Style Icon: Debbie Harry

I have been a long time lover of Debbie Harry.  It started when they used to advertise those Greatest Hits of (insert genre of music or time period here) on television to me when I was in junior high.  I was first introduced to the song "Heart of Glass," here, and my long time love affair with Blondie began then.  Later, it caused me to have my hair short and blond, and in college, my workout playlist was full of Blondie. 

But what I really love about Blondie is Debbie Harry's no-nonsense style.  Whether in just a t-shirt, or in a fabulously glam dress, Debbie Harry always looks amazing.  She utilizes geometric patterns and bright colors in a way I only wish I could, and I've always wanted her short, messy, platinum blond bob (but let's be honest, it would not look good with my skin tone).  And her smokey eye and glossy red lip combo is a long-time standard of rock and roll, and one I've never been quite able to perfect the way that she does  Even now, after this many years, she still looks amazing, and she still can rock. 

yorkblog.com

 

 

fashionableetsy.blogspot.com

 

amaterialworld.net

smaggle.com

Hipster Must-Hear: Ngabo

As I previously mentioned, I attended the Silver Sound Music Video Film Festival and Band Battle at Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday. And while I was there primarily to support At Sea, I also got the opportunity to check out some really awesome bands while I was there. And I fell in love.

Ngabo is an experimental rock singer out of Montreal, Canada. And while I can't understand a word he is saying in most of the songs, their performance alone is worth a trek to Quebec. The moment they hit the stage you automatically think "I'm probably going to hate this," due to the matching blue velvet blazers,* and aviator sunglasses, but within one or two songs you feel yourself giving in and thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. Their energy is insane, their beats are super danceable, and if you decide to approach them after the show, they are incredibly down to earth and gracious. It's just too bad that all us hipsters are far too cool to dance to their music in public.

For more information check out:

http://www.ngabo.com/

And for those of us non-French speakers:

http://www.myspace.com/ngabomusique

*Ngabo is backed up by a bass player, but I unfortunately could not find his name.

At Sea "Low Light" Video

This past Tuesday, I attended the Silver Sound Music Video Film Festival, at Brooklyn Bowl. While I was excited to see a ton of great bands and see some awesome local videos, I was really only there for one reason. To support my favourite local band, At Sea. They were premiering their latest video, Low Light, directed by Kevin F. Tully.

I love the concept of the video, and the art direction is amazing. Not to mention, the lead singer looks like Crispin Glover circa Back to the Future. So here it is, At Sea's Low Light.


"Low Light" from At Sea on Vimeo.

Style Icon: Juliette Lewis

I have loved Juliette Lewis for years.  I think my first introduction to her was in From Dusk Til Dawn, and with Natural Born Killers being one of my favourite movies, she has stayed on my radar for years.  But it wasn't until a few years ago, when Juliette transitioned into music that I really started taking notice of her style.  She has often been my hair icon, with her messy waves, big bangs, and grown out brunette colour.  I remember spending hours watching her videos on YouTube, and being totally enamored of her Indian headdresses, leather pants, bodysuits, sequins, and glam rock makeup.  I was completely inspired, and to this day, whenever I have an excuse to get dressed up, I want to throw one or all of these elements into a crazy outfit.  

  

My Favourite Things In October

With October coming to a close, I've looked back on the month with a smile.  I've hit a few bumps in the road (getting laid off from my job), but have come back with a vengeance.  So here are a few of my favourite things I've enjoyed this past month:

• Ronnybrook Farm Pumpkin Ice Cream 
• Visits to The Brooklyn Kitchen, which is conveniently down the street from my house
• The Higgins's Sarsaparilla cocktail from The Richardson in Williamsburg
• Trying both the dinner and brunch menus at Traif in Williamsburg
• Horror movies all month on AMC
• Pumpkin Beers on tap at all my favourite bars
• NBA season openers
• Making an amazing list of costume ideas and storing it up for costume parties
• CMJ Music Marathon 2010
• Currently knitting this scarf
• Listening to T-Rex while cooking
• Reconnecting with friends that I haven't spent enough time with

I can't wait to enjoy these last few days of October and head into November full force!  Happy Halloween!

