Hello. I am a journalist and all around tastemaker living in Los Angeles. I run my own online magazine called Nu-Soul www.nu-soulmag.com that focuses on soul and electronica artists.
I work for a variety of media outlets with my hands in all sorts of things such as music, special events, concerts, film screenings, and gay events.
I have an awesome boyfriend who is too damn sexy for his own good. LOL.
The adventures of Norman! The bizarre life of a journalist and magazine owner!
Backstage at the Andrew Christian Fashion show (11/20/09) [View | Hide]
I walked in my first runway show last night. The show was for Bienestar, which is an organization that raises money for Latinos with Aids. I walked in the Andrew Christian portion of the show wearing some skimpy little underwear with a bunch of other guys. I was the only black guy in my group so I definitely stood out when I went out on the stage. Enjoy these few backstage pics and I will post some runway shots and video when I get them.
Strictly Social w/ Jazzy, Trizonna Album release - Dec 16, 2009 (11/20/09) [View | Hide]
Nu-Soul Magazine and Soul Union return once again with our signature monthly event of Eclectic Soul Fusion. It’s STRICTLY SOCIAL on Wednesday December 16, 2009!
Strictly Social is the physical embodiment of Nu-Soul Magazine, allowing music lovers to witness the convergence of soul and electronica through our carefully selected monthly showcase of cutting edge artists and DJs.
Artist: Antony Valadez Title: Audio/Visual Genre: Nu-jazz/Electronica/Soul Read the review
An Evening with the PornStars (11/10/09) [View | Hide]
Blackballed 7 was being filmed in LA this past weekend and I ran into the cast at the Abbey. I already know Eddie Diaz but it was cool to finally meet Race Cooper who I have known online for years back when he had dreads too. Sorry for the shitty cell phone pics.
Broke As F**k w/ Simply Jeff - Nov 25, 2009 (11/5/09) [View | Hide]
Nu-Soul Magazine presents BROKE AS F**K at the Blu Monkey Bar & Lounge for a special Thanksgiving Eve edition on Wednesday November 25, 2009.
Give Thanks for the BASS and join us for a journey into the sounds of bootyshaking breakbeat, bass, ghettotech, dubstep, and electro that is sure to keep your ass planted on the dancefloor!
There is no work or school the next day so get your cardio in before you stuff your face!
Another Halloween is in the books and this one was definitely crazy. It fell on a Saturday so there was lots to do. I dressed up as White Gold from those crazy milk commercials.
I began my night wandering the streets of West Hollywood with some 500, 000 or so costumed freaks! Including friends such as photographers Kurt R. Brown, Steven Blank, Gregory Prescott and Jerris Madison and model Max Philisaire. Then it was off to downtown to catch Jody Watley, Vikter Duplaix and DJ Rashida. Prince rolled through that party which was quite exciting. Then off to Erin's house for the after-after party till the sun came up. My friend Jayvon (in the red shorts) stole my costume from last year but I couldn't help staring at his ass most of the night. I decided to post it for your enjoyment. LOL
Artist: Letoya Title: Lady Love Genre: Soul/R&B/Pop Read the review
My first article for Bleu Magazine (10/23/09) [View | Hide]
Hooray! My first published article in Bleu Magazine is here. I wrote a cool piece on Barcelona for the travel section and I also am featured as a contributor near the front of the book.
Strictly Social w/ Yolanda Johnson & Jamal - Wed Nov 18, 2009 (10/22/09) [View | Hide]
Nu-Soul Magazine and Soul Union return once again with our signature monthly event of Eclectic Soul Fusion. It’s STRICTLY SOCIAL on Wednesday November 18, 2009!
Strictly Social is the physical embodiment of Nu-Soul Magazine, allowing music lovers to witness the convergence of soul and electronica through our carefully selected monthly showcase of cutting edge artists and DJs.
