White Light and Witches

If synth pop and 80s beats don't excite you, then you may not have a soul. To test this theory, I share with you the new (sort of) single from Shura. 'White Lies' is seven minutes in musical heaven -enjoy! It's fast becoming the soft-pop, slow-jam of the summer. (Try saying that after a few pitchers of Pimms.)

Maybe she'll sink, maybe she'll fly, maybe she'll listen to the song and promote it on her blog. Gengahr, who I had the fortune of catching live once upon a time, have been releasing singles all over the place, ready for the launch of their debut album. I predict all good things for this band and you can hear all good things from them by listening to 'She's A Witch' below.

All round lovely lady Florence Welsh released another album quite recently. It features a myriad of enchanting chants and howls from the songstress and lyrics that are all indirect-tweet-to-your-ex-worthy. Florence's deluxe albums come with a few demos tacked on. It's always interesting to see the starting line of the race to make an entire body of music. Below is a demo for 'Which Witch', a song that didn't make the final cut, but is entirely worth a listen (and very usefully fits with the theme of this post). 

Accidentally Anarchic

(Painting by Ant Carver, live at GFW)

During the Friday night briefing before GFW, my manager mentioned Erin O'Connor. The name found itself scribbled down in my trusty, yet difficult, notepad (always listen to the flatmate when they tell you to pick the practical one, not the pretty one) with 'google her' written right next to it. The name felt familiar but, with so many things to remember and to think about, my mind was already working overdrive. My knowledge of models unfortunately wasn't a priority. So I googled her. Erin O'Connor; British model and writer and television personality and everything in between. Oh, that Erin O'Connor? Erin O'Connor the icon. Cue the freaking out.

As it turns out, not too many people my age recognise the name either. (That's not to say they don't know who she is.) When I mentioned to my flatmates that I'd be attending a conversation between her and Hilary Alexander I received only a few nods with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. The same lack of enthusiasm they threw at me when I excitedly shoved my phone towards them because she'd favourited one of my tweets. (The only thing they truly get excited about these days is pizza so I don't feel too offended.)

I am officially in love with @Erin_O_Connor! Witty, brilliant and has eyebrows to die for, I could listen to her for days! #gfw2015

— Alexandra Craft (@AlexandraSaidSo) June 2, 2015

Thank you for coming Alexandra! :) https://t.co/Q0ZO7p3oUq

— Erin O'Connor (@Erin_O_Connor) June 2, 2015

I'll pick up that name I just dropped.

____

Erin's eyes rolled within seconds of the dreaded 'who are you wearing?' Hilary called it 'The Forensic Investigation' but without the red carpet beneath them the question felt irrelevant and trivial. However, curiosity quelled, she was wearing a mixture of Dior, Topshop and Marc Jacobs. Obviously. (As a poor student of a size that none of the brands will ever stock, it was nice to know my wardrobe housed two of those brands regardless. I own two thirds of a model's outfit, darlin'.)

(Photo Credit: @rosemarypitts www.gfw.org.uk/blog)

Erin quickly urged the conversation into new, more appropriate territory; the start of her career. There was something endlessly comforting in her beginning. After being scouted at The Clothes Show in the 90s, she moved to 'the big smog' that is London. The agency only paid her £40 a week and she used over half to travel to jobs, leaving her eating tinned beans for the most part. I now feel much less horrific and much more fab eating beans from the tin. The times in university I spent wondering if this is the rest of my life can now be defined as my beginning too -danke Erin!

With the high-street championing the return of all things 90s recently, chokers and all that jazz, it was interesting to hear an account of actually living through it. (Fully aware I lived through the 90s as well, but a six year old's account of their dungarees is much less interesting, I promise.) Despite the alternative grunge trends that have transcended the decade, the 90s was much more about achieving 'perfection' or what the fashion industry deemed perfect. That was what allowed her to start out, not being the idea of perfection, being the tall lanky girl with the room-commanding nose. 'I guess I was accidentally anarchic' she said. Joking that she 'had the undercut before undercuts were cool.' So, to all those rocking the 90s throwback, you have this woman to look up to.

(Photo Credit: Stefania Porcu www.gfw.org.uk)

Self-Acceptance was, and still is, a big part of her journey, Erin confessed. The nose that makes her instantly recognisable was something she so desperately wanted rid of as a teenager. The nose would command the room and she admitted it was something she wasn't ready for. 'I wasn't ready to be powerful and dominant.'

