Toronto-based queer alt-hip hop artist, Lex Leosis, shares the latest single and outlaw anthem, “Wanted,” along with a video. The new release is from her EP, Terracotta, which will be dropping just in time for peak summer vibes on July, 9, 2021. The now Tiktok rap battle champ is showing off her signature attitude in the “Wanted” video with her lioness hair and long, bright nails.
On the new video, Leosis says, “The Wanted video is the perfect pairing to my record. I was so excited to create a video that was as high-energy as the song! I had so much fun on set, and I’m excited to share this one with the world.” On the song itself, she says, “While in lockdown, I had been watching so many classic movies…Thelma and Louise,Heist, Catch Me If You Can. I wanted to make a song that felt like a getaway moment. Instead of making a track for a specific movie, I envisioned that this track WAS a movie. I went into this full-on vision of my best friend (Keysha Freshh) and I on the run.”
The latest track follows the debut single from the new project, the sunny, tropical-beat infused, “Won’t Wait,” which showcased a breezy, bouncy beat under Leosis’ vulnerable lyrics and she yearns for real talk and love, but not at the expense of self-worth. “Won’t Wait” and “Wanted” were produced by Rainer Blanchaer (Drake, The Weeknd, French Montana, The 1975), who is an executive producer on the EP. Having met through Leosis’ roommate, Blanchaer became a pandemic pal, and one of the only people she’s seen consistently seeing during lockdown. They’ve used their time making music together in Leosis’ bedroom studio and the result is Terracotta.
Leosis also admits, “The EP definitely had a muse. Someone I really love and has consistently inspired me. This EP details all the feelings I’ve had about them, and consequently, about myself over the last year.” A dedication to the softness that quarantine created in her, a part of herself she didn’t have time to look at before. She also had time to dig through her grandfather’s old jazz records that she loved as a kid. When he passed in 2009, the records were given to her but had been dusty until Covid made her slow down. The piano, saxophones and live drums on those records inspired the live elements on the new EP and Leosis says, “He had this foresight to leave those to me. We used to sit in his car outside our house and just listen to Jazz and I loved music as a kid.”
Between her quality time with Rainer, her grandfather’s records and her time to be with herself, she found a way to channel summer’s warmth, growth and freedom into 6 tracks. Stay tuned for more before the EP is out on July 9, 2021.
About Lex Leosis
Known for her dynamic flows, aggressive stage presence and elaborate story-telling, Lex Leosis is a name you will soon remember. With a unique gravely vocal delivery, acrobatic flows, and a mastery of her instrumentation, Lex breathes life into Hip-Hop and mesmerizes with her rapping abilities. Setting herself uniquely apart by holding space for various causes and using her platform to support other women and non-binary artists and creatives, Lex is not afraid to give props where it’s due.
Born in the west end of Toronto, Lex Leosis has dedicated her life to her music and artistry. Juggling her hiphop career, a plant-forward cooking website and catering company, and holding down multiple jobs, Lex prides herself on hard work, discipline and survival, traits she picked up from her mother. It gave Lex the energy to perfect her craft, grow her career and exchange stories with artists from all over the world. Lex is loud, opinionated, constantly fighting for what she believes in and hungry to make something of the Leosis name. She’s got an attack in her flow, juxtaposed with a finesse in her lyricism and a hunger in her vocal tone. Her family gave her traditions, Toronto shaped her, and California helped form her sound.
Keep your eyes on this rising star as she continues to blaze her own trail in hip hop.
“Even before I started, I knew I was gonna make a good album because I had so many songs and I had so much energy. For me to do my own album after all that—it was joyous. Dream of dreams.”—George Harrison
Recorded and released in the wake of The Beatles’ April 1970 dissolution, George Harrison’s landmark solo album, All Things Must Pass, is a fully realized statement by a bold and audacious artist. Produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, the 23-track All Things Must Pass stands tall a half-century later as an epic, ambitious expression of Harrison’s remarkable gift for sheer song-craft, powerful spirituality and a celebration of both his inimitable individuality and unique camaraderie with his fellow musicians.
All Things Must Pass was an overdue artistic release for George as a songwriter and musician. The first-ever triple studio album, All Things Must Pass overflows with a voluminous range of ideas, musical styles and influences, spanning rock ’n’ roll, country, gospel, blues, pop, folk, R&B, Indian classical music and devotional songs. Despite the album being wildly successful and Harrison’s affection for it, he would write in the liner notes for the 30th anniversary remaster, released in 2001, “I still like the songs on the album and believe they can continue to outlive the style in which they were recorded,” adding, however, “it was difficult to resist re-mixing every track. All these years later I would like to liberate some of the songs from the big production that seemed appropriate at the time.”
Decades in the making and lovingly crafted by the Harrison family, All Things Must Pass has now been completely remixed from the original tapes for a stunning suite of 50th-anniversary releases that fulfills Harrison’s longtime desire. Executive produced by Dhani Harrison, a product produced by David Zonshine and mixed by triple GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Paul Hicks (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon), the new mix transforms the album by sonically upgrading it—making it sound brighter, fuller and better than ever before. You can watch the album trailer HERE. You can preorder the album HERE.
