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Kia Damon illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Chef Kia Damon: Culinary Compassion In The Kitchen

By: Emily Bunn

This Women’s History Month, 360 Magazine sat down with Chef Kia Damon. Kia is the founder of Kia Feeds The People (KFTTP) and is a cofounder of Auxilio, both of which are non-profits aimed at combating food apartheid. We dished with Kia on how she discovered her passion for cooking, pathways towards increased Black and QTPOC representation in the culinary industry, and her upcoming video release with EFFEN Vodka and Queer Foods, which can be viewed here.

When did you first begin cooking? When did you realize you wanted to pursue it professionally?

“I started cooking in my early preteens. I have younger brothers as well, so once we were too old for day care, I had to step up as the older sibling to make sure we ate, especially more so during the summertime because I have working parents. But, it wasn’t until some years later when I started cooking independently for my own health reasons that I truly saw my strengths in cooking and realized that cooking professionally wasn’t a world that was so far away for me, that it was actually extremely attainable and extremely real. So I took the plunge, and to this day some of my family’s still very surprised, because I was definitely burning pots of rice, and they were like ‘this girl has no talents for the kitchen.’ Now I’m cooking and they still can’t believe it.”

We all know foods brings communities together. Are there any experiences you’ve had with community members through Kia Feeds The People that have stuck with you?

Yes! Honestly, the most connective part was before I even started cooking with KFTTP people when I was looking for guidance from a lot of my friends in the cooking community. Because KFTTP was birthed in a really tumultuous time, I felt like I couldn’t quite gather my thoughts and my feelings. I just felt so emotionally charged and stunted that I felt like I couldn’t even work or think or move because I felt so emotional about everything. But being able to lean into my friends and my chosen family who see me for who I am, who know me intimately and know my heart, they were able to guide me to where I am now and toward my mission for KFTTP. I’m super grateful. These are people that I’ve been able to cook with before, these are people that I’ve literally eaten with before–we’ve shared food out of deli containers at 3am–I’m very grateful for them. And I definitely could not have got to this place without them.”

Are you looking to expand KFTPP outside of Brooklyn, or just focus on this specific community?

“Because I am a Sagittarius, I definitely am looking to expand and looking to grow. I definitely have to make sure I build and flesh KFTTP out as much as possible in Brooklyn before I start thinking about moving other places. But I do have visions, not necessarily to just expand Kia Feeds The People, but to collaborate with other mutual aid organizations and non-profits that already exist in other cities, so that I can support them and [they] have more coverage where they are. I’m not the only one who’s doing this kind of work and it is definitely a collaborative, lifelong mission, so I want to lend hands to the people who are already in this game.”

What do you think is the biggest obstacle facing overcoming food apartheid?

Personally I think the biggest obstacle is still convincing people that it exists, because we live in such a individualistic world. If something doesn’t affect the next person, then they’re more likely to ignore it, you know. That’s why I think COVID really shook things up, because a lot of us were collectively put on our butts. you know. We’re like “whoa, wait a minute, is this one thing that is really proactively affecting us.” But regarding food apartheid, a lot of people are still familiar with it in terms of a “food desert.” Food desert is a word that’s been used for many years to describe this situation, and a “desert” implies that it is natural, because the world naturally created deserts. When you apply “food desert” to that idea, it implies that this place without food, this place without access to meals, is natural and that’s just the way that it’s supposed to be. But it’s completely unnatural, it’s completely systematic, and [after recognizing that] then we can start looking at it as something that is created by is created by systems. Then, we can put some realness to it and find how all of us are truly affected by them. So I think right now, it’s making sure people know what food apartheid is, and that it actually exists.”

Do you have a favorite meal or cocktail to prepare when you’re bringing family or friends together?

“My favorite meal is red beans and rice. I love a good pot of Louisiana-style red beans and rice, because honestly that–with some corn bread on top and so hot sauce– that really is the whole meal. You think you would need something else on the side but that’s really it. It’s so fulfilling, it’s so delicious, and I definitely try to bring it out when I get to be with my friends and family.”

The culinary world is a male-dominated industry. How can the culinary industry work to become more diverse, and have more Black, QTPOC chefs?

“I think it’s a starts with actually investing in the lives and careers of these black/brown/trans/ LGBTQ chefs because they exist. I know they exist because they’re my friends. And what happens is that maybe they’re put in positions of leadership or maybe not, but they’re they’re not given the same care, support or investment in their skills and education and their needs. You could put someone in a line chef position or position of leadership or whatever, but if there’s no follow through to make sure that they have what they need to be supported in those positions, they’re usually set up for failure, or set up to be harmed in some way. Or maybe a small business that’s LGBTQ or Black has a good profile, [but they may not be] getting access to grants or money. You have to have the follow through. It’s not that we don’t exist, it’s that we’re not properly supported when we are put at the forefront. That’s when it gets tricky and that’s when we’re left open to harm and failure.”

What are you most excited about regarding this video release with Queer Foods and EFFEN Vodka?

“I’m very excited for mom to see it first of all, I love my mommy and she is my number one fan. And she’s a Gemini, so I’m always looking for her approval. But I’m also excited to get to Kia Feeds The People and Queer Stories in front of the world. I feel like we can’t tell enough queer stories, there’s always someone’s story out there. Even though there’s this myth out there that there’s already enough representation, or that maybe it’s too much to keep talking about queer people, that’s actually far from the truth. I’m proud and honored that EFFEN Vodka wants to support what I’m doing and wants to get my story out there. My story is the story of a lot of other Black and brown and trans people’s stories, and it also feels good to partner with someone who sees me and wants to invest in my story and invest in supporting other diverse artists, both in their representation and practice. It just feels good to be seen, and I’m excited for everyone else to see me and to be seen. Just look! Everyone just look! I want everyone to look and feel pride in who we are.”

