I have the biggest girl crush on Miss Ella Yelich-O'Connor. Since 'Royals' hit the Triple J airwaves a couple of years ago, I've been partial to her haunting voice and seriously smart lyrics. I have only seen her perform live once - at Splendour a couple of years ago - but her stage presence made it a performance that has stayed with me. Following her rise to global mainstream success has been lovely to watch and it is brilliant to have yet another intelligent, young, female voice making waves around the world.
Lorde's bewitching style - both onstage and offstage - is fresh and unique, and her glorious curls and penchant for dark, dark lipsticks are a beauty look I've been known to emulate - Chi Chi Viva La Diva in Lady Bump is a matte dark purple that's inexpensive and long-wearing.
As much as I love digging around for small bands and finding independent artists to fall in love with, I am a massive proponent of female pop music. My running playlist is awash with Swift, Minaj and Knowles, and I look to Robyn and Rihanna to get me through long car trips. Usually, I'd include a little bit about each song, but honestly I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. This is one of my favourite feel-good mixes; songs I've collected over the years that leave me feeling on top of the world:
'Bad Girls' - M.I.A.
'Super Bass' - Nicki Minaj
'Oblivion' - Grimes
'Stop' - Spice Girls
'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together' - Taylor Swift
'You're Not The One' - Sky Ferreira
'Dancing On My Own' - Robyn
'Where Have You Been' - Rihanna
'Some Things Never Seem To Fucking Work' - Solange
It's funny being overseas and away from my usual means of stumbling upon new music - Triple J - for such an extended period of time, but I've managed to keep my iPod fairly fresh. Here's a taste of what's been on repeat lately!
She Only Loves Me When I'm There - Ball Park Music: Releasing their third album, Puddinghead, in the same number of years, it appears that Ball Park Music cannot be stopped. I'm not complaining, and I love the lead single.
Do You Realise?? - The Flaming Lips: My time overseas is wrapping up and songs about saying goodbye and ~inspirational lyrics about making the most of every moment~ seem to have crept into my subconscious.
No Rest For The Wicked - Lykke Li: I am in love with every song on I Never Learn. It's wonderful to see how much Lykke Li has grown and changed as a musician since Youth Novels was released way back in 2008.
Stop The World I Wanna Get Off With You - Arctic Monkeys: There's always going to be a token AM song. You know me by now.
Dreaming - Smallpools: I only discovered Smallpools recently, but this song makes me so happy.
You Know What I Mean - Cults: I only just emerged from my cocoon of exam study a few weeks ago and whilst I was still wrapped up in revision Cults proved to be the perfect soundtrack.
Say You Won't Cry - Television Personalities: This is another goodbye song. It makes me feel so bittersweet about leaving Lancaster.
I Need My Girl - The National: I did enjoy Trouble Will Find Me when it came out, but it's taken me well over a year to get fully immersed in it. I got there in the end though, and I've been listening to the album on repeat.
Can we just take a few moments to appreciate how amazing Sky Ferreira is?
Her style is grunge-meets-high-fashion perfection and there is absolutely no denying that my recent foray into all manner of bright red and dark wine lipsticks was directly brought about by Miss Ferreira.
Beyond aesthetics, however, lies a wealth of talent and intelligence. Pleasereadoneoftheseamazingarticles. Following last year's Ghost EP, Ferreira's debut album Night Time, My Time will be released on October 29. The release of of a full-length album has been several years in the making, and Ferreira has spoken candidly about her experiences in the industry, and the sexism and ageism she's had to deal with. Speaking to Stereogum, Ferreira notes that:
"Whenever I do something good, it’s because some guy did it for me supposedly. Or that’s what a lot of it usually says. It’s always someone else. It’s very clear that I couldn’t do it by myself. But everyone has producers, males too. It’s not just a girl who has that."
This Rookie article goes further into the challenges facing women in the music industry, and the very prescriptive type of sexuality female pop musicians are expected to adhere to:
"There’s an unspoken rule. You’re supposed to be sexy, but not in a very forward way. It has to be in a cutesy way."
