It’s a Sunday night in Santa Monica. It’s hard to say exactly who the Dakota Lounge is filled with, but it’s most easily all walks of life.  The bulk of the crowd waits eagerly for the music to start. As the band warms up, a pair of Bengal’s fans that are decked out in team gear arrive, and I wonder if they’re going to be a distraction.  Then, the music starts.

Christopher Wray and his band immediately entice the audience with their first song, “Elevating Love.”  Stealing the attention of everyone inside, you can tell that they were not only well rehearsed but they’ve clearly been friends and band mates for much more than just this set. They were breaking into unexpected, but much appreciated, solos and even dedicating a song to a band mate’s recently passed relative.

“There’s something about the way people play out here on the West Coast that’s different from where I’m from.  Like in Oklahoma, the players just got different blood running through them,” Christopher comments.  Originally hailing from the South, he moved to Los Angeles after a lot of soul searching and a visit to Cozy’s in the valley.  “This is the truth right here, this is why I moved to LA because I sat on a plane from Dallas to LA, and I sat next to this guy named Gordon Campbell…he is a really successful gospel drummer; I mean, he’s played with everyone.” Christopher continued to talk to Gordon, eventually getting the recommendation to check out a R&B jam session at Cozy’s.  He headed there a little nervous, not knowing what to expect or even where he was.

“It was one of the friendliest vibes I’ve ever been in, and I thought to myself, I can make a band out of this bar.  If I come back to this club and I keep coming, I can get some guys out of this club, and that’s exactly what I did seven months later,” says Christopher.

A song or two in and Christopher is itching to give it his all.  He sweetly asks the audience to bear with him, even if his playing is bad, as he takes his recovering arm out of its sling and straps on his guitar.  Regardless of doctor’s orders, tonight, he’s going to play.  “I just feel this is something that the Lord’s called me to, and I’m gonna’ keep on doing it until I feel called in another direction.”

Previous to his relocation in LA, Christopher Wray was anything but new to the music scene.  Encouraged since his youth, his middle school teachers taught improvisation and allowed him to experiment with many different instruments, which he gladly took home to a supportive and musical family.  Music was everywhere for him.  While he listens to all kinds of music, Christopher says that he’s predominantly influenced by jazz, gospel and soul music You can hear these elements shine through in the intricate way his lyrics float along for the ride – with a band that’s playing can only be described as straight from the heart.

The applause comes in waves with the conclusion of a particularly good guitar lead, drum solo or the completion of another mesmerizing song.  The audience does what they can to show their appreciation, but Christopher’s been wowing crowds since long before he hit the west coast.  In 2006, the Christopher Wray Quartet was honored by the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame with a “Legacy Tribute Award,” which recognizes up-and-coming, outstanding new jazz artists.  When asked about this honor, Christopher humbly acknowledges his accomplishment and just says, “It was really cool.  You got to dress up in tuxes and feel important; it was a major honor.”

As the performance comes to an end, Christopher is sure to thank his band mates one more time and showcases all the talent on the stage, leaving the audience asking for, of course, an encore.  “I realize I’m not a white guy who’s trying to be anything other than who I am.  I love music that just happens to be predominantly black music,” says Christopher, who acknowledges his place as a minority in his genre but confidently proclaims that it’s a non-issue for him.  “I recognize my stage is full of African Americans, and I’m…like…the only white guy, but I honestly don’t realize that when we’re playing.”

They’ve gotten the green light for another song, and Christopher throws it to the audience asking if they’d prefer a ballad or what?  It seems as though the audience would be happy either way at this point just to keep them on stage a little longer.  “The Lord’s opening up a lot of doors for me, so I’m not taking sole credit. [However], you have to work for those doors to open.  They’re not going to just open by themselves, so I’d say have a clear, direct goal about what you want and be unrelenting about going after it,” Christopher advises.  Quickly answering Christopher’s call to the audience, one of the Bengal’s fans shouts out, “It’s my birthday!  Jam the f*@$ out!” and that’s exactly what they did.

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Spec Sheet:

Name/Nickname: Christopher Wray

Birthplace: Oaklahoma City, OK

Height: 6′4″

Random/quirky thoughts about yourself: “To many to count.  I smoke a cigar nearly every Sunday at 3pm. Not sure if that’s random or quirky. Most of them are weird and embarrassing.”

Favorite things to do: “Other than music, I love to spend time with friends and family and I’m an avid fisherman.”

Most embarrasing life moment: “I think I’ve successfully pushed them out of my mind.”

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Connect with Christopher Wray:

Website

Blog

Twitter

They have captured the uncensored darkness of Eminem’s gritty music lyrics for his “3 A.M.” video and directed an electrifying rock-show opener for Disney XD’s new series, “I’m in the Band.” They’ve created an enticing party atmosphere for P. Diddy’s signature Ciroc Vodka commercial and provided a playfully intricate show package for Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory on MTV. Weaving the richness of color, sound, music, motion, and cinematography into a vivid tapestry of entertainment has truly become one of Syndrome’s specialties.

Beginning as an LA-based mixed media art collective centered on showcasing gallery shows and installations, Syndrome ultimately grew into a creative boutique that now specializes in live-action directing and design for commercials, music videos, and broadcast. Consisting of artists Micah Hancock, James Larese, Mars Sandoval, executive producer Monica Blackburn, and a number of other dedicated team members, Syndrome is a powerhouse for creative imagery. With a project portfolio including Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, the NFL Network, Old Navy, Activision and more, signs of Syndrome’s success in the entertainment industry are clear.

