How would you describe your style?

Long hair don’t care. #LHDC.  It’s a lifestyle.

Who are your style icons?

Rankin. Tom Ford. Whoever is responsible for the style of the male characters in Wes Anderson films… As far as artists I love Sky Ferriera‘s style throughout her whole career so far.

What are your plans for the summer?

Canoodling. Hedonism. Water ballooning high school kids in my neighborhood from my balcony. Continuing my ongoing, lifelong quest for the perfect tan.  Also I’m doing a music series called #longpopsummer that consists of covers like the Robyn cover, and some pop originals that are a little outside of my normal musical offerings.

Who are you music influences right now?

I went digging through all my albums recently in preparation for summer, I actually brought back the Twin Shadow album I was playing all last summer into rotation, there’s something about the way he effortlessly creates an 80s, totally indie vibe with no pop connotations whatsoever beyond general amazingness that I’m still obsessed with.

I can’t handle listening to club music outside of the the club/show atmosphere since I’m out doing shows so much so I’ve been listening to Explosions in the Sky constantly at home, they create these large walls of sound with epic, orchestral buildups that I feel has influenced the way I write and build up house music songs, I’m trying to break the structural formula of most club house music and use more drastic arrangement changes in new music I’m creating, and Explosions in the Sky is definitely an influence.

What bands/artists should we be looking out this summer?

The swedish duo Icona Pop has one of my favorite songs of the summer already, my friend DJ Louie XIV showed it to me a few weeks back, its called “I Love It” and I can’t see any reason why it won’t be huge all summer.

Alvin Risk is my favorite electronic artist right now, I caught a ton of buzz about him at Ultra this year, he has a sick live show and has just been turning out consistent great tracks.

I’m labelmates with a group called Solidisco that I’ve been playing out all the time, they make amazing house/electro remakes of disco and r&b tracks that’s a perfect NYC summer dance soundtrack.

What are 3 things most people don’t know about you? 

- A lot of people don’t know I’m originally from Hawaii, since I live in NYC now and Silver Medallion first found success in Arizona, but I grew up way into the reggae and beach life, and all the good things that come with it.

The tour kicks off in 3 days starting at the Museo de la Moda in Santiago, Chile and then takes a run around South America, Europe, and Asia.  Some items featured include Jackson’s Captain EO shirt, his black spandex Scream music video outfit, and the 1980′s BAD Tour breakaway suit.  What do you think the highest bid will be?

Santigold

Santigold is performing tonight on your computer screen. Samsung Mobile presents a livestream concert to celebrate their 5 millionth Facebook fan. If you’ve ever seen Santigold perform, you know to expect super bass, crowd interaction and amazing dancing. The actual concert will be held at Irving Plaza but is a closed event. To tune in to the concert tonight, join here. If you must see her live, take note.

Monday May 14, 8 pm.

Regina Spektor

Her voice leaves broken hea-ea-earts everywhere, and tonight she will be performing songs from her latest What We Saw From the Cheap Seats album. Book now so you don’t have to see from the cheap seats.

Tuesday May 15, 7:30 pm. United Palace Theatre, 4140 Broadway, New York. 212.568.6703

The Blow

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from this Brooklyn-based musician. The new album is in the works, sans her former partner, but you can be the first to hear some  new songs this week.

Wednesday May 16, 9:30pm. Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street, New York. 212.260.4700

Ingrid Michaelson

The indie-pop singer-songwriter is here to celebrate the fact she is Human Again with a concert at Terminal 5. Listen to tracks from the Human Again album here so you can sing along at the show.

Thursday May 17, 7pm. Terminal 5, 610 W 56 Street (between 11th and 12th avenues), New York. 212.582.6600.

Iggy Azalea

The Australian rapper is coming to the 212 to prepare fans for her upcoming album The New Classic. Maybe her fellow female rapper Azealia Banks will stop in for an appearance.

Thursday May 17, 9:30pm. S.O.B.’s, 204 Varick Street, New York. 212.243.4940

Gentleman Brawlers

The Brooklyn-based indie rock band will celebrate the launch of their new single “I Ain’t No Brian Wilson (I Was Made For These Times)” on the Occupy This album. The concert will be an over-the-top, 1% themed extravaganza featuring opening acts Zebros, Captain Skyhawk and Ponyhof. Come in The Hunger Games Capitol-inspired attire, and you could win a prize.

Friday May 18, 9pm. The Suffolk, 107 Suffolk Street (between Delancey St and Rivington St), New York. 212.982.5008

What shows are your must-sees in NYC this week?

We've written about these dapper Brits before and we're including them again in this roundup. These kids have taken America by storm & are the first UK band to have their first album reach #1 on top of the US charts. As far as style they keep it clean and tailored.

Slightly older than the boys of One Direction, The Wanted is also a UK import. You probably know them from the song you won't be able to get away from this summer, "Glad You Came." When it comes to fashion they take a more laid back approach that any 20 something year old guy should emulate.

If you don't know BTR then you either 1) Aren't close with a preteeen and/or 2) You don't watch Nickelodeon. (I'd envy you on both counts.) They are basically this decade's *NSYNC or Backstreet Boys since they actually dance. (Or attempt to) Think of them as four Justin Biebers.

These Jersey boys were the only boy band around 3 years ago & have kept their momentum strong with solo projects. If you ask us they are the best dressed on this list.

At first glance you might be thinking who the hell let 4th graders form international boy bands but this group has even won my vote. (Something very hard to attain, mind you.) Their style can best be summed up as matchy hip hop chic aka the best thing for a boy band to be.

3 things that describe your style: 

Michael Jackson, Paris Circa 1986, Ralph Lifshitz (Ralph Lauren)

What is Bow Ties & Good Times all about?: 

It’s basically a journal of things that my friends and I love.  I don’t like to use the term “blog”; it’s less about reading and more about sharing important information in a short period of time. It’s to the point, interesting. My goal is for people to get something out of it. Not trying to be pretentious, it’s a journal of things that my friends and I want to share with the world, but we don’t want the readers to change who they are. We just want to share information quickly, so that’s why I chose Tumblr.

