My pop-culture mind is gushing with glam in light of the much anticipated remake of The Great Gatsby. Truth be told, I may actually be gushing for the fact that Baz Luhrmann is at the helm. Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, seriously the term epic is an understatement for this man (at least I think so). What more, is his equally epic soundtracks which have become a staple of Luhrmann films. Dropping today, the overly hyped soundtrack of his latest film is now gloriously in our lives. Often enough, Luhrmann has used this crafted “fine-tuned” story-telling additive to each film, giving extraordinary of-the-now relevance. Jay Z, Florence and The Machine, and Beyonce covering Winehouse, again epic is an understatement.

In the past few days I have been power re-reading the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic trying to give my own imagination a shot of out-doing Luhrmann’s. Which I know come this friday will possibly be an epic-fail on my part. The music however has already encapsulated me in world of Art Deco merely lacking the income of Mr. Gatsby. The overly indulgent and overwhelming visual delusions I have had right here in my local cafe have only grown now with my iPod perfectly synced.

For as young as I can remember, I have oddly been attached to films and their soundtracks no matter their genre. I remember being transported to middle of nowhere America with Oh Brother Where Art Thou, to the sands of the east coast with Beaches, and a digital frontier with TRON.

Some of the best moments in film came from their marriage with the soundtrack. Whitney Houston’s Body Guard, really, need I say more! So as these tracks yet again transport me into a make believe world, I tapped local Music blogger Nicole Crane, Flannel Friction, to join me in a musical tour of Gatsby.

In a part two Q&A with Nicole, I ask, was the hype all worth it? Is the marriage of music and movie a good one? Our CoversaSean lead to a great discussion on the new soundtrack, some of our past favorites, even motivating us to master mind our own track list creations.

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Local graphic designer Cody Amos has had quite the artful life in the city. I share a very dear relationship with Cody. Our personal  friendship as spanned over five years, and our evolution in our crafts were shared while attending the Art Institute of Dallas. Both of us members of the graduating class of 2009. Cody and I also share something else, or rather a special someone. Silver screen Starlet Arami Carrales is the long-time girlfriend  of this local art marvel. His talents have grown far outside the box, post college, even surprising  this fellow classmate.  His artful tools now include engineering,  accessory design, and product development.  However, don’t let these technical titles fool you, Cody’s artful aesthetics are shinning through each innovative product presented. Our talk on graphic artists now becoming big names in product design, not mention fashion, lead to a discussion of innovative ideas. Today, we chat all about his creative process, his passion for the outdoors, and a very special project in the works that will for sure spark the innovative artist in all of us In The City.  Continue reading →

After nearly two years as Social Media Director as well as reporter at DFW Style Daily , I’m perhaps a tad overly thrilled to feature a role model for today’s ConversaSEAN.

I chatted with Lisa Petty, Editor-in-Chief of DFW Style Daily, who is no stranger to Sean In The City. This, in fact, marks her third appearance. As a contributor, I owe my first media/reporting job to Lisa. Words really can’t explain the many mentored lessons I have experienced under her leadership. From tweaking my journalistic instinct to mastering interviews and on-site reporting, my job has reached a max feeling of fulfillment.

My obsession of discovery was also a fine tuned tool learned on the job, a tool that last week I applied to “The Boss.” Truth be told, I have at times wondered what drives her, what sparks her interest, and what led her to create a publication with a new media edge. Last week, our team reached a milestone: publishing one thousand pieces of original content. This milestone, I felt, was perfect grounds to break out my tool of discovery, and find out the back-story of a person that has become among one of my dearest mentors.

So, I present my sit-down with Lisa Petty. Read on as she talks all about what taught her courage, what inspires her, and what DFW Style Daily has in store post the milestone moment. Lisa also hints on a big project in the works set for, the now On-Hiatus, Fashion’s Night Out.

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Well for starters, I have to say that words can’t describe the fun I had with this music edition of Sean In The City. Chatting over coffee with iTunes at the ready, Nicole Crane opened my eyes to the diverse and unique  music scene right here in Dallas. She is also to blame for sparking a Stevie Nicks moment, now turned obsession, right on my iPod. The Starbucks on Caruth Haven/ Greenville was jamming while our rock-steady chat took place.

Today,  Straight off the SXSW “band wagon” Nicole brings a bit of groove to the blog with her all access pass insight worthy of a Steve Nicks fan base. A music enthusiast doesn’t begin to tell about Nicole’s presence in the Dallas scene. With her Blog, Flannel Friction, she declares to the world her music filled life.  Plus, her studious background  in voice and musical performance labels Nicole as a music pro far from just groupie-dom. Her knowledge of the industry leads her to explore multiple genres dissecting every sound and every lyric. To add, being part of the Dallas Observer’s street team  gets her into some of Dallas’ can’t-miss shows, perhaps Perks worthy of a Wallflower (A must-pun moment). My ConversaSEAN  with this musical maven  made me listen a little more carefully and of course Jam a little harder. Perhaps even awakening my inner white-winged dove.

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