Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag #59 and see 9PLAYLIST 9MIX in mag as well as see them on our YouTube channel.
ATHLEISURE MAG | NOV ISSUE #59
In this month’s issue as we continue into the fall, our Nov Issue #59 is covered by one of Athleisure Mag’s favorite EDM artists, SOFI TUKKER. Our virtual cover shoot showcases fun vibrant fashion worn by the duo ranging from varying forms of lounge and WFH looks. We talk to them about their musical background, how they came to working with one another, a number of their achievements and how they have navigated these past few months by continuing to stay connected with their fans and their upcoming econcert that takes place on Dec 4th! This month we interviewed Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst who is also a full time correspondent for EXTRA. We talked about her competing in the pageant system, recently crowning Miss USA 2020 at Graceland earlier this month. In addition we talk about her work in law, her focus on social justice and the importance for empowering women. We’re fans of BRAVO’s Million Dollar Listing franchise and this month, we interviewed Million Dollar Listing LA’s Tracy Tutor to talk about her work in the residential luxury market, being a broker in a competitive industry, how she balances her life as a mom, her focus on fitness and how she empowers women. Just in time for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays, we talked with Chef David Rose, Food Network Personality and Executive Chef of Omaha Steaks. He talks about how we can still celebrate even thought our holidays will look a little different. He provides tips and his go to meals that he enjoys smoking and grilling. We also talk with Chef Ruben Rodriguez in this month’s The Art of the Snack about his latest restaurant, Amigo Nia. He shares his culinary influence, what you can expect when enjoying pickup and delivery as well as his plans as he heads into 2021.
This month, our cover SOFI TUKKER shares their 9PLAYLIST as well as providing a fun video of their 9MIX. Normani shares her favorites and why in our 9LIST STORI3S.
Read the Nov Issue #59 of Athleisure Mag here.
Read the Oct Issue #59 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | LeBron James in mag.
We're sure that we have all been listening to a lot more music as we have navigated these past few months as it's a way to transport ourselves to another level even when our environment may look way to familiar at this point. This month's cover of Athleisure Mag is entertainer, DJ, record producer, music executive and entrepreneur Steve Aoki. We've always been fans of the energy that he creates when he's at his shows, his music as well as his focus on putting good into the world with The AOKI FOUNDATION whose primary goal is supporting organizations in the brain science and research areas with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and brain preservation.
In addition to our virtual cover editorial shoot with Steve, we delved into his career, his label DIM MAK, his placement in the Smithsonian Museum, the importance of diversification while being true to the core of business, Neon Future series, Blue: The Color of Noise and his process in music and collaborative projects.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you realized that you wanted to be in the entertainment industry?
STEVE AOKI: Oh man entertainment is such a broad word and some of these answers are probably not going to be straight forward. I got into music when I was a teenager and then that became my whole life blood. Everything I did was involving music in every facet of life. It just became my lifestyle. From the friends I chose, to the food I ate – when I was growing up as a teenager – there was a very specific kind of music that I listened to and everyone was vegetarian. Pretty much everything down to the way that I dressed. It just became – it just became me so. So once I figured out what I wanted to devote my life to, that of course, changes over time. So from when I was a teenager, to college, to post college, young adult – my music style changed and the way that I interpreted music and played music changed as well.
So, I was in bands in the beginning and then I became a DJ and then at that point, in the early 2000’s, I actually started seeing that what I was doing with music was actually making a profit. It was making money. Because up until then, I never looked at music as a profitable enterprise. I never thought about it that way because you give so much to something, if you really care about, it’s not like you care about getting something back. What you get back is the love that it gives you, the feelings that it gives you, the community that it brings to you. As I started DJing, I started realizing that at that point I was DJing small clubs and festivals. That’s really when that major moment came when I was like, “wow I’m on a big stage and I need to not just play records and music” – which some of them were my own and a lot at that time, were of the culture. It then became, how do I engage with these people and entertain these people?
So then that term, “entertainment” came into the fold much later in my career. I would say that it came into the fold when I played Coachella the second time in 2009, not even the first time. It was that moment when I had the budget and I could build out the stage design and I could think about ideas that could present to different parts of my show like stage diving. These stage dives aren’t like a moment where you are methodical, you feel the moment, everyone’s ready for it and you jump into the crowd. There are moments when you think, this is going to engage with people, this is going to be entertaining. I bring my raft out and I start floating on the people, they haven’t seen that yet – that’s entertaining. There’s all these little things that I did with the people like the cakes. It’s an entertaining part of a Steve Aoki show. People remember for the rest of their lives and they’ll say, “40 years ago I saw a Steve Aoki show, I don’t remember the songs but he did cake my friend in the face and it was the best day of her life!" You know what I mean?
AM: Exactly yeah!
SA: I would say 2009 it all came together. Long answer for you!
AM: But that’s a great answer though. It’s all about a progression and just how things come together.
How would you define your musical style?
SA: My musical style is very fluid and of the moment and I like that. I like that like, it’s very much a gut and it’s based on feelings and it’s always going to change. It’s always going to change with my feelings and however way I feel about things or the moment on how I internalize that and not just consume, but how do I create that and how do I create from that?
I think that that’s something that I learned at a young age. When you are inspired or when you absorb something that makes you feel a certain way that it hasn’t made you feel before, like you know the best way for me to engage with that feeling is to create from it. It’s like anything, when you do it over and over again, you just get better at the process of doing it. You might not be great at it in terms of the output, but you get better at the process and that’s what’s more important than the output because the output is entirely subjective. Whether someone likes it or not is not what’s important. That’s another thing that I learned through this whole thing – whether people like my music or my output shouldn’t reflect why I did it and why I liked the process of it. I think about that question and it’s very complex. It’s not just I’m EDM or I’m this. Music is always going to change and it’s based on feelings. If you take down all the identities, all the titles and the genres – if there was no such thing as hip hop or rock or EDM and people were just like, “yo I just like the song.” When you hear a song for the first time and you’re listening to something that is totally different – you shouldn’t be limited to, “this is weird that I like it.” It shouldn’t make you feel weird. If it makes you feel really good, then that’s the whole point of it.
AM: Right and sometimes listening to the same artist and the same song at different points in your life, have a different connection and you can enjoy it. Our co-founder’s great uncle was tenor saxophonist, Joe Henderson and as a kid hearing him, she didn’t respect the fullness of his work.
SA: Yeah.
AM: And then in college, there was a whole other world of understanding that gave those songs meaning.
SA: Right right!
AM: You are someone who has worked with so many artists across so many different genres as a DJ, musician, producer, music exec – what is that process like for you when you’re thinking of collaborating with somebody?
SA: Yeah, when I’m collaborating with different artists, I think that one of the biggest lessons that I have learned is to just go in there and go in with a blank slate. A lot of people want you to come in there with all of your ammunition and basically all of your knowledge base. I’d rather go in there as a student. You know, they want to work with you and at this point in my career, they want to work with you too! I know what I can bring to the table, but it’s almost like when you watch an improv comedy skit, you never know what’s going to happen. Like, “hey someone say an action – running, someone say a sport – wrestling,” and then you kind of take those moments and you just be free on where it will go. That journey is really exciting to come from that place. Of course, your intuition and experience in terms of how and the way you process and supply chain your music and the way you work your music – how you’re going to work all of that – it’s innately going to come out. Sometimes you need the structure, but I prefer having the blank slate for the most part. Unless if you’re on a time crunch – a time crunch is a whole other story. Because then I’m like, “ok I just need to have the hook.” From the hook, I’m able to build you know – I can build that idea. I generally start from there if I can’t get into the studio with the artist. I just need a hook. I just need that part that gets stuck in my head and I will allow that to just linger in my head for a long time and then melodies start coming out in the studio and then I pick the best one. You stay on that melody for a day or two to make sure that it’s the right melody – because sometimes the first time you’ve heard it, it’s the best thing that you have ever heard and then you realize a day later, “oh my God, it’s awful.”
