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THE INVADENOLA GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS art, fashion, music, and culture with a nola twist
1 IN THE BEGINNING
letter from the editor
Photography by: Scott Simon of www.iheartnola.com
Invaders, December 2011 will mark the 2 year anniversary of InvadeNOLA taking one tiny step in the direction of building a digital publication that serves as the definitive source for New Orleans coolhunters. After much forethought and months of tedious planning, we are embarking on another adventure. Expanding on our initial idea, “The InvadeNOLA Guide to New Orleans� is a digital online magazine that offers the experience of a glossy magazine with the appeal of being able to read it in between checking emails at work. Our first issue includes some amazing features from some of our favorite blog writers as well as a few new voices. We start with a Retail Recomendation for Branch Out by Dalton Primeaux, teach you about Fall Fashion trends with Amanda Laplaca, Halloween costume tips illustrated by Dorothy Young, and spotlight New Orleans Photographer Bryce Gaspard, as well as, New Orleans indie rock band Silent Cinema. But the highlight of this issue
comes in the form of two feature stories. Our newly appointed photo editor, Lizzie Ford-Madrid and stylist, Corrie Pellerin executed an amazing photo shoot. “On Fall, Fashion, and Teaching America” captures the enthusiasm of New Orleans educators who are making a significant impact on our community, while maintaining impeccable personal style.Similarly, “The InvadeNOLA Guide to Upscale Bars,“ Emily Jensen takes us on a digital pub crawl of some of our swankier watering holes. If you enjoy this issue, shout us out across the digital airwaves. Email a friend, update your Twitter, dedicate
a Facebook status update so that we can continue to grow with the New Orleans community. Special thanks to each of the contributors and specifically a mighty thank you to Dominique Ellis for her Marketing and Development and Angelique Dyer for hours of copy editing. Justin Shiels Founder and President InvadeNOLA PS: Nearly 230 hours were invested in the creation of this document.
We strive to support the Inventors, the Investigators, the Believers, but most importantly, those people who take an idea from vision to reality. To advertise, email: dominique@invadenola.com To get featured, email a press release to editor@invadenola.com To become a contrinutor, email justin@invadenola.com To become a model, email lizzie@invadenola.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover image by Lizzie Ford-Madrid
Letter from the editor
THIS MONTH I LOVE EVENTS ROUNDUP
RETAIL FOCUS: BRANCH OUT ON FALL, FAShion, and teaching america
MATTHEW ARTHUR INTERVIEW
FALL FASHION TIPS
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BRYCE GASPARD MUSIC FOCUS: SILENT CINEMA
THE INVADENOLA GUIDE TO UPSCALE BARS THE ART OF CREATING THE PERFECT HALLOWEEN COSTUME MIXTAPE: I PUT A SPELL ON YOU
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EVENTS ROUNDUP BY : EMILY J ENSEN
“All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.” ~ Thomas Wolfe Indeed, this October all things point home. As the air finally cools into merciful fall crispness, I can feel a return to clarity welling up from my toes, and keep finding myself swallowed up in moments of total infatuation with New Orleans. I am so thankful to be tucked away in this haven of weirdness and wonder, and October is filled to the brim with celebrations of our unique home - from music and film festivals featuring local artists, to fashion shows and fabulous Halloween parades so absurd that they could only happen in the Big Easy. May this month be one of boundless creativity; stitching wild costumes over whiskey with friends, listening deeper and laughing harder, and getting back in touch your own magic. Happy October, y’all!