How can readers donate to Kia Feeds The People?

“You can head to my GoFundMe if you’re not in the city, or if you’re in Brooklyn you can come to a pop up. Please donate to my GoFundMe, I have it on my Instagram page. Share it with your friends, let them know what’s up. Or if you are in Bed-Stuy, you can find me at a pop-up– I have a few coming up in April, so I’m going to be all over the place. Come get some food or throw some money, either way I’ll be very grateful.”

To learn more about Kia, visit her website.

Kia’s EFFEN Rosé Vodka Grapefruit Cocktail

Ingredients: 

  • 2 parts EFFEN Rosé vodka
  • 1 oz of lime juice
  • ½ oz of cane syrup
  • 2 or 3 parts grapefruit juice

Mix the grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, EFFEN Rosé vodka and a spoonful of ice in a cocktail shaker. Stir and taste. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with grapefruit, and thyme. Drink responsibly + enjoy!

Kia’s Gumbo Recipe 

Ingredients

  • 8 oz andouille sausage
  • 1lb Boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 large yellow onions, diced
  • 4 stalks of celery, diced
  • 2 green bell peppers, diced
  • 2 cups sliced okra, fresh or frozen
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 cup of oil
  • 1 cup AP flour
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 4 tbsp Creole seasoning
  • 1 tbsp of fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
  • ½ tbsp Ground sage
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Hot sauce to taste
  • Black pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh parsley

Directions

  • Season the chicken thighs with 2 tablespoons of creole seasoning, salt and pepper. Season well on both sides. Heat a skillet or cast iron to medium heat with enough oil to cover the bottom. When the pan is hot, sear the chicken in batches. Brown the chicken on both sides and set aside. The chicken does not have to be cooked through just yet.
  • In a large pot add the oil and heat to a medium high heat. Add the flour and whisk until it begins to cook. Lower the heat to medium low. Keep whisking the roux over a controlled and steady heat until the flour begins to darken into a deep brown. This takes about 30 minutes, so pace yourself.
  • Turn the heat down on the roux and add in your onion, bell pepper and celery. Stir into the roux, season with a few pinches of salt and sauté until fragrant and translucent. Add in your minced garlic and fresh thyme. Stir for another 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the chicken stock while whisking the roux. Do this part slowly because the roux will begin to thicken. Take your time and continue pouring in the stock until it’s completely incorporated.
  • Bring the pot to a boil, meanwhile slice the sausage in ¼ inch rounds on a slight bias. When the pot begins to boil, reduce to a simmer and add the chicken and sausage. Let the gumbo cook on low for an hour. You want time for the flour taste to cook out.
  • After an hour, add the remaining two tablespoons of creole seasoning, smoked paprika, ground sage and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Stir and add your sliced okra. Cook for another 10 minutes, add salt and pepper and hot sauce to taste then serve with rice and chopped parsley.
  • Enjoy!
Kia's EFFEN Rosé Vodka Grapefruit Cocktail Photo credit: Solène Michel  Recipe credit: Kia Damon, Kia Feeds The People for use by 360 Magazine

Photo credit: Solène Michel Recipe credit: Kia Damon, Kia Feeds The People

Kia Damon image shot by Elina Street for EFFEN Vodka and Queer Foods for use by 360 Magazine

Photo Credit: Solène Michel 

Singing by Mina Tocalini for use by 360 Magazine

Advice For My Pre-Pandemic Self

“I’d Dance Alone In Public And Not Give A Damn”: Advice I’d Give My Pre-Pandemic Self

By: Laura J. Wellington

If I had the opportunity to go back in time and give myself one piece of advice pre-pandemic, I just couldn’t do it. I simply couldn’t choose between all the tidbits of wisdom that I’ve gained during this time. Each is monumental and will play a role in shaping my future. Never one to be confined, I won’t do so to my words or my desire to help others through them. You are getting all ten:

1. Dance alone in public and don’t give a damn what others think

“Feeling self-conscious” and robbing yourself of a good time will make you wish you had taken the opportunities presented to you. Don’t give into fear. GO FOR IT!

2. Walk up to the adorable guy and hand him your number

You won’t lose anything by doing this, besides losing the feeling of not knowing what could have been. Go find out what could be!

3. Remove the timer from family time

Lingering around the table with loved ones without worrying about what needs to get done next should become a priority, not a luxury. You surely will miss it when it’s gone.

4. Skip the “run” and play “sooner”

It’s important to be responsible, but its alsp important to “self-joy” and create memories. No one remembers doing laundry, but they do remember beach time with the kids.

5. Make the trip

Allowing distance or laziness to deter you from something you want or need to do equates with stealing from your personal welfare. It can also land you in a rut. Push yourself out the door and have that lunch in the new spot you’ve always wanted to try. You will be happy you did, and it may even help stop depression.

6. Close your friend circle

Devote more time to the friends who truly matter, and less time to casual friends. The former will be the ones who stick around during life’s difficult moments and will make them more bearable. Quality over quantity, always.

7. Enjoy the 10am Margarita

Not everyday, but while on vacation. Too many of us take vacations only to never truly let go of the reins while away. Don’t squander this valuable leisure time.

8. Work harder to mend broken fences

Because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to anyone and you will regret not trying.

9. Take life less seriously

Humor is power, internally and externally. Learn to laugh and you will give life someone to reckon with.

10. Stop fixing yourself

Obsessing over “perfection” is such a time suck and mental drain. Yes, self-improvement is important, but so is accepting yourself as you are. Strike a reasonable balance for yourself, and then move on.