In the B Room - SOUL GOOD, soulful electronica hosted by Atlantic Connection
$5 before 10:30pm with an RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com with the subject Strictly Social November Must be received by 6pm night of show Only $10 otherwise!!! $5 presale tickets available at Groovetickets.com HERE
Strictly Social Wednesday November 18, 2009 9pm-2am 21+ Little Temple 4519 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029 www.littletemple.com
Yolanda Johnson - Breathing review (10/21/09) [View | Hide]
Artist: Yolanda Johnson Title: Breathing Genre: Soul/Electronica/Nu-jazz Read the review
Shoot with URfoto in San Francisco (10/19/09) [View | Hide]
While in San Francisco recently, I shot with Anchi of URfoto Studio. He is a really sweet guy and we took some awesome photos. Here is the first one I got back.
Download: Yolanda Johnson (10/19/09) [View | Hide]
In honor of Yolanda Johnson's upcoming performance at Nu-Soul Magazine monthly Strictly Social event, we've got a FREE DOWNLOAD of the single "Strut" from Ms. Johnson's new album Breathing. Check the single, buy the album, then come see Yolanda Johnson at Strictly Social on November 18!
Nu-Soul Presents Jody Watley Live This Halloween in LA! (10/14/09) [View | Hide]
Nu-Soul Magazine has got the perfect Halloween party for you! Join us on Saturday October 31, 2009 for a special Halloween night performance from Grammy diva Jody Watley!
She’s an innovative music maker, a style-forging pioneer: since the mid-90s, Grammy-winning multi-talented Jody Watley has led the way as an entrepreneur working in the independent music world as one of the few already-established female best-selling artists to produce, create and own her recordings. With an amazing 32 Top Ten Singles and 13 No. 1 Singles in the R&B, pop and dance music genres over the past three decades – including such classics as “Looking For A New Love” and “Don’t You Want Me” Jody Watley has made an indelible mark on music.
Purchase Jody Watley's latest release The Makeover featuring King Britt, 4Hero, and Mark de Clive-Lowe on production HERE
This event will take place in Downtown LA at the Church, a true centerpiece of underground LA. This magnificent 2-story indoor/outdoor venue has the feel of the massive loft parties of yesterday and is the perfect spot to party till 4am on Halloween!
DJs Vikter Duplaix (Grammy nominee) & Rashida (Prince's DJ) alongside special guests will be bringing that sexy mix of soul, funk, disco, and house all night
Admission for this special event is $40 $20 with an rsvp to events@nu-soulmag.com All rsvps must be received by 7pm the night of show This is a Halloween party so COME IN COSTUME OR COME WITH $40
Halloween Heat w/ Jody Watley LIVE Saturday October 31, 2009 10pm-4am 21+
The Church 606 E 6th Street Los Angeles, CA 90021 Off Crocker Street 1 block east of San Pedro
Meet McClain Sullivan, a Southern belle with the voice of an old soul. Fresh off her mesmerizing performance at Nu-Soul Magazine’s Strictly Social, the lovely Ms. Sullivan is ready to drop her eclectic EP My Machine. Bouncing from drum & bass to deep house to neo-soul to folk pop, but anchored by gritty jazz vocals, the EP is a solid introduction to the enchanting world of McClain Sullivan, a wonderful place you just may never want to leave. Check out the Nu-Soul interview with this rising star, download the exclusive track "Too Late", and enjoy the footage from her performance at Strictly Social!
A hip-hop release with empowerment and spirituality on its mind. Sure to be one of the year's best!
Artist: D.Black Title: Ali'Yah Genre: Hip-Hop/Soul Read the review
BROKE AS F**K Halloween Edition - Wed Oct 28 (10/13/09) [View | Hide]
Get ready to let your wild child run free!
BROKE AS F**K is back at the Blu Monkey Bar & Lounge with a special Halloween edition on Wednesday October 28, 2009 for a journey into the sounds of bootyshaking breakbeat, bass, ghettotech, dubstep, and electro that is sure to keep your ass planted on the dancefloor!