Releasing August 6 via Capitol/UMe, All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary Edition will be available in a variety of formats:
UBER DELUXE EDITION
Exclusive to GeorgeHarrison.com, uDiscover, and Sound of Vinyl, All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary Edition will be available as a very limited Uber Deluxe Edition box set, which includes the album on 8LP (180g) and 5CD + 1 Blu-ray audio disc housed in an artisan designed wooden crate (approx. 12.4” X 12.4” X 17.5”). The collection explores the 1970 album sessions through 47 (42 previously unreleased) demos and outtakes, offering an inside look into the creative process. The Blu-ray allows fans to experience the main album in a high-res stereo, enveloping 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes.
The crate contains two books, an elaborate and expanded 96-page scrapbook curated by Olivia Harrison, with unseen imagery and memorabilia from the era, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes, tape box images, a comprehensive track-by-track and more; while a second 44-page book chronicling the making of All Things Must Pass through extensive archival interviews with notes is also contained herein. The elegantly designed book pays homage to Harrison’s love of gardening and nature. The book also contains a wooden bookmark made from a felled Oak tree (Quercus Robur) in George’s Friar Park. This truly unique box will also contain 1/6 scale replica figurines of Harrison and the gnomes featured on the iconic album cover, a limited edition illustration by musician and artist Klaus Voormann, as well as a copy of Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Light from the Great Ones” and Rudraksha beads, contained in individual custom-made boxes.
SUPER DELUXE EDITION
The Super Deluxe Edition box set, presented on 8LP (180g) or 5CD + 1 Blu-ray audio disc, explores the 1970 album sessions through 47 (42 previously unreleased) demos and outtakes. The Blu-ray allows fans to experience the main album in a high-res stereo, enveloping 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes. The collection contains a beautiful 60-page scrapbook curated by Olivia Harrison, with unseen imagery and memorabilia from the era, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes, tape box images, a comprehensive track-by-track and more. It also includes a replica of the original album poster.
All Things Must Pass will be released in multiple physical and digital configurations, including as a 5LP or 3CD Deluxe Edition that pairs the main album with the session’s outtakes and jams. The main album will be available on its own as 2CD, 3LP or limited edition 3LP color vinyl. All versions are available for pre-order now.
“Since the 50th-anniversary stereo mix release of the title track to my father’s legendary All Things Must Pass album in 2020, my dear pal Paul Hicks and I have continued to dig through mountains of tapes to restore and present the rest of this newly remixed and expanded edition of the album you now see and hear before you,” says Dhani Harrison. “Bringing greater sonic clarity to this record was always one of my father’s wishes and it was something we were working on together right up until he passed in 2001. Now, 20 years later, with the help of new technology and the extensive work of Paul Hicks we have realized this wish and present to you this very special 50th Anniversary release of perhaps his greatest work of art. Every wish will be fulfilled.”
The All Things Must Pass sessions began just six weeks after the April 1970 announcement of The Beatles’ break-up. Two days were spent recording thirty demos in Studio Three at EMI Studios, Abbey Road in St. John’s Wood, London. The first day, May 26, saw Harrison record fifteen songs backed by Ringo Starr and his longtime friend, bassist Klaus Voormann, beginning with “All Things Must Pass.” The next day, May 27, George played an additional fifteen songs for co-producer Phil Spector. The All Things Must Pass Uber and Super Deluxe Editions collect all 30 of these remarkable demo recordings, including 26 tracks never before officially released and several songs that didn’t make the album like “Cosmic Empire,” “Going Down To Golders Green ,” “Dehra Dun,” “Sour Milk Sea” and “Mother Divine.”
The scope of Harrison’s songwriting remains breathtaking—his deeply personal introspection and striking wit are matched by the album’s boldly extravagant production. With its densely orchestrated textures and eclectic embrace of myriad genres, Harrison and Phil Spector’s groundbreaking sonic approach set a grand blueprint for countless artists to follow.
George had been stockpiling material for nearly half a decade, with a number of song—including “Isn’t It A Pity” and the title track—rehearsed with, but not recorded by, The Beatles. Further songs evinced Harrison’s growing frustration over those preceding years, including “Wah-Wah,” the dramatic “Beware of Darkness” and “Run Of The Mill,” the latter named by both George and Olivia Harrison as one of their all-time favorites. You can watch “Run Of The Mill (Take 36)” HERE.
Written by George while producing Billy Preston’s 1969 Apple Records solo debut but saved for his own album a year later, the glorious “What Is Life” highlights the artist at his most exultant. At the album’s heart were songs like “My Sweet Lord,” “Awaiting On You All” and the impassioned “Hear Me Lord,” each of which epitomized Harrison’s lifelong inner journey.
An anthem weaving a chant of the Hare Krishna mantra and “hallelujah,” “My Sweet Lord” proved a worldwide smash upon its November 1970 single release, making history as the first solo single by a former Beatle to reach #1 in the UK or the US. Inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2014, the indelible anthem of spiritual and religious unity has remained one of the world’s most beloved songs, named among the “Greatest Songs of All Time” by both Rolling Stone and NME . Last year saw a limited edition clear vinyl 7” “My Sweet Lord” released by the George Harrison Estate in partnership with Record Store Day’s Black Friday event on November 27, 2020—the official 50th anniversary of All Things Must Passoriginal release.
Harrison’s close friendship with Bob Dylan begat two songs: the album-opening “I’d Have You Anytime” was co-written with Dylan, while the classic “If Not For You” was at the time an unreleased Dylan composition. The All Things Must Pass Super Deluxe Edition includes previously unreleased demo recordings of both songs as well as “Nowhere To Go” and “I Don’t Want To Do It,” another original Dylan song later recorded by George for a 1985 soundtrack but remains unrecorded by Dylan himself.