New Orleans Film Festival When: October 14 - 20 Where: Venues throughout the city (including Zeitgeist, Second Line Stages, NOCCA, NOLA Drive-In, and many more. See full schedule for details.) What: A full week of screenings from filmmakers from around the world will cover a gamut of topics, from a documentary on beat boxing to the premiere of live footage from Ken Kesey and his Merry Band of Prankster’s early acid-fueled antics (Magic Trip.) As an Oregon native and longtime flower-power hippie,
I’m a tangle of tie-dyed elation over that one. But I’m most psyched for the films that raise the voices of NOLA locals - for example, “I'm Carolyn Parker: The Good, the Mad, and the Beautiful” is a portrait of a New Orleans woman who was the last to leave her neighborhood before Katrina and one of the fiercest warriors in the battle to come home to rebuild. More than her recent past, I’m looking forward to the film’s exploration of her childhood during the 1940s in the 9th Ward. “Louisiana Fairytale” documents the collaboration between the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and American rock group, My Morning Jacket, and “Music From The Big House” features blues music from inmates at Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary a.k.a Angola Prison. Take a good close look at the lineup at this festival. It is endlessly fascinating and replete with can’t-miss flicks. http://neworleansfilmsociety.org/festival photo credit: http://adamncompany.com
New Orleans Fashion Week When: October 15 - 21 Where: Locations throughout the city
overlap? Hit up the Scene Presents: A Celebration of Film and Fashion Hosted by NOLA Film Festival and NOLA Fashion Week on October 15it’ll help you kick off this epic week in style and scope out which events to put at the top of your to-do list. View the full schedule here on their website.
What: Fashion markets, runway shows and workshops on topics like editorial photography http://nola-fashionweek.com/ and fashion writing will crowd the week of October 15, sparking a photo credit: © historic new orleans cultural kaboom combined with Film collection and jared hornsby Fest. The best way to combat the
Voodoo Music Festival and TribeCON When: October 28 - 30 Where: City Park What: Can you say “Best Weekend Ever?” Not only are you about to partake in the most awesome Halloween celebration in the country, you also have access to a music festival with artists as varied as Snoop Dogg, Ani DiFranco, Girl Talk, The Raconteurs and a ton of New Orleans’ homegrown jazz, rock, folk and soul. And while I may be the only person over seventeen who will be slam-dancing at the Blink-182 show (unapologetically, might I
add), I can’t leave them off the list of reasons to get excited - don’t act like you won’t come running to the stage the minute they play “All The Small Things.” Also, be sure to check out TribeCon, the interactive community conference that will feature speakers both local, national and international. I’m most interested in hearing Candy Chang, the artist behind the “Before I Die” wall in the Marigny. http://thevoodooexperience.com/2011/ http://tribecon.com/
Fringe Festival When: Preview October 15th at 8pm (festival runs November 16-20 at various New Orleans locations) Where: Cafe Istanbul, 2372 St. Claude. What: Prepare to get weird - Fringe Fest is all about over-the-top, outlandish expression through theater performances, and truly anything goes in this parade of all things wild and wondrous. To get a taste, check out this year's free festival preview, dubbed "Pu-Pu Platter," featuring a sampler of interactive, collaborative
performances presented by a few select artists. And did I mention that there will be (drumroll please) FREE BEER?! If you're not already stampeding towards the Marigny, take a gander at the festival website for details about the upcoming event, including ticket prices and which shows to look out for (everything ranging from burlesque to puppetry). Also, be sure to peep the Free-for-All tab, where you can find information about the GoodChildren Fringe parade and other fantastic free happenings. http://www.nofringe.org/
THIS MONTH I LOVE BY : DOMINI Q UE ELLIS
Here in New Orleans we look forward to Autumn as a time to prep ourselves for the upcoming seasons of festivities. The dog days of summer are over and we're geared up for cooler weather, the holidays, football and enjoying a drink on the levee without dying from the humidity. This month I'm loving a select number or items perfect for ushering in my favorite time of year.
