Describing a New Yorker is no easy fete. People from all walks hailing from all over this tiny rock we call Earth, settle here eventually adding to our bubbling stew of humanity. One may not be able to describe a New Yorker, but one can certainly spot a native a mile away. Banking on this fact is New York based designer Michelle Siwy whose denim collection is self described as a dose of New York attitude for the L.A. dominated denim market. We spent an evening perusing the fall 2011  preview for the 6 year old brand. The capsule collection embodied the laid back sophistication the Big Apple is known for.

We loved the sexy shoulder baring tops. Especially this plaid open shoulder shirt worn over skinny jeans.  The combination is a decidedly “girly” take on the very manly flannel and jeans ensemble.

Over the last two years skirt hems continue to dip lower as pants go higher.  Shorts have become a year round player and Siwy provides those in the know with this adorable pair of denim shorts with black leather applique.

Just 6 short years after its official launch SIWY has garnered a loyal celebrity fan base, that includes dressed some of our favorite fashionistas, including Kate Moss and Selma Blair. Dedicated to cutting edge style and quality craftsmanship, this brand ships worldwide from Europe to Asia and Australia. You can also purchase SIWY at fine retailers all across the U.S, Bloomingdale’s Saks, and Neiman Marcus to name a few.  You can also view the current collection on their site www.siwydenim.com.

We got the chance to speak with the designer herself about the collection:

Tramar Dillard AKA Flo Rida has the unique distinction of being one of the very few artists to have a triple platinum debut single. “Low” from Flo’s first album “Mail on Sunday” took off like a rocket spawning 2 remixes as well as the record for longest running number  1 single of 2008.  An international sensation it comes as no surprise to find various adaptations of the catchy tune performed by amateurs on YouTube.  Surprisingly enough most covers are performed with an acoustic guitar giving the hit a “Country Western” twang.Flo’s sophomore album “R.O.O.T.S.” gave the Carson City Florida native a second hit single in “Right Round” a duet with “Ke$ha” .  The critics may not have loved the single but it found its place on the billboard charts adding to Flo’s string of hits.  We caught up with Flo at a fundraiser for the “Voice of an Angel” Foundation, where he was set to perform his latest smash “The Club Can’t Handle Me”.  A rising star with several awards and hits to his credit we set out to find out a bit more about the man behind the music.

If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
I would have been an entrepreneur but I would have definitely still been in the entertainment business.

Is that desire what drove you to starting your own label?
For me it’s about the freedom of doing business my way.  Owning my own label allows me to nurture my artists by giving them true artist development, which I feel is missing in today’s music industry.  By me being an artist myself, I know how important it is.  I am interested in making career artists.  My company International Music Group will lay that foundation for our artists and producers, giving them every opportunity to succeed.

What are your goals for your Label?
My goal for my label is to find the most creative artists and make records that will be big internationally.  I want my artists to make music that will touch the world.  So, world get ready…  International music Group and Strongarm Management got some big things in store.  I’m very excited!

What can we expect from your artists?
You can expect real artistry from our artists.  Nothing leaves my building unless it’s right.  You can expect the total package from each artist, which consist of big records, polished performances and energetic shows.

As an artist what inspires you the most?
The experiences of life.  I have been blessed in having my successes take me around the world.  So, I get to see many things, in many places which have directly inspired my music.

What would we be surprised to find on your Ipod/Mp3?
Gospel music.  It’s so inspirational to me.

I came across “Come With Me”  a hot track on your latest LP  and I detect a bit of Tupac’s Hail Mary. That’s an unlikely choice for what appears to be a love song, what inspired this choice?
When you’re making a record about love, you want know that the person you’re with will be there through all the hills and valleys of life.  That’s really important to me. I am a big fan of Tupac and thought it would be great to do something creative with the sample, use his voice in a way people wouldn’t expect.

