Blogging the News

Once you step off the 7 train, be sure to exit not from the staircases in the middle of the station but from the station’s entrance and you’ll find yourself on Roosevelt Avenue. No, you haven’t been magically transported to the streets of Hong Kong or Seoul. Like its food, energy, and noise, downtown Flushing’s shopping scene also seems to be straight out of an east Asian metropolis. Businesses are stacked on top of each other and the garish signage extends into the street.

Another bonus? Purchases at Korean cosmetics stores always come with coupons and free samples. Photo Credit: Liz Kim

According to the Visit Korea Committee survey, the items tourists most want to purchase when traveling to South Korea are beauty products. Roosevelt Avenue delivers the South Korean shopping experience without needing a passport. “[Downtown Flushing] is the only place where you can find all these [Korean] beauty brands clustered together,” said Susan An, an employee at Skin Food. “And because Korean culture seems to be so popular today, we’re getting a lot more traffic from people outside of Flushing looking to try out things they’ve never tried before.”

Sisley/Shiseido: The oldest of the bunch, Sisley is on the corner of Roosevelt Avenue. Unlike the other Korean cosmetics stores there, they sell products from both South Korean and other Asian brands. However, their high-end brand name inventory also means steep prices. For example, products from SK-II, a Japanese skin care brand, can easily run you a couple hundred dollars. And although SK-II is now sold in mainstream department stores like Macy’s, Sisley carries a wider variety and often offers different package deals.

Skin Food – Makeup counter or farmer’s market? Photo Credit: Liz Kim

Skin Food: Just a few stores down from Sisley is Skin Food and as its name suggests, Skin Food aims to create products with the nutritional values of food. Their products consist only of natural ingredients. “[The employees] wear aprons because we want the consumer to feel like they are in a farmer’s market,” An said. With names like Tomato Jelly Lip Tint and Agave Cactus Cream, you feel as though you’re ordering lunch rather than looking for lipstick or lotion. Their prices range from $10 to $60.

Club Clio: Across the street from Skin Food is Club Clio and they might appeal more to the night club enthusiasts. The staff dress head to toe in flashy black clothing and killer heels and a constant stream of dance music flows out onto the street. Club Clio’s prices are slightly lower than Skin Food’s and range from about $2 to $40.

“I love that I can see these products in person rather than taking a risk on Amazon or eBay,” said Jennifer McLaughlin. She lives in Red Hook, Brooklyn and had trouble finding the cosmetics shops she came to love while teaching in South Korea. Now she comes to Flushing to stock up on all her favorite brands. “It’s just makeup at the end of the day, but I think that the experience of hearing music that’s in a foreign language and the unique signs sort of create this cultural experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.”

The stores listed above are just a few of the cosmetics stores you’ll find on Roosevelt Avenue. It may be hard to choose so pick whichever cardboard cutout of a K-Pop star (all the stores display them out front) screams to you the most and walk in. And with the holidays coming up before you know it, not only can you pick up something for yourself, but a trip to downtown Flushing will also give you plenty of ideas of gifts for friends and family.

     Karikatura, a six man band, was conceived in 2009 in South India. Also becoming one of the bands to perform in the New York City subway system thanks to the MTA Music Under New York program, they are able to expose people to their music.

Composed of vocalist Ryan Acquaotta, guitarist Dima Kay, bassist Eric Legaspi, drummer Morgan Greenstreet, trombone player Ric Becker and woodwinds maestro Joe Wilson, Karikatura makes body shaking beats and exhilarating music.

Karikatura causing a scene through their subway performance at Union Square.                                                                                                                                            

Transcending music genres and style, Karikatura plays Latin, Gypsy, Ska, Reggae, Pop, and creates a organic synthesis of music heard blasting from cars passing by and shops, from all over the world. They call this genre of music Transglobal Soul.

“Currently we are playing in the subway just to perform and make some extra cash, we’ve been picked up by Ropeadope Records and our next show is gonna be in Cafe Retro in Copenhagen, Denmark.” says Acquaotta. “We’ve been on the road for a while now. We have been to Europe, Asia, and South America but New York is our home.”

    More of the band members performing for the passerby’s for their daily dose of  entertainment for the day. 

“We have many crazy experiences on the road, we do a lot of songwriting while touring and it can be stressful at times, we like to tell stories in our songs to make our fans perceive the feelings we feel with all the commotion we endure as a band.” Greenstreet said. “Our album for instance called Eyes Wide is based on these experiences, but we dedicate it to New York because the city is what got us to where we our now.”

