Miami's Fashion Magazine
Music
Florals, The Rolling Stones, and my 70s Funk
Apr 10th
My dad’s a huge 70s fanatic, always telling me stories of when he was young, and living the life of the kids we see in the movie My Girl. His favorite saying—“The 70s was the best time, today is nothing compared to the 70s… remember that.” As I plug my ears and walk away, I couldn’t picture the 70s being that fun. But lately, I’ve been stuck in the 70s, and with the H&M Garden collection releasing, and the new bold accessories at American Eagle Outfitters, looks like I’ll be stuck there all summer!
This isn’t a bad thing. It’s giving me the chance to be experimental and tap into a different fashion era. Over Spring Break, I found myself watching Soul Train every day, trying to locate a place where I can find a vintage bike, and saying words like psychedelic, groovy, and right on! I even bought leather vintage American Tourist boxed luggage. Don’t judge me, when I’m into something, I live it! This summer my friends better be ready, I’m preparing to bring the 70s to 2010.
The H&M Garden collection got me really excited after I saw fashion blogger, Karen Blanchard, (Wheredidyougetthat.blogspot.com) post pictures of herself in both red and ivory, chic dresses, trying to figure out which one to purchase. They both looked amazing to me, so I decided to inspect in the collection. I found awesome pieces, which I’ll be spending my hard earned cash on. Forever 21 also has a myriad of fun and affordable, floral dresses! This summer I’ll be riding the bike (that I’m going to find), with my iPod in my ears, listening to my massive play list of The Rolling Stones, Earth Wind & Fire, and Elton John, accessorized with my brown-tint aviator shades, in floral of course!
If you’re in the same 70s funk as me, or you’re just excited about summer (we all should be), here’s some fun summer suggestions:
Summer Playlist:
- Sympathy for the Devil- The Rolling Stones
- Love Rollercoaster- Ohio Players
- Brown Sugar- The Rolling Stones
- Hearts a Fire- Earth Wind and Fire
- ABC- The Jackson 5
- Play that Funky Music – Wild Cherry
- Bennie and the Jets- Elton John
- Me and Mrs. Jones – Billy Paul (My grandparents all time favorite!)
Funky Accessory:
AE Colorful bead Bracelet 12.50 (www.ae.com )
Fun Flirty Floral:
H&M Garden Collection 19.95 (http://www.hmthegardencollection.com/still-life-4/)
Peace and love everyone!
–Keiana Smith-McDowell
The best books you’ve never read
Mar 26th
So I don’t often declare any single artist or band a favorite of mine, but there’s one duo that I consistently deem one of my top 5 music groups of all time: The Books.
Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong jamming out at a performance. http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/the-books-unveil-new-music.html
In 1999, guitarist/vocalist Nick Zammuto and cellist Paul de Jong combined to form The Books, named as such because none of their friends liked the name. They deem their style “collage music,” which is, a self-proclaimed genre featuring a lot of rhythmic sounds from acoustic string instruments, accompanied by clips from thrift store cassette tapes.
“Voice is the most sonically heavy sound that people can make use of,” the Books’ website proclaims, emphasizing the importance of these strange little cassette tape sound bites.
The Books read some books. www.last.fm/music/ The+Books/+images/29206689
In addition, The Books never use drum set for backbeats. Instead they utilize children’s toys and other knick-knacks to make percussive sounds. They’ve produced several albums, all with quirky titles, such as Thought for Food, Music for a French Elevator, and The Lemon of Pink (which was named after a Dutch lipstick color).
These two write some pretty killer stuff. Though a little trippy, it’s beautiful just the same. One of my favorite songs is “Smells Like Content” from their album Lost and Safe. It’s a beautiful, metrical song describing the existential mindset. On the same album, “A Little Longing Goes Away” is a very open, somehow empty composition concentrating on the push and pull of the lyrics. Its lyrics seem to speak to Taoism by focusing on nothing, freeing ourselves of all desires. “We know to seek success is utter nonsense/ the best is to be blank,” Zammuto sings softly, asserting emptiness, detachment, and peaceful emptiness throughout the song.
So – they’re a little strange, I know, but The Books are innovative, wonderful music makers. Take a listen …or two!
Check out The Books’ website! It’s a fun time.
Listen to Tokyo, one of my favorites by this dynamic duo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GLFFBNjDc&feature=related
–Abby Sapadin
“I believe it, even if it is not true”
Feb 17th
Miike Snow is a Swedish group, famous for writing and producing albums for stars such as Britney Spears and Madonna. Their self-titled album features many catchy songs, which I haven’t been able to get out of my head. My favorite track from the album is “Cult Logic.” I’ve posted it above, so give it a listen. Another popular track, “Animal,” has even been featured on Gossip Girl. The whole album is fun and easy to listen to, I definitely recommend it.
–Lindsay O’Hara
“You don’t move me anymore”
Feb 11th
Yeasayer has been one of my favorite bands for awhile now. I saw them live two summers ago at Lollapalooza when I had only casually listened to them, but after their performance I fell in love. This past summer they performed at Pitchfork Festival in Chicago, and their set was magical. My friends and I were in the front, in the crowd, and it started raining as they began playing. Everyone was dancing and and singing along, and as they played their song “Sunshine,” the sun came out as if on cue. The track above, “O.N.E.” is from their new album, ODD BLOOD, which was just released on Tuesday with great reviews. From what I’ve heard so far, I am impressed. If you like “O.N.E.” you can check out the rest of the album on their myspace, here.
–Lindsay O’Hara
27 Free Songs at Nylon
Feb 10th
Who doesn’t love free music? Get 27 free iTunes songs from Nylon with the click of one button!
Hurry fast it expires on February 28th!!
Click here to access the songs on Nylon’s website!
Track listing:
1. Amanda Blank – “Might Like You Better”
2. Amazing Baby – “Headdress”
3. Andrew Bird – “Fitz and the Dizzyspells”
4. Animal Collective – “Brother Sport”
5. The Boxer Rebellion – “Evacuate”
6. Cass McCombs – “Dreams Come True”
7. Chew Lips – “Seven”
8. Dan Deacon – “Woof Woof”
9. Discovery – “Osaka Loop Line”
10. El Perro Del Mar – “Change of Heart”
11. Farmer Dave Scher – “You Pick Me Up”
12. Fever Ray – “When I Grow Up”
13. Girls – “Lust for Life”
14. Grizzly Bear – “Cheerleader
15. The Horrors – “Sea Within a Sea”
16. Lissy Trullie – “Don’t to Do”
17. Major Lazer – “Hold the Line”
18. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – “Young Adult Friction”
19. Sufjan Stevens – “Movement VIIsorhythmic Night Dance With Interchanges”
20. Thao Nguyen With the Get Down Stay Down – “Know Better Learn Faster
21. Vivian Girls – “When I’m Gone”
22. Washed Out – “Feel It All Around”
23. Wavves – “So Bored”
24. White Denim – “I Start to Run”
25. White Rabbits – “Percussion Gun”
26. Woods – “Rain On”
27. YACHT – “The Afterlife”
The XX – VCR
Jan 25th
The xx – VCR from satelite on Vimeo.
The xx is a band that has recently grown on me. When the end of December rolled around and everyone (Pitchfork, last.fm) started making their “Top Artists of the Year” lists – the xx was always included. I had to start listening to see what all the fuss was about, and I quickly became obsessed. Their calm, low-key vibe has an optimistic quality that never fails to perk me up. They just released this video for “VCR” the other day, so check it out and when you get a chance, listen to “Heart Skipped a Beat”, my favorite from their album.
–Lindsay O’Hara