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This Is Lorelei Unveils New Single ‘Where’s Your Love Now’

This Is Lorelei, the solo project of Water From Your Eyes’ Nate Amos, has shared another single from his upcoming LP Box for Buddy, Box for Star. This one’s called ‘Where’s Your Love Now’, and it follows earlier cuts ‘I’m All Fucked Up’ and ‘Dancing in the Club’. Check it out below.

“‘Where’s Your Love Now’ is equal parts diary entry and song study – trying to use longstanding singer/songwriter strategies to write about the balance between maintaining self-worth and living with a policy of forgiveness,” Amos explained in a statement.

Box for Buddy, Box for Star lands on June 14 via Double Double Whammy.

Squirrel Flower Shares Cover of Neil Young’s ‘Cortez the Killer’

Squirrel Flower has shared a cover of Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s ‘Cortez the Killer’. Ella Williams recorded her version of the song, which originally appeared on Young’s 1975 album Zuma, live at Cheer Up Charlies in Austin, TX on March 15 as part of her set at the Stereogum & Topshelf Records Unofficial Showcase. She’s joined by alexalone’s Alex Peterson, Greg Freeman, Horse Jumper of Love’s Dimitri Giannopolous, and Truth Club’s Travis Harrington on guitar, Michael Cantella on bass, and Teethe’s Kai Wilde on drums. Listen below.

“I decided to cover ‘Cortez’ with my friends as a way to feel the power of community amidst the fascism surrounding us that week in Texas,” Williams explained in a statement. “I love Neil Young and his uncompromising convictions, so I thought this song would be the perfect expression against everything going on. I had the idea the day before the show. Alex offered up their practice space, we ran through it a few times, and then Dimitri and Greg joined the crew day-of. We put it all out there with this one. In the words of Neil, it was ‘one of the pleasures of my life to be able to be on this stage with these people.’”

Last year, Squirrel Flower released her latest album Tomorrow’s Fire, which she broke down track-by-track with us.

Loma Share Video for New Single ‘Pink Sky’

Loma have unveiled a new song, ‘Pink Sky’, taken from their upcoming album How Will I Live Without a Body? – out June 28 via Sub Pop. It follows lead single ‘How It Starts’ and arrives with a music video directed by Sabrina Nichols. Check it out below.

“This mischievous little song was a late addition to the album,” the band’s Jonathan Meiburg shared in a statement. “We recorded it in a chilly whitewashed room in southern England, and we didn’t have many instruments at first—just a nylon string guitar, a 2-piece drum set, a Casio keyboard, and a clarinet. But we liked the challenge.”

How to Create a Home Art Space

For art lovers, there is nothing better than having your own art installation space at home. This allows you to create a space where you can enjoy appreciating the artwork you have invested in, plus you can also rest assured knowing that your precious pieces will be kept in the best possible condition. So, how can you create your own art installation space at home?

Choose Your Space

First, you need to find the right space in the home. You want to make sure that you choose somewhere that will allow you to enjoy observing your artwork while protecting it. This could be a spare room, basement conversion, or simply a designated section of a preexisting room in the house, like the lounge. Just make sure that you have plenty of space for both the artwork and being able to observe it.

Perfect the Lighting

Of course, lighting is a key consideration when it comes to a home art space. Ideally, you want a space that is well-lit but without too much direct sunlight – this can cause certain mediums to fade over time. This is why you need to focus on artificial lighting and consider using layered lighting that can bring your artwork to attention while creating an ambiance in your home art space.

Plan the Positioning

You also want to ensure that each piece is positioned just right. Whether you are hanging canvases and frames or displaying models and sculptures, you want to ensure that they are at the right level and placed evenly on the wall. To ensure complete precision, it is a good idea to use a rotary laser level when putting up artwork on the wall.

Keep it Organised

Finally, you want to make sure that this is a space that you keep neat, organised, and clean. This means that you should clean and tidy the area on a regular basis while taking steps to keep your precious artwork in the best condition. This could include using dust sheets and coverings to safeguard artwork from dust and debris, which is particularly useful for items that will be rotated in and out of your space.

Having your own art installation space at home can be a real luxury for an art connoisseur. Having your own space will give you somewhere peaceful where you can go to observe your previous artwork while offering protection for your valuable investments. In order to get the most out of your home art space, you need to know how to go about creating an art installation area at home. The advice in this post should help you create the perfect space, whether this is a room dedicated to your collection or even just a part of another room in the house.

