brand: AVE.

A while back I had the pleasure of receiving an email from creator of up-and-coming label, 'AVE.', [pronounced avenue], Sarah Taylor.

She presents to us:

'De Stijl' 

 the latest Summer 2013 collection from AVE. 

"This season the collection has drawn influences from Mondrian and the neoplasticism art movement."

The new collection is described as "a lot more masculine", and "more focused on fabric selection than the previous season: most of the fabrics are silk tulle, silk organza, and linen."

1*So tell us Sarah, how did you get into designing?

I dreamed of designing clothes since I was a kid. I knew about East Sydney Tech in high school and that it was the only place to go to become a fashion designer! 

After graduating from East Sydney I starting designing for Mambo, then after a year styling in New York I came back to Sydney and started and Insight then Zimmermann. 

2*When did AVE. start up?

AVE. was always what I wanted to do so with a push from one of my fashion buyer sister I launched the debut S/S 2011 collection at Gaffa Gallery during RAFW 2011.

3*What is your favourite upcoming/current style trend?

Plastic and tailored sportswear - I love contrasting beautiful delicate fabrics with unconventional materials. Tailored sportswear is just so wearable and looks great on the body, it's fun pair them with outrageous pieces and denim. 

4*Who is your ideal AVE. girl?

Clemence Posey - fresh faced, chic and has her own style.

5*Where do you see AVE. the label in 5 years time?

Hopefully London Fashion Week - it would be an honor to show AVE. there. 

Also having a great and developed team on board in the studio would be fantastic!

6*How would you describe an ordinary day at the AVE. office?

 The studio is in sunny Bondi Beach so I like to wake up and go for a walk or swim to clear my head then come back, check my favourite blogs and websites then get on with emails, product orders and deliveries. Some days I have more time to sketch and draw inspiration from my large book collection or just have a lazy day and get up late thinking about all the work I should be doing!

exciting things bondi-born and bred: hits home hard. 

can't wait to see what the label has to offer in the future.

find AVE. online here

xx,

R.

interview: Alien Space Bats

hey guys,

here's a bit about Alien Space Bats, in case you didn't know them already...

i'm referring to the Australian band, of course. they answered my questions in a good old paragraph, just the way i like it. [[dude, their first 3 influences are: the pixies, radiohead, and smashing pumpkins]]. only my three favourite bands! 

[[i can't really single any band i listen to down to favourites, it's just too hard]]

from john, of Alien Space Bats:

I would say we are quite influenced by 90s rock music and can see a little of that projecting into our sound. It is still a
pretty new thing but i guess basically i would describe it as rock n roll. Touring and playing shows all over has always been
something I would love to try with the band, so hopefully in 2-5 years time we can be doing that, but who knows maybe it'll be rehab
and writing albums in prison hahaha. We have all been playing some kind of musical instrument for quite a number of years, but i started
drumming ~8ish years ago. Our Bassist Tim came up with the name for the band, I think it came about from some readings? I don't really have a good story
for the name, it's kind of a mystery to me hahaha.
I am really into dance and eletronic music, so going raving is always a bit of fun. But music is probably my biggest hobbie.

i hope you can decipher this and see the questions i asked.

i'm free! i'm done done done with all my work! until final yearlies come up next term, but that doesn't matter, because for now, i'm done! can't explain the freedom i'm feeling right now.
nothing's changed though, i'm still sleep deprived. ahhhh, spring, i love you.

oh, that reminds me, i need to:

1. get my photos developed
2. get my camp gear ready
3. get a disposable camera for camp, which means i'll have all my photos on funky film which looks totally awesome! i'm rather fond of disposables...
4. clean my room
5. just a random though... ever get that feeling you're starting to hoard too much, but you don't want to throw anything away?

rena.

interview: The Frail Marys.

So recently I sent Brisbane-based band, The Frail Marys, a couple of questions regarding the band/their music, and here are there answers! Their music is raw, strong, and reminiscent of names such as Millencolin, the Pixies, and even Blink-182. I suppose I was impressed upon seeing the awesomest list of inspiration, so here you go...

1*How were The Frail Marys first conceived?

The Frail Marys were conceived when William (Liam), met James (Jamie) who was standing outside a yuppie den wearing a Dead Kennedys shirt, looking confused and completely like a fish out of water after being forced out of the venue by stern looks of disapproval due to his apparel. A conversation ensued about music and it was decided we should start playing together immediately. We were joined six months later by Tim on bass and rehearsed with a few desperados on drums and were predictably abandoned by them one by one until we found Kai to complete the line up. It has been bliss ever since.