AM: Definitely! What’s that like when you have something that’s already existed. We love Michael Jackson – Thriller (Steve Aoki Midnight Hour Remix) and I also like Steve Aoki & Darren Criss - Crash Into Me cover of Dave Matthews Band. When people already know the songs, do you have a different approach when you’re deconstructing it to make it your own?
SA: Yeah, yeah exactly. When I do remixes of my own tracks – like in the case of Crash Into Me with Darren Criss (Glee, Hollywood, The Assassination of Gianni Versace), I can’t play the original at my own shows because it’s too mellow. When I’m playing an EDM show, I need that energy bursting at the seams and I need that drop to do exactly that. I need the dance floor to be bouncing. It’s all about Darren’s voice, Dave Matthews incredible lyrics, the melody and you combine that with a huge drop that’s signature to my sound and people will just lose their minds you know? You want to push purposeful.
AM: Are there genres that you've yet to do that you want to place the Aoki touch on?
SA: Yes. I mean there is no genre that can limit me. I just – I want to work with every genre and I really want to keep spanning the globe. That’s the other thing to, I travel so much and I’m so fortunate to be able to hear and know and learn about not just what’s happening in different parts of the world that are already popular, but also like what’s brewing. What’s brewing in South Africa, when I was out there, I was listening to some music and it was like, “yo this is the next wave in South Africa.” I want to know about it and I want to meet them. I want to hear the songs and I want to get the vibe, the flow and the dance culture that’s with it. You know, music brings people together so you have to understand what kind of dance moves that they are doing to it. How are they bringing it to their culture. Basically, I just want to keep expanding, keep exploring and it’s limitless. There’s always something new out there.
AM: How did you feel being the first EDM artist to be included in the Smithsonian? How impactful was it to see your gear housed in the same space as DJ Bob Casey’s from the 50's as well as Grand Masterflash’s turntables and now you’re literally being enshrined in such a historical place?
SA: Even when you say that out loud …
AM: It’s mindblowing.
SA: It’s totally wild you know? I remember when I went to the Smithsonian after they asked if we would be part of it. I met with them and did the interview there and walked through it and I felt like I was leaving my body and watching myself and I was like, “holy shit!” I just freaked out. I mean, it’s incredible you know – an incredible feeling. It’s the kind of thing that you’ll say, “wow in 60 years someone is going to say in the 2010’s there was an Asian DJ and there was a thing called EDM and this is what people did when they went out to festivals. And here is a typical show.” It was really cool to think that wow, 60 or 70 years later, someone is going to look at that and say, “that’s cool.” And you know, in that regard to, I’m proud that you know, I’m representing for Asians in that way too.
AM: As someone who is as busy as you are, who does travel so much, why is fitness, health and wellness so important to you?
SA: Oh God, it’s so crucial and integral. You have to train your body and mind to be able to run the marathon over and over again. You can’t just wake up – before you get out and run, you have to stretch. Before you do anything – I mean, I’m stretching constantly and that stretch is mindfulness. And as I do more mindfulness, actively, and I start learning more about myself – my mind, my body rhythms – it’s really fun. When you’re sitting there meditating, some people think, “oh it’s so boring.” When you get into that space, you get into where you’re finally supposed to be – it’s incredible to get into that space where nothing else really matters. That phone call, that schedule – all these things in life – comparing yourself to this person to that person – that thing – the anxieties of the world. If you can calm all of those things, it’s a really wonderful place to learn to get to. I think that it’s not just for someone like me that was running around like I was prior to COVID-19 like I did, I think it’s really helpful for everybody. For me especially, I need to absolutely make sure that I’m on the practice and I just love having it.
AM: Just looking at your portfolio, it’s so expansive between your music, Pizzaoki, your label DIM MAK as well as DIM MAK En Fuego, your clothing lines, companies that you have invested in like Liquid I.V. which we are huge fans of. How important was it for you that regardless of the vertical, to diversify your portfolio beyond your industry that you work in whether it’s creating ventures or investing?
SA: I mean, yeah, in life, I think that diversification is always a positive. Of course, you know it says a lot when you see someone that dives into their craft 110%. I’ve seen that in Japan especially, with artists that’s into their craft whether it’s even sushi chefs that spend their entire life just focusing on that and I love that – I love that. I’m such a fan of that and I admire and I respect that. It’s important that I have that too because my main core the whole of my operation is music. Music creation, music production and playing – playing my music out to the world. That has to be grounded. That has to be an anchor and platform and if I don’t have that, I can’t diversify. I think what the important lesson is here – is that diversification is always positive. You need to have your main business, whatever it is, whatever your main passion is – it has to be grounded so deeply into what you do and you have to be a craftsman in that space. Once you have that, then you can start building outward. You know, we only have one life, experience it. Experience as much as you can. All of these different things that were created in all of these different worlds is extremely fun for me. I enjoy it. I love it and if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t be doing it. You have to love what you do and you have to love the process – not what is actually going to be in the end result. It’s always about the process.
AM: With so many artists, because of COVID-19 doing their performances virtually and I know that you’re known as a Techno Futurist Optimist with an interest in the intersectionality between humanity and technology, how do you think this digital reliance will impact the industry long term once we’re able to get back into a new normal.
SA: I think that in a hopeful sense that we will all get back to what we all love. You can’t deny live experiences and live shows. There is nothing that compares to that. A virtual show is like 1/10th of the experience and not a 100% of the experience. That’s why they were so big all around the world. We’re social creatures and beings. We love being around people and experiencing things together. We’re not a solo species. We need to feel energy and those feelings with other people. You can’t deny that and I think that hopefully, there will be a vaccine that will be administered around the world where we don’t have to worry about COVID deaths and COVID tragedies that are happening. But until then, the digital space is what I had to do. I think that all of us have had to take that because now there is an infrastructure being built around the digital space of experience and it’s evolving quite quickly. You know, I just played an Oculus show where you put on an Oculus headset and you’re talking to people from all around the world. As a fan watching the show, you can look to your right and your left and there’s another fan watching that same show from a different country. You can actually socially engage with them. The infrastructure is being built in such a way that there’s going to be more of a catch and they will be able to bring more of a better experience. I think that once we get back to IRL shows, there will still be that people will want to do that and be apart of that. I think that at least with COVID and people being in that business, it has created a space for it to grow. But, you can’t compare that when you’re talking about a live show.
AM: Last year, you published your memoir Blue: The Color of Noise, why did you want to write this and what was that process like for you?
SA: It took me about 6 years. It took me a long long time. It definitely wasn’t like, “ok, I’m going to get this done – I just need to do this.” It was an ongoing process and it started out being like the history of DIM MAK first. So I was like, DIM MAK is going to hit 20 years – we’re at almost 25 now. I thought I would do the history of DIM MAK, a 20 year book and I started writing stories about when I started DIM MAK back in ’96 when I was in college. I wrote about the struggles and all of the good stuff that you want to read – incredible stories. Then I realized, this was more about a memoir about my life and DIM MAK is a part of my life. It’s a big part of my life, but I felt that I should expand more and at that point, a few years after as I was touching on the history of my label, I started talking about the harder things that were very difficult to open up about like the death of my father (editors note: Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki, a wrestler and restaurateur who founded the restaurant chain Benihana), the death of some of my friends that made a huge impact on my life and then as I got deeper, I started seeing a therapist that helped me to actually bring out some more of my introspective feelings that had to be kind of unearthed. You know, it was therapeutic to be able to write the book and a lot of that went into it. I also – you know when a lot of people think about the history of Steve Aoki, they say, “oh yeah, he’s the guy that throws cakes at people at shows.” Well I just wanted people to know that there is a lot more than just that.