Now do you understand why I couldn’t leave my advice to just one tip? Frankly, I could add plenty of more points to this list but perhaps, another post, another time. For now, I suggest you ponder these. Consider how you will factor them into your own life, today and when we all finally move beyond the pandemic. In the immortal words of the famed group “Disturbed” in their song “The Light” (one of my personal favorites): “Sometimes darkness, can show you the light.

So very true…and on that note, I feel inspired to dance. No partner required.

Laura J. Wellington is the founder of THREAD MB, the author of “Be Careful What You Wish For”, a TEDx speaker, an award-winning children’s television creator and a mother of five.

Laura J. Wellington’s book, “Be Careful What You Wish For” can be ordered here.

“I am an avid reader. By that I mean I love books and cannot be without one. A good book can take you to places you have never been or teach a new skill. A great book can change your life. This is a great book! After suffering a tragic, life altering loss I wasn’t sure I could finish Laura Wellington’s book. “Be Careful What You Wish For” – How many times have I heard this in different contexts? Too many times–but not like this. From the first page I was swept into a world that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I couldn’t help questioning the ideas of fate and destiny and what part they played in my own life. The ending (or is it just the beginning?) will leave you breathless and wondering, is it worth the pain to open oneself to such vulnerability? As one who was and is experiencing this same pain and vulnerability, I would answer YES. The alternative would be to miss “The Dance”. Thank you Laura for this well written, heart wrenching but life affirming story. I highly recommend it!” – Life Affirming (Amazon 5 stars)

"Sorry Kid" by Ben Howard image by Republic Records for use by 360 Magazine

Ben Howard – Sorry Kid

Ben Howard Shares New Track, “Sorry Kid”

Collections From The Whiteout, To Be Released March 26 2021

Global Transmission From Goonhilly Earth Satellite Station In April

Autumn Headline Shows at Royal Festival Hall Sell Out Immediately

“Mesmerizes with quiet complexity…another strange and beautiful record” –Mojo

Ben Howard is pleased to share a new track, “Sorry Kid“, from his forthcoming album, Collections From The Whiteout. The record, his fourth, will be released on March 26 through Island Records. It’s the final track to be shared ahead of the album’s release.

“Sorry Kid” is loosely inspired by the story of Anna Sorokin, the Russian-born German woman who posed as a billionaire heiress and was imprisoned for fraudulent activity in America. Musically, it’s an atmospheric mood-setter that taps into the general aura of Collections From The Whiteout, and is another tantalizing taster to a special record.

Last week, Ben shared details of an exclusive one-off global live stream event to celebrate the release of the new record.

Filmed at the iconic Goonhilly Earth Station on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, UK, Ben and his band will perform new album tracks for the first time. This show marks the first band performance since the conclusion of a worldwide tour in January 2019, which culminated in a sold-out four night run at Brixton Academy.

The film will be streamed as live on April 8 across different time zones.

Stream #1, UK & Europe (Global Premiere): Thursday April 8 – LONDON (8pm BST), PARIS (9pm CET)
Stream #2, East Coast North America & South America: Thursday April 8– NEW YORK (8PM EDT)
Stream #3, West Coast North America & Central America: Thursday April 8- LA (8PM PDT)
Stream #4, Australasia & South East Asia: Friday April 9- TOKYO/SYDNEY (7PM JST / 8PM AEST)

Tickets are now on general sale via Ticketmaster/Universe.

As previously announced, Ben returns to the live arena in September for his first live shows since four consecutive sold-out nights at Brixton Academy back in January 2019. The pair of Royal Festival Hall (September 18 and 19) sold out instantly.

Collections From The Whiteout heralds the first time Ben has opened the door to collaboration, drafting in The National’s Aaron Dessner on production (a recent Grammy winner for his work with Taylor Swift), and a team of players from the likes of Big Thief, This Is The Kit, and drummer/producer Yussef Dayes. Strings were orchestrated by Bon Iver/Laura Marling collaborator, Rob Moose.

Collections From The Whiteout has an immediately breezier tone than Ben’s last record, whilst losing none of the experimental tendencies that made Noonday Dream so compelling.

The subject matter, previously shrouded in obfuscation, takes a scrapbook approach to Ben’s lyricism. Mostly based on snippets of radio news or headline scrolling, he’s let his imagination take those snapshots to wild and remote places, creating stories within stories. Characters are formed, histories are inferred. It’s beautifully random, and makes for an engrossing whole.

ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS

A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Black Thought, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd 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, Lava Records, XO, Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (J Balvin and Karol G).  In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films in order to produce movies and series powered by the label’s catalog and artists. Its first production was the Jonas Brothers documentary Chasing Happiness for Amazon Prime Video.

THE OUTLIERMAN’S JAGUAR E-TYPE INSPIRED PRODUCTS image by The Outlierman for use by 360 Magazine

THE OUTLIERMAN’S JAGUAR E-TYPE INSPIRED PRODUCTS

THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN ICON: EXPLORE THE OUTLIERMAN’S JAGUAR E-TYPE INSPIRED PRODUCTS FOR THE DISCERNING AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIAST

In the 60th year of the Jaguar E-Type, The Outlierman – makers of handcrafted luxury driving accessories – has unveiled its full collection of Jaguar E-Type-inspired products.

The celebration of a legend

Launched in 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show, the E-Type’s arrival marked a turning point in automotive design – the coupe’s long flowing bonnet, gorgeous proportions, and powerful engine made it a game-changer. Dubbed “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari, the Jaguar E-Type is a symbol of iconic British automotive design and has one of the world’s most recognizable silhouettes.

Using only the very best materials, The Outlierman has revealed its full collection of products inspired by the Jaguar E-Type, all entirely handmade in Italy by elite artisans in celebration of the British car. Included in the collection are t-shirts, scarfs, ties and pocket squares from The Outlierman’s World Beater and E-Type’s Portrait collections.

