Friday 26 February 2010

Another Dose of Friday Music Madness

Boe Weaver "Ghouls" from VU Records on Vimeo.

BOE WEAVER

Its friday again and once again my little brain has become a little fried and any comprehensive thinkings have become blocked by the thought, smell and taste of wine. Therefore what a perfect time to bring you something equally as random as this wonderful video from masked musicians Boe Weaver. Its pure weird and wonderful acid freak (that sounds also like a good description of myself right now) Its comic books mixed with bubblegum, 70s horror and some strange but beautiful exotic instrumental music...but thats pretty much all i can say because no one really knows who or what Boe Weaver is or are. Not quite a band but more of a state of mind, all i know is that Boe Weaver formed in late 2008 in response to a musical brief they received from the producers of a hugely popular blood-splattered US TV show. It may not be to everyones taste i appreciate and they did apparently have a few releases in 2009 which panned, but this is the first i have heard of Boe Weaver and there is something very oddly likeable and endearing about their music (and weird costumes)

So wether they give you a headache and make you vomit or intrigue you a little bit and put you in a friday feeling i hope you enjoy and most of all have an awesome fucking weekend!

Oh and we also know this: Boe Weaver work out of The Isle of Wight, they like to wear massive animal masks and they rarely leave the studio and their self titled debut album is out on the 22nd March. Ive already got my copy...but head here to check out more http://www.myspace.com/boeweaver

Thursday 25 February 2010

Not sure if this is appropriate....



I love my daily dose of Fashion Monitor, but when this popped up today i was a bit confused...not sure if its really appropriate under 'just confirmed' and listed alongside a load of fashion parties....plus shouldn't it be Lee McQueen Funeral not Alexander McQueen???

Sweet 16...


ELEANOR HARDWICK

She's only 16 but this girl is amazing and i am not afraid to say i am extremely jealous! She first found her interest in photography at 12 years old, taking pictures of Japenese fashion dolls and only a few years on she is already working as a freelance photographer. Her images are absolutely beautiful, capturing a strong sense of nostalgia, the beauty of youth with quirky twists ;
it is a reflection of a world where surrealism meets realism. The fact that at only 16 this girl has already worked for clients including Harper's Bazzar, Jack Wills, Oasis, Polydor and Puella is a pretty good sign she may have something worth taking a look out and rumour has it Vogue has even picked up on this photographic talent with something coming up in the May issue. Words will only distract from these photos so here are a few of my favourites but you can check out more here www.eleanorhardwick.com


All photographs by Eleanor Hardwick

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Get your Warpaint on....


WARPAINT

I am, as i think i have said before, a big fan of female talent, however please do not mistake me for a bloody feminist because this i am most definitely not. Whilst i have a career head firmly screwed on i don't think i would be adverse to someone looking after me! Anyone im already off point. Today i'm championing new girl quartet from the States, Warpaint. A new band who both sound great and look good!

Warpaint have only recently signed to Rough Trade and whilst they are still hard at work on their debut album (set for release this summer) they already look set to release a full on assault on your stereos this year. When i first heard about them a few months back, i was instantly excited and loved their captivating and enchanting music. Bordering somewhere between reality and dreams, Its psychedelic melodramatic pop with gurgling vocals, strong lyrics and post punk rhythms. They are heading to the UK in May!!woooo but only playing three dates ...so i suggest you book out a slot in your diary....

May 12th - London - Luminaire
May 13th - Tunbridge Wells - Forum
May 14th - Brighton - Levi's One To Watch @ Audio


Wednesday Wondering

Tuesday 23 February 2010

My one FW indulgence: Elliott J Frieze


London Fashion Week and the fash wahs, Pr hoes and blogger blaggers are out in force - wether back stage, front of stage on the catwalk or in the office frantically putting together guestlists. The whole of the fashion industry is buzzing with new season excitement. While still seemingly struggling to wear upcoming season spring's trends in the fucking arctic conditions we are experiencing. It is only recently that i departed from my life in the world of air kisses, free fancy cocktails and free clothing to a new role in arts, music and events (you still get the free booze but it tends to be beer!) but fashion week with all its ups, downs, sore feet and hangovers is still dear to my heart - mainly because i like a party and beautiful people! But alas LFW this year for me has taken a back seat and so instead of hangovers and endless outfit planning i spent my weekend in the countryside with log fires, old men in the local and walks in the mud.

