Gypsy Soul Celebrates One Year! The RECAP

Gypsy Soul Celebrated ONE YEAR of being REBELLIOUSLY BEAUTIFUL!

During the month of September Gypsy Soul celebrated One Year of Rebelliously Beautiful music, events, media, relationship building, mix tapes, soulcializin, tweetin, facebookin, photo shoots, interviews, live shows and everything and anything dealing with exposing GREAT music and art.












Gypsy Soul with Alison Carney at the Anniversary Ear Candy
We could not have had such a successful year without the help of many but especially a special few like DJ Lil Mic & Media Minds, Teavolve Cafe, Daria Johnson Photography, Timothy Christmas Photography, and eXcape the matriX online magazine--They helped to get Gypsy Soul
rolling in so many different ways and we appreciate them for that.


Jesse Boykins III at Ear Candy (left)












Alison Carney at Ear Candy











Gypsy Soul also wouldn't be as successful at connecting the artists to the audience if it wasn't for the many artists that trusted us to create a link for them in many new markets, but we want to thank a few artists especially that believed in us in the beginning before Gypsy Soul fully established the reputation we have and are still building: Thank you to PJ Morton (and Tanya), Teedra Moses (and Tamia), N'Dambi (and Monica of Blue Key Management), Yahzarah, Jesse Boykins (and Anshia of Briclyn Entertainment), and The Foreign Exchange (and Aimee).







Thank you to Demont "Peekaso" Pinder for creating
such beautiful art. Pic at The Ear Candy Anniversary


PJ Morton At Ear Candy




Hezekiah & Shaunna at Up Close & Personal






Thank you to ALL the organizations, media, venues, and artists we have worked with over the past year and that we hope to keep working with! We also want to extend a special thank you to the AUDIENCE and FANS of Gypsy Soul! We appreciate you going against the grain and supporting the SOULCIAL MOVEMENT we are growing in the DMV and across the country. Our goal is to connect you to these amazing artists and add balance to your sonic diet.

To celebrate we had an Anniversary Ear Candy, SOULCIALIZE networking event, and SOUL Food BBQ.



Jaspects photo shoot for Gypsy Soul







Take a listen to some of the Ear Candy Audio:

Anniversary Ear Candy with Green Tea, Alison Carney, Kent...

thesoulcialista's Podcast

Gypsy Soul has some wonderful new events planned for year two as well as including some new features to Ear Candy, we hope that you will enjoy.

Please follow us on Twitter, become a fan of Gypsy Soul on Facebook and follow this blog on Netowork blogs so that we can keep you up to date on amazing artists, fresh art, incredible music and everything rebelliously beautiful!


(We heart our audience)














Kentavius Jones, Drea of WEAA 88.9 & Nt













The ladies of Gypsy Soul with Choklate










Kimberly Nichole at The Appetizer

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"Let Me Love You" The LEAK!

"LET ME LOVE YOU" FROM CONYA DOSS SONG ARTIST AND QUEEN OF THE INDEPENDENT SOUL MUSIC MOVEMENT THE DEBUT SINGLE FROM HER PHENOMENAL AND LANDMARK LP "Still..." (IN STORES EVERYWHERE AND ON ITUNES.COM AND AMAZON.COM) Take a listen to "Let Me Love You" FOR MORE INFO ON CONYA DOSS AND THIS RECORD LOG ONTO: www.myspace.com/conyadoss

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BLACK Collection - Conforming is NOT an Option

In a commericalized age where nothing no longer seems original, BLACK Collection has disregarded what you're used to seeing on the racks at your local mall and instead has dared to promote what many "mainstream" designers seem to be afraid of -- INDIVIDUALism.

The mission of BLACK Collection's INDIVIDUAL campaign seeks to "spread the idea, concept, and belief that it’s perfectly fine to live your lifestyle and be you (Individual). Everyday people no longer exist due to the search of validation from others, the media, internal, and external forces. We will shed light on that inappropriate way of thinking, and challenge people to break traditional thinking. We challenge everybody to live free, self- validate, and illustrate “INIDIVIDUALITY” " [[BLACK Collection]]

Silencing naysayers with this mission, BLACK Collection founder, Reggie Black, has created fashion that you won't see every 3rd person on the street wearing!! BLACK Collection launched in July 2005, as Black overstepped suggestions to use popular, flashy designs and instead used what was inside of his own creative realm--"Once a trend fades, so does your company," Black states, and he couldn't be more right!

