CVLZ - RECONNAISSANCE

Some new new from CVLZ (YoJorgie & AoThaBandit).

Like. Share. Enjoi.

YoJorgie Pres.: MY GOLD MASK!

[photo by: Drew Reynolds & LoudLoopPress.com

photo edited by: YoJorgie]

Elo Elo Kiddies!!!

Its that time for our 4th (but 1st in 2011!) installment of "YoJorgie Pres.!" and this is one that ive been wanting to post for a bit, but my laptop had gone all [x_x] on me soooo it took me a taaad longer than expected... my bad peeps.

Anywho, with us today are 2 Chicago residents that met one day at a rooftop party and ended up becoming one of the most unique sounds to EVER hit the musical-atmosphere.

W/O Any Further Ado,

YoJorgie Pres.:

MY GOLD MASK

(Gretta Rochelle & Jack Armondo)

YoJo: Have either of you been in previous bands or musical endeavors?

Gretta: Yes. Jack and I both have been in bands before.

Jack: I have been in like 4 or 5 bands that most people have probably never heard of.

YoJo: How did the name 'My Gold Mask' come about?

Gretta: Well, around the same time we were coming up with names for this project, we were also talking about how we wanted a gold 'Lucha Libre' mask. We have a small collection of them and we're missing a gold one.

Jack: Somewhere in the conversation we said "My Gold Mask". We've always been fascinated with masks and the idea of second identities, so the name really appealed to us.

YoJo: I heard you've been working on new material. Hows that coming along?

Gretta: It's coming along nicely. We have a lot of ideas that we are working on right now and we like where it's going.

YoJo: So Jack, will we get to hear more of your voice on new material?

Jack: Maybe, maybe not. We're still early in the writing process so it will depend on how it goes from here, but I have been singing more lately.

YoJo: How do you feel like the progression from your first EP to your last EP has been? Does it feel more raw or natural to compose or play?

Gretta: It always feels organic to me.

Jack: We just sort of keep trying new things or ideas that are a little outside of our comfort zone.

YoJo: Will My Gold Mask be touring soon?

Gretta: We're playing at SXSW 2011 and there will be some dates around it that we'll post.

YoJo: If you had the opportunity to work with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Gretta: Robert Smith. I am smitten with his work and voice!

Jack: Goblin, because I love the Suspiria soundtrack... i'd give a different answer to this from day to day, by the way.

YoJo: What's the last song you remember hearing & loving on your ipod/mp3 player/radio?

Gretta: Said El Kurdi - Kassem Miro

Jack: Religious To Damn - Drifter

[Now its time for a fan question!]

@SchrickyTicky: If you could set-up your own fantasy show, where would you be and which 3 bands/artists would you want to join you on the roster?

Gretta: It would be in a creepy cave with The Cure, Ma Rainey & Bikini Kill.

Jack: On the moon with some of our friends like The Hood Internet, Unicycle Loves You and Zambri.

There you have it kids. A little pow-wow with MY GOLD MASK!

Make sure to check out the bands page and purchase the tuneage. Just click HERE!

[BONUS: CHECK OUT THE FIRST TIME I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE BAND! ONE OF THE BBEEESSSTTT COVERS EEEEVVVEEERRR!!! lol.]

YoJorgie Pres.: NINA SKY!

HOLA MI GENTEEE!!!

Today im proud to bring you the 3RD installment of "YoJorgie Pres.!" , and its safe to say that this months guests are THE definition of FUNK, SPICE and SOUL . For over 5 years, ive been jamming to these beautiful ladies and now i had a chance to hit em up and get some juice.

W/O Any Further Ado,

YoJorgie Pres.:

NiNa Sky

(NIcole & NAtalie Albino)

YoJo: Your new EP 'The Otherside' dropped. Its made quiet a buzz and also made your hardcore fans very pleased. Can you give the fans a little history on the process of making this EP?

NiNa: We recorded "The Other Side" right before summer of this year. We've had our album "Starting Today"delayed sooooo many times by our label so instead of sitting back and waiting for it to get an official release, we recorded an entire new body of music. "The Other Side" is a special project to us because in 6 years, its the first FULL project we've put out.

