Charity Case

In these dark economic times, oh who am i kidding, in your early twenties the allure of the thrift store has never seemed greater. The stench of decrepit size 20 t-shirts, dust and cheap air freshener becomes strangely comforting, the gamble of finding a gem increasingly additive.
if you're anything like me the arduous ritual of sifting through the vinyl box often degenerates in to nothing more than a 'flash card' exorcise starring James Last.
It's not often i walk away with a plastic carrier bulging with cut-price Vinyl. With such an eclectic mix spanning generations how can you possible sift the grain from the chaff? Should you judge a record by it's sleeve?

This thrift Shop record roulette has spawned one of he most fascinating music documentaries of the last few years. The project executed by Dublab with assistance from Stones Throw sees four L.A.-based beat-makers, each with their own distinctive style, sent into local thrift shops in search of five used records (apiece) that they'd subsequently use to craft four brand new songs. 5 Dollars, No drum machines, instruments or synths; Make Do and Mend.

The process is documented start to finish although it's the journey itself that's most captivating. Each documents the very personal process of sifting through the vast piles of unloved records as we join them through the highs (Useful Lounge covers of rock classics) and the lows (Streisand after Streisand),

Well, that's all well and good but surely anyone can fashion a Glee Friendly mash-up of 'Memories' and 'Smoke On the Water'. Here these beat masters show they're truly at the top of their game, artfully dissecting each drum beat, riff and vocal to produce a track which perfectly captures the essence of their own personal style.

J. Rocc carves himself a laid back, funk-fueled rap beat from the most bizarre of sources. Poo-Bah Records' Ras G turns in a skittering raga jam that plays with loops and clunky keys whilst Ninjatune producer Daedelus creates an archetypal psychedelic electronic sound scape. Finally 'Nobody' offers a chilled out piano and organ heavy offering, each great in its own unique way. The records are then discussed, pressed and released back in to their natural habitat; The Thrift Store complete with specially designed sleeve. A true inspiring Geeky treat for music fans across the board.



Sophie

Hanging Up

The LONGEST virgin mobile ad' commissioned.

The premise: a pop-art masterpiece and social commentary on Young America's all-consuming reliance on media and technology.

The Reality: merely scaffolding supporting the infrastructure of a weak and poorly constructed pop song. a self-indulgent, sprawling 9-minuet mess

Best Bit: B' does Bettie Page, Nicotine eye ware.

Worst bit: The INCESSANT product placement. The cheap penis comment, let the thong speak for itself.

5/10

SAD. and i do love her so.



Sophie

"Put me Back On My Bike"

Those immortal words uttered by British cycling legend Tom Simpson minutes before he collapsed mid-way up Mount Ventoux's grueling ascent. In a slightly less dramatic scenario set in a small Nottinghamshire suburb as the sun shines it's definitely time for me to dust the cobwebs off of my spokes, oil my breaks and grit my teeth as my bicycle beckons.

Queue Wish List: Sophie

Shady Laydeez

As the sun finally blinks a few rays of golden tears and beams a welcoming smile to spring it's finally acceptable to cover the scars of the 'night before' with some stylish eye ware! It's been a long winter and for surviving this far alone we deserve a treat. adopting Ray Mears style survival skills hasn't been easy; hoisting our snoods halfway up our faces to disguise bags, blemishes and more flaky skin than one would see in a whole Head & Shoulders Ad'. But the time is nigh! we can finally put on our over-sized sunnies without fear of looking like a 'Priory Princess' or A-list A-hole. Here's the pick of the pack for SS10.

Keeping it traditional with Ga Ga style Vintage Vercarces.

Above and Below: 'Wanging IT!' Alexander Wang SS10!
Peek-a-BOO! Ga Ga Style novelty vintage shades from Wild Clothing.
Cool For Cats, Lazy Oaf Shades.

Top Shop. Round and Round we go.

Sophie

I Haz Lanvin!!111!!!!!!

You don't need Squeeze to tell you that Cats are cool. Since the dawn of time they've been swaggering about with a look of smug self-righteousness and calm collection whilst us mere mortals have been flapping and flailing, believing in religion and starting wars. YES, Cats are definitely cool. So it seems only fitting that they've surpassed most human beings on the evolutionary scale and donned some of the best couture on offer. If this were dogs we'd be nauseated, calling for their immediate euthanisation:

Cats + Couture = Cool (Just ask Miuccia Prada)

So to further illustrate the inferior nature of the human race, Why oh why has it taken me a good six months to discover United Bamboos 2010 Cat Couture Calendar! Feline Fashion Fantasy!






Sophie

What Katey Did...

Whilst flicking through old, heavily loved copies of Plan B magazine (R.I.P) i was reminded of just how much i like Katey Jean Harvey's whimsical doodles. Girl meets boys V's peacock and push bike, she produces delightfully naive depictions of the innocent side of love and longing. Often with a tongue in cheek edge her playful pictures in pastel shades are twee dream!

Entitled 'Dreaming Of Summer' Very apt indeed.

A doodle inspired by 'Stillness Is The Move'.

Reminiscent of the cute naive love of Stephane and Stephanie in the Science of Sleep. OH! and a tree in a boat, so in keeping.

http://www.kateyjean.com/

Sophie

BBC Killed The Radio Star.

Today is a dark day for Pop Music.

By now you are sure to have read many rants, laments and course words blogged about the imminent closure of the BBC's leading alternative music station 6Music. This is a decision which will have far wider implications than merely causing a quiver of indignation to flicker across the 'indie-loving taste makers' temples. In an outlandish attempt to claw back an excess of 6 Million pounds the BBC have grossly let down a wider tax-paying demographic than perhaps, even they could imagine. Andy Parfitt (Big BBC Cheese and Radio 1 Controller) has stated that Radio one is to partially adopt 6 music's former remit whilst filling the void vacated by the closure of teen-orientated program BBC Switch. Leaving Radio One as the BBC's only outlet for Popular music will surely only create a compromise of diluted values, allowing the imminent return of 'Landfill Indie' back to the charts. The glory days of switching on your DAB to be greeted by a Tallulah Gosh b-side, the new single from Speech Debelle or an archive session from Bonnie Prince Billie will be nothing more than a fond memory of a time when music mattered. It's not just my White Middle-Class alternative music loving side that's got her knickers in a twist, my POP pulse is also heightened. The closure of Switch and the new-found need to peddle “Guitar Pop” on Radio One will leave little time for Pop music of the original sense of the word. They'll be no air-time for first plays of Mini-Viva singles, Calvin Harris or anything well produced and less than credible that's not dominating the A-list. So in short we are resigned to live in a world where Fearne Cotton insincerely champions Mumford & Sons, Temper Trap and Razorlight on the hour, every hour for the rest of eternity.

On a final note to add insult to injury the BBC have upped the budget for BBC 2's music coverage (so Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Glastonbury) by a further £25m, in the cold light of print this seems little more than a gross act of misspending. I for one could survive without seeing Fearne, Jo and Zane cohort about a specially fashion backstage bachelor pad in Swarovski crystal covered wellies whilst muttering about how “profoundly” beautiful The Dove's set was.

Today has been a dark day indeed.

Sophie