GRUNGECAKE

Category: Reviews

  • Review: VDKA 6100 Vodka Launch Party at the Marquee

     

    I made my way into Marquee night club in Chelsea with the promise of “The Vodka of Tomorrow.” The folks at VDKA 6100 (pronounced “vodka 6100”) had piqued my interest the moment I walked in with a banner that boasted “Originated in Australia, Distilled in New Zealand, Designed in New York, Sculpted in France”… Jeez, this is some well-travelled stuff! My thirst lingered and I walked into a packed dance floor with beautiful girls serving shots of VDKA 6100 at my disposal. I’m not generally one to shoot vodka so pardon me if I was a skeptic, but I took down the small glass of the spirit of the night and was pleasantly surprised. Smooth from beginning to end with a subtle flavor that was so enjoyable it made me laugh at the lemon wedges on the tray. This was good stuff. It had a refreshingly cool finish and before I knew it, I had shrimp and flatbread being offered my way as well. The DJ’s were spinning 90’s classics from the likes of Crystal Waters and Robin S and with a 6100 vodka soda in hand, the vibe was super cool into the night.

    Midway through the party, an acrobatic dancer was raised on a sheet to the ceiling and danced above us next to the disco ball (Think: Pink’s classic 2012 MTV Video Awards performance). This certainly purveyed the feeling that it’s #AlreadyTomorrow. All things considered, the folks at VDKA 6100 succeeded in introducing their new spirit to New Yorkers in style. And even though it might already be tomorrow for VDKA 6100, we’ll have to see what the bright future holds for the budding brand. Check out our photos below:

    Greeted with quite the tagline. The vodka of tomorrow is apparently an adventurous one.
    Greeted with quite the tagline. The vodka of tomorrow is apparently an adventurous one.
    The DJ’s must’ve known what a sucker i am for classic 90′s dance hits (and the rest of the crowd.)
    The DJ’s must’ve known what a sucker I am for classic 90′s dance hits (and the rest of the crowd.)
    Contorting and spinning in and out of her cocoon, the crowd gazed in a splendor at the acrobatic dancer.
    Contorting and spinning in and out of her cocoon, the crowd gazed in a splendor at the acrobatic dancer.
    “The Vodka of Tomorrow” towered over the party and brought good vibes to all.
    “The Vodka of Tomorrow” towered over the party and brought good vibes to all.

    Words by Adrian Spinelli

  • Review: Sage The Gemini’s “Remember Me” Album Release Party

    Sage The Gemini

    Sage The No-Show

    On Tuesday evening, the team set out to attend Sage The Gemini’s album release party at Brother Jimmy’s in Union Square; eagerly anticipated the man of the night’s arrival with an alleged childhood friend. We’ll keep his name private.

    If you’re not familiar with the artist, you’ve probably heard his music before. He is best known for his hit single “Gas Pedal” featuring fellow Californian and HBK Gang affiliate IamSu, which peaked at #29 on the Billboard 100, and “Red Nose”, which also peaked at #54 on the Hot 100, all of which can be found on his previously released EP “Gas Pedal” and his new album “Remember Me”.

    [youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8LUd51IuiA&h=315]

    As recapped by my Music Manager, upon entering the room, he was greeted by a diverse audience. They were all supporting Sage The Gemini on his latest accomplishment, an album release, but with various intentions. In any event, the spacious room quickly filled up with supporters and free alcoholic drinks with the purchase of a Sage’s album kept the bartender busy, working triple-time. Heeding to comments of slightly watered-down mixed drinks, Yen (Music Manager) made the most of his time at the bar with few a shots of Patrón to jump start the experience.

    Sage The Gemini's "Remember Me" cover image

    As stated by the four team members who attended, the food was served in a Superbowl party style as a courtesy of Brother Jimmy’s BBQ and it was available to whoever was willing to indulge. Buckets of Brother Jimmy’s chicken wings and well-dressed nacho platters became an afterthought, as the people silently testified in agreement, plate by plate. Not only was the food really good but surprisingly to one of the team members, he won a raffle. Unluckily, he was outside making a phone call so he couldn’t claim it. If claimed, he was promised to attend an after party plus one with the recording artist “and more”, in which I am still not entirely clear on. I don’t think anyone was.