Whilst there's nothing wrong with 'sexiness' - I have no issue with the overt sexuality of Miley's recent forays as, so far as I'm able to tell, it's been very much her decision (though the racism is another issue for another time) - it's the double standards that exist in the expectations and treatment of males and females in the industry that is frustrating and, well, downright wrong. Tavi adds that:
"You’re supposed to look sexy, so other people can benefit, but you’re not supposed to actually be sexual so that you benefit."
A couple of weeks ago, The Guardian published this piece by Lauren Mayberry, of CHVRCHES, calling out on the online misogyny she and other female musicians are subjected to, and earlier this year Solange and Grimes posted their frustrations online. Although it's totally gross that these are even issues to begin with, and it seems overly optimistic to expect drastic and/or rapid changes, hopefully the discussion of these problems might lead to something down the track - or just make some of those people in positions of power to think twice.
I probably feel this way about each and every playlist I post, but right at this moment I feel like this one takes the cake as the best bunch of songs I've posted on this blog. I've been listening to these over and over, so I hope you enjoy them!
Here's a quick breakdown:
You're Not The One - Sky Ferreira: It's taken a few years for it to come around but I'm so excited for Ferreira's upcoming debut album, Night Time, My Time. This is the lead single and it's all synth-y and 80s-ish, and super catchy.
Fireside - Arctic Monkeys: I've had AM on repeat the past few weeks and though the whole thing is pretty special, Fireside might just be my pick of the album.
Running If You Call My Name - HAIM: Likewise, I've had Days Are Gone on repeat as well and this is one of my highlights.
Scar - Cloud Control: I haven't bought Dream Cave yet but it's on my list because I've loved everything I've heard so far. This song kind of suits every listening occasion?
You Are New - The Trouble With Templeton: I've seen this Brisbane band live a few times now and each time I fall a little more in love with them. They're extremely talented, really fun onstage and they manage to have a really varied yet distinctive sound, if that makes any sense - listen to Like A Kid after this one and you'll see what I mean.
Changing Of The Seasons - Two Door Cinema Club: I really like this track. It's definitely recognisable as TDCC but I love the dance-y element that we haven't reeeaally seen from them before.
The Funeral - Band of Horses: This is just a really good song.
Oh Sailor - Mr Little Jeans: I listen to Mr Little Jeans when I'm stressed and this song is the best for recovering from a uni-induced breakdown.
In The Room Where You Sleep - Dead Man's Bones: I was only recently made aware that Ryan Gosling is in a band. A band that actually happens to be really good. Who knew?
Two-Headed Boy - Neutral Milk Hotel: My dentist told me to listen to In The Aeroplane Over The Sea and since I did Neutral Milk Hotel has taken over my life. This song possibly made me cry. I am possibly in love with Jeff Mangum.
Okay. Congrats if you read that. I need to do my PR assignment. I hate PR.
I'm feelin' pretty sleepy and worn out today so I decided it was a good day to benefit from the creativity of others share the love. Instagram is the social media channel of choice today as I've become a wee bit of an obsessive - a year or so late but c'est la vie. These lovely profiles continually light up my feed!
Claire - the gypsy hart - provides my daily dose of wanderlust and tranquility with a side of pretty food.
Hollie's blog, Ditzy and Whimzy makes me so jealous due to my lack of grooviness and her abundance of it but I follow her on Instagram anyway.
Kathy blogs at half agony and she Instagrams (is that a verb?) an array of yummy food, good reads and pretty clothes.
Russh is unequivocally my favourite magazine and everything they post is hip and rad and swell and all manner of positive adjectives.
Please share your favourite Instagrams and your own. Mine is @elizabuzacott!
I'm continuing with the relaxation by heading to the movies this afternoon. I haven't managed to see the Great Gatsby yet but that will change in a couple of hours. I've heard very good things and very bad things, but at least if all else fails I know the costuming and soundtrack will be superb.
The amazing Ball Park Music are the reason for my lack of sleep, kicking off their Thank Ewes tour last night in Brisbane. It was seriously such a rockin' show, I went by myself and I'm almost glad I did because I got right up the front where I could dance the night away alongside all the other eager beavers. Support came courtesy of Eagle and the Worm and Jeremy Neale. I am a little obsessed with Jeremy Neale's music so it was wonderful to see him live again, and I found that I actually knew a bunch of Eagle and the Worm songs without realising it. Definitely one of the best gigs I've been to in a while!