1 Team Gleason tees from Dirty Coast Tees We all know former Saints player Steve Gleason as a hometown hero. Who could forget that blocked punt?! When Dirty Coast Tees heard he was suffering from ALS disease they made this amazing Better Late Than Never shirts to support Gleason's charity which funds research for to find a cure. 100% of the proceeds go to a great cause. http://www.dirtycoast.com/
Arizona Sunset soap from CakeFace Soaping Fall makes me a homebody and my nesting instincts kick in. What better way to prep your apartment to receive all those holiday party guests than with these great soaps from CakeFace. They’re 100% organic, handmade, vegan friendly cold-process soaps made with essential oils and the company is based out of NOLA. http://www.etsy.com/shop/CakeFaceSoaping
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POW necklace from GoGo Jewelry The season for summer blockbusters may be over but that doesn't mean you can't still channel your inner superhero. Put on one of local jewelry designer GoGo's POW necklaces and unleash your inner super power. http://www.ilovegogojewelry.com/
Makin' Groceries notepad from Scriptura Heading to Whole Foods to stock up on some pumpkin pie and Abita Fall Fest? Pick up this grocery list from Scriptura and make that list in style. http://www.scriptura.com/
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2 FASHION FOCUS
NOLA GOES GREEN B y : DALTON P RIMEAU X P HOTOGRA P HY BY : LIZZIE FORD - MADRID
Store owners Thiri DeVoe and Lauren Beshel
Branch Out is New Orleans’ first green shopping alternative. Located conveniently on Magazine Street, this eco-friendly shop specializes in sustainable clothing and accessories for men and women, and offers handselected, quality vintages pieces. Branch Out is very style conscious, and also very conscious of the positive impact locally sourced products have on our environment and our local economy. They carry a number of local designers as well.
Store owners Thiri DeVoe and Lauren Beshel are both New Orleans natives, who previously worked at other vintage places on Magazine Street. “We wanted to bring something new to the Magazine Street shopping scene,” said Beshel. “We knew we wanted to include vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories, because we both love how each piece is unique and special. We were also interested in showcasing some local artist and designers so we had to think of a way to tie all these ideas together. We thought having a sustainable, eco-friendly store would be a great
way to do that, because we realized that there weren't any stores offering stylish new clothes for men and women that were eco-friendly.” Many people may not know this but buying vintage is not just stylish, it is indeed a form of recycling, because vintage clothing has already been produced and does not require any new resources. And, locally made products use less fuel for transport, which helps reduce carbon emissions. Buying local also supports independent artists and designers, keeping profits within the community.
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we realized that there weren’t any stores offering stylish new clothes for men and women that were eco-friendly.
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“Shopping locally and supporting local artisans within the community is a cornerstone idea of the sustainable movement,” said Beshel. Some local, eco-friendly clothing and jewelry designers Branch Out carries are Laura D’Arcangelo, Jolie & Elizabeth, Esther Rose, YB Green and Abiqutie by Taslim Van Hattum. Branch Out also carries products from Sans Souci, Viva La Fun and Xenia Roma who make hair accessories, like hair feathers and headbands, and Ginger Thread Studio who makes tote bags from vintage tea towels and hankies. Branch Out even has its own t-shirt line, and DeVoe and Beshel are very excited about adding to it. All the designs are locally printed on custom eco-friendly shirts. And, Branch Out has even gotten help from local artists like Jeff Pastorek and Cary Beshel, who created fun designs for them. The owners of the shop are always looking for new local designers to carry and new ecofriendly clothing lines for them to introduce to the city, and with their ever rotating collection of vintage, there is always something new at Branch Out.
Branch Out of New Orleans 2022 Magazine St. New Orleans, LA 70130 Store Hours Mon - Sat: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sun: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. http://branchoutshop.com/
ON fall, fashion, and teaching america P HOTOGRA P HY BY : LIZZIE FORD - MADRID STYLED BY : CORRIE P ELLERIN
In this fashion spread, It only seemed appropriate to highlight a group of invaders who are making a significant change in the New Orleans community. These teachers are educating our future leaders with passion, commitment, and enthusiasm. And despite the 12 hour days, they are doing it with impeccable style. Models: Avery Himes, Kristia Wantchekon, Brandon Ferguson, Lauren Kodroff, Kenneth White, Andre Smith, Anna Walton, Dorothy Young. Looks from local shops Branch Out, GoGo Jewelry, and Reservoir.
Anna Walton teaches 4th grade ELA and Social Studies. She wears her own dress and Express flower pin.
Kenneth White teaches 4th & 5th grade social studies at Batiste Cultural Arts Academy. He wears his own designer look with a vintage Kangol wool cap.