    [youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-YY5p0uq8&h=315]

    “Remember Me” spun on repeat and the official videos of his more notable records “Gas Pedal” and “Red Nose” continuously played on the television screens. His music, full of heavy baselines, catchy hooks, and a mixture of West Coast undertones definitely reflected on the rhythmic movements of his audience. Besides the two notable tracks mentioned, that are getting heavy radio play, it was difficult to establish any connection to the remaining records on the album. We anticipated an attention-grabber or vibe-changing audio. It never came.

    Unfortunately, this event definitely felt more like an industry after-work event as opposed to an album release or listening session, with the absence of the man of the hour, Sage The Gemini, appearing to his own celebration. However, with a full day consisting of an 106 & Park video debut, live Twitter feed interviews, and a variety of press and media scheduled events, we all know the label logistics can often interfere with and sometimes sabotage their own artist branding with lack luster events. We’re sure he’s a great guy. We just didn’t see him.

    When I asked my other team members what they thought about the event in general, there were questions about who might have handled the event and later, there was suggestion that perhaps, interns handling the event.

    “It was just… I don’t know. It was just an event. We went around the room, networked with everyone. That was basically the whole night. It wasn’t that good. I didn’t hate it, but it was kind of — bullshit, because he didn’t even show up,” one team member shared.

    “One of his childhood friends was really anxious to see him,” another team member shared. “He hadn’t seen in years.”

    We’d like to thank Peeps Out for inviting us and taking handling our requests.

    Words by Richardine Bartee & Yen

    For more Sage The Gemini, just click here.

  • ScHoolboy Q at SpinMedia SXSW Showcase

    Friday at high noon, ScHoolboy Q took the stage at the Spin Magazine / Vans stage in downtown Austin. It was overcast and humid but the weather was hardly a concern when the TDE breakout star took the stage. Opening with “Gangsta, Gangsta” from his chart topping album Oxymoron, the SXSW crowd was promptly warmed up. Q, dressed in his signature bucket cap with an embellished black sweatshirt seemed a bit miffed about his position in the show’s lineup. Between “Hands on the Wheel” and “Collard Greens,” he lightly complained about not having the space to “do too much,” on the small stage. Nonetheless, he was enthusiastic and the crowd infatuated by his charisma. His gravelly voice was perfect on “Break the Bank,” and “What They Want” incited a mini mosh pit of arms and legs, even sans 2Chanz.

    When it comes to access, SXSW hasn’t been as kind to Schoolboy as he’d like. He was denied entry into a concert headlined by 50 Cent, a fact both he and Fif lamented over loudly on Twitter earlier in the week. To that end, it was a bit delightful to watch his show go rap rogue as he launched into “Fuck LA,” much to the sound engineer’s chagrin. With a smirk and more than a bit of sarcasm in his voice he announced, “they said this was supposed to be the last song two songs ago,” before heading straight into “Man of the Year.” The audience was adoring as ever and turned this single into a pretty roaring rendition.

    Despite the humidity and obvious heightened tensions over his impromptu elongated set, Q looked as cool as a cucumber as he boldly started the lyrics to “Studio,” before the sound-man pulled the plug. There was a collective groan from the arena as everyone realized their new up from the underground favorite MC was being interrupted mid-breath. He took it all in stride, though, deciding to crowd surf and give everyone high fives before exciting the staging area with his handlers and a big hefty laugh.

    Words by Ru

    For more ScHoolboy Q, just click here.

  • Watch: Glass Animals’ “Gooey”

    Fresh from their recent European support dates with St. Vincent, Oxfordshire quartet Glass Animals have unveiled the video for their new single, “Gooey”. The video was shot by Australian director-duo The Apiary (Lily Coates & Gavin Youngs).

