October 27, 2010

The Cat's Meow


Lately, I cannot seem to get enough of L.A. based band Kitten. While the band name alone may invoke images that only tween minds are capable of, don't let that sugary-sweet innocence fool you. Instead you will find a whole lot of attitude coupled with vulnerability from this very young band.


 What I find most intriguing about Kitten is that their sound does not play prisoner to prescribed genres. They will move from an eerily dreamy, slightly dissonant lullaby like "Allison Day" into a new wave infused dance fest like "Chinatown".  And if you are looking for a raw edge, then look no further than "Kitten with a Whip". This guitar-driven track oozes Karen O. sensibilities in all of its cheeky assertiveness. Oh, and did I mention that the lovely lead singer, Chloe, isn't even old enough to drive yet? Who feels under-accomplished now?

Photos from Kitten's Myspace page
Kitten has recently released an EP, "Sunday School", and it is graciously available to download for free here until November 1st. The band has no concrete play dates for Austin, TX, but I'm confident that will change soon.

Hello Goodbye

Fate certainly led me in an interesting direction last week as the birth of a beautiful baby girl perpetuated an impromptu trip to Target, or as I like to call it TargĂ©t. Yes, I went there for the sole purpose of finding a baby monitor, but first found myself trying on jackets-I cannot help myself! I ended up with two pieces that are definitely on the trend radar this season: A shearling-collar aviator coat and a cognac moto jacket. 

 
The aviator coat definitely is a statement piece which means you're better off pairing it with classic lines and neutral colors in order to keep the look more modern and chic. It is just too easy to look costume-y and ridiculous with this coat, but then again, that's probably why I like it so much. 



As for my other purchase, I'm really loving the cognac color right now because it easily blends well with browns and blacks, making color schemes more interesting. With archaic styling rules gone for good, living in this day and age of fashion is so freeing-it doesn't matter if you wear white after labor day, mix black and brown, or if you'd prefer to don your tights with open-toe shoes. At the end of the day no one really cares, and if they do then you're doing something right!



Target also offered me a little more than just merchandise. I quickly found out that Jessica Alba was shopping at that very same moment. Once again I couldn't help myself as I decided to nonchalantly walk by the aisle she was browsing. I only wanted one quick glance! No Target patrons bugged her for photos and/or autographs which pleased me immensely. It is extremely exciting to spot a celebrity out in the real world, but at the same time they are just people who might shop at Target.  And who wants to be pestered while doing mundane, everyday things? 

October 21, 2010

Denver Dame

 

While visiting my sister in the sunshine state last summer, I was graciously introduced to the art of a Denver native named Laura Goldhamer. This 23 year old cleverly reworks classic folk elements with her jumpy, quivering vocals that are as intense as they are uniquely beautiful. Accompanying Goldhamer's vocals is her finely picked banjo playing, which manages to mimic and hang on to her every jarring and spirited lyric. Not only are her performances a feast for the ears, but for the eyes as well because Goldhamer brings the music to life with insanely innovative and expository stop-motion animations created by the artist herself. In short, this composer of sorts has described her work as "edgy children's stories" (denversyntax.com) and has admitted to heavily incorporating the witty art of the double-entendre into her figurative lyrics (newsflags.blogspot.com).

October 20, 2010

We Like What We Like

Ever since I was a little girl music has always been a fascination (rather an obsession) of mine. I would stay up very late gawking at the images and tuned into the sounds beaming from early 90's MTV (unbeknownst to my parents) and was completely enthralled by what I heard. I guess I was inspired before I even knew what inspired meant. Music was so ineffable and powerful to me and to this day it still is. This art form captivates me because it has the masterful ability to excite and ease emotions, conjure memories, and is a catalyst for forward thinking, which all of course is extremely personal and inherently fluctuates from listener to listener.




For my sincere love of music I have my big sis' to thank. She definitely was a huge influence on my musical preferences because she introduced me to a diverse world of genres. From The Mamas & the Papas to Radiohead, she was listening to everything, and I was right there behind her marveling and admiring all those melodious discoveries-as well as her for enlightening me.  Without my sister's guidance I would probably have grown up in some sad, little country & western bubble, completely oblivious of diverse sounds.



However, my passions do not end there.  I am completely head-over-heels (bad pun intended) for fashion and personal style.  Piecing an outfit together is just so damn fun for me, and the options and inspirations out there are virtually endless. I love the paradoxically deceiving and descriptive effects that style can have on our perceptions, and its power to transform the way we feel about ourselves.  Plus, I always enjoy the HUNT for that rare, inexpensive, vintage find. 
 


For me, music and fashion have always gone together, hand in hand, as they both simultaneously conjure vivid images that seamlessly compliment each other. When I hear Jimi Hendrix I can't help but briefly think of outrageous fringe jackets, vivid blue bell-bottoms, and heaps of boho jewelry. Or, consider the Sex Pistols with all the leather, chains, and DIY aesthetics.  These styles are certainly signs of period movements, socially and therefore musically, and I cannot seem to get enough of all the connections and metaphors between image and sound!  After all, I am a visual creature.


(All photography by the beautiful Melody Murphy)
Thus, I give you Candy Store Rock: A place where I will share anything and everything that peaks my interests in both music and style, as well as a little about my life intertwined with the two. And I hope you'll share, too! Listen, relax, and enjoy.