Peter Hadar ‘Well Dressed for the Art Show’ | Interview

2008 has been a big year for singer/songwriter Peter Hadar, that was kicked off by his surprise recognition as one of URB Magazine’s Next 100 Artists; calling him ,“the next, next big thing in R&B”. He was then featured in Billboard Magazine’s ‘Now Hear This’ section, both praising his style and determination for greatness. On June 24th, Peter released his sophomore album ‘Well Dressed for the Art Show’ which further separates him from the pack; delving deeper into his Electronica, Glam, and Experimental flavor. His background in fashion extends his versatility, style, and influence. Nothing can stop this Cool Weirdo’s International TakeOver.

Listen and Learn

We got a chance to ask him some questions about his new album and the state of music.

FUSICOLOGY: Please tell us about this new sophomore album of yours

PETER HADAR: It didn’t take too long to pull it together, I wanted to be progressive.  The last album was what I could get, this album is what I really wanted to do.  Last one was a soul classic, this one more experimental and this is the way I feel about the music industry and relationships.  Paying homage to writing rock, electro and to push the envelope.  Sexy, fashionable, progressive.

FUSICOLOGY: How do you feel about the music industry?

PETER HADAR: Everyone is at a weird place, there is no backing to make progression.  To blow like a Kanye West is important because people need to hear the music.  Labels and radio are not allowing it to happen but fans are looking for something different.

FUSICOLOGY: How is the tour coming along?

PETER HADAR: We are trying to where we can and promoters help us get there.  Flights are expensive but we’re doing it.  I wish there were more Fusicology’s pushing for these types of artists.

FUSICOLOGY: Thanks, and I hear you.  Which artists do you want to work with?

PETER HADAR: Jack Davey, Pharrell, Autolux, Bird and the Bee and other indie rock bands that influence me.  I have a drum and bass album coming out with Mathematics and a punk/pop/rock album as well.

Peter shouts out Mike Genato, Monique Willis, Baby Jupiter and my manager, Shayna Miller.

Dwele: Sketches of a Man | Interview

FUSICOLOGY: Tell us about your new album, ‘Sketches of a Man’

DWELE: This album created an outlet of my artwork by creating an avenue for my drawings, sketches and recently my paintings I more recently got into in the start of 2007.

FUSICOLOGY: How does this album compare musically to the others?

DWELE: ‘Subject’ had a soulful vide, ‘Some Kind’ was more jazz and this is more hip hop influenced as well as by every day situations.

FUSICOLOGY: How’s Detroit’s scene right now?

DWELE: Detroit is still bubbling with more under the radar - it’s live!  From gospel to techno, hip hop to soul.  I perform every now and then, probably not as much as I should.

FUSICOLOGY: Tonight (in LA) is your first tour date, what other shows are you doing?

DWELE: New York is next, then Toronto and then back to the East Coast.

FUSICOLOGY: Which artists that you have not yet worked with, would you like to work with?

DWELE: Erykah Badu, Musiq, Ghostface Killah (I am a huge Wu Tang fan!) and if I could bring him back, Donnie Hathaway

FUSICOLOGY: What does the future hold?

DWELE: I flow, enjoying being an artist.  I may get into running a record label as well.  I have also been getting into photography and Final Cut.

Sketches of a Man Out Now on KOCH.

- Special Thanks to Ron E and the band.

Roots Manuva - ‘Buff Buff’ Single and Video

Classic Bo Diddly video

Dwele “Sketches of A Man” 6.24 KOCH album preview

Movement Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival 2008 Review

This year’s festival was more diverse than ever - and the afterparties lasted till the wee morning hours, a weekend full of house, techno, electro and soul, view photos.

Friday night started off the weekend with the Masters of House event with memorable sets dedicated to the late, great Ken Collier.  DJs included Delano Smith, Norm Talley, Minx and Al Ester (who danced behind the tables all night). The old Warehouse - still loud and fun.  Later, we headed to Trenchtown for the real techno - not that “euro” ish - at Underground Anthems Live with Keith Worthy, Patrice Scott (who killed a mid 80s classic set) and special guest DJ E-Man from NYC.

First day of Movement Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival on Saturday, which was all around organized and well attended, had us hollering at old school electro sets by Nucleus, Egyptian Lover, Peanut Butter Wolf and Pete Rock closing out the stage. That night we (tried to) roller skate at the Mohogani Music’s annual Soul Skate party with a 5 hour set by Kenny Dixon Jr aka Moodyman. It felt like the entire Detroit music family was there - present (and most on skates) were Amp Fiddler, Carl Craig, DJ Dez, Kai Alce, ‘Mad’ Mike Banks, Piranha, Stacey Pullen, Theo Parrish and many others, with a skating contest and hundreds of amazing skaters.