Since the release of their album, Karikatura has been blowing up the spotlight, and gaining an even bigger fan-base. Throughout all of their adventures, they have come a long way to where they have first started. Their debut EP launched them on a world tour during 2011 beginning in Japan on New Years and going to Europe during the spring. Performing in shows in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast and to Austin, Texas for SXSW and have participated in Red Bull Sounderground Festival in Sao Paulo.

“I never knew I’d be so thankful to be the singer for such an amazing band, it’s a great experience.” said Acquaotta. “Just like all bands want, we only wish to get further and push our limits to gain even more success along the way.”

“The judges are tough in the music program, they are really intimidating, but once we actually get on stage and perform my fear fades away” says Kay.

Besides the nerve racking reactions that the band has to undergo, they can also be found doing various performances all over New York in small venues.

“We like the whole party scene, we bring life to it or at least we hope that’s what our music does when people hear us” said Acquaotta. “We are doing things one step at a time, as cliche as that sounds it’s the truth we help each other out, that’s why we have so much confidence as a band and maybe exactly why we got all of this luck with tours lately, it takes a lot of dedication and effort.”

     Karikatura, a six man band, was conceived in 2009 in South India. Also becoming one of the bands to perform in the New York City subway system thanks to the MTA Music Under New York program, they are able to expose people to their music.

Composed of vocalist Ryan Acquaotta, guitarist Dima Kay, bassist Eric Legaspi, drummer Morgan Greenstreet, trombone player Ric Becker and woodwinds maestro Joe Wilson, Karikatura makes body shaking beats and exhilarating music.

Karikatura causing a scene through their subway performance at Union Square. 

Transcending music genres and style, Karikatura plays Latin, Gypsy, Ska, Reggae, Pop, and creates a organic synthesis of music heard blasting from cars passing by and shops, from all over the world. They call this genre of music Transglobal Soul.

“Currently we are playing in the subway just to perform and make some extra cash, we’ve been picked up by Ropeadope Records and are next show is gonna be in Cafe Retro in Copenhagen, Denmark.” says Acquaotta. “We’ve been on the road for a while now. We have been to Europe, Asia, and South America but New York is our home.”

More of the band members performing for the passerby’s for their daily dose of  entertainment for the day. 

“We have many crazy experiences on the road, we do a lot of songwriting while touring and it can be stressful at times, we like to tell stories in our songs to make our fans perceive the feelings we feel with all the commotion we endure as a band.” Greenstreet said. “Our album for instance called Eyes Wide is based on these experiences, but we dedicate it to New York because the city is what got us to where we our now.”

Since the release of their album, Karikatura has been blowing up the spotlight, and gaining an even bigger fan-base. Throughout all of their adventures, they have come a long way to where they have first started. Their debut EP launched them on a world tour during 2011 beginning in Japan on New Years and going to Europe during the spring. Performing in shows in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast and to Austin, Texas for SXSW and have participated in Red Bull Sounderground Festival in Sao Paulo.

“I never knew I’d be so thankful to be the singer for such an amazing band, its a great experience.” said Acquaotta. “Just like all bands want, we only wish to get further and push our limits to gain even more success along the way.”

“The judges are tough in the music program, they are really intimidating, but once we actually get on stage and perform my fear fades away” says Kay.

Besides the nerve racking reactions that the band has to undergo, they can also be found doing various performances all over New York in small venues.

“We like the whole party scene, we bring life to it or at least we hope that’s what our music does when people hear us” said Acquaotta. “We are doing things one step at a time, as cliche as that sounds it’s the truth we help each other out, that’s why we have so much confidence as a band and maybe exactly why we got all of this luck with tours lately, it takes a lot of dedication and effort.”

     Karikatura, a six man band, was conceived in 2009 in South India. Also becoming one of the bands to perform in the New York City subway system thanks to the MTA Music Under New York program, they are able to expose people to their music.

Composed of vocalist Ryan Acquaotta, guitarist Dima Kay, bassist Eric Legaspi, drummer Morgan Greenstreet, trombone player Ric Becker and woodwinds maestro Joe Wilson, Karikatura makes body shaking beats and exhilarating music.

Karikatura causing a scene through their subway performance at Union Square. 

Transcending music genres and style, Karikatura plays Latin, Gypsy, Ska, Reggae, Pop, and creates a organic synthesis of music heard blasting from cars passing by and shops, from all over the world. They call this genre of music Transglobal Soul.

