XO MAGAZINE
COLETTE CARR
Beach Girl5
RUNNER RUNNER
Yasmin
ELIZA DOOLITTLE
Parade
POP GOODNESS!
! p o P
No.5
No. 5
- WE’RE TALKING ‘BOUT POP MUSIC.
“DO YOU WONDER THIS MU GETS YO IT TAKES FOR A R
U EVER R WHY? USIC OU HIGH, S YOU RIDE.”
“BABY YO
STOP AND MUSIC’S A GOT. COME ON THIS MUST POP.” -N*SYNC
OU CAN’T D THE ALL YOU NOW T BE
XO
EDITOR IN CHIEF & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Le’Keisha Sims STAFF Natalie Smith Rachel - Angela Smith Madison Banaszack Anah R Adam Miller CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kelly Jill Florence Leung Kim Akrigg Ramés Radi Jon Attenborough CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS Alleenda Thammavong Nicole Belonio Sarah Danniels Coreen Miller Shannon Meddings CONTRIBUTING HAIRSTYLISTS Atefeh Shojaie Ana Luisa Valdés Alayana Lanstad Kemi Longe CONTRIBUTING MAKEUP ARTISTS Breianne Zellinsky Carmelle Watkins Jeanette Schwarz Aaron Wozlowski Yuki Lam Talysia Ayala ( MAC) ASSISTANTS Christa Meister Jeremy Hsu Frank Yeh
XO
COVER # 5 “POP” ISSUE photographer RAMSÉS RADI hairstylist ANA LUISA VALDÉS styling HOLIDAY & CAPITAL Model ANDREA S makeup artist JEANETTE SCHWARZ
PUBLISHER XO Magazine Inc. ADVERTISING Advertisexomag@gmail.com INTERNSHIP + CONTRIBUTING Infoxomag@gmail.com TWITTER www.twitter.com/kthefashionista ALL CONTRIBUTORS RETAIN SOLE COPYRIGHT TO THEIR WORK, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR CONTRIBUTORS ABOUT THEIR WORK, OR SEND US A EMAIL. HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SOMETHING IN GENERAL YOU WANT TO SEE IN XO? SHOOT US A EMAIL!
// SPRING 2011
EDITOR’S LETTER
Without a doubt 2011 has been a great year for pop music. The year started off
with Britney Spear’s Hold It Against Me, a new song for a new era in the Pop princess’ career , mixing her classic electro bubble gum pop sound with a dubstep dance break, that definitely got the year started off right. Later that Febuary Lady Gaga’s Born this Way, was released on the world, blasting the message of self exceptance and love. We over at XO were definitely inspired, not only by the pop godesses but by the up and comers, and those who are skipping over the pond to the US. Inside this issue you’ll read interviews with pop’s latest batch of stars. In our lastest issue we stay authentic and focus on the need to embrace diversity, expand our ideas, and boundaries as we head deeper into 2011. I pushed our contributors to really flex their creative muslces and bring some amazing work to the table. We searched
all over the web for the lastest music from all around the world. Pop is truely having a moment. XO has expanded so much since our humble beginings in late 2009, and I want to personally thank all the readers who have been with us since the begining, without you guys we wouldn’t exist. And if your a new reader, Welcome. From Jeremy Scott to Preistess NYC to Prada, Bright poppy colours and accessories are the essentials of Spring. A bright colour palette, with detailed prints, studs, and embellished denim from the likes of Isabel Marant, Balmain and Jil Sander set the mood for this season. Its all about details and making a statement. Everyone at XO went above and beyond, pouring countless hours into this issue and we are excited to release it to you. Enjoy! Le’Keisha Sims Editor in chief XO Magazine
VIEW SPRING 2011
EDITOR’S PICKS 1. STARBUCK’S ICED COFFEE 2.POLAROID CAMERAS (ESPECIALLY BARBIE POLAROID CIRCA 1996) 3.EMBELLISHED VESTS, PUNK STYLE. 4.BRASHY COUTURE TEES 5. ZIPPERED JACKETS 6. RACERBANK TANK ACCESSORIES (PERFECT TO PAIR WITH TANKS FROM T BY ALEXANDER WANG) PHOTOS: 1.Le’Keisha Sims 2. Tumblr. com 3.Style.com 4.Brashy Couture 5. Tumblr 6. Le’Keisha Sims
VIEW OUR FAVOURITE T-SHIRT SPRING 2011
CHARLIE SHEEN “WINNING” TEE Shirt: SOPHOMORE NYC www.sophomorenyc.com
NEW SOUND : ELIZA DOOLITTLE
ELIZA DOOLITTLE HAS ALREADY CONQUERED THE UK WITH HER INFECTIOUS RETRO POP SOUND, NOW SHE’S SETTING HER SITES ON THE STATES. Interview by: LE’KEISHA SIMS SEE ELIZA THIS MARCH @ SXSW
Y
OU STARTED WRITING MUSIC FROM A YOUNG AGE AND LANDED A PUBLISHING DEAL AT 16, WHAT WAS THAT LIKE, AND HOW DID THE DEAL COME ABOUT?
