Wednesday, 21 July 2010

#6 British rapper - DELS


A few months back I bumped into my old college friend Kieren aka DELS.

Coming from a small town to the big city, I admire his ambition and perseverance to become a contender in the music industry – which is never easy.

Back in 2004 or 05 was when we met and even then he was making music. Now fresh from being signed to Big Dada / Ninja Tunes records - which he fully deserves I get an update.

Innovation and creativity is what fuels this world- With his musical talents I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more -

www.myspace.com/imdels

j-Update me with your current projects!

k-I am working on my debut album. First single from my album, 'Shapeshift' drops on 23rd August on Big Dada / Ninja Tune records.

j-I remember your group ‘Alliance’ back in college – what’s happened to the other members?

k-They all got fat, married and had children.

j-You went your way and how’s that been for you till now?

k-Brilliant. I get to do things my own way without compromising my vision. I'm happy.

j-Tell me about your struggles? I like the blood and sweat stories.

k-No. This is too clichéd…personal. Listen to my music.

j-Ok if I must! What keeps you going?

k-Bakewell tarts, party rings & orange juice.

j-Aside from tarts, what’s happened to the massive pink teddy thing you did for college?

k-Alexis Taylor (the lead singer from Hot Chip) has one in his family home. My ex-girlfriend has one gathering dust underneath her bed.

j-I like London more than Ipswich. How about you?

k-I like New York more than I do Ipswich.

j-Where to be cool and hang out?

k-Anywhere in the countryside. Nobody bothers you there (you can't get no reception, so no emails/texts etc.)

j-Where in London do you go for fun?

k-Anywhere alcohol is sold and good music is on rotation. Art book shops. Galleries.

j-Tell me your influences?

k-Anyone from Yoshitomo Nara to David Lynch. MF Doom and Andre 3000 through to Joy Division and Micachu.

j-At what stage in life would you say you are in right now?

k-Mid-20's crisis.

j-You into pop cheese.com by any chance or am I still on my own?

k-You're on your own.

j-Describe your music.

k-A waterfall in the middle of a council estate. The unexpected. Hip-Hop.

j-What do you enjoy most about making art, making music?

k-Firstly, I get to experiment with sounds and visuals for my own satisfaction. Then people tell me if they like it or not. I enjoy the critique. Makes me want to create more. I love playing live shows and seeing how people who don't know my music react.

j-Can you describe me your perfect environment to work in when you are getting creative?

k-In my bedroom - ‘pretend’ studio.

j-How do you decide if something works or not?

k-If I don't like it, you won't hear it or see it.

j-Besides music, what other stuff are you into?

k-Dreaming about to being able to afford clothes by Martin Margiela and Tom Ford. Conjuring up nuke-proof plans that will enable me to live in Tokyo for at least a year. Obviously, I have been unsuccessful so far.

j-What are you most afraid of?

k-Freddie Kruger and Cheese.

j-Do you believe in fate and destiny? Or it’s a load of rubbish to you?

k-I create my own fate..luck.

j-What are you thinking right now?

k-That I need to vote for Labour and cook for my Aunties this evening.

j-How would you end this?

k-Thank you and goodbye.

Go pick up his single Shapeshift - out next month!


Wednesday, 31 March 2010

5# Mr Lee of HURWUNDEKI -




I don't usually meet such sincere people, but Mr Korean born Kichul Lee is super sweet, super laid back and super real - He's a family man with 2 children and is also the Creative director and owner of Hurwundeki. I first met him when I cheekily asked if I could take a magazine from his new unopened, unready shop. He was in overalls - getting stuck in decorating. With a cafe, hair salon and Hurwundeki boutiques in East London - Many owners would just hire decorators. So when Lee told me he's the owner I was a little suprised. [ Yeah. Me and my JUDGMENTAL eyes - blah blah ] But it also told me he's passionate and hardworking - and I respect and admire these people the most.



J- What does Hurwundeki mean?

K- It means Hair. It's a dialect from my home town which is called Jeju, island of Korea.

J- What made you start a fashion brand?

K- I was interested in starting it all my life.

