British band, Animal Kingdom, is up and coming in these parts recently. They’re coming to Boston July 26th and it should be quite the good time. Here’s ‘Strange Attractor’ and you can decide for yourself. Pretty catchy tune if you ask me – it has grown on me in the past few months.
After Netflix added Dawson’s Creek to their roster of Watch Now shows many are left wondering – Saved By the Bell or Dawson’s Creek? Being a kid who grew up watching Saved By the Bell of TBS in the morning before school I didn’t fall into the Dawson’s Creek trap until around high school. Dawson’s so endearing sometimes it makes you want to puke, Joey speaks out of the side of her mouth, Pacey’s mildly tolerable, and I always had a soft spot for Jen especially after she got over her harlot phase in the earlier seasons. Now that summer is here everyone’s embracing the basics and I put together some pieces that mirror the 90′s of Dawson’s Creek but are also Newbury St. worthy.
EDIT :
I’d also like to point out that Joey Potter had (as terrible as it looks in this photo) balayage hair before the 2012 balayage/ombre takeover. Take that future trends.
In these past several months I had the pleasure of working at WFNX Radio, one of the first (and last) real alternative stations in America. With Pandora, Spotify, and others on the rise our generation has been turning to the internet to stream their favorite new artists as well as find great new bands. WFNX was already doing this back when they first came on the airwaves in 1983. They broke ground-breaking bands such as R.E.M., Nirvana, and the Foo Fighters, just to name a few. It’s literally heart-wrenching that a station so rooted in the Boston music scene is now going to be taken off life support, but it is definitely a sign of the times. Even though I’m 23 I grew up listening to the radio, and a lot of stations I grew up with in Maine have also become obsolete. Fast forward to 2012 where a station like WFNX, in a market like Boston, has no choice but to fall at the feet of the conglomerate Clear Channel – what does this say about the shift in the local music scenes all over America?
Aside from this major shift in the industry hitting too close to home, I can say that being at WFNX was a once in a lifetime experience. At a time where CDs are considered ancient and radio is a thing of the recent past – WFNX did things for the Boston music scene that no other radio stations did. Being a part of that family, only for several months, was an amazing experience that few others can also say they contributed to. The DJ’s were overzealous and passionate about the station that they called home. Henry and Julie to name a few made it their home for the past several decades, and I don’t know how many DJ’s who work for Clear Channel could say they feel the same way about their station. As one of the people present at the station when the news broke I could feel a grim and overwhelming sense of sadness throughout the room. Thanks again for taking me in as part of your family, WFNX.
After spending the weekend in Portland, Maine I can tell you I didn’t want to leave. Aside from my best friend, Portland also holds residence to some creative and interesting artists. With places like Artist and Craftsman and Buckdancer’s Choice, can you blame them? Maine is the perfect breeding ground for organic lyrics and natural inspiration. It’s also the place where you can pay $25 for a fish bowl full of blue liquor, but we won’t talk about that.
The Portland music scene has had some great developments in the last few years, and Will Ethridge’s label Eternal Otter Records is a fine example. Their best known artist is the ever popular, break-out star Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, who combines folk roots with a melodic indie sound. Check out Eternal Otter Records and their sampler to hear all of their artist’s offerings. They also create some amazing artwork to go with their artist’s releases.
For a little city there sure is an abundance of creativity. Keep it up Portland!
Gem Club consists of Kristen Drymala and Christoper Barnes, a Berklee alumni and acquaintance of mine, who are doing great things. They have a beautiful and unique sound. Among all of the copycat indie “musicians” out there right now, Gem Club is definitely a diamond in the rough. There have been a couple moments in the last couple years when I’ve really been amazed at how much they have grown since their start a few years ago:
Moment one, when I was visiting my Mom in Portland, Maine and I passed a random girl donning Gem Club headphones while strolling down the street.
Moment two, was when a good friend of mine who has impeccable taste in music and a knack for handpicking new artists, messaged me about how great they were and to go out and see their show. Well without further ado, one of the many great Gem Club tracks, ‘Animals’, you’re welcome.
Gem Club – Animals from Gem Club on Vimeo.
Can’t stop listening to this new Brooklyn band, Friend’s new single ‘Friend Crush’. Then I went and listened to a couple of their other tracks on Youtube and the feeling wasn’t so mutual with those tunes. Then I went and watched some videos of them performing live and I was a little turned off. However, I still do like listening to the recorded version of ‘Friend Crush’ by Friends. I guess they’re a one blog hit wonder.
With my newfound free time I’m thrifting a lot more,
and with more time to scout out some great vintage pieces!
Check out my shop and spread the word!
Vintage Ferragamo Heart Toed heels, $35
check out more @ etsy.com/shop/rachelmaryella
New fall nail trends are here (!), and apart from my favored dalmation manicure, Refinery 29 has some great filing styles because apparently it’s high fashion to make your nails look like talons! Who knew. I personally don’t know how long I could last without breaking out into a laughing fit while sporting those animalistic fingernails.
For more great fall nail colors, Essie has a great fall 2011 line out now!
So originally I was going to catalog some of the new finds I got at Goodwill in the footwear department, but then my beautiful and striking kitten got in the shot and it turned into a feline/footwear themed event. I need to share these with someone, so please enjoy, unless you don’t like cats or shoes and then you should probably turn back now.
1st pair: Black Jeffrey Campbell Heels, $4
2nd pair: Black/Silk Prada Pumps, $10
3rd pair: Black w/ Golden Chanel Hells (Second Time Around), $37.50
4th pair: Black Ferragamo Kitten Heels, $7.50
5th pair: Creme Ferragamo Kitten Hells, $4
6th pair: Yellow Yves Saint Laurent Heels (Buffalo Exchange), $8.50
‘If I Were a Cat’ by Shimona:
So for all of you who know me, and don’t know me for that matter, sort of get the idea that I love small DIY labels. Peapod Recordings is a label based out of my home-state, in Portland, Maine, with a lot of great unknown artists for you to get to know. I was turned on to the likes of Foam Castles by an old friend of mine, but there’s also some great, raw, instrumental artists off of Peapod Recordings as well. After listening to Foam Castles I am reminded of one of my favorite low-fi UK bands, Internet Forever – however, when Internet Forever sounds more like PENS, Foam Castles is heading more in a Yuck direction. Anyhow, I’m proud of this small little label running out of Portland, Maine and I wanted to showcase it here for all of you to see, whether you like it or not I don’t care, but I sure as hell do.
Check out the track, ‘Welcome to Molly’s Jungle’ by Foam Castles:
Crème de la crème.