Later that night we went to hear Quentin Harris and Derrick May at the Hi-Tek Soul event at the legendary 1515 Broadway, spending some time bumpin to quality house and techno inside the infamous facility with nothing but a red light and a single strobe. To cap the night, Juan Atkins was having his loft party down the street with guest DJs Titonton and Kimyon, along with his infamous Metroplex drinks - they hit hard!

Sunday brought us back to the festival this time having us on the main stage in the VIP Red Bull area hearing the Lawnchair Generals, Miles Maeda and Mark Farina bump all evening. On our last night in the D, we got down hard at just 1 event - Sunday Skool with resident Stacey Pullen and guests from NY Mr. V and Dennis Ferrer @ the Shelter. Dark, hot, packed, sweaty goodness.  We missed the Shake it Down with Spank Rock and Peanut Butter Wolf but we needed the house fix before jetting back to Los Angeles. We also missed out on the Monday closing Motown Revival event Rick “The Godson” Wilhite put on with special guests Chicago’s Dajae and Glenn Underground.

Special thanks to Shelly O’Neill and Native Instruments, Jocelyne Ninneman, Paxahau staff, Nina Morena, Nancy Gavoor, Mike Clark, Monica Lockett aka DJ Genesis, Neveric, Nina Morena, Kimyon, DJ Munk and the Uni-Verse for the perfect weather in Michigan, which is always a crap shoot.  Till next year, we love you Detroit!

Janelle Monae ‘Many Moons’ download

This is the official first single from Janelle Monae’s upcoming album on Bad Boy!

Windows Media

Real Audio

Miami WMC Top Picks of the Conference

1. BEST DRESSED: Manchildblack & Monstah Black followed by Wunmi (she makes her own clothes!),
2. MOST GIGS ALL WEEK: DJ Spinna followed by Rich Medina & Daz-I-Kue
3. BEST DJ SET: Rich Medina (@ The Joint Boat Party), Simbad (@ Raw Fusion), DJ Karizma (All Sets)
4. BEST LIVE SHOW: Amp Fiddler & Eric Roberson (ROOTS NYC/BEHRINGER event) and all the acts at the Direct Drive TV Event: Leroy Burgess, Exchange Bureau, Jeremy Ellis aka Ayro with John Arnold, Julie Dexter, Angelique, Nadia Harris
5. MOST TALKED ABOUT PERSONALITIES: Erykah Badu (Giant Step @ Delano), Common (Pool Party @ Shelbourne with Talib Kweli, Biz Markie & Jazzy Jeff) and Russell Simmons at Fashion Week visiting various WMC events
6. NUMBER 1 SONG OF THE CONFERENCE: “Bounce!” by Ayro ( +DJ Spinna remix) - original mix found on our Fusicology 2008 Spring Sampler
7. PHRASE OF THE CONFERENCE: “I am feeling myself!”
8. BEST OLD SCHOOL PERFORMANCES: Leroy Burgess & Amp Fiddler
9. BEST NEW SCHOOL PERFORMANCES: TK Wonder & Taylor McFerrin
10. BEST PARTIES OF WMC 2008: James Brown Tribute, Libation, Bugz vs Jazzanova, Stones Throw, Miambient, Om Records, Roots NYC, 3º/ King Street 15 Year + Co-Op & Raw Fusion @ Club Jazid (our favorite venue) - Cop-Op & Raw Fusion really took the cake!

Check out our WMC photos | DJ Rich Medina’s DJ Top 5

Bomb It Movie

Award winning director Jon Reiss‘ new documentary, Bomb It, a global graffiti film, premieres around the country starting NOW.

Reiss traveled to 5 continents and interviewed almost 200 artists. Personalities such as Cornbread, Lady Pink, KRS One, Shepard Fairey, Os Gemeos, and others share their lives with the camera.

“Globally comprehensive as well as politically relevant. At the core of the film is a poignant social statement about public space and the war being waged for it..” (IGN.com). The myriad complexities regarding public space were explored in New York, Philadelphia, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Barcelona, Berlin, Cape Town, São Paulo, and Tokyo, and Los Angeles.

The 93-minute film screens across the country this spring and Docurama Films will release it on DVD May 27th. US Dates & Info | Trailer | Photos | Blog

JUNE 13 - 15: I Got Soul (IGS) Conference, Dallas announcing that they are partnering with Sonicbids.com and the Dallas Visitors and Conventions Bureau for its 2nd annual conference which also involves IGS working with the multi-cultural Dallas City Arts Festival. IGS’s roster of talent includes Eric Roberson, Karen Bernod, Jimi James, Liv Warfield and many more guests TBA in the coming weeks. For $100 early-bird registration until 4/15, discount hotel, flight info and more, click here

Hotel Indigo, the host accommodations, is offering a special $85 IGS rate (800) 465-4329 and there are group discount codes with American Airlines 1-800-433-1790 (Discount Code: A2868AK and AirTran 1-866-683-8368 (Discount Code: DFW061008). Early Bird Registration until 4/15 is only $100 ($75 for students). There are also concert and panel-only passes which will become available in May. More soon, we’ll keep you posted.