Gray: SΔBRE VISION

I dont know about any of you, but I am notorious for losing, breaking, or just straight fucking up my sunglasses. I have gone through three or four pair this year, but lately all I wanna buy are SΔBRE shades. I  came across these for the first time at Reserve down on Fairfax Ave. in LA. My first pair were the Heartbreakers, which were a really solid pair of glasses. They kinda reminded me of my 54mm Rayban Wayfarers, but with more squared out frames. I lost these up in Mammoth one weekend, and went sunglassless for a few weeks, which doesn't last very long. I picked up the No Controls in black down at Reserve, and are probably my favorite pair of sunglasses I have owned. They are a little smaller than what I usually veer towards but seriously look good on anyone. All my homies try them on and just want to keep them, and they aren't too expensive either! The thing about SΔBRE that I like is that their frames are all over the place, if you want some shades that are out there, you can find them. Not only are their frames real unique, but they have all these dope color-ways in a lot of different styles *check out the black and white tortoise.  If you are in the LA area, go check out Reserve for all the dope SΔBREs, and every time I have been in there I've been hooked with a fat deal, so you can't go wrong there. Who buys sunglasses online anyway? 

KOZOI
THE HOMIE SEANY HAS THESE

NO CONTROL
I PICKED THESE UP IN ALL BLACK

MΔDNESS

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David: Los Angeles, Ditto, OFWGKTA, & The Grammys

Los Angeles

Yes, I know it's been weeks and I've been promising this post, but things have been so hectic lately that I haven't been able to get to it until now. This is Ditto's trip to Los Angeles featuring our homies in OFWGKTA and the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Friday

To start, Alan South and I got into Los Angeles on Friday, February 11th and of course had to make the first stop at the famous In & Out right by the airport.  For those of you who don't know In & Out... I'm really really sorry, but it is the best thing to hit the United States. This trip was Alan's first time out west so it was also his first time to an In & Out. The reaction was priceless. Check it out below:

After In & Out we retreated to our hotel where we hung out for awhile before figuring out our plans. Within an hour or so we went to Taco from OFWGKTA's house, which is also the location where all the OF rap albums and mixtapes have been recorded. When we got there I was introduced to Syd (also Taco's sister), Mike G, and the homie Toony TuneS, which was funny because neither of us realized who each other were until afterwards haha. Alan South, Taco, and myself had a long conversation about what seemed like everything from us, to OF, to girls, to music, and life in general. That whole conversation and atmosphere to begin with at the studio made me realize how smart and put together OF is about everything they do. Below is a little video of the recording booth where all the OF albums were made. It's a little hard to understand what's going on in the video, but Taco is explaining all the graffiti on the wall from meanings, to when they were drawn, etc. Check it out below:

After Taco's Alan and I went to meet up with our homie Anwar, who is also the manager of Casey Veggies. Some of you may recognize the name Anwar from Tyler's recent song Yonker's where he says,

"Rappin' as I'm mockin' deaf rock stars

Wearin' synthetic wigs made of Anwar's dreadlocks"

He was also in our Two Kids From Vermont vs Los Angeles video last year.

He invited us to a Stone Throws event on Hollywood Boulevard at this store called Freak City, but by the time we got there it was already pretty late so we didn't stay for too long. The scene was pretty cool though and there was a good amount of people even at the time we arrived.

From there we went back to the hotel to start over.

Saturday


On Saturday, Taco invited us to hang out at their normal spot where Gray and I met them last year. Pretty much all of the artists from OFWGKTA were there except for Hodgy Beats (who I met quickly last year at the Diddy Riese event with Johnny Cupcakes), Syd, Mike G, and Frank Ocean. I did get to see Tyler, The Creator again though and shot a quick video of him, which you can check out below:

Unlike what many people might think about OFWGKTA and their personalities, these kids are some of the funniest people I have ever hung out with in my life. I don't think I went a moment without laughing the whole time I was there because something funny was always being said or happening. 

As the day went on though, Alan and I met up with my good friend Aaron Rovner who is a student at USC. We spent the rest of the night with him going to some USC parties and just catching up. Rovner was the lead trumpet player in my Jazz Band two years ago when he was a senior and I was a sophomore. I saw him last year in February as well during Gray and I's trip to LA. This time around though there was definitely a lot more going on and Alan and I returned back to our hotel tired and ready to start the next day... Grammy day.