Andrea Mazzuca, founder of The Outlierman, said: “The Jaguar E-Type is one of my most favorite cars – the elegance, style and panache are all unrivalled. It’s a car I’ve loved ever since I was a child, so naturally, to celebrate the 60th anniversary I knew The Outlierman had to pay tribute in the only way we knew best – by producing the E-Type’s very own collection. Each item is lovingly handmade by our skilled and dedicated craftspeople, ensuring each product is of the highest quality.

“Alongside our beautifully crafted products, we have two Jaguar E-Types featured in our prestigious Rent & Drive service. It’s a vehicle loved by so many car enthusiasts all over the world and we are proud to feature it on many of our products.”

Highlights of the collection

Some of the best E-Type-inspired items from The Outlierman include:

E-Type’s Portrait – T-shirt with silk application – Limited Edition

Limited to just 50 examples, every piece features an authentic automotive art portrait created by The Outlierman’s talented design team, characterized by vivid brushstrokes and enriched by title and signature, for an even more exclusive result. Printed on a 100% silk satin patch that becomes the protagonist of a garment, with an elegant fit and versatile design, this t-shirt is suitable for free time as well as being worn under a jacket for an original and distinctive, smart, casual outfit.

E-Type’s Portrait – Silk Scarf

The Jaguar E-Type: a car that has left a permanent mark on history, here portrayed as oil on canvas for a luxury and timeless silk scarf handmade in Italy like a piece of art. The hand rolled edges make the finishing of this silk scarf have additional high-quality detail.

World Beater – Silk Pocket Square – Yellow

Jaguar E-Type: The world-beater of its era marks this pocket square handmade in Italy with the perfect fit of its roundness. Like the E-Type’s Portrait silk scarf, the hand rolled edges further enhance the finishing of this pocket square.

World Beater – Silk Tie – Bordeaux

Authenticity is a route that only few have the courage to take, going beyond the ordinary. And the direction of this tie, handmade in Italy, could not be anything but against the tide.

The Outlierman company was formed with a mission to handcraft a range of accessories inspired by the breath-taking beauty, supreme quality and timeless appeal of the world’s most iconic cars.

The latest Outlierman products can be found here.

Interior design illustration by Nicole salazar for 360 Magazine

SS21 INTERIOR TREND: BEIGE BALANCE

Over the next four weeks, Desenio will be launching its key trends for SS21. This week, Desenio is introducing Beige Balance, a trend that puts warmer hues in the spotlight. Welcome to the new neutrals: here are some tips for bringing the Beige Balance trend to life.

ELEGANT RETROSPECTION

“We’re seeing a new, elegant take on the warm neutrals trend, influenced by the 60s and 70s,” says Desenio’s Executive Creative Director, Annica Wallin.

The elegant aesthetics of the 60s and 70s are making a huge come-back. Juxtapose warm neutrals with dark brown or black accents to give definition. Consider incorporating vintage posters in your gallery wall to create a sophisticated tone.

MIX AND MATCH

“Layering cozy textures and different natural materials helps to create intrigue in an otherwise minimalistic home,” says Annica Wallin.

Minimalist interior trends in 2021 focus on pared-back spaces that are also cozy and inviting. Experiment by mixing textures and shapes that complement and contrast. Why not pair graphic art prints with curved statement-furniture, or offset cozy fabrics with wooden frames? Use your creative intuition to figure out what works for you.

RETREAT TO COMFORT

“Like never before, there’s a desire to create a cocoon in our home to retreat from the outside world,” says Annica Wallin.

The Beige Balance trend is all about creating a comforting environment to make you feel at your most peaceful, no matter what the world throws at you. Select prints featuring mindful quotations or zen photography so that you can truly enjoy your space.

To read more design content from 360 Magazine, check out this article on DIY interior design.

Container House by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

How to Avoid Disgusting Bathroom Smells

The bathroom is probably the most challenging area to maintain at home. It usually smells bad. If you want to avoid a disgusting bathroom smell, these tips will help.

Use air fresheners

You can use air fresheners to help maintain a good scent in your bathroom. The problem is that some fresheners contain chemicals that might damage your health. The good thing is that there are organic options available. If you can find them, they’re perfect for your bathroom. Make sure you only spray a little each time, there’s no need to coat your floor with air freshener. Keep your children and pets away from the bathroom while you spray. Don’t allow them to come inside for a while.

Maintain good ventilation

Allow good ventilation in your bathroom. The key is to use a vent fan since it keeps the foul smell away. It also helps to keep the door open when no one is using it. If someone uses the bathroom, it won’t have a terrible smell anymore.

Keep the towels dry

You might not be particular about it, but damp towels can also lead to a bad smell. Make sure that the towels are dry all the time. After using one, you should put it in the laundry bin. Don’t keep it in the bathroom because wet towels will produce a bad smell. Remind your entire family about this so that they become responsible.

Light a candle

Look for scented candles that you can light to keep the bathroom smelling good. The smoke that comes from the candle can help neutralize the odor. However, some scented candles may contain harmful chemicals. Therefore, you have to be careful in choosing which candles to use. The good thing about having a scented candle in your bathroom is that even if you don’t use one, it looks good. It can be a part of your bathroom decorations.

Clean the bathroom regularly

The best way to keep your bathroom free from bad smells is by cleaning it regularly. Empty the bin each day. Feminine products, wet wipes, and used tissues may cause a terrible odor. You also have to wipe the toilet bowl and sink. There are times when they may look clean, but they’re not. Make it a habit to clean your bathroom a few minutes each day before you bathe. Otherwise, you will spend a long time cleaning the bathroom during the weekends.

