Swatch New Gent Watches
Swatch is releasing a new, super-sized version of their original classic Gent watch. The debut release comprises a number of toned down colors with simple styling.
Music & Spoken Word Collide in Texas: ‘Rock the Republic’
Recently, Hypursuit was able to converse with Steve Sargent, one of the integral components of the annual Rock the Republic Concert Series and Festival held in Bryan, Texas. Sargent along with a number of individuals including Cody Bailey, Roby Fitzhenry, Matthew Trailer and Jon Wesley have created an elaborate concert production of varied music, passion and spoken word they hope will continue to raise the bar in the years to come.
Steve Sargent: My brother and I came up with the idea for the event 2.5 years ago. We grew up in a very musical family. Mother was a musician at a church, father a pastor–I’m sure you have heard this story before. My brother was playing SoulEver Lift, which is a funk band. I’ve been doing slam poetry and spoken word for the past 6 or 7 years. So, we both were kind of big fans of each other’s things and going to music events and poetry events…so, we said how about we come up with a way to combine both of these things. We could have the best up-and-coming music and the best spoken word in the state of Texas, so we came up with “Rock the Republic”…only Texas Artists get to play at this event.
Brian: How hard was it to get funding and venues…etc? Sometimes that can be rather challenging.
Steve Sargent: The venues weren’t hard to get. We knew bar owners. We’ve been promoting and putting on shows for a while. Funding was the difficult part […]. Nothing like this had ever happened in Bryan, Texas before. We were telling people we were going to have a big giant Rock event and it was going to be amazing…But, no on had heard of that in Bryan.
Steve Sargent: Cody Bailey, Roby Fitzhenry, Matthew Trailer, Jon Wesley [and myself] came together to organize everything. We did press releases, designed websites, flyers, everything. Booked venues, artists, all the poets, bands. We did everything..
Brian: Wow. That is really impressive. It almost sounds like something people would hire consultants to do specifically.
Steve Sargent: […] we had experience. I’ve done poetry events before. I’ve done political campaigns. My brother had been booking bands and these other great guys had been doing graphic design and websites before. We had never done events like this before, but we had the built-in skills to do it.
Brian: In terms of genres in the music industry, is this rock specific?
Steve Sargent: No. The music at the event…we feature rock bands, hip-hop groups, Americana–pretty much everything. It was more rock based, but the point was good quality music for up-and-coming Texas fans.
Brian: And this is going to stay in Texas? Do you see it becoming something national or getting larger in the future? Maybe something that expands, tours…etc.
Steve Sargent: The event itself, we want to keep it in Downtown Bryan. Keep making it better and better every year and drawing more and more people to it. We do promotional shows, in other cities. But in terms of the main show, we plan on keeping that in Texas…and in Bryan, Texas.
Brian: So, the event itself. I mean, I’m pretty curious about the demographics of the event. Are these college students, since it’s a college town sort of place? Are do you get a diverse group of people. You know, a pretty varied crowd maybe?
Steve Sargent: We are in downtown Bryan, which is the city where Texas A&M is. So, in a sense…I guess it is targeted towards young people. But truly, anyone who loves music. Last year, most people were 21-35, but there were older people too. Anyone who loves good music, poetry and art.
You go to alot of music festivals, a band plays for 20 or 40 minutes…one of the major features of our production is that all of our bands are concert length performances–60 or 90 minutes. We really want to feature these bands and allow them to show what they can do.
Brian: Do you get sponsors from labels and traditional industry ‘types’ so to speak?
Steve Sargent: Our sponsors have been more community based business. Lone Star Bear, Red Bull and local restaurants and bars made up the majority of our sponsors last year. We’ve kept it more local…we do have, you know Scion Toyota.
Brian: I’m guessing I am just wondering…do people from the industry come to scout or recruit. Perhaps even just take a look at the talent that is available?
Steve Sargent: I’m sure there are…I wasn’t aware of it, last year. Last year, it was really kind of overwhelming. We planned this thing. Five guys put it together initially…then another 20 helped out. Then, we had about 100 volunteers spread out around town. I wasn’t specifically able to focus on whether agents or scouts were there. Everything ran smoothly, the bands had what they needed, the sound people, stuff like that. I’ll probably be able to participate more and enjoy it this year last year…last year, it was 3 days, and during that time I might have seen one show.
