TICKET GIVEAWAY: SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE 2010 w/ Cosmic Gate @ E-Zone, Bangalore

In Pic: Event flyer for Cosmic Gate @ Ezone

We have a handful of COUPLE passes to give away for the Smirnoff Experience with Cosmic Gate (May 9th, 2010, Bangalore@E-ZONE) event courtesy of the very very kind people at Submerge and Smirnoff... Azhar and I thought we'd have a little fun on the internet as well as at Nightshift@B52 this Thursday to give away these passes. We're running multiple competitions across the web, at Nightshift and right here as well. READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY.

COMPETITION #1

Be the first 10 people to visit the Submerge Forum and check out the Smirnoff Experience section... That's it? Balls. Get into the Cosmic Gate thread labeled: Cosmic Gate Live @ E-Zone - Bengaluru - 9th May 2010. Post exactly why you want to watch Cosmic Gate at E-Zone, and sign off with the CODEWORD: NIGHTSHIFT at the end of your reason. Guys, don't bother cheating by creating multiple IDs on the forum, I'm going to expect a different phone number and email details for each post. Also the Moderators on the Forum can easily do an IP check on you and make a fool of your ass. And let me tell  you, the Submerge Mods are hardcore. So don't bother. 10 PEOPLE = 10 COUPLE PASSES 

COMPETITION #2

Be the first 5 people to RSVP the Nightshift 4 event at B52 on Facebook and write on the event wall "I <3 SUBMERGE, I <3 COSMIC GATE, I <3 NIGHTSHIFT" RSVPing means you have to be there at Nighshift 4 at B52 to pick up your passes.  You flake on Nightshift, we flake on the Cosmic Gate passes. You'll get your passes at the end of the night. - 5 PEOPLE = 5 COUPLE PASSES

COMPETITION #3

Be the first 5 people to 'follow' (left hand column, the box under the You Tube Videos and above BBC Breaking News) 'You Heard It Here First' and comment under this blog with "I <3 SUBMERGE, I <3 COSMIC GATE, I <3 NIGHTSHIFT." It be nice if you followed this website with your Twitter or Google account. :) 5 PEOPLE = 5 COUPLE PASSES

COMPETITION #4

The first 5 people to come to Nighshift 4 at B52 and tell Azhar or myself, "You Heard It Here First. Now give me my Cosmic Gate pass." Now guys, don't be dicks and start screaming that shit to us while we're DJing, it be nice if you approached the guy who's just chilling. Let's be civil here peeps. - Since it's Azhar and myself, that's 5 passes each. 10 PEOPLE = 10 COUPLE PASSES

COMPETITION #5

B52 are giving away 5 passes to the winner with the biggest bill on Nighshift 4. We suggest you try out their bar foods; threaded chicken and the calamari, yummy Smirnoff shooters and cocktails as well. You heard it here first. 1 PERSON = 5 COUPLE PASSES

Azhar and I are also keeping aside a few extra passes for the Nightshift party animals who bring real positive vibes to our event.  Smile a lot, dance a lot, just show up and have a good time... and you could win a pass out of the blue. :) Knowing Az though, he'll probably just hand them out to the hottest women. We'll try to be gentlemen about it.

NOTE: 

• One competition per winner (i.e. You can't go on the Submerge forum and the FB event page wall. You win one competition, you win one couple pass, please be content).  
• You can however win Competition #5 (the biggest bill @ B52) along with one other competition, leaving you with a chance of winning 6 couple passes in total.
• Competitions 1, 2 and 3 close at 5PM (IST) on Thursday, May 6th, 2010. 
• All Smirnoff Experience Cosmic Gate passes which have been won will have to be picked up at Nightshift 4 @ B52.
• ALL PASSES ARE COUPLE ONLY! STAGS CAN'T USE THESE PASSES. Please don't get in touch with us if you attempt to enter the Smirnoff Party as a Stag with the winning tickets.  I'm sorry guys, rules are rules, let me remind you, if you're a stag you're more than welcome to show up at Nightshift.

