin on lipstick. It contains florescent pigments that create a vibrant pop of color during the day. At night, the black light pigments cause the lipstick to glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. It is a great way to try the bold lip trend for summer with a fun twist when you’re dancing in the club! $18.00, www.stilacosmetics.com.
Pierre Hardy For NARS Nail Polish Duo Pierre Hardy is a premiere shoe designer who has teamed up with NARS Cosmetics to create a limited edition nail polish collection. I love the bright and fresh color palette for summer. There are six different nail polish combinations to choose from and the packaging is really cute. It comes in Pierre Hardy’s signature mini shoe box and dust bag. It is a great way to show off your mani/pedi this summer! $29.00. www.narscosmetics.com. •
Be a u t y Tr e n d s
Summer Beauty Trends By Rachel Gertner
Summer is such a fun time to express your style, from brunch, barbecues, exploring New York City or just going food shopping are all great reasons to try these different trends! After a long cold winter, a shift from the dark dreary days of a New York winter to the bright and fresh days of summer is in great need. Makeup, just like with fashion, there are several new beauty trends to embrace this summer. myCULTURE magazine explores a few top summer beauty styles to help you complete your fashionable and fabulous look. BOLD EYE
tomatique Lipstick $35.00, www.guerlain.com. There are several different pink shades from light pink to fuchsia so you can decide how daring you want to be. Clinique Nail Enamel in Hi Sweetie is a great way to take the bright pink trend to your mani/pedi! $16, www.clinique.com
60’s Look
Bold eyes were one of the biggest trends on the runways for summer fashion. Designers played with metallics, blues, greens, pinks, neon, jewels encrusting the eye, heavy eyeliner, and tons of lashes. To achieve this look, try Makeup Forever Technicolor Palette $36.00, www.sephora. com. I like this palette because you can create a traditional smokey eye with brown or black, or you can go for color! Next, use eyeliner around the whole eye. Try Stila Seeing Stars Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner Set $32.00, www. sephora.com. Finish with two coats of mascara. The rest of your makeup should be kept neutral to avoid looking like if you are trying too hard.
Pink Pink is considered the epitome of femininity and everything girly, but this summer it is also bold! Pink makeup was used on the runways to create striking and dramatic looks. Donna Karan used bright pink eye shadow and mascara for stand out eyes— and several other designers brought all the attention to the lip with fuchsia lip color. To incorporate this trend into your everyday life, try Estee Lauder Five Color Eyeshadow Palette in Posh Petals $48.00, www. esteelauder.com. Another favorite is Guerlain Rouge Au-
Moschino, Louis Vuitton, and Marc Jacobs played homage to the Mod Look of the 60’s. This look includes a full eye brow, black liquid eyeliner, and a nude lip to embody Twiggy herself. Start with an eyebrow pencil to fill in your eyebrows to make them defined and full. Try Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz $21, www.anastasia.net. Next, line the top of your lash line with a liquid eyeliner and wing out the line at the outer edge of your eye. Try Dolce and Gabbana Glam Liner Intense Liquid Eyeliner in Black Intense $34.00, www.sephora.com. For more drama, line your bottom lash line. Next use two coats of black mascara and finish the look with a nude lipstick. Bite Pigment Matte Pencil in Nude Peach $24, www.sephora.com.
Bronze Being tan is synonymous with summer. Everyone always looks healthier, thinner, and younger with a tan! There are so many products on the market to achieve a bronzed look. For a radiant glow that will withstand the heat, I recommend Hourglass Superficial Waterproof Bronzer $45.00, www.hourglasscosmetics.com. For a full body tan, opt for St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse $42.00, www.sttropeztan.com. Make up is an easier way to gain a bronzed look without the dangers of UV rays.
