Anyone who knows me, knows I love me some Mayer Hawthorne and Jessie Ware.   Hawthorne’s latest collaborative EP, Tuxedo, along with producer Jake One, has been getting constant play from me, so to hear that his new album Where Does This Door Go, will be coming out July 16th – I’m elated.    The album will feature production from Pharrell and Jack Splash just to name a few which also helps to add to the excitement.

From the project thus far, Hawthorne is releasing his new single, “Her Favorite Song” which definitely will become a favorite of mine I am more than sure.  The song was produced by Hawthorne himself, as well as Oak of Pop & Oak.  Dope track.

For now, you can stream the song below.  The song will be released officially via Itunes May 21st.

While on one of my favorite music sites in the land, Gorilla Vs. Bear I came across this new track that the premiered from a singer named Banks.  The laid back and smooth track “Warm Water” shows the Los Angeles based singer/songwriter showing off her skills very well.  The simplicity of the production courtesy UK producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs,  meshed with the drums throughout help to drive home all of the beautiful lyrics that she sings.

Listen to the stream below, great track.

A few years ago, I got exposed to Boston based group The Bad Rabbits with their LRG sponsored project and since then I’ve remained a life long fan after catching them at SXSW showcases, and listening to their project StickUpKids.  So imagine my excitement when I realized that they would be going on a summer tour (coming to SF July 27th) and would be releasing their new LP American Love today.

Listening to the project, which I pre-ordered, it is everything that I’d hope for – funky, good, high energy, and pretty cool tracks.  My plan is to give a full in-depth review of the project once I really, really listen to it.  But for now, listen to the stream below and purchase the album here.

I’ve been a Solange fan for years — over a decade it seems, since she entered the scene as a Destiny’s Child background dancer singing about how she was a “Solo Star.”  Over the years, Solange has separated herself from her iconic sister, Beyonce, and created her own lane and sound.  In November of last year, Solange released her latest installment True which included tracks like “Losing You,” and more.

Now, from the project Solange is releasing her new single, “Looks Good with Trouble” featuring good kid Kendrick Lamar and it’s a  match made in heaven.  It’s pretty dope to see them both grow as artists — and Kendrick’s latest collaborations like Miguel’s “How Many Drinks” make for pretty dope tracks.

Listen to the stream below and purchase the track via Itunes here.

Man, Eric Lau makes some great music.  Lau is currently putting the finishing touches on his new LP One of Many, which will be released June 17th via Kilawatt Music.  The project will feature collaborations with Oddisse, Oliver St. Louis, Rahel, Georgia Anne Muldrow and this here track, “Where To Go Now” featuring Tawiah.  I love this track, and I am confident that you will too.  Download the track here and listen to the stream below.

Austin Kleon’s book, “Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative,” was a book that I had been dying to read since it’s release date in March of 2012.  I constantly saw the book in my favorite hipster store, Urban Outfitters, however, for some reason I thought it was a fake book — a cute fake book nonetheless.  While on my trip to Portland and the awesome bookstore Powells, I finally got my hands on the little book.  To be small, the book is filled with lots of helpful tips to allow you to explore your creativity. Some tips were things we know as humans, while others were not so common sense.

With the book, Kleon focuses significantly on the difference between being creative and using influence for inspiration instead of stealing ideas.  This is detailed through ten different concepts.

I found this book to be very helpful in helping me explore my creativity because I feel like a lot of times as creative people in whatever profession, we are trying to figure out something that sets us apart and makes us different.  As a writer myself, I struggle with this a lot.  I want to be known as a journalist with a respected opinion like my idols — Danyel Smith, Lisa Ling and Raquel Cepeda, but I didn’t want to be like them. I want to define my own style.  After reading Kleon’s book I realize that I still have to define my own niche but looking to them as guidance, as well as their idols for guidance is fine and a good way to get inspired.

After reading the book there are some additional principles that I will take with me such as the following:

1. Keep your day job I know that this is a thing that I should do, however, every day I go to work I want to quit.  Granted, I work four hours a day, but, man — I hate working for and with other people.  They kill my vibe, especially all of their personalities.  Kleon says, “A day job puts you in the path of other human beings. Learn from them, steal from them.”

2. Leave your home “Your brain gets too comfortable in your everyday surroundings.  You need to make it uncomfortable.  You need to spend some time in another land, among people that do things differently than you.  Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder.”

3. Write what you like “The best advice is not to write what you know, it’s to write what you like.  Write the kind of story you like best — write the story you want to read.  The same principle applies to your life and your career: Whenever you’re at a loss for what move to make next, just as yourself, “What would make a better story.”

4. Save your thefts for later “Carry a notebook and a pen with you wherever you go.  Get used to pulling it out and jotting down your thoughts and observations.  Copy your favorite passages out of books.  Record overheard conversations.  Doodle when you’re on the phone.”

I would definitely recommend this book — it’s a fast read, but good and informative nonetheless.  Plus, the compact size of the book helps to make this book a functional read a well that you can put in your purse, backpack and etc.

Purchase the book here

For the track, the MTV Buzzworthy artist, gives his take on the track, however still keeps some of the original appeal of the track.  The track is produced by Hassan it has more of a pop-like vibe than the original.  Definitely a great cover, and I love Perry’s voice.

Perry will be releasing his debut LP Simple Things, later this month on March 18th.  Can’t wait to hear what else he has to offer.

“Geto Boys” is an old track recorded in 2008 which samples The Geto Boy’s classic track “Mind Playing Tricks On Me,” which was released in 1991.  The track also samples Isaac Hayes “Hung Up On My Baby” and Sugarboy Crwaford’s “IKO IKO”

LOVE!

You can also read my show review via The Examiner here.