FMS Issue 01

!!! £2.50SUEc

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CAGE ELEPHTHE ANT READ UP! C AU ON

SE LY GO ‘IN ON IT’LL E EAR ...’

SHOT O IN NE N COOL B ANDS W YO RK

LYRICA L

FaSHIO N

SHA L a FOUR G R E A T LAS STO DA

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RM LO N NDON! ES

FIVE U N OUR C A P I T A SIGNED HOT N L’S EW TALEN

EE FR UNSIGNED

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CD

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ACKS BONUS TR INSIDE!

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 08/09

FLOSS MY SANTA

TO SPONSOR OUR CD CONTACT sponsorship@fashionmusicstyle.com

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on/your/cd YOUNGHEARTS 1.This Love 2.Don’t Leave Me SOL DEVIOUS 3.Me And You

4.I Gave Up Drugs (Mistakes) ALEX STARLING 5.Poison Knives and Guns 6.Now I’ve Got A Reason THE BLACK LIES 7.Jack The Lad 8.My House Is Your House NO PICASSO 9.Mr Worzel

BONUS TRACKS LISSY TRULLIE 10.Self-Taught Learner YOUNG LORDS 11.Trying SHA LA LAS 12.The Saddest Morning

13.Tryst (...Just Another Line Short Of Perfection...)

14.The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions

Aha...yes! Fourteen tracks packed onto a FREE CD for you. Play it, it’s yours! We’ve treated you to two tracks from each of our Five Unsigned artists (well apart from No Picasso who only had one to spare...) plus five bonus tracks. Does it feel like Christmas to you?! Well it is, but that’s beside the point because we’ll be presenting you with a complimentary CD every issue of the year. After all, a CD is not just for Christmas!

CD Sponsorship Enquiries sponsorship@fashionmusicstyle.com All rights of the producer and the owner of the works reproduced reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this record prohibited.

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MASTHEAD Editor-in-Chief Sarah Hardy Photo Editor Michael Robert Williams Art Editor Elliott Webb Music Editor Andrew Future Style Editor Jodie Ball Editorial Assistant Connie Hart Contributors Lucy Barker, Karolina Kivimaki, Connie Hart, Rebekah Roy, Stuart Gadd, Eric Guillemain, Yuji Takenaka, Angie South, Jenny Hardcore, Andreas Beltzer, Isabel Dexter and Aline Bentley Special thanks to Donal Rogers, Proud Camden, Sandrine Bizzaro, Rachel Stein, Michelle Filomeno, Courtney Blackman & Laura McCluskey @ Forward PR, Rachel Louise Jones The Hospital Club, ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON, Punk & all of the above

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Publisher Sarah Hardy FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE Limited Printers Warners Midlands Plc, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH Tel: 01778 391000 Distributors Native PS, 33 Swinnow Green, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 9AW Tel: 0113 290 9509 Staff Contact first name@fashionmusicstyle.com Advertising Contact sales@fashionmusicstyle.com Sponsorship Enquiries sponsorship@fashionmusicstyle.com ********************************************************* Disclaimer Views expressed within the pages of FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE are those of the contributors and not necessarily those shared by the publisher.

All content is believed to be correct at the time of printing.

Unauthorised reproduction of any editorial or images is strictly prohibited.

Editors letter What better time to launch a new magazine than at Christmas?! End of one year, beginning of another...oh blah, blah, blah whatever. The most important thing is that we’ve done it. My fantastic team and I have produced a wicked magazine for you...and with a CD too for crying out loud so make sure you bloody enjoy it! Listen to our first Five Unsigned plus bonus tracks from my favourite Danish band, Sha La Las. If you missed them playing live here in October then be sure to catch them next time they’re in London. Sha La Las are an excellent live band, full of energy, passion

and determination...we like that. There’s also a couple of tracks from two of the bands/artists that feature in our fashion shoot by New York photographer, Eric Guillemain...my God do we spoil you! I could go on but I’d rather you just flick through the pages and soak up the contents, thank you very much. Oh and if you missed our launch party at Punk then shed a tear over the photos...unless you were there of course, in which case you may well be in here! Big thanks go out to my brilliant team and our talented contributors. And love to you all...it’s Christmaaaassss! xxx

Sarah Hardy Editor-in-Chief

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Style Notes We come over all Christmassy while shopping for jumpers & tartan CHARLIE LE MINDU -

A snip in time with the quirky French hairstylist from Bordeaux

CAGE THE ELEPHANT There’s nothing chicken about this band from Kentucky FIVE UNSIGNED *Drum Roll* we introduce our very first five unsigned bands PROUD GALLERIES -

Our profile on Proud Camden and their renowned galleries

LYRICAL FASHION -

Eric Guillemain shoots fashion on cool New York bands and artists

SHA LA LAS IN LONDON Four great danes storm the capital and we’re hot on their tails introducing We’re like a fashion talent magnet, they throw it at us and the good stuff sticks ALBERTA CROSS -

Dig out your soul for one of Noel Gallagher’s favourite new bands

ABSOLUT ICEBAR It’s just so damn Christmassy belowzero...and bloody freezing Reviews -

Gigs, albums, err...more gigs...yeah we do the rounds

FMS LAUNCH PARTY Missed our party at Punk? Then cry like a baby over the photos Ask the DJs We request the top 10 Xmas tunes to take a taste bypass for

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style notes: CHRISTMAS JUMPERS! Avoid the dread when you pick up that squidgy present...knowing that very rarely do relatives get it quite right when it comes to your choice of threads!

Just leave out your copy of FMS with a big X next to your favourite jumper. Long or short, chunky or slim, bright or black, stripey or err...not stripey, the choice is yours.Yes, indeedy, the choice is yours!

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GIRLS - LEFT TO RIGHT Wool bodywarmer Topshop, £40 Bibfront sweater Cacharel, £141 Striped cardi American Retro, £223 Poloneck Malen Birger, £107 Knitted Top Topshop, £35 Button sweater YMC, £87 Fairisle jumper Topshop, £45 Apple sweater Franklin & Marshall, £90

EDITED BY KAROLINA KIVIMAKI

GUYS - LEFT TO RIGHT Striped sweater McQ by Alexander McQueen, £399 Yellow chunky cardi Folk, £179 Fairisle jumper Franklin & Marshall, £112 Red/cream striped jumper Folk, £99 Drawstring cardi Folk, £115 Military cardi Topman, £75 Double-breasted cardi Topman, £40 Chevron hoodie Gio-Goi, £60

STOCKLISTS American Retro www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880 Cacharel www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880 Folk Clothing 020 7404 6458 Franklin Marshall 020 7739 4355 Gio Goi www.asos.com Malen Birger www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880 McQ by Alexander McQueen www.oki-ni.com Topshop 0845 121 4519 www.topshop.com Topshop, Topman 0845 121 0265 www.topman.com YMC www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880

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style notes: check the tARTAN! What is it about tartan that’s just so damn Christmassy?! There’s a serious tartan and check fetish going down. On the catwalk it was all about British rock chick heritage – tartan shirts were teamed with band tees and skinny jeans alongside full-on, head-to-toe looks. Mix and match for maximum check effect...not that brave? Then stick to the one piece...and take the high road!

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GIRLS - LEFT TO RIGHT Pintuck tunic Urban Outfitters, £42 Leggings Topshop, £18 Scarf Topshop, £16 Tights Jonathan Aston, £7 Plimsolls Topshop, £15 Hairy swing coat Topshop, £85 Heart shaped body bag Topshop, £25 Shopper Vivienne Westwood, £378

EDITED BY KAROLINA KIVIMAKI

GUYS - LEFT TO RIGHT Bomber jacket Resistance, £365 Hat New York Hat Co, £39 Waistcoat Topman, £50 Spring court check sneaker Resistance, £125 Reversible flannel scarf Pemfield Hermosa, £28 Shirt Topman, £28 Cashmere scarf Johnstons, £63 Shirt Franklin & Marshall, £78

STOCKLISTS Franklin Marshall www.asos.com Johnstons www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880 Jonathon Aston www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880 New York Hat Co www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880 Pemfield Hermosa www.urbanoutfitters.com 0845 330 1288 Resistance www.oki-ni.com Topshop 0845 121 4519 www.topshop.com Topshop, Topman 0845 121 0265 www.topman.com Urban Outfitters www.urbanoutfitters.com 0845 330 1288 Vivienne Westwood www.my-wardrobe.com 0845 260 3880

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Charlie a snip in timewith

le mindu Words: CONNIE HART

C

harlie Le Mindu, a tornado of creativity and daring quirkiness is both captivating and inspiring. Upon arrival at his Shoreditch flat I’m greeted with the French mannerisms of a person who is everything I imagined him to be. Surrounded by hair pieces and flamboyant clothes Charlie apologies for the “mess” (there was none, just creativity at work).

His stress levels are eminent and his current immersion lies in creating a new wig collection to be presented at London Fashion Week “Although it’s all very stressful, I

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love doing it so much” he expresses passionately.

His love of hair is apparent and to describe his work as ‘extrêmement magnifique’ is to shine just a half-light on this twenty-two year old prodigy from Bordeaux.

The brazen view of importance in his portrayal of hair and its connection to the body triggers off a sense of curiosity...along with an infectious anxiety to try one on. “I really, really want the wig to come back” he emphasises. Wigs were no doubt a necessity for fashionistas in times gone by and Charlie is keen to have them revamped and back in business. But from Wino to Jodie Harsh, Dolly Parton to Cher, it certainly

takes one of a kind to befriend one of these hairy volumes.

Mr. Le Mindu may seem like the type to encourage an unhinged hairdo but in fact the opposite is true “I’m not one for all these crazy cuts and colours...I guess you could say that people who want them have bad taste. People ask me for all kinds of things and sometimes I don’t want to do them”. Having worked for the likes of Tony & Guy and Vidal Sassoon, Charlie’s now developed his own style of cutting “My technique is a lot of me and a tiny bit of others. I like to keep a natural style – sleek, shiny, good condition, it’s all about the way in which you play with it...and how you can create a look from the one you already have”.

The majority of us are familiar with Loréal’s Elnett hairspray. The elegant classic sits favourably on ladies (and gents) dressing tables, in the trusted hands of professional snippers and on Charlie’s shoulder.Yes, his shoulder. “I always use Elnett, the smell reminds me of my grandmother…I really love the smell” Tattooed at 15 this significant mark seems to represent passion, dedication and an underlying dream, but more importantly it’s consciously inked deep within the Le Mindu essence.

His time has been spent snipping away in many a salon but one quirky favourite stands out “It was a salon in France called ‘Le Petit Salon’ it was very punk, with an underground vibe. People were even smoking in there, and even came in with their dogs to get colours done!” Err...pardon? “Yes” he says “I was doing hair colour on dogs to make them look like pandas...”