Sunday

53rd Annual Grammy Awards Ticket

On Sunday, Alan and I spent the beginning of the day getting ready for the Grammy Awards, which my very good friend Mei Mei Zeprun invited us out to. We arrived at the Staples Center and the day really began. 

Staples Center

Our first stop was the red carpet, which unfortunately I did not snap any pictures while I was on it, but Alan, Mei Mei, and I were able to walk with some of the worlds biggest stars. After the carpet we went inside, where the show began.

Inside the Staples Center

There's not much there is to say about the Grammys because I'm guessing many of you watched them on TV at home. The show is pretty much the same, of course, besides the awkward commercial breaks in the middle where they countdown warning everyone that the show is about to go live and everyone needs to get back to their seats. Also if you're sitting close enough that you're on TV they send in extras to fill your seats so that the crowd doesn't look empty when you get up to go somewhere. Below are some videos shot by Mei Mei Zeprun on her iPhone below though. Check them all out:

This was the opening

Rihanna & Eminem performing "Love the Way You Lie"

Katy Perry performing "Teenage Dream"

Dr. Dre & Eminem performing "I Need A Doctor"

Drake & Rihanna performing "What's My Name"

Me, Mei Mei Zeprun, & Alan South

Ditto

And that's pretty much Ditto's trip to Los Angeles back in February. Yes, once again I know a long time ago, but I finally put the post up for everyone to read here at TKFV.

Huge thanks to Mei Mei Zeprun for making this trip possible in the first place and also a shout out to the homies in OFWGKTA for letting us kick it with them again. 

http://dittodd.tumblr.com/

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David: Off to Los Angeles & The Grammys

It's been a year since I've last been in Los Angeles, and last trip was a good one, but this one is going to top last years trip by a long shot. This year Alan South (1/2 of Ditto) and myself will be heading to the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards with our good friend Mei Mei Zeprun. We're heading out tomorrow morning until Monday and the awards are on Sunday so we'll have a few days to catch up with some old friends that we met last year. I'll be back next week with an update from the awards though! Hope everyone has a great weekend while I'm gone!

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David: OFWGKTA x Bads†anta Show

Hodgy Beats of OFWGKTA

Wednesday night (12/22), OFWGKTA took the stage at the extremely well known Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, California. All the guys in OF have quickly been recognized as some of the best live performers and for good reason. Their shows aren't only sold out every single time, but they capture the crowds attention, get them involved, keep the intensity levels up, and keep them going till the end. Something the hip hop world has really needed for a long time from my personal experiences going to concerts in the past.

Check out the footage below and support the up and coming group, OFWGKTA:




http://oddfuture.com/

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David: Casey Veggies x Sleeping in Class (Album)

It's been awhile since we saw this guy out in Los Angeles at the CONART party where he gave us a quick freestyle for TKFV. Skip ahead a couple months later and here's Sleeping in Class, which just dropped today. Features from Tyler, the Creator, Nero, Mann, and Skye Townsend. Check the tracklist and download below!

1. Forever (prod. By Beats4Clothes)
2. Ridin’ Roun’ Town (prod. By Brandun Deshay)
3. Hear Me Screamin’ (prod. By Brandun Deshay)
4. Get Through feat. Dom Kennedy (Prod. By THC)
5. 30,000 feat. Nero (prod. By Woody)
6. Loved Then Alone (Prod. By Outbreak)
7. Go Ahead feat. Mann (prod. By J Poundz)
8. Time Flies feat. Skye Townsend (prod. By L.A.U.S.D)
9. Searching (prod. By IMPRM)
10. DTA feat. Tyler, the Creator (prod. By Wolf Haley)
11. Euphoria ll (prod. By Uncle Dave)
12. And Ever (prod. By Ty Cody)

Download here - LimeLinx

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Gray: I'm Back!

For those who have been paying attention for the past couple months this blog has been completely run by David. He has been making the posts, making trips to New York, pretty much just stayin on top of it all. To be honest, the college life just kept me super busy for a while, and I definitely lost focus in both TKFV and my love for making edits and working with film. Starting today, things are going to change. You will be seeing a lot more of me here, and once I get my t2i footage working smoothly with Final Cut again some edits will be coming out real soon too! Below are some stills I took from the footage I have got here so far in LA, hope you enjoy!

