Getting THRU it.
Searching for an online outlet that’s bent on the union of dope music? That’s easy: Thru-you. The creative offspring from the mind of Kutiman is all about fusion. The Israeli-born musician/dj/producer has cultivated a jamming mix of Sade smooth melodies and vocoder, auto-tuned freestyles that is interesting and new. Don’t trip, at first glance the web domain and link leads one to believe you have a new virus on your PC, but it’s really just an auto-playing giant master mix of almost every genre of music one can think of. Think the compositions weren’t impressive; Kutiman shares the musical stage with a varied roster of genius artists and performers that share his vision. Appreciate this and get into it!
Notable Track Listing:
- The Mother Of All Funk Chords
- This Is What It Became
- I M New
- Babylon Band
- Someday
- Wait For Me
- Just A Lady
For more info: www.myspace.com/kutiman
It’s (Her) Heart, Cookie.
Riding Hood
With a fresh outlook on fashion, Hood By Air, breathes the past and exhales the future. The fusion of urban sportswear (circa 1992) and medieval armor with unorthodox principles has fueled the aesthetic of head designer Shayne Oliver. Staying true to the “Banjee” effect of dressing, the Spring/Summer collection is a stylized approach to sportswear done in black and white. Intricate Cuts and the embrace of hyper modern fashion are just more reasons to head back to the hood.
Goodbye SOLO
You can’t really go wrong with a film that has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Nor can you ignore a script that Roger Ebert guarantees, “will be the best film in town”. And it’s damn near impossible to disregard a New York Times review that speaks of a film as graceful, having “the quality of exquisite attention, wry humor, and wide-awake intelligence that informs every frame of this perfect film”. Given the rave reviews, the proven success of director Ramin Bahrani (of Man Push Cart and Chop Shop fame) and the passion and depth of the characters, I don’t see any reason why not to welcome “Goodbye Solo” into a whole new genre of independent film – one that will bring the quality of independent cinema as we know it into question and increase demand for more films that are as intelligent, real, and powerful as this one.
“Goodbye Solo”, released today in selected theaters nationally, is the story of two men who form an unlikely friendship – Solo, a taxi driver from Senegal (Souléymane Sy Savané) and seventy-year-old William (Red West), who offers Solo a large amount of money for a strange mission – to drive him for miles to a mountaintop called Blowing Rock. As William’s intentions become clear, Solo reaches out to him, and the story of a troubled man and his unlikely rescuer unfolds.
Naturally, TRACE’s interest in great film, especially those that explore our favorite theme of transculturalism, lead to my interview with the talented Solo himself - Souléymane Sy Savané. Souléymane’s natural charisma and down-to-earth attitude shone through as we discussed his experience playing Solo, his own past, and the idea of the American Dream.
Photo_Mikaela Gauer
What drew you to the script initially?
The powerful story of friendship and compassion. It was also one of the first scripts that didn’t depict Africans in an unfavorable light.
What is your relationship with William? How does it evolve?
At first I take pity on him. Then I admire him. It’s almost a family relationship because I relate to him in the same way that we relate to the elderly back home, so I give him the same respect and affection that I give them. I felt I had to be his caretaker. I had to alleviate whatever was causing him to try to take his own life. Back home, we respect elders because usually they are the ones teaching, and that is what he ended up doing with Solo. He taught him the meaning of willful determination and what it means to not let circumstances take you from your path.
Was the role challenging? How are you similar or different to Solo?
The role was pretty difficult for several reasons. The first challenge was the language. I didn’t speak English when I came to this country, so English is not my first language, and my character was pretty chatty and quick. Secondly, anyone who has seen the film would agree that William is a pretty tough and sometimes dismissive, so I really had to make sure that at times my own personal feelings didn’t influence my character.
I think I share Solo’s positive and optimistic outlook on life. Also, we’re both pretty determined. For instance, it took me 9 years to get to America. I was denied a Visa every single time I went to the embassy. Finally, I had to become a flight attendant (which coincidentally, is what Solo wants to become in the film!) in order to get a professional Visa to come to this country.
What is the American Dream?
