What I'm up too tonight: Rockmarket

What: Rockmarket Party
Where: Mainzer Landstr. 36 - CONA by GROSS&PARTNER
When: Tonight! 23.11.12

Rockmarket is a pop up concept using empty space for music, entertainment and art in Frankfurt. Rockmarket (RM) is an imaginary word. RM is a love affair. Rockmarket is a concept by SinAllNeoN and Nordisk.

Tonight is the penultimate party this year so don't miss out, get those dancing shoes on and come shake your stuff in the winter garden...

and come back for my review tomorrow ;-) 

See you there!
xx

Bar Review: The Parlour

Where: 2 good 2 tell you ;-)

When: Thursday 8th November

Following dinner at Buena Vista, my lovely friend and I decided one more drink was needed to acccompany our girly chats. In Frankfurt on a Thursday evening there really was only one venue to consider, the super stylish Parlour. 

Managed by Yared Hagos Fassahan, this really is the place to drink and I expect to be seen drinking. 

Down a random street, we were greeted by a non-descript door and a door mat reading Ring, Knock, Shout, Wait. Yared himself opened up and greeted us warmly, he took our coats and personally excourted us to a table. 

Fantastic! I hadn't even had a drink and I was so very very impressed. Finding service this good in Germany (sorry people) is simply unheard of! 

The bar itself is dark, cosy and was already busy. However, we were lucky to get a booth in the corner which seemed to be where all the other 'descerning ladies of Frankfurt' were who "fancied just one more after dinner drink" 

The waiter arrived and asked us what we fancied, no menus here simply say "urrr... Gin?" and he asks do you like Basilicum???? "ok, yes why not" and about 5mins later a Gin beverage extrodinare arrives. Again; Fantastic!

Photo: Douman Pour from Pournoir.

A little tip: If you see the bike in front of the entrance, you’re welcome to come in!

try a Gin Cocktail Recipe: Monty’s Fizz created of course by Yared Hagos-Fassahan

6 cl Monkey 47
3 cl Fresh Lemon Juice
2 cl Sugar syrup
3 bs Cranberry Jelly
1 Egg white
fill up with Soda
Glass: Tumbler – Method: Shake, Strain & Fill up – Garnish: Rosemary and grounded  Nutmeg
Preparation
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into chilled Tumbler and fill up with Soda

 http://www.monkey47.com

more or rather less info? via:

http://www.theparlour.de/

Gig Review: MTV Music Week: Shantel

Who. Shantel
When. Tuesday 6th November
Where: The Gibson Club
In association with: MTV Music Week

SHANTEL & BUCOVINA CLUB ORKESTAR

I first came across Shantel in May of this year, when I was lucky enough to spend a fabulous weekend with a couple of friends, in Istanbul. His tunes came on, and the dance floor of Reina nightclub went berserk! Hugely popular in Turkey, where he is a pop icon, he didn't fail to impress then or now.

10-best-clubs-bars-Istanbul-Reina 

Shantel is an exceptional artist with a global reach. He has won international awards for several of his albums, which cover a broad range of styles, and has fired up the atmosphere at hundreds of gigs, festivals and parties with his uniquely eclectic sound. His Bucovina, Disko Partizani, Disko Boy and Citizen of Planet Paprika have made this German phenomenon (Vogue) famous throughout Europe and beyond, inspiring countless artists from Finland to Buenos Aires and former Yugoslavia (where he is regularly featured on MTV Balkanika). 

This gig was almost too much fun for a Tuesday night...
I've never seen quite so many people bouncing, laughing and clapping in one smallish space. In fact the only thing missing in the venue was a bouncy castle! Ok, so the songs do sound a little bit repetitive but the energy kept me swaying all night long. 

Each and every tune was greeted by screaming and cheering from the audience and should I ever own an island, (one can dream) Shantel would be as essential to it as aquamarine waters, white sand and rum. 

