Tiga’s “Bugatti” Is A Commercial Break From Alternate, Sexy Dimensions

Tiga Bugatti Music Video 2014

Tiga may not be as prolific as we (Well, I.) would wish him to be but you have to hand it to the dude for sticking to a very strict aesthetic of high luxury circa futuristic 1986. He hasn’t released anything bigger than a single since his 2009 album Ciao! and, while Non-Stop is one of the best Acid House mixes in recent history, he still leaves you wanting more. Yet, when Tiga delivers, he delivers.

An example of this: his latest single “Bugatti” came out in July and offered a very Germanic, very eighties, and very contemporary fusion of Krautrock and Tech House. Just when the song was gathering a *thin* layer of dust, Tiga released one of his best videos yet that is like watching a mixtape of sexy late eighties commercials from an alternate dimension, where men receive ketchup bukkake treatments and women play backgommon on men’s crotches. Needless to say, some of this video is NSFW.

Directed by Helmi, it consists of quick cuts and dramatic shots edited to the metallic cadence Tiga bases the song on. It’s broken by shots of him in varying outfits shouting “BUGATTI!!” at the camera. Like the song, every “scene” picks up a different piece of debris that results in warping the reality of this eighties world: remote controls spit, sexy legs have lost their bodies, people turn to dominoes, etc. Helmi plays with a visual vocabulary over and over and over again, presenting them in different shapes and forms like parallel universes orbiting next to each other without noticing. The effect is hysterical and absolutely ridiculous—and absolutely Tiga. As the song’s lyrics suggests, the Bugatti at one point was the car to have if you are a macho, aggressive, power suit wearing, ski lodge loving dude who works in finance: the video is a parody of that.

While some has branded the video as “Wes Anderson Movie On Techno And Acid,” I say it’s more of a commercialist fantasy where Tiga gets to grab the tits of models from Esprit commercials while drinking Cold Duck. It’s a fitting follow up to the swank still “Plush” and cable access kookiness of “Shoes.” This is undoubtedly the video of the year. Or 1986.

KYLE FITZPATRICK

October 24, 2014 / By

Dive Under the Waves With this Beautiful Video by Morgan Maassen

There’s something quite ethereal in the way that Morgan Maassen shoots water. The California native is a passionate surfer and through his photography he has earned himself great recognition within the surf world. Morgan describes this video as a “brief odyssey into the world that i cherish most” and it’s clear to see that love shine through.

Water by Morgan Maassen

Shot on a Red Epic inside an SPL waterhousing, the four-and-a-half minute piece was filmed in Teahupo’o off the south-west coast of Tahiti and along the north shore of Hawaii. They’re stunning locations and Morgan’s camera work really present them as dream-like places. I found the whole piece to be utterly mesmerizing.

For those interested, the track in the video is called “Shopping Malls” and it’s from the New Zealand based six-piece SJD. More work from Morgan Maassen can be seen on his website.

Philip Kennedy

October 23, 2014 / By

Kitsuné Sheds Light on Fresh Talent with Kitsuné Maison 16

Kitsune-Covers-8

I have a special place in my heart for Kitsuné—years ago the label’s flagship compilation releases turned me onto entirely new genres of music. Their “Sweet Sixteen Issue,” the sixteenth iteration, is due out November 3rd. To celebrate, they’ve enlisted the likes of 23 different illustrators to come together in reimagining the series’ familiar album artwork. It’s a switch up for the music label/fashion brand/design shop, but certainly a welcomed one that’s sure to put a spotlight on a bunch of talented individuals.

StyleCartel_Buzz_Bottega

Under the impulse of Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki, Maison Kitsuné was founded back in 2002. A trip to Japan inspired the two to unite their passions around a wholly single concept: a structure of multiple guises, combining fashion, music, and design. Since then they’ve firmly established themselves as a unique concept of trendy and modern luxury intermingled between fashion and music. Their boutiques now span from New York, to Paris, and Tokyo. Most recently they rocked the New York Fashion Week with their ‘Effortless French’ campaign and have begun opening cafés in France and Japan.

StyleCartel_Buzz_Bottega
StyleCartel_Buzz_Bottega

2005 saw the release of their first Compilation Kitsuné Maison. These mixes quickly came to people’s attention by signing the talent of artists like Simian Mobile Disco, Hot Chip, Two Door Cinema Club, Gossip, Digitalism, Cut Copy, and many more. To me, they’ve got an ear for upcoming talent and usually bring them to the scene before anyone else.

Kitsune-Covers-9

 

The music’s great and all, but what immediately managed to capture my attention about the compilation releases was the artwork. Created by co-founders, Åbäke, it’s visually simple but extremely striking. Save for some divergences here and there, the releases always feature the familiar line-art featuring the illustrated faces of that release’s musicians. Hey—if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right?