AM: You dropped Neon Future IV this spring which I know is part of the Neon Future series that you began in 2015, tell us about the series in general and what can you share about the 27 track album that you just dropped?
SA: Neon Future is a concept that I came up with and is exactly what you said earlier. I really look at the future as an optimist and I look at technology with an optimist lens. I look at tech in a way that can help us and enhance us to be more of a creative or imaginative species. At the end of the day, we want to save ourselves and saving ourselves will be saving our planet as well. With tech, we can advance that and become more of an intelligent species. That’s why Neon Future is a colorful future. And so really making sure that for me personally, the musical concept, I wanted to educate it by having scientists on the album. So it’s not just about having a collection of songs for each album, but to really validate my point, I reached out to scientists that were very difficult to get a hold of. Some of the people were harder to get a hold of than some of the biggest talents that I have worked with. I had to do a lot of explaining, fly and meet people and do a lot of work in that regard because I care so much about that space and I also love bridging the science community and the electronic dance music community in a way that hasn’t been done before.
Like Ray Kurzweil to Yuval Harari to J.J. Abrams to Bill Nye and so forth and so forth. It started off as one album and the second album was going and then I said, you know what, it’s too good to end. Then the third and then I built the studio between the second and the third and I call it Neon Future Cave and then between the third and the fourth album, I started creating the comic Neon Future with Tom Bilyeu because Neon Future really deserves to be graphically laid out with its storyline. Which presents a world that we can imagine and with every comic book story, you need to have conflict so we had to make it like a dystopia that we want to make it like a utopia instead of the opposite. It just kept on growing and it had a mind of it’s own and it became AI! It became its own thing. It’s almost funny that this project almost became it’s own powerhouse that I couldn’t even stop which is kind of cool. We’ll see. Because of my next project, this puts Neon Future IV as the last of the series so far. We’ll see if it continues as I have a few other concepts that I want to develop. My main baby is Neon Future that’s for sure.
IG @SteveAoki
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
Athleisure Mag's virtual cover shoot was shot by Co-Founder + Celebrity Photographer Paul Farkas. Throughout this shoot, Paul used an iPhone XR, iPad Air 2, Facetime and Clos.
STYLE & GROOMING CREDITS
Athleisure Mag's Celeb Fashion Stylist, Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director Kimmie Smith and Groomer Sheena Zargari share what they used to create this fall menswear style editorial of Out & About Style, WFH and Fitness.
LOOK I | OUT & ABOUT STYLE
FRONT/BACK COVER PG 26 - 37 | DIM MAK COLLECTION X DIAMOND SUPPLY CO Denim Jacket | SIKSILK X STEVE AOKI S/S Oversized Essential Tee + Loose Fit Riot Denim | LACOSTE Storm 96 Lo Sneakers |
LOOK II | WFH
PG 22 - 25 | SIKSILK X STEVE AOKI Oversized Hoodie + Relaxed Short | LACOSTE Storm 96 Lo Textile Sneakers |
LOOK III | FITNESS
PG 16 -21 | ALPHA INDUSTRIES Apollo II Hoodie | DIM MAK COLLECTION Leggings | DECKERS X LAB S/S K-ST 21 Sneakers |
IG @PVFarkas
Hear DJ/Producer Steve Aoki on our show, #TRIBEGOALS - which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multimedia companion podcast network! Subscribe to be notified when the episode drops. Listen on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or wherever you enjoy your podcasts.
Read the Oct Issue #58 of Athleisure Mag and see The Drop with Steve Aoki in mag.
Over the past few months, we have navigated a number of life changes that have given new meaning to the term and ever evolving, "new normal." In the midst of these crazy times, we have also embraced things that we have always enjoyed - even if it is in a new way! Once again, music comes to the rescue as it makes our activities enhanced on all levels. When we first heard of Icona Pop and SOFI TUKKER's song Spa, we loved the fact that it had fun lyrics, a catchy tune and embraces something that we have been enjoying from home.
We had to catch up with both groups to find out how this song came together, how they have been working in these times and what they have coming up!
ATHLEISURE MAG: We have been fans of Icona Pop and SOFI TUKKER for a number of years – from pre partying, at the club, fun dinners, at PROPEL CO:LABS Fitness Festival in NY, Ultra Music’s Party here in NY during NYFW and when we’re cycling in studio. We also love hearing your music in commercials, shows etc. So it’s no surprise that when your team sent us the link to Spa, we’ve been jamming to it for the past few days and feel that it definitely needs to be in the mix of Athleisure songs for sure. Before we get into the song, how have you been spending these past crazy months?
ICONA POP: Wow thank you for all the love and support, that means a lot!
In the beginning, we felt very lost. Everything got canceled and life was just weird.
We decided first to take the time to reflect and breathe for a second. But after that we got so inspired so we locked ourselves in the studio and been super creative from there.
It started with us djing online and then we started our ”rave spa”. We´ve been connecting with all our fans around the world. And the best part is that we’ve had the time to sit down and write a lot of new music.
We’ve come to really appreciate the things you can do from your studio and laptop.
SOFI TUKKER: We started livestreaming on basically the first day of lockdown. At first, it was really random. Soph was working out and Tuck was Djing and our photographer started livestreaming the whole thing. We did it again the next day with Soph also DJing and it was so fun to connect with people so we committed to doing it every single day. We have been doing daily live dj sets every day now for 122 days. It's turned out to be such a meaningful time, being able to connect with people daily and find joy and positivity, even in pretty dire times. The community that's built around the sets calls themselves the Freak Fam and it keeps growing!
AM: In terms of staying fit, what are your workouts like and have you embraced new modalities especially during these crazy times?
IP: Its been very cool to join live stream work outs and also a lot of Swedish gyms have been having outdoor activities.
We try to move everyday before going to the studio. Doesn’t matter if its gym, walking running or whatever. But that really gives you endorphins and makes you stay focused the rest of the day.
It’s also different depending on how stressful it is, how much time and also how you´re feeling in your body that day.
Usually when its stressful or you have a lot in your head and you still need to release some steam, its amazing to lift weights, but also to do things that make you calm down like yoga or pilates.
ST: I've found working out to help so much during these times. I don't feel as stir crazy cuz I really am using all my energy in a day! I go on really long bike rides, I do HIIT training in the backyard, I practice yoga, I use the Peloton, I go rollerblading, I go on runs, I workout on the beach... pretty much anything, I try to switch it up all the time and keep my body guessing!
AM: How has creating music been for you during this time?
IP: It's been both good and bad.
We get a lot of our inspiration from traveling and now we’ve been in the same place for months. But somehow it's like life catches up with you and you can tap in to emotions that you haven't had the time to explore before.
Also the pressure to release music has been very low. But somehow we’ve released more music then in years this year. Feels like people really need it right now.
ST: We've been able to get so much done, since we aren't traveling!! We've created a ton of new music, and we usually test it out during the livestream and then workshop it and bring it back into the studio to tweak. It's a really fun way to make music and really cool to involve everybody throughout the whole process more than ever.
AM: How do you stay inspired as there is more time being at home versus traveling and having in person events?
IP: We absolutely love hugging and kissing our fans, so we really miss that. Even though we love seeing the world, the traveling part can put a lot of pressure on your body. So we guess its been good to stay at one place and slow down for a minute. And also, it's been very interesting for us with all the new ”normal” routines.
ST: The daily DJ sets really inspire us. We are constantly listening to music and testing it out and seeing how people react. And we've started doing a couple days a week of guest dj sets, so we are really active in the livestreaming world and constantly feeling inspired by not just the music we're playing but also the music other people are playing in their sets.
AM: Both of you have found great ways to stay connected with your fans, do you have any virtual events that we should know about and have you started working on IRL events?
