White Label

White Label is a Chicago-based leading edge DJ/production collaborative comprised of Madrid and Sadie Woods. These cats really know how to throw a good party.  In fact, they are so good at what they do, Oprah Winfrey hired them for a trip of a lifetime.

Ron Sager (Fluxcore): Tell me about White Label. What's your concept?
   
Sadie Woods (White Label): White Label is a Chicago-based leading edge DJ/production collaborative. Projects include collaborations with contemporary artists, performers and cultural tastemakers hosting exhibitions, curating events and providing atmospheric music programming. We have clients and collaborators nationally and internationally. Our Chicago residencies include the AKIRA, Alliance Française de Chicago cultural institution, restaurant lounge Rodan, Sushi Samba Rio supper club, Vertigo Sky Lounge at Dana Hotel and Spa and the W Hotel Lake Shore. 

Madrid (White Label): We use our natural talent for detail to curate art and culture.

Sadie (WL): Yea, I would say our work is all about refinement in our arts and cultural pursuits. 

Ron (F): I love that.  Refinement is great.  Tell me more about your background.

Sadie (WL): Well, my parents were both practicing musicians and artists, so I grew up with the influence of music, theater and photography. My dad was active in theater and played drums, keys, guitar, sang wrote and produced while my mom photographed, played steel drums and collected 12" and 45's. I actually learned to sing before I learned to talk. From there, I went into dance which resulted in performing at Disney World and Chicago Theater with a nonprofit Latin dance company. Then I gained more of an interest in art, mainly collage, jewelry design, painting, poetry and photography while dabbling in many more. While in college, I decided to delve deeper into music and study jazz voice, song writing and music production. When I entered into the "work force", I started at Marwen. Here is where my interest in curating developed and during this time my interest in DJing was peaked. After working on staff for 6 years, I moved to France to participate in an international curatorial program at Ecole du Magasin in Grenoble. Through this program, the publication "Harald Szeemann Individual Methodology" and exhibition "Everybody Wants To Rule the World" were produced. During this time I have also explored the relationship between DJing and curating...that's whole other discussion...Curating and DJing have led to gigs at/with Armani Exchange, Around the Coyote, Bravo Network, Congress Theater, Columbia College, DePaul University, The Empty Bottle, The Field Museum, Fleur Fine Art, Magasin-CNAC (Grenoble), Mark XIII (Grenoble), Mexican Fine Arts Museum, Millennium Park, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Sonotheque, Sotheby's Auction House, Sound Bar, University of Illinois at Chicago, The Virgin Megastore and VerveLife to name a few.

There is a lot of detail in between, but to put it simply, my background is interdisciplinary. Through White Label, the focus is curating contemporary art events and DJ culture through music programming and performance. 

Madrid (WL): I also have a background in visual art, sculpture, fashion...My mom was a model. And I've always been a music lover. I studied illustration, painting and fashion design. I went on to design jewelry gaining the support of Spike Lee during Do The Right Thing and Will Smith during his career on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, My work was also featured in Woman's Wear Daily. After being exposed to the fashion industry labor practices for mass production, I decided to pursue a music career and earned recognition through my company Ultra Urban Aesthetics, importing mixes from top hip-hop djs like Doo Wop, Ron G and Tony Touch in New York City that were distributed across the Midwest. After a noticeable shift in urban music, I elected to DJ on my own, collecting rare grooves and hard to find records. I played music from Africa, Brasil, Latin America, United States and Europe from all music genres together from a historical point of view inspired by the African Diaspora, what I call "Diaspora Funk". 

I worked for Richard Branson for 6 years as resident DJ for Virgin Radio Chicago, which was also a very influential time in my career. During this time, in 2003, I was awarded Tastemaker of the year from VIBE Music Awards as a DJ. 
My passion for music has led me to gigs playing alongside such notables as Antibalas, Juan Atkins, Brazilian Girls, King Britt, Derrick Carter, DJ Cam, Green Velvet, Gotan Project, the Hacker, Jazzanova, Osunlade, Larry Tee and Ron Trent and has premiered for events for Akira, Jaguar, Diane Von Furstenberg, Louis Vuitton The Pritzkers, and Vogue Magazine to name a few.  
Ron (F): How has White Label impacted Chicago and global audiences?