My favourite moments: every time Stefan Hantel (aka Shantel) gave his guitar some love= awesome! Plus the utter madness of the rather eccentric drummer!

Shantel and his Bucovina Club Orkestar have played their way to well-deserved legendary status. The tightest line-up from the heart of Europe takes its work seriously:

"You want anarchy and romance? You want to be catapulted out of the here and now with all its problems and worries? So do we – and we’re happy to take you with us to a new dimension. We come from different horizons, from different countries. We have learned a lot on our travels and we’d like to give some of that back.“ 

There is probably no other German artist who can enthrall audiences everywhere, from Greece to Glastonbury, the way Shantel can. Yet he does not see himself as some kind of prophet of multiculturalism. Nor does he have any aims of creating hippy-dippy, save-the-world music. Every performance, night after night, bears that out. 

Shantel sees himself as a cosmopolitan, a searcher, always on the lookout for new discoveries and new emotions that he can channel into his own personal music mix. He is the herald of central European creolisation. And his impact is lasting. Initially dismissed by the press as a mere flash in the pan, his music has spread through the internet (with millions of hits on YouTube) to such an extent that there can no longer be any talk of a wave, or a trend, but of a whole new attitude to life.

find out where Shantel and his Bucovina Club orchestra are next via:
http://www.bucovina.de/

Gig Review Part2: Jazzanova & MTV Music Week

Gig review part1: [re:jazz] & The Gibson club (also featuring Jazzanova)
Gig review part2: Jazzanova featuring Paul Randolph & MTV Music Week

Date: Sunday 4th November
Venue: The Gibson Club

in association with MTV Music Week

I first came across Jazzanova when I was a fashion student living in Shoreditch. They did occasional DJ sets in the bar/restaurant I worked in. I was a terrible waitress, as as soon as they were on, I'd disappear to dance with my friends trying to avoid my boss! Jazzanova Live are incredible, enigmatic and seriously talented. Now featuring Paul Randolph just shoves them over the edge into INCREDIBLE territory. I love their electronic jazz ethic, their obvious love for what they do and the crowd last night certainly appreciated it too.

Jazzanova is many things to many different people. For more than fifteen years the eclectic collective from Berlin has been busy producing, composing, arranging, remixing, DJing and generally shaping our musical world – in the clubs, on the air, in the studio, live on stage, and with their label Sonar Kollektiv. Their "very fertile musical world" (Time Out New York), which does "light a musical tinderbox" (The Face, UK), is "one of the best fusions of all the disparate elements of club music, yet" (Straight No Chaser) and "has dominated the jazz-dance and down-tempo scenes for the past few years, both with its own label and with countless remixes" (Phoenix New Times).  For the past three years Jazzanova has also been touring internationally with a nine-piece-band, which now culminates in their newest release: "The Funkhaus Studio Sessions" (Sonar Kollektiv – SK237CD, 2012).

Jazzanova is in the midst of a fifteen year flow - from early underground-stardom via the big hype of the late 90s to the remarkably sophisticated matter of course that defines their current career. One of the reasons for this may be the way the members of the collective split qualities as well as responsibilities. Stefan Leisering and Axel Reinemer not only run the studio, composing, arranging, recording, and mixing everything Jazzanova; since early 2009 they have also taken over the duties of directing and touring internationally with the nine-piece Jazzanova live-band. Alexander Barck, Claas Brieler, and Jürgen von Knoblauch broaden the music's appeal as DJs, not only on tour through the best clubs and festivals around the world but also on their weekly radio-program (formerly on MDR Sputnik and Radio Multikulti, now on WDR Radio 1) and the Kaleidoskop-club-night, as well as with the hand-picked releases of their label Sonar Kollektiv (www.sonarkollektiv.com). And after all these inquisitive, innovative and sonically rich years the five of them still plan every new project and prospect together – Jazzanova is still a collective.

Paul Randolph: What a character, what a voice and what a brilliant addition to the band. He had me dancing hard by the end and I loved every minute of it. 

