Enjoy!

Das Racist’s upcoming mixtape Sit Down, Man drops September 14, 2010. For more info on Das Racist visit www.dasracist.net.

I love being introduced to new music, whether it’s “the next Lady Gaga,” a guy from Indiana and his guitar, or a French/Finnish duo called The Dø (pronounced like dough).

While Dan Levy plays the folky, surfer, dance beats, Olivia Merilahti’s bubbly voice chirps the lyrics making each song a sort of electro-nature call.

It was Olivia’s interest in fashion that initially piqued my interest, “I love Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Manish Arora, Chanel, Junko Shimada. I’ve been wearing a lot of Tsumori Chisato and Andrea Crews outfits on stage,” Merilahti says. At a glance you can tell she’s a girl who has carved out a style of her own, whether she’s wearing some secondhand find or designer duds.

“I love independent designer outlets that I come across when I’m abroad, Toronto and NY were my latest faves (I don’t shop much in Paris). I find a lot of designer shops in Helsinki. I also like the customized clothes that some vintage shops sell, like XXL t-shirts that have been changed into dresses, sleeves that become scarves, etc. ‘Episode’ in London is a nice one,” she continues.

The fashion definitely drew me in, but it was the music that made me want to keep listening, and when I say “keep listening,” I mean over and over and over again. After hearing the song “At Last” from their new album A Mouthful— recently released in the US— I couldn’t stop playing it.

It’s romantic. It’s cheesy. It’s tongue-and-cheek. Most of all, it’s addicting.

I’ve spent the weekend singing, “At Last! I found what I was dreaming of / Someone who truly understands me,” under my breathe. Best of all, the rest of the album is just as captivating and fun.

The Dø: Website | Myspace | Facebook
Buy A Mouthful (released April 6, 2010)

I think I say it every spring— if not, I should— warm weather makes me want to dress like a hippie. Many times, I don’t always achieve the look because it turns into an odd rocker/hippie mix. Today, was no exception. My look was slightly hippie, but more utilitarian rock fan.

I adore the Jimi Hendrix tee I found in the men’s section of Target years ago. I don’t often wear tops with images or writing on them, but for some reason, I feel it’s acceptable for me to display my undying support this genius across my torso. Plus, a new Hendrix album, primarily recorded in early-1969, came out yesterday entitled, Valleys of Neptune. I won’t turn this into an album review, but I will say, there are some guitarists who can stir your body, some who can stir your emotions, and some who can stir your soul. Only Jimi Hendrix can do all three.

The way music and fashion influence each other has always intrigued me. It’s a very chicken-or-the-egg situation, but after discussing this with various people in both industries, I often chalk the influencing up to being a sort of dynamic equilibrium. I do, however, sometimes say, fashion is my heart and my music is my pulse— I may need fashion to live, but music let’s me know I’m alive.

Talk Back: How does music influence your sartorial choices, and vice versa?

What I Wore:
Top: Target
Cropped Motorcycle Jacket: Alexander Wang for GAP
Sunglasses: Forever21

Over the weekend, I had a mini adventure with my cerebral-twin, whom I’ve lovingly and ironically dubbed Smiles. We went to Park Slope, Brooklyn— a place, though quite cool, is forever away from Manhattan and a hell of a pain to get to when in 4 1/2-inch heels— to see another friend’s band called Cedric Needs Us.

When we arrived, there was what I can only described as a faux-Chaplin, cowboy hipster who sang songs that were unequivocally ordinary. In fact, there was one song about how he had two shoes. His southern twang was as false as his Charlie Chaplin-esque stache, but there was something entertaining about the entire situation.

Finally after about 45 minutes of the hipster Johnny Cash, Cedric Needs Us, a 5-piece band including a clarinetist and a pianist— that’s a clarinet player and a piano player— squeezed onto the 5×7-foot stage and wowed.