 Playlist of 5 fave songs this week and why you picked them: 

1. Slight Work - By Wale and Big Sean because it’s a great production by Diplo.

2. You’re in my System by The System because it’s an 80′s record and the cords are amazing.

3. I’m in Love by Evelyn “Champagne” King because she was born in the Bronx and it was produced by Kashif

4.  Moves like Jagger by Maroon 5 because I saw the video and he’s really dancing like Jagger, plus the melody is really great.

5. 2 Guys in Venice - Cookies because it samples I Found Loving by the Fatback Band.

 What’s your most treasured fashion item?: 

Right now it’s my Phillip Lim motorcycle leather jacket.

 Who are your style idols?:

Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Taz Arnold, Steve McQueen and Rick James.

 

I got the Versace for H&M leather jacket.

Last actual fashion last item you bought?: 

Surface To Air fedora

-How would you describe your blog in a few words?
Quirky downtown NYC.

-When and how did StyleDefinedNYC begin?
It began almost 3 years ago. I was a big fan of Scott Schulman/the Sartorialist but felt like he wasn’t
seeing “my New York” that is a bit more urban than urbane and has a strong nightlife streak. So I decided
to start my own blog!

-What is your favorite part about StyleDefinedNYC?
Sharing my experience of New York City with everyone else. I grew up at the end of the “club kid”
era and I love giving props to the nightlife peeps and their personal style. At the same time I’m a big fan of
emerging designers so have expanded to include a new section called UP|Coming that profiles them and
that I’m really excited about.

What is the hardest part of StyleDefinedNYC?

Staying true to my vision. I get tons of requests from PR companies to cover their events or products and
I have to be really careful about what I agree to write about. It’s also really important to me to have
all original content –not just grab things from other websites.

Three favorite Fall 2011 must have items in your closet right now?

I’m kind of obsessed with outerwear at the moment, so I’d say a black leather vest with an
asymmetrical hem and big faux fur collar -it’s “instant glam”, a cropped and boxy vintage leopard coat and a
black wool Alexander Wang coat.

-What is the best moment so far that you have experienced as a fashion blogger?

Well the best opportunity that came from blogging happened last summer: J&B Whiskey was having a party in Madrid with a theme of the Manhattan cocktail. They invited me over as an “iconic New Yorker” and had my photos blown up wall sized for the party. I am far from iconic, but it was an amazing experience! That’s one big event. But in smaller ways it’s the daily connecting to different people. I’ve met so many really amazing people simply by taking their photo and I feel I can go pretty much anywhere and see people I know, now.

-Do you have any favorite fashion/ photographer muses at the moment?

My two favorite fashion photographers are Steven Meisel –whose ongoing work with Italian Vogue is off the charts– and David Lachappelle. David doesn’t do fashion so much anymore but he has a great eye for the whole photo and really plays with color in a brilliant way.

- What advice would you give to an aspiring street style blogger?

Decide on a particular “angle” that will make you unique. Advanced Style does this really well! There are so many street style sites and sites that allow people to submit their own images that you have to figure out a point of view. Alternatively maybe you can contact a fashion or style site that doesn’t have streetstyle and offer your services as the street style photographer. That could give you experience and exposure. Finally, you can’t afford to be shy – but if you are just keep doing it and work through it!

-What music are you currently listening to on your iPod?

I have given up the iPod for Pandora and am a total Pandora junkie. Right now I’m switching between
a station I made called “Katya Chills” which is an electric mix of my favorites like Thievery Corporation,
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and old classic bands like The Talking Heads on it and a Jazz Standards station that
plays Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

-As a street style documenter, what part of NYC would you say has the best style?

Well since I kind of focus on nightlife style I’d say currently I love some of the style I’m seeing at ZigZag – thursdays at Le Bain- but this is always changing up!

-How would you describe your personal style?
Constantly evolving! I am a platform heel addict because I need the height and I prefer jeans –either
skinny or super wide– to skirts or dress although there are exceptions. I recently went to the Daphne Guiness’ exhibit at FIT and found it utterly inspiring. I’d love to be able to dress like her, but since that’s not practical it has inspired me to eliminate t-shirts from my wardrobe. They’re sooo boring!

-Where do you see your blog 5 years from now?

Five years?!? I’m not sure! But I’m interested in pushing the photography angle further. I’d love to do shoots
with some of my favorite nightlife people that are a bit more controlled as well as shooting lookbooks for designers and adding video to the repertoire. But above all I’d like it to be a little time capsule of downtown New York fashion and style.

Make sure to follow more inspirations by Katya on Twitter! @Katya_NYC and check out some original first hand glimps at the street style in New York City on StyleDefinedNYC

Coast: California

The Women: Dee-Dee (vocals, guitar) Jules (guitar, vocals) Bambi (bass, vocals) Sandy (drums, vocals)

Dum Dum Style-ism: Some where along the lines of a modern day 60′s “It” girl meets a twisted Blair Waldorf gone rogue, and don’t forget to add a hint of an all black wardrobe. From their golden child collection of must-have tights, matched with the combination of lace, leather, collars, and wit, I bet you can’t help but love their almost wild child status. Not to mention, their songs top it all.

Alumbs: I Will Be LP, HoZac (First Pressing), Sub Pop, 2010/  Only in Dreams LP, Sub Pop, 2011

Sound like: The Vivian Girls

Genre: Indie Pop

A Video Taste: The Dum Dum Girls- Bhang, Bhang, I’m A Burnout

Follow: @dumdumgirls

From adderall slinger to internet sensation to record deal rapper, new pop culture icon Kreayshawn further cements her image on the new cover of i-D magazine.  Her ovary pumping swag (her words, not ours) is captured above via two toned hair, gold star emblazoned eyelashes, finger tattoos, and a triple toned leopard print manicure.  All bad ass you say? We thinks a not.  Her Debbie Harry haircut, ski slope wardrobe, and constant cat references (Gucci Gucci ends with a meow and refers to catnip, kitty cats, and kitty litter), however vile they may be, make us think that she’ll grow out of her rapper phase and turn into one crazy cat lady.  Either way, we are having a love affair with her right now so…here’s a style slideshow!

