We kicked off the year with our first produced video project that was filmed in the Coachella Valley. Our friend Nephew Avila came out and played the role of the runner.
We wanted to make a visual that symbolized how we feel while continuing our journey as a creative brand and a small business that produces products. We would be lying to you if we told you this was easy and that everything is green at the other side of the fence. We continue to push forward on this long road because we firmly believe in our mission of creating and connecting with other like minded people.
We also implanted our love for physical training, hence the running and burpees. If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready, La Rutina.
Overall, we are very proud of ourselves how this project came out and are anxious to keep developing this visual pieces for you guys.
Thank you for watching.
]]>Well an idea came to mind of making audio updates about VNDTA, mix with some visuals. We have the equipment and ability to do so, why not right. Came out pretty cool, check it out.
]]>We are super excited about this project. Here's the teaser video.
]]>“Music to me is something wonderful. The opportunity to express my emotions t music. Through singing and my guitar. Without music I would not be who I am. I give thanks to God for this gift that is Music.” -
Back Story:
We had this idea to create little segments featuring musicians, expressing themselves through music. First person that we had a chance to film was our dad. As far as we can remember our dad was always with a guitar, singing his heart out. We never saw him cried, but only through his guitar. Til this day the man keeps playing like there is no tomorrow. - “Canta y No Llores” -
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The first mask design is a VNDTA logo print on the side of the mask. We wanted to create a clean and minimalistic look.
With the second design we decided to sauce it up with a dope original typography. The “Protect your neck” mask is inspired by one of our favorite Wu Tang Clan songs.
The masks are cut, sewn, and printed here in the USA by a small business. It is very important to us that we help fellow small businesses, especially during these uncertain times.
Some of us are already adding face mask as part of our daily wardrobe for the 2020 year. So we might be considering in coming out with more designs that would look good with our outfits.
The CDC has recommended using cloth face mask when going out in public where social distancing can become difficult. Some counties have already mandated it for essential workers, and people that are visiting essential businesses and going out in public.
It is very important that even with a face mask. Try your best is keeping the social distancing of 6 ft as best as possible.
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Just like a lot young kids, we had a dream of starting a record label and making dope music that people would love.
Straight outta high school that's what we did. We put what little money we had together and went and bought a $30 karaoke microphone from the local electronic store.
We started recording on cassette tapes and then figured out how to transfer it back to digital by using a program called “Sound Forge”. We would burn them into CDS and started selling them at school the following day.
We chased that venture for years. It kept us busy, it kept us in our apartment studio, learning and improving our skills, and even tho we ventured out to new business opportunities we never lost the passion for making music with other artists.
This year we decided to make time in our busy weekly schedule to turn on our recording studio open sign to exclusive projects. We are collaborating with artists that have shown support for the VNDTA movement and some new faces we have met along the way.
So far we’ve been having so much fun. We have noticed an improvement in our sound, our mixes, our vibes and approach to the creative process of each project. Maybe is the fact we are not really focusing on the money, but the quality and excitement of where are we going with this.
So far we have dropped one track with artist The Stomper and is called" 7666 Degrees". It's a storytelling gangster rap song that is fully produced by us from the beat to the recording. We had such a great reaction from the fans of that love that gangster vibe that we can’t wait to drop more songs. "7666 Degrees: is now available on Spotify and Itunes. [LISTEN TO THE SONG]
We have another project with LA’s favorite Happy clown Richie the Barber and new artist Mikeygotbands “NUMBLIKEPABLO”. The sound for this song is totally something new to us, but we personally picked it because we knew it was going to be fun in creating some what we are calling sonic art.
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A person I met recently told me that he lost interest in his goal because he hasn’t been in the right state of mind. His dream was to inspired others through his art, “How can I inspire them if I don’t feel inspired with myself.” That's when I remembered someone else telling “Everything you do for your brand is energy. Lose that and you lose momentum.”
Sometimes our daily battles is within our own state of mind. Maybe we get stuck in those set backs that we suffer through our journey or we get distracted in comparing ourselves to what others are doing. We convince ourselves that maybe it's too hard, maybe we are not good enough, and eventually giving up on our goals.
But, realizing that our own competition is not someone else, it is our own state of mind. Challenge that mentality by not being afraid to fail because failures are only lessons on the way to improvement and personal greatness.
We are all warriors in our own battles. Stay strong and keep on fighting for what is yours.
That is the message and the inspiration behind the creation of this design.
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Your corner hip hop store GCS (Giants Casting Shadows) has become a staple of the hip hop community in Downtown Santa Ana. You cannot visit the art walk without noticing their storefront covered with great graffiti art.
Walking into GCS you will instantly notice their art gallery which is filled with local independent artists that rotate every month. What’s great is that GCS provides a platform for artists, performers, and even aspiring entrepreneurs.
GCS is not only a shop, but also a platform that shares a message - to keep creating and to keep sharing that passion for art and music.
Follow GCS on instagram at @gcssantaana
Visit them at 206 E. 4th st, Set 101b Santa Ana, CA
We had a lot of fun popping up, displaying our art, and most importantly connecting with new people at the @artfonfa.events art show.
Even though the loading/unloading can be a lot of work, It is very important to get out there and introduce yourself and your work to new eyes. Plus, it’s inspiring to be around other artists and vendors! As a small business and struggling artists, this is part of the journey when building a dream. Don’t stay home, get out there and put in work.
Thank you to everyone that showed love and support.
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We I saw this illustration/video made by Kast, it really got me emotional that I needed to share his hard work and talent.
I hope you like it as much as we do.
]]>From time to time we love making music videos. Our long time friend rap artist Mikeygotbands came to us with a song and a concept that we thought it would be really fun to shoot.
It was a long month process and the opening scene where he gets ran over was shot in two different locations. At the first location, Mike looked at it and said "I can do better. I want the car go faster." So we went on and set up and different day, different location.
This shot was very nerve wrecking. Any miscalculation could had cost serious injury. All I can say, Mikeygotbands is a savage and a true artist that's willing to invest his body and soul for the right shot.
Check it out "Voices in My Head"
]]>I attended a couple of Artfonfa art shows this year. I loved the vibe, the people and the creative atmosphere. I wanted to be part of their next show and the perfect theme came around - "All That 90s"art exhibition. You already know that we are inspired by the 90s. So it is the perfect show for us to have fun and create some 90s vibe at our pop up shop.
It is a free event, but you must make an RSVP or pay $20 at the door at the day of the event.
Click here to make your free reservation.
So far there is about 1,900 people that have made their reservations. So you know it's going to be a dope event.
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That’s when I started becoming aware of rent hikes in cities like Santa Ana, Boyle Heights, all over LA and Inner cities of Orange County. People are losing their homes due to rent increases. People are becoming misplaced and have nowhere to go. Senior citizens are not able afford the rent hikes. Putting them at risk of becoming homeless. .
Neighborhoods are no longer being recognized because they became trendy hipster spots with $2,000 studio apt. that some of us can’t afford. .
That is what inspired this design. This is happening now and if there is no rent control, the homeless problem will keep increasing. Identities of neighborhoods will be lost. .
Don’t get us wrong, we are all for safer neighborhoods, but not at the cost of people losing their homes, place of business, and roots within their neighborhoods. Making the current residents the outsiders