Image via http://mpeabody.blog.uvm.edu/

Current Playlist: Talk About a Revival

Lately I've been profoundly unsatisfied with popular music.  I keep hearing all this buzz around certain songs and then I go and listen to them, and time and again, I. Don't. Get. It.  So, instead, my playlist has been filled will all sorts of oldies, but goodies lately:

1. "Jolene" by Dolly Parton
2. "Rave On" by Buddy Holly
3. "Zombie" by The Cranberries
4. "A Little Respect" by Erasure
5. "Beds are Burning" by Midnight Oil
6. "Opportunities" by Pet Shop Boys
7. "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac (which is always on my playlist)
8. "Jeepster" by Marc Bolan & T. Rex
9. "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
10. "Pictures of You" by The Cure

Anyone have any other good New Wave or 90's revival suggestions?  I've been totally in the zone with it lately!

My New Workout Playlist

I just got a gym membership.  I used to be a complete gym rat, but sometime since my move to New York, that has totally taken a backseat to everything else in life.  And that totally shows whenever I try to get up in the morning and make it to the gym.  So I've decided to make a killer new playlist to help get me moving in the morning, thought I'd share part of it here:

• "Army of Me"- Bjork
• "Baptism"- Crystal Castles
• "Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued"- Fall Out Boy
• "Telephone"- Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce
• "The Dope Show"- Marilyn Manson
• "Perfect Drug"- Nine Inch Nails
• "U + Ur Hand" - Pink
• "Sleep Now In the Fire"- Rage Against the Machine
• "Le Disko"- Shiny Toy Guns
• "Seven Nation Army"- The White Stripes
• "Baba O'Reilly"- The Who

So what gets you motivated at the gym?

My Sad Little Album Collection

On my second blog entry ever, I discussed my love of collecting albums.  Well, this definitely hasn't changed at all, and in fact, it's only gotten more exciting.  Upon my arrival to Montana this past week, I saw that my parents had graciously updated my album collection for me, and while I still have a collection that pales in comparison with theirs, I thought I'd share a few pictures I snapped of my collection.




The funny thing is my collection is still very full of music I listen to on a daily basis...

3 45's my parents have added to my collection- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Kylie Minogue (which was my favourite when I was a kid), and Prince.

Top Row, from left:

1. Scarecrow- by John Cougar Mellencamp

2. Planets Conspire- by The Meligrove Band

3. Wincing the Night Away- by The Shins

4. Paisley Park- by Prince

5. Purple Rain- by Prince

6. Rumours- by Fleetwood Mac

7. Live at Leeds- by The Who (which I just convinced my dad to give me after finding a duplicate in his collection)

Middle Row, from left:

8. Heart- by Heart
9. Diamond Life- by Sade
10. Thirty Seconds Over Winterland- by Jefferson Airplane
11. Precious Time- by Pat Benetar
12. Lone Justice- by Lone Justice

Bottom Row, from left:

13. Random Spirit Lover- by Sunset Rubdown
14. The Cure- by The Cure
15. Ill Communication- by The Beastie Boys

The two albums I would LOVE to add to my collection, but my dad refuses to gift them to me: Guns and Roses Appetite for Destruction, and The Who's Tommy.

A picture of my parents album collection, which is absolutely amazing.  I grew up in a very musical household, and one of these days when they aren't looking, I'm going to steal them all. 

Where Have All the Smart Girls Gone?

I am hoping for a cultural shift.  For some time now I have found myself extremely discontent with the way our society, particularly our pop culture and the figures we lionize.  Now I don't mean to get all hippy-dippy here, but hear me out.

I miss the 90s.  I miss the empowered female singers like Fiona Apple, Jewel, Liz Phair, and the like.  It used to be so cool for chicks to have a fuck you attitude towards both the men in their lives as well as the culture that reveres them.  I miss the fact that it used to be cool for chicks to be smart.  I miss Daria, and Tabitha Soren.