Bun When the weather is hot and humid, you want your hair up off your face and neck during a harsh New York City summer. Instead of the usual ponytail, go for a sleek and sophisticated bun! This look is a staple of celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Gwenyth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Gwen Stefani. Part your hair in the center or for a more dramatic look, make a deep side part. Smooth hair back into a sleek low ponytail and secure with an elastic band. Wrap the ponytail around to form a bun and secure it with bobby pins. You will look stylish and stay cool all summer! • www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 1 9
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3 8 1 5 t h A v e 3 r d F l o o r, N e w Yo r k , N Y 1 0 0 1 6 www.kb1111.com H Office:212.213.0601
Photographer: Alex Covo • Model: Tatjana, KB Model Mgmt
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america’s sweetest
By Irvin Ajes
I
t was a fateful day during the S/S 2013 season when I first met Eryn Woods at the tents in Lin-
coln Center. She and I bonded during the Noon by Noor show and have kept in touch ever since. As I started to follow her career (lets face it, who doesn’t want to be friends with a rockstar?), she is a rising star gaining followers and stomping to the beat of her own drum in 6 inch studded heels. Her album “Holl E. Woods” shows her diversity and her message of individuality. As a jet setter, she made some time to talk to myCULTURE magazine about how
Photographer: Nico LaMere Hair: Lisa Zogalis
Eryn Woods came to be.
Make up: Chrystal Cao Stylist: Kelly Love
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What inspired you to begin a music career? “ Family… My family is very entertaining. I’ve been singing since I started to speak. My family has a video of me singing to ‘Stop In the Name of Love’. I put on an entire show, complete with heels, a dress, a dance routine and the fireplace in the living room was my stage. This is an important highlight of my singing career. I remember once I finished singing, I turned to my mom and said ‘Mommy, they aren’t clapping for me!’ My mom then turns to my family and said ‘Clap’. It was my first diva moment. I don’t remember a time in my life that I wasn’t singing. There was only ever Plan A, never a Plan B. If Plan A didn’t work, I was going to make it work. Madonna, Ace of base, Missing Persons, Gwen Stefani, Cindi Lauper, and a lot of 1980s musician have influenced the sound of my music.
Where does the term “kupcake” come from? “I don’t eat sweets very much, but when I do, I love to indulge in a red velvet cupcake. It makes me happy on the days when I’m down, stressed or just in a grey mood. One day I suddenly called my fans ‘kupcake’ knowing that it had a lot of personal meaning. Everyone needs something in their life to make them happy, my fans make me happy. My fans are all different, like the different flavors of cupcakes. Not everyone likes every single flavor. Each individual will have someone who will like their flavor and accept them for who they are.”
Your fan base is very eclectic, what do you think it is about your music speaks to such a wide range of people? “When my producer and I were making the album, we wanted to make music everyone would like. I wanted to make music that was relatable across the broad spectrum of my fans. I have a diverse family; I have Filipino, Chinese, Black and all other mixes. I wanted to make my music as diverse as my family. My music is like a chameleon, there are a lot of elements incorporated into it. There’s rock, pop, urban and some 80s feel. When you listen to my music, you find something you like about the music.”
What age did you move to NYC? “I moved to NYC when I was 18 years old and worked in a radio station. During my time there I met my current producer Arc, who is with Pharsounds Productions. He is from Atlanta so I decided to move to Atlanta to be able to work with him.”
What attracted you to move to NYC? Do you ever have a feeling to move back? “I love the hustle and bustle of NYC. I’m a big city girl and love a fast paced kind of life. I love that I can walk outside and everything is accessible. I first fell in love with NYC during a trip in high school. Broadway has always had an appeal to me because of my background in musical theater. Although I don’t live in NYC anymore, I call it one of my many homes because of my travels. It will always have a part of my heart because of the people, the lifestyle and of course the music!” Photographer: Jeremy Barton Hair/Make up: Attitudes by Moe Stylist: Eryn Woods
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I can only describe your look as “Eryn” how did this evolve over the years? “Wow that’s a hard one. I’ve always had an ever changing style. Take my hair for example, over the years it has gotten shorter and has been so many different colors. I had the infamous Rihanna haircut before Rihanna had it! But I hated that pretty soon, the hair got in my face and I fell in love with the thought of a Mohawk. At that time my hair was black and wanted a drastic change, so red was the change and it stuck. My personal style has evolved over my travels. I’ve always liked different things. During my travels, I’ve seen different stores and designers influenced by all the different styles from the different places. I have no set style of dress. I wear whatever I want to and make it into ‘Eryn Woods’. I don’t go by the trends, I want to create my own and be playful with my clothes.”
Holl E. Woods is a great album, what inspired the album? 2 6 m y CULTURE
“The album was inspired greatly by Missing Persons, Gwen Stefani and Cindi Lauper. Besides the artists, I was inspired of being ‘the black swan of the bubble gum pop world.’ I wanted to spread the message that you don’t need to change yourself, just be you! I think it was proper to name it “Holl E. Woods” because some might not consider me “Hollywood Glam” but I want to take it over and make it my own without losing my self-integrity. I want to spread that to all the listeners and my fans.