ED: I always loved writing and experimenting with my music. I think my publishing deal came from a few songs I had written at the time, they took interest in my writing. XO: DO YOU HAVE A PROCESS FOR WRITING SONGS? ED: It changes all the time, but I am quite melody led. XO: SO MANY MUSICANS TODAY ARE HOVERING AROUND THE SAME ELECTRO/ SYNTH/POP THAT HAS BEEN POPULAR FOR A WHILE. YOUR SOUND IS A THROWBACK TO THE LATE 60S AND 70S YET US REFRESHING MODERN, HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT FINDING A SOUND AND REALLY IDENTIFING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU? ED: I started writing when I was almost 13 and spent lots of time messing around with my music and I eventually found a sound that really suited me and I felt that it was unique. XO: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SINGLE ‘SKINNY GENES’? ED: Well, it’s a fairy tale story about a boy who is really annoying in every way except one ! It’s all in the song ! XO:THE VIDEOS FOR ‘SKINNY GENES’ AND ‘PACK UP’ MATCH THE SUMMERY –YOUTHFUL, FEEL GOOD MOOD OF YOUR SONGS; HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT PICKING AND CREATING THE CONCEPTS FOR THEM? ED: I wanted summery uplifting and colourful feels. I got through some pitches from directors and picked the ones which suited the song better. It’s always good to meet with the director or speak on the phone to talk through ideas so that your personality comes through in
the visuals. XO: 2011 IS SLATED TO BE THE YEAR OF GREAT POP MUSIC, WHO’S ALBUM ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING? ED: Istill haven’t got round to getting Adele’s new record...really want to hear that. And N*E*R*D’s new record too. XO: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO WEAR WHILE PERFORMING? ED: I like a lot of colour. I like short shorts, nike hi-tops, mini dresses, ....I just like what I like and try and make it my own. XO: DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE SHOPS/LABELS? ED: Yes lots, I like Mark Fast, Ksubi, Vivienne Westwood, Moschino, Louis Vuitton, Bitchin n Junk Food, lots and lots ! XO: WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT IN 2011? ED: I’m doing quite a fe_w tours...hopefully in as many countries as possible ! I will also be writing more material so keep your eyes and ears open for some new songs...but have a listen to my debut album if u haven’t already!
XO MUSIC : SPRING 2011 PLAYLIST
XO MAGAZINE ROUNDS UP SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE POP SONGS FROM THE 90S TO PRESENT DAY.