Kitsune-Covers-2

This year they’re switching the artwork up with fresh new work composed of drawings by 23 exciting new illustrators scouted by the label. Each artist was founded on Instagram and asked to illustrate, in their own way, one of the sixteen musicians featured on the mix. Loaëc states “Maison 16 is more gentle and tender than its predecessors… [It’s] constantly morphing into new shapes and ideas.” Kitsune-Covers-6

You can view the complete artworks, as well as find links to the artists’ Instagrams, here. Come November 3rd you’ll be able to purchase the release here. Kitsune-Covers-7

Nick Partyka

October 23, 2014 / By

Peter Mendelsund Discusses Cover Design with NPR’s Fresh Air

Peter Mendelsund

World-class book cover designer Peter Mendelsund recently sat down with Fresh Air‘s Dave Davies to speak about his craft. The interview covers the why of a book jacket, why dead authors get the best covers, and the future of physical books. My favorite part was his anecdote on the process he goes through when he designs a cover. We should all beware creating “Frankenstein” designs.

DAVIES: And typically, how many versions will you make up?

MENDELSUND: Before I’ll show a jacket, I’ll tend to make a hundred and up various versions of a jacket for it. And that’s before I show in to an editor or an author. And when I show something, I tend to show one – the one that I think really works. I tend not to show multiple options because that sort of engenders confusion in people. And then there’s this kind of – there’s this kind of thing that happens where people look at the various things you’ve made, and they want to pull the aspects of the various comps that they like and put them together in kind of a – into a kind of a Frankenstein jacket. You know, take the color from this one. And the type from that one. And the imagery from that one. Can you make something out of that? One of the interesting things about jackets is that the material isn’t really transposable in that way. You know, one jacket works well with those components. You know, you bring in a different color, and all of a sudden, everything falls to pieces. So I like to show one thing only when I show the client.

Bobby Solomon

October 22, 2014 / By

Take A Sip Of The Debut Release From Gene’s Liquor

Laurent Gene's Liquor Delroy Edwards Los Angeles

“Gene’s Liquor” sounds like a reference your mother would make regarding your Uncle Eugene’s drinking habit. Yet, that is probably the exact opposite of what Gene’s actually is: it’s a Los Angeles based collective focusing on retro leaning deep house. The debut release from Laurent (better known as IVVVO) is certainly intoxicating a simple statement of a back-to-basics approach to contemporary dance.

The release—GL001—is just three unnamed songs. The first track has made it’s way out into the world and it’s a song full of rattling attitude based in a basic back beat that last the entire song, framing handclaps, drum cues, knotted bass hits, light cowbell, high hat, and more. The influence of jazz is definitely present from the makeup of the song but it has been funneled through a Detroit vision of early techno. It ultimately lands among new house classicists like Medlar and Andres, which is a very, very good place to be in.

If this is your type of sound, Gene’s Liquor is a new label to bookmark then: they’re going to keep pumping more shit like this out. Moreover, you should also look into Delroy’s other label LA Club Resource. Catch “Untitled 1″ below.

KYLE FITZPATRICK

October 22, 2014 / By

A Client’s Desire for Lake Views and Privacy Lead to a Striking Japanese Home

Scape House by Kouichi Kimura Architects

Located in the beautiful surroundings of Japan’s Kansai region, Scape House sits on a hillside overlooking Biwa-ko, the country’s largest lake. With so many houses nearby it was important that this building could make the most of its view without opening itself up too greatly to the neighboring homes. Designed by Kouichi Kimura Architects, this recently completed home aims to incorporate as much light and scenery as possible through versatile living spaces and windows while still allowing its homeowners a sense of privacy.

Scape House by Kouichi Kimura Architects

Scape House by Kouichi Kimura Architects

Scape House by Kouichi Kimura Architects

While it seems that the focus of this project was very much based around creating a home that was comfortable, private and rich with versatile spaces, I have to say that I find the building’s sober exterior to be particularly striking. It’s slender, almost Tetris-like, shapes form a distinct look and its combination of different greys add variety and texture to a bold exterior.

Scape House by Kouichi Kimura Architects

You can view more images from inside Kouichi Kimura’s Scape House here.

Philip Kennedy

October 22, 2014 / By

The Desktop Wallpaper Project featuring Nancy McCabe

The Desktop Wallpaper Project featuring Nancy McCabe

Nancy McCabe

When I come across a well-designed pattern I tend to marvel at the time and effort that must have taken place to achieve such perfection. In my mind I see it as an artist creating a jigsaw puzzle in their head without the photo on the box to guide them. One such master is Nancy McCabe, a surface designer from Chicago who runs No Ocean, a design studio that specializes in surface designs and prints. She sells her patterns for commercial uses such as fashion, home/interior, print and web design, as well as a beautiful series of graphic scarves.

For Nancy’s wallpaper we decided to go with her Ink Dots pattern. I love the texture and complexity, I love that it’s graphic and bold. I’ve had this on the background of my iPad for a week now and have received several positive comments, to which I responded, “It’ll be on the site soon.”

Bobby Solomon

October 22, 2014 / By

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