Have You Heard?

Janelle Monae has been on my radar for a few years now, thanks to TRACE's preemptive obsession with her. She really is the whole package - beautiful, talented, opinionated, and definitely not the typical pop princess. Her new record Archandroid delves into so many different genres it would be unfair to categorize it as a hip hop/r & b record. The album reflects Monae's aesthetic perfectly. A little glam, a little soul, and a whole lot of attitude. I'm loving the latest video for her single 'Tightrope' featuring none other than ATL's Big Boi. Gotta love that fancy footwork!

Lykke Li, Sång Fågel

I first met Li Lykke Zachrisson on a cold winter evening almost two years ago when I was working on a piece for Trace Magazine. Although the article never came to fruition, meeting the young songstress was a refreshing experience. At only 21 years old she was confident and eloquent - this was someone you could tell had figured out who she was from a young age. She told me how as a child she traveled a lot with her family, and those experiences helped shape her music. Li's music is a strange mix of upbeat pop songs coupled, with darker stripped down pieces. It's within these songs where she shows both her vulnerability and a softer side. The live rendition of "Tonight" filmed by Christian Haag, from her 2008 album Youth Novels, showcases her talent as both a performer and musician. Also if you're a fan of The Shirelles like I am, check out Li's homepage for a cover of their 1960 hit "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." Expect big things from this Swedish song bird:

Off To Montréal!

I have a horrible secret to admit... I haven't stepped foot on Canadian soil in over a year! The horror! So I'm off to Montréal tomorrow to spend a few days in my hometown, and reconnect with my Canadian compatriots. I have many lovely activities lined up, but the most important of all is diving into Québec's national dish: Poutine. What is poutine you ask? Well it's crispy Belgium style french fries, with cheese curds (or "squeaky cheese" as I like to call it), topped with gravy. It sounds gluttonous because it is, and I promise you it's worth every calorie. To get an idea of all the fun that goes down in Montréal, check out my Citiscape article from TRACE magazine. Until my return, I bid you adieu!

Digable Digits

A couple years ago when I was working at TRACE, I sauntered over to the Lower East Side to check out a boutique at the behest of a coworker. They specialized in Japanese nail art, and my coworker joked that once I tried it, it would be my "thing". Oh how he was right. That fateful day I walked into Valley and a nail goddess was born. People either love it or hate it, but I'm pretty much guaranteed a reaction once they lay their eyes on my pretty polished paws. For your viewing pleasure, I've put together a Flickr album of some of my favorite sets. And as always big ups to Mika (NYC's baddest nail art-iste!) and the fabulous Werman sisters.