2*How would you describe your work?

Our work is rather raw, disorganised, passionate, sincere, diverse garage music.

3*Where do you see The Frail Marys in 2-5 years time?

I see the Frail Marys hopefully supporting You Am I and touring non-stop on an independent label. Hopefully.

4*What kind of message do you want your music to convey?

That you don't have to wear spray on jeans, sport labyrinth inspired haircuts and incorporate 10 synths and 20 samplers into a group in order to get people to shake it.

5*Any other hobbies outside making music?

Knitting, cooking, fantasising, walking, reading etc.

6*Who/What are your influences?

We are mainly influenced by groups as diverse as the Pixies, the Saints, Scratch Acid, the Scientists, the Cruel Sea, Blur, ELO, The Smiths, Janes Addiction, Nirvana, Syd Barrett, You Am I, Pete Doherty, Dusty Springfield, Motown, the Velvet Underground, Jim Morrison's blatant disregard for his good looks and health.

7*When did you start playing your instruments?

I started playing guitar around 2004, Jamie started playing guitar around 2000, Tim started playing bass around 2007 and Kai has been playing drums since the womb.

8*How did you come up with the name of your band? I was raised an Irish Catholic and thought it was cheeky play on words. No sac religious intent by the way.

9*Our last interviewee, Denis, of Pensive Penguin, would like to ask…who is your favourite mythological character and why?

My personal favourite mythological creature would have to be the Siren (Seirenes) or Naiads who in Greek mythology would lure sailors and their ships into rocks by singing. It was said that if their calls were not heeded by the sailors, they would kill themselves out of shame.

10*Do you have a random question for the next band?

To the next interviewee, who would you rather see set on fire? Luke Perry, Jason Priestly, Brian Austin Green or Ian Ziering?

photos taken from their facebook page

i'm not even kidding you right now. if you're looking for some fresh sounds, and like me enjoy the artists listed above, i'm telling you right now: you will be impressed. 

check them out here and tell me what you think.

how was everyone's week?

to tell you the truth, i'm on the brink of extreme exhaustion, and currently not even looking at anything fashion related. no, dearies, far far from that. at the moment i am...

looking at spongebob merchandise on ebay. what has my life become? but no, i do sincerely love spongebob.

have an awesome weekend, and i'll be posting something exciting/outfit-related saturday/sunday, depending on how my time goes.

rena.


oh, and kate moss ending the deal with topshop? woah..

interview: Pensive Penguin.

so a while ago i found Pensive Penguin doing my usual search on Triple J Unearthed 

[[great way to discover awesome indie music]] they are an awesome band [[as long as you don't make 'penguin' plural like i did... anywho, they answered a couple of my questions, and the interview was fun to read, so i hope you have heaps of fun reading it!
They are...
Denis Hamilton- Main Squarking, Rhythm Guitar, Some Bassing, Hangovers
Alex Black- Lead Guitar, Back Up Squarking, Ability to tolerate Denis
David Fairbrother- Bass, Height, Appreciator of Wicked Surnames
Jesse Greenwood- Drums, World of Warcraft and Wicked Surname
Amy Wollstein- Main Backing Squarks, Keys, Occasional Ironic Dance Movement and Rattle Snake Impressions

1*The name of your band, Pensive Penguins, is crazy cool! 

How did you come up with it?

Denis [[Lead Singer/Rhythm Guitarist]]: Thank you very much! Though I ought to point out that it’s ‘Pensive Penguin’ – singular :D [[We get that a bit]] The name is kind of a long story… The initial thought began when a girl I was in love with in high school gave me a mix-tape with a picture on the front of a penguin looking out wistfully at the sunset. I always wondered what it was thinking about. And then, years later, I wrote a poem with the line ‘pensive penguin’ in it [[which I really liked because I love alliteration]]. So I then developed it into a fictional character named Pensive Penguin, whose adventures and musings I chronicled in a blog that I kept up for a couple of years… and I always thought that if I started a band it would make a great name for it…so here we are!

2*Who usually writes the lyrics?

Denis: That would be me, for the moment.

3*When did you first form as a band?

Denis: Well, I did some solo stuff under the name Pensive Penguin on and off for a few years as a side project, but it only solidified this year. I started looking for members in September 2009, and Alex was the first find. Then Jesse came on board in October, Amy joined up in January and David was the final piece of the puzzle-he became a Penguin in May this year.