One of my favorite tracks on the new album is “Why you up in here?” featuring Gucci Mane, Ludacris and Git Fresh.  How did this collaboration come about?
I’ve always admired Ludacris as an artist.  With Gucci, I have an appreciation for his music.  Plus, the ATL shows me so much love when I’m out there, so it was only right to make a hit record with two of the best in the game.  Then, I had to put Git Fresh on there for the ladies.  Those dudes are so talented…their album is coming soon and it’s going to be crazy!

Are there any artists you would like to work with but haven’t yet?
Outkast, Beyonce and Cee Lo.  They are all so talented.

There are several unique covers of your songs on YouTube, (mostly acoustic) how do you feel about having your music “covered”?
It’s interesting that we are talking about this, because I was in my hotel room during Super bowl Weekend in Dallas this year and I was online looking at video that fans did of my single “Who Dat Girl” featuring Akon.  They all did such a great job, it’s very flattering.  It let’s me know that I went into the studio and did my job.  That inspires me to make even bigger records for my next album “Only One Rida (Pt.2)” coming soon.

Many  successful and “covered” artists  lend their time and efforts to non-profit organizations. How important is it to give back?
Giving back is one of the most important things we can do.  The kids coming behind us are our future, their success effects us as well as them.  So, we have to give them hope.

How did you get involved with Voice of an Angel?
I found out about the charity through a business associate and was later approached to be a part of the event.  It was one of the best things I did to start the year off.  I hope to bring more awareness to the charity and the cause through music.

Are there any other charities which you will lend your talents to?
Yes, I started a charity called “Big Dream 4 Kids Foundation.”  My goal was to let kids know that if you dream it, you can be it.  I want them to know that they can make it out of the hood and be very successful.  They can beat the odds.  With my foundation, we will be doing big things this year with out reach programs, free concerts in the inner cities and mentoring at elementary, middle and high schools.  We are going to be host sport tournaments throughout the year as well.  ”Big Dreams 4 Kids Foundation” is going to be very busy this year.

Did you make any New Years Resolution’s? If so, did you break them?
My resolution was to just stay positive.

What advice would you give to someone that wants to be in the music industry?
First, make sure that this is really what you want to do, because you will have to make many sacrifices. Second, you have to be very creative.  Superstars don’t follow trends, they set them.  Third, you must have an incredible work ethic.  This is a 24 – 7 – 365 job.  If music is not your passion, it won’t work.

Grammy nominated, People’s Choice award recipient Flo Rida is a man on a mission. With humility and limitless talent he continues to stake a lasting claim to the billboard charts and airwaves.

Flo Rida’s latest album “Only one Flo: Part 1″ is available right now!!

Where do you think your creativity stems from?

There’s definitely a creative gene that’s been passed down from my family ancestry… My grandparents and great-grandparents both maternally and paternally were a constellation of Musicians, Sculptors, Painters, Spiritual Healers, etc…
Whether it’s design or music, I’m naturally compelled to visualize and conceptualize things. I remember when my great-grandmother was alive, she was a very talented sculptor, painter and mandolin player. She would teach me from a very early age, about 3 or 4 years old, how to mold with clay and paint colors that blend with one another. This early training proved to come in handy when I started to develop as a Designer. With my music, it is an outlet to express my emotions and connect personally meaningful lyrics with a melody that further communicates a visceral experience, which is such a gratifying accomplishment when it clicks. Interior designing differs in that my vision is geared to consider how a room’s aesthetic will affect other people’s moods, much like if I were to write a song for the masses, it would have to be able to connect with a vast array of individuals. In the realm of ‘design’, however, it is truly rewarding when all the individual pieces come together to create something truly artistic, yet functional. Either career provides me with a deep sense of artistic creativity.

Who are your influences/muses?

For design I’m influenced by everyone from David Rockwell to Marcel Wanders to Antoine Debouviere.
Musically, I’m moved by artists such as Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox and Kiri Te Kanawa.