“Currently we are playing in the subway just to perform and make some extra cash, we’ve been picked up by Ropeadope Records and are next show is gonna be in Cafe Retro in Copenhagen, Denmark.” says Acquaotta. “We’ve been on the road for a while now. We have been to Europe, Asia, and South America but New York is our home.”

More of the band members performing for the passerby’s for their daily dose of  entertainment for the day. 

“We have many crazy experiences on the road, we do a lot of songwriting while touring and it can be stressful at times, we like to tell stories in our songs to make our fans perceive the feelings we feel with all the commotion we endure as a band.” Greenstreet said. “Our album for instance called Eyes Wide is based on these experiences, but we dedicate it to New York because the city is what got us to where we our now.”

Since the release of their album, Karikatura has been blowing up the spotlight, and gaining an even bigger fan-base. Throughout all of their adventures, they have come a long way to where they have first started. Their debut EP launched them on a world tour during 2011 beginning in Japan on New Years and going to Europe during the spring. Performing in shows in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast and to Austin, Texas for SXSW and have participated in Red Bull Sounderground Festival in Sao Paulo.

“I never knew I’d be so thankful to be the singer for such an amazing band, its a great experience.” said Acquaotta. “Just like all bands want, we only wish to get further and push our limits to gain even more success along the way.”

“The judges are tough in the music program, they are really intimidating, but once we actually get on stage and perform my fear fades away” says Kay.

Besides the nerve racking reactions that the band has to undergo, they can also be found doing various performances all over New York in small venues.

“We like the whole party scene, we bring life to it or at least we hope that’s what our music does when people hear us” said Acquaotta. “We are doing things one step at a time, as cliche as that sounds it’s the truth we help each other out, that’s why we have so much confidence as a band and maybe exactly why we got all of this luck with tours lately, it takes a lot of dedication and effort.”

via WatchLoud

On Oct. 1, two mavens, one in the realm of music journalism and the other in the rap game, came together for yet another edition of CRWN, a music interview series. Elliott Wilson and Big K.R.I.T. (King Remembered In Time) sat down at New World Stages in New York City for an in depth discussion about K.R.I.T’s artistry and his upcoming album Cadillactica.

New World Stages is a venue with a number of theaters. Their elevator, although functional, might prove to be small for some with wider wheelchair frames. Access to the theater was pretty straight forward, however if seated in the handicapped area the patron may become hot because of heat from equipment above. Granted the feeling did go away after a while, but the venue should consider better placement of that equipment next time around. Despite that, the area does allow for a great viewing of the stage but that surely hold true for every other seat in the house.

Which is a great thing because the interview that took place over the next hour was a sight worth seeing, regardless if you’re a hip-hop fan or not. The interview began with a humorous shot at K.R.I.T’s attire and almost immediately delved into Cadilactica. At the basis K.R.IT describes his upcoming studio effort as his conscious mind that manifests as a planet named Cadillactica.

“I take you through the life, from the beginning of life, being young and rambunctious in life, getting to that point in life when you start remembering what being young was like and wanting that back. Then getting to that point where you’re like I’m not young anymore, I need to accept that and start tyrna find what’s my purpose now, ” is how K.R.I.T. explains what the tracks on Cadillactica represent.

He then goes on to explain how some of the songs may seem obscure to long time listeners. The rest of the interview itself focused on how K.R.I.T. developed as a rapper and a man, his use of samples, his reputation in the game, working with legendary musicians like B.B. King, and a bunch more that made for a humbling and reflective experience for those in the audience. Ultimately, Big K.R.I.T. will be remembered in time—his music is timeless.

Watch the interview 2-part interview below and be sure to peep his title track “Cadillatica” below as well.

via WatchLoud

On Oct. 1, two mavens, one in the realm of music journalism and the other in the rap game, came together for yet another edition of CRWN, a music interview series. Elliott Wilson and Big K.R.I.T. (King Remembered In Time) sat down at New World Stages in New York City for an in depth discussion about K.R.I.T’s artistry and his upcoming album Cadillactica.

New World Stages is a venue with a number of theaters. Their elevator, although functional, might prove to be small for some with wider wheelchair frames. Access to the theater was pretty straight forward, however if seated in the handicapped area the patron may become hot because of heat from equipment above. Granted the feeling did go away after a while, but the venue should consider better placement of that equipment next time around. Despite that, the area does allow for a great viewing of the stage but that surely hold true for every other seat in the house.

