Summer Camp

Some photos I took summer at sleepaway camp-

Motherhood means mental freeze

Most 90's rock fans know Kim Deal as the back-up singer and bassist of the Pixies. While on their hiatus post-Doolittle, Deal was assembling her own rock band, the Breeders, whom I actually prefer more than the Pixies.
1993's Last Splash, the Breeders' second album, consists of hypnotic melodies and droning guitar. "Cannonball"'s distinctive bassline can be recognized and head banged to instantly. "No Aloha" and "Mad Lucas" are not quite as pop-y, but are still extremely pleasant to listen to.  Deal's wonderfully elusive lyrics are complemented with her smooth yet raspy voice. The combination is mesmerizing.
The Breeders encountered several obstacles along their path. Some members developed drug problems, while others began family and preferred their suburban life over the unsettled, rock n' roll lifestyle. They released a few albums after Last Splash, but they were not as successful. 
Twenty years later, they began practicing to perform all of Last Splash again on a Europe and United States reunion tour. They will be releasing a double edition of Last Splash, titled LSXX. 

I pray I pray I will see one of these shows!

Read the 4AD announcement here.

Won't you play me today?

Ty Segall was born and raised in Southern California, in a sunny, laid-back hippie town until Ty reached high school. He heard some mumblings of some classmates who were casted in a reality show, titled with the name of their hometown, Laguna Beach. After the show aired, his guitarist, Charlie Moothart said, who also grew up in the area, “Everybody wanted drama.” The romance of the tight-knit community had fled.​

The theme of nostalgia appears frequently in Ty Segall’s dreamy rock music. He sings of saying goodbye to the past in “Goodbye Bread”. His music is heavily influenced by 70’s rock ‘n’ roll and punk such as T. Rex and Iggy Pop. This year’s Hair, a collaboration with San Francisco’s White Fence, was also a recent product of the sounds of the past. The album is a delicious hazy 60’s inspired work, with lucid musical references to many psychedelic bands such as Magical Mystery Tour-era Beatles and grittier, quicker garage rock.

Ty Segall’s reminiscence may seem out of place in the electronic popular music of today. But Segall is well aware of this- “There are all these kids who are growing up on Skrillex and all this digital music. What are they gonna think when they hear rock ‘n’ roll?”

Read the Pitchfork cover story here.

Don't run, don't rush, just flow

Francesca Woodman, 1958-1981.

Photos from here, here, here, here, here, and here.

She likes to wear green underwear

Kim Gordon, Kat Bjelland of Babes in Toyland, and Courtney Love of Hole.

Forgive me for being over thirty years late, but I recently discovered Sonic Youth.
I'm in love.
They're from good ol' NYC, and they formed in 1981. They were associated with the "No Wave" music and art scene, a satirical response to the "New Wave" genre when they started out.
There are a few reasons I really admire them, besides their music (which of course is the glue of the whole operation). To begin with, I think it's totally adorable Thurston Moore (singer, songwriter, and guitarist) and Kim Gordon (bassist and guitarist) have been married since 1984, and have worked so well together for so long. They even have a child, Coco, who was born in 1994. I also am just a big fan of Kim Gordon because I really respect that only-chick-in-the-band situation, like Tina Weymouth from Talking Heads, or Kim Deal from Pixies. I also like that she grew to be successful a little later than some other musicians; she was 28 when Sonic Youth was formed, and one of their most-praised albums, Daydream Nation, was released in 1988, when she was 35.
As for their music, it consists of intense dark, quick riffs, unconventional tunings, with clever, humorous lyrics, but incredibly honest and frank as well. They have developed a wide variety of style in their work, and some songs sound like they're by completely different artists, but Kim Gordon's deep, breathy whisper is recognized instantly.



Photos: here and here.

Come As You Are

Fourty-four years ago today in the state of Washington, Kurt Cobain was brought into this world.

Happy Birthday and rest in peace, Kurt.

And I Could Love You Like a Colored TV

I hope everyone's Valentine's Days were lovely, and if you don't believe in Valentine's Day, I hope your regular day was lovely, too.

Photo from here.

So if you're out tonight, don't forget, if you're on your bike, wear white.

Photos: here, here, here, here.

Today, I

...woke up in the shower.
...left my phone at home.
...wore this-



Zara polyester top, BDG Jeans, Mellow Yellow boot(ies? I always thought that was such a lame word)s, vintage necklace.
...and got compared to Hamlet and The Pope. fUk d@ h8rz. And off-days.

P.S. I apologize for the dimly lit photos. I'm kind of afraid of flash.

P.P.S., this.

sins for the sinners

I have mixed feelings about the rockabilly look. I believe it can be pulled off in a very classy manner, or trashy and unattractive. When the rockabilly, pin-up, and greaser looks originated in the 50's, all were unapologetically adorable. Today, I find it difficult to to do these looks tastefully, but a few months ago, Teen Vogue featured an article on rockabilly that really caught my eye, and displayed the look perfectly. It has been dog-eared atop my never-ending pile of magazines, along with the concept still marinating in my mind.

Classy Modern 50's Style

(Click to enlarge)

A Little Example of Modern Rockabilly I Find Hard To Handle

Rachel Federoff from The Millionaire Matchmaker. I agree with essentially everything Patti Stanger says, along with the rest of the cast, but not necessarily the style of the cast. Regardless, they seem to be doing their jobs correctly and be overall very entertaining, so I put my differing opinions aside.

