though annoying and sometimes pointless trying to get downtown proper in boston for a night out, the allure of seeing the ocean and being at the harbor somehow always wins out in my decision making process. sometimes, i feel good about my decisions to make the trek (and deal with the transportation failures of boston); at other times, i wish that i could erase two hours from my life and move on with my night.
last night, a few friends and i decided to go to the volvo ocean race area which has been set up at fan pier. the allure was there, along with the promise of some good tunes for listening, and a very unique space. i made my way to puma city last night to check out what i've heard many people talking about.
not to be overshadowed by the nomadic pop-up puma shop... the volvo ocean race, the main event, is a strenuous nine month long extravaganza hitting major port and sailing cities around the world as their stopovers including one of my least favorite port-towns (qingdao) and some of the most interesting places in the world like cochin, the capital of the communist-elected state of kerala in southwestern india. having been on the high seas for a few months myself, this race is an extreme and explorative type of competition.
the puma city space is an interesting bit of mobile architecture which consists of two dozen extremely modified, 3-tier stacked shipping containers which form the shopping, nightlife, and lounge space adhering to all international building codes and completely moveable. this pop-up space is both interesting conceptually and in actual execution.
but, last night...something was missing. the space was great, the lounge-y couches are pushed back from the center of the bar area against the sides of the space so that they almost seem like hidden compartments and the center can have a dance floor seemingly free of seated onlookers. the night was billed as "<3throb vs. thunderdome djs" it sounded like a pretty good reason to make my way downtown (grr) all dressed up.
wrong.
the puma city bar was TINY which caused wait times of up to 20 minutes for a simple gin and tonic sloshed into a plastic cup by bartenders who didn't really look like they had ever made a tasty alcoholic beverage in their lives.
the music was nowhere NEAR loud enough for a pleasant musical experience -except the corner of couches where we decided to plop ourselves after finally having acquired drinks at the dull bar. *sorry boston globe guy who had to shout over the speaker in his ear to interview us*
further on the music, the djs did a really poor job of mixing the music that i'm sure they were trying to play so that the very diverse type of crowd would all be happy and dance. the loops went too long at times, they didn't know how to drop anything well, and really? blur?
essentially, i'm glad i went. it was a fun night and since puma city is making its sole stop in north america right here in boston, it will be an architectural experience that few will get to party in.
as a final note, as a few friends and i had finally let ourselves be free of puma city, i was stopped on the walkway by a very cute, bubbly and stylish girl who asked to take my picture for her boston style blog. after a few quick snaps of mine and then also my boy's outfits, i come to find that i have finally met martine of beyond boston chic. she was probably the first boston blog that i ever linked to and i'm so excited to have finally met this fashionable lady!
here's to a new week.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
its fresh and hot, fresh and hot.
it seems that music is really i've been into blogging about consistently [or inconsistently considering how long its been...sorry] lately.
perhaps that's because i've been trying to save money and one way of doing that for yours truly is not to shop or browse online for clothing or shoes whatsoever. however, that fact should not take away from the musings and good fun that music has been providing lately.
with an upcoming trip to NYC scheduled,
i think its high time that i shared some thoughts on one of my favorite new listens
that
just so happens to be coming out of New York.
fortunately, i can say that this dj actually happens to be one of my closest friends. in good ol' college days, i really got to know this fellow and have luckily been able to watch and hear him develop and produce music that really projects his interesting and well-educated tastes. as i feel he has great talent but has even more time to grow creatively the praise will end there.
a few weeks ago
he sent me a mix he had been working on and asked me my thoughts. since that time it has been the most played thirty minutes of music (ahead of the new gui boratto album...ahhh) on my hard drive by not only me, but the boy, and other various friend visits.
given that i am clearly really feeling this mix of tunes, i have decided to share the thoughts i expressed to dear friend as well as the mix itself.
one main defining factor to me with dj mixes is that they either tend to consist of brilliantly "curated" but succinct bits of songs and samples that are well mixed and seem a sort of showcase of the dj's overall skills. on the other hand, there are the other types of mixes that lend themselves more towards the live style of djing that -let's be honest- compels attendees/listeners to dance [does that not seem to be my favorite word?] as would be done in the live setting.
