"I never really had a Texan accent," says San Antonio-native Kathryn Bentley. "I may have growing up, but I never identified myself as being a Texan." The 28-year-old New York-based jewelry designer is, herself, a second generation Texan. Over tea in New York's Soho, near her lower Fifth Avenue apartment, Bentley recalls memories from her childhood in San Antonio, and ruminates on the best-kept secrets of her Texan hometown. Around her neck she wears a small glass compass that she designed – it's filled with tiny gold flakes and hangs on a chain found at a flea market. However dazzling her designs, they are more about adornment and the ritual of wearing protective natural elements than anything else – an aspect that, oddly enough, ties back to her Texan roots.

Last April Bentley went home for the San Antonio version of a ‘coming out,’ called the Coronation. "The girls do this walk and wear $50,000 dresses. There are parties throughout the month of April. It 's very old Texas. My parents are involved in the whole socialite aspect of Texas. My sister did the debutante thing. I was totally anti. I rebelled against what I was supposed to do," she says, adding, "In Waco, they have the white trash version called the Cotton Palace."

Coronations aren’t the only old-school Texan tradition Bentley failed to take up (though she did learn how to shoot a 22 shot gun at the age of ten). Instead, she rooted herself in the city’s Mexican traditions and thriving art scene. Bentley's father is an architect, thus her childhood is best described as living amongst Mies van der Rohe furniture in a contemporary house across the street from the Marion Kooglar McNay Art Museum. "I was exposed to good taste,” she says. “My parents are really involved in the art scene in San Antonio, despite their conservative slant. So there was always an edge."

When home, she scours the local Botanicas for “herbs, dried flowers and Catholic figurines,” as well as the antique malls, which include The Antique Sampler Mall and The Alamo Antique Mall. “They are amazing for old records and vintage jewelry.” This practice of hunting for amulets, figurines and treasures isn’t anything new; in fact it’s something Bentley did as a teenager to find objects to adorn the giant shrine she created in her bedroom. "A lot of people have shrines in their home because of the whole Mexican influence. It was something I was attracted to. I love the ritual aspect."

Other San Antonio staples, according to Bentley, include Splashtown, “I like to think of Texas as the home to water parks,” the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, "this place has some amazing taxidermy," and Sloan Hall, which Bentley describes as one of her favorite stores. “I worked there and they now carry my jewelry line.” She also swears by Rio Rio Cantina , a restaurant on the San Antonio River, where you can watch the monthly riverside fiestas, and Paloma Blanca - "proper Tex Mex... so fresh. I love a chalupa and a chat." And, for "very old-school, family style Mexican food" and "the best salsa and margaritas," she recommends Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia.

Bentley also talks about San Antonio places that resonate with her, including the teepee she had in her back yard where she shot her grandfather’s handmade bow-and-arrows, and the McNay. "It was a haven for me! I used to spend hours reading and sketching at the McNay," Bentley recalls. "I lived across the street so I was there almost daily in high school. We used to sneak into it at and wade in the fountains during the summer." During her teenage years she'd frequent the bar and music venue Tacoland, where Nirvana once played. "Unfortunately, the guy who ran it was shot a few years ago,” she says. Hitting a lighter note, she lets it slip that her favorite taco spot is Las Palopas. "I love a cheap taco. After a crazy night out it was always Las Palopas. The cheaper the taco the better," she reminisces. Spoken a true Texan.

~Sara Costello

Go There:
Alamo Antique Mall, 125 Broadway Street, (210) 224-4354

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What are your first impressions?
I’m a sucker for outdoor seating… especially during the summer. I’m not saying they should have 50 tables outside, but maybe have one or two. It feels like a very fall/winter-y spot. It’s cozy. There’s something nice about that too – during the dead of winter, but also in the heat in terms of escaping. The entrance is very discreet. I like that.

And what do you think of their choosing this locale – blocks away from where you grew up?
The neighborhood has changed a lot. My building was the first real residential building. Seeing it develop over the years… a place like this, so obviously trendy, shows how much has changed.

[She opens up the small, green menu] let’s see how much they’re charging us… their relishes seem reasonable. The prices on the starters are good. It’s a chic little spot. [She orders an Old Fashioned.]

How do you like the décor, the music [Louis Armstrong is playing]…
The music I really like. The décor I like; it keeps with the industrial nature of the neighborhood. You know Robert DeNiro is opening a hotel across the street [she gestures out the restaurant’s front windows]? It keeps with the vibe of what old Tribeca used to be. I like the music and the brass lamps. The details on the wall of an oil barge. The drawings, and the hardhats hung on the wall are making me feel like a coal miner. We’re surrounded by a bunch of yuppies.

Typical Tribeca?
Typical New York right now.

How’s the Old Fashioned?
Delicious.

[De la Huerta’s friend, director, producer and protégé of director Alejandro Jodorowsky, Fabrizio Chiesa - with whom she recently shot a film inspired by a French tarot card reader - joins the table. His first words are: “What a strange little place.”]

What have you been working on recently?
I was sick during the winter and wrote two screenplays. I’m working on one with Crispin Glover. I’ve also been working on a trinity of short films I’m writing and directing. I shot the first one at 18, the second last summer and I’m going to shoot the third when I’m not acting and modeling. I’m also working on a book of photographs [she declines to mention details, but does divulge that she knows with whom she’d like to publish the tome]. I also did a film, Fierce People, with Donald Sutherland and Diane Lane. It’s finally coming out in August. They had a really hard time finding distribution because of the sexual nature of the film. [A daily special, a dish of halibut and matzah bread, as well as a serving of cream cucumber arrive at the table.] I thought the waitress mentioned ceviche but this is slightly cooked halibut… and to serve it with Matzah… maybe it’s because I’m not Jewish. It’s very good, but this big bunch of Matzah; I just don’t know what to do with it.


Would you come here on your own?
I’d come here at an off-time. I don’t like crowded places. And, it’s near the financial district, so it’s bound to attract lots of Wall Street types. I don’t like that energy. If they had a door policy… hehe. No, I like it. I’d, you know, come at three in the afternoon.

[The Classic Oyster Pan Roast arrives] I like the waitress. I like her tits. I’m like a man when it comes to women. I definitely am. I’m struck by a great pair of tits. [She starts in on the oysters] I like it, I like it. This is really good. This is the best thing we ordered. [Before long, every oyster, and every bit of broth (thanks to a side of sourdough) are devoured.]

Before leaving, you have to take a trip to the restroom. It’s actually an old freight elevator and is supposed to be exquisite…
[Upon returning] I love it! It’s so beautiful... Can I use your phone? Mine’s broken and I have to call this person back. [After a brief retreat outdoors, de la Huerta returns elated.] I just got a part in a really great movie. I’m so happy right now, you don’t even know!

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Go There:
Smith and Mills, 71 N. Moore (between Hudson and Greenwich), (212) 219-8568, NY, open daily, 5pm-4am

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Earlier this month in London, reigning queens and kings of style – including Mischa Barton and Burberry’s Christopher Bailey - joined forces at the Visa Swap Shop - a partnered event with clothes recycling charity TRAID [Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development]. There, they swapped their Chanel for Balenciaga, and their Miu Miu for Marc, all for a good cause… and, all for free.

As the old adage goes, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Nowadays, thanks to the newest phenomenon in eco-friendly fashion, people are raiding their closets for old threads and hauling them to the nearest clothing-swap party (instead of the local consignment store). There, fashionistas gather to garner once-loved pieces from both friends and complete strangers, in hopes of striking vintage gold (that is, if they’re truly swap-savvy).

Nicknamed everything from swap meets and, frock exchanges, to swap-a-ramas, even 'naked lady parties' – call it what you will, these swap parties are the new Barneys or Beacon’s Closet, without the post-purchase pocket burn. And, now that it’s summer and we all jonesing to toss out our old stuff for a revamped wardrobe without having to break the bank– here’s psychoPEDIA’s guide to the world of clothing swap parties.

Swap-O-Rama Rama (nationwide)
Hosted by local groups and original creator Wendy Tremayne, a columnist for Craft magazine, this traveling swap meet goes all over the country to support sustainable shopping practices. With a series of trades and do-it-yourself workshops, Swap-O-Rama Rama promotes a creative, community-based form of recycling clothing that leads to transformed, one-of-a-kind pieces for the inheritors of someone else’s unwanted clothing. Now popping up in over 40 cities, these parties make recycling more thrilling than ever.

Clothing Swap (California)
A swanky series of parties thrown exclusively up and down the West Coast features events cheekily titled “Diva Eve” and “The Devil Swaps Prada.” And with a motto that fully embodies their mission - “Fun, Fashion, and Philanthropy” - this organization donates all remaining items to a local homeless or battered women’s shelter. For a party with a purpose, open to everyone from women, teens, and even exclusive soirees for men– the only rule is to keep your old delicates to yourself!

Swap-A-Rama Razzmatazz (UK)
This dance party, held monthly at London’s Favela Chic, is a riotous mass of frock swaps made to the sound of a klaxon. Like a literal gong show, or drunk version of musical chairs, Razzmatazz’s method could be a hit-or-miss situation, based simply on the luck of whomever may be next to you on the dancefloor. But with only a paltry entrance fee, you can mix and match to your heart’s desire until you collect the perfect eclectic ensemble– or come out looking like an Olsen twin.

Calgary Jewellery Swap (Alberta, Canada)
Who are ready to trade in their treasured trinkets for other vintage baubles can make a stop in Calgary, Canada. With no cash necessary and disputes handled with the no-frills, no-fuss tactic of a coin toss, it makes you wonder why all shopping couldn’t be this easy. And with all un-adopted merchandise going to a local women’s charity, you can feel good that your old gems are now someone’s new bling.

Fashion Swap Meet: The Hottness! (NYC)
This shindig, begun this January by New Yorker Nichelle Stephens, is the cheaper, greener option for girls to shop in a city that’s already cracked our piggy bank a few times too many. Now in its fourth event, you can check out future Fashion Swap Meet parties held at Madame X bar in the East Village. And what could be better than free clothes and $5 cocktails? It's the hotness - 'nuff said.

*Can’t find your local refined alternative to dumpster diving in our list? Check out Clothes Swap Meetup for local listings or throw your own ol’ rag bash.

~Leann Peterson

First photo by Marcu Dawes via www.style.com

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From Miuccia’s silk turban, to Pete’s perpetually photographed Trilby, the hat is making a comeback. And what perfect timing -- in the heat of summer, the right chapeau can offer instant SPF, and add a taste of aristocratic style.

