Author Archives: howtobeswell

Dick Clark

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I wouldn’t normally post like this, but I saw this news today and I had to share. Dick Clark was a class act, an icon in music and television. He was the long-running host of the shows  ‘American Bandstand’ and ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ which brought rock and roll music into many people’s homes for the first time. He has launched and promoted the careers of myriads of artists in his years in the industry.

Long dubbed “the world’s oldest teenager” because of his boyish appearance, he was still relevant to people all ages well into his advanced years. Born Nov. 30, 1929 in Mount Vernon, N.Y., Clark began his long music business career at age 17 as a radio announcer. He went on to become the host of ‘American Bandstand’ from 1956 to 1989. In 1993 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A stroke in 2004 left Clark unable to host ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ for the first time in 32 years, he returned in a co-hosting role the subsequent year and every year following. On April 18th he has died of a “massive heart attack” at age 82. Clark leaves behind his wife, Kari Wington, a son, Richard Augustus II, with first wife Barbara Mallery and two children, Duane and Cindy, with second wife Loretta Martin. Dick Clark certainly knew how to be swell.

Empire of One

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This is one of the greatest bands on the rock scene that I have heard in quite a long time. Empire of One is a California-based band with a smooth, fresh, rock sound. I listen to their song “Roam” and imagine myself on a warm evening cruising up the 101 in a drop-top, staring at the ocean with no particular place to go. They have a mellow contemporary sound with some great hooks that will stick with you and you’ll never tire of. They are steeped in the alternative rock genre and definitely have a west coast, almost Seattle sound, but they are much better than whats been coming out of that area lately.

The band has performed and written together for less than a year, yet seem to have a kinship that has lasted a lifetime. They call it a brotherhood, separated at birth. All of the members come from a diverse musical backgrounds. The lead singer is Wil Seabrook, a veteran of indie and major label deals has a long history in the industry. Luke Thomas on guitar and vocals has written and recorded solo and with a number of groups as a session artist, and also is a music instructor. Darwin Johnson on bass & vocals studied at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles. Alexander E. Gonzalez on drums is also president, musical director and producer at G-Man Musical Services. Wil describes the band this way “With this group of guys I’m spending time with some of my best friends who also happen to be the most talented musicians I know”, and you can hear it in their music.

Empire of one plays all over California, and hopefully more places than that soon. Right now you’ll often find them at Witzend in Venice, CA. For other show dates look here. Of course if you’re not in the So-Cal area you can find their EP on iTunes. They are continuing to write new music and perform, and I for one am looking forward to what els they have to delight our ears. Of course in the interest of full disclosure one of the band mates is a close personal friend of mine, so all the more reason to support this band. So, go now and check out Empire of One, because dude, they are swell.

Roger Waters-The Wall Tour

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Pink Floyd is arguably the most commercially successful and influential rock music groups of all time. They have sold over 230 million albums worldwide, including 74.5 million in the United States, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Founded in 1965, Pink Floyd originally consisted of students Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and Syd Barrett. The band began by playing in London’s underground music scene in the late 1960s. Under Barrett they released two singles, “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play”, and a successful début album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Guitarist and vocalist David Continue reading →

Louis Cartier XL Slimline-Tank

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The Cartier design house has a long history of serving royalty, stars, and celebrities. The one time Prince of Wales, Edward VII, called Cartier the “Jeweler of the Kings, King of Jewelers”.

Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier when he took over the workshop of his master. In 1874, his son Alfred Cartier took over the company, but it was Alfred’s sons; Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who were responsible for establishing the brand name worldwide. Cartier has since become a world renowned fashion house for jewelry, watches and other goods. Louis retained responsibility for the Paris branch, and he was responsible for some of the company’s most celebrated designs, such as the fashionable wristwatches and exotic oriental flavored Art Deco designs. This year they created this beautiful advertisement highlighting their history and icons, notably in the ad is the journey of the Cartier panther. 

