Biom - Save Your Plants!

As city dwellers, we often seek out the greener places, either by settling down in a park or heading out to the countryside for some fresh air. Not having the habit of constant gardening, we (us, at least) also don’t have ideal conditions, since our small apartments are limited in space and light. Plus, while our thumbs might be many different colors, they are not usually green. 

Still Human, a Parisian start-up, aims to change that by creating a smart, beautifully designed and practical solution called Biom. Biom is essentially a round pot for your plant that you can set on the railings or edges of your window. Sensors inside measure the four primary factors: water, temperature, fertilizer, and light. 

What we like: It’s so hard to know how much water to give a plant, not enough and the plant dies. Too much and the plant dies! Wondering if a certain window gets enough light for your plant? Does the plant get too hot? Does the cold risk taking it out? What was once a question of intuition is now scientifically verified. Of all the tech happening inside the Biom, all you see is a light that flashes different colors when your plant needs attention. 

Bonus points: The smartphone app can alert you when your plant needs attention when you aren’t home, it also lets you choose between different plants because, of course, all plant species are different. Oh yeah, the rounded design fits so wall with horizontal lines (like guard rails), and helps to break up the monotony of window after window after window…. 

The early bird specials are still available on Kickstarter, with the super early bird going for only 30 euro. If you drag your feet you can still get one for 50 euro, or a duo for 80 euro (because two look better than one!). Think of how much money you’ll save not having to buy a new plant every two weeks! 17 days to go, so get to it! 

Track of the Weekend #141: Years & Years - “Ties”

The grass in the fields is brittle. The sunshine pours down daily. It’s been a dry summer here in northern France, and the city of light has been the city of heat. Few acts right now are hotter than the temperatures here, but one that’s unquestionably on fire is Years & Years, an English electro-R&B group that has been steadily infiltrating the airwaves. The trio’s latest single, “Ties” capitalizes on their now-famous style: a seductive voice, expertly-constructed melodies, and some of the catchiest lyrics this side of Disney. No wonder “Ties” was the hottest track on Whyd this week. And their album “Communion” is rapidly on pace to become one of the biggest of 2015. 

The Power of Music, Exploring Feelings, and International Love - The Grand Bain Interview

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The sunshine blazed across a clear sky when I arrived at the Mama Shelter, one of Paris’s trendiest locales. In the mid-afternoon heat everything moves slower, even the servers who polish knives and the few patrons who sip Perrier through black straws. I’m here to meet Erica and Jules, who make up Grand Bain. As we start talking their message hits home for me. Erica, an American, and Jules, a Frenchman, creating art together. And not just music, it’s a story of intercontinental love. 

Erica was always passionate about culture and music, focusing on history and French when she studied at UCLA. Her passion for France brought her here to Paris, where she worked as a cook in a top restaurant. 

Jules was brought up in a musical family, his father being a musician, and he had been involved in many projects throughout his lifetime. It was during the time that he was working on a new wave project that they sought a singer. 

Erica was also looking to get involved with a musical project. She had been writing songs but was hoping to find something more. Calling her roots more “soul” than their current music, her background is more musical theater, soul, and R&B. Despite the potential mismatch, she auditioned for Jules’s old group, and they immediately got along. 

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That old new wave group did not share the same fate however. Soon after the group dissolved, and Jules and Erica struck out together under the new name, Grand Bain, in early 2014. 

Jules’s father has a studio, and Jules works as a sound engineer, two great advantages for an emerging group to get music out to the grand public. Both Erica and Jules consider themselves perfectionists, so it understandably took a while before they had something they were confident enough to share. There was one thing they were sure enough about though, each other. They recently got married here in Paris. 

The result of their partnership are three tracks currently available on Soundcloud (my personal favorite being the catchy and powerful “No Country”). They have put the finishing touches on their first EP, to be released sometime in the fall, preceded by their first single and music video which will come out in September. 

Jules describes their musical creation as “starting with lyrics, melody/chords, whereas before it was rhythms.” What’s important is to identify cool potential, recognize the beginning of inspiration when it strikes. If it’s not there, you wait. They often go to Burgundy to work on their music together, to take a break from city life. 

Not limiting themselves to constantly creating new sounds, they also take bits of older music and re-purpose those songs. Erica said that their upcoming single is actually the first song they co-wrote together. It sat on the sidelines for a while before they came back to it. 

Their music could be classified as sad, but Erica’s sunny philosophy changes what that might mean to some people. “I don’t believe that people are sad. Sad things happen to people. The important thing is to not hide it or let it fester. Release it.” 

