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amy winehouse

A Survey of Heroin Media Coverage Surrounding Hoffman’s Death

by Jessica Klein

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Manhattan Digest
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Manhattan Digest
Credit to: TVWeek

 

There’s been plenty of recent media coverage surrounding the tragic, drug-related death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Found with a syringe in his arm next to packets of heroin, the award-winning actor had been known by some to struggle with drug addiction. Since Hoffman had won the hearts of numerous fans over his distinguished career in the spotlight, it’s no wonder that the circumstances of his death received such public attention.

However, it’s interesting to read how various news platforms report on the drug implicated in Hoffman’s death. Much of the attention has shifted to Robert Vineburg, Hoffman’s alleged dealer who, according to a “TMZ exclusive,” also used the drug with the late musician Amy Winehouse and artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Reports like these, many of which site TMZ as their source, focus on Vineburg’s association with the heroin-using celebrities. This small glimpse into the world of a drug that gets relatively little media coverage these days in New York may spark the curiosity of some readers (or leave them with the misguided impression that only the rich and famous artists of the city are addicted to heroin).

Interestingly, a report on a recent drug bust in the Bronx might help to support that (false) notion. ABC News published a story earlier this month about heroin mills “located behind the doors of New York homes, which authorities say are a sign of a well-oiled distribution network that caters to more mainstream, middle- and upper-class customers like the Oscar-winning Hoffman.”

The keyword here is still “Hoffman.” That particular article about the bust only went up after Hoffman’s death, even though the $8 million dollar seizure of heroin in the city happened days before. Of course, it often takes popular figures like entertainment celebrities to help draw public attention to longstanding issues. A New York Times’ headline exemplifies this practice, noting, “Hoffman’s Heroin Points to Serge in Grim Trade.”

But is this really a “serge” or just a downpour of coverage falling from the storm of the beloved actor’s death? The aforementioned Times article cites Health Department statistics that indicate an increase of heroin-related deaths in the five boroughs between 2010 and 2012 but admits that the exceptionally high rate of Staten Island’s OD deaths have no “established connection” to those stats. The Times reports elsewhere that opioid-related deaths actually quadrupled in Staten Island during a period from 2005 to 2011, when it decreased overall throughout the five boroughs.

Regardless, heroin hasn’t been a major media presence for some time now and seems to have made a major comeback in the wake of Hoffman’s death. Articles have been cropping up regarding youth’s use of the drug from Staten to Long Island. Even Oregon news outlets have hopped on, releasing Portland’s relevant statistics earlier this month.

To be fair, many news platforms did pick up on the major Bronx bust before the renowned actor’s death. But would we still be reading about heroin-addicted teens in Long Island on CNN just days after if not for Hoffman? Honestly, it’s hard to say.

Filed Under: OPINION Tagged With: amy winehouse, heroin, manhattan digest, phillip seymour hoffman, robert vineburg, tmz

My exclusive with Long Island’s very own Kayla Stockert!

by Ryan Shea

Credit to: Reverb Nation
Credit to: Reverb Nation

 

Kayla Stockert is your typical 16 year old girl from Long Island with a really unique twist.  She is poised to be a big star in the music industry by doing a modern take on retro-pop music.  Working with the likes of other Long Island natives like the Como Brothers band, she drives her inspirations from artists as wide ranged as Freddie Mercury to Taylor Swift, Connie Francis to Lady Gaga.  You can’t get more open than that?  Yet she does it in a simple yet extraordinary way that keeps people at the forefront of their minds.  I recently sat down with this talented girl to discuss her life so far and what she hopes for in her musical career.  Oh, and a duet with Elvis.  Yup. Check it out.

How old were you when you decided you wanted to take music seriously?

I was about 9 years old.  I used to do covers and stuff and then I started writing my music, and I developed a passion for it.  It was about a year later that I decided to take it seriously and here I am today.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Amy Winehouse definitely, I love her retro-style.  Then I have a bunch of ones from older generations like Frankie Lymon and Connie Francis and Leslie Gore and all those kinds of people.

How would you describe your sound for me?

I think I have a retro-pop sound, and definitely unique sounding.  I can’t really be sounding like anyone else at this point and time based on the material I put out.

You play Piano and Guitar.  How long did it take you to master those?

Well I haven’t mastered them quite yet.  I only play chords right now.  I started playing them when I was 12 and everyday coming home from school and sitting down at the piano or with my guitar.  For me, everyday it is something new that I learn, can’t ever learn too much you know?

Who do you get comparisons to the most?

I know that I get told I look like Taylor Swift, I don’t really see that.  I’ve been told I sound like her a little bit.  Others say Amy Winehouse, some say Miley Cyrus, I don’t know.  People see different kinds of sounds that I don’t really see. It’s cool that people think you sound like other people.

You have worked with The Como Brothers Band in the past.  What was that experience like?

It was good.  I went to them and asked if they wanted to be my musicians and help me out with certain shows and stuff. They agreed, and wanted me to show them some songs and we can help you.  I showed them my song “Don’t Go Messing”, and we collaborated on it and it turned out great.  Overall it was a really great experience.

Favorite song you have recorded and why?

I definitely think it is some of my newer songs off of the EP.  I really like the song “What They Say” off of the new EP because I remember in the recording studio we had a lot of harmonies and it was really fun so if I had to choose one it would be that.

Tell me about the new EP and other things you have planned.

I definitely want to come out with a full length album as the EP is only three songs.  I also want to keep writing and practicing my guitar and piano and really honing in on my craft.

Who would you love to do a duet with, dead or alive?

Hmmm.  I would go with Elvis Presley because he is a huge music legend.  I think it would be a really cool thing do it a duet with him.

What is the one thing you want your fans and readers to know about you?

That I am a real person and I don’t strive to be perfect.  I am unique and have my own little unique kind of style and always want to stay true to who I am.

Be sure to check out her new EP and everything Kayla by going onto her site and seeing more.

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC Tagged With: amy winehouse, como brothers band, connie francis, elvis, elvis presley, frankie lymon, lady gaga, long island, miley cyrus, retro, retro pop, Taylor Swift

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