But I couldn't escape completely and with my little fashion-god-mother still fluttering in my head there was one little piece of joy I had to experience, and it came in the form of the Elliott J Frieze show on Sunday morning.

Previously Director of QASIMI and Michiko Koshino, Welsh Born designer Elliott J.Frieze launched his long awaited debut Women's and Menswear collection to a beautiful crowd including the likes of Anna Popplewell and singer Alex Roots. As standard the crowd looked preened and ready for another day of shows with some looking like the pre drinks reception had done hair-of-the-dog wonders. From start to finish you could see in the 30 piece ensemble that Elliott inspiration had come from the great British outdoors. Rolling landscapes manifested into beautiful drapes and simple yet carefully constructed tailoring whilst the use of fabrics including english wools, cashmere and napa showed his love of country pursuits. The collection in essence was elegant yet dynamic and showcased Frieze's eye for natural design, modernity and classic British tailoring. Millinery provided by Alison Tod was a personal fav with the homage-to-acorn hats that adorned the models heads and added another quirky edge to the collection. Causing the stir on the catwalks this season is floor length seduction and for womenwear's the highlight came from a stunning stone coloured floor length gown. I loved the way in which Elliott made a floor length gown, that covers you from head to toe, both sophisticated and extremely seductive and sexy. It covers all but reveals everything! For men all i will say is if his clothes can make my boyfriend as sexy as his models then i will be getting a credit card and buying the whole collection. No seriously, jokes aside it was exactly what i would want to see a man in - its fashion conscious without flamboyance, sophisticated and very very well tailored. It was thought out and well executed, but it was the womenswear where i think he really triumphed...although i'm still blushing from what i think was a wink from one of the male models...i wish!

With hot property names Amber Le Bon and Jacquetta Wheeler both showing support and slinking their skinny little hips down the catwalk, Elliott J Frieze launched full throttle into the Fashion world and while we may be a little over saturated with 'Classic but Modern British Designers' Elliott J. Frieze most definitely doesn't look like he will be going anywhere apart from front row and centre in the British Fashion Circuit!


Elliott J Frieze I salute you and if i could afford it i would salute you with my credit card.

Wednesday 17 February 2010

Bring it all back to you....


Am genuinely loving Miranda's look.....inspiration for next week i think!!!

An 80's child I was an avide fan of 90's pop and tv culture - many of my favourite memories stem from the decade now deemed 'vintage' - Clueless, All Saints, Platform wedges, blue eye shadow, the racoons! Ohhh its everywhere i know, and while there seems to be no distinct line of inspiration it looks like with a new decade having dawned we are moving away from the 80's fashion seen every season and the 90's is back, reigning as one of summer trend's inspirational culprits!As London is the home of young talent we’re now experiencing the style of designers who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s and their work reflects it, and only the other day who won best brits performance? oh yes the Spice Girls and they deserved it!

Its time to move on, no longer looking at the 90's as only yesterday but cementing, celebrating and documenting it for the history books and future generations to learn about in years to come. So instead of the same old shite about the 'modern takes on 90's fashions' why not let us take a moment and reflect on some of those good old genuine favourites (well if you were a young teen) from the 90's....( i know some of these are from days before but these are what reminds me of the 90's!)


A good cause...get involved: www.bringbackumbongo.co.uk




















Ohhhh yes! legendary books.....still trying to find my collection..













Woolworths pre cinema run....How high did you use to get off this and pix&mix -

Arhhhh all white outfits.....and do you remember those butterfly clips in the hair??

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Saving the best for last .....the scrunchies

I know there is loads i have probably missed....so add a comment and let me know what your favourite memory was from the 90's !