1. ‘ TILL THE WORLD ENDS BRITNEY SPEARS 2. Crave You (Feat.Giselle) -Flight Facilities 3. Pop - N*Sync 4. Push it - Jessie and the Toy Boys 5. Scratch - Beach Girl5 6. Abracadabra - Brown Eyed Girls 7. Wannabe - Spice Girls 8. Hater’s Anonymous - Sky Ferreira 9. Skinny Genes - Eliza Doolittle 10. Louder - Parade 11. M.I.P - Colette Carr 12. Blow - Ke$ha 13. Tick Tock - Rosanna 14. Last Friday (T.G.I.F) - Katy Perry 15. Sclub Party- Sclub7 16.Genie In a Bottle - Christina Aguilera 17. Killer - Dev 18. Just Dance - Lady Gaga 19. Let’s Get Down - Cheryl Cole 20. The Promise - Girl’s Aloud 21. On The Floor - Jennifer Lopez Ft. Pitbull
TOP OF THE POPS SPRING 2011
LCMDF Finnish Two-some who make Punk-pop-dance music. Think M.I.A meets the Bangles meets euro pop and Bam! thats LCMDF. They’re colourful, loud and everything you want in a rock band, but you can dance to it. “Its all about the music”, Rock ‘n’ Roll cliches are so over”
TOP OF THE POPS SPRING 2011
You may know her as Rosie from the 00’s girl group PLAY, but now she’s branched out on her own. Rosanna Munter is back, creating amazing dance pop that only the swedish can make. Having worked with David Astrom ( aka KOCKY) and Jim Elliot, she’s found a pop sound of her own. Her latest single ‘Waterfall’ has already made a huge splash in the UK. We can’t see whats next!
ROSANNA
TOP OF THE POPS SPRING 2011
TURN THEM UP LOUDER: PARADE
Pop has had a huge void, due to the Hiatus of UK pop mega girl group Girls Aloud. But not all is lost. Let us introduce you to Parade. Parade is the latest girl group hailing from the UK. Unlike other girl groups who pop up and slowly fade away, or never get the chance to actually do anything
(cough!cough! Paradiso Girls), Parade brings something refreshing to the table. They’re not pop, they’re not R&B and they’re not dance. They’re like a pop/ RnB/dance hybrid group. They dance! (and we mean there is actual choreography, not simple hand gestures and awkward leg movements every now and then), and they actually seem like a unified group that is having fun. While many people have labeled them as “Saturdays Wannabes”, the girls are beaming with potential and we love it! Having already completed a successful school tour ( performing directly for there potential fan base, and utilizing social media sites), and having radio-friendly songs, with infectious easy to learn choruses;the girls are proving they know what they
want and how they are going to get it. Their Debut single “Louder” Is a fun feel good pop song that will definitely have you singing along with the chorus after the first listen. The video for “Louder” is a fun party video that starts off with the girls sitting on the stairs, and later follows them around as they socialize and have fun. The overall best part is definitely the dance break, as we said these girls dance! Parade has a overall spark of potential that we haven’t seen in any “upcoming girl groups” in a long time. We hate to draw comparisons, but we see hints of the Spice Girls in them, not music wise but in like-ability and how each personality is represented. Parade simply has only one request, which is to “Turn it up louder” and that we will.
TOP OF THE POPS SPRING 2011
BEACH GIRL5 Beach Girl5 are at the forefront of our pop radar, and we’re really rooting for them. America hasn’t seen a legitimate Girl Group since the Pussycat Dolls and lets be honest that was Nicole and her backup singers. It’s not like they haven’t tried they were given the same reality show that launched UK Mega Group, Girls Aloud (Pop stars...which ironically launched the
career of said Nicole with short lived group Eden’s Crush). Beach Girl5 may actually stop the dry girl group spell the US has been under. The mystery behind BG5 first started when a Miley Cyrus Backup dancer and infamous bestie decided to leave Miley for a “New project”, that new project when on to be the BG5. Mandy, Brooke,Dominique, Noreen, and Laura competed in Wango Tango’s Break out Stars contest and the rest is history. Their fun pop sound, which “combines independence, sexiness and positive energy” lead them too guest appearance on “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and their have music being played on shows such as “The Hills” and “Degrassi”. Their latest single “Scratch” Is a dancey pop gem that is the perfect as the lead single. Imagine the intensity and catchiness of a Miley Cyrus/Britney Spears
song in girl group form and thats BG5. Hopefully if all goes well BG5 will be the next big Girl Group shaking up the US.