Which is a great thing because the interview that took place over the next hour was a sight worth seeing, regardless if you’re a hip-hop fan or not. The interview began with a humorous shot at K.R.I.T’s attire and almost immediately delved into Cadilactica. At the basis K.R.IT describes his upcoming studio effort as his conscious mind that manifests as a planet named Cadillactica.

“I take you through the life, from the beginning of life, being young and rambunctious in life, getting to that point in life when you start remembering what being young was like and wanting that back. Then getting to that point where you’re like I’m not young anymore, I need to accept that and start tyrna find what’s my purpose now, ” is how K.R.I.T. explains what the tracks on Cadillactica represent.

He then goes on to explain how some of the songs may seem obscure to long time listeners. The rest of the interview itself focused on how K.R.I.T. developed as a rapper and a man, his use of samples, his reputation in the game, working with legendary musicians like B.B. King, and a bunch more that made for a humbling and reflective experience for those in the audience. Ultimately, Big K.R.I.T. will be remembered in time—his music is timeless.

Watch the interview 2-part interview below and be sure to peep his title track “Cadillatica” below as well.

via WatchLoud

On Oct. 1, two mavens, one in the realm of music journalism and the other in the rap game, came together for yet another edition of CRWN, a music interview series. Elliott Wilson and Big K.R.I.T. (King Remembered In Time) sat down at New World Stages in New York City for an in depth discussion about K.R.I.T’s artistry and his upcoming album Cadillactica.

New World Stages is a venue with a number of theaters. Their elevator, although functional, might prove to be small for some with wider wheelchair frames. Access to the theater was pretty straight forward, however if seated in the handicapped area the patron may become hot because of heat from equipment above. Granted the feeling did go away after a while, but the venue should consider better placement of that equipment next time around. Despite that, the area does allow for a great viewing of the stage but that surely hold true for every other seat in the house.

Which is a great thing because the interview that took place over the next hour was a sight worth seeing, regardless if you’re a hip-hop fan or not. The interview began with a humorous shot at K.R.I.T’s attire and almost immediately delved into Cadilactica. At the basis K.R.IT describes his upcoming studio effort as his conscious mind that manifests as a planet named Cadillactica.

“I take you through the life, from the beginning of life, being young and rambunctious in life, getting to that point in life when you start remembering what being young was like and wanting that back. Then getting to that point where you’re like I’m not young anymore, I need to accept that and start tyrna find what’s my purpose now, ” is how K.R.I.T. explains what the tracks on Cadillactica represent.

He then goes on to explain how some of the songs may seem obscure to long time listeners. The rest of the interview itself focused on how K.R.I.T. developed as a rapper and a man, his use of samples, his reputation in the game, working with legendary musicians like B.B. King, and a bunch more that made for a humbling and reflective experience for those in the audience. Ultimately, Big K.R.I.T. will be remembered in time—his music is timeless.

Watch the interview 2-part interview below and be sure to peep his title track “Cadillatica” below as well.

First inspired thirteen years ago by Led Zeppelin’s Heartbreaker, Maya Miele, 51, a solo artist from Brooklyn, NY spends his time playing guitar in Grand Central Terminal.

Becoming so moved by the sound, Miele decided to become a street musician after being motivated by a teacher who taught him the basics of classical music. This made him get involved with the MTA’s Music Under New York program in order to provide a better life for his son.

                      Maya Miele smiles for the camera with his guitar in hand.

“The program been around since the 70’s, I can stop performing in the subways for a while to go on trips and when I come back I can just go back to them and they’ll give me new days to perform. Once you’re in it you are for life.” he said.

Being a single dad, Miele states that his biggest priority is being able to take care of his son, despite spending four straight hours a day trying to make a career in music for himself. It’s his only job that helps provides for his family. Being far away from his son to long though, is something he isn’t willing to do right now.

He also sells CD’s full of composed classical pieces of hits that he covers that people are familiar with that helps with his musical career.

“I faced many problems since I started performing and just getting to work on time even, then many personal problems with getting out of a bad relationship and the birth of my son which changed things,” Miele stated. “I have many major hurdles to face before I can just hop on a plane and do my own thing.”

Maya continued to talk about some of these hurdles that he is still trying to overcome such as health problems with his hands and not being able to perform as well on the guitar. Thus delaying time that could be spent making money towards his son’s future. Even more so, his transition from male to female that he has to deal with on a daily basis.

