Posts made in June 2023

Dolce&Gabbana SS24

Watch show HERE.

Respect for identity, and for imagery that has been created over time, and on which Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have worked to build this new Collection, Stile.

First is tailoring, the well-cut garment. The evolution of the codes, of the iconic pieces of the brand: the tank-top, the coppola, the rosary, the jacket, Sicily.

Some T-shirts are created with draperies which resemble the structure of statues. On some garments sculpted flowers soften the look. While other garments have been chosen from the archives and bear the label of the year they were first presented.

Very high-quality thick fabrics and Piacenza wool help to sculpt the lines of the garments. Overcoats are presented in double cashmere and silk crepe, and other items appear in embroidered silk organza and 3D-effect embossed jersey. Suits in Chantilly lace and in double duchesse. Suits appear in single and double-breasted styles.

The collection is presented in solid colors, apart from one print, the polka dot.

Color scheme: pure milk white, sand beige, pearl, stone gray, camel, chocolate brown, Sicilian black.

Accessories include: driving shoes, suede and leather moccasins, sock shoes, DG Logo bag in leather.

Front row guests included Machine Gun Kelly, DoYoung, Canelo Alvarez, Blanco, Luke Hemmings, Lucien Laviscount, Michele Morrone, Jorge Lopez, Patty Mills, Paolo Banchero, Zack Lugo and Emma Brooks, Pelayo Diaz.

-Stile (style)

-Stiloso (stylish)

-Sculptural

-Volume and Proportions

-Color Block

-Texture

-Precious Materials

-Flowers as a New Embroidery, Specific Accent

-Overlay of Materials

76 looks total.

2024 TOYOTA TACOMA

‘It’s one of the most daring designs by Toyota!’ – 360

Whats New for 2024 Tacoma TDR Pro – Terra aka Lava Orange

What’s New for 2024 Tacoma

• Standard i-FORCE turbocharged 2.4-liter fourcylinder engine produces up to 278 horsepower, 317 lb.-ft. of torque.

• Available i-FORCE MAX turbocharged 2.4-liter fourcylinder hybrid powertrain produces 326 horsepower, 465 lb.-ft. of torque.

• All-new Trailhunter is a factory-developed overlanding rig built from the ground up with the latest integrated off-road equipment from ARB, Old Man Emu, and RIGID.

• Baja-inspired TRD Pro debuts segment-first IsoDynamic Performance Seat for enhanced off-road driving control and comfort.

• Tacoma adds new XtraCab long bed configuration for enhanced interior functionality and maximum cargo capacity

• Available 14-inch touchscreen displays latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system.

• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard on all models.

• Designed, engineered, and assembled for the U.S. market.

2024 Tacoma Grades:

SR, SR5, TRD, PreRunner TRD, Sport TRD

Off-Road Limited Trailhunter TRD Pro Configurations:

Two-door XtraCab w/ 6-foot bed

Four-door Double Cab w/ 5-foot bed Four-door Double Cab w/ 6-foot bed Colors:

Supersonic Red, Blue Crush Metallic, Underground, Wind Chill Pearl, Solar Octane, Celestial Silver Metallic, Black, Ice Cap, and Bronze Oxide.

TRD Pro-exclusive color will be announced this summer.

Additional information visit HERE.

All-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma unveiled in Hawaii via 360 MAGAZINE.

ZHU – THE GRACE TOUR

Nominated artist ZHU announces his North American headline tour, produced by Live Nation. The Grace Tour will kick off in Toronto on September 14 and bring ZHU to major cities including Brooklyn, Chicago, and San Francisco before wrapping in Los Angeles with two nights at the Hollywood Palladium. This is ZHU’S first headline tour since his 2018 & Dune Tour. Sign up now for the artist pre-sale.

The tour will see additional support from Channel Tres (DJ Set) at the Brooklyn and San Francisco dates, Claptone at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, Hayden James at the Los Angeles dates, as well as Noizu on multiple select dates throughout the tour.

Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale for U.S. dates beginning Monday, June 19. Additional presales will run throughout the week, including an Artist Presale starting Tuesday, June 20, ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, June 23 at 10AM local time. Citi is the official card of The Grace Tour US dates. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Monday, June 19 at 10AM local time until Thursday, June 22 at 10PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

The announcement of the tour comes on the heels of ZHU’s recent collaboration with the video game franchise, Mortal Kombat 1. The original track entitled Fatal (Mortal Kombat 1) is set as the backdrop of all gameplay matches – listen here. ZHU’s latest single, Revelations, which saw ZHU team up with Devault and BabyJake on the silken, slow-burning single. Listen HERE and watch the video HERE. The new track was the first preview fans saw from ZHU’s upcoming album. Stay tuned for more info on the album coming soon! In addition to the upcoming tour, ZHU& kicked off summer performing at Lighting in a Bottle and will be playing numerous more festivals this summer, including Bumbershoot and Goldrush. In addition to the festivals, ZHU returns to London on August 4th for his first headline show in the UK capital since 2015. ZHU will play an extended set alongside his full visual show at the beautiful Lafayette in King’s Cross. See below for itinerary or visit https://zhumusic.com/pages/tour. Last year, he joined Swedish House Mafia on their Paradise Again tour. After joining ZHU backstage for this feature, VMAN noted, ZHU has curated a slick persona with a massive influence far beyond his music, specifically in the fashion space. HYPEBEAST said ZHU consistently delivers stunning audio-visual experiences drawing from a broad range of influences, with high fashion and rave being recurring themes.

He previewed his NIGHTDAY fashion line, designed in collaboration with Emmy Slattery during his EDC Las Vegas set last year. The name for the collection, which will soon be available at select retailers, was inspired by ZHU’s massively successful debut EP, which included the GRAMMY-nominated hit, Faded. Billboard noted, it is an accomplishment for an artist to partner with a swanky fashion house, yet a next-level achievement is unlocked by designing a collection oneself, from inspiration to garment.

**ZHU ‘THE GRACE TOUR’ DATES**

09.14 – Toronto, ON – Rebel

09.15 – London, ON – London Music Hall

09.16 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS

09.19 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore

09.21 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Mirage

09.25 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre

09.26 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place

09.28 – Boston, MA – House of Blues

09.30 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

10.02 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works

10.04 – Austin, TX – ACL Live

10.06 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center

10.07 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

10.11 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee

10.12 – Chicago, IL – Radius

10.14 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory

10.17 – Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House

10.19 – Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

10.20 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

10.27 – Vancouver, BC – Harbour Events Centre

10.28 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater

11.01 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

11.04 – Magna, UT – The Great Saltair

11.09 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium

11.10 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium

ZHU FESTIVAL AND EUROPE TOUR DATES

07.20 – Ostrava, Czechia – Colours of Ostrava 2023

07.21 – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Revelin Culture Club

07.22 – Zurich, Switzerland – ZOA City

07.28-30 – Plock, Poland – Audioriver Festival 2023

07.29 – Istanbul, Turkey – Zorlu Center

07.30 – Izmir, Turkey – YUZU Beach

08.4 – London, UK

08.5 – Cluj-Napoca, Romania – Untold Festival

09.2-3 – Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot 2023

10.7-8 – Avondale, AZ – Goldrush 2023

11.17-19 – Mexico City, MX – Corona Capital

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster,& Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

Follow ZHU:

Avril + BeatBox

Avril Lavigne Partners w/ RTD BeatBox on New Flavor – Pink Lemonade.

Punk Rock Princess and philanthropist, Avril Lavigne, is best known for her highly coveted career: 8 GRAMMY nods, 10 Juno Awards, 6 World Music Awards and 21 MTV Awards.

However, this time around the multiplatinum selling artist has been recognized by adult beverage BeatBox. Avril is among the few global icons whom were chosen by the brand to participate in the Creator Series. A platform that grants them an opportunity to curate a flavor alongside of packaging; and, then distributed through their channels.

The ‘world’s tastiest party punch’ will box Lavigne’s 11.1% ABV pink lemonade to be sold nationwide: 7-Eleven, Kroger, Circle K, Casey’s, and QuikTrip.