Sitting next to The Observer’s 22nd coolest person, Berlin fashion icon, and hair hacker to the likes of LCD Sound system, Bloc party, Peaches, Diamanda Galas and the B-52s…it would be wrong to miss questioning him on the most interesting head of hair his professional paws have been made known to. “Verushca” he answers “She was one of Andy Warhol’s muses, she is like 70. I cut her hair in Berlin and that was pretty amazing, I was wowed”.

After moving to Berlin aged 18, his instinctive livelihood of hairdressing/design seemed to come on quicker than a stock market slump “When I was in Berlin, I started really getting into the music scene, so that was where I began climbing the ladder, musicians began to ask me to do their hair.” I wondered if there was another profession that he would’ve sought after, had hairdressing not entered the equation. But on that a blank look is given, a look strongly implying that the thought of anything else has neither entered mind nor world (with a push out fall the words “Maybe a wealthy aristocrat...”).

On the occasional evening Charlie is accompanied by his ‘Pop up salon’. Courtesy of The Macbeth in Shoreditch, patrons can get their hair cut free of charge. But beware, I’ve heard the queues can be long ting…this man is in demand for sure. But if you can’t catch him there, don’t feel bummed out.You’ll also find him all set up at Tatty Devine in Soho on a Monday.

Hold onto your hair guys and girlies, Charlie Le Mindu is the official cut above the rest…good riddance to the old barnet cropper, there’s a better one in town.

But complimentary haircut in return for such a glowing review?...Denied. • www.charlielemindu.com

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Cage the

elephant CAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Words: andrew future - Photos: Michael Robert Williams

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“W

e kinda lived a devil childhood,” admits Brad Schultz, lead guitarist in Cage the Elephant. “We went to a church a hell of a lot, one side of us was these little church boys the other side was hellions breaking windows in abandoned houses.”

toe. “It wasn’t very rock ‘n’ roll,” he admits.

Musically then, Cage the Elephant’s funk-rap-rock lies somewhere between the retro-howl of the Stones and New York Dolls and the venomous charge of Rage Against The Machine. Except they’re not quite as hairy or indeed political.

His partner in crime back then and to this day is his younger brother Matt, the band’s singer.

“You can’t take people for dumb-asses anymore,” Brad declares when quizzed over Obama. “The bullshit comes out a lot faster than it used to. Some of the political schemers had been trying to slander him around our town, but people see through it now.”

Most people who grew up poor in the religiously repressive confines of the South would have used music to escape and break out, but the experience of living a tough, religious childhood has filled Matt and Brad with energy rather than anger. In spite of their infamous stage antics, which include broken bones, muscles and fans, more of which later, they’re still nice, polite church-going boys at heart.

As the name suggests, Cage the Elephant are a rock band in every sense of the phrase. It’d be a brave man that dragged them kicking and screaming from their obsessions with the Ramones, Nirvana and Pixies.

After breaking out of their home town, they played in nearby Nashville before finding a manager and recording an album. While their self-titled debut does bring back memories of Jet, their live shows are on a completely different planet.

They describe Bowling Green, Kentucky as “a sleepy town full of fucking great music,” a neighbourhood not too far away from where Kings of Leon came from.

“I don’t really have anything to say about them,” says Matt. “It’s nothing to do with me that they’ve gone all pop. I like their first record and I don’t like saying bad things about other bands.”

“There is a story for that,” Brad chips in coyly.

“Some bands can achieve success and stay close to their roots, some bands don’t, I’m not saying they don’t, but it’s not a path we would choose to go down,” Matt concludes before we move swiftly on.

“Brad’s jumped off of every kind of speaker stacks,” Matt recalls with glee. “And the only real injury to a fan,” Brad weighs in, “was when this girl got knocked out by Matt’s mic. He threw it down, some guy flung it and the top flew off and fucking cracked this girl in the head. It was fucking scary.”

The sense of morality about the brothers is clear.Today they’re in a central London recording studio laying down some b-sides. One of the tracks is practically a folk song, a distance away from their usual blend of carnivorous punk. “We’ve stretched our legs with the new material and we’re writing more versatile songs,” Matt says.

“We brought her backstage and gave her a bunch of t-shits and stuff,” adds Matt.

A more amusing incident occurred on the band’s first day in England on the current trip when Brad spun his guitar around him in a car park, Pete Townsend style, only for the strap to break and send it crashing into his

“When we started, very high energy was what we were doing, but we were all thinking of doing side projects. So we decided, ‘fuck it, why don’t we just do all these as Cage songs?’ It doesn’t make sense to pigeon hole yourself just because you’re expected to.”

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As horizon broadening goes, they’re still yet to move past Pavement, but for a band still stuck in the late seventies this at least represents progress of a kind.

But then given the boys’ upbringings, it wouldn’t be fair to mock their progress. Unlike most teenagers, they were banned from listening to Green Day, Hendrix and Nirvana, for fear it might bring evil into their parents’ Christian household.

“For me, I’ve always snuck stuff in from 11 and 12,” Brad says. “Matt was always saying ‘we shouldn’t do this’.” Matt was 16 the first time he listened to nonChristian music, after his parents got divorced. “As any kid would when you live under a very strict household, when all of a sudden the shackles are removed, you kinda just run around and go crazy. I got into music and started a band,” he says.

“We’re a product of our environment and our past, but there comes a time where you have to take responsibility and move forward.” But Matt has no plans to just yet. “It’s baby steps,” he admits with a smile.

Their father was a musician always recording. Early in the morning Brad and Matt had to go outside and play their instruments, then again after lunch. “He’d teach us a few chords and then we’d just learn the rest from the records,” Brad says.

They still have a network of friends back home, including Morning Teleportation, a band they played with wearing nothing but nappies. “We covered ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’,” Brad shamelessly reveals.

Touring with Queens of the Stone Age if nothing else, taught them how to party properly. “It was like

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a festival every night,” says Brad. “It was the first tour we’d ever been on and we were in the mosh pit every night watching QOTSA. “Partying with them was cool; we had several talks where he gave us advice.”

The best piece of advice they received was to always tell the record label if they came up with a good idea.

“Josh Homme said we should pretend like it was theirs,” Matt says. “We’d tell them ‘Hey man, that was such a good idea you came up with’, and they’d go ‘Yeah it’s genius!’”

Despite being signed to Warners, home of Linkin Park and Madonna, Brad’s not a fan of big labels. “The reason the record business is fucked is because a lot of bands are writing one kind of thing that works and then just keep doing the same old shit. Everyone’s just listening for a single; people don’t listen for the whole album anymore.”

“Maybe shit like Nickleback just it’s my thing. Maybe it is really good. But as far as record companies, they don’t develop bands like they used to,” Matt interjects.

“Labels just get bands out there and they don’t have a chance to develop. They have one album and if it doesn’t stick, they’re gone. In the past record companies and management firms invested in bands over time when they saw potential.”

“Record execs spend too much on themselves and not enough on the bands. I’m not saying I know the fix but I have an opinion.” • Matt Schultz (vocals), Brad Shultz (guitar) Daniel Titchenor (bass), Lincoln Parish (guitar) and Jared Champion (drums)

myspace.com/cagetheelephant

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NO PICASSO R

eports of No Picasso are somewhat eclectic.

Reoccurring words such as ‘confused’, ‘off-key’ and ‘manic’ are far from lies when spoken of the sounds created by each charming, yet undoubtedly unique member.When mixed together they generate an unforgettably eccentric commotion.

These original paintings are already acquainted with the excitements of the industry, what with special

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edition t-shirts designed by Henry Holland, the track ‘Money’ added to Pro Evo 6, and the song ‘Monet’ penned for Roberto Cavalli. Not bad for an unsigned band.

Our interview takes place in Catch, Old Street. Ronnie Joice, vocalist, sporting a bountiful deed involving scissors and an untrained Jeffery Leach for Channel 4s celebrity scissor hands. Along with Ben Hutchinson,

No specific influence sums up the musical independence that No Picasso has as a band. Punk indie would be one way of describing them, but “confrontational and provocative” deems more appropriate in Ben’s eyes.

Onstage performances with rear end wiggling from Ronnie, uncontrolled dancing and the odd impetuous action, points me in the direction of Iggy Pop and The Stooges, but confidently corrected is my observation.

“We’re more elegant than that” states Ronnie, “in fact we’re better than them”. (Err…) Dan comes to partial agreement “We do have that same sort of energy,” then positively bolting on with a strong sense of pride “we fucking rock hard, containing lots of really busy energy, we’re really becoming what we should become and are tapping into what’s there”.

I question whether the lyrical process is a gathered quest. “There’s not one puppet master, we’re all puppeteers” says Ronnie, who in theory is the main lyricist and open to personal expression. Unafraid of running directly away from shyness and loudly portraying what’s going on in his life, (you either like it or you don’t) renders his lyrics as meaningful, emotionally satisfying (for him more so), perhaps occasionally “nonsensical” and intellectually honest.

“My ex-girlfriend hated me because I spoke very openly about my relationship. I seem to document things, I’ve got like a voyeuristic nature about myself.

I guess I quite like people to see my wounds and my trip-ups, the pain and frustration about heartbreak and fucking up”.

With regular club nights and plenty of DJ sets to contend with, there’s certainly a high level of occupancy being kept. Ronnie and Dan keenly mention that Ben is also drumming for another band. “Gaolers Daughter, good band…really good band” and Jo is also with European Lust. “Luckily the things that we do outside tie in quite well with the band” say Ronnie “We have opportunities to put our band on showcase ourselves and have control over where we’re playing. I DJ and Jo models”.

Jo and his cheekbones do indeed occasionally grace the reflection of the camera lens, “What better way than to work just one day and use the money to go home to Barcelona to see my mother. I don’t live out of it but sometimes you know…it’s nice”. Image and style are important ingredients of No Picasso

“When you go to work wearing a suit, you represent yourself as a smart person, professional. We represent ourselves and our style” emphasises Ronnie.

‘She’s Alive’ is the band’s first upcoming single, interesting is its bottom line revolving around celebrity culture and its casualties. I was keen to hear more.

“It’s basically about clubs like Movida and Chinawhite, where daddy’s little girls do nothing with their lives but drink champagne and spend their fathers billions and have nothing to say for themselves, they shouldn’t really be alive to be honest because they’re just eating up our oxygen” explains Ronnie. As for an album in the pipeline…“It could be next year or in 5 years time, we just don’t know, but hopefully sometime in the near future”.

