Okay, I can’t take it anymore. This has been bugging me for weeks and I need a place to rant about it; and since this is my blog…

What the frackle was NBC thinking when they approved this bizarre graphic for The Voice?! We might all be used to being fed over-shopped images, but this is just weird. Look at Christina Aguilera’s arm! WTF did they get an intern to do that?

ayayay

Maybe they needed to save money to pay for the ridiculous staging that occurs during the singing competition. The above image appears on the show’s page at Hulu.com. Meanwhile a similar graphic appears on NBC.com, with Aguilera’s arm edited but still extremely wonky. Bizarre.

The second weekend of Coachella has kicked off and the bloggers and over at OhThatsYou.com are getting us prepared to party right. Even if you can’t make it to Palm Springs this year, there are countless music festivals in all sorts of locale around the world in the spring and summer seasons. Check out this suggested packing list for one fest-goers style essentials.

via Twitter @OhThatsYou

Oh That’s You! is a cool tool for connecting with other style lovers for advice or just to play around with their outfit creation tool. One member used the mix-n-match to create the above “Get the Look” collage, inspired by one of Rihanna’s Coachella outfits.

The Shins: The Rifle’s Spiral on Nowness.com.

Three sinister gentlemen, a magician and an enormous rabbit populate the fantastical landscape of Emmy-winning director Jamie Caliri’s video for “The Rifle’s Spiral,” a new track by Portland-based indie rock heavyweights The Shins. Sketching the short’s narrative from any lyrics that grabbed his attention, Caliri had free rein to let his imagination run wild, resulting in a surreal stop-motion animation. “I have always loved Edward Gorey’s illustration work and his influence is apparent throughout the video,” says Caliri. “Also, seeing Martin Scorsese’s Hugo three times subconsciously veered my thoughts onto the magic theme.”

photo: yellowbirdproject.com

As a former performer I know that confidence counts as a big part of being able to command a stage and an audience. However, when that confidence tips the balance and far outweighs the talent in the equation it transforms into something far less appealing: DELUSION.

Such is the case with The Voice contestant Erin Martin. The former model was recently eliminated from the singing competition and blamed her demise on her coach, Cee Lo Green’s poor song choices for her. Martin also waved offed her end by saying “it’s a TV show,” implying that the way things played out had less to do with her abilities, than with how producers wanted to entertain viewers. In fact, she’s right: The fact that it’s a produced television show is the only reason she was ever in the running in the first place. I’m certain there were thousands of people will much better voices that didn’t even make it to the blind auditions. A homely girly with Erin’s voice? Yeah right. photo: popcrush.com

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The fact is if she were “the voice” she would be able rise the occasion and sing the hell out of any song they threw at her. Instead, not being able to choose her own music exposed how utterly weak her voice is. It’s true her rendition of “Hey There Delilah” was charming – especially the recorded version. Her live vocals, though, even when she chose her own song, were just weak. She’s a performer, yes, but not singer. At least not yet. And with such an obnoxious lack of humility she may never be.

I can only hope that Martin’s delusional statements are her being savvy enough to cause a media kerfluffle and extend her stay in the spotlight before she is soundly forgotten (note her sliding in the little quip about her albums on iTunes). Even this, though, is not enough to keep me interested in her music. Maybe she should try a sex tape.

Check out Erin Martin’s Music on Amazon.com

In this new, destined-to-go-viral video by current RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Willam Belli, Willam, Detox, and Vicky Vox address one of the fundamental dilemmas of our era: Chick-fil-A is so delicious, but it’s owned by right-wing Bible-thumping bigots. What to do?
In a music video parody of Wilson Phillips’ “Hold On,” Willam, Detox and Vicky play their roles perfectly (just check out Willam’s Chynna Phillips head-shaking impression at 1:47) to get across the message: “Chow down at Chick-fil-A (Even if you’re gay).”

Source

NYC-based label Cushnie et Ochs has consistently been one of my favorites each season. When, I saw the recent show for Fall 2012 I loved the sleek tailoring and color sensibility, as usual, but wasn’t gasping is fashion rapture like I have for other seasons of this brand. That changed when I got to see the show again with it’s original music.