YoJo: Did you come at it any differently than your last works of art?

NiNa: We basically approached it like everything else we've recorded, got in the studio got a vibe going, put the pen to the paper and allowed the magic to create itself. The dopest part about this was not having the outside input of our label. We chose the people we wanted to work with and made music that was true to us. We're still waiting for "Starting Today" to get its release but until then, we will continue to make music and release it independently for our fans.WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!!!

YoJo: What's your favorite song on "The Otherside"?

Ni: My favorite song on the EP changes daily. Lately I've been in a "lovey dovey" type mood. My favorite song today

is "Only You"

Na: Thats a tough question.. I love EVERY song.

YoJo: A few weeks ago you tweeted "Never Look Back" full version?" Its my favorite (& current ringtone, lol) When I saw this I JUMPED! Any news about that?

NiNa: We're currently working on a remixed, version of "Never Look Back". Fine tuning it as we speak!

YoJo: Can you give me any info on what you guys have in store for the "You Ain't Got It" music video??

NiNa: The "You Ain't Got It" video was filmed in NYC half in front of a green screen and the rest outside roaming the streets. It's fun and simple. It's just us in our element w/ a few of our friends in our home city. The street shots are supposed to have the same feel as the original Sagat "Funk That" video and the colorful green screens just add a soft, girly, "now' feel.

YoJo: I was tuned into the interview you did at East Village Radio with my girl Hannah Rad.

(Btw, I FLIIIPPED OUT when I heard the shout outs so THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR THAT!! I'm gonna hear that 'Happy Birthday' clip EVERY May 11th! Lol. So sweet! ^_^.)

I heard you guys mention your ALREADY goin in the studio to work on a new album. Judging by your tweets, you girls aint joking! Lol. How's that coming along?

NiNa: Its coming along great! We've actually started producing music. We're still learning but its been a great process for us. We've grown so much as musicians, writers and women and you can tell when you hear our music.

YoJo: If you had the chance to work with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Ni: Hmmmm

Na: Outkast

YoJo: What's the last song you heard and remember JAAAAMMING to?

Ni: I've been jamming to Gloria Estefan A LOT recently!

Na: No Doubt "Sunday Morning" .. Just added "Tragic Kingdom" to my Ipod, so I've had the album on repeat for dayssss.

There you have it kids! NiNa Sky is back (even though they never left!!) and better than ever! New Tunes, New Look, New form of Happy!

NOW GOTO NINASKYHIGH.COM TO GET YOUR COPY OF "THE OTHERSIDE" & Stay tuned for the "You Aint Got It" video on their page and of course, YoJorgie.com

[ Heres myself with the ladies Circa 05' ]

YoJorgie Pres.: MEN!

Elo Labias & Genitals!

Today I bring you our 2nd installment of "YoJorgie Pres.!" and its a doozey!
A Brooklyn-based trio that has given my heart a new beat, my soul a new rhythm, and my brain a new piece of happiness!

W/O Any Further Ado,

YoJorgie Pres.:

MEN

(JD Samson, Michael O'Neill, Ginger Brooks Takahashi.)

YoJo : I know you've been in a lot of music endeavors before, including 'The Creams' in 2000 & 'Princess' in 2005. What makes working with MEN a different kind of experience from the rest?

Michael O'Neill : Well The Creams wasn't anything serious at all, just me and 2 friends in college having fun. But one of the other Creams was Jordan Lieb, who has worked with MEN extensively co-producing our record. He's an old friend I have worked with for many years. Princess was a really wild experimentation that crossed many musical genres. We tried to maintain some sense of fun and party vibe in all the craziness, but MEN definitely comes with alot more pop sensibility than that project had.
YoJo : What do you think the hardest thing about touring is?

Michael O'Neill : I think the hardest thing about touring is coming home. It's a nice relief from the hard work, but you come home and you have lost touch with friends, and your life as you once knew it changed while you were gone. it's very disorienting. i'd much prefer to be on the road these days, it feels more like home.