George brought together a stunning roster of friends and fellow musicians to record All Things Must Pass, including Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann and Billy Preston, along with Eric Clapton and his new American bandmates, Carl Radle, Bobby Whitlock and Jim Gordon (soon to be known collectively as Derek and the Dominoes). Badfinger’s Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland and Mike Gibbons contributed additional acoustics and percussion. Phil Spector’s desire for multiple pianos, layers of acoustic guitars and more drums saw the addition of Peter Frampton and Jerry Shirley from Humble Pie, Spooky Tooth’s Gary Wright, Plastic Ono Band veteran and future Yes drummer Alan White, Traffic’s Dave Mason, Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker and the in-demand horn section of Bobby Keys and Jim Price. Pete Drake, legendary Nashville session musician provided pedal steel guitar on several tracks. Arrangements for strings and horns came from longtime collaborator John Barham.
The original release of All Things Must Pass collected 18 songs over two LPs alongside a third LP—dubbed “Apple Jam”—showcasing four improvised instrumentals including a pair recorded as part of Derek and the Dominoes’ first-ever official recording session in June 1970. In addition, the “Apple Jam” disc includes “It’s Johnny’s Birthday,” sung to the tune of Cliff Richard’s 1968 hit “Congratulations” and recorded as a gift from Harrison to mark John Lennon’s 30th birthday.
The All Things Must Pass session tapes created in 1970 include over twenty-five hours of music on forty-nine 1” eight-track tapes, four 2” sixteen-track tapes, and forty-four stereo tapes. Richard Radford, Archivist for the George Harrison Estate, oversaw the preservation of the tape collection, with the original analog multi-track and stereo tapes transferred to 192 KHz/24bit digital preservation copies.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the War and Peace of rock and roll” and “an intensely personal statement and a grandiose gesture,” All Things Must Pass was met by unanimous critical acclaim and spectacular commercial success, spending seven weeks at #1 on Billboard’s “Top LPs” chart and eight weeks atop the UK’s official albums chart (though chart records until 2006 mistakenly stated that it had peaked at #4). Currently certified 6x platinum by the RIAA, All Things Must Pass later received a 1972 GRAMMY Award nomination for “Album of the Year,” while “My Sweet Lord” earned a GRAMMY nod for “Record of the Year.” “What Is Life,” the album’s second single, also became an international hit, reaching the top 10 in the US and Canada as well as #1 in Australia and Switzerland.
All Things Must Pass has only grown in influence and stature in the half-century since its initial release, including induction in the GRAMMY Hall of Fame and inclusion on The Times of London‘s “The 100 Best Albums of All Time” and Rolling Stone‘s 2020 listing of “The Top 500 Albums of All Time.” Pitchfork declared it to have changed the terms of what an album could be.
ALL THINGS MUST PASSSUPER DELUXE EDITION (Capitol/UMe)
TRACKLISTING(5CD/BR)
Disc One (Main Album)
1. I’d Have You Anytime
2. My Sweet Lord
3. Wah-Wah
4. Isn’t It A Pity (Version One)
5. What Is Life
6. If Not For You
7. Behind That Locked Door
8. Let It Down
9. Run Of The Mill
Disc Two (Main Album Cont.)
1. Beware Of Darkness
2. Apple Scruffs
3. Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
4. Awaiting On You All
5. All Things Must Pass
6. I Dig Love
7. Art Of Dying
8. Isn’t It A Pity (Version Two)
9. Hear Me Lord
10. Out Of The Blue
11. It’s Johnny’s Birthday
12. Plug Me In *
13. I Remember Jeep *
14. Thanks For The Pepperoni *
* Newly Remastered/Original Mix
Disc Three (Day 1 Demos—Tuesday 26 May 1970)
1. All Things Must Pass (Take 1)
2. Behind That Locked Door (Take 2)
3. I Live For You (Take 1)
4. Apple Scruffs (Take 1)
5. What Is Life (Take 3)
6. Awaiting On You All (Take 1)
7. Isn’t It A Pity (Take 2)
8. I’d Have You Anytime (Take 1)
9. I Dig Love (Take 1)
10. Going Down To Golders Green (Take 1)
11. Dehra Dun (Take 2)
12. Om Hare Om (Gopala Krishna) (Take 1)
13. Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) (Take 2)
14. My Sweet Lord (Take 1)
15. Sour Milk Sea (Take 1)
Disc Four (Day 2 Demos—Tuesday 27 May 1970)
1. Run Of The Mill (Take 1)
2. Art Of Dying (Take 1)
3. Everybody/Nobody (Take 1)
4. Wah-Wah (Take 1)
5. Window Window (Take 1)
6. Beautiful Girl (Take 1)
7. Beware Of Darkness (Take 1)
8. Let It Down (Take 1)
9. Tell Me What Has Happened To You (Take 1)
10. Hear Me Lord (Take 1)
11. Nowhere To Go (Take 1)
12. Cosmic Empire (Take 1)
13. Mother Divine (Take 1)
Disc Five (Session Outtakes and Jams)
1. Isn’t It A Pity (Take 14)
2. Wah-Wah (Take 1)
3. I’d Have You Anytime (Take 5)
4. Art Of Dying (Take 1)
5. Isn’t It A Pity (Take 27)
6. If Not For You (Take 2)
7. Wedding Bells (Are Breaking Up That Old Gang Of Mine) (Take 1)
8. What Is Life (Take 1)
9. Beware Of Darkness (Take 8)
10. Hear Me Lord (Take 5)
11. Let It Down (Take 1)
12. Run Of The Mill (Take 36)
13. Down To the River (Rocking Chair Jam) (Take 1)
14. Get Back (Take 1)
15. Almost 12 Bar Honky Tonk (Take 1)
16. It’s Johnny’s Birthday (Take 1)