“ IMAGINE THE INTENSITY AND CATCHINESS OF A MILEY CYRUS/ BRITNEY SPEARS SONG IN GIRL GROUP FORM AND THATS BG5”
NEW SOUND : COLETTE CARR
COLETTE CARR
XO MAGAZINE CATCHES UP WITH NCREDIBLE ARTIST, COLETTE CARR AS PROVES THAT “LIFE’S A BREEZE WHEN YOU GOT THAT MALIBU STEEZE”
XO: HOW DID YOU GO FROM PLAYING TENNIS TO WANTING TO WORK IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? CC: When tennis ended due to a back injury I was completely heart broken. You grow up knowing exactly what you want to be when you grow older, work for it every minute and then life pulls the rug out from under you. It was definitely hard bouncing back in general, within life’s many surprises I somehow ended up at a Game concert at UCLA bustin’ a freestyle and felt very much so in love again. It was instant and very clear to me that music is what I am supposed to be doing – so I said “F-it” and went for it. XO: WHAT ARTISTS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE? CC: Every artist I’ve ever bumped in the car, every experience I’ve witnessed second or first hand, every consequence, every obstacle, every sentence, every shit boyfriend, EVERYTHING influences me and my sound. XO: YOUR MIX TAPE, SEX SELLS; IS THE PERFECT MIX OF SUMMER
SONGS SUCH AS M.I.P ABD YOUR REMIX OF LIKE A G6, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WHEN CREATING THE SONGS? CC: There are 22 tracks on “ Sex Sells, Stay toned” and I feel like the tracks all balance each other out in a way. There is some pretty funny ish on there, some seriously meaningful songs such as R.O.B.I.N and yes summer tracks! I just wanted to make art that I was proud of and I am glad I got to accomplish that. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I did the happy dance when it hit 100,000 downloads! XO: WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR DEBUT ALBUM? WHO ARE YOU WORKING
WITH? WHAT IS THE VIBE OF THE ALBUM SO FAR?
self, which naturally shows up in my songs and lyrics.
CC: Skitzo! The vibes tickle my frequency. I am itching to get it out there! I am so fortunate, working with greats. Frankmusik is straight beasting on the beats, Toby Gadd kills it everytime. Ron Feemster on the keyboard is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. I got to
XO: A LOT OF YOUR SONGS ARE BASED OFF PARTYING AROUND THE TOWN, DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES? CC: I always draw from real life experiences; whether its something a close friend is going through like my song “ It’s Real” or something that I went through like “M.I.P” yep…true story
“ I JUST DO ME. NOBODY ELSE CAN PULL ME OFF QUITE LIKE I CAN, THAT I’M SURE OF.” work with the brilliant Cherry CherryBoomBoom! Space Cowboy! Etc etc etc..Ahh! the list blows my mind.
XO: WHAT WAS THE FIRST POP ALBUM YOU EVER BOUGHT?
hundred percent unique and different. I’m excited.
CC: I’m not sure what was the FIRST pop album I bought was but I know that Britney rocked my sox. I also remember running into Warehouse Music to cope some Eminem and Dre. My mom nearly shat from all the cuss words, but then it was too late *evil laugh*
XO: HOW HAS LIVING IN CALIFORNIA INFLUENCED YOU, IS THERE A CERTAIN XO: 2011 IS SLATED TO BE XO: HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR STYLE IS DIFFERENT CALI VIBE IN YOUR A GREAT YEAR FOR POP OR THAT YOU BRING SOME- LYRICS? MUSIC, WHO’S ALBUM THING NEW TO THE TABLE? ARE YOU LOOKING FORCC: CherryCherryBoomWARD TO MOST? CC: I just do me. Nobody else Boom says I have a Malibu can pull me off quite like I can, accent, which I never knew CC: Mine! Lol I can’t wait to exsisted, but of course it that I’m sure of. It’s weird to share my music with anyone does, why wouldn’t it? I got and everyone who wants to think in a world of replicathat “Malibu steeze back eet listen. Label mates Natation and overkill I have accomplished making music one up” way of expressing mylia Kills, Frankmusik, Ellie
Goulding, Aaron Fresh etc! 2011 is poppin! XO: What can fans expect from you in 2011? CC: Prepare to be Bombarded; content coming out of my MaliBUM. Make it go. To get updates check my blog that I am updating it everyday. www.colettecarrsblog.com and listen to my radio show while I chat live on “ The Colette Carrpool” on at 5pm pacific Thursdays on www.cherrytreerecords.com and www. colettecarr.com nuff said <3 THANK YOU! XO: YOUR WELCOME !
