CONTENTS 024
Nimbus 9
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Complex
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Anton Del Castillo
The hip hop storm that is Nimbus 9 approaches.
VOLUME 3 2011 contents
Features
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New Releases
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Event Recap
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Sounds
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Sneaktip
Puma R698
Whiskey Hill VII
A new haven for the sneaker industry. Complex opens its doors in eastwood.
Anticipated follow up albums, old artists in new projects, the turning point approaches in the generations music.
Legendary coney island neighborhoods clothing brand taking their label to new heights.
Anton Del Castillo unites the world in his paintings. His experience in life inspires and creates silhouettes artistic resonance.
Cover Story
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The Non-Athletes
Forget the Jumpman. Bring in the Renaissance man.
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Sneakers Dictate the Color Dress like a pro with your sneakers taking the lead.
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Kaching
Asics x ALIFE Gel-Lytr III “GREEN MONSTER”
Professional skateboarder Keith Hufnagel take on blending the culture around him, turning it to his vision into what has become HUF.
Huf
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BeatBar X Asics Gel LYTE II “Sold Out”
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Sneaker Selection
Sneakers to satisfy the hunger in you. Eat up.
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Paraphernalia
These gears are as important as your lunch money. Rock em’ right.
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The Parties You Missed Sole Obsession. Bodyrock x 4hitcombo. Sinsation Extreme. Street Fuzion Reconnect.
www.msclavel.com
2011 THREE
Staff and Crew EDOUARD CANLAS editor-in-chief
HANIKO
associate editor
YENTOWNKID & CO. concept and design
DALEMATIC GARCIA design consultant
SAM KIYOUMARSI photographer
EDGAR BANSALE
operations manager
KEVIN CABANBAN
sales & marketing
SOL VELASCO
advertising account executive
BERNIE GONZALES
sales & distribution officer
contributors ARYAN MAGAT NIX PERNIA SEBASTIAN TAY MIKE MENDOZA HECTOR YUZON JOHN ESTOQUE CRIS RAMOS CHO DANTES
MSCLAVEL 2011 BOYBRIGHTBOY MULTIMEDIA CORP. info@msclavel.com 703-2531
all 24. adidas is all in We all have something we can’t stop thinking about. Be it music, sports or fashion. And if you truly love something, you’ll never want to stop doing it.
Titled all24, the 24-hour event provides you with a platform to go ‘all in’ and celebrate your passion on the grandest scale imaginable. Taking place in six cities across the region including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines, whether it may be sport, music, dance, fashion or art, it’s about taking your passion to a whole new level and giving it everything you have.
Passion. It’s what keeps us going. When you love your game, whatever the game, you put your all into it. This is what brand ambassadors from football stars Lionel Messi and David Beckham to NBA star Derrick Rose and pop icon Katy Perry to the adidas skateboarding team and many more have shown. As an athlete, you go ‘all in’ to surpass your limits. As an artiste, you go ‘all in’ to break new ground. As a fan, you go ‘all in’ to support your favourite team. And as a brand, adidas goes ‘all in’ to support you in what you love. The adidas is all in campaign takes place throughout 2011 in a mix of environments from sport to music, lifestyle to fashion with different elements rolling out over the year. In Southeast Asia, the momentum builds at an epic 24-hour celebration of sport, street and style.
It’s the biggest style, street and sports extravaganza this city has ever seen. This is a chance for you to showcase your talent and your passion on a spectacular stage. all24 will be held on May 14, 2011 in different strategic convergence areas in Eastwood City. Take part in history and showcase your passion in these different categories: basketball, running, skateboarding, graffiti, fashion, dance, and music. You will also get the chance to play with the adidas brand ambassadors A-team, from professional athletes and street artistes, to local celebrities, top fashion gurus and all-star dance groups. To join, visit http://adidasall24.com and watch out for more information on http:// www.facebook.com/adidasPhilippines.
shooter Php 2,095.00
shooter Php 2,095.00
shooter low nailz Php 2,195.00
shooter low nailz Php 2,195.00
shooter low Php 1,195.00
shooter low Php 1,195.00
shooter low Php 1,195.00
feed the dog hi Php 3,095.00
feed the dog hi Php 3,095.00
feed the dog hi Php 3,095.00
shooter hi Php 2,195.00
shooter hi Php 2,195.00
shooter hi Php 2,195.00
NEW RELEASE
February 5, 2011 was a day for all longboarders to remember, as the team behind Gravity Games Asia held its fourth race in as many years. From 7:00AM to 6:00PM a 1.2 kilometer stretch of sweeping asphalt at Tagaytay Highlands was closed off to traffic, padded up, and cleared of any debris – it was the site of much awaited Gravity Games Asia Highlands Chase 2011! Here, a total of 53 longboarders were given complete access to one of the fastest race tracks in the country, where speeds of over 80 kilometers per hour – on a skateboard – were being reached. Racers were ferried up to their positions at the start of their heats and brackets by shuttle, and, if medical
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attention was needed, a fully equipped ambulance was always on ready alert. These 53 racers were cheered on by hundreds of spectators, all of whom shared in the suspense and excitement generated by the intense competition. “The course was really fast and scary, but I will definitely still join again next time,” said Kosmo Tayag who, at thirteen years old, was the youngest competitor at the event. Kosmo, a Pampanga native, was joined by seasoned riders from neighboring Manila, and as far down south as Davao City, Iligan City and Butuan City, among other local cities and provinces present. To make
it even more of a party, riders as far as Singapore and Norway raced along with the locals, making this Gravity Games Asia a truly international event! Race Specifics The day’s racing started with all racers competing against one another in two rounds of randomly-selected, four-man heats. Each racer’s result corresponded to a specific number of points earned, and the racers’ points from each round were tallied and ranked accordingly. The racers with the most points at the end of two rounds were ranked highest. Norway’s Even Tjosavik, Gravity Games Asia crew
Whiskey Hill VII photos by rafa itchon.