“From the moment Avril told our team how she drinks a BeatBox before every studio session we knew this was a perfect fit for our growing Creator Series. The BeatBox Creator Series is where we partner with world renowned musicians like Avril Lavigne, as well as other large influencers and brands, to bring exciting new flavors and collectible packaging to our 45,000+ retail locations,” says Zech Francis, VP of Global Marketing for BeatBox. “Partnering with Avril is going to unlock even more exciting opportunities for BeatBox as one of the fastest growing ready-to-drink cocktail brands in the US.”

Lastly, consumers and fans of Avril, at their preferred merchant, will be able enter a contest. Winners may receive exclusive signed merchandise and/or an opportunity to meet Lavigne in person.

So stay tuned, where BeatBox is sold, for life-size custom Avril cutouts to take part in this activation.

About BeatBox

BeatBox is one of the fastest growing premix cocktails on social media. Their 6 million followers are largely credited to their expansive calendar of events, including more than 100 music festivals.

Metro Boomin + Spider-Man

GRAMMY® Award-nominated diamond-certified superstar producer Metro Boomin continues his legacy in the comic and film universe with the release of METRO BOOMIN PRESENTS SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE SOUNDTRACK FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE which he Executive Produced.

Metro has assembled a cast of musical superheroes for the upcoming soundtrack including 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Coi Leray, Don Toliver, Future, James Blake, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, Nas, Nav, Offset, Swae Lee, Wizkid and more.

Stream the soundtrack HERE via Republic Records. Sony Pictures Animation’s SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE opens in theaters everywhere today. Watch the latest film trailer HERE

The soundtrack marks Metro’s first foray into film soundtracks although his love of film and comic superheroes has long been on display. Of the collaboration, Spring Aspers, President of Music,Sony Pictures said “The concept for the next installment of Miles’ story demanded a contemporary and culturally significant musical collaborator. Metro Boomin was clearly the perfect cultural voice to sculpt the musical environment to support this amazing next chapter.”

Dana Sano, EVP Film & TV Republic Records, commented: “Metro Boomin is a true visionary who continues to raise the bar. For the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack, Metro curated and delivered with fierce passion and integrity. Republic is thrilled and honored to be reteaming with the filmmakers and our amazing partners at Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group”.

Previews of the soundtrack music was heard in a Hyundai Motor and Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse animated TV commercial that was released last month as well as teasers from Coi Leray and Metro himself.

Continuing a tradition of blockbuster soundtracks for the Spider-Verse, the record follows on the heels of 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack from & Inspired by the Motion Picture). It notably bowed at #2 on the Billboard 200 and reached double-platinum status as the year’s biggest soundtrack album and has gone on to exceed 10 BILLION streams and is now certified 2x platinum. Not to mention, it spawned Post Malone’s “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)” [with Swae Lee], which reached 18x-platinum diamond status as “the most-certified single of all time!”

METRO BOOMIN PRESENTS SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE SOUNDTRACK FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE Tracklist:
1. Metro Boomin & Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, Offset “Annihilate – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
2. Metro Boomin & A$AP Rocky, Roisee “Am I Dreaming”
3. Metro Boomin & Future, Lil Uzi Vert “All The Way Live – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
4. Offset & JID “Danger (Spider)”
5. Metro Boomin & James Blake “Hummingbird”
6. Metro Boomin & Swae Lee, Nav, feat. A Boogie Wit da Hoodie “Calling – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
7. EI8HT & Offset “Silk & Cologne (Spider-Verse Remix)”
8. Metro Boomin & Don Toliver, Wizkid feat. BEAM & Toian “Link Up (Spider-Verse Remix) – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
9. Metro Boomin & Coi Leray “Self Love – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
10. Metro Boomin & Don Toliver, Lil Uzi Vert “Home”
11. Metro Boomin & James Blake, A$AP Rocky, 21 Savage “Nonviolent Communication”
12. Don Toliver & 21 Savage, 2 Chainz “Givin’ Up (Not The One)”
13. Metro Boomin & Nas “Nas Morales”

