Artist To Watch = Kevin Sandbloom

I've had the luxury of knowing about Kevin for several years. He's one of the best undiscovered (and under-appreciated) songwriters of our time. I kid you not. Our paths crossed around 1998 when he fronted a dope act called, The Congregation that my friends and I used to follow. To this day I am sick to my stomach that I never was able to recover all of my tapes (and yes, I did say tapes) of theirs. I digress.

Check him out and tell a friend to tell a friend...

-NB

Spin Fashion: Converse All-Star Robert Indiana's

One of the original pioneers of the pop art movement, Robert Indiana's iconic LOVE motif is recognized around the world as a great symbol of optimism. The definition of optimistic rebellion, Indiana's artwork broke boundaries and changed the face of the art world, while injecting informal humor, irony and pop culture references along the way. Iconic itself, the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe has long been worn by artists who are driven to realize their vision and in the process change popular culture. This collection is dedicated to those folks who chose to follow their own path and create symbols of optimism and hope. The collection is inspired by a few of the original color iterations of Robert Indiana's iconic LOVE artwork.

Bottom line, these shoes are dope. Sneaker fans need to grab these ASAP.

Music Spin: The Kooks cover MGMT "Kids"

Great little radio performance.

Artist To Watch = Outasight

Born and raised in Yonkers, New York, Outasight was brought up by a mother who collected records and a father that loved to play the guitar. Always jumping from apartment to apartment never gave him a true sense of home, but Outasight always found a home within music. Whether rocking solo or with a band Outasight gives his all and has always loved the stage. Using his life experiences, Outasight is definitely on the rise and creating a brand of music all to his own.

Download his new record entitled "Further" from his MySpace page:

http://www.myspace.com/iamoutasight

Check out the video for:

"Good Evening (Dream Big)"

Bands to Watch = U-N-I

Born from the ashes of gangsta rap Los Angeles, California is experiencing an indie hip-hop resurgence. Inglewood rap duo U-N-I are the talk of the Internet and guiding hip-hop's path in the city by juxtaposing music with customized fashion. The two MC’s have loaded up on accolades over the past 2 years-- being named “Best Breakout LA Artist” at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, featured in URB Magazine's “NEXT 1000,” XXL Magazine’s “New Kids in Town,” Billboard Magazine’s “Acts to Watch,” The Source Magazine’s “Unsigned Hype,” ending up on the “SoundBoard” of The Los Angeles Times and serving as the inaugural artists for Scheme Magazine's Schemer series--on the strength of their observant, life-affirming rhymes that revolve around everything from limited-edition sneakers to cosmic existentialism and old-school video games.

Though the two rappers--"Thurzday" (Yannick Koffi) and “Y-O” (Yonas Semere Michael)-- hail from an area of Los Angeles commonly associated with the trappings of violent ghetto life, their debut street album, Fried Chicken and Watermelon--powered, melodic and groovy, employing angelic strings, electro-bounce and Nintendo 64 scores--eschewed Dickies, lowriders and high-powered armory in favor of positing their lives against a greater Black experience that was at once earthly and universal.

Their progressive swagger and throwback fashion sense may initially compel comparisons to “hipsters,” but the duo’s truth is at once more complex and far simpler: Y-O has been sporting a vibrant mohawk for going on five years while Thurz notes that the group is innately fashion-conscious and not willing to sacrifice substance for style. Y-O explains, “What duo out of Cali you know looks like us? My man Thurz stays with the latest hats & kicks. I stay in thrift shops putting together $20 outfits & still walk the Red Carpet.”

True to their laid-back sneaker pimp theory, the aficionados flipped the Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M” into the popular song “K.R.E.A.M.” (Kicks Rule Everything Around Me), complete with a Do The Right Thing inspired video, garnering the attention of major shoe corporations including Adidas and Puma and landing them in the footwear department of Slam Magazine. Their other visuals--the lazy, color-rich, slow-rolling “Beautiful Day” and the genre-jumping, kaleidoscopic “Soul Hop”-- continue to play in rotation on MTV Jams and VH-1, while the duo hit MTV2’s Sucka Free for a freestyle appearance.

U-N-I’s latest offering, A Love Supreme is put forth with a “recession-proof theme” for folks who have fallen on hard times in our struggling economy (soon to be available via free via download). The effort continues the band's mission of expanding and texturizing hip-hop's conversation: tackling the lust, love and hate of relationships (“Right Now,” “Desha Dayana”), tossing crafty, whimsical odes to black actresses (“Lauren London”), dramatically dealing with the mundane aspects of struggling artistry through borderline poverty and senseless crime on the sublimely dark “Halftime.” Where Fried Chicken and Watermelon was a spontaneous and easy-going trip backed by a handful of producers, A Love Supreme is a matured and intimate journey produced entirely by west coast producer RO Blvd., who is steadily garnering acknowledgement in underground movements for his boundary-crossing inventiveness.