Thank you Jazzanova for a brilliant evening.
Jazzanova featuring Paul Randolph  

Catch them if you can:

• 10.11.2012 Jazzanova (DJ Class) Scala / Wah Wah Live, London, United Kingdom
• 16.11.2012 Jazzanova Band (Live) Istanbul Bronx Istanbul, Turkey
• 17.11.2012 Jazzanova Band (Live) Centre Culturel Tramsschapp Luxembourg
• 23.11.2012 Jazzanova Band (Live) Forum London, United Kingdom

Jazzanova featured as part of MTV Music week which culminates this Sunday in Frankfurt for the MTV Music Awards hosted by Heidi Klum

http://tv.mtvema.com/ 
This week i'll be checking out Shantel playing tomorrow night at the Gibson Club and then have the privaledge of guestlist tickets for Sunday's Show 11.11.12. 

If you aren't as lucky as me, then don't forgot to tune in and of course to read my review right here. Find out who I voted for later this week and who did what, how and where!

bis gleich
xx

Gig Review: Part1 [re:jazz] & Jazzanova

JazznotJazz presents:
[re:jazz] & Jazzanova featuring US. Singer Paul Randolph

in association with: MTV Music Week
 
Venue: The Gibson Club, Frankfurt
Date: Sunday 4th November

Only my second visit to The Gibson Club (1st gig: De Le Soul=awesome) and I find myself already becoming a bit of a fan. It's such a cool industrial space, the accoustics are fantastic and  the labrinthesq layout so fun to explore. 

[re:jazz] kicked off the night and it was certainly impressive, Mediha's voice is simply beautiful and she is also a bit of a comical performer, slick performances all round but especially from Oliver Leicht on sax.

November 2nd 2012 saw the release  of "Kaleidoscope" there 5th studio album and the repertoire focuses on own compositions. Still using jazz as the basic vocabulary, the Frankfurt band project around jazz pianist and DJ Matthias Vogt takes the liberty of extending this freedom.The new voice of [re:jazz] : the singer  "Mediha" who, following the departure of Inga Lühning in 2011.In addition, the regular seven-man formation has been joined for the anniversary by several musical guests: The most prominent of these is undoubtedly the singer of the Brand New Heavies, the wonderful N'Dea Davenport and the Berlin star trumpeter Studnitzky.

catch [re:jazz]: 
 www.rejazz.de

16.Februar 2013	Karlsruhe	Tempel
30.Januar 2013	Aschaffenburg	Colos Saal
17. November 2012	Minden	Jazzclub
15. November 2012	Prag (Czech Republic)	Palac Akropolis

Gig Review Part2 to follow: 
Jazzanova featuring Paul Randolph & 2012 MTV Music Awards

Event Review: Emma Metzler & Kingka Band

Event Review: Emma Metzler & Kingka Band

Music: Kingka Band
Date: Saturday 3rd November
Location: Emma Metzler Restaurant
Activity: Ice Sculpting

Mckinsey did it again with a first rate Fall event. The Ice sculpting was performed in an impressive manner by the Frankfurt employees & spouses, and the rain did not dampen the occasion.

Canapes and dinner hosted by The Emma Metzler Restaurant did not however quite meet my expectations in either presentation or flavour. Although the starter of spice pumpkin soup was very tasty and the wine flowed throughout the evening. 

Following dinner we were treated to the vocal stylings of King Kamehameha's resident muscians: Kingka Band and they certainly knew how to rock the crowd. The 80's tune "Rythmn is a dancer" certainly elicited an enthusiastic response! Kingka Band features
The Voice of Germany's Tiffany Kirkland, Charles Simmons and Worthy Davis and Bandleader Mick Woll. Every Thursday you will find them in Frankfurts Finest Club King Kamehameha. 