“A very, very good idea, hats – especially for queens,” Diana Vreeland, the sartorial savant, states in her eponymous memoir, DV. We couldn’t agree more (whether or not the head in question has royal blood running through it). Unfortunately, we can’t all afford a back-stock of Philip Treacy originals; thus, for this week’s shop guide, we’ve gathered a handful of our favorite, affordably-priced and utterly wearable ways to top off the perfect warm-weather ensemble:

Jennifer Behr Silk Satin Turban Headwrap ($128)
Few fads have been as widespread this season as the turban, and you can thank the Italians (or one in particular) for that. Flip through any fashion magazine from the last five months and you’ll see the Arabian-inspired accessory adorning countless editorial spreads. So, since we’re not quite ready to bury the trend (though Madonna’s $12 interpretation for H&M marked the beginning of the end), we’ve chosen this Jennifer Behr version that retails for significantly less than the price of Miuccia’s original design for Prada.
www.jenniferbehr.com

Vintage Straw Brown Feather Cloche Hat ($150)
The cloche has gotten plenty of recognition -- from the flappers of the ‘20s, to Marc Jacobs’ Spring ‘07 collection. Light, airy, and the perfect accompaniment to any Gatsby-esque ensemble, this authentic vintage straw version might be the perfect ladies’ summer accessory. Find this style and other one-of-a-kind vintage millinery concoctions at the aptly titled 1860-1960.com, and you’ll never have to worry about someone else sporting the same headgear.
www.1860-1960.com

Topman Black Trilby Hat (15 pounds)
Derived from a play based on George du Maurier’s 1984 novel of the same name (and subsequently worn on stage during its first London production), Pete Doherty’s favorite accessory has long been associated with jazz, ska and soul musicians. Because this hat’s heyday is numbered, we settled on this highly economical, lightweight version from Topman.
www.topman.com

Jennifer Ouellette Extra-Wide Patent Headband ($90)
We’re not quite sure if it’s the grass-green patent leather, paisley-print lining, or the waterproof appeal of this extra-wide headband, but we were sold the very first time we spotted it at Barneys. Also available in the equally covetable, summer-appropriate shade of cobalt blue, the headpiece is one of the latest from Ouellette, whose creations have graced a slew of celebs’ locks, including those of Jessica Simpson and Julia Roberts.
www.barneys.com

Bates’ Fedora Panama (127 pounds)
Not only does this lightweight hat blend two of the most timeless styles ever constructed (the Fedora, big with Prohibition-era mafia and private detectives; and the Panama, which dates back to President Harry Truman); it’ll look perfectly acceptable whether you’re strolling on the beach, or enjoying a burger at the Corner Bistro. Not to mention, Bates, -- the British, family-run business responsible for this particular style -- has been outfitting the heads of stylish gentlemen since the turn of the century. Note: if you’re fortunate enough to stop by the actual Jermyn Street outpost, pay your respects to Binks (the shop’s famous, glass-encased, stuffed cat who’s greeted customers since the ‘20s).
www.bates-hats.co.uk

**For slightly more modern takes on the Fedora Panama, like the Dumile A ($250), check StillLifeNYC.com, where you can peruse the sleekly-designed online store while listening to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Art Blakely.

First photo: Steven Meisel

Second photo: Ben Hassett for Teen Vogue

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27-year-old Saam Farahmand has been gaining plaudits left, right and center for the past year thanks to the otherworldly, dark and sometimes erotic videos he’s directed for his close friends Klaxons. Some may also know him for the now-notorious lesbian romp video for Simian Mobile Disco's 'Hustler,' or perhaps the Homer Simpson-dream-like world he had New Young Pony Club perform in for 'Ice Cream.' But, what many people don’t know about Saam -- a director also known for his work with the Rapture and Soulwax (for whom he’s currently making a documentary) -- is that he made a fake ad for Calvin Klein back in 1987, is addicted to making pastiches of the rich and famous which may have gotten him in trouble with a certain mainstream music-video channel, and he’d love to make a film about Tom Cruise.

Curious to find out more, we made a cross-Atlantic call and caught the director working on visuals for some Klaxons festival performances this summer – just one more field he excels in. His past, present and future, in his own words:

Your sense of humor and love of the unreal is obvious throughout your work. Does this stem from your childhood?
I started playing with video when I was about 7. My friend had a video camera, which in 1987 was pretty rare, and we made fake Prince videos starring ourselves. We also made Nightmare on Elm Street remakes because he had the glove and a mask. We also made a fake ad for Calvin Klein 'Eternity’ -- we filmed his dad’s Calvin Klein bottle and chanted behind the camera. My sister had a big influence on my sense of humor. When you grow up with someone with a similar sense of humor to yours, you have to keep thinking of more and more ways of entertaining each other out of boredom.

You worked for MTV for a while right? What made you leave?
I worked for MTV, yes… I left because of unknown, strange reasons. Everyone at MTV2 was amazing though. They just had money problems.

So no bad blood with the corporate machine?
Well... the big MTV bosses got annoyed because I made these random shorts that went on between the videos, and they were sometimes offensive. We had trouble from record companies.

So after a history of producing satirical clips, bands and musicians, what did you think of fellow director Price James's [Simian Mobile Disco 'It’s the Beat' director] little take on your video for Klaxons’ 'Golden Skans'?
James is a really close friend of mine. I loved that clip so much; it’s the ultimate compliment! There’s been a pastiche of my NYPC video on the Web too! There’s also been a pastiche of Magick; I find them all really flattering.

Did your video for Simian Mobile Disco's 'Hustler' bring some unwanted attention?
I never expected it to do so well; it was a joke, for people who know what Simian Mobile Disco are about. I was in a club in the US when it came on and a group of girls started kissing each other -- it’s what they did every time they heard it.

In the Klaxons videos you've got them doing some pretty theatrical stuff, how do you get three lazy musicians to perform such feats?
There are too many methods to mention; here’s one example for you... In the video for 'It’s Not Over Yet' we all meditated together beforehand to cleanse our souls of fear.

What’s next in the dream world of saam.tv?
I’m trying to approach Tom Cruise's agents. I want to make a biopic of his life, starring him as himself. We will use makeup to make him younger and older, and reconstruct his life to the present day. And then I will write the rest - the fictitious elderly years.

~Kevin Soar

See It:
For more from Saam, check out saam.tv for a vast array of his past work (including the controversial clips).

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The capital city of Massachusetts has never been known for its nightlife. That is, unless you count beer pong at the Sigma Phi Frat House, or bar crawls on Newbury Street. But, over the past few months, a certain red-haired DJ/producer with a penchant for throwing sweaty dance parties has been changing all that.

Thanks to a little help from his friends (i.e. the DJ crew Hearthrob, Sensitive Hand, Morgan Louis and Baltimoroder Julian Wadsworth, 24, better known in some cases by his adopted moniker Red Foxx, has been doing his part to motivate the masses. After landing a degree in Film and Audio from Emerson in just three years, the Norfolk, VA-native turned Roxbury, MA resident made his way onto the music scene. In addition to making waves with his recent remix of a track from The Teenagers, as well as producing Sluttt, he’s been causing a ruckus all over Beantown. Thus, he could also be considered the perfect tour guide. So we asked:

How would you describe Boston to someone who’s never been…
For all its pomp and fanfare of being the cradle of the American Revolution, it's basically a village where not much goes on. Fall through spring the city swells like an obese man in a pie-eating contest, only the pies are college students from across the globe. Unfortunately, at least 90% of them are either International brats who like tribal house, or Kansas bros who are on a first-name basis with "Bob" (Marley) and "Dave" (Matthews). With such a transient population it's hard for significant cultural events to really take hold, but the few of us who are forced to live here manage to make a handful of fun things happen.

Tell me about the parties you’ve thrown with Hearthrob?
The Hearthrob party itself started on a Tuesday at a pretty popular venue. There aren't a lot of comfortable nightlife destinations for those with adventurous tastes so we decided that even if it was a Tuesday, we have a perfect venue, so let’s just make it happen. We made a MySpace page, made video flyers, and basically alienated our jobs and families for the night. Fortunately, it all paid off and now we have lines up the block every time we throw it. It's still on Tuesdays.

What kind of tunes do you spin to drive the kids wild, and where’s the party held?
The music started with really standard party jams on the hiphop/disco/house end with as much electro as we could sneak in. Now we play almost all electro and house and we sneak in the party favorites. Basically we had to get the crowd to trust us, and once that happened, we could give them things they'd never heard and they'd be open to dance to it. So right now it’s a lot of our own edits, a lot of Switch/Sinden/Dubsided shit, some Baltimore club, some big room English/Swedish mafia electro-house that I guiltily can't get enough of, some house classics, a lot of French touch, and the occasional crunk bangers. The party is at Middlesex Lounge in Cambridge. Cambridge is like the Brooklyn of Boston except the cool kids don't look like they’re homeless.

Where can you be found partying the other nights of the week?
There are a couple of other good parties. We hang at the smaller venues, mostly all in Cambridge -- Zuzu, Enormous Room, other nights at Middlesex... Gentrification is a bitch here and the thriving art-loft scene of last summer is basically dead due to developers kicking everyone out. The Thunderdome monthly is always fun at the grimy Elk's Lodge, which is like the black Freemason organization. They rent out the place for hardcore shows and my boy Mistaker rents it and throws dirty sweaty parties, like DIY rave-style. Night swimming also in public fountains or the beach where my friend got gangrene from the water, that's always fun.

Is there a particular late-night grease-trap you frequent post-party?
Sushi in Chinatown is basically the best bet if it's in your agenda... there's mad spots for sushi and it's good. You always see friends and you can always order booze with secret code words till like 5 am.

What kind of code words?
Do cops read your blog? Cold Tea is classic. Or just a "pitcher." Like "yeah and one of those pitchers."

Only New York’s finest… once the sun rises, where do the cool kids go to shop, be it for clothes, kicks or the latest Ed Banger LP?
I personally like Stel's on Newbury for upscale shit... APC jeans, Spring Court sneakers... anytime you need something simple that fits like it was sewn for you, that’s the place. For streetwear, Bodega. Legendary spot, great buyers, it looks like a shitty convenience store in the front complete with RC cola and then the soda machine slides out to reveal a crispy boutique. All the dudes who work there are friends and really good people. Karmaloop has a store on Newbury too, more mainstream streetwear but they’re good people; I always stop by and read a magazine on the green couch, usually with an iced yerba mate from Espresso Royale up the street. Newbury Comics is the only record store I really stop into... All the kids work there and they always get what’s good. I couldn't find the new Gang Gang Dance DVD in that store once and I was looking everywhere until finally someone who worked there brought me to the "Hot New Release" section and it was right there next to the Young Jeezy album. It's that kind of place.

