I shot this video myself recently because Samuel is so naturally melodic and totally amazing. And cute.
The (drunken) girl who spontaneously decided to stop fighting the basic human urge to jump on stage, grab boybands and kiss them sends a rather clear message: pop is so good in 2010 you’ll want to scream and cry and makeout.
Try to stay offstage.
I’ve been meaning to catch up with Samuel Albert Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III of Friends With You since I started Yo-ster because, to put things simply, we have a lot in common. They believe Magic, Luck, and Friendship™ are powerful enough to trademark (they did). They believe that if you think happy thoughts, patience and charisma will help you achieve anything you want to do. Me too.
Established in 2002, FWY is a well-respected, very cute Miami-based art collective whose bright toy-inspired products and youthful installations made them famous. These days the studio also offers branding, animation and new media to major clients with a common goal: connect people. FWY start any project by creating a unique dream world where imagination becomes reality. Then they introduce you to new endearing friends who will mostly likely send you telepathic ideas of positivity for you to spread. Their happy art is merging the worlds of art and merchandising which is great for business because happiness is, in fact, contagious. Here’s what they had to say:
Can a message of universal kindness change the way people think?
Of course! Our method is to use every modern measure of cultural significance to implant our vision and message. From fine art to entertainment and licensing, to advertising and branding, we are injecting our magic into all modern currents of thinking.
Your unique approach to branding at FWY Studios, where your multi talented team crosses fine art and commercial work for hire, combines several bizarre elements most often left out of commercialism completely: Magic, luck, and friendship. Firstly, how is this even achieved? Are your commercial clients ever skeptical to your hugs? How do you get them to come around and be friends with you?
They can’t deny it. They are starving for the magic.
How do you use the outcome of a campaign to strengthen a future project? What are key performance indicators for you? Aside from, you know, magic and luck and friendship.
Each project gives us new tools and information to do things more efficiently and to dream bigger and better. Each element is like a brick in the construction that is our entire universe.
Do you dream in color?
Definitely!
Wow. Long story short, everyone but Gwenno left The Pipettes over the years. Now it’s just her and her sister, Ani Saunders. This record is very promising indeed.
Single available to pre-order now on CD or limited red 7 inch vinyl. Taken from the forthcoming album “Earth Vs. The Pipettes” (Fortuna POP!) – out June 28th.
Hello, JAPAYORK. How is your leather jacket today?
It’s good. I’ve painted the words LUST & FOUND on it.
I am much more inclined to jump a turnstile with mine on. Does it affect you? Do you feel more like Prince, perhaps?
When I wear mine I like to listen to the Misfits and look menacing!
Yea. A good leather jacket should say “fuck you” to everyone so you don’t have to. Do people call you JAPAYORK or do you still answer to Stephanie like Gaga does?
Even my family call me Japa, but there are still some people close to me that call me Stephanie.
When did you realize “I Need It All” is in fact perfect?
Thanks a lot! “I Need It All” was one of those songs that just flew out ‘o me; I sat down and wrote it in less than two hours. The best songs don’t take long to write, they are there waiting.
Why did you choose “Our Now” as your first single?
Well we haven’t really decided on a single… “Our Now” is just the first song I’m sharing but I haven’t showed the big guns yet.
What was the goal when you started recording?
To have loads of fun.
Do you think your tracks will be included on your first record?
We’ll see, there is every chance.
Honestly, do you think your identity is at stake when dealing with a big label pop-glamsquad?
No, not at all. I’ve got quite a strong view of who I am whichever label we go with, and the kind of songs I write and the artwork I create help portray me as an individual.
What is the best thing you’re ever done?
Giving it all up for music.
Blond or brunette?
Pink hair dyed with Kool Aid?
UPDATE – Latest Japa York single, Teenagers, is set for release 12/05/10 on Popjustice Hi-Fi
THANKS POPJUSTICE NYC!
3.14.2010 @ The Bell House – Brooklyn, New York
video credit – me