Adding Flavor to The Family

TheDopeFeind is proud to present the addition of it's newest staff member Anton "Alphabetical" Javier of Manila, Philippines. In the long while I have known Ant he has proved himself worthy of being a true "DopeFiend". With his fashion, music and artistic sense I am sure he will be bringing some very worthy knowledge to the table. Welcome to the family Ant.

Take a deeper look into Ant's world.

New Sounds by The Sounds

I have been waiting for a new release by The Sounds for what seems like forever. I managed to get my hands on their new album "Dying To Say This To You" due on March 15th, and might I say it was well worth the wait. My favorite tracks so far being "Queen of Apology" and "Tony the Beat", but everytime I listen to the album I grow a stronger liking to each song. Check out the teaser of the album to hear a preview. I would also recommend checking out Tommie Sunshine's remix of "Tony the Beat" on his Myspace page.

Alex + Chloe Accessories

If you're someone who wants to stand out and loves accessories, then Alex + Chloe is for you. Their pieces are very hip and are definitely eye-catchers and aren't the kinds you'd find in your mom's jewellry box (although that's not really such a bad thing). Their charms and pendants range from animals such as bats, crows, and 8-legged sea creatures to supermodels. Now, who wouldn't want Kate Moss hanging around their neck?

Fleecircus : Dreaming Big Dreams

Fleecircus is an artist from Singapore and one can see the strong Asian aesthetic in her works. Soft lines, subdued colors, and an almost mute voice that speaks depths. Fleecircus is more than just "taking pictures in city, looking hard to see things that aren't there". The website is filled with nostalgic polaroids and breathtaking yet equally playful graphic illustrations that depict images of lovely, fashionable ladies and quirky designed characters.

Wangs & Boobs Never looked So Cute

I first discovered Phallicmammary a couple years ago on her LiveJournal and was completely blown away. This girls skills and creativity are what street art is about. Her strange, yet somehow adorable characters of nipples, breasts and what she calls "Penis Squids" have made their way into streets across the globe. She's not stopping there either, rumor has it she has recently made a deal with Wheaty Wheat Studios to start producing her own phallic toys. Be on the lookout for this girl, she is on the verge of blowing up bigtime.

Remix Rush: Helicopter

While at the Pool Tradeshow we hung out a bit with the folks over at Dim Mak, they were all really nice people. Anyway, they hooked me up with Bloc Party's "Helicopter" EP which has a couple of great remixes I hadn't heard yet. One called the "Weird Science" remix done by Steve Aoki AKA Kid Millionaire featuring Peaches which kicks ass, but the one that I am really diggin' is a remix done by the producer who simply dominated 2005 with his remixes, Diplo. Check it out.

Block Party :: Helicopter (Diplo Remix)

One Week in Vegas

I am slowly coming out of the daze I have been in for the past week. Spending the week of the Pool tradeshow in Las Vegas can definitely be hazardous to one's health. It was a week of no sleep, free things, seeing new clothing from some of my most respected designers, meeting my favorite artists and spending time with good friends. It's good to be home though, now let the posting resume.

Check out Eye-candy from this week's madness.

TDF in Las Vegas

TheDopeFiend is headed down to Las Vegas this weekend to attent the Magic and Pool apparel tradeshows. We will try and keep you updated this week on the LV madness, but if we are unable to, posting will resume on Friday. Wish me luck, I am off to hit the Blackjack tables!

Remix Rush: Run Into Flowers

To me there is little more satisfying than discovering a good remix. There is just something about hearing how another artist can reinterpret one of your favorite songs. So I have decided to share my love for the remix, and will be posting my favorites every-so-often. Today's post includes a track from M83's "Run Into Flowers EP". The mix has been done by label-mates Abstrackt Keal Agram. They have put an experimental/abstract hip-hop twist on the song that I never would have thought of doing, but it really works, and in turn they have created one of my favorite remixes. Check it out.

M83 :: Run Into Flowers (Abstrackt Keal Agram Remix)

Jason Sho Green

I first discovered Jason Sho Green a couple years ago on his LiveJournal, right away I fell in love with his work. Since then he has quickly become one of my favorite illustrators. His art is more than just pretty pictures, the dry and sometimes dark humor involved is what really makes his drawings and paintings stand out to me. Over the past year he has been hard at work and has added a bunch of stuff to his online shop, such as t-shirts. prints, a couple full length magazines and for all Valentines' lovers some hilarious v-day cards. He also has art shows lined-up all over the country, so watch out for him

Flatpack Printable Toys

For those of you who aren't quite ready to blow your paycheck on expensive collectible toys, there comes an alternative that is a little easier on the pocket-book. Readymech brings you these DIY flatpack toys that you can download in PDF format, print out on heavy-stock 8.5"x11" paper and build your own little paper toys. All you need is an X-acto knife, some double-sided tape and paper. There are eight really cool designs, so get to downloading and you will be on your way to having yourself a toy collection in no-time.

Schwipe Clothing

Australian clothing company Schwipe started making t-shirts in 1999 when they were having a hard time finding tees for themselves that they liked. They claim their label is founded on "stoopid ideas and little design skill", I think their stuff is anything but "stoopid". Since then they have also put out several hoodies, shorts and a full line of dope-ass women's clothing. When it comes to design those Aussies really know their shit.

Swollen Members in the SLC

How it is that I was able to let one of my most coveted hip-hop groups, Swollen Members, come through Salt Lake City twice in the past month without noticing?! I have been waiting years for Swollen to come to SLC, and not only did I miss two shows in a month, but they are coming back a THIRD time on the 21st of this month and I am going to be in Las Vegas at Pool. What a sad, sad thing.

For all of you that will be in SLC on Tuesday the 21st, I would most definitely recommend you check out Swollen Members as well as Aceyalone at the Urban Lounge. Yes, I said the Urban Lounge. An extremely small venue for artisits of this size. This show is going to be insane.

PLUG Award Winners

Well, the winners for this year's Plug Awards have been announced. I must say there were a few winners that I was disappointed to see getting awards. Am I really the only person out there who thinks that Sufjan Stevens (who ridiculously won three awards) would have been better placed in the "Most Overrated Artist of the Year" category? I mean his album won "Best Album of the Year" over Bloc Party - Silent Alarm?! Let the hate mail begin, but I really don't see what all the hype is about. And the biggest disappointment of all, Myspace winning "Best Music Website". You really must be kidding me, my apologies to other nominees who should have won, such as TheDopeFiend favorite Music For Robots.

On the other hand, a few much deserved awards go to Dangerdoom - The Mouse And The Mask for "Hip-Hop Album Of The Year", M83 - Before The Dawn Heals Us wins "Electronic/Dance Album Of The Year", Bloc Party - Silent Alarm takes the award for "Indie Rock Album Of The Year" and DJ Shadow goes home with "DJ Album Of The Year" for One Night in Bangkok.

Sticker Robot

Tired of stealing labels from the post office and hand-making your own stickers? That's where Sticker Robot comes in handy. Providing printing services for very high-quality, full color, silkscreened stickers that won't fade like digital printed stickers. Now you can stick your stuff all over town without hours of making your stickers by hand.