Pink Rock Candy-Entertainment

Everyday hundreds of fashion bloggers get the same press releases. These press releases either get the green light and end up on their individual blogs or the get trashed. Yesterday, I received a press release concerning the über-talented Nigel Barker and a photo exhibit he is having called ‘A Sealed Fate?’. Obviously, since everyone love Nigel, he’s probably the only reason I’ve watched every episode of ANTM, everyone’s talking about the exhibit. So, In case you’ve missed it, here are the details.

Mr. Barker traveled to eastern Canada with The Humane Society of The United States, and took pictures and filmed baby harp seals— now do you get ‘A SEALed Fate’? Not only are harp seals ultra cute and probably really cuddly and adorable making them prime objects to photograph, but people kill them, using clubs or guns, for their fur and leave the rest of the carcass, making those people violent, inconsiderate, and wasteful (and technically murders, but I eat meat so I can’t really talk).

The exhibit will run from Friday, July 25th, 2008, to Sunday, July 27th, 2008, and Nigel will be hosting one-hour tours at 2PM, 3PM, and 4PM each day at 401 West Street in NYC. The exhibit is open to the public, but make sure to RSVP with the date and time you intend on coming.

I think my sister, my mom and I are going to try to make it to the 2 PM or 3 PM tour on Sunday, July 27th, so if you’re in NYC make sure to join us!

p.s HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

For a bit over a week I’ve been procrastinating about a game of blogger tag that has been going around. I was tagged by Vain & Vapid and when I found out it had to do with music, I was so excited, but then I got bogged down. What sort of music should I choose? Are old songs still a legit “songs I’m into right now”? This honestly ate at me this entire time, and not only that I just couldn’t pare down the songs I love listening to. Though most of the songs on my iTunes can be categorized in the rock genre, just scrolling through all of the songs you’ll realize I pretty much like every genre of music, so where was I supposed to start? Well, with the rules, I guess!

“List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.”

Since I’m indecisive about everything lately, YOU’RE ALL TAGGED because I think everyone should share their 7 favorite songs, so get going!

What 7 songs are not only shaping my spring, but have shaped my life? Well…

7)   Katy Perry “I Kissed A Girl” - I love this sing because it makes girls qualify, you know: ” I love that new Katy Perry song, but I swear I’ve never kissed a girl…” I, personally, could care less if others think I kissed a girl or not, the song is just so infectious!

6)   Coldplay “Viva La Vida” - I actually love the entire Viva La Vida album, but this song is definitely one of my favorites.

5)   Vampire Weekend “Oxford Comma” - This song made me look up what an oxford comma really was (the last comma between the 2nd to last item and the conjunction in a list), and they name check Lil’ John. Perfection!

4)   Queens of the Stone Age “3s and 7s” - I could just listen to this song over and over, and no matter what, I’d still try unsuccessfully to sing the guitar part.

3)   Jimi Hendrix “Angel” - I’ve always loved Jimi, and this song is just one of those songs you wish someone would sing to you. When/If I get married this song will definitely play at the reception.

2)   Prince “Chelsea Rodgers” - I’m convinced this song is about me, except for the whole model shtick…

1)   Led Zeppelin “Kashmir” - This song is the perfect “getting ready to kick some ass” song, and matter of fact its been in many movies during the preparing for battle scenes!

So there they are. Click the links to go to youtube videos of each song. Time to share yours! You could even just put them in a comment if you want!

It’s almost my birthday! Actually, THAT’S A BIG LIE because my birthday’s in November, but it feels like it’s almost my birthday. Why? Because in four days Viva la Vida comes out, and once again, the world will be perfect. I think I’m going to throw my own personal Viva La Vida dance party in my bedroom on Tuesday morning (now that I think about it, Tuesday’s actually my mom’s birthday). Its seems to me like the world, and not just my world, is revolving around Coldplay, and I’m ready to be a lemming and follow the trend— that is unless the album’s terrible, though that’s doubtful.

First of all, my favorite Sirius satellite radio station, Alt. Nation, station #21 for those of you who care, is having Coldplay take over the station for the next 10 days starting at 6PM EST today. That means it will be all their picks all the time!

Then, there’s the fact that everyone in my family is excited for this album which is a rarity. Our musical tastes vary from Coltrane to Soulja Boi, so for all of us to agree on one band is an accomplishment. My brother walks around the house singing “Viva La Vida” and my dad blares the stereo every time he hears “Violet Hill” on the radio. I love it all, and I’m a bit obsessed with their military jackets, though it is a bit reminiscent of My Chemical Romance’s marching band jackets for The Black Parade.

