David: Mutual of Omaha - My Aha Moment featuring TKFV and Ditto

Recently Josh (Alan South 1/2 of Ditto), Gray, and myself sat down with Mutual of Omaha to share our "Aha Moment." Essentially we shared a short story of how Gray and myself started Two Kids From Vermont, how Alan and I started Ditto, and how we all have made a team in the last year. Check out the video below:

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David: Two New Music Videos From Vader the Villin!

Vader the Villin in Hawaii

The homie, Vader the Villin, literally just got back from a long trip to Hawaii for a few months and has not wasted a second since he's been back. Below are two videos shot by Duane Peterson here in our hometown Burlington, Vermont. Check them out below:

So far Black Bags by Vader the Villin is my favorite video of his so far. This video was directed by Vader and produced by Sighdafekt.


Hating Hard is also another dope video by Vader that he released yesterday. Different vibe and feeling than Black Bags but amazing once again. The song is produced by KONAMICODE. Check out the video below as Vader sits down and discusses life with Pluto:


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David: Young Trey x They Say (Teaser)

Above is the official teaser for our homie Young Trey's single, "They Say." The video is filmed by local Vermonter, Duane Peterson. Check it out up top and expect to see the full length video dropping soon! 100 Rackz!
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David: Vader The Villin x Giant (Mixtape Download)

The homie, Vader The Villin, released his newest mixtape, Giant, today. This dude is our favorite rapper out of Vermont right now and also one of our great friends. I was just with him the other night listening to him freestyle and I swear this kid is going places if everything plays out the right way. Below are a few of my favorite songs from the 14 track mixtape. Oh and by the way safe travels to Vader. He'll be heading out to Hawaii for the next couple months this Thursday.

Take a listen below and download the mixtape at the bottom:

Vader The Villin - Flips


Vader The Villin - Motzart Steel


Vader The Villin - La La La Freeverse


Download here - Limelinx | Datpiff

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David: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone from TKFV! I hope Santa was good to everyone, but remember, it isn't about what you get, but rather the unification and spirit of people. This is the time of the year when happiness is an influence on everyone's lives. So however you spend it make sure to not only celebrate it for yourself, but celebrate for those that couldn't celebrate with you this time around. Have an amazing holiday!

Below is a little track from Vermont producer Principal Dean perfect for today! Check it out below:

Principal Dean - Holiday

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David: Sarah Kjelleren VIDEO of the Week!

Sarah Kjelleren

This week is not a photo of the week, but instead a video of the week! This is Sarah Kjelleren's first video she's shot and put together on her new Nikon D7000. Already in the process of taking over photography, now it's time for the video world. Check out Sarah's short clip below!

P.S. I have a quick cameo at 00:22!


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David: Sarah Kjelleren Photo of the Week!

Sarah Kjelleren

Once again Sarah Kjelleren comes back with another amazing photograph, this one of Marlena Tremback. This is definitely my favorite photo from this shoot and I know it's one of Sarah's as well. Here's what she had to say about the photo:

After taking my first trip to NYC ever, I was inspired even more by fashion. The people in the city were so unique in their tastes and it shows how you can really be anyone you want to be while you are there. I did a bit of shopping before the shoot and picked up some vintage apparel. Once my model Marlena Tremback arrived I dressed her up and we headed out into the cold. After trekking through the fields and the falling barn we headed over to a bamboo patch my father had planted. There I pulled out my film camera and took a few shots of Marlena in the leaves. Those can be seen on my blog (www.SarahKjelleren.com).  We then ran inside did a quick outfit change where she was able to wear her grandmothers vintage jacket, and headed out again to the "Stonehenge." The lighting was incredible and air was fresh and crisp. It was a very successful shoot, with many more to come!

Marlena Tremback

To view more of her work check out her blog, Tumblr, or her Flickr!
Also to get in touch with Sarah Kjelleren her email is: sarahkjelleren@gmail.com

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David: Bonjour Hi Presents - Cobra Krames & 77KLASH Tonight at Club Metronome!

