WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

It's been a while since I've posted any new content, but now that Fall quarter is over I'll try changing that. I'm currently in the process of writing some new music for a couple different projects and getting more ETRNLST threads printed. Even though I've been struggling with this horrible machine (my laptop), I've managed to keep up with my musical needs.


J. Cole's latest mixtape Friday Night Lights is one of two albums I've had on heavy rotation. I personally think this is a step up from his last release - The Warm Up. Click the album cover to download the mixtape.

The other album I've been listening to a lot lately is Miguel's All I Want Is You. It's really dope how much he's done in the last few years - from doing work with Blu and Exile on Below the Heavens to where he's at now - a nationwide tour with Usher. Good job, Miguel!

ETRNLST ONLINE SHOP

Our online shop is up and running! So far we have one shirt for sale, which is the Drip Tee that I'm sure you've all seen by now. From now on, everything we release will be available here.

ETRNLST DRIP TEE + RELEASE INFO

Limited quantities of the first shirt from the new ETRNLST collection (Drip Tee) will be available online tomorrow. I'm really excited about this release, as well as all the upcoming releases I have planned for this collection. I started a blog on tumblr for ETRNLST earlier this week too. Make sure you follow us to stay posted on everything we're working on.

Read the full post regarding the release here.

Photos courtesy of Stephanie Bwrede.

MAESTRO KNOWS X HALL OF FAME

Maestro posted at 449 N. Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles. Looks like he made it to the Hall of Fame!

Levi Maestro recently teamed up with Hall of Fame to release a special limited edition sweater, available now at Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. I picked up mine on Saturday morning during the in-store and chatted with Maestro for a few. He has a ridiculously busy schedule! I have so much respect for this guy. Thanks again, Maestro.

The front of the sweater features a clean "M" logo, while "Making My Way to the Hall of Fame" is written across the back. Black and yellow, black and yellow! Please excuse the pole cutting through the picture.

INTRODUCING... THE LEFT FIELD

My homies Stevie D and Kevin make up the Hip-Hop collective, The Left Field. They released their first mixtape Hit The Ground Runnin earlier this week and it's super dope! Oh, and I'm featured on one of their tracks too! These guys will definitely be shaking up things in the IE and LA real soon!

Opposites by TheLeftField

Click on the album cover below to listen and download The Left Field's mixtape.

Follow The Left Field on Twitter and add them on Facebook!

JULIAN VS. MATEO

Another Friday skate session with friends. This time we ended up at Palomares in Pomona. Great weather makes for greater skateboarding! Towards the end of the session, Julian (aka Joon Speaks) and Mateo (DOnUt Clothing) played a friendly game of skate.

Yes, Julian is wearing pink jeans. Mateo was having an off day. I blame Julian's choice of attire. We'll see what happens in round 2.

FILM IS FUN

I developed my first two rolls of film from my Minolta earlier this week. I think the shots came out pretty good. The last time I shot film was probably sophomore year of high school, and I was using a disposable camera. I like film.

Here are some of my favorite shots. I'll be posting more of my pictures on my Tumblr blog. Follow me!

LET'S KEEP MOVING

A couple hours ago, my friend NAK posted a new song online. It's a tribute to the late, great producer, Nujabes. I was really excited when NAK posted the cover art for "Keep Moving" last night. Nujabes was, hands down, one of the best, and NAK's rendition of the song definitely does the original composition justice ("Counting Stars").

NAK has such a dope style. If you've ever heard his music, you know NAK has an aggressive style of lyrical delivery. Nujabes' style of producing, on the other hand, is soothing and full of jazz. How do the two fit so perfectly? Just listen and you'll understand.

I think NAK is a great story teller and an incredibly talented emcee. His music spreads positivity. We need more positivity.

Thank you, NAK.
Thank you, Nujabes(R.I.P).

Click the cover art bellow to listen to (and download) "Keep Moving."

CHINO SESSION

Early morning skate sessions with my homies are the best. The weather is nice. Skate spots aren't too crowded. Life is really good. I don't have any pictures of us skating because...we were skating! MC Prototype, Joon Speaks, and I spent the morning at Ayala Park in Chino, where we met and skated with some people visiting from France!

We got lunch at Lee's down the street from the skate park. The sandwiches were good, my Italian soda was great, and the workers there were very nice! The food is inexpensive, as well.

PATIENCE AND A 35MM

A lot of things have been happening in my life that have really been testing my patience. Some situations I can control, and some I can't. It's how you deal with these situations that build you up and help you become a stronger person. I could have just sat back and complained about everything going wrong, but I got up and did something about it instead. Keeping a positive outlook on life is not always easy, but the fact that you are sitting here right now reading this is a blessing. I'm not trying to preach or get religious, but we are very fortunate to have the things we have. Our sight, hearing, and all these opportunities before us are overlooked far too often. Every once in a while we have to step back and reflect on life. Not only to be thankful and to stay grounded, but to stop taking things for granted. I've been getting better at this over the past year, but I'm still learning.

How does a 35mm camera tie into this? I bought this Minolta from a thrift shop in Pomona earlier this week. I've been used to shooting digital and all other forms of technology that give us instant gratification. It's not like that with an analog camera. You have to wait and be patient until your film is processed to see the results of your work. Funny, it wasn't until after I purchased the camera that I realized how it connected with everything going on.

Be patient and enjoy life.