Brian: Sounds pretty intense overall!
Steve Sargent: Oh yeah, but we’ve got a lot more help this year.
Brian: Do you have any creative minds or musicians that inspire you? This has less to do with the festival and just you as a creative individual yourself.
Steve Sargent: Might sound trite, but Michael, Prince…etc, my taste is eclectic, yet traditional in the sense that I am into the old school stuff–Michael, Prince, James Brown…etc. My favorite band in Rock as far as right now is called TV on the Radio.
Brian: How did you discover them?
Steve Sargent: Looking through spin magazine. Then, I read the article, bought the album. It was amazing and started supporting their music.
Brian: And so in the future, where do you see you all going with this?
Steve Sargent: We want to stay true to our roots. We want to continue to get the best up-and-coming bands in Texas. Very few if any are signed. The types you see are on the precipice of blowing up and or going nationwide.
Example, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights…they were featured this year on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. We had a group called the Black and White Years who had a feature on Kanye’s blog. We had a hip-hop group called Black Listed Individuals who are out of Austin…these are groups starting to get a lot of attention. They haven’t completely become household names yet, but they are going to be.
Brian: So you all, you serve as a place to get a lot of momentum and build steam?
Steve Sargent: Well…um…we’d like to say that. And just, also exposing this area to different types of music, as well as exposing a lot of bands to the Bryan-College Station music market. A lot of people haven’t toured in Bryan and College Station. People do want to hear Rock here and Hip-Hop and so on.
Brian: If there was one legacy you want Rock the Republic to leave behind, what would that be? You can only use a phrase. I normally say a word, but I’ll give you a phrase. It’s a difficult question on purpose.
Steve Sargent: I think…um…one phrase…The best Texas music and arts event: Rock the Republic.
Brian: Well, Steve, Hypursuit definitely appreciates you taking the time out of your schedule to grant us this interview time man. We really appreciate it.
Steve Sargent: Tahnk you too.
Say You’ll Go: Janelle Monae’s Archandroid
“Better late than never,” is the age old adage. And finally after reading review, after review of Janelle Monae’s Archandroid, I had to take a listen myself. After hearing her first single from the album, Tightrope, I didn’t really know what to expect.
I’ve listened, and what I heard was a beautiful, souful orchestration of artistic expression.
Janelle Monae’s sonic journey is a wonderous experience of ecletic, free music. The overall theme of the album is large, expansive and lush. Its one of those albums you hear and you say perhaps she is not ahead of her time–she is just not of this time, and many reviews are in universal agreement. NOTE: This idea would fit in perfect with the concept of Cindi Mayweather—but just google both, and read all about the back story to understand what I mean by ‘universal’ agreement.
In all honestly, the album is quite beautiful. There are moments, when you realize just how special and uniquely talented she is. Its one of those works where years from now we will look back and say “I remember when this album started the career of a great artist” or one where we look back years from now and say “I have no clue why this album did not get the respect it deserved.” And, given the fickle nature of the industry, it can go both ways. She crosses hiphop, a little folk, pop, electronica, rock and even classical to create a sonic environment that leaves the listener feeling they have entered a space and time where expression is the rule.
Stand out tracks for the album would most definitely be the ending track “Bobopbya,” a moving song featuring beautiful orchestration, a haunting melody and compelling lyics. The listener is moved by Monae’s heartfelt vocals as she is singing, soaring and then belting over the full orchestration. On songs such as “Oh Maker” Janelle explores the topic of unrequited romance in which the lyrics says nostalgically, “I guess what I mean to say, is that its amazing your life was mine.” The lyrics are drenched and melancholy, revealing the true soul of an artist remembering love experienced, lost and gained all at once.