Invest in quality bathroom furniture

While you’re thinking about ways to improve your bathroom, you should consider investing in bathroom furniture. Imagine having a new freestanding bath or bathroom enclosure. They will be perfect for making your bathing experience more comfortable. You can check them out at JT Spas.

You won’t have to deal with a disgusting and messy bathroom anymore once you implement these changes. Try to be consistent in following these strategies. Otherwise, it will only take a few days before the disgusting odor comes back. Your family members should also try to do their share of bathroom upkeep.

Quantum Mirror by Adrian Stein Rendering courtesy of Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations for use by 360 Magazine

Adrian Stein – Quantum Mirror

World’s First Physical NFT Installation, “Quantum Mirror” by Adrian Stein, Debuts in Chicago. 

The Immersive Work Contextualizes the Nature of NFT Art in the Real World.

As NFTs Have the Capability to be Infinitely Reproduced, “Quantum Mirror” Explores the Concept of Infinite Consciousness in the Digital Era.

In recent months, Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have rushed the cryptocurrency scene and taken the art world by storm. This new way of buying and selling digital art using blockchain technology has disrupted the art market and created overnight sensations out of formerly obscure artists such as Mike Winkelmann, also known as Beeple, who recently sold a collage of his digital works for the staggering sum of $69.3 million. Another rising artist in the new media art world, Adrian Stein, is unveiling what he describes as the world’s first immersive NFT installation in Chicago’s contemporary art gallery ARTSPACE 8.

“Quantum Mirror,” a 300-square-foot immersive installation, is an environment where the digital and physical worlds of art merge and multiply in a kaleidoscopic array created by over 150 mirrored surfaces. In-person visitors can see their own reflection infinitely juxtaposed alongside Stein’s digital works of human figures, which will be screened within the mirrored installation and accompanied by resonate soundtracks.

Stein’s digital art, available as NFTs that can be acquired via online marketplace Mintable, are displayed on screens in the center of the installation, representing the original copy of each NFT. These images are then reproduced within the geometrically mirrored walls, representing how NFTs exist online: they commonly have a single “original” with the ability to be infinitely duplicated. The installation acts as a physical representation of our virtual environment, using light and reflections to visualize how human consciousness and the economy have become entangled in a network of blockchains and social media.

Speaking to humanity’s deep dependence on technology, the installation lays inactive without its virtual core, in the same way as modern consciousness would be paralyzed without virtual connection – representing how everyday human life has crossed over to become a spectrum between raw humanity and cyborg consciousness.

“This work is meant to continue the conversation that Yayoi Kuzama began with her infinity rooms, by recontextualizing it into the digital world of artists like Beeple” said artist Adrian Stein. “As Kuzama’s work encourages the viewer to contemplate their place in the never-ending cosmos, “Quantum Mirror” encourages the viewer to contemplate their digital existence within the never-ending world online.”

The installation is viewable at ARTSPACE 8 on the third floor of 900 N. Michigan, starting March 20 through late April and viewable Monday through Saturday from 12:30 – 5:30pm at no charge. Online registration is required through this website, allowing ten people in the gallery at a time while following COVID-19 safety guidelines. More of Stein’s artwork can be viewed on Instagram.

ABOUT ADRIAN STEIN

Guatemalan-born, Chicago-based new media artist Adrian Stein seeks to understand how humans view themselves through the many mirrors viewed in everyday life which reveal the borders, glass walls, and masks built between one another in the process.

By representing the human form as a prismatic lens in constant shift, dynamically morphed and affected by the medium it is inhabiting, Stein’s work engages the concept that different states of consciousness give rise to different views of the self, elaborating on how perceived identities can create a hybrid existence that merges both virtual and physical personas.

Through the use of colloquial digital languages and visual commonalities, he seeks to create an aesthetic medium to reveal how his own duality as a Guatemalan-born American has given rise to a hybrid identity, forcing him to exist in both places at the same time.

ABOUT ARTSPACE 8

The 14,000 square foot gallery is located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, specializing in contemporary fine art showing a number of paintings, prints, sculpture, and works on paper from emerging and established artists, based both locally and abroad. ARTSPACE 8 prides itself on taking a democratic approach to its affluent surroundings, engaging experienced collectors and the masses alike in the viewing and collecting of intriguing artworks through highly-curated exhibitions and events.

Quantum Mirror by Adrian Stein Rendering courtesy of Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations for use by 360 Magazine Quantum Mirror by Adrian Stein Rendering courtesy of Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations for use by 360 Magazine

 

 

Orson Wilds image shot by Calm Elliott-Armstrong for use by 360 Magazine

ORSON WILDS – DEBUT SINGLES, “KYOTO”

ORSON WILDS SHARE COVER OF PHOEBE BRIDGERS’ “KYOTO”

DEBUT SINGLES “STAND UP” & “MOTHERS DAUGHTERS” AVAILABLE NOW

Ahead of last week”s Grammys ceremony, Canadian duo Orson Wilds shared a performance of Phoebe Bridgers’ “Kyoto,” exclusively via Brooklyn Vegan. Today, the cover gets a wider release and is available across all streaming platforms.

“Phoebe Bridgers is the ultimate apocalypse music,” vocalist Eric Reid told Brooklyn Vegan. “It feels deeply personal and introspective but there”s also a level of nihilism and despair, which is frankly, everything I look for in an artist. “Punisher” was such a perfect soundtrack for the last year, and it helped both Brianna and myself get through some weird shit. “Kyoto” feels like the outlier on the album and felt the least voyeuristic to cover in terms of subject matter. It’s like a rock song, but super nuanced and not necessarily mixed the way you’d expect a rock song to be mixed, which is a huge part of what makes it so affecting. We approached it from a different angle and tried to keep it as live feeling as we could. We kept our takes to a minimum and sped it up a bit, I think it took like 4 hours to record.”