“This My Shhh” was on the season finale of the Jersey Shore, How did it feel to have your music on MTV? “I was actually on tour when MTV called telling me my song was the opening song of the season finale of Jersey Shore. I was in shock. It’s a great platform to get new fans, I was excited to have my music on a world stage. It was a giant step from being featured on “Kings of A&R” to infamous MTV.“
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I was inspired of being ‘the black swan of the bubble gum pop world.’ I wanted to spread the message that you don’t need to change yourself, just be you!
“
Photographer: Jeremy Barton Hair/Make up: Attitudes by Moe Stylist: Eryn Woods
It’s almost touring season, you are all over the east coast, any plans on expanding? Any new projects or ventures you are about to embark on? “I’m doing a lot during this summer. Besides travelling up and down the east coast, I’m headlining San Diego Pride in July with Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta along with St. Louis and Charlotte Pride. Then heading to Arizona for the anime convention, Saboten Con. I just signed an endorsement with ShoeFash, a competitor of Shoe Dazzle and JustFab. I’m working with Stevie Boi for Stevie Boi Fashion Show in Miami. I’m appearing in New York Fashion Week then straight to London Fashion week where I’ve been asked to perform. For the fall I’ve been booked to do a tour in Japan in November. All while working on new music!” •
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My music is like a chameleon, there are a lot of elements incorporated into it. There’s rock, pop, urban and some 80s feel. When you listen to my music, you find something you like about the music.
Photographer: Nico LaMere • Hair: Lisa Zogalis Make up: Chrystal Cao • Stylist: Kelly Love
Photographer: David Duong Hair and make up: Attitudes by Moe Stylist: Eryn Woods
Photographer: David Duong • Hair and make up: Attitudes by Moe Stylist: Eryn Woods
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Photographer: David Duong Hair and make up: Attitudes by Moe Stylist: Eryn Woods
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Photographer: Jeremy Barton • Hair/Make up: Attitudes by Moe • Stylist: Eryn Woods
(Eryn Woods is a busy artist, so I just thought of adding her Summer/ Fall 2013 at the end of the interview. ENJOY)
Schedule for the Summer/Fall 2013 so far...
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May 19th: Atruim Event Center (Atlanta, GA)
July 5th: The Cypress (New Orleans, LA)
Aug 24th/25th: Charlotte Pride Festival
May 25th: Exposed Charity Event (Chamblee, GA) 5pm-6pm Meet & Greet, 6:30 Performance
July 12th: San Diego Pride Fest (San Diego, CA) “Block Party w/ Jessica Sutta (Pussycat Doll)”
Aug 31st-Sept 2nd: Saboten Con (Glendale, AZ)
June 8th: Side Show Festival (Columbus, GA) 4pm performance
July 18th: Avalon Theater (Hollywood, CA) TigerHeat 12:30am
June 8th: GEORGIA MUSIC AWARDS SHOW
July 26th: Trash Party-The Studio (New York, NY)
June 20th: RBar (New York, NY) “Olivia” Eventpromoter Michael Madrigal
July 28th: Highline Ballroom (New York, NY) w/ Eva and her Virgins
June 29th: St. Louis Pride Fest (St. Louis, MO) 7pm8pm Meet & Greet, 8:30 Performance
Aug 6th: Stevie Boi Fashion Show (Miami, FL) Opening/walking the sho
Sept 6th: C4 Convention (Ventura, CA) Sept 7th-12th: NEW YORK FASHION WEEK Sept 12th-19th LONDON FASHION WEEK Nov 6th-17th JAPAN TOUR (Tokyo, Japan)
381 5th Ave 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016
Model: Jonathan, KB Model Mgmt • Photographer: Brandon Haynes
www.kb1111.com H Office:212.213.0601
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Panama: Photographer: Michael Doyle http://www.doylecinema.com Stylist: Maxwell Rex maxwellrex118@gmail.com No make up artist Xs: Photogapher: Steven Cruz stevencruz115@gmail.com Stylist: Maxwell Rex maxwellrex118@gmail.com Makeup: Spehora
Architects
of Future Music Dreams By Maxwell Rex
T
he sound of the music industry is very dynamic and everchanging. Emerging artists are finding new and innovative ways to break into this competitive market. The recording artists Hisham “XS”Abul Fotouh, a Middle Eastern singer, and Panama Cadogan, a New York City rapper and lyricist, have introduced their own innovative styles and sounds into the music industry and made their own contributions to the evolving taste in music. Styling these gentlemen has transcended from becoming more than merely a“brand”but into something which ultimately represents their true selves. I have worked with these two artists for some time and my curiosity of their evolution into this industry has been stirred over our time together. Over a soulful meal at the infamous restaurant, Manna’s Soul Food in the heart of Harlem, I began to learn more about these two very talented men.