Hopping on the Bloglovin' bandwagon, you can follow me here if you'd like to keep up with my updates (I've only got 44 followers there at the moment - sad face!). There is also an option to import all of your followers but I'm not quite sure how I did it... so, uh, maybe Google it?
Here is May's playlist. I've been off to lots of gigs lately for The Dwarf and I've linked to a couple of reviews on my blog, but here they are as a list, if you're interested:
I'm off to Splendour in the Grass at the end of July and I couldn't be more excited. There are so many bands I'm looking forward to finally seeing live including Passion Pit and The National.
I'm super duper busy at the moment with uni, work and gigs which is why I haven't been around much. The only thing of much note is that this morning I went to Paniyiri, the Greek festival in Brisbane, with my friend and we scarfed down all manner of Greek sweets for breakfast. I'm spending the evening watching the 2008 television adaption of Sense and Sensibility. I haven't finished the book yet but I couldn't say no to something with Dan Stevens and Dominic Cooper.
This is a pretty chilled playlist. I've been really busy with uni and work so music has been helping me unwind. There is a bit of new stuff, I've been loving Vance Joy, and Vydamo's new one, Hurricane. And I've been listening to a bit of older Noah and the Whale and Santigold lately, as well as having alt-J and First Aid Kit's albums on repeat. What have you been listening to lately?
I've amassed enough right-click-and-save photos to piece together a little Friday afternoon inspiration. On Monday I head back to uni (after a four month holiday!) so I'm definitely in need of a little creative spark. Fellow Flume fans may have heard that the producer will be embarking on his first Australian headline tour, 'The Infinity Prism Tour,' during April and May. Special guest Chet Faker will be joining him, which makes the prospect of this show seem all the more exciting! I'll definitely be attending, especially after reading this gem in the Future Classic newsletter:
"These
shows will ... feature a entirely
new stage production and extended set. The Infinity Prism is a device that
references the kaleidoscopic imagery of his album cover in a live context by
way of a hexagonal infinity mirror embedded with LED lights that will feature
in both the live show and also in a forthcoming trilogy of video clips."
It's monthly playlist time! There are a couple of new-ish songs courtesy of Cold War Kids, Clubfeet and The Griswolds, alongside a few older favourites from the past year or so.
I'm feelin' pretty darn proud of myself right now, as I managed to figure out how to use Grooveshark, so rather than the somewhat iffy and difficult-to-use layout I usually use for these playlists, this one is easy to listen to and all in one place! I hope it works for everyone - please let me know if it plays up at all for you!
Because I'm extraordinarily helpful, here is the list of songs: The Courtship of Summer Preasley -The Griswolds: This is the latest single from the band that brought us Heart Of A Lion last year, one of my favourite songs of 2012. I was expecting big things from The Courtship of Summer Preasley, and it didn't disappoint. Miracle Mile - Cold War Kids: Super catchy tune. I'm so excited for their next album.
House - Kindness: Ultra smooth electro-pop, Kindness is the alias of Adam Bainbridge. He's only a recent discovery for me and I'm looking forward to listening to more of his music.
Everything You Wanted - Clubfeet: This song has permanently been stuck in my head for the past week and I still love it - that's saying something.
Left Alone feat. Chet Faker - Flume: I've talked about both Flume and Chet Faker on here before, so I had to share this. I think it's close to being my favourite on Flume's album (though the whole thing is pretty fantastic).
Matilda - Alt-J: Nothing really needs to be said about this, it's perfection.
I Can Make You Love Me - British India: This one came at #41 in the Triple J Hottest 100 which made me really happy. Like Cold War Kids, I'm looking forward to British India's upcoming album too!
How is everyone? I'm having a lovely lazy day today. Slept in a little, went to the gym, had delicious Peanut Butter Cookie Baked Oatmeal for breakfast, did my French homework... and I've just spent a couple of hours reading and listening to music. Heaven. I love weekends.