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Montblanc-Legend

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The history of Montblanc dates back to 1906 when a Hamburg stationery trader, a Hamburg banker, and a Berlin engineer decide to produce fountain pens. The gentlemen eventually created the Simplo Filler pen Company, based in Hamburg Germany and co-owned by the three; Claus-Johannes Voss, Christian Lausen and Wilhelm Dziambor. In 1910 they introduced the”Montblanc” fountain pen and by 1913 the Montblanc star was trademarked. In 1935, after nearly 25 years of business in pens and stationary, they branched out and began a separate leather goods production works in Lämmerspiel Germany, to make small luxury leather goods and to build upon their existing products.

Meisterstuck pen

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Zou Bisou, Bisou-Jessica Pare

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Mad Men had their season premier Sunday night, and it was quite entertaining. The styles were cool, the martinis were flowing, and the look was spot on. Something grabbed my attention during this episode that was quite cool. The producers, capitalizing on a catchy French pop tune, had Jessica Pare sing the song  “Zou Bisou, Bisou”. Jessica plays Megan Draper, the main character, Don Draper’s, wife. For his 40th birthday she sang and danced for him at his surprise party:

“Zou Bisou Bisou,” which roughly means “Oh, kiss, kiss” in French. It was originally recorded by Gillian Hills, a teen pop star from 1960’s France. There’s also an English version, sung by Sophia Loren for the movie “The Millionairess.” The production company for Mad Men, announced Monday that it has released Pare’s version of the song on iTunes, with a special limited edition vinyl to be sold here. With the season premier, Matthew Weiner nailed it. He chose a song to capture the flavor of what’s going on at that period in the 60’s, and as you pan around the room in the party scene there are some swell dressed characters as well. I will say it again, Mad Men is worth a viewing, and no one can argue, if you were serenaded with that song by your sultry wife, that sure would be swell.

Wrighteous Jewelry

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Let me introduce you to an awesome jewelry designer. I am really a big fan of Wrightous Jewelry, not only do I like their style and quality, but I also like what they stand for. Their company credo includes vintage ideas of pride and patriotism, faith and love for your country, It is American made jewelry with an American spirit.  They are born in the United States and made in Detroit-the motor city. They follow a similar marketing idea to the Chrysler “Imported From Detroit” theme, which I love. To give you a feel here is a quote from their website:

The Wrighteous Lifestyle is about taking your past and creating renewed vigor for your life with genuine intentions toward your future.  Embrace your life, it’s in your hands, you make the choice on which path you will travel. America has been built on many foundations and principles, hard work, sweat and tears. Grab ahold of that spirit and create with us a New American Renaissance. A renewal in what is the American Spirit.

But, what it’s really about is the style. They have big men’s and a women’s lines, that are both fantastic. The men’s is of particular interest here. The styles are royal, gothic and rock&roll all mixed together. There are some very masculine cues; antiqued silver, crosses, skulls, fleur-de-lis, and the like. All of the pieces are in sterling silver, some have 14 karat gold. Wrighteous makes rings, pendants, cuff links, belt buckles, and a lot more. I think it is one of the best brands in men’s jewelry that I have seen in a long time. They bring back that rugged and bold look to mens jewelry. On top of that it is great to support an American company from a down ,but not out market in Detroit Michigan. As of now Wrighteous Jewelry is pretty exclusive, but I know you can get it at Diamonds & Gold.

Support this brand, They call themselves Wrighteous, I call them Swell.

Foster The People- Torches

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I might be a little late on the uptake for this one, but I wanted to fully digest the album. Now that I have, I love it!

Mark Foster founded the Foster & the People in 2009 after spending several years in Los Angeles as a struggling musician and working as a commercial jingle writer. After Foster’s song “Pumped Up Kicks” became a viral success in 2010, they were signed to Columbia Records‘ imprint Startime International . They gained a fan base through club shows and music festivals. The group is Continue reading →