IP: We live for our "Rave spa” that we have on our instagram live.
We try to do it once a week and then people can ask us whatever they want while we dj and are having a spa. We also do QandAs with our fans and try to involve them a lot in our everyday life. We also been playing live at empty clubs or arenas and streaming it to different places. We have an amazing live show prepared so as soon as the world opens up for touring, we will be there. We can’t wait!
ST: Yessss! Aside from our daily dj sets which you can find @sofitukkeroffical on twitch and @sofitukker on facebook and IG live, we are doing our first ever eConcert!!!! It's on December 4th and it's really excited because with this technology, the community will actually be present with us during the live show. We will be able to really see and hear everybody who is with us, with big screens in front of us while we are performing live. We can't wait. We haven't done our live show since the pandemic started and this will be truly next level technology we can't wait to all be together! You can find tickets on our website sofitukker.com.
AM: How do you define the Icona Pop sound?
IP: Electronic pop, driving drums, chanting choirs and a punk attitude.
AM: How do you define the SOFI TUKKER sound?
ST: We try not to define it so that we can always stay open to whatever inspires us in the studio. But it's always made to dance to, and we try to keep things joyful. Even in more emotional lyrics, we are a big fan of the cry-dance track.
AM: How did Spa come about and what was the intent behind creating it?
IP: We´ve been big Sofi Tukker fans for years. We bumped into each other in a elevator in New York and fell in love with them and decided to write together. A couple of weeks later we sat in the studio together and we started to talk about how much we love going to the spa. And realized That, that is the best way of ending every evening. After a show, a stressful day, if your being at a club, imagine to end that party night in a spa :) What a dream!
ST: We had wanted to get into the studio together for a while so we were soooo giddy when we finally were in there together. We vibed so well together and had big friend crushes!! So we were just goofing off and having fun and I think spa just came up in conversation and naturally made its way into a song. we were both vibing on acid house and techno and at first thought it didn't even need lyrics, but then we had so much fun with them.
AM: What was the thought behind both groups coming together?
IP: It felt so right from the instant second we met. Its all about the energy, and we really felt how we were vibing the second we met. Like we’ve known them for years.
ST: We have been Icona Pop fans for a while and then we randomly met each other in an elevator in New York and became instant friends. We knew we had to get into the studio together cuz we had such a good vibe among us.
AM: What are you doing in terms of promoting this song?
IP: We've done a lot of online interviews, zoom chats with our fans, playing the song in our dj sets and the response have been great so far. We love our fans, they are so creative. We get so happy when they put up videos of themselves in robes, cucumbers on their eyes, having a sparty in their living room.
ST: Rebranding cucumbers as "cukes" from now on.
AM: Will you guys collab again on another song together?
IP: Absolutely, we've already talked to Sophie and Tucker that we have to write more music asap and go on spa tour together.
ST: We'd love to!
AM: When you’re spa’ing from home, what are 3 things that you have to have to get into that mood?
IP: A robe
A good facial (Zo skin care - sulfur mask) And to lite some candles (its all about the mood).
And some great music off course. Our absolute favourite thing is the sauna. Its the best way to relax :).
ST: A candle
A robe
A bathtub
IG @ICONAPOP
PHOTO CREDITS | PG 44 Icona Pop's Yoye Lapogian | PG 47 + 48 SOFI TUKKER Squid | PG 42 + 43 Composite Pictures Yoye Lapogian/Squid |
Read the Oct Issue #58 of Athleisure Mag and see We’re @ The Spa with Icona Pop + SOFI TUKKER in mag.
Read the Sep Issue #57 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Post Malone in mag.
Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag #56 and see 9PLAYLIST | Martin Garrix in mag.
Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag #55 and see 9PLAYLIST in mag.
Read the Jun Issue #54 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Diplo in mag.
Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Naomi Campbell in mag.
On today's episode of #TRIBEGOALS, we sit down with one of our favorite studio founders, Sarah Levey of Y7. We always love flowing to hip hop mixes while doing hot yoga. With a number of studios in NYC, LA and now in Chicago - we wanted to find out how this style of workout came about. In addition, we talk about how she grew her brand, her approach to opening new locations and the importance of building a great team. We chatted with her a few months back at a The Lofts at Flatiron to find out more about her and the brand. We're also happy to hear that she's a mommy-to-be and can't wait to see how she becomes a powerhouse rocking being a mom and running a successful studio.
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see #WashYourHands #StayInside (repeat) in mag (with video).
Read the Mar Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | DJ D-Nice of #ClubQuarantine on Instagram Live in mag.
The FriendShip 2020 event at sea completed its second run this past January with much success. This world-class music cruise experience was curated and produced by Gary Richards (aka producer & DJ DESTRUCTO, AMFAMFAMF event; founder and President of LiveStyle North America), featuring over 50 artists including DJs and producers, hitmakers and vocalists in electronic music, along with comedians, magicians and burlesque performers. 3000+ cruisers were entertained aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas for a memorable, immersive roundtrip voyage from Miami to the Bahamas.
Highlights included the main deck sail away set from TroyBoi, sets from GRAMMY-nominee Boys Noize as well as his ELAX alter-ego, the mobile heavy hitter b2b that came out of Mija’s set with Nina Las Vegas x Madame X x Flava D x Star Eyes x Uniiqu3, hip-hop sets with legendary hitmaker Dallas Austin and Wax Motif during the Rump Shaker party and DESTRUCTO’s dawn at sea party set The Sermon with GRiZ, Boys Noize, Bob Moses’ Jimmy Valance and Danny Daze, among others.
As the sun rose in the Caribbean on the morning of Thursday, January 9, over 3,000 cruisers aboard FriendShip gathered for a unique musical experience -- DESTRUCTO’s dawn at sea party set ‘The Sermon.’ (Listen on Soundcloud here) Joining the DJ & producer during the set which clocked in at just under 4 hours and 20 minutes was GRiZ for a live sax performance to Christopher Cross yacht rock classic “Ride Like the Wind” and b2b moments with Boys Noize, Bob Moses’ Jimmy Valance and Danny Daze, among others.
Catch the next one!! Dates are announced for FriendShip 2021 for January 11-15, 2021.
Photos Courtesy | THE FRIENDSHIP 2020
Read the Jan Issue of Athleisure Mag and see All Aboard Friendship 2020 in mag.
This month’s cover and back cover is CNBC’s Global Markets Reporter, Seema Mody. Our cover shoot took place in the LES at Lamia’s Fish Market. We talked with Seema about her career, how she got into the industry and stories she has enjoyed covering. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we found out premium supplement nutrition brand, Ladder and their Results>Revolution challenge. We also share highlights from FRIENDSHIP, an EDM festival that took place earlier this year on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In this month’s The Art of the Snack, we head to HYUN which is known for their A5 Wagyu beef and the unique ambiance that they provide for those who dine there.
As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into MMA’s Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Body Roll Studio and EVEN Hotels), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, He Rocks This When He Is Out and About, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and CBD Beauty.
