944

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly…”

Summer is the season that probably has the greatest impact on me. It's when I think about who I am, what I’m doing and whose lives I have had an impact on.

The world didn’t end recently, but if it did would you be able to look back and be proud of what you have accomplished? What would you do differently? Would you have spent more time with your family, married that girl when you were younger, visited a sick grandparent in the hospital more or had a few less shots of tequila that night?

So I looked back on my past 10 years since I completed college and made a list of what I did and the things I wish I didn’t. It's an ongoing list I am adding to each time I remember more, but thus far I have come to the realization I am incredibly blessed. I have an incredible family that is always there for me, I have great friends I can truly call friends and I have experienced more “once in a lifetime” opportunities than one person should. I probably take for granted the access to the world I live in, but when it's all said and done it's not reality. It's fun and great, but true happiness doesn’t come in the form of hanging with celebrities and being backstage. Sure, I have done some dumb things — really dumb. But those dumb things have helped me to grow into the person I am today and I have learned so much from my mistakes. Mistakes are beautiful if you truly understand why it was a mistake and act differently the second time when given the opportunity. Conversely, a mistake is tragic if you keep repeating it.

My last 10 years, I started a company out of a dollar and a dream. Literally, it was really a dollar — I had to find coins in the bottom of old couches. I had no clue where it would go or what it would be but I had a burning desire to be successful and I was incredibly passionate about the concept. It could’ve been a bag of dirt and it would have been amazing. The team around me had just as much belief and determination, which made us an an unstoppable force. That company then grew exponentially year over year, affording a lot of people to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience as well as giving a platform to a special demographic that has had an influence on many businesses, places, people and talent. Many notable talents, whether they're musicians or actors, got their first feature or break in 944.

I even look back on how this crazy lady came to pitch us on how she was going to be a big star and wanted to use our office on Sunset Boulevard at the time to do a small concert. That night they used my office as her dressing room and I remember having an OCD attack about all the glitter and makeup all over my desk. She went out there and put on a really unusual concert in this crazy costume where everyone in the room was wondering and giving me those looks on why I produced this concert for a whack job and invited them. Honestly I even thought to myself that night, “WTF Marc, why do you always have to trust your intuition?” All she had was a dream, she was unproven and no one ever heard of her — but then I caught a glimpse of her eyes and I saw she wasn’t going to let anyone stop her from her dream. Those eyes belong to who we know now as Lady Gaga. There are hundreds of stories like these, some just as big and some not as public but with as much of an impact socially and on helping make the world a better place. These stories are memories for those involved and they can never be taken away (you all know who you are). So following the traditional Hollywood style, these memories and stories are getting pen to paper for a book about the life of 944. And since our memories sometimes leave out things, send us a tweet @marclotenberg to remind us how 944 has had an impact on your life — Whether being featured, inspired or how you met your sweetheart at one of our events.

Everyone always thought 944 was just one big party, but the true insiders knew it was an incredibly powerful brand that brought people's dreams to life and I am glad that over the last 10 years I have been able to be a facilitator of these dreams coming to fruition. Whether you’re a little monster or a little dreamer, never let anyone hold you back from following what you believe in.

Marc Lotenberg
Visionary/Fighter/Lover
teammarc@944.com
twitter.com/MarcLotenberg
facebook.com/MarcLotenberg Written by: Marc Lotenberg

A couple years ago, Brett Leve relentlessly approached me about joining something called Summit Series. A co-founder, Leve and his team have created a group that engages the world's most dynamic dreamers and doers through curated events and initiatives designed to make the world a better place. I had no clue what this Summit Series was nor do I think they do either yet, but the passion he exuded was electric. For a long time I made excuses on why I couldn’t go witness his dream he was pitching me on, but this April I went. Now I am hooked like a junkie on smack. Words can't explain the experience so I will skip it but if you are lucky enough to have Elliot (the other founder), Brett, Josh, Justin, Jeff or one of the other amazing people from Summit ever ask you to be part of their family just say yes, trust me. Girls and gays, the boys I named happen to all be young and good looking, but don’t say yes for that. Don’t ask to join either, it's an invite-only thing. If you should be there, they will know.