RUNNER RUNNER
XO MAGAZINE CATCHES UP WITH JAMES, DRUMMER OF RUNNER RUNNER .
XO:YOU GUYS HAVE GROWN A LOT SINCE THE FIRST TIME I HEARD YOU GUYS VIA MYSPACE A FEW YEARS AGO, HAS BEING ON A MAJOR LABEL HELPED YOU GUYS POLISH AND MAKE YOUR OWN SOUND? J: Our demos were very very “pop” sounding with a lot of production. The label wanted more of an organic sound. More of a guitar driven sound. We ended up meeting in the middle and now you have Runner Runner as heard on our record and we couldn’t be happier! XO : YOUR FIRST SINGLE, “SO OBVIOUS” HAS CHANGED A BIT SINCE YOUR FIRST EP; WHAT LED TO A SHIFT TOWARD A MORE POLISHED SOUND?
J:Well when we play live we definitely have more of a rock vibe. There are loud guitars and pounding drums. We wanted to try to capture this in the studio. We are very pleased with the current version of so obvious. XO: WHAT IS IT LIKE RECORDING IN THE STUDIO? J:The studio is great! Generally speaking Drums get tracked first, followed by bass, guitars, keys, then vocals. We rehearse a great deal prior to entering the studio so we save a lot of time by knowing exactly what we are trying to accomplish once we get in there. XO: WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FOR WRITING SONGS/COMING UP WITH NEW IDEAS? J:Most songs start on an acoustic guitar. The idea is then passed around member to member to give their input. Then generally a demo is built within Pro Tools on the computer. Everyone one in the band is a song writer and thats great because everyone can give input on an idea and the outcome can often times be better than if just one person worked on an idea. XO:YOU GUYS ARE GOING ON TOUR WITH THE PRETTY RECKLESS THIS SUMMER, ARE YOU GUYS STOKED FOR THE TOUR? WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT? J: We are actually on tour with them as we speak and it is great! We are 3 shows into the tour and we are all very stoked. The Pretty Reckless are
great people. Every band member and every member of their crew came up to us on the first day of the tour an introduced themselves. We are playing a few new songs from the new record in our set that we have never played before on tour and the set feels great! XO: WHAT BANDS/MUSICANS HAVE INSPIRED YOU, WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM? J: We are just fans of music in general. We all grew up on bands and artists like The Cars, Cheap Trick, Elvis Costello, and The Cure. We all also love modern acts like Lady GAGA, The Killers, and Maroon 5. We like everything across the board. We also like the say that we draw inspiration through living life. There are good times and bad. XO: WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT TO HEAR ON YOUR ALBUM, AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE THEY TAKE FROM IT? J: We like to say that our record is like a ride through life. There are some songs that make you feel like driving with the top down, smile on your face, sun shining. There are also some darker songs where you have to roll the windows up and bare down. We think there is something for everyone on this record. XO: WHATS NEXT FOR RUNNERRUNNER? J: Runner Runner will be on tour all year. Our record is available now in stores, on amazon, and iTunes. Check us out online at facebook.com/runnerrunner and @ runnerrunner on twitter. Hope to see you at a show this year! Thanks for all of the support!