“I think we have a nice balance of directing and design,” says Laresee – current partner and live action director with Syndrome. “We love mixing technology with soul. That’s why music and working with musicians is so important to us—it’s the best of both worlds. We used to be told our art was too commercial and that our commercial work was too artistic,” Larese said. “It’s as if we never fit into a category, and it really frustrated us when we were starting out. Now, however, that not fitting into a category is exactly what has made us who we are.”

Interested in cementing lasting relationships with their clients rather than focusing on the quick and easy dollar, Syndrome takes pride in the concept of return clientele. – Continual collaborations with networks like Spike and MTV and music artists such as T-Pain, definitely serves as a testament to the satisfaction Syndrome provides.

Whether they set out to tell a story in a single snapshot, 30 seconds, or 3 minutes, nothing is off-limits. Incorporating words, lighting, animation, and artwork, Syndrome creates an innovative platform for captivating audiences.

“To us success was achieved the moment we were able to support ourselves independently as Syndrome,” Larese said. “Quitting our day jobs and jumping in head first was the most rewarding and beneficial move we ever made.”

Fresh in the business, Larese recalls the founding team’s very first directing job outside of Los Angeles. They were about to find out if they had what it takes to make it. Ready and set to shoot in St. Louis for an artist’s music video, the city warned Syndrome to shut down just two days before the shoot. Facing fines from the city which feared that the particular neighborhood Syndrome was to shoot in would become unruly if they proceeded, Syndrome had to come up with plan B—and fast. In just 48 hours, thanks to some research, green screen magic, and a quick low pro mission back to the neighborhood with still cameras and tripods, the project went from almost failed to fully complete. With no harm done to the city, its residents, or the label, Syndrome passed their out-of-state directorial debut with flying colors.

“We learned a valuable lesson,” Larese said, “to always have a backup plan and to be prepared for anything because if it can happen, it probably will, so you better be ready to roll with the punches.”

Fast forward to 2010, and Syndrome is already starting the year off strong. With an array of upcoming projects spanning across the creative spectrum, the future for Syndrome is definitely promising. Unable to disclose specific details due to contractual obligations with their clientele, it’s safe to say that as the winner’s of the 2009 Bronze BDA at the Promax/BDA Conference and winners of 9 Telly’s at the 30^th Annual Telly Awards, whatever projects Syndrome currently has under wraps can be nothing less than exciting.

Aside from handling their business with celebrities and high profile clients, the team makes sure to try to take time for personal projects as well. This year they have chosen to create a short film set to feature a variety of styles and techniques. By never forgetting the passion that drove them to begin in the industry in the first place, Larese admits it’s very important for Syndrome to evaluate where they are and where they want to be—then do what they can to get there.

“We feel people can’t believe in us unless we believe in ourselves. Our drive and passion runs deep, and hopefully when a new client works with us, they get a sense of that,” Larese said. “Syndrome isn’t what we do, it’s who we are. As cliché as that sounds, it’s the truth. We have built this from nothing, and not a day goes by that we wish to be doing anything else.”

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Connect with Syndrome:

Website

It was an hour before the doors opened at the Roxy in Los Angeles, and just outside the venue walls, a swarm of eager music fans were ready and pumped to witness the night’s sold-out show. Fans from all across the state, from San Diego to Sacramento, had come out to support the concert’s headliner K-OS but were instantly won over by the show opening performances of U-N-I and Audible Mainframe.

Yoo-N-LA was invited to check out exactly what the six-piece live, hip-hop band known as Audible Mainframe was all about. We watched, we listened, and we witnessed the group give a blazing performance from start to finish.

Impossible to ignore, the group’s vocalist/emcee Exposition (a.k.a “Expo”) delivered his lyrics with a flawless flow. While engaging the crowd, working the stage, and playing off the vibe of his five band mates, Expo had heads swaying and hands waving. With a sound that combines guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, trumpets, and a DJ mixing on the turntables, Audible Mainframe is a powerhouse using the flavor of hip-hop to deliver their message.

At night’s end the audience, who knew little to nothing about Audible Mainframe, was ravaged by their talent and beyond hyped to hear more from the East Coast born band.

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BEHIND THE BAND

Six men and one focus to make good music- the quintessential dream Audible Mainframe is chasing and conquering.

Since their conception in Boston, MA in 2003 to their arrival in Los Angeles in 2006, their success continues to reach new heights. Wrangling up awards such as “Best Live Act”, “Best Underground Emcee”, winning 98.7 FM and Long Beach’s The District Weekly’s 2008 “Battle of the Bands”, and recently winning the title of AirWalk’s 2009 Unsigned Hero’s Contest, AMF definitely has the music industry taking notice.

Each member of the band engraves his style into the group’s collective sound. With Exposition (a.k.a. Expo) on the mike, Walt on bass guitar, Lethal D on guitar, Miller on keys and trumpet, Johnny on drums, and Special Blend on the turntables the end result is explosive.

“It just all comes together in the music,” said Blend. “It’s like a big melting pot, and everybody can exist as their own individual yet come together and make something brand new.”

Meeting through mutual friends, Craig’s list ads, and college wall postings, these six musicians share a history as eclectic and inspiring as their music. With each an artist in his own right the road to their collaborations seemed effortless.

“I was doing some solo music, and my solo music was kind of taking off in Boston,” said Expo. “Then we decided to basically form a band to play that music. Then it just kind of became its own thing; it became Audible Mainframe.”

Once the group began searching for another member to add to their arsenal, the demand was answered by their keys and trumpet player Miller.

