I had the pleasure of interviewing Derek Yip, one of four entrepreneurs who recently launched their CUSTOM DENIM JEANS ‘BAR’ in Downtown Los Angles: Den.m.Bar.
Finally, a company that can deliver that pair of jeans you’ve always wanted.
Check out the official ‘Den.m.Bar’ website here.
Please click the image below to be re-directed to our Q/A:
My rating: 9.9/10
@whiskeranogo
Check out this new video from KILL THE COMPLEX. They’re playing tomorrow night at The Roxy in LA, with The Shakers.
Need I say more? Buy your tickets here.
@whiskeranogo
Whisker-A-NoGo ’ALBUM OF THE WEEK’ contributor: Mike McGill from INDIANS.
Ready, aaaaaaaaaand, go!
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MM: I’m reviewing ___el ten eleven_(album name)_ by __el ten eleven_(band name)__.
[How did you hear about the band/what was your first impression?]
MM: They sound like a mix between tortoise & the whitest boy alive__had a beautiful trippy baby.
Check out their official website here.
MM: My favorite thing about the band is their writing. Super creative and full enough to be a 4 piece with the plethora of sound they create with a few looper pedals, some delay and octave decided. The kicker is, it’s only two dudes! A double necked bass/guitar and a drummer with a live kit and a keyboard on the side. The first self titled record is great from start to finish. One of my favorites in recent history, hands down.
MM: On a scale from 1-10:
Vocals: n/a (instrumental band:)
Musicianship: 10
Lyrics: n/a
Production: 9
Creativity: 10
Lasting Value: 10
Final Verdict: 10/10
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I’d like to thank INDIANS for being rad.. and particularly Mike McGill for his contribution. Like the band on Facebook and enjoy more music and videos!!
Buy the Self-Titled INDIANS album on iTunes here. Subscribe to their YouTube channel!
@whiskeranogo
Contributed by: Skyler Nielsen
Austin Lloyd is my hero. He saved my life when I was 11, and then mysteriously disappeared just months after. There are so many twists to the story, that it’s seriously mind-boggling to try to comprehend.. for now, I raise my drink to Austin, and to anyone else who has hero, as I truly understand the depth of the meanings within!!!
I wrote 2 songs for Austin, that I’d like to offer for free download today. Both of these tracks have been released on albums with my band, Oh No Not Stereo:
**OH NO NOT STEREO - “12 Years Later”:**
(The ballad from the album 003 [©2009], available on iTunes here.)
-> Stream+download it for free via soundcloud here.
**OH NO NOT STEREO - “Big Hero from a Small Town”:**
(The last track on our newest album InCaseOfStaresUseFire [©2011], available on iTunes here.)
-> Stream+download it for free via soundcloud here.
-> Watch the video on YouTube too!
Please support ONNS and LIKE ‘EM ON FACEBOOK! Subscribe to their YouTube channel! Follow the band on Twitter! Buy their merch!
@whiskeranogo
The Fabulous Downey Brothers are an award-winning 6-piece Olympia, WA band known for high energy performances with a dash of theatrics and the bizarre.
Drawing comparisons to They Might Be Giants, Devo, The B-52’s and The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, the only thing you can expect at a Fabulous Downey Brothers show is the unexpected.
Check the band out, and see for yourself: Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.
After watching three of their music videos, I had to remind myself to blink.
Fingers crossed that I’ll get a chance to interview this band..
My rating: 7.7/10
@whiskeranogo
West Palm Beach, Florida-based indie rockers LAVOLA have had my mind spinning around all morning with their tasteful blend of energetic pop-rock with spacey, experimental and ambient alternatives.
Their sound reminds me of a [solid] combination of Minus the Bear, Sufjan Stevens, and at certain times in their 6-track EP Leaving Paris, they even reminded me of At The Drive-In.
The band is offering their new EP for download on their Bandcamp page! I think that calls for a reason to like the band on Facebook and follow the band on Twitter.
My rating: 8.9/10
*(Hopefully I’ll be able to arrange an interview with the band.. stay tuned for that!)
@whiskeranogo
Ever wanted to design your own pair of jeans, just the way you want them? Thanks to LA-based out-of-the-box thinkers: Den.m.Bar, this dream just became a reality.
Four easy steps to creating the ultimate pair of custom jeans (per their website):
1- Pick a style. (Slim-tapered, Skinny, Straight, etc.)
2- Pick the fabric/material. (Choose from over 8 different kinds of denim!)
3- Let these professionals take your measurements, on the spot.
4- Specify any accessories that you’d like added. (Unique buttons, zipper color, thread color, pocket lining, etc.)
These guys have everything you need to make yourself a badass pair of jeans that you’ll never want to take off.
Visit their site here, and get a feel for the simple process: www.denmbar.com/
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Here’s my Q/A with Derek Yip, one of four partners in this brilliant operation:
1- Introduce yourself, where you’re from and where you live now.
den.m bar has 4 partners: Richard Wang, Derek Yip, Steve Chiang, and Kelwyn Yung. We all grew up in the Los Angeles area.
2- Introduce your company and website.
Check out this website for all your appliance needs :)
What or who inspired you to start your own business/website?
Answer: This business was started 24 years ago by my father.
Worst decision you’ve ever made?
Answer: Advertise in Yellow Pages.
Best decision you’ve ever made?
Answer: Became factory authotized service provider.
Have you ever had to make any sacrifices to be able to continue doing what you’re doing?
Answer: I worked 8 years without any vacations.
