Ten minutes with David E. Beats

Music producer/artist David E beats is what you’d call a triple threat in the music industry. He’s a musician, producer, and songwriter looking to crave his way into the Nouveau scene. Beats is credited with producing; mixing and mastering; writing and rapping on all the songs. Beats graciously spent a few minutes to speak his mind:

Where did your interest in music begin?
It began at a very early age. I was introduced to music by my parents and I grew up enjoying rock and soul. I later got into hip hop at 15.

What is it like as a young artist trying to establish yourself in both the music and production scenes?
It is hard but I enjoy the challenge! I love learning new things and building new relationships because the joy of things coming to fruition is the best feeling for me.

Have you faced any obstacles on your way to where you are?
I face obstacles everyday. Chasing your dream requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication and discipline. So I rarely get discouraged.

You’re called a hip-hop artist, but you blend genres in your music. What, if any, category do you consider yourself be a part of?
I call it “Nouveau”. It essentially consists of all these newer talented artists like Drake and Kid Cudi whom are able to do more than just rap, but create stories and do something truly musical.

What ideals/messages do you hope to portray through your songs?
I just want people to know that they can achieve anything. If I can do it, anyone can!

You’ve been producing pretty rapidly, releasing 2 mix tapes this year, thus far. Is that a trend you want to try to keep up?

I am releasing a full length album shortly called “EXIT” which will be pushed for the time period of a normal album cycle. I do plan to release content quite rapidly however. This is the digital age, and unless you are constantly in peoples minds with your music they will forget you.

What music, other than your own, do you enjoy?
I listen to literally anything. From Fefe Dobson to Lil Wayne and Soulja Boy, I bump it all.

What other artists inspire and motivate you?
As artists we all kinda go through the same trouble and tribulations so I respect any artist who can make this game work in their favor, and those are the ones I look up to!

What was it like having the chance to tour in your Open Mic-Showcase so soon after releasing your first mix tape?
It was a great experience! It gave me the time to perfect my live show and smooth out my stage presence.

Is your music entirely your own effort, or do you work collaboratively with other musicians/artists?
I usually do everything on my own, then I take it to a larger studio to get the songs mixed down.

What is the songwriting process like for David E Beats?
It all starts with the first bar, once I hear the beat, I think of the best way to start the song. From there it just evolves.

What would you say to any young artists out there trying to make it big?
Constant work and diligence. Just when you think all is lost, the seed you planted blossoms.

What is the one song that never fails to make you happy?
TI – What’s Up, Whats Happenin’

Trend Report: Art Inspired Fashion

Art has always and will always imitate life - as well as other art.  Fashion and art are one in the same; fashion will forever be a medium for expression, interpretation and serve as an extension of ourselves.

My fashion insider concurs, “As more segments of society begin to understand the power of clothing as a mechanism of expression, the natural merger between avant-garde art and fashion will continue to grow. With a great multitude of artists continuing to communicate the need for changes in the way we view ourselves, our relationships with each other and the environment we live in, it seems only natural that the canvas of the human body is next in line as the foremost bearer of this message.”

Just ask Marc Jacobs. The forward-thinking designer recently paired back up with Takashi Murakami to to mark six years of collaboration.  After the release of the Jacob’s Multicolor Spring Palette, Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami launched a colorful anime short film as a sequel to Murakami’s “Superflat Monogram” anime short from 2003.

Entitled “Superflat First Love” the film showcases a school girl experiencing all the fascinations of Murakami’s characters which are part of his latest project with Louis Vuitton with this mystical journey starting outside the store.

The plush character ho atars in the new film can now be sen in Jacob’s stores, uniting fashion and art.

Previous work from Murakami led to the creation of the iconic Monogram Multicolore which has become a popular fixture replicating itself on various fronts.

Similarly NY Magazine’s  The Cut feature, ”Sergio Rossi’s Resort Collection Inspired by Art, Architecture” highlights another cutting edge designer motivated by his artistic surroundings.

“There’s nothing we like to look at more than shoes. Seriously, we could do it all day, people. So imagine our bliss at being able to preview the Sergio Rossi Resort collection, which will be available on the designer’s website and at Saks Fifth Avenue come fall. Creative director Francesco Russo was inspired by art and architecture, citing Zaha Hadid as a reference. The super-skinny stiletto heels (the reps swore they were very stable and easy to walk in) are ultra-feminine and sophisticated for night, while the thick wedges with soft napa leather straps are more graphic and practical for day. Of the vibrant collection, we especially love the hot-pink suede slingbacks (a big color this season) and the towering sky-blue leather platforms with sexy double ankle straps. The prices are steep ($450 to $925), but there’s no harm in looking (and lusting!).”

A new Oligoville artsy find is also the proud company who was selected as the number one choice at the Bazaar Bizarre for the San Francisco Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay, Nouveau Motley.

The boutique designs beautiful handmade Steampunk jewelry of the highest quality for the discriminating Neo-Victorian enthusiast. And they are gorgeous. Find their award winning collection here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=18695&order=&section_id=&page=2

Their name alone may very well describe their philosophy better than even I can articulate:
Nouveau- [NOO-voh] adj. Recently created, developed, or come to prominence. New and different, often fashionably so.

Motley- [MOT-lee] noun.  diverse and varied. Assorted: consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds (even to the point of incongruity). A woolen fabric of mixed colors made in England between the 14th and 17th centuries: the traditional costume of the Court jester or the Harlequin character in Commedia dell’arte

Got it? Maybe this visual will help (that also happens to be in my shopping cart):

“The Queen’s Jewels,” well if the shoe fits.

And I know all of you lovelys read my cocktail ring trend report, but I must revisit the fabulous accessory to bring you “The Museum Collection” by Lisa Paik. This divine collection is comprised of 8 fun and unique cocktail rings that are each inspired by a work of art or an artist’s collective works. All rings feature Swarovski crystals and are priced under $90. Check these jems out here:  www.lisapaik.com.

My favorite of the bunch can be seen above and just happens to be inspired by one of my favorite paintings.

Paik describes the piece as a ring that aims to “capture the swirly brilliance of Van Gogh’s genius Starry Night, featuring a large topaz…a great update to the classic round cocktail ring.”

I must agree and note that the Starry Night Ring also happens to be my favorite collegiate color. Coincidence? I think not.

XOXO