Category: Features
Street Style Profile: Tucker Alford
This weeks Street Style Profile features UGA art student and musician Tucker Alford. Were always impressed by his unique ability to blend patterns and his interest in supporting sustainable clothing companies- like his shoes- made by Nisolo- a micro enterprise that provides consistent livelihood for workers in developing countries. Tucker is an-all around good soul with an interesting personality- so we were thrilled to hear about some of his inspirations and his favorite music. Don’t forget to scroll down for Tucker’s specially curated playlist.
Who or what inspires your personal style?
I don’t know if a certain person really influences my style, but I do like a lot of what I’ve seen musicians wear, and characters in Wes Anderson films. I always just try to wear what makes me happy. I really like hats, so I guess I have Beck Hansen to thank for that.
What are you currently listening to?
I’ve been listening to a lot of things lately, but the things that I’ve been listening to most are Beck’s new album Morning Phase, Atlas Sound, Neutral Milk Hotel (always), Mac Demarco, Gauntlet Hair and Vampire Weekend to name a few. I’m also listening to a lot of Paul Simon’s stuff from the 80’s.
Are there any upcoming shows your looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Mac Demarco in Atlanta in a few weeks as well as Vampire Weekend in May. It’ll be my third time seeing Vampy Weeks, and I’m real jazzed about it, seeing as they are my favorite band. I’m also looking forward to Lollapalooza in early August in Chicago.
You are an art student- can you tell us a bit about your art work or what interests you within your discipline- what you aspire to do in the future?
I’d really consider myself a musician. I play my own stuff, and I play at churches and such, but as far as art comes, I’m pretty new to it. I really enjoy sculpting things and stuff like that, but I don’t have a certain plan for where art will take me in the future. I see myself playing music though.
Most importantly-boxers or briefs?
Ok, just kidding…
Any words of wisdom/favorite advice/quotes you want to end with?
Words of wisdom. I don’t do this often, but here it goes. Don’t take yourself too seriously (it’s fun to not care), but treat the life you’ve been given and the people in it very seriously.
Recap: Athens Slingshot Festival
With over 70 bands spread out among 12 different venues, 40 artists, a technology panel, a comedy night, sold out 1,000-person shows, and after parties, it’s safe to say that Slingshot Festival 2014 was a success. With the numerous acts and artists, it’s difficult to summarize, but we’ll hit some of the highlights of the weekend.
The festival kicked off Wednesday night with a performance by Tinariwen, a desert blues band from northern Mali. These guys could not have been a more unique start to the festival. The energy from Tinariwen was contagious, and the contrast between the band’s traditional dress and modern instruments was striking. Their harmonies were stunning, and despite the communication barrier, the passion in their performance was felt by the packed-out Theatre.
To top off the great start to Slingshot, Creature Comforts previewed – and quickly filled to capacity – their lovely new space. The after party featured DJ List Christee, better known as Kevin Barnes. Barnes provided an excellent after party soundtrack to break in Creature Comforts in the best way. Thanks to Dos Equis, free beer was provided, and danceable beats from KB pleased the partygoers.
Thursday was predominantly art exhibits at Creature Comforts, Bulldog Inn and Lamar Dodd School of Art. One art exhibit by Christopher Nelms and Ted Khun, at Bulldog Inn particularly stood out, involving 40 pounds of bananas, vodka shots, and karaoke. All of the art exhibits throughout the week were each completely unique and spanned a wide range of mediums.
Friday was a packed schedule, and it was tough to decide what to go to with the abundance of options. Lera Lynn graced the Morton Theatre with her style of rootsy Americana. During a few technical difficulties, she even gave an impromptu tap dance to entertain the eager crowd.
The New West records showcase was at the Caledonia Lounge, and all were exciting up-and-coming artists. Dega performed their synth-heavy compositions, which featured dreamy vocal harmonies, making quite the impression on the crowd for what was only their third live performance. Ruby the Rabbitfoot followed with her soulful, organic style of indie pop. Ruby had great stage presence and kept the crowd entertained with her quirky comments in between songs.