Tonight, the 62nd Grammys airs with a number of artists that we have all enjoyed on our playlists. We’ll be checking out the red carpet, as well as the winners. As usual, we have listed who we predict will win in italics, who actually won in bold and those that we accurately predicted are in bold italics.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bon Iver - i,i
Lana Del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
H.E.R. - I Used to Know Her
Ariana Grande - thank u, next
Lil Nas X - 7
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You
Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Bon Iver - Hey, Ma
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy
Ariana Grande - 7 rings
H.E.R. - Hard Place
Khalid - Talk
Lil Nas X - Old Town Road
Lizzo - Truth Hurts
Post Malone - Sunflower
SONG OF THE YEAR
Lady Gaga - Always Remember Us This Way
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy
Tanya Tucker - Bring My Flowers Now
H.E.R. - Hard Place
Taylor Swift - Lover
Lana Del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell
Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved
Lizzo - Truth Hurts
BEST NEW ARTIST
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
Beyoncé - Spirit
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy
Ariana Grande - 7 rings
Lizzo - Truth Hurts
Taylor Swift - You Need to Calm Down
BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
Ariana Grande & the Social House - Boyfriend
The Jonas Brothers - Sucker
Lil Nas X - Old Town Road [ft. Billy Ray Cyrus]
Post Malone - Sunflower [ft. Swae Lee]
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello - Señorita
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
Beyoncé - The Lion King: The Gift
Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Ariana Grande - thank u, next
Ed Sheeran - No.6 Collaborations Project
Taylor Swift - Lover
BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Andrea Bocelli - Sì
Michael Bublé - Love (Deluxe Edition)
Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Look Now
John Legend - A Legendary Christmas
Barbra Streisand - Walls
BEST RAP ALBUM
Dreamville - Revenge of the Dreamers III
Meek Mill - Championships
21 Savage - I Am > I Was
Tyler, the Creator - IGOR
YBN Cordae - The Lost Boy
BEST RAP SONG
YBN Cordae - Bad Idea [ft. Chance the Rapper]
Rick Ross - Gold Roses [ft. Drake]
21 Savage - A Lot [ft. J. Cole]
Nipsey Hussle - Racks in the Middle [ft. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy]
DaBaby - Suge
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
J. Cole - Middle Child
DaBaby - Suge
Dreamville - Down Bad [ft. J.I.D., Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG, Young Nudy]
Nipsey Hussle - Racks in the Middle [ft. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy]
Offset - Clout [ft. Cardi B]
BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
DJ Khaled - Higher [ft. Nipsey Hussle and John Legend]
Lil Baby and Gunna - Drip Too Hard
Lil Nas X - Panini
Mustard - Ballin [ft. Roddy Ricch]
Young Thug - The London [ft. J. Cole and Travis Scott]
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
Bones UK - Pretty Waste
Gary Clark Jr. - This Land
Brittany Howard - History Repeats
Karen O & Danger Mouse - Woman
Rival Sons - Too Bad
BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
Candlemass - Astorolus - The Great Octopus [ft. Tony Iommi] Death Angel - Humanicide
I Prevail - Bow Down
Killswitch Engage - Unleashed
Tool - 7empest
BEST ROCK SONG
Tool - Fear Inoculum
The 1975 - Give Yourself a Try
Vampire Weekend - Harmony Hall
Brittany Howard - History Repeats
Gary Clark Jr. - This Land
BEST ROCK ALBUM
Bring Me the Horizon - amo
Cage the Elephant - Social Cues
The Cranberries - In the End
I Prevail - Trauma
Rival Sons - Feral Roots
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Big Thief - U.F.O.F.
James Blake - Assume Form
Bon Iver - i,i
Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride
Thom Yorke - ANIMA
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
Daniel Caesar - Love Again [ft. Brandy]
H.E.R. - Could’ve Been [ft. Bryson Tiller]
Lizzo - Exactly How I Feel [ft. Gucci Mane]
Lucky Daye - Roll Some Mo
Anderson .Paak - Come Home [ft. Andre 3000]
BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
Bj the Chicago Kid - Time Today
India.Arie- Steady Love
Lizzo - Jerome
Lucky Daye - Real Games
PJ Morton - Built for Love [ft. Jazmine Sullivan]
BEST R&B SONG
H.E.R. - Could’ve Been [ft. Bryson Tiller]
Emily King - Look At Me Now
Chris Brown - No Guidance [ft. Drake]
Lucky Daye - Roll Some Mo
PJ Morton - Say So [ft. JoJo]
BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Steve Lacy - Apollo XXI
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Overload
Nao - Saturn
Jessie Reyez - Being Human in Public
BEST R&B ALBUM
BJ the Chicago Kid - 1123
Lucy Daye - Painted
Ella Mai - Ella Mai
PJ Morton - Paul
Anderson .Paak - Ventura
BEST LATIN ROCK, URBAN OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Bad Bunny - X 100Pre
J Balvin & Bad Bunny - Oasis
Flor De Toloache - Indestructible
iLe - Almadura
Rosalía - El Mal Querer
BEST DANCE RECORDING
Bonobo - Linked
The Chemical Brothers - Got to Keep On
Medusa - Piece of Your Heart [ft. Goodboys]
RÜFÜS DU SOL - Underwater
Skrillex and Boys Noize - Midnight Hour [ft. Ty Dolla $ign]
BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM
Apparat - LP5
The Chemical Brothers - No Geography
Flume - Hi This Is Flume (Mixtape)
RÜFÜS DU SOL - Solace
Tycho - Weather
BEST COMEDY ALBUM
Jim Gaffigan - Quality Time
Ellen DeGeneres - Relatable
Aziz Ansari - Right Now
Trevor Noah - Son of Patricia
Dave Chapelle - Sticks and Stones
BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM (INCLUDES POETRY, AUDIO BOOKS & STORYTELLING)
Various Artists - Beastie Boys Book
Michelle Obama - Becoming
Eric Alexandrakis - I.V. Catatonia: 20 Years As A Two-Time Cancer Survivor
John Waters - Mr. Know-It-All
Sekou Andrews & The String Theory - Sekou Andrews & The String Theory
BEST REMIXED RECORDING
Madonna - I Rise (Tracy Young’s Pride Intro Radio Remix)
Miley Cyrus - Mother’s Daughter (Wuki Remix)
Jorja Smith - The One (High Contrast Remix)
Mild Minds - Swim (Ford. Remix)
Marie Davidson - Work It (Soulwax Remix)
MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Various Artists - The Lion King: The Songs
Various Artists - Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taron Egerton - Rocketman
Various Artists - Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Alan Silvestri - Avengers: Endgame
Hildur Guðnadóttir - Chernobyl
Ramin Djawadi - Game of Thrones: Season 8
Hans Zimmer - The Lion King
Marc Shaiman - Mary Poppins Returns
BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Chris Stapleton - The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy
Dolly Parton and Linda Perry - Girl in the Movies
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper - I’ll Never Love Again (Film Version)
Beyoncé - Spirit
Thom Yorke - Suspirium
BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Voces Del Bullerengue - Anónimas & Resilientes
Chris Cornell - Chris Cornell
The Muddy Basin Ramblers - Hold That Tiger
Bon Iver - i,i
Intellexual - Intellexual
BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE
Thom Yorke - Anima
David Gray - Gold in Brass Age
John Coltrane - 1963: New Directions
Wilhelm Furtwängler & Berliner Philharmoniker - The Radio Recordings 1939-1945
Various Artists - Woodstock: Back to the Garden - The Definitive 50th Anniversary
BEST ALBUM NOTES
The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions - Judy Cantor-Navas
The Gospel According to Malaco - Robert Maravich
Pedal Steel + Four Corners - Brendan Greaves
Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection - Jeff Place
Stay ’68: A Memphis Story - Steve Greenberg
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
Jack Antonoff
Dan Auerbach
John Hill
Finneas
Ricky Reed
MUSIC VIDEO/FILM BEST MUSIC VIDEO
The Chemical Brothers - We’ve Got to Try
Gary Clark Jr. - This Land
FKA Twigs - Cellophane
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus - Old Town Road (Official Movie)
Tove Lo - Glad He’s Gone
BEST MUSIC FILM
Beyoncé - Homecoming
David Crosby - Remember My Name
Miles Davis - Birth of the Cool
Various Artists - Shangri-La
Thom Yorke - Anima
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
On Jan 26th, the Grammys airs with a number of artists that we have all enjoyed on our playlists. We’ll be checking out the red carpet, as well as the winners. As usual, we are listing who we predict will win in italics, who actually won in bold and those that we accurately predicted will be in bold italics.