Madrid (WL): We've played, Chicago, New York, LA, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta, Argentina, Venezuela, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan...from clubs and lounges to galleries, hotels, restaurants, corporate and private events...

Sadie (WL): Our impact is as audio/visual tastemakers...think visual, glam, fusion. We have a sound and a look to ourselves and our work. We have been blessed to play for and with like minded people, both locals and luxury folk.

Ron (F): What had been your biggest gig to date?

Madrid (WL): Hands down, our Oprah gig was the biggest and amazing gig. We DJed for 2 weeks on the Trip Of A Lifetime Mediterranean cruise for Oprah, her friends and staff in 5 countries. 

Sadie (WL): And we launched our White Label Gallery at River East Art Center featuring contemporary, new media and performance artists as well as music programming for their monthly Arts Work! First Thursdays gallery receptions. Two big points for '09.

Ron (F): That is HUGE. Not too shabby for 2009!  Where do you see music and the art of deejaying going in 2010? And how about the next 5 years?

Madrid (WL): I think there is an increase for people to know how things got to be the way it is now in respect to DJ history. Those who know where it comes from will be better suited for the future of the DJ. You see where the celebrity DJ fade led us, you don't hear about these kids anymore because they never knew what the music was about, thus they were ill suited to act the part, be the part. At the end of the day, you either know what you're doing or you dont. Rock the party or get off the decks.

Sadie (WL): I also want to add that choice of medium is important. Vinyl, cd or program. Not gonna get into iPod Jockeys. You can have the best of all worlds but you have to start from the root. Know how to spin vinyl, have cds as an option and programs as a tool, not a crutch. 
I do have to say, tho, I love Serato Scratch due to travel abilities in a carry on bag.
 
Ron (F): When you book DJs, what do you look for?

Madrid (WL): Technique, selections, ability to read a crowd without coming to work with a preselected mix of songs. DJs are paid to rock a crowd. If you can't do that naturally, sorry, get off the decks.

Sadie (WL): Taste, spontaneity, blend/scratch techniques, variety of genres, the ability to create "oh shit!" moments. Just say no to juke box replicas track slamming for hours beating you into submission. 

Ron (F): What are your strengths as a curator/event coordinator? And what are your weaknesses?

Sadie (WL): Strength would definitely be the ability to make decisions and not bending when it comes to presentation and quality control when selecting artwork or collaborating with performers. 

Wait, what was the second question again?

Ron (F): Ha!  Good one, Sadie.  Spoken like a true expert in interviews.  OK - Tell us about your upcoming events for 2010?

Sadie (WL): Ah, yes. Lots going on. There is Rock The Future Exhibition opening on Saturday, January 16 at OhNo!Doom. This is a partnership with Carlos Torres and John Benline of U R WE Productions with a concert counterpart happening in Spring/Summer of 2010, details to come, and WHATCKG? (Where Have All The Club Kids Gone?) launch on Wednesday, January 20. WHATCKG? is a thematic club kids revival night curated with U R WE as well. An exhibition opening at the River East Art Center February 4 and our annual valentine extravaganza C'est Dommage location and time to be announced.

Madrid (WL): We are also launching White Label projects in Athens, Egypt, Korea and Japan in 2010. The best of art, music and of what life has to offer through international partnerships.  Also expect to hear from The Vibe Providers, a project with live painter Chadwick. Do it!

Ron (F): What's it like working together?

Sadie (WL): Never a dull moment. 

Madrid (WL): Plenty of creative compatibility.

Ron (F): What is next for White Label? 3 to 5 years?

Sadie (WL): Contemporary pop up galleries around the world.

Madrid (WL): Quarterly DJ mix releases and showcasing musical production.

White Label Blog: http://whitelabeldjs.blogspot.com

Sadie Woods: http://www.sadiewoods.com

The Vibe Providers: http://www.thevibeproviders.com

*Special White Label Holiday Mix Available Now* http://soundcloud.com/white-label-djs

Heroine Chic

Heroine Chic is a high-end jewelry and accessories line by Colleen Soisson.  Her brand is inspired by powerful, stylish people and you can really see the quality, dedication and passion in her work.  I personally know Colleen, and I can tell you with conviction that she puts her heart into her brand.  Check out the Heroine Chic Trunk Show at THE SILVER ROOM, 1442 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago this Saturday, December 19, 2009 from 12-5PM.