The American Dream for Solo is to be able to provide a better life for his family here in the States and back home in Africa, and also to travel the world. William seems to have stopped dreaming altogether!
What are your dreams for the future?
My biggest dream is that African people will find a way to one day live peacefully. Also, I want to be considered one of the best actors of my generation. My immediate future is a stage production directed by Scott Elliot of The New Group called Groundswell, which will be running from the end of May to the end of June. See you there and please check out Goodbye Solo!
Goodbye Solo is opening today at the Angelika Theater in New York City. Check out the trailer below! Also check out the Trace Magazine Facebook group and the Goodbye Solo Facebook page for more exclusive photos from our photoshoot with Souléymane!
By Mikaela Gauer for TRACE Magazine Blog
A Story Called Go
Fashion Meets Football
Nike-owned Umbro has teamed up with award-winning British designer Aitor Throup to redesign the England national team jersey. To date, the look of the jersey itself has been shrouded in secrecy. However, this Saturday, March 28th, the world will see it debuted for the very first time as players take the field at Wembley Stadium for a match against Slovakia.
What’s interesting here is that each jersey was individually fitted and measured for each player - with the help of a Savile Row tailor, Charlie Allen - and each jersey donning a label that says “Tailored by Umbro in England”.
For the mass public - the jersey will go on sale April 1st. And for the first time ever (in keeping with the tailoring theme) - you can only buy them in chest sizes instead of the conventional small/medium/large.
With the notion of “bespoke” now entering the world of sports - would it be ok to start using the word “besport”?
Style Muse: Williamsburg
Strike a Pose: Ripe Jewelry
Remaining steadfast to a simplistic yet complex design aesthetic, Folasade Ologundudu is carving out a distinctive niche with her line, Ripe Jewelry. Established in 2007, the designer has positioned her line as one that serves to empower and celebrate.
Her noteworthy staple collection, La Femme Fatale was inspired by alluring feminine beauty and seduction. The 17-piece collection includes earrings and necklaces that are carved to represent the demure and sexy poses indicative of the female form. Think new age pin-up.
“By using metals, gems and conceptual design aesthetics, I built Ripe Jewelry to merge three core concepts: obtaining and owning the freedom to be creative, having youthful spirit to observe the world through expression, and exploring history with a contemporary vision.”
Hallway Of Culture
Africa, a continent of nearly 12 million square miles and more than 700 million inhabitants, boasts a rich array of cultures. The Hall of African Peoples explores this great diversity, highlighting the traditional lifestyles and customs of people living in Africa’s grasslands, deserts, forests and river regions. The religious, political, economic and domestic aspects of life are highlighted through artifacts and dioramas. On display are masks, musical instruments, farming tools, religious idols, ceremonial costumes and more. Dioramas depict a variety of scenes, from the Berbers of the desert in North Africa to the Mbuti pygmies in the Congo. Also featured are the Yoruba, Pokot, and Bira peoples, among others.
Where: IMAX Theatre - American Museum of Natural History
Address: Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY
- Courtesy of American Museum of Natural History
C’est la mode: Montreal Fashion Week
The Marché Bonsecours proved a fitting setting for the 16th edition of Montreal Fashion Week (3/02-3/05). This year’s festivities marked the return of design prodigy Philippe Dubuc and showcased notable collections from Christian Chenail’s MUSE, Judith Desjardins’ J.U.D.E, Ralph Leroy and veteran Marie Saint Pierre.
The event’s ten years of existence and growth proves Montreal’s determination to become a fashion capital is seemingly unstoppable. With the financial assistance of the Canadian Government (who invest millions into the country’s fashion industry via the $82 million Montreal Style Libre investment Plan) and corporate sponsor P&G Beauté, it seemed that the current financial crisis was an afterthought. All in all, showcasing over 70 designers in four jam-packed days is a stand out feat. Bien fait!
Writer’s Note: Kudos to Montreal based M0851 (www.m0851.com). Known for classic leather goods, the accessories brand presented a safari inspired collection that was one part style and one part function. With stores in Paris, New York and Antwerp; M0851 has become a definite staple in terms of quality and must have wares for the minimalist set.