Powerkompany packed out The World Famous later in the evening. The cinematic electropop trio filled the room with powerful and convicting vocals the crowd seemed to enjoy.
Friday was also Japan Nite, featuring five bands from Japan performing at New Earth Music Hall. Peelander Z was the headliner for Japan Nite, and did not disappoint. The energy of the “action comic” punk group was electric, and the crowd responded with chanting, crowd surfing, and joining the band on stage.
The 40 Watt, had three of Athens favorite bands: Programs, Elf Power, and Space Trucks. Urban Outfitters sponsored free Weaver D’s, and there were several sightings of Michael Stipe, so clearly it was a true Athenian experience.
Kishi Bashi headlined Saturday night at the Georgia Theatre. As usual, it was a high-energy show featuring unique music. Kishi Bashi, with frosted tips and friendly smiles, revealed a handful of new songs, while making sure to play fan favorites like ‘Bright Whites’ and ‘Manchester’. The show was visually appealing as well, featuring an art piece that was progressively altered throughout the performance.
Following the Kishi Bashi show, much of the crowd moved down the street to The Green Room, where Washed Out treated the house to a DJ set, complete with trippy projections and experimental rhythms.
To end the night there was a second after party at Creature Comforts, more free beer and even more dancing. Slingshot brought Athens a multitude of international and local artists, with so much to see and experience we cannot imagine what Slingshot will bring in the coming years.
Fresh Spring Fragrances
The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and you’re putting all your sweaters away. Stop right there. There’s one more thing you have to do to officially call in spring, something you may have never even thought about: switching out your perfume. Your winter variety is likely too heavy for the next few months, and thankfully designers are abound with light, fabulous new fragrances. I’ve chosen my five favorites below – what better excuse is there to splurge on yourself?
Dolce & Gabbana Dolce
Ahh, to be in Sicily right about now. This fragrance is inspired by the designers’ sweet memories of this exotic island, and infused with a mixture of gorgeous white flowers. It smells light and beautiful, and is WAY cheaper than a D&G gown. Need I say more?
Balenciaga Rosabotanica
This perfume is for the rebellious – it’s made of roses, but a more rare, green variety. Plus, citrus notes ensure that you don’t stink like your Grandma. And who could resist that bottle? So wonderfully graphic!
Elizabeth and James Nirvana White
Just like when you were five, Mary-Kate and Ashley have got you covered. This peony and musk fragrance is the more airy alternative to their Nirvana Black. Why not pick up both, and have all four seasons under your belt?
Aerin Lilac Path
There’s a reason Aerin Lauder’s fragrance line is so popular, and it’s not just because of her last name. Lilac Path is particularly sweet, with notes of the purple flower, angelica seed oil, and orange flower. It’s no wonder Aerin herself says it “captures the spirit of spring and makes it last.”
Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede
Admittedly, this cologne came out a season ago, but I couldn’t resist putting it on my list because it is my favorite fragrance of ALL TIME. And it features all of the best scents ever: peonies, red apples, jasmine, rose, gillyflower, and blush suede. Just try and resist its charms, why don’t you?
Spinning Vinyl: Blondefire’s ‘Young Heart’
Blondfire says it all as Erica Driscoll sings, “So you turn a new rotation, and live a silent dreamy sigh.”
The album cover and design reflects the innovative music that Blondfire creates. The album cover is a mix of classic album art, reminiscent of the Rolling Stones’s fuzzy and glamourously out of focus Goats Head Soup cover, with a modern, artistic take on vinyl. An insert reveals a picture of the brother and sister, Bruce and Erica Driscoll, and the back is a vintage photograph of Erica holding flowers. Very sixties. And I love it.
The record itself is an awesomely mod, half-pink, half-white flower design with a green center. It looks rather awesome spinning on my Crosley record player.