    Glass Animals’ frontman Dave Bayley said of the video:

    We wanted something that ran well alongside the threads of youth, naivety and the sort of playfulness in the lyrics. The Apiary’s films already had those elements, so we asked them to interpret ‘Gooey’ as a film. This is the result.

    As one of the first signings to Paul Epworth’s Wolf Tone label in the United Kingdom, Glass Animals have polished their pulsing indie electronica-by-way-of-RnB under the production of the band’s vocalist and writer Dave Bayley, and Epworth’s guiding hand.

    Having left the confines of their creative hub in the woodlands of Oxfordshire (referred to as The Shed), the band took up residence at Epworth’s London studio in the Autumn of 2013. It’s a move that has instantly developed their sound, merging their love of analogue with digital, and transforming their psych-fuzz into something a whole lot wilder.

    Armed with a full LP to come later in the year, and a seriously impressive live set-up, Glass Animals are primed for a very exciting twelve months and beyond. The Gooey EP will be released digitally April 8th on Harvest Records.

    Glass Animals are: Dave Bayley, Drew MacFarlane, Edmund Irwin-Singer, Joe Seaward.

    Glass Animals @ SXSW 2014

    March 11 / Harvest showcase @ Haven, 9.30pm
    March 12 / KCRW showcase @ Haven, 8pm
    March 13 / Spotify House, 4.30pm
    March 15 / British Music Embassy @ Latitude 30, 3pm

    More Glass Animals SXSW shows to be announced.

    For more Glass Animals, just click here.

  • Review: SLAKE

    Webster Small

    SLAKE

    SLAKE, a music venue and nightclub located on W30th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues in Manhattan, is the brand new offspring opened by New York City’s historical Webster Hall founders. The venue hosts, or holds, 75-1,000 persons depending on the occasion: Intimate (75), live concert (500), multi-level gathering (1,000) and personally, I am in love with all of the intricate details found within the interior design of the venue. Everything from the massive art installations to the beautiful chandeliers, the amazing sound systems to the ambience I, especially, fancy the Russian prison tattoo stencils on the walls of the second floor. It’s more than a nightclub, SLAKE is an experience.

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    Personally, the coat check experience is unlike any other music venue I’ve been to in the city. On the way to getting your belongings at SLAKE, you’re still in the midst of the music so you don’t feel like you’ve left the party at all. As my team and I were leaving the SLAKE industry kick-off party last month, we danced in line to “Drunk In Love”. Also, to our liking, we weren’t the only insiders dancing. In fact, perfect strangers asked us to dance and joined us. It was great and that’s all due to the top-of-the-line sound and lighting they’ve put into the place.

    slake-goldroom-viceroy-grungecake-thumbnail-03

    On a narcissistic note, I think my personal favourite was the propaganda room because you could watch yourself in the enormous mirror adjacent to the seating.

    True to its name, SLAKE is a world of its own. This may be subjective, but I found that each experience was a stress-reliever. I walked in and I felt my daily stress leaping off of my shoulders and suddenly, a smile took a vacation on my face.

    For more information about SLAKE, just click here. You’ll get directions, stay up-to-date with the event schedule and take a look at the photo galleries.

    GrungeCake

  • Trend or Throwaway: Meggings

    That’s right: Meggings. As you read this, you may be wondering ‘What are meggings?’ Are meggings for women? Are they named after someone named Meg? (All of which would be valid questions.) Meggings, in short, are leggings for men or a company named Meggings Man Clothing which has launched a new initiative to get hot-blooded, sexy men of all kinds to feel comfortable and even bad-ass (like, we women do) in leggings.

    Meggings Man's "American Flag" meggings

    The Problem

    Calling your company Meggings Man is a marketing nightmare. Any item that is usually marketed to women but is changed slightly with the addition of an “M” is laughable. Seriously, it’s a joke. Try it with me, sandals. Now, change out the “s” for an “m” and say “mandals”. By now you are probably laughing out loud and thinking how ridiculous; Men in leggings! However, similar to sandals – both women and men wear leggings and there is absolutely nothing wrong them, except the fact that we do not and should not call them “Meggings”. It’s all in the name, and the best example is Shakespeare’s quote from Romeo and Juliet “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” which, oddly enough implies that names don’t matter, but oh, how naive Romeo’s notion of love and the quality of a name was. Do names matter? In short yes, they do. Are roses and leggings amazing? Yes. Yes they are.