Dorothy Young teaches Kindergarten at Ella Dolhonde Elementary. She wears a 2005 Theory vintage white dress and vintage 1970s Mollie Parnis suede jacket. Shoes are model’s own.
Avery Himes teaches 1st grade at Success Preparatory Academy. He wears his own designer look and tie.
Lauren Kodroff teaches 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade Science. She wears her own designer look.
Michelle Hepperle teaches 10th, 11th & 12th grade Algebra II and Advanced Math. She wears her own dress and boots paired with a Forever 21 cropped jacket.
Purse, vintage leather handbag.
Tannia Suarez teaches ESL Reading and English at Roosevelt Middle School. Black dress from Branch Out, jacket is model’s own. Cuff bracelet is from GoGo Jewelry.
Brandon Ferguson teaches 4th grade language arts at Batiste Cultural Arts Academy. Hat is from Reservoir.
Andre Smith teaches 3rd grade at ARISE Academy. He wears his own designer look and a vintage leather backpack.
Kristia Wantchekon teaches 5th grade English at Batiste Cultural Arts Academy. She wears a vintage suede vest and a flower necklace from GoGo jewelry collection on Magazine St.
NOLA fashion week FAVORITE: matthew arthur
The Matthew Arthur brand is a place where seersucker and acid-wash can be friends. This self-taught and selfdriven fashion designer draws his inspiration from his New Orleans lifestyle, tapping into the rich culture and unapologetic attitude of the city.
Buffalo Exchange is unique because clothing and accessories are bought, sold and traded locally with store customers. Bring in your former favorites for trade or cash on the spot! 3312 Magazine Street | (504)891-7443 | www.buffaloexchange.com
fall fashion tips WRITTEN AND P HOTOGRA P HED BY : AMANDA THOMAS
This season, it’s all about color. Bold hues of orange and yellow. Crisp blues and grassy greens. Draw inspiration from the tones and the hues seen in nature and architecture. Tune in to the changing of the leaves, the costumes of Halloween, the vibrant paint choices of the Bywater homes, and naturally, the style and the charm of the colorful characters encountered on any New Orleans street during any time of year. A special thanks to Langford Market, 907 Decatur St., for Sarah’s styling www.twitter.com/langfordmarket Thanks to Buffalo Exchange, 3312 Magazine St. for John’s looks. www.buffaloexchange.com/index.php?pg=25&id=25
John is wearing a green tweed blazer, plum colored straight leg pants with a skinny black belt.
Sarah is wearing a faux suede jacket with a pleated skirt. Her shoes have a mix of black lace and leopard print.
Horizontal stripes are taking their place this fall. John has paired his yellow stripes with a red gingham button-down and dark and skinny jeans.
Color blocking brings Sarah’s vivid orange shirt and royal blue skirt together for this look. She is carrying a yellow leather clutch and her shoes are wing-tipped oxfords.
Mixing prints are a definite to-do for fall. John wears a striped scarf with plaid shirt and camel cords. Sarah wears a red-striped shirt and grey skinniy jeans with a faux black leather bomber jacket.
3 ART FOCUS
artist Spotlight: Bryce gaspard
A transplant to the city but not to the state, Bryce Owen Gaspard is a Louisiana native from Lockport with plenty of deep-rooted sentiments tied to his upbringing. Savannah, GA became his home away from home as he finished his photography degree at SCAD. Periodically visiting his home state during his education, inspiration surfaced for his recent series, “Stationary Idol.” Depicting religious icons as iconoclast, “Idol” challenges the notion of worship. “I wasn’t raised in an overtly religious household, but religion was an overwhelming force within my small town’s community,” recalls Gaspard. “I felt as though acceptance by my town’s religion
wasn’t as accessible as the idea of it was sold. I found it hard to believe that just because someone showcased a ceramic Virgin Mary next to their mailbox, they were somehow entitled to judge others.” Gaspard’s opinions, once repressed, have been highlighted and reflected in his own work. Utilizing his time away from Louisiana, Gaspard worked on the images that comprise “Stationary Idol” and built solace within his personal history, a history that is now continuing in New Orleans.