Erin thanked all the haters who pushed her to be defiant about her nose. She 'wasn't going to change because someone was uncomfortable.' It was the criticism she faced that forced her to realise it. Self-acceptance isn't easy and definitely isn't definite and Erin knows this all too well. The supermodel, who had spent her life relying on her body, felt challenged by the changes that came with pregnancy. However, her baby boy gave her the chance to view life differently, from a new perspective and she soon learnt to love her body in a new way.

The crowd and I fell in love with Erin as she spoke about openly and candidly about motherhood, her favourite designers to work with and gave advice on getting into the fashion industry and making sure you bloomin' well stay there. All these things I will eventually divulge with you, darling reader, but for now I must go and feebly attempt to braid my hair like Erin, because she's my new idol.

Fashion Hangover

Once upon a time I blagged my way through a textiles course. After so many tears, one horrific pink dress and a semi-decent grade I turned my back on the fashion industry. It clearly wasn't for me. Five years and thousands of outfits later, I returned to the scene to write about Graduate Fashion Week and somehow found myself a sense of purpose. Pats self on the back.

-

I'm writing to you in yesterday's make up, slumped and surrounded by ice-cream wrappers. It very much looks like like I'm nursing heart-break and I guess I am. When the opportunity to freelance for GFW came about I didn't think much of it. We joked that it would probably be a few proud mums pouring jugs of squash in a community hall, talking about their 'baby's first collection.' I was unemployed, broke and bloody bored (and still am, for the most part) and it was a writing job that looked interesting. Now, ready to sing All By Myself into an empty bottle of wine, I'm gutted it's over. What went down at #GFW2015 was completely unexpected and completely brilliant.

I didn't really sleep too much or ever properly wake up and I guess I accidentally dieted on fake chocolate bars and tiny salads. My brain is still trying to think of new ways to say 'collection' or 'designer' without sounding repetitive. Everything aches and I can't really function or articulate or look at a sentence without wondering if I've actually spelt the words right or put them in the right order or whether I should just delete it altogether. I'm exhausted -but I loved it. I loved every frantic and fabulous moment.

Right now, I'm finding it rather difficult to make sense, so I'll leave you with this rambling introduction and an entirely vague promise that I'll post more about it all. My notepad is filled with scribbles from all the shows and interviews I managed to attend so I think I can offer up a unique perspective of the fashion outsider, inside. Maybe. Probably not. But I'll write it anyway.

Have a picture of the media team, more than a little tired and drunk. Come back soon, because I said so.

@CnnrYng / @rosemary_pitts / @odabeide / @DarcieTF / @fifinicholls / @lilybethgee / @pjoebe

Quiet and Loud

It's been incredibly quiet here on the Alexandra Said So blog, but that's because it's been super loud in Alexandra Said So's life! (Remind me to never again refer to myself in third person, please!)

At the risk of sounding entirely too cliche, it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks. My last exam feels like it may have been years ago, but in fact it's only been a few short weeks since I finished my degree. Sad face! I've spent most of it pondering (and breaking down over) the inevitable unemployment, writing a whole load of fiction pieces and blagging and bagging myself a couple of freelance writing roles. Whilst this blog remains mostly the same, I have been contributing for a couple of other places, so I wanna have a little chat about them.

Firstly, if you follow me on any kind of social media, and/or you are the Sherlock of your time, you've probably guessed that I'm working hard this weekend for #GFW2015 (Graduate Fashion Week for all those who haven't seen my obsessive tweeting) ((It's okay, I didn't know what it stood for either!))

It's been a crazy busy couple of days but I've really taken to the scene. My fabulous access all areas pass let's me see pretty much anything I want to! So I've been channeling my inner-Anna Wintour and sitting nose-up, watching catwalks. I'm kidding, of course! I've really been getting into the show experience, all smiles and no statement sunnies in sight!

If you want to check my reporting on the events hop on over to www.gfw.org.uk (no opinions allowed I'm afraid so I'll save all that for another post on here.)

Secondly, I've managed to get a feature in my pal's online magazine, Bored! I could be super unoriginal and tell you to read if you are indeed bored, but I think you should go over there no matter how you're feeling.

I'm publishing a monthly feature about women in the music industry, only a lot less formal and a lot more hormonal. The first post of Alex's Time of the Month is available by clicking the hyperlink! It's about the wonderful Alabama Shakes! Do it, do it, do it!! Yes I've written about them on here, but the extra curricular is always worth it, right?