4*What has been the most exciting gig to date?

Denis: I think that would be different for everyone. I personally find every gig exciting in different ways. But I’ll let someone else give a better answer here…

Amy [[Main Backing Vocals/Keys/Percussion]]: There was something very magical at our last gig [[our single launch]] at the Troubador in Brisbane. It felt like the room was listening collectively, and we were all sharing moments together. Kinda gushy… but I think music is all about connecting with people and having a shared experience It’s very cool to see that happen in front of our eyes…and then realize…”hey, I’m doing that!”

Jesse [[Drums]]: For me it was a gig at X&Y a couple of months ago. So much energy in the room and the stage was fairly close to the audience. It was quite a small venue but it was packed out, much fun.

5*Where do you hope Pensive Penguin will be in 2-5 years?

Denis: Nested snugly in the Collective Igloo of Consciousness…

Alex [[Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals]]: Working on the notoriously difficult ‘third album’ in our custom-built log cabin studio, somewhere in Samford Valley.

6*Now for a question for each individual…when did you all start playing your instruments?

Denis: I started playing guitar when I was 14, then switched to bass so I could play in a friend’s band in high school, which I did until I was about 22. I decided I wanted to write for a living when I was about 6, though.

Amy: I consider my voice my most mastered instrument. And I have been singing for…woah! 10 years…I have only recently picked up the keys and glock [[glockenspiel]] and tambourine and egg shaker!

David [[Bass Guitar]]: I started playing guitar at 16, and then started jamming with friends a few years later and realized I wasn’t quite as good as them, so I turned to bass and haven’t got much better since then.

Alex: I started at 15 as well. My Dad bought a crappy old classical guitar, and we had an intense rivalry over the following months to see who could learn the fastest. I got hooked, and he went back to playing piano.

Jesse: At 14, I saved up and bought my first drum kit. It was a horrible sounding kit and I had never played the drums before then. I think now, looking back, if someone had bought it for me I might have given up. It was terribad. Only just recently I’ve looked back at all my friends who used to play instruments slowly have given them p. I guess I just never got bored of it.

7*Who/What are your influences?

Denis: On an intellectual or tangible level, my personal inspiration tends to vary- the way in which I write or the reasons why I write can be as simple as wanting to express or capture a moment, or as involved as wanting to reinterpret a book, song or film that had a particular impact on me. Yet with all of these things, the deeper truth which I hope to tap into is that of honest expression, and the many different shades it has. I enjoy and admire artists who create works which are challenging and complex, yet resonate with truth. Augie March, The Shins, Bright Eyes…Jorge L. Borges, Kubrick, Van Gough. These are all artists which have had a serious impact on me and who I look up to.

Amy: My personal influences I think differ to our collective influences. I am trained as an actress, so I take a lot of inspiration from the world of theatre. I connect with story tellers…Damien Rice, Sarah Blasko are quite good at this, I think. I also like gutsy women, Shirley Manson, Clare Bowditch, Edith Piaf…

David: Colin Greenwood is pretty much the man to me, that guy’s head bobs when he’s getting into it are pretty damn cool.

Alex: Purely as a guitarist, I look up to anyone who understands nuance and avoids repetition-Johnny Marr, Jimmy Page, Adam Jones amongst many others.

Jesse: Well starting with PP I was influenced by the chaotic nature of Arctic Monkeys’ drummer Matt Helders. But lately I’ve taken a step back and tried to get into a more rhythmic and dynamic style, like Grizzly Bear and Bob Dylan.

8*What message do you want your music to convey?

Denis: I would hope that our music captures the truth of something untouchable, yet infinitely knowable. I want to create similar moments for people that I have experience through music, and inspire other people to want to do the same. Maybe it would be better if I asked you what kind of message you get out of it?

Amy: An experience, a feeling, a smile, a frown, a though, a transformation, a good time, a small change or shift in someone, a new way to view the world.

David: If it’s anything like the message I’ve learnt since joining, it’s to be yourself and things will sort themselves out. [[A subliminal one that tells every listener to buy our records would be pretty sweet as well]]
Alex: Luckily, we have quite a gifted lyricist in our igloo. Pensive Penguin songs are observations, tales of heartache and acceptance, tirades, and the odd nymph encounter. But once those lyrics hit the page and are offered up to the public, they can [[and should]] be related to and interpreted in any number of ways.

