Photos by Jenni

The Temper Trap - Science of Fear

Delphic - Halcyon

The Hundred in the Hands - Pigeons

If anything can be said by live music, I think it can all be told with the performances put on by Delphic, the Temper Trap and, opening performance, the Hundred in the Hands at Terminal 5.

Rushing to get there, which for me included a bus, walking about 10 blocks and then seceding into taking a cab for a quick ride to the venue making sure not miss the start of the show, I was at first surprised there wasn’t more people who didn’t want to miss Delphic. However, I realized I forgot about the Hundred in the Hands as the first act, opening for the night. A wave of guitar, synthesizer, keyboard, psychedelic post-punk fused sound, the duo that is the Hundred in the Hands was ended up being a very appropriate introduction to Delphic.

Hailing from the  greater Manchester area in England, Delphic released their debut album, Acolyte, earlier this year. Hearing them for the first time around January, I definitely started feeling the mix of dance-guitar-drums-dream like songs Delphic offered. Acolyte quickly became a record stuck on repeat on my iTunes. Getting up on stage that night, Delphic brought on the neon lights in everyone’s heads literally and figuratively with  the perfect merge of the danceable and the esoteric.

After Delphic, I took a glance at the crowd behind me and there was significantly more people. Terminal 5 was full as the Temper Trap took the focus of the spotlight.

Most people cite Sweet Disposition is “that one song” from the Temper Trap that’s been heard. Being their most well-known single, the Temper Trap brings in a whole other dimension live. I was introduced to the Temper Trap’s music also earlier this year by a few friends, and catching their performance at 9:30 Club in DC cemented my belief in this band’s talent. The Temper Trap has grown a lot this year in both popularity and performance (though they were already good to begin with). The crowd just added to the flow of the band. The Temper Trap’s repertoire of songs are diverse, especially with the vocals of lead singer Dougy Mandagi the band on stage is able to transform the entire mood of the show from drum and guitar driven energy to slow and reflective- then back again. Given more time, these guys are bound for greatness. The show ended with a return to stage, a new song, and a stage dive by Dougy all upon a flood of white lights fading out.

Last Friday night was the first of the two night opening of Activation 440, the Artist Bazaar. Presented by ReadySetDC and No Kings Collective, the show presented a mix of artists that mostly use a cross between street and pop art aesthetics, though there were some interesting photography and modern art in the midst. Now the interesting thing about ReadySetDC’s Activations is that the very space the art is presented tend to be places under construction in one way or another. The previous Activation 2719 was also a collab between ReadySetDC and No Kings Collective, it taking place within a rowhouse (2719) in Columbia Heights. This time, for Activation 440, it was all under the roof The Josephine, a new condominium complex around the Howard-Shaw area.

Now the idea of having art galleries and shows pop up in these location is a pretty good idea since it definitely projects and advances the aesthetics many of the works in the show present. It also appeals to the growing number of people who are interested in the mix of modern art and street art. At the same time the setup gave an opportunity for artists to transform and customize their own rooms to fit their artworks. The Kelly Towles room comes to mind, “The Peepshow”, warning us of the nasty XXX nature of her room on the walls, her work incorporates, of course, the peepshow and images, that  otherwise might be considered porn, into cartoon elements using her own style prevalent in her own street art. Creating a unique caricature and commentary with her work, the room with its all black walls and writings/”warnings” on the walls was the best example of Activation 440′s original statement about space, artist and artwork. Get her exact words (and more installation photos) with ReadySetDC here.

Personally, Gaia again managed to get my attention on his whole wall spanning murals – like ink drawings made from spray paint. And also, I found myself taking another look at the mixed media artist Sarah Martin, this being the first time her work is displayed in this way. The gallery also featured the paintings of Aniekan Udofia, including a lot from his two prominent subjects, Obama and Biggie, and instead of street art itself, painting about street art. Get his words with ReadySetDC here.

And of course I couldn’t cover everyone’s art here, so check out some of the participating artists’ online portfolios:

No Kings Collective: http://www.nokingscollective.com/
Nicole Aguirre: http://www.wornmagazine.com/
Joshua Yospyn: http://www.yospyn.com/
Aniekan Udofia: http://www.artofaniekanudofia.com/
Gaia: http://www.gaiastreetart.com/
Kelly Towles: http://www.kellytowles.com/
Ky’Leigh Wilson: http://www.urbanabstractions.com/
Annie Kielman: http://www.anniekielman.carbonmade.com/
Sarah Martin: http://www.wix.com/smartino/sarahmartin
Dan Barojas: http://www.r5imaging.com/

Florence + the Machine – Dog Days Are Over

The Temper Trap – Science of Fear

The Temper Trap – Drum Song

Playing at a sold out show on Tuesday night at the 9:30 Club was the Australian alternative band, The Temper Trap, and the lovely redhead, Florence + the Machine (can’t forget the Machine!). Now I’m aware of the fans of Florence out there, but I was mainly out on Tuesday for Temper Trap, originally thinking Florence + the Machine was just a good add-on. Though these two acts both pulled off an incredible show. Starting off with the opening band, Kissaway Trail from Denmark, on a cherry blossom tree back drop, the stage was soon transformed into a floral fantasy setting that’s part of Florence’s smoky-carefree-dream vibe.

