Album Haul

I have completely neglected this blog. But I'm going to make excuses and blame it on exams and the fact that our internet has been and currently is, utter shit. Anyway, I've been spending money but I like to believe it's towards a positive cause. The music industry. I have decided to build my CD collection because I used to have, up to a week ago, only two CDs; those being the Saddle Club Soundtrack and a So Fresh Summer Hits compilation dating back to the good old early '000's. Therefore I will show you the CDs I have bought:

PAPA VS. PRETTY: White Deer Park

I actually bought this album a couple of months ago when I attended the BallPark Music gig which I have a blogpost on reviewing the show, which I will link here. I bought this album because I was in a spendy mood and it was only $10 so how could I resist? This album is permanently in my car and it's a good album for road trips and rainy days. It's okay. The tracks all seem to blend into one and it takes a couple of listens to actually be able to distinguish each song. The only track that seems to stand out and actually display variation in the band's songwriting, is Smother which is rock influenced and has a real anthem vibe that I dig.

OF MONSTERS AND MEN: My Head Is An Animal

This was a gift from my mum's friend about a week ago. I must admit I haven't had a chance to listen to the full album but I have listened to a few of the individual tracks. It's a solid album and is easy-listening. Their sound is generally folk influenced and both vocalists have stunning voices. A good winter album.

SHE & HIM: Volume 3

I have never actually heard of this band before and again I haven't had a chance to listen to the album yet. Although I do recognize the girl on the front to be Zooey Deschanel, so I'm intrigued to listen to their stuff. I will report back.

HAIM: Days Are Gone

As I said in my previous post, I'm kind of over Haim's music as I listened to them heaps last October - December. Yet I do still believe it's a solid summery, easy-listening album with some good pop-rock tracks. I recommend this album to those looking for something new this summer. But as for myself, I'll give it a listen again this summer but probably not as much as the others.

BOY & BEAR: Harlequin Dream

Again, this is another band I got over last year although to be fair I haven't given this album a good crack yet. From what I've heard of it, that is Southern Son and Three-Headed Women, I'm not as big of a fan of it as I have been of previous albums, but I will give it another go as I'm generally a fan of their music and their slight folk influences. 

BANKS: Goddess

I am a massive fan of BANKS otherwise known as Jillian Banks, and I can tell you now I have listened to the album over 10 times now.  I find her music to be incredibly honest and raw. BANKS really adapts her tone to suit the theme of her songs, which I find many vocalists don't seem to find the need to do. The highlights of this album for me are Fuck Em' Only We Know, Stick, and Warm Water although I am obsessed with each track. 

HOZIER: Self-titled

Again I haven't had a chance to listen to this album all the way through although I have listened to Take Me To Church and From Eden, which have a similar sound. Yet I have had a brief listen to other tracks like Cherry Wine, which is quite different to the other two tracks previously mentioned, this shows the versatility of this Irish singer-songwriter. I'm looking forward to being able to listen to this album as a full body of work and I might write a review on it in the future.

Musicians Who Not Only Rock It Out On Stage

Laugh at me all you want, but that is literally the only title I could come up with. In an ideal world I would have created some really cool pun, combining both fashion and music, but apparently I am not as wordily talented as I thought I was. Anyway, basically I have composed a list of my top 5 favourite artists who are style-stalk worthy. Before I clumsily construct anymore sentences, I'm going to get on with it.

Number 5: Broods

Broods is a duo from New Zealand consisting of Georgia Nott (lead vocals) and older brother and multi instrumentalist Caleb Nott who works on the production and backing vocals of their tracks. Their most notable or recognisable song would probably be Mother & Father, which is a cool, icy, electro-pop number from their new album Evergreen. I must admit that I haven't paid much attention as to what Caleb has been wearing as both of my eyes have been fully focused on Georgia. 

I love the sports luxe reference of the shorts, combined with the heels to balance the look together. And her hair. Love. It.

 Okay I must admit that Caleb is in need of an honourable mention here for that awesome bomber jacket, which I kinda need in my life right now. But also, I love the half-length sleeves on what seems to be a kimono inspired cover-up?

An all black outfit that is cleverly broken up by the slice of midriff. And her hair again! Very, very cool.