And as the record begins rotating, I do just what Erica is crooning about. I “live a silent dreamy sigh.”
Young Heart is young and playful. It is bright and optimistic. The indie-pop band keeps it refreshingly raw, not letting the electronic parts overwhelm the instruments or Erica’s airy and luminous vocals.
“Waves” reminds me of a summer spent with my best friend, exploring the freedoms of adolescence, making bracelets, stealing our parents’ alcohol and kissing boys on the beach. In fact, almost every song reminds me of some fond, youthful memory.
Some tracks, like “Dear in Your Headlights” remind me of every weekend I spend in the beautiful city of Athens with my even more beautiful friends. She perfectly captures the age of half-innocence, and meager attempts to grow up while simultaneously staying young. Blondfire protests the monotony of adulthood as Erica sings, “I don’t wanna be like them, I don’t wanna be like you, I’d rather be a monster, just howling at the moon.”
The instrumentals are clean and brilliant. They are simple but powerful, and perfectly supplement the dreamy voice of Erica Driscoll. Songs such as “Wild and Wasted” and “Life of the Party” capture the playful, danceable vibe that Blondfire is clearly going for. But more somber and thoughtful tracks, like “We Are One” bring the message back down to earth.
Young Heart was a delight to listen to on vinyl. Not only did I enjoy the fun, carefree music, but I loved the art of it. Listening to old, classic albums on the record player is obviously wonderful, but listening to a new artist on vinyl is a new and exciting experience, especially when Blondfire is the band that’s spinning.
Music Festival Fashion Guide
Turns out music festivals aren’t just for those searching out great tunes and maybe a little acid trip here and there – they’re also made for the world’s chicest fashion set. Models, actresses and musicians alike line up in front of the stage each year to catch their favorite bands and flaunt their best style. And why wouldn’t they? Festivals are the perfect excuse to test out that “I tried really hard to look like I didn’t try” look. Slip on a few of my favorite pieces below – but only if you’ll let me live vicariously through you while you’re listening to my favorite bands. Pinky promise?
Cutoff Shorts
I know what you’re thinking: “Seen those a million times. Boring!” But here’s the trick: they don’t have to be. I love searching Etsy high and low for some super cool, cheap, handmade options. Some of my favorite shops: DesignedByTwo, DIRTYEGO, and Moon Shine Apparel. If you consider yourself a craft master, try your hand at making some of your own with studs and fabric paint. There. I dare you to find a single other person wearing the same shorts as you.
Crop Tops
This one can really go two ways, depending on your personality. Are you more into pretty frills? Try a shop like Necessary Clothing, which has tops with fringe, florals, and lace. If you’re more in the mood to sass festival-goers around you, check out Gypsy Warrior, your one stop shop for crop tops featuring cheeky band slogans and cats. Yes, cats.
Comfy Sandals
My best friend once made the ill mistake of wearing leather gladiator sandals to Bonnaroo, and lets just say her blisters were out of this world. Never again. Go for Chacos instead; I swear they’re not just for granola girls anymore. They’ve got some with ultra-thin straps so you can have the comfort of sneakers with the style of a gladiator.
Fresh Accessories
Even though the sweltering weather forces you into a shorts-crop top-sandals uniform, there’s no reason your look has to be blah. Urban Outfitters has some insanely glamorous, floppy straw hats to keep your face shaded, and H&M is my favorite for enormous sunglasses. And, not to sound like your mom, but don’t forget the sunscreen, okay?
Style Steal: David Bowie
Years ago, in 1969, David Bowie’s single “Space Oddity” landed on earth. With it, Bowie brought a sense of style the world had never seen. From androgynous space suits and fascinating prints to sparkles and fur, Bowie never failed to completely blow away the rules of fashion as he did the same to the rules of music. We brought a few of his signature styles down to earth this week, while still reaching for the stars.