with alex's mix i got that entire "showcase"/meant to listen at home vibe because of the amount of different sounds he seemed to shuffle breathlessly through in thirty minutes. trying not to think of dear friend, on my initial listen the thumping "four on the floor" dance-causing beats are what this particular dj is quite good at incorporating. this one sure knows how to mix it up.
as i mean, this mix is all over the board spanning multiple old, beloved and interesting, less listened to tracks. with a bit of gui boratto and kevin saunderson alongside young swede wunderkind petter i enjoyed the span that is contained. it stays on a somewhat safe side as far as song choices goes without getting stale -and is indeed very fun to listen to in any number of nighttime scenarios in which one could possibly be found.
right, signing out now because i've talked your ears off enough. just give yourself a listen here:::
enjoy. this weekend will consist of me attending a gui boratto/ellen allien/thomas mayer show amongst other birthday celebrations...more show blogging, yes.
tune in here:::
http://www.mogulus.com/alexhamadey
perhaps that's because i've been trying to save money and one way of doing that for yours truly is not to shop or browse online for clothing or shoes whatsoever. however, that fact should not take away from the musings and good fun that music has been providing lately.
with an upcoming trip to NYC scheduled,
i think its high time that i shared some thoughts on one of my favorite new listens
that
just so happens to be coming out of New York.
fortunately, i can say that this dj actually happens to be one of my closest friends. in good ol' college days, i really got to know this fellow and have luckily been able to watch and hear him develop and produce music that really projects his interesting and well-educated tastes. as i feel he has great talent but has even more time to grow creatively the praise will end there.
a few weeks ago
he sent me a mix he had been working on and asked me my thoughts. since that time it has been the most played thirty minutes of music (ahead of the new gui boratto album...ahhh) on my hard drive by not only me, but the boy, and other various friend visits.
given that i am clearly really feeling this mix of tunes, i have decided to share the thoughts i expressed to dear friend as well as the mix itself.
one main defining factor to me with dj mixes is that they either tend to consist of brilliantly "curated" but succinct bits of songs and samples that are well mixed and seem a sort of showcase of the dj's overall skills. on the other hand, there are the other types of mixes that lend themselves more towards the live style of djing that -let's be honest- compels attendees/listeners to dance [does that not seem to be my favorite word?] as would be done in the live setting.
with alex's mix i got that entire "showcase"/meant to listen at home vibe because of the amount of different sounds he seemed to shuffle breathlessly through in thirty minutes. trying not to think of dear friend, on my initial listen the thumping "four on the floor" dance-causing beats are what this particular dj is quite good at incorporating. this one sure knows how to mix it up.
as i mean, this mix is all over the board spanning multiple old, beloved and interesting, less listened to tracks. with a bit of gui boratto and kevin saunderson alongside young swede wunderkind petter i enjoyed the span that is contained. it stays on a somewhat safe side as far as song choices goes without getting stale -and is indeed very fun to listen to in any number of nighttime scenarios in which one could possibly be found.
right, signing out now because i've talked your ears off enough. just give yourself a listen here:::
enjoy. this weekend will consist of me attending a gui boratto/ellen allien/thomas mayer show amongst other birthday celebrations...more show blogging, yes.
tune in here:::
http://www.mogulus.com/alexhamadey
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
fun-for-all.
just before the recent -interesting but over my inexperienced head- Resident Advisor article "machine love: john tejada" was released, i squealed and immediately pressed the purchase button at the good life website.
john tejada coming to boston on the heels of a set at london's legendary fabric club to celebrate the latest release on fabric records, his Fabric 44 mix?
yes, please. how very fortunate.
tejada is an impressive dj and musician whose melodies and beats are complex and simple and seemingly constructed with thought, effort, and personal choice. most of his tunes seem crafted rather than simply pumped out to cause people to "move for them".....