At the moment I'm reading 'On Beauty' by Zadie Smith. Has anyone read any of her books? I'm really enjoying it so far - it's one of those books you really don't want to put down. I also recently finished 'Jack's Book: An Oral Biography of Jack Kerouac', which I also really liked. Having read 'On The Road' a month or so ago, and visited San Francisco and other parts of America last year, it was nice to be able to put things in context. If you're at all into Beat literature or poetry, I highly recommend it! What have you guys been reading lately?
I've also been digging through my parent's old records and having a fiddle with them on our record player. I love records - there is something so tactile about them that makes listening to music on them a more complete experience than pushing a button on a keyboard.
In saying that, I want you all to push a button on your keyboard and listen to this song. I heard it on the radio yesterday and thought to myself 'what is this amazing-ness!?' I've been listening to James Blake for the last few hours while I'm reading and I can't get over his voice. Wonderful.
Last week I bought Chet Faker's EP, 'Thinking In Textures' and I've been enjoying it so much that I wanted to share it with you. The slow, smooth jams ooze cool with their layered vocals and groovy synth beats, and I really can't get enough.
'Chet Faker' is indeed an alias; that of Melbourne musician Nick Murphy. Murphy's Chet Faker rose to prominence with his cover of Blackstreet's 'No Diggity'.
'I'm Into You' had heaps of airplay on triple j throughout 2012, and was voted #24 in the Hottest 100 of last year. I'm definitely 'into' this song, it's so cool.
What have you been listening to lately? Any super music finds I should know about?
In November I put up a little bit of a playlist of the music that I had been listening to non-stop, and while it didn't get a huge reaction, I decided to persist, because music is something that I really am passionate about, and I do enjoy sharing the things I listen to! I hope you enjoy this 'playlist', it's really a bit of everything. I was going to write some crappy paragraph about how lately I've been listening to strong female vocals/stuff that's a little '80s' inspired/this/that/whatever, but it sounded so pretentious that I deleted it. What I have been listening to though, is heaps of stuff from 2012, as I try to decide what to include in my Triple J Hottest 100 votes! Are there any Australians out there voting too? What are you voting for? I want to know.
Rich People Are Stupid - Ball Park Music
I will be definitely be voting for Coming Down or Surrender in the Hottest 100, but lately I've been playing this song from Ball Park Music's first album Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs, on repeat. It's so fun, I love it.
All Of Me - Tanlines
Only discovered this duo very recently but their stuff is fantastic. This is one of my favourite songs of theirs. Skip to 49 sec for start of song!
November Skies (feat. Nina Kinert) - Tomas Barfod
Again, this was a pretty recent discovery but this is currently my favourite song to listen to while running. It's kinda trance-like.
The Best We Got - The Rubens
The Rubens win all the awards for everything because they're perfect.
& It Was U - How To Dress Well
I was scared to listen to this for quite a while because it starts with a symbol but I'm glad I did because it doesn't sound like the kind of song that starts with a symbol.
Boys Of Summer - Custom Kings (Don Henley cover)
I love a little Don Henley/the Eagles (Take It Easy was my ultimate jam for a good few months at the age of thirteen) but this cover is so good and it makes me feel cool when I listen to it.
Don't Save Me - Haim
I have a lot of love for Haim. This song will definitely be in my Hottest 100 votes, too.
Rocket - Goldfrapp
Can't believe I only just discovered Goldfrapp. I have been listening to The Singles album a lot lately. I want to be Alison Goldfrapp when I grow up!
All Your Gold - Bat For Lashes
After falling in love withLaura, earlier this year, I bought myself Bat For Lashes' album The Haunted Man. There are some amazing songs on it.
I hope you enjoyed this and maybe found something that you hadn't heard before.
I have posted a little bit about music before, but I would like to try and make it a regular feature. I love discovering new artists and making playlists for different things I do, so why not bring that into my blog as well? I'd like to expand beyond just fashion posts, because while I love clothes, I feel like the things I post can tend to be quite one-dimensional at times because it seems to be essentially outfit posts and outfits that inspire me and... outfit posts and... outfits that inspire me.
I've been fiddling around a bit with my layout and in my sidebar you can now find 'tags' - fashion, music, travel etc, so you can read the things you want to read without having to scroll through things that might not interest you. Hopefully this means I can cater for all my readers!