The first time I saw the show it was via Livestream feed, which ran the show with some underwhelming stock tunes. The show’s real music, however, was the perfect punch for the sexy collection. See the collection with the proper music on firstcomesfashion.com. The marriage and sound and sight here is as exciting the Marc Jacobs show from Fall 2011 that showed with Marilyn Manson’s “Beautiful People” – perfect!

This song heard at the start end closing of the show is “Juices” by Parallel Dance Ensemble. The video for the song is genius: hilarious, weird, and somehow smoking hot all at once. Check it out:

Photo by Brandon English for clatl.com

Saul Williams has an amazing live show filled with electric emotion. This is an artist in the truest sense, not bound by genre or political correctness. Despite the disruptive acoustics at the venue, the set didn’t miss a single beat – even during the hushed moments when Saul performed his poetry. Anyone who knows me knows I cringe at the term “spoken word,” but this was the real deal and every bit as moving as the driving beats from the performers handheld drum.

And to top it all off, the entire band was so well dressed! Post show I got to meet Saul, and found out that he’s based in France when he’s not touring. His new home is truly reflected in a sense of style that transcends American rocker chic. I was also basking in the good style by drummer Guillermo Brown, who managed an understated glam that included a fur vest and custom ripped tea. Good style + good music = my heaven! Multi-instrumentalist Julien Chirol and DJ CX Kidtronik were also well dressed. Unfortunately, I was completely unprepared to take advantage of the moment, as I didn’t even have a phone camera on me. Argh!

Definitely check out Saul Williams’ latest release Volcanic Sunlight, as well as the rest of the catalogue. And if you get a chance to see him live, DO IT!

Recommended Listening:

• “List Of Demands (Reparations)” from the album The Inevitable Rise and Liberation Of Niggy Tardust
• “Coded Language” from the album Amethyst Rock Star
• “Explain My Heart” from the album Volcanic Sunlight

When I saw the title and byline for this new track I literally sat up in my chair. Two of my favorite ladies have teamed up to bring us this dancable track that celebrates individuality. Though the sound is lighthearted and full of energy, I can’t help but think of how it’s this very nonconformity that makes these two artists less known than they should be. “Do My Thing” is from Estelle’s upcoming album All of Me, set for release February 28, 2012.

Truth be told the song is fun, but it doesn’t touch the depths of joy that these two women can bring with music that’s unbound by programming plans. So don’t stop at this song (or at “American Boy” & “Tightrope”) in your understanding of these incredible artists. Check out the Recommended Listening below.

Estelle

• So Much Out The Way from the album Shine
• Wait A Minute [Just A Touch] from the album Shine
• Free from the album The 18th Day

Janelle Monae

• Sincerely, Jane from the album Metropolis: The Chase Suite
• Come Alive (War Of The Roses) from the album The ArchAndroid
• 57821 (feat. Deep Cotton) from the album The ArchAndroid

via okayplayer

photos: andreakcastillo.wordpress.com, interviewmagazine.com

If you weren’t a fan (or at least an appreciator), you’ve GOT to be now. Jennifer Hudson, rose to an incredible challenge during her performance of “I Will Always Love You” at the 54th Grammy Awards last evening. To sing such a huge song at such a raw moment must have been nerve wracking and emotional. She pulled it off beautifully in a lovely black mermaid dress. In fact, black dresses were the highlight of Grammys fashion 2012.

Watch Jennifer’s stellar performance below:

Singers Rihanna and Alicia Keys has two of my favorite looks on the 54th Grammys tonight. They were both sexy, black frocks styled with high shine gold accessories – and the same pair of shoes! They are from the Christian Louboutin Spring 2012 collection. The pair PVC pumps are available in the neon yellow version at Neiman Marcus for a mere $795.00. Yep, that’s 800 bucks for a pair of plastic shoes. Enjoy fashionistas.

See more Grammy fashion highlights in the gallery below.

photos: zimbio.com, style.com