Tonight in Burlington, Vermont I'll be heading to the Cobra Krames &77Klash show at Metronome. For those in the area I strongly suggest you check out this show tonight!

Doors at 9:00
$7 Cover
21+

Krames and 77Klash Biographies (for those that don't know them):

Cobra Krames

Krames: Based in Brooklyn he's got an open ear, and a passion for party rocking. One of NYC's finest DJs and known around the world for his original productions, remixing, and turning parties out!

Record Labels:
Mad Decent, IHEARTCOMIX, Flamin' Hotz, Top Billin, Gold Whistle
http://www.soundcloud.com/cobrakrames

77Klash

77Klash: If you could imagine legendary dancehall party Passa Passa next to a LES cool kid den, around the corner from a gritty Brooklyn house party you might have a small idea of what 77Klash is. 77Klash’s credits as an artist and producer are wide and varied. Klash has worked on projects such as Turbulence’s biggest tune “Notorious”, to Klash’s own grime banger “Brooklyn Anthem” prod. by Team Shadetek, as well as MCing on the first leg of Major Lazer’s nationwide tour and Klash’s “Mad Again”, featuring reggae legend Johnny Osbourne. Most recently, Klash has teamed up with Trouble & Bass’ all star producers Drop The Lime and AC Slater to bring his most recent EP; Shadow of Death.
http://www.myspace.com/2sevenklash
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David: Grace Potter x Path To Vermont Documentary Series (Part 1)

Like Grace Potter says, I'm proud to be from Vermont as well. And I'm extremely proud to feature a very talented Vermonters like Grace Potter on TKFV. In Part 1 of a three part documentary series of iconic Vermonters, Path to Vermont sits down with the lovely musician, Grace Potter of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and talks to her about Vermont, her life, and what she has done with local businesses in the community. There is also a clip from a performance held at the Burlington Waterfront in Vermont back in August of this year. Check it out below:



Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3!
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David: Fall Techno Fest at Higher Ground!

This Saturday night at Higher Ground in South Burlington, Vermont DJ Cody Rice, Vakkuum, DJ D-Cutz, and myself (DJ D-Kid) will be performing! This is the fourth event thrown at Higher Ground after three sold out events before it. So if you haven't yet already get your tickets! $15 before and $18 day of. Lets fill this place up and swag it out! Yerr.

Get your tickets here!

Check out our videos from previous concerts below all filmed by the other half of TKFV, Gray:





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David: TKFV Introduction - Jordan Boyea (Interview)

Jordan Boyea. Photo taken by Zack Griswald

I'd like to introduce one of the most important people I have ever met in my entire life, Jordan Boyea, to the readers here at TKFV. I've known this guy ever since I started DJing about 4 years ago, and honestly without him I doubt I would be the person I am today. This dude right here has motivated me to continue to do what I do and do it the best I can. It's good to have someone to look up to.

Just last week we sat down together for TKFV's very first interview, and I'm glad it was him. Get ready though because this is only the first! Get to know Jordan Boyea below:

D: Could you tell us a little about yourself?

J: My name’s Jordan Boyea. I’m 29 years old, and I run a small clothing boutique on Church Street in Burlington, Vermont. I’ve been doing this for about 8 years and I’m also a part of a men’s contemporary clothing brand based out of New York City and Vermont called Create Build Destroy. I do public relations, marketing, and production for the brand.

D: What got you into fashion?

J: There wasn’t really one specific thing that got me into fashion. It wasn’t like I went to school for it. In high school I was an art major but I was very mediocre at art. I was more into the ascetics of music and fashion, and I think that’s what got me started. When I was living on the west coast in California I got introduced to a brand that was up and coming at the time. When I moved back east, I brought the brand back with me and figured I could start a store in Burlington where there wasn’t that genre of clothing in the area. So I decided to open up a store here in Vermont and that’s how I got my start.

