As many of you know I started working for Storenvy back in October focusing on Community Management & Special Ops. Part of my job has been to help recruit as many new kick ass stores as possible. While on my quest I started seeing some recurring myths surrounding what is possible when using Storenvy as your storefront. People don’t realize just how awesome Storenvy really is. So rather than let these un-truths keep you from setting up an awesome store, I figured it was time to go myth busting!

MYTH: Since Storenvy is free it must be lacking some features.
FACT: Setting up and running a blog is free, so why should setting up a store be any different? We have all heard the saying “you get what you pay for” and while I usually agree with you, this is simply not the case with Storenvy. Storenvy is simple but powerful and even has a lot of features the other guys don’t have. Unlimited products, built in analytics, full customization, discount codes, easy order management, the ability to upload five images per product and a Facebook integrated store, consider this myth busted. Just because Storenvy doesn’t charge you, doesn’t mean that it’s not just as good or better than the other guys that are taking your money every month.

MYTH: Storenvy isn’t as customizable as ______.
FACT: Storenvy gives you the ability to completely customize the CSS, HTML and Javascript for your store giving you the opportunity to make your store truly your own. We absolutely love it when a store takes the reigns and completely redesigns their store.

Here are some great examples of storefronts that have taken it upon themselves to completely customize their storefront and even built their store directly into their existing website.

lilchiefrecords.storenvy.com

store.cureapparelco.com

capitlclothing.storenvy.com

shopwalkinlove.storenvy.com

MYTH: Since Storenvy is free there must be a catch or trick.
FACT: No tricks here! We truly believe that opening a store should be free just like setting up a blog. Now of course, we have a few upgrades you can turn off, if you want (custom domains, advanced discount support, etc), but the basic store is totally free with no catch.

MYTH: Customers have to go through the Storenvy Marketplace to get to your store.
FACT: No way! You get your own URL where you can point your shoppers directly to your store. But don’t worry about having to promote all on your own. One of the best parts about Storenvy is that along with your individual storefront all of your products automatically get included in the Storenvy Marketplace. Having your items listed in a marketplace allows customers to find your store when they may have not known you existed if you were on your own. Having your products listed in the Marketplace is a huge bonus of having a store on Storenvy.

MYTH: I can’t use my own domain name.
FACT: Storenvy launched Custom Domain support last year! When you first sign up for a store by default your domain does include .storenvy.com. But if you choose, you can change it to your own .com, .org, .me or whatever other URL you’ve got. This a paid feature that will run you $5.00 a month but for brands looking for that cohesive look it is five bucks well spent.

MYTH: “Setting up a store is going to be hard, right?”
FACT: It doesn’t get any easier than Storenvy. Storenvy was created to make setting up a shop as simple, fun and human as possible. The truth of the matter is most people do not know how to write and customize HTML or CSS and we get that. Each Storenvy store comes with complete with tools to make uploading products and customizing the look of your store as easy as possible. With just a few clicks setting up and launching a store can be done in no time. If you really wanted to hustle through it you could have your store up and ready for taking orders in under ten minutes. No joke.

Hailing from the Bay Area, in California, Troubled Coast has started off the year with a bang in hardcore music. After two decent EPs and a passable full length, Letters, the group has proven their worth with their latest release, and first on Pure Noise Records, I’ve Been Thinking About Leaving You. The EP features a traditional hardcore sound, while bringing many different elements into their vocal approaches.

I’ve Been Thinking About Leaving You starts off with “Patient Hands,” an adequate introduction to Troubled Coast, for those unfamiliar with the band. The song shows off the band’s modern day hardcore sound, while also displaying the group’s clean vocals, an aspect that is not often used in like-sounding bands such as Defeater and Touché Amoré. “Patient Hands” also greatly benefits from guest vocals, courtesy of Matt Vincent (from labelmates The American Scene), whose voice adds a great contrast to the group’s harsh vocals. “I’m Still A Loner, Dottie” provides a more spoken, rather than screamed, approach to the vocals, while remaining heavy musically, a style that works greatly in Troubled Coast’s favor. On “La Jetee,” the clean vocals come across too forced. While Mile’s scream/yell sounds fantastic, and the opening bass line is one of the musical highlights on the EP, the track is by far the weakest link on I’ve Been Thinking About Leaving You. The EP’s six minute closer, “The First Night of the New World,” expands on the spoken style of “I’m Still A Loner, Dottie,” overtop of the strongest musicianship the group has presented, to date, led by Troubled Coast’s powerful guitar work.