Ron Sager (Fluxcore): What is the significance behind the name of your line, "Heroine Chic"?

Colleen Soisson (Heroine Chic): Well Heroine is like "powerful, influential" and Chic means Style.  Wonder Woman was a big inspiration behind the brand because she was just all around dope.... She was strong and powerful and yet she was still a lady and she had style.

In fact we used her crown to inspire the HC logo.... look in the center of the logo, directly above the HC.

The first line released under the label was an ICON line...belt buckles featured influential, yet chic women..... like Josephine Baker, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Pam Grier, Frida Kahlo.

Ron: What inspired you to create jewelry and accessories?

Colleen: Well, I don't actually create everything in the HC line... My partner, Yung Bagley, is responsible for designing and creating all of the jewelry you see.

I design and create the belt buckles. I guess what inspired me to create belt buckles was because they stood out... Not a lot of people in Chicago 5 years ago were wearing interesting belt buckles...

So with the buckles that I was just learning how to make back then.. I started to get a really good response... people were like " wow, that's different!" And that response was all I needed to see that I had something unique to offer.

Ron: Who is your demographic?  Is there any particular social group that buys your product the most?

Colleen: I have a hard time with the whole demographic question because my product is worn by so many different types of people everywhere.... from wicker park hipsters to middle aged grown ass men and women....  I have a really broad range of styles so a lot of people can find something that appeals to them. I also sell in Europe and many of the styles that flop over here in the states, do really well in that market... so it's hard to define who the hell buys HC.  EVERYONE is my DEMOGRAPHIC!!!

Ron: What sets you apart from other designers?

Colleen: Probably my own style and personality... I don't take things too seriously and I have fun no matter what I'm doing, I'm extremely silly.

So if I'm at some high end fashionista  event selling HC,  you know the kind of social event where everyone just wants to be seen and look cool.... I might just bust out and have a lil mini photo shoot ... tell my assistant to start snapping pics of me in silly poses and what not... just to lighten up the mood, like "come on guys, we are suppose to be having fun here!"

Ron: Tell us about you process?  How do you design your work?

Colleen: I get an idea.. I might see something in a magazine, a color, a shape, a composition, something that inspires me and then I go and play with the idea and see where it takes me...

Ron: Who is your number one idol?

Colleen: My mommy. She is a chic Heroine.

Ron: What is it like working an an independent designer?

Colleen: It can be frustrating sometimes cuz you feel like everything falls on you... when things don't go so well, you can really only look at yourself... there is no boss to blame.

Ron: What advice can you give designers out there who are just starting out?

Colleen: Don't quit your day job!!!  Just don't be in a rush.. I mean don't procrastinate either... but give yourself time to find your own way... If you quit your day job too soon, your "art" can become "your means to surviving" and that may not be what you want.  If you have a talent in designing, give it space and time everyday to be expressed and opportunities will come your way. Let it evolve.

Ron: What is it that you really care about?  What is important to you?

Colleen: Well, I really really care about the Environment.
I would like to do an eco friendly line that raises awareness about people's everyday actions and how they are impacting the Earth.
I think that's what Wonder Woman would do.

Ron: What should we look out for in the future in the world of Heroine Chic?

Colleen: Heroine Chic Black Label... a higher end jewelry line... more sophisticated, exquisite pieces..

Check out Heroine Chic at http://www.heroine-chic.com/

Tying Up Loose Ends

Catherine Gallogly works as a hospice nurse.  Her stage production "Tying Up Loose Ends", is a show about death and the celebration of life.  The show is a series of stories and songs produced and performed by Catherine and her daughter, Ann.  Most of the stories are about Catherine's patients.  Opening night is this Friday, December 11, 2009 at 8PM at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. Come see the show and get inspired about life.  