And if you’re going to opt for fine dining?
Well I'm not really into atmosphere, unless it's Fugakyu in Brookline, which has amazing sushi and looks like a setting from an Asian gangster flick. It’s 2 stories and really lavish and there's tons of dudes in suits with those headsets on and girls in kimonos and really thin aisles and Tatami rooms and you feel like any minute some dude is going to bust through the wall with double Desert Eagles shooting the place up. But for me it's food that matters, so that's why Petit Robert Bistro is my favorite. Very plain bistro decor, but the French cuisine will kick your ass. Escargot is so good, duck confit, the rabbit… everything is smothered in butter and salt and served with sausage and it's just the most savory food you've ever eaten. And the prices are good

And, last but not least, if you could shack up for a night at any hotel in the city, where would you choose?
I know XV Beacon is the hottest luxury boutique hotel. Also the Charlesmark is supposed to be good. I like the hotel bar at the Lenox though, City Bar. They have a good scotch menu and the whole thing has those RGB cycling lights so it feels like you are on acid because the color of the bar slowly keeps changing. If you are on a budget you can check Craigslist and rent apartments in the North End if you’re staying for 3 or more nights. It's like $80 or $90 a night and you are right in Little Italy, which has the best restaurants. Or you can sleep on my couch but I stay up really late and you’re the designated driver, ok?

~Alisa Gould-Simon

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The verdict is in: this season it’s all about the high-waist. Consult any fashion pub – be it print or Web – and the evidence is clear. ‘70s fashion is in; thong-baring waistlines might as well be dead and buried (and, in our opinion, hopefully never to be resurrected again). But, while rib-grazing waistlines have graced the gams of countless fashion icons in the past (Jane Birkin being one of the most notable), we’re not so sure the look flatters every figure.

Thus, when we first caught sight of the various Era of Chaos high-waisted styles (of which Amber Valletta, Mena Suvari and Mary J. Blige are already fans) adorning the window of 5th Avenue’s LF boutique, we found ourselves confronted with the age-old dilemma of body-type-compatibility. While our gut instinct made us want to climb the Empire State Building and cry, ‘We found it! The perfect jean!’ we knew not every woman would be convinced. So, we enlisted the help of our favorite fashionable femmes, Fashionista.com’s editor extraordinaire, Faran Krentcil, and respective intern, Anna Fielding Griggs, as well as our own in-house news editor, Alisa Gould-Simon and contributor Sara Costello, went en masse to LF’s Soho shop, and tried every Era of Chaos high-waisted style under the sun. The uncensored consensus:

Faran Krentcil, 5’6”, size 4
Anna Fielding Griggs, 5’7”, size 2
Alisa Gould-Simon, 5’4”, size 4
Sara Costello, 5’8”, size 6

On the high-waisted shorts in black ($168)…
FK: I hate them. I feel like a cow, or like I should be milking a cow [note: she is outfitted in a billowing white cotton tank and store-provided yellow patent-leather wedges, which she later traded for her own flip-flops, a pairing she much preferred]. They are really comfortable… but I’d never wear any of this. It’s harder for short girls to pull off. I have a waist and boobs. I’m a size 4, but this style just cuts everything off. I feel like I’m about to have a child in Poland where all they eat is potatoes. I would sooner die.
SC: I like these. They’re perfect with just the shirt and flats I wore here.
FK: I probably don’t hate them as much as I’m saying. I just felt like you needed a dissenting opinion.

On the Corseted Skinny Leg Jean in Magnolia ($196)…
AFG: I think I may have to get these just because they’re a 25 [she typically wears a 27]. They look much cooler than I expected.
S: I like these! I would totally buy them.
AGS: They’re great. I’m loving the Lycra [doing a high-kick]. I prefer the ones without the white stitching though; it’s a cleaner look.

On the Suspender Corset Waist Shortalls in Magnolia ($166)…
SC: I so don’t want to come out [peeking out from behind the dressing-room door]. They’re too short for me, for my day-to-day life... I would wear them at the beach. But they’re not city shorts. I couldn’t wear them to meet people, or to go to work. Maybe if I was 20 I would. They’re just not right for my lifestyle.
AGS: Okay, I kind of feel like a street-walker [sporting the same patent-leather wedges Krentcil had on earlier]. And, at the same time, I don’t ever want to take this off. It’s so comfortable. I want to be able to pull this off; I just don’t know if I can… these are one size bigger than I normally wear, but I think they’re perfect. Otherwise they’d be too short.
AFG: I’d go for these instead of the jeans. The silhouette isn’t as extreme. They’re sort of retro, pin-up-ish. I feel like that’s kind of fun. They’ve really grown on me. [Fifteen minutes later, still sporting the same pair of shortalls, and having traded a tie-in-front cotton blouse for a plain white tee] I like it better with just a T-shirt. It’s fun in a campy way. They’re more flattering than I would have thought.
FK: These would be good rock-festival rompers.
AGS: This is totally hilarious - all of us dressed the same.
FK: We should form a rock band; we’ve already got the outfits.
AGS: We can call ourselves the Chaotics.

On the Skirt ($166)…
FK: [Sporting it without the suspenders] The skirt is kind of normal.
AGS: It’s a great length; a few inches above the knee but high-waisted so it doesn’t look too short. It makes your legs look long...
FK: I feel like a guy would really like unbuttoning them, but that’s a whole other story.

*Era of Chaos denim is available exclusively at LF.

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A quick scan of NYC-real-estate-related headlines this week is enough to make any financially-challenged, apartment-seeking individual consider a relocation (and we’re talking Louisiana, not Long Island City). Just a few days ago it was announced that both the Chelsea Hotel and Cobble Hill will likely be the next victims of the current plague consuming NYC – aka: over-priced condominiums leaving prospective renters in the dark.

Thus, during such dire times, procuring one’s dream apartment (without help from a healthy trust fund) is akin to the quest for the Holy Grail. But, that doesn’t mean the search for the perfect rental is hopeless. Since summer is when most New Yorkers seem to be joining the apartment-hunting bandwagon (despite the fact, that as one broker advised us, during August rents are raised considerably thanks to the influx of student-tenants), we figured, what better moment to get advice from a few seasoned real-estate agents? So, we called two leading brokers, Jared Seligman with Corcoran Realty in Manhattan, and Select Realty in Brooklyn, and enlisted their help as guides to NYC real estate. And we even added our own two cents…

Is there any particular neighborhood you would advise renters on a budget to consider?
Seligman: In Manhattan there really aren’t any deals left, but there are definitely a few places that may be better than others… the Financial District typically has the most amenities for the lowest prices. And you can find a few deals on the outskirts of midtown east and west, and Murray Hill. Inventory is low and the vacancy rate is at an all-time low; it’s absolutely a landlord’s market. So, it’s quite difficult to live in Manhattan if you’re on a budget. Some people are considering Harlem as well as other boroughs… even outside NYC like in Jersey City.
Select: Bushwick and Property along the L and J, M, Z train lines. There have also been new developments at the Jefferson stop on the L train, lofts near the Morgan Avenue stop on the L, and between the DeKalb and the Myrtle/Wyckoff stop on the L. Also, on the J, M, Z between Lorimer Street and Halsey stops.

What’s the best way to avoid going through a broker?
Seligman: When you’re selling there is nothing more valuable than a seasoned broker – they can take you from start to finish. They typically command at least 15% of the price and sell it twice as fast as someone selling by themselves. Renting is entirely different; it’s possible to rent without a real-estate agent but some people find it too time-consuming. Online sources like Craigslist offer no-fee listings.
Select: If you go through a broker, most of the time you get a good deal. When a no-fee apartment is available by an owner it can be more risky, unless you know what you are doing. There are pitfalls with both but a broker should give that extra bit of reassurance.

If you do have to pay a broker’s fee, how much can you negotiate?
Seligman: I never negotiate my commission under any circumstances unless it’s a short-term rental. I have seen certain companies give discounts to students, but I’ve never seen a company reduce it below 12.5%.
Select: Most brokerages charge 12%. Some even 15%. Play hardball on negotiations, but remember that if you want the place you have to meet the requirements. I know a bunch of places that do 10% always unless there’s a 2- or 3-year lease too.

For the lucky few who may be ready to buy, what would you advise?
Seligman: The best advice is to buy when you can afford to buy. If you can afford to purchase it’s the best time to buy because you never know what’s going to happen to the market. And I can assure you NYC is the most stable market.
Select: Money talks. You need to have a good income and credit and a down payment. There are so many bad mortgage deals out there. Be wary and patient. Research the areas; knowledge is power. The market in NYC is always fluctuating but inevitably is always on the rise. Find a good mortgage provider -- a person, not just a big-name company. In this business it’s all about trusting the broker.

What are the three essentials you’d advise any aspiring renter or buyer to keep in mind this summer when choosing an apartment?
Seligman: Speak to an experienced real-estate professional who has dealt with the neighborhoods you want to live in. See as many apartments as possible so you have a hands-on sense of the market. Last, make sure you are completely prepared to rent or purchase before you enter -- have all your paperwork ready. In today’s market a good apartment will sell and rent within moments of hitting the market.
Select: Time is of the essence. Get all your information together. Have your money ready and take a day off work. Be sure of where you want to move. Research the neighborhood and don't listen to people who tell you that the 1st 2 stops in Brooklyn (on the L train) are the only stops to consider. Graham and Grand St. are buzzing too!

If you’re looking to avoid brokers altogether, psychoPEDIA recommends the following:
*Check websites that list no-fee apartments like Craigslist.org, No-Fee-Apartments.com, and Nofeerentals.com.
*Sublets can be a great temporary fix, as they rarely require a broker’s fee.
*Make yourself a neighborhood mainstay – pick a block and frequent it often. Check coffee-shop bulletin boards. Don’t be afraid to knock on people’s doors and ask if they know of any openings in their buildings or their neighbors’.
*Industry newsletters, like Ed2010 (for editorial-related news and job opportunities) include apartment listings so you can find like-minded roommates.
*Become your own broker – get your own license and get unrivalled access to apartment listings in all five boroughs.
*Before even thinking about buying a new place, make sure that your credit rating is good, so you can get a favorable interest rate.

~Alisa Gould-Simon

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When it comes to people and their pets, the obsession, the fascination, and, in some cases, utter fanaticism rivals that of parents and their children. Whether it’s in regard to Fluffy or Foo-Foo, pet-obsessive owners can easily fall into long conversations filled with talk of their canine’s recent bout with doggie depression, or the reasoning behind their feline’s preference of wet to dry food.