Downloadable DJ mixes are a godsend because 1. They’re about an hour of solid music, a no brainer on our end, and 2. It’s actually illegal for them to charge you money for other people’s music. Erego, FREE LEGAL MUSIC!  Hey, DJ pump that party, FashionIndie style.

We’ve been cranking your boom box all year with the FashionIndie Mixtape Series, and we tempt you with Volume 3 on every page of this website (see the play button over cleavage to the right). Did you miss the first two volumes? Not to worry ye fresh Indie. Just go to the our Soundcloud channel and load up. That’s 3 hours of seamless jams for you and yours.

Don’t thank us, thank DJ Chachi.

Okay, you can thank us, too.

No really, it’s our pleasure.

Happy listening.

That’s right, I’m a photographer, covering a very prominent part of our culture. I shoot nightlife — and what aspect of our society is more riddled with crazy fashion than nightlife – it’s our time to shine – strip off those work clothes (for those of us who have jobs) and hit the town to get fucked up.

(That’s me on the right in the coon skin hat along with my buddies Jesse Marco & DJ Sinatra.)

And so because of my excessive drinking and creeping on hot chicks, FashionIndie and I have teamed up to bring you a sorta-weekly blog that I call: Pretty & Plastered! (which for argument’s sake may not always contain plastered people, but will ALWAYS contain pretty people)

I will admit I am very biased, I like my girls hot & clothing optional… so brace yourself!

PS – Don’t expect me to comment on the photos like every other lame blogger does. Look at the photos for yourself and form your ideas – I’m not here to insult your intelligence. And so without further adieu…

Pretty & Plastered: The following photos were all taken at SL East in the Hamptons excluding the few day/bedroom shots:

View all photos at www.kirillwashere.com and follow me on twitter @KirillWasHere!

Gaga took to Facebook last night to tell all her Monsters what Fashion of His Love is truly about.

One of the more literal lyrics include: “I’m physically crafted to be as fitting as McQueen.” The song proves to be a little more than another electro pop love anthem,

The day has come–FashionIndie Mixtape Volume 3 has arrived!  Spread the word, download the mix, have a dance party with yourself, listen to on repeat until your ears bleed, then go into the archives and listen to Volume 1 and Volume 2.  To get it, just go to the FashionIndie.com home page, pan over the image on the right, and click download, no strings attached! 

Thank you for all the great responses, requests, and incredible feedback on our mixtape series.  Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to provide you with all this amazing free music by DJ Chachi.

Sorry about the glitch in our mixtape download!  We’ve got your messages and are working on it but in the mean time, if you’re wanting to download the link, head over to DJ Chachi’s website and get FashionIndie Volume 1 AND Volume 2. As always, the hour long mixes are fun and totally free, so please enjoy, spread the word, and we should be up streaming it on the site soon!

xx

The FashionIndie family

Follow me @JessicaLapidos as I tweet from the fitting room floor. First stop: Timo Weiland. From there I’m taking him on a high-low fashion exploration. Come along to see what I’m talking about.

In the meantime, enjoy this live performance of “Drenched” by The Heavy Pets. Their look here shows me they’re ready.

Can they evolve to be one of the future Best Dressed Man Bands?

It isn’t apparent that Ke$ha wrote Britney’s second single off seventh studio album Femme Fatale, which is a very good thing.

So good in fact, that Ke$ha should just halt her career as a singer and join Dr. Luke’s camp as a song-writer since she seems to put much more effort into the careers of others than her own.   Britney has always been known for implementing fun slang and quotable lyrics. This time around “If you want this good ish/ Sicker than the remix ,” fits in very well with today’s culture.  Thank you, Ke$ha.  The verses and hook show off an impressive never-before-heard vocal delivery until it gets drowned in a chopped and screwed chorus that really just concludes the chopped-and-screwed thing is getting as played out as dubstep. But it’s fine… She redeems herself with an infectious Middle 8 over a classic Britney sugar-coated dance beat you just can’t deny.  Voila, power-pop anthem. “Till The World Ends,” is going to smash parties all around the galaxy. “WOAH OH-OH-OH-OH- AHHHH…”

LINKLOVE: ALEX KAZEMI

*Bands. No solo acts were considered for this list. Or we all know Bowie would be up here.

#10 - NIRVANA

Kurt Cobain embodies the grunge revolution of the nineties. He synced the music to the laying low layered baggy flannel I-couldn’t-care-less look. It was an anti-fashion statement, a call to his own philosophy with reckless comfort, and thus it became fashion.

#9 – GUNS N ROSES

Of the glam metal hair bands that existed in thick of the eighties, Axel Rose and his lusciously locked bandmates were some of the most authentic in the genre. Their punk tinged solid rocker look made their shaggy manes manly. Power leather, head banging bandanas, faded shrunken graphic tees and hand cut effects complement their genuine rockstar songs.

#8 THE KILLERS

The intrinsic cool of Brandon Flowers emanates throughout The Killers. They create the kind of music that so easily sounds contrived when attempted by others, and the same goes for their look. Their polished quality with major statement, like feather shoulders or fur jackets, embodies both music and style in the best light.

#7 – OUTKAST

Big Boi keeps it hood. André 3000 blasts it into the future while tossing around a twenties vibe. He raised his waistline when no one else did and created mayhem with his look in “Hey Ya!” Their music is as smooth and superfast-paced as their appearance.

#6 – THE CLASH

As key players in the original wave of British punk, their shredded, zipped and right tight aesthetic weighed heavily in the formation of the genre. Their politically driven lyrics are backed by their F-you look and general badassery.

#5 – MGMT

This psych rock group from the here and now is a major reason that American Apparel stocked its shelves with blinding neon. Their exceptional style leads Andrew VanWyngarden and Benjamin Goldwasser to experimentation and wild inspiration. For instance, on their website a fan asks, “What inspired the fashion choice for Lolla[palooza] in Grant Park? You looked pretty hot in those jackets. (In every sense of the word.) Amazing.” Andrew’s answer? Quite amazing indeed.