As an Interior Designer:  Where did the inspiration come from for “Upstairs at the Kimberly”?

Actually, it was a collaborative effort to begin with.  he Owner and the General Manager had the idea of making it an all year around destination, with a retractable glass enclosure. Our Lighting Designer put dramatic theatrical lighting above the glass from the upper deck to shine through the ceiling when it was closed and created a beautiful atmospherical pattern in blue, which twinkles and resembles starlight.

It turned out, that during the middle of installing a heavy duty HVAC system to provide heating or air-conditioning all year round, I was at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and came across the flagship store of Moooi, Marcel Wanders’ masterpiece collection of fine modern furnishings.  It was then, that I chose to use his famous ‘Smoke Chair” among other pieces sprinkled in by both Piet Boon and B&B Italia in order to create an “Alice in Wonderland” magical type sensation…

What is the first thing you consider before taking on a project?
Whether or not I will be able to contribute something that will enhance the project significantly and if it will also allow me to grow in some creative way.

In addition to interior design you are also a musician. Which aspect of the artistry do you prefer singing or writing? Why
That’s a tough one to answer because they both provide a different and meaningful fulfillment. Singing to an audience can give an adrenaline rush that is unrivaled. There’s a vulnerability and nervous energy that turns into euphoria when the performance is received well by the audience.  I love feeling a connection with those listening to me sing.  Songwriting on the other hand can be an internally torturous journey searching for the right lyric and melody. However, when an idea blossoms it is such a rewarding feeling of accomplishment.  I love collaborating because then those moments of inspiration are a shared experience. It’s like that old saying, “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound?”  Well with collaboration there is another witness to that beautiful moment of creativity. I wholeheartedly believe in the art of collaboration; a whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Do you think all artists should write their own material? Why/Why not?

It’s not an easy task to write a quality song. It’s a craft that requires skills that are developed through a lot of hard work and effort, not to mention life experience…like any specialty craft. I don’t think every artist is necessarily cut out for it and that’s ok. There are some amazing vocalists who don’t write and some equally amazing writers who can’t sing well. It’s all good… but, certainly, writing is a truly gratifying and healing expression so I highly recommend getting our thoughts down on paper in any case, whether it be for a song or just to vent an emotion.

How would you describe today’s music?
There is something out there for everyone.  Music is so vast these days.  As far as pop music goes, there’s definitely a huge shift toward Electronic Dance Music.  All the big pop stars are basically doing dance tracks.  As someone who comes from Opera, then Jazz, then Theater, then Singer Songwriter / Rock / World music, and over the past several years Dance music, I definitely “get” and think it’s a cool thing that the genre is becoming so mainstream because Dance/Electronica music is a wonderful forum for all types of genres to flourish. However, I like to keep my ear influenced by the coolness of the international underground dance scene too, because I believe that is a place for Electronica to develop in its purest form.

How important is Music education in school age children?
OMG, so important!  It is a proven fact that children who study music score higher on tests and are more balanced in their lives.   I attended the VH1 Save the Music Foundation Gala  a couple of months ago and it was really wonderful to see so many artists and music industry professionals give back to their community and raise awareness for this issue.

What prompted you to start your own label?

I had a couple of major label offers earlier in my career and the contracts just didn’t sit right for me. The overall ability to release, promote, and present my artistry exactly how I imagine via my own label is extremely gratifying.  Sink or swim, at least I don’t have to compromise my artistic vision.

What do you look for when considering an artist?

First, there has to be a compelling song. Without that, there’s nothing to promote. I really love rich and interesting textures in a voice. If it’s a DJ/Producer we’re considering for the label, it’s all about bringing some hot and sexy beats!

I notice 2 familiar faces on your roster, Traci Lords and Freedom Williams, how did that come about and what can we expect from these artists?