Oh, and has anyone seen that Apple commercial with Coldplay. I’m sure you have because it’s on TV ever five seconds, and you’re probably inadvertently humming, “I used to rule the world/ Seas that rise when I gave the word, Now in the morning I sweep alone/ Sweep the streets I used to own,” or is that just me?

Among all these great Coldplay achievements, though I’m not sure if they really care about my family’s taste in music, there’s THIS…

Chris Martin and Will Champion were being interviewed by BBC and Mr. Martin decided he wasn’t comfortable with the interview and walked off the stage. Part of me sympathizes with him because I know interviews can be monotonous and many reporters are rude and ask idiotic questions— yes, there is a such thing— but there are better ways to handle that than walking off the stage. Some of my favorite interviews occur when a musician is fed up. Sometimes sarcasm is a better defense than abstinence. So, next time, Chris, just make the interviewer look like an idiot and the people who are your fans will laugh and those who aren’t don’t matter to you anyway.

In other, non-Coldplay news, Vampire Weekend is playing at Central Park tomorrow and if I don’t have to work, I’m totally going. I suggest you go to if you’re anywhere close to NYC. Get the details here.

Photo Credit: Coldplay’s myspace

Ever since I heard the words “I’m not saying it’s your fault, but I know you could have done more,” I’ve been in love with The Kooks. Inside In/Inside Out was fantastic, and their new album Konk is just as great, if not better. The first single from Konk, “Always Where I Need To Be,” is one of those perfect songs that you love to get stuck in your head, but the practice-space/roof top video left something to be imagined. Luckily, they’ve redeemed themselves on the music video front with their new video for “Shine On.”

Not only is the song a real toe-tapper, but the set and fashion in this vid is inspired— do you remember when people used to say that? The blue floral wallpaper could have been ripped from the walls of Chloe Sevigny’s head, and I love the shabby chic-ness of the girls water-logged apartment.

Though the set was wonderful, and I can’t wait to hear the song on the radio (indicating it’s arrival to the world), my favorite part of the entire video is the girl’s head gear. Not only does she get to sport this giant, whimsical flower and feather hair clip in her super-cute pixie-cut hair. I’ve watched the video at least four times and every time I see the floral clip I want it more and more, but she wears this awesome blue, at least I think its blue, chapeau, which again is adorned with the obligatory feather. It reminds me of Sarah Jessica Parker’s hat at the London premier of Sex and the City; The Movie which comes out tomorrow on a side note!

Now that The Kooks are going to have girls around the world dressing up like flappers, what should they do next? Well, I think they should make a video for “Do You Wanna” where everyone is dressed in 80s disco attire, and ask me to be in it!

I doubt I could fully express my love for Flight of the Conchords, but I’m going to try, and then you’re going to watch their new video for “Ladies of the World”. Now, where do I begin? Should I start with their names? Bret Mckenzie and Jermaine Clement, which they happen to say really amusingly. How about the fact that they have an awesome show on HBO, called Flight of the Conchords. If you haven’t seen it your missing out. I was supposed to currently be watching new episodes, but because of some indignant writers the new shows were pushed to the fall— I’m totally making a sad face right now.

Or, I could just start with the fact that both Bret and Jermaine are real hotties in their own way, and by “own way”, I mean not stereotypically, and they are some of the only people who can actually get away with roller skates and 70s style tracksuits. Oh, and did I mention Jermaine’s sexy pornstache? It is bound to make any girl swoon.

The real reason Flight of the Conchords are so awesome is because they can not only be hilarious through song, but their songs are completely truthful making them even more zany. Whether they’re spoofing rappers in “Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros” and “Mutha’uckas” or making sexy seventies seduction style music in “Ladies of the World,” you’ll be laughing your ass off even when it’s completely inappropriate to be snickering, so you’ll make crazy faces while trying to stifle laughter because you’re in a public place like your school’s computer lab…ahem.

The more I think about how funny they are, the more I want to laugh, and people are starting to stare, so just watch the video for yourself— and mind the cute New Zealand accents and the bad ass foot work. One day, I’ll own at rollerskating like them!

p.s. If you happen to like this go buy there new album with a bunch of old, yet terribly funny songs called, Flight of the Conchords, what else!

