A plethora of loss and a weird collabo from Converse is what MXDWN has to offer you this week. As time presses on, tragedy strikes and all we can do is sit back and take it.
So, you think maybe you’ll forget your troubles and attend the Sunset Junction Street Fair, only to find that in its 31st year, it has been cancelled! Let us say it has not been the best of weeks.
Due to unpaid city fees, the organizers of the 31st annual Sunset Junction Street Fair have reached a major bump in the road. The Los Angeles Board of Public Works has denied permits due to outstanding fees of almost $400,000 incurred from last year’s event.
In a 3-to-1 vote, the Board finally decided after a morning of deliberating that the fair’s founder, Michael McKinley needs to pay up. Because of his outstanding fees owed, this year’s fair has been cancelled. McKinley has not denied the outstanding fees, but has expressed concern as to how the fees were calculated.
Amy Winehouse’s family has released the results from the late singer’s toxicology tests, which revealed that no illegal drugs were in Winehouse’s system at the time of her death. Although the tests showed the presence of alcohol, it is still unknown if it was her primary cause of death.
It was previously suspected that Winehouse passed away from alcohol withdrawal, although there is no conclusive evidence in the final tests. Her cause of death is still unknown at this point, and a full investigation of the matter is to commence in October.
As time has elapsed, another victim of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse has passed away from her injury complications. After being removed from life support Monday, 24 year-old Meagan Toothman from Cincinnati, Ohio died from severe injuries caused by the recent stage collapse, only minutes before Sugarland was to perform. She was put into a medically induced coma August 15, until her family made the decision to take her off of life support and donate her intact organs to those in need. Toothman is one of seven victims who died in last week’s stage collapse.
The legendary Motown producer and writer, Nick Ashford, passed away this week from complications due to throat cancer, at the age of 70. Contributing to famous Motown hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Ashford was certainly a prominent songwriter and producer.
Having worked with Diana Ross on several tracks, Ashford climbed the ladder of success, eventually hitting it big when Ray Charles covered the track, “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” that he and his wife, Valerie Simpson, wrote. Ashford worked on the Motown label until 1973, moving on to work with other famous artists like Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan.
Andrew W.K, Matt & Kim, and Soulja Boy have formed a weird collaboration through Converse for the track, “I’m a Goner.” The video and free download of the song can be found on Converse’s blog. The video features a rock-out in a morgue, and all 4 artists have odd and somewhat humorous injuries that landed them in the morgue (e.g. Soulja Boy was frozen?). The track is upbeat and snappy, reportedly described as an “end-of-summer anthem.” Matt and Andrew W.K. lead with vocals while Soulja Boy provides the rapping and Kim drums. Check it out!
Unplugging in Brief:
Sunset Junction Canceled Over Unpaid Fees– The Los Angeles Board of Public Works has denied permits due to outstanding fees of almost $400,000 incurred from last year’s event.
Amy Winehouse Toxicology Results– No illegal drugs were found in the late singer’s system. What this means? More inconclusiveness.
Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse Claims Seventh Victim, Meagan Toothman, 24– The seventh victim to die in the stage collapse passed away due to her severe injuries after being taken off life support.
Nick Ashford, Legendary Motown Writer/Producer, Passes Away at 70 – The mind behind great Motown hits died in Manhattan due to complications from throat cancer.
Hear “I’m A Goner,” a Collaboration Featuring Andrew WK, Matt & Kim and Soulja Boy– Via Converse, the collaboration has made, “I’m a Goner.” Download the track for free and watch the video on the Converse blog.