“I guess the worst reaction anyone could ever give our music would be none. You’ve got to love it or hate it”

Stylist: Rebekah Roy - Fashion Assistant: Rosie Bees Williams

the drummer, quieter of the collection (storm-less yet mysterious would be one way to describe him), Dan Fatel, guitarist, the cool, calm, collected one (clearly switched on) and Josep Xorto, bass, Barcelona refined, with desirable accent and a lick of cheekbones that could easily be eaten for desert.

Ben, incredibly chilled out throughout the interview, stayed distant to questions, never the less the quiet character is noted by Ronnie and harmonized by Jo and Dan to be the most musically talented of the group “Ben holds this band together, he has the most experience, especially with me and Jo being so naïve and very happy go lucky. We don’t really think much into the consequences of things. Ben is the rock of our band. We all respect him and look up to him; he’s a very integral part of the band” “I guess the worst reaction anyone could ever give our music would be none.You’ve got to love it or hate it” says Ben. So to feel part of either the love or hate, I guess materializing as part of the painting and joining in with the brash portraits is your one way ticket to enjoying the No Picasso creation. • myspace.com/nopicassomusic Words: Connie Hart Photo: Michael Robert Williams

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F

inalists in 02 Undiscovered, front man Olly Hill, bassist Owen Pakiry-Palmer, drummer Nick Swietlik and lead guitarist Logan Coutts have supported The Twang,The Rifles, torn up the Camden Crawl, and had it large on stage at the Wireless Festival. Most recently the infectious anthem ‘I Gave Up Drugs (Mistakes)’ featured in the new Brit flick ‘Bigga than Ben.’ These right old lively North London bred boys aren’t lacking in confidence that’s for sure.

Having known each other a long time, it’s about more than just musical dynamics…

Stylist: Rebekah Roy - Fashion Assistant: Rosie Bees Williams - Groomer: Rachel Louise Jones

Listening to Sol Devious may take you back to baggy ‘Madchester’ (or at least let you touch mood) but in other ways this isn’t just the sound of Manchester in the ecstasy-fuelled late Eighties. It’s a universal blend, part born of the Sixties yet existing in its very own modern space. Strong influences are mirrored in The kinks, The Stone Roses, The Charlatans…but then so is front man Olly’s onstage performance. His ‘on the spot’ swaggering march much resembles a mélange of Brown, Burgess, and Gallagher with his feeling for music exposed when endorsing the sounds of house inspired beats, 60s guitar pop, and all of its surroundings.

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“It’s difficult to get to where we want to go, we don’t want to be some little shit band. Get us on a stadium and we will destroy that fucking stadium.”

Their music composure revolves around the urge to write “The ones that have come off the cuff have usually been our best songs” says Logan. ‘Me and You’ is a track strongly countrified with hybridizing folk, and country elements, tailored to modern day hearing.

‘Powder Monkey’ was spat out randomly on a binge, with subsequent alterations rearing lyrics in relation to “us being born and then being re-incarnated” Olly was actually talking literally, due to himself and Logan sharing the fact that they were both complicated births…

What strikes me whilst in the presence of Sol Devious is their strong alliance as a band. When it comes to making music they trust and understand one another’s ability to do what comes naturally. “We all know each other; we know what we’re good at and what we’re bad at so we let each other go at each strength.

We’re in the bubble and if things didn’t work out I wouldn’t wanna do another band. We’re too tight”

states Olly. “So much time has been invested, and it’s wicked – we’re like family – apart from when Logan gets grumpy sometimes” he adds, prompting Owen “We’re not manufactured, its four blokes who love music, trying to make something clever and sexy”.

Each stepped into music with mind to improve matter.

Olly, self-confessed “attention seeker”, cast himself in deep as a youngster by offering to take his mates place as vocalist for their band “I just jumped in, did it and proper smashed it up – ever since then, I’ve just loved it off ”. Musically, Logan was influenced by family “When I was a bit older my brothers were going out raving so even at a young age I was well into rave music”. He never quite abandoned the glow sticks but it was the Brit Pop movement that drew his attention further. Owen (quoted as being a “legend lookalike” – and I’d have to agree) has been playing for over 10 years “Through playing with loads of different people I picked it up and taught myself ” he says. “I’ve been in other bands and all that kind of stuff…” adds Nick, who’s been banging away since the age of nine (drums that is....). But now he’s an unfailing Sol Devious heartbeat where no doubts are shadowed. It proves that filtering through time wasters is worthwhile “We’ve gone through them all to eventually come to this” Logan tells me “Drummers are routinely difficult to work with”. Asked why, Nick adds “I guess people wanna be Keith Moon but they just don’t want to put in the work”.

Success in itself is difficult to categorize…money, power, status? But where music is concerned, it’s all about change “Marvin Gaye, Captain Beefheart, Van Morrison – one seminal album that’s changed things forever – they’ve inspired the shit out of me and that’s what I want” declares Olly.

Sol Devious – contradictory terms for a name that Logan compares to “light and dark, yin and yang”. Olly, however, digs up a deeper definition “You have to shake hands with the devil to realise it’s not you, and to then come up...there is good and bad in everyone”.

Though the name obviously means different things to each member “I thought it was to do with Sol Campbell leaving Arsenal…” jokes Owen.

Nick pretty much sums up the attitude of the band “It’s difficult to get to where we want to go, we don’t want to be some little shit band. Get us on a stadium and we will destroy that fucking stadium”.

How long does one go on for, with the dream to live in the moment and truly have it large I wonder? “Until the bitter end” replies Owen. • myspace.com/soldevious Words: Connie Hart Photo: Michael Robert Williams

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ALEX STARLING 24

p-beat rock ‘n’ roll songs and a mix of angular sharp indie, decorated with trip-rock and filled sweetly with emotionally intact lyrics, musical maestros I present you ‘Alex Starling’. Whether seeping the stereo or gracing stages from The Lovebox Festival to The Albany, The Borderline to Soho’s Punk, playing to the crowds is what keeps these boys happy.

Alex Starling is an arrangement formed two years ago

by Alex Rogers, the main vocalist and guitarist, player of keys and seemingly whatever other instruments come his way. Oli McKiernan plays bass, Alex Sharman, guitar and Tom Hargreaves, drums. Tom, although absent from interview was noted by Alex R to be a “brilliant all-round musician with great ideas musically... and a liking for Cliff Richard (!)”.

Every part of these lads’ lives are musically endorsed, each employed in one of many day jobs the industry sector has to offer. Songwriter Alex Rogers (AKA Alex Starling) has a strong musical background and is brother of Tony Rogers – member of the unforgettable Charlatans. Alex rose to play various instruments for different bands. Strapped onto his mellifluous, rich, easily absorbed vocals he furthered this step by embarking on ‘Alex Starling’. With musical talent already programmed Alex drew from Tony’s qualities as a person rather than his status “Tony was always a really hard worker and he always really put everything into music, that was all he ever did, I guess in a way I was influenced by that”.

Alex R describes their music and where influences meet in the channels of creation. “Rock ‘n’ roll type music, with lots of stones kind of stuff...and clearly the Beatles have been a heavy influence” His lyrics can be directed towards abstract means, “I’ll maybe get an idea or a feeling about a person and then I suppose warp it a bit, it’s about a feeling I had at the time and then I make a bit of a scenario about it…if you have a bit of imagination about what you write then it can mean more to more people”.

Whilst being terrorised by big issuers, the usual West End spare changers, and a homeless ‘rapper’ Oli, (musically educated to degree level, and well travelled from his time in a tribute band) briefs me about band life and how the ‘circuit’ taken in pursuit of living within your own musical success is not hazed. “You kind of slowly realise more and more that it’s more of a realistic possibility and you can construct your life accordingly”. The band appreciate the difficulties yet keeping themselves in the picture no matter what

“We’ve all chosen to work in music, that’s all we’ve ever done, making music and working in music. It keeps us going” Alex Sharman explains. “You’re reminded daily whether it’s collecting royalties, selling guitars, or promoting”.

‘We should be together’ is just one of ‘Alex Starling’s’ great tracks. It lasts seven minutes but there is no mind drifting for listeners halfway through.Therapeutic and invigorating is its feel, a flickering of soft keys in the background adding drops of tranquillity. The strong deep guitar rhythms kick in surrounded by a faint quartet in the background, granting a dose of emotionality and a melancholic mood. Although lyrically it’s quite a conflict to the dark tone “It’s about being happy on your own and ending up meeting someone you end up with and realizing that you should be together” explains Alex R.

Stylist: Rebekah Roy - Fashion Assistant: Rosie Bees Williams

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“if you have a bit of imagination about what you write then it can mean more to more people” It could be said that the music industry today is filtering out impatient individuals who lack determination and passion to play and share music alike. “People leave bands sometimes because they think they don’t get signed anymore, to me it’s like well...you don’t necessarily need to be signed by someone. It’s a passion that’s there anyway” Alex R comments on a tough and battling enterprise, where more doors are actually being opened than shut. “The power is within the artist now” he says, prompting Oli “Technology is there enabling you to record yourselves, produce an album, and promote yourselves. It’s not prohibited and as expensive anymore and to do it on your own is already proof of success in its self ”. Success is the key to change, music is revolutionary, and things are to be kept on top of…consumerism turns over tenfold, variety enables this and we are able to mix and match till our hearts content.“Everyone wanted to be like the libertines about a year ago, now everyone is sick of that, loads of acoustic artists are coming out, there is loads of really good stuff at the moment”.

With a recent introduction by Tom Robinson for BBC Radio 6, ‘Alex Starling’ is one to watch... • myspace.com/starlingband Words: Connie Hart Photo: Michael Robert Williams

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Stylist: Rebekah Roy - Fashion Assistant: Rosie Bees Williams - Groomer: Rachel Louise Jones

repare to stomp with the mob, flow with the drinks, and have a right old crack. Because The Black Lies are in London town and there’s no stopping them.

James Buchanan, lead guitarist, vocalist and song writer is a man on a mission with stories to tell. Not afraid of saying “fuck it man” to anything, with a combed over ‘who cares just get on with it’ attitude. This former bedroom DJ of the happiest of hardcore and techiest of techno had the aspiration of spinning for a living.

Then things took a turn that no decks could ever live up to “I saw this little Mancunian band come on called Oasis. Bought the CD, decks went up the loft, bought a Liam Gallagher style coat and started swaggering around like a knob‘ed telling everyone to fuck off ”.

Spinning the discs was replaced by strumming the guitar and James has not looked back since.