Check out the Smirnoff Experience website: Click here

Learn more about the Smirnoff Experience Cosmic Gate event: Click here

Threads Interview: KEY LOW T-Shirts - "I'd rather be in Bandra"

Starting a T-shirt company is such an ‘in’ thing to do, I feel they’re a dime a dozen in our times. Is it a genuine interest in fashion or a genuine interest in being trendy? I don’t know.  What I do know is, I’m extremely anal about my t-shirts, from the message on it, to the fit, to the feel. I say fit, because I don’t want my man boobs all over the place and I say feel because two years back I was introduced to ‘organic cotton,’ haven’t looked back since. Metrosexual much? I don’t think so. I wear t-shirts 98% of the year – much to the missus’ distress. Shirts only get a shoe in during weddings, Christmas and my Mom’s birthday. Lol, or when I’m DJing a ladies night.

In Pic: Not one of my favs, great message though.

If I'm being honest here, India are still not up to mark in terms of the quality of homegrown T-shirts available. Top off my head, I know there’s Tantra – with the clichéd hippy ‘check out my OM, man’ t-shirts (they’re not so bad) and the other one that’s stuck with me is Barking Dog. Admittedly, I’ve only seen one of their prints and it’s pretty classic stuff.  The iconic Che Guevara image with a skull on the face and the text, “CHE IS DEAD, GET OVER IT!” The main issue I have with the t-shirts here, are they’re too goddamn heavy, thick and more often than not the neck ring chokes you. Also, that plasticy, multiple cracking type print that is abundant on t-shirts here is just plain wrong.  In this blog, I intend to feature t-shirt companies that are unique and doing something a little different - the companies that keep an eye on the detailing, rather than just slapping a print on any old thing.

~~~

In Pics: Samples of the KEY LOW collection, Wotto in pink and white

There are a few homegrown companies I’m noticing, which are doing something different… which is where I come to the main topic of discussion.  Last year on my annual trip to Mumbai, I was introduced to Key Low.  “Dude, he’s got the Space Invaders tee!”  Run by Bandra boy Karan Gonsalves (AKA KG $$$), Key Low put out t-shirts that fit just right and have some pretty hipster type messages and designs on them.  You can tell Karan has been influenced by his taste in music (Justice, Simian Mobile Disco, Daft Punk, Boys Noize) but now in his latest collections, they’re taking a little more of a Bombay feel to it. I’ve got about five of them and every time I wear them, someone will comment on it. He’s got a nice range of colours, a lot of funky prints and I think his pricing compared to your Nikes and Adidas, are pretty good.

In Pics: More samples from KEY LOW

Got in touch with Karan so he could tell us more about Key Low, what it takes to survive in this business, his favourite prints and more.


How would you describe the brand identity Key Low represents?

Well, I am not really into brands myself. I don’t like that word. Living in New York for a couple of years really introduced me to the whole streetwear, independent culture. Small companies putting out dope gear really keeps it fresh. In India, we don’t have any streetwear/urban labels. I mean when was the last time you saw a skateboard on your local street or a couple of Indian kids tagging up a wall. So, I formed Keylow out of a necessity really. Guys in India don’t have much of a choice in terms of quality and size. I mean in India an XL is closer to a medium and forget about the prints. Who the hell wants to wear “Athletic Sports Brand 69” as a chest print. I put out prints that are based on my personal influences ranging from music, patterns, imagery, fine art and any other random thoughts I might have. As for the name, Keylow works out like this: Karan Gonsalves ->  KG -> Kilogram -> Keylow. It was kind of a nick name my close buds have been calling me since I was a kid.

In Pics: KEY LOW made in India.

Your company is about two years old now, what inspires your designs?  How do you make sure Key Low always stays fresh?
Again, it’s really random. I get inspired just walking around, reading books, listening to music etc. Sometimes an idea just pops into my head. Off late, I have tied up with a few illustrators whose style I like and have had them do a couple of prints for me. I just did 2 prints with Craig Watkins aka Wotto and a one off print with Issa… aka Dr Bombay, a fantastic French tattoo artist who was living in Mumbai for a while. I will continue to work with illustrators to put out fresh prints as well as push my own casual designs.

 In Pic: The ISSA KEY LOW print

Tell us about world famous t-shirt illustrator Craig Watkins? 

Craig is fantastic. He has been printed already on DBH (designsbyhumans), threadless and a bunch of other sites. I reached out to him and we decided to print 2 tees for India and see how it does. I love his style and the artwork pops on the tees. Hopefully, in the near future, we can have at least 2 every month from him. 

