Calling all ears

Alice Smith is a rare artist in a class by herself, whose commanding 4-octave voice lets her skip across genres effortlessly and transport you along with it. Based in NYC, but raised in Washington DC and Georgia, her references span the USA from country and classic rock to jazz and gospel. She is bringing back the American tradition of soul music with the raw emotions in her voice and relatable lyrics void of any pretense. “For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me” is a collection of songs that add an innovative twist to an undeniable groove. From the opening beat accompanied by piano and horn stabs, Alice reminds you that rock and soul came from the same place. The songs all have the anthemic quality of classic songwriting with a decidedly modern groove and vernacular. One free download @ http://www.myspace.com/alicesmith

Personalized sofa

Raw Nerve, a U.K. design consultancy will breathe new life into your old sofa. They offer an initial consultancy to find out the exact requirements for the sofa you would like to re-upholster. They then interpret and transform all the collected information into graphic and typographic designs to reveal your sofa’s past memories and experiences. Alternatively, you may wish to have elements your brand identity interpreted across the surfaces.
http://www.raw-nerve.co.uk

Your mama's ipod

If the Hi-Fi was a little late-century minimalist for you, peep Speck's new SpeckTone, the only iPod dock with real-simulated 1950s design stylings to get your be-bop on, dig? It's not only old school on the outside; the $150 SpeckTone has analogue innards for a "richer" sound (somehow we have a feeling there ain't no tubes in there), a 4-inch sub and 28 watt speakers, as well as a green backlit volume knob to offset the glossy lacquered wood cabinet. It really was a different time, wasn't it?
http://www.speckproducts.com

INTOXICATED BY FASHION

ROBERTO CAVALLI really wants to put us in the mood. The flamboyant Italian designer has only just announced that he intends to redesign the Playboy bunny costume and now he's created his very own vodka.