Album of the Year
Bon Iver - i,i
Lana Del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
H.E.R. - I Used to Know Her
Ariana Grande - thank u, next
Lil Nas X - 7
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You
Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride
Record of the Year
Bon Iver - Hey, Ma
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy
Ariana Grande - 7 rings
H.E.R. - Hard Place
Khalid - Talk
Lil Nas X - Old Town Road
Lizzo - Truth Hurts
Post Malone - Sunflower
Song of the Year
Lady Gaga - Always Remember Us This Way
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy
Tanya Tucker - Bring My Flowers Now
H.E.R. - Hard Place
Taylor Swift - Lover
Lana Del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell
Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved
Lizzo - Truth Hurts
Best New Artist
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola
Pop Best Pop Solo Performance
Beyoncé - Spirit
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy
Ariana Grande - 7 rings
Lizzo - Truth Hurts
Taylor Swift - You Need to Calm Down
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Ariana Grande & the Social House - Boyfriend
The Jonas Brothers - Sucker
Lil Nas X - Old Town Road [ft. Billy Ray Cyrus]
Post Malone - Sunflower [ft. Swae Lee]
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello - Señorita
Best Pop Vocal Album
Beyoncé - The Lion King: The Gift
Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Ariana Grande - thank u, next
Ed Sheeran - No.6 Collaborations Project
Taylor Swift - Lover
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Andrea Bocelli - Sì
Michael Bublé - Love (Deluxe Edition)
Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Look Now
John Legend - A Legendary Christmas
Barbra Streisand - Walls
Rap Best Rap Album
Dreamville - Revenge of the Dreamers III
Meek Mill - Championships
21 Savage - I Am > I Was
Tyler, the Creator - IGOR
YBN Cordae - The Lost Boy
Best Rap Song
YBN Cordae - Bad Idea [ft. Chance the Rapper]
Rick Ross - Gold Roses [ft. Drake]
21 Savage - A Lot [ft. J. Cole]
Nipsey Hussle - Racks in the Middle [ft. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy]
DaBaby - Suge
Best Rap Performance
J. Cole - Middle Child
DaBaby - Suge
Dreamville - Down Bad [ft. J.I.D., Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG, Young Nudy]
Nipsey Hussle - Racks in the Middle [ft. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy]
Offset - Clout [ft. Cardi B]
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
DJ Khaled - Higher [ft. Nipsey Hussle and John Legend]
Lil Baby and Gunna - Drip Too Hard
Lil Nas X - Panini
Mustard - Ballin [ft. Roddy Ricch]
Young Thug - The London [ft. J. Cole and Travis Scott]
Rock Best Rock Performance
Bones UK - Pretty Waste
Gary Clark Jr. - This Land
Brittany Howard - History Repeats
Karen O & Danger Mouse - Woman
Rival Sons - Too Bad
Best Metal Performance
Candlemass - Astorolus - The Great Octopus [ft. Tony Iommi] Death Angel - Humanicide
I Prevail - Bow Down
Killswitch Engage - Unleashed
Tool - 7empest
Best Rock Song
Tool - Fear Inoculum
The 1975 - Give Yourself a Try
Vampire Weekend - Harmony Hall
Brittany Howard - History Repeats
Gary Clark Jr. - This Land
Best Rock Album
Bring Me the Horizon - amo
Cage the Elephant - Social Cues
The Cranberries - In the End
I Prevail - Trauma
Rival Sons - Feral Roots
Best Alternative Music Album
Big Thief - U.F.O.F.
James Blake - Assume Form
Bon Iver - i,i
Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride
Thom Yorke - ANIMA
R&B Best R&B Performance
Daniel Caesar - Love Again [ft. Brandy]
H.E.R. - Could’ve Been [ft. Bryson Tiller]
Lizzo - Exactly How I Feel [ft. Gucci Mane]
Lucky Daye - Roll Some Mo
Anderson .Paak - Come Home [ft. Andre 3000]
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Bj the Chicago Kid - Time Today
India.Arie- Steady Love
Lizzo - Jerome
Lucky Daye - Real Games
PJ Morton - Built for Love [ft. Jazmine Sullivan]
Best R&B Song
H.E.R. - Could’ve Been [ft. Bryson Tiller]
Emily King - Look At Me Now
Chris Brown - No Guidance [ft. Drake]
Lucky Daye - Roll Some Mo
PJ Morton - Say So [ft. JoJo]
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Steve Lacy - Apollo XXI
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Overload
Nao - Saturn
Jessie Reyez - Being Human in Public
Best R&B Album
BJ the Chicago Kid - 1123
Lucy Daye - Painted
Ella Mai - Ella Mai
PJ Morton - Paul
Anderson .Paak - Ventura
Latin Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
Bad Bunny - X 100Pre
J Balvin & Bad Bunny - Oasis
Flor De Toloache - Indestructible
iLe - Almadura
Rosalía - El Mal Querer
Dance Best Dance Recording
Bonobo - Linked
The Chemical Brothers - Got to Keep On
Medusa - Piece of Your Heart [ft. Goodboys]
RÜFÜS DU SOL - Underwater
Skrillex and Boys Noize - Midnight Hour [ft. Ty Dolla $ign]
Best Dance/Electronic Album
Apparat - LP5
The Chemical Brothers - No Geography
Flume - Hi This Is Flume (Mixtape)
RÜFÜS DU SOL - Solace
Tycho - Weather
Comedy Best Comedy Album
Jim Gaffigan - Quality Time
Ellen DeGeneres - Relatable
Aziz Ansari - Right Now
Trevor Noah - Son of Patricia
Dave Chapelle - Sticks and Stones
Spoken WordBest Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)
Various Artists - Beastie Boys Book
Michelle Obama - Becoming
Eric Alexandrakis - I.V. Catatonia: 20 Years As A Two-Time Cancer Survivor
John Waters - Mr. Know-It-All
Sekou Andrews & The String Theory - Sekou Andrews & The String Theory
Remix Best Remixed Recording
Madonna - I Rise (Tracy Young’s Pride Intro Radio Remix)
Miley Cyrus - Mother’s Daughter (Wuki Remix)
Jorja Smith - The One (High Contrast Remix)
Mild Minds - Swim (Ford. Remix)
Marie Davidson - Work It (Soulwax Remix)
Music for Visual Media Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Various Artists - The Lion King: The Songs
Various Artists - Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taron Egerton - Rocketman
Various Artists - Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
Alan Silvestri - Avengers: Endgame
Hildur Guðnadóttir - Chernobyl
Ramin Djawadi - Game of Thrones: Season 8
Hans Zimmer - The Lion King
Marc Shaiman - Mary Poppins Returns
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Chris Stapleton - The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy
Dolly Parton and Linda Perry - Girl in the Movies
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper - I’ll Never Love Again (Film Version)
Beyoncé - Spirit
Thom Yorke - Suspirium
Packaging Best Recording Package
Voces Del Bullerengue - Anónimas & Resilientes
Chris Cornell - Chris Cornell
The Muddy Basin Ramblers - Hold That Tiger
Bon Iver - i,i
Intellexual - Intellexual
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
Thom Yorke - Anima
David Gray - Gold in Brass Age
John Coltrane - 1963: New Directions
Wilhelm Furtwängler & Berliner Philharmoniker - The Radio Recordings 1939-1945
Various Artists - Woodstock: Back to the Garden - The Definitive 50th Anniversary
Best Album Notes
The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions - Judy Cantor-Navas
The Gospel According to Malaco - Robert Maravich
Pedal Steel + Four Corners - Brendan Greaves
Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection - Jeff Place
Stay ’68: A Memphis Story - Steve Greenberg
Producer Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Jack Antonoff
Dan Auerbach
John Hill
Finneas
Ricky Reed
Music Video/Film Best Music Video
The Chemical Brothers - We’ve Got to Try
Gary Clark Jr. - This Land
FKA Twigs - Cellophane
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus - Old Town Road (Official Movie)
Tove Lo - Glad He’s Gone
Best Music Film
Beyoncé - Homecoming
David Crosby - Remember My Name
Miles Davis - Birth of the Cool
Various Artists - Shangri-La
Thom Yorke - Anima
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
We sat down with Vello Vikhaus, a pioneer Visual Music Artist whose work has been seen in some of the biggest concerts, festivals, music videos, nightclubs and events around the world. We wanted to find out about the beginning of his career, how he collaborates with artists and projects that he's currently working on.