member Jay Mitra, and Jeffy Romero of Butuan City were among the top seeded racers at the end of the seeding rounds. Racers were then divided into two brackets based on their rankings. The fastest riders went into the Championship Bracket, while those who struggled in the seeding rounds were relegated to the Repechage Bracket. Results The winner of the Repechage Bracket was District Tree Longboards rider Paolo Papica from Davao City. He was followed by Harold Crisostomo from Laguna in second place. Coming in third was Jo Gerald
Romano from Iligan City, and finishing last but not without a lot of style was The United Skate Shop’s own Caloy Sambrano. These four, in addition to winning some great prizes, went on to join the top 28 racers in the Championship bracket as part of their reward for being the fastest in the Repechage. In what can only be described as an absolute nail-biter, the Championship bracket was a hotly contested race with only the fastest making the final cut. Gerard Cancio a former Gravity Games Asia champion (among his many other accolades) bested Iligan’s Sherwin Uy, Arthur Manuel (Whiskey Hill 6 Champion),
and Kiko Meily (of Meily Media fame www. meilymedia.tumblr.com) to claim the top prize and be proclaimed the champion of Gravity Games Asia Highlands Chase 2011. It was a perfect day for the sport of longboarding, with friends old and new getting together to share and spread the stoke. The organizers would like to thank sponsors Longboards Manila, Longboards Asia, Rayne Longboards, Abec 11 Wheels, Landyachtz Longboards, Yellow Cab Pizza, Koboi Shirts, Fluid Surf, Vans, and Tagaytay Highlands who all contributed in cash and kind to make the event possible.
Lauren Pritchard Wasted on Jackson Island
PJ Harvey Let England Shake Island
On the sweltering title track to her first album, 22-yearold Lauren Pritchard relinquishes and renounces a lain and dowdy life in her Tennessee hometown. It's a picture perfect calling card for a fidgety and restive striver who performed inSpring Awakening before arriving in London to record Wasted in Jackson. The album is all neo-Dustyshow and spectacle: big voice, big strings, big heartache. It's stereotypical, but it combines Southern orneriness with Brit-style idiosyncrasies; "Bad Time to Fall" is a fun funk tune about detesting joyful songs, and on the Marcus Mumford-produced art-folk song"When the Night Kills the Day," Pritchard whines with the gloomy, enormous and giant fervor of Kate Bush.
Pop music's laundry list of responsibilities, on paper at least, has always included detailing the human experience. That said, God spare you if you wander off from the "Let's party" blueprint laid out by the ad execs and alcohol salesmen who have packed the biz's priority seats since time immemorial - and if you desire to cover the perils of war without being lazily classified as "political," you have your work cut out for you. Which is a winding way of saying that Polly Jean Harvey's latest manages to be a series of songs about the soldier's viewpoint on war without being another ho-hum anti-war harangue - and is all the better for it. Let England Shake is a moving ode to the human soul formed out of desolation and death, death - and have I mentioned death - with Harvey pulling the well-known rose growing out of the skull in the shape of some of the most ambitious melodies she's written in twenty years. Song after song, she hangs the strong beliefs of haziness that can be simulated by your own nation's flag - sentiments that brew stronger with the awareness of what people do in that flag's name. The engorging crescendo at the tail of "In the Dark Places" hits it absolutely: in her edgeless-yet-blaring longing, she catches the sound of what is gone and what is at stake, without getting mawkish. It's a fine distinction that she walks throughout this album. Maybe just as essential, though, is what she doesn't do with these songs: she utters England without going folksy on us. Her voice, more untroubled than ever, delightfully counterpoints her virtuous autoharp and the supple-yet-relentless drum throb throughout. Amidst the bloodbath and the stench of passing away, PJ Harvey offers rousing splendor.
Mogwai Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will Sub Pop The album with the year’s most striking title is also the poppiest Scottish band’s Mogwai have ever put out. While theirairy and predominantly instrumental music makes high-quality and superior utilization of dynamics (and arrives at ear-splitting volumes on live concerts), they announce their label transfer from Matador to Sub Pop with a weightlessness (as in non-existence of darkness, not lacking in weight) that’s bracing and revitalizing. Songs are more brief and more sparse, with piano and organ balancing the standard and typical guitar jams. And while thickly treated vocals make it hard to comprehend the lyrics on “George Square Thatcher Death Party”, it’s still enticing and irresistible to sing along. Mogwai also vocode the backing vocals of “Mexican Grand Prix”, whose danceable motorik rhythm and mumbled words initiates and establishes a new echelon of sex appeal.