Luna Li Announces New Album, Shares New Single ‘Confusion Song’

Korean-Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Luna Li has announced her second album: When a Thought Grows Wings arrives on August 23 via In Real Life/AWAL. The follow-up to 2022’s Duality features production from Andrew Lappin and Monsun. Check out lead offering ‘Confusion Song’ below.

“It’s the stream of consciousness that my mind went through following a break-up; the denial your subconscious and body can have for a while when that one person won’t be in your life anymore,” Li said of ‘Confusion Song’ in a press release.

Li created the new album after splitting from her partner of 8 years and leaving her family and friends in Toronto for a fresh start in Los Angeles. “When a Thought Grows Wings refers to an idea taking shape; from the smallest seed of a thought into real and tangible action,” she commented.

When a Thought Grows Wings Cover Artwork:

When a Thought Grows Wings Tracklist:

1. Confusion Song
2. Fantasy
3. Minnie Says (Would You Be My)
4. Golden Hour
5. I Imagine
6. Enigami
7. That’s Life
8. I Would Let You
9. Take Me There
10. Fear is an Illusion!
11. Bon Voyage

Watch Lauryn Hill and YG Marley Perform Medley on ‘Fallon’

Lauryn Hill and her son YG Marley were the musical guests on last night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing a medley of three songs: ‘Ex-Factor’, ‘Survival’, and ‘Praise Jah in the Moonlight’. Watch it happen below.

‘Ex-Factor’ is taken from Hill’s 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, while Marley released ‘Praise Jah in the Moonlight’ last year and ‘Survival’ earlier this week. Hill is credited as a songwriter on ‘Survival’, which draws inspiration from the artist’s grandfather Bob Marley’s 1979 album of the same name.

Last month, Hill appeared on her son’s set at Coachella, where she was joined by her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean to perform the group’s hits, including ‘Killing Me Softly’, ‘Ready or Not’, and ‘Fu-Gee-La’.

Ouri Releases New Song ‘Baby Has a Frown’

The Montreal artist Ouri has unveiled a new song called ‘Baby Has a Frown’. Listen to it below.

Last year, Ouri released the songs ‘blueprints of us’, ‘tame me’, and ‘Twin’.“ This song is an infinite dance of polarities,” Ouri explained. “I wanted it to feel like a mantra and a choreographed pursuit. A slow and deep euphoria playing on loop in your head. Following ‘Twin’ and ‘blueprints of us’, I’m accelerating into this new sonic world where all my sides merge as one.”

Ouri’s last album was 2021’s Frame of a Fauna.

Tragedy in Time: Fiqiri Tufina’s Watchmaking Legacy

In the world of watchmaking there is one name that stands out throughout history resonating with a lasting impact that spans generations – Tufina. The story of Tufina’s watchmaking legacy begins with Ismail Tufina, a clockmaker whose tale intertwines with the soul of Tirana, the capital city of Albania. It was Ismail Tufina who meticulously crafted the mechanism that adorned the Clock Tower, a guardian of time that marked significant moments in Tiranas history from 1827 to 1916. However Ismail’s influence extended beyond the towers’ gears; he passed on his expertise to a lineage of clockmakers, a lineage that continued through his sons, grandsons and great grandsons.

The origins

The clock tower became a symbol of Tufina’s dedication to the artistry of watchmaking. Ismail’s descendants formed a group of artisans committed to precision and craftsmanship. This tradition was further strengthened during the half of the 20th century under the guidance and leadership of Arif Tufina. Arif and his sons, Haxhi and Shaban became renowned for their excellence as “The Tufina Brothers” (Vllazën Tufina). Their exceptional craftsmanship was recognized by having two wall clocks proudly displayed in the Albanian Prime Minister and President chambers both proudly bearing the name “Vllazën Tufina.” These incredible timepieces showcased Tufina’s mastery and expertise intertwining their history with the essence of Albania.

Fiqiri Tufina.

A dark era

As time passed significant changes unfolded. A dictatorial communist regime took hold casting a shadow over the Tufina family and their watchmaking legacy. They faced harassment, arrests and heartbreaking tragedies, where the most unfortunate one is Fiqiri Tufina’s assassination. 