It was along that same stanza for Roy, bass player with the Lies for the last six months, “Definitely the best band I’ve been in” he says “I guess my musical background goes as far as my parents listening a lot to the Beatles and the Stones, and then further down the line the best modern band came out – Oasis, and they just kicked arse”. James the “original dirtiest Black Lie” lived the pub life as a youngster, where the juke box was never short of coins. “My folks were into their country music; Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton...can’t beat a bit of Dolly mate I’m telling ya.” I guess you could say that James is the music man who comes from further away...Stoke to be precise, with a library of music genres not afraid to be explored “The only shit I can’t stand and I’ll argue about is this R ‘n’ B bollocks. Old rhythm and blues yeah, like the proper stuff, Robert Johnson, Murray Waters, all heart for the blues man.

Without them we’d be nothing”.

With James trademark mutton chops are part and parcel. Think William Thackeray all shook up, stirred with northern slang and rocking the room with straight to the point poetically correct lyrics. Forget politically correct for now folks. Lock, stock and barrelled up within The Black Lies is stompy, bolshed up energy.

You’ll be quick to react for sure.

With a sound resembling the Arctic Monkeys playing with a bee in their bonnets and rockets up their backsides, the result is a gutsy spillage of hard accelerated toe tapping tracks. Songs such as ‘She’s a Madman’, ‘Town Happy’ and ‘Jack the lad’ are stories told as James describes “how it fuckin is”. Boisterous lyrics complete with cleverly riotous backing, all seized from whirlwind metropolitan playgrounds make way for raucous magnetism. “The songs are all about drinking, fighting and just fuckin shagging birds. Not necessarily about me doing it all, but you know what most lads do nowadays. They work the fucking week and once they’ve got some money they go out at the weekend and they get fucking rowdy” expresses James.

‘Town Happy’ divulges into street life “You know, when living in a fucking little shitty town, and when you’ve got long hair you get your little skally wannabes in trackies giving you the large one, it’s like do you react?

Of course you do, but to be fair when I was younger I was a little twat...but I never went as far as tucking

“I’m no Pete Doherty, I don’t go into depth, you can listen to the lyrics and you can grasp it straight way.” me tracksuits into me socks” James explains. ‘She’s a Madman’ is another interesting truth of life, “Girls, you know, who are just as fuckin mad as the men, in my eyes they can be worse.” No not us...not ever! “I look at my mates relationships sometimes and think… fuckin’ell what’s goin’ on ere like?! Cause she’ll be going off her nut like!” Wisely rolling on the old cliché of ‘he’s a madman’ “It’s like bollocks, no. She’s the mad man.”

Keeping songs true and simple you can’t go wrong, “I’m no Pete Doherty, I don’t go into depth, you can listen to the lyrics and you can grasp it straight way”.

After seeing Kasabian years ago James found himself egged on by the words “If you’re writing, just keep writing…that’s all I can tell ya.” from Tom Meighan over a pint. And the outcome has been proven with now 150-200 songs under his belt “I’m not saying they’re all fuckin good…” he tells me. The Black Lies certainly aren’t lyrically sparse.

James easily takes his hat off to the group regardless of comings and goings “A band is when you all come together and make that song work”. Kicks in the teeth can often happen, and we’re not just talking at a Black Lies gig. James is familiar with the challenge of developing a solid band in itself, sharing that same

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INTR ODUC

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FIVENG...

UNSIGN ED

THE BLACK LIES belief and drive with a group of people is often hard to come by, regardless of first impressions. James handles it well. “Shit happens you know, boxers lose fights but they don’t retire do they? You get back in the ring and fuckin have it like” With Roy there to stay James is keen to praise “Roy’s enthusiasm in the band has been a breath of fresh air, he’s come in and he’s more hungry than I am at getting somewhere and I think that’s fucking brilliant”.

As well as that northern cool, James holds of a lot of northern soul.

“Spread the fuckin word man, and come down have a stomp!”. • myspace.com/theblackliesuk Words: Connie Hart Photo: Michael Robert Williams

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IN ODUC INTR

FIV-E UN NED SIG

YOUNG HEARTS “W

hat can I get you?” asks the bar tender “Love” Replies Joe Fox, singer and guitarist of Younghearts. “I’m afraid we don’t serve that …”

Candi Staton’s unforgettable hit ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ a song title if transcribed to human form creates a quintessential picture of Younghearts – Joe Fox and Hugo Ede combined with closing members Harry Adams on Bass, and Filippo Piaccau on drums (absent from interview). In your musical mind think expensive

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yet simple pop, easy listening, bubbly jives…imagine the missing link between the Kooks (pah), The Kinks and a slice of Jamie T without his trademark high pitched wailing.

There seems to be no tomorrow. To the adult observer, youth lasts but a fleeting moment; it’s gone in the twinkling of an eye. The art of capturing the fleeting moment in time has long been the province of the musician, enduring lyrics and its followings.Through

Joe tells me “Nothing compares to a group of people doing something together. I think that’s why bands are so appealing; people forget their differences because it’s all about the music”. On being in a band Harry remarks “It all contains a lot of spirit”. A romantic lifestyle one may say “Even being skint is fun, skint all the time that is” says Joe, lacking complaint.

Becoming Younghearts a mere six months ago has already paved the way to supporting Pete Doherty on one of his acoustic sets. The man himself took radiance to the Younghearts unforgettable melody This Love’ which he covered and posted on youtube. com. Something admirable was in Joe’s slant on things “It was cool you know, but I was actually happier when a German kid did a cover, he was only 10 years old” The song is directed by that explosive yet mysterious state of love that suddenly halts “You both really like each other, but are too scared to say anything, and in the end no one does” explains Joe, the daydreamer who once lived with Babyshambles Drew McConnell.

“I just want to thank Drew, he really helped me out a lot, he’s such a cool guy” A prominent highlight no doubt. Hugo, clasping a bottle of champagne, (who delved into music from a young age and grew from a previous band) informs me that “There are a lot of things that are highlights I guess, but actually a lot of them I don’t think I can say” it’s all smirks from where I’m standing let me tell you...

Undoubtedly the music industry contains that ever alluring ‘scene’, who’s out and about, who’s who… and the prominence of this sometimes creates ‘an impression’ rather than ‘the music’. Many indulge in its lights but not this lot “It’s not about the scene to us; it’s a case of getting people together for our gigs and sharing music” expresses Joe. Being in a band is clearly the satisfaction with social aspects that randomly bring the opportunity to rendezvous with talented individuals. Second-string thinking is unquestionable, especially if you stumble upon a couple of Younghearts members wandering London’s paths, guitar stitched firmly in place, serenading passersby – a guaranteed

action for magnetising walks from all sorts, nevertheless a romantic and carefree approach.

Influences stem from good song writers and good rhythms “Each individual influence, mixed together creates that of an interesting mix” comments Harry who at aged six covered ‘Wild Thing’ on guitar in church. (Aaahh bless) From Leonard Cohen to Smokey Angle Shades, Oasis to Beans on Toast, The Metros to newly formed band Screaming 66, all are on Younghearts current playlist when they’re not writing, recording, drinking or eating noodles.

“Nothing compares to A GROUP OF PEOPLE DOING SOMETHING TOGETHER. I THINK THAT’S WHY BANDS ARE SO APPEALING; PEOPLE FORGET THEIR DIFFERENCES BECAUSE IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC.”

Stylist: Rebekah Roy - Fashion Assistant: Rosie Bees Williams

song, beats and melodies it captures and preserves forever the ephemeral heart, and for Younghearts the aim is in the name, imprisoning that youthful era, and deeming it necessary to carry it through forthcoming times. “Younghearts is accessible and pure” says Joe “Youth is brilliant, everything afterwards is really shit.

The point of music is to not lose touch, and a good song stays with you for the rest of your life”. With MySpace hits mounting by the day, something says that the backwards aftermath of youth minus the ‘shit’ is certainly the way forward.

If you’re passionate about music, and don’t want to be fooled then Younghearts are your escapism “We come out through our music, it means something to us so we hope that it means something to someone else” emphasizes Joe. Music does indeed mean the world to this band “It touches me in a very special place” claims Hugo, and in their world becoming misplaced within the bearings of time is run-of-the-mill “We never know what time of day it is” Harry tells me “Music becomes the central point; and it’s actually the normal things that become special”.

Only one thing sings in their minds, music. The only “magical” existence (as Harry refers to it) comes for free. So keep your ears clean and your heart soft for Younghearts. But be sure to keep your wits about you girls for these self proclaimed ‘Romantics’ may well try and catch more than your attention. • myspace.com/youngheartsmyspace Words: Connie Hart Photo: Michael Robert Williams

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out&proud camden

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old your horses! This isn’t a feature about coming out! But then it’s certainly not one about staying in either. As far as band shoot locations go we landed on our feet when given the run of the old grade II listed Horse Hospital in North London.

Proud Camden, live music venue hosting the likes of Dirty Pretty Things,The View,The Holloways and Lykke Li, and gallery space to images of rock royalty, fashion and popular culture, is pretty unique. No wonder then that it has become a popular hangout for some of Camden’s more famous faces, Amy Winehouse, Sadie Frost, Carl Barât and the Arctic Monkeys...to namedrop a few.

Proud Camden moved a hop, skip and a jump to its new location in the heart of the Stables Market in early 2008. The Horse Hospital, painstakingly renovated to retain the best of its original features, reopened as the renowned bar and gallery last April and its new venue is twice the size of the first. The old stables, that were once home to horses injured pulling canal barges, are now individual seating areas,

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each sporadically decorated on a whim with their own quirky design. But it was the more natural features that inspired our photo editor when it came to shooting our Five Unsigned - stable walls, doorways, nooks and crannies, and the brick exterior of the terrace with its sweeping pathway.

Cobbles are the new carpet; honestly, deck your place out with them, turn the music up and hoof around.

Alternatively (and a tad more socially) you could just get yourself down to Proud one evening, there’s always something going on. Other recent performers include The Enemy, Cage the Elephant, VV Brown, Turin Breaks, Hot Leg, The Teenagers, Little Man Tate and Sneaky Sound System. Drop by in the day too for a cup of char; from 11am the stable doors are always open. • Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH www.atproud.net Words: Sarah Hardy

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GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY

Lyrical

FAshion NEWYORK Photos: Eric Guillemain - Stylist: Yuji Takenaka @ Michele Filomeno

They say a picture speaks a thousand words but don’t worry if you have trouble reading between the minds.

Eric Guillemain quotes New York’s cool new talent when he shoots fashion stateside. Each band/artist chose a line from one of their favourite songs to express through words...and pictures.

