the principles of applied rocket science as they pertain to artist management
Thursday, September 27, 2007
All The News?
Two separate articles out in today's New York Times. Got us to thinking about the newspapers celebrated slogan, "All The News That's Fit To Print". Who defines 'fit' at the New York Times? Who defines 'fit' at Givenchy? And for whom? Hmm...
Hip, Williamsburg-based clothing store Oak NYC is putting out some amazing product, and doing it with great style. We are thrilled that Kelley and Stephanie represent in these photos, shot by Kevin Hagen. Check 'em out!
Smanatha Pleet is a young designer whose creations we quite like. For SS08, her collection mixes a distinctly Victorian sensibility with whimsical, 70's-era Los Angeles garden parties...all while maintaining a modern, playful silhouette. Wearable, feminine clothing for women who want to dress up without getting too "dressed up". Samantha is featured in Time Out New York's "Not In Vogue" issue, and desrves the positive press...definitely one to watch. This season, Smanatha decided to take her collection off of the runway and put it on celluloid. Her film features our own Lindsey Thornburg, so we thought we'd share.
If you were able to remove your fashionista glasses long enough to see it...the show was pure genious. Exactly the wake-up call we so desperately need in American fashion. Oh, don't get me wrong...mixed in with a few exquisite pieces the clothes were a mess, and 80% will probably never make it to the rack. But this wasn't about the clothing. This was about the ruling fashion elite being told that current fashion trends have finally run their course, and the emporer wasn't wearing anything at all. Predictably, they took offense.
In the early 90's, Jacobs put flannel grunge and combat boots on the runway for Perry Ellis and was immediately fired. In hindsight it's easy to call him an "agent of change" and a genius. Now, some 15 years later, it is Jacobs who has once again set the bar. Reviewers, having had to wait for over two hours for the show to start, only to be shown the collection that appeared, got angry. And, Jacob's got angry back in an interview with WWD. Now, we may lose the pleasure of seeing future shows by this American designer who is one of the finest of his generation because he has been made to feel unwelcome in his own country. Great. Well, at least we'll have "America's Next Top Model" and "Project Runway" to satisfy our highly underdeveloped palates.
Even though it's Fashion Week in NYC, there's plenty of music stuff spinning around the Garage as well. Blues Brother Castro are preparing to rock the Kremlin as they head over to Russia for a series of dates, and Hospital Bombers should be finished with post-production on their debut album any day now. Same goes for Pilot The Dark. Kim Janssen of PTD interned with us for six months while he recorded his album (recorded and produced by Robby Baier at SubStation Recording in the Berkshires, executive-produced by Lance LaBreche for Rocket Garage).
The Dirty Feel are in NYC doing some live shows and press shoots, and recently played The Annex and a showcase for publishers at The Gibson Showroom. They will help wrap up the fashion week that was on Wednesday, Sept. 12th @ The Lion's Den. Please come out and help us celebrate!
On the touring front closer to home, Rocket Ron is still out tour managing The Fall of Troy, and they are preparing to do a European jaunt before heading back Stateside to open a string of dates for Coheed and Cambria.
And finally, we just received word that Rocket Garage has been tapped to handle tour transportation for Matt White on his impending Southeast Regional tour. Matt and his band are friends, and we are pleased to be able to support his debut on Geffen Records, "Best Days", due out Sept. 18th. We haven't had a chance to work with Matt since his opening stint for John Mayer and Cheryl Crow last Autumn, and we're looking forward to hittin' the road with the crew again! Here's Matt's video for "Best Days".
Wow! Wasn't quite sure what was going to happen, or how many people would be visiting the Koury Angelo photo exhibit opening reception...and we're still not quite sure what happened. Suffice it to say, that there were lots of people. The booze (er...and there was LOTS of booze) was gone in less than two hours. Thanks to everyone who came out and made this event such a smashing success.
If you got past Kane, then here is what you may have witnessed...