KEMIZT (Kotori/SpliceLA) Hazmatik EP Release Party
MIKE TZ (Birthday Jam)
JUSTO (Birthday Set)
EVA (Kimchee Love/DadeBass)
Admission is totally FREE! How scary is that! 21+ w/ID 9pm-2am
There will be drink specials and CD giveaways
This event will take place at:
Blu Monkey Bar & Lounge 5521 Hollywood Blvd - At Hollywood & Western Enter through alley on Western
This charming Moroccan themed bar is under new management from those who support good music and underground culture!
Nicolay - City Lights review (10/12/09) [View | Hide]
My review of the new Nicolay album!
Artist: Nicolay Title: City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya Genre: Electronica/Soul/Experimental Read the review
Kress Halloween Party w/ Open Bar!!!! (10/9/09) [View | Hide]
In case you didn't know Kress is one of Hollywood's most beautiful venues and it will be absolute insanity this Halloween! With three floors to explore including the gorgeous rooftop, plenty of sexy ladies and an open bar from 8pm-11pm, this is one Halloween event that is sure to be a blast! House, electro, and hip-hop will be the flavor all night so come out a party in style!
General Admission tickets are $60 but if you act fast you can get the Early Bird presale rate of $50. If you want access to the VIP rooftop be sure and get your VIP passes for the Early Bird Rate of $90.
My San Francisco Love Evolution Experience (10/8/09) [View | Hide]
Now in its sixth year, the San Francisco interpretation of Berlin's famous Love Parade, now titled San Francisco LovEvolution touched down on the city by the bay on Saturday October 3, 2009 without missing a beat. Despite the change in name, ravers from all corners of the globe had no problem finding this unique event and who could blame them. A massive parade in the heart of one of America's most beautiful cities and an all day festival for only $10 bucks was just the sort of uplifting occasion that people were looking for in our current broken economy. With attendance soaring past 100,000 revelers of all ages, genders, races, and orientations, LovEvolution has truly become a phenomena of epic proportions.
This being my third time attending, I decided it was time to switch up my perspective. Rather than simply watch from the sidelines it was time to become an active participant and my opportunity arose via an invitation to take part in the Om Records float in the parade. There was just one catch: the theme was SOLID GOLD! So like any good journalist, I manned up and got the job done, slipped on my gold tights, gold suspenders, and thick gold chain and entered the fray. In any other city walking around in gold pants for eight hours would be an excrutiating experience but in San Francisco, I became a part of the family. The float was packed to the edges with some 100 party people all scantily clad in gold so every ounce of fear immediately melted away. This was a chance to be apart of something much bigger than myself and once the float set out from 2nd and Market Street towards City Hall, the sheer magnitude of the experience became clear. Tens of thousands of people lined Market Street dancing on the sidewalk or following along with our float as Amp Live dropped a nasty set of electro and bass heavy bangers. Random people snapped my picture asking my to pose. I passed out fliers for the Om Records afterparty that night to everyone I could. God only knows how I kept those gold pants on!
Before entering the festival grounds I made a quick pitstop to my hotel room at the LovEvolution host hotel, the Renoir Hotel. The hotel, housed in a flat iron building two blocks from City Hall, is uniquely situated to fully experience the parade and I was fortunate enough to have a suite with a full view of the proceedings. I managed to snap this quick video from my room to let everyone know what they were missing. For both value and convenience make sure you book your room here next year! www.renoirhotel.com
From there it was onto the actual festival. All the floats (nearly 30 in all) made their way around the Civic Center, parking around the square and setting up shop for a day full of beats of all sorts. House, drum&bass, electro, minimal, progressive, dubstep, it was all there and in heaping doses of quality to boot. I was impressed by the level of talent on display at LovEvolution from recognized names like Plaza de Funk and Groove Armada to locals dropping some heat. Friendly faces of all ages, outrageous costumes, amazing dancers, and beautiful people all melted together to create a swelling mass of Love that lasted until 9pm.