[Fashion Gone Right] --> Black's interest in fashion sparked as a young kid in the nation's capital, as he worked in his older brother's store, Solo. His time spent in the shop birthed a curiousity on how exactly designs were embrodiered and led to his desire to one day branch out on his own and build a larger company.

Check out the BLACK Collection commerical

Solely for the humanoids that have a unique style, BLACK collection provides an intuitive clash of "edgy meets clashy" for men and women alike! And don't think the clothes are only monotone! They are definitely vibrant "but yet exude a sense of artistic moderation".

And where, prey tell, does Reggie and his team get their inspiration from? Believe it or not quite often they come from real life! For example, as I browsed his myspace page which has some of his older designs, I asked him about the story behind the interlocking man and woman symbols. He designed the shirt during that "awkward" phase in his relationship, you know that "its complicated" facebook status phase. Surrounding the interlocking symbols is a circle of words that represent everything that encompasses a relationships "love, pain, sex, friendship" etc. I found this to be intriguing. How often do you hear a designer relate life experience in their clothing designs? Usually you hear them reflect on the season or someone's else design that they wanted to expand on or they just wanted to try something new. His inspiration is like a musician's inspiration for a new song. A classic example of art imitating life..

BLACK Collection for the time being is exclusively online at http://www.blkcollection.com/ but don't expect them just to be THERE for long. With aspirations to not only launch another line, you can expect BLACK Collection to have a few national AND international boutiques in the near future.

---> Perfect for your "green" side. This t-shirt is 100% organic cotton!

Shout out to 1st Impressions Studio for the photography and commerical!

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Heston comes to NYC

Heston

makes his way to NYC for a special performance at the
The Brooklyn Academy of Music
10.3.09
9PM

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The Foreign Exchange in Bmore

The Foreign Exchange makes their way back to Baltimore to help us Leave It All Behind and want you to come SOULCIALIZE!! Yahzarah, Darien Brockington & Carlita Dunn will be along for the ride...and they are powerhouses of vocal talent...


Oct 22 8:00 PM at The 8x10 is When and where it all goes down!

Purchase tix at:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500430C864E2593?artistid=1264189&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

FYI Baltimore is THE BIGGEST market for the FE so its not a ploy when I say tickets will be gone FAST get your today!

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Confessional in Charm City

One of my favorite tracks on The Ear Candy Chronicles Vo1 2 is "Hands To Myself" by Russell Taylor...usually i place it on repeat and rock while I drive.

Gypsy Soul is a very big supporter of Russell Taylor! On October 8th at 8PM at Eden's Lounge Russell Taylor debuts his latest album Confessional in an evening of music. I hope you will come SOULCIALIZE with us and support independent music!

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From Eye Candy to Ear Candy

Unbeknown to many Idris Alba musically known as Driis is no stranger to music and has contributed his skills to the industry for several years under various names. He has had tracks featured on Prom Night and Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail soundtrack and produced for Jay-Z's American Gangster LP.

Finally, Driis is putting out more music in January 2010 with the EP King Amongst Kings. Feature producers include Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, Vitamin D and Lasix. The sound of the offering combines Hip Hop, Lovers Rock and some Reggae . Hevlar Records invited me and now I am inviting you to take a listen to new track "Please Be True"

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The Yellow Brick Journey Leads to the DMV for Kim Nikky

Last night I had an awesome time at Congresswoman Maxine Waters reception during the Congressional Black Caucus.

I was there because (one) I dig the congresswoman, she is a straight talker; and (two) because one of my favorite artists, Ms Kimberly Nichole, was providing the vocal entertainment! Kimberly Nichole filled the reception with her voice and energy, throughout the night several people approached her to tell her she could sang lol. When Congresswoman Waters came in the room Kim joined us on the floor to not only sing but dance the electric slide. The congresswoman went several rounds and seemed to enjoy herself. During her speech at nights end she included a thank you to Kim and told her she was a REAL performer!

