Our good friends Sharky and the Habit are competing for one of these top spots.  Vote for them here.

Sharky and the Habit formed in 2009 and is comprised of vocalist Paul Clos, guitarist James North, bassist Liz Clos and drummer Phil Draham. The group recently recorded their first studio album “LOWE” at Dark City Studios in Clawson, MI and are currently booking shows in and around Michigan. They performed at both Emerge and See events and have a truly explosive and high-energy live performance, not to mention a unique, crunk-blues sound.

Check out Sharky and the Habit on Facebook | Twitter | Myspace | Soundcloud

Vote now!

Their debut album, Go HAAM!, is available now on iTunes, and the album release party is November 24th.

Free downloads: Follow the Drip, History in the Making, Out 4 Just Us.

“Street Justice is on the cusp of breaking out nationally rather than just being known in Detroit and the Midwest with this project.” – Dart Adams (Bloggerhouse.net)

“…these cats are nice… I’m adding that one (”High Life”) to my rotation today!” – Kevin Nottingham (KevinNottingham.com)

“Just bumped my early copy of Street Justice’s album “Go Haam,” and it’s dope.” - William Ketchum (HipHopDx.com, MichiganHipHop.com)

“This is some real talk here: Street Justice’s “Go Haam” is 5 mic quality.” – Marcel Friday (Whutupdoe.com)

Street Justice’s Go HAAM! album release party, presented by Freshtight Designs, will feature some of the area’s best hip hop talent together on one stage.  Come celebrate their highly-anticipated debut album on Wednesday, November 24th at The Crofoot’s Pike Room, along with:

Magestik Legend
RenCen CoolBeanz
The Left
Rizzy
and special surprises!
More info…

About Street Justice:

Hailing from a city who’s musical legacy stretches back to Motown’s singing sensations The Marvelettes, arrives Inkster, Michigan’s own hip-hop group Street Justice The trio, commonly referred to as SJ, is comprised of Ketchphraze (Chrishaun Stanton) Redd (Clifford Johnson) and Jypsy (Julian Hearn),who together form a group that exemplifies a combination of passion, energy, and versatility. With a sound best described has “Soulful yet, Gangsta”, SJ provides listeners with a form of raw lyricism and substance over a broad range hard-hitting, soulful production.

Taking musical influences from artists and groups such as Slum Village, Little Brother, Redman, as well as the brilliant sounds of the Detroit’s own Funk Brothers, poises SJ to become a force in the hip-hop community.

Since the groups formation in 2003, Street Justice has received critically acclaimed recognition from the Detroit hip-hop community backed by three “Street Albums”; The Coffee House (2006) & History In The Making (2007), both receiving Detroit Hip Hop award nominations for Mixtape of the Year, as well as their most recent release Out 4 JustUs (2008) which received over 10,000 + downloads and was called one of Detroit’s top 15 albums of the year by the Real Detroit Weekly.

Though receiving many accolades from their current body of music, the stage is where Street Justice effortlessly excels. With a live show that has traveled on the Vans Warped Tour (2008) shared the stage with the likes of Nas, Redman and Method Man, Little Brother & Dilated People to name a few, exhibits the precise polished chemistry that has set SJ apart from their peers on stage. Always accompanied by a live band, Street Justice has proven they can electrify diverse crowds from festivals to local bars, historic venues and even college arenas. Bringing a “last show” mentality to every performance, weather there’s one fan or one thousand fans shows the dedication SJ has to their craft. With no signs of slowing, Street Justice is prepping for their first original project entitled “Go H.A.A.M. (Hard. As. A. Muh’f**a)”, to be released in 2010. The highly anticipated release from the Inkster trio is sure to solidify that “Street Justice is your favorite group.”

Last week I was hanging out with my boy Jared Wilson, or as he is known affectionately around Detroit as the “Beard“. After a while of just talking sports we got into talking about music and what he had been working on lately. He let me know that he’s got a dubstep 12″ forthcoming with the legendary Jungle producer Soundmurderer, a full length album on Blank Artist next year, an acid 12″ on his own 7777 label forthcoming and a remix on a repress of Luc Marianni – Souvenirs Du Futur forthcoming as well. I mentioned that we should do a mix just for fun and he thought it was a great idea. A few days later he sent me over the mix and I am throwing it up on Hustle By Any Means Necessary for your listening pleasure. Meanwhile check out this interview with the Beard.

Download the mix here.

Read the full interview on Hustle By Any Means Necessary.

Earlier this month a good friend of mine Dj Psycho released a mix from his new mix series called The Dungeon Series. As usual he just comes with the knowledge and expertise of the caliber that only he can provide. Don’t sit on this one because we don’t know how long he’ll keep this set up.

