Tag Archives: Writing

K. Flay Is The Next Artist You Need To Become Obsessed With

March 6, 2017 | Jaxx Artz

You know how you have a bunch of different playlists, all with different titles? Maybe one is titled “sad” and another is titled “Summer” and another is simply “Chill.” Each playlist is full of different songs by a variety of artists, each curated across genres to fit a specific mood, ready for whenever that mood strikes.

Attend one live K. Flay concert and it’ll blow your playlists out of the water.

I saw K. Flay live last week at the Bowery Ballroom, a cool venue that serves up live music and refreshments. She was on tour, hitting up the favored spot before moving on to Buffalo. It’s a good thing, too, for her fans were excited to see her perform live.

Rob, a thirty-something from Washington D.C., had come to New York specifically for the concert with his wife and a few friends. “I’d listened to her on Music Choice Radio and thought it’d be fun to take a spontaneous trip to the city for the weekend,” he said.

Dani and John, who recently moved to New York from Australia, had a similar story. Dani discovered K. Flay on Spotify while searching for new American artists to listen to and found out about the show soon after. “We live close to here so we were excited to come out for the night and listen to good music.”

All around the venue, in fact, were like-minded people of varying age and gender who no doubt traveled from a wide-range of places to see K. Flay in person. Her music appeals to many, whether 18 or 40, male or female. And once the concert began, I could see why.

She opened the show with “Everyone I Know,” a slow-starting ballad that introduced the audience to her style of mixing low beats with a fun and fast chorus. Immediately, the crowd became one, swaying like a wave reaching the shore for the millionth time. After that, the range of K. Flay’s music became apparent.

“Sunburn” was next, another song that made my head bop but revealed an unexpected component to K. Flay’s music: rap. The verses were quick and clever, and I found myself googling the lyrics to keep up with the experienced fans around me who knew each word.

The rest of K. Flay’s set was a blend of rap, pop, and rock, mixed with intricate bursts of vibey beats that made the crowd come alive. The subject matter varies, with songs about love, sadness, drinking, and surviving mixed together, expanding past the typical tones that match each sentiment.

“I’ve written a lot of songs, and some of them have been about getting fucked up,” she said softly into the microphone, introducing “Black Wave.” The fast and loud music that picks up around the chorus, she said, is something she does because sometimes you just want noise and something to scream and dance to, especially in the world we live in today. The bridge perfectly sums up this sentiment: “How did a girl like me end up in a world so mean?”

By the end of the night, I knew I would be adding her songs to my various playlists on Spotify. Besides the catchy beats and honest lyrics that make up K. Flay’s music, I think I most admire the inspiration she draws on. Whether it’s about loving someone who only sees you as a friend or being so angry you just need to scream, K. Flay’s raps and slow ballads are written carefully, her word choice perfectly encapsulating how it feels to be by yourself and thinking through your feelings.

K. Flay’s story is one that is woven intricately throughout her songs. Take a listen and you’ll figure it out.

A version of this article appeared on Odyssey Online‘s New York University community page.

Columbian Writer Juan Gabriel Vasquez Talks New Novel


September 26, 2016 | Jaxx Artz

At the center of the Strand’s Rare Book Room stood Juan Gabriel Vasquez, comfortable in a crisp navy button-down and jeans. He moved confidently towards the podium and began to explain the motivation behind his latest book Reputations, which has recently been released in English. “Reputations,” he said, “is the study of one man’s doom.”

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Vasquez’s writing focuses on the conflicts that have plagued his home country, both as a way to explore the complexity of the conflicts and to provide depth to his characters. Reputations follows Javier Mallarino, a famous political cartoonist, who was at the center of documenting political treachery with his drawings in the 1980s. The action takes place in the present-day, 30 years after Mallarino’s heyday, when he becomes reacquainted with someone from the past and is forced to remember what happened all those years before, as well as figure out the implication it could have in the present.

Though this new novel rings similar to his other works in the way that it recounts Colombia’s darker history, Vasquez insisted that Reputations is new and different. For one, it is noticeably shorter.

“Short novels,” he said, “novels around 50,000 words or less, do things in a special way.” According to Vasquez, this included going deeper into the protagonist to examine who they really are and why they do what they do.

During a short reading from the novel, it becomes clear that Reputations is about many things — among them the unreliability of memory, the dangers of journalism, and the fear involved with challenging the system, though the plot takes place within the span of 72 hours. When asked by the audience where the idea for this story came from, Vasquez named a Colombian political cartoonist from the 1930s, Ricardo Rendón.

“I grew up with his books,” Vasquez explained, sharing that the ability to shape a political world through drawings still matters in today’s world. Vasquez also drew from the mystery surrounding Kafka’s “The Trial” and the ambiguity in Henry James’ work, adding that “there is treasure in the not knowing [what will happen next].” Though the novel’s protagonist is a political cartoonist, Vasquez clarified that the work attempted to answer the question of why journalists as a whole do what they do, despite the death threats and fear that inevitably accompany a successful career.

