I saw this video while perusing reddit and I was amazed by this guy’s skill. THePETEBOX is one band only using his mouth, vocal chords, an assortment of mics, and a loop pedal to create some dope music. Straight from the UK, THePETEBOX is a Radio 1 Beatboxing Champion and has taken his show around Africa and Europe as well as a host of UK performances, which have mesmerized crowds at Glastonbury, Isle of White Festival, Bestival, Creamfields and V Festival amongst many others. Check out THePETEBOX’s ”Panther Dance”  off his album Future Loops which can be purchased off iTunes here.

Last week, Oddisee dropped the amazing video for his remix of Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar” in preparation of the full release of Odd Renditions, which also features remixes from Bon Iver, K-Os and Metronomy. Today, enjoy the full EP download of “Odd Renditions,” which was premiered by the good folks at Stereogum and is something to hold you over till “People Hear What They See” is out June 12th via Mello Music Group. Check out Oddisee’s Odd Renditions below and you can download it here.

We at The Couch Sessions love our fair share of breaks and Stereophonk’s Funky Bijou doesn’t fail to deliver with this Bollywood-breaks infused track titled the Funky Bijou Anthem. It’s also accompanied by a killer video. Peep the video below and download the track on Itunes or the entire record on Funky Bijou’s Bandcamp page.

I remember crushing on Shannyn Sossamon super heavy back in the day. And coming across this Gap commercial from 2006 just reaffirms my sentiments.  Women who love all kinds of music is key. Women who love funk music and can spin records is absolutely “for the win”.

Gap and other commercial apparel brands must realize, more so than they already do, that there is a clear connection between music, design, and marketing — which ultimately leads to sales.

I would love to see more commercials like this on prime time TV. And how dope is it to see Triple Threat DJ Shortkut shredding records…in a Gap commercial!?

As my brother and Rocksmith Marketing guru Panama Johnson (aka Mr. Get It Done) loves to say – ‘whoaa baby’!

And on the topic of brands utilizing music as a sub-pitch to its consumers, here’s the original track The Gap used for this commercial.

We are proud to present to you the new “Bottom to Top” music video off of Miles Bonny x B.Lewis’ Egg Black EP which is also now available on iTunes.

Having quietly mastered the art of molecular magic, free electron and MC Mattic’s music is contained within a realm throughout which gravitate many collaborations and timescales. A lush expanse of horizons embedded with a poetic and fluid commentary on life, love, music and travels both physical and inward. The US born, France based artist beautifully melds neo soul with hip hop against varying artistic backdrops. Check out Mattic’s “Crimes of the Mind” and learn more about the Phonosaurus Records artist here.

Nestled quietly on Greenwich Street is Ashiya III, a very simple looking restaurant from the outside.

I have a strong love of Japanese food, so I couldn’t resist walking inside. And once inside, I couldn’t resist ordering something.

Softly lit and quiet (at least for the time of day that I went), this restaurant has serious first date potential–especially if you and your special someone decide to sit next to the glass window and take it upon yourselves to make up stories about the people walking by as you eat sushi.

*cue sappy love music*

Then you’ll gaze into each other’s eyes and sigh–we have so much in common, he/she’s the one!

What, you don’t do that on first dates? I’m the only one? Whatever–at least I don’t deny it!

*ahem*

Here’s what I got:

• Yakiudon (grilled udon noodles) with scallops, shrimp, and crab sticks
• Broccoli yakitori

Total cost of the order? About $15 bucks.

I wasn’t too crazy about the yakiudon. I’m always wary of ordering anything crab unless it’s real crab. Unfortunately, the crab in this dish was the loathsome imitation crab and I also found a few bell peppers (not a vegetable you’ll normally find in Japanese cooking). With the crab and bell peppers aside, the udon was quite all right. To be honest, I’m still looking for the elusive delicious fresh Japanese noodle dish. Maybe my next adventure will involve ramen?