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PUMP YOUR FISTS “Come on now, pump your fists, don’t you think life should be better than this.” Chorus from Young Lords, ‘Turn It Up’. “It’s hard to pick your favourite line when you wrote ‘em and think they’re all genius, but I love this one because it’s a simple, immediate and a universal call to arms. Don’t just sit around bitching about things when you can get your shit together to shape your own destiny, and be an active force of change. It’s like that old adage when there is a will, there is a way. I guess the recent election in America speaks to this sentiment in action.” - BLAIR

LISSY TRULLIE (opp)

YOUNG LORDS

Black Dress: Maria Bonita Extra Jacket, Jewellery: Her own

From Left

Hair & Makeup: Thorsten Weiss @ Community NYC using MAC myspace.com/lizzytrullie

Max Mesh Leather Jacket: Public School Shirt: Nom De Guerre Jeans, T-shirt: His own Adam Top: Rogan Scarf, Jeans: His own Blair Shirt: Nom De Guerre Jeans, Necklaces: His own Grant Jacket: Cheap Monday T-shirt, Jeans: His own Reed Double Breasted Jacket: Shades of Greige Hat, T-shirt, Jeans: His own Groomer: Thorsten Weiss @ Community NYC using MAC myspace.com/younglords

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ALL THE MEMORIES TO KEEP LOCKSLEY From Left Kai V-neck Jumper: Fred Perry Shirt, Hat, Jeans, Shoes: His own Sam Cardigan: Public School Tie, Shirt, Jeans, Shoes: His own Jesse Tailored Jacket: Kostym Vest: Nom De Guerre Coat, Shirt, Jeans, Shoes, Sunglasses: His own Jordan Nylon Blouson: Nom De Guerre Shirt, V-neck Knit, Jeans, Shoes: His own Groomer: Ayumi Yamamoto @ Michele Filomeno myspace.com/locksley

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WHY YOU CHASIN’ A RAINBOW WHEN YOU GOT A STAR? “I said to the preacher standin’ at my door...why you chasin’ a rainbow when you got a star?” “Because my dad is a preacher and I was very rebellious growing up and completely different to anyone my parents had ever known...they ‘chased a rainbow’ in the sense that they were always trying to get me to be someone I would never be...it just took them a while to see past the black lipstick and realize that I really wasn’t so bad after all!”

DIANE BIRCH Grey T-shirt: Raquel Allegra Vintage Lace Blouse: Stylist’s own Hair: Michele Salvadori @ L’Atelier Makeup: Kaoru Okubo @ Management Artists Organisation myspace.com/dianebirch

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SURROUNDED BY A WORLD OF WOLVES “Wild world, whole world, society’s a secret.

Don’t eat what they’re feeding to you.There is an overwhelming sense of pressure from society to fit their standard (a ‘mould’). In many cases, if you don’t comply with their ideals, it is human nature for you to be attacked. Everybody’s born, everybody dies.Who really is anyone to say that one thing is better than another... right or wrong? You know?”

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NATHANIEL HOHO Cardigan AND Check Shirt: Stock Groomer: Jillian Chaitin using MAC myspace.com/hohohosound

WILD CARD UP MY SLEEVE “The opening to ‘Gloria’ (Patti Smith) is epic and brilliant, and I’ve always identified with this song. The moment I heard it (and I still remember sitting in my room and feeling transformed) I wanted to be that confident and cool and I couldn’t help dancing around the bedroom, singing along - my first real lesson in rock stardom.”

SOMER Jacket: United Bamboo Top: Coven Jeans: Rogan Necklace, Bracelet: Her own Hair: Ayumi Yamamoto @ Michele Filomeno Makeup: Jackie Cioffa @ L’Atelier for artistbypriano.com using MAC myspace.com/somer

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HAPPINESS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A FLIRT “One of our lesser known songs ‘Dead and Well’ has the line “happiness is nothing more than a flirt.” I relate to that concept. Happiness can be derived from many things.We all have known some bit of it. Sooner or later it always leaves and gives itself to someone else.

Regardless, we all wait by the phone for happiness to call again.”

THE ROPES Toppy Jacket: Robert Geller Shirt: Nice Collective Trousers: His Own Sharon Black Tunic: Kaylee Tankus Top: Coven Trousers: Cheap Monday Boots: Dr Marten Bracelet: Sunday’s Best Hair: Tuan Anh Tran @ L’Atelier Makeup: Jackie Cioffa @ L’Atelier for artistbypriano.com using MAC myspace.com/theropes

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DON’T BELIEVE WHAT’S IN MY EYES “Don’t believe what’s in my eyes, try and make this feeling never die” Love is not something you can control and it’s not something you necessarily feel. Love is a shared experience that only exists between people, it is fragile and you need the trust of all those involved to keep it alive.”

NAKED HEARTS Noah Leather Jacket, Shirt: A-Z Collection Amy Top: Preen Jewellery: Her own Hair: Ayumi Yamamoto @ Michele Filomeno Makeup: Jackie Cioffa @ L’Atelier for artistbypriano.com using MAC myspace.com/thenakedhearts

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WHERE’S MY MIND?

“With your feet in the air and your head on the ground, Try this trick and spin it, yeah.Your head will collapse.

But there’s nothing in it. And you’ll ask yourself.Where is my mind? “– The Pixies “I chose this lyric because I spend a lot of time asking myself if I’ve gone crazy.The answer is certain. I’ve lost it” - IMANI COPPOLA

Little jackie Imani Grey Top: Kaylee Tankus Beaded Waistcoat: Lerario Beatriz Adam Grey Print T-shirt: Nom De Guerre Hair: Michele Salvadori @ L’Atelier Make Up: Kaoru Okubo @ Management Artists Organisation myspace.com/littlejackiemusic

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I WANT MY SENSES BACK From the song ‘Kickback’ “I think this is our biggest crowd pleaser, and a great break up song that really resonates with our audiences. It will also be the lead single from our upcoming LP release ‘Umbrella’.” - Adam

ROYAL CHAINS Vintage Shirt: Stock T-shirt, Jeans: His own Groomer: Jillian Chaitin using MAC myspace.com/theroyalchains

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unafraid YOUNG LOVE Leather Jacket: Public school Check Shirt: Nom De Guerre Groomer: Jillian Chaitin using MAC myspace.com/younglove

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BLONDE ACID CULT From Left

RUINERS ARE DEAD “I don’t really know where I’m going, but it seems like all these ruiners are dead.”The song is called Ruiners.”I dig that line because it’s either the truest thing I’ve ever said, or the greatest lie. I like that split.” - MIKE

Mike Black Jacket: Nom De Guerre White T-shirt: His own Sonny Black Knit Cardigan: Fred Perry Studded Bracelet-Driftwood Damian Black Jacket: Nom De Guerre Striped Top: Shipley Halmos Phil Striped Polo Shirt: Fred Perry Black Jacket: Public School Groomer Thorsten Weiss @ Community NYC using MAC myspace.com/blondeacidcult

Photographer’s Assistant: Mino Inoue Stylist Assistants: Tomoya Yagi & Rika Watanabe

Production: rachel stein Stpecial thanks: piper flusser & jon gottlieb

STOCKLISTS Public school www.bpmw-agency.com Shades of Greige www.bpmw-agency.com Yoko Devereaux www.yokod.com Nom De Guerre www.nomdeguerre.net Stock(vintage) +1 212 505 2505 Rogan www.rogannyc.com Dr Marten www.drmartens.com Fred Perry www.fredperry.com Nice Collective www.nicecollective.com United Bamboo www.unitedbamboo.com Robert Geller www.robertgeller-ny.com Converse www.converse.com Coven @Fiftytwo +1 212 966 5110 Sunday’s Best www.sundaysbestjewelry.com

Lerario Beatriz www.lerariobeatriz.com Maria Bonita Extra www.mariabonitaextra.com.br Kaylee Tankus www.kayleetankus.com Shipley Halmos www.shipley-halmos.com Cheap Monday www.cheapmonday.com Kostym www.cheapmonday.com Laurence Dacade www.laurence-dacade.com Frank Tell www.frank-tell.com A - Z collection www.a-zcollection.com Preen @Bismarck Phillips Communications & Media +1 212 741 0141 Driftwood www.driftwoodskull.com Kimberly Ovitz @Williamson PR +1 212 226 5507 General Idea @Williamson PR +1 212 226 5507

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SHA LA LAS ◊ IN LONDON ◊

Words: Stuart Gadd - Photos: Michael Robert Williams

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O

ne blinding album and two hit singles rotating heavily on Danish national radio has merely whet the appetite for this energetic foursome. Now their sights are firmly fixed on the bright lights of our capital...and are we in for a ride.

pioneer Hank Williams, of whom there is a giant mural in the beer garden at this very venue where the band are playing. Serendipity or something supernatural?

It’s surely a good omen for the rest of the evening anyway.

“I’m going down to the crossroads, where I was born and bred”, Lasse Storm is singing. An odd thing for a young man from Denmark to sing when selling your soul to the devil at the crossroads should be the exclusive preserve of old bluesmen from the Mississippi Delta. But even odder things are happening which cause you to wonder whether Lasse, lead singer with Danish four-piece Sha La Las, hasn’t already done the deal with Satan. Because the song he’s singing is called ‘Leaving Knoxville / Here’s To Hank and the Death of Us All’. It’s a song which references country

The song is one of a clutch of new tunes that Sha La Las are playing at The Boogaloo bar, north London, in a stripped down mainly acoustic set. It’s an affecting country-ish number which wouldn’t be out of place on ‘Screamadelica’ as a comedown track, and it shows a band growing into their sound. Sha La Las are on a short London tour to bring them to a wider audience and they should find favour with fans looking to follow a rootsy rock ‘n’ roll band with tunes. But whereas former Sha La Las’ songs, such as the furiously catchy “Tenement Tragedies”, were built from a template

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of such as the Libertines, the new songs see them drawing from a much wider set of influences. The Clash were already there in their music but now you can also hear the influence of The Smiths and early REM. All impeccable stuff - and you get the sense of a band finding new inspirations all the time. ‘The Road To Hell’ starts up like a theme tune from a spaghetti western – all mariachi strumming and echoing whistles – before becoming music for cowboys to drive steers to, while the hypnotic ‘Sang Som Says’ begins with chiming, clanging guitar to a hazy backdrop before leading into an unexpected Syd Barrett detour. The acoustic set shows how good the songs are but the night before, at a fully electric gig, the band played with real passion and fervour, Lasse singing with a barely concealed fury. His performance was that of a man whose life depends on it and on stage at both shows there’s a sense of togetherness about the band...a Beatles at Star Club vibe when they were four lads against the world.

After their blistering set at Boogaloo, Sha La Las are in the beer garden trying to describe their sound and what makes them tick as a band.There are elements of garage rock in Sha La Las – are they aware that there’s a market for that music in this country? Lasse, who is effusive and intelligent, is expressive on this subject. As he is on most things – “we’re not exactly garage rock. I think we’re way more pop, there are vocal harmonies like the Beatles...it’s more vocal than guitar. So it’s pop but still trashy, loud and fast as fuck.”