These guys are truly one of my favorite indie hip-hop artists out there. If you are into acts like A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang, Del La Soul, and the Roots, be sure to check these guys out at http://www.myspace.com/unimuzik

Spin Fashion: Nike Zoom Kobe V

The Zoom Kobe V is the next evolution of basketball footwear, emphasizing superior performance fit with upper and bottom technologies working in a system, one supporting and enhancing the other. My birthday is next month, ya'll. Hook it up.

Sports Spin: Lakers head to the White House

Lakeshow takes it to the House...

Sports Spin: The Superbowl

So, the table is set for the 44th Annual Superbowl in South Florida. Colts vs. Saints. Drew Brees and Peyton Manning go head-to-head for an opportunity to become legendary. Both have high-flying offenses and defenses that have held their own in this years playoffs. Who do you think will prevail and why?

Spin Fashion: Bathing Apes

These were a gift... and I love them.

Comedy Spin - Aziz Ansari - "Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening"

For those who aren't familiar with Aziz, it's about time to get dialed-in as he's one of today's brightest and most hilarious comedic minds. Aside from being a hard-working stand-up comic, he currently stars as Tom Haverford on NBC's Parks and Recreation, has appeared in hit TV series like Flight of the Concords, Reno 911!, Scrubs, and has appeared in hit films like Funny People, I Love You Man, and Observe and Report. His latest special entitled Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening is a series of LOL moments. Seriously. On multiple occasions I was forced to run the DVR back to figure out what I had missed from laughing to hard. Some of the best moments include rants about Facebook, Blackberry, a fake beef between his young Indian cousin and Kanye West, and the best R. Kelly concert he had ever seen.

Find out more by going to http://azizisbored.tumblr.com/

Check out this clip:

Viral Spin: Maestro Knows

Well if you don't know, now you know...

Levi Maestro is an amazing visual artist out of L.A. with a ton of swag (he'll be the first to tell you) and a gift for being in all the right places at all the right times. For those who are interested in getting a glimpse of what his world looks like, be sure and check out www.maestroknows.com.

Check out this clip below to get feel for it.

Enjoy!

Affirmative Action from 13thWitness™ on Vimeo.

Music Spin: Justin Timberlake/Matt Morris - "Hallelujah"

I understand that this song has been covered by

more people than one can count, but this

performance last night was so right on that it was

something I was compelled to share with anyone

who'll listen. Aside from it being as on point of a

song choice as any because of it's underlying

message, the performance by Mr. Timberlake and

his most recent project, Matt Morris (Tennman)

was, to state it simply, gorgeous. Congrats to all

the performers for doing the right thing and raising

money for people who desperately need it. I hope it

was as humbling of a moment for them as it was for

me.

God Bless!

Spin It: Let's Talk Coachella 2010 - Day 3

So recently the fine people at Goldenvoice announced the initial line-up for Coachella Art and Music Festical 2010. For those who haven't yet seen it, feel free to have a look below (and be sure to weigh in). I have been to the festival a number of times and it's one of the best weekend's of music a music whore (pronounced Hoo-er - Thank you Joey Pants) like myself could attend.

Here's my spin on it...

Day 3:

Day 3 is dedicated to the Alternative fans as it's filled with some of the genre's best. Let's start with the heavy-hitters. Gorillaz, the night's headlining act, is one of the best shows a fan can experience. Damon Alburn and the bunch really know how to give their fans an experience. If Thom Yorke (of Radiohead) does indeed make it, well, unless you've been living under a rock in the last 10+ years, you should already know what he brings to the table. Phoenix, who had a stellar year with their album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and Spoon who unleashed Transference this year, are really two acts I am looking forward to seeing Sunday (which means you should be excited too). The rest of the days line-up is filled with something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue (ok, maybe not all of that, but it just sounded like the right thing to say here): Julian Casablancas ( Strokes lead man who's touring his new record, Phrazes for the Young), Sly and the Family Stone (who everyone needs to see at least one time in their life), MUTEMATH (Who are a great act to see for fans of Coldplay, The Black Ghosts, and As Tall As Lions), Miike Snow, who has been in heavy rotation for me since I discovered him, and Sunny Day Real Estate who is one of my all-time faves. For you hip-hop hustla's, De la Soul is about as good as you can get and I can only imagine that Trance fans are ecstatic with Orbital's presence at the Festival.

So, that's it. The final thread on this year's Coachella Valley Art & Music Festival. I've laid it all out for you. Take it as you like it. I hope you all can make it out to the shows.

Do yourself a favor and take Friday and Monday off of work, don't drink and drive, and be sure to give a shout if you see me out there.

Keep Spinnin'...