About Metro Boomin
Since 2013, GRAMMY® Award-nominated diamond-certified producer, DJ, and artist Metro Boomin has defined not only the sound, but the direction of hip-hop. With dozens of smashes to his name, his unmatched, unprecedented, and undeniable discography encompasses the quintuple-platinum “Jumpman” by Drake and Future, quadruple-platinum “Bad and Boujee” [feat. Lil Uzi Vert] by Migos, 14x Platinum “Congratulations” [feat. Quavo] by Post Malone, 9x Platinum “Mask Off” by Future, 6x Platinum “Bounce Back” by Big Sean, and many more. Working with The Weeknd, he co-produced the Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit “Heartless” and contributed three more tracks to the chart-dominating 2020 epic After Hours. Along the way, he also joined forces with 21 Savage for the 2016 blockbuster Savage Mode and its even bigger 2020 successor Savage Mode II—which bowed at #1 on the Billboard 200, went gold, and closed out the year on multiple year-end lists. Other knockout collaborative albums included Double or Nothing with Big Sean and Without Warning with Offset and 21 Savage, both of which crashed the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. In 2018, he unleashed his full-length solo debut, Not All Heroes Wear Capes, seizing #1 on the Billboard 200 upon release, reaching platinum status. The FADER hailed him as “The Most Trusted Guy in Rap,” HIGHSNOBIETY christened this era “The Boom Years,” and The Wall Street Journal dubbed him “The Rap Producer Shaping Pop Music.” Plus, he launched his own record label Boominati Worldwide in partnership with Republic Records.

To date, he has received “Producer of the Year” at the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards four consecutive years in a row (he is tied with Kanye West for having the most BMI Producer of the Year awards) and “Producer of the Year” at the BET Hip Hop Awards twice. Continuing a long creative partnership with Drake, he produced Certified Lover Boy’s “Knife Talk” [feat. 21 Savage & Project Pat], debuting in the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021.

2022 saw him return to the top of the culture with his massively successful second full-length album, HEROES & VILLAINS. It bowed at #1 on the Billboard 200, Top Rap Albums Chart, and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart with the biggest sales week of his career. Meanwhile, it yielded a string of smashes. “Creepin” [feat. The Weeknd & 21 Savage] and “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” [feat. Future & Chris Brown] each landed in the Top 10 of the Hot 100. It only paves the way for more from Metro.

About Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse
Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse’s very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most. Anyone can wear the mask – it’s how you wear it that makes you a hero.

Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson. Written by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller & David Callaham. Based on the MARVEL COMICS. Produced by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Christina Steinberg. Executive Producers are Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Aditya Sood, and Brian Michael Bendis. The voice cast includes Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, with Daniel Kaluuya and Oscar Isaac.

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About Republic Records

A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records has been recognized by Billboard as the industry’s #1 label over the last 10 years. It is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Billy Porter, Bo Burnham, Clairo, Coi Leray, Conan Gray, Daddy Yankee, Drake, Eddie Vedder, G Herbo, Glass Animals, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, Jimmy Fallon, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Kim Petras, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Twice, TXT, and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Federal Films, HYBE, Imperial, JYP, Lava Records, Mercury Records, Republic Records: Kids & Family, Republic Nashville, Universal Arabic Music, Uptown Records, Victor Victor, Wicked Money Family, XO, Young Money, among others.

Web3 Foundation + Sónar Fest

Web3 Foundation Collaborates with Sónar Music Festival to Further Advance Support for Web3 Technology in the Music Industry.

Web3 Foundation, known for its flagship project, Polkadot, to host comprehensive masterclass at Sónar Music Festival in collaboration with Sónar and GUZZU.
This collaboration follows Web3 Foundation successful partnership with GUZZU, Primavera Pro and Polka Häus for content production initiatives at the Web3 Music Summit at Primavera Sound
Masterclass to outline Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO’s) as the future of the Music industry by offering creators a new way to connect, participate and collaborate.
Web3 Foundation’s support for DAO use cases is bolstered by Polkadot’s recent announcement to further decentralize its governance mechanism through “OpenGov”.