4 C U LT U R E F O C U S
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The Invadenola Guide to Upscale Bars B y : EMILY J ENSEN P HOTOGRA P HY BY : LIZZIE FORD - MADRID
Whether your wardrobe consists of pricey threads or Goodwill garb, your fridge is full of caviar or you’re rockin’ Easy Mac on the regular to make end’s meet, sometimes you just gotta treat yourself. Times are tough indeed, but here in New Orleans we know that living it up is the best way to stay alive. We also know a thing or two about booze, and how best to enjoy it. Indulging in a perfectly calibrated Pimm’s Cup or a great glass of wine at one of the city’s fabulous upscale bars is a luxury that is worth the extra dough to feel like a king or queen, even if just for one drink. From luxe lounges in the Quarter to sexy little cocktail bars Uptown, this roundup of prime spots to get your fancy on will clue you into the scene, vibe and menus at each joint, including details on happy hours and other sweet deals. Cheers to you, dear reader - drink up and be well.
Cure 4905 Freret Street 504-302-2357 Open at 5PM seven days a week; Kitchen open until 12AM Sunday through Thursday, 2AM Friday and Saturday I am absolutely obsessed with the conceptual intentions of this sleek Freret Street cocktail bar. Based on the historic tradition of using alcohol for home remedies, Cure seeks to create an environment where sophisticated men and women can truly drink to good health. And while their list of house rules is initially off-putting (asking me to behave like a lady has always been an exercise in futility), their emphasis on pure enjoyment of their boozy creations ultimately makes for a menu that favors quality over trends, and a rare smokefree indoor bar to allow patrons to fully appreciate aromatics as they imbibe. Small plates and sandwiches round out the experience - we like the goat cheese dates with pancetta, and are still dying to try the peach and speck tartine. Make your first visit between 5 and 7 p.m. for their daily happy hour, which features $5 classic cocktails, and half price bottles of wine on Thursdays. http://curenola.com/
Bar Tonique 820 North Rampart St 504-324-6045 Open 2PM-2AM daily My favorite drink at this French Quarter hole-in-the-wall is not a cocktail - it’s their housemade ginger beer- a spicy, fizzy little number that they’ll lay on ya for free if you’re a designated driver - a tasty incentive to stay safe. The laid back, dimly-lit space looks more like a neighborhood watering hole, hardly a home for expert mixology, but the libations that the bar turns out are genuine works of art. Their eclectic menu includes Southern standards and outlandish creations alike, along with a slew of imported beer and wine. Their mint julep is an icy salvation on a hot July afternoon, with a strong whiskey bite and a cooling minty finish, and the Pimm’s Cup is hands down to best in the city. They’re also sensitive to guests who are looking to drink well on the cheap, with a different drink special every day like $5 Mai Tais on Sundays and half price Caipirinhas on Thursdays. Hit this rad little spot up next time you’re frolicking in the Quarter and need to take a breather - it’s the perfect place to relax and recoup with one of their fresh-squeezed miracles in a glass. http://bartonique.com/
Oak Wine Bar 8118 Oak Street 504-302-1485 Open Tuesday through Saturday 5PM-until; Kitchen open weekdays until 11PM, weekends until midnight. The modern, simple interior at this swanky Oak Street purveyor of all things vino channels a New York City vibe, which explains the young professional crowd who flock here to choose from a wine list grouped by palate rather than region. Would you like “Herbs and Smoke,” “Floral Notes,” “Stones and Acid?” Or perhaps you’d like to spend your evening “Flirting With Oak.” The structure of the menu helps to demystify the process of choosing wine for flavor, and each section has plenty to choose from. Local musicians play live almost nightly, shaping the ambiance with soft folk and jazz that is a perfect backdrop for an evening of fancy wining. Their food menu is organized much like the wine list, including From the Sea, From the Land, Market Inspired and more. This month, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oak will offer $1 off pink champagne and donate partial proceeds to benefit Susan Komen for the Cure. http://www.oaknola.com/