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If they could open for any group touring right now, they don’t hesitate when they both said Arcade Fire. They also mentioned Interpol as an inspiration. One listen to “Leonie’s Dream” will confirm that. If there is one driving theme for Grand Bain as musicians, it’s to be powerful. Explore feelings, don’t run from them. 

Now that they have a nearly-finished EP and have started working on songs for a full-length album, they are looking to make the move across the world to Los Angeles. Since they sing in English, it makes sense to reach a wider audience who can appreciate the music more quickly. They will be looking for a manager and a way to get set up there. 

In the meantime, you can still catch Grand Bain here in Paris, they play tomorrow night at Le Motel and the big release party is October 9th at the Bus Palladium. 

Track of the Weekend #140: Collarbones - “Turning” (Flume Remix)

Summer is in full swing and offices are already a little less crowded as people head off to the world’s destinations. This week, the Whyd community turned its ears towards the land down under, where Whyd favorite Flume just released a remix of a different Australian duo: Collarbones. “Turning” is resonant and powerful. The voice is reminiscent of Years & Years. The melody attracts and captivates. But then Flume adds depth. He boosts the original track deep into house territory, all of it climaxing into a heady blast of turn-it-up electronica. 

Thanks to Louis de Sentenac for getting it to us!  

Saent - A Focus Button Designed To Help You Do More

From the constant buzzing and ringing of your smartphone to the never-ending notifications from social media to the billions of websites and videos available at your fingertips (including awesome blogs about music and tech), it’s easy to sympathize with the person who says “I can’t seem to get anything done.” There are simply too many distractions in our modern, connected lives. Luckily for us, the makers of Saent have done something about it, in the easiest possible way. 

Saent is a button that you place on your desk when you are working. Once you press the button, Saent’s software locks you into the pre-approved apps and programs that you need to use to work. In this remarkable way, it actually blocks you from distraction, by preventing you from clicking that link to 28 things only Parisians will understand, or from stalking your ex on Facebook for the third time today.  

What we like: The design is so simply and small, it invites a touch. Press it to start a scientifically-calibrated focus session. Plus the little blue light is an indicator to your co-workers (or anyone else that might be sharing a space with you) that you are in the middle of a focus session and that you can’t be distracted. It’s small size makes it portable so you can have a focus session no matter where you are working from on any given day. 

Bonus points: Sometimes working hard can be a reward in itself, but - let’s be honest - sometimes it sucks. Saent has a system that rewards you for completing focus sessions. You can track your progress in the dashboard, and see if you are focusing more or less than your friends. You know who else you might want to impress with your stats? Your boss. 

The early bird specials are already sold out, but for just $39 you can get your own Saent and one year of its premium software. Seems like a small price to pay for vastly increased productivity. The project has raised over $10K in two days on Indiegogo. Get there quick! 

Tomorrow’s Talent, Waterfalls + a Big Music Festival, Welcome to Cabaret Frappé

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All images courtesy Cabaret Frappé Facebook page.

Hello! Can you introduce yourselves, who is behind the Cabaret Frappé in Grenoble? Is that a Starbucks drink?

Nope. It’s a pure European blended musical event organised by Grenoble city. The festival, 70% funded by the regional government, offers 3 stages and various activities during 6 days. More than half of the events remain free. Only some shows are paid, at a really affordable price.

How long has the Cabaret Frappé been going on for?

The Cabaret Frappé is already going to celebrate his 17th birthday. This year, beside the must-see festival in the garden, the festival also features brass band performances in the city train station, and will have a free concert on the Bastille, a fort on the top of a hill, offering a breath-taking view over the city. To finish, the Cabaret Frappé offers an after party in a legendary concert hall : Le Ciel.

Is the end of July a good time to visit Grenoble?

We can definitely say that the end of July is a good time to visit Grenoble, in order to enjoy the area, surrounded by three wonderful mountain ranges. The mountain is also an amazing natural place to visit outside the winter period. During July, it’s the perfect weather to go around for a walk, and cool down in the lakes and waterfalls of the area. Within Grenoble, you can visit the charming city centre streets and parks, and enjoy many entertainments as well.

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What kind of artists will be performing?

Assuming the role of a pioneer, the Cabaret Frappé is behind many innovative musical discoveries. The festival supports musical creation, and ensures high quality programming. It promotes local and international artists within a large range of diverse music styles.

What’s the vibe like?

The festival mainly takes place in a nice park, in the heart of the city. It brings about 50,000 people during the week. Friends and family gather in this fresh oasis, under the shade of the trees, to enjoy a moment of relaxation ideally suited to discovery. Around the musical program, various activities are freely organized: readings in the Rose Garden, world games, screen printing or free childcare centre for young parents attending paid concerts.