17. Woman Don’t You Cry For Me (Take 5)
Blu-ray Audio Disc (Main Album Only; Surround, Atmos, Hi-Res)
1. I’d Have You Anytime
2. My Sweet Lord
3. Wah-Wah
4. Isn’t It A Pity (Version One)
5. What Is Life
6. If Not For You
7. Behind That Locked Door
8. Let It Down
9. Run Of The Mill
10. Beware Of Darkness
11. Apple Scruffs
12. Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
13. Awaiting On You All
14. All Things Must Pass
15. I Dig Love
16. Art Of Dying
17. Isn’t It A Pity (Version Two)
18. Hear Me Lord
19. Out Of The Blue
20. It’s Johnny’s Birthday
21. Plug Me In
22. I Remember Jeep
23. Thanks For The Pepperoni
50th ANNIVERSARY CREDITS
Executive Producer: Dhani Harrison
Product Producer: David Zonshine
2020 Re-Mixed & Produced in Stereo & Atmos by: Paul Hicks Design
Creative Director: Dhani Harrison
Book curated by: Olivia Harrison and Rachel Cooper
Art Direction: Darren Evans
Archive Research: Don Fleming, Richard Radford and Ryan Williams
From very humble beginnings, Michael E. Jordan has elevated the UNRL brand with core values, quality of product and a spirit of giving back to the community
UNRL, an athletic apparel brand based in St. Paul, Minnesota specializing in creating functional athletic clothing, announced today that company founder and CEO Michael E. Jordan, has been selected as a finalist for prestigious Entrepreneur of The Year® Award, Heartland Region, presented by Ernst & Young.
After an intensive nomination and selection process, Jordan was identified as one of 36 finalists within the seven-state Heartland region. This award honors game-changing business leaders who rise above challenges using ingenuity, courage, and ambition. Nominees are evaluated based on six criteria: entrepreneurial leadership; talent management; degree of difficulty; financial performance; societal impact and building a values-based company; and originality, innovation, and future plans.
Jordan founded UNRL in his mother’s basement seven years ago with a mere investment of $300 and has since grown the company exponentially year over year. Today, UNRL has 19 employees and is on track to reach 8 figures in annual sales. All of this was done with hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, without any outside investment or business loans.
UNRL products are sold in various retailers throughout the country including Scheels Sporting Goods, PGA Tour Superstore, various NHL, and NFL Pro Shops. One of their most notable apparel partnerships is with the social media powerhouse Barstool Sports. UNRL takes great pride in the quality of their product and their attention in how business is operated.
“It’s an incredible honor to be selected as a finalist for this award,” said Jordan. “I don’t view this as an individual achievement, this is a testament to my team. It’s been a collective effort with 100% buy-in from every member of our team. Without that we wouldn’t be here today. I believe we are growing this business the right way, and it is meaningful to be recognized for that. I’m very grateful for all the support Ernst & Young has provided throughout this process.”
Jordan said that he has high expectations for the UNRL brand in the future; articulating plans to surpass the $10 million annual revenue marker within 12 months and reach the $100 million milestone by 2029. In doing so, continuing to donate 15% of net proceeds to non-profits including the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.
“I am very competitive by nature. I’ve been an athlete my whole life,” said Jordan. “I pride myself on continuous improvement and doing things the right way to leave a positive legacy on the industry. The Entrepreneur Of the Year® Award has my respect because it’s a challenge against the best in the business, and we have something to prove. I want to win this.”
Regional winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award will be announced in late July. The National Entrepreneur of the Year Award will be handed out on November 13.
ABOUT THE ERNST & YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Entrepreneur Of the Year® is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur of the Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur of The Year™ title.
About UNRL
UNRL is a clothing brand that bridges the gap between functional and casual. Our clothing is designed to take you from the office to the gym, or the airport to the golf course. We create all our products with three principles in mind: style, comfort, and versatility. Everything we make is crafted from scratch with premium hand-selected materials and tailored for a great fit. UNRL is here to instill confidence in the athlete that strives to do more.
Songwriter and touring musician Brett Newski (who has played alongside the Pixies, Violent Femmes, Courtney Barnett, Manchester Orchestra, Better Than Ezra and more) is releasing his first illustrated book, It’s Hard to be a Person: Defeating Anxiety, Surviving the World, and Having More Fun, accompanied by a soundtrack to the book featuring 8 original songs. The book has been endorsed by Stelth Ulvang of The Lumineers, “I love how easy Newski makes it to plow through the dark stuff with some well-placed humor and grit.”