               Miele strumming on his guitar and getting back to business. 

“My son is only seven, and still growing up I had him listen to a lot of classical music and Bob Marley since he was a baby, but he insists on rap music now,” he said. “I can tell he understands music though, he doesn’t just bang on the piano for instance, he actually sits there and thinks about how to play it.”

Being involved with the Music program for so long now, Miele insists that no genre of music ever really dies out, but kind of lives as more of an underground type of music. In addition with the hopes of one day being able to travel with his son to perform other places out of New York.

First inspired thirteen years ago by Led Zeppelin’s Heartbreaker, Maya Miele, 51, a solo artist from Brooklyn, NY spends his time playing guitar in Grand Central Terminal.

Becoming so moved by the sound, Miele decided to become a street musician after being motivated by a teacher who taught him the basics of classical music ,Which made him get involved with the MTA’s Music Under New York program in order to provide a better life for his son.

Maya Miele smiles for the camera with his guitar in hand.

“The program been around since the 70’s, I can stop performing in the subways for a while to go on trips and when I come back I can just go back to them and they’ll give me new days to perform,” he said.”  “Once you’re in it, you are for life.

Being a single dad, Miele states that his biggest priority is being able to take care of his son, despite spending four straight hours a day trying to make a career in music for himself, its his only job that helps provides for his family. Being far away from his son to long though, is something he isn’t willing to do right now.

He also sells CD’s full of composed classical pieces of hits that he covers that people are familiar with that helps with his musical career.

“I faced many problems since I started performing and just getting to work on time even, then many personal problems with getting out of a bad relationship and the birth of my son which changed things,” Miele stated. “I have many major hurdles to face before I can just hop on a plane and do my own thing.”

Maya continued to talk about some of these hurdles that he is still trying to overcome such as health problems with his hands and not being able to perform as well on the guitar, thus delaying time that could be spent making money towards his son’s future. Even more so, his transition from male to female that he has to deal with on a daily basis.

Miele strumming on his guitar and getting back to business. 

“My son is only seven, and still growing up I had him listen to a lot of classical music and Bob Marley since he was a baby, but he insists on rap music now,” he said. “I can tell he understands music though, he doesn’t just bang on the piano for instance, he actually sits there and thinks about how to play it.”

Being involved with the Music program for so long now, Miele insists that no genre of music ever really dies out, but kind of lives as more of an underground type of music. In addition with the hopes of one day being able to travel with his son to perform other places out of New York.

First inspired thirteen years ago by Led Zeppelin’s Heartbreaker, Maya Miele, 51, a solo artist from Brooklyn, NY spends his time playing guitar in Grand Central Terminal.

Becoming so moved by the sound, Miele decided to become a street musician after being motivated by a teacher who taught him the basics of classical music ,Which made him get involved with the MTA’s Music Under New York program in order to provide a better life for his son.

Maya Miele smiles for the camera with his guitar in hand.

“The program been around since the 70’s, I can stop performing in the subways for a while to go on trips and when I come back I can just go back to them and they’ll give me new days to perform,” he said.”  “Once you’re in it, you are for life.

Being a single dad, Miele states that his biggest priority is being able to take care of his son, despite spending four straight hours a day trying to make a career in music for himself, its his only job that helps provides for his family. Being far away from his son to long though, is something he isn’t willing to do right now.

He also sells CD’s full of composed classical pieces of hits that he covers that people are familiar with that helps with his musical career.

“I faced many problems since I started performing and just getting to work on time even, then many personal problems with getting out of a bad relationship and the birth of my son which changed things,” Miele stated. “I have many major hurdles to face before I can just hop on a plane and do my own thing.”

Maya continued to talk about some of these hurdles that he is still trying to overcome such as health problems with his hands and not being able to perform as well on the guitar, thus delaying time that could be spent making money towards his son’s future. Even more so, his transition from male to female that he has to deal with on a daily basis.

Miele strumming on his guitar and getting back to business. 

“My son is only seven, and still growing up I had him listen to a lot of classical music and Bob Marley since he was a baby, but he insists on rap music now,” he said. “I can tell he understands music though, he doesn’t just bang on the piano for instance, he actually sits there and thinks about how to play it.”

Being involved with the Music program for so long now, Miele insists that no genre of music ever really dies out, but kind of lives as more of an underground type of music. In addition with the hopes of one day being able to travel with his son to perform other places out of New York.