Ms. Kimberly Nichole has been getting much play in the DMV as of late and thanks to Briclyn Entertainment, Gypsy Soul was the first to bring her to Baltimore back in February. Since then she has been in Baltimore 3 more times for The African American Heritage Fest, a show at the well known Fletchers and for the Gypsy Soul Anniversary. Her Yellow Brick Journey (the name of her newly released album) has landed her down yonder.

October holds some more dates for the small songstress with a huge voice that dominates the stage and soon the ipods of many... well keep you posted on where and when those yellow bricks will lead her back to Charm & Chocolate City!



Check out an interview she recently did with DJ Bobby Rox on The Flow Internet Radio:




Photos by Timothy Christmas

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Storytellers Celebrates One Year!

On September 20th I attended Ravolution Multimedia, LLC's Storytellers and I must say I was blown away by the atmosphere and the poets. A hip hop feel engulfed the room as everyone waited in anticipation for the arrival of the poets. Surrounding the room was wine being sold and vendors selling lotion fragrances and poetry books one in particular was Wine Glass Confessions by luminoUS . There was also a live radio show blog broadcasting Storytellers.

I loved how the storytellers expressed themselves politically, talked about stereotypes and emotional experiences. The first poem by Quill Wordsmith was phenomenal it touched me on an intellectual level. I dug the analogies and the way the poet incorporated music with his piece.


The liveliness of the space created a great energy that bounced off the walls as Storytellers celebrated one year of creating a place where people could come together and tell their story. Their mission is to have the audience leave with something they didn’t know, and I truly did not know about the talent that growing in Baltimore.


There were other poets such as, J. Pope and the features Rebecca Dupas and luminoUS that gave storytelling a new meaning for me. J. Pope performed her version of “Summertime” which blew me away. Her voice is amazing. Rebecca Dupas performance took me through various emotions in a matter of seconds as she spoke. I didn’t even have to go through any of her experiences to understand the same emotions she was feeling. Rebecca's poetry was flawless.


Overall the Storytellers was absolutely fabulous I definitely look forward to coming back again and I wish Ravolution Multimedia, LLC many more great years with the event!

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Chinah Blac Kicks off the Ice Cream Soul Series in DC

Dessert is served: An Evening with ChinahBlac at the Ice Cream Soul series presented by The Flow.

On a stoop around the corner from Adams Morgan’s Maggie Moo’s in Washington DC sits ChinahBlac, bright smile and afro in tow. This woman truly kept it real on and offstage, with a personality as fabulous and colorful as her red spiked heels. We talked about music, and how there are no boundaries or labels to control it. When asked what artists she considered truly “Eargasmic”, which just so happens to be the name of her upcoming mix tape out September 29th, the first name she uttered was Sting. A melting pot of other incredible artists followed, Hall and Oates, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Bjork and Donnie Hathaway among others. She spoke about portraying lyrical fantasy, betraying the listener who has real thoughts and feelings by only offering unrealistic love songs and sugar coated cries of heartbreak. “We’re all in this $^#% together” she said. I couldn’t agree more.

Onstage her voice was as cool and smooth as the ice cream being served, and her asides contained just as many layers. She brought waves of laughter and bright smiles to an audience who early on seemed a little shy. Chinah performed four songs including her debut single “Get Away”, and each song was accompanied by an entertaining story. “Get Away” in particular came to be from an experience she had with a cheating lover who ended up in the hospital after an accident while she was on tour. Chinah caught the first plane to his side only to discover that he’d gotten into the accident cheating on her. He must not have anticipated her arrival because when she got there one of his other women decided to make a get well visit, and the rest is history. Wanting out of the situation mentally physically and emotionally, Chinah crafted a daringly honest song of escape.

Check out some video:

Having worked with artists such as Jill Scott, Dave Matthews Band, and Erykah Badu, Chinah’s fifteen years in the business are adorned with accomplishments. As a debut solo artist her warmth and openness during the interview were refreshing. But as a person, as a woman, Chinah’s connection to the world around her was inspiring. Her understanding of the human condition and her gift of music can be heard in every word of her songs.