The yakiudon also came with miso soup, which is standard.

The broccoli yakitori was pretty tasty. Broccoli yakitori is essentially grilled broccoli on a stick (think broccoli kebab). At Ashiya III, they drizzled it in a savory sauce and sprinkled it with sesame seeds, which made for a beautiful dish to look at.

And check out this sexy looking sushi my friend ordered (spicy tuna roll):

Overall, the meal was tasty and filling, but I’m not quite sure if I could wholeheartedly recommend Ashiya III. The search for awesome Japanese food continues, my friends.

Ashiya III
374 Greenwich St
Between Harrison & Franklin Streets
New York, NY 10013
(212) 962-8080
ashiyasushitribeca.com

For years Supra has been shaking up the sneaker game with haymaker after haymaker of sneakers that are not only astetically pleasing but also durable, easy to clean, and comfy. Because of how tough (TUF) they are Supras cater more towards the grind it out skater, but that just means the lifespan of the shoe is almost doubled for the casual sneaker wearer who wouldnt put too much stress on the shoes. The Supra Skytop III has become a fan favorite and continues to impress with brand new colorways and sneaker technology. The ‘Native’ pack  which features a popping red that’s slowly being consumed by the navy blue shell, as it sits on top of a thick white sole, sorta reminds me of Spiderman.

The look of it is only the beginning. The Native’s also introduces us to the a material they call Lux suede, which shows a smooth rubbery finish along with being washing machine friendly.

This is not a superficial sneaker the inside is what got me hooked! Rubber sidewalls for flexibility and stability, full EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) for adjustment to your feet and comfort, and a mesh booty makes it that more breathable.

You can cop these at your local Supra retailer or online

Check out the other dope colorways while you’re at it and let us know what you think. I’m really feeling these Varsity, Jade and Midnight themes.

Full Disclaimer: Aside from me and Rel being homies from the Bay Area; and aside from me having a huge amount of respect for this man who pioneered and ran one of the dopest and longest running Hip Hop Television shows in Northern California - Distortion 2 Static, Rel graciously sent us a treat with his beat-tape record titled Out of View.  The project stays true to Rel’s chill California roots by bringing the listener on a journey filled with ambient sounding synths, heavy bass lines, vicious slaps…all while keeping it funky with melodious touches on the keys and rhythms.

Out of View is a something I can keep on play while driving crosstown on Geary Street from the Fillmore district to downtown San Francisco, or riding the uptown A train from Brooklyn to Harlem.

Definitely a must download in my book. You can download Rel’s Out of View for free here.

Born and raised in North London by Ugandan immigrants, Michael Kiwanuka debuts his album, Home Again (now available in the US), produced by Paul Butler from The Bees in his home studio on the Isle of Wight. A top 5 best seller in the UK, the album takes Michael’s effortless melodies, observant lyrics and smooth voice and builds them into timeless and rootsy folk-inflected modern soul. The US release features an additional song, the Dan Auerbach-produced “Lasan.”

Michael’s music draws comparisons to Otis Redding, Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye. Earlier this year he topped the BBC Sounds of 2012 list, joining the ranks of previous winners including Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae, 50 Cent, Ellie Goulding, and others.

Out now exclusively on iTunes, the album will be available digitally elsewhere on May 8, and July 31 will see the physical release of the album.

Michael will be heading to the US for a run of tour dates this June, kicking off at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, TN, followed by shows in New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago for Lollapalooza, and San Francisco for Outside Lands Festival.

It started with a simple idea: to make a recognizable comfort toy for a 4 year-old boy based on his drawing. This very creative mother has since made a few hundred soft toys based on children’s drawings allowing her to launch her home-based craft business called Child’s Own Studio.

Each toy is as custom made and unique as the child who drew it. Now if I could go back in time and have her design my 10-legged-astronaut-lion!

Check out some of her cool creations below.  You can see more of her creations on her Flickr page.