Though I’m accustomed to Florence’s almost soft sounds growing into louder expressions, I never expected the rockability she brought out on the stage. It probably had something to do with the lights, smoke and nearly all her fans singing along. And of course the best part was her getting the floor literally jumping on my personal favorite, Dog Days Are Over. The response was so huge, she thanked Washington, she said, never expecting the response everyone gave her.

After the newly enthused-about-DC Florence left the stage, we were in for another change in mood. The Temper Trap coming up definitely removed the flowers and dream with a harder flavor. Sounds like a big change but it was a perfect contrast. And the energy continued strong.  The scale of lead singer, Dougie Mandagi’s, voice and the variety of songs that The Temper Trap are capable of, with every jam, a new feeling followed up by so much more. Of course, they didn’t stop at the singing, demonstrated by the just plain crazy performance of Drum Song – putting the vocals aside for just the beating of the drum.

Overall, an unexpected lineup of talent became a real good time. Anyone who missed out, definitely check out both The Temper Trap and Florence + the Machine on stage next time they’re in town!

After the jump, check out some photos from the show….

Art Basel is an art event to top all art events. Having started in Switzerland, the art fair came to it’s sister city of Miami to  It’s when all the biggest names in the art world come together to show off new (or not so new) talent, buy ridiculously priced pieces and just be all around art snobs. In other words, it’s a good time. Having never gone, I decided it would be a good way to end 2009 and kick off 2010. And I was right.

My first day, I didn’t go to any of the art fairs. Instead, I enjoyed the fact that it was December and I was wearing a sun dress. Of course, I took some photos which you can see after the jump:

After walking around Lincoln Road, one of Miami’s great shopping districts, I went back to my hotel, got dolled up and headed over to The Shore Club for Don’t Sleep, a party in collaboration with Primary Flight. Dr. Dre was supposed to be there, but wrote on Twitter that he wasn’t going. Peanut Butter Wolf was on the decks spinning music and videos, and later artist Shepard Fairey also spun a set. Russell Simmons was spotted walking around the crowd too (though I unfortunately did not see him).

The party featured live painting from some of Miami’s own favorite graffiti artists. I only had a little clutch purse, so I left my camera at home (besides, there were too many photographers anyway). Instead, I tested out my new little Flip cam and got some video footage. I’m still learning how to use a video camera, but the Flip sort of made it easy.

Suddenly I turned around and ran smack into Bmore/DC artist Brandon Hill who was there with DC’s own Art Whino crew. Art Whino had their own show going on (which I will blog about soon). Brandon and artist Taz Hicks were down to do a little random interview. (Keep in mind…there’s cursing and talk of Ramen noodles…so I wouldn’t play this too loud if you’re at work).

All and all, it was a good first night. Stay tuned for more photos, footage and updates….

All photos: (c) Jaecyne Howell, MoonRisingNYC.com/Giant Step

Unfortunately, I was not able to make it up to NYC this past weekend for not one, but two events celebrating birthday of Michael Jackson. While the Spike Lee event went on in Brooklyn, Q-Tip led an all star crew in Manhattan’s Nokia Theatre. With a lineup that included support from Mark Ronson, a call from Quincy Jones and Solange Knowles, Marsha Ambrosius, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Premier and Anthony Anderson in the building.

I’m humbled to know that I share a birthday week with the King of Pop, and even though he has passed, his music will always be with us.

Full Gallery

Photoset is the new series profiling street photographers. If you would like to be included in this series, please contact articleonline [at] gmail.com for consideration.

My homie Neil went to Europe for two weeks and came back with these amazing photos. Check his website to check out more photos from his series, including shots from Barcelona and Madrid.

Of course there were lots of youngins wearing their fancy streetwear gear. It was all very hypebeast and whatnot (not that I wasn’t rocking a pair of fly kicks myself, but that’s a different story).

There was even some car trunk shoe sales going on:

New artist J. Cole even stopped by for a bit. At least enough time to buy something, take some photos and pet the above dog.

I know I put a bunch in here, but you can check out the rest of the shots on Flickr, here

Last Wednesday, it seemed like all of DC made it out to Liv to pay tribute to Jay Dilla. Photographer Danielle was there and took these amazing shots. Everybody from Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, to new local sensation Phil Ade, to Illa J and Ma Dukes were in the building. It was an amazing night for Dilla all for an amazing cause.

If you dig these shots, check Danielle out at daniellescruggs.com and @dascruggs on Twitter.

Phil Ade

Phife Dawg

Illa J

Ma Dukes

]]> http://www.thecouchsessions.com/2009/07/photos-blisspop-dance-party-extravaganza/feed/ 0 http://www.thecouchsessions.com/2009/06/photos-the-roots-picnic/ http://www.thecouchsessions.com/2009/06/photos-the-roots-picnic/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:30:25 +0000 Stone http://www.thecouchsessions.com/?p=5198 So unfortunately, I was not in Philly for The Roots Picnic which took place this past weekend, but my homegirl Vickey (aka Sneakshot) was in the building, and took these dope shots of the show. If you didn’t know, The Roots Picnic was stacked with acts like Santigold, The Black Keys, TV on the Radio, Amanda Diva, and Public Enemy backed by the Legendary Roots Crew. This is the second year I’ve missed this series and after looking at these pictures, I’m kicking myself. It’s all good, its definitely on the agenda for next year.

If you’re diggin’ Vickey’s photos, check her out at her Flickr page. Full gallery after the jump.

Santigold

Amanda Diva

Public Enemy

The Roots

Roots Picnic Gallery (photos by Sneakshot)