Newski been featured on Rolling Stone, NPR, American Songwriter, SiriusXM, Boston Globe, and Billboard. He continues to tour over 100 dates per year. He’s also the host of the popular podcast, Dirt from the Road, where he chats with musicians about their strangest travel stories, mental health boosts, and how to navigate the hurdles of being a person in modern times. Guests include All American Rejects, Dashboard Confessional, Nada Surf, Stelth Ulvang (The Lumineers), Guster, Heartless Bastards, The Verve Pipe, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Barenaked Ladies co-founder, Steven Page.
Starting with couple of doodles Newski posted to social media making light of his struggle with anxiety and depression, they garnered a surprising and overwhelming response and he decided to make his relatable coping mechanism of drawings into a series. Now, Newski presents three years’ worth of drawings in his new book, It’s Hard to be a Person, offering mental health boosts through humor and relatable quips about the perils of living in our world with a mental illness. Newski’s drawings offer a warmth and innocence that comforts readers and reflects their own experiences to assert that, despite the taboo of mental illness, most of us relate to each other on a deeper level when it comes to mental health.
With the California economy opening up under new, less restrictive pandemic rules, Hotel Cerro’s restaurant, Brasserie SLO, is expanding its hours. Brasserie SLO will now be serving lunch five days a week, brunch on the weekends and dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
Creating a new menu for Brasserie SLO will be the acclaimed Chef Vartan Abgaryan, the restaurant’s guest chef for the summer months.
Educated at Le Cordon Bleu, Abgaryan graduated in 2004 and went on to cook at the famed New York restaurant Lutecefor nearly two years. In 2006 he moved back to the west coast to be closer to his family where he worked at Red Pearl Kitchenfollowed by three years as Executive Chef at A Restaurant in Newport Beach. Heading inland, he accepted the position of Executive Chef at Public Kitchen & Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. During his tenure, Public Kitchen & Bar was named a “Restaurant To Watch” by Esquire magazine’s food writer and critic, John Mariani.
In 2012, Abgaryan joined Silver Lake’s popular Cliff’s Edge as Executive Chef, taking the eight-year-old neighborhood restaurant to new heights. At Cliff’s Edge, Chef Abgaryan became known for his highly seasonal approach to ingredients and his stunning presentation of dishes – Eater Los Angeles’ Matthew Kang commented that his were “among the most beautiful plating in the city.” In 2014, Cliff’s Edge was awarded three stars by LA Weekly’s restaurant critic, Besha Rodell. After a successful run he elevated his role, quite literally, by opening 71Above– the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi — in July 2016. Under his hand, the restaurant received great critical acclaim and put Chef Abgaryan on L.A.’s culinary heat map. 71Above was awarded three stars by LA Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine named it “one of the Top Ten New Restaurants of 2016” and Critic Patric Kuh remarked that “the experience is luxury that reflects on-point execution.” The Los Angeles Times’ Jonathan Gold called his Suckling Pig dish “something out of a charcuterie dream.” While at 71Above, Abgaryan was named StarChef’s Rising Star for 2018.
After serving over 300 diners a night in an elaborate setting at helicopter-hovering heights, Abgaryan had become one of the city’s most talented and respected chefs. When an opportunity presented itself to bring a refined culinary experience to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, considered by many to be “America’s coolest block,” he took it. Abgaryan’s culinary endeavor, with partners Dave Reiss (formerly of Salt Air) and Paul Pruitt (Founder of New School), at Yours Trulyallowed him to focus on a smaller number of guests and work within a more intimate dinner setting.
Yours Truly quickly became a hit, and the restaurant was named “Best New Restaurant” by Los Angeles Magazine, LA Times, LA Weekly, Thrillst and Eater LA. Yours Truly was also included in the ‘101 Best’ annual Los Angeles Times restaurant list. On March 15, one year from its opening date, Los Angeles went into lockdown, and Yours Truly was forced to close for 7 months to re-open as an outdoor concept. It closed permanently after a second lockdown shuttered all restaurants a few months later.
Now at Brasserie SLO, Chef Abgaryan has created a menu that exhibits a multi-cultural approach, combining ingredients from Mexico, Asia and Europe. His bold and flavor-driven approach can be seen in a selection of small plates including Hamachi Crudo, Avocado, Mango, chili, lemon and sorrel; Octopus, potatoes, tomato coriander vinaigrette and tarragon; and Grilled Broccolini, black garlic, peanuts, fermented Fresno and lemon; as well as in main courses such as Mussels, Coconut Poblano Broth, cilantro and lime; and Scallops, farro risotto, zucchini, lemon and basil mascarpone.
In a nod to his Armenian heritage, diners will find Middle Eastern elements in such dishes as Carrots, Za’atar, tahini and sweet garlic; Avocado Hummus with salsa matcha, peanut, yuzu, poblano and grilled flatbread; and Grilled Half Chicken, honey, lettuces, radish and preserved lemon.
“We are delighted to have a chef of Chef Vartan Abgaryan caliber join the team at Hotel Cerro – even if it is only for a few months,” said Hotel Cerro General Manager Natalie Ward. “He has transformed the culinary programs of several Los Angeles based restaurants, and we look forward to seeing how he will apply his considerable talents to the fresh, regional produce and seafood of the Central Coast.”