Orson Wilds’ debut studio singles, “Mothers Daughters” and “Stand Up,” were both recorded and produced by Will Yip (Panic! At The Disco, Turnstile, Title Fight), and will be included on the band”s forthcoming debut album expected to arrive later this year. Released in December, “Stand Up” is already closing in on one million streams globally. The track was commended by UproxxNorthern Transmissions, and The Alternative upon its release, with Uproxx declaring it “one of the most anthemic indie rock jams since Arcade Fire dropped “Wake Up.”” Both tracks are available now on all streaming platforms. Watch the official video for “Stand Up” here and “Mothers Daughters” here.

Orson Wilds, fronted by Eric Reid and Brianna Bordihn, have only played a handful of shows in the Southern Ontario area, focusing mainly on the honing of their craft and sound. This hard work paid off when Yip, an enthusiastic producer with bustling industry savvy, was so taken by the compositional strength of Orson Wilds’ songs that he took the band under his wing, helped them produce two new singles, and signed them to his imprint. Though Reid and Bordihn represent the core of Orson Wilds, an ever-evolving collective of friends and family round out the live iteration of the band with stomping, uplifting electric guitars, horns and woodwind sections, and thrashing, urgent percussion.

Post Vaccination Adventure Image by Sublime Public Relations courtesy of Adam York for 360 Magazine

Post-Vaccination Adventures

President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that the United States will have enough coronavirus vaccines for all adults by the end of May – two months earlier than previously thought – is promising news for travelers. Precautions will still need to be taken, of course, but domestic travel is likely to be popular again this summer, highlighted by national parks, active trips and travel where physical distancing is possible. Here are six dream vacations to take this summer once you’ve gotten your shots.

 

1. Long-Weekend Cycling: Adventure Cycling Association is offering a new collection of long-weekend tours close metropolitan areas to make it easy to give bike travel a try. Options include taking in the crisp mountain air and stunning vistas while cycling around the stunning Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border, or leaving behind the hustle and bustle of New York City to bike up the Hudson River valley and visit peaceful state parks. To learn more, visit this website

 

2. Greater Yellowstone Adventures: A stay at The Wilson Hotel in Big Sky, Montana, offers the opportunity to explore the surrounding mountains, rivers and Yellowstone National Park. Go hiking through shaded forests and wildflower-filled alpine meadows, float or fly fish in a clear, cool river, experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking at Big Sky Resort, or tour the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone. To learn more, visit this website.

 

3. Explore National Parks by RV: Blacksford is a new recreational vehicle rental business with an all-inclusive pricing model that includes unlimited miles, no generator fees, bedding, bath and kitchen supplies, free Wi-Fi, free annual national park pass and 24-hour roadside assistance. Blacksford also curates road trip experiences by connecting travelers with vetted campsites, guides and other hand-picked attractions. To learn more, visit this website.  

 

4. Channel Your Inner Cowboy: “Yellowstone,” the wildly popular cable television series starring Kevin Costner, has sparked newfound interest in luxury dude ranch vacations. Red Reflet Ranch, a 28,000-acre guest ranch in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, has experienced a surge of guests booking five-figure vacations because of their love for the series. Guests stay in fully-stocked private cabins and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine while participating in equestrian programs, cattle branding, hiking, mountain biking, ATVing, fly fishing, shooting, family-friendly activities and cooking classes. To learn more, visit this website.

 

5. Idaho Hot Springs, Camping and Cycling: Escape Adventures is excited to offer a multiday cycling tour showcasing Idaho’s magnificent Sawtooth Range and some of the state’s most scenic natural hot springs. The tour includes five days of transfixing road rides – including over the highest paved road in the American Northwest – colorful mining towns, wild rivers and remote natural hot springs. To learn more, visit this website.

 

6. Retreat to a Teton Tiny House: With sustainably built, LEED-certified “tiny house” cabins, Fireside Resort is Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s most innovative take on resort town lodging. The resort embraces modern, yet rustic design and presents a fresh approach to luxury lodging. Nestled in a wooded setting at the foot of the Teton Range, the cabins allow guests to get back to nature while enjoying the intimacy of a boutique hotel and the ambiance of their own cozy residence. To learn more, visit this website.

Post Vaccination Adventure Image by Sublime Public Relations courtesy of Adam York for 360 MagazinePost Vaccination Adventure Image by Sublime Public Relations courtesy of Adam York for 360 Magazine

Post Vaccination Adventure Image by Sublime Public Relations courtesy of Adam York for 360 Magazine

Fireside Resort. Post Vaccination Adventure Image by Sublime Public Relations courtesy of Adam York for 360 Magazine

Lord Huron Long Lost Album Cover (By Ben Schneider) of Republic Records for use by 360 Magazine

Lord Huron – Long Lost

LORD HURON ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM LONG LOST OUT MAY 21ST

NEW SINGLE “MINE FOREVER” OUT NOW WITH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Who is Tubbs Tarbell? (Letter)

After causing a whole lot of chatter amongst audiences and critics alike, Lord Huron have begun to unwind the little riddle they’ve been spinning over the past few months and announce their fourth full-length album, LONG LOST, out May 21st via Whispering Pines Studios Inc./Republic Records, featuring new single “MINE FOREVER.

Pre-orderLong Lost HERE, listen to “Mine Forever HERE, and watch the official music video for Mine Forever (Directed by Anthony Wilson) HERE.

At the same time, the news only raises more questions. What can fans expect? What did the band lose and how long has it been lost? And who the hell is WBUB’s Mr. Tubbs Tarbell? All these questions (and more) have been brewing as easter eggs from the upcoming album have been revealed during Lord Huron’s Alive from Whispering Pines series.