“[AMF] put up an ad like ‘Yo, looking for keyboard player,’” said Miller. “I’ll always remember because it was like, ‘Do you like hip-hop?’ And I was like, ‘Yea I do.’ ‘Do you play keyboard?’ And I was like, ‘Yea I do.’ ‘Do you want to play live shows now?’ And I was like, ‘Yea, I do!’” Miller laughed.  And that was that.

Sharing a similar introduction to the group, Walt found himself as a new face in the AMF family in a matter of weeks after responding to a Craig’s List posting his manager forwarded to him. “They hit me back for an audition, and after the audition they cancelled all the other ones. I was the guy,” Walt smiled.

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Within the blueprint of AMF are more than just infectious beats and a band of compatible personalities. There are stories audiences can connect with, motivations that other artists can relate to, and passions that run deep for the messages that can be projected through the power of music.

“I never took a drum lesson,” said Johnny “I just got a drum kit, and I just pretty much put on a set of head phones and listened to everything from Fugazi to Green Day, to Pearl Jam, to Nirvana, and that whole 90’s grunge phase. I just played along with those records, and I kind of taught myself how to play. Then from there I just started getting into all kinds of different types of music, and here I am.”

And here they all are.

Each in their own way pursuing their dreams, playing to the crowds and hyping up the music scene one performance at a time, there’s no end in sight for AMF. Having celebrated the release of their third studio album Transient in summer of 2009, fresh off playing the SPIN Magazine showcase at SxSW in 2010, and already clocking in stage time with artist like Slick Rick, Damien Marley and K-OS, Audible Mainframe is a group you can’t afford to miss next time they’re in your area.

Bottom line… when it comes to the essence of AMF, don’t be afraid to follow your dreams and never settle reaching for anything less than the stars.

“The most challenging thing [was] coming out here and starting from the beginning, starting all over again,” said Lethal D. “We had to make new friends [and] make new fans so this was tough; it took us three years. We came out here…didn’t know anybody, didn’t know the lay of the land, didn’t know where we were, but here we are. Now we’re playing at the Roxy,” he smiles. “Hell yea!”

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Connect with Audible Mainframe:

Website

MySpace

Artist Information/EPK

A journey that began as an unwanted move to a foreign country and an adolescence form of secluded rebellion ultimately gave birth to a captivating young artist. At 24 Amy Kuney has celebrated the release of her debut album, Bird’s Eye View, toured with Kate Voegele and Damien Rice and has a variety of exciting new projects on her plate, including a new album currently in the works.

With a history as rich as the melodies of her music, Kuney’s road to stardom plays out like a string of destined and disguised opportunities.

As part of her parents’ missionary passions, Kuney’s family left the states and relocated to Honduras when she was just 13. While the idea of a new life outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a new language, and a new culture didn’t exactly spark Kuney’s interest at the time, her childhood protest served to nurture her musical talents. Channeling her energy for self expression through her love for music, playing instruments and writing became Kuney’s retreat.

“[Music] was something I grew up with. My parents started me playing piano when I was four and all my siblings, we’ve all played instruments, my parents play instruments,” Kuney said. “I tried art, drawing, and stuff like that as well, but music was sort of something I grew up with.”

Confiding in the pages of her notebooks, Kuney’s personal writings during her time in Honduras translated into the distinctive voice of her debut album.

Determined to pursue a career in music, Kuney took to the Internet and began sending off her songs to L.A. producers in hopes that someone would bite. The leap of faith and optimism in her tactics eventually landed her with producer Peter Barker. Exchanging the country sides of Central America for the hustle and bustle of the entertainment capitals back in the U.S. was yet another agenda on Kuney’s list.

“I chose Los Angeles,” Kuney said, “and that was really difficult moving from a third world country to one of the biggest cities in the world. It took a few years for me to overcome the culture shock.”

Since her time in the big city, success has been no stranger. Kuney has had her music featured on the season finale of “One Tree Hill.” She’s gained the recognition from music artist Kate Voegele, who invited Kuney to accompany her on tour and also caught the attention of fellow musician Damien Rice. In an unexpected twist of events, a cover she recorded of one of Rice’s songs made it back to Rice himself. He heard it, he liked it, and a few days later Kuney found herself preparing to join Rice on his Iceland tour. Aside from appreciating the attention she’s received from artists in the industry, Kuney has been equally excited to take notice of her growing fan base.

“It was really cool when people I didn’t know started writing me and telling me they really like my music, and I guess that’s when I started sort of realizing, ‘oh this is cool. This is getting somewhere,’” Kuney said.

No matter what her venue, be it on the road touring or headlining at high school concerts, Kuney admits to taking nothing for granted. Feeding off the excitement of her fans makes every show worth performing.

“I love it,” Kuney stated. “Sometimes people underestimate the fans. The fans are the [ones] that keep the industry going right now, and they’re the whole reason why we do this you know. We do it for ourselves partially, but mostly it’s for the fans.”

Empowered by the drive she sees in fellow female artists such as Fiona Apple, Pink and Lady Gaga, Kuney is inspired to continue making her mark on the music scene. With lyrics that run deep and a sound that resonates with experience or plays to the youthfulness of her spirit, Kuney promises to be an interesting new voice in entertainment.

Upcoming projects range from helping with music for independent films, co-writing with other artist in L.A., to working with European producers and infiltrating the music market overseas. While the journey for Kuney as an influential artist is far from over, she remains vigilant of the important choices yet to come. Where Kuney’s next move will take her might be unknown but, for now, remaining focused on finishing her next album and expanding her fan base is key.

