Scott Goodman: Owl (2007)
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NOTES ON NEW CULTURE
THE PARIS, AUSTRALIA
ISSUE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2007
Artist Style
BAT FOR LASHES
Natasha Khan a.k.a. Bat for Lashes is the latest singer-songwriter to look like she belongs more on a catwalk than in the pages of NME. And, as of today, a nominee for the prestigious British Mercury Prize. What makes her stand out in a sea of Chan Marshalls and Joanna Newsoms is her own unique aesthetic, both visually and sonically. Khan has created her own fantasy world filled with galloping ponies, Indian teepees, and wild animals which she illustrates in her press photos, video clips, and even her songs which feature dreamy piano sounds and the kind of rattling percussion you would expect to hear coming from a gypsy caravan. Even when you can't make out the words she cries out in her raspy tone, you get the idea that she is spinning some kind of wild tale just for you. Don't miss Bat for Lashes as she embarks on her US tour this July. - AL
VIDEO
FOR "WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO"
BAT
FOR LASHES MYSPACE
artist Style
OPERATOR PLEASE
I don't know what you were up to when you were a teenager but I was at home in New Mexico cleaning a sheep barn and learning how to drive. I was not touring the world with my friends, playing the UK festival circuit and opening for huge artists like Modest Mouse and Kaiser Chiefs. But lucky for the Australian indie pop quintet Operator Please, that is exactly what they get to do, and deservingly so. These teens from one of Australia's tourist havens, the Gold Coast in Queensland, have put together what was supposed to be just another high school band. However, their catchy and endearing songs caught the attention of an A&R executive and soon they were signed to Virgin in Australia and Brille in the UK. Operator Please have been touring nonstop, filming videos with Shitdisco clip director Price James, and doing photo shoots for NME. It is only a matter of time before they explode in the US (their video tour diary has already been spotlighted on YouTube and Perez Hilton has professed his love for them), and when they do, don't let your jealousy prevent you from seeing them live or from buying what is sure to be a unique and infectious debut album.- AL
VIDEO
FOR "JUST A SONG ABOUT PING PONG"
OPERATOR
PLEASE MYSPACE
VIEW STYLE
CRITERION COLLECTION SUMMER RELEASES
[Please add these DVD's to your list of gifts for me for this upcoming holiday season - BK]
July:
JEAN-PIERRE MELVILLE'S LES ENFANTS TERRIBLE
Jean Cocteau and Jean-Pierre Melville create a perverse
universe of romance and jealousy revolving around the relationship between
a brother and sister.
Features include interviews with the actors and producers, Around Cocteau (2003), a short film about Cocteau and Melville's creative relationship
ACE IN THE HOLE
The cult-classic follow-up to Sunset Boulevard: Kirk
Douglas plays a corrupt newspaper reporter trapped in Albuquerque.
Includes a 1984 Interview with Kirk Douglas by film scholar Michael Thomas, and a video afterward by Spike Lee.
August:
DAVID MAMET'S HOUSE OF GAMES
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter David Mamet
tells the story of what happens when a therapist meets an attractive yet
psychologically disturbed career criminal.
Includes interviews with actors Lindsay Crouse and Joe Mantegna.
YOUR NETFLIX QUEUE
PEEP SHOW SERIES ONE
Once you get a taste of this belly-aching English comedy, you will wonder
why it hasn't yet taken the US by storm yet a la "The Office."
The premise of Peep Show is simple: two London flatmates
live equally pathetic lives. One is a wannabe rockstar and the other is
a nerdy corporate monkey who is obsessed with one of his co-workers. Together
they drink lager, stalk their crushes, and tangle themselves in ridiculous
webs of lies designed to make them appear to be the attractive and respectable
people that they wish they were but most certainly are not.
Peep Show's creators and stars are the hilarious comedic duo Mitchell
and Webb who are so huge in Britain they are featured in
billboards everywhere and star in the UK PC vs. Mac commercials.
Series One came out in the UK in 2003 so it has already finished its third
season over there. For those who get hooked after whetting their appetite
on Netflix, don't worry, other episodes can be found online for streaming
on certain internet video outlets. - AL
SLEEP STYLE
HAUTERIVE SAINT-JAMESFRANCE
Jealous of your friends who got to attend the Vinexpo
in Bordeaux this June while you had to stay home? Don't worry, those who
are aching for a relaxing French vacation this summer have the perfect hotel
waiting for them just outside of Bordeaux. Many of the VIP's who flocked
to the area for this year's wine conference stayed in this luxurious hotel
in order to experience some of the best service, dining, and cutting edge
design in this region of France.
