Category Archive for Nightcrawling
MOLECULAR COCKTAILS AT HUSH HONG KONG. LAN KWAI FONG, COOL NEW BARS & CLUBS IN CENTRAL, COOLHUNTER BOOK.
Back to Hong Kong for a quick science lesson… involving hard liquor! I subjected myself to cocktail experiments at Hush, a mod bar in Lan Kwai Fong / Central, Hong Kong. Mixologist Gibson Chan specializes in molecular cocktails, using ingredients and techniques typically found only in labs.
In this new video, Gibson shows La Carmina how to make a deconstructed margharita, with a salty foam created with a fish tank pump. Then, he mixes a cocktail made with what looks like caviar — but what is it really? Watch the video to find out!
I was happy to learn that the strange-looking powders were actually made from natural ingredients. Each drink was a topsy-turvy experience — the flavors and textures turn the expected on its head. Sip a glow-in-the-dark cocktail at Hush, 2 Glenealy in Central, Hong Kong.
I also went to Ozone, the rooftop bar of the new Ritz Carlton Kowloon. My ears popped as the elevator shot up to the 118th floor. But it was worth it for the killer view of Hong Kong at night, with nothing overhead but the sky.
I know my life is confusing lately… so many travels and projects! I re-designed part of my website to reflect the changes. Here’s a breakdown of my current work:
† BLOGGING: I post near-daily about my underground fashion and travel adventures.
† TV HOSTING & COOLHUNTING: My Pirates business is currently in overdrive. We have our hands full with Tokyo TV jobs and subculture consulting (such as introducing Western buyers to Gothic Lolita Punk brands.)
† WRITING: In addition to my current columns, I’m writing for AOL Travel. My three J-pop books are also available here.
† FASHION DESIGNING: We just released the HOPE t-shirts to benefit Japan. You can see my previous clothing collections here and below.
These pages may also be helpful…
† BIO: A summary of my work, along with my TV show clips.
† PHOTOS: A gallery of my Goth-cute outfits and makeup.
† PRESS: Media mentions.
† CONTACT: Email me if you’re interested in sponsorships, advertorials, collaborations — or simply want to say hi! I try to reply to all messages, especially on my social networks.
Funny how I’ve become Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. There’s more international travel in the works, and major projects involving TV and fashion. Soon, all shall be revealed!
PS: I’m featured in a new Spanish book called Coolhunting Digital: A la caza de las ultimas tendencias. In the “Colaboradores” section, I’m photographed and interviewed about my work as a subculture/underground coolhunter.
I invite you to browse the new website pages; I hope they present a clearer picture of my work. And please enjoy my new video, where the Hush bartender walks us through molecular cocktail-making. There’s more fun food and bizarre theme restaurants on my YouTube channel (please subscribe).
Have you heard of molecular gastronomy before, or tried it? Do you consider it a mind-opening experience, or an overrated trend?
Song of the Day: Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science
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DEATH DISCO FUNERAL: GOTH DEATHROCK CLUB, TOKYO DJS & BANDS. JAPAN CONCERT PARTY & EVENT LISTINGS, SHINJUKU.
Off to Italy in a few days! Who would have thought that this little blog would turn international? Dreams do become reality — like Seba’s band, DNR, opening for Versailles tonight. (Keep reading for the story.)
While La Carmina blog has spread its wings, we’re staying true to our roots: firsthand reports from Japan’s Gothic underground. I’ll hope you will enjoy upcoming posts from my trusted friends, including a concert review of Moi dix Mois in Tokyo.
Perhaps you remember Cotton Bale’s Tokyo birthday party from last year (sushi, purikura and karaoke in Shinjuku). This year, she went to the event Death Disco Funeral: Tokyo Mutant Wave. Here’s her review.
Tokyo Decay is the Tokyo branch of Decay Promotions, the company that organizes the deathrock festival, Drop Dead. (The lovely lady is Miwa, who provided these photos. And I’m sure you recognize the infamous Kenzo-A.)
Death Disco Funeral was mainly a live music event, with DJ sets between the bands. Gothic trip-hop band *microscope* had a stand-out percussionist. She played a xylophone, a cymbal with saw, and a saw with a violin bow.
New Wave three piece Nu-coordinator totally rocked. They wore visor shades, and the singer had a vocoder. They reminded me a lot of the Talking Heads.
As always, 13th Moon put on an amusing show. I can never quite tell if they are being serious or not. Sometimes they seem like a death rock parody band. Their guitar player Amuck-A is super-adorable, though. (That’s charismatic frontman nAo12xu on the right.)
The Plasticzooms get better every time I see them. They have really started to develop their own sound in the last year or so, and the singer, Sho, is a sweetheart. He even gave me a triangle necklace he made as a birthday present.
As for the DJs, nAo12xu played an amazing set including White Ring, the Sixteens and the Soft Moon. EyescreaM also played a pretty good set with lots of New Wave classics. The guest DJ was Asami of Black Triangle Design.
Asami had a booth at the event, and I bought a black, shark skin, triangle necklace with gold pyramid studs from her. There was also digital art by Cre Izu. For my birthday, I also got a special hand made present, a black patent hexagram t-shirt to match my Docs.
Back to La Carmina’s voice… sighing because I wish I were there! Recently, several people have asked me if it’s safe to go to Tokyo alternative clubs alone. Readers, you can’t find a friendlier group of Goths than in Japan. I urge you to nightcrawl — many people speak English, and I’m certain you’ll have a great experience.
All the info you require is in my Tokyo club listing, which chronicles Japan’s best alt and Gothic nightlife.
Where’s Sebastiano Serafini right now? Traveling with Visual Kei legends Versailles, as their translator. Tonight, his band DNR will open for them in Italy — what an honor! Soon, he will share stories and photos with you on this blog.
I’ll be with Seba and DNR soon — being flown to the Luisa Via Roma event in Florence. The organizers put us in this spettacolare hotel near the Duomo… we’ll document every minute of the Italy trip for you!
Are you a deathrock fan? Would you have the courage to go to a Japanese Goth event like this alone? Trust us: the parties look scary, but in fact, they’re fun and accessible.
Song of the Day: The Plasticzooms – Witch
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LA CARMINA