Uncertainty, after all, has yet to diminish the flames of this rising star.

To learn more about Amy, listen to her songs and find out where you can snag a copy of her Bird’s Eye View album visit: www.stipko.net/amykuney.

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Spec Sheet:

Name/Nickname: Amy Kuney

Birthplace: Tulsa, Oaklahoma

Height: 5′2″

Random/quirky thoughts about yourself: “I have OCD…I love mopping the floor when I’m stressed. I also enjoy mystery science theater.

Favorite things to do: “Writing short stories, reading, and watching reality TV.”

Most embarrassing life moment: “(Not telling). But I will say this…I slipped while running through Grand Canal Station and fell on my back in front of about 300 people last winter…Oh and I started crying.”

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Connect with Amy Kuney:

MySpace

Facebook

Twitter

The first time I met “Lefty” Joe Torres was actually at Timmery’s Queen of Heart’s Gala. He was drawing caricatures for the event and I was lucky enough to snag one from him! It was an amazing and flattering rendition that left us at Yoo-N-LA intrigued and curious. And now, ladies and gents, I give you Lefty Joe Torres.

Lefty is one of Los Angeles’ own, more precisely from the San Gabriel Valley. When questioned if he liked the area of Los Angeles, he happily nodded and replied; “[There’s just a] cool creative vibe everywhere. There’s an energy to do stuff. You know… just to make ends meet or get exposure.” Lefty has dabbled in the education word, taking a few classes regarding art and attending the Animation Academy in Burbank – where he got to learn from the pros. During his education years he met and networked with numerous animators – some obscure and some with known reputations from companies like DreamWorks and Disney, artists, and others in the art realm. While expanding his educational horizons, he also began work as a caricature artist and held a job as an illustrator – in doing so Lefty not only learned the theoretical aspect of the art realm, but also the technical real world aspect of art by working as an illustrator. “[I got to] learn stuff from the job and then learn stuff from the pros.”

His work with caricatures began shortly after he started college to help pay for schooling and in the past, has served as an easy side job to help pay bills. Lefty did a bit of caricature work in high school but didn’t start taking it seriously until later in college when he discovered it could be a means to help him through his education; he has been doing caricature work for over ten years now. He has done numerous types of gigs including birthdays and company parties, proms, and even does sketches at the LA zoo.  When asked how caricature sketching works, Lefty responded that it was similar to putting together a puzzle and just pasting different elements, like a specific nose or set of eyes or jaw line together to create the person being sketched. Kind of sounds repetitive doesn’t it? Caricature work may seem a bit on the repetitive side but not all of it is droll:  Lefty has sketched numerous celebrities and politicians in his time.

In the beginning, Lefty was very interested and very into character design and the process of creating a character based on the psychology of the character’s personality traits. He was absolutely in love with the invention of style, feel, and design behind these characters. His interest in character design eventually landed him a job at a web-based company as a character designer. His work would begin when he was given a bio for a character and then would proceed for the next few weeks researching and sketching multiple forms and shapes for just one character – which he absolutely loved citing it as “the best job ever.” Four years down the line he parted ways with the company and began exploring other areas of the art world.

During his bout with character design, he began to receive invitations from fellow coworkers about art shows and gradually became acquainted with the Los Angeles underground art scene.  During this time, he slowly stopped enjoying his job as much and decided to try something new.  Lefty discovered painting and found that he really loved the process. Aside from work as a caricature artist and work as an illustrator, Lefty has also worked on book illustrations and various other miscellaneous projects. He also has a clothing line with a few other people that he considers a hobby.

As far as future plans go, Lefty seems pretty content with his lot – caricature artist by day, and painter by night – or whenever he has time. He doesn’t seem to be too interested in getting back into an animation studio. He’s keen to staying within the underground art scene and continuing to work on his paintings and caricature work, because it makes him happy. – Lucky Lefty. We wish him continued success and prosperity in all his future endeavors!

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Spec Sheet:

Name/Nickname: Joe David Torres (Leftyjoe)

Birthplace: Mexico City Federal District

Height: 5′7″

Random/quirky facts: “I lost my left testicle to cancer in 2001. That’s why my friends call me Lefty.”

Favorite things to do: “I love to Karaoke!!! I love dancing to Rock en Espanol!!! (80’s music too).

Most embarrassing life moment: “I’m really awkward when meeting famous artists. I once told Bobby Chui that he was my “art-Jesus.”

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Connect with Lefty Joe Torres:

Website

Facebook

MySpace

“Let them say what they will about us now,
‘Cause nothing’s gonna’ stop us from giving our all,
Who are they to judge us anyway,
We’re never gonna’ lose this fight.”

Photo Courtesy of Hocus Focus LA

These are powerful and profound lyrics from an unreleased album called Today It Begins by an upcoming pop-metal band named Valentine. You may have seen them on a mixed tape that included Mest, All American Rejects, 3OH3, and Cobra Starship. Or, perhaps, you’ve seen a few of the members open for bands like Thursday, Pierce the Veil, or In This Moment. The band Valentine consists of four individuals: Emily Ellis – the band’s singer, Clayton “Ryan” Swann – guitar and drums, Eric Mata – lead guitar, and Dan Kremer – lead bass. Now that you’ve met the cast and crew, let’s start this adventure from the beginning.