The early Beatles are important to Lasse at least because they are the zenith of perfect pop; Lasse wants the direct connection to people that the early Beatles songs had, the quality that in his words “just gets people going and speaks straight to your heart” and lead guitarist, Claus Vieira B. Andersen, concedes that Sha La Las are a band who are interested in the market and are “trying to write the perfect pop song”, (albeit pop that gets fucked-up and altered in some way). But, in the words of bassist Jacob Bach, the band are “not all strictly Beatles or sixties fans. I’m constantly trying to pull the band in my direction, just a bit.” Lasse writes most of the songs, with Claus writing some also, but there is a dynamic of different tastes within the band that gives them their distinctive sound (Jacob himself leans toward hip-hop and funk and drummer Martin Prusse is a bit of a metal and grunge head, citing Alice in Chains ‘Dirt’ as a seminal album).

Neither strictly rock or pop, or any one sort of music, Sha La Las are one of those bands whose music rings out as clear as a bell in your head, with its own quality.

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Lasse is disdainful in particular about retro groups with “just riffs, no fucking songs”, groups who are just pastiche, stating witheringly that “we try not to be that conceptual about things”.

‘Lasse’s performance is that of a man whose life depends on it. On stage at both shows there’s a sense of togetherness about the band...a Beatles at Star Club vibe when they were four lads against the world.’

It’s apparent both talking to Sha La Las and watching them on stage that this is a band that gets on. In the world of rock ‘n’ roll, saying this is normally a cue for them to split up next week, or for them to start having ‘side projects’, but with Sha La Las it seems unlikely.

Jacob says his main musical influence is the rest of the band and despite the fact that Lasse recruited the other band members to sing his songs and always has a distinct idea in his head what they should sound like, he admits that the others take them to places that he couldn’t on his own. As a kid, he says, he always hated it when he liked an act and then found out they’d switched drummers ten times. It was then that he “fell in love with that thing of it just being four guys struggling to make it and they were a sort of clan, a tribal thing.” You do get the impression with Sha La Las of four guys against the world, (Blur, Beatles, insert your favourites) although Lasse has some words for Martin if he tries to bring any songs to the band, reminding him of the oldest joke in the music business “What was the last thing the drummer said before the rest of the band kicked him out? Hey guys I’ve got some songs”.

Get back in your place Ringo. But despite this knockabout stuff the inter band relations in this set-up are not your stereotypical stuff – they’re much more subtle, shaded and interesting. And if they weren’t in the band not one of them would end up in the local meatball factory – they’re all intelligent guys, with Lasse unusually thoughtful for a rock ‘n’ roll front man, with interesting opinions which sometimes touch on philosophy.While he’s attracted to the romantic notion of four guys against the world he’s got less time for rock ‘n’ roll mythology in general. Talking about the Doors, for example, he says “On their behalf, I think that they could be just as transgressive as Velvet Underground

but they don’t have the same sort of cred, because still today they’re the perfect teenage rebel pop group but it sort of makes the appeal smaller”.

What does he make of the Hank Williams picture then? This rather garish piece of work is emblazoned with a script which repeats a rock ‘n’ roll myth of Hank Williams. On seeing it Lasse admits “It’s a great story.

I mean the fact that Hank Williams dies on the back seat of a cab loaded up on morphine and whisky”. But then to qualify adds “This was a guy who suffered all his life and really gave something back to people.”

Whatever the myths surrounding his life and death, we know that Hank Williams died in the back of a cab on the way to a comeback gig, after alcoholism had crippled his career. He’d become addicted to the morphine that he used to dull the pain of an undiagnosed spinal defect. The Knoxville in Sha La Las song title is the last place he left on his final journey, but Lasse says that their song is not “about Hank in any way”. The song is more universal.

“I see it as song about death as the ultimate relief,

about wanting nothing more than just to serve the sentence of your sins. Death is still the only thing about life that is the least bit purposeful. I find it quite optimistic actually because it’s got that serene feel to it”.

And he’s right.The song is wistful rather than mournful or despairing and speaks a deep truth. The song was inspired by his empathy for Hank Williams and for lost souls in general, but talking about its inspiration Lasse admits “I don’t know how Hank felt about anything, don’t know if he wanted to die, was planning on it or how miserable his life was, just that he was strung out and on his way to a gig and died in the back seat of a cab”.

The more he explains the more you realise that Hank Williams life and death are only a jump off point for Lasse’s imaginative speculations, which develop into a deeper meditation on something that affects us all.

Ultimately it’s a song about finding a purpose in life and came about because of Lasse’s appreciation of

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another’s music. He says of Hank Williams music and his song inspired by him that “I just love his work. I guess you could call it a homage, my comment and compliment to him, and him getting in a car and dying on his way to that gig is just an image so tremendously sad and beautiful, so fucked up it breaks your heart and I guess that was one of the things that got the tune going...like you know in my world this song could be the sound of my last breath”.

The ending of Hank Williams life has suggested to Lasse the question ‘what if this was the last song you’ll ever sing?’ You’d want it to be as great a song as Sha La Las and for this band, philosophical musings and their deep romanticism aside, it’s all about playing each song as if it were your last. For Lasse it’s about forcing himself to the limit for his band, about being prepared, perhaps like Hank Williams, to die for your music. When I ask him what going to the crossroads means to him he answers in a digressive way which nevertheless says a lot. He thinks that all art, even philosophy, is just entertainment because “You can teach people all sorts of things but as the guy who is making it you can’t rely on what people derive from it. So if you in any sense are able to justify that you’re doing things that are completely unnecessary at least you’ve got to make your fucking life depend on it”

Stylist: Rebekah Roy Fashion Assistant: Rosie Bees Williams Groomer: Rachel Louise Jones

With this Lasse and the rest of Sha La Las are off into the night to get trashed, leaving us to wonder what their next move will be. Rock ‘n’ roll, pop, philosophy and empathy – all wrapped up into a brutally breathtaking package and delivered at the risk of their lives. Safe to say, this is one band who certainly don’t need to sell their souls to succeed. • Debut album ‘Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers We Are Sha La Las’ is available to order or download from www.shalalas.com myspace.com/shalalas

Claus

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martin

lasse

jacob

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roll up, roll up. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT TO YOU THE LATEST, THE FRESHEST, THE COOLEST AND THE MOST JUICILY CREATIVE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK.

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WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS!

hat do Kelly Osbourne and Yves Saint Laurent have in common?

What about lipsticks, parrots and vampish fingernails?

Answer: They’re all the elements that go together to make up the history, prints and veritable breath behind streetwear label Belle Sauvage. Kelly wears it, Yves is on it.

The bi-product of a tête à tête between uni mates Virginia Ferreira and Christian Neuman while “studying” in Argentina, Belle Sauvage was given its first gasp of life when fashion’s fairy godmother Zandra Rhodes debuted the label at her Fashion & Textile Museum in deepest, darkest Bermondsey back in 2006.

From there the pair have gone from strength to strength, smashing into London’s cool youth scene with their in your face graphics and bold, urban warrior womenswear. “The Belle Sauvage woman is full of attitude,” says Ferreira, the garment design pea in the Belle Sauvage pod. “A determined statement maker.”

She could very well be describing herself with her raven hair and red lips. “You need a high level of self-confidence as well as an appreciation for art to wear our clothes. Plus you should feel the need to have fun with what you wear.” And she’s right, Belle Sauvage is not for the faint hearted or colour-phobic for that matter – their body-con cat-suits, micro minidresses and spliced leather leggings leave little to the imagination. For fat days, there are plenty of graphic T-shirts to choose from. Thank heavens for baggy tees.

Never without a felt tip pen and paint pot, Neuman can be held responsible for the eye-popping prints that range from Warhol-wigged skulls to psychedelic parrots. “It’s Versace on acid,” says the carrot-topped illustrator, film-maker and all-round creative bod.

We say? Bring on the tabs man. •

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What music are you listening to right now?

VF: MGMT, Vincent Gallo, The Kills, New Young Pony Club, Visage and Ultravox!

CN: Sofia Gubaidulina, Nico and Diamanda Galás.

Belle Sauvage is available at Asos, My Sugarland & www. belle-sauvage.co.uk. Leopard by Belle Sauvage diffusion line will be launched in Topshop, Oxford Circus this month.

“I

see my jewellery as quantum objects or Ashram Rock, Buddhist Punk and Catholic Dub.”

Amen.

Welcome to the phantasmagorical world of Clovis Wilson-Copp, a fly-by-night jewellery designer who eats bacon and eggs every morning, pie and mash (and sometimes liquor) every lunchtime and drinks tea in his family’s East End boozer of an evening.

Wilson-Copp right now with a credible Victoria & Albert Museum commission in the pipeline.

“I started designing jewellery when I was living on the Caribbean coast of Colombia,” says the 26-year old ex-model. “It came about just like that. I wanted to make jewellery for myself so I designed it.

Go feast on his jewellery then wolves. •

“The first bit of jewellery I ever designed was a collection of belt buckles with zodiac signs on. I wanted a far-out, psychedelic kind of belt that said something about myself.” So with a Cancerian crab buckle and a new career path mapped out, Wilson-Copp arrived back in London to set up The Dream Factory art studio with his Colombian wife, Cristina Lobo.

“My motto for life is ‘The hungry wolf runs faster’,” concludes Wilson-Copp.

What music are you listening to right now?

The music I am currently listening to is Rock Steady, Alton Ellis, Mano de Dios and lots of unsigned bands.

I don’t even know their names!

Illustrated People jewllery is available from www.asos.com.

Then came Wilson-Copp’s big break as a jeweller.

“The owner of the T-shirt company Illustrated People is a good friend of mine and he commissioned me to make the first ever jewellery collection for his brand.”

Before he knew it, his silver swallow pendants and skull rings were being snapped up by customers all over the world and his revolution was born.

Inspired by “my lifestyle and everything around me,” one has to wonder what the self-proclaimed “painter, musician, film maker and photographer” does with his time to see skulls with Mickey Mouse ears (available as a pendant or ring) but life seems pretty good for

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rada, Pucci and Posen. Guilty as charged.The crime?

Sending out their models in skyscraper heels so high they cause vertigo, resulting in tumbles from even the most seasoned catwalkers.

Crrrrr-unch: the wince-inducing sound of a bag of bones hitting the runway. Talk about killer heels.

Recent fashion shows have seen editors and even front-row superstars gasp in horror - P Diddy reached out to catch a toppling Karen Elson at Zac Posen in New York earlier this year - as one by one girls were felled by their towering toe candy.

autumnal colours are as scrumptious as the idea of blister-free feet.