    Meggings Man's "American Flag" meggings

    The Lifestyle and The Cycle

    If you don’t already know how leggings for men are incorporated into our popular culture already, let me explain. Better yet, turn on the television and watch one of your favorite superhero movies Superman, Batman, Spiderman, even Kickass made a skin tight costume upstairs in his room. Or go to the beach and check out surfers in wetsuits, watch the olympics, attend a track meat, football or baseball game. You can even go to an athletic store and ask them to point you in the direction of Men’s performance gear. You heard it right, Men’s performance gear. You hear how nice that sounds? Exactly. Performance gear is the new-age version of leggings. The fabric weaves are cutting edge and made with synthetic fibers structured to allow maximum breathability. Also, some performance fabrics are treated with special chemicals and coatings to repel sweat, dry quickly, stretch and adhere to your body in order to get an optimized fit and appear to slim down your problem areas. In the grand scheme of things, leggings are not new, and men in leggings are not new. Women (and some men) love seeing men train, and run around in their colorful, skin tight pants during football practices and games. We love the edgy guy in the corner, with the tattoos rocking skinny jeans. We love the men playing polo in riding pants, and some like the men dancing gracefully across the stage in leggings at the ballet. Honestly, who doesn’t like someone with a great ass? However, gentlemen when it comes to ass we mean tight and shapely, and we do look at your assets. Women are just a little more discreet when it comes to checking out the opposite sex. Also, When it comes to style, we can be sure of one thing; it will always come full circle. Do we think leggings are bad-ass? Absolutely. It’s all about how you decide to wear it.

    Meggings Man's "American Flag" meggings

    A lesson on leggings

    If you do decide to venture out in leggings remember to do it tastefully, and know everyone will be watching. Also, please keep a few things in mind if you are interested in incorporating leggings into your wardrobe.

    If you are an athlete, or it’s necessary attire in your line of work, we love it!

    If you are a self proclaimed Trendsetter, Fashionista or anything of the sort – remember there are levels to this shit. Leggings look best on men who are slim, or have an athletic build/body type. If you are a man with a meatier build it’s okay to accessorize your leggings with a long shirt / tunic (as we women do) or layer them with shorts, or a more eccentric / cultural layering piece like a wrap (think Kanye).

    Avoid bunching with your boxers. Underwear lines are bad, so it’s okay to free-ball if that’s how you roll but remember to tuck or bend as necessary. Avoid camel toe. Yes men can have camel toe too, except it’ll look more like club foot and that is bad. You can avoid this by wearing the pant on your natural waist. If you are not sure exactly where that is, use your belly button as a guide. After all that, if you are a man that thinks he can pull off wearing a pair of leggings, by all means try it. We will be watching!

  • Watch: Years & Years’ “Real”

    years-and-years-grungecake-thumbnail

    On February 17, London Electronic Pop three-piece Years & Years drop their sophomore single, the slow-burning, groovesome “Real”, via much-lauded indie dance imprint Kitsuné. Co-produced by Andy Smith, the release also features self-produced B-side “Eyes Shut”, a more somber take on the band’s sound, written in the coastal countryside of East Sussex from a tiny beach house. Today, the band is excited to release the video for “Real” featuring actors Ben Whishaw and Tuppence Middleton.

    Frontman and keyboardist Olly Alexander comes from a classicist musical upbringing, drawing upon iconic figures such as Joni Mitchell and Jeff Buckley, via the surrealist imagery of David Lynch and the dirty realism of Raymond Carver. The former qualities aided in their realization by Alexander’s soulful voice, described by Disorder as

    It’s as if Nina Simone is crooning a melodic lullaby to the folktronic lovechild of Beach House and Terry Riley.