Almost as an echo of this statement, Vasquez read from the novel, “’Congratulations. You are nobody in this country unless somebody wants to hurt you.’”

At the end of the reading, Vasquez looked into the crowd and smiled, as if flattered to be the object of the wide-open eyes that dotted the room. Judging by both the audience’s reaction and the several awards he has garnered for his previous works, including the Alfaguara Prize and International Dublin Literary Award, Vasquez is clearly somebody, forcing one to wonder if his life is as in danger as his protagonist’s.

This article originally appeared in the Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 print edition of Washington Square News. A version of it is available online here: Columbian Writer Juan Gabriel Vasquez Talks New Novel

New Menu at MidiCi Offers A Little Italian for Everyone

July 11, 2019 | Jaxx Artz and Keyuri Parab

MidiCi, a fast-casual Italian eatery, started slinging Neapolitan pizzas in Preston Hollow in January. Now, the location has expanded its menu to include freshly-made pasta, sandwiches, flatbreads, and more.

Owner Michelle Martin said customer feedback was the driving force behind the refurbished menu, that people wanted more than just pizza.

With fresh ingredients, gluten-free pasta options, in-house bread, and staff that aren’t just employees but “team friends,” MidiCi has much to offer, said Zeke, MidiCi’s bar and service manager, “We really just wanted to round out our portfolio for the product offering.”

With a fresh menu and revamped space to welcome a more extensive clientele (psst, they’ve installed large screen TVs perfect for Monday Night Football), we wanted to get in early and see everything in person. Well, we wanted to taste everything in person.

And did we mention, the vegan cheese, kosher, and gluten-free options? And their double zero dough is baked with no animal by-products.

THE SPACE

One of the most exciting parts of MidiCi’s Preston Hollow location is the staff. Even during a midday slump when most employees want to relax before a dinner rush, every server welcomed us when we walked in the door with bright smiles and a playful attitude. You can tell that everyone really is a “team friend.”

That idea is something Cash, MidiCi’s front of the house service manager, wants to bring to every customer who walks in the door. “When you go out to eat, you want to be spoiled,” he said. “We want you to feel like you’re at home but not have to do anything. I want to take care of you.”

Though the outdoor patio was tempting, the Texas sun offers no mercy, so we sat inside, not far from the full-service bar. Whether you’re having beer and pizza while watching football or wine and appetizers when catching up with old friends, MidiCi offers options for every occasion. The space is open and not crowded with useless things, directing focus exactly where it should go: the food.

DRINKS

The best way to start a meal is with a great drink, and that’s exactly what we got.

Zeke served us a Peach Bellini, homemade peach purée (they refuse to use a syrup), Babe Rosé, and Peach Schnapps; and the MidiCi Margarita. Wait, a margarita at an Italian place?

Well, it is Texas, after all, and the MidiCi Margarita seems to improve upon the classic recipe to ensure each ingredient works together, and prevent that sickly sweet taste that often accompanies badly-made margs. No unnecessary lumps of sugar on the back of your tongue here!

To show off the restaurant’s Italian inspiration, the Peach Bellini has little pieces of the fruit floating along the bottom of the glass, adding texture and a fresh taste to the classic Italian drink.

Non-alcoholic options include several flavors of Italian soda, because what is an Italian restaurant without Italian soda?

A Blue Raspberry Cream Italian Soda, with it’s light, refreshing, and the fruity flavor was a favorite for us. Not heavy at all, if that’s what you associate with cream. But if that isn’t for you, a Watermelon Soda maybe; sparkling, of course, and with a hint of watermelon and a subtly sweet flavor, this soda is the perfect escape on a hot Texas day.

FRESHLY-MADE PASTA

MidiCi is excited to highlight its new pasta dishes, featuring dough that is freshly prepared and delivered to the restaurant each week. Their new menu draws directly from Italy to show American customers how pasta is supposed to taste. “Al Dente means ‘to the tooth,’” said Zeke. “If you go to Italy and think the pasta is undercooked, they’ll tell you no, what you’ve been eating is overcooked.”

As a lifelong fan and maker of pasta, with a Sicilian mother to boot, I know what Zeke means, which is why tasting the Cheese Tortellini in a garlic cream saucemade my tastebuds soar. In my opinion, piping-hot food is under-appreciated, most likely because of our acceptance of lukewarm dishes when we go out to eat. At MidiCi, though, steam rose from the heaping pile of tortellini as I dug into the garlic cream sauce. Another thing you can never have too much of? Garlic.

The Ragu Alla Bolognese was just as exciting, featuring the restaurant’s chicken and beef meatballs found on their Small Plates menu in its “gravy” (that’s what red sauce is called in Italy. The more you know!). This one blew me away, as someone who doesn’t eat red sauce that often, I sure slurped it down fast. The red sauce is cooked more savory than sweet, unlike many other American-Italian places. The quality of the pasta and gravy allow you to feel satisfied without getting stuffed.

