Well Summer came back this week – Downtown is 94 and its not even lunch.

Longtime Ampal collaborator Tropicool – the twisted mind behind our Waves ≠ Raves mixes – has released his first mixtape:

“Tropicool : Gooch Tape Vol 1.”

Gooch Tape #1 by Tropicool (official)

“On a sunday night, in a beach-town not so far away from you, i cracked open a Pacifico and began to ponder what i would do as the elusive evening drew closer and city lights began to flicker on. I decided to soul-search and ate a few silver-striped mushrooms out of an old embroidered chinese box I had hidden beneath the dock. As I walked along the beach, the sand softly tickled my toes and the waves crashing in a perfect symphony. Just then, poseidon’s froth had washed something hard up onto my foot. It was a glistening whiskey bottle; Jamison’s own to be exact. I opened it up, expecting a rich carmel liquid to engulf my soul and warm it from the inside out. However, out fell a flash drive where the words “Gooch-Tape #1″ were engraved. It was a sign; a sign that good things were coming. A sign that the warmth and sun-kissed poolside jams of summer would flow into the colorful world autumn had to offer. Warm your soul and paint your walls gold!”

Thank you for everything Steve. RIP 1955-2011

It’s unfortunate that someone’s passing often makes you think how much effect they have had your life. I really don’t think Ampal, let alone my dream of pursuing my passions for a living would be possible without Steve Jobs.

No words can really describe the impact his products had on my life and I’m sure its a sentiment shared by many in our creative community. I would like to share a few of the ways they effected me along my journey.

My first memory of Mr. Jobs in my life is playing a b/w tank game on my dad’s Mac Plus at a really young age. Kid Pix circa 1990 on our Mac IIfx was probably the first time I really embraced a computer for creating.

Throughout elementary and middle school our progression of macs, played an integral part of my education and artistic life. In middle school I finally got my “own” mac and a little later on the availability of such programs as photoshop, illustrator, imovie and premier allowed me to develop creatively and to embrace the DIY attitude. The beauty of what Steve created was is accessibility and ease of use. With a little bit of guidance I was able to learn these programs on my own.

In highschool I made my first graphics that were actually made into t shirts on the Mac. Another big milestone was the advent of cd burners and napster giving me the freedom to really explore music. The idea of saving up $11.99 – $15.99 to go buy a CD you had only heard 2 songs on was a not that cool as a grom. I played around with logo design creating multiple identities for the local punk label that a best friend and I started and disbanded before we threw our combined $2400 of savings into studio time.

*not my computer

The G4 tower I got freshman year survived the next 5 years. During this period I really embraced my Mac as a tool. I started picking up little projects from people - flyer’s, tee’s, quick video edits. While I studied, I learned how to use the computer to both create an identity for and manage a business.

After I college I worked at an Apple store to support myself while I was starting Ampal. I don’t think I need to explain the countless way’s I use my Mac’s today, but there would be no Ampal and I would not be where I am at without the amazing creations of a visionary college drop out.

Thanks Steve for thinking outside the box and giving the world the power and opportunity to create with your tools.

Thanks for everything.

*I also need to thank both my parents for giving me the opportunity to create with my hands through endless art and craft projects that balanced with all the above.

Three things we like very much.

We’ve become especially fond of Insa, ever since the artist graced the walls of a certain establishment along Santa Fe.

“An ongoing public installation project.

“Working with volunteer models, bikes (INSA’s current preferred icon of commodified culture), and large scale painted walls INSA creates momentary installations in public spaces”
MORE HERE

Enjoy…

This is part of the beginning of our FW collection.

The olive roll near the top is $523.05 worth of domestic Martexin waxed canvas; its the best there is and has been since 1930.
The top roll is a 17 color Woodland Pinup print.

As you can tell, we are dedicated to using premium materials, setting the bar for quality headwear and ultimately delivering you the best product we can.

Coming Nov. 11

The straight legend, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, rocking our Shaka Zulu snap back in his new video with Ferg Brim – TOP SHOTTAS.

Thanks to our former super intern Neutral Features for sending the vid this way.

We present Waves ≠ Raves vol 15, curated as always by Tropicool, for your listening pleasure.

“As the seasons are slowly shifting, the music follows suit. Light and cheerful riffs are slowly paving the way for deeper disco sounds. Sounds that will resinate throughout a nighttime hideout and keep the kids dancing. Steel drums and synth are still there, just down-tempo and with a heavier groove. Peel the paint off the walls and lets bogey.”

Waves ≠ Raves Vol. 15
• Fred Falke – 808 PM at the Beach
• Hannulelauri – Zombie Tropicana
• Paul Weller – Starlight (Drop Out Orchestra Remix)
• The Drums – Money (Chad Valley Remix)
• Fabian – Last Flight
• Doctor Dru & Adana Twins – Juicy Fruit
• Runaway – Indoor Pool (Slow Hands Half Full Remix)
• Tycho – Hours
• Hypnolove – Holiday Reverie
• Pony Pony Run Run – Hey You (Copacabana Club Remix)
• Poolside – Harvest Moon
• Flight Facilities – Feelin’
• All the Lights – Chasing Colours (Plastic Plates Remix)
• Acid Washed – Change (Anteros & Thanaton Remix)
• Kamp! – Cairo

All files Zipped —–> HERE <—–

We were pretty stoked to see this pic of Kreayshawn #swobbin, one of our “Pair-A-Thighs” Aloha snapbacks, as only she can, on her tumblr.

If you ever read this, congrats on the i-D cover and the continued #WGM domination, you’re such a babe!

As an amazing summer winds down we are going pay homage to one of the most memorable summers since the grom days.

This Saturday (Sept. 10) is the final all star No Shirt / No Shoes pool party.
RSVP HERE

Shout out to Ian and the Dub Frequency crew for letting us be an official part of all the goodtimes.

This weekend we’re taking the No Shirt / No Shoes party west to the Standard Hollywood.
RSVP HERE

I really enjoyed this animation by McBess I found over at Mindtai.
Its a great blend of modern and timeless styles.
He’s a pretty talented fellow – he’s the guitarist in the Dead Pirates – the song in the video.