Sources: tfs, poptower.

but i'll stop now before i start crying

you have a pineapple

Ever since Nirvana released Bleach in 1989, a revolution began. Drenched in oversized flannel and ripped skinny jeans, a new genre of angsty, fuck-the-world teens emerged from the Pacific Northwest. Their unique style, sound, and lifestyle left a permanent impression on pop culture, and recently, the concept of grunge has made a comeback.

OG's (Original Grungesters)


Liz Phair

Pearl Jam

Claire Danes and Jared Leto in a promo shot for My So-Called Life.

Rosario Dawson and Chloe Sevigny on the set of Kids.

Kurt Cobain

Courtney Love

Grunge teens

MG's (Modern Grungesters)


Alexander Wang Fall 2008 RTW
(Click to enlarge)


Pixie Geldof and Alice Dellal


Jesse Jo


Cory Kennedy
I'm not sure if this one qualifies as grunge, but regardless, it displays the extraordinary awesomeness/crackheadness of Cory.

Photos from here, here, here, here, this place, and of course, Cobrasnake.

In The Desert

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter – bitter", he answered,
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

-Stephen Crane, 1895

Photo: this lovely human's flickr.

(You should also take a look at my flickr.)

Words of Wisdom from Sir West

Today, my darlings,
I have for you a treat.

For it is not the way he sings,

But what's in a Tweet.

@kanyewest: She asked when is fashion week.... uuuum...I thought it was every week??!!

Word.

P.S. Download his newest single, "Monster", featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver, and Nicki Minaj here.

Photo from here.

Why the fuck is Kelly Osbourne doing E! "Fashion Police"?

The scene of the crime.

I had been treating myself to some Frosted Flakes and lounging on the couch in my den just a few moments ago. I had been flipping through the channels, rolling my eyes at the lackluster mix of news and reality television shows, when I came across lovely, trendy, Kelly Osbourne's delightful face on the E! channel. I pressed Info on my remote. The show was "Fashion Police".

Since I recently formed a deep appreciation for Ms. Osbourne, I continued watching. It was a review (or rather, a massacre) of celebrities' looks from the primetime Emmys, which had occured last Sunday. Four people, three women (Ms. Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic, and Joan Rivers) and a man (George Kotsiopoulous), sat in almost miniature and uncomfortable-looking leather chairs, behind a coffee table with an illustrious bouquet upon it, discussing the gowns and tuxes of the rich and famous.

To continue on with my experience, I must inform you of my "Fashion Police" and related programs/media/concept in general opinion. I am strongly opposed to it. It goes against so many of my morals, and disagrees with so many of the expressions I repeat to myself every day; said expression (one of them) being this:

Wear what you want to wear.

I can't repeat it enough. Shows like these only prevent individuals from being confident and happy with their personal style. They believe they should wear things like what these celebrities wear. They fear their own spin on fashion isn't good enough, or isn't "cool" or "stylish". It also makes them wonder that if they did leave the house taking a risk/s with their look, that they would get ridiculed, just like some of the celebrities on that show whom perhaps didn't have (god forbid), the one and only, Rachel Zoe as their stylist.

I believe these fears are silly. Not silly as in not a big deal and easily changeable, because for lots of people, it takes years to accept their desire to wear out-of-the-norm things. I mean silly as in so silly, these fears shouldn't exist. What could someone say that could actually hurt you? Would anyone really think less of you? Wear that sequined minidress to the club. Paint your nails hot pink. Finally buy those floral Doc Martens. Rejoice, my friends. What have you got to lose?

So yes, there I was, watching with fury four people shatter millions of other people's self confidence. Beautiful, lip-glossed and bow tied men and women paraded down the red carpet, stretching their lips out to reveal frighteningly bright white chicklet smiles. This was simply not enough to satisfy the "Fashion Police", and nearly everyone fell victim to a Joan Rivers-take no prisoners-criticism. The woman dissed Betty White. Who does that?

Yes, I agree the looks at this years' Emmys were unimaginitive, but such is the case with every awards show. Don't get me started on that. I'm here to pitch a little rant at Kelly Osbourne.

Back to the initial thought- why are you doing this show, Kelly? I thought our passions and views were similar, you and I. Little did I know you were just like the rest. You mix punk with lady-like accents. You make purple hair look elegant and effortless. Where did your spark go? Don't tell me that bleached-blond cheating manorexic ex-boyfriend male model (*breath*) took it with him.

I was even more saddened when I discovered this was to be a weekly occuring program, not just an annual event.

Get out, Kelly, before they take your soul, too.


Photos from weheartit, exposay, and here.

it was like a fine-toothed comb

we were wearing kitten masks

Summer state of mind's officially in full bloom. I don't know the weekday, I can't form proper sentences, and my skin has managed to escape the inevitable sunburn and looks effortlessly sun-kissed (yet it required a lot more effort than appears). The ice cream is flowing, as well, which is always a plus. For now a few random photos that remind me of the current season will have to suffice for a real post until I get my shit together. I hope you believe me when I say that I am capable of still putting actual writing in my posts. They will come. In due time, young grasshopper, in due time.







Photos mostly from Jak & Jil and weheartit.