Number 4: Haim
Haim (pronounced Hime) is a pop-rock, all American band combined of the three sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim. Their records are consistently bright and summery, perfect for hot-weather barbecues or lying by the pool. Although I've almost progressed from their music, their style, clothing wise,  is still completely current and relevant to me. 

 (from left to right) Danielle, Alana and Este
Love Alana's leather shorts and cropped high-neck textured top that creates a simple but completely effortlessly cool look. I also adore Danielle's leather gilet, which is toning down the inevitable farmer vibes that are radiating from her tucked in flannel and belted trousers number.

 I'm really digging Este's simplicity in this long-legged, black jump suit outfit with the cinched in waist to sort of separate the two sections whilst giving her a bit of shape simultaneously. Also love her sunnies, especially that beautiful muted orange colour. But most of all that STUNNING coat that Danielle is wearing, with the less-is-more style of the white T-shirt dress.

Turtle-neck? Check. Monochrome? Check. Grid pattern? Check. This straight dress is literal perfection with the tied-around-the-waist sports luxe jumper adding just enough shape and detail to contribute and not take away from this outfit. Love the coordination of the second outfit to give off a I-just-came-off-the-run-way-and-I'm-totally-rocking-it feel.

Number 3: Wild Belle

If I'm going to be honest Wild Belle is a band I have only recently discovered. They remind me almost of Sticky Fingers, especially in the song Keep You. Wild Belle are an American band comprised of siblings (can you see a common thread here?) Elliot and Natalie Bergman. Their music combines an array of genres plastered together in a way that is perfectly cohesive, much like their clothes.

 Ah, I love clashing so much, and it works here flawlessly. I'm focusing mostly on beard-and-hair-central here (let's be honest I'm jealous of his hair) but I'm digging this rock reference that's gained by the button down shirt and cropped blazer. I'm also admiring Natalie's beautiful arm cuffs.

 All I can say is, the 60's in a shirt.

I have been lusting over a white suit for a really long time. What both siblings did right here is find one that is cut in a really cool, modern and up-to date way. Love. Love. Love.

Number 2: Grimes

Grimes or Claire Boucher is a Canadian producer, artist, musician, singer-songwriter and music video director. Her music is influenced by a wide array of genres such as electronic, hip-hop and medieval (I told you there was a use for the Dorian Mode ;) ) Her clothes definitely reflect her experimental music and I'm obsessed.

 I am obsessed with her green ombre hair, I think it looks so cool and so her. Not to mention that amazing army parka/coat.

 Oh yes. Oh yes. Oh. Yes. First of all that denim gilet has been on my want list for at least a year now, ever since that Zara one sold out. :'( Secondly that maxi dress is so perfectly bedazzled that I'm in love. And lastly, how does one purchase such stunning pieces?

This is probably my favourite out of all her looks. I love the school girl and boy influences these pieces radiate. The plaited piggy-tails. The denim culottes. The stockings. The trainers. It's androgynous in the most beautiful way possible. 

Number 1: FKA twigs

And lastly and most importantly the most well-dressed musician out there (in my opinion would have to be FKA twigs, otherwise known as Tahliah Barnett, who is an English singer-songwriter, producer and dancer. Her music is a mixture of electronic, chill and she includes slight references to R&B. 

 If I'm going to be honest I just really like this photo and of course her Tee, and her hair, and her make-up.

 This outfit is honestly flawless. The culottes, lingerie-inspired top paired with the Doc Martins combine an array of styles that fit together like a jigsaw. Her sassy pout and wind-swept wavy hair really does add to the look.

I really do love this outfit. Her hair, first of all, wow! I just love how effortlessly cool she manages to look in this all black number and I adore her tarnished gold necklaces. 

I love how Twigs really allowed the printed trousers to speak for themselves. She kept them a statement by pairing them with classic brown Timberlands and a simple black crop with vibrant red lips.

All You Can Ask: Lena Dunham

I never quite knew what the, I guess you could call it hype, was about surrounding Lena Dunham. I thought she was just a comedic and likable actress. But I was wrong. Not only is she an actress, but she is a figurehead, a feminist (+10 brownie points), a writer, a director, a producer and just a rockin', really cool, genuine, forward thinking person and I want to be friends with her (#lovemelena). She is an advocate for everything that would be law in my utopian society (except maybe the allowance of penguins to run for presidency - it's a great idea I promise).