Web3 Foundation, whose flagship project is the Polkadot blockchain protocol, in collaboration with Sónar and GUZZU announce their collaboration to host a Web3 Masterclass to further educate, support, and advance Web3 Technology in the Music Industry at Sónar Music Festival. The masterclass will be focused on how decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) offer the music industry including, creators, fans and festivals ways to connect, participate and collaborate. The masterclass will take place on Thursday 15 June at 3pm and will be led by leading members of the ecosystem. Presenters include Ursula O’Kuinghttons, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Web3 Foundation and Arnau Sabaté, CEO and founding partner of GUZZU and their creative studio Vitamin3,

The comprehensive Sónar Web3 Masterclass, presented by blockchain network, Polkadot, and Barelona based web3 music start-up, Guzzu, will dive into the fundamentals of DAOs by exploring case studies and best practices. The Masterclass will introduce festival goers, artists, creators, and innovators in the music industry to the Polkadot protocol, the potential of blockchain technology in creating and distributing musical content, and promote networking with like-minded industry professionals.

Speaking of the collaboration, Arnau Sabaté, CEO of GUZZU said: “Web3 and DAOs will be a crucial part of the music industry’s future. GUZZU is delighted to be able to continue to collaborate with Polkadot and Web3 Foundation with this Sónar masterclass to further help educate the industry on the incredible potential of blockchain technology in the music industry. The collaboration aims to inspire creators to have full ownership over their content and remain the owner of their own work. Artists have become products of the music industry and Web3 technology can offer them tools to take back ownership of their content.”

As part of Web3 Foundations ongoing support of Web3 technology and DAO’s, the Web3 Foundation also welcomes the recent OpenGov update to Polkadot’s governance mechanism.

Speaking on the importance of OpenGov to DAOs, Ursula O’Kuinghttons, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Web3 Foundation, said: “OpenGov represents a significant milestone in Polkadot’s continued efforts towards a truly decentralized, transparent and democratic internet which the Web3 Foundation proudly supports. In many ways Polkadot is now the largest DAO in the world. It serves as proof positive of the potential for decentralized governance to be both effective and inspiring for community involvement and creativity. As the Web3 Foundation continues to collaborate with musicians, fans and organizers across the music industry, we are thrilled to see Polkadot taking concrete steps to build the next internet.”

This year’s Sónar festivals sees the return of Aphex Twin, Black Coffee, Richie Hawtin, DJ Holographic, and Eric Prydz, to the Fira Montjuïc area in Plaça España, alongside other notable names such as BICEP, Peggy Gou, DJ EZ, Eliza Rose, and Honey Dijon.

About Web3 Foundation

Web3 Foundation funds research and development teams building the technology stack of the decentralized web. It was established in Zug, Switzerland by Ethereum co-founder and former chief technology officer Dr. Gavin Wood. Polkadot is the Foundation’s flagship project. For more information, visit web3.foundation

About Polkadot

Polkadot provides the technical advances necessary to make blockchain technology practical, accessible, scalable, interoperable, and future-proof, removing limitations and barriers to entry, and thereby fuelling innovation, growing the decentralized technology space, and bringing the Web3 vision to life.

About Sónar

Sónar, one of the biggest Electronic Dance Music festivals in the world, is a festival dedicated to music, creativity and technology. The festival was founded in Barcelona in 1994 by Ricard Robles, Enric Palau, and Sergi Caballero.

About GUZZU & Vitamin 3

GUZZU is a Web3 community and platform for music creators to experiment and release Digital Merchandise. Based in Barcelona, and founded by a team of music and technology experts with a background of more than 15+ years experience. Our ultimate goal is to foster a more equitable and sustainable music industry for both artists and fans. GUZZU will help to accelerate artist careers in the web3 space through their creators’ token backed launchpad. Vitamin 3 is the GUZZU’s creative-tech studio to help brands and entities to move to the web3 space

HALO SPACE FLIGHT

Frank Stephenson Design (FSD) continues its march into future mobility design with its latest project appointment leading the design and build of an aerospace capsule.