So, I’ll admit it, Metro Station makes me a little fangirl-ish. I’m not exactly sure why, but I know for sure this time it has nothing to do with the subjective attractiveness on the band members. It may actually have something to do with every song making me want to dance around, shaking my hips sometimes while swinging my head, arms, legs, and what ever else I can swing without falling on my ass. When I realized vocalists, Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso were siblings of some of the Hannah Montana actors, I really wanted to denounce Metro Station because of my loathing of that show, but then one of their songs plays on my i-Pod and I’m right back where I started, making a fool of myself.

“Where is this going?” you ask.

Well, I also happen to have a big thing for their music videos in which there always seem to be a crazy party going on. They constantly make me feel as if I’m not the only one who has a bit of a Metro Station induced flailing problem, except for their newest video for “Shake It,” because instead of casting the usual party monsters as extras, they got real live dance crews. Yup, there are real dancers crumping, breaking, and pirouetting about the screen giving me a slight inferiority complex.

Before you click the play button on the video, I suggest you stand as far away from any furniture or high heels strewn around your room because I can’t be liable for any injury cause by listening to the song. Now, excuse me while I go ice my elbow.

For more info on Metro Station visit: metrostationmusic.com or myspace.com/metrostation.

How do I say this lightly? I think Pete Wentz is trying to take over the world! I know it’s scary, but just listen. Not only is he in a multi-platinum selling band, but he has a clothing brand (which is selling at Nordstrom, online, and his store), a music label,a clothing store, a hair salon, a nightclub/bar, a book, a Jackass type movie, multiple blogs, and a legion of screaming fans. Plus, he’s now in a Walmart ad campaign (I don’t even want to talk about it!), is marrying a Simpson, and I heard through the grape vine he’s coming out with another book. What form of media hasn’t he dipped his feet in? Newspapers, and I’m not even sure about that!

Before I get a bunch of raging emails from fangirls, I have to say, I’m a fan of Mr. Wentz. I think he’s and extremely intelligent business man who is in one of the biggest bands of the recent past. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s mildly attractive, tends to be very sympathetic towards those in need, and writes lyrics/poems that make me swoon but hurt my head all at the same time. That being said, I think he’s sort of like the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious. He’s all like, “Anakin, I can teach you the true strength of you powers,” and then everyone turns into little Darth Vader clones who happen to be a bit emo.

The book that I heard from a reliable, yet disinterested source is already written and is about modern rock stardom or something. I like to say it’s Pete’s memoirs, but I haven’t actually gotten my grubby hands on the press release yet (this is all hear say, there’s my DISCLAIMER!) I‘m also not quite sure what it’s going to be titled, but if I were Pete, I would name my book Boy Bangs and Guyliner, and I would write about societies new found loathing of the emo sub-culture, which isn’t even true emo. So if you are reading this Pete, I think you should change the title of the book I heard is coming out, mine is better. I won’t even charge you for it. Okay, maybe an acknowledgment in the back saying something along the lines of, “Thanks to Chelsea Rae, the (insert endearing adjective) writer of Pink Rock Candy, for suggesting my wonderful, tongue-and-cheek title,” but that’s it!

p.s. This really has nothing to do with anything, but I had to put it out there. What would you call Pete’s book? (I’m opening Pandora’s box, I know!)

Photo Credit: Pete’s Friends Or Enemies

EDIT: The book is called Rainy Day Kids, which is a book Pete has been writing for a while. Its said to be fairly autobiographical following my whole memoir idea, and comes out October 7th, 2008. If I get my hands on it before, maybe I’ll review/give you guys all the juicy details before it comes out (that’s only if you want, I know Pete isn’t always that popular!)

There is just something about the bass that gets into the very depths of my soul and makes me want to move in the most erotic way possible. I don’t care what type of bass your talking about, stand up, acoustic, jazz, electric, as long as it’s string and has a deep melodious sound I’m there. Death Cab For Cutie’s new song from their upcoming album Narrow Stairs (May 13th), “I Will Possess Your Heart”, has one of those bass lines that takes over.

I first heard the song on Sirius satellite radio, Alt. Nation 21, while driving to school. The song is sort of haunting as Ben Gibbard (with his ultra-cool glasses) eerily sings, “How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me / It’s like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can’t read - just yet” and as he breathely warns “I will possess your heart” , but by the time the second verse comes around, the seed is already planted, and you’ll be humming the song all day.

I just watched the 8-minute-long video for the song, and though 4 minutes of watching a girl travel the world is fairly painful to someone stuck in the US but yearning to travel, the video is beautiful and you really get the full effect of the tantalizing bass line. My only question is why are the guys in an ice box freezing their asses off? Guitarist, Chris Walla, looks like he was turning into a popsicle the entire video.