#4 – LED ZEPPELIN

Gah, it’s effortless. The unbuttoned bare chested sexiness of Robert Plant is only upped by the fur collared leather trench of John Bohnam, complemented by the multi-tonal jacket on John Paul Jones and completed by Jimmy Page‘s slick tweed. Their ever present style had the same air as their music; the loudest, most soulful wails and riffs and rips always rode the chillest undercurrent.

#3 – JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE

Jimi Hendrix dressed like the psychedelic royalty he was. Purple and mind altering patterns enwrapped him as he lit guitars on fire, shredded it with his teeth, and as LSD dripped down from the scarf tied around his head (allegedly). The Experience was a spectacle; heady music enhanced tenfold by the showmanship of Hendrix.

#2 – THE ROLLING STONES

The Stones are the greatest vaudeville act of all time, never ceasing. Clothing slings on their rockstar bodies with ease, as does some of the greatest rock and roll ever performed pour out of them. They started out, much like The Beatles and every early British Invasion band thereafter in straight suits and matching haircuts. With time and money they evolved into wearing spectacle-worthy designer pieces like Mick Jagger’s Prada cock feather fedora or these pants. Keith Richards sparked the eyeliner earringed look that Johnny Depp so famously adopted for Captain Jack Sparrow. Undeniable sex appeal lies as much in their music as in style of larger than life, gender bending (yet deeply masculine) cool. And they’re still at it now.

#1 – THE BEATLES

The boys who brought rock and roll to the masses went through a series of evolutions in their seven years as a band. They began clean cut and mop topped, singing sweet yet earth shaking songs of holding hands, sharing secrets, twisting and shouting above the echoing shrieks and screams of crazed fans across the globe.  Always the epitome of class, they experimented with the finest suiting in the world, and it was Pierre Cardin who introduced them to the Indian Nehru jacket. Once they receded from the touring spotlight, they blossomed further as style icons. Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour brought psychedelia to the forefront with neon military regalia, wild paisleys, beads, thin chains, moustaches and acid. Onto The White Album, which they wrote most of while practicing transcendental meditation in an ashram, they developed further spiritually and grew into newer versions of themselves. John Lennon was looking more like Jesus every day, and solidifying his round spectacle staple. Paul McCartney kept charmingly classy, now paring back the brights. George Harrison grew ever more spiritual, keeping a relaxed finery about him. Ringo was actually the most fashionably daring of the four, hamming up the giant rings and divinely accessorizing. The Beatles were indisputable trendsetters as their image and sound transformed through time, transforming the world around them.

The  Pretty Reckless always put on a great show and this one is no different.  Momsen has been known to wear pretty provocative and outrageous outfits on stage and last night definitely proved it as she shook and swayed herself on staging wearing sky high goth boots and a see through nightie.

I’ll will say the girl has guts.

LINKLOVE:  ALEX KAZEMI

If you prefer your pop in a Jeremy Scott adidas sweatshirt, then meet Interscope’s best kept secret KAY.

She can croon like one of the TLC girls on any baby “Hollaback Girl”  track cooked up by pop dudes Ryan Tedder & Evan Bogart. (My Name Is K.A.Y)   But she can also get sparkly and ravey on a Tiesto track. ( Work Hard,  Play Hard)

You can download  ”My Name is K.A.Y” exclusively on her Facebook page right here!

Kay’s debut record is due out later this year.

Photo courtesy of coverlandia

Bieber is not a little girl anymore! Though the teen star might be years from a mustache, his face is clearly losing baby fat in exchange for man-reminiscent cheekbones.

Look out, Selena Gomez. Bieber is used to getting what he wants. And with newfound testosterone pumping though his veins, Bieber’s likely to pounce on Gomez’s back like a lion dominating an antelope.

STEP 1. Follow @FashionIndie on Twitter.

STEP 2. Send us a Tweet – 140 characters or less, of course – telling us what you like most about our Fashion Indie Mix Tape. (Be creative! Write a poem. Use alliteration. Include Puns. Be witty!)

Step 3. WIN MUSIC.

Because Sonorasaurus Rex contains everything you need, it lets you carry your turntables, mixer and music library all on one device, without either the cost and bulk of professional hardware equipment. Regardless of your skill level as a deejay, pro or amateur, its great to have a deejay solution right in your palms. After all, Sonorasaurus Rex is a lot lighter than most equipment and costs hundreds of dollars less.

Check out the video tutorial below:

For more info on the  Sonorasaurus Rex check out their website here.

In the year 2010, there might not have been a time in your life where you didn’t hear or see the following lyrics:

“Poppin bottles in the ice, like a blizzard when we drink, we do it right, gettin slizzard/ Sippin sizzurp in my ride, like Three 6/ Now I’m feelin so fly like a G6?

Your first instinct may be “What the fuck does Slizzard mean and is a G6 some type of car?” It then goes to “I need this song as my ring tone right now” and “I need to spam my BBM status with these lyrics, oh my god! So hip!”

After your mind goes through that, oh so intense process, you draw back and think about something else. Who the hell is that girl singing the hook?

Well on your iTunes purchase receipt it says “DEV” and that’s who it is, it’s not Uffie and no it’s not Ke$ha. It’s DEV. Well who is DEV? Pop class begins….

DEV is a singer/songwriter, discovered by LA Valley-boy group “The Cataracs.” To some that C-word might just be any other Snoop Dog lyric, but to others it may be the name of the group that is brewing up all the youthful pop music that today’s radio stations, iPods and Facebook statuses are screaming for; basically brain-washing teens with fetch lingo and simple beats that will live in your brain. The same things Dr. Luke & Max Martin did in the late 90s to early 2000s with Britney, N*SYNC and The Backstreet-Boys. Coming strong with her recent Billboard hot 100 debut “Bass Down Low,” The Cataracs’ self-proclaimed “mainstream top 40 revolutionizing muse” is ready to use her debut album to tell listeners that she is really more than just the “G6? girl. Before even going into writing/producing this album, she is coming off headstrong as ever with creative ideas employed by executive producers & non-stop collaborators “The Cataracs.” Just coming back from studio sessions with 50 Cent & Travis Barker and getting ready to fly to Costa Rica to begin her debut album sessions. I decided to call her up to find out what the whole “G6 movement” is about and how annoying it is to be only known as the “G6 girl.”  When a pen, a paper and a Universal Republic contract seems to be living proof, she is so much more than that.