And, now that seemingly every celebrity and wannabe alike has a furry friend, it’s easy to understand the corresponding amped-up marketplace for over-the-top, luxury pet products and services. We’re not just talking a Tiffany collar, or Swarovski-encrusted water bowl. And this product guide is only the tip of the iceberg:

Ritzy Canine Carriage House ($40-$175 a night)
The Ritzy Canine Carriage House, located in Midtown NYC, is exactly what your dog-friend needs when you can’t be there for the little guy. Because we couldn’t make this up, here is what’s promised, in their own words:
“All guest suites have customized orthopedic bedding and are lined with soft, plush bumpers for added comfort and protection. Plush fabrics have been specially selected to provide aesthetic beauty and to complement the theme of each of the suites… Our Presidential Suite on the upper level provides a larger and more private accommodation for those of our guests that require the ultimate in opulence and luxury. These suites all have magnificent custom bedding, toy chests filled with all kinds of stimulating toys, televisions, VCR's and special selections from our video library.”
The Presidential Suite costs a flat rate of $175/night while the rate for regular suites varies according to your pet’s size. They also have room service and massages available for purchase. Cats get a luxury suite for (a measly) $40/night.

MetaMorphix DNA Test Kit ($71.95)
A company called MetaMorphix Inc. sells a kit to test your dog’s DNA and determine what kind of pedigree he has. It will identify up to five different breeds that are currently fighting for distinction in your pet’s blood. Please use with caution, though, as this test might depress your pet by forcing him to come to grips with the reality that he has a mixed-breed past. (But coming to terms with that identity might also spur a literary career.)

BowLingual: The Dog Bark Translator ($49.99)
Every wonder whether your dog is barking because he’s hungry, or because he’s trying to tell you your girlfriend’s been cheating on you with your best friend? Unlock the secrets of the seemingly unidentifiable canine language with this handy translator. Hey, for $50, it may also be the ideal gift for any dog lover you know. Now the real question is, can you handle the truth?

Barkington Inn ($5 and up)
The Barkington Inn, operating in Texas, has taken Big Brother and made him the ward of your pet while you’re away. Their deluxe suite package includes a cyber-cam that broadcasts a live feed of your pet to the Internet that you can watch any time you want. They can also arrange for playtime ($5 for 15 minutes, $10 for 30) in the special play area to be broadcast at a pre-arranged time. Some might think it’s weird to pay to watch a stranger play with your dog for a half-hour, but we’re not judging.

K9 Optix Sunglasses ($22)
Sunglasses. For your dog. They come in three different colors, all with UV-protection. Finally.

Catnip Cigar ($6.50)
Dogs can live large, but they will never live as large as cats. This toy proves that all cats really want to do is kick back, roll up a fattie and have you entertain them. The fortunate corollary to the cat ‘cigar’ is that your pet will express new interest in vintage cars, gold, and ‘40s.

Pet Cloning (Prices Vary)
You might have heard of the cat Cc (for carbon copy) that was “born” a few years ago by the company (owned by Phoenix University founder John Sperling) Genetic Savings and Clone in California. You also might recall the public-relations nightmare that ensued. Well, the bank has since closed up shop, but the pet-clone torch has been lifted high once again by this brave company whose website might be one of the sketchier we’ve come across.
Although there is no way for you to recreate your pet’s behavior you can still do your damnedest to assert some control in this crazy world by paying to have your pet’s genetic material live on in another body. Let bioethicists and Humane Society members whine all they want while you have an exact genetic replicate of your deceased pet lovingly watching your every move.

~Greg Greenberg

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To put it simply, British-born stylist Paul Mather knows how to make men look good. Besides being a former fashion editor for Vogue Hommes International, a veritable Bible for men’s fashion, Mather was the creative director brought in to spice up the menswear line for French fashion house Lanvin; not to mention, the globetrotter who has lived in Paris, noted fashion capital of the world, for the past twenty years, has consulted for a clientele list including designers from Calvin Klein, Valentino, and Costume National.

Men can be stubborn when it comes to seeking sartorial advice. Many may even prefer asking directions to enlisting the advice of a trained professional on appropriate shorts-length, or the necessity of a pedicure in summer. So psychoPEDIA did the dirty work -- we caught up with Mather during his day of prep for a Vanity Fair shoot in LA, caught some rays poolside and procured that much-needed summer style advice from the guy who stays put-together, year-round:

Since we all want to save our big bucks for a luxurious vacation to some remote island, what’s a way to save some cash and still look classy for summer?
Zara for men is surprisingly good for something classy at a low price-point. It’s a good rule, if you have a tight budget. I actually send a lot of people there. American Apparel is always good too for summer, but not as classy.

Where would you personally shop for chic summer style, for instance in LA where you’ve recently been working?
In LA, Fred Segal for summer is genius. You really can’t beat it. You can get beautiful summer suits down to your shorts and T-shirts for the beach, and nice bags. And there’s a new Barneys Co-Op in the Grove which is great.

What are your tips for summer do’s and don’ts for men, i.e. shorts and sandals?
Shorts are a no-no in town. Only wear shorts when you’re by the pool or at the beach. And anything above the knee is not ok unless you’re doing sports. I would never go that much higher. And for a guy, open sandals are a big no-no. You just can’t walk down the street in Paris or New York with sandals on. But for the beach, just a simple flip-flop with two straps like a Birkenstock is perfect—nothing too heavy or with a tie-around strap.

What about accessories?
As for accessories for the town, I’m into a watch and one item. You can put a ring or a necklace on, and that’s it. You should never have more than three pieces on. If you’re wearing even three pieces, you’re probably going too far. And of course, a good pair of sunglasses is the best summer accessory.

And grooming tips?
Make sure your skin is well-moisturized and that you have a slight tan. It’s really important to look healthy. You shouldn’t look pasty white, but you also shouldn’t look like you’ve been sunbathing for the past week.

And fragrances?
For men, Calvin has lighter and fresher fragrances like CKN2U. Even the light Eternity fragrance is good. Light and fresh is key for summer.

Who are your style icons and or films/books that you make references to in your styling?
It depends. Each shoot could have a different reference. I just did a shoot today and it had a ‘40s-Hollywood feel referencing really classic American actors of the time–Clark Gable and such. But then on the next shoot I could be doing something a little more modern. But I like to watch old movies like on TCM www.turnerclassicmovies.com really late at night when you can’t sleep, and I just flick through and say “Oh, cool, I could use that.” Basically, I love to reference films and books. I’ll go to a bookshop here or there. I’ll be in Milan next week, and maybe I can pick something there I can use.

As a stylist who divides his time between France, Britain, and America, how would you describe the overall style of each country?
French style: Subdued. Never over-the-top. Always on a certain level.
British style: Quirky. It’s very eclectic. They mix and match and go to the secondhand store, then mix it with Top Shop, H&M, Burberry or Prada. They’re really good at styling themselves. They have their own character, and they’re really good at bringing that out.
American: Urban. When I think of America, I usually think of New York or LA. It’s much tougher, a bit harder.

What style do you think you are closest to?
I think I subscribe more to the urban style. You’ll only see me once in a year in a pair of shorts. I’m definitely more urban.

And what style do you use the most in your work?
Well, I do what I like, but I also portray different characters. I can do romantic, I can do urban. I like all of it. I wouldn’t just do urban, because that would be boring.

So, while you have some great advice for men, not to leave women out entirely -- what’s one great, easy summer look?
You can’t beat a beautiful summer light cotton dress. Something to pair up with flip-flops and a little bag– can’t go wrong.

What’s the next stop in your worldly travels?
Milan for Fashion Week.

And what’s the best thing upcoming in men’s fashion?
I’m excited about Tom Ford, who’s having a perfume launch during Fashion Week next week. And I think we’re going to see the next menswear collection. That’s the thing I’m most excited about in the near future.

~Leann Peterson

1st & 4th Photos by Seth Wolfson
2nd Photo by Terry Richardson
3rd Photo by Satoshi Saikusa
5th Photo by Paul Jasmin

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In the ‘burbs they’ve got summers easy–– just throw on a bathing suit and run through the sprinkler system.  But in one of the most heavily-populated cities in the world, we’ve got to find more creative ways to get fresh air and a good cool-down. From sharing an ice-cold beer with some friends, to licking a drippy fro-yo down the street, no matter where you are in NYC, there are some simple ways to beat the heat this summer. With temperatures quickly escalating, we’ve all hiked our shorts way up, and found some prime tactics to cool off around our favorite city. 

Queens
Indoors: Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, Astoria - Partake in a 90-year-old tradition of enjoying frosty cold beers at one of the oldest beer gardens left in the city. Whether you sit indoors or out, you can enjoy your favorite imported or domestic beer at a picnic table and do  “cheers” with your friends long into the wee hours of the night.
Outdoors: Water Taxi Beach, LIC - Sip on a cold fruity cocktail from one of the many bars on the strip while you sink your toes in the sand and gaze at an amazing view of midtown Manhattan. Even catch a ride on the Water Taxi for a short, cool mini-cruise and enjoy the New York skyline. 

Manhattan
Indoors: The Metropolitan Museum -Take advantage of one of the most icily air-conditioned spots in Manhattan and catch the “Frank Stella on the Roof” installation while you’re at it.
Outdoors: Pinkberry -The frozen treat that markets itself simply as “swirly goodness” is a massive hit with West Coasters, with stores throughout California. Now invading the East coast, Pinkberry now offers up a low-fat way to cool down with 3 stores in Manhattan, and a new one opening up in Nolita. 

Brooklyn
Indoors: Galapagos Art Space - Smack in the middle of Williamsburg, this nightclub/art space has a reflecting pool right on the premises where you can sneak in a nippy dip for your feet.  And if that’s not cool enough for you, at least the crowd will be. Don’t miss the summer parties before it moves to its new DUMBO location.
Outdoors: Coney Island Park - Take the worthwhile trip out to the end of the train lines in Brooklyn for a ride on the Scream Machine or the Python roller coaster for a stomach-turning, hair-blowing cool-down -- and catch a good tan. 

Staten Island
Indoors: Ralph's Italian Ice - Famous for having some of the yummiest Italian ices in New York, this Staten Island establishment has been serving up brain-freezes since 1928 with tongue-color-changing flavors from cherry cola to margarita.
Outside: Staten Island Ferry - Catch this 25-minute free ride down at the tip of Battery Park over to Staten Island for a breezy trip across the Hudson. And for an ultimate cool-down tip, stand directly in the center of the front entranceway where the air channels into a powerful wind tunnel for those sweltering days. 