Ravers, music lovers, and everyone who is looking for a unique, authentic experience should take note. San Francisco's LovEvolution is quite simply an event that you don't want to miss. Surrounded by historical buildings in a city that has a history of progressive culture, you will definitely feel the LOVE. Thanks to everyone who made the experience what it was: San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, the staff and management of the Renoir Hotel, the team at Om Records, the LovEvolution press team, and of course the Nu-Soul crew for representing with the photos. See you next year!
- as experienced by Norman Mayers - photos by Erin Monahan
Norman Goldpants and the LovEvolution (10/8/09) [View | Hide]
I just had to post these pictures from last week's LovEvolution in San Francisco aka Love Parade or Love Fest. I rode on a float where everyone had to wear gold and this was the look I put together. Fun stuff! This is just a warm up while I finish up my story.
My Europe Trip Part 2 - Paris (9/28/09) [View | Hide]
The next leg of my trip involved a little jaunt over to Paris to see my friend Amy Meyer get married. I began my journey hopping on the Eurostar train from London straight into the heart of Paris. The train ride was a little over 2 hours so it was quite easy.
When I arrived I hopped onto the Paris subway to my hostel in the Latin Quarter. Yes I stayed at a hostel! But the Oops Hostel in the Latin Quarter was adorable and clean, with a very cool, modern design. My room had 2 bunk beds and a bathroom and a little table and that's it but it was only 30 euro a night. But the cool thing was that someone from the wedding party actually was staying in the same room as me!
Once I got settled in the room I went out and explored on my way to Amy and Stacy's apartment. I took a leisurely walk through the city making my way to le Jardin du Luxumbourg, crossing the Seine, strolling past the Cathedral of Notre Dame, taking in the beauty of the Chatalet des Halles, before finally finding Rue de Clery where my friends were staying.
The apartment where Amy and her wife to be were staying (yes it was a lesbian wedding) was a perfectly charming French apartment located on the 2nd floor complete with a balcony and courtyard. The first night, the wedding party of about 20 all met here for a cocktail party where your wine never was allowed to get less than half full and there was a constant flow of hors d'oevres. Delicious!!
After the cocktail party I walked all the way back to the hostel (a 30-minute walk) stopping at a gay club called Raidd, which was recommended to me by the Paris Tourist Board. It was Disco night so it sucked even though it was packed and they had hot bartenders. But since my French is limited and a beer was 6euro (like $10) I left! The second day in Paris was simply amazing. My roommate Casey and I got all dressed up for the wedding and made our way to the apartment. I think people thought we were Parisian since we looked all snazzy and not like bummy Americans. We were approached by several French people asking for help and such. Pretty cool.
Everyone met up and hopped on our little coach for Versailles. This was the highlight of the trip by far. Versailles is absolutely breathtaking with its massive castle, vast gardens, and luxurious fountains. We made our way to the secluded Jardin du Roi where the wedding ceremony was held.
I have never been one for weddings but as we stood in a circle and watched Amy's mom and sister as they welcomed Stacy into their family it was an incredible moment of love and acceptance that none of us will forget. We all felt that love flow through us and it connected us all in that single moment. After the short ceremony that had eyes tearing, we continued to explore Versailles, grabbing bikes and hightailing our way across the countryside. We peddled our way to a lovely picnic site that was prepared for us in spectacular fashion. We sipped wine and champagne and feasted as we shared poetry and personal thoughts about the 2 brides. We then continued to explore the fascinating grounds, making our way to Marie-Antoinette's chateau where she pretended to be a peasant before having some desert and making our way back to the city. But not before I totally busted my ass on my bike on the way back. I left Versailles with a bloody elbow and knee and quite a story to tell. What a day to remember.
My final full day in Paris found me without use of my camera, but with plenty to do. Casey and I started out the day exploring Montmarte and the fabulous Sacre-Coeur, an impressive white cathedral overlooking the city. The winding streets of this bohemian enclave was easily my favorite part of the city.