YoJo : Whats your favorite place that you've been to while touring with MEN?
Ginger Brooks Takahashi : I loved going to the botanical garden in Rio de Janeiro. It is huge, a wild rain forest, featuring plants from allover the southern hemisphere with cactus greenhouses, a bromeliad greenhouse and a section dedicated to orchids and air plants. A perfect place to wander and lose oneself for an afternoon.
YoJo : Are there any new projects coming up for LTTR?

Ginger Brooks Takahashi : LTTR is, like Le Tigre, on hiatus. Its possible we might work on something in the future, but currently we are not active. However, keep an eye out for BTFA, an anonymous sex zine!

YoJo : If you had the opportunity to work with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

JD Samson : If i could work with anyone i would probably work with Michael Jackson. I know it may sound cliche but i believe we would have had a strong connection and i really am inspired by his working process. i think his feelings made his decisions musically and i think that is really admirable. sincerity makes the best music.

YoJo : The song "Simultaneously". What's the history of that song? Who wrote the lyrics?

(Its my favorite)
JD Samson : Simultaneously is about a lot of different things. I wrote the lyrics to that song and they are really close to my heart. At first, I was losing someone close to me from cancer and I was feeling a lot of different feelings about it. One of them was confusion and frustration that there is illness in our world. And then i started thinking about the caregivers to people who are very sick. The silent form that sinks into death but still remains on the planet. This brought me to caregivers for AIDS patients and also women helping other women (in general). Some idea of thick bonds that can never be broken. And then I realized that a lot of the lyrics would also pertain to a pair of siamese twins that have always inspired me to be kind, patient, giving, and selfless. These twins are named lori and george schappell. I see them both as caregivers in a lot of ways. I also see them as two women who hold each other up no matter what. they have to.

YoJo : MEN-Whats your favorite song to play off this upcoming album?

JD : it really depends on the night. usually i love playing simultaneously. it always seems to reel me in emotionally and musically. although sometimes i love 'make it reverse', and sometimes i love 'be like this'.

YoJo : MEN-I read that your single "Credit Card Babie$" will be out in September. Do you think the world is ready for MEN?
JD : i hope the world is ready for MEN. We are certainly ready for the world. Its been a while since these songs have been written and we can't wait to get started on a new batch! We are happy to be putting out Credit Card Babie$ as our first single because we think it is really awesome that our politics are at the forefront of what we are doing. Hopefully the version without all the "fucks" won't be too popular. I love saying that sentence.

[You can buy the 12" single for Credit Card Babie$ HERE! ]

YoJo : MEN-Whats the last song you remember hearing & loving on your ipod/mp3 player/van radio? (Lol)

Michael : I look forward to hearing Delilah on mainstream USA radio. those love stories and 80s love songs are really cheesy, but there is still a realness to those people's experiences that is amazing. Also, Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" is an absolute tear-jerker.

JD : for a second i thought you meant 'hey there delilah' by the plain white tees. that song sucks. i was happy to hear 'Madness-Wings of a Dove' the other day. great track.

There you have it kids! A little 'Get to know' time with MEN. Now make sure to check back here soon and see the new video (made THIS WEEK) for 'Off Our Backs'. Dont forget to buy their remix EP on iTunes and go see MEN on tour now!!

[BONUS!:WATCH THE ENTIRE SHOW! MEN LIVE @ NYC & FTL!]

[Heres me with JD, Michael, and Ginger.]

YoJorgie Pres.: LAUREN FLAX!

Elo Ladoos and Gentoes!

As i announced before, the musical beauty that is LAUREN FLAX agreed to do an interview for our very first entry of "YoJorgie Pres.:"... and you know i died in the BEST way.

the meeting was described to you in the video that i posted for my 'I HEART NY' (day 4-5) vlogging series, but not all of it.

W/O Further Ado, Lets Begin:

it started off by S.T. and i getting there before ANYONE, lol. we then have a drink and walk to the stage room. i looked to the right and see:

...i cream...

and ALSO notice..CASH ONLY!

>_<

So S.T. and i find out where an ATM is from the BEAUTIFUL woman working in the front

(btw-love you for giving me the poster and hard copy tickets..LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!)

and we make our way outside. when i look to my right, i notice these big dark brown strands of AWESOMENESS (lol) and realize..