Bronx
Indoors/Outdoors: Bronx Zoo - The Bronx Zoo’s got your inside and out cool-down needs covered. For just 5 bucks, you can take a ride on the Wild Asia Monorail for an aerial glide around the zoo, to see the animals in their outdoor habitats and catch a breeze while you cross the water. And if that’s not enough, check out their indoor exhibit “World of Darkness” to see nocturnal animals from bats, to snakes, to two-toed sloths—because even if you can’t cool off in here, seeing these creatures peer at you through the darkness is enough to give you chills.
*And for a tasty summer treat in any borough, indulge yourself in a pint of some 5 Boroughs Ice Cream, with flavors from Upper East Side’s “Rich White Vanilla,” to South Bronx’s “Cha-Cha Chocolate.”

~Leann Peterson

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Both in the rink and on the road, NHL athletes are typically sworn to rigid clothing formalities such as uniforms and traditional business suits. So, it’s hard to imagine that, in their downtime, any of these sweaty hockey dudes actually showcase a suave sense of style. But, at least in the case of New York Islanders forward Richard Park, it’s entirely accurate. 

Having played hockey practically since his infancy, Park, 31, is seemingly supernatural on the ice. After spending countless years of his youth playing in junior leagues, Park’s talents eventually caught up, landing him pro status in 1994 when he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team’s acquisition of Park was an interesting landmark one, being that he’s the second Korean-born athlete ever to play in the NHL.

But, while Park is a natural on skates, he’s had a bit more difficulty when it comes to a slightly different sport: shopping, or, more specifically, finding a great-fitting pair of jeans. So, when we asked Park to test out a pair of Earnest Sewn’s latest in sought-after men’s denim styles (aka: Hutch), he happily obliged.  Considering that the NYC-based company prides itself on “updating the American heritage lifestyle,” and understands that versatility is essential, one would be hard-pressed to find a better fit for an athlete like Park, whose lifestyle is equal parts fast-paced and dynamic. Here, Park’s take on the jeans, in his own words: 

So where are you these days during the off season?
We live in Redondo Beach during the summers. 

Where did you actually grow up?
I grew up in LA until I was 13 and then I moved to Toronto and lived there for three years. Then, I lived in a little town where I played in the Juniors League - Bellville, Ontario. A total of six years in Ontario, Canada. My sister and I moved up to Toronto together. We actually moved up because of hockey. I was invited up to play on a team, so we moved up and had a really great experience, and went up the next year! People started telling me that I was a really good player, so I played Juniors level…and then I ended up going pro. 

I always see hockey players wearing full-on suits, when they’re traveling or going into or out of the hockey stadiums/rinks. Do you have to wear them?
When we’re on the road, we pretty much have to wear suits all the time. I think the professionalism of it is why we wear them. When you’re playing the game, you want to be really presentable, because we are in the public spotlight the majority of the time. I travel so much. We play 41 games on the road and that’s not including play-offs and preseason. 

When do you get to just cut loose and finally wear a pair of jeans?!
For instance, if we’re playing The Rangers, we’ll go in the night before. We always travel the night before. More often now, teams are allowing players to go to dinner in jeans. Whenever we’re not in suits, we’re in jeans. It’s either one or the other! 

Have you had a chance to check out the Earnest Sewns?
Oh yeah! They’re 36’s and fit perfectly. 

Being that you value your time and you have to wear either your uniform or a suit traveling… what do you like most about these jeans?
I think athletes have a certain type of body. It’s one of the hardest things to find as a hockey player -- first, a nice-fitting pair; and secondly a nice-looking pair that have a lot of style and look good. They work well both dressy and casual -- that’s the best thing I like about them, their versatility. Most jeans don’t look really nice to wear to a nice dinner when we’re traveling, you’ll usually have to wear the usual black pants. However, these jeans I could wear to dinner with the team. 

Could you ever wear them playing hockey!
In the jeans?

Yeah! In the jeans!
Well, maybe not underneath my equipment, but if I was just wearing skates, I could, because they’re that real lightweight denim, which is my favorite. Yeah, I could pull it off!

Any final words about the jeans...
I think right now we’re sorta in the “jean boom” and people have progressed into making jeans a necessity for everyone’s wardrobe. Finding a pair like this, is not only really comforting, it’s very time consuming in a sense, because you know you’ll get good quality with the product.

~Jessica McMenamin

Get Yours:
Earnest Sewn's Hutch Jean, $231, is available at Earnest Sewn's NYC outpost, An Earnest Cut & Sew, 821 Washington Street, as well as online at retailers like revolveclothing.com

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 08:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s no question that over recent years, the level of general interest focused on the contemporary art scene has skyrocketed.  From New York magazine’s cover-page proclamation of young, Manhattan-based artists Dan Colen, Dash Snow and Ryan McGinley as the figurative offspring of the man behind pop art himself, to twenty and thirty-something art stars showing up in fashion designer Adam Kimmel’s Fall 2007 Lookbook, contemporary art has seemingly never been so in-demand.  Fortunately, it’s never been as inexpensive, either. 

While the term ‘affordable art’ may, at first, sound like an oxymoron, aspiring collectors and linguistics nerds alike will be relieved to find that the phrase does in fact ring true… at least in the case of the three-day fair of the same name, which opens in NYC tomorrow.  So, dig out your checkbook, take one last look at that irritatingly white empty wall space that’s been plaguing your apartment, and get yourself to the Metropolitan Pavilion (and adjoining Altman Building). 

With all works priced between $100 and $10,000, this year’s Affordable Art Fair, now in its sixth annual incarnation, is offering up artwork in an array of media, for much less than what you’d find at Sotheby’s.  The selection, 75 percent of which is priced under $5,000, will include a wide range of international artists, as the more than 70 exhibiting galleries are from as wide a geographical assortment as Mexico, the UK, France and Australia. 

While one probably won’t land a true diamond in the rough (i.e., finding a signed Picasso in a junkyard), the fair features a number of steals waiting to be uncovered.  Among some of the most noteworthy is photographer William Lamson, a NY-based artist whose suburban photographs call to mind another photographer of the same name (hint: the latter’s face recently graced a series of Marc Jacobs’ ads).  The Mexican-born and based Hugo Lugo’s painting El adios ($4,000) presents an irresistible portrayal of detachment, one that simultaneously flirts with elements both childlike and morose.  David Burdeny’s Mustard Field ($460) channels a painterly Andreas Gursky with a twist.  While, works like Gundula Jacobs’ Marbles ($9,500) and Darlene Charneco’s Lakefront Cyburb ($600) toy with redefining traditional still-life.

Interested in learning more about how to turn your affordable art into an enviable collection?  This coming weekend also welcomes two afternoon lectures (in conjunction with the fair) by the School of Visual Arts (SVA), bearing the respective subtitles of “Beginning and Developing Your Art Collection,” and “Collecting, Owning and Preserving Works on Paper.”  And, for those interested in collecting art on a limited budget but aren’t NYC bound this week (or for whom one fair is not nearly enough), don’t fret:  There’s always the New Collector’s Circle (NCC), an organization that brings together a wide range of art enthusiasts, introducing aspiring aficionados to members of certain galleries, corporate art collections, advisors, and art fairs.

In the immortal words of Charles Saatchi, “There are no rules about investment.  Sharks can be good.  Artist’s dung can be good.  Oil on canvas can be good.”  As the stories behind many past masterpieces will tell you, risk, in art, is often a good thing.  Yes there are a few things to avoid – like, for instance, any installations with an inherent shelf life. But the key is, simply, to go with your gut. 

~Alisa Gould-Simon

See It:
Tonight’s Affordable Art Fair Opening Night Event, 6pm-9pm, will benefit the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) and will include a silent auction of contemporary artworks by artists such as Donald Sultan and Claes Oldenburg.
The Affordable Art Fair NYC, The Metropolitan Pavilion and The Altman Building, 125 West 18^th St, Thursday, June 14 and Sunday, June 17, 12pm-5pm., Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16, 12pm-8pm.

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A truly standout father is worth his weight in gold. And, fortunately for fathers everywhere, this coming Sunday sees the yearly event that reminds us all that it’s prime time to show the paternal figure(s) in your life just how much you care.

Because playing the paternal role is no easy task, for this week’s shop guide we’ve opted for a slightly more extravagant, significantly less economical approach to celebrating Father’s Day. In other words, we’ve gathered a list of potential gifts that just might make any man in your life downright speechless. Because, when it comes to Father’s Day, we’ve officially subscribed to the motto: Go big or go home.

A Trip To the Moon ($100,000,000)
Okay, while this isn’t exactly a feasible option for most offspring no matter how much they love their pops, nothing says #1 dad like a trip to the moon. And, thanks to the Arlington, Virginia-based company Space Adventures, now you can bring new meaning to the phrase “out of this world.” To boot, if your father figure isn’t exactly in the kind of shape inter-galactic travel requires -- or your checkbook can’t support the nine figures -- Space Adventures also offers earth-bound travel options like a VIP Launch Tour and Zero-Gravity Flight. 

Training Session With Celebrity Trainer Michael George ($750 for six sessions)
It’s pretty much common knowledge that good diet and exercise can lead to a longer, healthier life. So, why not promote your father figure’s own future health and happiness now by gifting him a series of sessions with LA-based trainer-to-the-stars, Michael George. Not only has the self-labeled coach’s reputation landed him in Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Health, he’s a genuinely amicable (as Meg Ryan put it, “really funny!”) guy looking to better his client’s bodies and minds by blending Eastern and Western exercise and breathing techniques. Just remember to book him before August (when he leaves town for a bit) at one of three California locations: West LA, West Hollywood and Malibu.

Augusta Cigars (prices range)
These hard-to-find cigars are manufactured in Brazil. In the past, they’ve famously graced the lips of such noteworthy icons as Miles Davis, who credited the brand as his favorite. Yet, they’re sold so rarely, any cigar aficionado who receives a box will know how special these cigars are. So, kiss your qualms about Cuban embargos goodbye and opt for a high-end cigar that comes from a little further south of the border.

Private Jet ($412,500 and up)
There’s nothing like jet-setting (literally) in style, so this Father’s Day why not treat Pops to his own personal jet. We’re not recommending that you buy – unless you can, in which case, congrats – but renting may be the perfect way to go. With companies like Marquis Jet, individuals can rent luxury jets at a fraction of the price, which still ranks in the high six figures. But, for those who can afford it, it’s a small price to pay for essentially 50 hours worth of flying in the utmost high-end fashion. To note, prices vary depending on the aircraft type you choose, and finance, lease and pre-owned alternatives are also available. 

