7th Heaven Q&A With Edwin Vazquez

Indie Singer/Songwriter, Edwin Vazquez, has been making his mark around the NYC art scene for quite some time now, electrifying audiences with his spiritual song lyrics that touch the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life. Although he is of Puerto Rican descent, (and has been featured on Telemundo’s El Show de Jackie – one of the largest Latino networks) his music reaches out to Africans, Caucasians, Latinos, Indians and Asians because of his universal messages of love, forgiveness, and compassion for all of humanity… Isn’t that the way to tis the season!

For the Holidays, we asked this gypsy soul singer to answer 7 questions so that audiences can get to know the man behind the music.

• We know that you carry yourself as a Conscious Artist because your songs carry messages of peace and divine truth. But everyone has favorites. Name 3 of your songs that you feel carry the strongest or most important messages.

• Which major Artists have you collaborated with in the studio or on stage? Describe the synergistic experience.

• How do you infuse your music into other forms of Art? Example. musicals, commercial jingles, movie scores, birthday parties, etc. What were some of the creative ways you cross marketed with those companies?

• Do you have Christmas songs? And what is (or was) your religion? How do you personally feel about the Holidays?

• What is your new years resolution? Where do you envision your career in 2015?

• Tell us a little about your manager and band members. How do they inspire you and keep you going.

• What advice do you give to other musicians? And do you believe that we should all be conscious Artists?

Beatbox Fitness (Kickboxing for Health)

Women are miraculous creatures, goddesses whose feministic qualities dazzle our world through their ability to give, nurture, and provoke change. One of the best ways to continue supporting this gender is by promoting a healthy attitude and healthy lifestyle in diet and exercise. For without a strong physical body, sickness will limit our ability to reach our ultimate potential.
Try this new facility Beatbox Fitness for example.

Located inside of Midtown Manhattan’s Pearl Studios, is an all female kickboxing class that aids in building strength, endurance and vitality through the inspiration of live music! (Okay… so there isn’t a full house band, but that would be over crowded, right?) What we’re talking about is having real techno and house Dj’s pump up the music within a studio that inspires women to move their bodies without wanting to stop. We all know that exercising can get exhausting, especially if you’re new to it – people have a tendency of giving up when it gets too hard! So Beatbox Fitness made it fun by collaborating with real music lovers that spin some of today’s greatest hits and cool tunes!

MOGIMOUSSE Skincare

They say that true beauty comes from within. Gisela Alvarez, owner of the new vegan skincare line, MOGIMOUSSE, knows all too well that letting go of the past in order to embrace a brighter future is what helps to keep a woman’s glow alive.

Never would she have dreamed of becoming a successful female entrepreneur after leaving home at only sixteen years of age. Without parents, mentors or relatives, the determined (May 1st born) Taurus traveled from country to country as a true gypsy having lived in Paris, The Netherlands, Germany and England, just to name a few.

“I faced all kinds of adversities when I was a teen,” says Gisela. “So I understand why it’s so important for young girls dealing with abandonment issues to have good role models, even if it means that they’re watching them on TV or reading about them in books if they’re not within the home.”

Gisela knows that the launch of her new skincare line MOGIMOUSSE is more than just a product; it’s a lifestyle. Formed underneath her parent company Brooklyn Funk Factory Gisela aims to educate consumers about the brilliance of being eco-friendly, health conscious, and animal cruelty free.

However, the journey to success was not paved with gold. Moving to New York City with a mere fifty dollars in her pocket over fifteen years ago was a bold and courageous move, but one that was necessary for the beginning of a new life.

In the midst of juggling three jobs, she was eventually invited to bartend at some of the most popular nights clubs in Manhattan. The excitement of the nightlife scene brought friends, romance, and new opportunities for a fresh start.

As the years went on, Gisela got back on her feet as a  woman who made peace with her past. Then… as destiny would have it, true beauty called.

It’s no secret that women have to maintain their outer appearance to look presentable on job interviews, to look attractive on dates, and to express their personality through fashion. Nevertheless, Gisela had extra dry/dehydrated skin from all the different environments that she’d been exposed to, not to mention the stress that she’d been under years ago. Hence, it had become time for her to revitalize her natural beauty and pamper herself. After all, she deserved it!