For now, that's all but I really hope it doesn't stay that way. I'll be back in a big way up on here so keep coming back, because I said so.

Alabama Shakes & Alexandra Drinks.

You know when you’re shouting at your best friend in a cinema to get a torch out so you can see your card number that something big is going down. Something big went the heck down. 

It happened on Friday; after a spontaneous decision to be ‘proper girly’ and go see a chick flick for a Friday-night-friend-date, we sat down in the cinema to get a notification. Alabama Shakes, in East London, with a four hundred person crowd- I’m all in! I could not give them my money fast enough. Torches were held, card numbers were read, cinema goers around us were well and truly pissed. Somehow, my pal and I managed to get exclusive tickets to see one of our all time favourite bands in an intimate space to celebrate the release of their new album Sound & Color.

We appeared, twenty four hours, a fair bit of procrastination and two red wines later in a little room above a bar in Hackney. Little is no word of a lie. Alabama Shakes, this massively talented, huge presence performing on this stage which seemed in no way deserving. 

To say that Brittany Howard’s vocals were haunting would be a little too cliche of me and to be quite honest an understatement. They were possessed, possessive, out of this world and frankly too good to put into words. The whole band; amazing. They seemed excited to play their music and the crowd were equally excited to sing along and hear what they had to say. 

At this point I’m gushing, I have no bad words to say. The set list was consistent; the perfect blend of new and old material played in a way which allowed me to hear the songs that maybe I’d not been overly keen on and instantly love them. Take ‘Over My Head’ and ‘I Found You’ as examples. What seemed stagnant on the album was brought to life on stage.

The gig was filled with moments that felt poignant; moments that I kept saying we would remember for years, even when our music tastes have changed and our lives are new. (Maybe it was more than just two glasses of red wine). I was nostalgic for the moments that hadn’t even passed yet and that’s the mark of something special. My pal and I’s ability to sing along with all the guitar riffs is certainly a memory and a half. It was bloomin’ marvellous. 

Perhaps this is all meaningless to the average person. It is just some hungover girl reminiscing about her night out and exhausting her list of positive adjectives. Take from this that you have to check these guys out, listen to their two albums: Boys & Girls and Sound & Color and if you can, please god, see them live. They’re high on the bill at Glastonbury and have London and UK tour dates in the winter-time. Honestly, I cannot wait that long to experience them again. That’s just it, they’re an experience, not just a gig. 

   Also, shout out to the 'Dice' app for organising the event and constantly introducing me to awesome live music. Download to check out who's playing in your areas and have a bloody awesome time!!

The Sassiest Sounds of the Summer

Somewhere in a valley in America thousands of music lovers (and pretend music lovers) are dancing away to prove that the festival season has well and truly begun! Yes, Coachella is the first of the notorious summer events to take place and it's it has got me all hot under the collar for the rest of the season to get going!
   You may remember a few weeks (or maybe months) back, when the line up for Reading and Leeds festival was released? Few were quick to point out that the listing lacked a little bit of a feminine touch. Only nine acts out of hundreds included women. Shocking! (Or is it?)
   It would be so easy to criticise the festival organisers or the music industry or society but I want to try something new. I want to shine a light on some fabulous women who are knocking about this summer with new music for our little ears to get a hold of. Nothing wrong with a little girl on girl promo. Maybe this way 2016 will boast copious amounts of wonderful, talented beauties and people will moan that there's not enough testosterone. One can only wish...

Marina & The Diamonds

Marina has charmed her way back into the music industry with 'Froot', her utterly sassy third album. If you couldn't tell already I think it is bloody brilliant!! A far cry from the synthetic vibes of 'Electra Heart' this album offers a new side to the Welsh singer, a side which explores her and the entire human race's ability to hurt people. All of this undercut with cleaner and funkier instrumentals. In interviews she boasts it was the first time she's chosen to use live drum and track recordings, going as far to work with Jason Cooper (The Cure) on her track 'Savages'. This album really transcends the traditional 'pop music' genre, which in time where stereotypes and audiences are breaking down to become the most diverse crowds ever, is super important. Performing at Coachella this weekend and hopefully at plenty more events to come, if the opportunity strikes, please check out this mega-babe!