Dev: Hi Alex.

Alex Kazemi:  Hey Dev, where are you right now?

Dev: I’m good, in Florida!

Kazemi: Touring?

DEV: Yeah, Just wrapped up the tour and then I’m playing a show in Canada on the 20th.

Kazemi:  Exciting, so I don’t know how this works. You were a professional Olympic swimmer, swimming all your life and then one day you just decide to sing the hook to one of the biggest pop songs of the year 2010 “Like A G6.”  Does California Valley boy production duo “The Cataracs”  have anything to do with this decision and transition? Two S’s, swimmer to singer.

DEV:   I was a swimmer for a long time and I guess I was pissed off because of my ex boyfriend’s new girlfriend, you know when your young and aggressive..  I decided put up this song on MySpace. MySpace was the place to be at the time, you know I recorded a song off my MacBook, it was basically a “diss track” and I didn’t expect anything out of it? It was just to make me feel good like how music should but Niles came across of my page and was really  into my voice and they kind of got me into singing and opened up my eyes to business opportunities.  I didn’t know we’d ever be connoisseur’s of party pop like “G6? and “Bass Down Low” when we first met up and now we live with each other in LA and are on some real shit! [Laughs]

Kazemi: Real shit eh? How do you three sort out ideas as a constant collaborative group, what is a typical session like with DEV, Niles & Dave (The Cataracs.)

DEV:  Were all completely random, unique and weird individuals that make each session very different and complicated in a way. It really depends, some times the boys will come to me and say “I’ve been wanting to do this song but this is more of a DEV track” and from there Niles will show me the beat and me and David will come up with lyrics or some times I go to them when I have written some sort of idea and they will help me elaborate on it to the point where we can have a song.  Its great having their two minds and two different personalities and it’s great that I live with them.

Kazemi:  I assume they will be executive producing your whole album?

DEV:  You assumed right! We’re going to go to Costa Rica for a month and lock ourselves in this incredible beach house and do my whole album together. Producing and writing, I couldn’t have asked for better people to work with on my album.

Kazemi: The Cataracs are really geniuses when it comes to the Dr. Luke formulaic sound that the audience of this generation wants to hear but will any other additional song-writer/producers be flying out to Costa Rica for the debut?

DEV: I might work with some people,  I’ve been contacted by a couple people that you might know of but it’s hard to say of right now but I think me and The Cataracs are on a really good streak right now and it’s not intentional. “G6? was not planned, nothing has been planned and it’s always been really natural and I think were going into this album with the natural mindset we’ve gone into with any other session. If any of the producers really want me to come out and fly from Costa Rica, maybe I will but as of now I’m focusing on working with The Cataracs for the time being in Costa Rica.

We’ll see, I guess?

Kazemi:  I think working with other producers isn’t a bad idea. You are becoming notoriously known as the hook-girl, you just reprised that role on a track on the new 50 Cent record, did your voices collide and compliment each other?

DEV: YES! Oh my god, it’s so cute! I was so excited because I’m such a big 50 fan. I remember when “In Da Club” came out and being obsessed with it! The track is really cool; our voices definitely complimented each other in the bridge.  The coolest thing about this was it was over a Cataracs beat and that was really comforting. The roughness of his voice contrasted really nicely with my little soft voice. It was dope.

Kazemi: Travis Barker and yourself were in the same studio, did you guys happen to cut anything?

DEV: We did! I actually got on one of his songs that will possibly be put out on the album he’s working on.

I’m on the hook with a song that has verses from E-40, Snoop & Ludacris. He liked it enough, kept it and hopefully is  out on the album. It was really cool as well, same kind of situation with 50. I had a big poster of Travis on my wall and I was obsessed with Blink.

Kazemi:  That’s fandom at its best, what was the story with “Booty Bounce” and “G6? were they produced and written around the same time? Whose idea was it to use the ” Like A G6 ” hook from “Booty Bounce” for the final track “Like A G6.”

DEV:  They were made in the same summer; it was a time where The Cataracs and myself were grinding it out in the studio pretty tough together. We made a bunch of simplistic random tracks, the sounds are similar and I can understand why you thought they were made around the same time. It was a really cool phase, swagging it out basically and telling the world we were the shit! Super sassy tracks, it was actually The Cataracs idea to take the bridge of Booty Bounce and put it over “G6.” The bridge became a hook basically.

Kazemi: Did you write this bridge/hook?

DEV: No, The Cataracs & Myself did it together, we were all kind of sitting down and I had to approve it before I sang it. They approached me like any other time they have written lyrics they thought I’d like and I was obviously down, that beat was amazing and to switch it from “Booty Bounce” to “G6? was not a problem for me. Everybody thought it was a great idea and we swung with it.

Kazemi: On the topic of Lyricism was the line ” And we sip champagne when we thirsty” from “Bass Down Low” a tribute to the Biggie classic “Juicy.”

DEV: It was a tribute to the big poppa, yes.

Kazemi: I think this needs to be said, it’s going to be hard drifting from being the “Like A G6? girl and its going to take time but what do you think will isolate you from that tile music wise. On the debut album, will there be a balance of icy pop songs like “Bass Down Low” but then other material that could be seen as different and could be the DEV-edge, DEv- aesthetic. Your own sound that could make people thinks differently.

DEV: You are the coolest dude in the world.

Kazemi: Thank You.

DEV:  Your Welcome!

So yes, thankfully “G6? gave me enough attention and it gave me a good amount of success and obviously has put me on the pop music scene, it’s a good time to push my music to more people rather then before when a demo would only have a couple thousand hits on MySpace. I’m playing bigger shows, traveling different places but with that,  it comes to the point where people put me in a box and everyone says “Wow, is that all she can do?” People should be more curious, my voice is weird and it is capable of things and that hook everyone knows from “G6? has given me a lot of attention but not too much. I’m confident in The Cataracs and myself that this album is going to speak for its self and I won’t just be known as the “G6? girl.  Pop songs with the feel of “Bass Down Low” will be included but I grew up being into helluva different music! I know that my intricate influences and The Cataracs simple influences are going to come out on this album as one.  Typical pop music is not what I am only good at doing; I have a lot of ideas and hip-hop influence records, some electro ballads. I’m really excited for it; my sound is going to come out. I think when my album is out people aren’t going to say “So did you hear The G6 girl has an album?” It’s going to be “I just bought DEV’s album on ITunes and it’s sick as fuck.”