 

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David: Gourmet Presents Quattro Skate in Philadelphia, LA, & NYC (Parts 1-3)

Below are parts one through three of shoe company, Gourmet's presentation of the Quattro Skate shoe (a part of the Fall 2010 collection). Seen in the videos below are pro skateboarders showing off the shoe in three big cities across the United States. Check it out below:



For Fall 2010, Gourmet, purveyors of high-end footwear for the regular guy, introduce the Quattro Skate. A shoe for the skateboarder looking for something a little better.

The piece features a night in the life of Philadelphia's own, Jimmy Gorecki.



For Fall 2010, Gourmet, purveyors of high-end footwear for the regular guy, introduce the Quattro Skate. A shoe for the skateboarder looking for something a little better.

This 2nd piece features a quick wall ride in LA, once again, by Philadelphia's own Jimmy Gorecki.



In the final installment of the 3 part series. Gourmet, Jimmy Gorecki, and Chris Mulhern bring the Quattro Skate to NYC. Featuring the Quattro Skate in white full-grain leather/suede, paired with the ice sole.

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Gray: LA LIFE

This past week has been a big one. I had my last day at Fletcher Allen Hospital (my job of 2 years), I had to pack up all of my belongings, say goodbye to my friends, family, and girlfriend, but still managed to have some late nights in Burlington with my homies. Today, my mom and I drove to Manchester, New Hampshire and boarded the plane to Pheonix, then took the final flight to LAX. On Thursday my mom will be returning back to Vermont, but I will not.

I am moving out to Los Angeles to go to Loyola Marymount University, and am so stoked! It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling at times. It is hard leaving those who you love, and putting yourself in a completely new place where you can count the number of people you know on one hand. I am really excited though too. I am excited to start school, meet tons of new kids, and learn how to surf! I am ready for a fresh start and am looking forward to leave the immaturity and judgmental sides of high school behind. Life is about to get realllllly good.

David Update: Big things to come this year for sure. Good luck to my homie Gray out in Los Angeles. TKFV has just begun.

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David: PaperMonster x Friends With Knives (Recap)

PaperMonster

Our good friend, PaperMonster, recently just had his show, "Friend's With Knives," at the Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles, California. It featured a lineup of stencil artists including Blek le Rat, Broken Crow, Chris Stain, Dave Lowell, E.L.K, Greg Boudreau, HAHA, Joe Iurato, Koleszar, Henry Quiara, Leckomio, Mefee, Nathan Phaneuf, Peat Wollaeger, Scotch, and Shai Dahan. Check it out below:

PaperMonster, Nathan Phaneuf, and Peat W.

Henry Quira, E.L.K., & Blek le Rat in the middle

Fantastic 3-D sculpture piece by Peat using stencils

Great new direction and quality work from Chris Stain

Hit the jump to see more pictures from the event!

Chris Stain

Scotch

Scotch also featured in LA Times article alongside many of the participating artists

Joe Iurato

Nathan Phaneuf

Broken Crow

Nathan Phaneuf crisp clean stencil layering on mirror.

Joe Iurato

Dave Lowell with insane photorealism skills

HAHA

Leckomio, Henry Quiara, and Shai Dahan

Dave Lowell

Insane skill by none other than Koleszar. Huge detail and layering of stencils with precision in this piece.

Nathan Phaneuf

Dave Lowell and John Koleszar

Koleszar and Man One (Crewest)

Pictures via PaperMonster
Pictures taken by Henry Quiara
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David: PaperMonster x Friends With Knives

PaperMonster

We introduced PaperMonster back in May when he had a solo exhibition entitled, "PaperMonster Ate That Little Boy," in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Next up is his show, "Friends With Knives," which is taking place at the Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles, California, this upcoming Monday (August 9th). This year PaperMonster has brought together an impressive lineup of artists including: Blek le Rat, Broken Crow, Chris Stain, Dave Lowell, E.L.K, Greg Boudreau, HAHA, Joe Iurato, Koleszar, Henry Quiara, Leckomio, Mefee, Nathan Phaneuf, Peat Wollaeger, Scotch, and Shai Dahan. This is a wonderful opportunity to view a huge range of stencil styles and stencil art techniques under one roof. For more info on the Friends With Knives group show visit: http://papermonster.wordpress.com

Address:

Friends With Knives Stencil Group Show
Opening Reception: Saturday August 7th @ 6pm
Crewest Gallery
110 Winston St.
LA, CA 90013
213-627-8272
http://crewest.com

Here's a preview of some of the artwork by other artists in the show below:

Blek le Rat

Nathan Phaneuf  

Mefee

E.L.K.

John Kolezar

Joe Iurato

Scotch

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