To promote the upcoming release of her new book 'Not That Kind of Girl' which is out September 30th (get on it) Lena filmed a bunch of videos labeled Ask Lena to quench the thirst of practically any question that you have ever pondered. I will link them below to save you the time of frantic googling so happy birthday I hope you enjoy your present and no you can't exchange it, you shouldn't want to anyway. xx

Top 5: Favourite Films

Okay so I should probably tell you that I'm not a big movie watcher (even though I do work at a video rental store, really not too sure why they hired me to be honest) so constructing this list in all honesty wasn't that difficult a task. Another thing I should say to you is that my friends tell me I have an awful taste in movies, apparently I'm into 'monotone' movies (I say embrace it) but um fuck them I'm going to force my list onto you regardless. Anyway, now that I've got you all pumped up for a killer movie list let's get it started...

Number 5: The Truman Show
I watched this back in 2008 I want to say, and I really enjoyed it. I recently had to re-watch it for school and I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much if not more! I found that I got a lot more out of it this time round as I'm obviously six years older and wiser (okay maybe not wiser) but the ideas and themes the film addressed were really quite complex and interesting. It touched a lot on what we value in a society and if being ignorant really is bliss. I'll give you a quick run down on what it's about if you don't already know, basically it's about a man named Truman who was born into the main character role of a reality TV show. Cameras have been following him around ever since he was born, 24 hours a day non-stop. Truman is unaware of this as everyone around him are acting as his friends, acquaintances and family. He lives in a man constructed dome-like 'society', which is completely cut off from the real world. The film centers around Truman wanting more out of life and wanting to escape his 'ordinary'.

Number 4: The Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter is my childhood. It's the one series I have re-watched over 200 times (no exaggeration). They are just a bunch of 8 amazingly feel-good films that instantly improve my mood. I don't know whether my enjoyment of them is purely nostalgic or that I get something new out of them each time I watch it. All I know is that it's a series I will never stop re-watching and never ever stop loving. I think my favourite is probably the Prisoner of Azkaban purely because Voldemort is not in it which makes it much less dark and somber. My favourite character, you ask? I think it would have to be Severus Snape because he is the most relatable and genuine character, I feel, he's also fairly underrated which also adds to the appeal.

Number 3: 10 Things I Hate About You
This film is so feel good (obviously not as much as HP but it's still up there). I feel like it's such a classic chic flick and the fact that I like this is saying a lot as I'm usually not a fan of those girly misogynistic shitty films. What gives this film extra brownie points would have to be the sexiness of Heath Ledger, if you are to watch any scene watch the bit where he's trying to win back Kat by serenading her at school, oh my dear god that scene. I love how this film manages to incorporate a teenage girl love story while maintaining it's independant-women-beyoncé-like vibe. Assuming you already know what this film is about I'll give you a 30-words-or-less summary. Girl meets boy. Boy dates girl for money. Boy eventually falls for girl. Girl finds out about money and you know where this is heading. Anyway it's a must-watch so get on to it if you haven't already.

Number 2: Good Will Hunting
Matt Damon. Matt Damon. Matt Damon. He is sure looking fine in this movie, I must say. Phenomenal performance by both Damon and Robin Williams (who tragically passed away recently due to unfortunate and terribly sad circumstances). The acting in this film is purely amazing, so genuine and so raw. This movie makes me tear up every time because of how heartfelt and relatable it is. It's about a boy named Will Hunting (see what they did with the title ;)) who works as a janitor at M.I.T., he has a talent for maths but isn't quite sure what to do with it as he comes from a rough and financially unstable background. He is recommended to see a psychologist whom which he forms a very strong relationship with and simultaneously receives crucial life guidance from. Love. Love. Love this film. Perfect for a rainy day.

We have reached our number one, drum roll please. dadadaddadada bom tsh!

Number 1: The Breakfast Club
As cliché and pretentious as it seems to sound The Breakfast Club would have to be my favourite film of all time. It answers all of the troublesome questions of high-school life and raises so many more. It is such an important and thought-provoking film while it still manages to keep it's comedic tone. I can't stress to you how crucial it is that you watch this film. It's not supposed to be particularly sad but it made me cry watching how these five teenagers who had nothing in common at all (except a Saturday detention of course) ended up bonding and forming such formidable yet unlikely relationships. I adore every single character and could relate to each one. Ahh, such an amazing film.