Move For Me - Kaskade & deadmau5
saturday night was a perfect night for a good set and enjoyment out of all attending. having no sunday shift at work, i knew i could dance as hard as possible and get sleep enough to make up for it the next day. so, the hope was that the set + crowd would not disappoint either. *a warning to anyone who has yet to attend an electronic music event in boston:::
the crowds are not so overly interested in the enjoyment of the dj and the having fun while hearing great music and sometimes talk throughout a set, don't dance, and even block the speakers.
luckily, last saturday was not an example of this type of experience and the hopes of the night were perfectly granted. randy deshaies and sergio santos, the latter being an integral part of the midweek techno night [a fun time in its own right], really warmed up the decks for tejada who calmly and collectedly took the set from blasting to stellar in a few short loops and flicks of the wrist.
the set proceeded to get awkward for a moment when tejada was prolonging a trebly, very simple beat with little beat and the crowd seemed ready for something heavy to drop. other than that the one difference between dancing crowd and performer...the night was a pleasant success for all. the only complaint being the one that stands for interesting fun times had while going out in boston::: the ever-present 2am curfew.
furthermore, the venue -to which i have never ventured- was marvelous. the good life was an interestingly constructed space. its downstairs lounge [where the beats happen] is a small space with a bar running the length of the room down one wall and cavernous booth spaces along the other wall. with no coat check, i was a bit unnerved at first, but after finding a stash spot for our outerwear, my companions and i felt fine about where we had left our exoskeletons against the cold.
and for the two best things about the lounge: there were fans at the front of the room for sweaty dancing masses [to which subset of attendees at shows i absolutely always belong, no excuses] and NO LINES in the bathrooms. really, john tejada, whether you picked the good life or they sought you for saturday night...it was a wonderful decision. that show is easily one of the best in enjoyment and most importantly musically, that i have attended since perhaps booka shade this summer.
heavy sigh and high hopes for the midweek techno on february 25th::: tiefschwarz the legendary electro pop/house fraternal duo from berlin.
til then.
john tejada coming to boston on the heels of a set at london's legendary fabric club to celebrate the latest release on fabric records, his Fabric 44 mix?
yes, please. how very fortunate.
tejada is an impressive dj and musician whose melodies and beats are complex and simple and seemingly constructed with thought, effort, and personal choice. most of his tunes seem crafted rather than simply pumped out to cause people to "move for them".....
Move For Me - Kaskade & deadmau5
saturday night was a perfect night for a good set and enjoyment out of all attending. having no sunday shift at work, i knew i could dance as hard as possible and get sleep enough to make up for it the next day. so, the hope was that the set + crowd would not disappoint either. *a warning to anyone who has yet to attend an electronic music event in boston:::
the crowds are not so overly interested in the enjoyment of the dj and the having fun while hearing great music and sometimes talk throughout a set, don't dance, and even block the speakers.
luckily, last saturday was not an example of this type of experience and the hopes of the night were perfectly granted. randy deshaies and sergio santos, the latter being an integral part of the midweek techno night [a fun time in its own right], really warmed up the decks for tejada who calmly and collectedly took the set from blasting to stellar in a few short loops and flicks of the wrist.
the set proceeded to get awkward for a moment when tejada was prolonging a trebly, very simple beat with little beat and the crowd seemed ready for something heavy to drop. other than that the one difference between dancing crowd and performer...the night was a pleasant success for all. the only complaint being the one that stands for interesting fun times had while going out in boston::: the ever-present 2am curfew.
furthermore, the venue -to which i have never ventured- was marvelous. the good life was an interestingly constructed space. its downstairs lounge [where the beats happen] is a small space with a bar running the length of the room down one wall and cavernous booth spaces along the other wall. with no coat check, i was a bit unnerved at first, but after finding a stash spot for our outerwear, my companions and i felt fine about where we had left our exoskeletons against the cold.
and for the two best things about the lounge: there were fans at the front of the room for sweaty dancing masses [to which subset of attendees at shows i absolutely always belong, no excuses] and NO LINES in the bathrooms. really, john tejada, whether you picked the good life or they sought you for saturday night...it was a wonderful decision. that show is easily one of the best in enjoyment and most importantly musically, that i have attended since perhaps booka shade this summer.
heavy sigh and high hopes for the midweek techno on february 25th::: tiefschwarz the legendary electro pop/house fraternal duo from berlin.
til then.