ATHLEISURE MAG: You've been producing, directing and performing immersive visual arts for DJs, bands, festivals, venues and brands for over 20 years, tell us about your journey in becoming a Visual Music Artist.
VELLO VIKHAUS: My journey to become a "Visual Music Artist" started early on with my love for the arts. I got a lot of support and encouragement from my mother and grandfather. My grandfather gave me his VHS porta pack camera, and that is when I really fell in love with video as a medium. Around 1986, I spent many a summer evening manipulating video feedback mix tapes. I would then take the finished works to house parties and take over the home TV system for "testing" party attendees for their visual and physical reactions to the abstract works, live.
I graduated from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1995 with a BFA, with focus on Art & Technology studies. During my school years I participated heavily in early electronic dance music events in the midwest area, performing and creating imagery to the music with a visual arts collective called OVT Visuals. This was a seminal time which I fell in love with creating visual artwork to music, and performing visual works live to music. My journey has involved continually and technically evolving by learning from mistakes as much as you can each time.
AM: What are some of your key influences for your love of music, art, technology and live performance?
VV: I see more amazing work than ever now on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Behance and Pinterest.
So much fun! Derivative has been a strong influence over the years as both a software platform and a community of like minded artists. I also really enjoy Siggraph, Live Design International, Mutek, Ars Electronica, Art Basel Miami and Art Chicago. I adore walking museums and historic sights which I always find inspiring. Love Blue Man Group.
AM: What were the early days like with V Squared Labs, how did you keep up with the fast-pace of a multitude of projects ranging from top artist tours and festivals, music videos, Grammy award and Red Bull parties, industry events, and more.
VV: In the early days, V Squared Labs was a small, wild boutique studio that ran undercover in an unassuming house in North Hollywood, Los Angeles. The key to keeping up with a diverse array of projects has always been the ability to remain nimble. Staffing up, collaborating, outsourcing, experimenting. The early days seem dreamy now, where you remember the outcome but forget some of the wild perilous situations. I've had the opportunity to work with so many different amazing artists over the years now, it is very humbling. I am genuinely thankful for the chances I have received.
AM: Tell us about the OG Vegas days, like creating Paul Oakenfold's immersive residency at Rain in the Palms. It not only had DJ and multi-screen VJ components, but also choreographed dancers and a fully embracing experience that was truly groundbreaking!
VV: The Oakenfold Residency really paved the way for the current Las Vegas EDM mega DJ residencies, and proved the Vegas market could go electronic. Thinking about this experience now makes it seem so primitive technologically.
AM: You've produced and live VJ'd an array of electronic dance Festival stages, sets and tours. What does it take to put that together, what are some of the highlight stories from live VJ'ing festivals and engaging with audiences over the years?'
VV: One of my favorite stories would be when I was at the premiere of the Infected Mushroom Fungus Among Us Tour at Avalon Hollywood. I remember being completely exhausted after loading out and hanging outside on the street waiting for our gear to complete load out.
While waiting, I overheard two guys talking while grabbing a late night street dog. They were talking about how it was amazing that the spheres actually moved up and down and wondering what type of hydraulics etc must have been used. Both guys definitely had consumed a few beers and other substances. I leaned over and told them that the pods never actually moved and that is what projection mapping does. They looked at each other, both completely in awe and said wooooaaaaahhhhhhhh.
AM: You have also worked with a wide range of iconic bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Police, Beyonce and hip-hop legends like Jay-Z to produce highly-emotive visuals for concert shows and tours. What differences have you encountered between EDM sets/ festivals and shows with diverse rock and rap anthems that can command crowd spirit and flow - where it is much about the respective songs and music, as well as the artists and the show.
VV: Overall music artists have very demanding schedules and require a lot of focused attention on tight timetables. For iconic bands, visual works are typically finely crafted per track in collaboration with various art directors, managers and client interests.
EDM Music festivals for me, depending on the scenario have always been a place to experiment and improvise live as a VJ. Less scripted, more in the mix. Even if it is just the opening set, the one thing most common between EDM / concert experience is the tangible energy we dance and perform to created by the music and visual expressions. Both iconic bands and EDM festivals now are getting to be more scripted and operating on similar production quality levels.
AM: When you’re creating your projects with artists, what is that process like especially when it’s for large scale shows?
VV: Our process for large scale shows follows similar structure each time whether it involves music artists, brands or agencies. We explore, concept, design, build and execute.
AM: What are some of the tools that you've used, created and mashed-up to pioneer your visual revolution through the years in multimedia content production and interactive artist-fan engagement - from animation to projection mapping to live video mixing?
VV: One of my favorite early visual DJ tools was the Panasonic MX-50 switcher. I also really loved mixing DVD's on the SVM-1000 with Pioneer DVJ-1000 turntables. We currently use Disguise, Resolume, TouchDesigner 099, Notch, Cinema 4D, Rhino, Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite and Unity for our production tool suite.
AM: What are some of your favorite projects you've worked on?
VV: Amon Tobin ISAM is still one of my favorite projects of all time. It represented the beginning of so many journeys.
AM: In yet another realm, how did digital native and gaming culture lead you to produce battle stage environments and projection mapping for the vibrant e-sports culture, with projects such as Starcraft 2 Stage?
VV: Even though I actually play Starcraft and Starcraft 2, it had never occurred to me that I would ever help create the SC2 stage and experience for Blizzcon. It was just good luck and a most excellent colleague referring our services, combined with a few good ideas delivered at the right time that lead to Blizzard Entertainment. My experience with gaming definitely helped me push the envelope for tight integration of in game data and statistics/APM usage to influence real time animations on the 3D set piece.
AM: What are some attractive benefits and particular challenges when building immersive environments and surfaces for nightclubs and lounges venues versus festival stages or tour show visuals?
VV: Festivals come up and down and have a very short lifespan. This is attractive and typically have a much shorter turn around. You program for what is right in front of you, and it vanishes before you know it. With permanent installations you are designing something to last, that is constrained inside an existing architectural perimeter. Permanent installations require a much higher level of finish and involve integrating more disciplines.
AM: What are some of the venues you've designed that our audience may have had the pleasure to enjoy and engage with?
VV: V Squared (now Xite Labs) has designed custom TouchDesigner video systems, staffed VJ residencies, created visual sculptures, domes and content for clubs like Kiss Kiss in Atlantic City, Project Club LA, The Heineken Dome @ Coachella, Outside Lands, Pitchfork, Marquee Las Vegas, Drai's Las Vegas, Rain, Rok Vegas, Parq, Sound Nightclub and X Nightclub.
AM: We were excited to see the announcement of XiteLabs, wow!! Tell us how it was to produce and run the very first event - a live immersive experience finale for the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 100th anniversary at the Hollywood Bowl. What are some other projects we can learn about from XiteLabs thus far and/or you can mention are in the works?
VV: This has been the first year of official business for Xitelabs. Running the LA Phil show was like standing on a high dive and jumping off once the show started. A long climb up for an exhilarating result.
Other project...... our biggest project ever....