“The Archandroid” presents Monae in a stunning light. Initially, I compared work produced by the gorgeous singer to the art work of Monet—the French impressionist artist. After hearing her latest effort, I can confidently say that any appreciator of honest, unique music will love her up both up-close and afar. Monae’s eclectic style and uninhibited approach to music performance brings the listener and audience alike up close and personal. The beauty, elegance and style of her music are most definitely Monae. “Say You’ll Go” get “The Archandroid” today.
Rock The Republic (RTR) Returns
Rock The Republic Returns October 21-23, 2010
Held in Bryan, Texas Rock The Republic (RTR) is NOT a festival; it’s a Spectacle of Sight and Sound! Rock The Republic is a three night event featuring the best up and coming musical acts, spoken word performers, and artists from the Lone Star State. Never before has an event so prominently fused the world of rock & roll with the dynamic slam poetry movement. And unlike many music “festivals” that rush bands on and off of stages, Rock The Republic will feature concert length performances allowing participants to fully enjoy their favorite artists.
Expose Yourself: Key to Brand Exposure
Need some guidance? Here are a few ideas to getting your brand out there and in front of your audience:
- Product presentation. Make your product and/or its packaging appealing to the target audience.
- Be everywhere. Like tagging and graffiti, make sure your name, logo & tagline are on everything.
- Stay consistent. Make sure not to overwhelm with multiple logos, taglines and slogans.
- Connect. Aside from promoting your brand, be sure to connect with the audience via youtube, contests, give-a-ways, seminars, promotional events, newsletters & e-mailers.
- Revitalize. Nothing like being fresh, make sure your brand is too!
Mykita Série Noire Aviator Shades
Mykita presents a short series of aviators as part of their Série Noire collection for Summer 2010. The unisex frames: Rolf, Cooper,Craig And Troy offers styles for all. “The shiny silver hinge presents a nice contrast to the hand-lacquered matt black frame, and plays off the matching lenses. The frames come equipped with shiny silvery/black flash mirrored sun lenses, produced by Christian Dalloz Sunoptic.” Cooper and Troy models shown above.
Mors Footwear Arctic Elk ‘Hoop’ & ‘Net’ Sneakers
Press Release
Mors footwear will be expanding its range of elk leather sneakers in the ‘hoop’ and ‘net’ styles for Fall/Winter 2010
Mors, the footwear brand will be further expanding its range of elk leather and suede products for fall/winter 2010. Drawing on the inspiration of arctic cultures for the Fall/winter season, all of the materials for the range are sourced from within the arctic. The ‘hoop’ high top will be available in a natural elk suede colour adding to the black leather and grey elk suede already available. The ‘net’ tennis style will be available in a soft grey elk suede exclusive to mors and a butter soft black
elk leather. The idea behind these shoes is to create crafted footwear which is tactile, soft and durable. The elk leather is sourced from responsibly managed herds of elk in the north of Finland. These will be available online in the late summer/fall from morsfootwear.com/store and asos.com’s designer store.
-Mors is a footwear brand creating high quality, stylish sneakers with a fresh perspective. Handcrafted in Portugal from premium materials, Mors is detailed to the best standard from high quality leather. Mors is the concept of Jonathan Morss, an experienced footwear designer that has designed for some of the best known sports and fashion brands. The products are available from the Mors online store at www.morsfootwear.com, online at www.asos.com (coming fall/winter) and available in a few select stores worldwide.
Mors, Black Elk Net
Mors, Grey Elk
Mors, Natural Elk Hoop
HyPursuit’s Creative Marketing Ideas
Every now and then we like to blurt out our own creative marketing ideas. Nothing strategical, only random ideas created for the sole purpose of ‘gaining’ attention. Check out our thoughts below (in no specific order) and feel free to share them with your friends, colleagues, business partners, etc.
1. Involve your target market in something fun and/or memorable.
2. Forget about the ‘sale’ and work toward brand credibility, sales will follow.
3. Don’t limit your interaction with the consumer market to the telephone.
4. Ever heard of giving back..? DO IT!
5. Set simple goals for your campaign and work your way up.
6. Forget about traditional marketing, we have the Internet!
HyPursuit Services: E-commerce & Web
Website Design, etc? Contact us for a customized quote.
