Project Ethos Music Spotlight: Jhene Aiko

by Marra Camille Manansala

Los Angeles has been blessed with a lot of great musical talent lately, and the city has another up-and-coming talent by the name of Jhene Aiko. You might recognize the airy and angelic voice from the chorus of “July,” a song that was released last summer on Drake’s Thank Me Later, which has found its home on Jhene’s mixtape, Sailing Soul(s).

This mixtape was released back in March, but it’s definitely something that will be in rotation for all seasons. As corny as this sounds, we all know that girls have a go-to song for all highs and lows of a relationship.  Just in time for your summer fling, the songs on Sailing Soul(s) is a fine addition to your summer playlist.

Sailing Soul(s) is the process of frustration, heartbreak, and the art of getting over all wrapped into one. For any girl who doesn’t quite have the ability to get her feelings down in words, no need to worry. The songs are all too relatable, and quite frankly, there’s a lyric perfect for any situation you might be in. So to all boyfriends in the dog house, ex-boyfriends, and failed flings, I’ll just warn you now: Any Jhene Aiko lyric as a Facebook or Twitter post by your girl is a subliminal message directed at you.

Do Better Blues, featuring L.A. rap artist H.O.P.E, takes us on the all too familiar situation of a couple at its breaking point. Through back-to-back verses from a male’s and woman’s point of view, lyrics remind us of the truth of the situation. Most, at least.

If I could do better
Then you can do better too
But I don't want better
‘Cause I'm only better with you
If you could do better
Then I can do better too
But I don't need better
It only gets better with you

You v. Them sings of a love that can’t happen. Jhene’s soft voice is hypnotizing in this song, but don’t discredit the lyrical value of her verses.

It's the wanting you, never getting you
Keeps me wanting you, missing you
Just to picture you is what gets me through
Fit for you, I was meant for you
What I was sent to do, meant to do
Wasn't meant for you

Sailing Soul(s) features rising talent out of Los Angeles, Kendrick Lamar, H.O.P.E, and Lite. Miguel, a performer at last year’s Project Ethos show in Los Angeles, also makes a guest appearance alongside major hip-hop artists Gucci Mane and Kanye West.

Download Jhene Aiko’s Sailing Soul(s) now! http://jheneaiko.com/

"Sailing not Selling" feat. Kanye West

Project Ethos Fashion: Say Hello to Crochet

by Sarah Clifford

Summer’s finally here and we are all looking for ways to stay cool while looking cool.  Well all the fashionistas out there are in luck because this season crochet is making a come back.  And all I can say is: I’m in love.

Crochet can be seen in everything from dresses to swimwear and is easy to work into any outfit.  Clearly, you’re going to need to put something under it for the most part, so bodycon dresses and skin-tight rompers (found at places like Free People and American Apparel) work great under crochet dresses and skirts.

If you’re working with a crochet top, keep the undershirt tight and simple, with cutoff jeans shorts.

Pulling from 1960s fashion, crochet is very popular and becoming increasingly easier to find.  Vintage shops and consignment is still the best way to go when you’re crochet hunting, but if you want something that’s a little less labor-intensive, mainstream stores like Forever21 have some great options.

Project Ethos Fashion: DIY Time

By Sarah Clifford

Every now and again, I have this urge to create, whether it’s art, a piece of clothing, or an accessory. This past weekend I was out shopping and realized that friendship bracelets were everywhere. Free People was selling them for $18 a pop and just before I added one to my shopping bag, I realized, “Hey, I can make this myself!”

So after a quick trip to a local crafts store, I headed home to create a friendship bracelet of my own. I had a vague memory of making this when I was a kid, so I figured it’d come back to me. Not so much.


A little internet browsing and I was back in the game. Honestly…WTF: http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-friendship-bracelet has an awesome tutorial that I highly recommend. All you need is embroidery thread, tape and some scissors (and then a little patience).

They’re a little addicting, so be prepared to have a lot of thread on hand for all the color combos you come up with. After you have a few, you can mix up patterns, add rhinestone embellishments, and change colors.

Pile them on to add some flair to any outfit, be it your work attire or your get up for hitting the beach. Happy DIY-ing!