Jesse: I think as a whole our music keeps a kind of honesty whichever the direction the song wants to go.

Denis: I changed my mind, I want our music to convey David’s message.

9*What do you think of the huge wave of new bloggers?

Denis: I love bloggers! Probably because I love blogging, and have done it myself for years. I did have an initial problem with the word ‘blog’ though, but I think I’ve come around in the last year or so. Initially I was annoyed because I thought it was such an ugly term for such a pretty thing, but I can appreciate it for its ugliness now. Kudos to you!

10*Do you have a random question for the next band to be interviewed?

Denis: Who is your favourite mythological character and why?

Amy: If you could choose someone to play you in a movie of your life…who would it be?

Jesse: Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do more like?

David: Have you heard of Pensive Penguin?

so guys, head on over to Triple J Unearthed or their myspace page and look out for their upcoming EP!
This band is one of the best indie folk bands i've heard in a while!
pensive penguin website [[clickety]] you can find photos, listen to their music, and Denis' blog!
enjoy!
[[i had a bit of trouble with the editing, it's longer than an english essay, but i retyped it. just for you guys]]


xx rena.


thankyou Pensive Penguin, i now want to find an awesome building ledge and look over it, then have someone take a photo of me.

then i'll sit on it, like this.

interview: The Spirits.

hey guys, 

so here's an exciting interview i had with The Spirits, an Australian band [[makes me proud!]] based in Sydney, who play alternative and lyrical rock. upon discovering that a few of their influences included radiohead, the smiths, bloc party and the cure, i just had to try and get through to them! so getting home just some 15 minutes ago i discovered they'd gotten back to me! so check it out... oh and find them on myspace music here.

Toby Fitch - Vocals/Guitar

Daniel Fitch - Bass/Vocals 

James Hart - Guitar/Vocals [[who answered the questions]] 

Luke Davison - Drums
1* The name of your band, 'The Spirits' is immensely intriguing. How did it come to be?
Probably, like many bands, we spent a decent amount of time trying to find a relevant and fitting name that would reflect the kind of music we play. Everyone offered ideas in the brainstorming process and in the end we decided 'The Spirits' was the best fit. We think it reflects the haunting, eerie and atmospheric sounds that we love to create so much.
2*Where do the ideas for your lyrics come from, and who usually writes them?
Toby writes our lyrics. In regards to his influences and sources of inspiration you'd have to pick his brain [[if you dare]]. But Toby's a very accomplished writer, having penned many poems in addition to his song lyrics. The lyrics are usually quite heartfelt and personal. There's sometimes a recurrent theme of mythology as well. To me they're a collection of little stories that create different emotions. And those stories can be interpreted many ways depending on the listener.

3*When did you first form as a band?
The four of us have been playing together for about 3 years now. Dan + Toby [[brothers and]] and I [[James]] all went to high school together but it wasn't until a few more years after graduating that we reunited to write some music.  Luke is a random ring in through an audition that ended up netting us a great drummer and an even better friend. We've gone through a few stylistic changes since our inception, and that keeps things fresh and exciting.
4*What else do you hope to explore with your music?
We stumble across new sounds and influences regularly and this culminates in a rehearsal process that leaves things very open to interpretation. Our main goals are to improve technically and instinctively as musicians, to continue to get more proficient at communicating between each other, and to keep trying new things, always.

