Check out our pix from the best SummerStage ever! Thanks to everyone who came out – hope you had as much fun as we did.

Read more »

Interview and photos by Seher Sikandar

Little Dragon is a Gothenburg, Sweden based band that has been one of music lovers’ best kept secrets of the last couple years.  With swinging electro-synth tracks and soulful yet at times haunting vocals of lead Yukimi Nagano, Little Dragon’s sounds have put many in a blissful trance, including myself. The band consists of Håkan Wirenstrand on keys, Fredrik Källgren Wallin on bass, and Erik Bodin on drums.  Yukimi is known to get down on a little percussion as well.

Between the concept of their debut music video for “Twice” extended into a short film that showed at Cannes, a soundtrack feature on Grey’s Anatomy, and a recent tour with TV on the Radio this spring, Little Dragon is coming to spray its dragon breath in an ear near you.

I was lucky enough to sit down with the fun and quirky bunch where we got to talk about tourettes, the recording process, and fruit.  High school crushes and drugs, too.  You know how we do.

I read that you all went to high school together – that’s awesome.  What was life like in those days?  What would you guys talk about and dream about?

YN: I think we admired each other already as musicians.  Kinda like, I thought you [gestures to Eric] were a really good drummer -

EB:  [to Yukimi] And I thought you were really cute. [Yukimi laughs] But really, she was the only one of the girls – and boys – who was singing that sort of got a spell on you right away.  She had the magic already, back then. [sings "I got a spell on you"] But I remember the first time we all started playing, we were fourteen or something and Yukimi came with a red gothic outfit with this amazing deep voice.

So in high school you all were already kinda jamming out and stuff.

EB: Yeah, we formed a little band in high school.

Continue reading the interview

Photos (c) Jaecyne Howell

Objektivity label head, producer and DJ, Dennis Ferrer played us an amazing set of slamming house music.  Join Giant Step next on Monday, July 13 with Benji B (Deviation). As always:

Free with RSVP

Here are some photos from yet another fantastic night of dancing at the Hudson. A big shout to Rich Medina for turning the party out.

Next up is Danny Krivit – who you will not want to miss – on June 15.

Free with RSVP

Click to launch the media player from Chester French’s show at STEVEN by Steve Madden on April 29. Check out photos and video from the event, plus music from Chester French and their music video for “She Loves Everybody” from the new album, Love The Future.

Steve Madden’s Chester French Media Player

For more info about:
Steve Madden go to http://www.stevemadden.com
Steve Madden Music go to http://www.stevemaddenmusic.com

Like Pete Rock from the second installment in our Hudson series, Afrika Bambaataa threw down as only the godfather of hip hop can. Here are some photos from the night – enjoy!

In true Giant Step style, alien princess Janelle Monáe gave an unforgettable performance to celebrate the opening of Hudson Hotel’s Private Park with Charity Water. In her girl-android persona, she was convincing yet funky in songs like “Many Moons,” and her frantic energy was infectious. Later she slowed the vibe down when she sang “Smile,” showing off her stunning vocal skills.  With the crowd beckoning for more, she closed her set with what has become Janelle’s rock star signature finale: crowd surfing into a sea of fans.

Hosted by Hudson, Giant Step, and Charity Water, the event raised enough money in donations to build a Hudson Well and provide more than 225 people with clean water.

Janelle Monáe’s MySpace | Hudson Hotel | Charity Water

The Brooklyn trio comprised of DJ Ayres, DJ Eleven and Cosmo Baker (AKA The Rub) threw down on Monday, and this is how we got down.

Join us next on May 18th with Afrika Bambaataa. RSVP here.

View photos from Chester French’s performance last Wednesday in Manhattan’s Lower East Side STEVEN store by Steve Madden here.

Video footage from the event can be viewed here.