HALO Space is leading the way in the development of a new form of space tourism that takes passengers on a zero-emission journey to the edge of space in a modern capsule that ascends with a stratospheric balloon up to 40 km above Earth. The nomination of Frank Stephenson Design solidifies the design house’s position as a leading global studio across the mobility sphere.

The first commercial flight from HALO Space is currently planned for 2025 and the innovative and lightweight aerospace capsule will be capable of taking up to eight passengers and a capsule pilot on a six-hour journey into the stratosphere where they can witness Earth and space in a way that only astronauts and very few private citizens have done so before.

Frank Stephenson, Founder of Frank Stephenson Design, said: “Frank Stephenson Design is extremely excited to commence this project in partnership with HALO Space and is confident in delivering a stunning, sustainable near-space passenger experience realised through innovative, groundbreaking design. This further cements FSD’s position as leading the future of mobility across land, sea and space.”

Carlos Mira, CEO of HALO Space, said: “The capsule is the centre of the flight experience. It must not only be extremely safe, but also provide the comfort, amenities and technology to allow our passengers to enjoy their space flight to a maximum. It enhances this journey with unique resources, design and technology. Frank Stephenson and his team have accumulated decades of expertise in the design of vehicles that combine the highest standards of quality and luxury, and now join HALO Space to apply all this knowledge to our project.”

As one of the world’s most renowned and influential designers with over thirty years of expertise from world-leading companies including AutoFlight, Archer, Lilium, Ferrari, Maserati and McLaren, BMW and MINI – Frank Stephenson Design is known for a design philosophy that blends art with science, whilst using the latest eco-friendly technology to shape the future of mobility.

This new area of expertise is a big win for the studio and an extremely exciting chapter for Frank Stephenson Design.

FLORIAN KUPFER – ABOUT U

German Berlin-based artist, producer & DJ Florian Kupfer returns to the fold for a double volley of raw, elusive DIY club music on new 12” single ‘About U’, alongside a full-length foray into hypnotic, minimalist analogue electronics on ‘Lifetrax II’, the sequel to his 2013 debut release.

After a period of small-run releases & self-released output, including the introspective, radiant ambient of 2021 album ‘Phantom Pain’, Kupfer realizes a full-circle culmination of the kinetic, roughly refined yet stylistically diverse sensibilities he showcased on his seminal debut, and on subsequent releases for L.I.E.S. Records and Ninja Tune imprint Technicolour.

Now landing on Hugo Capablanca’s Ediciones Capablanca label, Kupfer reasserts where he’s been, and conveys where he’s at, forging aqueous, hazy maneuvers of crisp breaks, fragmentary R&B-inflected vocals, and heavily filtered FX on ‘About U’. Here, locked, cyclical scuffles of broad low-end and fizzing percussion emerge and disperse, reflecting the exhilaration and enervation of an adventurous late-night session, if soundtracked by Rezzett, Theo Parrish and some narcotized edit of Drake. For the flip ‘Replication’, Kupfer turns in a distressed dose of brusque, jack-heavy techno, evoking sinister scenes of pursuit, paranoia, and voyeurism, and recalling L.I.E.S. labelmates like Delroy Edwards and Traxx. An impactful reset from a truly original operator, ‘About U’ signals an emphatic new chapter in Kupfer’s trajectory, elevated further by the cryptic, longform movements and dilations of ‘Lifetrax II’.

Veering from rugged electro & industrial rhythms and fractured noise to disorientating drone and provocative samples of consumerist critique and plundered media, ‘Lifetrax II’ is an ambitious work of crude, outlying dancefloor exhilaration and resonant, enigmatic experimentation. Low-slung, upfront, relentless distillations of EBM and techno, as well as uniquely rendered incursions of electro and industrial music, sit side by side with delirious vignettes of defective drone and noise.

As with Kupfer’s past work, and many of his peers on L.I.E.S, ‘Lifetrax II’ is still ingrained with an intrinsic analogue grit, yet in terms of Kupfer’s own pathway in production, the album represents an adjustment in execution, with an approach that seeks to incorporate deeper, sleeker characteristics. For Kupfer, the album signifies both aesthetic continuity and deviation: ‘As the adage goes, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ And when it comes to the title of my new album, I couldn’t agree more. The title, ‘Lifetrax II’ is the natural sequel to my very first release back in 2013. After much contemplation and reflection, I decided to embrace this title because it just feels right to pick up where I left off in those early days.’