Fiqiri, Bahri Tufina’s cousin, ventured into the world of watchmaking in both Albania and Italy. He had his own licensed business operating under the name “Fiqiri Tufina.” He managed his business independently and his shop was located on Via Regina street. A very well trusted watch shop at the time in Italy. He also sold his watches in downtown Tirana.  

Fiqiri was best known for producing the “Fiqiri Tufina” watch, featuring a completely pure gold case in a white dial and a thin elegant 40s design for men. The watch’s box was inscribed with “Fiqiri Tufina – Tirana” and featured a yellow silk fabric. He would travel a lot between Italy and Tirana. His watches held tremendous value. One of his watches sold at auction in Italy in mid 2000s , where the price reached up to 10,000 euros.

Vintage advertisement for Fiqiri Tufina’s timepieces.

Fate dealt a cruel blow. In 1944 as communism rose to power in Albania. Fiqiri Tufina’s life was tragically cut short by Kajo Karafili — the assassin appointed by Enver Hoxha, the dictatorial leader of Albania at the time. The suffocating grip of communism saw trade, private businesses and personal possessions as threats leading to Fiqiri’s demise. 

Following his death, the Tufina’s paid a substantial sum to prevent the murder from being classified as political, as the consequences for the rest of the family would have been even worse. Tragically, when Fiqiri passed away, he left behind a 7-year-old daughter who passed away a few months after her father. The Tufinas’ lives were profoundly shaken. The indelible mark left by Fiqiri’s assassination became a significant dark chapter in the chronicles of Tufina.

Vintage packaging of Fiqiri Tufina’s watch.

The Tufina family continued to face persecution with Bahri Tufina and others enduring arrests under the Extraordinary Law of Confiscations in 1948. However they managed to preserve their traditions across generations passing down knowledge from parents to children as a lifeline connecting the past to the present. As time went on, Tufina’s reputation spread beyond borders becoming a revered name in the world of watchmaking.

Bahri Tufina at his watchmaking school at the Artisanal Factory, Tirana.

German watchmaking

The transformation of Tufina into a recognized German watch brand can be attributed to Enis Tufina, Bahri Tufina’s grandson. Enis was once a football player for KF Tirana but had to seek refuge in Germany during Albania’s oppressive dictatorship. He continued his football career abroad playing for clubs like VfL 93 Hamburg, VfL Pinneberg and VfR Neumünster. Unfortunately a serious knee injury put an end to his sports career. However, this change of events led him back to his family’s work in watchmaking.

Enis Tufina playing football in Germany.

In the aftermath of his injury Enis Tufina embarked on a journey to revive his family’s horological tradition. In 2004 he brought life into the legacy by establishing two German representative brands under the name of Tufina – Theorema and Pionier. Enis Tufinas deep connection to his heritage is reflected in the German watches that are meticulously crafted by hand, staying true to their customs and techniques. These high-quality watches are now available worldwide through their official online store.

Made-in-Germany Tufina Pionier Dublin.

Final Notes

The captivating story of Tufina’s journey tells a narrative that spans centuries and continents. From Ismail to Fiqiri Tufina’s legacy to the collections launched under Enis Tufina’s guidance, the family’s commitment to precision artistry and resilience remains steadfast. The enduring legacy of Tufina continues to evolve like the gears within their timepieces marking the passing of time while leaving their own mark on watchmaking history.

The importance of interactive art for audience engagement

If you are an art connoisseur or are interested in art, strolling around an art gallery or engaging with somebody else who appreciates it as much as you do is often enough to keep you satisfied.

However, given the size of the art industry and the fact that millions of people have a somewhat less passionate viewpoint but still enjoy a casual trip to a gallery from time to time, there is a need for art that can engage, attract and maintain an audience that might not share the same level of intrigue.

Interactive art in gaming

Inviting an audience to participate in any capacity helps to keep people alert, interested and engaged. Video console gaming and casino gaming are good examples of how engaging with an interface or a platform can generate heightened levels of interest, making it less likely that a participant will get bored too quickly.

Mobile gaming has added another level to this, with many casino games using exclusive games in real time as part of their overall wider package and gaming experience . It’s not just casino gaming where this is prevalent, although roulette gaming, in particular, has been successful utilising live casino technology.

