I know I’m not the only one suffering from daylight savings, but I do have a sweet remedy for those baby blues.
If you’re slumped in your desk or under your comfy warm blanket, enjoy this sweet tune from Flying Lotus. It’ll make the sunset so much better since you have a dose of Robo Tussin.
Coffee in hand + amazing tunes = Not bad for a Monday…
~Enjoy!
This interesting, cute, funky promo aired last night during SNL. I know my love for Daft Punk goes well beyond my high school years but seeing this made my entire year. Are they teasing us or building our much needed anticipation for their forthcoming album?
Note to self: Need to see them live.
Enjoy!
~Karen
When I think about my first loves, Uptown always comes to mind; the music, the food, and the swagger that emanates from everyone. Growing up in Uptown has made me the proud New Yorker I am today – confident and classic. Living on the cusp of Washington Heights and Inwood was definitely a major advantage, so many choices, Ecuadorian on 207th or Caridad’s on Dyckman. Uptown was my gorgeous muse whose beauty came from its rich culture and hidden stories. My parents immigrated from Ecuador in ’75 to have a better life, personally, I think it was worthwhile to make that big of a sacrifice; first stop was Queens then the lovely Uptown. I adore hearing their stories about our neighborhood, the history behind the corner bodega, and how different Uptown was in the 70′s compared to now.
My friends would always classify me as a “gringa” because I listened to The Strokes and went through a punk phase but anytime a car would pass by with the lastest reggaeton or bachata I was bopping my head to the beat. Summer was always my favorite season because of the frio frios (piraguas to me), kids on scooters, and the adults playing dominos wherever they could. Walking past the teenagers trying to get the attention of the attractive girls. The best part of summer was getting everyone’s pocket money together and having enough money to go crazy at the bodega; quarter waters, nickel candy, you name it we had it. The water pump (la pompa) was my favorite I didn’t care how curly my hair became after but I reveled in the coldness of the water. There’s a indescribable aesthetic to Uptown, it can be harsh and truthful or it can be gentle and inspiring.
There has always been a sense of unity in Uptown. No matter how much milk you have in your fridge or how much sugar you have left, your neighbor always has plenty to share and our community is always beautifully united. The real test of knowing Washington heights and Inwood like the back of your hand is if you can map out almost every detail from the beginning until you get to the bridge crossing into 225th. The pizza shops, the salons, the shops along Dyckman, empanada stands; I hold each of these places so dear to my heart because they taught me how to appreciate the diversity my neighborhood had to offer.
My heart will always belong to Uptown.
This is a video about Washington Heights and Inwood, a community united through love and diversity.
Hi All!!
I know I’ve disappeared for a bit and it’s been for a good couple of reasons; I have this new amazing job I love and I recently became a freelance writer for a very awesome blog named “Uptown Collective”. I’ll post the link with my very first published piece this week. *Tear* I promised myself I wouldn’t cry! So I have made a very special music mix today, my mother has been a huge music influence in my life. She and I have a huge love for disco, so today’s mix is “Disco Fever”.
Enjoy!!
~Karen
Music can make everything better, I decided to make Tuesday for mix tapes with music that I adore and dance to. I hope they make you smile and make your days a little brighter. This mix is called “Feel Good Mix” because, well, who doesn’t love a good song to jive to. Most mix tapes will have a theme but since this is the first one; I’m having a little more freedom because I’m too excited.
Enjoy!
~Karen
Tame Impala is probably one of my favorite imports from Australia, they’re signed with Modular Records. As a label, Modular Records has been rolling out amazing artists and bands such as Ladyhawke to Cut Copy. Their ability to sign amazing bands is what makes them special.
Apocalypse Dreams is Tame Impala’s first single off of their second album “Lonerism”, I would definitely recommend both albums. Their pyschedelic rock sounds are a great way to start the day on a bright note no matter how cold it is out.
Enjoy!
~Karen
The video always sends chills. I adore Lewis’ smooth voice fitting oh-so-well with Gustaf Norén’s scratchy voice. Enjoy!
P.s. the site is Russian. Don’t be afraid to drink a brewskie whilst listening.
~Classic Karen
This venue is on top of my list of favorites. So many amazing memories bring a big Cheshire cat smile; from the basement bar to the sick second floor view. This venue has possibly everything you need. Live music, awesome crowd, and good drinks always go hand in hand. The Bowery Ballroom is probably the best place to see bands make their music come alive with fantastic acoustics, you won’t miss anything. I promise you that. The bands that I have seen here are Albert Hammond, Jr., IAMX, We Are Scientists (twice), The Rapture, among other bands. This was the first venue I went to and it quickly became my first love among others. It’s architecture makes it even more beautiful and the basement bar is the best place to get a drink and enjoy the ambiance.
~Classic Karen
The Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey Street
New York, NY 10002
Credit goes to Glide Magazine
At the Creator’s Project hosted in Brooklyn in October 2011; stepping into the LED cube was amazing, a giant cube where you can enter and just lose yourself in the gorgeous bright lights, this was the best art/technology installation I have seen in my life. Below is a link and it’s an inside look on how it was built.
~Classic Karen