The Twilight Singers Dynamite Steps Sub Pop “Whenever you’re here, you’re alive/ The Devil says you can do what you like.” A proverbial outlook that welcomes us cordially upon our first listen of Dynamite Steps, the new release from The Twilight Singers. It’s been half a decade since Greg Dulli and his partners in crime put out their height, the spectacular Powder Burns. That album was a by and large evil look at the fall of New Orleans watched from the eyes of one last spree. Over two decades, Dulli has cultivated the impression of a neo-soul mysoginist, of a crooner shackled inside a rocker’s body. And Dynamite Steps does nothing to rebut that, but in the best way possible. Dynamite Steps is what we have come to expect from the Twilight Singers. Truth be told, their aren’t many artists who can link the disparity between their present and past so faultlessly. Dulli never has come off so crucial as he does here. After cleaning up before the noteworthy Powder Burns, following that up with the staggering Gutter Twins album with Mark Lanegan, and now Dynamite Steps; Dulli is on his best winning streak since the Afghan Whigs called it quits. The album swings and dances in ways we haven’t seen since 1998′s 1965. Dynamite Steps sits contentedly in his canon, and that is perhaps the precise praise.
The Streets Computers & Blues 679 It’s appropriate that Mike Skinner decides now to skank off into the sunset to make films and TV, or just put out Tweets and blog posts, as he may just have come up with his greatest album to date. Original Pirate Material had the liveliness, A Grand Don’t Come for Free took him to the mainstream, and Everything Is Borrowed had the experience and at times larger-than-life feeling of standpoint. This album sums everything up with a sparkle, a moan, and some vital dance moves. The best moments here are two marvellous tracks that would rock any party worth its noise abatement order. “Trust Me” is a short but shining French house-inspired spin of disco piano gorgeousness that’d get even the aloof square shouting for a rewind. “Those That Don’t Know”, meanwhile, is a tasteful piece of MJ Cole-flavored melodic UK garage. It even includes funny and eloquent lines such as "Fall asleep past your stop / Creep in, eleven o’clock in the morning / No dawn is ever boring" Emotional protest anthem “Soldiers” and the Facebook love of OMG will satisfy Skinner’s fans, but closing track “Lock the Locks” will tug at the heartstrings the most. An amazing chunk of industrial soul, it includes a hazy Clare Maguire vocal and the enduring couplet, "Read the funny card signed by all / That was purchased by the person I will always recall". A farewell gift to grasp, distress and excite.
Sonic Youth Simon Werner A Disparu Sonic Youth You understand what a profound and sharp cut into the world of music a group like Sonic Youth has created when they can create even the most timid, tiniest and broken modest sound with a guitar and it’s instantaneously identifiable as being them. They have taken an omnipresent implement and identified it and that is a trait that very few can be mightily proud of. Yes, it’s Sonic Youth here, but mainly as we have never heard them before, they watch over their head just enough to show us it’s them, but keep it hidden enough to almost make one believe it could be a completely separate project. The album is oftentimes reserved, docile even at times - but rather than being background fodder or being laidback, it gives more the mood that you are walking encircling a cage while the beast is still dead to the world and could be waked up at any moment. At times, there is a wicked quantity of anxiety in the album; it builds from the foundation of the backbone and keeps your back stiff and your hands jumpy, turning you to a tense shell in the ease of your own home. It’s a scenic molestation of the senses. The album is also powerfully beautiful in portions; the piano keys that strike are sombre yet positive and constructs an affective and broken soundscape, which attached with the gaunt and ragged guitar strikes makes an ever surfacing and often an agreeably unpredictable album. Bright Eyes, The People’s Key (Saddle Creek). At the beginning of Bright Eyes’ latest opus, in a hoarse voice and everyday tone, Refried Ice Cream vocalist Denny Brewer weaves a story of biblically foretold reptilian aliens before hammering a thesis few could mock. “Love’s always been the message,” he says. “It’s just— circumstances happen, right?” Decisively, it’s painless to envision Brewer making believers out of the susceptible. That’s just the first of The People’s Key’s numerous dallying with universeenclosing ideas, from the Rastafarian “I and I” to Zen Buddhism’s “beginner’s mind” to the paganlike prominences of Hitler and Caesar in their times. But while Oberst once brusquely belittled religion and figureheads - “When The President Talks To God” was only a little more kinder to God than it was to the president - he now advances them with a craving inquisitiveness that at first seems so omnivorous as to touch on dilettantism. But The People’s Key isn’t about gods; it’s about the mutual emptiness that pushes humans to create their own gods. And Oberst, whose elegiac gifts have never really included nuance, gives it all away with one line. “That’s the problem, an empty sky—I fill it up with everything that’s missing from my life,” he sings on “Triple Spiral.”
SNEAKTIP Single-mindedness. Being of a singular mission. Embracing a singular idea. Representing a singular philosophy. If you have a clear direction, that direction will dictate what you do, and more importantly, that determines what happens to you. Enter Sneaktip. TheSneaktip.com declares: Coming straight out of Brooklyn’s legendary Coney Island neighborhood, Sneaktip seeks to not only pay homage to classic sneaker releases, but also make strides within the industry as purveyors of the culture. With the recent flow of commemorative releases, tiered exclusive accounts and the retro/vintage phenomenon, maintaining a healthy ensemble of footwear has become a standard. Sneaktip pulls from the essence of New Yorks rich urban lifestyle-meshing its arts, icons and music to bring a sneaker infused t-shirt brand with substantial depth to cater to this niche market.