TOP OF THE POPS SPRING 2011
YASMIN Pop Newcomer Yasmin has sent the blogosphere albaze with her Top 15 Devlin track ‘Runaway’ and has been playing shows and supporting UK act Example. We love her amazing style and fun pop RnB drizzled tunes.Working with Jaime Smith and Dj’ing she’s become a massive hit on Hype machine.A major one to watch in 2011, she is set to release her next single ‘Finish Line’ in early May.
“ YOU ARE WEAR A GIRL HOT AS T SHE L
E WHAT YOU R ITS TRUE, L IS JUST AS THE SHOES E CHOOSE.” - Fashion LADY GAGA
pearl bracelets UNCONVENTIAL JEWELRY available at GEBTILLE ALOUETTE dress MARA GOTTLER necklace STYLIST OWN
DARK EMOTIONS .
Photography By Florence Leung (www.flotography.ca) Styling By Alleeneda Thammavong Makeup By Breianne Zellinsky Hair by Atefeh Shojaie Model: Alicia Demerson @ NEXT Assistant: Jeremy Hsu Styling Assistant: Christa Meister Location Provided by The Loden Hotel (www.theloden.com)
pearl bracelets UNCONVENTIAL JEWELRY available at GEBTILLE ALOUETTE dress MARA GOTTLER necklace STYLIST OWN
bracelets HOUSE OF HARLOW available at HOLLY BOUTIQUE dress MARA GOTTLER left: necklace UNCONVENTIAL JEWELRY available at GENTILLE ALOUETTE dress MARA GOTTLER
necklace STYLIST OWN dress MARA GOTTLER
pearl necklace UNCONVENTIAL JEWELRY available at GENTILE ALOUETTE dress MARA GOTTLER
necklace UNCOVENTIAL JEWELRY available at GENTILLE ALOUETTE dress MARA GOTTLER
pearl necklace UNCONVENTIAL JEWELRY available at GENTILE ALOUETTE dress MARA GOTTLER
Photographer KIM AKRIGG Model MICHEÁLA GARDNER Makeup artist AARON WOZLOWSKI Stylist NICOLE BELONIO Hairstylist ALAYNA LANSTAD
PASTELS.
Mirror , shirt FOREVER 21 skirt TAIPEI bracelets FOREVER 21, H&M
dress BANGKOK MARKET necklace BARCELONA
Top FOREVER 21 skirt FOREVER 21
Photographer Florence Lueng (www.flotography.ca) Stylist Sarah Danniels Makeup artist Yuki Lam Hair Kemi Longe Models Snejina @ NEXT, Cody @ LEXINGTON MODELS, Hamish @ KEY MODELS MANAGEMENT Assistant Frank Yeh
LOVE TRIANGLE.
Sweater H&M pants ZARA shoes STYLIST’S OWN dress AMERICAN APPAREL heels ALDO
LEFT necklace FRENCH CONNECTION UK sweater dress JOIE panties & bra AMERICAN APPAREL pants ZARA shoes STYLIST’S OWN belt H&M THIS PAGE boys’ tops H&M
pants ZARA belts H&M shoes STYLIST’S OWN top H&M heels H&M mini shorts AMERICAN APPAREL dress AMERICAN APPAREL heels ALDO
photography JON ATTENBOROUGH Stylist SHANNON MEDDINGS makeup artist CARMELLE WATKINS model NICOLA @ VIVENS
photography RAMSÉS RADI Makeup artist JEANETTE SCHWARZ hairstylist ANA LUISA VALDÉS model ANDREA S. clothing HOLIDAY & CAPITAL
ALMOST FAMOUS
STOCKISTS AMERICAN APPAREL FOREVER 21 H&M HOLIDAY & CAPITAL CLAIRES MAURIE & EVE REQUEST ALDO ZARA FRENCH CONNECTION SOPHOMORE BANGKOK MARKET BARCELONA TAIPEI UNCONVENTIAL JEWELRY GENTILE ALOUETTE MARA GOTTLER HOUSE OF HARLOW ALEXANDER WANG STELLA MCCARTNEY
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