“I love to get consumers to experiment with colour and materials; I want to prove that wearable can still be interesting. I think people look for something a little bit unique, something to set them apart from the masses; a shoe to be seen in and to feel good in,” she concludes. And boy do our plates of meat agree. •

Pap, pap, pap: the flashbulbs go into overdrive.

Enough! Cries a lone voice. Save their soles, shouts footwear designer Rachel Jones.

Rachel ‘Rae’ Jones has almost a decade of experience as a footwear trend forecaster under her belt but has recently put that insider knowledge into action, launching her own line of shoes. Wearable, quality and longevity seem to be her buzz words and inspired by the 1940s her aesthetic leans towards vintage, albeit with a contemporary twist.

“Vintage appeals because it adds a touch of the unique to a look or outfit,” she says. “Most shoes available today are produced in high quantities and vintage goes against that. I love the inventiveness of the past, of designers of old who knew so much, especially about detail which I think is crucial to a shoe.”

While her debut collection does include some high heels, it’s the fabulous flats that are causing the biggest stir. Best-selling styles include the low-heeled T-bars and flat riding boots. Mmmm, comfort with every step. Her designs come in unusual materials such as tumbled grains and high shine leathers while her

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What music are you listening to right now?

I’m currently listening to the diverse trilogy of Max Tundra, The Andrews Sisters and Smokey Angle Shades. What a mixture!

What’s inspiring you?

Winter’s inspiring me at the moment as I’m designing my next fall collection; I love layers and layers on cold crisp days and carpets of leaves.

What is your design philosophy?

Timeless classics never date and hold their appeal for ever.

Rae Jones is available from Postemistress, Labour of Love and Mimi in London. www.raejones.co.uk

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e’ve all heard about climate change.

We’ve all experienced the cold summers and well, even colder winters.

We’ve all faced that daily dilemma of ‘what to wear today’ – too cold in a T-shirt, too hot in a coat.

Well hallelujah, someone has the answer and his name is Hans Christian Madsen.

The Danish designer who describes his work as “Nordic folklore reinvented,” has inadvertently come up with a trans-seasonal wardrobe option by taking traditional Scandinavian knits and Fair Isles and turning them into practical summer staples.

“The knitted pieces in the spring/summer 2009 collection were jerseys cut into tapes that were then used as the yarn for hand-knitted T-shirts,” he explains.

“The chunky hand-knitted jumper is made from sweatshirt material.” So, lightweight fabrics cleverly made into jumpers…you wonder why no-one thought of it before.

Inspired by US military clothing – perhaps a clue to the ideas behind his functional designs, Madsen’s clothes mix tailoring with utility pieces. “A sporty look that never becomes too casual,” as he puts it. The military inspirations also give rise to his always-muted palette of workwear greys and shadowy darks.

As a Royal College of Art graduate, Madsen is a conceptual designer. He talks about his work like an artist talks about art – with depth of meaning, intensity and a high-brow demeanour. “My design process connects and explores past and present Nordic design and craftsmanship heritage while fusing functional and comfortable fashion with personal expression.”

Textbook analysis…but as far as we’re concerned, he’s a practical guy that found a neat solution to the correct-weather-dressing conundrum.

And for that we hail him, ‘genius’. •

What music are you listening to right now?

Danish cowpunk rockers D-A-D. Hans Madsen is available at B-Store in London.

Words: Jodie Ball

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ALBERTA CROSS DIG OUT YOUR SOUL

Words: andrew future - Photo: Michael Robert Williams

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another Hackney-based guitar band. But then Alberta Cross were never one of those.

To complete the set, Alberta Cross now has The Verve and Noel Gallagher on the phone singing their praises. It’s a long way from the lowly days of being just

Their debut seven track EP ‘The Thief and the Heartbreaker’ was far and away one of the best releases of 2007, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its earthy soul and raw, rich melodies. They’ve now stepped up a gear, relocating to America, expanding to a five piece and taking on a heavier, more expansive edge.

e thought it was kinda funny,” says Alberta Cross singer, Peter Ericson, backstage after supporting Oasis in Bournemouth. “We signed to Universal and then the record industry collapsed and they sacked half of their staff. And just after we moved to New York, Wall Street collapsed.”

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“We kinda had to do the America thing ‘cause we played here so much,” says the 26-year-old Swede who fronts the band with native Londoner, Terry Wolfers, 30. The duo formed Alberta Cross three years ago when Wolfers began to record some of Ericson’s songs.

Since relocating to American and expanding their band, Alberta Cross has taken a much more ethereal sound. “We had a new start,” says the Swede. “It’s a totally new band. Me and Terry are still here, but we’ve got a guitarist from San Francisco, a drummer from Santa Barbara and bassist from New York.”

“Motown was massive for me,” he recalls fondly. “I was brought up by a real soul playing family and I’m very much into Bowie and Hendrix. I was lucky to have a big group of friends into a very diverse style of music. If someone didn’t find something, someone else would, and things would always get passed around.”

As a youngster, he was into everything from Leonard Cohen to Van Morrison and roots. “My brother was into Depeche Mode, a lot of PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. As a teenage I started listening to heavier stuff, moved to London at 18 and went back to the old stuff again.”

Living in New York has also been a big inspiration. “It’s just crazy. I’m moving up to Brooklyn from the lower east side. We’re not the typical NYC band but people have welcomed us with open arms. The bands out there have really taken us in, a lot of people that I really respect.”

While Peterson is unwilling to namedrop, he cites records by Albert Hammond Jr, Black Keys and MGMT as ‘really cool’.

“The main difference with our music now is that it’s broader, up a level. I really love The Thief and The Heartbreaker - I think the songs are great. But it’s about widening the sound and not pinpointing it to one thing. Now it’s really happening. “I’ve been writing a lot of songs but we’ve been jamming a fair bit, bouncing off each other.”

As the venue began to fill up with the typical Oasis crowd, it was never going to be an easy win for any support band. But Alberta Cross - in spite of Ericson’s shy demeanour, cowering beneath the sanctuary of his trademark hat - blew them all away.

comparison. “I wish! They’re one of my favourite bands but I think we’ve got a bit of a way to go.”

He’s hoping the band’s first full length record will be equal parts soul and rock. “We were in Charlottesville, smoking loads of weed and came out with about 15 songs in a week. It was one of the craziest sessions ever. We just went in, played and put the tape recorder on.”

Despite the label problems back in London, the band bears no grudge with Universal. “I still speak to them, it just wasn’t right. They kept saying they were gonna release the album. It came to the point where they sacked half their stuff and they said they we’re keeping Girls Aloud and Snow Patrol, who have five fucking hits on their album, and we wondered if it was worth it.

“So we tried to get out as quickly as possible. It’s mainly the label heads that were mental. I’m so happy to be off them. The majors are going mental and destroying music right now. I can’t say there are many records from majors being released that I’d buy.”

This is the most animated Ericson has got off stage as he recalls how beginning to care about ‘the industry’ almost destroyed his inspiration for music. It’s a chilling, yet typical, narrative that so many other musicians can relate to.

“Never relax until you’ve signed the contact,” he snaps “We got promised all this fucking money and then a week before it was meant to happen the whole place went tits up.They said if you wanna write a commercial pop album we’ll keep you on, it was a fucking joke.”

Being on an indie has freed the band from the constraints of mainstream management and labels and Ericson is relieved at “not having to write for radio.”

“The people that were really into us were great, but others really dragged us down into this hole. Me and Terry just couldn’t stand it, we were about to split up.”

“People out here are amazing musicians,” he adds.

“The players are great. Even if they’re not a great band, they’re fucking amazing players. But sometimes there’s charm in just being able to play three chords and play them really well.” • myspace.com/albertacross

“I wouldn’t say Spiritualized,” he replies countering my

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ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON is the first permanent bar made of ice in the UK, located in the heart of Mayfair in London. Temperature is kept at minus 5 degrees all year round and everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice transported especially from the Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden.

ABSOLUT ICEBAR / 31-33 Heddon St / W1 - 020 7478 8910

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here are a few rules and regulations when entering the ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON.

As its bloody freezing the first is that you have to wear a cloak. It’s a lovely shade of metallic blue with a fetching fake fur trim hood...and of course then everyone looks pretty much the same, clutching their ice glasses with humongous black gloves. So not exactly the best choice for a first date...or those reckless band types it would seem. As when the FMS team rocked by the ABSOLUT ICEBAR to check out the jewel inspired interior we literally stumbled across none other than George Runciman, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of breaking band Screaming 66. Well of course we got snap happy, because we recognise great style when we see it...and not because we like to pap inebriated young stars.

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Anyway, George aside, we love the fact that once you’ve chilled out in the ICEBAR then you can slip back into the warmth of the adjoining belowzero venue...and it’s all just so damn cosy and Christmassy.

Right next door is the Wolf bar, where I’m sure you can have a howl of a time (I know...I’m hilarious).

Then you have the Reindeer lounge (no, I’m really not making this up) where they serve cocktails and play deep house of a Saturday night. And downstairs is the sumptuous Moose dining room, all curtained walls with secluded booths for intimate dinners...and don’t worry; apparently they do serve other delicacies too, ha. • www.absoluticebar.com www.belowzerolondon.com www.myspace.com/screamingsixtysix

ABSOLUT ICEBAR Words: SARAH HARDY - fashion Photo: HASS IDRISS

CREDITS: Stylist: Karolina Kivimaki Stylist’s assistants: Lesley Price, Ana Lorraine Hair: Leon Downing using John Frieda Groomer: Carolyn Roper using Armani Photographer’s assistants: Ogy Yordanov & Benjamin C.M. Backhouse

Purple Aztec print shirt, State of Mind @ One of A Kind; white Mick Jagger and Keith Richards T-shirt, £35, House of Gods @ asos.com; ornate watch, sterling silver skull ring and brass gun buckle belt, all prices on request by Clovis Wilson-Copp 07799 841 579; orange patent brogues, made to order, Rui Leonards 020 7247 2874, www.ruileonardes. com; purple suede jacket and skinny jeans, George’s own.

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TREKSTOCK WITH - ELVIIN / I BLAME COCO / NATTY @ THE BOOGALOO, LONDON - 06/11/08

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feel I should admit to fundraisers bringing out my inner scrooge. Maybe it’s something about the collective expression of sentimentality. Fling in an essence of middle class guilt, a smidgeon of sanctimonious expectation, and I may have identified the formula for this personal brand of humbug. And so it was with reservation that I approached the doors of The Boogaloo. Being mistakenly absent from the guest list, and pressured to ‘make a donation’ to enter did little to alter this. Luckily, headmistress was diverted at the exact point at which I was about to say ‘donation my arse’. I nipped in, confrontation averted. Phew.