Being based in New York City gives more cred to Sneaktip’s mission. Everything is influenced by New York. And for “Noo-yawkuhs”, their city is the center of the world. Proud, ambitious and swagger-heavy, Sneaktip takes advantage of being in New York. Marketing itself heavily on the fact that it is a Coney Island product and a Brooklyn resident. Sneaktip takes pride in the fact it shares its place of birth with the GOAT: MJ himself. For the hoop-illiterate, that means the “greatest of all time” – Michael Jordan. Thank you very much.
Sneaktip is a singular entity whose role he determined at the very start. To be the lightning rod of everything fresh and neck-breaking.
To be a sneakerhead is to be on the constant look out for the exclusive – meaning embracing something aesthetically and anatomically pleasing before everybody else does. Being a sneakerhead is about living the “Always First. Always Early. Always the Only” mantra.
Simple. Clear. Yes. But, far from easy.
Always heads up on the sneaker market and the culture, firmly on tip of future releases, trends and big impact releases.
Sneaktip is the brainchild of a one-man heat harbinger based in the NYC based company is a lifestyle brand delivering a full fashion line of apparel and accessories wholly inspired by sneaker culture but with its eye focused on what is yet to happen or yet to arrive.
Hence, the name Sneaktip. Many a sneakerhead have made a conscious choice to be the leader. To influence others. To go against the grain and have other follow them. But, only a handful have been so bold as to give themselves a name that reflects their philosophy. Only a handful have had the audacity to emphasize the obvious and make no apologies about their passions. Only a few
What is SNEAKTIP? It’s something everybody wants to be down with. It’s being on the pulse, on the tip of every moment of fashion, music and culture that we live. Who are the people behind it? Me, myself and I. When did Sneaktip start?
Who was the first celebrity that rocked your wares?
Your thoughts on street style and street culture...
Mr. Kanye West wore our Crème de la Crème t-shirt.
I feel today, people are just following trends and trying to one up each other with what they own, when they have no clue about the origins of the product(s) they’re rocking.
What sets you apart from the other lifestyle brands? We embody the word “lifestyle” in every aspect. Athletic, artistic, professional and street, where all form of life is born.
This happened in the midst of a transition of being a high fashion model to being caught up in drugs, to always having a passion for sneakers and its culture. This concept started in the late 90’s. These fresh rags hit the streets in 2005.
With the proliferation of lifestyle brands worldwide, how is the market treating you?
Who came up with the concept for the brand?
Are you satisfied with your current market status?
I came up with the concept working in a store called “Sneaktip” that my friend Kevin and I were partners in. After getting continuous issues of Sole Collector magazine, I realized I can take the content of colors, patterns and history merged from sports, street culture, embraced by Nike influence, with my own twist to give birth to new trend, thus launching the “Sneaktip” label.
Never be satisfied. Always strive for better.
How did you start out?
Far enough to reach Ms.Clavel Magazine in the Philippines. Ya feel me?
I started out like everybody else - with a t-shirt concept. I’ve always had the “fuck it, let’s do this” mentality so that made it easier for me to get other people to believe in this vision and get behind it. Did you receive support when you started? Absolutely not. It would’ve been nice but the “hard times” is what drives me towards success. What did you hope to achieve with Sneaktip? What I’ve hoped to achieve, I’ve already surpassed. I’m setting new goals and sky’s the limit. Which target market do you see using your products? I’ll let the consumer be the judge of that. I personally say you can’t deny the design and quality of Sneaktip product. Which items are brag-worthy? All items. It’s the motion to create follow through, to achieve and proceed to the next and continuously strive for greatness in everything we do.
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Fashion goes on.
What’s a dream project for you? I would love to work with Nike or Jordan Brand. How far and how deep is your marketing reach?
Do you know where the Philippines is? Yeah! Where the Thrilla in Manila all started! What are Sneaktip’s design inspirations? When I first started out, I put less thought into it and let creativity take over. More of the free flowing expression. Whereas now, it’s more contoured to what the market demands. How does the design process go? If I told you that, I wouldn’t be on the Sneaktip! What should we look out for in street wear and urban culture? Streetwear and urban culture are meshing right in front of your face! From the streets, to what’s on TV, to what you read on the blogs on your laptops, iPhones and Blackberry’s. Which brands should people watch out for? Stealth and Sneaktip are all that matter to me.
What, in your opinion, drives street culture? When two individuals get together to share ideas, concepts are born and actions are taken. Shit happens. How was life before Sneaktip? Life has its ups and downs, before Sneaktip, after Sneaktip. I just hope God wakes me up daily so I can show up and make a difference with my actions. What gets you out of bed every morning? I just don’t go to bed so I don’t have to worry about getting out of bed! I never sleep, because sleep is the cousin of death. What do you do in your down time? What is “down time”? What are the five things you’d bring if exiled on an island? The Sneaktip gear on my back, my Blackberry on my hip, my girl by my side, faith in my heart and the vision I believe in. Where do you want Sneaktip to be in ten years? On your backs. Behind me…yet two steps ahead. What’s next for Sneaktip? Always expanding further. Expect a footwear collaboration with Fila and Royal Elastics, to name a few. A watch with Meister. Starter snapbacks. Stay tuned for the rest… What do you think is one piece of urban culture that every sneakerhead should have? One pair of J’s because there’s nobody like #23. MJ was born in Brooklyn, same streets where Sneaktip originated. Your favorite sneakers... Three’s, Four’s, Five’s and Eleven’s. course, white on white AF1’s. What kind of sneakers do you rock? I rock everything from A to Z.