Wait till April bitch!!!

Kazemi: [laughs] Every artist gets compared and I was wondering what it’s like being a white girl coming up on the scene who has saliva and can spit on a microphone and then is all of a sudden  sinked  towards more mainstream artists like Uffie and Ke$ha.  Every-time you hear a white girl rapping on the radio, an avid mainstream music listener will say “Like, Oh my god! What a Ke$ha wannabe.”

Who the fuck is DEV? Why isn’t she Uffie & Ke$ha?

DEV: I just feel that I have a lot more to say and the ability to have an eclectic sound, a very diverse pop album. I’m not bashing either artist, but I’m going to be able to give you a little bit more then what you’ve heard on those record. When my album comes out, hopefully I won’t have to hear another reference or comparison.  I am such a brat, I don’t want to be compared to anyone, I don’t care if it’s the greatest person in the world. Fuck it.    Both artists are cool but whatever, wait till April.

You know what I’m saying Kazemi?

Kazemi: I’m on it, I think.  Would you ever want to pen songs for any other pop artists, outside song writing?

DEV: I think when the time comes; I’m focusing on DEV right now. My energy is on finishing touring and making the best pop album I can. I plan to explore my artistry after this record is done and when I’m taking a break right before the sessions for the next record.

Kazemi:  Are you a morning or night writer?

DEV: I write the best from 4AM to 6AM, it’s super strange but this is going to sound really stupid but I use to have swim practice at 6AM.  I think all my energy is use to that hour and my mind can function the best at the hour from practice.

Kazemi:  That’s a fair change of workout. Alcohol, Sex and gossip and every element a youth talks about in there personal conversations is kind of translated in the pop music today, when you write do you feel you have to cater to this and join the whole “fuck yah partying, fake ID and underage sex” pop song movement.

DEV:  I personally don’t go into songs thinking about all of the misfits and each social clique at high school who will be into my song. The Cataracs are really good at doing that and they will know when to calm me down. I’m not going to be the one who says “Everybody underage get drunk and go fuck people!!”

I am not going to say that in a song, I feel like I can say a bit more then that but I know the teens are down with it and they want to hear words like “slizzard.”

The boys and me have that under control but listeners should understand music is self-expression and don’t take anything too seriously. In 2011 The Cataracs and myself have the ability to change the game, blend the music world by providing the weird California swag and sound were on.  The sounds, The Cataracs & me choose, the lingo we use, and we know what’s up. I feel like a lot of artists try to get there and it’s almost there but the lingo is off, the beats are wrong and I can tell those things because we’ve already started the movement, that  “pop revolution” everyone is talking about.

LINK LOVE: Alex Kazemi

The party was a complete success. The Absolut vodka was flowing, our 60 minute mixtape was playing (shameless plugs) and good times were had by all.

The night was a “I Wear My Sunglasses At Night” theme since Fashion Indie is endorsing blogger Jinna Yang to become Sunglass Hut’s Full Time Fabulous blogger. Jinna brought an array of designer sunglasses while we supplied a bunch of silly ones for people to play around with and take home.

Sunglasses brand Activist Eyewear was also there showing there incredibly chic and functional frames.

To see photos from the event just head over to Lookbooks.com

To hear our lovely mixtape by DJ Chachi all you have to do is head over to the side of the page where those luscious lips are and click play.

Cherrytree recording artist, Colette Carr, has a super cool new blog that everyone should check out.

You can read it here. Also read this great interview of Colette at AlexKazemi.com.

Finally you can download her mixtape here. Happy listening.

Archive 1887 is a brand built on over 120 years of music. The inaugural season consists of t-shirts created from a rich collection of images and artwork of some of the most culturally relevant Artists. The Private Collection from which most of the source material was pulled has material that dates back to 1887 and is arguably one of the most comprehensive music collections in the world. Exclusive access to historic behind-the-scenes photos by music’s legendary photographers like Jim Marshall and Mick Rock, combined with amazing album artwork, posters, ticket stubs and other relics; Archive 1887 has created a line of wearable pieces of history which embody the vibe and spirit of the time.

To win one of these shirts tweet @fashionindie with your favorite band of all time!

Having just completed her first full European tour with Kelis she will resume touring this Fall but this time with pop pixie Robyn in North America. Natalia’s forthcoming album “The Perfectionist” will be making a quick pit stop in record stores all around the world this January. In December of 2009, she released hype track “Zombie” that was employed with vampiric lyrics and an intriguing beat, which created massive Internet buzz. In early 2010 her “LoveKills” series hit the Internet via her label’s Vevo that gave us a visual look inside Natalia’s mind and ideas.  Months later “Activate My Heart” and leading single “Mirrors” dropped along with an album track listing with exciting credits from Dr. Dre’s prodigy and super pop producer Fernando Garibay.  With all the anticipation for her debut record I had decided to call up Natalia hours before her Pop Justice x CMJ event where she would perform samples from her new album exclusively for one night only.  It’s safe to say, she is ready to kill.

Alex Kazemi:   Hi Natalia, How are you?

Natalia Kills:  Hi! I’m fine, thank you! How are you?

Kazemi: I’m good!  I know you just got off tour with Kelis. How was it performing the new material?

Natalia Kills:  It’s wonderful! A few of my song leaked but it actually worked out to be a good thing because people were singing along right from the beginning to the end of the show. It’s really nice to be discovered and to be able to create a world that I can really invite people into in a live environment. It’s brilliant!

Kazemi: Ah yes! I saw some of your songs leaked, I really refuse to listen because I usually wait for the album. How do you feel about what the whole music industry has come to with this whole viral epidemic?