Download the mix here.
Read the full article on Hustle By Any Means Necessary.

To enter the ticket giveaway, become a fan of Freshtight Designs on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and leave a comment below explaining why we should pick you… it’s as easy as that!  Five winners will be chosen at random at 12:noon on 7/31 and we will see everyone Saturday at PhonoFest!

Also happening on Saturday is Freshtight Design’s featured artist, Jaclyn Schanes‘ first solo exhibition/performance called Show Pony, at the Re:View Contemporary Gallery in Detroit.  She is the epitome of “life as art” and “art as life” and has created everything herself from the soundtrack/score of the event to the watercolor paintings.  This is one exhibit you don’t want to miss.  One woman, two hours, a hundred layers of meaning.  Click here for more information.

At the center of the exhibit are approximately 35 small to medium watercolor self-portraits, which will be uniquely mounted and displayed in a strategic way as to facilitate performance by including the attendees into the experience. Schanes has recently embraced the often forgotten medium of watercolor, bringing both beauty and brutal directedness to her Neo-Expressionism influenced portraits, which will provide one layer of meaning in this two-hour art event.

We’re flipping the scales so they weigh in favor of the artists… to represent ourselves, our culture and measure our own success.

Join us, every first Saturday of the month, as The Crofoot and Freshtight Designs combine forces and bring to you some of the most influential voices, minds and styles in the hip hop community.

Aug 7th
Detroit CYDI
Sidenotes
Almighty Dreadnaughtz
Stoopz ‘n Breeze
Of Mice and Musicians
live graffiti by SAM SRSLY

RSVP on Facebook for a chance to win free tickets

DJs, emcees, graffiti writers, breakdancers, artists, networking and more…

View Photos |  Contact us to get involved.

Join AIGA Detroit and Freshtight Designs for Celebrate Michigan Design, an exciting night of informative presentations and informal festivities. This is a unique opportunity not only to look back at our history for inspiration, but also to toast Michigan design as the magnificent force of innovation it continues to be.

Music by Jimmy Edgar, Silkscreening demo by Progress of Design, Gallery show by the Silent Giants, Michigan themed merchandise by Handmade Detroit and Angela Duncan, posters by Freshtight Designs, hors d’ourves and cash bar immediately following presentations.

Michigan hosts a world-class collection of artists and designers who are dedicated to producing great work in a great place. Now more than ever, we should celebrate design as a vital engine in our state’s on-going recovery. Designers are problem solvers. Whether it’s a city designer working to solve the issue of affordable housing, or a graphic designer bringing legitimacy to a non-profit through branding, the range of conflicts designers encounter is infinite. It’s no secret that Michigan has significant problems, however every challenge the state presents is an opportunity for innovation.

$5 AIGA Members / $10 Non-AIGA Members
To RVSP and pay at the door, click here.
To purchase tickets online, click here.
Ticket Services donated by ticketweb.com

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Julie Lang

Julie is Associate Design Director at Campbell-Ewald advertising, dedicated primarily to the Chevrolet account. Through her 18 years in the industry she has worked as an illustrator, art director, magazine design director and as an independent in her own one-woman design firm. Her clients have included Herman Miller, Chevrolet and Detroit’s Epoch Restaurant Group. Her work has been recognized by publications and competitions including Communication Arts, AIGA, the ADDYS, the One Show and The Art Directors Club.

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Jody Levy

Jody Levy is an artist and designer. She has been with experience design firm o2 Creative Solutions since the company’s inception in 2001. Jody works with the multi-disciplinary team at o2 to create interactive and immersive experiences such as live theatrical productions, museum and gallery exhibits, non-traditional communications campaigns and more. Jody is an artist and travel writer. Her travel website, Native Nomad, features the best experiences in cities across the globe.

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Susan Skarsgard

Susan Skarsgard is an artist and designer known internationally for her original fine art works, site-specific installation art, graphic design, artist books, & calligraphy. Her work is widely collected by individuals and institutions which include the United States Library of Congress Rare Book Room; Newberry Library, Chicago, IL; University of Michigan Special Collections, San Francisco Public Library, and Smith College, Northampton, MA. As a lecturer and teacher, Ms.  Skarsgard has conducted workshops and presentations for numerous institutions, organizations, and conferences, traveling extensively throughout North America, Australia and Europe. She has worked for 15 years in the Industrial Design department at General Motors and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan.

They say that Michigan was down for the count. What did they know? Michigan is coming back with a full tank of moxy. Now more than ever, we should celebrate design as a vital engine in our state’s on-going recovery.