Maison Sauvage



After over two years of commuting, drunken nights falling asleep on the train home and missing my stop, or staying on whatever floor I could find to crash, last summer I made the big move from my quaint little village in Bucks to East London. A quaint little share flat it was already perfectly filled with loads of bric a brac, books, art posters and some very interesting but beautiful pieces of pottery. My kind of place! It was only a few months ago that i discovered these unusual pieces of art were in-fact the hard work of my previous room owner - Nicole Mueller. Having only met Nicole a few times but along with stories from my flatmates it is clear just how dedicate and deeply creative this girl is. Hailing from Germany and inspired by artists such as Dutch ceramicist and designer Hella Jongerius, Nicole headed over to the UK to complete her MA at Central St Martins. Maison Sauvage (which was selected by and is now stocking at Wolf & Badger!!) is Muller's eye catching collection, characterised by the use of strong neon lines and quirky shapes, the collection aims to reflect the 'present day patchwork family'. I love her use of simple but strong shapes that are both uniformed but un-uniformed, and the whole inspiration behind her workings. With my expanding role into the world of gallery curating and art press - i very much hope that i can get Nicole's next collection exclusively launching at our brand new gallery!

Apart from gaining an exclusive space at Wolf & Badger - the new concept store space (see previous poppy entries) Nicole is off to the states to work with fellow ceramic artist and friend Andrea Faith Martin...watch this space

Friday 12 February 2010

Friday Musique and Madness

Ohhh i love Stereo Total and i love friday, so what better way to sign off for the weekend than sharing it with you ! Favourite Album has to be Musique Automatique...mainly because thats the one i've been listening to the most! But all the same despite the fact these guys are from Germany its made me come over feeling all French and creative! Bizarre! The excessive amount of Beechams i have been on may have added to todays madness but hey ho, thats life! So here is a little clip of this brilliantly awesome strange musical collective....




Im feeling like i should be in aztec prints, dark sunglasses, fag in one hand german beer in teh other hanging out with equally as strange individuals, sharing our love of Stereo Audio and all things creative. This i'm thinking should all be taking place in a brown styled bar in east london..of course! Suitably cliche..but i feel inspired...Poppy Cleopatra euro mash up night on the cards? Maybe not when i've come to my sense and off the drugs.

Just noted the amount of ! i have used...but its friday and i'm all excited..so fuck you if you don't like it!!!!!!!!!!

And Today i will be....

Wednesday 10 February 2010

With credit card in hand...I salute you

So its taken a little longer than planned to get this piece up..but things have been manic and maybe i am still recovering a little from the launch party and the endless drinks i HAD to attended since! Oh dear. Anyway back to the point and Notting Hill has finally been given a new lease of life lets face it it needed something new!) as last week saw the launch of new concept store space Wolf and Badger - oh and what a beauty it is! Set up by hand bag designer Zoe Knight and her partner art gallery owner Samir Caric , Wolf and Badger aims to be a store but not a store, but a unique lifestyle space that provides a platform for some of the best design talent from the UK and beyond. Designers have to apply to be apart of The Badger, and if selected they get the opportunity showcase their amazing, individual innovative creations that can span across fashion, accessories, jewellery and homeware. Its a treasure chest of exciting new talent and offers a unique and most importantly cheap opportunity for upcoming creatives to show and sell their creations.

The launch night was an absolute success - not just for the yummy cocktails on offer but the store really lived up to its kooky name, beautifully designed and mystically inspired site and pre launch hype! Cocktails aside i was presented with an impressing array of eclectic pieces from a wide selection of both unique and upcoming talent and established designers. Only a few designers were selected for the opening but highlights included established brand Felder Felder's leather studded pieces and a beautiful jacket from Maria Francesca Pepe.

A beautiful store, a great idea and two individuals who are dream mentors for anyone looking to take that selling step in the industry. I suggest even if you don't plan on spending money you head down there and check it out..!

Wolf&Badger
46 Ledbury Road
Notting Hill
London W11 2AB

Mon-Sat 10am 6pm
Sunday: 11am 5pm

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Save Our Small Smalls...

Available at Topshop Online - probably not instore

Arrrr Valentines….and surprise surprise, magazines and sites are awash with top underwear picks! I have a very very serious problem with this, not because I don’t like valentines (infact I don’t really mind it and am not adverse to being spoilt) but because the underwear reviews seem to be pretty much tailored to those lucky individuals blessed with breasts. This isn’t just a seasonal problem but an ongoing one, it just seemed like the perfect time to have a moan..its a tuesday after all and still three days until the weekend!