D: When was Steez founded and what got you involved in creating this company?

J: Steez was founded in 1997. Then it was only my current business partner’s, Fattie B’s, online business, selling T-shirts and artwork. I didn’t move to Vermont until late 2002. When he saw that I was in touch with these clothing brands that were only available in California, we came together and decided that we’d do art and clothing together in one store. At the time it wasn’t really called “street wear,” but that’s what it’s called now. We kept the name Steez because Fattie already had it incorporated before.

Steez Clothing on 104 Church Street Suite 2A, Burlington, Vermont

D: Tell us a little about Create Build Destroy clothing.

J: Create Build Destroy was a brand that my partner, Alex Hollender, and his cousin started as Create Clothing. They started their company when both were in high school, selling their products locally. They came to me a few seasons into its existence, and pitched this idea to me about how they wanted to expand the business, and change the name to Create Build Destroy. I thought the whole idea behind their business plan was cool, and something I could relate to. I really felt that there was a market here for their clothes, as fashion was changing at that point. They brought me onboard around 2007. We started working together and getting their clothes into magazines, blogs, and some of the best street wear stores in the United States and across the globe. It took off from there and we came to a point where we stopped everything and changed directions and went more in the direction that we all really wanted to go in, which was more contemporary high end fashion. That’s been going on for the last year and it’s doing really well. Right now we have a show room in Italy that shows our stuff with brands like Henry Vibskov, Opening Ceremony, Surface to Air, etcetera. We’re also working with a show room in Scandinavia, selling all over Europe, Japan, and now we’re starting our conquest of the U.S.

D: Why was Create Build Destroy chosen as the name?

J: Within the foundation of an idea lie the seed of its destruction. In order for a creative progression of ideas to occur, one must be able to destroy the laws and codes previously built upon, and create something new. That’s the whole meaning behind Create Build Destroy.

D: What are some of your favorite trends in fashion today and some of your least favorite?

J: I’m not really much for the trends as much as what is appealing at the time and what’s going on both in our society, in music and art, and in different places in the world. Some of my favorite fashions came out of the rise of the dance hall, from 1970’s Jamaican culture, to the emergence of Acid Rock, Punk Rock in the late 1960’s and 70’s, the 1980’s in New York City, to California in the mid 1990’s. That’s where I take from, for it allows me to really gain respect for where fashion has come from in the past, which helps me to be successful at doing it in the future.

D: Where do you see fashion in the future?

J: I would like to see it keep evolving and keep with the idea that it’s not about catching on to the next trend that you see on TV or on some celebrity in a paparazzi shot. I want to get past that and do stuff that has a classic feel. Something that when I’m 45 years old or 50 years old I can look back and say I wasn’t looking like a complete idiot, like what was I doing. Like most people do, you know they look at their pictures from the 80’s or when they were younger and say what was I wearing? I think that’s kind of the appeal for any brand that’s trying to emerge right now in the place we are in history.

D: What’s one of your most memorable moments and/or accomplishments within the fashion industry?

J: Everyday is kind of like a blessing to be able to do what I’m doing. Working for myself, working with likeminded people of all different age groups, and really just surviving off of that in some form of success and the idea that from day to day I help run these two businesses that are both very much respected and a lot of people enjoy what we do and that’s one of the most rewarding parts about this. I don’t really have one specific moment or accomplishment, it’s just cool the people I’ve been able to meet and rub elbows with.

Alex Hollender (Create Build Destroy) and Jordan Boyea. This photo was taken by Gordon Von Steiner and was featured in GQ Magazine's "International Men of Style."

D: What advice would you give young people who are interested in going into fashion?

