BIG thanks goes out to Paul Cross for this great mix for Lionstigersrahhh. To listen to more super wicked stuff, head to his Mixcloud
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Anna Lena & The Orchids
A wonderful voice...Anna Lena & The Orchids is a band that is definitely worth keeping an eye and both ears on.
FÜNF AUFRÄUMEN by Howitzweissbach
I did a feature a little while ago on Howitzweissbach's winter collection High Class Robbery and was over the moon when I received an email from Eva Howitz to watch their highlights from Paris Fashion Week 2012. I must say, there is quite a difference between the two collections and it only points out how talented and creative the people behind Howitzweissbach's are. High Class Robbery was filled with bold colour explosions, transparency and great attention and detail that each piece had. Their new collection FÜNF AUFRÄUMEN, I find mesmerizing and highly detailed with a hit of 'reserved'.
I am a great fan of their work and might sound biased as I fall in love with every piece they produce and the story or theme their collections have. There has been a long debate between myself and a dear friend about the lack of garments that truly highlight and show off the beauty of the female back. So when I saw the collection and how beautiful the garments are fitted whilst showing what I believe to be the sexiest body part in a female, I can only smile with cheer delight at how amazing this collection is. Teamed up with precise colours and tailoring, FÜNF AUFRÄUMEN is filled with sophistication and a great hint of drama. They create garments that are wearable and open for interpretation, one thing I know for sure, Howitzweissbach is one label that is only going to go from strength to strength!
Within their collection there are a few pieces that are transparent, I find the colours on this dress out of this world as Howitzweissbach know to what capacity to use colour and how to create cuts that take you on a wonderful dream. I'm a great fan of how the green colour on the dress looks like waves washed away.
Sunday, 15 April 2012
I Can't Be Your Love
Check out Kong records and Whisky Stain to find out more about this very talented two piece band who describe their music as 'Blues Drenched Indie'.
Photography by dylanne lee
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Jewel Heritage
The first time I stumbled across Jewel Heritage was when I picked up an issue of Grazia magazine and admired longingly their animal crow head rings that were featured. A few months later I saw these rings again at a market stall and got to meet one half of Jewel Heritage Amina Khan. Their designs are simple but very striking whilst holding the meaning of true and organic jewellery design. Their pieces are extremely affordable (you wouldn't think so)with the great detail and craftsmanship seen in every pieces they produce. I was fortunate enough to receive one of these rings from a very special person for Christmas and it was probably THE best present I have received. It is a piece that so many people notice and have asked about the label and how stunning it looks. Here is what Amina Khan had to say about the label...
How did you get started with designing jewellery?
I seemed to have worked my way to owning my own jewellery brand without any formal training. I studied illustration and design at college. But I've always been open to experimenting with different mediums and jewellery is just another form of expression that I've come across and love. I'm almost working backwards in that now I am studying silver-smithing, learning techniques to help develop myself and Jewel Heritage.
Where do you get your inspirations from?
I love folk stories, myths, anything that has a story behind it and strong visuals. And of course my own semi-warped macabre mind!
What designers out there inspire you?
This is very difficult to answer because you can get caught up with what everyone else is doing but I do admire people like Bjorg and Bijules.
Your recent collection?
It's entitled 'Don't bite the Apple Eve', it's of course in relation to the story of Adam and Eve. The title name is actually a line from Jay Z's Empire State of Mind where he proceeds to lay the blame of with her for the 'downfall' of women and society in general, have a listen. We have a unisex statement ring, a bangle and we decided to do dainty but in our own way by having our version of a stacking ring. To show people we can step away from large statement rings and we are diverse.
What is next for Jewel Heritage?
New website, a bespoke service, and a little treat on the website entitled 'Pandora's Box'. Which for now is a bit of a secret.
For more information about Jewel Heritage, head to www.jewelheritage.com and check out the secret pandora box and all the delights it has to offer.