This band is reeeeeeeally fun. Hence, the artist spotlight of the week. I’ve known them for quite some time (the current members of INDIANS used to play in The Ringers and VHS or BETA.)
I got to check out the new (unreleased!) music video yesterday, and it’s super badass. MTV will be premiering it sometime in the next 2 weeks.. stay tuned for that bad oscar!
Not to be confused with the asshole in Denmark who robbed the coolest band name ever, this group of 2 Mikes, and 2 Hursley’s are bound to get your hips shaking.
Listen to my favorite track from their new record, “Long Way From Home”, here.
Here’s a link to their kickass videos, and video blogs too.
@whiskeranogo
My rating: 8.9/10
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet your TWO new favorite bands:
28 NORTH is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In my opinion, they sound like a really solid mix of 70’s and 90’s rock. Sonically imagine The Allman Brothers-meets-Kings of Leon.
28 North have currently re-located to Los Angeles, where they’re working on their new album with Grammy Award-winning Producer David Kershenbaum.
LIKE 28North ON FACEBOOK - FOLLOW 28North ON TWITTER - SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE
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Los Angeles-based, high-energy rock quartet Oh No Not Stereo have been pioneering LA’s independent ‘D.I.Y.’ music scene since 2003. Originally founded as a duo by Skyler Nielsen and Mykul Lee, the bands legacy continues to grow to this day, after 5 self-released albums, and over half a million miles of touring under their belt.
Download free ONNS music by visiting their landing page HERE.
Create your own music video edit! - Like ONNS on FB! - Follow ONNS on Twitter!
* * * * Q/A * * * * *
This weeks’ artist spotlight goes out to UK-based artist: Cordel Roper.
Sounds like a mix of 1950’s doo-wop barber shop, and Brian Setzer. Listen to his track “Sh-Boom” on SoundCloud, here.
Follow @CordelRoper on Twitter here.
My rating: 9.0/10
@whiskeranogo
I thoroughly enjoyed this music!!! Brooklyn-based hip-hop artist Mic Nice clearly has great attention to detail.
See for yourself- Check out his music video for “Go”, here.
I had the opportunity to interview Mic Nice yesterday.. here’s our Q/A:
Briefly introduce yourself, and your band, if you play with one.
Rap name: Mic NIce, born in brooklyn raised in manhattan. Now currently in Florida following my dreams. I rap from the heart and give you real music. I remind people of what hip hop should be…
In no particular order, list your top ten inspirations, even if they’re not musical.
Here’s my Q/A with Steve Rapp!
Briefly introduce yourself, and the band.
Steve Rapp is a Christian Singer/Songwriter playing acoustic guitar and drums/percussion as main instruments. Starting his musical experience in 1967 in marching & concert bands at high school level developed the rudiments that has formulated his drumming style to this day.
Stinger is a new iPhone/iPad App developed by TedTV, Inc. for Houston’s Voice!
You can now create a video “Stinger” for any of the many great and original programs on HoustonsVoice.com.
Don’t just comment —- Sting someone and Get Stung with the Stinger App!
Download the Stinger App to your iPhone or iPad from iTunes by clicking here.
My rating: 7.6/10
@whiskeranogo
My first impression of this Texas-based band, was that of unconventional awesomeness. I saw this video and was immediately intrigued to hear more. Coining the phrase ‘Texas Celtic Rock’, this father-son based quartet is bound to leave a smile on your face.
(Not to mention, their music makes me want to DRINK!)
Cleghorn will be playing multiple festivals this summer, across the country. Check out their tour dates here.
Visit their official website here. Show your support and buy their music here!
My rating: 7.8/10
@whiskeranogo
Attention all artists, musicians and business owners! You need this awesome invoicing software that I came across: http://www.invoiceberry.com/musicians
Send reminders to your clients who are late in paying, switch between different currencies, and send/post invoices with your company logo.. in seconds!
You better damn well believe that I’m going to start using this service more :)
My rating: 9.5/10
@whiskeranogo
This is straight LOVE-MAKING music! :) [Makes me wish I had it on vinyl.] Check out their Sonicbids profile here, and the video teaser for the new single “Aka. the Brightest”.
Gibbran Khan Rashid, a revolutionary soul man, and Tamsynn-Lee Isaacs, an expressive sense kind of woman, have been brought together by love and energy to form Gibbran&Tamsynn-Lee.
With the rhythm of love-making and cosmic frequency, this duo produces sweet music that they call “Steam.” Early 2009, these two artists converged, conceiving brilliant emotional, sensual and glorious songwriting. Gibbran&Tamsynn-Lee create the sounds of love. Music that elevates the heart, the spirit and the soul. No doubt their chemistry is contagious.
With 1,000,000 digital downloads sold from her self-entitled debut album, “Arika Kane” released in August of 2010, the spotlight is shining vigorously.
Buy the album on iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/substance/id519157156
Follow Arika on Twitter: www.twitter.com/arikakane
Subscribe to her YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/arikakane
Official Arika Kane Website: www.arikakane.com
Arika has reached #2 on Amazon for R&B downloads, and #18 on ITunes for R&B downloads. Kane’s sophomore single, “ 4 the Lovers “ charted in Billboard # 7 Single Sales, # 19 R&B Airplay & # 80 in Billboard Hot 100. Her follow up soulful ballad “ Here With Me “ also charted in Billboard # 4 Single Sales, # 14 R&B Airplay & # 67 in Billboard Hot 100.