P.S. I am well aware that I overused the word 'amazing' and 'relatable' but my vocabulary seems to be incredibly limited. Someone please buy me a Thesaurus for my birthday. Thank you in advance. xx

Album Review: Angus & Julia Stone (self-titled)

Angus & Julia Stone are a brother and sister duo (if you didn't already know), who were born and raised in good old Sydney. Fun fact, their parents played as a folk duo before they were born so it's obvious who was influential in their musical career. They have so far released three studio albums their third being their self-titled album that has already peaked at number one. When composing material each sibling writes their own stuff and then they continue by both working on the structure, the harmonies and the overall polishing of the song.

This self-titled album is the first of four years and was completely spontaneous and unplanned. The pair had been working singularly until Rick Rubin heard the pair play at a friend's party. He then went on to contact the brother-sister duo and voilà an album was born (and a pretty good one at that). If I'm going to be honest I was never really a true fan of Angus & Julia stone, their work had never really interested me. The stuff I had listened to of theirs previously was pretty but to me, it had no real substance. This album though, is definitely an improvement and really showcases the true potential the siblings have.

The album is made of 16 songs, of which Julia and Angus alternate taking the lead in. Although I must say that I enjoyed the first half of the album more than the back end of it, my favourites being A Heartbreak, My Word For It and Heart Beats Slow. Their sound remains pretty similar to how it has always been. Vocals are generally ambient, except for the songs Death Defying Acts and Main Street, which is quite comparable to something off of a Lana Del Rey album, perhaps it's a combination of the droning tone of Julia's vocals or the atmosphere of the song in general. The pair seem to have almost emerged from their folky roots and have created a new sound referencing a more pop rock vibe. Vocals are reverb-drenched in most, if not all, of the tracks and bass line is noticeably punchy. All in all a fairly good easy-listening album for a duo who had disappeared from us for a good while there.

I give Angus & Julia Stone's self-titled a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

*You can purchase this album from iTunes, and you can check out Angus & Julia Stone's website at: http://www.angusandjuliastone.com/ 

Slut, Skank, Whore

"I used to really like Rihanna, you know before she wore clothes that hid nothing but her vajayjay (yes, vajayjay) and posted pics that were G rated?" My friend Grace (picture light blonde hair, blue eyes, mildly  conservative views) expressed on our way to class. "So basically before she became a slut". I cringed when I heard that word. It has always been so harsh and always such a bad thing. But I've never really processed the definition, I've always just thought of it as an insult and accepted it. But now I've decided to question it. So according to the 'Free Dictionary', which is reliable enough when compared to 'urban dictionary', a slut is "a person, especially a woman, considered sexually promiscuous". So the average conservative person would nod their head and say "yeah hence the nature of the insult", but why is being 'sexually promiscuous' considered such a terrible and unforgivable thing and why is it so easy to accept that?

Being called a player (basically the male version of slut) is usually used as a term of endearment, even as a point of attraction but as soon as you add 'fe' to male it's disgusting and shameful. Now I am totally being hypocritical right now, as I have fallen slave to unfairly judging people and making assumptions as to how many guys a particular girl has slept with based on the length or (shortness should I say) of their skirt and how low their neck line is but I have decided to make changes to the way I see people. You quite obviously shouldn't judge someone based on what they are wearing or what they look like but I've decided to question this even further. Why have we as a society decided that having a lot of sex is bad? Why have we as a society decided that the naked female body, the body that half the world's population has, is something that we have been urged not to show? Why have we sexualized normality? Why have we sexualized sex itself? Neither the human body nor sex has to be 'sexy'.

The morals of society, the stuff that's supposed to be ethical, acceptable and right, has changed things that are completely normal and completely natural into something that should be hushed and never spoken about. This has had an opposite effect and turned women and our bodies into sexual objects of desire purely because we are not morally (nor lawfully) allowed to show them uncovered. This has turned sex or the reproduction of human beings (you know, that thing that allows our race to live on) into something despicable and 'unladylike'. We, ourselves, have changed the definition of natural and normal and put it on its head, turning it into the complete antonym of the word. 