Of
NIMBUS 9 On cloud nine before a storm Nimbus 9, aka Gino Feraren, is a prominent name in the hip-hop scene. In 2009, his mix tape Philippine Phenom was released, showcasing his talent for rhyme and rhythm. His style derives from his raw emotions and feelings. But what makes Nimbus 9 especially notable? His goal in musicmaking is more than just a flitting impact of entertainment. He is out to venture and fight for the future. He aspires for something bigger than himself, as his name suggests. Nimbus 9 shares his optimism that the Philippine music would continually thrive, attracting a whole lot of new artists who are out to contribute to the culture.
Tell us the origin of your name.
Do you have a favorite track on the Philippine Phenom mix tape?
It’s basically derived from the feeling of being on “cloud nine”. Using “Nimbus” as a representation of the cloud, it symbolizes a sense of the supernatural and also depicts the coming of a storm. I personally dubbed myself that name back in high school.
Honestly, I love all of the tracks from start to finish. The Philippine Phenom is my baby, my first solo joint. But if I have to choose one that fits in a playlist that could be bumped throughout the year, it’d be “Island Loving” with Cosmic Love.
What drew you to hip-hop?
Any memorable gigs?
Some people get enthralled with the dance, some (with) the tables and beats, others, with the paint. But what initially drew me towards the culture was the rhyme and rhythm. I fell in love with how poets would construct and arrange their lines and recite it in a flow. Freestyling was always a hobby of mine, and through out the years, seeing real great freestylers rhyme like there is an unseen force driving them to spit that way was just superb beyond words.
Spring Wave 2006, Taiwan, with Psylent & B-roc along side Loon (formerly of Bad Boy Records) and Jin the MC. That was my first gig out of the country and that experience broadened my perspective of things.
How do you make a song? There are numerous ways on how I come to grips with creating solid songs. But I guess the best songs are always derived from true inspiration and emotions. To me, nowadays, I just go by feel. If it feels smooth, then it’s bound to feel good. Who are your influences, internationally and locally? I have too many major musical influences in my life, whom I loved just as much as the other at one point in my life. And for me, I think it’d be unfair if I fail to mention one of them. So, I’ll just tell you whom I’m currently listening to. InternationalDamian Marley & Nas’ “Distant Relatives” album is on loop. A lot of Young Money artists, Kanye West, Rihanna & Jamie Foxx. Locally- a lot of Bambu, Q-York, A.M.P. and Pasta Groove joints. Is there a particular song that has made a special impact on you?
Literature about you says that you are considered a pillar of the new movement in hip-hop. Wow, really? Where was that published? That’s a huge statement. Well, to me at least, I believe the new movement, locally, is bigger than categorizing it as just hip-hop. As a nation, we all know our uniqueness through our capabilities and the distance our talents can bring us. We’ve found identity through discoveries. We’ve found confidence in each other’s accomplishments. It’s all there. Up in the air. Now, I think the plight is about developing more of the best of what we have to offer. And not just (to) create to entertain, but (to) create to gain. How is it working under Turbulence Productions? Working under Turbulence Productions is fantastic! The creative field, being surrounded with extremely bright and talented people, is beyond marvelous! It’s always a creative trip being productive in the studio with B-Roc & Chrizo, them being two of the more active producers in the label. Aside from their beats doing the talking, they always have a way of making the artists that they collaborate with churn out the best music! The collaborations..
There are too many to mention… Aside from hip-hop, what other genres do you enjoy? I love every genre! Soul usually soothes me, though. Do you have a favorite song among the tracks that you’ve released? Hmmm… a bunch! Right now, I’d have to say, my latest commercial release, in collaboration with Quest and FlipMusic, “So Wonderful”. It’s sonically the most different compared to the tracks I usually record. I had fun with that joint!
There are a lot of notables that I’ve collab-ed with and have helped mold my musical style, on wax and in live shows. From Cosmic Love to 7Shots, Nyko Maca to SPY, Q-York to the roster of artists under Turbulence Productions. A bunch of dope MC’s from all over the place. Whether it’s collaborating once or one too many times, each session always brings out something new. When Nimbus Nine is not making music, what else does he do? Getting involved in various projects. Or shooting hoops.
narrow it down to one based on the overall comfort, the feel and the look of the sneaker on me. Is there a kind you like least? Not really. Like, even if I may personally not like the aesthetics of a particular sneaker, someone else that rocks it may give it personality! Thus, making the sneaker look good. How is the subculture thriving in the Philippines today? I think the subculture has definitely inspired many, as well as reaching different heights from where it was birthed, up to where it is today. I guess it’s manifesting here just like how it’s manifested else where: through live shows, poetry, clubs, dj-ing, dance, commercials, fashion, online trends, language... What keeps Philippine hip-hop alive? In my opinion, the current status of local hip-hop is extremely healthy. From more indie-hip-hop artists flooding the market, shows being organized, change in content, awards being won, battles being fought and videos being viewed, the scene has gained ground & is continuing to touch lives. For real! A lot more talents are emerging in our homeland, as well as fellow Filipinos being recognized all over the world for being awesome ambassadors of the culture. We came across a write-up saying that hip-hop applies to your interpretation of the aphorism “pen is mightier than sword.” What exactly does Nimbus Nine fight for through his music? Yes! Well, for me, through my music, I fight for what I believe is true. I fight for freedom. I fight for the future. How’s the debut album you plan to call “Illustrado” shaping up? Good. Steady. Right now, since I’m also currently involved in a collaboration project with GAP of People’s Future, my focus has been shifted towards that. The “Generation Gap” project, hehe, it’s been pretty exciting and I personally can’t wait for that to take flight. Another collab project is in the works with a FilAm powerhouse slated for later this year as well, so, watch out! How do you see your music career five years from now? Established. At a good state. Recognized and appreciated. Still whisking out good stuffs. Hehe. Your advice to aspiring musicians.
