As many of y’all know, we’re having our 5 Year Anniversary Party this FRIDAY sponsored by The Maroon Cafe and Academy Printwear. Aloe Blacc headlines, alt/soul singers Peter Hadar and Kimberly Nichole round out the bill. It’s going to be an amazing party but we’re sweetening the deal for you guys. Winners will get:

-2 Tickets to the Couch Sessions 5th Anniversary at Southpaw
-Party Bus Access to Academy Printwear Afterparty with Mick Boogie
-OPEN BAR Access at VIP Afterparty at Diety

You know this is gonna be the party of the summer so enter below!

BUY TICKETS NOW!! ONLY $10!

What’s up New York people?

You have heard grumbling about this for months, but we finally can announce our 5 Year Anniversary Party with Aloe Blacc at Southpaw in Brooklyn!

You all know Aloe Blacc as one of R&B’s most prolific singers. With two classic, underground albums under his belt, and a new album–titled Good Things recorded with Brooklyn’s talented Truth and Soul label–in addition to a hit song, Aloe is on the rise in 2010. Coming off of a spirited European tour, Aloe is set to make waves in his first New York city show with this new band.

In addition to Aloe headlining, we’ve got our good friend Peter Hadar on the bill in addition to a special guest! Peter’s live shows are something to be seen, combining soul, electronica, and everything in between, Creative Control will be in the building as well as Academy Printwear who will be filming scenes from their new Internet reality show in addition a VIP party bus which will arrive at the premises.

Coordinating this event is none other than New York tastemaker blog, The Maroon Cafe, who’s stepping up as one of the best music blogs in the industry. It’s going to be a great night.

Peter Hadar at Ella from Creative Control on Vimeo.

BUY TICKETS NOW!! ONLY $10!

VIP Party Bus and Afterparty with Mick Boogie!

Streetwear firm Academy Printwear is also running a VIP party bus through Manhattan picking up friends, artists, and clients along the way. They’re also giving a few lucky people the opportunity to jump on the bus as well as priority access to their exclusive VIP afterparty featuring none other than Mick Boogie!

More information at the Academy Printwear website.

For More Information

AloeBlacc.com
StonesThrow.com
Twitter.com/AloeBlacc

ThePeterHadarShow.com
Twitter.com/PeterHadar
CreativeControl.tv

TheCouchSessions.com
twitter.com/CouchSessions

CafeMaroon.com
twitter.com/marooncafe

Southpaw – spsounds.com

Words By: Nekeya O’Connor
Photos By: Joann Gomez, Music Looks Like This

Sometimes, the best way to be introduced to an artist, is to experience them LIVE. There is something about the connection between an audience and an artist that in unmatched. The intimacy that is created is genuine. The energy is pure. There is no mistake as to whether or not this relationship, between artist and audience will work. There are no false pretenses. No false profiles, as may be indicated on Match.com. Its real. Its authentic.

Ella Lounge in Alphabet City was the perfect place to host such a budding relationship. Dim lighting, intimate atmosphere, ill deejay, and an energetic bartender. Honestly, I felt like I was experiencing a session from MTV Unplugged or my first date. “Can ya’ll dim the lights a bit more?…we ‘bout to get all types of crazy in this shit..” That’s how he entered the stage. That’s how Peter Hadar introduced himself. With a glass of white wine in his left hand, the microphone in his right, hat tilted to the side, he begins. I didn’t know what to expect from this man. His “thug-like gentleman” demeanor, coupled with one of the prettiest smiles I’ve seen in a while, had me questioning whether or not this man was really here to move my soul, or was he just going to do enough to get it (aka buy his music just to show support).

This man opened his mouth, and I instantly was blown away. Even though I had no expectations, he was better than I possibly could have imagined. I sat back on the couch and thought to myself “why the hell have I never heard of this man??”. His voice was rich. “Tell me if you wanna go..I’ll take you places that you’ve never seen”…and he definitely did. Singing most tracks from his Well Dressed for the Art Show EP, Hadar crooned his way into the hearts of his listeners. “Too Fresh” and “Sleeping Pills” (with special adlib from C.I.O.N. Burris of Brok’n Englsh) were my two favorite performances. Hadar was intriguing, as he engaged the onlookers from the time he stepped on stage, to when he said his goodbyes. He may very well be the definition of cool, even though he’s hot like fire.

Between his voice, his band, Long Kiss In Public (who by the way may be one of the best bands I’ve heard in a long time next to Alife Band), his two background singers/dancers, I received a treat. By the end of the night, I felt like I’d known Hadar for a long time. But alas, it was only for a night. Nevertheless, my memory of him from this one encounter leaves me with a thirst for more. I’m excited to see what else this brother has to offer. In the meantime, I’ll be sitting in the front row waiting.

My homie Peter Hadar and his band The Long Kiss Good Night is starting his residency at Ella with new R&B songstress Shyvonne and the good peoples at Creative Control. Check out the promo video for the show and hope to see y’all there!

Doors open at 8:30.

And yes, Stone will be in the building. If you’re going to the show hit us up.

PETER HADAR RESIDENCY @ ELLA from Creative Control on Vimeo.

New video from Peter Hadar for Full Time Lover. A nice blend of soul and electronic to get me cised for the weekend.

Peter Hadar- Full Time Lover from Shayna Miller on Vimeo.

Photos by Danielle Scruggs (@dascruggs). Check her website at daniellescruggs.com

Last Thursday was an unfortunate time do have an event. Just mere hours after Michael Jackson was pronounced dead, W. Ellington Felton, Black Spade, and Peter Hard took the stage for the Hip-Hop Soul Brothers event at Bohemian Caverns. It’s not worth saying that the mood was not condusive for an event of this magnitide, even still, the trio managed to get the small, but entusiastic crowd to get down to their tunes.

W. Ellington is a staple around town, but I’m hoping that Hadar and Spade return to DC again under better circumstances.

Peter Hadar

Black Spade

W. Ellington Felton

Our homies from SolSource ALWAYS throw some of the dopest events, and tonight’s one is no different. They’re bringing together NYC’s Peter Hadar, St. Louis’ Black Spade, and DC’s own W. Ellington Felton for a night of eclectic and electric soul music.

Peter Hadar came onto the scene with his Well Dressed for the Art Show, which dropped to very favorable reviews. Hadar, who describes himself as a “Cool Weirdo” is one of the most eclectic R&B singers I’ve heard in a while.

Black Spade made his mark from being featured on Nicolay’s numerous mixtapes and featured on his brilliant album Here. The St. Louis based artist now finds a home on OM Records, and combines his soulful style with some poignant lyricism. He has been able to set himself apart from the norm, and created a style of his own.

W.Ellington Felton is a Washington staple, combining hip-hop with jazz and soul. He brings his unique blend of hip-hop, singing with jazz influences and messages of love & life, he still remains D.C.’s own renaissance man with one of the best stage shows in independent music.

Presale Tix: http://hiphopsoulbros.eventbrite.com/