• Professional Web Design
• Social Network Marketing
• Google Advertisement Campaigns
• E-commerce (Selling products & services online)
• Website Maintenance (Maintain existing website)
• Website Redesigns (Complete overhauls)
• Macromedia Flash (Animations, Intros, Flash Photo Galleries, Music Players etc.)
• Website Design Templates
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Web Site Programming (PHP, Perl, CGI, Mysql Databases, Javascript)
• Graphics Design (Macromedia Fireworks, Adobe Photoshop)
Music to Me: The Soul Music of Mariyo Deon
Oftentimes, when people think of a “soul artist” they are inclined to assume that the artist is some variety of singer or vocalist. If I said an young up-and-coming rapper by the name of Mariyo Deon is a soul artist many people would think I’ve officially lost my mind. Well, I’ve said it more than once thus far, and the fact remains that that I do believe Mariyo Deon is in fact a soul artist. This is less in the sense of industry “categories” and more from this fact: his music is from his soul, his life and his experience. With a style that fuses hip-hop and R&B, his sound is the direct result of being surrounded by musicians and music. Whether it was his Grandmother directing the church choir, or his father singing on Sunday morning, he is an heir to a natural, honest musical expression that is his own.
When conversing with Mariyo about his music it becomes apparent that Mariyo is fearlessly aggressive and passionate about music and success. “Michael and I have this thing where we say good is not enough. Don’t just be good, be great. You gotta be great.” The Michael he is referring to is Michael Redmond, an impassioned future music executive who serves as Mariyo’s manager. Both seem to possess an insatiable desire for success and at this rate, it seems the two are poised to take his career to the next level.
In his blatant refusal to adhere to musical genres and expectations, he is naturally a rebel. With a diverse and eclectic musical pallette, his musical interests and experience ranges from techno, to rock, to R&B—yes, he can sing as well. “I’ve worked with artists from Canada, from England…done pop, the techno thing…all of those things I am very capable of doing and I am comfortable with. But the music I am doing right now I am great at.” Later on, he admits somewhat shyly that he is “better at rapping, good at singing…I can hold a note. It comes from being around music.” Although he cites stars such as Drake and Kanye West as influences, he also mentions musical figures such as Maroon 5 and the iconic Quincy Jones. “If it were a perfect world…if I could do a track, it would have to be a band — Maroon 5. They have a very soulful sound…not far fetched from what I am living and experiencing.”
With the advent of social media and social networking sites, the sheer volume of music released digitally is overwhelming. Many artists face difficulty trying to stand out in an oversaturated music market . Despite these challenges, Mariyo has garnered a rather large following both locally and on the web. The viral internet campaign “Who is Mariyo Deon” launched by Michael Redmond and his associates was effectively used to raise interest in the artist amongst the blogosphere and internet community. 
Most recently, Deon released “Who is Mariyo Deon,” a mixtape featuring a wide range of original music, interpretations and styles. Tackling “coming of age” issues dealing with relationships and love on songs such as “Silly Love Song” to radio friendly anthems like “Chucks,” it is a solid musical offerring. After listening to the project, the one thing that remains clear is that Mariyo is human, fluid, growing and evolving. “I work hard to improve all the time…I’ve not always made the best decisions in life, but I’ve done things that I thought were best for me at the time.” In a business of smoke and mirrors, Mariyo is determined to remain true to himself. When asked whether or not he feels pressure to conform to industry expectations of young, Black male rappers Mariyo responds “I don’t feel pressure…I don’t change anything to fit, or to be marketable. Everything I do is all real life.” “Who is Mariyo Deon” showcases the natural ability and talent of a burgeoning young artist who is coming into his own both as an artist and as a young man. “I want people to know, feel and connect to me.”
Being a recording artist is hard. There are those who enter in and change with the times while trying to “fit in.” Then there are those who come and go because of an inability to find a niche. One can only believe that Deon will last beyond both of these scenarios and find success in this industry of constant change. The fearlessness and audacity of Mariyo suggests not only is he ready and willing to sacrifice all to reach his desired level of success to reach success, but he has the follow through and passion to make it. This idea was evident when Mariyo said confidently and unabashedly, “Everything is something I have lived, its all music to me.”