During its first episode, viewers were introduced to Mr. Tubbs Tarbell, fell under the spell of commercials that may very well be lost tapes from the past, and were treated to some incredible performances by Lord Huron. The band played some old songs including “Meet Me In The Woods” (view video here) and provided a sneak peek at some new songs. The episode also featured a hotline where fans could call in and ask Mr. Tarbell questions and request songs from the band. Episode 2 included additional cryptic clues, more beautiful performances from Lord Huron (including  “The World Ender” and  “Frozen Pines”) and even the secret world premiere of “Mine Forever.” Last night on Alive From Whispering Pines, Lord Huron performed their triple-platinum single “The Night We Met,” as well as fan favorites “Ghost on The Shore” and “Never Ever.”

To help answer all these lingering questions, Tubbs has put out an official letter into the multi-verse from Whispering Pines Studios describing the mythical tale of recording Long Lost with Lord Huron and the origins of its cosmic music. Read the full letter HERE and below.

Long Lostwill also include previously released track “Not Dead Yet.” The single has already racked up 1.5 million Spotify streams and 500K video views. Additionally, the guys hit the stage at Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! for a show-stopping television debut performance of “Not Dead Yet.” Watch it HERE. Spin claimed, “they sharpened their teeth, while UPROXX described the track as “driving. In addition to plugs from Stereogum and more, Brooklyn Vegan touted it among “Our Favorite Songs of the Week.” See full track list for Long Lost below.

The last episode of Alive From Whispering Pines will broadcast in April, with more surprises to come. Fans can purchase tickets to each episode, a season pass to all four shows, and exclusive merch at Lord Huron’s website.

What could be in store for the band next? Only time will tell…As Tubbs says: “As ever, friends, may you live until you die”

Long Lost Track List:

  1. The Moon Doesn’t Mind
  2. Mine Forever
  3. (One Helluva Performer)
  4. Love Me Like You Used To
  5. Meet Me in The City
  6. (Sing For Us Tonight)
  7. Long Lost
  8. Twenty Long Years
  9. Drops in the Lake
  10. Where Did the Time Go
  11. Not Dead Yet
  12. (Deep Down Inside Ya)
  13. I Lied
  14. At Sea
  15. What Do It Mean
  16. Time’s Blur

About Lord Huron
Lord Huron first made a name for themselves with their debut album Lonesome Dreams and shortly after released Strange Taleswhich featured the triple-platinum single “The Night We Met.” In 2018, Lord Huron earned widespread critical acclaim with their first Top 5 debut on the Billboard Top 2—with their third album, Vide Noir. A cinematic collection of pensive, provocative and powerful rock, the record garnered praise from NPRTimeLos Angeles TimesSpinStereogumRefinery29UPROXX, and more as singles such as Wait by the River (which the band performed on “Late Night with Seth Meyers”) and When the Night is Over generated tens of millions of streams. The band’s extensive touring includes headline shows at some of the most storied venues in the country (including the Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks, and the Ryman Auditorium) and prime slots at festivals ranging from Coachella to Lollapalooza to Bonnaroo.

Tune Prism Cover Artist Spotlight: Lord Huron and the Long Lost Sounds of Yore Words and Memories by Tubbs Tarbell

Friends,

I been thinkin’ a lot about the past again. I guess if you know me, that’s nothin’ new. Yeah, I smell what you’re sniffin’ at: “Oh boy, here goes ol’ Tubbs again, ramblin’ about those good ol’ bygone days of yore.” Well, sure, I’ll allow you that’n. Maybe I do tend to take a good hard glance into the rearview before I step my boot on the gas. But don’t we all? Or shouldn’t we, in any case?

It just seems to me that, these days, the past is everywhere you look. Hell, take another peek at that sentence again. The first time you read it is already in the past. Funny how time just keeps clickin’ along. These days, anyway.

So, sometime in what’s now the not-too distant past, I was sittin’ in my usual seat inside Whispering Pines, cozied up to a glass of something cozy, when, from outta nowhere, this particular tune crept into my ear. It was a funny thing, because it immediately felt familiar to me, as a song that creeps into your ear usually has to be—’specially for somebody like me who don’t write ’em…I just roll ’em. (You’ve heard me say that one more than a few times, no doubt.) But then the more I thought about it, and the more I listened to this little tune janglin’ around upstairs, I realized that I couldn’t place it as somethin’ I’d ever heard before. (And take my word for it: the ol’ upstairs is a titanium steel trap for tunes, even now.) It was a conundrum.

That little number stuck with me for more than a few days. I’d be doing something mindless— scrubbin’ my cup, combin’ my hat—when all of a sudden, here it came again: It’s hard to make friends when you’re half in the grave, but I ain’t dead yet and I’ve got something to say. It was the loveliest thing, and dang me if it didn’t keep sounding chummier and chummier. It was sublime—that drivin’ jangle of the guitar, the steady thump of the drums, those breezy, liltin’ voices—but I just couldn’t place it. Could it have been that ol’ Tubbs here had somehow tapped into that cosmic eternal and unwittingly written his first tune without even knowin’ it?

A week (or was it a month?) went by and the tune never went too far from my head. There’s a stranger in my eyes again… It almost got to where I was more used to the tune bein’ there under my hat than my own face. …I swear to God I don’t know him. But then it happened, somethin’ I’ll never forget for as long as I live: My little tune came to life before my very eyes.

Now, be patient. I’ll tell you how.

That day, one of my all-time favorite acts happened to be booked in Whispering Pines for a recordin’ spell, those good-time bootscooters and rhythm rascals known as the Lord Huron. As always, the boys showed up early—but not earlier than ol’ Tubbs here—and made haste toward the studio’s live room.

“Howdy, fellers,” says I. “Headed for the big room, I see.” (If Whispering Pines was a church—it ain’t, mind you, but iffin’ it were—the live room would be the holy pulpit, I reckon.)

