Zimmermann!

You know, Zimmermann is a great Australian designer label, whether it’s 02 or 10/11 fall, their swimwear are never out-of-date. Their range is just so playful and diverse yet  with any piece it still has that same vibe due to their vibrant prints and design.  Like all clothing, you really have to know what suits you. For me and having an apple body shape, I find floral, block, and bright does the trick in even things out.

Zimmermann swimwear Cruise collection 08/09. Source: popbee, theage.
Zimmermann wear

Oh so Convenient

Mini Rompers. Don’t mistake these for lingerie rompers or baby rompers, all though baby rompers are pretty cute, but adults’ ones are much cuter. I like 3/4 better than the full body jumpsuit, because if you're like me and have short legs, body jumpsuit can make you look even shorter and wider. 3/4 rompers goes nicely on its own, but with a leather waist belt it can flatter your body. Though, in my view, the less floaty and more short looking rompers don't go so nicely with a belt, it can actually accentuate your butt and shorten your legs. May look nice in the front, but not so much at the back. Floral, funky, tie-dye or block colors are my fave. Pair one of these with some funky platform sandals for nighters. Can't wait till summer to wear one of these

Check out these brands: Forever21,Parker,Lucca Couture

Titus Andronicus, Hallelujah The Hills, Yellow Fever @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto (July 14, 2010)

  Titus Andronicus: photo by Michael Ligon

What seems more and more like a rare occasion for me, I actually got out to a show on a Wednesday night last week at the Horseshoe Tavern, specifically to see buzz-y Jersey rockers Titus Andronicus and also to see Boston's Hallelujah The Hills who I'd remembered liking when they opened for Silver Jews at Lee's Palace in September 2008. Also on this night's bill were unknown entities Austin duo Yellow Fever, although having read some good things about them on Pitchfork I was intrigued to check them out.

I arrived a little after 9 pm with Austin duo already into their set and a small audience present. The duo, of the guitar-drums variety, played a set of askewed pop music, with a penchant for succinct guitar playing and drumming, and dry vocals. My mind kept wandering to images of early 80's post-punk, or more recently a band like San Francisco's The Aislers Set, minus the reverb. The band was most satisfying on more straight ahead tracks like the more poppy "Culver City". They were comfortable enough on stage, but didn't feel much motivation for banter, although perhaps that'll change as they continue their exhaustive North American summer tour. Catch them in your town.

Next up were Boston's Hallelujah The Hills. Specializing in an amalgam folk-rock influences like cello and working-class roots-rock, the set was occasionally anthemic but otherwise much of it was infused with a sense of urgency. Occasional cello and brass, melded nicely with conventional rock instrumentation and the raucous lead and group vocals. The band's second album entitled Colonial Drones is out now through Misra Records and based on their live set and the favourable response from the crowd, they'd be a band to keep your eye on.

The band I was there to see specifically was New Jersey's Titus Andronicus. With fellow Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem also in town that night, Titus Andronicus' frontman Patrick Stickle thanked the crowd for choosing to see them over Gaslight Anthem. Much of my motivation to check them out was based on liking their raucous single "A More Perfect Union", a sublime slab of sloppy rock n' roll. It seemed that I was a little behind the curve as the venue was comfortably packed by the time the band hit the stage, and as the band performed each song, there was many a fan singing along.

Named after the Shakespeare's earliest and bloodiest work, it's the latter description that really was reflected in the Titus Andronicus' visceral rock n' roll attack. It's that attack that took me off guard because the young band didn't quite look like they were capable of it - for example, one look at violinist/guitarist Amy Klein who looks like a high school girl in her knee-length cut-off jeans and I'd never have thought she'd be rocking out as much as she did. Whether intentional or not, the band's sound was like an homage to classic influences likes The Clash, The Replacements, Bruce Springsteen, Sex Pistols and The Pogues, and for the most part doing those influences justice. Perhaps the band utilized the formula on several songs a little too often where they'd start a song with a subdued Pogue-ish / Shane McGown-ish folky vocal before the band dropped like a rock n' roll bomb, but no doubt the formula was used to good effect each and every time. And when the crowd is slam-dancing AND body-surfing, you know the crowd is loving it. As a bonus for the night, the band invited ex-guitarist Liam Betson, who's also recently transplanted to Toronto (for what I don't know), to join them onstage for a surprise rendition, and what turned out to be a sincere version of Weezer's "Undone". It seems there's been such a diversity in music genres lately, I could have almost imagined someone about to declare the death of rock n' roll. But Titus Andronicus prove it isn't that time yet and hopefully it shall never be.

Photos: Titus Adronicus, Hallelujah The Hills, Yellow Fever @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto (July 14, 2010) (still to come)
MySpace: Yellow Fever
MySpace: Hallelujah The Hills
MySpace: Titus Andronicus

That Golden Moment... I hope you feel it too

PART ONE of what could possibly be the last FNM concert coverage ever *tear*

A lot happened on Sunday and I didn't even go to bed Sunday night or even Monday due to travel and insane amounts of unrestrainable awesome. I think I had the most surreal, amazing night of my life. I thought the Warfield was friggin' fantastic but the intimacy and intensity of what happened at the Ilosaarirock Festival in Joensuu, Finland will forever be unmeasurable.

If that all seems really dark and dramatic... it is. Also, do note the whole not sleeping for 36 hours thing.

I will be talking more about the festival and the other bands later (all very good, fantastic place) but this for now is just about Faith No More. Part... ONE.

So there was some sort of mix-up with my pass. Security at the fest was extremely tight. The sun was wavering in the sky, I was sitting in the VIP tent and feeling utterly broken hearted. My media pass was not enough for backstage access, no matter what I said. No one could talk to the band directly due to security reasons so it was a lot of telephone. Telephone game in Finnish to English and visa versa. NOT a fun game to play.

I told myself that things happen for a reason and that my media pass would at least grant me close shots for the first three or four songs of their set... but after that, I would be on my own. I would have to exit out to the side of the crowd and would never get a good vantage point again. Disappointed but trying to stay positive. Who knows. C'est la vie.

But with almost an hour till go time, I knew that there was no chance of anything.

Until I spotted a fellow journalist wearing an all access pass that said Faith No More and had my name on it. UM, WHAT?

He was the plus one of a lovely Russian girl S, who memorably made those insanely cool Simpson's Russian wooden dolls of the band (pictured on their official site).

Turns out I guess he was given my pass instead of a guest pass. Now, I told everyone in the media center about my predicament "I should have two passes, etc" but though they tried hard, there was nothing they could do... again, language barriers, really insane security, confusion.

But it doesn't matter at all because that was my pass and ten minutes later I was quickly being ushered behind the mainstage. I saw the two Russians there talking to Bill, they all looked at me like "yaaay!"

Mega freaking yay.

"Sorry, I don't know what happened with the passes," Bill said. I didn't care, it didn't matter. What mattered I was suddenly THERE and that was that.

I looked around the area, taking it all in. I saw Jon wandering past, Tour Manager Tim was making the rounds.

"Where is everyone else?" S asked.

Bill shrugged, smiled "Mike and Roddy have been at the sauna for the last five hours."

"My goodness, they are going to turn into prunes."

"Can I get you guys some beer?" asked Bill. Um, sure... Rockstar goes and get's US beer. We should be getting him beer. Goes without saying that Bill Gould is one of the most unpretentious musicians out there.

Well, he soon came back with our Stella Artois and then Roddy and Mike arrived, staggering past in all their over-relaxed sauna glory. Roddy seemed excited to see S again, knowing she had awesome presents for them. Mike looked wasted... whether from the sauna or drinking but knowing the Finnish way, it was probably a combo of the two of them.

S laughed, "Wasted before the show!"

This was going to be epic.



Too cool?

Anyway, Bill went to get ready and came back out in that wonderful lime green suit which was just a bit too big for him. He reminded me of a kid in his dad's suit jacket.

"Think that's a bit to big for you," I pointed at his sleeves.

He smiled, shrugged "Yeah, no one will notice."

Which is true... who notices the suits when FNM are rocking your faces off.

Anyway soon it was go time, so we made our way to the back of the stage.



I was still confused as how I was going to watch the show after I was done in the photo pit but luckily I saw Tim...

"Hey Tim, remember me? In San Fran I showed you my boots..."

Pause. Eyebrow raise. "Your...boobs?"

LOL anyway I explained the situation and suddenly he was slapping on the afterhours sidestage access pass into our hands.

"Just don't take too many photos of Mike from the side... he gets weird about that."

Noted.



Definitely not too cool.

So we made our way to the front. The crowd was massive, waiting a little bit longer than normal for FNM to come on... then finally, it was go time.

This was my first time in the pit shooting FNM but since I had seen them 3x before, I didn't feel like I would be missing out too much by being behind the lens. And I didn't... we only get three songs (and in this case, four) to get the shots done, which means you can enjoy the show afterwards. And what a great three songs they were... sure Mike sounded a bit shakey on the Melodica for Midnight Cowboy and his voice was a bit rough on From Out of Nowhere... but things settled in for Be Aggressive and Caffeine.

Not without him taking his anger out out on the poor microphone stand which he chucked off of the stage, and also kicking the cameraman in the chest. You know, the usual.



























Then it was time for me to go backstage. Course there was some jerk-off Finnish security guy on power trip who thought he could push me around even though I clearly had all the bells and whistles. Luckily some other guy yelled at him and he let me through. Fucktard.

But anyhoo, back I went. Sidestage action. Fucking brilliant. True you couldn't see everything... Puffy was just faceless drums and Patton was running around like a mad dog half the time but I felt like I might never have this chance again. I'd seen them from the front before, I could watch this show on Youtube maybe... the side was where I needed to be. It was close, intimate, secretive. And a good place to gauge the band's reactions.






Roddy taking a break from the Gentle Art of Making Enemies

"How are we doing Joensuu, are you guys awake? Do you like us?" Mike asked to a semi-rousing response. Of course that just gave Mike an excuse to swear at and berate the crowd.

They got him back though. A few songs later, I believe it was after Epic which prompted a giant sing-a-long, he asked if the crowd was having fun yet.

The response was SO loud that Mike staggered back a bit (even I felt it) and exclaimed, "Wow, I think I just came in my pants."

I think everyone did.



Just before the encore, they gave shout-outs to the festival, to the fans, and said that they were honoured to end their last show there.

"This is our last show," said Bill.

"FOREVER" Mike scowled dramatically.

I've heard rumours that this was perhaps the last time they would ever do this reunion tour. That could mean many things and I do think anything could happen. But at that moment my heart just sank... it broke. It's silly how a band, how music, can effect you like a relationship but I honestly felt like I had been dumped and there was nothing left to do but enjoy the sweet last moments.

So when Mike beautifully sung This Guys In Love With You... it really meant something.

"My hands are shaking, don't let my heart keep breaking..."

Ugh. It was devastating.

And then came the final song, The Real Thing. The energy in their performance, the lights, Mike's voice, the lyrics... it was so fitting and poignant. What an amazing way to end the show, and possibly the whole reunion. I get choked up thinking about it... but I managed to capture it on my camera. Hell, why not?



When it was all done, they posed for a group photo on stage and cracked open a bottle of champagne, after giving shout-outs to Randy, Des, Tim and everyone else in their hardworking crew. Was this it? Was this the end?



The fivesome walked off-stage and up the ramp, disappearing into the shadows of the hazy Northern Finland night.



Fans were left screaming and chanting Faith No More's name, their voices echoing against the stage area. It was sad that to some people, this was the end of their weekend, end of the festival and maybe the last time they would see the band.

But for me... well, my night was just starting.

Part Two to follow...

Best Trip Ever

For realz.



As I said before, I am blessed and fortunate to LOVE such an amazing band. As someone once told me... you don't pick them, they pick YOU.



Kippis, FNM!

The Slew, Kid Koala, The Heavy @ Harbourfront Centre, Sirius Stage, Toronto (July 9, 2010)

Update[July 18/2010, 1: 36 pm]: Sorry it took so long for me to post the review. Hey, but I can't stay inside too long when the sun is shining outside.

This year's edition of Beats, Breaks, and Culture festival at Harbourfront Centre went down two Friday nights ago featuring The Slew, a project featuring Kid Koala and described as "6 turntables meets the ex-Wolfmother Rhythm Section", and UK neo-soul-rock hybrid outfit The Heavy.

With daylight setting and about a half full crowd, The Heavy did their best to get the crowd moving, the band's frontman Kelvin Swaby working out his soulful vocals against the band's guitar-laden, soul-rock, sometimes horn-embellished, grooves. "We've got some standers" Swaby exclaimed about half-way into their set, and then later on saying "thank u standers". The band played selections from their two full-lengths, the first half of the set apparently devoted to their more recent album 2009's The House That Dirt Built, then going back to their debut, 2007's Great Vengeance and Furious Fire which was greeted with excitement by some devoted fans in the audience. The band ended their set with Swaby prompting the audience a few times "Do you like me now?", each time the audience roaring with validation, the band then seguing obviously into their single "How You Like Me Now?". With a sustained effort for an encore, the band came back to play a few songs containing lyrics such as "all you got to do is set me free" and "all I know, she got to go, I ain't takin' her shit no more". Had this set been under the blanket of a starry night, I'd have suspected they'd have slayed the audience but otherwise it was a mixed audience of devotees and curious onlookers. Personally, I liked it though I kept on thinking if it were a female vocalist, I'd have liked it more. Maybe I just wanting the next Amy Winehouse album to come out already.

It was by no means empty for The Heavy, but there was plenty of elbow room. That soon changed as the place gradually filled up for headliners, The Slew. First of all, the recognizable face of The Slew, Kid Koala, entertained the crowd with a solo turntablist set of his own material which I always find so intriguing, especially when he played his cut-up version of his mom's favourite song, "Moon River". He kept it brief, so as to not detract from The Slew's upcoming set. Although I had a photo pass for the show, I only got to shoot for three song's for Kid Koala's set, and not for The Slew which doesn't make sense at all since I considered Kid Koala's set and The Slew's set as two separate sets, not one. Otherwise watching from the sidelines, I watched The Slew's set which I'd have to classify in most simplistic terms as turntablist rock, a relatively foregone conclusion of the result of merging the rhythm section of Wolfmother with the turntablist sensibilities of Kid Koala. In actuality, there were dual turntablist duties going on with DJ P-Love also working on the wheels-of-steel. The band released their debut album 100%, described as "a turntablists' take on a bluesy psych rock record" as a free download in September 2009, which is now available on vinyl and CD from label Puget Sound. Although less intriguing overall than Kid Koala's solo material, it was a Friday night, people wanted a party, and that's what they got with The Slew's dj-rock set.

Photos: The Slew, Kid Koala @ Harbourfront Centre, Sirius Stage, Toronto (July 9, 2010)
MySpace: The Heavy
MySpace: Kid Koala
MySpace: The Slew

My first tattoo

A few months ago, my friends and I were talking about tattoos. I never had one and never wanted one but suddenly the idea about having the Star of Lakshimi (used by FNM as their symbol) became very appealing. Then I found out the eight-sided star represents the eight sides of wealth.... and we could all use more wealth in love, happiness, money, etc.

One friend gave me the idea of having it blue and on the back of the neck. Though I knew that location was painful, I liked that I could easily hide it in ten years if I hated it.

Then I said, well I'll get it... but only the next time I see FNM and only if it's in a foreign country. I might have been drunk when I said it.

So... I figured I wouldn't have to think about it. That time would come one day.

OR NOT. I'm in Finland and I'm seeing FNM on Sunday so the time has come, hasn't it?

My cousin and I checked out a tattoo place last week, and satisfied with the service and the price we made an appointment for yesterday.

I was a freakin' train wreck. I get nervous over EVERYTHING so you can imagine how nervous I was over this tattoo. It wasn't about the permanence, it wasn't REALLY about the pain... but that I would have a panic attack and keel over. Or vomit. Or something else really embarassing.

Anyway, I was just about to chicken out when my cousin showed up to see me through.

There was a bit of back and forth with the tattoo artist over the colour and size (I wanted it smaller but then detail and colour would be lost) and then it was GO TIME.

Here I am looking extremely nervous (didn't help that Helsinki has been in an EPIC heatwave... the nighttime "lows" here are 25C (77F!) and the daytime highs are over 80F! And no one has air con, so I was sweating like a pig to begin with....



I thought I would have flinched when the needle (and boy, it's loud when it's near your head)first touched me, but I didn't. It kind of eased it's way in and didn't hurt all that much.... just felt like a hot knife carving into your neck.

That was just the black outline though... when it came to colour it in, especially at the top of the star, it really, really hurt. Like OWWWWW OMG! Kind of pain.



But in the end it only took a half hour (thank God) and the pain was soon forgotten.



Here it is right after... still scabby and bloody.



Few hours later, it's much clearer.



Then my cousins and I met up with their family at a very old bar (1865!) below their flat. Five pints of cider went down beautifully!


Adrenaline still in my veins!






Cousin beating the heat


Their mom had a tattoo as well... finally, I am REALLY Finnish! :P


We all have the same grandma :) Can you tell?




Good times!


I made it back home at midnight, it was still light enough outside to read... a great end to a memorable day :)

by the way, you like the bag and belt? 12Euros at UFF, their famous second-hand shop. The bag is unbelievably gorgeous, hand-tooled leather from North Africa... I can't wait to show you close-up photographs of it, it was a real lucky find!



Tank: F1; Sandals: GoJane; Belt and Bag: UFF thrift store; hat: Target; Skirt: thrifted

The best tattoo machine you'll ever find at EikonDevice.com