Sony Vaio FZ Premium ($2,000)
There are a number of reasons why Sony’s slick new line of notebook computers makes a great gift, and convenience and portability are at the top of the list. First off, weighing in at less than six pounds, this sleek gadget is the lightest high-definition laptop available today. In addition, it boasts great battery life, an extremely efficient processor, Blu-ray-burning capability (which in laymen’s terms translates to being able to burn hi-def DVDs), as well as a built-in camera and microphone. Not to mention, with a 15.4-inch screen this crisp, it’s sure to make any flight (be it private or commercial) a lot more pleasurable.

Rekindle the Romance Weekend at Napa’s Calistoga Ranch ($1145-$1395 per night, depending on the day of the week and time of year)
This Napa Valley resort is unrivaled in a number of noteworthy ways. Thanks to its location, tucked into a private canyon in Upper Napa Valley, the 46-room luxury resort is extremely isolated, seated on 157 acres of land dotted with ancient oak trees, beautiful hillsides, a rocky stream as well as a private lake. That’s not even mentioning its proximity to Napa’s wealth of vineyards, as well as the resort’s own Bathhouse, where visitors can indulge in a wide range of spa services. To really put a smile on your dad’s face, we recommend sending him and his significant other for a “Rekindle the Romance” weekend, which includes three nights in a one-bedroom lodge with a spa, a dozen roses upon arrival, one candlelit dinner either in the lodge or Lakehouse restaurant, as well as breakfast in bed all three mornings. 

~Alisa Gould-Simon

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For a director that reportedly rakes in five million or more every time he directs a blockbuster like Rush Hour (1, 2 and the not yet released third edition included), X-Men: The Last Stand, and Red Dragon, and whose CV includes directing music videos for such pop icons as Madonna and Jessica Simpson, it’s hard to believe that Brett Ratner isn’t lapping up his life of luxury and kickin’ back whenever he’s given the chance.  Instead, the Miami Beach-born and bred director has recently overloaded himself with a variety of projects involving a wide range of industries – production, book publishing and fashion photography to name a few.

So, when psychoPEDIA got the chance to sit down with the neo-Renaissance Man in his Beverly Hills home and discuss Ratner’s utterly unique road to success, as well as he foray into reality TV thanks to Steven Spielberg, we were pretty pleased.  In his own words:

It’s hard not to notice all of the photos in your house. Who would you say are the photographers you most admire?
Different photographers for different things. Helmut Newton for fashion, Patrick Demarchelier, Brigitte Lancome for portraits. And I’m a big fan of Arnold Newman; he’s very famous. I love all photographers, and I collect photography.

Given your experience in film and photography, what in particular attracts you to fashion photography, and how does it relate to directing?
It’s storytelling. And in movies, I have lighting, use composition. So movies are just an extension of still photography. But I know it’s weird for a director to want to be a photographer. Usually photographers want to be directors. So, I’m a fan of Araki, the Japanese photographer. For me I just love the challenge of telling a story in one frame. 

But, film to fashion, that’s a pretty drastic step.  How did you get there?
I was a frustrated photographer, and I had a girlfriend who was very jealous. She was really afraid I was going to photograph pretty girls. Thank god I took her advice because it helped my career as a director. But the way I became a photographer was an accident. I went to dinner with Helmut Newton the night before he died. And I took a picture of him, and they ran the picture in Vanity Fair and it said, “photograph by Brett Ratner.” And I said, “Oh, now I’m a photographer.”  So that’s how I became a photographer (laughs).

In addition to directing, producing and photographing, you’ve recently added acting to your repertoire.  It’s a pretty incredible range…
Oh! I’m a bad actor. I keep getting hired to act! I was just on Entourage, and everyone calls me and says “oh, you’re such a good actor” and they’re all just kissing my butt. I’m not a good actor, and I don’t like to act, otherwise I would put myself in all of my movies. So for a friend, I’d do a favor, but I prefer to be behind the camera. 

What else are you working on right now?
On the Lot [Stephen Spielberg’s new FOX reality television show]. I did the first two episodes. 

And you were a judge?
Just for the pilot, every week they have another big director. One week it’s Michael Bay, next week it’s someone else. And Spielberg asked me to start the show. 

When did you first meet Steven Spielberg?
Many years ago, when I was in college [Ratner enrolled in NYU’s film school at the age of 16], I sent a letter to 40 of the biggest people, because I didn’t know anybody in the movie business. I’m from Miami. And I got 39 rejection letters, but I got a call saying that Steven Spielberg was looking for me, and I thought they were joking. I thought it was my mother pretending. He saw my film and he wanted to help me. And he sent me money for my first student film. 

How much?
A few thousand, but I was only 17. I was very young. 

And you obviously eventually got your change to thank him?
Of course, I thanked him. I met him, and he tried to fix me up with his daughter. But he’s become my friend over the years.

So, what’s your next project?
I have Rush Hour 3 coming out August 10. And then I’m maybe doing a movie with Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Eave Chappell, Jamie Foxx, and maybe Denzel Washington– all in one movie. It’s not official though. 

That’s quite a lineup [Note: Roman Polanski also acts in the film]…
They all rob the Trump tower. They work in it and they rob all the apartments. And they want me to director the life of Hugh Hefner. And then I have another movie, which is a remake of Boys from Brazil. Everyday it changes. But Rush Hour 3 is the next big movie. 

Anything else?
I publish books for fun [one of which is a book of photo booth strips taken in Ratner’s home of celebrities, entitled Hilhaven Lodge].  I did a documentary on Helmut Newton, called Helmut by June (2005). I make music videos and photographs. I love it. I don’t only do movies. 

So, if you could direct any movie, what would it be?
That’s so hard. But maybe, the ultimate film for me would probably be a movie about gangters– but to make it real. Because I love what [Martin] Scorsese does with his films, you know, like Casino. I’m fascinated by the criminal movies. But there are always great movies like The Godfather that already exist, so maybe I’ll try to do something else. But for me, I don’t have a strategy. I love comedy. I’ve never done a musical. Every movie is a challenge. I’ve done action, comedy, drama, romance, psychological thriller… 

Out of all of them, what medium attracts you the most?
I like directing the most. My dream when I was 8 years old was to make movies. So I’m very grateful and lucky that I get the chance, because I can’t even believe they pay me. My dream wasn’t to have a big house and Ferraris, I don’t care about all of that.  My dream was to make movies. All this came along because I love what I do.  I knew what I was born to do, and I was born to make films.

5th & 6th Images by Seth Wolfson

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Long pegged as the punk complement to fellow Wolf Parade-r Spencer Krug’s boyish charm, Dan Boeckner isn’t an artist easily categorized.  Not only is the songwriter/musician incredibly prolific – in addition to penning and performing songs with the aforementioned Montreal-based indie-rock band Wolf Parade (which took the music industry by storm with their debut LP in 2005), Boeckner and his fiancée Alexei Perry recently launched Handsome Furs, whose premier LP, Plague Park, which hit record stores late last month, has already garnered critical acclaim.  Oh yeah, and his lyrics and melodies are about as infectious as Black Death (note: the fact that the latter LP was influenced by black metal and includes the word plague in its title is purely coincidence).

We’ve long been curious about the wealth of creativity flourishing north of the border, so we called up Boeckner at home to discuss his music, upcoming marriage, and his favorite French-Canadian city’s best-kept secrets:

Where exactly do you live?
Myland, in the middle of the city, north of Sainte-Catherine’s, which is the big strip.  North of that is the former big, ‘cool’ neighborhood, Plateau. 

Kind of like Williamsburg?
[Laughs] It’s not quite a Williamsburg.  There’s a big [international] population.  There’s no real way it’s going to get gentrified.  I don’t see American Apparel moving in anytime soon. 

What brought you to Montreal in the first place?
I moved from Victoria four years ago.  It was just time for me to get out of town, and I’d lived in Montreal before.  Then, about a year and a half ago I moved back to Vancouver.  Alexei was living there at the time… 

Is she originally from Vancouver as well?
No, she’s from Montreal.  She was actually born a couple of blocks away from where we live now. 

Why Montreal?
It’s my favorite city in Canada.  It’s really closer to a city in Europe.  The French influence is big.  I mean, you’ll be out late, really late, and you’ll see grandmothers out having a glass of wine.  It’s pretty cosmopolitan.  Vancouver’s pretty white, Chinese and Korean.  Here there’s much more diversity, more cultural influence.  There’s the second largest Hasidic Jewish community in North America across the street from us. 

How would you describe the local music scene after the press’ intensive coverage of ‘Montreal music’ a few years back…
There are more bands right now than there were then, but there had already been a big Montreal music scene before with bands like Godspeed You Black Emperor!  It slacked off a bit before Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade but that was really more of a media construct than anything – a self-fulfilling prophecy.  There are more bands now than there were then when Filter and Spin magazine were sending people up here to cover the ‘Montreal scene.’  It’s a pretty good scene now.  You don’t have to be surrounded by hipsters if you don’t want to be. 

Are there any up-and-coming local bands you’re really excited about?
Yeah.  The band The Witchies; the drummer is from Daddy’s Hands, and its got Chad Jones who used to be Frankie Sparo [the Witchies’ debut gig is at the Suoni Per II Popolo Festival in Montreal this month].  Alexei and I took him [Jones] on tour to Scandinavia and after coming back he started this rock band.  It’s pretty fucking great. 

Let’s talk about Handsome Furs for a moment.  First off, what’s the origin of the name?
It comes from a book called Victorian Advertisements, by Leonard de Fries.  It was actually a short story Alexei was working on, taken from an ad for men’s fur coats.  We just thought, ‘that’s a fantastic name for the band!’ 

In what ways, if any, would you say Montreal influenced the album?
Maybe in the tone of the record… we recorded it in the dead of winter.  But a lot of the lyrics were written while we were in Europe, Easter Scandinavia.  Also, a lot were written while we were living in Vancouver, which is where the negative urban life stuff came from.  So, to me, it’s more Vancouver than it is Montreal.  I really like Montreal.  I don’t have any problems with it, except that it’s pretty fucking cold.  Like yesterday, it was cold for no reason.  It’s nice today though… balmy. 

The Sub Pop press page really pushes Handsome Furs as a paradox – simultaneously urban and rural, etc.  So, for starters, where do you go for a full on, ‘out ‘til dawn’ kind of night?
A lot my friends here live in these big, older apartments so there are these guerilla dance parties.  Hadji [Bakara] from Wolf Parade has this sound system project [i.e. secret dance parties].  There was this street parade recently and he hooked up the sound system under this underpass and there were like 300 or 400 people going bananas. You can YouTube that shit.  The next one is on St. Jean Baptiste Day down at the Lachine Canal Port. 