Fans of the latest wave of hardcore bands will surely find something to appreciate in Troubled Coast. Whether it is the aggressive musicianship or the desperate sound in the multiple voices heard on the EP, Troubled Coast has proven their place in their scene with this release. After I’ve Been Thinking About Leaving You, it’s hard to deny that Troubled Coast will be one of the most talked about new comers in the hardcore scene this year.

Tracklist:

1. Patient Hands
2. I’m Still A Loner, Dottie
3. La Jetee
4. The First Night of the New World

Rating: 7.5/10

I absolutely love the thought, time and effort that Andrew puts into his brand Lion Caster. With that in mind I highly suggest that you check out the Lion Caster video series and story behind the brand to really get a grasp on what the brand is all about.

To help clear stock Lion Caster is offering their $55 bundle which includes: Pocket Knife, Flask, Handkerchief, Logo T-shirt, and an exclusive letter from The Haberdasher, all inside a cotton drawstring backpack for only $38!

Also anyone who likes the page www.Facebook.com/CastLions and then tags the page in a post will be entered to win a Make Shift First aid Kit which holds some subtle hints inside to the next line.

Check out everything Lion Caster HERE

To kick off the new year the Editions just dropped three brand new designs over two tees and one thermal. Each new tee is hand printed on a new quality extra soft blanks, and from the pictures look fantastic.

All three new designs are available now at: theseeditions.com

Outcry Apparel have just put up a new pre-order on their site outcry-apparel.com for their Deceiver Crewneck. I typically shy away from posting pre-order tees but thought the new design from Outcry looked solid. You can pre-order your tees now for €25.00 HERE

The boys from Regan Smith Clarke have just dropped two new tees and frankly they kick ass. Namely the “Defender of the Saloon” shirt, I am a huge fan of this design. Everything from the typography to the overall design of the axe, is just awesome. I can see axe inspired designs catching some fire this year.

You can pickup both tees right now at www.regansmithclarke.com

Zeniick watches are on a mission to provide watch lovers with a simple, unique and a well-designed watch collection. To raise funds to launch their line they have just put together a Kickstarter program with hopes of raising $5,000. They only have five more days to go and need $1,600 to make their goal.

Funding their project over $20 lands you a Zeniick watch.

Support their mission HERE

Before getting to this list I just wanted to give Brandon Hrywkiw a huge shout out as I basically handed over to him the music section of IATT and he did a great job keeping it updated. Here is his list of his favorite albums of 2011. Some absolute killer picks on there.

1. Touché Amoré – Parting The Sea Between Brightness and Me
2. The Wonder Years – Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing
3. The Story So Far – Under Soil and Dirt
4. Dikembe – Chicago Bowls
5. Childish Gambino – Camp
6. La Dispute – Wildlife
7. Go Radio – Lucky Street
8. Bayside - Killing Time
9. The Dangerous Summer – War Paint
10. Pianos Become The Teeth – The Lack Long After

Mixtapes

After three consistent EPs released in 2011, these pop-punk new comers are currently in the studio recording their first proper full length. Although the label, release date, and album title have yet to be released, there is already a lot of buzz surrounding this release. By the end of 2012, expect these 4 guys (and gal)

In the meantime check out: Maps and Companions

Make Do and Mend

Make Do and Mend released one of the best albums in 2010 with their first full length End Measured Mile. After experimenting with acoustic guitars on their 2011 EP, Part and Parcel, Make Do and Mend will be back to their hardcore punk sound on their Rise Records debut. Expected to be released this summer, this yet-to-be titled follow up gives fans of the new wave of Rise Records signings something to look forward to.

In the meantime check out: End Measured Mile

Silverstein

Silverstein has been around for over ten years. During these ten years, the group has perfected their sound over the course of five albums. This year, these Canucks are throwing that out the window for their release, Short Songs. The record will be comprised of twelve new tracks, and twelve covers of old school punk and hardcore songs. With each track coming in at less than 90 seconds, there is no doubt that Silverstein is going for one of the most innovative releases in their genre. Short Songs is set for release on February 7th, on Hopeless Records.

In the meantime check out: A Shipwreck in The Sand

Daylight

Although Daylight just released their latest EP on January 3rd, the group has plans to release their debut full length on Run For Cover records later this year. The band’s latest offering has shown a transition from a Title Fight-esque sound, to something more similar to Balance and Composure. After four EPs, there is no doubt that fans are eagerly anticipating a full length record from Daylight.