    That’s not to say the group is a one-man affair though; it’s down to Years & Years’ two other members – bassist Mikey Goldsworthy and synth player / beat-maker Emre Turkmen – to truly bring the tracks to brilliant life. Using an idiosyncratic process that takes Alexander’s timeless songwriting and updates it with a love of cutting-edge Electronic music and R&B (think FKA twigs, SOHN, Jai Paul) that is then finished off with a final collaborative output.

    “Real” will be released on February 17 via Kitsuné, alongside b-side, “Eyes Shut” and remixes from Le Marquis, Tobtok and J.A.C.K.

    For more Years & Years, just click here.

  • FoodGasm: Sweet Spice Caribbean and American Delight (Savannah, Georgia)

    FoodGasm: Sweet Spice Caribbean And American Delight (Savannah, Georgia)
    Image: K.B. Ansari

    Where everything’s nice

    The slogan says it all. If you’re looking for mouth watering — no screw that — If you’re looking for mouth-drooling food then Sweet Spice Caribbean and American Delight in Savannah, Georgia., located on 5515 Waters Avenue is for you. Donovan Smith, born in Westmoreland, Jamaica is the man behind the Sweet Spice restaurant. Not only is he passionate, but he is doing great things with his food. He also let me go into the kitchen to see how he cooks. Numbers do not lie people, Sweet Spice brings in a whopping 250 people a day, that alone says that Sweet Spice is a force to be reckoned with. On top of that, Smith says that he will be expanding his business in other local areas of Georgia as well, like the ever-expanding Pooler area. Are there any Caribbean restaurants up for the challenge?

    Let’s talk about the food though. If you ever go to Sweet Spice, you have to try the curry shrimp and curry tilapia. For those of you who hate fish because of the taste, no worries because the tilapia tastes like chicken, and no, I am not saying that because I am Black. It is simply the truth.

    These two dishes actually have simple flavors which is easy to make if you want to impress someone with your “cooking”. Seasonings like yellow curry (duh, not called “curry shrimp” or “tilapia” for no reason), salt and pepper mixed, a little butter to sauté the vegetables, seasoned salt, and other flavors. That first bite says it all, the succulent shrimp dancing on your tongue before it flows down your throat making everything come together in a orgy of flavors — “flavorgy”. Yeah, that’s right, you taste it don’t you? The crispy feeling of tilapia in your mouth gives the dish a little crunch for your bite. Besides the food, the décor is on point as well. It makes you feel like you are actually in Jamaica, with the Bob Marley and Usain Bolt posters, and who can’t forget the Jamaican flag. Does it feel like home yet?

    Hopefully, this convinces people to come down to Savannah, Georgia, just to try a little piece of Sweet Spice — where everything’s nice.

    For more FoodGasm, just click here.

  • Rapper Nelly vs. Former Spelman Students (Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance)

    In defense of Nelly, this type of conversation should have been planned, first

    Nelly

    Almost a decade ago, Nelly and the women at Spelman College (FMLA) in Atlanta had a discourse that left a sour taste in everybody’s mouths. It has been noted that he was frustrated with a group of protestors, whom you will meet in the Huff Post Live video, who boycotted his bone marrow drive in 2004 due to his sexually charged and explicit music video, Tip Drill.

    According to Huffington Post, “the planned drive was in support of his sister, Jacqueline Donahue, who later lost her battle to leukemia in 2005.”

    Watch his full interview. Then, watch the video beneath to hear the response from the former Spelman students:

  • Review: Jerk Chicken Dumplings at Delroy’s Cafe And Wine Bar in Brooklyn

    delroys-dumplings-grungecake-thumbnail

    Early Saturday morning, we started our day knowing we would be deep in Brooklyn and decided to visit Delroy’s Cafe and Wine Bar to try the Jerk Chicken Dumplings that our GrungeCake apprentice Sade raved about previously. Personally speaking, being of African and Caribbean decent, I love spicy food. I was ready for the deliciousness I was sure would ensue from this trip. Since I’m also a foodie, I had already conjured grand images and flavors in my head. I imagined a seasoned filling, maybe lightly fried (who doesn’t like fried food?), served with a mango chutney dipping sauce on the side. Oh, how wrong I was?!