Ron Sager (Fluxcore): Tell us about your show "Tying Up Loose Ends"

Catherine Gallogly: "Tying Up Loose Ends" is a glimpse into real life and what makes up the end of it. The dozen or so human and heartfelt stories in the 70-minute play, are written and performed by me, and come from my 30 years of experience in the nursing community. The powerful – and often funny - monologues are complimented by a beautifully crafted group of songs, from various genres, performed by my daughter, Ann Gallogly, vocalist, collaborator, and Dan Stetzel pianist, who is also the Musical Director. The play is directed by Jamie O'Reilly, who helped develop the work and is known for her extensive work as a cultural artist, vocalist, writer and producer.

Ron: What was the inspiration behind the show?

Catherine: The inspiration behind the show is years of listening to patients stories and my own family’s story telling. Early in my training, the doctors and nurses always listened to the patients story. My nursing training was focused on “what is best for this individual person”. And, I believe we all want someone to hear our story. It’s a validation that who we are, makes a difference. Several years ago a friend said I should put these stories on the stage. Then I had the wonderful opportunity to be profiled on NPR and the response was overwhelming. I started to think that it could be possible. Ann finished her degree in voice performance and we thought it would be fun to work together. We have created “Tying Up Loose Ends” over the past fourteen, fifteen months while working fulltime.

Ron: Do you have a background in theater?

Catherine: High school, but mainly costume making, and a couple of parts on the stage. But if we count water ballet shows, then the answer is yes.

Ron: What does a regular day in the life of Catherine Gallogly look like?

Catherine: It’s crazy. For the past year and a half I have been working on the show part time and my job as a hospice nurse full time. I love theater, movies, dancing, service work, but it’s all been on the back burner to “birth” this show. Today I was looking for props, rehearsing, looking for chairs, writing emails. I don’t think I have a regular day.

Ron: What do you want to transform in the end of life care industry?

Catherine: Well, that’s hopefully the conversation this show begins, that people start living NOW, this moment, by thinking about what the end of their life will look like. We can have end of life be so peaceful, painfree, loving, but that takes planning and education.

The conversation about one’s death is as important as who to marry, where to go to school, and which career to choose. Death and how we die is as important as any of those other questions/conversations. What’s weird is most people act like it’s never going to happen.

People have shared that they’ve walked away from the show wanting to live their lives differently so that death is a completion, not a surprise. That they want to choose how they die and not be surprised by it. I love those comments.

Ron: What message do you want put out there for families who are dealing with losing their loved ones?

Catherine: That they feel hope and love. Use the precious time you have just being together.

Ron: What is it like working on the show with your daughter Ann?

Catherine: It is exhilarating to work with Ann, we both have the same high expectations and attention to detail to create a moving piece whether it is the song or story. When Ann sings, I still get teary eyed, or get the chills down my arm from the emotions of the songs. She never fails to move me. I sometimes look over and she has tears in her eyes when I am finished with my lines. It is a real gift to work with my daughter.

Ron: Wow.  That is incredible.  What do you want to leave your audience with after they see the show?

Catherine: We have woven stories and songs together, take you on a journey and leave you with a blessing. I’ve created the show so that each person who sees the show has an experience that is unique to them. They can take what they need for their own lives. People have told me that months later they are still thinking about the stories and that they’ve changed their lives.

Ron: Can you tell us about the process that led to creating and completing your show?

Catherine: I hired a creative director, Jamie O'Reilly, who is a gifted artist herself, and worked for fourteen months writing and crafting each story into vignettes. We looked for songs, and for this set of performances, added some drama and interplay between Ann and myself.  I hired a lighting designer and a stage manager. We have expanded the show to a professional level.

Ron: What do you see in the future for "Tying Up Loose Ends"?

Catherine: In my wildest dreams I would love to see TULE run nationally. People have asked if I will do it for conventions and conferences and that’s exciting. This is a perfect time to talk about end of life as we all face health care questions. It would awesome if we could do that before we need it. Maybe this show is one step in this direction.