During my three-day Summit, I was lucky enough to listen, speak, inquire, challenge and occasionally party with the below who stood out most from the group.

Sir Richard Branson
Chairmen, Virgin Group
As the opening of the weekend, Branson discussed his vision and how taking risks are important because if you are scared of failure you can't be successful. Have you heard of Virgin Cola and Branson’s idea to take on Coca-Cola? It's always entertaining when number 254 on Forbes list of Richest People In The World tells you about their big fuck-ups. But it's even more inspiring when the same person announces he is launching Virgin Oceanic, where they are building the world's first submarine capable of taking a human to explore the depths of our planet. No one has been to the bottom of our planet but several people have walked on the moon. Scary thought.

Blake Mycoskie
Chief Shoe Giver, TOMS Shoes
You gotta like someone who lives on sailboat, but you must love someone who has given more than 1 million shoes to people in need. Blake’s entire outlook on life could be viewed as crazy or genius — I go with the latter. As he brought out a 7-foot-tall cardboard cylinder he told us, "The next one-for-one product is inside this mystery box, which will be opened on June 7. The truth is what’s inside this box is not nearly as important as what is represents. TOMS is no longer a shoe company, it's a one-for-one company."

Beth Comstock
CMO, GE
There is this small outfit called GE, it’s a 130-year-old advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Operating in more than 100 countries and employing about 300,000 people, Beth leads the company's organic growth. “Business needs to enact social change, not just for internal staff, but for the community,” she says. “It gives employees a sense of mission and purpose.” Just from seeing her commanding approach in speaking, it's easy to see how she has moved up as one of the most successful females in our time. She's married with two kids, yet still finds time to solve the largest problems we are faced with in global change. Ecomagination, a brilliant concept is what everyone should take a look at. While GE doesn’t need to do this, they realize they should, and its engaging their staff and public exponentially. ecomagination.com

Bob McKnight
CEO, Quiksilver
I grew up in NY during the Spicoli days thinking all surfers were just stoned and burnt. Wearing boardshorts and holding a beer, Bob chatted in a calm, cool and collected way about how he got started following his lifestyle and turning it into a billion-dollar business — and how he almost lost it all over a bad acquisition of Rossignol. Mistakes aside, he relentlessly persevered through the challenges in his quest to be the leading global youth apparel company. His views on “co-opetition” and why he is friends with the other brand owners who are competing with Quiksilver is how you can tell this is only the beginning for them. If you aren’t sure, check out the awesome retail space they have in NYC's Times Square next time. Guess this surfer showed me.

Gary Vaynerchuck
Founder, Vayner Media
The Tony Soprano of the children’s neighborhood lemonade stand business, Gary was probably the most entertaining of the bunch. From New York Times best-selling books like Crush It! to his new book The Thank You Economy, I am excited to see what the next 10 years brings Gary (maybe he will complete his dream of owning the NY Jets).

Shai Agassi
CEO, Better Place Electric Vehicles
TIME magazine named Shai one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2009, and not just because he is Jewish, but because of his solution to free cars from oil. At $5/gallon to fill up my car these days I am hoping Shai succeeds in his vision as many countries have signed on, with Israel leading the movement.

If you Google, check these people out. If you Facebook, look them up. If you Tweet, follow them. But if you have time to do more than that online, well, that explains why you'll never be invited to the Summit Series.


Marc Lotenberg
Carnival Crusder/Dynamic Dreamer/Survivor of Coachella 2011
teammarc@944.com
twitter.com/MarcLotenberg
facebook.com/MarcLotenberg Written by: Marc Lotenberg