About Hotel Cerro:
Located in the heart of lively downtown San Luis Obispo, Hotel Cerro is the perfect intersection of SLO culture, California’s rich history and casual elegance. Designed and built towards LEED Silver specifications, Hotel Cerro boasts 65 spacious guest rooms and suites, ranging in size from 350 to 920 square feet. A full-service hotel, Hotel Cerro’s other amenities include a fitness center and spa, rooftop pool deck with 360-degree views, beautiful outdoor areas and a restaurant, Brasserie SLO, which sources ingredients from the hotel’s own Edible Garden. The result is an oasis of sustainably designed luxury in the heart of California’s iconic central coast. Hotel Cerro is located at 1125 Garden Street, between Marsh and Higuera Streets, in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo. For more information and reservations, please call 805.548.1000 or click HERE.
SUMMER REDISCOVE(RED): A DIGITAL FESTIVAL TO FIGHT COVID, LAUNCHING JUNE 15
STARS INCLUDING P!NK, PHOEBE ROBINSON, DRLUPO, ANTHONY ANDERSON, AL ROKER, BILLY HARRIS, ANDREW ZIMMERN & MORE JOIN (RED) THIS SUMMER
(RED) today unveiled plans for SUMMER REDISCOVE(RED), a digital festival for fans of gaming, music, food, health, wellness, learning, merch, and more. Accessible on almost any device, the festival is supported by Merck and makes it simple for everyone to join (RED) and support programs that help millions of people impacted by global health emergencies like AIDS & COVID. Extending the festival’s impact further, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will generously match funds raised via ticket sales and donations, up to $250,000. Starting June 15, the SUMMER REDISCOVE(RED) AR VIP lounge on Snapchat is free for everyone and will show the full festival lineup, as well as giving visitors opportunities to virtually try on (RED)’s summer merch, get special (RED) cook-along recipes, play a (VESPA)RED mini-game, and more. Festival events include:
The (RED) all-star kitchen cook along series, hosted by Billy Harris with Celebrity chefs and guests. Support the fight against COVID by purchasing a ticket to one of four celebrity cook-alongs in the (RED) ALL-STAR KITCHEN, hosted by Billy Harris. Billy will be joined by singer and songwriter, P!NK and Chef Andrew Zimmern, ‘Black-ish’ star Anthony Anderson and Chef Aarón Sánchez, actor and comedian Joel McHale and Chef Kristen Kish, as well as Al Roker who will cook live with Chef Tyler Florence! Tickets to each interactive cook-along are limited and priced at just $25 (plus ticketing fees), and thanks to generous dollar matching by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, every ticket purchased will result in $100 to the Global Fund. The cook-along series is generously supported by Merck, and tickets are available now.
Phoebe Robinson and special guests go (INSIDE THE PARENS) for a special conversation series. Stand-up comedian, New York Times best-selling writer and actress, Phoebe Robinson, is inviting everyone to go (INSIDE THE PARENS) through a series of honest conversations around the systemic issues facing women and girls, multicultural and the LGBTQ+ communities in the fight against pandemics. Guests joining Phoebe include Actor and Activist, Javier Muñoz, NYT Bestselling Author, Producer and Founder & CEO of Phenomenal, Meena Harris, Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, Beatrice Dixon, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Alexis McGill Johnson, Merck’s VP of Social Business Innovation, Carmen Villar and others. Viewers will have opportunities to donate online, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will generously match every dollar donated.
DrLupo and fellow gamers join SUMMER REDISCOVE(RED) to support the fight against Covid. Gaming fans can support the fight against COVID this summer by doing what they love – supporting their favorite content creators as they STREAM FOR (RED). Headlined by the legendary DrLupo, fellow content creators gaming for (RED) this coming July include Sylvia ‘Queen Arrow’ Gathoni in Kenya, Thabo ‘Yvng Savage’ Moloi in South Africa, with additional creators to be announced! During each stream, fans and followers will have opportunities to learn more about (RED)’s work and donate to the Global Fund COVID-19 Response. Tripling the impact, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will generously match two dollars for every dollar donated during streams.
Learning self-care and wellness in the Covid-era. Join Therabody founder and Chief Wellness Officer, Dr. Jason Wersland in a special Instagram Live discussion on wellness and learn how to recover and recharge. For your best night’s rest, Blissy will also offer best practices and sleep tips as part of the campaign.
Shop hundreds of products and bag limited edition summer REDISCOVE(RED) festival swag. Just in time for warmer days and summer nights, check out the all-new (RED) Originals: SUMMER merchandise available for purchase here. The collection includes one-of-a-kind apparel and festival favorites, including t-shirts, water bottles, towels, and more, with each purchase going to support (RED)’s campaigns focused on generating funds and awareness for the fight against pandemics. Elsewhere in the (RED) storefront on Amazon, there are many summer-essential (PRODUCT)RED items available, each generating money to support the life-saving work of the Global Fund. These include:
Apple Watch Series 6 (PRODUCT)RED
(PRODUCT) RED Theragun mini and PRO
(TRUFF)RED Hotter Sauce
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones and Pill+ Portable Speaker (PRODUCT)RED
DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES Vol. III
About (RED)
Named for the color of emergency, was founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to turn companies into a cavalry to fight the AIDS pandemic. Today, that cavalry is also fighting the urgent threat of COVID and its devastating impact on the world’s most vulnerable communities, answering the need for a truly global response. (RED) partners with the most iconic brands and people to create (RED) products and experiences — all of which raise money for the Global Fund, one of the world’s largest funders of global health. (RED) partners include Amazon, Apple, Balmain, Bank of America, Beats by Dr. Dre, Buffalo Games, Calm, Claro, Durex, eos, Girl Skateboards, Louis Vuitton, Mavin Records, Montblanc, NTWRK, Primark, Salesforce, Starbucks, Telcel, Therabody, TRUFF, U-Mask and Vespa. (RED) Supporters include: Merck and Roche. To date, (RED) has generated more than $650 million for the Global Fund, helping more than 220 million people. The money raised by (RED)’s partners and campaigns goes directly to strengthen health systems and support lifesaving programs in the communities where pandemics hit hardest.