What are you the most proud of about the CF?

We are really happy to give the opportunity to discover today tomorrow’s talent. The Cabaret Frappé attaches great importance to promote emerging artists and showcase their performance in front of a large public.

Track of the Weekend #139: Kendrick Lamar - “Alright”

Is “AlrightKendrick Lamar’s most political song? It does fit perfectly well into America’s modern narrative of black vs. police. One thing is for sure, it’s another visceral experience whose music video is a visual masterpiece featuring Kendrick flying through the streets and rapping atop streetlights before getting shot by a white cop. It’s the latest in his string of hits off of “To Pimp A Butterfly” confirming what we thought all along: 2015 is the year of Kendrick Lamar. 

Thanks to Dans Ton Casque for getting this one to us! 

New App + Paper: The GreenRoom Family Grows!

When the temperatures soar above 40ºC (+100ºF) like we’ve been having this week here in Paris, there are few things better than an ice cold Heineken, the emblematic beer in a green bottle with a red star that’s available in even more places than Coca Cola (well, maybe, don’t quote us on that). But Heineken is not just cool temperature-wise, they have also been a leading source of inspiration and they are very deep into music culture. They did, after all, create GreenRoom, which is an awesome source for the latest trending news, especially for music. 

We read GreenRoom’s posts all the times, from their music services comparisons, to insider Game of Thrones updates. The unique style and voice works perfectly (if you speak French!). And they have shared nothing but good music on their Whyd page since almost the very conception of Whyd. Mad respect. 

Now their offering grows, as they have just released a very slick app - My Greenroom - which lets you download their articles for offline viewing. You can also see top lists of the most read articles, and see the articles that your friends have liked, to make sure that you can know what Marie Robin has been reading! 

They are also releasing a mix between a magazine and book called “Festival Mon Amour” in collaboration with Snatch magazine. The publication is a limited edition featuring the world of music festivals. You can pick up a copy at places like Collette, Palais de Tokyo, la Gaité Lyrique, and Mama Shelter. 

A New Column for the Whyd Blog: Home Tech, starting with Aumi, The Smart Nightlight!

If you’ve been following us in the recent months you know that we’ve announced interesting things to come from Whyd. We are passionate about connected design, IoT, and everything that makes home living not only easier, but more aesthetic and emotional. In our research we stumble upon tons of interesting projects launching on crowd-funding sites around the world. They are created by brilliant minds who need as much support as possible to make their dreams into reality. It would be a crime not to share them with our trendy community of creative music lovers, since we have a hunch that you are into technology as much as we are. It’s part of the modern lifestyle. 

Crowd-funding has changed the paradigm of the way products are created. In this new column of the Whyd Blog, we will be presenting you with the coolest products we can find that combine technology and the home in an aesthetic way – exploring things like new interfaces, increased autonomy, and more functionalities – always with an eye for design. 

If you find any gems yourself, please send them to us! 

- Never stop jamming! 

Let’s start off with a simple idea that was maximized to its full potential. Introducing Aumi, a smart, blue-tooth connected nightlight that you can control either with an app or directly on the device through a unique touch interface. You can select from millions of different colors, control intensity, and set timers. A built-in battery keeps it on when the power goes out, and it doesn’t block a second plug! 

What we like: The combination of touch control and app. It’s not always easy to find your phone, type in your code, and open an app (which is hidden in a folder four home screens away), especially when it’s something as simple as turning the brightness down or up. Being able to control the Aumi on the device is a big plus. 

Bonus points: The design. It’s simple, elegant, and minimal. The rounded design invites you to touch it, and gives you a very intuitive way to do that, but the familiar dial function. 

There are already almost 1000 backers, and it has surpassed its goal already! The early bird specials are already sold out, but you can still get one Aumi if you back $35 on Kickstarter. 

Track of the Weekend #138: Isaac Delusion - “How Much You Want Her”

Heat wave’s a-coming here to northern France and the city of light is set to become the city of swelter. Skirts flutter in the hot breeze and sweat drips from brows. Perfect time to enjoy the icy goodness of a mojito on a terrace while listening to some dreamy music. An ideal song for this situation is Isaac Delusion’s new single “How Much You Want Her” that just dropped this week on Microqlima. You already know Isaac Delusion from our Whyd interview, and their two previous tracks of the weekend. This track is a clear development for them, the voice flying high like a satellite in low-Earth orbit, the rhythm and guitar teasing and building, and one of the best choruses we’ve heard all year.