Natalia Kills: I think it’s wonderful, I feel that the world is acting so immediately to everything that we should be more appreciative of what’s going on. It’s amazing to me that I can express myself on something like Twitter and five thousand people (my followers) can tell me their opinion and give me their thoughts back and then it becomes a much more, personal and intimate relationship that you have with your audience. You become more unified. You get to grow with them and let them express what they like and what they’re enthusiastic about which gives you a good way to directly know what direction to continue in  to make people happy and to keep expressing yourself in the most productive way, I love it.

Kazemi: Isn’t it kind of a facade? Don’t you want them to still buy the music they’re listening too?

Natalia Kills: Yeah…. I guess so!  I don’t make music to make money; I was making albums when I was a waitress… I was literally making songs when I was thirteen, when I didn’t have or need to have job. It’s just my method of expression and this is how I survive by expressing myself and getting all my opinions and frustrations out there in a way that can be celebrated by people who have similar feelings. So for me it goes this way, I simply want people to have my music, if they can’t afford to buy it, I want you to have it anyway.  It is a sad world that we live in that we need money to make things work and if people don’t buy it, it means I’m less likely to have a second album, it’s probably going to take away from a video budget, and the video might not be as good. All the other unfortunate things that go with it, it will be sold in less places, people will hear about it and less people will spend money on marketing it then different countries might not have access to it, it’s a big shame we need money to make music to continue to survive but I want people to listen to my music anyway, regardless. If they choose to listen to illegally, that’s the way they want the music. It’s their decision!  I’m just happy they’re listening to it.

Kazemi: I’m still going to purchases songs and I encourage other people to buy music as well! It’s beautiful how you are so appreciative of people even getting a chance to listen to the music!  I know before the “kills” came into the picture, you were known as “Natalia Capuccini” the MySpace music star who created electro pop music about what a perfect woman would be… I know the robot influence has still stuck, where did you make the transition from being Natalia Cappuccini to Natalia Kills? Was this when you met Will.Iam?

Natalia: I’m so glad you know all of this… It’s funny, it’s really a transition like you said, and it’s not really a change. I made the Womannequin- EP. It was kinda like a demo cd for me and that’s when I met Will.  It was all about the perfect women and it was Electronic and it was pop and that’s exactly what I’m doing now, my album is called “The Perfectionist” and it’s about seeking through the struggle and celebrating the imperfections of life, for example: heartbreak, betrayal, being broke, being lost. That’s exactly what my album is about, now it’s just the evolution from my beginning. My real name is Natalia Cappucini and the kills came into it when I first signed with Cherry Tree and people encouraged me to be extremely direct about who I am, so people immediately get to know me and as perfection. What do you do when you’re looking for the best?

Kazemi: Oh yeah! I get it now [laughs]

Natalia: [laughs] it’s when you want to kill it. Yeah! So it’s Natalia Kills

Kazemi: Did you catch Will when he was working on the Black Eyed Peas record “The E.N.D?” When his whole futuristic/electric inspiration era came in…

Natalia:  Before that. Way before that! It was right after he had done his solo album, after the Fergie album… So before he was going to start working on the Black Eyed Peas album, he had decided he wanted to have a new alias/DJ. He worked on a project called Zuper Blahq, he was really getting into house and electro before it was even that popular. I’d been listening to at the time a lot of Sebastian, Daft Punk and that kind of music and we really just gelled together… My music has a very electronic feel in the moment in a kind of reference Giorgio Romoda. It’s not house music, it’s not even dance music to be honest but it still has a very euphoric feel.

Kazemi: Yeah, the production brings that.

Natalia: Yeah in the production, exactly. It has a drama to it, suspense, and emotion.  That’s how I have interpreted the whole movement me and Will initially met through.

Kazemi:  You met Justin Timberlake and Timbaland too right? Was that for album sessions or only on label terms?

Natalia:   It was on label terms, a lot of artists that are looking to develop and expand into every area of music because they want to give back and they want to see the qualities in new artists that they’ve obviously had in themselves and they want to give fresh people opportunities. Even though it was great, it was wonderful. Timbaland flew me to Miami; we met in London before and hung out there first. Same with Justin Timberlake. It was really nice but when I met Will, I said to myself this is the guy. He’s really not about making a sound for you, he’s about making the sound that already exists within you, so its true to you and unique and personal to you.

Kazemi: Would you say you guys are chemically alike?

Natalia: I believe so; we share the same view point. Music is a celebration and the honesty that exists within all of us and how you want to express it should be the way you approach music. Will loved the party scene, he loved the LA scene that’s how he expresses his music with The Black Eyed Peas and it’s very fun but with me, it’s much darker and at the same it’s still a celebration and still fun in the music but I approach it  in a much more dramatic way!

Kazemi: Yes, the top 40 stuff is nice sometimes but having a break from it is always good.  I am going to be quite honest with you, I was shocked when I found out “Mirrors” was produced by Akon as he does so much generic top 40 stuff, it’s very dark and fresh and exotic and something that was really cleansing to listen to as everything else on the radio sounds the same, same chord progressions, same party-lets-get-fucking-drunk-and-have-sex lyrics. I can’t figure out what the song is about, does it fall into the ‘everyone is a perfectionist’ muse?

Natalia: Being a perfectionist is about vanity and the self obsession and control and I really wanted to express this on the track “Mirrors.”   It’s not just self obsession, its also self critique. When you do have a certain level of self analysis, you know you really want control over everything like a perfectionist does, it can over lap into intimate situations and more hedonistic situations, I really wanted to make a celebration about desire, control and vanity in a song. When I first started working on the song, I was really inspired by the Eurhythmics and when I was expressing that to Akon, we really pushed it in that direction and a lot of people were comparing it to [Natalia sings "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by the Eurhythmics.] It’s very moody.

Kazemi: It takes you to a realm.

Natalia: Yeah! It’s hypnotic but at the same time it’s just me being myself within that parameter, I had a lot of fun with that song.

Kazemi: Was it a bit more explicit in its early stages?