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Credits:
Davide Salemme fashion
Elena Zu Dietur set designer
Samanta Togni Make-up
Chloe Lau fashion assistant
Elne photography
Plusthirtynine clothing
127 brickane clothing & accessories
Prangsta costume & accessories
Monday, 27 February 2012
PORTICO QUARTET
By Paul Cross
Portico Quartet* are a band from London. Their sound is made partially distinctive by the use of the Hang, a 21st Century percussion instrument. The group is composed of Jack Wyllie (soprano and tenor saxophone), Duncan Bellamy (drums), Milo Fitzpatrick (double bass), and Keir Vine (Hang and percussion). Nick Mulvey, former Hang player and percussionist, left in early 2011 to pursue his career as singer-songwriter. He is replaced by Keir Vine.
After nearly two years of playing mainly small gigs and busking regularly outside the National Theatre in London, they signed to Babel Label in 2007. Their first album, *Knee-deep in the North Sea* was released on 5 November 2007 coupled with performances at the London Jazz Festival at Purcell
Room together with pianist Michiel Borstlap and drummer Bill Bruford. They are now signed to Real World Records. The name portico comes from when one of their gigs was rained off in Italy, and they ended up playing under a portico. Their third, most recent, self-titled titled album was released on January 30th 2012.
I was first introduced to PQ in 2005 by some very good friends who studied at SOAS and King's college. I heard about this house party in South London where these four amazing musicians played an impromptu gig in their own house around 5am. Soon after I was invited to a gig at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank where I witnessed and heard a form of Jazz music unlike anything I had ever heard before. Using instruments I was previously unaware of, and conjuring a truly magical and mystical sound which came across as more like a soundtrack/score than a collection of songs. I can honestly say I was truly blown away and have been a fan ever since.
Now in January 2012 I find myself extremely excited at the chance to see them in a relatively intimate show at Rough Trade Shops East, London. Portico Quartet are here to promote they're third and latest self-titled Album. As it’s an in-store gig the set is short, consisting of 6 tracks, 4 of which were taken from the new album.
The new album is a big step forward for the band yet also makes perfect sense too with the sounds that have recently been coming out of London, on the more electronic / dance side of things. But do not be perturbed by this new angle, PQ still maintain their unique and captivating sound yet successfully incorporate an electronic edge/flavour, taking influence from such artists as Four Tet, Burial and Mount Kimbie. All tracks on the album are recorded from single live takes.
Kicking off with 'Window Seat’ the band's sound manages to fill the room swiftly in a subtle yet encompassing manner, gently warming the crowd. The ambience of the strings gradually loses to the sweeping electronic pads serving up a wonderful introduction, which leads straight into the next track 'Lacker Boo'. Beautifully dark, the second track from PQ really shows their deep and soulful side and the repetitiveness of the backbeat becomes almost hypnotic.
'Ruins' is the track which first instantly stood out to me from the album and still has that solid PQ signature sound which rides over a low-slung 2-step beat. The combination of the double bass bassline and cutting hi-hats rhythm builds a sense of anticipation and slight unease before the Alto sax comes in with strong heart-wrenching melodies and lead lines whisking you away into a heavenly soundscape.
'Coy Carp' is introduced by the band as a song that didn't make it to the final album but should have been included in their eyes....that’s the record industry for you.... (However, if you buy the album from Rough Trade you do receive an exclusive bonus cd which includes 'Coy Carp' and 4 other tracks.)The track has a more industrial side to it with high pitched whines from the sax player and glitchy electronic beats, yet morphs through the PQ orchestra-like sound ending with a 90 sec piano reprise.
The penultimate song from the band (‘Spinner’) kicks off with a bassline I’m sure Roni Size would be envious of and a really nice rim-shot break but gradually builds into a very busy sonic climax. Finishing with 'City Of Glass' I am happily satisfied that Portico Quartet are still the band I knew before but have even more scope for the future with the incorporation of electronics. The four highly accomplished musicians have a great connection with each other and 'City If Glass' is the perfect end to a short but amazing gig.
I thoroughly recommend anyone to go and see them, even if the word 'Jazz' generally puts you off. They are a unique and wonderful band and I look forward to see where they will take us next. I really wouldn't be surprised if they were approached to do a film score or two soon...
Check out a live studio recording of 'Ruins' here including a link for a free download.
Special thanks goes out to Paul Cross from taking the time to write this review for Lionstigersrahhh.
For more on Paul Cross's music, check this out... Mixcloud
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