FLATBREADS AND PIZZA

Remembering that dough is, in fact, MidiCi’s specialty, seeing a place for their fans’ favorites on the new menu was a real treat. Flatbreads take on the flavor of your favorite pies in a smaller, lighter form, catering to those who want to enjoy the taste of pizza without committing to a heavier dish. Our Chicken Pesto flatbread came perfectly browned, with a little bit of every flavor; the grape tomatoes are tangy, the house-made pesto and chicken add something savory, and a balsamic reduction is found on the side in case you want a hint of sweetness.

The Truffle pizza was similar, with a truffle purée and fresh arugula supplying something for everyone at your table to enjoy. The earthy flavor just enough but not too much, and the mushrooms were melting in your mouth. By this point, we were pretty full but couldn’t stop picking up slice after slice. Only when the word dessert was mentioned, did we ask to box our pizza…

DESSERT

A bite of the Lemon Berry Italian Cake is all you need to taste every ingredient that went into its creation. The seasonal berry compote, the cream-filled Italian cake, the fresh lemon. For two people who aren’t the biggest lemon-flavor enthusiasts, we were happy to go all in, and the not-too-sweet or overpowering cream perfectly cut through the cake and berries to bring the dish together. Light and creamy, it’s the perfect end to a summer dinner.

MidiCi’s menu isn’t seasonal or temporary– it’s here to stay. As part of their revamp and refresh, MidiCi will soon be offering a brunch menu, complete with a specialized cocktail menu and Italian dishes to enjoy on the weekends. They will also be adding to their themed restaurant nights, such as with Wine Down Wednesdays featuring half-priced bottles of wine. For now, you can start by enjoying MidiCi’s new menu in Preston Hollow, just don’t forget the stretchy pants.

This article originally appeared on the People Newspapers website.

Preston Hollow Resident Biking to Alaska for Cancer Research

July 25, 2019 | Jaxx Artz

Scroll Julie DeLaRosa’s Facebook page and notice her farmer’s tan darkening with each photo, becoming one of her defining features when she meets people on the road. She doesn’t mind it so much anymore, only noticing the stark difference in her skin tones when she peels off her sweaty uniform to jump into one of the many swimming holes she’s discovered on the road.

“I’m actually excited to see how dark it can get,” DeLaRosa says, calling me from a park in San Francisco. Currently, she is only thirty days into her summer-long bike ride from Austin to Alaska and expects her tan will only get stronger. That’s right, Julie is biking to Alaska.

A senior at the University of Texas at Austin, Julie DeLaRosa is part of Texas 4000 (T4K), an organization whose mission is to engage communities in the fight against cancer through organizing the longest annual charity bike ride in the world. While other University of Texas cyclists are spread between three possible routes to Anchorage, Julie is taking the Sierra Route, riding through New Mexico and Arizona before making her way to San Francisco.

During the 18-month program, UT students are required to raise money, volunteer in their community, and train for their 4,000+ mile bike ride. For the 83 students who make up this summer’s ride, it’s about much more than the burn in their thighs and the unique adventure through the country’s western states.

“One of the biggest reasons I get on the bike every morning and continue to pedal even when the hills seem like they will never end is to spread hope that there will be a cure for cancer,” DeLaRosa says.

Throughout the 70-day ride, DeLaRosa will put on programs in the communities she bikes through to talk about cancer research. Her team’s fundraising efforts go towards research grants and donations to facilities.

“One of the biggest reasons we get on the bike every morning and continue to pedal even when the hills seem like they will never end is to spread hope that there will be a cure for cancer.” -Julie DeLaRosa

The main pillars of T4K – hope, knowledge, and charity – are the reasons why Julie joined the organization. And while many of her peers are no strangers to long bike rides and marathons, she’s definitely not doing it for the workout.

“Getting on the bike every morning, even when my legs feel like they can’t go another mile, has been one of the most difficult parts,” she says. “I joined because I connect with the mission, not because I enjoy biking.”

Another difficult part of her ride is being away from her family and community for over three months, something she has never done before. A Preston Hollow resident, DeLaRosa attended St. Monica Catholic School and Ursuline Academy before moving to Austin.

“I have been fortunate to live in great neighborhoods and attend great schools where my neighbors and friends are like family. I would love to move back to Dallas eventually,” she says.

In the meantime, Julie has found a temporary family in her teammates and the people she’s met on the road. Communities have hosted movie nights for the riders and provided food and shelter as the students make their way to Anchorage.

After the ride, Julie will head back to Austin to complete her degree in social work. She plans on applying to law school with the hope of influencing social policy.

“I think the world is a beautiful place, but there are also times when it can be incredibly cruel,” she says. “We need to do better in acknowledging the injustices that take place.”

Though she probably won’t bike for a while after she completes her trek, Julie will take with her the lessons she’s learned and the beautiful things she’s seen on the road.

“My body is capable of so much more than I ever thought it was. And seeing the world from the seat of a bike is just incredible.”

This article originally appeared in the August 2019 print edition of Preston Hollow People. A shorter version of it can be found on the website for People Newspapers here: Preston Hollow Resident Biking to Alaska for Cancer Research