Natalia: Totally! I don’t know if that version leaked but Akon was like “It would be so funny, if this was this lyric.”  Of course, we were having a laugh it was probably 5:30 in the morning, so I was like “Hahaha!  Ok! Why not!”   There is always more provocative versions because you’re in the studio and you’re expressing so quickly. With some of my songs I’ve changed the lyrics fifty  million times because I don’t rest until I’m satisfied  and you know just because I’m a song-writer doesn’t mean I get it right absolutely every single time… So I’m pretty sure, a million versions of everything will eventually explode into the world but that was a really fun moment with Akon, it was just as crazy as possible.

Kazemi: Did you write most of the album during the night?

Natalia: Definitely, I don’t think I can write in the day.

Kazemi:   So the rest of the album must rub off from “Mirrors?”  Lyrically, what inspired you and how did you become obsessed with perfection and how did one word, idea, goal become such a creative galaxy in your dimension?

Natalia:  Wow! Amazing! Well it’s interesting; I just really believe were all perfectionists. You know what it’s like when you’re a kid and your teacher asks you “Oh! What do you want to be when you grow up?” You are told stories and fairy tales, the prince and the princess and the knight fought the battle and the king and the queen and they won and everything is “I want to be an astronaut or I want to be a model.” We are all taught from day one  of our existence to follow an ideal  and good is good and that’s an ideal you should have and evil is bad and you shouldn’t  want to surround yourself around  anything bad.. Crime is bad, marriage and love is good… Don’t be too ambitious or you’ll get disappointed! Don’t try to get an artist job and get a degree and don’t be a singer and move to Hollywood [Laughs.] Were filled with this train of ideas and then were told “Don’t be too idealistic.”  My album and perfectionism is really about all of us, we all want the ideal… You know when you go on a date or you look for a job interview! You really are looking for the best! You go shopping, you don’t want the crappy coat, and you want the fresh coat. You don’t want the crappy shoes that have no style, you want the sick ones. That’s what it is, were all perfectionists were all looking for the ideal. Now the only thing I have to tell you are the album has nothing to do with perfection, perfectionism and perfection are absolutely separate.  It’s about dealing with things that have gone horribly wrong, dealing with struggle in the most perfect way and finding happiness through imperfection, through heartache, through betrayal, through being broke and not being successful. That’s what perfectionism is about to me, finding happiness through the disappointment.

Kazemi: It’s extremely fascinating and exciting! It’s incredible what inspiration can create!    As a debut album your songwriting/producing credits stand out nicely, you have Fernando Garibay covering the super pop, Akon, Jeff Bhasker and Ron Feemster, who did Early 2000 Brandy, the last Michael Jackson record and worked for Dr. Dre covering the R&B light. Working on this album, did you go into the project intentionally knowing you would oblige from having all these different sounds on one record or did it happen organically?

Natalia: I don’t know if you know I don’t just write my own songs, I co produce. So when I went into the studio with all these producers, I played exactly how I needed my sound to be like. What was wonderful is that they are all incredible musicians as well as incredible producers. So, they literally interpreted my idea in their most expressive way, the album only has one sound and that’s the Natalia Kills sound, it’s my sound. It’s because when we working on the music, everyone gave their own interpretation of their experience of being in my presence, working with me and being friends with me and laughing… I knew what I wanted and I was very specific, it’s my sound and it has to be dramatic and suspenseful, it’s inspired by film, Kate Bush, Queen, Depeche Mode. Everything, even rock bands Hendrix, Sex Pistol… When I went in the studio and had the opportunity to really explain to people my specific desires, they really did a wonderful job on interoperating a vision and sound that was created together!

Kazemi: What do you want a listener to get out of listening to your music? Do you want them to become robots and start to think that someone needs to activate someones heart; boys are zombies, mirrors cracks? If someone who has never heard of your music and they listen to it, what would you want their first impression and thought in their mind to be?

Natalia:  My music is honest, it’s a celebration of every situation and every emotion and that’s how I want people to feel. I don’t want people to feel like “Oh I can only be happy and dance to a dance track that’s talking about I’m drinking in a club and taking shots and shaking my body.” I want people to dance through the pain and through the suffering and if you don’t even have money to buy a drink, you are still dancing and having fun through that. It’s not necessarily about dancing; it’s about enjoyment and relating.  So, for my music it’s really about a celebration of everything! “Love Is A Suicide!”  The darkness of wonderland, the hedonism of mirrors, it’s about being able to celebrate every-situation. The heartbreak, the defeat, the disappointment, the betrayal and being able to really fist pump and dance through that!

Catch Natalia on tour with Robyn this fall:

11/5 – The Fillmore in Miami Beach, FL
11/6 – Club Firestone in Orlando, FL
11/7 – The Ritza Ybor in Tampa,FL
11/8 – Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, GA
11/10 – Terminal 5 in New York, NY
11/12 – The Sound Academy in Toronto, ON
11/13 – Metro in Chicago, IL
11/14 – Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis, MN
11/17 – Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA
11/19 – Venue Vancouver in Vancouver, BC
11/20 – Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR
11/21 – Neumos in Seattle, WA
11/23 – The Warfield in San Francisco, CA

and buy her Remix EP of her debut single, Mirrors, on iTunes tomorrow.

LINK LOVE: Alex Kazemi

Getting the fashion show treatment are Andre 3000, Bob Dylan, Brandon Flowers, Chet Baker, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Johnny Cash, Kanye West, KISS, Kurt Cobain, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Pete Doherty, Pharrell Williams, Prince, Run DMC, The Beatles and The Ramones.

Can you match the icon to the outfit? (Okay, it’s a wee bit of a stretch to call Brandon Flowers an icon. He’s really just a dude in a suit, but he sure wears it well!)

Link Love: Moxy Creative’s Ensemble

This week I thought I’d share some of my favorite looks by Rebecca Minkoff.  She’s such a talented designer and makes really beautiful, edgy pieces perfect for day to night looks.

I love how her handbags are made of such gorgeous leather and made cool with heavy hardware like bronzed zippers and metal studs!  Her jackets are really great too, the motorcycle jacket and cape (seen in the gallery below) are going to keep me stylish and warm all winter.

Definitely a look I’d rock to classes or to performances at The Red Lion, Minkoff’s bags just fit my life in the right way. Love her and hope one day I’ll be able to meet her in person.

LINK:http://revesmecaniques.blogspot.com/2010/09/daily-affirmation_24.html