J: For any young person that’s going into fashion just do what you’re passionate about and truly believe is not just something that’s marketable to the masses. Like don’t go in trying to create the next Tommy Hilfiger or anything like that. Just do what you love and do it to the utmost potential that you can and the success will come with it as long as it’s what you truly love doing. I think there are a lot of people that come out and start T-shirt and clothing brands to catch that trend because it’s what’s considered cool. And there are thousands of clothing companies out there that do hoodies, tee shirts, sweatshirts, and put a little saying on the tee shirt or do a little graphic with headphones and it’s real hit or miss. I think you just have to stay true to what you really love.

D: What have you learned that you can pass on?

J: It’s an industry that you really have to know how to remove yourself from because there’s a hint of this “cool guy” ego that exists in this industry and if you can’t step away from it and come into some form of reality and realize that not everyone is a part of that idea you might get trapped. If you’re going to do it, definitely be ready because it’s very much an “I scratch your back, you scratch mine” kind of business. If you want something done to help promote your brand you have to do 7 or 8 favors in hopes that you get that favor back. Especially when you’re just getting started.

D: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

J: I hope I’m still doing what I love. I really try to focus on the day to day and pray that I’m doing the right thing. I always want to make sure that I’m a good business man and I want to make sure that I’m not cutting throats or doing people dirty by any means. As long as I stay focused on the direction I have chosen in my life at the age that I am, I hope that it really pans out and keeps me successful in the future.

D: Any last words before we end this discussion?

J: Growing up I used to always hear people saying, “This is how you’re going to live your life and if you don’t do it you won’t be successful.” And I got this feeling in the bottom of my stomach saying, “Not only do I not agree with you, but I’m going to prove you wrong.” Money was never the issue for me; I never cared about being a millionaire. I just wanted to do what I loved and was passionate about and do it how I saw fit. Like I said I was a very mediocre artist, I can’t play music, I can’t DJ, definitely can’t sing, never tried to rap, never tried to be in a band, like that just wasn’t me. But I wanted to be the spokesperson for that culture and show people that mine wasn’t just some antisocial outcast behavior where you say, “I don’t care what you told me, I’m going to do this, I don’t care, and I’m going to be someone who doesn’t contribute to society.” And I think that was one of the greatest parts about opening Steez because I remember thinking that I wanted to have a TV in here, some sofas and a chair, maybe a PlayStation, and just make it a place where kids can come. I have more to say, if you’d like.

D: Please, continue. I know there are many young people who want to hear what you have to say.

J: OK. Like there is the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club, but Fattie B. and I wanted it for “this” culture. For the kids that loved punk rock, skateboarding, hip hop, crazy art, traveling, and just living day to day. We wanted to build something and look how it panned out. All these young kids that are really amazing, intelligent, talented, and driven come to the store, and don’t hold these attitudes saying, “Well this person over here is disrespectful towards me, telling me that what I’m doing is dumb.” They do what they like to do and do it very well. We were happy to attract that so when these kids came here and felt comfortable and felt like Steez was a place they could call their own. We wanted to reach out to this next generation of kids that are going to be setting these precedents in our society and feed off their energy and feed off of what they are doing and seeing how they’re evolving from young kids to adults.
I believe that the generation of kids today are going to make a difference and not settle on being “ordinary” or contributing to the world in the way you’re “supposed” to be doing it, but really push it to the next level. And it’s inspiring for someone like me because I see a lot of people in my generation that just settled. That sat back and said, “Well I’m going to have some kids and I’m going to get married,” and those are all great things, but they tapped out to the world and to their dreams and said, “This is what I really wanted to do, but unfortunately it didn’t work out so I’m just going to give up.” I don’t see that in the generation of kids today. I don’t think they’re going to concede, they’re not going to give up, they’re going to keep pushing until what they’re passionate about is going to come to fruition and look at it and think this is what I created for myself and not only for myself, but for that next generation.
Just like what we were trying to do with Steez. You’re going to inspire and you’re going to drive people to do the same thing and not give up on your dreams. Why do we have to give up on our dreams? I don’t want to be 45 and act like a 45 year old. I want to be 45 and very much in touch with the pulse of our society and these cultures and these ideas that are being formulated everyday. In the reality of it in terms of why did we do Steez and why am I doing Create Build Destroy, I mean it’s definitely not for the money. I survive, but I will always take this with me whether it lasts for another 8 years or shuts down tomorrow and I have to move in another direction. I will always take this with me and the people that I have met, worked with, and consider family, and just keep building. So, finally, what I can say from my experiences and from my outlook on life as an adult is don’t give up on your dream no matter what it is. If you have a passion, perfect that passion and do it to the fullest potential you can and love it at the same time.