I have struggled for longer than I wish to remember to deck out my 34 A chest in a simple style at a simple price! Underwear sections are banned on shopping trips and I have long given up trailing the stores to find something simple, not under-wired, not padded that still retains a touch of maturity (e.g not looking like a training bra). I’m not going to completely slate the lack of the underwear industries insight – there are some beautiful pieces and triangle bras out there for those of us who could earn a wedge from BA to use our chest as a runway, but these tend to be so god dam frilly its not meant for everyday wear. – instead it deserves to be framed and mounted on the wall as a piece of art. Also do I look like I can afford £50 odd quid for a bra??

I am not convinced I am the only one who can only wear soft unpadded underwear and who would like to feel they can enjoy the pleasures of underwear shopping without the MYLA price tag. SO just a little plea to all you designers, business brains, high street chains, journalists and stylists – please can we do something about this and maybe next valentines day think outside the box when it comes to underwear features???

My Round Up ....

Online is definitely the way forward at the moment...as there is a much bigger selection - downfall? I want to enjoy shopping in a store and try on styles.

Bralets - both on trend and unpadded - perfect. Except can we get a few styles without the underwire and a bit better stretch support? I don't know why but i really dislike Topshop, however they do have a great selection....

Throw away associations with training bras and try some snuggly fitting crop tops - these keep you feeling supported but look great under a denim shirt and exposed slightly! I just picked up some great ones at Primark - 2 for £4!

Last but not least - embrace and just be happy in the thought you will not have back problems and can wear your underwear as outwear without looking stupid - something that will be big for S/S10!

Monday 8 February 2010

Sleigh Bells ring....are you listening?


On tour with Major Lazer and Yeasayer later in the year, none of their forthcoming dates are in the Uk ...booooo! But im still loving Sleigh Bells work...although not so much the name, to much of an association with Christmas. With Festival line ups all starting to be announced i have no doubt these guys will be appearing on more than a few billings....

Crown On The Ground by Sleigh Bells

Wednesday 3 February 2010

A New Mutant Breed Of Sound

MUX MOOL


A self confessed nerd, Lindgren aka Mux Mool has been weaving and criss crossing his way across the country for many years, collecting records, loops, samples and partying a bit (a lot) along the way too...! A new mutant breed of sounds, the Mools obsession began like many, from an early age with a cheap toy keyboard. With a hunger for always creating something new and an extrovert imagination Mux mixes his nerdy passion for technology, love of sounds including hip hop, dub and electro to bring a wholly individual new breed of sci fi homespun electro that is equally as weird as it is listenable and wonderful! A piece of art as much as a piece of music, Mux's work is like looking at the inside of a computer - complicated but compiled perfectly.

Single Lady his 'First' release (not necessarily true - just adds to the labels PR bumf) was out at the end of January and expect his 2010 full-length debut, SKULLTASTE, in March....PR BLURB - the culmination of years of toil and experimentation, gathering Lindgren’s myriad talents and obsessions into one gloriously sprawling document. I will update you on a real persons verdict when i get the album...but i have a feeling it will be pretty good.

Tuesday 2 February 2010

PARENTHETICAL GIRLS




Members: Zac Pennington, Rachael Jensen, Jherek Bischoff
Hometown: Portland, OR
Record Label: Slender Means Society (their very own)

Simple, complicated, unique, pop music..i can't quite work out this band, but its probably why i'm such a big fan. Their music is easy listening pop and uncomplicated but from the lyrics and meandering melodies to the cover artwork, each release seems steeped in history, stories and individual personality - and now they have come up with another clever, complicated, beautiful masterpiece! Ever the pragmatists, Parenthetical Girls are set to release ' Privilege' their new full length, as a box set of five extremely limited 12" EPs on their own Slender Means Society label. Wether you like the music or not the brilliant artwork on their releases is enough to invest and commit yourself to collecting all five!Each 12" will feature artwork by the Swedish illustrator Jenny Mörtsell (see top picture) and will be hand-numbered in the blood of the core members. Weird but fitting for the first of the 5 releases,'Privilege Part 1 is titled 'On Death & Endearments'....and is released on the 23rd February....I LOVE IT!You can't get it in store but via their very own Slender Means Society

As the cycle concludes in May of 2011, the fifth and final 12" will come packaged in a beautiful, aesthetically cohesive LP box designed to house all four of the preceding releases, forming the complete Privilege album.