Chinah and some the GS crew

Treat yourself to something chill, and flavorful…Listen to ChinahBlac.

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Rahsaan Patterson - Sunday Night Treat

Can I keep it real with you? ...

Going to Annapolis last night was the last thing on my mind. The first thing? Going home and climbing in my bed after a long weekend so I could face the Monday morning commute!

But you know how they say everything happens for a reason? It was truly meant for me to go to Annapolis and hear Rahsaan Patterson sing last night.

Sure, I had youtubed him and surfed through his info on wikipedia or what not, but honestly, the web does not do him 100% justice. There is never anything like a live performance. And Rahsaan gave a great one last night at Ram's Head Tavern in front of a nicely packed crowd!

Rahhsaan dropped his first self-titled album in 1997 and included what has become his signature tune, "Where You Are", as well as the funky "Stop By", immediately putting him on the radar with R&B fans. He followed that effort with 1999's critically praised album, Love In Stereo.

After Hours, his long-awaited 2004 follow-up, was released on the independent Artistry Music label, and only cemented Patterson's reputation as a deeply thoughtful, adventurous artist with a unique point of view.

Along the way, Patterson shared his artistry on soundtracks Love & Basketball, Dr. Doolittle, Two Can Play That Game, Hoodlum, Brown Sugar, as well as the renowned comedian Steve Harvey’s compilation Sign Of Things To Come.

His voice is very reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, a comparison he does not mind at all. And the way he hits his high notes, definitely reminded me of Maxwell.

I was sold on Rahsaan Patterson from the very beginning of the night and continued to fall for him as he sang a variety of his hits - "Take Me Back", "Feels Good", "Water", "The One for Me", "The Best" (my favorite - piano intro is just sooo b-e-a-u-tiful!) and "Stop Breaking My Heart" - and many more - a great hour and a half of musical ecstasy that made me forget my earlier complaints!

Rahsaan officially stole my heart when he sang my favorite Michael Jackson song (and his!) "Human Nature"! An amazing rendition - the band, the backup singers, Rahsaan - they killed it!

I am starting the petition to get Rahsaan to Baltimore (Ear Candy please!) and I hope everyone signs it because your ears will DEFINITELY be thanking you later!

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Up Close & Personal with K'Jon

On September 18th Gypsy Soul was given the opportunity to set up interviews with UniversalRepublic artist K'Jon before his show at Sonar.

We asked local media including The Baltimore Examiner, The Baltimore Times, Unrelated Family, and The Fly Girl Guide and photographers Edith Williams and Daria Johnson to come for a round table sit down with the new artist making waves with his hit "The Ocean."

K'Jon gave insight into going from being a successful independent artists to a chart topping label affiliate, the process of writing his hits, and his extreme appreciation for his fans among many other topics.



Links to the interviews will be added to this post as they released so check back often!

Photos by Edith Williams of Diamond Digital Portraits

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N'Dambi Featured on Myspace Music

N'Dambi has been creating a great buzz for her Stax Records debut album Pink Elephant

Myspace is currently featuring the single from the upcoming project called "Can't Hardly Wait"

Check it out: Featured Video

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Hal Linton The Future of Music PART I The Introduction

Tall, slim and Bajan, with an imagination that allowed Cupid to get a gun (I mean dude has been incapacitating people with arrows for centuries, how the hell he pass a background check?) and a musical maturity that leads me to believe that he has been touched by the same ancient muse whose sweet nothings influenced the art of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and The Contours among just a few others....with much pleasure and amusement I would like to introduce you to one of BET's Rising Icons, Hal Linton.

Once again, I am truly impressed by the caliber of artist that UniversalMotown is supporting. Not only is the talent amazing but the amount of cultural diversity is commendable and should be noted. Maybe some record execs have "returned from the future" and realized that the demand for good, relevant, substantive music is rapidly growing...coincidentally Return From The Future is the name of Hal Lintons upcoming album... and hopefully a preview the industry's artistic state.