J- How did you start Hurwundeki?

K- I started it 18 years ago in Seoul - Korea, as a hair salon as I was only a hair dresser at the time.

J- You're a hair stylist as well as the owner of your company, which do you love the most ?

K- If you have 4 children can you say who is your favourite child?

J- You moved to London in...?

K- In 2000.

J- Do you prefer Korea to London? Or vice- versa?

K- Anywhere I need to be.

J- What is your favourite about London?

K- Gives me hard work.

J- Is there anything else you are interested in, in terms of Art?

K- I like any kind of unique objects.

J- Your aims right now?

K- Die to work.

J- Do you regret anything?

K- Yes, I do. Spent too much time for nothing which I can’t take it back.

J- If you could erase a stage of your life what would it be?

K- Too much going out and met too many people who I didn’t love.

J- How did you get through the tough times?

K- Life and job are hard, so if you don't expect too much from it, it'll never be tough.

J- Go relaxing or keep working?

K- I don’t know the meaning of relaxing because I’ve never worked extremely hard.

J- What do you remember about your 'two/zeros'?

K- The shining of light.

J- How would you end this interview?

K- Thanks for giving me this space as I know there are so many talented and great people in London.

God bless you

J- Thank you -

A quiet man of very few words and very cool clothes - www.hurwundeki.com/

Monday, 22 March 2010

4# Street snapper - Mr Dennis Swiatkowski



Meet Dennis Swiatkowski - the creator of getyourplanerightontime.com
He captures the street styles of London and the world beyond.
His blog is about a careful selection of the individuals with a - as they call it - 'sick' dress sense that oozes character and fusion.

Part of the Vice magazine blogging network, his blog fans are growing, and each time I visit - I always find something interesting to gaze at.
Remembering our very long conversation a few months back - Dennis strikes me as a guy who knows about style and has 'the eye'-I like his style of simplicity with a palette of minimal tones.
In London? - Watch out for the curly haired Dutch guy with the camera. -




J- Tell me about you.

D- Well, I’m Dennis and I travel around the world. My home base is

in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.


J- When did your blog come about?

D- The blog already exists for a couple of years, but I only started

it as a fashion blog a year ago. [Before that it was more personal].


J- How was the response?

D- Since I turned it into this street style fashion blog thing the response has been very good. You should check it out haha!


J- I'm a fan! Did you have a specific aim starting it?

D- The aim is to attend fashion weeks across the world and shoot pictures of people who look interesting.


J- Are you building your 'getyourplanerightontime.com' as a brand?

D- That is a good question, because I am currently working on a few projects linked to GYPROT and it will be more than only the blog in the future. So yes, it is a brand.


J- You obviously enjoy fashion and art. How are you going to take

your blog to another level?

D- The next level for my blog is to incorporate the side projects that I am working on, but I cannot disclose too much information about them right now.


J- What kinda stuff excites you?

D- Ear piercing sawing synth lines in electronic music, original story telling tattoos and amazing aesthetics in anything design(interdisciplinary)


J- What are your future aims for now?

D- Graduating in June 2010 is top priority.


J- Are you hungry for success or you’re a go with the flow’er?

D- I want to be successful within a couple of years.


J- We are baby adults. So being in your 20’s to you mean?

D- The twenties are there to experience things and figure out who

you are and what you want to do.


J- Where do you go for play time?

D- In Amsterdam I usually go to the Sugar Factory and Melkweg. In London I used to roam Shoreditch.


J- What kind of music are you into?

D- Many different styles really. But a selection of my favourite

artists are: Midnight Juggernauts, SebastiAn, Yuksek, MGMT, Justice, Aeroplane and MSTRKRFT.


J- What else are you into?

D- Many things, but to keep it short what I really like to is to travel, snowboard and surf.


J- How would you end this interview?

D- Good luck with your fashion label. :)

J- Dank U.

www.getyourplanerightontime.com - Go clicking.

About Me

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London Town, United Kingdom
Qwan is an evolving concept for many things. Online BlogMag - Fashion / Art / Music - www.qwanqwan.com

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