I’d only heard one song, “Silvi,” which can be heard on their MySpace page, and was hoping I didn’t have to grin an bare it as I tried to be a nice person, but I can officially say I’m a Cedric Needs Us fan and will hopefully be at their next concert on February 13, 2010 at Kenny’s Castaways (157 Bleecker Street, NYC). If you’re in the tri-state area, you should totally come too!

p.s. Cedric Needs Us is on Facebook too!

There’s something magical about a night bike ride, especially when it involves light up spokes, a guy on a giant bike, about 100 people in costumes, and, umm, Jared Leto (I didn’t say it! I didn’t say it! It’s about the music, I promise!).

Anyway, watch the video, love the song, and get This Is War when it comes out on December 8th.

On my drive to and from school, I try to listen to the radio, my favorite newish songs are “Wheels” by Foo Fighters, “The Fixer” by Pearl Jam, “Relator” by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson, and “Kings and Queens” by 30 Seconds to Mars. Though I hear these songs often, today was the first day I realized there might be music videos to go along with some of the songs, and I was right!

My favorite video is the one for “Wheels”, not because they spent a billion dollars on it, but because I love seeing Dave Grohl and the gang just jam. So listen, watch, love:

What songs are you loving lately?

p.s. Listen to the other songs too.

• Priscilla Renea, for making catchy tunes, and being super cute and stylish
• Baby Phat because the boots the winner gets are hot
• Jessie Brown for asking me to participate
• Karli Stein and the rest of Cornerstone Promotion for making this giveaway possible

Now, without further ado, the Grand Prize Winner of Priscilla Renea’s Jukebox album, a Priscilla Renea t-shirt, and a pair of Baby Phat ankle boots worth $80 is…

MICHELLE BERRY, who’s favorite doll memory was of a Farrah Fawcett doll with a fierce jumpsuit.

The Runner-Up winner receiving Priscilla Renea’s Jukebox album and a Priscilla Renea t-shirt is…

D JORDAN a.k.a. MELROSE MOONFOX who’s favorite doll memory was of wishing she could get her hands on a doll of a character from the show Sailor Moon, but the doll didn’t exist.

Congrats to both our winners, and thank you for entering.

Keep an eye out for more PRC contests!

p.s. If either of the winners don’t contact me by 12:00PM EST on October 8th, 2009, I will be choosing another entrant to replace them.

p.s.s. Check out a great interview Priscilla Renea did with HipHollywood.com about starting her career via YouTube, and filming the music video for “Dollhouse.

Over the weekend I went to my favorite T.J. Maxx in Mt. Kisco, NY. That location has the best selection of high-end designer clothing I’ve ever seen at a T.J. Maxx, and when I say high-end, I mean high-end. I’ve seen everything from racks of Vera Wang Lavender Label to Helmut Lang to Dolce & Gabbana.

I never thought I’d see Dolce at T.J.s!

Though I didn’t end up splurging on the $300 Dolce & Gabbana maroon blazer with black piping I really want, I did end up buying the perfect black pencil skirt from Elie Tahari for $40.

Normally, pencil skirts look odd on me because I have a tiny waist, normal sized butt, and absolutely no hips— seriously it’s just bone— but the Elie Tahari skirt smoothes out my sharp hip bones giving me some semblance of a curvy, womanly figure. Plus, the high waist, make my legs look forever long especially when paired with 5″ heels.

p.s. The “I Ain’t a Doll” Giveaway winners will be announced tomorrow.

p.s.s. I’ve been listening to the new 30 Seconds to Mars song “Kings and Queens” all day, and I can honestly say, I’m in love! You can listen to it on their website, and make sure to request it on your local radio stations.

Ok, that first statement may be slightly degrading to Street Sweeper Social Club, because not only is their rap & roll rockhop rap rock, hater version of “99 problems”, called “100 Little Curses”, actually perfectly snide, interesting, and able to me giggle a bit, but the toe-tapping, get-stuck-in-your-head strum of the guitar is quite reminiscent of another little band I like to call Rage Against the Machine. I wonder why.

Oh, I remember, because Mr. Tom Morello, the man behind the riffage, is also the guitarist in Rage.