Pleasantly Surprised- The Pretty Reckless

Okay, so we all know that Taylor Momsen is really, really, really obnoxious.  In every interview she gives, she comes across as a rebellious, annoying, naive teen who will probably look back on what she said ten years from now and attribute it to being young.  That being said, I feel as though I had no right to say anything about her actual music talent until I listened to her band, The Pretty Reckless.

So I took to myspace for a listen.  And what I found, I was pleasantly surprised by.  Yes, she still sounds like a naive teenager with her lyrics about "someone mixing her medicine" (what your Adderall and Flinstone's Vitamins?) or "I'm just 16, if you know what I mean, do you mind if I take off my dress." Yes, that would be child pornography.


Either way, I will admit that the girl can sing, and the music is kinda fun.  And maybe her being so obnoxious appeals to the naive, rebellious teenager in me.  Ya know, the same one that metal band Kittie did appeal to in my younger age.  Or the one that Courtney Love still does appeal to.

But a word of advice:  Momsen, if you want your band to be taken seriously then stop talking.  Because with every interview you give, you lose credibility and make people hate you even more, and it doesn't matter how good of a musician you are, in this pop culture climate, you can't survive without an audience.

My High Fidelity Inspired Life

What came first?  The music or the misery?

Sometimes, you can watch a movie a thousand times, and only during a certain point in your life will it ever really start to mean anything to you.  Yesterday, this happened to me with High Fidelity.  For those unfamiliar with the John Cusack work, it is based on Nick Hornby's book about an audiophile who rehashes past relationships through his relationship with music (this is a very simplified version of the plot, obviously).

I think I didn't really realize why I loved this movie so much until I realized that every relationship and friendship I have ever had can be defined by certain musical works.  There are friends of mine from high school that I have lost touch with, but every time I hear "The Next Episode," or "Fever for the Flava," my memories are instantly transported to being in my '93 Suburu Impreza on the way to a keg party in the woods.

Or how about those relationships where you share bands whose lyrics break your heart and beats get stuck in your head.  At the time it makes so much sense to share that love of music with that person, but you know the minute you break-up with someone you'll never be able to listen to those songs without that painful memory, feeling of loss, and sense of nostalgia.

So in honor of Cusack's character, Rob Gordon, here are my Top 5 Ex-Nostalgia Songs (some are stranger than others):

• "Africa" by Toto-  Yes, this one is a strange song to include on the list, but my high-school sweetheart went through a period of being obsessed with this song, and to this day I cannot hear it without sending him a text to see how he's doing.  In fact, I sent him one on Monday when I was out dancing and heard it.  
• "Only One" by Yellowcard- This song came out at a pivotal point in my young relationships.  Enough said. 
• "1901" by Phoenix- Prior to it being in a commercial, it was a favourite song of someone I was once close to.  Every time the commercial comes on I roll my eyes and heavily sigh (which is a step up from when I used to turn the channel)
• "Fireflies" by Owl City- The last time I saw this person I heard this song for the first time.  I thought it was the worst song I had heard in ages and couldn't believe he liked it.  It made me want to punch babies, but now it's one of my favorite memories.
• "Dragon's Lair" by Sunset Rubdown- Off my favourite album by my favourite band.  Sometimes there are things better kept to yourself.  

It's a good thing I'm so young.  This list is sad, there will be time for it to grow.

Currently Idolizing: Julia "Juju" Sophie

How do you open for a band like Hole?  Well, for starters, get a band like power rock duo Little Fish fronted by singer/guitar player Julia "Juju" Sophie.  With a screechy voice and great guitar skills, Juju sounds like she grew up listening to Courtney Love, The Runaways, and Kittie.

Gearing up for their newest release, Baffled and Beat, next month, this London based band has the energy you want to see in an opening band.  The managed to rile up the crowd, fuck around with us a little, and get us psyched for Hole.  Juju had the aura of a rock goddess, and although the crowd wasn't too forgiving, she still had people dancing.

Not only that, but she's gorgeous, talented, and has killer arms.  I so wish I could be her...