COLOSSAL COMEDY + WHITE SAND BEACHES = JUST FOR LAUGHS ESCAPES!
Just For Laughs and Pollen Presents partner to bring the World’s Largest Renowned International Comedy Festival brand to Cancun
A First-of-its-Kind Curated Comedy Travel Event includes a Five-Day Experience at the Barcelo Maya Grand Resorts in Cancun, November 3-7, 2021
Performances by comedy heavyweights Jim Jeffries, Tom Segura, Nikki Glaser, Steve-O, Nicole Byer, Jay Pharoah, Girls Gotta Eat, Donnell Rawlings, Ron Funches, Debra DiGiovanni, Goddamn Comedy Jam and more!
Montreal-based comedy festival Just For Laughs unveiled the concept and lineup for their first-ever curated travel experience, Just For Laughs Escapes – Cancun, taking place November 3-7, 2021. Collaborating with leading travel company Pollen Presents, Just For Laughs will be taking over Barcelo Maya Grand Resorts, creating a premier experience of top-tier comedic programming, featuring stand-up comedy, interactive events, bespoke activities, pool parties, club nights, all-inclusive amenities and more with fans from around the world. This new project welcomes fans to experience star-studded stand-up comedy and comedy podcasts in sunnier and more exotic destinations.
Lauded as the world’s largest international comedy festival, Just For Laughs has brought the industry’s most iconic names to Montreal for nearly 40 years. As a mecca for both emerging and established comedians alike, JFL’s events have featured the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Trevor Noah, Hannah Gadsby, Sebastian Maniscalco, Russell Peters, John Mulaney, Bo Burnham, Jo Koy, Amy Schumer, and countless others.
Whether you’re a comedy enthusiast or simply want to experience something outside of the norm, Just For Laughs Escapes – Cancun will pair one of the world’s marquee travel destinations with a power house comedy lineup including star acts such as Jim Jefferies, Tom Segura, Nikki Glaser, Steve-O, Nicole Byer, Jay Pharoah, Girls Gotta Eat, Donnell Rawlings, Ron Funches, Debra DiGiovanni, the Goddamn Comedy Jam and more! Programming includes solo/headlining shows, multi-comic shows, Q&As, podcast recordings, exclusive VIP events and more.
Travel packages include five-star luxury accommodations, full Just For Laughs hotel takeover, and gourmet food and drink, plus access to stand-up comedy sets, live podcast recordings, and late night events. Early bird packages start at $859 USD.
Pollen Presents also offers a COVID-19 Money Back Guarantee ensuring the event is 100% refundable if cancelled or rescheduled due to COVID-19.
Pollen is a leading travel experience company, curating and delivering the best experiences for members all over the world. Members enjoy experiences together, immersing themselves in multi-day itineraries that combine live entertainment, parties, and relaxation in more than 50 popular destinations, creating unforgettable memories. Members can discover and book these experiences exclusively on Pollen and the Pollen app. Pollen has already launched sold-out bespoke mini breaks with mega stars like J Balvin, Marshawn Lynch and Ozuna.
About the Just for Laughs Group
Founded in 1983, the Just for Laughs Group is the most important player in the global comedy industry. Under the management of Groupe CH, Bell Media and ICM Partners, the company is an international powerhouse in the creation of multi-platform comedy content. Every year, it entertains millions of spectators with its festivals on Canadian and international stages, in Montréal – the biggest comedy event in the world – as well as in Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Bermuda. The Group organizes shows featuring thousands of comics from Canada and other countries, including established artists as well as up-and-comers; stages its own comedy shows and musicals; produces touring shows; broadcasts digital and televised content (notably Gags, which is shown in 150 countries and followed by an online audience of ten million on YouTube); manages talented artists; and is the originator of the ComedyPRO and JPR Pro industry conferences.
This September, Peach Momoko’s quarterly series continues with DEMON DAYS: CURSED WEB! In this new third installment, Momoko will continue to expertly blend Japanese folklore with the Marvel Comics mythos in a dazzling new story that will introduce fascinating versions of characters like Ghost-Spider, Mystique and Sabretooth.
Earlier this year, acclaimed artist Peach Momoko made her writing and interior art debut in DEMON DAYS: X-MEN. The first entry into a mesmerizing new take on the Marvel Universe straight from the mind of Peach Momoko, DEMON DAYS: X-MEN was a huge success, demanding multiple printings and receiving critical acclaim. The quarterly series will resume next week in DEMON DAYS: MARIKO, setting the stage for September’s DEMON DAYS: CURSED WEB.
DEMON DAYS: CURSED WEB will follow Mariko Yashida as she journeys deep into a dark forest to find answers about her past. Instead, she finds a magical wolf with three toes and a strange girl with a pet spider. But there are deadly creatures in these woods too — a mysterious, blue-skinned woman and a giant with super-strength and claws — and they’re after Mariko!