D: Thanks for your time!

J: For sure!

http://createbuilddestroy.com/
http://greetingsfromtheoutside.tumblr.com/
Create.Build.Destroy. Facebook Fanpage
Steez Fanpage

This post will also be featured in my school's paper in November (SBHS Rebel Word)

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David: Sarah Kjelleren Photo of the Week!

Sarah Kjelleren

Just when I thought I had made a decision on my favorite Sarah Kjelleren photo she comes out with this one to think about with the title, "Death By Riverside". Featured are models, Cat Darling and Domenick Pfau, both of which attend the same college as Sarah. One thing I'd like to point out about this photo is when I first took a look at it, it captured my emotions right away. Sarah's eye, vision, and addition of black and white really made this photo for me. This girl is amazing! Check it out below:

Click image to view full size

This photo above is the final version and TKFV is the first to hold this image on any website. Sarah's planning on entering this image in a college photography contest so we wish her luck on where this photo will end up! We have no doubt in our minds that this will go far. With talent comes success. 

To view more of her work check out her blog, Tumblr, or her Flickr!

Also to get in touch with Sarah Kjelleren her email is: sarahkjelleren@yahoo.com

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David: Gaming for Life, Connecting Kids With Medical Needs by the Internet.

Mark Miller

Our good friend Mark Miller has started a nonprofit organization called, "Gaming for Life,"in order to give the opportunity to homebound and hospitalized children to connect with others through gaming. His goal is to raise $50,000 through people casting their votes for their favorite idea. We over at TKFV support him 100% and hope that you guys can help out as well. Take a minute and listen to his story:

Unlike most kid's my age I've been struggling with an illness for many years. At one point my illness left me bedridden for 2 years, and my interaction with others came from gaming on the internet. Many times when I lost hope that I'd become better, my friends online kept my spirts up. When I visited Boston, I was able to meet my online friends for lunch, and we still keep in touch today.

This experience has inspired me to create "Gaming for Life." "Gaming for Life" gives the opportunity to homebound and hospitalized children to connect with others through gaming. Patients could apply online for gaming equipment, and names of other patients that they could play with. This would give kids the chance to connect with others that they could relate to. Gaming for life would help inspire those who have found little hope in their lives, and limited interaction with others. Ill children could sign up through their local hospitals or doctors offices to recieve information about our non profit.

I hope everyone takes a moment and considers voting for our good friend. Head over to Pepsi's Refresh Project here and cast your vote!

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Gray: Sealed 4 Freshness

I hear kids all the time talking about t shirt designs, company ideas, and what it takes to make it in the fashion industry. The talk usually goes on for a bit, dies down, and life usually takes over and those are ideas of the past. A good friend of mine, Alex Herko, did something about it. He took those ideas, those dreams, and is starting to turn those into a reality. With the website up and running, Sealed4Freshness is a company you should all write down now, because I have a good feeling about this one. The ideas behind each T are gold, its just going to take some looking around to find that print job that will make the ideas look fresh on the cloth. Alex is a kid that won't give up after being shut down, and thats the attitude it will take for this to become something real. TKFV backs this 100%, and I personally give my best luck for this up and coming company. New designs and samples will be up soon, so keep an eye out! I will for sure be rockin this out in LA! Also, check out their new blog !
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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: Pony by Ginuwine (Lazerdisk Party Sex Remix)