Bouligny Tavern 3641 Magazine Street 504-891-1810 Open Monday through Thursday, 4PM to midnight, and Friday and Saturday, 4PM to 2AM Let us take pause from this booz-a-palooza and consider the following concept: gouda beignets. Yes, they are as amazing as they sound, and they’re waiting for you at Bouligny Tavern on Magazine Street, a super charming house-turned-bar that’s perfect for a date or a semi-rowdy night with friends. With the combination of classy Southern decor, excellent cocktails and the chilled-out ambiance of soul jams from Bobby Womack and Sam Cooke, Bouligny feels like you’ve broken into your rich friends’ parents’ tricked out parlor except instead of raiding the liquor cabinet and skimming a little off the top of every liquor bottle to make a gnarly bootleg version of a Long Island Ice Tea, you’ve got table service, craft cocktails and one of the coolest bar menus I’ve seen in a while (Kobe pigs in a blanket, anyone?). Kick off your night with Blood and Sand, an easy way to enjoy nice scotch with its bite smoothed over with cherry liqueur and orange juice, and for a late-night wake-up call, bounce back with La Madruga - the pucker-up punch of grapefruit and tequila will have you raging all night long. Click it: http://www.boulignytavern.com/
Delachaise 3442 Saint Charles 504-895-0858 Open Monday through Sunday, 5PM -until Delachaise is where I go to get intimate - not like old school, high-waisted underpants, sexy time intimate, but deep conversation, close friends, out-with-the-girls intimate. This is where we sip lovely wine, tell secrets and snack on the ohso-epic goose fat fries til the wee hours of the morning. Don’t get me wrong, this is also an awesome place for a date, but be ready for some hardcore staring into each other’s eyes and an endless stream of sweet-nothings (hey, I don’t hate it!). It’s all about good wine, good food, and good company at Delachaise, to be enjoyed in their cozy booths or on their fenced-in patio, where you can watch the streetcar roll by and fall even deeper in love with New Orleans and your fabulous life therein. Check their wine board for $5 specials, and don’t hesitate to spend a little extra for something to eat - the specials are always enticing, but you can’t go wrong with a salad or cheese plate from their regular menu. http://www.thedelachaise.com/
MUSIC FOCUS: SILENT CINEMA B y : MARK J OHNSON P HOTO BY : J OSHUA BRASTED
Established by a traditional alt-rock setup and supported by a mini-brass section, Silent Cinema’s big sound puts forth danceable grooves reminiscent of a MyNameIsJohnMichael but with a greater potential for some grittier lead vocals a la Noah Adams of Dirty Bourbon River Show. Dynamic guitars play out as ear candy like Rotary Downs, and at times shift into thick distortion, which, combined with the brass, brings me back to Fatter than Albert shows at the Big Top. Active since 2002, the eight-member band is listed as “definitely” consisting of Micah Mckee (guitar/huge vocals), Matt Glynn (guitar/tiny vocals), Jack Kennedy (keys), Christopher Toups (bass), Luke Huddleston (trombone), Jeremy Smith (trumpet), Bret Bohnet (drums) and Tom Haulard (percussion). The band certainly does not hide its hometown and plays upon many New Orleans themes, evinced by the title and music video for the original song “Sleepy Time on Bourbon.” Other songs like “Love Fest” highlight Silent Cinema’s catchy, foot-tapping grooves and powerful brass call-and-response motifs. “3 Legged Dog” shows off the big sound that can be created by such a band through layers of different timbered instruments and vocal harmonies. Overall, Silent Cinema is a great band to see live. The eight members can fill a venue with sound and get a packed crowd to share in a celebration of New Orleans, its music and its culture. http://www.silent-cinema.com/
THE ART OF CREATING THE PERFECT HALLOWEEN COSTUME WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY : DOROTHY YOUNG
October, glorious October, has arrived in Louisiana. The mosquito bites are getting smaller, life-size foam bananas roam the street, and the smell of cigarettes, vomit, and hairspray are nearly indistinguishable. It's Mardi Gras for locals and buying your costume is cheating. So forget about that last-minute dash to Buffalo Exchange or a suburban Party City; shop your closet or local thrift store for that most important component of your unforgettable Halloween.