“It’s been a lot of fun carefully thinking about how to reimagine Marvel characters into my Momoko-verse,” Momoko said. “Keeping just enough of the character so people can guess who it is but changing it enough to create something very unique. With that in mind, I love getting to come up with ideas and stories around these characters to tell my story. I hope everyone enjoys the Momoko-verse.”
Check out the main cover as well as a sneak peek at interior art, and don’t miss Peach Momoko’s next epic tale when DEMON DAYS: CURSED WEB #1 hits stands in September! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
Everyone is talking about the volcanic eruption happening in Iceland right now. Iceland ProCruises/ProTravel are the premiere travel companies in Iceland, offering soft expedition-style cruises circumnavigating the Island. They announce their availability arrange a trip to the volcano before and after a cruise so travelers can visit this amazing display of nature while visiting Iceland.
The Land of Ice and Fire is once again living up to its name; a new eruption is occurring in Iceland! From Geldingadalur valley, just south of Fagradalsfjall volcano, gleaming lava can be found running in molten rivers and spurting in spectacular jets.
Making this phenomenon even more exciting is its location. The Reykjanes Peninsula is familiar to all travelers to Iceland, as it connects Keflavik International Airport with the country’s capital, Reykjavik; the region is also home to the Blue Lagoon. It is the most accessible eruption in Iceland since the country has become a major tourist destination.
There is a website available to answer the questions of potential visitors and Iceland ProCruises stand ready to make arrangements for a pre or post cruise stay in Iceland. Their expertise assures visitors of a safe and splendid tour of the volcano.
There are hiking tours with guides; some at night which show the breathtaking fountains of fire and vivid orange rivers of lava which are even more striking against the dark sky. Those who want a more personalized experience can also organize private tours. While tourists can visit without an experienced guide, it is not recommended, as no roads lead directly to the site, meaning you’ll have to hike for several hours; only certain operators have permission to drive closer. This is very challenging for those who are not knowledgeable of the local area, particularly considering the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. It’s best to have a reputable agency make plans for you.
More information at HERE, including rates and schedules for 2021.
Today, Kansas City-based alt-rock band The Greeting Committee return with their raw and radiant new single “Can I Leave Me Too?” and its accompanying video. Released via Harvest Records, the track is a bracingly intimate portrait of post-breakup grief, revealing frontwoman Addie Sartino’s gift for bringing the listener all the way into the world inside her head. This will be the band’s first release following their recent appearance in Netflix’s To All the Boys: Always and Forever, along with three of their songs on the soundtrack.
Produced by Jennifer Decilveo (MARINA, FLETCHER, Bat for Lashes) and mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips), “Can I Leave Me Too?” opens on a lyric that precisely captures the cruel haze of heartbreak: “Why does everybody drive the same car you do?/I’m scared of myself without you.” “My girlfriend drives a Nissan Rogue, and after we broke up I felt like I couldn’t go anywhere without seeing that car,” says Sartino. “I remember thinking, ‘There’s no way there are this many Nissan Rogues in Kansas City’ — but I think that’s a pretty universal thing to have happen when you’re going through a breakup.”
Sparked from a demo created by Greeting Committee bassist Pierce Turcotte, “Can I Leave Me Too?” ultimately took the form of a sprawling alt-pop epic. From its fuzzed-out intro to the bridge’s beautifully dizzying breakdown, the track’s lushly textured sound makes for a perfect backdrop to Sartino’s confession (e.g., “I’m filthy, clingy, and creepy for you always”). “That song holds a lot of desperation — it’s definitely about that moment when your self-esteem is just gone,” she notes. To that end, “Can I Leave Me Too?” pulls off the incredible feat of transforming its gut-punching chorus lyric into an irresistibly catchy hook: “If you leave me, can I leave me too?/I’m afraid that I might need you.”
Co-directed by Sartino and Malik Lemonthe, the video for “Can I Leave Me Too?” opens on Sartino lying alone in bed, then cycles through a series of spellbinding close-ups: Sartino brushing her teeth in front of her bathroom mirror, meandering along empty city streets, and — in a particularly brilliant sequence of repeat shots — brushing her teeth as she wanders the world. The result is an understated exploration of how time drags when we’re devastated, each day blurring into the next.
Comprised of Addie Sartino, Brandon Yangmi, Pierce Turcotte and Austin Fraser, the spirit of purposeful sharing has served as something of a lifeline for The Greeting Committee. Formed in 2014, soon after Sartino and Yangmi got their start playing local open-mic nights, the band self-released their debut EP It’s Not All That Bad in fall 2015. The EP’s lead single “Hands Down” quickly became a breakout hit, paving the way for The Greeting Committee’s signing to Harvest Records when they were all still in high school.
After making their Harvest debut with the Meeting People Is Easy EP in 2017 and the subsequent release of This Is It, the band spent much of the next few years on the road, with sold-out headline shows in major markets such as Chicago, Austin, New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. To date, they’ve toured with the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Tennis, Hippo Campus, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise and taken the stage at leading festivals like Lollapalooza and SXSW, in addition to delivering the I’m Afraid I’m Not Angry EP in late 2019 and appearing in Netflix’s To All the Boys: Always and Forever. The coming months have a lot more in store from the band.
Listen to “Can I Leave Me Too?” HERE, and check out the video HERE.