Spin It: Let's Talk Coachella 2010 Day 2

So recently the fine people at Goldenvoice announced the initial line-up for Coachella Art and Music Festical 2010. For those who haven't yet seen it, feel free to have a look below (and be sure to weigh in). I have been to the festival a number of times and it's one of the best weekend's of music a music whore (pronounced Hoo-er - Thank you Joey Pants) like myself could attend.

Here's my spin on it...

Day 2:

Day 2 is really Electronic and Dance heavy, which is definitely not a bad thing. I mean it's Saturday, you aint' got no job, and you aint' got shit to do but get your groove on. That said, there are certain acts that you need to go see to get that adrenaline goin. I'll start with Tiesto. Arguably the biggest and baddest DJ in the game, Tiesto will spend any and all energy you have left from the day's events. He kills it. Every time. Save all of your best go-to dance moves for him. You'll need them. The following acts are also "must sees", so pace yourself.

David Guetta came out with his 4th album entitled, "One Love" in August of last year and has been burning up the dance charts. He will definitely bring his A-game. The other three acts that are sure to get you on your feet are Kaskade (one of my all-time favorite House acts), Hot Chip, and Bassnectar , all whom I have seen multiple times and highly recommend. That pretty much sums my picks on the electronic front, now let me get to the rest of day 2.

Alternative fans, Day 2 has a wonderful line-up in store for you. Muse is a no-brainer with an amazing stage show and a sonic, mind-blowing, sound. In my opinion they were the second biggest band of 09 (Kings of Leon to me were #1) and are not to be missed. Faith No More was a real surprise for this year and were one of the first real alternative shows I went to when I was in High School (yes, I did just make myself look old). Mike Patton and company are sure to go through their set of hits and bring everyone back to their youth. MGMT, the critical darlings of 2008 are a great show and will be a sure-fire crowd favorite. Coheed and Cambria are just sick live and the musicianship is unparalleled. For a little break in the day be sure and check out Sia or Corinne Bailey Rae's sets. For me, the one act I am really looking forward to seeing is Brooklyn's own White Rabbits. Their 2009 album "It's Frightening" is one of my absolute favorite records of last year and if their live show is anything close to the album, everyone is in for a real treat.

Those are my picks for Day 2. What are yours? Put your spin on it...

Spin It: Let's Talk Coachella 2010 - Day 1

So recently the fine people at Goldenvoice announced the initial line-up for Coachella Art and Music Festical 2010. For those who haven't yet seen it, feel free to have a look below (and be sure to weigh in). I have been to the festival a number of times and it's one of the best weekend's of music a music whore (pronounced Hoo-er) like myself could attend.

Here's my spin on it...

Day 1:

Day one is a nice variety of artists of all genres. For fans of hip-hop and for those poor souls who have never seen Jigga (Jay-Z) perform, you will not be disappointed. I have had the good fortune of seeing him a number of times and he NEVER disappoints. He alone is worth the price of admission. During the day, to wet your pallet, I would highly recommend you check out the set from 2009 newcomer Wale (shout to my boys Matt and Kavi at Interscope for introducing me to Wale's sounds early last year). On the Electronica side of things, LCD Soundsystem, deadmau5, and Benny Benassi are sure-fire winners. For Alternative-heads, here is the short-list of can't miss acts (Thank me later): Them Crooked Vultures (Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and John Paul Jones - hello??? - word is there are going to be a number of shows in LA pre-festival so keep your ears to the ground), Grizzly Bear, Vampire Weekend (who have a new MONSTER album out now), Passion Pit, She & Him (actress Zooey Dechanel's band), As Tall As Lions, and Iglu & Hartly. Fans of Ska should only look to one band to get their fix: The Specials. End of story.

That pretty much raps up Day 1. Did I forget anything? Let me know...

Bands to Watch = Carney

This is absolutely one of my favorite bands of 2009.The Los Angeles foursome possess that undeniable chemistry on and off the stage. Their sound and raw energy undeniably draws comparisons to almost every great band of the past half-century;Led Zeppelin,The Beatles, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Cream.

Over the past 2 years the band has toured with likes of the Black Crowes, Fergie, Live, and the Veronicas, and have played some of the most recognized festivals in the world like Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, Beale St., Bonnaroo, and The Byron Bay Blues Fest.

Their first single, "Love Me Chase Me" is a psychedelic whirlwind. Check out the video here:

Bands to Watch = Fight From Above

Authentic 100 proof indie rock with a splash of pop, FIGHT FROM ABOVE is a group of four longtime friends known by their loyal California fan base for energetic, powerful live performances and intelligent, catchy

songwriting in the spirit of Death Cab For Cutie, The Kooks, and Cold War Kids.

Shout to Justin Krook and the boys. I'm a new fan!

Check out the band's video for "Between The Curves" directed by Justin here: