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| Apron fronted faux leather cross dress. |
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| Ele - model (L), Rhio - model (R) |
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| Velvt skater dress |
Monday, 25 February 2013
Here are some images I had shot by Ren Qi, for my latest MODO Collection. I've called it 'EMERGENCE' and my inspiration was gothic romance, Angela Carter stories, and London street style. This is a little preview, I'm sure more pics will follow!
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Allo Darlin', Tender Trap, The Spook School
Allo Darlin' – Tender Trap – The Spook School - 08/01/2012
It's a Tuesday night in Kings Cross, a bitter wind is blowing and the world hasn't quite recovered from its new year hangover. Not the easiest setting for a relatively new to London band to take to the stage.
The Spook School are first to open the 'Winter Sprinter' at the Lexington – a 3 day celebration of cheery Indy bands. Despite their almost non-existence on the London scene, within a few bars of their set the crowd were thoroughly warmed by The Spook School's upbeat pop. The catchy choruses and bouncy riffs filled the intimate venue, and woke up London's Indy scene. The slick sound belies this band's experience, but is explained away by the obviousness that to The Spook School the music is all that matters. The four-piece (a lead and rhythm guitar, a bassist and a drummer who all assist with the vocals) have a relaxed stage presence, the guitarists unassumingly knocking out songs in quick succession relying on the awkwardly humourous drummer to front the group... from the back. It is a unique style, but the music speaks for itself. The crowd loved it, and this performance landed The Spook School a record deal – so watch this space.
Unfortunately the same praise cannot be given to Tender Trap. With quite an impressive musical history, this amalgamous five piece failed to impress. Musically flawless, still several members of the audience decided this set would be a good time to head downstairs for another drink. It wasn't the musical offerings but the performance that was lacking here. The combination of an annoying front-woman and her banal anecdotes were only enough to keep the hardcore fans interested. This was a shame, as Tender Trap deliver some interesting offerings in the way of melodious pop deepened by folky, semi-political lyrics. I am sure this band can often deliver, but on this occasion, it seemed a little tired.
Fortunately the night was ended by Allo Darlin' a feel-good ukulele playing band from London. Touring for years, and with a jet-lagged front woman, they still delivered something fresh to the Lexington. The breathy vocals of Elizabeth Morris filled the room without taking over. Combined with her impish face and infectious smile it was as if a spring-fairy had been trussed into a pair of gap jeans and told to sing to us. The relaxed delivery, and banter between the musicians on stage, maximised the intimacy and created a homely warmth that made you forget it was winter, and feel totally at home. Songs full of emotion, and real life pain, never became too ballad-esque. A constant heartbeat of drums and major chords infected a perfect playlist which swept through a journey of ups and downs, but left you feeling like everything in the world would be okay. The three bearded musicians that surround Elizabeth let her do their thing, but still give compelling individual performances. The passion for their instruments, the songs, the crowd is evident in the way that every note is a forceful caress. Allo Darlin' are so in tune with each other, and with their gigging environment that even little feedback hiccups seem somehow integral and planned. Every tune leaves you swaying, and even the sad songs can't help but put a massive smile on your face. It is a true sign that you have witnessed something brilliant when everyone – new fans and old- are demanding an encore, and when the band look genuinely surprised that they're being asked to play one. Because that's just it about Allo Darlin'. They're a real band, and their music is about real, everyday things. And that makes them really rad.
It's a Tuesday night in Kings Cross, a bitter wind is blowing and the world hasn't quite recovered from its new year hangover. Not the easiest setting for a relatively new to London band to take to the stage.
The Spook School are first to open the 'Winter Sprinter' at the Lexington – a 3 day celebration of cheery Indy bands. Despite their almost non-existence on the London scene, within a few bars of their set the crowd were thoroughly warmed by The Spook School's upbeat pop. The catchy choruses and bouncy riffs filled the intimate venue, and woke up London's Indy scene. The slick sound belies this band's experience, but is explained away by the obviousness that to The Spook School the music is all that matters. The four-piece (a lead and rhythm guitar, a bassist and a drummer who all assist with the vocals) have a relaxed stage presence, the guitarists unassumingly knocking out songs in quick succession relying on the awkwardly humourous drummer to front the group... from the back. It is a unique style, but the music speaks for itself. The crowd loved it, and this performance landed The Spook School a record deal – so watch this space.
Unfortunately the same praise cannot be given to Tender Trap. With quite an impressive musical history, this amalgamous five piece failed to impress. Musically flawless, still several members of the audience decided this set would be a good time to head downstairs for another drink. It wasn't the musical offerings but the performance that was lacking here. The combination of an annoying front-woman and her banal anecdotes were only enough to keep the hardcore fans interested. This was a shame, as Tender Trap deliver some interesting offerings in the way of melodious pop deepened by folky, semi-political lyrics. I am sure this band can often deliver, but on this occasion, it seemed a little tired.
Fortunately the night was ended by Allo Darlin' a feel-good ukulele playing band from London. Touring for years, and with a jet-lagged front woman, they still delivered something fresh to the Lexington. The breathy vocals of Elizabeth Morris filled the room without taking over. Combined with her impish face and infectious smile it was as if a spring-fairy had been trussed into a pair of gap jeans and told to sing to us. The relaxed delivery, and banter between the musicians on stage, maximised the intimacy and created a homely warmth that made you forget it was winter, and feel totally at home. Songs full of emotion, and real life pain, never became too ballad-esque. A constant heartbeat of drums and major chords infected a perfect playlist which swept through a journey of ups and downs, but left you feeling like everything in the world would be okay. The three bearded musicians that surround Elizabeth let her do their thing, but still give compelling individual performances. The passion for their instruments, the songs, the crowd is evident in the way that every note is a forceful caress. Allo Darlin' are so in tune with each other, and with their gigging environment that even little feedback hiccups seem somehow integral and planned. Every tune leaves you swaying, and even the sad songs can't help but put a massive smile on your face. It is a true sign that you have witnessed something brilliant when everyone – new fans and old- are demanding an encore, and when the band look genuinely surprised that they're being asked to play one. Because that's just it about Allo Darlin'. They're a real band, and their music is about real, everyday things. And that makes them really rad.
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