Kiwi Genre: Sexy Never has Lindsay Lohan spoken truer words than those uttered in that scene from “Mean Girls� when that bitch Regina Georges steals a kiss from LiLo's crush. October 31st is your day to dress like a slut and own it. Display your love of Vitamins E and C and no other girl will be able to say anything about it. Those furry boots from 2004? That Russian headpiece your ex got you as a gift? Add a furry vest (from Target clearance or DIY-ed from a Salvation Army coat) over lime green spandex and people will be testing their Auckland references and oneliners all night.
Zombie yoga instructor Genre: horror Tried and true yoga hippie outfits are a dime a dozen, as are generic blood and brain-goop stained zombies. But two classics combined? Nothing screams New Orleans more than nonsensical fusion (see the Wikipedia entry for blackened redfish) and what better opportunity to reuse stained sweatpants than this. Twist some old fish bones into those dreadlocks for an authentic gut-wrenching odor.
Ross Perot Genre: Electoral As cries of “Occupy Everything!” ring across Frenchmen Street, one gentleman is laughing all the way to the bank (or ATM), and that, sir, would be you. Conservatively suited, preferably in a charcoal or similarly neutral gray, with patriotic tie, rubber ears, and a Perot for President button, you’re bringing it back to 1992 and 1996, when America was rolling in the surplus dough, the housing bubble had yet to burst, and it was easy to ignore those silly anti-capitalist’s cries (Seattle WTO protests what? That’s not for 3 years, dude-bros). What better way to celebrate a pagan holiday than good old American Budweiser paid for with a straight stack of dot-com boom cash?
Black Swan Genre: Lush Remember how Black Swan is so over and no one cares about lesbians or Natalie Portman? Oh yeah, me neither. The Oscar buzz may be over but eye makeup tutorials continue to litter Youtube. Make your black tutu and feather-decoupaged brassiere stand out by adding a bottle of Andre or other $4 champagne. Tilt that crown askew and let your mascara run. You don’t care, you’re drunk! The Swan Queen wouldn’t have had her panties in a bunch if she knew what you know.
MIXTAPE: I PUT A SPELL ON YOU BY : a s h l e y c u r t i s
The fall is by far my favorite time of the year; the weather is perfect for layering, walks in the park, and it signals that Halloween is right around the corner. The leaves changing into iridescent shades of gold, brown and yellow and the cool breeze whistling through the night is the perfect background for a truly spooky season. Here are some songs that are sure to have you chanting over your magic altar in no time.
DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE AT HTTP://invadenola.com/octobermix
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins “I Put a Spell on You” Let’s be honest, while listening to this song it is not impossible to determine that Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cannot possibly be sane. But with great insanity (occasionally) comes great genius. While there are many versions of this classic none can compare to Jay’s and if merely listening to the song isn’t enough evidence of his greatness, check out Screamin’ Jay Hawkins perform this song live. Craft Spells “After the Moment” Ok, aside from Craft Spells’ name there’s nothing particularly spooky about the band or this song. But
I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say it wasn’t the perfect cool weather jam. Imagine yourself swaying to this song at a friendly gathering on a clear October night with an Abita Satsuma in your left hand and that handsome English/Philosophy double major with the hornrimmed glasses you’ve been eyeing on your right arm. Life couldn’t get any better, could it? Dead Man’s Bones “My Body’s a Zombie for You” There’s nothing creepier than a children’s choir chanting and lightly singing the melody of a song. That’s why Ryan Gosling’s voice is a welcomed addition to this song. Gosling and friend Zach
Shields’ band Dead Man’s Bones released their debut album on October 6, 2009 and are expected to release their sophomore album this fall. Perfectionists of their spooky sounds, the band often tours around North America specifically for the fall/Halloween season. Hopefully they’ll make a stop to New Orleans this Halloween. The Pretty Reckless “Make Me Wanna Die” Before you burst into laughter, allow me to present my reason for choosing this song: this video. While Taylor Momsen of Gossip Girl fame may not be the most talented or interesting girl, you’ve got to admit that she really gives hair-raising performance in the music video for her song “Make Me Wanna Die.” Maybe it’s her raccoon inspired eye makeup, or maybe it’s her strip tease that creeps me out. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s her body spontaneously catching fire and exploding at the end of the video that’s frightening. Who knows, I guess some questions are never meant to be answered.