Check out some of their music here:

http://www.myspace.com/littlefishmusic

The 5 Most Annoying Things About Concerts

I like to think of myself as a live music connoisseur.  I am constantly pouring over the pages of The Bowery Presents to see what new acts are coming to town.  All my spending money goes towards concert tickets, and I'm never one to shy to going to a show solo.  Throughout these concert going experiences, there are five obnoxious things I have noticed that are consistent at each show:

5) The people who are in the very front won't be very enthused.  They will get there the minute the doors open, and they will maintain their position like they are preparing for battle, but the minute the show begins, you will barely get a head nod from these folks.

4) The overly-enthusiastic obnoxious douschebag.  There is always that one guy (I've strangely noticed he's usually blond) who makes an ass out of himself to the point that everyone around him notices, and usually gets annoyed.

3) No matter how expensive the tickets are, there will always be some group of people who think their own conversation is far more important.  And these people always seem to flock to me.  I had never experience worse then at February's Wakey Wakey concert, but overly chatty people seem to be a pretty consistent theme.

2) The opening band will always have shitty sound quality.  Regardless of the venue I am in, I always notice that the opening band has awful sound quality.  Now, I wish I could blame it on the band just sucking, but when I can't even hear the words, I feel like it's not their fault.  Maybe it's a clever ploy so we will think that the second band sounds much better then they do.

1) The tallest guy in the room will inevitably stand in front of me.  This happens without fail, as anyone who has ever attended a concert with me can attest to.  I remember one night at Sugar Nightclub in Victoria, I was there for a concert super early, got my spot (1st step up, middle of the floor) and a guy who was 6'4" came and stood directly in front of me while the place was still empty.  There was bad blood between us that night....

So there you have it.  The five most annoying things you will find at a concert, at least if you're me.  It could be worse, I have yet to experience the puking guy or ridiculous bathroom lines....

Style Icon: Stevie Nicks

My roommate and I don't disagree on a lot of things., and we're lucky that way.  Unfortunately, the one big disagreement in our house is, of all things, Stevie Nicks.  My roommate, hates Stevie Nicks.  We are talking a vehement passion against this woman, a passion that she does not express towards anyone else she does not know.

I, on the other hand, love Stevie Nicks.  I once made my parents buy me Rumors on vinyl, and my dad's response was "really, Alex, I've had this album for 30 years and you want me to buy it for you"?  My love of Nicks has not stopped since.  To this day, laying in my dark room listening to Rumors is my favorite way to start my week.

Yes, I love her rough, sorta annoying voice.  I love the lyrics her and Buckingham wrote during their breakup, but most of all, I love her style.

Call it gypsy, witch, peasant, or victorian, whatever you call it, I want it.  I want to wear billowing layers of lace, skirts of velvet, and shirts adorned with ruffles.  And more than anything, I want to pair it with six inch suede boots that make me fear for my neck whenever I walk on cobblestones.

Granted, I'm not a musician or a quaalude queen, which makes pulling off this style a bit more difficult.  Maybe I need to drop out of life, find a profession in the arts, and invest in some ridiculosity.  After all, if there is any place I can pull off a Stevie Nicks look, New York City is the place to do it.

The Soundtrack of My Life: Edition 1

Lately, I've been going through a rather obsessive compulsive music phase.  Now, I am not an obsessive personality.  I can quit nearly anything if I put my mind to it, and can change habits quickly.  However, with my music, I like what I like, and lately, it's been a lot of the same things.

So, in light of my recent personal situation, and in light of being a 23 year old in New York City, here are a list of the 10 songs that I cannot get enough of right now in my life.

10. "Purple Rain," by Prince.  Duh.

9. "Falling Down" by Scarlett Johansson.  Yes, her album was not spectacular, but every time I hear this song come over my headphones when I'm walking through the city or in the subway, I am instantly calm and nostalgic for another life.

8. "Over It" by The Dandy Warhols.  One of my favorite bands, this song is my go to I don't give a damn anthem.  If only I meant it half the time...

7. "1901" by Phoenix.  Except I feel so super uncool liking this song now that it's in a car commercial.

6. "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac.  I've been harboring a deep love of Fleetwood Mac since college (I know, I was a little late), and this song always reminds me of my friend Mark.