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MR: Working alongside both of you, I have never asked; What inspired you to pursue a music career and how long have you been making music? XS: I’ve chosen to pursue music because music saved my life, I used to be very depressed until I turned to music, and it changed me. I became happier, more energetic, and I wanted to share the same positive emotions music has given me to people worldwide. .I’ve been doing this for about 3 years now, but I feel like now is the perfect time for me to blast off with my career. Panama: I can’t really say I was inspired to pursue the music track in life. I was more inspired to create music. The career was just a fortunate step with great support from my peers and fans. I draw inspiration from my immediate family, friends and life experiences. I’m not the type of artist who ignores the reality of life and what connects us on a universal level. I been creating and writing music since I was 15. Humble. Listening to your music; it has a collective feel of multiple genres. What genre of music most influences you? XS: I’m influenced by a lot of different genres. Each one has a different vibe that I can relate towards my life, but if I were to be specific, I would say R&B and House. R&B unleashes true passion and House unleashes energy.
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My sound is skillful yet raw. It’s very direct, honest and pure. The only thing at the heart of my music is my heart. I speak from my soul and things I believe.
Panama: I’m not quite sure which genre of music influences me the most. I appreciate all genres and my Hispanic background has exposed me to variety in my life. After hearing Salsa, Tipico, Hip Hop, R&B, R&B Soul and many others, my ears have had the opportunity to experience some amazing compositions, instrumentations and melodies. If I had to decide which genre drives me closer to writing I would have to credit Hip Hop and R&B. The songwriting and the melodies within this genre is most relevant in my day to day life. I am most present and involved in the urban world. Humble. Within the various genres of music you produce, can you describe your “sound”; what’s at the heart of your music as an artist/producer? XS: I would say my sound is a mixture of Middle Eastern and Western music coming together. While it doesn’t show as much on my single,“Let It Go”, my future songs are going to incorporate the Middle Eastern culture more and I am slowly introducing it to the rest of the world. Panama: My sound is skillful yet raw. It’s very direct, honest and pure. The only thing at the heart of my music is my heart. I speak from my soul and things I believe. The music is uncut and commercial at times because we are in the business to entertain. The majority of my sound is aimed to enlighten the mind, body, heart and soul. That’s the only way I am satisfied with myself and the content I present to the world. Humble. www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 3 7
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Both of you work with an eclectic array of industries, do you have any new projects coming up that your excited about? XS: I have other songs I’m currently working on and I’m very excited about, and it blends my Middle Eastern culture with the Western contemporary world. I have let other hear some the work and the results were phenomenal. It basically tells me that culture and language barriers are being broken. We are finally coming together as one, regardless of our nationalities and ethnicities. Panama: I have plenty of new exciting projects which utilize my talents. Every day I am involved or helping someone achieve their dream in this business. I just finished a TV pilot, called “The Point”, that I am happy to take part. I am also working on finalizing my latest project called “The Panama Canal”. My production company, Mills Miller Media, is having a successful run with recording artists and film projects. My unyielding work ethic is allowing me to explore so many different opportunities with the Kings I started with. Humble. Where do you see yourself at within the industry; are you still growing even though you are established? XS: I see myself being the first of a new breed of singers being introduced to the mainstream. The increasing number of emerging Middle Eastern artist, I feel it’s definitely our time to shine. Every day and in every way, I’m growing and learning, it doesn’t matter if I’m 25, 45 or 75, there will always be space for growth. Panama: I see myself as a music mogul and that’s all I have to say about that. Not only am I still growing in this music industry but I am still growing as a person. That is the basis of life which I will never go against. Steady improvement, learning and growing. Humble. I grin and repeat Panama’s “humble”) Can you describe your style of dress, does it reflect your music or your personality?