Tiffany Kirklands powerful voice will certainly be getting my vote! Follow her progress via
The-Voice-of-Germany: Tiffany-kirkland 
http://www.the-voice-of-germany.de/video/clip/1985397-tiffany-kirkland-perfect-world-1.3401919/ 

and catch the band at:
http://www.king-kamehameha.de/

Event Review: Nova Heart at Städel's Schwarze Romantik Nacht

Event Review: Nova Heart at Städel's "Schwarze Romantik" Electromantic Nacht

Music: Nova Heart
Date: Friday 2nd November
Location: Städel Museum, Frankfurt

please see my Event Preview: Städel's-Schwarze-Romantik Nacht for Nova Heart biog.

 
 http://soundcloud.com/novaheart/

Packed to the rafters with the creatives, art & music lovers of Frankfurt city, the Städel's Electromantic event was a definite success. The venue really is special and wandering among Monet, Manet, Degas and Sisley to find the Schwarze Romantik exhibition was thrilling. I will return next week for a more in depth look at the art exhibition, so please come back for my review then.

Only negative: the somewhat clueless bar staff, who by the end of the evening had run out of so many drink options were mixing there own, unfortunately disastrously! Blurgh!

However more iimportantly, Nova Heart actually managed to exceed my expectations! Her energy, voice & stage presence was electric. The whole band gave everything and the crowd responded. Brilliant performance, I will defiantly make sure I catch Helen Feng & Nova Heart next time them come west!

what others say...

 

“Dark, sexy and beautiful – Music Karl Lagerfeld would be proud of” – Alex Chow, Creative Director, Vogue China

 “In a scene where a lot of rockstars take themselves a bit seriously, Helen Feng´s out-and-out ..  theatricality is a breath of fresh air.  Watching her… you´re guaranteed to get a great performance”  – Time Out

“Sexy, provocative and confident, she’s [like] a femme Jim Morrison” – Artspace China

 For November 2012 the first full European tour is in the works including eight countries and important festivals like MaMA (Paris), Iceland Airwaves (Reikjavik) or Vienna Waves (Vienna).

My friend Sarah and I wearing my beautiful vintage kimono and new red bow Dorothy heels.

 

Emma Metzler & Ice Sculpting

What I'm up to tonight...

What: McKinsey Fall Social
Time: Saturday 3rd November
Location: Emma Metzler Restaurant, Frankfurt

Ice sculpting in the rain... Am not entirely convinced that this will be the greatest afternoon activity however, its a great excuse to wear my new AllSaints leather biker jeans and silk GoyaGoyaGoya top.

Mckinsey always put together the best socials so I have high hopes for this evening, especially the opportunity to try out the Emma Metzler Restaurant which I have been meaning to visit since arriving in Frankfurt 2.6years ago. 

Ice sculpting will be followed by food, drinks and live Music. 
Perhaps I'll have a go at making this...

return tomorrow for full review...

bis gleich
xx

Photography Review: 'The Little Black Jacket'

The Little Black Jacket

When: 12 October - 4 November 2012

Where: Saatchi Gallery, London

 

 CHANEL's photographic exhibition dedicated to Karl Lagerfeld's latest book, 'The Little Black Jacket: CHANEL's classic revisited by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld', opened at the Saatchi Gallery in London in October.

 Following on from Tokyo, New York, Taipei and Hong Kong, this special event underlines the brand's values of creativity, modernity and excellence. 


Obviously following my visit to this fabulous space, I am now in a desperate need, want, desire, frenzy to have my own 'Little Black jacket'. The trouble, of course, that however huge my savings intentions are, I always get distracted... 

...anyways for those who haven't been yet and for those who can cope with the legions of fashion students, taking pictures of every single photograph and trying to impress each other with the 'who exactly is that' game... 
 
The public will discover the versatility and timelessness of the iconic CHANEL jacket through Karl Lagerfeld's 113 photographs, modelled on a range of friends of the House, with each personality adapting the garment to reflect their own inimitable style - worn as a cape on singer Lily Allen, draped around model Stella Tennant, or even transformed into a vest on model Edie Campbell. 
 