I then took of fon my own travel writer adventures, setting off to tour three hotels around the city for my article for Bleu Magazine. The first was the Hilton Arc de Triomphe, an impressive 400plus room Art Deco masterpiece with sharkskin walls and finely detailed furniture. The second was a modern boutique hotel called Le Metropolitan that faced the Eiffel Tower. The final was a classic French hotel called Le Dokhan complete with a Louis Vuitton lined elevator. At Le Dokhan I was treated to a champagne tasting where I got to sample three very expensive champagnes and learn the differences. In between all the walking I saw lots of the city making my way down the Champs Elysees and through many quiet parks and tree-lined avenues. I think I could die in Paris! It is such a beautiful magical place full of very sexy people everywhere. Next time I want to know more French and go out to the right clubs.
The next day it was back to dreary London. But I was still in for a weekend of FUN!
My trip to Europe - Part 1 -LONDON (9/22/09) [View | Hide]
I just got back from a wonderful trip to London and Paris and it's taken me all week to calm down to write about it. The terrible jetlag and constant flow of work hasn't made things any easier, mind you. First off it must be said that I did this trip on the cheap. I have family in London, well Ilford in Essex to be exact but it is close enough. Plus I used my travel journalist tricks to get my fair share of freeness, discounts and other goodies.
My trip began with a very long flight from LA to London, two flights actually with a stopover in Boston. To my surprise my friend Chi Chi, who I was planning on seeing while in London was on my connecting flight from Boston. This wouldn't be the last time I ran into people unexpectedly during my trip.
I finally arrived in London and was greeted by my Aunt Maggie, my grandmother's younger sister and her husband. We took a very long tube ride to Ilford. The first full day was spent chatting with the family, getting my money exchanged and figuring out the damn cell phones over there. Once that was sorted I headed into the city to take advantage of my travel journalist perks. I scored a hotel room in the Notting Hill area for just 10pounds a night! The Hotel Umi was adorable and in a lovely area of charming white buildings. I didn't stay there long though as I was off to Soho to hang out with Deji and his friends for a night on the town. We hit up some gay bars, particularly Barcode in both Soho and Vauxhall before taking the nightbus to his place in Brixton.
After some recovery I made my way back up to Ilford for a family BBQ, where I got to see everyone that I haven't seen in about 15-20 years. they are the same crazy, lively family I remember and they were happy to chat with me. They served up some rum, Caribbean dishes, and yummy deserts! Then I went to meet up with my old college buddy Siobhan (we went to school in Miami together) to celebrate her birthday with her new friends in London. She has been there for 2 years so she has had time to build a new life. It was a crazy night that went into the morning but it was a great chance to chat it up with locals who were open minded and artistic. Fun times.
Sunday night, I hung out with an online buddy named Anthony and we went to check out the UKSoulJam at Jazz Cafe in Camden Town. The called me onstage to plug Nu-Soul and I gavce out some Strictly Social CDs to the hungry crowd. The main act was a group called Indigo Brown who were quite good!
So that was just the first weekend. I slept all day Monday and chilled with the family as I got ready for the next leg of my trip - My trip to Paris! Stay tuned.
N'Dambi Album release party - Wed. Oct 7 (9/21/09) [View | Hide]
Nu-Soul Magazine & Red Light Special Events In Association with Beija Flor Naturals Present The Official N'Dambi Pink Elephant Album Release Party
Wednesday October 7, 2009 7pm-10pm
Celebrating the release of Stax Recording artist N'Dambi's third album Pink Elephant with a special listening session at 8:30pm
Introducing BEIJA FLOR NATURALS An eco-friendly vegan/organic beauty line for women of color Gift bags and product samples will be available www.beijaflornaturals.com
Music by DJ Destroyer (Strictly Social) Download DJ Destroyer's newest mix HERE
$8 Green Apple Martini and other drink specials N'Dambi giveaways and other goodies all night!
Come early and stay late for Melodic Wednesdays - LA's newest premier weekly event for soulful house begins at 10pm www.clubmelodic.com
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