Highlights from last years Shooting Star:

Available 2/1 – 2/7: Cloud Nothings “Stay Useless”

Bratty and disaffected, this new single from Cloud Nothings takes the spirit of late ‘70s punk and power pop and eloquently translates it for 2012. It’s an alternately timeless and modern anthem for lost souls of all ages, brashly spat out by 20-year-old bandleader/wunderkind Dylan Baldi. Intriguingly, we hear that the Cleveland band’s upcoming record, Attack On Memory, was recorded by one of the most legendary producers ever, Steve Albini – one more reason we’re super-excited that it’s finally out!

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X Games practice began mere days after the snow community was faced with the loss of one of its brightest stars. This devastating news left a gaping hole in the hearts of all in attendance. But as the practice days turned into competition days, signs of Sarah began to pop up. At first it was the purple ribbons with “Sarah” hand written on them. Then red “Sarah” stickers and blue “Celebrate Sarah” stickers appeared on helmets, boards, skis and goggle lenses. Next came the white armbands embroidered with her name and a snowflake (a nod to one of her many nicknames). By the evening of the beautiful tribute that ESPN organized in honor of Sarah, reminders of Sarah were everywhere, and it was clear that she was with us and would never be forgotten.

The athletes did not let their grief hold them back, but filled with love for Sarah, they rode strong and surely made her proud. By the weekend finals, white Sarah armbands emblazoned almost every shoulder– from Sarah’s fellow skiers to boardercross racers, and even Shaun White himself– it seems that everyone found strength in Sarah.

In fitting tribute, her close friends and fellow Canadian Olympic freeski teammates won gold in both women’s freeski events with performances that are sure to help further Sarah’s efforts towards getting recognition for women in freeskiing (see Kaya Turski’s mind blowing slopestyle run and Roz Groenewoud’s 14 foot superpipe airs). Fellow Roxy teammate Kjersti Buaas wore a Sarah sticker and armband as she rode her way to a bronze medal in women’s snowboard slopestyle. And snowboarders Kelly Clark, Marc McMorris, Jamie Anderson, and Shaun White all wore the arm band to gold medal victory.

By the end of X Games 16, the armbands, stickers, and ribbons came to symbolize more than just the memory of Sarah, they are a symbol of the bond tying the snow community together. In wearing them we recognize that we are a family until the end. Sarah symbolizes all that draws us to the mountains and to each other: a shared love of snow and the endless possibilities it presents, the exhilaration of learning something new and pushing ourselves, and the ultimate joy of playing in the mountains with those you love.

Available 1/25 – 2/1: Plastic Flowers “Strange Neighbors”

From New York by way of Tallahassee, Florida comes Plastic Flowers, the wonderfully early ’80s-inspired synth pop project of Sean Earl Beard. Taking sonic cues from the genre’s forebearers (Yaz, early Depeche Mode), as well as other luminaries of the age such as Joy Division and The Cure, the haunting music of Plastic Flowers packs a subtle emotional punch…if you listen closely enough. It sounds to us like the perfect accompaniment to a pensive drive on a quiet winter night.

Download here

Today, January 19, 2012, our community lost an icon. Sarah Burke, freeskiing pioneer, six-time X Games gold medalist and beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend passed away. Sarah was truly a legendary athlete, role model and an inspiration. She was everything so many of us aspire to be. Sarah brought worldwide recognition and validation to the sport she so loved. Every ski athlete chosen to represent his or her country at the 2014 Sochi Olympics will feel her influence. Without her, the sport of freeskiing would not be included.

Sarah is a pioneer of her generation. Her life and legacy embody the defining spirit of action sports; a movement of individuals driven to innovate, master and explore the frontier of physical possibility. Sarah’s love of skiing took her life to amazing places. Her accomplishments on skis continue to inspire girls everywhere to believe in themselves and follow their hearts. Her passing is not a cause to pack up our skis, but rather a reason to step-in and ski for Sarah and the dreams that inspired her star to shine. Sarah did so much for females and winter sports during her time with us.

Sarah leaves behind her beloved husband Rory, loving parents Jan and Gordon and her supportive sister Anna.

If you would like to pay tribute to Sarah and honor her memory, donations may be made in her name at www.giveforward.com/sarahburke. We encourage you to share this link with others who have been touched by Sarah.

***PLEASE be patient with the www.giveforward.com/sarahburke site. Due to high traffic the page may be slow to load***

For Sarah’s Facebook Image Gallery, click here.

Available 1/18 – 1/25: Pond “Fantastic Explosion of Time”

Cut from the same cloth as Australian psych-rockers Tame Impala – one of our favorite bands of the last decade – comes Oz trio Pond. The band taps the same wicked psychedelic vein as their aforementioned labelmates and has been gathering fans around their native Australia for a few years; they’re finally getting ready to cross over Stateside with an upcoming album, Beard Wives Denim, that’s set to drop in March. Recorded in a farmhouse in Western Australia along with the rest of the record, advance single “Fantastic Explosion Of Time” is just the soundtrack for your spring snowboarding excursions!

Download Here

This season we had you tell us why you want to surprise your BFF in 250 words or less! You and your BFF were then automatically entered to WIN two identical prize packs!

Here’s the 3 Lucky Winners! SURPRISE!

Megan W.  from Normal, IL wrote: “She was there from the start and now never apart. We laugh we cry but we always get by. Shes silly and smart and has a really big heart. She is my sister by pick and im so proud of this chick. So roxy help me out youll love her no doubt! LuvMyCrzyGrl”’

Lisa D. from Philadelphia, OH wrote: “Gretchen has volunteered with the YWAM Org for 3 yrs and has selflessly reached out to others through her snowboarding and leadership skills.  To her, love and laughter are the keys to life and I believe she deserves something special in return! ”

One of our Favorites  &  ROXY Winning pick is…

Joey D. from Volente, TX wrote: “My BFF Allie deserves to win because she is the most amazing and inspirational girl I have ever met. Last year we lived together and she left me a post it every day with a great quote or funny inside joke to brighten my day! I love her like a sister!”

Enjoy your amazing new Prize Packs with you and your BFFs!