Lazerdisk Party Sex is an electronic DJ duo right out of Vermont featuring DJ Prez & my old DJ instructor, DJ ZJ. Recently they just came back from a mini tour in Martha's Vineyard and their music has been spreading all over the place on sites like Hypem. One of their recent remixes was released a little while ago, but I want to give these guys a proper introduction with one of their most popular songs, Pony, a remix of Ginuwine's original song. Check it out below:

soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/lazerdisk-party-sex
facebook: listn.to/lazerdiskpartysex
twitter: twitter.com/LAZERDISK

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David: Summer Heat 2 (Recap)

DJ D-Kid (Myself)

Last Thursday night, 8/19, at Higher Ground in South Burlington, Vermont, myself, DJ D-Cutz, Vakkuum, & DJ Cody Rice sold out another successful show. This show was so much different than the others though. For the first time the response from the crowd was so on point. For a show originally meant for people dancing and having fun lead to girls grabbing onto our legs and screaming our names. The first couple rows were just watching us. I can tell you after that DJ D-Cutz and myself will stop at nothing this year to keep advancing.

Special thanks to Mark Mallory & Eric Dubuque for putting on another great show, DJ Cody Rice & Vakkuum for supplying more dope music, our favorite photographer Sarah Kjelleren for taking photos, and of course my homie Gray for taking some video footage of the show.

Check out some more photos from the show below:

DJ D-Kid & DJ D-Cutz

Gray

The Crowd

The Crew

Vakkuum

Gray & The Crowd

DJ D-Cutz & Gray

DJ D-Kid

Allen, DJ D-Kid, & Vader the Villin

DJ D-Cutz

Gray & DJ D-Kid

Gray & DJ D-Kid

Allen & The Crowd

The Setup

All photos credited to Sarah Kjelleren.

PS: Video is on the way!

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David: Summer Heat 2 at Higher Ground Tonight!

DJ D-Kid & DJ D-Cutz

Part of the reason why there hasn't been many posts on TKFV lately is because of our show, Summer Heat 2, at Higher Ground tonight in South Burlington, Vermont. From the same dudes who put on the most successful raves in Higher Ground history, Rave-a-Palooza and Summer Heat, we're excited to perform again tonight with DJ Cody Rice and Vakkuum. About to be another good night. This is what we do! Hope everyone comes out and has a good time! See all you Vermonters at Higher Ground tonight.

Two Kids From Vermont

Shout out to AllenMichael Robertson, Jean-Noel, & DJ Sum1 for helping get ready for this day.

And a special thanks to Mark Mallory and Brad Cole for putting on another show.

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David: Vader The Villin (Rapper)

Vader the Villin

I was sitting here staring at my computer wondering what I should write about and then I realized we've never done a post on one of the biggest rappers in the Vermont area, Vader the Villin. Vader is one of my really good friends in the area and ever since I've heard his first song ever made I've been a fan ever since. His music is for the ears that enjoy true hip-hop like myself. One of the best up and coming lyricists I've heard and I'm not just saying that because I'm his friend. Check out the videos below to see why I say this dude is amazing.

Flowheat/Nobeat Contest (Freestyle):

Blowing Blue (Official Video) [One of my favorites]:

Get It All Gone (Official Video) [His newest video]:

Support the homie and download his latest mixtape, Awake, here - Zshare

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David: Sarah Kjelleren Photo of the Week!

Sarah Kjelleren

For this week's Photo of the Week it's a pretty crazy one, but it's so dope lol. Below is Joe Shepard, who's a part of the group Heloise & The Savoir Faire. This photo was taken a few weeks back at their concert in Vermont featuring the very talented band, Rough Francis, who started the show off. Check out the madness below:

To view more of her work check out her blog or her Flickr!
Also to get in touch with Sarah Kjelleren her email is: sarahkjelleren@gmail.com

Previous Post - Week 9

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