TOCA NYC STORE

Love is fearless, and when one chooses to love beyond the borders of themselves, then they’re in a position to inspire, uplift and create change where it’s needed. Take this power couple, Justin Toca and Monica Toca for example… This eccentric duo have established a quarterly themed tribal house party at NYC’s Cielo nightclub where they’ve raised donations to fund a children’s organization called The Ale Ale Foundation. Thus, they are giving back to their community while enjoying life together.

Are they twin flames? Soul mates? Or just two love birds who were destined to meet for a greater purpose? Both were born worlds apart from each other with Justin having roots from Managua, Nicaragua and Monica from Dallas, Texas. And yet the two found each other in the NYC nightlife scene to later wed on July 14, 2013. Due to Justin’s heritage, he promoted Latin/Brazilian parties for over 20 years in some of the hottest clubs such as The Tunnel, Palladium, and Limelight just to name a few. And with Monica’s love for the Arts as a former Theater major and TISH NYU graduate, they combined their expertise and produced “The Toca Cielo Party”.

Four times throughout the year, they host a spectacular costume themed party with live drummers, conga players and burlesque dancers uniquely designed to provide a fantasy inspired atmosphere. In addition, they’ve even featured a snake dancer. (Yes! A real live snake). Risque, classy, flamboyant and extravagant – are all words to describe this eclectic vibe of Artists dressed in theatrical attire to unite underneath the umbrella of Afro/Tribal/World House Music and Samba.

Wait! There’s more…

On top of their event reaching its remarkable five year anniversary on the 30th of this May, they’ll also be celebrating the 2nd year opening of their Long Island City, Queens TOCA NYC STORE this Summer.  I know what you’re probably thinking? What else can’t this fabulous couple do? They definitely show and prove that the power of two is the secret to success… as everything they touch multiplies!

Within walking distance near The Socrates Park and The Noguchi Museum in Astoria Queens, lays their vintage shop which is quickly being recognized as the neighborhood’s treasure chest. Due to the couples love for travel, they’ve chosen unique pieces from around the globe that are rare to come by. Thus, with some of the antiques available for sale, it should be easy to find some beautiful gifts for Mother’s and Father’s Day! Below is a small selection of recommended items.

Vegan Drink – Flaco Coquito

If all it takes is one person to make a difference, then imagine what a family can do? Cynthia Sepulveda Caballero, a mother of three, has paved the way for her daughters to inherit greatness as they work closely together, moving and shaking within the Entertainment industry as brand ambassadors of Cynthia’s product “Flaco Coquito – The Skinny Coquito”.

Have you ever noticed the genius marketing skills behind Pepsi commercials as they’d hire only the biggest celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Shakira and Britney Spears just to name a few? Well, in that same concept, Cynthia Sepulveda Caballero, has been making a huge impact in the indie art scene as today’s go-to drink by connecting with several artists! The difference? Is that while Coquito is an alcoholic coconut flavored drink popular within the Caribbean, most of mainstream America is still unfamiliar with it. You see, drinking Coquito is a huge tradition amongst Latino communities, especially around Christmas when relatives show up at your doorstop with a bottle to share. However, the cool thing about Flaco Coquito – The Skinny Coquito, is that it’s the first of its kind to be offered with vegan, organic and low fat options for the purpose of maintaining ones health.

“Flaco Coquito is all about change and innovation,” says Caballero. “We are trendsetting, and we place a high value on maintaining a healthy lifestyle which is why my daughter, Elena Rosa, is the perfect face to represent this company because she’s very conscious of the way she eats and how she lives.”

Speaking of change, while Caballero was pushing Flaco Coquito within the indie art scene, she formed a bond with gypsy soul singer, Edwin Vazquez, whom she worked closely with for a few years. Within that period, Edwin gave her daughter, Elena, vocal lessons while Cynthia managed and booked some of his performances. However, as life would have it, the inevitable occurred when it became time for Cynthia to lay her mother to rest after she passed away just this year.