"Tying Up Loose Ends - Perspectives on Life Through Hospice"
Friday, December 11 & 18 at 8PM
Saturday, December 12 & 19 at 3PM and 8PM
Sunday, December 13 & 20 at 3PM and 8PM


Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
777 Green St.
Chicago, IL
For tickets visit http://www.theaterland.com/
Call 312.733.6000
$25 pre-sale
$30 at door

visit:
http://www.catherinegallogly.com/
http://www.anngallogly.com/

Seeing Red

Helen Berkun a/k/a Miss Red wears many hats.  She is a mother, a fashionista, a photographer and a stylist.  Read about what's on this hot mama's mind and see what she is up to next in the world of photography and beyond.

Ron Sager (Fluxcore): Why are you a photographer?

Helen Berkun: It's funny, I don't consider myself solely a photographer, I consider myself an "IMAGE MAKER". I put so much thought into everything from lighting, to set, to the clothes, the make-up, the hair and everything else that goes into making a beautiful photograph. I imagine the image, I paint it in my mind like any artist on a canvas. I started doing all of this when I was a little girl, just as young as I can remember. I've always had very visual, photographic memory. My grandfather painted and took self portraits, my father photographed and my mom and grandma would design clothes as I was growing up. It was just natural for me to be creative, to become an artist. I've always known I was going to do something in fashion, something in the arts. So when I went to high school and saw that they offered photography classes I took all the classes I could. I loved it, I was that weird little "fashion goth" girl that lived in the dark room. So I suppose that's how it all began...

Ron: Who are your major influences?  And why do they influence you?

Helen: There are so many influences that have touched me through different stages of my life. It of course began with my grandfather, I always thought that the self portraits he did, photographing himself in dual personalities were incredible. My first subject to photograph was myself, not the vanity factor...I just couldn't explain and get the emotion out of people that I could out of myself. I would photograph myself as different characters, and then in High School one of my teachers introduced me to Cindy Sherman's work and I couldn't believe it. I identified with her so much, I fell in love with her work. As I photographed more I began to fall in love with so many different images and photographers. David LaChapelle being one of them, the digital color popping images he produces just blow my mind. I'm a very big fan of his.

Ron: What is the one thing most people know about you?

Helen: That I'm a shoe and bag fanatic! I have over 300 pairs of shoes and probably over 100 bags.

Ron: What is the one thing most people don't know about you?

Helen: Nothing, I'm an open book. There is nothing that I'm not completely open about. Literally, you can ask me anything and I'll probably tell you more then I should :)

Ron: What qualities make a good photograph?

Helen: For me personally, composition, color and feeling. It has to arouse some sort of emotion from me. Even if it's a shallow emotion like "OMG I have to have those shoes"  it's still an emotion.

Ron: Why is fashion so essential in our society?

Helen: Because fashion is the symbol of change.

Ron: What are you most proud of?

Helen: Hands down being a mom. Not many people in my industry decide to have children. A lot chose their career first and I am proud to say I have both.

Ron: What would you like to be known for?

Helen: I'd like to be known for being an honest person. I think that's the most important thing in life. When you lie, you're not really fooling others, as much as you're fooling yourself. I like to think that I live a very open and honest life. So much of our business is about being fake and putting up a front. I'm not one of those people, I like to be brutally honest, when things are bad, I'll say it and when they are great I'll be just as honest about it.

Ron: What was the biggest project you have ever worked on?

Helen: That's a tough one, because I think all of my projects are big. I don't like to make a client feel less worthwhile because they're starting to make a name for themselves or because they have less money. Everyone deserves the same respect and that's very important to me. My business is able to grow only because I treat everyone equal. I don't buy in the whole "I've been doing this for ________ years!" We all have room to grow and we all start somewhere. I don't think I'll ever be "too good" to shoot or style something. Work is work and I'm very fortunate to be able to do what I love for a living. I know many people that can't say that.

Ron: What is next for you?

Helen: Well, I'm just about to style the American Girl Magazine and also have a few big shoots coming up with Cuddl Duds. Meanwhile I'm working for Sheridan Road Magazine and Forest & Bluff. So I'm certainly busy and I enjoy every minute of it.  I hope to do a couple of hosting gigs and of course, most importantly while juggling all of the work, my priority is to my little boy Natan.

Check out Helen's Blog at:
www.helenberkun.blogspot.com
and Helen's website at:
www.missred.net