Friday, February 6, 2009
i have found you.
amidst much searching and scouring of the pages on this nice inter-space i finally found a perfect bag:::
the samsonite black label waifer tote.
after receiving a new computer in august -because the old faithful of four years finally went kaputt [a cup of tea might have been involved]- i have been very patient in delving to find the "perfect" laptop bag. in my life to this point, i have not really been a handbag/bag sort of person. i can understand the appeal of them, but it is a rarity to find a bag that is simple and quirky enough to be considered for hanging use on my arms. when there isn't a "too much hardware" problem, its a shape issue and when it isn't either of those, the bags i find seem to be just too simple and boring for my style.
alas, through my scouring of yoox -so positively sure i was going to find the perfect bag for the perfect price- it suddenly came to me! i remembered a press release from late 2007/early 2008 announcing a new collaboration for samsonite black label: viktor & rolf. being very visually pleased with the skeletal and exo-skeletal creations of the alexander mcqueen/samsonite black label collab i thought i would mosey on over to the sbl website for a closer look at the lines. though the v&r line hasn't been released yet ([ from the pictures i've seen it doesn't look as though they'll be including and tote/laptop bags in the line], i was somewhat impressed with the bags. who knew that such a "tough" suitcase and briefcase company which gained popularity in the '70's could have such interesting taste in their black label which targets:::
"unit[ing] luxury materials, superior workmanship and unique designs to appeal to the dynamic lifestyle needs of the most sophisticated consumers around the world" [from samsonite corporate brand portfolio]
it is a shame that now that i've finally found the bag it happens to be out of stock at the moment...ah fate!
however, after a bit of calling to samsonite i have found that it will come back in stock. bad news: i have to stalk the bag online until it becomes available because the person i spoke with could not tell me when the restock would occur.
glee! i've finally found a bag for toting my computer around that i really find classic and interesting.
not so gleeful! i have to stalk the samsonite black label website in hopes that it is restocked soon.
ah well, if it were easy the search would not be so fruitful...
right?
the samsonite black label waifer tote.
after receiving a new computer in august -because the old faithful of four years finally went kaputt [a cup of tea might have been involved]- i have been very patient in delving to find the "perfect" laptop bag. in my life to this point, i have not really been a handbag/bag sort of person. i can understand the appeal of them, but it is a rarity to find a bag that is simple and quirky enough to be considered for hanging use on my arms. when there isn't a "too much hardware" problem, its a shape issue and when it isn't either of those, the bags i find seem to be just too simple and boring for my style.
alas, through my scouring of yoox -so positively sure i was going to find the perfect bag for the perfect price- it suddenly came to me! i remembered a press release from late 2007/early 2008 announcing a new collaboration for samsonite black label: viktor & rolf. being very visually pleased with the skeletal and exo-skeletal creations of the alexander mcqueen/samsonite black label collab i thought i would mosey on over to the sbl website for a closer look at the lines. though the v&r line hasn't been released yet ([ from the pictures i've seen it doesn't look as though they'll be including and tote/laptop bags in the line], i was somewhat impressed with the bags. who knew that such a "tough" suitcase and briefcase company which gained popularity in the '70's could have such interesting taste in their black label which targets:::
"unit[ing] luxury materials, superior workmanship and unique designs to appeal to the dynamic lifestyle needs of the most sophisticated consumers around the world" [from samsonite corporate brand portfolio]
it is a shame that now that i've finally found the bag it happens to be out of stock at the moment...ah fate!
however, after a bit of calling to samsonite i have found that it will come back in stock. bad news: i have to stalk the bag online until it becomes available because the person i spoke with could not tell me when the restock would occur.
glee! i've finally found a bag for toting my computer around that i really find classic and interesting.
not so gleeful! i have to stalk the samsonite black label website in hopes that it is restocked soon.
ah well, if it were easy the search would not be so fruitful...
right?
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