The Saint-James is owned by the high-end Relais-Chateau
and is located just outside of Bordeaux in a beautiful, isolated landscape.
It was designed by the iconic French architect Jean Nouvel
and each of the sun-drenched suites contains its own glass bedroom overlooking
a quiet vineyard.
I had the privilege of staying at the Saint-James recently and it was one
of the best hotel experiences I have ever had. There are only eighteen guest
rooms in the hotel and the attentive staff goes out of its way to meet the
needs of every single person. The atmosphere is so intimate and comfortable
that when you trek back to the hotel from your daily wine tasting excursions
you will feel like you are arriving home- if your home happens to be a luxurious
mansion where you are waited on hand and foot. - AL
CLICK STYLE
BBC COLLECTIVE
Let's face it, the UK has always had its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest in the arts. That's why it's essential that you subscribe to the BBC Collective newsletter. It's a regular, no-frills rundown of the latest in music, art and film and features the editorial and exclusive playlists that only a cultural powerhouse like the BBC can offer. - AL
CLICK STYLE
Your latest music obsession is only a click away. Awdio.co.uk will soon be streaming live from the soundsystems of the best boutiques and clubs around the world. Colette in Paris and Club 205 in NYC are just two of the ultrahip destinations that have signed on, and there are many more to come as the service launches soon. Bored in your work cubicle? There's a dance party somewhere on the planet! Sign up now to get on the testers waiting list. - AL
VISUAL STYLE
JAIME HAYON, LLADRO
News was made in the design community when star designer Jaime
Hayon was appointed artistic director of the legendary Valencia-based
porcelain company Lladro. With the new Re-Deco
collection, Hayon creates a fusion between the classic
porcelain figurine and quirky modern design. The collection features the
classic porcelain pieces such as miniature rabbits, frogs and flowers, as
well as mermaids and polar bears. Re-Deco launched this summer at Parisian
style touchstone Colette,
along with the very first collection of Lladro Fragrances: a range of candles,
oils and sticks. - AL
Pieces from the Lladro Re-Deco collection are now available at the Lladro
boutique in Paris as well as its online shop.
VISUAL STYLE
M/M PARIS
Even if you haven't yet heard of Parisian design duo m/m
(Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag), you have surely
seen their work. I mean come on, they created the famous Bjork font for
crying out loud. m/m came on the scene in 1992. Not only have they created
print ads for mega-brands like Levi's and Calvin Klein but their work has
been showcased in numerous museums, galleries, books, magazines, and even
private homes. On the m/m website, shoppers can purchase billboard-sized
prints to hang wherever their heart desires (or wherever they can find room
to hang something that big). The m/m site also contains a huge digital archive
of m/m's work and even a free font download!
If you find yourself in Paris this summer, be sure to visit the Air de Paris
exhibit at the Centre
Pompidou - an m/m installation and posters will be featured
in the main hall until August 15. - AL
VISUAL STYLE
FLY DVD
FLY DVD "What a World, What a World" is out now. It features 22 short films by artists including Alex Cayley, Jamie Isaia, Ghukfvin, Catherine Cushman, Gray Scott, Tiziano Magni, Bruce Gilden, Elliot Erwitt, and Susan Meiselas. The fashions are courtesy of Givenchy, Yohji Yamamoto, YSL, Sonya Rykiel, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, Shelly Steffee, Ann Demulemeester, Miu Miu, and Kiki De Montparnasse. Music by Van She, Cut Copy,The Presets, New Young Pony Club, Tiger Sushi, and Sir Alice!
SHOP STYLE
POWERHOUSE ARENA
powerHouse Books are well-known as a groundbreaking publisher of photography and art books. The company's headquarters and bookstore in the DUMBO district of Brooklyn also serves as one NYC's premier exhibition and event spaces, and has become quite the NYC hot-spot of late. The New York Times recently named powerHouse Arena one of its top 10 destinations for photography in New York City. The bookstore stocks a unique selection of photography, art, and children's books. The gallery features an ever-changing showcase of exciting talent. Highlights of this summer's events so far included the unveiling of an installation inspired by Nike's 1970's running shoe collection, and an event commemorating the 1980's hip hop film classic Wildstyle. - AL
powerHouse Arena is located at 37 Main Street in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn.
WEAR STYLE
CHARLES ANASTASE
London-based designer Charles Anastase started out as
an illustrator, creating album covers for such artists as Beck and Paul
McCartney and contributing to fashion publications like Purple Fashion and
Dazed&Confused.
After relocating to Paris and deciding that he wanted to create a clothing
collection, the French Ministere de la Culture awarded Anastase a 50,000
Euro grant to make his dream come true.
