Veritas womens line available on web store

The web store is open-spread the word-we are only making limited numbers for each design-so what you see may disappear soon-more news on the way-

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Up to date,date to up,to date up,update to,to update, (N)or(V)or(adj))

so..its been quite a while since announcing much to the public or friends.. I have been back from China now for about 10 months and I have been in hiding out, silently, (for whatever reasons) since the re-entry back to life as an american consumer, complainer, capitalist and whatever you want to add to it. But in all actuality I have been busy creating things in my time on home soil, I feel like I am talking like a politician, a republicrat; I guess it fits this time of year with all of the hoopla of nominating season.  

Anyways here is what I have been up to or not up too-

1.  Writing-not much, still at a half-way or three quarters point one of the books I have been working on over the last 3-4 years.  China gave me a serious writers block (which i have never had) since I left the genres and cultures I was writing in and on, I lost all train of thought.  I have worked here and there on the piece and need to "kick myself to the curb" (an old early 90's rap saying) and write.  Although David Eggers, Nick Hornby and Chuck Klosterman have been sure-on influences and inspirations, sorry for letting you boys down.

2.  Art-No painting at all and my bones ache and blood churns for the canvas.  Although I have been doing a lot of digital works, sad isn't it.  But I love my new drawing pad and i-mac, lots of hours, late, late hours.  (sorry Mande)

3.  Music-Writing bits and pieces here and there, kicking around on the bass a bit.  

4.  Creating-This is where all the time has been spent.  I have founded and ART Fashion brand called "Veritas" and our inception as a company "Veritas World LLC" was this year.  So I have been creating and designing all the clothing for the brand.  I asked one of my best friends Jacob Combs to partner in this adventure with me and he has been flying like a fast thing that fly's ever since.  We also will be creating a non-profit company along with it, to tie our Artist Collective into.  

Here is what Veritas is all about:

Vision

The Vision of Veritas is to impact peoples lives by creating a brand that is a catalyst for truth, love and a passion for giving.  Veritas creates and nourishes the kind of relationship  and diversity of human contact that builds into the essence of the city.  The Veritas brand is designed and created to bring community together through a combination of the Arts; one shirt, one painting, one sound, one film, and one word at a time.

Artist Collective

The Veritas Artist Collective is a collection of individuals who we at Veritas are personally connected with and love.  The Collection is made up of different genres, styles, forms and mediums in the world of the arts.  We hope you take time to look, listen, watch, read and connect with these individuals and their body of work.  You observe their talent on the Veritas web site.  Be looking for Veritas events in the near future featuring members of the Artist Collective.

Product

We at Veritas take our product seriously.  Veritas is made up of creative individuals who are actively involved in every genre of the Art World.  Each member of the Veritas team will only create and sell something that they would be proud to wear.  Veritas designers look its clothing as if it were a blank canvas and passionately create each design as a work of art.

So today-the first line is complete, the website will be up shortly to purchase online.  We are seeking out boutiques to carry our clothing and people to wear it.  We are also looking at purchasing a three story building to house our own boutique on the first floor, art gallery on the second, and lofts that we will live in on the third floor. 

You can check out my insane, creative, laxative, internationally non recognizable life at:

www.myspace.com/samo4prez  

www.samo4prez.com

www.liveveritas.com

We'll talk soon..i love J Lynn Johnston more than.....

The Best band you have never heard of...

I have been meaning to write this for a long time. We (the music elite, at least we think we are in our own mind) always here, read, mention, watch, or view something that concerns the greatest band that no one knows about. Whether we read it in Under the Radar, Rolling Stone, Filter, Paste, a random blog, article, book, documentary etc etc etc, somewhere along the road of musical excursion we hear the phrase "greatest band no one has ever heard".

Well, I am claiming this phrase right now, and I have been saying this phrase over and over again concerning a small two piece out of Denton, Texas known as "Street Hassle" obviously named after possibly the greatest Lou Reed song ever created (and there are many great Lou creations).  Denton, TX  is well known for its musical genius, the little town was named by Paste magazine, Signs of Life: Best Music Scene 2008.  The NY Times wrote and article as well on the scene as did Popmatters.  Acts such as Midlake, Robert Gomez, and The Baptist Generals top the known indi acts leading the way for emerging acts like We are Villains, RTB2, Fishboy and others like Street Hassle.

This two piece is made up of newly married husband and wife creative/musical geniuses. (I don't use this term lightly.) Art, poetry, literature, philosophy, film, music, skate, and bmx make up the daily creative activities of this duo. Thus playing into the raw emotion of their incredible music. If you are a fan of The New York Dolls, Velvet Underground, David Bowie, Patty Smith, Television, T. Rex, Joy Division, Iggy and The Stooges, The Early Stones, Richard Hell, Johnny Thunders and anyone else who played at this time or anyone who was attached to Andy Warhol at some particular time, then you will lose your mind when your ears taste the symphony of Street Hassle's music. I honestly feel like I am watching a reinventing of Patty Smith, if Patty or Fred Sonic Smith could see them she would feel the same way, I guarantee it.

On album you feel the energy and wish you were alive to see a historic performance at The Factory circa 1962-1968. Imagine sitting on the red couch in the Factory, headphones covering your ears, the raw energy pulsing as the evening crowd arrives. This is the raw, gritty, emotion that their music invokes to rock and roll historians, those of us who read, listen and study the evolution of our favorite artists.

On stage you get a rock and roll performance, the way you are supposed to. Street Hassle will bring you a bit of Iggy, a touch of Ian, pieces of Mick and even a taste of Johnny Rotten. Equal parts punk, glam and art rock, Street Hassle is "the best band you have never heard" of-go listen, go jam, you won't be able to resist the urge of doing the Jagger swagger. Who dances to rock and roll anymore, kids just stand and listen, Street Hassle brings the dance back to rock and roll.

Listen to Street Hassle here- www.myspace.com/streethassleisaterriblenameforaband