“Losing a parent is horrible,” says Caballero. “Because it’s still fresh, it still feels unreal to me. There’s times that I wanna call her and then I forget that she’s not here anymore. But then I remember how she wouldn’t want me to wallow. She’d want me to press on. She’d want me to be happy.”

Ancestors of Art – Michael Casiano

ANCESTORS OF ART – The Taino Way

Michael Casiano’s first oil painting was the astrological sign’s “Aries Ram” back in 1990. It suits this Spring baby perfectly because his birthday is April 12th – the perfect date to enter the world as a predestined painter. If anyone understands numerology (the science of the soul) as much as the horoscope, then that means that he vibrates off of the number 3 which is all about shapes and colors. Nevertheless, this Artist, (born of Puerto Rican descent in Sunset Park, Brooklyn) draws his inspiration from his cultural ancestors with an appreciation for the spirit realms as the Native Americans and Taino Indians did.

In an era where new age philosophy is spreading across the globe, more and more people are embracing spiritual consciousness in various ways whether it’s through reading self-help books, traveling overseas to expand their horizons, and/or practicing meditation amongst other healthy activities. For Michael Casiano, his way of reawakening his ‘higher self’ is by returning to the canvas with a paint brush in hand after taking a fifteen year hiatus. Like food for the soul, his passion for painting reconnects him to a vital life force that makes him feel more purposeful through the positive messages that they convey. Furthermore, his talent has attracted opportunities for him to share his work at numerous art exhibits, galleries, and even perform live paintings at The Louie Vega Dance Ritual Annual Boat Ride, and WEPA NYC curated by Joann Jimenez & Antonio Ocasio where folks celebrate their heritage through music, drumming and dance.

As Michael Casiano embarks on such a vibrant path within the Arts community, we decided to give him a Q&A for everyone to see why his passion is so conducive to his well being – and maybe even yours!

INNER VIBRATIONS MAGAZINE: How do you believe Art influences the observer? And how do you want your specific Art to influence or inspire?

MICHAEL CASIANO: Many of my pieces have spoken to the buyers and observers who had amazing thoughts to share and some happened to be Artists themselves. I try to inspire those who are creatively talented by encouraging them to never stop and to just “keep creating” as it was told to me; Artist to Artist. My goal has always been to inspire people through my creations and that is why I share my work with the world, hoping that they are able to feel, understand and see my true spiritual vision.

INNER VIBRATIONS MAGAZINE: Describe one of your most spiritual pieces? What is the name of it? And what inspired you to paint/create it?

Dj Ace House Nation – House Music Veteran

DJ Ace House Nation

“The joy that comes out of me is unbelievable when I’m spinning records,” says DJ Ace House Nation, Host of ‘The Cookie Jar Show’ on www.prepartyradio.com. “I like to make people dance, and when I’m playing music in a club, I recycle the energy that people give me and return it back to them ten fold.”

This is just one of the many positive statements coming from a house-head in the house music community. In case you’re wondering what “house” is, it’s a genre of music (mixed with Afrocentric, Latin, and European rhythms) that fall under the umbrella of world wide ‘Dance Music’. In fact, every time an American mainstream song hits billboard charts, (from stars like Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Mariah Carey) they’re label reps will call a house music producer to make remix versions in order to reach more audiences. Yep! That’s right! Even the biggest, most famous and richest stars have turned to house music to keep their buzz alive! As this trend grew more popular, mainstream decided to just put out dance records all together, which is why we have Rhianna, Katey Perry and others. Yet still, the deep, soulful, house music singers with original house music are still being played worldwide although they do not have the funding that goes along with the larger record label corporations such as SONY MUSIC, etc.

Nevertheless, it’s Dj’s like Ace House Nation who keep the original genre alive and has been doing so since the 1970’s.  For those who don’t know, house music derived from the disco days, back when Dj Ace House Nation was better known as Dj Crazy Ace, battling other Dj’s and dancers in schoolyards of the L.E.S. “Back then, we referred to battling someone on the dance floor as ‘burning them out’,” says Dj Ace.