The San Francisco International Film Festival has been hosting swanky, sexy, chic events all week in celebration of the current generation’s version of folklore story telling: cinema. From indie documentary films, to narratives about having a gay father who comes out at age 75, the SF International Film Festival embraces a wide variety of films, actors and actresses alike, and caters to a diverse audience. This year’s opening night was hosted at the Castro Theatre, and featured a screening of the Mike Mill’s film “Beginners” last Thursday. After honoring Zoe Saldana and Clifton Collins Jr. at the Midnight Awards last Saturday, the SF International Film Festival will continue the festivities by honoring Terence Stamp with the Peter J. Owens Award. Having starred in 74 films over his 50 year-long career, Terence Stamp shows a huge range in the characters he is able to portray. Come join in the high-class, ritzy merriment on Friday April 29, at the historic, architecturally-gorgeous Castro Theatre to watch clips from some of Stamp’s most note-worthy performances, and listen to a Q&A session about his extensive acting career. This event will set you back a mere $25, and will give you an opportunity to dress up, and listen to a ground-breaking actor discuss the peaks and lulls of his cinematic career. The SFIFF will continue to host events and screen films until the 5th of May.

For information on An Evening with Terence Stamp click here: fest11.sffs.org/awards/terence_stamp.php

For more information on the SFIFF click here: www.sffs.org/sf-intl-film-festival.aspx Written by: Megan Youngblood

Looking for a new hangout on Wednesday nights? RVCA Wednesdays at MESA is just the new hotspot to check out. Combining the best of action sports with incredible music, Scotty Coats curates the weekly talent, along with other Abstract Workshop resident DJ Josh One.

The lineup of guest DJs for the next few weeks include:
April 27: Phenomenal Hand Clap Band Sound System & Christine Renee
May 4: DJ Garth (Wicked SF, Golden Goose records)
May 11: DJ Robby Lang & DJ Krust
May 18: Eskuche headphones presents Classixx

The food is amazing, the drinks are incredible, people watching is some of the best in OC and the music is spot on. Need I say more?

25 Baker Street, Costa Mesa
714.557.6700 | www.mesacostamesa.com
Written by: Katie Pegler

Press, flash, picture. Simple. Then wait. And wait. And wait some more. The anticipation to see what you have captured is a thrill that has been lost with modern technology. In a world full of instant there have been unfortunate casualties. Polaroid instant film was almost one of them. It's not just the nostalgia that makes Polaroids alluring. It's the unpredictability. You never know if you're going to end up with a masterpiece or a disaster but it really doesn't matter, it's yours.


Patrick Hoelck's POLAROID HOTEL pays tribute to the art of Polaroid photography with a book of images that capture intimate moments of his life and career throughout 17 years, showing that just because Polaroid has aged it hasn't lost its appeal.

Hosting the book release and signing event are OHWOW and LEADAPRON. Pick up a copy of POLAROID HOTEL tonight (Thursday, April 21) at LEADAPRON from 9-11 pm.

8445 Melrose Place, Los Angeles | 323.782.1888 | leadapron.net


Written by: Kira Coplin

Looking to get out of your “Lincoln Park After Dark” chain manicures in time for summer, but the idea of "Tangerine Dream" all over your digits just isn’t calling your name? Try an unsuspectingly chic pop of something edgy, like lilac or cobalt (word on the street is that OPI is coming out with 3 blue shatter nail polishes in turquoise, primary blue, and navy blue - nevertheless, we die). Don’t worry, these are not the blues from the early 80’s coming back to haunt you, nor is it Lady Gaga’s daringly lavender lip combo demanding that you wear it to your next gala function. Sheer lilac on the lips can act like a cooler version of baby pink on bare lips, and if worn on the nails is not only spring-friendly, but also very work-appropriate. Looking to rev up your look for your bi-weekly bar-hopping extravaganzas? Take your daytime look into the night with a swipe of rich blue liquid liner (or pencil for the not-so-liquid-savvy) and a few more coats of your favorite black mascara. Can’t bear the idea of your boss seeing you with Electric Blue finger nails? Try the vibrant hue on your toes first – there’s nothing hotter for summer than a flash of the perfect shade of cerulean barely peaking through the straps of black stilettos. Written by: Keira Rowland

“Alright, already the show goes on

Alright, till the morning we dream so long

Anybody ever wonder, when they would see the sun up

Just remember when you come up

The show goes on!”
-Lupe Fiasco, 944 April Music Issue Cover

I am one of those people who have trouble remembering things — maybe it’s the drugs from my college years (thank you Arizona State University) or the liquor from the present — but music helps recall every detail of a situation. One minute you are smiling and happy and then “Fair” by Remy Zero comes on and brings you back to the one that crushed you and suddenly a dark cloud of memories alters your mood instantly. And in other cases you are in a rut and just down on life and a great song like “Let Go” by Frou Frou comes on and gives you the spark to get up and shake it off. Music is more than just lyrics and notes, it can control your emotions, your thoughts and your actions.

