LOVE MUSIC -- Them:Youth

I want to be at a music festival more than anything. Prehaps its the lure of summer, and the thought of dancing into the night without a care in the world, losing yourself in the elusive sounds. I did a little collage of my favorite festivals around the world - I have yet to attend all of them, but these festivals have kickass line-ups from year to year. I've always wanted to go to Glastonbury, the 5-day king of all music festivals, but never found the time/money to fly all the way out there for a week. One day. The Pitchfork festival is going on in Chicago right now, too bad I'm on the other side of the world, for Chicago is a mere 4 hour drive from my home in Michigan. But I'm hearing lots of good things about it. I was actually introduced to Primavera Sound (in Barcelona) through a friend I met while studying in Paris. I booked my tickets immediately after looking at the awesome lineup (the xx, the Pixies, Wilco, Matt & Kim, Grizzly Bear, etc.). I saw lots of really great bands and it was phenomenal.

For a music-lover, there's nothing like the feeling of getting new music. I was lucky enough to have a chance to interview the boys from Them:Youth, a hip 4-man indie rock band hailing from West London. Them:Youth first came on my radar when I saw them on We All Want Someone To Shout For, one of my favorite music blogs. I was more than estatic when they contacted me and offered to give an exclusive track to all my readers! Fever Rising, which is not scheduled to be released until August, is the artful mix of garage band rock and britpop vocals, and it's thrilling bassline keeps you dancing all night long!

Well, what are you waiting for? Give them a listen:

So here it is, my exclusive interview with Them:Youth, enjoy!

How did your band start?
It was a college thing first of all really.. just playing some parties to friends and then escualting from there.. we have always had a firm belief that we have something special

Who are your most prominent musical influences?
Our influences seem to be changing like the wind at the moment.. we listen to anything from the Rolling Stones to DJ Shadow to the Brian Jonestown Massacre and a whole lot inbetween.. finding other new music is a big thing for us..

Favorite spot in London?
Got to say Richmond Upon Thames as its where we spend the majority of our time.. its also got some history with the Rolling Stones being the house band at the Crawdaddy Club there at the start of there career...



British style has always been heavily influenced by music - as a band, how would you describe yours?
I would say we are male divas.. style and image are a major part of what we do.. I think it will get more flamboyant as we go which iam excited about.. love the Brian Jones mid/late sixties look...

Best places to shop in London?
Carnaby Street is still close to our hearts with its sense of nostalgia.. I would say Liberty's is the best shop in London just a shame we can't afford to shop there lol...

Favorite music festival?
Rock en Seine in Paris.. the Parisians do it with style

If you could pick 5 bands to headline at your own music festival who would they be?
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Chemical Brothers
Rolling Stones
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
UNKLE

The National Gallery houses some really amazing art, who's your favorite artist in there?
Pablo Picasso all the way.. think we relate to his art.. shame he's not around to do our sleeve...

You've released a lot of amazing singles, do you have an album in the works? If so, when can we expect it?
Yes... album is on the way hopefully in the new year.. it feels like we have been locked in the studio forever.. we can't wait for the world to hear the outcome.. we are very proud boys..

Do you guys have plans to come to our side of the pond? If so, where would you want to go first?
Hopefully we can get over very soon .. would love to get round the States.. think it would have to be NYC first as we are big fans of Sex and the City... then onto somewhere warm me thinks..

I'm absolutely smitten with Them:Youth and I can't wait to hear more from this talented foursome! I'll leave you with their video for Fever Rising & a bonus remix:

channeling africa

( H&M fashion against aids top, pants, and oxfords, random bracelets)

I know I always make excuses for my lack of updating - it's really only to make myself feel less guilty - but I've been extremely busy with my internship! I actually find myself enjoying it immensely - I mean, how wonderful is it to get paid for surfing fashion websites and looking for inspiration? I do that on a daily basis anyway!

I first saw this shirt on an H&M ad in the subway, and it was, quite literally, love at first sight. In an ideal world I would be brave enough to wear this crop with just shorts (and have the abs to do so). But it turns out I'm whimpy and opted for the high-waist look. Sorry that last picture super shitty, I have yet to master how to get a clear picture in mid-air - *embarrassment*.

In my editorial research at work, I discovered this photo from an absolutely captivating editorial which is actually for Oysho's spring summer collection (they just opened up a store near Hotel de Ville in Paris).






Currently Listening to:
Neon Indian - Should've Taken Acid with You
As Tall as Lions - Love, Love, Love
Local Natives - Sun Hands
Morning Benders - Cold War
Dr. Dog - Shadow People


Oh and also, I gave into the whole tumblr craze... add me here!!

Balenciaga Inspired.

( H&M Dress & Belt, American Apparel Tights, thrifted scarf)


I'm finally back from SPAIN!!! YAYYY!! I had an amazing trip, and I feel like I'm five shades darker. I'm happy to say that the Icelandic volcano did not cause too much trouble for me. Expect pictures / outfits from my trip soon! Although keep in mind that I was living out of a 15 pound backpack for 2 weeks thus I had a very limited wardrobe.

Anyway, I wore this outfit in Paris right before I left for my Spanish holiday - and just managed to put up the pictures - I know I'm absolutely horrible. Like many I've been absolutely obsessed with the Balenciaga F/W09 collection and I could not be happier to find that H&M has finally created a Balenciaga-inspired dress - although I wish they made the v-neck puffy shoulder blouse as well... oh well, I adore the dress nonetheless. (Haha, just rhymed.)

So my Ipod has been my life lately, and these are some tracks I currently love:

Sea Bear - I Sing, I Swim
Bon Iver - Re: Stacks
Ratatat - Mirando
Hot Chip - Shake a Fist
Broken Bells - The High Road
Apparat - Arcadia
Aphex Twin - Windowlicker



Also - Good Albums:

The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom
Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Alrighty, hopefully another post in two days!! Fingers crossed!

warmth

( H&M blazer, tank and tights, F21 shorts & sunglasses, Nine West Flats )

Snapped these pictures in the Luxembourg gardens on a wonderfully sunny Parisian afternoon. Which seems to be rare these days. It's amazing how people seem to take sunshine for granted, there's something so carefree and soothing about soaking up those golden rays.

I've been on the hunt for new music lately - but here are some great albums that I'm completely obsessed with:


1. The XX - The XX
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
3. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
4. Atlas Sound - Logos
5. Sigur Ros - með suð í eyrum
6. Throw Me The Statue - Creaturesque


Being in Paris for fashion week has been so surreal for me, I feel unbelievably lucky to have the opportunity to go to all these shows. And to be really cliche, its (seriously) like a dream come true. I'll have a full recap when it's all over (by Weds.)

tonight, tonight we'll shine so bright

( F21 Shirt and Tights, Bebe jacket, Preview Shoes, vintage necklace worn as bracelet)

1. This is me attempting to pose like a blogger - haha, yes...
2. I am so behind on all of the runway shows - I swear that I will make a collage about Milan soon!! School has been sucking up all my time. *sighs*
3. I actually write for a fashion magazine at Umich, and we do some prettty awesome photo shoots - so be looking forward to those!

♫ Hard-fi - Tonight