I had heard the name Hal Linton in whispers but took quick notice when the area UniversalMotown rep, Jay, told me Hal would be in town performing at the NCNW's Black Family Reunion on September 12th.

I hit Myspace and began to listen to the music...how did I miss this? The more I listened the more excited I became! The questions started swirling, I wanted to know the person behind the music. You may think Im overly excited, but come on people! In today's world it is so refreshing to keep being reassured that there are more and more artists willing to have imaginations, use creativity, and be bold enough to offer musical red pills!

On Saturday the 12th I was given the awesome privileged of having a lunch at Bus Boys & Poets in DC with Hal, Jay and Hal's amazingly on point manager Teneille (yeah Ive met some not so on point managers smh). Over a plate of sweet potato fries and mussels I rapped to Teneille about her experience and the process of working AND growing with Hal. Both being from Barbados, Teneille had a huge part in creating an opportunity for Hal's musical career to grow and for the island country to pioneer a program that would recognize music as a national export creating "Invest Barbados". This program was instrumental in the initial touring and promotion of Hal in the United States. We talked about plans that she has in the works and believe me if she can get a COUNTRY to back her artists, I have no doubt that big other things are about to fall in line!

For someone with so much musical energy (even his slower songs has so much depth) while we ate Hal was very laid back and relaxed. Before we headed out I was able to get a few smiles out of him as we chatted lightly. I learned that Hal had a big hand in writing and producing his soon to be released album Return From the Future and worked with notable producer Salaam Remi as well as some others. I divulged to him that I was enamored with piano keys and strings and "Abandoned Heart" was one of my favorite tracks. Umm humm I was able to get a smile out of him when he told me he played the keys on that particular song. So not only can he strum a guitar and sing but, he can tickle the ivory too...he has quickly moved up a couple of spots on my list of favorite musicians. After some serious culinary consumption we headed out and I hopped in the car with Hal. On the way to the stage we found time to continue getting to know him better.

Two of the biggest things that caused the most laughter and smiles...Souljah Boy & Janelle Mone! But we'll get into that in part two!

We finally made it to the stage and when Hal began to play I swear the sun began to come out on that dreary day... I lie not! With just his guitar Hal played 3 songs, the last being Marvin Gaye's "Whats Going On" and as he crooned to the audience the sun began to emerge from the clouds... Im convinced that his music will emerge and shine on the industry just like the sun did as he performed...

Thats one cool brother.

Part II coming soon...THE CAR RIDE


Hal and I at The Black Family Reunion

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Ice Cream SOUL with Chinah Blac

Join Gypsy Soul with The Flow, Forever DC and Money One for ICE Cream SOUL!

9.17.09
Maggie Moos in Adams Morgan
7PM-9PM

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Ace Deuce in Ya Area!

One of the crooners of Ear Candy vol 2, ANTHONY DAVID, is in DC tomorrow!

Make sure to check him out...hes dope live!

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Jaspects, Kimberly Nichole, & Britanny Bosco in NYC

September 12th the big apple will host a few Georgia peaches as summer winds down!

Joe's Pub
Jaspects with Brittany Bosco and Kimberly Nichole
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
425 Lafayette Street
New York City, NY 10003
Show begins @ 11:30p

Catch the Bolt Bus and get there!

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"Done By My Fingers" - the artist, the trendmaster Demont Peekaso

Only firsthand experience demonstrates the talent of artist innovator Demont Peekaso. He blessed Ear Candy some months back with an original piece done by his fingers during a live performance of artist W. Ellington Felton. At first glance you can't envision what the canvas will look like when he is finished painting, but you know not to worry because he delivers masterpieces that are consistently unique and evoke the emotion and feel of the show you are attending and the artist performing.

Peekaso was born in New York and moved to Washington, D.C. in the late 80's with his passion for art evident since early in his childhood. His own realization of his talent came after he designed his high school yearbook cover and painted murals on the walls of school. He soon graduated to translating his art to fashion. Once interest grew and the orders for commissioned pieces started to go out anything that would hold paint became a canvas for Peekaso.