This first outfit is inspired by Bowie’s love for black and white stripes. We paired a basic black peplum top from an Athens, Georgia store, Pitaya, with some chevron parachute pants from American Threads and some far out jewelry. Shapes are very important, and lines and peplum make this outfit stand out.
This next outfit is straight from space. We built this outfit around the shoes, which I got off NastyGal.com as a part of their Shoe Cult collection. We paired them with wild space leggings and a faux fur coat, both from local Athens vintage stores Dynamite and Agora. The necklace is a Goodwill find, where unique jewelry is always abounding. David Bowie had a knack for weird leggings and fur, and we thought this outfit did his style justice without being as out-there as Major Tom himself. This outfit is perfect for a concert or a night out. Or the moon. Your call.
The leggings in this next outfit were also from Dynamite and were impossible to pass up in an article about David Bowie’s style. Not only are they tight, but they are incredibly bright with an exotic print. We added a faux leather top from American Threads to complement the leggings without taking too much away from them. We used Bowie’s love of blazers to finish off the outfit.
The last outfit is a one shoulder sparkly dress from Macy’s. We absolutely love the radiant vitality of the dress and the triangle shape pattern. It reminds us of the leotards that Bowie loved to wear on stage. But a little bit more suitable for those of us who aren’t from Mars.
David Bowie’s music set him apart from all the other pop musicians of his time. But he took it a step further with his style. Before there was Madonna or Lady Gaga or even Miley Cyrus with their shocking fashion statements, Bowie was breaking down the walls of the fashion world and blasting off into space. Now, especially coinciding with the rise of electronic music, that futuristic space style has become a modern trend. By updating and adapting David Bowie’s unique fashion sense, you can make a statement that will attract satellites and suitors alike.
Tutorial: Lorde-Inspired Dark Lips
Fall has come and gone, but my pastel lipsticks are nowhere to be found. Instead, I’m standing out from the spring break crowd with dark, vampy lips, which give my mouth some major attitude. My inspiration is none other than Lorde, soulful singer and goth lipstick queen. But dark lips come with a number of issues: bleeding out of the lip line and staying on through the night, to name a few. The products and steps below will ensure your pout stays perfect, even if – like Lorde – you’re performing all night long.
1. Pat any translucent powder all over the lips. This will make your lip color pop, as well as help it stay on longer.
2. Apply a purple stain over the lips – it’ll show a bit through the darker lip color and give you the kind of dimensionality Lorde tends to rock. I like Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush.
3. Blot the topmost layer of color off with a tissue, another tactic to ensure staying power.
4. Dot a dark lip product – like OCC Lip Tar in Black Dahlia – on the hand so it will be easy to apply with a lip brush.
5. Use a lip brush to fill in lips with the dark lip color. The OCC product comes with its own mini lip brush.
6. Use the tip of the brush to smooth out any imperfections, especially near the cupid’s bow. Since the lip color pops so much, any errors will be obvious!
7. All finished! Stand back and make sure there are no smudges from afar.
SXSW Recap: Females Shine at House of Vans
Checking the pages upon pages of lineups the morning of March 12th with coffee in hand, I found it. I found the one party that day not to be missed. It was taking place at the historic Mohawk in downtown Austin. Four amazing female acts played, and they were not there to mess around. Below is a short synopsis of each act.
Unfortunately, I was running behind and arrived late to this rising star’s set (in my defense, no one is ever on time during the chaos that is SXSW). But on the positive side, I did get to listen to the last half from behind a protruding wall partially blocking the overflowing room for which she was playing. The number of people willing to pack into that small room was a good indication of the huge amount of talent this petite blond possesses. Her country twang had an infectious edge reminiscent of the rich voice of Stevie Nix. As her set came to a close, I understood why so much hype surrounded this artist coming into the music week of South by, and she sure lived up to it.