    We stuck it out through our morning class with no breakfast whatsoever, and afterwards headed to Delroy’s arriving around 3pm for lunch. We were greeted warmly by the staff and seated by the pleasant hostess. As we perused the menu selections we noticed there was a Waynie’s Waffles menu before us and we became slightly confused. Once we spoke with the hostess, she informed us that Chef Wayne of Waynie’s Waffles is the Chef on duty between the hours of 11am – 7pm, and after 7pm Chef Bryan the creator of the Jerk Chicken dumplings attends to the evening customers. We were very surprised upon hearing this, as we informed our hostess we made the trip especially for those dumplings. She understood. As she finished speaking with us and filling our water glasses, she informed us that she would put in a call to Chef Bryan at once. At one point she even left the restaurant on our behalf, and came back with great news. Chef Bryan was on his way, and would be there momentarily. Our stomachs silently celebrated, once we knew we would be able to satisfy the craving after all.

    We visibly settled in, relaxed, looked at the menu and decided while we were waiting that we would sample 2 waffle dishes of Chef Wayne’s recommendation. We settled on Hot butter Rum Bananas, and Hot Apple Cinnamon. The Belgian waffles with fresh, house made toppings were an unexpected treat in our foodie adventure! I’m no fan of bananas but both toppings were smooth, flavored to perfection without being too sweet, lightly sprinkled with powered sugar and served with strawberry garnishes. During our waffle sampling Chef Brian came in, greeted us warmly and introduced himself, and let us know that the wait would not be long.

    We chatted and finished up the waffle dishes and had a brief conversation with Chef Wayne, as we expressed that we were with GrungeCake Magazine and we were interested in writing about our experience here. Wayne accommodated our brief Q&A.

    What is the essence of Waynie’s Waffles?

    Waynie’s Waffles is a fusion between European (Belgian Waffles) and Brooklyn cuisine.

    When you say Brooklyn, how would you describe the essence of Brooklyn cuisine?

    For example the Hot Butter Rum Banana is similar to bananas fostered here in the States, but with the rum accentuated flavor gives it a more, I’d say: Caribbean or urban type of flavor.

    [We all laughed]

    Is that the essence of Brooklyn?

    [Laughs] Yeah, rum. Alcohol and food, yeah. That is the essence. The essence of Brooklyn is really the integration of Caribbean and American flair into what they are currently doing. Like if you go to a stadium, they’ll have fish tacos, and cheese steak, you know we combine everything because New York is a mosaic. So, we have to try and encompass everything, but still have your foundation.

    When was Delroy’s Cafe Founded?

    Delroy’s was founded 9 months ago, in February.

    How would you describe Delroy’s to possible customers?

    I like to say Delroy’s is sexy and classy. I feel like my waffles are sexy, and Chef Bryan’s selections are classy.

    We thanked Chef Wayne for speaking with us, since our dumplings were being served, and we began to dig in:

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    delroys-dumplings-grungecake-thumbnail-3

    An exquisite taste of the caribbean

    As I looked down at my plate, the dumplings were nothing like what I previously imagined. They were not fried, at all. There was no mango chutney dipping sauce to slosh my dumplings in. Our meal was presented with 4 dumplings, delicately steamed to perfection and the display was traditional and exquisite. The Jerk sauce, which was lightly spiced and sweet, was drizzled on the plate, and the dumplings were placed on top – and each dumpling was finished with a dabble of mango chutney sauce and green onion garnish on top. We were all impressed with the plating and the flavor was a classy version of traditional caribbean cuisine. We loved Waynie’s Waffles and Chef Bryan’s Jerk Chicken Dumplings!

    Delroy’s is located at 65A Fenmore Street, and the hours of operation are Tuesday thru Friday 4:30 – 9PM, and Sat – Sun 11AM – 7PM. Make sure to go and check them out for a mozaic of exquisite Brooklyn cuisine!

    [gmap address=”65 Fenimore St Brooklyn, NY 11225″]