What about when you’re looking for a more low-key night out?
There’s a bar called Café Romolo.  It’s really great.  In the back they have a crappy living room set up with old couches.  And they play good music.  There’s also Korova; my friend Nick ‘the Prick’ owns it.  It’s worth going just to see him.  He’s one of he best bartenders in the city; he knows everyone and is pretty genial. 

Do you have a favorite music venue?
Definitely.  The Sala Rossa is this old Spanish social club, so it has a stage with big velvet curtains and hardwood floors.  Tons of good bands – Black Dice, Wolf Eyes, Deerhunter– have played there… mostly underground bands that are just starting to make good.  Also, Zoobizarre, which looks like a medieval dungeon.  They’re both the kind of places you can randomly go to and something good will be happening. 

And, as for restaurants, what are some of your favorites?
Le Jardin du Cari, which means ‘the curry garden.’  It’s across the street from our house.  They’ve got rotis, and chicken with hot sauce.  It’s fucking amazing.  It’s really cheap and good.  And Pho-Bak - a Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown.  Their soups are really good.  It’s cheap and the décor is amazing. 

Any hotels you’d recommend?
There are some boutique hotels – Hotel Gault and Godin, which is pretty new.  Hotel Godin is in a pretty decent neighborhood, pretty central and I’ve heard it’s nice.  I’ve been to Hotel Gault and the rooms look nice. 

What about a favorite record shop?
There’s a real lack of good record shops in Montreal.  The one really good one is Cheap Thrills.  They have really good vinyl, lots of weird stuff and all reasonably priced. 

Maybe one day you’ll have to start your own…
[Laughs] Actually a friend of mine used to sell vinyl out of the back of his apartment.  This guy Warren.  But he’s in Thailand now.  He found a bootleg vinyl of the Velvet Underground’s first album with all these different versions of the songs at a garage sale in NYC.  He ended up selling it on eBay for like $40,000, so the record shop is temporarily on hold. 

Do you have a favorite latest discovery?
We just went to the Biodome.  It’s this enormous place with an Amazon habitat.  It’s pretty fucking awesome.  It’s the least cool place - not exactly a hipster hangout, but I loved it.  It was great to be a tourist in my own town. 

And what’s the first place you go when it finally gets warm?
I go to the park, generally Mount Royal.  It’s this huge old park that was designed by the same guy who designed Central Park.  There’ll be these giant, organized soccer games and medieval revivalists fighting with duck-taped swords.  That’s really big here actually, there will be like a 100 of them on Sundays putting on fights.  And, in the middle of the park there’s this mini-mountain; Alexei and I are getting married there in a few weeks. 

Are you and Alexei planning to stay in Montreal indefinitely?
We’d like to live in other cities around the world, but I think we’ll always have Montreal as our home base.  It’s totally unlike any other city. 

Even despite the cold?
Yeah.  You get a lot done in the winter. 

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Go There:
Café Romolo, 272 Bernard Street West, (514) 272-5035
Korova, 3908 bd. Saint-Laurent, near rue Duluth, (514) 848-0343
Le Jardin Du Cari, 21 rue Saint-Viateur West, (514) 495-0565
Pho-Bak, rue Saint-Denis, south of rue Sainte-Catherine

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For celebrities, a botched spray tan, over-plumped pout or just plain bad skin can land one as heavy a critique as would connections to the Church of Scientology.  Thus, certain beauty secrets prove covetable.  As a result, only a favorable few have been enlightened about biotin, despite the fact that ‘It’-girls and over-the-hill actors alike are currently buying it in bulk.

Worth its weight in gold for both limp-haired femmes and follicle-ly challenged gents, Biotin (occasionally referred to as vitamin H) is part of the B-complex vitamins that generates both hair growth, and, in some cases, re-growth.  In addition to helping maintain a steady blood-sugar level, Biotin will also strengthen nails.

When we first heard the name spouted from the lips of a hairstylist at the new Serge Normant at John Frieda salon in the Meatpacking District, we were immediately intrigued.  And, after learning that Normant (one of the leading hairstylists in the fashion industry) recommends it to all his clients, who include Ellen Barkin, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson, our tongues were officially wagging.  So, we asked Ty Holbrook, 30, one of Normant’s right-hand men, all about the beloved beauty product, what your locks say about you, and what styles are ‘in’ this season. 

Is biotin something that’s been used in the biz for a long time or more recently?
More recently.  I’d say for the last five months.  I heard one of the guys at the salon recommending clients and some celebrities to try it and they all came back later with tremendous results. 

What kind of hair types do you recommend it for, and what kind of effect does it have?
We recommend it to clients that are on the thinner-haired side.  It helps with hair growth, not really with re-growth.  It makes the hair thicker, healthier and grow quicker.  I think the dosage is 500mg, and it’s imperative that you double the dosage.  Then, it takes about one month before you notice a change. 

In your opinion, what does one’s hair say about them?
I think it expresses their moods, their creativity.  You can tell that someone is creative by the way the hair is cut, the style, and the way it’s groomed. 

So what does your hair say about you?
It changes all the time, so, I guess that says a lot about my… no, well, about my personality.  I like change. 

What hair trends have you noticed this summer?
Bangs were hot and I think they still are.  I’ve cut a lot of girls’ hair off recently, like collarbone-length hair boy-short with a number-one clipper on the side and longer on top with a bang.  Kind of like a Mohawk, but not. 

Did any of them freak out afterwards?
I have a good eye when it comes to knowing beforehand if it’s going to look good on someone.  Most of them like it. 

Any celebrity styles you think are really on the mark?
That girl, the one that dances with Jay-Z… Rihanna.  That style is pretty hot. 

Ah, the new bob with the bangs?
Um-hum.  Hot. 

Is there any style you wish would just curl up and die?
Yes!  The Meg Ryan haircut.  I’d be happy if I never saw it again. 

What is the number-one essential for hair this summer?
I wouldn’t know what to tell you; every person needs something different.  If John Frieda still made that Ocean Waves spray – you sprayed it on frizzy hair, wrapped your hair around your fingers and it became great beach-y hair – I’d say that.  I guess I’d say Surf Spray --  Bumble and Bumble makes one. 

Or just come in for a consultation with you…
Totally.

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Go There:
Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon, $400 and up for a cut with Normant, $125 for a cut with Hollbrook or another salon stylist, 797 Madison Avenue, (212) 879-1000

Third photo by Michael Thompson for Vogue Italia

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Last week, rumors surfaced that a notorious downtown nightlife impresario is entertaining the idea of a embarking on a slightly different social endeavor – specifically, opening a bathhouse.  Such a proposal might not strike one as especially shocking at first.  However, keep in mind, this is the same theatre scion whose current Lower East Side establishment (marked by a sexually-charged moniker) allegedly encourages in-house adventures of an illicit-nature -- drug use, nudity and public sex included.  Such hearsay is leading many to question, what’s next? 

If today’s youths are any indication, the future may have more shock and awe left up its sleeve.  According to the 13-year-old daughter of a prominent NYC-based hotelier whose own liaisons link him to Hollywood, the preferred method of birth control amongst pre-pubescent prep-schoolers these days is anal sex.  (“At least they’re not using the pill,” we can imagine a certain First Lady saying to herself.)  At this rate, what exactly is the nation’s future with regard to naughtiness?  Have we gone too far? 

That’s exactly what various Nerve.com editors and contributors, including Ana Marie Cox, Jay McInerney, and Walter Kirn, are attempting to answer in a thought-provoking tome entitled 2033: The Future of Misbehavior, which launches tomorrow.  Commissioned by Svedka (hence the title’s reference to the year in which the vodka company’s recent, sexy-robot-ridden ad campaign is set), the book attempts to take a crack at the seemingly unanswerable query: ‘What will the world of sex and misbehavior hold for us circa 2033?’ 

In a society over-saturated with photographs of celebrities’ nether regions and detailed coverage of prominent figures’ extramarital affairs, it’s little surprise that 2033: The Future of Misbehavior takes a distinctly cynical stance when it comes to the future of sex.  Even less surprising is its satirical bite.  Since its launch ten years ago, Nerve.com has garnered acclaim for its cliché-shattering, fearless, impeccably-written approach to discussing sex, relationships and popular culture.  The site has long been heralded for taking a progressive, even radical look at the way men and women -- and men and men, and women and women -- think, feel and interact when the lights go low.  But, what exactly will this all mean 26 years into the future?

According to the book, it reads a little like this: 10,000 bottle service at celebrity-run clubs; Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie scholarships for ‘body conscious’ wannabes ambitious to make something of themselves, or, in other words, “come to New York, dance to some house music, have some anal sex and get [their] picture in a few magazines.”  There’s also the unforeseen issue of extreme age gaps - agile youths dating individuals older than their grandparents thanks to nano-technology’s allowance for much longer life spans.  Not to mention, when people are living a good 150 years longer, a lot more are welcoming sex-change operations in order to try things “from the other side.”  Oh yeah, and there’s a 100% divorce rate thanks in part to the fact that (as Tolstoy could have predicted) husbands are still screwing the nanny.

At a preview reading last night at Columbus Circle’s Borders, complete with short-skirted femmes serving Svedka cocktails in plastic test tubes, a woman in the audience remarked, “it doesn’t sound like there’s a whole lot of misbehaving going on in 2033.”  “Some of the stories were cut short due to our proximity to the children’s section.  I assure, there’s plenty of misbehavior in the book,” replied a slightly-addled Rufus Griscom, co-founder of Nerve.com. Besides, contributor Douglas Rushkoff chimed in: “That all depends on how you define misbehavior.”

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Ah, summertime in the city.  While sweaty NYC may mean many things to different Manhattan (and bordering-borough) dwellers, it means one very important thing to us: free.  In a city plagued by inflated prices – cigarettes can cost upwards of $9, while studio apartments in the East Village easily top $900,000 – the idea of getting something gratuitous is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Luckily, all throughout summer, our beloved metropolis makes it even easier to eat, drink and be generally merry with absolutely no cost.  And, one doesn’t have to join the church or their local Rotary Club to begin benefiting.  Atop rooftops, seaside and street-side, there are lots of freebies to load up on.  So, for this week’s shop guide, we’ve gathered together a list of generous, musically minded events that make us want to scream, ‘I love New York!’