First up was jazz pop trio Elviin. Think Ben Folds 5 without Darren Jesses’ explosive energy and Ben’s song writing genius, but with a better lead singer. I liked them a lot, but think they played music to listen to at home, not go out and watch.

The flashbulbs were going intensely throughout the next set by Coco Sumner AKA I Blame Coco.

Despite this annoyance, and her bemusement, my interest was held. Her pared down reggae flavour, unique voice and whistling (anyone who whistles gets my vote) presented something a little different and

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unconventional. For that alone, I salute her. Twenty minutes on the naughty step for the real fur jacket though. Tsk. Finally we were given Natty. Oh dear, what can I say?

I didn’t like this particular brand of nonsense when Finlay Quaye was doing it and guess what? I still don’t like it. I lost the will to live after fifteen minutes. Despite being a good tight band, the songs were poor and went on for far too long. The lyrics were daft, and the whole set smacked of self indulgence - in my opinion, of course. I’m a ska and reggae DJ. Natty should have ticked all my boxes. Instead I was left irritated and very, very bored. Nuttin new I’m afraid...nuttin new. • myspace.com/elviin myspace.com/iblamecoco myspace.com/natty4d Words: Angie South Photos: Jenny Hardcore www.jennyhardcore.co.uk

Golden

SILVERS @ MACBETH, LONDON - 21/11/08

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his song is dedicated to Mitch Mitchell” declares Golden Silvers singer Gwilym Gold, before launching into their song ‘True No.9 Blues’. He’s referring, of course, to the recently deceased drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. And, in tribute to the work that Mitchell played on, Golden Silver’s song contains a suitably acid-fried solo, a la Hendrix – except this one is played not on electric guitar, but on what sounds like Bontempi organ.

Well, it could have been worse, a crazed kazoo solo for example, but there is a feeling of novelty act about Golden Silvers – who are being talked up in many press quarters – that is hard to escape, because Golden Silvers dispense with guitars, the singer playing organ as a lead instrument. They’re like an artier Keane but their gimmick ultimately restricts their music. A shame – because there is a place for them as purveyors of slightly skewed pop music...and they have some very good songs.

Like current single ‘Magic Touch’, for example, which the band play first tonight. An ode to a sex life on the wane, and containing the line “tonight I felt it go for good, last night I thought it was invincible”, it’s

nevertheless set to the jauntiest beat imaginable and deserves all the heavy airplay that it’s been getting...and in the shape of the single’s b-side ‘Another Universe’, they have an even better song. Making great use of the vaudevillian seam that David Bowie mined on his ‘Hunky Dory’ album, it has an effortless melody where piano effectively adds texture. But elsewhere you almost expect the poor keyboard to explode as it’s asked to provide not only piano and organ fills but also to replicate the panoply of guitar sounds into the bargain.Visually, it’s great, Gold resembling a villain in a hammy old horror film, hammering manically away at his organ, but the music ends up sounding too cheesy and ridiculous.

Golden Silvers have a great and diverse set of influences, but while their tribute to Mitch Mitchell is no doubt sincere, perhaps they need to go back to the records he played on and ask themselves – isn’t there an important element, or instrument, we’re missing out here? • myspace.com/thegoldensilvers Words: Stuart Gadd

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song also doesn’t help and it gets far too grating after half an hour.

Of course it’s a plague of recent times that bands with little more than ten songs headline large venues and Glasvegas manage barely fifty minutes. But when it’s good, it is of course terrific.

GLASVegas @ SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON

If this is this 2008’s best attempt at the ‘new Oasis’ then clearly Definitely Maybe came out longer ago than we give it credit for.Yes, Glasvegas’s self-titled debut is one of the albums of the year, but the Glasgow four-piece leave a lot to be desired on a stage like this.

For a northern band, they’re decidedly lacking in both personality and wit, and while their lyrics - wracked in James Allan’s smacked-up Scootish snarl, are undeniably hard hitting (‘Flowers and Football Tops’) he has all the personality of cotton wool. The fact that they have the same guitars on practically every single

Teitur The Singer

A&G Records

“You fired that shot and I simply had to watch,” sings Teitur, proving that theatrical singer-songwriters don’t always have to get lost under camp overproduction like Rufus Wainwright. Hailing from the Faroe Islands, his music is splendidly refreshing and this, his third record, will alight fans of weirder Scandinavian folk pop.

Modelled in movements, Teitur’s lovelorn narratives strike a colourful balance between choral desolation and wonderful set pieces. Split up into acts, The Singer recalls a classic musical soundtrack with plenty of light and shade, cracked with emotion and the kind of introspection that recalls some of Bright Eyes’ crooked stories...except a little more in tune.

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‘Geraldine’, the only beer boy footy anthem to recount the saving graces of social workers, is a truly fantastic song. Whoever would have thought that fronting the Jesus and Mary Chain with Proclaimers could sound so awe inspiring?

Were it not for the crowd being a mass of balding five-gig-a-year Coldplay-types, it perhaps could have been even better. The cumbersome drummer’s dodgy time-keeping doesn’t help their cause, and while set closer ‘Daddy’s Gone’ is another blinder of peak-period Smiths proportions, without the gloss of production many of the weaker songs visibly bore the crowd.

Maybe the mist of hype expands expectations just a little too much, but no band headlining should leave the swell of expectation a creeping void of wet understatement. Glasvegas can rightly claim any crown they want, but they’ll need to put the robes on first.• Words: Andrew Future

It doesn’t quite possess the bite of Conor Oberst’s witty lyricism though, and for a record so strung around its vocals, this is occasionally a problem. That said it’s at least little more uplifting. ‘Legendary Afterparty’, a slow burning ode to an ex “not going back to rehab” slumbers along over a cello, but you tend to get a bit bored before the rather half-hearted orchestration kicks in towards the end.

In its brighter moments, The Singer hits true heights of lush perfection. ‘Start Wasting My Time’, which talks of “listening to Dido and Madonna” clatters through marching beats, Bowie-esq harmonies and charming time changes before the whole thing ends on a dramatic piano motif.

So while the banks continue to follow the icecaps into total meltdown, there are still some rays of light streaming out of the north Atlantic gloom. Teitur’s definitely one to plunder from any independent record store left standing. • Words: Andrew Future

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Launch

party punk - soho

24TH NOVEMBER 2008

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1. Sol Devious, 2, 7 & 9. Alex Starling, 3. DJ George of Screaming 66, 4. James of The Black Lies, 5. Hall People, 6. Princesses Des Pommes DJs, 8. Younghearts.

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10 & 14. Sol Devious, 11. Ed Graham and Alexi, 12. Packed Crowd, 13. Kristian Marr, 15. The FMS Team, From Left - Connie Hart, Elliott Webb, Sarah Hardy & Michael Robert Williams. 16 & 18. Party People, 17. Younghearts, 19. Alex Starling, 20. Princesses Des Pommes DJs

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16.

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Many thanks to everyone who made it down to our launch party at PUNK…we know you all had a great time because it rocked! Special thanks go to our cider sponsor and Arrogant Cat who dressed publisher, Sarah Hardy and editorial assistant, Connie Hart, for the evening. We took the opportunity to showcase the first Five Unsigned from our regular feature and although we were sad to lose No Picasso at the eleventh hour we found a fantastic band to play their slot.The evening kicked off with complimentary drinks courtesy of both Kingstone Press and FASHION. MUSIC.STYLE and an acoustic set played by James

20.

Buchanan of The Black Lies. Younghearts followed and third band of the evening was fronted by Kristian Marr with band members Ed Graham, ex The Darkness, and Alexi C. Sol Devious took to the stage later and the live performances were wrapped up by Alex Starling. George Runciman of breaking band Screaming 66 spun the tunes for the first part of the evening followed by Jamie Grimble of Grimble & Porn, Princesses Des Pommes and Mike South.

The party was attended by a whole host of fashion, music and TV types and if you weren’t there…then you missed out! • Photos: Andreas Beltzer www.abcreate.co.uk

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CHRISTmas

ASK THE DJs...

BECAUSE LIFE IS A DANCEFLOOR! mes

Des Pom incesses

Pr

. top ten..

S TMAO CHRIS T S E TUN HAVE TE A TAS ASS BYPF OR

Those familiar sleigh bells have been tinkling away since early November and even the most Grinchlike of miserable arseholes has to admit a fondness for their merry chime. Okay so it pisses us off for a while but those media barrrrrrrstards have a way of chipping away at our cynical mind-set until we cave in and envelope ourselves in tasteless musical wrappings.

Oh you know you love it.

London DJ duo Princesses des Pommes, mix new and classic indie with cool pop, 80’s retro and a shot of electro. Here we request their top ten tunes to have a taste bypass for...it’s Christmas! So forget the street cred and grab a granny...or that girl/boy from admin that you wouldn’t normally look twice at. ‘Tis the season to forget the style factor and remember that warm fuzzy Christmas feeling! • To find out more about Princesses des Pommes next gigs or book them for a venue go to www.myspace.com/princessesdespommes Intro: Sarah Hardy Illustration: Lucy Barker Playlist by Isabel Dexter & Aline Bentley AKA Princesses Des Pommes

1. RAMONES

Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight) “Tell me why is it always this way?”

The ONLY Christmas song with Punk credibility.

2. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody

“It’s Chriiiiiiiiistmas” No really? Ok we actually love,love, love this one...”What will your daddy do when he sees your mama kissin’ santa claus...” Oh the suspence...

3. The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

“Had his number but never the time. Most of ‘81 passed along those lines.” Hmm...and 2008.

4. Elton John - Step Into Christmas

“We can watch the snow falling forever &ever...” And his was before he was gay, right?

5. Wizzard I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday “Your rosy cheeks gonna light my merry way...” Stop. You’re making us blush.

6. Chris de Burgh A Spaceman Came Travelling Come on, admit it.

7. WHAM! - Last Christmas

“A crowded room, friends with tired eyes. I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice” Note to self: Try not to bump into last year’s one night stand.

8. Cyndi Lauper - Feels Like Christmas

“It don’t matter if we live in a shack or in a shiny Cadillac”. Well we wouldn’t actually want to live in the Cadillac Cyndi.

9. Mel and Kim Rockin' Around the Xmas Tree

“Come on Mel, how about pulling a cracker? By the look of you darling I think I already have”. Now that one would definitely work on us...

10. Shakin’ Stevens - Snow Is Falling

“We’re gonna have a party tonight...I’m gonna find that girl, underneath the mistletoe, we’ll kiss by candle light” Is that so she can’t see your face?

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