How do you choose your sneakers? Initially, I’d have a set color in mind, then I’ll select five pairs based on style, then
Music is about sound. Sound is about vibrations. Go with what resonates with your vibe.
Complex Lifestyle Store Complex, which had just launched in November 2010, is working its way to realize popular fashion and culture’s highest expectations. Complex aspires to be a Mecca for shoe lovers. They have more to offer than the classic sneakers such as Zoo York and Pony. The store also offers unusual shoe brands such as Creative Recreation, a variety of footwear made of rubber soles and patent leather. When it comes to apparel, among the roster of other established staples like Ecko Unltd., a local clothing company, Dean and Trent, is also included.
Complex may look like an ordinary store. But as you go through their products, you can perceive that the owners strive to offer the consumers other curious articles not usually found in other streetwear stores- a flask in a book, waterproof wallets and album cover artworks. Complex is located at the second floor of Eastwood mall. It also has a branch at Ayala Center in Cebu. You can view products at Facebook.com/complexlifestyle.
Why did you choose Eastwood as the location for your store? Eastwood is a mall where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy a village setting. So, probably, we want to target different kinds of people to enjoy our products. Who are the usual customers? Actually, we Filipinos always have a love for shoes. Mahilig talaga tayo sa shoes! As the name Complex suggests, we cater to various people that are from various social classes, from various background. They all share common interests. They are about 18 to 35 years old. We wanted to build a Mecca for shoe lovers. Why did you call your store Complex? Complex can mean a lot of things. Complex is a location where various ideas can converge. If you look at all the brands that we have, they share the same underlying lifestyle that we want to push, but in the same way, they have their individual sense of style, but still there’s an underlying similarity. When it comes to sneakers, what do people dig? When it comes to shoes, you know, people like skate-inspired shoes like Zoo York. Skater types. There’s also Creative Recreation, which is a cross between a sneaker and dress shoes so it mixes the vulcanized bottom with the dress-shoe upper like patent leather, experimenting with different materials, different patterns. That’s also a trend. Some people at the Oscars, they wore tuxedos but they wore Creative Recreation with the suit. It’s a way of expressing themselves.
How do you look at sneakers? What sets one apart from the other? Personally, I choose something that I can use for work during the day and for play at night. How do you decide which brands to include in your store’s roster? It all comes from trying to find out first what the trend is in the Philippines, then mixing it with the available styles in US. We put together the trend in the US and in the Philippines. The store has artworks for sale. The frames are for sale. They are by various independent local artists. They are posters of their albums that were framed. We also carry (items from) designer stores in the UK. We have really interesting things, like a flask in a book so the customer can conceal the flask. The book looks like a Bible. And we also have eco-friendly wallet made out of materials that Fed Ex envelopes are made out of. They are waterproof, tear-proof. You also carry local brands like Dean and Trent. When they chose which brands to bring in for Complex, the lifestyle and the type of shoes and products they offer, if they match with our vision, we take them in. Dean and Trent is not a big brand yet so we want to encourage independent brands to come in and give them a chance through our store. And headgears… Yes. They are from Ecko and Zoo York. It’s really part and parcel of the Ecko and Zoo York lifestyle and fashion. Skate shoes with
the caps, kasama na ‘yan in one entire look. In clothing brands and styles, what do women look for? Hoodies. The girls who like sneakers and appreciate the street culture translates in what they wear. So, they like hoodies, colorful graphic t-shirts, skinny jeans. Off the top of your head, which celebrity can truly represent your store? When we launched our store, Sanya Smith was hosting, and she loved the store. She’s always been into urban culture. Just the way she dresses, she’s not into prim and proper outfits, but more street wear, like hoodies. She looks fabulous. What makes Complex different from other street wear stores in the Metro? I think it’s with the brands that we carry precisely, because Zoo York and Ecko are known since day one. They have established themselves as street brands. They draw inspiration from really where street culture began. These are all the original street brands. It’s the same with our accessories, Ray-ban and G-shock. They’re also established brands in their own category. What do you think contributes to the popularity of street wear nowadays? The relaxation of dress codes in work places. What I wear during weekends when I go to the mall, I just put on a hoodie and it’s allowed in some offices. People are allowed more to express themselves. That’s what fuels it, I suppose. Exposure to more media, that fuels the growth of street wear, too.
Complex, which had just launched in November 2010, is working its way to realize popular fashion and culture’s highest expectations. It also has a branch in Ayala Center Cebu.
Anton del Castillo Golden Explosion Anton del Castillo has got a lot to say and was eager to show his artworks which are an assemblage of gilded surfaces, found toys and images that, at first glance, seem to be relics from the Byzantine period, depicting scenes of inter-religious wars. A contradiction of innocence connected to play and grotesqueries of constant belligerence resonate in his works, reflecting his insights on the world. His influences in painting play a minor role in his aesthetic. Anton draws inspiration from experience, his family and constant reading. Having a wife from Mindanao, he narrates witnessing conflicts first hand. Toy soldiers, toy cars and superhero figures manifested in real life, revealing their dark nature, how dangerous they could be in the real world. The artist then felt it was significant to tackle these issues and convey his thoughts through painting. The result is a yearning for peace as in his eyes; different religions are various methods of attaining this common dream of being united with that higher force.
