General Motors disintegrated in 2009 after 101 years of being the symbol of our highly industrialized nation.  And entire industries were begging Obama for a bailout, but did Chanel or Hermes ever so much as slash their prices since the economy dipped?  Have you ever heard of a liquor store going out of business?  Have you managed to stop smoking despite the rising prices of cigarettes?  “I think not”, answered my wallet.  The fact is, some industries are just plain recession proof.  That is because when times are hard, instead of completely saving our pennies, we use a trip to the store to reward ourselves for frugality.  Oh, don’t pretend like I’m the only one who refuses to cut the fat in these terribly thin times.

I’ve been eating leftovers for the past couple of weeks, which actually means the cereal I ate for breakfast is what I ate for dinner the preceding night.  But I’ve got a pair of blue suede pumps arriving via UPS that I ordered online.  Here’s hoping that my account doesn’t overdraft.  Folks, we are living in thin times, but that doesn’t mean we’ve managed to cut down on our vices, now we’re just now using them as therapy as weto weather the storm.  So those blue pumps that I bought are not a slice of luxury, they are actually self-prescribed medication.

So in order for us to keep up with our necessary vices, I’ve compiled a short list of ways to save money in these uncertain times.

Buy Cheap Alcohol – Sure, the good stuff goes down more smoothly, and people with class and money will be able to smell it on your breath, but what does all that matter when you are happily oblivious to all social code on only $15 a handle?

(Or perhaps I should call you a metrosexual. Yes, I know the term was coined in the early 2000s, but the effects of the trend have had permanent ramifications on our hyper materialistic society.)

I see you over there with your skinny ties and grandpa sweaters.

I’ve noticed your dark skinny jeans and your faux tap shoes.

And even when you’ve worn red flannel, it was not to chop wood or do work outdoors. Instead itIt was to sip Old Fashions in some dive bar in the Marigny.

But here’s the thing: fuck old America’s constructs of masculinity. It is perfectly acceptable to harness your personal brand. You’ve got money to spend and you’re living in a modern day Metropolis (or at least in Mid-City New Orleans). Embrace your affinity for color- coordinated ensembles. Buy that new pair of Supras. And most of all, demand that your girlfriend step it up a notch… to at least match your new swag.

Justin Shiels

What do you get when you combine jazz, funk, electronica, happiness and insanity? Pretty much Bionica. This young New Orleans band melds multiple genres per song, and gives off an intoxicating energy that makes you feel lovely just because you’re a part of it. The talent consists of keyboardist/vocalist Rex Gregory, vocalist/keyboardist Sasha Masakowski, bassist Devin Kerrigan, drummer/percussionist Nick Solnick, and vocalist/keytarist/‘unofficial band leader’ James Westfall. Bionica’s first EP drops this month, so now is the time to jump on the bands’ wagon. InvadeNOLA’s got your back, giving you the inside scoop straight from Bionica.

InvadeNOLA: So how did you guys get together?

Sasha: Well it was originally James’s band, but then it was called Bionic Dream. We decided to change the name to Bionica when [we] came up with an idea for women’s clothing.

Nick: Sasha, Rex and I met in Holland during the [Hurricane] Katrina evacuation. We froze our asses off and made beautiful music, and James and Rex had met each other back in Houston, and we started with a different bassist [before Devin. ] But we’ve all been playing together for a little over a year now.

Devin: Yeah I had a pretty intense audition process. Basically I had to learn the songs and then play them at the show that night. But it was a kickass show. I guess it wasn’t that hard.

Rex:  James was the unofficial leader, he wrote the first songs. We kept doing music and played steadily, and we just recorded our first EP.

Nick: Yeah it’s been pretty quick.

Rex: Quick and cool.

dear america
(including YOU: readers, amazing friends, colleagues, buddies and anyone else I think is pretty awesome.)

Since December 2009, I have self-published InvadeNOLA. It started one day after watching an episode of The Hills. I decided MTV had failed us, and vowed to prove that millennials have the power to change the world in a positive way.

In three short months, the site has made a significant impact, gaining over 8,720 page views, and nearly 2000 unique visitors and over 100 comments. We also expanded outside of New Orleans reaching 40 of the 50 states and 27 countries.

I need to ask for your support in expanding my vision.

I developed a Kickstarter page to raise $3500 over the next month. Your support will help fund 5 months of weekly issues, but more than that, it will give a voice to independent media.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1740568017/invadenola-volume-2

Theres just one more thing. We have to reach full funding or we get nothing. I need your help.
Thank you and please forward this message on.

love.justin

—

UPDATE:

In this short time, we have already reached $405 in pledges from the following supporters.

Kat H
Chris S
Angela
Victoria A.
Ashley
Lauren D
Jeff S
Courtney S
Avram
Britt
NevI
Karen B
Monica H
Rachel P
Addie K
Tara

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Help sustain New Orleans independent media.

So, first we won the effing Super Bowl. Then we had the craziest Mardi Gras ever. But now, I’m well rested and focused on propelling InvadeNOLA to new peaks of success.

That being said, March is going to be a big month, including:

1. InvadeNOLA launch party during Foburg Music Fest.

2. The release of our first book.

3. And the launch of our capital campaign to raise funds for InvadeNOLA.

A new issue is coming next Tuesday, but if you need your daily fix of InvadeNOLA visit the blog.

Lovejustin.