OMG..LAUREN FLAX!

we cross the street to get to the ATM. i pounded those buttons like a good piece-a-meat,

get my mula, and run back across. When we start making our way to the door, she (lauren) gets in a sec before and is now standing RIGHT in front of me!!!

I automatically think,

"OK!...now or never jorgie boy!!..."

my mouth opens...nothing happens...she keeps walking...she gets closer to the backstage area...i still cant speak...shes getting farther...

..............and then..............

"LAAAaaaAaaauauUUUUUUuuRRREENNNnnn!!!"

........!........

....OF COURSE!...I LET OUT THE WEEEEIRDEST PITCHED SHOUT/SCREECH TO LAUREN FLAX!!!!....

She turns with a shocked and hesitant look on her face (AS SHE SHOULD HAVE AFTER THAT! lolol) and i introduce myself. She recognized me (i die) and i continued to explain what happened to my horrible cell phone with the terrible covergae and horrifying customer service. she was glad to see i found her and after all that ish and a quick run backstage, she was ready.

i was completly in SHOCK and SOOOOO nervous, that i didnt really think through on how the interview shouldve been done. (...not good...)

we were standing in the middle of the bar thats inside the venue and there was an open booth available. for some reason, thats where i decided to sit..WHY?!.. IDK!!

its funny because SHE knew that the interview wouldnt go as smoothly, but of course, Mr.Freeze-Up Jorgie was so stunned by what was happening that he wasnt realizing the music was BLARING out this odd alternative rock that was just NOT good to talk over.

and because i have short-term memory loss and didnt have an extra battery on my camera, i decided to get SchrickyTicky's assistance and we used her phone to record the interview.

here we go...

L.F.:will you be able to hear, or?

YoJo: yea as long as i can hear you after this so that i can exactly right down what u said..

shoulda taken that as a sign!*

I start by thanking her 50 different ways, some nervous rambling, and then explain the blog...i think she digs it.

Then...

YoJo: i know your a part of the project 'HOTEL MOTEL'. Are you guys going to start doing that across the US or worldwide or are you going to keep it local?

L.F.: you know what? because all of us girls are never home, we're always on tour, so whenever we're all home, we try to throw a 'hotel motel' to play together. i mean maybe we might do more shows, but for now its just that.

YoJo: your also touring with Fischerspooner right?

L.F.: yes.

YoJo: are you opening for them?

L.F.: well actually, im part of the band.

YoJo: oh yeah! my mistake. i saw that on your myspace page. were you a fan of them before you started working with them?

L.F.: oh HELL YEAH! ive been ... ----------------

:::silence:::

dO_Ob

theres no sound?...?!...?!?!?!...?!@#$%^&*

...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!...

-___- ☂

UN-FUCKING-FORTUNATELY, the audio goes kaput and all thats left is memories.

LUCKILY! i DID write down some of her responses that i was able to remember on the train on the way back home...

this is a short hand of everything taken directly from my memo pad on my BlackBerry...dont correct me and dont quote me 100%, lol. :

YoJo:(Fischerspooner question.)

L.F.: Yes, I loooved them since 1999, its such an honor to be able to be a part of FS.

YoJo: What is that little thing you hear in certain songs that make you want to remix them?
L.F.: When I start to remix a song, I don't have any certain angle I go at it with. I just don't use any of the songs original beats. But I do try to make it dancy, ya know? Like 'DANCE BITCHES DAAANCE!!'


Let me start off by saying im sorry to Lauren. Shes been nothing but amazing from before i met her til even after i texted her when i got back home.
IM REALLY SORRY LAUREN! AND SOOOOO EMBARRASSED!! I WILL MAKE THIS UP TO YOU! IM GOING TO ORLANDO AND IM GOING TO PROMISE YOU THAT ITS GOING TO BE PERFECT!
and im really sorry to my readers! you guys will get nothing but the best from me! i will keep bringing you gold (like Lauren) and will not let this happen again... pinky promise.

i leave you kids with a picture of The Flax on stage, opening up with her band CREEP.

watch some of the performance on my YouTube page:

www.youtube.com/oompa27

Stay Tuned for the next one kids...and as always...Enjoi.