I thought I'd start with a fairly simple playlist today: just a 'November' one, of the things I've been listening to lately. This will give you a bit of an idea of the kind of music I'm into in general. Then, as time goes on, I can post playlists that have a certain 'purpose' for me, like 'running', 'study', 'work' or 'sleep', or songs I listen to when I'm in certain moods! I'm kind of excited for this.
Oh, and if anyone has any ideas on better ways to actually 'display' (?) the music, that would be so appreciated! How do you like viewing it? The only thing I know how do at the moment is upload YouTube videos haha...
NOVEMBER PLAYLIST:
'Everything Is Embarrassing' - Sky Ferreira
I love Sky. She has great style and it's no surprise she has become one of the darlings' of Givenchy. I first heard '17' a few years ago (and actually posted about it on my 17th birthday), and I think this is my favourite song of hers since then. It's so catchy and I love the early Madonna 80s vibe.
'Sleepless feat. Jezzabell Doran' - Flume
This is so good. I can't even describe how much I love Flume. Kind of different to a lot of the stuff I usually listen to, and it took me a while to get into it, but I cannot get this one out of my head. I saw Flume at Valley Fiesta and it was amaaazing.
'Can't Stand Me Now' - The Libertines
I can never decide if The Libertines or Babyshambles are better, but then I listen to this song and I think I have to go Libertines. Also, I would marry Pete Doherty in a heartbeat. Apparently this is weird????
'Wires' - Matt and Kim
I'm not sure how it took me so long to discover Matt and Kim. They're my latest obsession. Please come to Australia, guys.
'Just Too Used To You' - Tigertown
I saw this band for the first time by accident. They were a support for another show I was at, and we only caught the last couple of songs, but I had to buy their EP. They've been getting some decent airplay on Triple J with their single 'Morning Has Finally Come', which is really exciting. They're even better live! Download free tracks here.
'Runner' - Go Violets
Again, I saw this all-girl band by accident and then fell in love. They music is super groovy and you can download it for free here.
'Cherry Lips' - Loon Lake
Loon Lake was the support act at Ball Park Music a month or so ago and I thought they were pretty good when we heard but then I heard them on the radio again a few weeks later and I realised they were actually really really good, and I've been listening to them heaps.
I found this lovely sheer maxi-skirt today by staple the label from garnsis in the city, on sale for $50. Not only is it mighty pretty to look at, but the fabric is light and floaty and amazing to wear. When I got home, I just couldn't help myself - I had to get out the camera and take some photos of it.
I've rediscovered Sia in the past few days. I love this song.
I bought this skirt in Melbourne. I love it because I can dress it up, or down, like I did today.
I though I'd share some of the music I've been listening to lately as well, because I personally love discovering new bands from bloggers.
My latest music discovery is I Blame Coco, otherwise known as Coco Sumner, Sting's daughter. She has a great voice, and you can definitely hear her father in some of her music.
I love this song.
I absolutely adore One Night Only, but I especially like their acoustic version of Chemistry. It's lovely.
I'm so sorry. I've been neglecting you really badly. School has just been ridiculous lately, and I've been so busy with assignments and preparing for tests that I just haven't had a spare moment for the blog.
There was an amazing rainbow outside my house on Thursday, and I took the chance to grab a few photos of it before school. The colours were so vibrant, especially seeing as it was so close to my house.
We also held a bake-off between the two grade twelve modern classes at my school on Monday. Obviously, my class won :) I made melting moments, and was going to make jam drops and butterscotch buttons to go alongside them, but sadly, the oven stopped working, so I was left with some very flat butterscotch buttons and jam drops. They still tasted wonderful, but sadly the visual element wasn't up to scratch :(
I've been listening to The Like on repeat lately. They're amazing.
These two are a bit older, but I like them just as much.
I hope you are all having a lovely month of May, and that your life is a little more peaceful than mine is at moment.
PPS: Blogger is having a little tantrum with me, and sadly I cannot comment on some on your beautiful blogs. It goes a little temperamental and will only let me comment as an anon, which makes me very sad.