Inauguration of The Diriyah Gate Project. Saudi Arabia.
We just wrapped this project having worked on it for about 1 year, with the show completing Nov 20th. Here is a photo. This is definitely one of the world's largest 3D projection mappings which used over 200 projectors. We also created a massive carbon fiber 50ft Falcon. This was the central character of the performance, and the national bird of Saudi Arabia.
AM: Who are three people that you've yet to work with but feel it would be a dream to work together?
VV: I would love to collaborate with Philip Glass on an immersive environmental themed piece. Something about pollution and solutions to waste management. If I could rewind time Nam June Paik would be at the top of my dream list to meet/collaborate with.
AM: With everyone looking to next year and a full festival season ahead, what shows or artists are you looking forward to that will take place next year?
VV: Looking forward to Ultra Music Festival Abu Dhabi. Should be an adventure. Also really looking forward to Bad Bunny's May 2020 show in Puerto Rico. Historic developments in the making.
AM: As someone who is always traveling, what are 3 items that you like to put in your carry on that make traveling and being on the go easier?
VV: Organic Dried Fruits, Tennis Ball, Back Knobber and my travel hoodie with an eye mask/neck pillow.
AM: It's almost 2020, reflecting back - how far do you feel the industry has come over the years and where would you like to see it develop in the near horizon in terms of music festivals, tours, club nightlife and brand/commercial campaign marketing.
VV: I think the industry has come a long way since the early days of electronic music rave events. I love festivals like Day for Night and Mutek that incorporate music and visual arts in a cohesive package. More of this please.
IG @XiteLabs
PHOTOS CREDITS | Xite Labs
Read the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Something You Should Know Let There Be Light with Vello Vikhaus in mag.
As we look to close the decade, there are a number of phenomenons that have marked significant changes, pushing an array of industries forward. When you talk about the music industry and how people are connecting and inspiring fans, landing hits, distributing their music, collaborating with people and finding ways to engage with their communities in an enhanced way. Marshmello has become a larger than life figure in music as a collaborator and producer across genres, a streamer and gamer - his in game concert on Fortnight made him the most listened to DJ without a doubt. His ability to cut across a number of age groups who enjoy his music is easily seen when you're able to see the energy that hits any room that he walks into. We hung out with Marshmello and his manager, Moe Shalizi to toast a new business venture with his partnership with Stuffed Puffs who will open a large factory in Bethlehem, PA. The Philidelphia born DJ and producer sat with us to talk about some of their achievements this year, working across industries, their favorite collaborations and about artists that they would have loved to have collaborated with in this cover story.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you guys realized that Marshmello as a brand was something that you wanted to focus on?
MARSHMELLO + MOE SHALIZI: We always wanted to focus on it, but I think that when we saw things like what you’re seeing right now, kids wearing the costume as such an early thing – we realized that it transcended audiences and demographics of people and things like that. It’s just that the music resonated globally with people which is very different. So we knew that we had something on our hands.
AM: How would you define the Marshmello sound?
M + MS: I always like to say that he is the modern-day Timbaland. He’s someone that can hit every genre. We have a whole Number 1 country song with Kane Brown, 'One Thing Right'. We just put a single out that’s an alternative rock single 'Rescue Me' with A Day to Remember, the song with Bastille, 'Happier' hit 3 different categories (editor’s note: it’s worth noting that in 2018, 'Happier' spent an entire year at No 1. on the Billboard Dance Chart – which had never happened before). So the sound is everywhere. He’s a producer at the end of the day.
AM: What are a couple of highlights from being on tour or awards shows that are some of your favorite moments?
M + MS: I think that Fortnite was really one of the biggest things that he had ever done. It was something that no one had ever done before and the impact that it had was insane.
AM: How do you go about deciding on the types of collaborations that you do?
M + MS: We just try to be innovative the same way that Stuffed Puffs is in its category – we try to be as innovative as possible with our collaborations. It’s really easy for us to go and get collaborations with the normal people. But for us, it’s about finding that next top person and to work with them.
AM: Clearly the travel schedule is hectic and you’re always on the go, what are 3 things in your carry-on that you have when you’re about to hop on that next flight? M + MS: Probably headphones, Tylenol and gum – a lot of gum. AM: Who are 3 people that are living or dead that you would like to collaborate with?
M + MS: Prince, TuPac – he’d be dope and I wish we had done something with Nipsy - that would have been amazing - he was the man.
As someone who has been trailblazing in the industry, Marshmello pushes the boundaries on what it means to lea in a number of fields and how he likes to present himself. When you think about Marshmello, it's hard to not think of actual marshmallows and if you're familiar with his fun YouTube show, Cooking with Marshmello, you know that he shares how to cook an array of cool treats - some of them being marshmallows. It's not a surprise to see that he has now partnered with Stuffed Puffs, an innovative approach to making it easier to take your S'mores game to the next level. Each marshmallow has chocolate inside and is ready to eat right out of the package or heated. As is the case with many things that are all about serendipity, Marshmello crossed paths with the founder of Stuffed Puffs, Michael Tierney and the rest was history. We took a moment to chat with Michael to find out how this partnership took place as well as more about how he came up with the idea of his company.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Prior to launching Stuffed Puffs, what was your background before creating this company?
MICHAEL TIERNEY: Prior to founding Stuffed Puffs, I was in the fine dining world working in the kitchens of The French Laundry and Eleven Madison Park. Since founding Stuffed Puffs, but before bringing it to life this year, I also founded the better for you baking brand, Mikey’s.
AM: Where did the idea for Stuffed Puffs come from?
MT: Not surprisingly, sitting around a campfire. I have always been a foodie but never found traditional s’mores to be appealing. My issue, the chocolate never melted. As I am sure many others have, I carefully pulled apart a marshmallow and inserted a piece of chocolate before carefully seaming the marshmallow back together. Roasted over the fire, the chocolate melted perfectly from the inside out. The idea was the easy part. The execution, however, took much longer. I was laughed out of most candy manufacturers I tried to partner with who said that Stuffed Puffs were impossible to make. Eventually, we did it ourselves and built our own plant to prove up the innovative manufacturing processes we developed.
AM: When did you launch Stuffed Puffs and when did you know that you had a hit on your hands?
MT: Stuffed Puffs has been seven years in the making and we finally launched at retail with Walmart just before Memorial Day this year. We knew we had a hit by July 4th, only roughly five weeks later, when we had gone from zero to the number two item in the category by dollars sold.
AM: We're fans of Marshmello, you've been working with him for a bit now - how did this collaboration come about?
MT: In September of 2018, I was invited to the U.S. Forbes “30 Under 30” conference in Boston, along with Marshmello, who made the cover, and other honorees. I arrived late in the evening Marshmello was performing and got locked out of the packed outdoor venue. However, I lingered by the gate, loved the music, and marveled at his ability to mesmerize an audience. Returning to my hotel, I researched the name of his manager, Moe Shalizi, and sent him a note telling him about my marshmallow. I had zero expectation that I would get a response, which ended up arriving just minutes later. The next day, I met Moe in Boston and pitched him the idea. Two months later, Marshmello and Moe joined as my equity partners. They have been phenomenal partners and are always promoting and otherwise supporting the brand.
AM: What can we expect to see with your partnership between Stuffed Puffs and Marshmello?
MT: Our partnership will only continue to grow through a number of different avenues as we increase our retail footprint and portfolio of items throughout 2020 and beyond. Stay tuned!
AM: What are 3 ways that you like to enjoy eating Stuffed Puffs?
MT: Roasted over the fire is the obvious choice, but they are also phenomenal in the microwave for seven seconds if you want to enjoy S’mores indoors. For me though, they are best just popped in your mouth right out of the bag!
IG: @MarshmelloMusic
Read the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Master of Sound with Marshmello in mag.