Billboard may have its top 100 and iTunes has its top charts, but I have taken a little more … shall we say creative approach. Below is my list of songs along with a description of a girl who would most likely be listening to it, a frame of mind or when to play the song.

“A Beautiful Mess”
Jason Mraz
You love her, she loves you. It’s a magical experience every time your eyes meet, but you found each other at the wrong point in your lives. Or maybe in a prior life you shared something amazing and you now have a natural magnetic energy in the present. Either way, every time you make love the world stops and everything makes sense. Then when the song ends you go on your separate ways and look forward to the next encounter, still not understanding how to fix this beautiful mess.

“Caramel”
Suzanne Vega
You can find her at the Fasano Hotel in Rio, hanging out in the Baretto-Londra lounge. She seems nice, although you each don’t understand each other's native tongue, but still find a way to connect through music and flirt through your eyes. You won't see her again, but will always remember that point in your life.

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams”
Diana Krall
Three different failed engagements and two unsuccessful marriages leads this 40-something-year-old cougar to re-enter the dating scene with distorted expectations. Us men have one advantage over women, as we get older our choices become bigger, but as you women get older your choices become smaller. It's sad, I know, so maybe when you have someone that’s 80 percent perfect, bite your lip and do whatever it takes because as you get older you will find yourself forced to settle for 50 percent perfect and that might be with two kids from his previous marriage and those kids will hate you because you will be bitter on life. But what a great song to drink wine and cook to.

“Love is a Losing Game”
Amy Winehouse
She's dressed in all black, wearing long sleeves and big boots in the middle of summer. No, those wounds that look like she's been getting beaten is not from someone else but herself — she's a cutter. Somehow she has given up on life yet gives me dirty looks when I walk by as I should be ashamed my nails are freshly manicured. When does that gothic/cutter thing eventually click with them to change? I've never seen an 80-year-old dressed as a goth, so I'm left with only two conclusions: they kill themselves at some point or they go off with a vampire.

“Sweet Child O’ Mine”
Guns N’ Roses
A little Hank Moody of Californication in all of us. Maybe you’re at the Whiskey Bar at Sunset Marquis Hotel or Rose Bar at Gramercy Park Hotel, she says she's 18 and that’s good enough for you, but deep down you know there is a chance she is 16. You consider yourself accomplished and a smart individual ,yet the fact she goes with 18 and not 21 doesn’t alert any red flags despite being in a bar.

“Angel”
Massive Attack
I preface this by saying if you truly don’t know how to fuck, I wouldn’t play this song. And by fuck I mean just that, not make love, not have sex but a straight up evening you will not forget and will linger for some time as you continually ask yourself, “Did that really happen?” There might be some ropes, blindfolds, cuffs, chains and an occasional slap. (OK, fine, maybe a hit.) You don’t need to seek her out, she will find you by your reputation — or you can roll the dice and head to the Viper Room in LA and seek out the girl with daddy issues.

“I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You”
Colin Hay
She loves coffee, but won't step foot in Starbucks. Brilliant in every way, but hasn’t been able to get over an issue with the one she loved. The principal of the matter seems to overpower the risk of losing the one you are destined to be with. Bite your lip and don’t worry about the principal — when you are sitting in a hammock together 30 years later you will be glad you didn’t stand your ground over principal. Reference “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” girl as the alternative.