Panama: I don’t really have a certain way of dress. My personal uniform ranges from different time periods. I feel fashion is personal and refreshing to the human soul. I recommend people wear clothes that make them happy and build self-confidence. My fashion does not reflect my music because music does not stop at fashion. The outfits I wear to record the song is not the same outfit I wear to promote the record. I dress up to my preference and give the people Panama in everything I do. Humble. Ralph Lauren once said,“I don’t design clothes, I design dreams.”And in such innovative time, these artists are architects of future music dreamers. • 3 8 m y CULTURE
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I see myself being the first of a new breed of singers being introduced to the mainstream. The increasing number of emerging Middle Eastern artist, I feel it’s definitely our time to shine.
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XS: My style is more classy but calm and cool, I like to dress well. But I also; like to show I’m not high-class or snobby, I think of it as everyday classy. The way I dress basically says“ I like to take care of myself, but I also like to have fun and be social”.
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Summer
The Sounds of
B y H u g h M c I n t y re
Robin Thicke – “Blurred Lines (ft. Pharell and T.I.)” Pharell’s production couldn’t be more distinctive, and Robin Thicke has never sounded (or looked) better. Find the video online and watch it all the way through– Robin admits something that we’ve all been wondering about.
Capital Cities – “Safe and Sound” This song was actually released back in 2011, but it is only now getting the attention it deserves. With their debut album out in early June, expect radios to start blasting this surprise hit.
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Tonight I’m Getting Over You” The latest single from Carly’s US debut album is the best song you won’t hear on the radio this year. A remix with Nicki Minaj was recently released, but the original is far better.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Same Love (ft. Mary Lambert)” After the success of “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us”, indie rap’s prodigal sons have chosen to re-release this fan favorite for the masses. A sweet song about gay couples and the changes needed in this world, this might just go all the way.
Passenger – “Let Her Go” Already a #1 hit in fourteen countries, nobody saw this quiet lament coming. Passenger is one man, and this acoustic guitar-fronted love song is just too heartbreaking to pass up.
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Summer is the time for fun, friends, and new tunes. Every artist wants to have “the song of the summer”, so we’re often treated to some of the best singles around this time of year. There are surely going to be some great tracks coming our way, but for now, here are ten songs to fit every mood you’ll go through in the next few months.
Ke$ha – “Wherever You Are” While Ke$ha will be spending the summer promoting new single “Crazy Kids” with Will.I.Am, you should be focused on this album cut.“Wherever You Are” could be the soundtrack to your summer fling, or just something to blast for months to come.
Tegan and Sara – “I’m Not Your Hero” Tegan and Sara took a risk on their new album and ventured into electronic pop, and thank God they did.“I’m Not Your Hero”was a promotional single off ‘Heartthrob’, and the punch it packs is surprising and extremely welcome on any iPod.
Rihanna – “Right Now (ft. David Guetta)” RiRi bounces genres on ‘Unapologetic’, and “Right Now” is her dance anthem. If the song sounds a bit too typical in lyric and production, just wait for the chorus. The drop on this one will knock you off your feet, and she’s not sorry about it.
Bastille – “Pompeii” Britain’s best kept secret is going global, and you’ll be the first to know.“Pompeii” is uplifting and crushing at the same time, and its emotional capacity is incredible.
Kanye West – “New Slaves” Kanye West’s new album is quite possibly the most anticipated collection of songs in years, and “New Slaves” is just the beginning. Kanye premiered the song by projecting a video onto buildings in dozens of cities around the globe. If that doesn’t get their attention, nothing will. •
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I nt ro d uc i ng F o rt e B a gs : t h e C l a s s i c s C ol l e c tion
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The Sounds of the
City
B y H u g h M c I n t y re
Cake Shop Venture in here to see that underground indie band your “hipster” friend has been raving about for months. Nine out of ten acts that play here won’t be around a year from now, but if you’re lucky, the one you see will go on to superstardom. And yes, you can actually buy cake there. 152 Ludlow St New York, NY 10002 (btw Stanton and Rivington) 212.253.0036 • www.cake-shop.com
Pianos Another Ludlow Street favorite! Pianos isn’t genre-specific, and attracts quite the eclectic crowd. The downstairs always fills up, and the upstairs provides an intimate space for an array of shows you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. You just can’t find a better night of music.