Other mobile games have also highlighted the strength of audience engagement. Free-to-play games using a touchscreen interface to control characters are another good example, while classic games such as chess or 8 Ball Pool allow you to line up your moves by engaging directly with your screen.

Interactive art defined

In an art gallery, interactive art can take many forms. You may have to put goggles on for an exhibition and enter an augmented or virtual reality world. Other examples include floors you stand on that light up in different colours or shapes. Likewise, a wall installation might change colour or emit sounds when you press certain parts of it.

Some video console gamers believe certain titles are so expansive, and feel so real that they could constitute interactive art. Once you stroll into the realm of characters making their own decisions and randomly generated events in a free-roam world that exists because of a decision you have made as the character, you can understand the appeal.

Why is interactive art so important?

Some people may think art is purely aesthetic or recreational, but many arts are vital for the human brain. Music, painting, singing, comedy, drawing, writing, and watching films all engage the part of our brain that responds to creativity. Interactive art combines essential elements of art, both visual and immersive. There are so many examples and so many prolific artists who specialize in interactive art that it’s a highly respected part of the industry.

Interactive art attracts people in droves, and just like any interest or hobby, there is usually a small percentage at the top who are ardent art lovers. However, the significant portion below this level simply wants something outside the box that will keep them engaged. Interactive art is one of the most effective ways of accomplishing this.

The practicality of engaging an art audience

Although some of the world’s top art galleries receive public and private funding, many rely on admission fees from the volume of people they get through their door. Interactive art is one of the most potent forces that helps drive audience engagement and promote organic word-of-mouth advertising.

It’s also a type of art that helps to bridge the gap between traditional galleries and people who learn by being more hands-on and practical. Galleries don’t allow you to suddenly start putting your hands on some of the great works of art they have on display, but interactive art flips that idea on its head – and it’s part of this rule switch that engages casual art audiences just as much as the pieces themselves.

Interactive art inspires creativity

Having downtime embedded in our busy schedules is crucial as it helps to reset the mind and engage other areas of the brain. Going to an art museum or a gallery is one of the best ways to do this, and interactive art that encourages audience engagement is one of the most effective ways to channel and inspire the creativity in all of us.

While it might not be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of ways to get creative, it’s something to consider. It is often cheaper than other forms of entertainment and can be enjoyed with your family or friends.

Nat Harvie Shares Video for New Song ‘Shovel’

Nat Harvie has shared a new single, ‘Shovel’, lifted from their forthcoming album New Virginity. It arrives alongside a video made with Hollis Sparhawk and featuring Harvie’s mom Nancy Sudak. Watch and listen below.

“I was a certain kind of child, now I call upon the intensity of fear, euphoria, hope that a child can experience,” Harvie said in a statement, continuing:

I made this video with my friend Hollis Sparhawk. Hollis is a visual artist and musician in Duluth, MN where I am from. I have wanted to make a film with her for a while, but it felt like a sign when we realized we have the exact same shitty camcorder. A month or so later I saw a picture of my mom, Nancy Sudak, with short hair in the early ‘90s, around my current age, looking over her left shoulder toward the camera, making a face that I might make, looking exactly like me. She used to look like I do now. Maybe I will look like she does now in the future. When I saw the picture I was looking into the past at my current self. With this video I wanted to mirror that experience into the future- her as my later self, me as my current self. With Hollis’ help we shot the video in about two hours, both styled as some sort of alternate reality pop star version of myself. We film each other in the video. We sing into microphones plugged only into each other’s microphones on a short cable. We create a mirror-signal that cancels itself out on the way through the cable to reach the other singer/other self. “Shovel” deals with childhood in a new way for me. I have sometimes participated in the popular queer trope of writing to the younger self to say “It’s okay, there is a way to be, there is a good future you can’t imagine with people in it.” “Shovel” is different. Here in the video the relationship is flipped – the younger self takes care of the older self, instigates catharsis, becomes the self again. Age and experience are blurred. Childhood becomes the future. My mom tells me that when I was a young kid I used to ask her “when am I going to be a baby again?” – I guess that curiosity remains.

New Virginity features contributions from Low’s Alan Sparhawk, Lala Lala, Brent Penny, and Cole Pulice. It’s due June 7 via Boiled Records.