“I Love, You Love”
John Legend
By day she's holding power lunches for top agencies as a force to be reckoned with, and at nights she's the host of dinner parties at swanky restaurants. On her off time she is with you. Smart, successful and sophisticated. While she doesn’t need you, she respects and

“Nasty Girl”
Notorious B.I.G., P. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm
There are “around the way girls” and then there is the nasty girl — you can find her doing laps at the ghetto malls where Sears was the main tenant previously, but recently left due to the incident when there was a shooting between two cousins and their baby's momma. You can spot her with the 7-inch long nails, the big bubbles of gum she's poppin' and the tube top that’s three sizes too small. Don’t bother talking to her as the only thing she knows how to say is “Heyyyyyy daddy.” Meanwhile ‘daddy’ hasn’t seen her since … well, he just hasn’t ever seen her.

“Numb”
Portishead
She's not happy, she's not sad, she's just numb. Hang by the local CVS and wait for the girl to pick up her monthly supply of Zoloft or Xanax that she ingests for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Find a way to bump into her with a pamphlet you inconspicuously have in your hand about Lunesta and if it's right for you. Act mellow and invite her to grab a drink in a dark and depressing bar even though its bright and sunny outside. Give her the upper hand and make yourself seem worse off than she is. The sorrow she feels for you will lead to heavy cuddling. Play a song at a lower bpm, like 80, instead of the song's natural 156 and keep on repeat.

“If I Were A Boy”
Beyonce
This gets complicated, but try and follow me: The girl who thinks she is a lesbian, not bi but not sure, and still young so you manipulate her to think you also are confused and get her to hook up with you. That makes it OK with her because it seems like it's still a gay experience because you have never hooked up with a boy, but she can fill in. Be careful on this one, it can backfire on both people.

“Against All Odds”
Postal Service
You loved her, cheated on her, crushed her, she still wants you and now you can't respect her. You both know it’s the final encounter, but she wants one last moment. You shouldn’t do it as you know she will regret it half-way through and she will be left crying in the bed, but like a blackjack dealer in Vegas you still give them what they ask for even when you know they should just walk away.

“Raise Your Weapon”
Deadmau5
It's Vegas, 115 degrees in summer and you are off with your buddies to hang outside by a pool. Enter Marquee Day Club, where the women this summer will make the Sultan of Brunei jealous with the quality of talent. You can find this girl holding a glass of champagne but not drinking it, she's smiling and loving life. Here you think she is winking at you, but she just wants you to introduce her to your friend Molly.

What did we learn?
Women want their “perfect” even if it's not realistic. Men can have their “perfect” yet it doesn’t seem real.

Read more of Marc's list at 944.com

MARC LOTENBERG
Womanizer/Princess in Training/Cupcake Connoisseur
teammarc@944.com
twitter.com/MarcLotenberg
facebook.com/MarcLotenberg Written by: Marc Lotenberg

Searching for something to do this Tuesday that includes incredible music, people, venue and more? Look no further than Mix for the Cure in the Murano Room at Scott’s Restaurant and Bar in Costa Mesa on March 29. Not only does it promise an evening of debauchery with an open Ketel One bar, the event benefits the Orange County and Inland Empire Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with a $20 donation. Hosted by Man of the Year nominee Brian Amlani, it’s a win-win-win evening.

A Riverside County native and Orange County media executive for DB&M Media, Amlani felt compelled to accept the nomination after watching a dear friend lose her father to Leukemia in 2009 and in the very same year watch the same friend's family support her 6-year-old nephew battle Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (now in remission thanks in part to the research of LLS).

“Watching my friend go through this devastating experience hit home for me as I have two young children — Brian age 8 and Breanna age 5,” Amlani says. “I can't imagine what parents and families of children with blood cancers must go through or the thought of ever watching my children suffer or worse. This has fueled my passion to raise as much money as possible to find a cure for these diseases and to enlist the support of my friends and family to create awareness and inspire those around them to do the same.”

On March 3, the OC/IE Leukemia & Lymphoma Society began its 2011 Man & Woman of the Year Campaign. The LLS Man and Woman of the Year Campaign is a 10-week fundraising campaign in which every dollar raised counts as one vote and the candidate that gets the most votes not only wins the title but also plays a crucial role in supporting the LLS mission to raise funds to find a cure for blood cancers.