Alabama Shakes

This gal, Brittany (plus the rest of the guys in the band) have been on my radar for a long while now. That debut album was, as cheesy as it sounds, the soundtrack to my summer a few years back and it has made its way back onto my iPod every summer since. They have such a classic sound, like a legendary rock band, could definitely headline any festival kind of sound. I'm currently watching their livestream from Coachella and I am honestly in awe. Second album, Sound & Colour is on the cusp of being birthed into this musical zeitgeist so I suggest you get on the bandwagon, pretty bloody sharpish. 

Shura

You might not realise it, but you probably have heard Shura's not so current hit 'Touch'. I say not so current because it was actually released over a year ago! Sure enough, it sounds current as heck. If you haven't heard it before, then you're just about to find your perfect summer sound. Stunning raspy vocals, with all the reverb you could want, layered over the perfect beats, more releases simply cannot come quick enough. Catch Shura performing her new singles 'Indecision' and '2Shy' at Field Day (Victoria Park, London) for the ultimate summer vibes. I hope I will. You're welcome!

All We Are

This album gives me life. If you like Jungle or Blood Orange then you will for sure need this album in your ears. It's beautiful. Simply beautiful! The album cover, the harmonies, the individual voices, all beautiful. You get my point? They have a few sold out dates about the UK and a couple of festival appearances so do go and be chill to this wonderful wonderful music. 

Wolf Alice

One of the magical nine acts worthy of the Reading and Leeds stage, Wolf Alice 100% deserve it! I happened to catch their live set supporting Alt-J in London and I can confirm that they are one of the coolest bands about. They just ooze cool. Their latest release 'Giant Peach' is festival ready; full of guitar riffs and sassy vocals! I reckon they will be one of the highlights of the summer.  Go and hear and see them before their ticket prices boom. They won't be a new band forever. Their album is due to be released in June- just in time for Glastonbury...

In a world where women's voices are being stamped out, it's great to hear some of the most powerful vocals, sounding better than ever. Above is a very small sample from a pool of brilliant, beautiful and talented women who are creating something amazing at the moment. In a world where Taylor Swift, Florence and FKA Twigs are about (and all playing high up on festival line ups), how can we not have more women following suit? & more festivals booking 'em?

Get your ears around all of the above, because I said so. 

Not That Kind of Girl

Lena Dunham's collection of essays, 'Not That Kind of Girl', called to me. It's an instagram-able mark of identity; tweeted, blogged and shared about by so many young girls and women. If you, like me, are inclined to look through the hashtag #NotThatKindofGirl you'll see this book on coffee tables, next to a starbucks coffee, in the bath, by a pool between tanned legs, the list goes on. You'll soon realise that this book is far better travelled then most people, certainly me. I gave into that sassy feminist siren call and got the book, in truth, so I could be exactly that kind of girl. I even instagrammed it whilst having breakfast in Pret. Exactly that kind of girl. (The picture below was brilliantly captioned 'Breakfast with Lena.)

   What I really enjoyed was the idea of essays. Glorious, glorious essays! (How many students do you hear saying that?) Despite currently studying literature at university my love for a long novel is somewhat lost. Succinct anecdotes spread out in a few pages felt so much more appealing to me. It's perfect tube reading; get on, read an entire (small) section, get distracted by the metro being read next to you, muse over the celebrity scandal, get off. It was perfect to fit into my lifestyle, making it a quick and easy read.
   Being a fan of Dunham's TV show 'Girls', I already knew that I would enjoy the voice and style. Each shared moment of embarrassment or heartbreak felt very much like hanging out with a pal and catching up. I would definitely recommend drinking a cocktail with this novel. It was the big sister I never had, sorting through all her advice and experience and I truly believe she's a brilliant role model for young girls to listen to because she's not afraid to bare all. Dunham's writing is charming and witty and personal but does sometimes feel a little overcooked. Every now and again I felt the panic of  a writer trying to create something bigger, when what she had was pretty good already. Occasionally, after more playful words, it seemed like she was rushing to reach a punchline, neatly tying up her idea with a message. I know it because I do this in my own work. (We are practically the same and should definitely be best friends...)
   Overall, this book got me back into reading. I remembered how much I enjoyed the feel of a good book in my hands. It's so rewarding to switch off from a screen and still be entertained, especially if you know you don't have to write an essay on it for your degree. This book sits on my instragram and tells people that I am an open-minded, feminist, twenty-something who is riddled with cliche. That's okay.