both pictures from their facebook page

5*Individually, how long have you been playing your instruments?
Hmmmm... let's see...You know I think Luke was probably developing his percussive craft in his mother's womb. Dan and Toby both learn piano, as many young kids were, for a time. Toby's been playing guitar as well since a very young age. Dan played guitar and bass throughout most of high school until deciding to focus on bass. I started playing guitar in Year 7 and copied Toby and a few other mates for inspiration and then did some official lessons for the last two years of high school. The great thing is we're always discovering new sounds with our instruments and trying to push sonic boundaries.
6*Where do you see 'The Spirits' in 2-5 years time?
Caviar, pet tigers and white stretch Hummers! No it's hard to say...A best case scenario would be just to live off our music and not have to work out scummy day jobs. We'd definitely like to have a second EP and an album release within two years. A worst case scenario would be filing for bankruptcy and checking into rehab.
7*What has the journey in the music industry been like so far?
Ah...interesting. It's been a bumpy ride. We've had our fair share of disappointments and encounters with dodgy 'industry' people. We've had our trust broken and our money stolen. From this however, we've learnt to be smarter and more cautious. We've learnt to trust our instincts and stick together as a band. We've also played with some great people and musicians. We've forged some great friendships, had wild times in Melbourne parks, played at some great venues, some not-so-great venues and we're grateful for every minute of it.
8*What message do you hope for your music to convey?
Good question. I guess the lyrical element would be something Toby could explain more eloquently. We're not making any bold political statements or trying to change the world with one song. I like to think that our music is accessible to all different types of people and they're welcome to take whatever they want from the listening experience. The themes of our songs are often universal e.g. love, love lost etc. and these are emotions and experiences that many people can relate to.
9*What's a day in the life of your band like?
We all have our own things going on outside of the band. We do our thing and don't live out of each other's pockets. On the days we rehearse, however, we arrive at about 10am in the city at a studio we hire and go about a leisurely setup. If we have a string of gigs coming up we'll run through a set and tweak it until it feels right. More recently we've been enjoying just jamming out and writing some new material; so good for the soul! An interval around midday for lunch results in a feast of chicken rolls, pies and coffee before heading back in. We'll finish at 2pm feeling like rock stars before getting into our cars, parting ways and going back to our everyday lives.
10*And finally, a very important question: what are your views on music, how do you feel about it, and what do you see in music?
How many people have you met who don't enjoy music? I've met only one or two and I still struggle to get my head around it. Music is a language that transcends borders, races, oceans, religions and age. It touches and unites people from all corners of the world. Whether you're dancing like an idiot in your car to 'My Sharona' or sitting at home listening to the score of 'The Piano', there's no doubt music makes you feel something. And we're extremely blessed to have the opportunity to make it, explore it and share it...regardless of whether we get the Hummer or not!


hope that gave you some musical inspiration guys! enjoy their music! [[i know i do]] 
i've been having some serious issues with the formatting on this blog, so i had to retype all of that... die.
xx rena.

interview: Set Sail.

this 3 or 4 piece [depending on the gig] indie/folk rock band hailing from sydney/newcastle australia has been wow-ing folks all over the sydney cbd, and with their ep due to be released in the midst of the near-future, you better watch this space [[or theirs]]! upon hearing them at pitt st mall in the sydney cbd, i immediately fell in love with their clever use of a baroque instrument [[they have a violin!]] and popular rock instruments. so here's my interview with josiah-the violinist regarding set sail.

Brandon- Guitar

Josiah- Violin

Josh-Drums

Bo- Bass

- Josiah (violinist)

1*How did you come up with the name?'

Haha, the name... That has been the hardest part of being a band so far. We spent about four months trying to find a name, at first we were 'Cutty Cab,' off of a type of boat. That didn't fly, so we opened the question up on the street, which led to suggestions like 'I kissed my sister.' Tempting as the suggestion was, we ended up using a name Brandon suggested, Set Sail, and that's what's stuck. 

2*Who usually writes the lyrics?

Brandon and I are the primary lyricists in the band, though a lot of our songs have contributions from Josh as well. We find that the mixing of the different styles helps give a unique and fresh feel to the music. 

3*When did you first form as a band?

Set Sail started when Brandon and I first met in college, Brandon had been busking for a month or so and I'd never played violin outside of an orchestral setting before, so playing on the street intrigued me. We started busking, having all sorts of crazy adventures and playing around the city until Josh joined the band in May 09. After that we kept busking, but have gradually shifted to playing more shows and gigs as a band. 

4*Why did you choose to incorporate violin into your music?

It was mostly because of how Brandon and I met, if I had played xylophone, Set Sail would have become a guitar and xylophone busking band. 

5*Where do you hope Set Sail will be in 2-5 years?

Playing on Letterman. :)

6*Now for a question about each individual.. when did you all start playing your instruments?

I've been playing violin for about ten years classically, a year and a half in the contemporary style. Brandon's played for six years and Josh for three.

7*Who/What are your influences?

Josiah- Broken Social Scene, M83, Sufjan Stevens, Beirut, Death Cab for Cutie

Brandon- John Butler Trio, Noah and the Whale, Donovan Frankenreiter

Josh- Miles Davis, John Mayer, Muse

8*What message do you want your music to convey?

Life. Joy. Seeing people smile, dance, and laugh to our music is the best, we wouldn't give that for anything. 

Thanks a million!

xx rena.

check their music out on myspace or facebook.