My Chemical Romance “Cemetery Drive” Some days I let my middle school angst get the best of me and I listen to My Chemical Romance’s sophomore album “Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge” until I pass out from the guitar solos. This gem of a song, “Cemetery Drive,” is as ghostly as it is absurd. If the melancholy lyrics get you down repeat to yourself three times, “It’s only MCR.” Once you do that you’ll be ready to see them perform at Voodoo this Halloween weekend, and their live shows are guaranteed to be a good time. Trust me, I’ve seen them a total of five times since the seventh grade.
STAFF Justin Shiels is a digital strategist and creative entrepreneur. Originally born in Memphis, TN, this self proclaimed New Orleanian loves reading short stories and watching British television. He is the founder of www.InvadeNOLA.com.
DOMINIQUE ELLIS is a marketing and branding consultant working in New Orleans. Her clients cross industries from Broadway star Bryan Fenkart and several NYC musicians to the New Orleans Museum of Art and local marketing tech company Dukky. You can contact Dominique at www.copythatservices.com. Lizzie Ford-Madrid is a photographer living and working in New Orleans. Her work has been featured in City Limits Magazine, TimeOut New York, Resource Magazine, and of course InvadeNola. She would love to take your picture. Get in touch with her at www.lizziefordmadrid.com Angelique Dyer is a New Orleanian by birth, PR girl by day and fiction writer by night. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans where she worked as a copy editor for the Maroon newspaper and Wolf Magazine. A lover of glitter, Beyonce and food, Angelique plans to change the world through her work in healthcare public relations and her southern charm.
CONTRIBUTORS CORRIE PELLERIN is a local accessories designer and fashion stylist. She loves New Orleans, old movies, anything vintage, and creating beautiful things.
Emily Jensen is a folk-singin’, camera-totin’, wordlovin’ Portland girl who fell hard for New Orleans years ago and never really left.
Amanda THOMAS is a daydreamer with an affinity for portrait photography. She currently lives in New Orleans, La and works for photographer Zack Smith.
DALTON PRIMEAUX is a hopeless romantic who loves surrounding himself with the fantastic people and culture of New Orleans. He appreciates all forms of art and creativity, and is a true believer in being yourself. He shows this through The WearHouse District (www. thewearhousedistrict.com), his unique fashion blog.
Mark Johnson is a Metairie native and graduate of Loyola University New Orleans. A musician trying to keep well rounded, he is a guitar and drum instructor for the New Orleans Academy of Music and the bassist/ guitarist for local folk-rock band The Acadias. Mark loves to ponder all things music, especially trends in popular music and songwriting.
DOROTHY YOUNG has never successfully built a kite from scratch (paper). She teaches and shops and draws in New Orleans East. meetdorothyyoung.blogspot.com / nolamorechains.blogspot.com
ASHLEY JAKE CURTIS This native Minnesotan enjoys hand-crafted jewelry, Halloween, and sweet treats. She is not particularly fond of jell-o or most things that begin with “J”. Talk to her about your likes and dislikes, she’ll be fascinated.
ADVERTISERS The goal of any great magazine is to create amazing content that attracts influential readers and advertisers. This is our first issue, and the InvadeNOLA team likes to think that we did a damn good job in achieving both those goals.
Buffalo Exchange
Jabari Inspires
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Juan's Flying Burrito CakeFace Soaping
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LaunchPad Conversations
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http://conversations.be
Leah’s Pralines Culicurious BLog
http://www.leahspralines.com/
http://culicurious.com
Shultzilla Handsome Willy’s
http://www.shultzilla.com/
http://handsomewillys.tumblr.com/
To advertise in the DECEMBER/JANUARY issue of “The InvadeNOLA Guide to New Orleans,“ contact dominique@invadenola.com for rates.
THE INVADENOLA GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS ISSUE 002 DEcEmbER 12 INVADENOLA.cOm