The result is an album defined by personal fulfilment: ‘It’s been a labour of love. It’s taken me some time to digest my initial releases and find my own voice again after moving to Berlin, but the result is something true to my heart. In terms of style, I’ve continued down a minimalist path, but with a richer quality that sets this work apart from my earlier material.’

Consolidating the hi-def atmospheric coherency of ‘Phantom Pain’ with the abidingly abrasive, intoxicating thrust of his initial releases, ‘Lifetrax II’ shifts from brutalist techno rollers (‘Valiant’, ‘Stress Test’) – like Regis on a joyride – to bizarro dub diversions (‘CS II’) and entrancing electro flux (‘Disintegration’, ‘Dereliction’), into the sonorous, screwed interzones of ‘Raphe Nuclei’ and ‘CRS’, where in the case of the latter, a voice recounts the existential implications of playing Monopoly; play the game or be played kids. Altogether, this is music of contrasting volatility and delirium, all masterfully threaded together. Trax of velocity and estrangement, heat and aftermath, made for modern life.

Can you call this a resurgence if Florian Kupfer never really went away? ‘Lifetrax II’ is arguably Kupfer’s most complete statement to date and affirms what some of us always knew; you can never really predict his next move and you can never count him out. Don’t call it a comeback.

‘About U’ is out on 30 June 2023, available as an Ultra Limited, Single-Sided Lathe 12″ Vinyl & on Digital Formats, exclusively on the Ediciones Capablanca Bandcamp page.

‘Lifetrax II’ is out on 7 July 2023, available as a Limited Edition Cassette & on Digital Formats, with Cassette + Merch bundles including an Embroidered Hoodie plus an Embroidered Patch available alongside the Cassette.

Tracklists

‘About U’
01 | About U
02 | Replication

Credits
Mastered by Daniel Kyo
Artwork by Capablanca

Florian Kupfer is a German artist, DJ, and electronic music producer. Throughout his career, he has shown a desire to map distant aesthetic modes. Influenced by his early training in Gregorian chorals, Kupfer has since tangled with analogue noise and rhythmic industrial soundscapes.

In parallel with formidable output on imprints including Ron Morelli’s L.I.E.S., Ninja Tune’s Technicolor, and Willie Burns’ W.T. Records, Kupfer has also explored the more transcendental qualities of sound. Focusing on our relationship with time, affect, memory, repetition, and stasis, Kupfer infuses his approach to improvisational composition with the evolving, tonally rich qualities of contemporary and vintage electronics, drawing on his engineering experience to create compelling, expressive music of warped, imperfect intensity.

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Bandcamp

Linktr

Photo: Oleksandra Trishyna

AVENGERS INC

AVENGERS INC.! WASP LEADS A NEW TEAM IN SOLVING MYSTERIES AND AVENGING MURDERS!

AVENGERS INC, a stylish new Avengers ongoing series from Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk, launches this September!

60 years ago, Janet Van Dyne stood alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as they assembled for the very first time and named them the AVENGERS! Now, during the team’s milestone anniversary year, she’ll lead them into all-new territory in a brand-new AVENGERS title—AVENGERS INC.!

Debuting in September, this sharp new series will be crafted by two Marvel masterminds: writer Al Ewing and artist Leonard Kirk. Known for taking some of Marvel’s greatest icons into fresh and unexpected directions in titles like Immortal Hulk and Loki: Agent of Asgard, Ewing now delivers that same treatment to the Avengers mythos by blending noir and super hero storytelling for suspenseful adventures unlike any in Avengers history. With acclaimed work in dynamic comic book titles like the pulpy X-Factor and the recent horror-fueled Sabretooth series, Kirk is the perfect artist to mix thrilling Avengers action with tense investigating and super powered sleuthing.