In the meantime check out: The Difference in Good and Bad Dreams

Such Gold

One of the latest additions to Razor and Tie records, Such Gold meshes both pop-punk and hardcore, creating a sound quite similar to The Movielife. The band is two EPs and two splits deep into their discography, and if their four 2011 tracks are any indication of what their debut full length will sound like, Such Gold will be at the top of their scene before 2012 is over. This still untitled release is due out April 10th, wia Razor & Tie.

In the meantime check out: Split with Into It. Over It.

Xerxes

With bands like Touché Amoré, Defeater, and Former Thieves having released full lengths in 2011, Xerxes will be filling the void that those bands have left. These recent No Sleep records signees have a lot of buzz surrounding their first full length. The hardcore scene best be looking out for Xerxes in 2012, because if the bands previous output is any indication, Our Home is a Deathbed will be one of the most destructive releases of 2012. Our Home is a Deathbed will be out March 13th, via No Sleep Records.

In the meantime check out: Twins

Bring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon gained a lot of fans with their 2010 full length, There is A Heaven, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is a Hell, Let’s Keep It A Secret. As one of the most improved bands from their 2006 debut, the next logical progression will likely make Bring Me The Horizon one of the biggest and best bands in the metal genre. Bring Me The Horizon’s upcoming album is expected sometime this fall/winter.

In the meantime check out: There Is A Heaven, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Hell, Let’s Keep It A Secret.

Dikembe

Dikembe released the best EP of 2011. Hands down. With that said, there is a lot of anticipation behind their upcoming album, Broad Shoulders, both from myself and their ever-growing fanbase. Besides a few tracks, not much has been released about Broad Shoulders, but if Chicago Bowls is any indication, this album will end up on many top ten lists come this time next year. Broad Shoulders is expected in early 2012, via Tiny Engines.

In the meantime check out: Chicago Bowls

Say Anything

After mixed reception for their self-titled release in 2009, fans might be sceptical about Say Anything’s upcoming album, Anarchy, My Dear. But after the release of the first single, Burn a Miracle, many fans are back on the Say Anything bandwagon. The track has the same feel to it as the group’s double album, In Defense of The Genre. Anarchy, My Dear is expected to be released in the spring, via Equal Vision records.

In the meantime check out: In Defense of The Genre

The Story So Far

After creating one of the best pop-punk albums of 2011, the Story So Far are already in the studio again. Their 2011 full length, Under Soil and Dirt, received much praise from online forums and reviews alike. No further information has been released on the upcoming release, but fans of the genre eagerly await to hear what the group has in store for the follow up to one of the most buzzed about albums of 2011.

In the meantime check out: Under Soil and Dirt

With what simply seems like a blink of an eye 2011 has come and gone and with it some t-shirts have been released, bought, sold and reviewed! I wanted to take some time to shine a spotlight on some brands that I have really enjoyed over 2011. I also want to take time to once again thank everyone that has followed, supported, contacted, tweeted, advertised, read or interacted in any way with IAMTHETREND this year. You guys all have been absolutely amazing and have made this the biggest year by a landslide IATT has had.

This year IATT received over 800,000 visits and over 3 million page views from over 425,000 unique visitors. On top of that IAMTHETREND TV received over 100,000 views this year! I know a lot of sites absolutely dwarf these stats, but for a blog that I run in my free time I couldn’t be more proud.

Anyways on with the list. Happy 2012!

Favorite Tee of the Year:

I have been a huge fan of UGMONK since Jeff launched the brand back in 2008 when I first laid eyes on the brand. Jeff has been able to keep his brand fresh, consistent and exciting throughout the last three years. Within that time Jeff has also mastered the art of simplicity of design and this has never been more present then his “Minimal” release earlier this year. One of the tees from that release titled “Mountains” simply featured two overlapping blue and red triangles and in my opinion showed off that sometimes the simplest ideas and form are the most beautiful, making it my favorite tee of the year.

Brand of the Year:

Greg absolutely never fails to impress with his vision, love and dedication to his brand MIles to Go. Miles to Go has been a brand that I have loved since day one, but I really feel that 2011 was the year that MTG have really started to spread the wings. From a new logo, revamped website, extremely limited edition releases, brand consistency and vision to the fact that MTG continues to improve with every release Miles to Go truly showed this year what it takes to stand out among the rest. I can’t wait to see what Greg and Miles to Go his in store for 2012.