Anastase says he is inspired by fairy tales and psychoanalysis and this
certainly comes through in his work. His dainty, frilly dresses are straight
out of Alice In Wonderland.
Anastase is now more of a fashion designer than an illustrator, but he has
not separated himself from the music world. His clientele contains a who's
who of today's fashionable indie rock stars including members of The Gossip,
The Like, and Yoko Ono. - AL
READ STYLE
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STYLE LISTS
LOCAL'S GUIDE
Whichever hemisphere you find yourself in this summer, we've got you covered. Friends of Passionate, Ashley McConnell and Morgan Le Gall give us their top 5 favorite places in their respective hometowns. Do you prefer Sizzler and surfing or clubbing and shopping?
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
¨
ABOUT ASHLEY:
The coolest 18 year-old we know
Gold Coast native
Plays bass in indie it-band Operator
Please
1. The Chophouse, Surfers Paradise
"It's this ace little venue in Surfers Paradise, possibly one of the
only good music venues on the Gold Coast. It's actually the place that gave
us our very first proper club show and we've been back many a time again.
The music is great, the drinks are cheap and it's got cool little booths
along the wall."
2. Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
"Nothing amazing but it's the biggest and has the most shops. The best
cinemas too. Good destinations for night-time driving adventures.
3. Currumbin Beach
"It's a good swimming beach and it's around where I grew up so I guess
it was always quite convenient. Perhaps Burleigh Beach is also worth a visit,
good second hand stores around there."
4. Sizzler at Mermaid Beach
"When you take good people it's ace. It's usually followed up by a
visit to snooker world or mini golf around the corner."
5. My House
"It's kind of the reason i go back to Gold Coast, but everyone can't
visit."
PARIS, FRANCE
ABOUT MORGAN:
Parisienne & lover of NYC
Development for on-fire Paris web design shop supergazol.com
(Air, EA)
1. La Fleche
d'Or
Indie Rock and Electro Club
"A former train station transformed into a club & restaurant welcomes
the best indie rock & electro. Attitude-free, fiery ambiance, party
til dawn and always free to get in. Ed Banger nights, Laurent
Garnier, Uffie, Yelle, Datarock, The Pipettes ..."
102 rue de Bagnolet, 75020 PARIS
2. Le Batofar
Le meilleur de l'electro à Paris
"A nice red boat docked on the Seine facing Paris' main library featuring
the best electro DJ's - great sound system. the best is to relax on a deck
chair and chill to to the best sounds on Sunday afternoon!"
11 quai Francois Mauriac, 75013 PARIS
3. Le Bar Ourcq
"A great bar on the shore of the Canal Saint Martin between Stalingrad
and La Villette - great ambiance, deck chairs and petanque!"
68, quai de la loire 75019 PARIS
4. Les Prairies de Paris
"The fast-rising brand of young stylist Laetitia Ivanez
- beautiful clothing and accessories for girls ... simplicity, perfect fits
and fabrics, ultra-feminine."
one store rive gauche (left bank): 6 rue du Pré aux Clerc, 75007
PARIS
Also available at Galeries Lafayette & at French Trotters, a great store
on rue de Charonne
5. Le Chateaubriand
Purchased by Frédéric Penau and chef Inaki Aizpitarte in 2006,
Le Chateaubriand is mentioned in many guides and is the perfect place to
discover new flavors.
Menu includes homemade boudin noir (blood sausage), herring salad,
tapas, basque cheeses, fromage frais basque with Rose, smashed
bananas. Great wine list. Reservations are a must!"
129 avenue Parmentier, 75011 PARIS
Contemporary Art Meets Sustainable Development
AMNIOTIC REACTION
Free Event - Please RSVP
Presented by GOOD
Magazine & iDOO.com,
the Opening Reception Event for Guilain Joncheray's "Amniotic
Reaction" multimedia art installation will take place on Thursday,
July 19, 2007 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at POWERHOUSE ARENA in the DUMBO district
- Brooklyn, New York.
DJ sets by Fabian Alsultany - GlobeSonic
Sound System and Jacques
Renault, Electronic Music Performance by o.blaat.
Wines courtesy of Beaujolais, juices courtesy of Sambazon.
Log onto amnioticreaction.com for more info on this ambitious project: a Multimedia Art Opening Event for French artist Guilain Joncheray's new video installation.
"Amniotic Reaction" consists of 9 framed plasma screens showing unique CGI film creations, which explore the theme of water, its symbolism and its protection. Guilain Joncheray is well-known as the co-producer of 90's global pop act Deep Forest ("Sweet Lullaby"). Two organizations which fight for protection of our oceans are participating OCEANA, and the campaign to Conserve our Ocean Legacy.