As a teen, Dj Ace taught himself how to Dee jay with his older brother and dear friend, Hector Cruz, (who passed on from diabetes in 2006). In honor of Hector, Ace decided to rename himself “Dj Ace House Nation” because Hector called himself “House Nation.” And there we have it again – the name “House”.

“I’ve seen people cry on the dance floor”, says the 49 year old Dj Ace House Nation. “I’ve seen them smile, I’ve heard them chant, and I’ve witnessed them catch a spirit. When I play house music, I can tell by the way they’re dancing, that it’s therapy for the soul. The rhythms and sounds get them dancing in a way that becomes a healthy exercise, pumping their heart and making their blood flow faster. If there were any mental or physical blocks before, house music definitely releases their stress and restores joy.”

Whether or not you’re already a house head, check out the station, PreParty Radio, that plays house music to a world wide audience. Not just because it’s on the web, but because they truly do have a following in places such as Amsterdam, Spain, Tokyo, Italy, Thailand, L.A., NY, Chicago and more. To hear Dj Ace House Nation on “The Cookie Jar Show”, click on www.prepartyradio.com every Thursday  from 6PM – 9PM

The 49 year old Veteran house head DJ ACE HOUSE NATION (Host of ‘The Cookie Jar Show’ on www.prepartyradio.com) talks about his love for house music, and why this musical genre is therapy for the soul!

Tune in every Thursday from 6PM – 9PM Special extended listening session every LAST Thursday of the month from 6PM – 1:00AM

“The Hair Klinik” Founder Mevelin Camacho

“What you put inside of your body shows”, says Mevelin Camacho (Founder of The Hair Klinik).  “Your pores are absorbing all of the chemicals which changes your aura and energy field. This is why my products are completely organic.”

Without an excessive amount of ingredients, her line mainly uses cinnamon, honey and coconut oil (and more) that offers hydration, shine, and hair growth. Speaking for myself, I was pleasantly surprised after using the Organic Shea Butter Renewal Mask: For Extreme Hair Repair because it softened the dryness in my hair. I’m one of those “I can’t live without my hot iron to smooth out the frizzes”, but as we all know, hot irons cause some of the most damage to the hair. Someone even joked about me having to shave my head bald so I can begin again by growing out my natural hair… well… to be honest… It was my little sister who said to, because she had no fear in shaming me in that annoying yet lovingly sisterly way. But thank god for this mask because it’s truly a miracle in a jar!

Flower Infused Bath

Are you a struggling Artist who dreams of purchasing frequent spa treatments but realize that when spending approximately $150 per service, it breaks your pockets? Especially if you want to experience those services at least once a week or once a month, as oppose to being treated once a year? Well, here’s an idea!

We know how expensive investing into professional head shots, wardrobe, and websites can be, especially when most performance bookings are unpaid gigs that promise great exposure and serve as just another resume booster. But fear not; you can still afford the good life! Here’s how: Buy YOURSELF a bouquet of flowers for approximately $20 and just throw them into your own bath tub. (For extra pampering, spill some essential oil into the tub as well) It cuts cost dramatically, plus you don’t have to rush because there’s no appointment! You take the flower infused bath whenever you want to, for as long as you want to, in the comfort of your own home. Here’s how you’ll benefit:

VH1’s “Dating Naked” Reality TV Star Q&A

The month of February is filled with romantic themes everywhere we turn. Cupid’s arrow finds us in chic flicks, love stories, hallmark cards and of course – the radio! With endless ‘love song’ countdowns for Valentine’s Day, how can we not think of the ones we love… or the ones who got away?

VH1’s hit reality TV show, DATING NAKED, staged an atmosphere of game contestants looking for love on an island while completely naked. No, not in bikini’s or swim shorts, but completely and utterly bare buck-ass naked! Of course the idea was to attract higher ratings, but to me it seems a little bit deeper than that. In a generation that has been over saturated with hiding our flaws through cosmetics, plastic surgery, photo shopping, hair extensions, special bra’s and body suits, I think it’s admirable to go on a date purely nude. It’s saying, “Take me as I am. Because I’m not going to pretend.”