Retrospective Play Exhibition Actually, itong horse na ito galing sa show na Retrospective Play. Kaya ko naisip ang “retrospective play”, parang bumalik ako sa pagkabata ko. Naalala ko ang toys ko doon. Noong time na iyon, walang problems, walang stress. Na-inspire ako doon. At the same time kasi, nagka-baby ako eh. Bumalik ako sa childhood, tapos ginawa kong artwork. Title niya actually is “My First Ride”. Silhouette of Hope Mahilig din ako sa mga superheroes. So, kung titignan mo siya, may play eh. Mas dominant ang superhero figure na blue. In terms of principle of the art naman, ang ginamit ko dito is Gestalt. Ang ibig sabihin naman nito playing of background at saka foreground. Mas dominant iyong sa labas. Rush Hour Mahilig din kasi ako sa cars. Kung titignan mo, cars pa rin ang dominant figure. Silhouette of Prosperity Ito naman, ginamit ko ang animals pero nag-cre-create naman siya ng larger image ng cow. Why do you consistently use toys as medium? Ever since kasi mahilig ako sa toys. Tapos parang nakita ko na may other use din siya. Gusto ko ma-transform ko siya into an art form other than just being a toy. Kung baga, kung na-gla-glamorize mo ‘yong toys mo before na nagiging art na siya, compared to as toys lang. What drew you to painting? Hilig ko na talaga yung Fine Arts. Nung college ako nag-Fine Arts ako. At the same time, hanggang ngayon nagtuturo pa rin ako ng art sa bata. That exhibit Under One Roof was generally about war and self-sacrifice. Halos lahat kasi ng works ko, related sa icons or sa war. May relevance ito sa war. Medyo may certain attachment ako sa war kasi ang wife ko, taga-Mindanao. Noong nasa Mindanao ako noon, nakikita ko na may conflict. Kapag nandito ka sa Manila, nakikita mo iyong conflict eh. Tina-tackle ko dito ang Christian, Islam, Judaism tsaka
Hinduism. Na-inspire din ako sa maps, in combination with the toy soldier series iyan. Even yung mga battelships, airplanes, tini-treat ko as an art. Well-crafted, still ginagamit siya for destruction. Topic ko din ang religion tsaka war.
Integrated School). Nagtuturo din ako sa Art Ed college. Alam ko pupunta akong UP eh, so nagpa-panic ako kasi gusto ko magpaint. Hindi ko magawa yung paint ko kasi kailangan kong magturo. Ang solusyon ko, hindi ako nagturo ng two years.
So what do you think of religions?
How often exhibitions?
Para sa akin kasi, global na tayo. So, in terms of religion din, nakikita ko na may certain unification na. Nagkakaroon na ng interfaith, eh. Para sa akin kasi, nag-start siya sa Judaism, but still, may similarity sila sa isa’t isa. Para sa akin, wala dapat conflict. Kaya nga global na eh. Parang lumiliit na yung mundo. So, natatanggap na ng iba. Factor din ang war kasi interfaith din iyon. Why are you drawn to the subject of war? May nagsulat nga sa akin dati na parang kung titignan mo ‘yong work ko, about war pero ironic kasi nasa gold leaf siya naglamorize, ‘di ba? Para sa akin kasi, propeace ako eh. Kung makikita mo ang reality ng war, kasi katulad nila, nagbabarilan ang Christian at Muslim pero not directly towards each other na lagi nagbabarilan yung civilians, which is tayo. Pino-portray ko na ipakita ang reality ng causes ng war para ma-enlighten tayo. Who are your influences in painting? Wala kasing actually masasabi na naginfluence. As an artist, sinearch ko. Para sa akin, hindi lang artist ang nag-iinfluence, mainly kung hindi real life. As an artist, nag-se-search ka. Kunwari, sasabihin ko paborito ko si Van Gogh pero hindi siya nag-ma-manifest sa buhay ko. Kung may nakikita ka, na-iinfluence ng artist pero iba gagawin mo. Katulad ng Byzantinne period kung paano nila pinakita ang subject matter, iyong icons. You’re currently a professor... Naka-leave ako for two years na kasi nagkasakit ako, nagka-panic attack ako. So, panic attack is parang ayaw ko umalis sa studio, ayaw ko magturo. Gusto ko mag-paint, ayaw ko pumunta ng UP. Nadiagnose ako na kailangan ko gawin ang gusto ko kaya nag-art ako for two years na, so iyon. Lahat iyan, bulk ‘yan ng leave ko sa UP.
