Sneaks Week in Movies Week: Bill Cunningham New york, Before the Sunrise, Performance.

1. Bill Cunningham New York, Dir. Richard Press 2010

If you keep up with film at all, this particular title has certainly popped up in your atmosphere, and for good reason. Almost never in my life has a movie literally driven me out of the house in an effort to achieve my goals and pursue my passions. This detailed profile of famous fashion photographer Bill Cunningham is not only a beautiful homage to a beautiful man, it was a war cry against our often wasteful use of valuable minutes. This is a must see!

2. Before Sunrise, Dir. Richard Linklater 1995

I've been a fan of Richard Linklater for some time, especially his film Slackers. Almost no one encapsulates the tone of the 1990's better than him. It was surprising then, that i hadn't seen his Ethan Hawke starring film, Before the Sunrise. This is one of the most pleasurable viewing experiences i've had in a while. It's a truly candid, honest, and real account of strangers falling in love, in beautiful Vienna no less. If your feeling lost or hopeless, i strongly suggest watching this film before you do anything drastic, because this film really knows how to pull out the wonderful little moments in life (althought i think any moment with Julie Delpy is wonderful). Im glad i didn't see this when it came out though, because it leaves a massive question at the end, which is answered in his 2002 film Before Sunset, which leaves you with an even more deadly question.

3.Performance, Dir: Nicolas Roeg 1970

I'm sure numerous people watched this because it starred Mick Jagger, and quickly asked themselves, 'what the fuck is this?' This movie is strange, and it is also fantastic. It has a dark, intoxicating nature through out, drawing you further in with incredibly strange visual segments. This movie is a celebration of drug culture, and also very aware of it's underbelly. The movie starts out with a relatively structured gangster plot, but quickly evaporates in to a surreal dream/nightmare. If your in for a trippy ride, i highly suggest this film.

Artist Spotlight: Alec Soth

Preceding his lecture tomorrow night at the SFMoma, I decided to direct the beam towards American photographer Alec Soth. While some might find his photos too ordinary, i've always been attracted to this type of subtle surreality. What are essentially pictures of every day life in America, seem to evoke, for me at least, a deep symbolism and commentary on the human condition. The bleakness of his vision only adds feeling to the stark photos. So if you're in San Francisco, i highly recommend hearing what this Magnum Photos member has to say about his work.

Tuesday, November 29th, 7 - 9 at SFMoma Phyllis Wattis Theatre.

Slaps For Your Face: Actress, Zomby, Tommy Kid, Floating Points

Artist Spotlight: Kristof Wickman

Today I will introduce you to another artist that's easy to like. She is sort of an artist for my generation, in that her pieces illicit the same reaction as a good .gif. Her work is minimal, funny, and surreal, which is a knock out combination if your aiming to please crowds. While I usually find myself attracted to things that confuse me, I rather like her approach to art. Check it out and explore further.

New Tune: Maiden

Maiden by Jaws da Jormungand

Slaps for you Face: Visionist, Dj Funeral, Dubbel Dutch

Not like me to put two of the same artist on one posting, but the plays are just like that right now.

TUMBLE WIT ME

Ya i started a tumblr. Shut your mouth.

http://jawsdajormungand.tumblr.com/

New Tune: Duchampion Riddim

Duchampion Riddim by Jaws da Jormungand

Dipped: Vietcong Kidnapped the Quarterback Edition

Camo Patchwork Shacket by Unrivaled

Varsity by Supreme

17oz Jeans with one months wear by Samurai

Boots by Redwing

Cedaa XLR8R Podcast

Not sure why i didn't post this earlier, but my song Falling Fire got featured in Cedaa's new fantastic podcast for the XLR8R blog. Give it a listen here.

And grab falling fire here.

Download: Sinjin Hawke Bootlegs

Just Do it.

http://truantsblog.com/?p=15234&fb_source=message

Interview: Colin of Darkside Initiative

Apparently, what sets a blog apart is original content, so here you go. I interviewed streetwear veteran and all-around OG Colin, the founder of one of the western worlds most revered shops, Darkside Initiative. If you didn't know, Darkside is one of a literal handful of shops in N. America that are allowed to carry NBHD, Wtaps, Acronym, etc., not accounts given out lightly, and they also get the first string releases from Converse, Nike, and Vans. I myself have a long history with the space, visiting often back in the day when it was Recon/Nort to pick up my clown shoe dunks, so I knew Colin could offer an interesting insight into the history of street fashion in SF.

Can you tell us a bit about the road that led to the opening of Darkside Initiative?

When i was still in Philly, in 97', I started a brand called Spec Ops. With that brand I got Japanese distribution and started making connections in Japan. Soon after that, my friend Blue started a brand called Project Dragon w/ Stash and Futura. At that time, Project Dragon was the brand, and Recon was going to be the physical space. In 1999, it all just became Recon, and that's when the original space opened. The shoe space Nort then opened in 2003, and Darkside absorbed the whole lot in 2006.

What do you love about the Japanese aesthetic?

I like that there isn't flashy shit and branding everywhere. These are basics with bursts of flashiness at times. When you're like me, someone who wears essentially the same thing everyday, it's important that things last. I have pieces I've rock steadily for 5 to 10 years that still look good. I have a bag and a jacket from Acronym's first collection that I've worn regularly that are still in perfect condition. I have pieces from NBHD and Wtaps that are over 10 years old and still look great.

Can you tell us a little about your buying process?

I do all the buying alongside my employees. I don't actively keep up with whats going on in streetwear, I wouldn't know if a kid came in wearing Visvim's or whatever, thats why I employed the people i did. That said though, i know what sells. I don't get to visit Tokyo as much anymore, but I'm so familiar with the brands I can get a good idea of weight, etc through the pictures, which is what I base a lot of my buying on. One important thing to me is always buying a solid range from each brand each season. These exclusive brands are nice enough to sell to me, so I want to make sure I represent each of their season's visions clearly. I do also check out the end of season trend reports, cause sometimes I think something looks ridiculous, but the most important thing is giving the kids what they want.

How have the costumers changed over the years?

Although the styles change, our core costumer stays the same. It's someone who cares about the quality of what their wearing, and wants others to know they're on a next level hype. Obviously, fads come and go. The limited edition shoe bubble burst with the end of regional releases, and that really changed everything. Nikes are coming back though, the Zoom Rookies sold out in under an hour.

Future of Darkside Initiative?

Well I plan on expanding the in-house line once i free up some extra cash, but right now, it's just to continue being good to our vendors as well as our costumers.

I'de like to thank Colin for his time, and also for the Darkside tee's.

More info on Darkside HERE.

New Tune: Waiting for Charon

Waiting for Charon by Jaws da Jormungand

Best Shirt You Can Get For Your Money: Reigning Champ

Quality Cotton, Quality Construction, Made By Adults In Canada. 135$. this is smart shopping right here.

5kinAndBone5

Im not just saying this cause dis my homie right here. Everything 5kinAndBone5 are putting out is ridiculously good, almost as if it is made out of physical fire. Listen for yourselves, and grab their new release fresh out from Grizzly Records.

Play - Goapele (5kinAndBone5 & Vin Sol Remix) by 5kinAndBone5

Better For You - ANGO (5kinAndBone5 You Need Me Remix) by 5kinAndBone5

Slaps For Your Face: Eliphino, Sepalcure, Blawan.