Together, Ewing and Kirk will introduce readers to a whole new style of Avenging. It kicks off with a deadly conspiracy rooted in the ghosts of the Avengers’ past that only founding Avenger Wasp can solve. But she won’t be alone as she finds a new partner in Victor Shade! This former alias of Vision mysteriously resurfaces just as Janet discovers a score of super villain murders. Will he guide Wasp to the truth or is his familiar guise hiding the very clues Janet needs to crack the case? Fans can expect guest stars galore as this pulse-pounding series moves forward. The series will also pack direct connections to the other current Avengers ongoing series, Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa’s Avengers.

Her name is Janet Van Dyne. She’s a hero. She’s a celebrity. She’s hunting a killer. His name is Victor Shade. He’s a villain. He’s an enigma. He just got killed. And together, they’re out to solve every mystery in the Marvel Universe…starting with their own.

“AVENGERS INC. takes the beating, buzzing heart of the original Avengers, teams her up with an undead mystery man with an identity so secret even he doesn’t know it, and sends them both out to solve the most amazing, fantastic and uncanny whodunnits the Marvel Universe has to offer!” Ewing explained. “It’s kind of a classic ‘will-they-won’t-they’ crime-solving partnership – or it would be if the ‘will-they’ in question was ‘save the world from…’ well, that’d be telling. See you in September!”

“I am unsure what can be said of AVENGERS INC. without spoiling anything for the readers. I can say this is a fun and intriguing take on some familiar characters that leans more into detective skills over super strength, wit rather than eye beams and cunning instead of small, genetically mutated, furry creatures,” Kirk added. “Al is doing a bang up job with this and I am having a load of fun. I hope the audience does too.”

See superstar artist Daniel Acuña capture the spirit of the series in the first of his AVENGERS INC. covers and stay tuned for more news about this exciting new Avengers series arriving in September! For more information, visit Marvel.com.

BJ THE CHICAGO KID – LSITS

“Liquor Store In The Sky” was born at Memphis’ legendary Royal Studios, the very same creative sanctuary once graced by the iconic Al Green. During these studio sessions with multi-platinum producer Yeti Beats, the gifted composer/instrumentalist and fellow GRAMMY-nominee Charlie Bereal strummed the chords of William Bell’s timeless classic “Forgot To Be Your Lover,” serving as the captivating replayed sample that anchors the song. “Liquor Store In The Sky” holds a special place in BJ’s heart, as the title has long resided in his phone among a collection of captivating song titles he aspires to bring to life one day. Finally, the music aligned, breathing life into this concept.

“My songwriting often draws from personal experiences, honoring the memory of Al Howard, a childhood best friend lost tragically in a car accident,” shares BJ The Chicago Kid. “This song resonates with anyone who has lost someone special, particularly with those who yearn for a cherished drink with their favorite person, hoping that one day they might reunite at the ‘Liquor Store In The Sky.’

With its relatable and introspective lyrics, the song skillfully navigates the delicate emotions surrounding loss and grief. The slow-tempo ballad concludes with a touching dedication to BJ’s late father and other friends and family members who have recently passed. This heartfelt tribute further exemplifies BJ’s authenticity and commitment to creating music that resonates with his audience profoundly.

“Liquor Store In The Sky” is the second single from BJTCK’s upcoming collaboration album slated for release this summer with multi-platinum producer Yeti Beats, best known for his work with superstar Doja Cat. The track follows the light-hearted upbeat single, “Forgot Your Name,” which will also be on BJ & Yeti’s highly anticipated collab project. Since its release, “Forgot Your Name” has received praise from the likes of BET, Essence, UPROXX, VIBE, REVOLT & more!

BJ The Chicago Kid is truly a musical force to be reckoned with, leaving an indelible mark on the industry with his soul-stirring vocals and undeniable artistry. With a career spanning over a decade, BJ has become a prominent figure in R&B and soul music, enchanting listeners with his heartfelt performances and impeccable songwriting. From collaborations with hip-hop heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and Chance the Rapper, to R&B luminaries like H.E.R., Solange, and Miguel, BJ has steadily been cementing his place among music’s elite.

ZHU ‘THE GRACE TOUR’ DATES