Jul ioN Ypi cs
158 Ludlow St New York, NY 10002 212.505.3733 • www.pianosnyc.com
The Bitter End In business since the early 60’s, The Bitter End has seen some of music’s greats grace their stage. They boast about memories with people like Bob Dylan, Etta James, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and even Taylor Swift. While many of the best have come and gone, the Bitter End is still one of the most highly regarded venues for live music in the country. 147 Bleecker St New York, NY 10012 (btw Thomson and LaGuardia) 212.673.7030 • www.bitterend.com
Terminal 5 Terminal 5 is looking to be the source for all of the best music out there today. This is where many acts play when they aren’t big enough for an arena, but a coffeehouse just won’t cut it. Mark your calendars for upcoming shows this summer like punk mainstays Rancid, Walk the Moon, and even Fall Out Boy. 610 West 56th St New York, NY 10019 800.745.3000 • www.terminal5nyc.com
Rockwood Music Hall The Rockwood Music Hall is a step up from many other spaces, and the music and is a good indication. Find your way in here to see some singer-songwriters while you have an imported European beer or glass of pinot noir instead of that can of PBR you’re used to at other music venues. 196 Allen St New York, NY 212.477.4155 • www.rockwoodmusichall.com
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New York City has everything you could ask for – sometimes too much of it. The city has dozens or even hundreds of places to see live music, and while we’d love to experience them all, ain’t nobody got time for that! Here are the ten best venues for a great show in the city:
Arlene’s Grocery What started as an actual grocery store and butcher shop has become one of the best places in the city to see unsigned bands. Rock is the name of the game, and Arlene’s has it in spades. The Strokes had their start here, and many a celebrity have been spotted at this Lower East Side staple. 95 Stanton St New York, NY 10002 212.358.1633 • www.arlenesgrocery.net
Madison Square Garden It may be cliché to feature the Garden on this list, but how could one not? Sure, it is corporate and the kind of place to take your teenage daughter to see Justin Bieber, but like it or not, Madison Square Garden will always be more than just somewhere to catch a concert.
Village Vanguard When talking about seeing live music, excluding jazz from a list like this would be a crime. The Village Vanguard is easily one of the best places for jazz in the country. If you’ve never seen a full band blasting away, spend a night here – you’ll never be the same. 178 7th Ave New York, NY 10014 212.255.4037 • www.villagevanguard.com
The Living Room Talented performers, a small, comfortable atmosphere, and a chance to support those trying to make it big in the music world makes the Living Room a very special and unique experience that is not to be missed.
Hurrah! A Bolt of Light • Photogra pher: Manish Gosalia
4 Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10001 212.456.6741 • www.thegarden.com
154 Ludlow St New York, NY 10002 212.533.7237 • www.livingroomny.com
Music Hall of Williamsburg A hipster favorite (which somehow also means they hate it), the Music Hall of Williamsburg often sells out shows with headliners you’ve never heard of. Williamsburg is not for the faint of heart, but if you can handle it, the Music Hall is worth it. 66 North 6th St Brooklyn, NY 11211 800.745.3000 • www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
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Model: Eli, KB Model Mgmt • Photographer: Seth London
CREDITS: President & CEO Karem Belalcazar karem@kb1111.com www.kb1111.com Creative Director/Chairman Irvin Ajes irvin@kb1111.com irvin@myculturemagazine.com www.myculturemagazine.com Artistic Director Tony Iaridis tony@nycartdirector.com www.nycartdirector.com
Writers: Irvin Ajes irvin@myculturemagazine.com Rachel Gertner r.gertner@hotmail.com Hugh McIntyre hughmcintyre1@gmail.com Xhiljola Nano xhiljola.nanobaruchmail.cuny.edu Maxwell Rex maxwellrex118@gmail.com Jennifer Searles jsearlestheworks@gmail.com Photography: Jeremy Barton Alex Covo alexcovo.com Steven Cruz stevencruz115@gmail.com Michael Doyle www.doylecinema.com David Duong pixelslickdesign.com Brandon Haynes bhaynesphoto.com
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Nikko LaMere nikkolamere@yahoo.com Seth London londonwashere.blogspot.com Mae Richards mazephotography.com Production Assistants: Whitley Nnatubeugo whitley@kb1111.com Stylist : Kelly Love thekellylove@gmail.com Hair : Attitudes by Moe attitudesbymoe.com Lisa Zogalis zogalistwins.com
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