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Frequently, actually. So far, how have your works manifested in your life? Bata pa ako, nakikita ko yung play ng war. Nakikita ko pa rin hanggang ngayon sa TV. Ito pala ang reality, ito pala ang effect. Itong toy na pinaglalaruan ko before, wala lang pero in real life pala, destructive. Doon ko nakita na kailangan as an artist mag-create ka ng something na ipapakita mo sa viewer, sa tao, ang reaction mo towards an issue. Factor ang religion kaya may war. How did your ideas evolve from social issues to personal life? Katulad ngayon, magkakaroon ako ng show sa CCP sa November. Naka-book na ako 2012. Ang show ko doon, related sa violence. I-encapsulate ko with toys, kaya lang mas nahahaluan ko. Factor ang mga nababasa ko bilang artist. Ngayon, nahaluan na ng family at ibang bagay kasi nag-iiba. What can you say about the Philippine art scene? I believe that the Philippine art scene is actually booming. Perhaps this is visible in the variety of new galleries that could be seen everywhere and at the same time, we could also see the numerous art auctions and new young collectors that are all visible in Philippine art. This is a wonderful development in Philippine art because we are seeing numerous art forms, art spaces and art enthusiast that will eventually lead us to the taste of international market. Do you like sneakers? Yup! Which kind do you patronize? Air Jordan Classic and Chuck Taylor.
What subjects do you teach?
How do you choose your sneakers?
Art. Kasi handle ko (are) elementary, high school at college, pati sa U.P.I.S. (UP
I prefer old school style.
HUF
NY-born but SF-bred Keith Hufnagel is the soul and spirit of HUF. Keith started learning how to skate in the concrete jungle of Gotham in the late 80s and moved to the Golden Gate to pursue his passion professionally. In the West Coast, he became enthralled with all the skate spots in Cali and became obsessed with skating in every possible venue. Soon after he was trekking the world. Spreading the skating gospel to whoever would listen. Keith Hufnagel, huffed and puffed skateboarding. ‘Till he realized he’s second passion in clothing and urban fashion. His first endorsement was sort of a funny story. His skate buddies were all professionals and he was merely hangig out with them while on tour. After the group collectively lost their minds and almost in unison quit the tour. With not a single pro skater on tour, Real Skateboards approached Huf and offered him a deal. Of course, Huf said yes. The rest is history. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. While his skating career flourished, he was in a long-term deal with skating brand DVS. After along and fruitful stint with DVS, where DVS became a skating brand with pedigree and Huf making a name for himself in the skaters the world over, he broke off his relationship with DVS and in August 2002, opened the doors of his first shop in SFO’s Tenderloin District. At first being a store that sold the products of other big name and not-so-big name skate brands, HUF became known for carrying hard-to-come-by products and items. Launching a HUF original line came naturally. He had one production rule, and that was to be true to what skaters actually wore and were always happy wearing. Huf is know for producing premium, highquality skater threads and sneakers. Whose aesthetics and design DNA remain steadfast to what skating purists like and love. Ever since, Huf, through HUF and HUFSF and HUFLA have been churning out creation after creation. All carrying the understated but nevertheless true-toskating design philosophy that HIF has now become known for. Now, it’s time to start picking the brains of the folks from HUF…
What’s up with HUF? Just got back form NYC and Berlin. We were at the tradeshows out there so trying to catch up on work. Every good brand name has a good story behind it. What’s HUF’s? It was just HUF but when i went to get huf. com it was taken by an airport so we decided to make it hufsf. Since we were based in SF at that time. What product are you most proud of? What would you say, did it for HUF? I do not think there is one specific product. I think there are a lot of things we have done over the years that just kinda spoke to people, and for some reason, they just like to wear our stuff. What did you hope to achieve with HUFSF? What kind of mark did you want to leave on the street scene? We always just wanted to make clothes that fit our own lifestyle. Stuff that could easily transition between skating and chilling…. and would work equally well for both of those things... for people who belong to one or the other. Who calls the shots when it comes to deciding the brand’s look?
Barbier and myself. It is a team effort over here at huf. We really value the input we get from our shop employees too. So where does the design magic happen? Designs are mostly done in-house by Ben, HUF’s lone clothing designer. He also does the sneaker designs. Although we do get a few outsourced ideas. How many drops does HUF make each season or each year? We do about 80 Pieces per Spring and Fall and about half that for Summer and Fall. So I would say a little over 200 per year Caught any paparazzi TMZ moments with celebs rockin’ HUFSF? Never caught them in the act but have heard about it and have seen some photos. Who’s look would you say we should keep an eye out for? Who would you call a style swagger hero? No one in particular… I just like a clean, understated look. Where are you taking HUFSF’s aesthetic direction? We will always explore, never know where it will go!!!
Where can we feed off of HUFSF on the fly? HUFSF: hufsf twitter and the hufsf blog. http://blog.hufsf.com/ What’s in the pipeline for HUFSF in 2011? We are always working on collaborations, skating and trying to have fun. In March 8, 2011, in what seemed like a swan song initially, Huf himself announced that he shut down his SFO store operations to concentrate on producing HUF products. From the Huf himself: Being a skateboarder was a great launch pad for me to won a shop… The shops were a great opportunity to learn how to make clothing. Making clothes helped me learn to make shoes and skating in them helps me learn how to make them better. The business is an extension of myself… Many of the familiar faces you saw in the shops behind the counters over the years have moved on to help me at the brand with design, sales and marketing. The original HUF crew is alive and well. We look forward to bringing quality skateboard lifestyle apparel and footwear for years to come. Everything is a’ight and sweeter at Hufland. Huffin’ great.
There are many people involved. Hanni El Khatib, Naotake Nogata, Billy Teichen, Sal
We are all lucky.
keith hufnagel
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CHILL SESSION.
THE PARTIES YOU MISSED PARTY SEASON.
sole obsession, sup, haji lane, sg
91
bodyrock x 4hitcombo, palladium, new world hotel, makati
photos by adoborat
sinsation extreme, silver city
photos by kathleen joven. street fuzion reconnect
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