The first of Brian Amlani’s campaign events is Mixing For A Cure, which starts at 7 p.m. A $20 donation will be taken at the door, which will include a hosted Ketel One bar during the event. The evening is also hosted by Denver Bronco’s Stanley Daniels, VH1’s Luscious and Pam Rodriguez. Music includes DJ Drew (102.7 KIIS FM), DJ Ever (Power 106), Nick Nack (99.1fm KGGI), Epic Twelve (Power 106) and DJ Skream.

The Courtside For A Cure Celebrity Basketball Game will take place on Saturday, April 23 at Cal State San Bernardino (Coussoulis Arena). Doors open at 5 p.m., with the game starting at 6pm. More details are coming soon.

Individual and corporate donations can also be made to support Amlani’s LLS Campaign by visiting the website below using credit card or you can mail a check made payable to LLS. Checks should include the name Brian Amlani in the notes section. All donations must be received by May 12.

Mail checks to:
OCIE Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Attn: Julia Cohen - Campaign Manager
765 The City Drive South, Suite 260, Orange, CA 92868

Watch his video here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9828QWvmOa0&feature=youtu.be


Written by: Katie Pegler

It is so exciting how much world class dance has been through Detroit this year. And it's particularly exciting that Complexions Contemporary Ballet is next on the calendar. The good people over at Music Hall asked me to share this great deal with 944's uber cultured readers. Purchase tickets through ticketmaster.com or the Music Hall box office, use the password DANCE, and get your tickets for half off! Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to some incredible dance this spring - you'll thank me for it later!

Check out a preview of what you can expect to see on the Music Hall stage here: http://complexionsdance.org/videos/

Written by: Rebecca Voigt

On Friday March 4th, Rayko's 4th Annual Toy Camera Show opened, featuring only images created with plastic cameras, ranging from Holgas to Golden Half Frames (No Photoshop or iPhone app photographers need apply). Located in the heart of the SOMA district, Rayko is a safe haven for all photographers who clench their fists at the phrase just photoshop it. They have a traditional black-and-white darkroom where you can rent lab time (as well as a digital lab, but we'll overlook that for the time being), and even a retro photo booth, where your strip of black and white photographs are actually sent through chemicals before being ejected, not just digitally printed (making it authentically retro). Whether you are a photo-enthusiast or someone looking for some creative inspiration, head over to Rayko to be reminded that great images don't necessarily come from expensive computer programs or iPhones, but can be created with a plastic camera and roll of film. The show will be on display until April 30th, 2011. Written by: Megan Youngblood

If you missed the Desigual launch party, we're sorry. For those of you that attended, you might remember (depending on how many glasses of sangria you had) how awesome it was. Cue the kaleidoscopic color mind-trip and marching band flashbacks. With a tapas spread to sate after-work munchies paired with tasty libations, it was no wonder the colorful crowd was in high spirits.
The Barcelona-based fashion brand teamed up with 944 and Om Records to put together a wild show featuring Chuck Love - a DJ who sings, plays guitar, flute, horn and keyboard. Amazing? Uh, yes!

With the sangria-soaked success of the launch party, Desigual is again planning to party in San Francisco. Join 944 and the Desigual team for the new Friends & Fam party next week on Friday, March 11th. The Spring/Summer collection is in- and as a 944 insider you get a special discount on new items. Not in the shopping mood, that's cool, there will be plenty of cocktails, bites and music to start the weekend off in Desigual style.

For a refresher, check out this video from the launch party.




RSVP for March 11th here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=154924954563051&index=1

P.S. As some of you may know, Desigual had an infamous Undie party in NYC last fall, which will be coming to San Francisco this summer. Just a little curious? Check out the video below..

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKiYaiCfGcI

Written by: Erica Henderson

As we enter into a better economy than prior seasons, I am always excited to see what the creative geniuses at the fashion houses plan on unveiling. On that note, the nine items below should help you enter the season more properly focused.

1. "You really are going to spend $3,000 on a Dior jacket? It's just a silly jacket, no one knows the difference. You're just wasting money being a label whore." Quote from someone who shouldn't be reading 944 but rather the New Times. If you look at a jacket as a jacket then maybe try adjusting your view and look at it as a piece of art. The cut, style and textures all make each seasons rendition's unique as a form of expression. Fashion is art or art is fashion but either way you look at it, a Dior jacket isn't just a jacket.