In Pic: www.WottoArt.com

Would you say starting your own t-shirt company is a lucrative business? 
It depends. Like any business there has to be a scalable model behind it. You make money when you sell 10,000 pieces per month. Printed tees are awesome and all, but I also make everyday regular wear for guys. So you can pick up a plain round neck/V-neck/Raglan/Henley/collared in around 20 colours from me as well. In addition, I use a fabric finish that no one in India uses. It makes the fabric really soft and at the same time the quality is top notch. The goal really is to build a company that offers a wide range of simple everyday clothing for men. You know living in India, when was the last time you saw a teal V-Neck for sale? Well, we got it.


Besides Key Low, what have been some of the t-shirt companies you’ve loved and worn? 
So many… Zoo York, Crooks and Castles, Dissizit, LRG, Alife, Jeepney, Tits, Exact Science, RVCA, Sneaktip…the list goes on and on.

In pic: RVCA made in California

Out of your collection, pick out the three designs, which have been bestsellers and tell us why you think they were popular?
The “I rather be in Bandra” Tee was a huge hit… well being a Bandra boy and all…what do you expect? Then I did a “Run Bombay” tee… a play of the RUN DMC logo. Also, the Nietzsche tee was a hit.

In Pic: KEY LOW bestseller

Personally, which is your favourite?
Right now, I rock the hell out of DJ tees… the one with all the DJ/bands I jam out to when I wanna dance.

You’re based in Bombay, spotted any of the Bollywood, VJ types sporting your t-shirt? 
Seen a few. Let’s leave it at that. :)


You are stuck on a deserted island with a life supply of batteries and a boom box, list out 6 life changing must-have albums you’d like to have with you and why?

1. Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt – You have to have one Jigga album. Period. 
2. Daft Punk – Homework - Need I say anything about this piece of art. 
3. Any Led Zeppelin album
4. Zero 7 – Simple things – to chill out.
5. Cassius – 1999 – My feeling for you… just for that track. What a beat!!!
6. Notorious BIG – Ready to Die – The best lyricist of all time... although you can’t go wrong with any RAKIM album as well. 
7. The Supermen Lovers – The Player – Pure French House.

Join the Key Low Facebook fan page: Click here
Check out the Key Low website: Click here
Shop for Key Low T-Shirts Online: Click here


Key Low and You Heard It Here First will be running a competition where you can win two limited edition Key Low t-shirts designed by Craig Watkins... Hold tight. - SG

B52 presents NIGHTSHIFT 4 w/ Azhar and Sailen

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika

In Pic: Azhar & Sailen

Come one, come all - delish cocktails, chilled beers, blingtastic space, deeptechdiscohouse w/ Sailen & Azhar on the decks. Happy Hours, Buy 1 Get 1 Free till 9:30PM, for boys and girls, because we don't discriminate. If you had a good time last week, you're going to have a better one this Thursday! After a great night with DJ Inferno last Friday, Azhar's back from Delhi and rearing to go. 

Same format as always, chill deep house, bouncy techhouse, last hour of mayhem. We're moving back to Thursday this week because haha, Sasha is playing on Friday, and he's been our inspiration for years, so we can't really miss out on his set.  Also, a slight change in the buy 1 get 1 free, we're pushing it back to 930PM - mainly because we urge you to get there early so you can catch all the music being played... I know it's a working day, but you don't find too many places providing happy hours this late in the city.   


WIN PASSES TO SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE W/ COSMIC GATE (May 9th, 2010): Since it's our 4th installment, we've decided to give you a little incentive to come for our night (besides the great music and great vibes at B52). We've got our hands on some SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE passes to the Cosmic Gate show on Saturday and we're giving them away at Nightshift! Hold tight, more details on the passes on this page!

PSST - We've also got 20 Couple Invites to Sasha's BURN Tour which is on Friday (May 7th)... and I know if you like our music, you're not going to want to miss Sasha. Again, haha, Hold tight, more details on the Sasha invites on this page!


I know guys, it's only music so far, only Nightshift stuff, I've got some great gems lined up for tomorrow - my review of "How to Train a Dragon" (wished I watched it in 3D), a great set to download from DJ INFERNO, more details on winning those passes, maybe a cheeky link to a Cosmic Gate interview and if God wills, a T-Shirt competition! Stay tuned. - SG


RSVP NIGHTSHIFT 4 w/ Sailen & Azhar on May 6th, 2010: Click here
Read reviews of Nighshift: Click here
Check out the review of Nightshift in the Bangalore Times: Click here
Learn more about the Cosmic Gate Smirnoff Experience tour: Click here
Learn more about the Sasha BURN tour: Click here