The buzz for his talent only grew larger and his worked has draped some of the music industry's biggest stars. From Anthony Hamilton to Jay-Z, Peekaso's work has found fans among Hip-Hop and R&B's most prominent artists. Although he has traveled the globe he has never lost touch with his home base. His visions through art have graced The Source Magazine to Billboard Magazine, and although he has toured with various artists such as Raheem DeVaughn, you can still find him in local music venues painting the sounds of up and coming artists. Whether in D.C. at the Up and Up Open Mic Series or in Baltimore City at Gypsy Soul's Ear Candy you can have your own opportunity to see an artist before his time paint melodies that capture the moment you are currently experiencing. So come out tonight to a special Ear Candy performance and try to stop yourself from sneaking a peak at what Peekaso is creating. I guarantee he will capture the right moment and immortalize it with the right colors done by his fingers.

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What You Waiting For?

N'Dambi ,the afro endowed soul songstress, has released a new single, "Can't Hardly Wait" from her upcoming album Pink Elephant.

I've been a fan of the Dallas native since her first album Little Lost Girls Blues. Me and my BFF sung "Deep", "Rain" like we were blessed with the sultry vocals that N'Dambi exercises at will...but of course we're not... lol.

Through Tuning Up and Co-signin N'Dambi once again satisfied my musical craving with emotional songs like "Ode to Nina" and "Hot Pearl C". When I hear her perform those songs tears come to my eyes.

Weird Kinda Wonderful allowed me to grow my musical taste up and release her from the bluesy soul box I had put N'Dambi in. "Insecurity" & "Can't Change Me" spoke to me and I rawked out to the whole album!

Im anxious to hear what Pink Elephant has in store. Over the years N'Dambi's musical content and performance has never disappointed me, in fact its elevated my sonic palate. If "Can't Hardly Wait" is an indication of what we can expect I wont wait long at all to pick up that cd!

Download "Can't Hardly Wait" NOW!

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Leela James Shuts It DOWN

No stranger to Baltimore, Leela James now has the distinction as the final headline of Jazzy Summer Nights, a Baltimore entertainment event that that has run for 10 years, took its final bow on September 3rd.

Ms. James made her mark as she created more than a concert, she created a celebration! Urging fans that were blocked by gates to fill in the empty space in front of the stage, an area clear for the "VIPs" to enjoy the performance with a clear view, she paused the show to ensure the people that were there to party were able to get up close & personal with the performance.

Leela James and her band were full of energy. She moved with the music, emotion was in her voice and body. She shared her talent with the audience and shared the stage with her fans...literally. She invited folks up to dance and dance they did! Men, women, young, and young at heart two stepped, dropped it like it was hot, and shook their booty to the beat.

By the end of the show we were in CHUUCH! There was sanctuary music and shoutin, a definite celebration ended the 10 year legend.

After the show Gypsy Soul was granted the opportunity to coordinate interviews with the leading lady. Instead of individual interviews, I opted to do a round table due to the late hour and number of media outlets participating. We talked about her albums, her sound, and more. The Baltimore Examiner, Unrelated Family, The Baltimore Times, and 1bluvision.com participated, take a look at available articles:

Baltimore Examiner 1

Baltimore Examiner 2

I enjoyed Leela James, she has a sweet, southern drawl and a radiating positivity about her. Looking forward to her bringing her energy back to Charm City.

Photos by Edith Williams & Diamond Digital Portraits

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Corneille Comes to Charm City

Universal Motown has been putting out some really great, different, and innovative artists lately and the most recent to visit Baltimore was Corneille for the final show of Jazzy Summer Nights' 10 year long event.

I received a sampler of his album The Birth Of Cornelius a couple of days before he headed to the city and I really enjoyed his sound. It was light, fresh, airy…something you can groove to while sipping tea relaxing or clearing your head from a long day while you drive.