5.  "The Recluse" by Cursive.  A friend of mine once told me, in a reference to film noir, that I might be a black widow.  Apparently, that means that I may have the ability to get people caught in my web before I gobble them up.  I'm not sure if this is a compliment or not, but with a line like "you're in my web now, I've come to wrap you up tight, til it's time to bite down," this is one of those songs that takes me back to that memory.

4. "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.  Yes, it's cheesy, and it doesn't really mean a whole lot, but there is no better song to listen to when I'm walking down the bustling streets of this amazing city.

3. "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin.  Last week, at Harlow's Hideaway, I watch a great burlesque performer do a comedic piece to this song.  I've been listening to it non-stop ever since.  But that's what I love about Janis Joplin, you can forget about her for years, but the minute you need her, she's there.

2. "Nightingale/December Song" by Sunset Rubdown.  "You are a vast explosion and I am the embers." Uhhh, yeah, I feel that way a lot.

1.  "West Coast," by Coconut Records.  I can remember the first time I ever heard this song and the completely visceral moment I had with my friend Josh.  We looked at each other and instantly knew that we would both love this song forever.  I still get that feeling every time I hear the opening bars.

This list seems kind of weak to be perfectly honest, maybe I'll have to keep working on it.  I hope edition 2 isn't quite this pathetic...

New York Band to See: Schaffer the Darklord

The first Monday of every month, there is a burlesque/variety show in the basement of Fontana's that I cannot wait to attend.  Comedians, musicians, and naked chicks, oh my!

And why do I want to attend?  People like Schaffer the Darklord (STD).  Yes, upon hearing the name I was expecting long hair, all black, basically Andrew from "Kell on Earth," what I got was so much better.  Part Mike Skinner, part Screech Powers, Schaffer the Darklord is officially my new crush.

Being post-Easter, STD performed "Night of the Living Christ," officially winning my heart with his tale of a zombie christ and his followers.  Quick as lightening, and as entertaining as hell, STD is the real deal of the nerdcore hip-hop scene.  Having had the opportunity to chat with STD in the bathroom line post-show, he is a genuine and down-to-earth artist.

I've since requested that my friends make sure he appears at my birthday party, and if that doesn't work out, then I definitely intend to catch his next show in New York.

For tour dates, music, and more info, check out his myspace here:  http://www.myspace.com/schafferthedarklord

On My Playlist: Casey Shea

Lately, I've been obsessively playing Casey Shea's album, In Search of Seas.  An album I downloaded for free (not stealing, promotion via website), has now become a mainstay of my music delight.

This American singer/songwriter who is a huge presence in the live music scene here in New York, sounds like Matthew Perryman Jones, Paolo Nutini, and The Beatles got thrown into a blender and out came a Casey Shea smoothie.  Or in otherwords, he sounds exactly like the type of music you would hear on an episode of One Tree Hill.

Songs like "Elephant," "Wave of Walls," and "Good Man," give the album a mellow vibe, perfect for when I'm trying to get some writing done.  But Shea rounds out the album with "Pretty Good Shape," and "Oh Nancy!" which just make you want to get up and dance.

With a consistent billing at the Rockwood Music Hall in the next couple months, I cannot wait to get an opportunity to check him out live.  Might you join me?

For More Info on tour dates, his blog, or to download some of his songs for FREE, check out his website here:

http://caseysheamusic.com

Best Album Ever (Right Now): Sunset Rubdown's Dragonslayer

I don't know why I try to write music reviews.  I can't ever describe the genre of a band (outside of iTunes generic alternative, hip-hop, etc., labels), I'm completely misinformed about what is going on in mainstream music, and in the grand scheme of things, my music knowledge is miniscule.

But I know what I like, so I'll write about that.

As I've mentioned before, I'm obsessed with Spencer Krug, and more importantly, his band Sunset Rubdown.  I've been listening to them for years, have seen them in concert a handful of times, and have introduced nearly all of my friends* to them.  But for some reason, I did not have the album, Dragonslayer, until a couple months ago.  I know, what kind of fan am I?

I heard it at my favorite bar (The Black Rabbit) where my favorite bartender (Kent) was playing it, and I knew all the words, but knew I didn't have it.  So I went home and downloaded it, legally.  I'm sure my roommate and friends would attest to this, but it has not left my speakers since that day.