We met Freedom as a result of my label partner, Anton Bass, having worked with Crystal Waters on a project. A couple of years ago down in Miami for WMC, Crystal introduced us to Freedom and the 4 of us had a great time together. After that, Anton got in the studio with Freedom and started working on some music.  Freedom is a fascinating individual with very interesting insights as well as an arresting vocal presence. We’ve had two cool releases with Freedom that hit the Billboard Club charts so far. Traci was introduced to us by celebrity photographer and good friend Mike Ruiz.  Anton is in the studio right now actually putting together the track production for her first single on Sea to Sun. It’s a real catchy song with a clever and fun lyric. Picture Goldfrapp meets Soft Cell, but with Traci’s sexy cool voice. Very excited about this one…

What advice would you give to auditioning talent? What do you think of Shows like American Idol that magnify the audition process?

I think shows like American Idol are fun. Although, they do give false hope to a lot of people that think it’s easy to get a fast track to success. The reality is, the vast majority of artists have to really earn it. To make it in this business it takes a lot of patience and internal fortitude. Thick skin is a must. However, you have to be open minded and willing to look for and accept constructive criticism.

We may never know exactly how Sylvia finds the time to work on her various projects. We never figure out just where her boundless energy comes from, but one thing is certain, if we are fortunate enough to dine with her again we’ll have what she”s having.

When I first heard Bilal’s Soul Sista on the radio in 2001, I did not know he was the same voice I had heard singing on Common’s song The 6th Sense just a year prior. His style was a throw back to a soul sound I had remembered of the early 80s at the same time blending it with a futuristic sound. I couldn’t call myself a fan, but I respected him for bringing something new to soul/R&B music.

When I got my hands on 1st Born Second, I was hypnotized by every song I heard. I saw him perform for the first time shortly afterward. It couldn’t have been a better introduction to his live experience: New York’s Blue Note, a live band, guest appearance from Common, and an impromptu jam session with Musiq Soulchild and Raphael Saadiq. It was a show that I would never and have not forgotten.

In 2005, I saw him perform for the second time at Celebrate Brooklyn’s Summer Concert series. Bilal performed All 4 Love from his second album Love 4 Sale that would be due out in September of that year. September came and went and no album. When I had lost all hope of a second album, a friend gave me a copy of the leaked album. To a music lover like me, it was worth more than gold to have that CD in my hands. As I listened to the album, I rediscovered Bilal and honestly felt like a fan.

To sit down and chat with Bilal would be any fan’s dream. It was to my amazement that the busy musician granted me a phone interview to talk about his official second album Airtight’s Revenge and the release of his latest video Levels.

http://www.plugresearch.com/bilal/

Photos by Mass

Recently I attended a fantastic charity gala which you will hear more about later this week on JSD. In the meantime check out this exclusive footage that did not make the final cut of the video. We chatted with famed photographer David LaChapelle (nicest guy ever), Actor Jensen Atwood, Kelly Bensimon, Ramona Singer, and Sheree Whitfield. The Real Housewives ladies dish to us exclusively about the new season.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to engulf themselves into the CMJ Music Marathon can honestly say it’s almost like world traveling without needing an airplane. CMJ covers all music genres from all over the country and other parts of the world. One thing is for sure language may divide us, but music can always bring us to a common ground.

Calibro 35 is an Italian band who have mastered the art of what they call soundtrack music. Their music, which have been featured in Italian movies, can now be found on the soundtrack for Bruce Willis and John Malkovich‘s newest movie R.E.D. With their hypnotic bass lines, fuzzy guitar riffs, and funky drum beats, Calibro 35 has a retro sound that transports you to the 70s during the height of the gangster exploitation movies.

Calibro 35 took time before their performance at Nublu to talk to JSD.

Interview with Calibro 35 Part 1

Interview with Calibro 35 Part 2

Calibro 35 are on Nublu Records and their album Ritornano Quelli Di is now available now. CHECK OUT THE BAND PERFORMING BELOW…

MORE CAN BE SEEN ON THE JOHN SIMON DAILY YOUTUBE CHANNEL.