Falling: Autumn Mix Tape

You guys are in for something special. ;) So, today I'm releasing my Autumn Mix Tape for 2014, Falling, and it's a good one. It includes songs from some of my favourite artists; Bombay Bicycle Club, Àsgeir, Sticky Fingers and CHVRCHES. If you haven't seen the mix tape I arranged last summer then you wouldn't know what this is. Basically every season I create a 'mix tape' of all of my most favourite songs that I have been listening to on repeat in that space of time. The idea is that I put all of my favourite tunes in one place to a) hopefully get you hooked on songs you haven't heard before and b) to encourage the appreciation of awesome music.

So without further ado:

Click here to be taken to my playlist

Stand Tall Amongst Giants

I've been really quite shit at posting these past couple of months and I'm going to try and improve at that, but this time I like to think I have a reason for it (even though it's more than likely I don't). So basically I applied for an internship with a magazine at the end of March, and if I'm going to be completely honest I only applied because my mum encouraged/forced me to do it. Oh and also I'm trying a new thing this year where I try to not be completely lazy, and it's actually working out so far. I got a job, a main role in my school musical, started guitar lessons (finally) and I got into this internship thing! Woo!

Anyway this past week I've been taking a tram and train into Richmond where the Jesuit Communications Office is everyday at 9.00am and I haven't been late once, which I'm genuinely astonished at. And I am so super glad that my mum "encouraged" me to apply for this internship as it has been an incredibly valuable and eye-opening experience for me. It has not only allowed me to have my writing published and printed in an actual publication but I've met and made 5 new friends, it has allowed me to star in a photo shoot ;) and it has most importantly re-confirmed my love for writing and my dream of becoming a journalist.

Each issue of this magazine, tries to convey a message through a theme. Our theme stemmed from a quote that Pope Francis said late last year (I think) "Ask God what he wants from you and be brave". This theme and the idea of valuing bravery as a whole has really got me thinking about how underrated courage really is. The only collection of people who tend to admire the quality of courage are young children, and even then the only thing they seem to be able to connect bravery with are the knights, super heroes and soldiers who roam their imagination. And I think that's a real shame.

Now I'm not going to ignore the fact that policeman, soldiers, firefighters etc. do not deserve all the praise they receive as the things they do on an everyday basis are absolutely incredibly and undeniably courageous but why should only one 'category' of people be known to embody the label of courage? Okay so say we take the definition of bravery i.e. 'ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage', clearly this doesn't exclusively include only those of us with guns in our hands. So then what about all the people who endure their own world of pain every single day? What about the people who wake up every morning feeling completely empty, seeing no logical reason whatsoever to see the light of day ever again? What about the people who go to bed without a shelter over their head and food in their stomachs? Surely that takes courage too? So why do we so easily roll our eyes at the small steps of bravery everyday people take on a daily basis? Why are things such as getting up and facing the day and not giving in, not considered courageous, or even important to any of us? The answer to these rhetorical, possibly pretentious, questions are that we feel like we don't have enough time to credit things so 'petty' and so 'unrelated' to anyone that it doens't involve but does that not give, the people at question, little to no reason to continue fighting their battles? I guess I'm merely giving credit where credit is due.

Lemonade Stand: Summer Mix Tape

Do you love music? Is your taste in music impeccable? If you answered yes to both of those questions, than I'm 99% sure that you're going to love my brand new 2014 Summer Mix Tape! Yay! I've decided that I'm going to release a new mix tape  at the turn of each new season, which means that my next mix tape will be coming out in Autumn, if I know my seasons well enough that is.

I have labeled this mix tape 'Lemonade Stand' and it combines a bunch of upbeat songs that I've been rockin' out to this summer. Bands such as The Preatures, Cloud Control, Half Moon Run, The Cure and even Queen (which was a shock to me as well).

My aim in creating these mix tapes is to share my love for music to the world, or my little corner of the internet, and hook people up into what is my massive obsession. Feel free to 'like' my mix tape on tape.ly and if you have created a mix tape yourself that you are ever so eager to share than please link it down in the comments below because I love discovering new music as much as I love lemonade and that's a whole lot.

Click here to be taken to my playlist