2. Wear clothes to fit your size. Just as it looks horrible for an overweight person to be sporting a tight tank top, it looks equally as bad and even more comical to be wearing overly baggy clothing. Cross Colors and Iceberg died off for a reason. You don't look like a baller wearing the same outfit as me four sizes too big, you look like a clown.

3. Speaking of circus folk, a girl strutting toward me strong and determined in a 5-and-a-half inch Louboutin can make an 8 look like a 9, but the same 8 walking toward me looking like a bad stilt walker about to fall into me doesn't have the same effect. (And don't tell me you don't need to work out because you're skinny when you can't even walk straight. Go take some Pilates at the very least.)

4. My little homeboy Justin Bieber says Never Say Never, but I don't think he meant that in relation to Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier. In that case, Never means Never. (Although big props to my friend Christian, that fast-moving funny Frenchman made a fortune.)

5. It's kind of sexy when a girl rocks her man's clothing, but its more than gay when a guy rocks his girl's gear. #ManorexicTendancies

6. If you take a knapsack like the one from high school to your new job, then clearly you should go back to your prior job of bartending.

7. If you are shaping your style off what you see on Jersey Shore, I have some helpful tips for you actually, no I don't, you are beyond help. Just settle on the fact that you are past the point of no return, go start a match.com profile and sign the deal with the first person who will take you. There is a reason the show is so popular: People love train wrecks. No cool fashion brand is trying to get their clothing on the cast, so if you need TV for style tips, wait for season two of How to Make it in America.

8. Girls, you might have missed the makeup lessons when you were younger as hopefully you were more focused on having your girlfriend teach you how to give head versus how to apply makeup, but there is always time to go back and learn. It's a painful experience when you arrive and there's an inch of makeup so thick I can't tell if you're just really fucking ugly underneath or losing your depth perception. Makeup can't make you look pretty you either are or you are not. It can add a little character, but don't confuse the two. And if you have the makeup lesson down pat but not the other, have no fear as its one trend that never goes out of season.

9. Are NYC girls just born with style where as LA girls need to put effort into it? Settle down divas out west, I'm not saying you all are tragic, I'm just saying I had to do extra neck-stretching exercises before I walked out of the Gansevoort Hotel when I was in NYC this February. I guess that's why the Oscars belong in Hollywood and Fashion Week belongs in NYC. Period. The end.


MARC LOTENBERG
Arbiter of Nothing/Obsessive Compulsive/Narcissist
teammarc@944.com
twitter.com/MarcLotenberg
facebook.com/MarcLotenberg
Written by: Marc Lotenberg

Geneva Sound System Large Walnut, $1,199 at The Conran Shop

conranusa.com Written by: Kira Coplin

Written by: Kira Coplin

In last May's 944 Picks, 944 Orange County voted The Steelwells Local Breakout Band to Watch Out For and had this to say about our love for them: The pensive sounds of Fullerton-based fivesome The Steelwells are making quite a splash on the Orange County scene. Already featured in a ton of local press, and now in 944 making it official, they are the local band to watch.

In Five Words
Five guys making good music.
Don't Miss
Local shows across the County.
Did You Know
Won "Best Song" and "Best New Artist" at the 2010 OC Music Awards.

It seems they continued on their ascent to fame, now entered in Rolling Stone's Do You Wanna be a Rock & Roll Star? competition for a chance at the cover. The editors at Rolling Stone picked 16 unsigned bands to compete, tournament style, for the cover. It's a matter of eliminations but after round one, eight bands will then go into the studio with a major producer, which then leads to a vote of the final four.

These four bands will then play a live showcase in front of the editors and music execs for the finals, where two bands will compete on stage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn. Alas, the winner will then be the first band to appear on the cover ever and a recording contract from Atlantic Records.

The point? Vote local and vote for The Steelwells.
www.rollingstone.com/choosethecover Written by: Katie Pegler