Personally, I loved the exhibition and thought the photos really captured the personalities involved. Karl Lagerfield remains top of my list of "people I'd like to meet" his creative eye and vision are inspiring.

Favourite images:

 
'The Little Black Jacket: CHANEL's classic revisited by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld,'* will be available worldwide in bookshops this autumn.


Catch it while you can:
The exhibition will be open to the public from till Sunday 4th November 2012.

Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York's HQ
King's Road
London, SW3 4RY

thelittleblackjacket.chanel.com


PRESENTED BY:

Städel's "Schwarze Romantik" Electromanitic Nacht

What I'm up to tonight...

Electromantic Night - "Schwarze Romantik"
 
Bands: Planning to Rock (dj set) & Nova Heart (Live)
Date: Friday 2nd November
Location: The Städel Museum , Frankfurt

 

The Städel museum is one of my favourite buildings in Frankfurt, always housing innovative artist and cultural works. Imagine my excitment at the combination of both Art and Electro music... 

Tonights event: Electromantic Nacht mit Nova Heart 
is almost to exciting to bare!
 
Dubbed as the "Queen of Beijing Rock" or "Blondie of China" Helen, born in Beijng and raised in the US and Canada, has been a staple in the Chinese music scene since she moved back from Los Angeles to Beijing in 2002. Hired as VJ for MTV China. In 2004 she founded Ziyo one of Chinas longest running and most popular indie bands (later becoming Free the Birds in 2010 after changing musical directions). In 2007 she co-found the seminal Chinese electronic group Pet Conspiracy. Within the next three years she sang the theme song for Hollywood blockbuster The Mummy III, won several of the most prestigious Chinese Music Awards (Midi & Chinese Music Awards), hosted the Vice Creators Project, co-found FakeMusicMedia and toured Europe three times -- a fact that until this day very few chinese bands have achieved.

Upon culmination of her final whirlwind European tour as front-woman of Pet Conspiracy 宠物同谋 in fall 2010, Helen quit the band and, took a few days off in Istanbul to prepare the next steps for Free the Birds自游.
But the powers of the city had different plans...One fateful night, a chance encounter with Roman electronic-cowboy Rodion (Gomma Records) gave birth to NOVA HEART. 

http://www.youtube.com/Spoons by Nova Heart 

 A sinister disco beat, buried under haunting soundscapes make it sound as if naked ghosts were dancing under a mirrorball.




And oh yes, this is exactly where I will be rocking my favourite black vintage lace frock and strutting my stuff. (Plus admiring the artwork obvs).

Come join in the fun...

Tonight from 8pm -tickets available on the door.

Married to the Sea - Gig Review

Band: Married to the Sea
Date: 31st October 2013 (Yes that's right Halloween!)
Location: Dreikönigskeller, Frankfurt, Germany

My best mate's brothers band. Heard about, talked about but never actually seen.
Synopsis: bloody talented! 

I had no real idea of what to expect from four 30 somethings on tour in Germany and had never visited the tiny but atmospheric venue, Dreikönigskeller, before. 
More than pleasantly surprised, I would even go as far as impressed.

 As soon as they had crammed themselves on what can only be described as a micro mini stage, the rather attractive front man Nick took command of the audience, which had swelled over the evening, despite being 11pm on a wet Wednesday and the band quickly had the dance floor moving.

 Impressive vocals and support, the tunes were catchy and the production professional. Good work boys! 

I was lucky enough to be given a CD courtesy of a wobbly man who spilled my drink and the boys wrote sweet notes and posed for a picture wearing appropriate Halloween devil horns. Musical skills plus a sense of humour, I was even more impressed!

highlight tracks include: Mutiny & Superstars of Love

On tour across Germany till Monday. Catch Married to the Sea whilst you can ...

Weimar - Fri, 2.11
Ilse’s Erika, Leipzig - Sat, 3.11
Leseglück, Berlin - Sun, 4.11

www.marriedtothesea.co.uk 
MMTS Germany Tour