Are you a Death Cab fan, and if not, who are you listening to?

For more information on Death Cab For Cutie visit deathcabforcutie.com or myspace.com/deathcabforcutie

I’ve been super busy, for some apparent reason, and that has definitely effected my blogging. Though I try to write good content as often as possible, I’m constantly emailed by PR people trying to get their clients message across, and to be quite honest, many of the messages are really good. I, unfortunately, haven’t really had the time to fully research everything, but I’ve decided to give you, my fabulous readers, a chance to make the executive decisions for yourself. So, here are the deets from best of the best press releases I’ve received this week:

• For those of you who haven’t seen it, here’s Madonna’s new music video for “4 minutes” with swoon worthy Justin Timberlake and master-producer Timbaland (they come as a pair). You can buy the video on iTunes so you can watch it anytime you want to perfect the dance moves.

• Do you wan to win a trip to Brazil? Of course you do. So, head to caressbrazilian.com, the website for Caress‘ newest collection of Brazilian Exotic Oil Infusions body washes. All you have to do is go to the website, download Nicole Scherzinger’s remake of Duran Duran’s song “Rio”, and make a video for the song. Though only one person can win the grand prize of a trip to Brazil, thirty finalists will win exciting prizes such as: spa treatments, iPods with Brazilian music or a year supply of Caress. My goal would be Brazil though!

• Yup, I’m talking about them again! Temposhark’s new music video for “Blame” is out, and it sort of rocks. The video is completely different from “4minutes”, less JT, less pelvic thrusting, but it has a whole lot more creepiness thanks to the animated characters created by the fantastic artist, Motomichi Nakamura. Watch the video, feel the goose flesh:

• In non-PR news, well sort of, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz are officially engaged, which is super cute. Congrats! And, I’m sure their publicists would like you to know, Ashlee’s new album Bittersweet world comes out on April 22nd and Fall Out Boy are going to get back into the studio in a couple months.

That’s it for now. Maybe if I feel like I’m neglecting the publicists next week, I’ll do this again.

p.s. Is it only my computer, or is youtube being really screwy?

My ears are swooning. For the past couple of hours I’ve been listening to the new Panic at the Disco album, Pretty. Odd., and the new album from The Raconteurs, Consolers Of The Lonely on repeat. I know everyone is probably thinking, how exactly do you put those two bands together or better yet, “If you like The Raconteurs how can you like Panic at the Disco?”

Well the first of all, I’ve decided to throw these two odd ball bands into a playlist together because both of their albums came out today (along with Gnarls Barkley’s and Temposhark’s albums). And secondly, I happen to like Panic at the Disco, so scorn me and cal me a fan girl, I don’t care.

Consolers Of The Lonely is totally fresh and full of that Jack White-y amazingness (does that make sense to anyone else?). I love how The Raconteurs (Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, Patrick Keeler, and Jack White) can take you from fun, riff heavy “Solute Your Solution” to manic, screeching, dirty rock like in “Five On The Five” to haunting country covered blues in “Carolina Drama”. If you liked Broken Boy Soldiers then you’ll definitely like Consolers Of The Lonely, for that matter if you just liked “Steady As She Goes” or “Level”, I’d suggest you pick of these guys new album.

Now, Panic haters can stop reading, because I’m about to compliment them. Though Pretty. Odd. is completely different that A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, they dropped the synth heavy beats with the ‘!’, I can honestly say I like it just as much or even more. Sure, Ryan Ross seems to love writing nonsensical lyrics, they now sound eerily similar to The Beatles, and the video for “Nine In The Afternoon” is an obvious nod the St. Pepper, I can’t help appreciate that they decided to do something different than their last album (a big risk that could alienate their fan base). I think Brenden has finally figure out the proper vocal range for him, and Ryan’s voice is very 60s pop, which makes me smile a bit to myself. My favorite songs out of the bunch are “Northern Downpour”, “Pas de Cheval”, “Behind The Sea” (yes the one Ryan sings), “Folkin’ Around”, and “Mad as Rabbits.”

Did you buy either of these two CDs? What are you’re thoughts? What other new CDs do you like?

For more information on The Raconteurs visit: theraconteurs.com or myspace.com/theraconteurs. For more information on Panic At the Disco visit: panicatthedisco.com or myspace.com/panicatthedisco.