Aloha Lovelies!
To welcome in this glorious season, I am leaving you with a Spring Mix Playlist for you to entertain your ears with.
A little Kate Bush, Steely Dan (blame my Dad for my love of the song Peg), Dirty Projectors and Solange to get your foot tapping.
I will probably be listening to this, sprawled out in the green, green meadow at the park, sipping on raspberry lemonade.
Word…
♥ the alchemist
Okay, it’s official I love Lykke Li.
Yes, her infectious Swedish pop songs infiltrated my headspace last year and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
But when a tiny, blond girl covers Rick Ross’ Hustlin, she just officially became the shiznit.
It’s not the best performance but she knows enough of the words and this is probably better than what a lot of people’s drunk karaoke looks like.
Also, the look on the audience faces at one point is priceless.
Lykke Li @ NTBR Part 4 – “Hustlin’” from Drew Innis on Vimeo.
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There’s something so wispy, simple and romantic about Brooklyn-based band Au Revoir Simone’s songs which also translates to their style.
“Sad Song”
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While straightening up the apartment, I have been listening to this on repeat. A little M.I.A. to help the chores go faster.
♥ the alchemist
I am so happy that Jabbawockeez won America’s Best Dance Crew!
I love to dance and I remember practicing and learning new steps with friends. I used to love any talent show or school performances that required dance or acting. There’s something about practicing and getting a move down and using that in front of everyone.
The thing that I love about the Jabbawockeez is how tight and precise they are with their movements. Which I know from experience takes a lot of practice and dedication to have everyone be in sync. This crew from San Diego uses masks and gloves to add some drama to their performances. Also, I’m not sure but I think their name comes from a Lewis Carroll poem and if that’s true, then I heart them even more.
Plus, their vibe reminds me of some friends and an ex-boyfriend who used to compete in dance-offs. So, it’s very sentimental to me. Here are some performances. Also, check out MTV overdrive for more videos!
When you click on the MTV link the video will open on another page.
♥ the alchemist
Early last year, I saw Bjork at the Apollo Theater which was amazing, she’s genius and so fricking cute and tiny. Spank Rock opened for her which was a lot of fun because I had heard about them (specifically Naeem Juman ) and how they tore up SXSW and was really excited to see what they were about. They rocked it and when I went looking for more info on them, I stumbled onto a collaboration between them and artist, Santogold.
Santogold is Santi White, originally from PA and now residing in Brooklyn; she acquired this nickname from a former classmate. Santi used to be in a ska-punk band, Stiffed before moving on to her current musical style mash-up of rock and dub with some crazy beats courtesy of some of the hottest producers out there, including Switch, FreQNasty and Mark Ronson. In fact, it’s the You’ll Find a Way the Switch and Graeme remix that I have on repeat. I’ll stop listening to it for awhile and then come back to it and get amped again. Other singles in heavy rotation: LES Artistes and Shove It.
So, began my interest in this spunky performer and my quest to see her live, which I have had yet to do. Mostly because, when I try there’s always some type of conflict. Last December, I had already scored tickets to see the White Rabbits at the Bowery when I found out that Santogold was going to be performing the same night in Brooklyn at a free concert. Free: which basically meant that there was going to be a long line because there is so much well-deserved hype surrounding Santi White. So, I went ahead with my previous plans.
Santogold is someone to keep an eye on and eventually I will catch a live performance.
Santogold and M.I.A.
Santogold and Naeem Juman of Spank Rock
Santogold
Here is You’ll Find a Way
♥ the alchemist
**This is our weekly series on stylealchemy, titled Cinema Aesthetic, which explores the importance of wardrobe and set design within film (mostly) but may include music video and television**
This week we’re going to jump into the world of the music video which is essentially a short film set entirely to music.
The Bird and the Bee’s Again and Again video is adorable. There are certain points and shots of the video that are constantly repeated as if on a constant loop, hence playing into the ‘again and again’ theme.
Director, Autumn de Wilde has a certain sensibility that is found throughout her portfolio and she has worked with artists and other creatives including Beck, Rodarte, Miranda July and Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis. She was also the photographer on the infamous Zooey Deschanel shoot for issue four of Lula Magazine.
The stylist that you always see associated with Autumn de Wilde is Shirley Kurata who has such a cool sensibility with clothes and aesthetics. The de Wilde and Kurata team work heavily with many indie artists in both the photography and film mediums. Here these two worked their magic on musicians Greg Kurstin and Inara George for “Again and Again.” I’m loving the mod, ’60s styling and the eclectic setting. It’s an entertaining 2:51 minutes well spent.
This dress is out of control!
Here is the video.
♥ the alchemist
Fact: My love for Radiohead has no bounds. This has been true for some time.
Therefore: I love In Rainbows.
As a result: I want to take this album behind the bleachers and make out with it, then go carve our initials into a tree.
That is all.
♥ the alchemist