Needless to say when I was given the opportunity to have a late lunch/early dinner with him before his show last night I was thrilled. It’s extremely refreshing when an artists’ work is a reflection of them. He was kind, laid back and easy going. The area Universal Motown rep Jay & Corneille’s music director and band mate Andy also joined us and we chopped it up over some good eats at Luna Del Sea at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

We talked about the music that we like and he told me that he and his wife were big fans of Maxwell and were enjoying the new release. He shocked me when he said he really listened to a lot of 90’s music… ok so that’s not the shocking part, the shocking part is that when he said he liked 90's music I immediately thought about JODECI and was like nah I’m sure he’s not into them and right out his mouth he says JODECI lol. I asked him if I heard right and he said yes he listens to JODECI, Guy (I said what do you know about GUY?!? WHAT), Portrait, and Silk amongst an array of other artists. I was amazed, I mean this Rwandan born young man who now resides in Montreal jams to “Come And Talk To Me”? This dude has great taste.

He told me that he was really into Guy because of Teddy Riley. He had a thing for producers and was a fan of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Naturally I asked if he produced and come to find out he produced and wrote his entire album The Birth Of Cornelius and does production for other artists.

When I first introduced myself I explained what my company Gypsy Soul does which led to the conversation about social media. To my surprise, but not disdain, he said he didn’t twitter or do the social media stuff. As an artist he wants to focus on creating and on the music not giving a play by play of his day. I certainly can respect that. Im definitely one in favor of rebelling against the system but I guess he crushed my dreams of connecting with him through 14o characters on Twitter lol.

We ate and talked some more about movies and the perception we get over here from American artists about their experience abroad and then he had to bid me and Jay farewell so that he could get ready for the show. I really dug the conversation!

He and Andy were the band and I think they did beautifully. Both played guitars and Corneille sang with such honesty, I was quite impressed. In a world full of “artists” that have vocal talent on cds but somehow becomes lost when they hit the stage, it's great when an artist can perform AND deliver LIVE!

Corneille & Gypsy

He sang several songs from The Birth Of Cornelius including “All of My Love”, “ Back To Life”, “ Liberation”, “Too Much Of Everything”, and “Never Call You Home”. I think the crowd enjoyed him too which is always a great thing!

I spoke with him briefly after the show and learned that all of his songs were from real life, he told me he wasn’t good at writing fiction lol. When asked about what he thought of the show, he said it was good for the type of show. With indoor shows its easier to connect with the audience than with something so open. I mos def agree with that assessment.

It’s a great thing to enjoy the music of an artist but its an incredible feeling to really enjoy the artist as a person. If you haven’t listened, sampled, or bought the album The Birth Of Cornelius I really think you should go ahead and do that, its an iPod pleaser.

I'm looking forward to seeing Corneille again when he comes back to the DMV on September16th with K’Jon at the Birchmere. Stay tuned for PART TWO!

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Gallery 788 Opening

Located at 788 Washington Blvd in Baltimore, Gallery 788, owned by Eduardo Rodriquez, had its opening last night, showcasing the work of several local artists.

The opening was packed to the door with people from the neighborhood looking in, "the suits", art lovers and people showing their support their artsy friends. Although the finger food they had was not the least bit appealing to me, the art definitely was!

This piece is definitely my favorite! Created by Terry Plater, whose talents seems to stretch across the spectrum as some of his pieces (like this) are bold and captivating, some more subtle and thought invoking (below)

You can find prints of Terry Plater's work at Tag Galleries, 734 South Broadway St.

Plater also recently launched his clothing line, Fresh Toppings. These trendy, creatively stated tees can be found at Diece in Federal Hill.

I also absolutely LOVED the oil on arcylic paintings that were on display by J'nell Jordan

Her pieces had a similar theme of music and people dancing in a club environment. However from a distance you cannot immediately tell what is going on in the painting. But once you get up close you can make out the different people and the scene. Her art was definitely captivating and unique! (Like I said, still accepting housewarming gifts)

J'nell works mainly from photographs to pull from the candid, real-life actions of people.

"Finding intricacies in the faces, poses and portraying the confidence or uneasiness and insecurities in the body language is most interesting to me. What I love, however, is the relationships: the similarities and the differences between the figures in the compositions. Some figures are posing for a camera imitating poses similar to those of celebrities while other figures are completely entranced in the music. Some people can become so enveloped in the environment of flashing lights, décor, and music that they become that. It is a feeling of celebration and unity that I want to portray where everyone relates to one another."

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