The band named Valentine has been around for a while, and it started with Emily who hails from Las Vegas. At the Warped Tour, Emily met Ryan – who was from Baltimore, Maryland. From that chance encounter, they began trading music and writing together. Dan, also from Las Vegas, heard through mutual friends that Emily and Ryan needed a bass player. Then, there were three. Eric, the last to join the band, was found through Myspace.com and is a native to Southern California. The group has been together collectively for six months – since April/May of 2009. However, don’t let that short amount of time disarm you; they’ve been extremely busy in those six months.

As mentioned earlier, the band name has indeed been around longer than the collective group. To explain, Emily started the band when she was still living in Vegas with a different drummer, but after meeting Ryan and moving to Los Angeles, the band Valentine started to evolve into something new and different. “The band has been around for a while but has sounded different…the Valentine that is now, is not really… anything like the Valentine that was then,” says Emily Ellis. You could say the band has been fine tuning itself for its debut album over the past few years. In the earlier days, Valentine tended to have more of a rock sound to it, according to Ryan, but now it has evolved into a type of pop-metal. According to Ryan Swann, “[It’s] harder than hard rock. It’s pop on steroids. Basic pop structures [that] take it to a different level.” It is a different level indeed.

Along with assisting in the creation of various instrumental tracks, Emily finds herself constantly writing lyrics on paper and in her phone. When questioned about the themes of the tracks and album, she exclaimed, “I wanna’ write about real life!” She feels most songs now-and-days are about love, which can be a complicated and mawkish concept for some to grasp. She prefers to write and sing about the pain created by loss – which is a very real and understandable situation that most feel at least once, if not multiple times, during their lifetimes. Valentine’s songs also delve into deeper, more complicated, and dark concepts such as drug abuse and overcoming addiction. While Emily firmly announces she has not done any drugs, she has been affected by their more destructive natures and has seen friends throw their entire lives and careers down the drain because of drugs. Songs such as “Shattered Within,” “Let Go,” and “In Vain” all deal with drugs and other aspects that can be related to drug use, including suicide and the inability to let others give help. The lyrics written above were to the song “All or Nothing” which happens to be the theme for their next album. The main focus and theme for their album is as straightforward as the album’s title: Today It Begins. It serves as the opening message to their peer bands as well as their followers and future followers… here we are; this is what we are; forget the past; focus on the future; it’s a fresh start; and, it’s beginning now. Emily states that she definitely does not like being told she can’t achieve something. If anything, she will put her mind to something and achieve a goal just in spite of you.

Photo Courtesy of Ama Lea, www.amaleaphoto.com

While Valentine finds inspiration from life, they also find enlightenment and encouragement from hearing new music as well as hearing of the success of other bands. As for inspiration, there are no funks. But as far as funks go, Valentine hasn’t really seen too much of that. “There’s not to much writer’s block,” says Dan Kremer. Occasionally there are some instrumental blocks, but Dan claims, “If I get a funk with bass… I’ll pick up an acoustic guitar, or I’ll go sit down at the piano. [You] play yourself through it.” The others in the band have similar ways of coping if they find themselves creatively challenged.

Since the band members’ formation, Valentine has been plugging away. They are currently occupied with a licensing agreement with Japan for a new record and have been taking time out in order to take care of business – including getting their music sold online with online retailers such Amazon.com and iTunes. They have their record mastered, mixed, a release date in Japan. They’re also getting ready to launch their first record in the US – stay tuned for the release date! While you can’t find their record in stores at the present moment, you can check out their MySpace.com page to sample their music as well as keep up-to-date in regards to the release of their album.

Aside from their upcoming album, Valentine wants their music to reach as many ears as possible. “We want to appeal to the masses, so we can play music everyday of our lives. …You want [people] to hear it. [Eric] doesn’t riff to hear himself riff,” says Emily Ellis. Their future plans include releasing their album in Japan as well as being able to set tour dates and concerts out there. Emily expresses, “If [I’m] not able to play, then why? If you can’t play live, what’s the point in making music?” They’re also looking to eventually be signed with a record label, but they are, by no means, in a rush to settle for the first deal that comes up their alley. And without a record deal, you can imagine how hard it must be to micro-manage the band with just the four of them.

Valentine also has set goals for itself, while making a name for themselves is their main objective, they also wouldn’t mind playing some day at the Staples Center. Additionally, they would like the music scene here in LA to pick up again. They had a thought about getting a bunch of other similar-sounding bands together to play and support each other in order to help build up that scene, as well as get people back into the music that is here in Los Angeles. As a side note, they wouldn’t mind doing a show that involved some serious theatrics when entering the stage. “We know we’ve made it if we fly in on some sort of harness, harnesses or trap doors,” says Emily Ellis.

We’re more than sure that such a day will come – theatrics and all.

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Connect with Valentine:

MySpace

Twitter

YouTube

Meeting Timmery Turner for the first time, she was dressed as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, boldly and beautifully singing in front of a small gathering at the Queen of Hearts Gala, an art show held by the local artists and community. Up close and personal, Timmery’s collection resembles something one would probably see in the toy box as an adolescent: toy cars, cassette tapes, star-shaped sun glasses, and Perler beads – those little beads you put onto a stencil and ironed into one solid shape – remember those? Oh, nostalgia. However, who would have thought that you could take such items and use them to create eclectic, unique, and totally one-of-a kind jewelry? Well, Timmery did.

Photo Courtesy of EYE KNOW PHOTO

A Germany-born baby, Timmery and her family moved to Massachusetts and then later settled in Tacoma, Washington. After realizing her passion for the fashion industry, she set out for Los Angeles at the tender age of eighteen and attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She first started experimenting with jewelry construction and designing in high school – a time when she was too nervous and shy to sell her own jewelry. However, despite her anxiety, she continued grinding away at the creative wheel. After sharing her creations, Timmery’s friends saw her talent and began to assist in her venture by acting as her sales reps.

