QUEEN CRUSH | SHARIN FOO

As I fast approach the big 30 I have found myself nostalgically listening to music from my past (way to go to make myself sound ancient) and a particularly pleasant recent rediscovery has been The Raveonettes.

Those stylish danes had my heart in knots from the very first moment I listened to Sune Rose Wagner and Safrin Rose (those names!). I was captivated by their kinda coordinated and deeply harmonised monochrome cool. Their 60's references and Velvet Underground and Blondie inspo was right up my alley.

Safrin Foo was and still is the queen of the fringe, the super straight peroxide bob and wins every cheekbone game. I was crushing on her so hard back then and not much has changed. She's bloody immaculate, just look!..

FASHION | FORWARD AW16

The fashion weeks have just been flying by in a blur and as the temperatures creeps (VERY) slowly up our gaze is on what we will be covering our bodies in after summer has been and gone.

Here are some pretty great collections to get us excited about the next chillier seasons...

New York

NYC  presented a slightly underwhelming fashion week tbh but there were  a few gems. Rebecca  Minkoff proved monochrome is still matter of fact and that floating into autumn will be awesome.

Launched by Central Saint Martin's alumnus Han Chong, Self-Portrait made us re-think hemlines and clashing patterns to keep it interesting during the darker months. All hail the continuation of the cropped trouser over boot combo.

London

I may now live in Paris but London still makes my fashion heart beat the fastest.

Peter Jensen made us shout 'I want' once again with popping primary colours and the perfect accessory - black Converse All Stars.

The pleating and prints at Fyodor Golan felt modern but also offered a dominance reminiscent of great masterpieces.

Mary Benson's attention grabbing late 90's punk-pop gig inspired ensembles were neon bright, baggy and sometimes stripy. All for feeling 15 again minus the acne and anxiety.

Images courtesy of We Are Village. 

BACK

Been absent for a long while over summer but now I have dragged my mosquito bitten ass back over here to share some of the good shit I found whilst sweating it out in the French heatwave. Hope it kinda makes up for shutting up for so long. Enjoy!

 
The comics of Michael DeForge are pure genius and my current favourite is about the potential issues faced when adopting a rescue pet.



This article  by Tara Isabella Burton published in the brilliant American Reader about melancholy and the city is one of the best things I have read all year. 

'The self that wanders through the melancholy city bears the weight of that city’s history: the urban body the point of convergence for the imminent present and the past that no longer exists.'

MUUUUUUSIC

Let's listen to some tunes and get things started again...

STUFF | SUNNY

So on this sunny Sunday morning I thought I'd make a list of things I am liking a lot this week. The weather's been hot hot hot so I'm feeling all summery. Cue the coconut drinks and Raybans...




Cathedrals hail from San Fran and make the kind of swirly wurly dream pop that makes you feel like you are in a dreamy Baz Lurman film montage.

As is the case with every collection, once again I find myself desiring everything from Lazy Oaf's Summer 2015 collection. Especially this minty tropical dress and cap. How could you not enjoy summer wearing these! 

I've just returned from a very lovely few days on the Jade Coast via Nantes (France) and time on the beach has made me start thinking summer footwear. There will always be my trusty birkenstocks (hippy lesbian shoes as the boyf calls them) and Havaianas but I have been craving something more pump like. This is when the espadrille saves the day.

 These light and chic little rope shoes are 100% natural and date back 4000 years so who's to argue with that length of popularity. They seem to be the shoe of the moment with Chanel bringing out a lust worthy pair.

The other bonus is that if your budget doesn't stretch as far as Chanel (welcome to the club) then if you buy from traditional makers they're super cheap so you can get a pair in every colour here. 

We were lucky enough to be given a very special housewarming present. Two gorgeous printed tea towels by my uber talented friend Natalie Laura Ellen. The prints are so fun they cannot fail to put a smile on your face and they've certainly livened up our apartment! 

Right, now it's time to go out and enjoy the sunshine! 

MUSIC | TUNEZZ

It's another sunny arvo here in France so here are a couple of big tunezz to accompany the rays….

MUSIC | SPRINGY

Sorry about the massive hiatus whilst I was moving countries. Anyway, bonjour because I am finally back (hold the applause).

Now spring has sprung - although wouldn't know by the current grey rainy stuff happening outside - let's start with some cracking new music to welcome in a season that brings baby critters, daffs and chocolate. Enjoy!

First up is some melodic psyche rock from Berkeley residentsThe  Art Nikels. His music makes you feel like you are floating on a cloud that you can tap your foot on and their latest EP, Primitive, is set to be released on 30th March on Peach Fuzz Recordings. It's a an album that merges a range of styles such at psyche, indie, trip-hop and ambient to offer something that is fresh and the perfect accompaniment to long train journeys or simply a stroll in the park.



Perhaps it was finally getting to see my heroes Sleater Kinney live in paris on Friday night that has amped up my desire for screamy lady rock. Fortunately I have since come across The Stops. These woman also hail from Portland and also make guitar music that hits you hard (in a good way) but you can't stop listening because it's just so darn catchy.



This is easily one of my favourite tracks at the moment. Atlanta rapper ILoveMakonnen talks about clubbing on a weeknight like it's water into wine kinda shit. He may have Kanye levels of subtlety but he has Drake featuring on this track and, as he states, 'I got the gas and coke' so let's keep listening.
R. Seiliog aka producer Robin Edwards makes music that soothes the brain. His blend of experimental ambience, drone, krautrock, psyche and melodic oddness is currently my first choice for a relaxing evening.

Late Of The Pier's former frontman, Samuel Eastgate, is back on Domino as LA Priest (hurrah) and his first offering is superb. This trippy funky synth laden bit of psyche infused wiazardry will have you dancing into autumn. Sometimes it's better to let someone else take all the drugs and feel the effect second hand. Not sure?..  just listen.

The latest single from British band Early Ghost is a swirly piece of psyche-folk goodness. Influenced by The Doors and old Westerns, this band create music that is both fun and interesting to listen too. Singer Mike O’Malley spoke about thier latest EP Devils Got Me Now (relaesed on 23rd March):

'We have given birth to our very own space epic, an accomplishment that all are due to achieve at some point, lest they spend their final hours on this planet feeling bitter and unfulfilled. This one's about my own, totally unwelcome, obsessive link between sleep and death.'

Crikey! They play at The Shacklewell, London, tomorrow (27th March) and at the Brighton Dome Theatre on saturday (28th march), so definitely check them out if you're about!

 

Mysterious producer LSDXOXO has dropped his latest project Sacanegan and it's a dark x-rated folow up to his Whorecore mixtape that is full of meddling surprises and killer beats.
 

Named after everyone's favourite Pokemon ghost, Gengahr are bringing some pretty riffs and harmonies to ensure that you have something to soundtrack your daisy chain making.