We All Scream For HEARTSREVOLUTION

Cyber punk has been taken to a whole new level by boy/girl duo HEARTSREVOLUTION. The visionary pair meld piercing thrash vocals with cosmically metallic electro-pop beats, undeniably creating a sound that could have very well beamed in from the future. Currently, the artists are busy in the studio recording their new album, "Ride or Die", which is to be released this year. I know you are probably reminded of Crystal Castles at first listen; I was too. BUT after thoroughly tuning into HEARTSREVOLUTION I found that their innovative sound is far more dramatic in an intensely contagious, in-your-face manner. There is nothing subdued about these vocals.

That's not all though-even their choice of tour transportation is electic. For their 2011 tour the duo has teamed up with Austrian crystal powerhouse, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, to create the first ever crystallized ice cream truck to tote the artists across the country in. And yes, this bejeweled beast will most certainly be serving up icy treats at their shows. 

If you visit their website you'll also find the opportunity to join their HEARTSCHALLENGER army, where open-minds and creative thinkers are encouraged to ban together to achieve a "revolution of the heart". I love how these guys are connecting with their fans-very inspiring!

All of these tracks make me want to "Dance Till Dawn":
 

  

  

(photo credits:www.fuzznote.blogspot.com, www.nme.com, www.benrowlandphotography.com)

"A Fool For Your Stockings"

As soon as I found out that thigh-high stockings were back in fashion, the 11 year old girl inside of me jumped for joy! I remember watching the cult classic, Clueless, as a wide-eyed child of the 90s and could not wait to go to high school so I could wear the aforementioned leg-wear along with plaid mini skirt "suits" while clutching absurd, feather tip pens. But of course that trend was loooong gone as I entered my much anticipated teenage years in the early millennium.  

Obviously, the phrase "what goes around comes around" definitely applies to fashion, as well. I'm extremely appreciative of this repetitive aspect of clothing design because I'll ridiculously get to wear my favorite trends from decades past (even the not so far off 90s) and see them reinvented time and time again. I just hope trucker hats don't come back...EVER!

Now back to thigh-highs: What to pair them with has proven to be a bit of a daunting task. One wrong move and the outfit could look a bit Catholic schoolgirl/kinder whore-ish or even streetwalker-esque. Therefore, I find it imperative to keep the top half of my body covered up a bit to avoid looking down right slutty. But hey, if you see the world as your boudoir and that everyone in it is a potential, seducible suitor, then by all means rock those stockings like a giddy lil' playboy bunny...someone will appreciate you for it.

FunFunFun in Texas

The ever-growing FunFunFun Festival kicks off today in Austin, TX and will be blaring through the entire weekend at Waterloo Park. The four year-old music extravaganza has been nationally acclaimed for its DIY, underground aesthetics and will showcase four different core stages separated by genre: Punk/hardcore, indie rock, hiphop/DJ, and even comedy scenes. Sadly I have to miss out on this non-stop musical experience, but have created a playlist of featured FunFunFun artists to keep me going through my mournful weekend.

 Fun electro-pop beats laced with smooth French vocals 
Part emo, part post-rock, these guys have been intricately developing their diverse sound for 10 years
Dreamy melodies that rest somewhere between dance and pop
Mysterious boy/girl duo from New York who dole out that 60s pop sound, while twisting sugary-sweet vocals and sinister lyrics together
Former hardcore musician tries his hand at experimental-synth (with hooks!) and succeeds admirably
Israeli garage/punk trio who pull off crazy stage antics including lighting their equipment and themselves on fire
Guitarist (even steel guitar!) and composer who repeatedly defies genres with her intriguing sound-I'm really sad to miss her.
This group really needs no description as they have been picking up national hype for their innovation-you can hear a string of their influences from The Breeders to Roxy Music
For nostalgic reasons and an uninhibited, rowdy good time...

Photo credits: www.musicfestivaljunkies.com, www.austinpost.org, www.gigulate.com, www.ultra8201.blogspot.com

Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You....

Smoking cigarettes has been the one constant in my life for the past three years (as well as time, but I'm not going there). I have let my nicotine addiction completely and utterly dictate all my actions: "I'm stressed out," what do I do? Smoke a cigarette! "I've eaten an amazing meal (or anything at all)," what do I do? Smoke a cigarette! "You know what would go great with this mocha?" A CIGARETTE! I think you get what I'm saying here.

Despite what I've been told my whole life about the destruction and despair cigarettes cause, I've always been attracted to the act of smoking.  To this day I still find it glamorous in an edgy, rebellious, alluring 'I don't give a $#!%' way. And that my friends is my pitfall-the black beauty of disintegration and all that it encompasses. Plus, I've always thought Kate Moss looked quite fabulous with a cig gently adorning her lips. Oh yeah, and I'm obsessed with the 60s, when coincidentally everyone and their mothers smoked.

BUT I am done, done, DONE! These things make me feel feeble and dependent most of the time and I am way too young to feel this terrible. From this day on I am claiming my health back from potential disease and vow to never play prisoner to these evil little cancer sticks again. It won't be easy though. Hopefully I can remain a nice person and not drive my boyfriend crazy with nicotine-withdrawal induced mood swings. So, in addition to whatever it is I've been writing about on this here blog, I will be chronicling my struggle to a cigarette-free lifestyle; more importantly without turning this endeavor into perpetual complaining. 

Farewell my mischievous little life-ruiners, all the chewing gum in the world will never compare. But at least I'll feel a whole hell-of-a-lot better!

Lanvin Luxury For All

On November 23rd, H&M stores around the world will be bombarded by fashionistas in order to get their hands on a piece of Lanvin's collection for the affordable world-wide retailer. The video above was recently released and gives us a glimpse of the 30 piece women's assortment and also into the wacky, luxury-crazed world of Lanvin, headed by the genius Alber Elbaz. In the video you will spot a lot of the design power-house's chic aesthetics-voluminous cocktail dresses in candy colors, mesh details, and floral patterns. 

I absolutely love how my favorite designers are creating beautiful clothing for inexpensive stores because I have always felt that unique designs and important view points should be accessible to every class, not just the extremely wealthy. Unfortunately for me an H&M store is nowhere to be found in Texas, yet :) I guess I'll be hunting the internet for my Lanvin piece!