Promo credits: Steve Panicara and Scott Waraniak

View Photos |  View all upcoming AIGA Detroit events

December 31, 2009 – January 3, 2010
The Elbow Room
6 South Washington Street
Ypsilanti, Michigan

A benefit for 826michigan, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center serving approximately 2,000 local students at their downtown Ann Arbor location as well as at numerous classrooms, community centers and elsewhere. Their free programs are based on the understanding that writing is important for every child, and that one-on-one attention is key to building academic skills and confidence in the classroom and beyond.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Doors 4 p.m. $9. 18+

Semi-formal attire encouraged!

“Champagne” toast courtesy of Quite Scientific!

5:00-5:30 HALLWAY – Ypsilanti, MI

5:50-6:20 STARGRAZER – Lansing, MI

6:40-7:10 THIS IS DEER COUNTRY – Houghton, MI

7:30-8:00 ELLE AND THE FONTS – Detroit, MI

8:20-8:50 ANNIE PALMER – Ypsilanti, MI

9:10-9:40 THE FERDY MAYNE – Ypsilanti, MI

10:00-10:30 ELECTRIC FIRE BABIES – Detroit, MI

10:50-11:20 WHITE PINES – Akron, OH

11:40-12:10 CHRIS BATHGATE – Ann Arbor, MI

12:30-1:00 MATT JONES & THE RECONSTRUCTION – Ypsilanti, MI

DANCEPARTY UNTIL 4 AM w/ DJ TODD OSBORNE!

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Friday, January 1, 2010

Doors 4 p.m. $7. 18+

5:00-5:30 TIMOTHY MONGER – Ann Arbor, MI

5:50-6:20 GHOST HEART – Grand Rapids, MI

6:40-7:10 FIELDS OF INDUSTRY – Lansing, MI

7:30-8:00 GHOSTLADY – Ann Arbor, MI

8:20-8:50 THE JULIETS – Ypsilanti, MI

9:10-9:40 PRUSSIA – Detroit, MI

10:00-10:30 SILVERGHOST – Detroit, MI

10:50-11:20 LIGHTNING LOVE – Ann Arbor, MI

11:40-12:10 CHAMPIONS OF BREAKFAST – Detroit, MI

12:30-1:00 GREAT LAKES MYTH SOCIETY – Ann Arbor, MI

w/ DJ CHUCK SIPPERLEY!

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Saturday, January 2, 2010

Doors 4 p.m. $7. 18+

5:00-5:30 NATHAN K. – Ypsilanti, MI

5:50-6:20 ETHAN MILNER – Ann Arbor, MI

6:40-7:10 SPITTING NICKELS – Detroit, MI

7:30-8:00 GREGORY MCINTOSH – Ypsilanti, MI

8:20-8:50 JIB KIDDER – San Francisco, CA

9:10-9:40 BLACK JAKE & THE CARNIES – Ypsilanti, MI

10:00-10:30 JIM ROLL – Ann Arbor, MI

10:50-11:20 DRUNKEN BARN DANCE – New York, NY

11:40-12:10 FRIENDLY FOES – Detroit, MI

12:30-1:00 CHILD BITE – Detroit, MI

w/ DJ WILL YATES!

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Sunday, January 3, 2010

10 a.m-4 p.m. Brunch at Beezy’s!
8.26% of sales go to 826michigan!

* * * * *

Doors 4 p.m. $7. 18+

5:00-5:30 WHISKEY BOTTLE – New York, NY

5:50-6:20 ALEX GREINER – Brooklyn, NY

6:40-7:10 LANDFILL MOUNTAIN BOYS – Ann Arbor, MI

7:30-8:00 SMALL HOUSES – Lansing, MI

8:20-8:50 PHOTOGRAPHERS – Traverse City, MI

9:10-9:40 ANNA ASH – Oakland, CA

10:00-10:30 SECRET TWINS – Ann Arbor, MI

10:50-11:20 MISTY LYN & THE BIG BEAUTIFUL – Ann Arbor, MI

11:40-12:10 FRED THOMAS – Ypsilanti, MI

12:30-1:00 FRONTIER RUCKUS – Lansing, MI

w/ (DJ) ACTUAL BIRDS!

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Discount 4-day wristbands* available for $25 at Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair, 115 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor.

Presented by The Detroit Red Wings. Exclusive tickets to the Open Skate section at upcoming Wings games and limited edition Red Wings merchandise designed by local artists will be available, in addition to raffles of autographed Red Wings gear, tickets, and other items. All proceeds will be donated to 826michigan.

With additional support from The Elbow Room, Quack! Media, Quite Scientific Records, VGkids, Beezy’s, Angela Duncan, and Diamonds in the Rough.

Special thanks to all allies of 826michigan and the extended Michigan independent music community.

*wristband does not guarantee admission if venue is at capacity. For best results, arrive early!

It went like this…

I Met the Walrus!

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