Kelela:
Oh, Kelela. I could listen to this songstress’ lovely layered voice for hours on end. She is impressive pre-recorded but even more so live, her voice boasting such a range from full and rich bass notes to beautiful and airy falsettos. Unfortunately her set overlapped slightly with Lydia’s, so I only truly caught the tail end. The uniqueness of her sound, her breathtaking voice layered on top an eclectic mix of bass, drum, and electronic tones, especially rang out on “Cut 4 Me,” the title track of her 2013 LP.
Her avant-garde sound is difficult to pin point, which could be because of her out of place feelings as second generation Ethiopian Immigrant raised in the states. Yet her music reaps amazing benefits from this situation, breaking the confines of any particular genre.
Charli XCX:
Punk pop princess of the UK Charli XCX was next on the bill at the House of Vans – the performance I had been waiting for all day. Bounding onto the stage, she immediately began strutting around the stage like she owned it, throwing her wild black locks around as she danced. Known for her synthy pop beats with a dark side, the 21-year-old shined on slower track “Black Roses” and fist pumping crowd favorite “SuperLove.”
Not only did she sound fabulous, she looked the part as well donning a lovely vintage plaid dress and stunning the crowd with her intense stare and sassy red lips. She ended her high energy set with an appropriate cover of the famous tune “I Want Candy.” Needless to say, Charli XCX did not disappoint.
Dum Dum Girls:
If you are looking for a powerhouse all female rock band, then go see Dum Dum Girls live. In their 40 minute set, the four-woman group managed to kill all guys rock harder stereotypes. Dee Dee’s voice soared high above the dreamy psychedelic guitars, sounding especially ethereal on tracks “Coming Down” and “Lord Knows.” All four wore all black, fitting for the slight melancholy that melds into their music. Addictive 80s melodies are sprinkled into certain tracks, especially those off their 2014 album Too True such as “Rimbaud Eyes” that captivated the crowd. Although the Dum Dum Girls went last for the females that day at the Mohawk, they certainly weren’t the least.
The Best Accessories for Spring
It may not seem like the best idea to wear coins around your waist and evil eyes around your neck – gypsy much? – but I beg to differ. Problem is, some of these spring runway trends can be oh-so-pricey. Welcome to Vinyl’s fashion-forward, fun, and best of all, affordable take on spring’s accessories trends. I’ve got a low cost handbag for all you hippie chicks and a wallet-friendly belt for every glamazon, and everything in between.
Let’s move from head to toe: first you’ll need a pair of sexy, face-flattering shades. Let 70s screen stars like Diane Keaton and Lauren Hutton inspire you as you choose large-and-in-charge aviators with lenses that’ll turn the world around you a shade of sepia. You could go the pricey 3.1 Philip Lim route…
or you could snag this $56 pair from Fab.com. I’m all for the latter.
Now that you’ve saved a little cash, it’s time to give the neck some attention. If you’re a bit of a girly girl, slip on a floral scarf, ascot style. Forever 21 has dozens of flirty styles that I adore, and that are much more affordable at under $10 than scarves by Marc Jacobs and other big name designers.
Not about to don some prissy flowers? Opt for my personal favorite jewelry trend of the moment, the evil eye. The symbol’s said to ward off evil spirits – maybe that’s why Kenzo’s evil eye collection got so much praise. For a cheaper, subtler alternative, hit up this Urban Outfitters string necklace. It’ll only cost you $16.
And what’s more important to your overall look than your handbag? It seems the seventies struck again at the likes of Dries Van Noten and Celine, where dramatic fringe draped nearly to the floor. I prefer this $99 H&M clutch. Because the fringe is already so dramatic, the cream color of the bag is ideal. Stash your lipstick and keys, and prepare to step out in style.
From the waist down, it’s all about figure flattery.
Find inspiration in Dolce & Gabbana’s thick gold belts to dramatically whittle your waist. I found a $48 option at Anthropologie that still maintains the theatrics.
And undoubtedly you’re looking for mile-long legs – who isn’t? Enter the mule, spring’s favorite shoe; they’ll make your gams go on for days! Alexander Wang has some sexy scaled ones, but similar Jeffrey Campbell mules exist for hundreds of dollars less – $90, to be exact.