Honorable Mention: TheVNM, 8 Bit Zombie, Electric Zombie, UGMONK, Fur Face Boy

Most Surprising Release:

Possibly the best kept secret of 2011, Kyle Crawford literally came out of nowhere to drop his new line Grave Takers. Consisting of 43 different products not only did this release completely surprise it delivered. From cut and sew pieces, prints and tees Grave Takers arrived with a nuclear explosion of awesomeness.

Most Helpful Brand:

Kyle from Sugar Steak has to be the most responsive dude I have ever met. Shoot him an email and he responds within five minutes or less! I imagine him walking around with his phone in a belt holster ready to draw on it at any moment! Anyways aside from being extremely responsive Kyle has also been extremely helpful in writing some extremely resourceful articles for indie brands including the art of pre-orders, balancing your brand and life and many others. Needless to say we owe Kyle a huge thank you for taking the time to put those articles together.

Under the Radar:

The Imaginary Zebra is honestly one of those brands that seems to fly right under the radar quietly releasing amazing tees and building a huge following. I absolutely love owner, Benson Chou’s style and he has done an amazing job crafting his brand over the years. More people really need to follow his brand.

Favorite new brands of 2011:

Jake Mize has done a great job this year of building and launching his brand Inkefx. From quality designs, photographs and a fantastic looking website Jake has done an incredible job coming out of the gate swinging this year. If you are into simple straight forward design make sure to give his line a look.

LaMuerta busted onto the scene earlier this year after a bunch of hype leading up to their release and they completely delivered. Working with some of the best illustrators in the biz such as Killer Napkins, Johnny Crap and Mr. Gauky, La Muerta have absolutely turned heads with their designs and look. They have been on pace releasing a new design every month which in turn has made following this brand very exciting.

Sometimes simple is more. When many brands are busy filling up their tees with jumbo prints, intense illustration and inks from every color in the rainbow, COLUS has been content sticking to very bold designs lacking of any color whatsoever. What started originally as only white tees with black ink has recently flipped to black tees with white ink, and personally I am loving it. I am huge fan of how Colus’ designs simply pop off the tees. With a new lower price point you definitely need a few of these tees in your closet.

Honorable Mentions: Blood and Grease, Beneath Rejection, Grave Takers

Biggest Comeback:

Imagine getting ready for a huge craft fair/show to come out to your fan and realize that almost all of your shirt stock and show equipment was stolen from your van, in excess of $9,000. Well that is exactly what happened to David and his brand SEIBEI right before exhibiting at Renegade Craft Fair LA. When some people would throw in the towel, David decided to fight for the brand he has built and launched a Kickstarter to help raise funds to get SEIBEI back up and running. With a goal set of $9,000 to cover his lost goods David managed to raise over $30,000 and get his brand back on track. Truly one of the more inspiring tee stories this year.

Most Improved Brand:

To be perfectly honest when Capitl Clothing launched I wasn’t that impressed with them. I thought they had one solid design in their “Owl Knows All Tee” but other than that there really wasn’t too much there to grab any attention. Fast forward a few months and Capitl Clothing was able to win a photoshoot with photographer Josh Guim, launch a brand new line and launch a custom new website all of which are fantastic. You can definitely tell that Matt is taking growing his brand seriously. I look forward to see where this brand goes in 2012.

Best Rebrand:

Formerly known as Vampire Fur, which to be honest wasn’t one of my favorite brand names of all time. I was a fan of some of their initial released but owner Matt Haydu really ramped up his brand with the Venus Fallen rebrand. He released his best tees to date as well as launched a fantastic looking new website.

Please Release Some New Designs Already!

It has been way too long since both of these brands have released anything new! They are both two of my favorite clothing lines and they have been keeping us waiting way too long! Let’s get on it guys.

Typically when I think coloring books, I am whisked back to Saturday morning cartoons, toys and thoughts of a time when things were much simpler. These thoughts are pretty much the exact opposite of this 48 page coloring book release centered around police brutality!

Well it looks like artist Joe Heaps Nelson wanted to shed some light on the recent wave of excessive force used by the police in U.S. cities. Joe teamed up with 46 other artists including some heavy hitters including Shepard Fairey,

The 46 page project/zine, specifically stated not for kids is available for $12 HERE

I only wish they showed a few pages of the coloring book as it sounds pretty interesting. Let me know if any of you pick one up!