Project Ethos Fashion LA: Sample Sales

By Sarah Clifford

If you’re in Los Angeles this weekend and are looking for some sweet deals on designer duds, well you’re in luck. This weekend is jam packed with sample sales from asymmetrical dresses to leather handbags. Here’s a list of a few to check out:

LA Eyeworks: Have you recently fallen prey to the hipster movement, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and thrift store clothing? Or maybe you just need some new shazy frames. You’re in luck – LA Eyeworks has retro frames for 30-70% off and 20% off prescription lenses. They’ll be at 7407 Melrose Ave., at N. Martel Ave. in West Hollywood Thursday thru Saturday, (June 23 – 25) from 12:30-4:30p.
Rebecca Minkoff: Prepare to get stoked. Rebecca Minkoff’s handbags (seen on celebrities from Vanessa Hudgens to Lindsay Lohan) will be marked down on Friday and Saturday (June 24 & 25) from 11a-5p at Confederacy, 4661 Hollywood Blvd., b/t Vermont & Hillhurst Aves., Los Feliz. Riller & Fount: simple, comfortable styles with an asymmetrical edge – and you can get them for up to 80% off. If you’re down for some summer dresses that will keep you cool and comfortable, head down to the Emil Brown Building, 308 E. Ninth St., at Santee St., Suite 407 (Downtown) from 10a-3p, Saturday, June 25.

Project Ethos Artist Spotlight: Chelsea Brown

by Sarah Clifford

San Francisco artist Chelsea Brown transports people into a supernatural world, filled with powerful women and references to the almighty power of Mother Nature. She is well versed in Native American tradition and fills her art with meaningful symbolism. The up and coming artist is beginning to gain a strong following (including myself) and has been showing her work at local galleries.

Feathers are in almost all of Brown’s pieces because they embody a link to the spiritual world, referencing a bird with the ability to fly to heaven. The abundant supernatural symbols harmonize with the women in the art.

Women dominate Brown’s pieces, painting them in their natural, nude state. This is meant to empower women, suggesting innate strength when women are organic. Also, the lines between man and animal are often blurred as Brown blends the two together seamlessly. This is because in Native American culture, humans, animals and nature cannot be separated. Brown even explains, “In some Native Amer­i­can lan­guages, there is no word to dif­fer­en­ti­ate ‘humans’ and ‘ani­mals’ because they are in essence the very same thing.”

If you’re in the SF area and feel a need to connect with Mother Nature, Native American culture or just be inspired, Chelsea Brown’s artwork was displayed at Project One Gallery earlier this June, but for right now, only original pieces are available for purchase.  I’m dying for the day she’ll start making prints for her poor, college-student fans like myself.

Not only would her art look amazing hanging on a wall, it would also make for a lust-worthy tattoo. Her artwork is on display at Soul Patch Tattoo on Haight Street.

To see more of Chelsea Brown’s work, check out her website: http://www.chelseadraws.com/

Make Music Pasadena

All ages and FREE! Check out past Project Ethos participant, Robotanists, perform live on the Majestical Roof Stage in Pasadena this Saturday June 18th.

For more info check out: http://www.makemusicpasadena.org/program.html

Eye of the Cheetah

by Lacee Blancer

We love to hate our animal prints, yet these always seem to make a comeback to high street fashion. Spring/Summer 2011 trends indicate to be a compelling year so far as animal prints are concerned. Blumarine, the Italian fashion design company known for being one step ahead with their fashion forecasts, constructed one of its entire Spring/Summer 2011 lines on animal print garments. Blumarine is one of the few designers promoting this look in a substantial manner. Forget the old and basic brown and black cheetah; imagine vivacious and dazzling colors that create an ultramodern definition of cheetah print.

 

Spice Up Your Paws

To compliment the revival of animal prints, the Sally Hansen Nail Writer Nail Art Pen allows for a creative and unique design for your nails. This one-of-a-kind invention lets your mind run free with new experimental ideas and an array of playful colors for the present and upcoming seasons.

Purrrrfect Accessories

Wild animal prints have withstood the many years of disappearing in and out of wardrobes and has come blazing back into the fashion scene. From handbags and belts to sunglasses and watches, this hot, fun and funky craze is here to stay! With these accessories your look will turn heads because of your fierce pizzazz.