Whether you wear the above all at once or one at a time is up to you. Onward, trendy lady!
Vinyl Revival
I walk out of Low Yoyo, an Athens record store on Washington Street, brimming with delight. I can hardly contain my excitement as I walk back to my apartment a few blocks away.
Under my arm I carry two new records. They are not new, as in never-been-opened, still-in-the-package, never-been-played records. The corners of the covers show signs of wear and tear, and some scratches mar the cover artwork. They are merely new to me, two 33⅓ rpm microgroove vinyl records that I have previously not had the opportunity to place onto my Crosley record player and enjoy.
Pink Floyd and the boys of Led Zeppelin call to me from under my arm. “Walk faster” they whisper, “walk faster, we’re almost home.” When I reach my living room, the excitement builds.
It is not that I haven’t heard every single song from Led Zeppelin I and Dark Side of the Moon over and over and over again. Amongst others, these albums raised and nurtured me into a love for music I believe to be matched by only a small portion of our society. It is that I have never heard these albums in their original vinyl phonorecord format.
I move the globe that rests atop my record player while not in use and lift the lid. I slide Dark Side of the Moon out of its beautiful cover, which in and of itself, is a work of art. I lower the record onto the turntable, move the arm to the right until it clicks and begins spinning, and carefully place the needle on the very outside edge and wait.
It takes a moment for the music to start. Vinyl is not as loud as a CD in the car or as blaring as my iHome can be. Vinyl is subtle.
The heartbeat begins and grows louder. For the next 20 minutes or so, I am lost. I have disappeared into the music, into the original recording, into the scratches and fuzzes, into the tiny nuances of the sound that are so often lost in the compression and digitization of mp3s and downloads. Only when the arm clicks, signaling the time to turn the record to the other side, am I brought back to reality. Within moments, though, I am yet again lost, until the heartbeats return, and the album fades out.
I am not alone. A shocking new trend is occurring. According to Billboard, while CD sales continue to decline, vinyl sales jumped 17.7 percent between just 2012 and 2013 alone. Vinyl’s growth outpaced digital’s sales growth; digital sales only jumped 14.1 percent between the same years. In our digital world, vinyl is making a loud comeback.
I am a member of Generation Y, often called the “Millenials.” We represent technology, instant gratification, downloads, streaming, Netflix, Twitter, and blogging. We tweet and text more than we talk, and every piece of information imaginable is at our fingertips. So what is it about vinyl that draws us in?
Our parents grew up on vinyl. They were teenagers with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and record stores made their homes on every third street corner. For them, the return to vinyl, or “vinyl revival” as it has been called, is about nostalgia. But we were not there for Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane or Jimi Hendrix. It cannot possibly be a matter of nostalgia for us. But, if not that, then what could it possibly be?
For some people, vinyl just sounds better. In a July 29, 2013 Pitchfork article, Mark Richardson explains that while the sound quality of a vinyl record may not be greater, many people enjoy it because “it introduces distortion.” Bass notes are warmer, and scratches and fuzz seem more authentic. But he notes that the way people hear sounds and listen to music is “wholly personal.” And I agree.
Perhaps that’s just it. The vinyl revival is a reflection of the changing personal tastes of music consumers. Maybe it is a fad. Maybe it is just a characteristic of our generation. Maybe it is the novelty and antiquity of records that make them so desirable. But in the end, it is just a personal preference.
I like vinyl in the same way that some photographers still like to take photographs on film every so often. Something about the process, taking the film out and developing it yourself, and making a photograph appear is very intimate and special. It’s not like I want to carry around my record player and a crate of my favorite LPs all day. That is what Spotify is for.
But there is nothing in the world that matches the feeling of finding your favorite record on vinyl and rushing it home to put it on the turntable. It is a distraction, a break, an escape from reality. For a few moments, the world falls silent behind my Crosley. For a few moments, music is the only thing that matters.