Lately, it's been my album I listen to when I'm cooking, when I'm writing (it may or may not be on right now), when I'm walking, and when I'm drinking.  By far their best album yet, Dragonslayer, still embodies the experimental sounds that Spencer Krug is known for.  Combine those with amazing beautiful and touching lyrics, and the instrumental technique, and the album becomes highly addictive.

There is not a single track I do not like.  Since downloading this album, I have begun checking the Sunset Rubdown website obsessively, waiting until they announce new concert dates.

In fact, I'm not sure I can even relate to anyone who hasn't listened to this album (there goes my Gemini over exaggeration), but in all seriousness, go, go get this album, spend the $7 or whatever it was on iTunes, and keep it on repeat until you know all the words.

I promise you won't be disappointed.

*All the worthy friends

Currently Idolizing: Janelle Monae

I generally refuse to idolize anyone.  I feel like most of the celebrities in our modern culture are kinda vapid and boring (and addictive), and the other half are sort of flash in the pan and then they do something stupid and I give up all hope.  With Janelle Monae, that is not the case.

I first heard about Janelle Monae sometime last year after P. Diddy made some comment along the lines of "Janelle Monae is the most important artist of the decade" (I could be making this up, but I thought I read that at the time).  Well, if P. Diddy thinks she's super important, I have to listen to her and disagree.

Only, I didn't disagree.

Janelle Monae is awesome.  She started out working with Big Boi, is classically trained in musical theater, has opened for No Doubt, and is signed to Bad Boy Records.  And you thought that was impressive? How about the fact that she has probably the coolest conceptual album since The Grey Album.  Monae's concept album is divided into four parts (or suites) and it is based on Blade Runner and Fritz Lang's Metropolis.  Yeah...I'm gonna let that sink in.

Now pick your jaw up off the floor, and continue reading.

Her music is danceable, fun, and completely addictive.  I've had the first suite, Metropolis: The Chase Suite on my iPod for about a year, and although I've listened to it a million times, I listen to it every morning to get me pumped for work.  The second suite is dropping on May 18, entitled The ArchAndroid.  Her first two singles from the album are available for purchase, or to just check out on her website.

If you haven't check her out yet, I suggest you go do so immediately.  It's not every day a girl from Kansas City makes an album based on two of the greatest and most influential science fiction films ever.

New York Band to See: Wakey Wakey!

 I used to view concerts as my type of church.  I know that sounds super cheesy, but being a non-religious person, I used to look forward to the one concert a week I would attend while in college.  I used to save all the money I made in event promotions in college for concerts (where I would stay sober to save money), and in this event forgo all the birthday parties and club nights all my friends attended.  

Granted, when you are raised with a father who has thousands of albums and 25 years worth of Rolling Stone magazines, music does just become a part of your life.  And although I have no musical talent (aside from the viola, which I've played for 10 years, yet still totally suck), I love listening to live music and enjoying those experiences more then anything.  I try not to be picky, I will attend everything from rap to classic rock to obviously, indie rock.  This weekend I decided to take in the Harper Blynn and Wakey Wakey shows at Mercury Lounge.

You may know Wakey Wakey from the CW show, One Tree Hill.  And while that may be uncool in some circles, it does not negate the amazing performance they put on.  Ranging from solo pieces to pieces with 12 musicians (including a whistler and three piece brass section), Wakey Wakey put on a solid performance that could be enjoyed by nearly everyone.  Mike Grubbs is undeniably amazing on the keyboard and vocals.  Anne Lieberwirth is on bass, and while I obviously love female bass players (I one day aspire to be one), it was Anne's shy nature, yet incredible rhythm that kept me captivated.  However, I will say that my favorite band member was Patrick Doane on violin.  With his smallish build and elvish demeanor you would never expect him to wail so hard on a violin, even going so hard as to breaking a few of his bow strings along the way. 

Wakey Wakey is currently on tour here in the east, their next New York show is March 27 at Rockwood Music Hall.  Check out their music here, on their myspace.