Ben (he’s the singer) just looked at me, touched the brim of his hat, and nodded. “Thought we might try somethin’ different this time, good buddy,” says he.

So I just gave him my grandest grand welcome and stepped aside, happy to have them back. Those boys know what they’re doin’, havin’ made quite a few of their records with us. But the live room, this was gonna be a first, and a real treat. I tried my best to keep my grin to a simmer, sat down at the board, and watched as Mark, Miguel, Tom, and Ben started tunin’ her up

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of recordin’ at the Pines, then you know that nothin’ in the place is off limits. Guitars, cymbals, pianos, pedal steel, mandolins, microphones, saxophones—what’s ours is ours, that’s my motto. And as the Huron boys are basically my own brothers by now— well, nephews, maybe, but who’s countin’—I was glad to see their hands on all of it. I even heard ’em talk about recordin’ a gigantic string and woodwind orchestra in some dang place like Sweden or somewhat…those fellers really shoot the moon, I tell ya.

I’d barely had time to pour my coffee and hit the big red button when they settled into a dusky groove so quick I could hardly believe it. Must have been all that time playin’ out on the road together—even headlined that dang Bowl they got out in Hollywood since last I laid eyes. Hell, they’ve known each other since grade school so it don’t surprise…that’s the rumor, anyway.

Now, I’ve loved all their hits—“The Night We Met,” “Time to Run,” “When the Night is Over”—but this new stuff they started in on just sounded…well, it just sounded like somethin’ eerily familiar, as it were. Like somethin’ from a past life I’d heard before, but brand new, all at once. Like a note plucked long ago that had moseyed through time to finally belly up to my bar once and for all. It was a conundrum.

The first number they called “The Moon Doesn’t Mind,” and I say it reminded me of one of those cowboy pictures where the lone horseman is singin’ his heart out to the audience from atop his brave steed. But somethin’ about the pang in Ben’s voice made it seem like that feelin’ was more lonesome than just simply lone—or maybe it was just my view from the sidestage, as it were. Maybe the light catches a singer a little different when you’re not starin’ at him head-on, or even through a lens. I always did wonder if those cowboys were really as rootin’ and tootin’ as they looked on TV. I gave the boys a good round of applause before they launched into a real sunset of a song they called “Mine Forever,” a swingin’, full-on heart-renderer with a bubbly sound. All of a sudden I heard handclaps and female voices—I swear those ladies must have risen up outta the floorboards! Never saw ’em come in, and didn’t see ’em leave. That’s just the magic of the Pines, I suppose. Door knockin’s for strangers.

The next one, “Love Me Like You Used To,” brought to ear of one of those classic lovelorn country ballads, like one sung by Handsome Scott or even ol’ Roy Casey himself. “Long Lost” and “I Lied” both slowed the tempo down a notch or two, but sounded no less grand. The boys were really firin’ on all cylinders that day, I tell ya, fillin’ the air of that grand live room—and my own soul—with those tales of hard luck, heartbreak, and redemption. It was as if the boys had become conduits for the spirits of the room and were usin’ them to tap into that same cosmic eternal I’ve always felt—known—was hoverin’ around inside Whispering Pines.

I was feelin’ pretty fine. Our old pine clock on the wall had long stopped tickin’ and the boys surely didn’t need any help from little ol’ me, so I helped myself to a little somethin’ cozy and kicked my boots up on the board. And it was then, in that instant, that I heard it…my tune.

All messed up with nowhere to go, I stare at myself in the mirror alone… It’s hard to make friends when you’re half in the grave…

That drivin’ guitar jangle, the steady drum thump, those breezy, liltin’ voices…it was all unmistakable. My tune! It had somehow crept out from that titanium trap I keep under my hat and sneaked into the live room to serenade me from behind the glass studio wall. Time seemed to stand still, even more than it usually does around here. It was like some long, lost dream come to life, a forgotten classic from a parallel dimension, the echo of a memory that wasn’t mine. But the feelin’ was real.

“Say, boys, what’s that one called?” I hollered into the talkback, trying to seem casual.

They looked at one another, laughed. “Well, I’m not sure,” Ben replied. “What does it feel like it’s called to you?”

As he spoke, I caught a glimpse of myself in the unpolished studio glass, and somethin’ hit me, somethin’ I’ve never been able to explain. “Well, I reckon it’s called ‘Not Dead Yet,’” I reckoned. And wouldn’t you know it? Turned out, it was.

The Huron kept at it for a little while longer that day, but I must have drifted off peaceful-like in somethin’ of a cosmic slumber, with my tune—all of the tunes, in fact, as all of them were now mine—janglin’ heavy and happy in my heart. When I woke, the light from the next day was just startin’ to ease into the Pines, and I was alone. I stood up, stretched my creaky back, scratched a little stubble. As I turned to grab my leavin’ hat off its peg, somethin’ caught my eye: A hand- scratched note bound to a faded vinyl record sleeve was layin’ on the floor.

I bent down to snatch it up. The record was called “Long Lost,” and it looked as if it had been layin’ there on the floor since before Whispering Pines was even a whisper itself. I brushed the dust off the cover and saw that the artist was none other than the boys themselves—Lord Huron.

“Say, Tubbs,” the note read. “Time washes aways what man creates, but ‘Long Lost’ might convince you that a note can live on. Be good now. The Boys.”

And just like that, they were gone.

As ever, friends, may you live until you die, Tubbs

ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS

A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Black Thought, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd 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, Lava Records, XO, Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (J Balvin and Karol G).  In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films in order to produce movies and series powered by the label’s catalog and artists. Its first production was the Jonas Brothers documentary Chasing Happiness for Amazon Prime Video.