McCarren Park Pool Party (June 24 to August 19)
Don’t expect floaties and hot lifeguards. This ain’t your average country-club pool party (though there is still a slip-n-slide). Instead, it’s a sweaty mess of mostly twenty-somethings shoved into an abandoned Olympic-sized pool in Williamsburg. This JellyNYC-sponsored event brings you some of the hottest acts (literally) every Sunday throughout the summer.  And with headliners this year like TV on the Radio, Blonde Redhead, and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, expect to be dancing in a pool of sweat. Bikinis still welcome, of course. 

Central Park Summerstage (June 8 to September 16)
Only a skip away for Upper East and West-Siders, this music and arts festival sponsored by the City Parks Foundation presents 30 different events in music, art, theater, and dance. Rightfully the largest performing-arts summer festival in the city, while most of the events are free, they also have benefit concerts lined up– with Joss Stone and Common headlining the first of many on June 8. Don’t miss acts like Apples in Stereo, Comedy Central Park with Dave Attel, and Canada Day, featuring some faves, including Sloan, from up North.

Celebrate Brooklyn! (June 14 to August 11)
With a wide range of offerings– from Frank London’s Yiddish Carnival celebrating old and new school Jewish music, to a Bollywood dance party with DJ Rekha, to more indie-rock shows like The Hold Steady, this festival in the heart of Prospect Park gives even the most loyal Manhattanites a reason to trek out to Brooklyn.

Siren Festival (July 21^st)
This Village Voice-thrown shindig, despite being only a one-day event, really pulls out all the stops. Having formerly presented acts like Hot Chip, this year’s line-up is looking hard to beat as well, with We Are Scientists, Matt and Kim, the Noisettes, The Black Lips, and New York Dolls -- to name a few. We now have more than just the rides to lure us out to Coney Island.

River to River (June 1 to September 10)
American Express brings you the festival that celebrates lower Manhattan – throwing a plethora of events at Battery Park, South Street Seaport, and the World Financial Center. Acts not to miss include The New Pornographers, new electro-dance sensation Fujiya & Miyagi, Spoon, and experimental rockers Menomena.

**For more no-cost NYC events, like a free bourbon-fueled weekly party at Park Slope’s own Bar BQ (every Monday night from 7pm-9pm), we recommend surfing sites like Free NYC all summer.

~Leann Peterson

Photo courtesy of Chrissy Piper via Flickr

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Often compared to such influential bands as Muse and Radiohead, Lovedrug proves, among other things, that you can’t judge a book by its cover… or, rather, a band by its name.  In an endless sea of industry-packaged indie-rock and emo bands, this Cleveland, Ohio-based foursome strikes a feeling of familiarity, while at the same time offering something new. 

Having signed with The Militia Group, Lovedrug released their first album, the haunting and melodic Pretend You’re Alive, back in 2004.  Now, the Canton-bred boys of Lovedrug are fresh off their second LP launch and are currently touring with Sparta nationwide.  Since its release, the follow-up record, Everything Starts Where it Ends, has received critical acclaim: Spin magazine put it simply, “[it] has the grungy guitar brawn of bygone flannel rockers, but adds complexity with epic arrangements and moments of unsettling Thom Yorke falsetto.”

The band is comprised of James Childress on drums, Korey Jones on bass, David Owen on guitar and Michael Shepard on guitar and vocals.  For a frontman, Shepard is exceptionally shy - a soft-spoken superhero. He’s a breath of fresh air in an otherwise predictable indie-rock industry.  So, psychoPEDIA sat down with the anomaly to talk about everything from Hanson to a possible Hollywood career: 

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician?
[Laughs] When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a professional basketball player. That didn't work out because I wasn't all that great at basketball. [Laughs] It wasn't until I was 14 that I started playing guitar and realized music was going to take over my life. 

And what is your dream about now, besides making Lovedrug the biggest band in the world?
I would love to be an actor. 

If you could have been in any movie ever, what movie would you have been in and who would you have played?
If I could be Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now that'd be cool. 

What was the last movie you saw in theaters?
We all went to see 300 not too long ago. 

Oh yeah, that was great, I loved it, did you like it?
Yeah I did, I went into it with low expectations and ended up really liking it. It was really fantastic; especially the visual aesthetic, the look of it was so bad-ass. 

I noticed you went to film school for awhile -- are you going to direct any of the videos yourself?
I would love to in the future; I’m always looking for chances to marry those two worlds. I would love to get into writing and directing our music videos. 

Getting back to the music, what was it like to open for Hanson?
Pretty awesome actually. It happened about 2 or 3 years ago, pretty early on. We've been a band for about five-and-a-half years. We got the call that they were coming to our hometown playing the Palace Theater. It was pretty rad actually, they were really nice guys. I wasn't really familiar with their music except for their big hit. They're actually really fabulous musicians, really talented. Some of the stuff they were playing was really jazzy and they were obviously very knowledgeable. The crowd was hilarious; it was comprised of 14-year-old girls. I think there was one guy at the concert; it was funny. Great crowd reaction, they actually liked our stuff. 

There was mass hysteria surrounding them during the “Mmm Bop” era.  How do you feel about mainstream music today?
There’s so many bands out there doing their thing, young guys in tight pants swinging microphones around -- it doesn’t do anything for me, I know it does something for a lot of kids. I grew up at a time when diversity was everywhere and every band had a unique personality. It was a wonderful time for music and now all the bands sound the same. That’s unfortunate. 

Would you be comfortable with fame on that level?
I haven’t really experienced anything like that; I don’t really know what that would be like. We definitely want as many people as possible to hear our music and enjoy it. As far as the other stuff is concerned, I don’t know. I was always socially awkward; I don’t deal with large crowds of people very well. 

It seems like every year, someone new comes through and gets super big. Last year it was My Chemical Romance, now it’s Fall Out Boy. They all sound the same. Do people not notice this?
That's what I keep asking myself, I feel like this trick is being played on everyone, especially the younger kids. Don't they realize what's going on here? 

Not to mention, things are different these days.  Have you noticed that a lot of young people are getting into heavy drugs, like heroin, pretty early?
It's frightening, yeah. It's bizarre how younger kids are getting into that. Oh man, I don't know...The decline of society is becoming more and more apparent every day. I don't know, eventually kids are just gonna be popping out of the womb and shooting up. It's messed up. 

It's crazy, now the Britney Spears generation has got to shave their heads.
I think that's great, she got hooked on drugs and shaved her head. The next thing she has to do is start a rock band and her life will be complete.

On that note, do you have any parting words for the readers who read this?
Um...please go buy our record. 

~Garrett Faber

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The quintessentially sleepy beach-town of Encinitas, California is home to a bevy of Action Sports industry executives and athletes, including former professional snowboarder and agent from Wasserman Media, Circe Wallace. She could probably give Ari Gold, from HBO’s Entourage, a run for his money; however this power player manages professional skateboarders and snowboarders, not Hollywood’s hottest actors.

During the 1990s, when Wallace was a professional rider herself, little girls looked up to her and said, “If she can do it, so can I!” plastering her team poster, from Ride Snowboards, on their bedroom walls for inspiration. Quite the role model during her heyday. Things haven’t changed much. Wallace still takes heliriding trips around the world, yet now does it with her athletes, like Travis Rice, who, at present, is probably considered the best big mountain rider in the world. Let’s just put it this way, the chick jumps into helicopters, descends 10,000 feet above sea level and inks multimillion-dollar deals. Yeah, she’s bad-ass.

But even bad-ass chicks need time to rejuvenate their bodies and wind down from traveling. Ergo why Wallace calls Encinitas home sweet home. In between inking the latest deal for Wasserman Media, Wallace gave psychoPEDIA some time to chat about her oasis: 

How long have you lived in Encinitas and why did you end up there of all places?
I have been lucky enough to be in Encinitas for about 10 years. I am originally from Seattle/Northwest and after my first surf trip to Encinitas with my boyfriend of the time, famous old snowboarder/artist Jamie Lynn, I was set. Never wanted to leave.  

If someone were to visit and stay there, what hotel would be best (or even nearby?)
Well it depends on your budget. Now I would stay at the Aviara Four Seasons in Carlsbad (about 5-8 miles north of Encinitas) but if I was on a budget I might stay at the Moonlight Beach Motel. Ghetto-fabulous and a stone’s throw from D Street, one of my favorite Encinitas surf spots. I would highly recommend the campsite at the state park in Encinitas. It’s the best view in town and you can walk down the stairs to the water!

What's the quintessential "Encinitas Outing" like?
Encinitas is pretty mellow. I would say a sunset surf, followed by a nice outdoor shower, dress casually for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in town. Encinitas has a great downtown right on the Pacific Coast Highway (101) with good Thai (Siamese Basil), Italian (Vigilucci's Trattoria), Vietnamese (Kim's) or my absolute downtown favorite is a tiny little Peruvian restaurant called Amici, it’s all made fresh by a Peruvian family.  It’s one of the best restaurants I have ever been to.  If you go, splurge and get the chef’s menu. It’s more food than you think you can eat, but do because it’s so ridiculously amazing.  The food comes out in courses and can be accompanied with a nice red wine...

Hottest bars and/or nightlife?
Nightlife?  Not much to speak of here. There are a few good dive bars, The Saloon, I think has been there for a hundred years and smells accordingly, it has a pool table and amazingly cheap drinks, good jukebox and on Thursday night some 21-year-olds. Or Yogi’s sports bar has a popping Friday night or anytime there’s a game. But one of my favorite date spots for a drink is the Chart House (drinks and appetizers at the bar only! Dining room is stuffy) or Beach House right on the water…

What's the best surfer's beach?
I love to go to D-Street or Georges. They are easy and fun and lots of cute boys...

Why do you think most professional surfers, snowboarders and skaters find themselves living there?
It’s a quiet beach town that has a nice environment for taking a break from the craziness. Good fun but mellow waves, OK water quality (not great), close to LA without having to live in LA, close to San Diego Airport or the city for nightlife but far away enough. It’s quieter.

Shopping? What are the best spots?
Downtown Encinitas has a few cute stores. Barberella for girls clothes on the Coast Highway. There is Magical Child, my favorite for babies and gifts for children, is an amazing store in the Lumberyard. Hansen’s is good surf stuff, and the best local shop for men’s apparel is UNIV, all on the Coast Highway...

And romantic spots?
Making out on the beach at sunset would be my favorite... 

~Jessica McMenamin

Go There:
Siamese Basil, 527 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, (760) 753-3940
Kim's Restaurant, 745 S. Coast Highway 101, #103J, Encinitas, (760) 942-4816
Amici, 564 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, (760) 753-9050
Saloon, 546 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas, (760) 753-1366

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)