JoeX2 is an awesome graffiti artist that has been a major player in the Los Angeles graffiti movement since it emerged in the 1980’s. JoeX2 started out in the graffiti art subculture and recently moved his artwork out of the community and into mainstream popular culture. He teamed up with JanSport for its Spring 2008 Artist Series in New York City.

His collections for the Artist Series are titled “JoeX2″ and “Seeing Red.” JoeX2 or “Joe Joe” is from Philadelphia and his graffiti is a mix of old school style and underground art. He focuses on issues like cultural materialism and has some badass portraits. Here’s an example of his work & the new JanSport line he collaborated with artist Julie West on. You can check out TONS more here at his Web site!

“How the son of a rabbi from Jersey went Brazilian, we’re not quite sure…”
Isn’t that the plot to The Jazz Singer?

Avi Wisnia reminds me of when I first started listening to lounge music. This is back just before graduating high school, fresh off a stint with thrash metal, and a bit burned out by its dueling harmonized guitar leads. I yearned for something a bit more mellow; music that showcased the sonorous voice of a veteran stage vamp or mustachioed crooner. Those smoky bar jazz yearnings have been reawakened by a 30-minute listening session with Avi Wisnia, and while my love of dual harmonized guitar leads has since returned, I gotta give it up to those performers who turn their vim and vigor inwards, and suggest where others proclaim.

Geez, that’s a real roundabout way of saying I dig on Avi’s lounge-y, honey-voiced jazz.

While, “Rabbit Hole,” the first song that popped up on Avi’s page, instantly struck me a G. Love & Special Sauce (hold the sauce, please) meets a Jonathan Richman that you can take home to your parents (you know, less bug-eye stare, more witty conversation), with a later-day Elvis Costello delivery. The winking jazz hinted at with that first track comes into full blossom with “Something New” and “Sunday Afternoon,” which drift along in a pleasant haze. I’m digging it. For those in the NYC area, check out his upcoming show dates after the jump. But first, acquire an appreciation for expensive cigars and fine single malts; that might be your best way of preparing for Avi’s music.

(more…)

The Virgin Megastores in LA and NYC will be shutting down early next year, according to Variety. Not surprising given that holiday CD sales were down 18% from last year.  Meanwhile, the folks over at Torrent site The Pirate Bay are having a banner year, doubling their traffic and getting themselves new and improved hardware to better serve up free movies and music to people smart enough to know what Torrents are and how to use them. Which isn’t me. I guess when all the music stores close I’ll be forces to figure out how to use that shit, but for now, I’ll keep buying my CDs at Tower…I mean…Virgin Megastore LA…uh, I mean…The Wherehouse….fuck!