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1981 Collection

The idea for Timmery’s collection was birthed out of adverse circumstances. With a friend’s birthday approaching and the sudden realization that she didn’t have the funds to purchase a gift, Timmery was forced to get creative, finding herself in a situation all of us have encountered at one point or another. As a result, Timmery constructed one of her signature pieces, a set of decoupage guitar pick earrings that were an instant success. Not only did her friend absolutely adore them, but Timmery also received a vast amount of compliments on the hand-made pieces. This companion mentioned the idea of Timmery starting her own line of jewelry as a means of getting into the fashion industry, and from that, the 1981 Collection was born.

Photo By: Timmery Turner

The title for Timmery’s collection arose from a number of different elements. For one, 1981 is her birth year. Secondly, she felt that the title represented who she is as a person. Ah…the 80s. A time period where VHS tapes, Atari, Nintendo, neon colors, and huge hair reigned – a time period which Timmery draws inspiration from in addition to her childhood. She considers herself a big kid, boldly expressing, “I don’t want to grow up!” Even now, she still admits to enjoying kids’ meals and skateboarding.

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“Onward March!”

Timmery, much like many others in this day and age, has been affected by the downturn in the economy. Her jewelry, which once served as a supplement to her income, has now transpired into her fundamental revenue resource.  Despite this minor setback, Timmery’s attitude towards life and her ambition for her collection have not at all been diminished. In fact, she feels these obstacles keep her driven and focused on her goals. She now draws from that energy in order to create, not only because she needs to for survival, but because she refuses to let go of her business, her collection, and essentially her dream. While Timmery wants the 1981 Collection to thrive, she does not, by any means, want to sit at home and make jewelry all day. At one point, she was replicating pieces for her collection daily – an activity she did not want to make into a ritual.

She has her sights set on expanding her business which include opening a factory of sorts where she can produce her jewelry line for a high-volume capacity, allowing her to effectively appeal to the masses. She draws inspiration for this idea from another fashionista named Tarina Tarantino, a designer who has set up shop in downtown Los Angeles as well as in Milan and New York. Tarantino creates the first piece, has a team replicate the originals, and then sells the merchandise to the public.

Photo By: Timmery Turner

Now, what does a designer do all day if she isn’t sitting around creating and experimenting? Timmery also enjoys singing and writing her own lyrics. She attended the Los Angeles Recording School where she studied audio and engineering. She takes time to write as an alternative to her collection.

Timmery considers her jewelry more of a work of art than an accessory. In addition, the jewelry is handmade, so customers understand that a lot of time, effort, and love went into each piece. Even though her designs are mimicked by others, she feels the other designers help to inspire, recreate, and draw inspiration from each other. She also feels that what she creates, in essence, is of her and her creativity, and no one can completely mimic or copy that in any way, shape, or form.

So what is in the pipeline for the 1981 Collection and Timmery? She’s been keeping busy with numerous shows, most of which are art shows featuring local talent such as The Queen of Hearts Gala and Sugar. If you want to catch Timmery and take a gander at her collection, you can usually find her down at The Melrose on Sundays. She’s also attempting to showcase her collection at Marina Nights in Marina del Ray. If daytime shopping isn’t your thing, swing by Dragonfly on Monday nights. This night club-meets-art scene is something new and refreshing to both realms – imagine DJs, music, tattoo artists, and art. That alone sounds like a wonderful fusion of two worlds!

It would be inaccurate to say that the birth of the 1981 Collection and Timmery’s journey towards her ultimate goal have been nothing less than inspiring. Surely a talented designer would have a few words to say to her friends, fans and the public, right? Timmery concludes, “Have fun in life, don’t take yourself so seriously, and don’t be afraid to stand out and make a bold statement.” Amen, sister.

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Connect with Timmery:

Website

Email: timmery@1981collection.com

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who came out that night or wished us blessings on our launch. Event was a HUGE success!! Thank you to my team! NONE of this could have came to fruition without you believing in this vision. Thank you GOD for enabling me to act through you and for having the courage to step out on your behalf. Thank you U-N-I for giving us your first performance of 2010!! It was the DOPEST performance we’ve seen you give! Last but not least, thank you Dakota Live Music Lounge for your love and support! No venue in LA like you! Special shout out to Kumasi Lewis and Salima Koroma for the flicks and video. (Video to come shortly).

If you’d like to see all of the photos, click link below:

Yoo-N-LA Launch Photos

Go Yoo-N-LA!!!

Imagine being back in high school, walking down the halls during lunchtime. You see some guys crowding around in a circle. At first you want to see what’s going on, so you step closer. You notice that nothing out of the ordinary is going on. It’s just a group of guys spitting freestyles and battling against each other to pass the lunch hour. So, you pay them no mind. The next day you see two of the same guys running full court pick up basketball games. One drives it in full force against a defender and calls an “and one” as he gets fouled making a lay-up. The defender complains, saying that it was not a foul. As it looks to you an argument is going to erupt; the tension calms down because the defender realizes he can’t do anything about it since the basket went in. So again, you go along your merry way and pay them no mind.

Now bring yourself back to present day. Ever wonder about the lives of high school friends, acquaintances, or even just those guys you used to see spitting flows or shooting hoops? At least for two of those guys, life is progressing, fame is quickly growing, and money is soon to follow – not to mention the potential for Grammy’s, MTV Moon Men, and everything else that comes along with success in the music industry. Looking at them in adolescence, you might have seen two cool guys that could rap and play ball. But, you probably had no clue that merely a few years after high school those two guys would be performing as artists and sharing their musical gifts to audiences around the world – yet alone sharing stages with Industry Greats such as Lupe Fiasco, Ludacris, or Redman…just to name a few. The guys who were once known to teachers and classmates as Yonas Michael and Yannick Koffi would be better known as U-N-I. Allow me to introduce you to Y-O and Thurzday.

Behind the music, behind the Twitter and the MySpace, behind the name “U-N-I”—you have two guys that are unique in their ownways. Their music roots, and overall style, stem farther back in their pasts than the day Thurzday randomly introduced himself to Y-O in high school with a simple handshake and a, “My name is Yannick.” Y-O and Thurzday are known for their witty rhymes, unique styles, and their drive to keep it real. U-N-I’s music can hardly be categorized or compared to anything. Listen to “Land of the Kings,” and you’ll start to get an idea. Then, try “Hollywood Hiatus” or “Herb” to hear a more lively, upbeat sound. They have fun with the ladies on tracks such as “Calendar Girls” and “Lauren London.” But, they can also deliver a more street sound, such as “Pulp Fiction Pt. 1.” It doesn’t stop there.  They can also offer feel good music, 90’s style, with songs like “Beautiful Day.” Similar to Outkast, UGK, Mobb Deep, Dead Prez, and other great hip hop duos, the two feed off of each other while also offering individual sounds. The Los Angeles-based hip hop duo has performed at numerous shows and have worked with many music artists and producers in both the mainstream and underground scenes. More importantly, kicking off their first tour in October 2009 and making plans to release their first official album in 2010, they are set on making their own mark.

If the buzz about them hasn’t reached you yet, you may be sitting in the wrong beehive. U-N-I has had positive reception both domestically and internationally, especially with the help of the Internet. The duo has also caught the eye of powerhouse music publications, such as VIBE and Billboard, and continue to find their name on up-and-coming lists left and right. Their name derives from The Roots’ song, “UNIverse at War,” whose hook begins with the line, “When you and I verse at war.” The name is more than fitting for the duo that originally met in high school and found frequent interaction in cyphers and freestyle battles. U-N-I became official in 2006 after the duo broke off from their original group of four, Rap-Ture Kamp. Through various projects and mixtapes such as Fried Chicken and Watermelon, Before There Was Love, and A Love Supreme, U-N-I has established a unique style that blends true hip hop beats with witty, out-of-this-world, but down-to-Earth lyrics people can relate to and simply enjoy.

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Y-O in LA

Is it the way he flows, the kicks, or the mohawk (that he has been rockin’ for six years) that makes him unique? Maybe all three, or maybe he’s just an original guy. Tweeting numerous times daily, Y-O keeps his friends, fans, and followers updated on his day-to-day. However, for those who know him from childhood, tweets are just an smidge of the story behind the rapper/songwriter who hails from Seattle, Washington. Before moving to the Inglewood area of Los Angeles around the age of ten, Y-O had a home, friends, and a life in Seattle. At the time, parting invoked tears from the eyes of the pre-adolescent. However, Y-O says, “[the move] turned out to be a blessing.” While the Seattle house he grew up in (which he jokingly claims to have been haunted with paranormal activity) will always be a part of him, he indeed found another home in Southern California.

Y-O’s mother got him involved in sports at an early age, such as basketball and track. Among his buddies from running track as a kid in Seattle were Nate Robinson (point guard for the New York Knicks) and Aaron Brooks (point guard for the Houston Rockets).  Like them, he knows he has the talent to go pro. Basketball did not turn out to be his professional path, even though he did end up playing varsity basketball in high school and was set to play Division II hoops for a college in Iowa. An issue that was out of his control with the school’s coach  changed the plan. After giving it one last go at a junior college in Palmdale, he realized his heart was not in professional ball like it used to be. It was music that he wanted to take to the professional level.

Y-O’s music incorporates his style, wit, and charm. Classifying himself as a big flirt, Y-O, as a sixth grader, loved to charm the females at the all-girls’ high school which neighbored his Catholic school. However, he now goes beyond his word and lyrics to express himself. With five tattoos, including tats on his neck and forearms, he loves to use art as a means of self-expression. Also, both he and Thurzday have a unique, fly sense of fashion. Y-O says, “Thank Mom for the fashion,” referring to her dressing him up in suspenders, turtlenecks, and plaid pants. He also notes that as a child his mother tricked him into getting XJ900 light up shoes from Payless Shoe Source, as opposed to the Air Jordan shoes that he longed for. From then on, he made it a point to stay on top of his style.

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BORN ON A THURZDAY

Y-O’s U-N-I counterpart, Thurzday (or Thurz for short), shares an interesting story himself. Born on a Thursday and raised in Inglewood, CA, he derived his nickname from the fact that his last name, Koffi, translates into “born on Friday.” Like Y-O, he was engaged in sports at an early age. Sports kept him off the streets, which was especially important during the years he lived in South Central, Los Angeles. In addition to athletics, his grandmother would take him with her to knock on doors as Jehovah Witnesses. His strict grandmother did not allow him to get tattoos, piercings, or even keep his flat top hairstyle that he came home with one day. The influence has carried over to today, making him the opposite of Y-O, sporting zero tattoos. In staying grounded, Thurzday’s path consists of a strong educational background and hard work along the way.

For instance, after Thurzday’s high school days at St. Francis (where he met Y-O), he continued on to a four-year university. At first refusing to go to Loyola Marymount University (LMU), he chose to go to California State University, Northridge (CSUN). However, in his first year, he began to doubt that he or any of his friends would complete their Bachelor’s degrees because their days often consisted of partying, drinking, and rapping in the dormitories. That was when Thurzday decided to make moves by transferring to LMU. Yet, the raucous continued. Y-O recounts visiting him at LMU saying, “That’s where I got my first drink!” However, although the fun and games carried on, this time Thurzday was able to balance business with pleasure.

While majoring in Finance through college, Thurzday built an extensive resume by taking up internships at Rhino Music Group, Capitol Records, and Merrill Lynch, which eventually caused him to land a job as a financial analyst – a job that he just recently lost due to being caught spending too much time promoting U-N-I on various social networking sites. Music was calling out to him. Thurzday simply realized that he wanted to fully pursue music….and that is just what he and Y-O are doing.

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A LOVE SUPREME 2.0

In anticipation of their first official album, U-N-I is working on releasing a project called A Love Supreme 2.0 (a sequel to their last project). U-N-I has set high goals, and the two have every intention of accomplishing them. Individually, Y-O and Thurzday have high goals as well. Thurzday says, “I just wanna be better than the people I look up to.” Y-O adds that he would like U-N-I to be used in the same sentence as the Greats. They have a difficult journey ahead but have already begun the climb to the top. They were once just guys participating in cyphers and battles and playing pick up basketball at the park. Now, they are Y-O and Thurzday…a duo gaining the respect and admiration of listeners worldwide. Say hello to U-N-I!

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Connect with U-N-I:

Website

MySpace

“I think that what we’re really going for here is a place where people can come and see good art rather than [the] generic,” says Heather Rae, the VP of Booking at the Dakota Lounge in Santa Monica. Rising from Temple Bar’s ashes, the one-year-old music venue, restaurant, and bar strives to serve as more than just a typical music venue. Rae sums up the venue’s purpose by stating, “We wanted to use the best parts of what Temple Bar was and add our own vision of where we see the live music industry going.”

With each night geared toward a certain genre of music, Dakota Lounge aspires to leave no sound or style neglected.  ”We’re not just forward-thinking in terms of hip hop, electro, and DJ, but now we have this well-rounded spectrum of the future trends of all types of music, which [we] think is important.  We don’t want to focus on just one genre,” Rae comments when reflecting on the very diverse artists hosted by Dakota Lounge.  Performers ranging from Janelle Monae to U-N-I, Trevor Hall, Matisyahu, and Gray Kid have already graced the stage at Dakota Lounge and left audiences with many memorable experiences, including stage eccentricities such as an antlered host doing push ups between sets and on a rare occasion, Dita Von Teese in a porcelain bathtub beginning a dance number for Josh Duhamel’s and Fergie’s bachelor-bachelorette party.  Rae comments, “We’re in the live music industry so we don’t want to have bands just come in and perform just for themselves.  We want fully integrated shows where people have the experience of witnessing [a] band’s music, and the bands have the experience of getting out to [the] people.”

Aiding and abetting in these unforgettable nights are Rae and her co-worker Brandon Lavoie, who both handle the venue’s booking. The cause for the venue’s stellar performances and memorable acts derive from their live music philosophy, “It’s one thing to listen to an mp3 or see a You Tube clip online, but I’m a big advocate that the experience is what it’s really about.  I like seeing the bands play live, and if I see that energy in a positive way at that time, then I’m sold,” says Brandon.

In favor of the artistic experience, Dakota Lounge has started a Sunday-night ritual called “Across the Pond,” allowing more underground acts to venture into Santa Monica, including but not limited to, music found more frequently in the Silverlake area, as well as local artists – artists whose work premieres at “Across the Pond” and then remains on exhibit there for a month.  Rae mentions, “Up until Dakota Lounge, I was doing a lot of the really underground events like poetry book releases, and that’s kind of what I did…you’ll see that integration of art and DJ and music and culture more in smaller spots, but for our 300 capacity music venue to take that, I think that’s really cool.”

Dakota Lounge fills its nights with a kind of consistency allowing music lovers to bank on their favorite genre each night, each week.  Sunday’s “Across the Pond” aren’t the only recurring crowd, as Mondays are reserved for acoustic singer/songwriter sets, Tuesdays, rock, Wednesdays are college-themed night incorporating local, young, aspiring artists, while Thursdays turn Dakota Lounge into a salsa club.

Rae comments on the slightly off-beat Thursday nights saying, “It probably doesn’t fully play into Brandon and mine’s vision of what we want the music to be, but when me and Sabrina (one of Dakota’s two owners) lived together, we were always like, ‘we wish we had a sexy salsa bar, where we could put on heels and just go and dance to an authentic 14-piece salsa band like jamming and sweating on stage’…and literally on Thursdays we clear all the tables and chairs because every square inch is covered by people dancing by the bar, outside on the sidewalk, in the lounge it’s awesome.”

In the same way that you look for adventures and experiences with your friends, Dakota Lounge strives to do the same.  Rae reminisces over a recent Dakota experience saying, “In that moment, when you’re a part of this crowd, and experiencing something that is only happening because you put it together, you realize that this is what the industry should be about…it should be just a bunch of people that are all friends.”  And that’s the exact vibe the venue employs, literally.  The entire staff are the best of friends, filling in for each other, hanging out, and joking around, all while running a venue that emanates that vibe.

After all, Dakota is an Indian word, meaning friend.

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Connect with the Dakota Live Music Lounge:

Website