Let’s add up SSSC’s rock cred, for those who care about that stuff. Not only is the guitarist from one of the most influential rap rock, and rock, bands from the 90s, but they get a little extra rock cred for joining Nine Inch Nails and Jane’s Addiction on the NINJA Tour, which I wasn’t able to go to, such a bummer, but I digress. Also, their single’s pretty ninja, no pun intended, and when I get down on the fact that some girls get to walk around in $1000 shoes while I have to budget and try to keep my shoe purchases at $100 or under, I can listen to this song, head bang a bit, and get psyched about emcee, Boots Riley’s, major chops, of the mutton persuasion.

p.s. Their self-titled debut album, Street Sweeper Social Club, is out now. If you like what you hear, make sure to support them.

“Cotopaxi” has just come at the right time to make me really want to listen to the band and even buy their upcoming album Octahedron on June 22. The song is everything current pop music isn’t— not that there’s anything technically wrong with pop music now-a-days. Listening to this song just takes me back to a day when rock was in-your-face and biting, musicians didn’t wear eyeliner (guyliner?) or marquee style sunglasses, and I was yet to be born.

Don’t ask me what the song is about, all I know is when I close my eyes and listen to this song, every inch of my body wants to smile— though that isn’t technically possible, at least until Tyra tells the next America’s Next Top Model contestants to “smile with their bodies”…

Nevermind, just watch the video, or better yet, close your eyes and take a listen. The video doesn’t make sense anyway.

I was so stoked to hear over the twitterverse that Cobra Starship was doing a song with the only reason I watch Gossip Girl, other that the clothes, Leighton Meester. The song is call “Good Girls Go Bad” and is the first single off their new album on Cobra Starship’s upcoming album Hot Mess set to be released August 11.

The song is typical Cobra Starship with a great beat, cheeky lyrics, and lots of energy. It’s fun and really catchy. I already know it’s going to be one of those songs that everyone will be singing the chorus of the entire summer.

The Cobra Kids and Meester, recently filmed a video for the song, and apparently the omnipotent MTV News was there to catch all the fun and debauchery on camera.

Ms. Meester looks amazing, and I’m really liking her lighter locks more and more. Plus, she actually has a really good pop voice. This collaboration makes me so excited for August, it’s scary!

You can here the entire song on the Cobra Starship Myspace and/or purchase the single on iTunes today.

Our loves at Glamour Kills want to steal my dream of having a theme song, though, I’d like mine to play as I walk into a room like in pro-wrestling— “This is the…big show”. Now’s the time to show the world your music chops, and write a fatal theme song for GK.

All good art starts with a bit of research. Make sure to get a little background info on GK by reading their story.

The clock stops on May 10th, my lovely troubadours, so you better get on it.

p.s. 10 Life Points for anyone who can finagle a PRC or Chelsea Rae name-check into his or her song!

p.p.s. If you do enter a song into the contest, share with the class. I’ll my favorite song out of the ones you share with me and post it on the ol’ blog. ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/04/17/the-theme-is-glamour-kills/feed/ 1 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/04/07/bows-all-around/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2009/04/07/bows-all-around/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:37:59 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=949 I think bow ties should be the new skinny tie for guys. I don’t know why, but guys who wear bow ties on the regular not only catch my eye stylistically, but gain so much respect from me. The modern bow tie trail blazers: Chet from The Real World: Brooklyn and D.A. Wallach, one-half of the band my ears are currently crushing on, Chester French.

p.s. I love the song, but don’t quite get why they’re getting ruined by that girl. Maybe she isn’t a fan of the BT.

Part 2 of Manchester Orchestra’s pre-album videos is out. The video is for the song “Shake It Out.” [Spin.com]

I have exciting news about me other bloggers, and prom (sort of), but I’m waiting for pictures. Here’s a teaser…

Sometimes I forget how wonderfully cheeky Lily Allen is. She has this sweet soft voice but is complaining about a guy never making her scream in the new video for “It’s Not Fair.” Not to mention, she’s looks amazing in that Cher-inspired outfit!