Goodbye

Thank you for the beautiful melodies.

Let's celebrate her incredible musical talent with a remix of my favourite song off the "Back to Black" album.

Summer Regrets

This summer, I've decided to spend all my money on plane tickets/music festival passes/hardwood floors. Hence, I had to make choices. I decided to skip the Black Keys concerts in Ottawa/Quebec City/Montreal. I was at peace with my decision: "I'll get to see them the next time they visit", I thought.

But then, I see the limited edition poster that is sold exclusively at their Montreal concert tonight and it feels like pouring salt on an open wound.

How bad ass is this?
I'm so jealous of the lucky concert-goers who'll get to score this work of art.

Montreal, Quebec - by Mike Munter

I'm attaching other limited edition posters. The Black Keys have been releasing a different one for each leg of their current tour.

Winnipeg, Manitoba - by Tyle Stout

Paris, France - by Malleus Art Rock Lab

St.Paul, Minnesota - by Dan Black

Mesa, Arizona - by Rhys Cooper

Edmonton, Alberta - by Kevin Tong

Bonnaroo Music Festival, Tennessee - by Ken Taylor

Great initiative! Another reason why they rock!

Soundtrack of the summer

Montreal.
Friday night.
Le National.

The crowd is pumped, eagerly awaiting for the newest indie pop phenomenon to take the stage...

Foster the People have literally sky-rocketed to the top of the charts since their summer hit "Pumped up kicks" hit the airwaves. All their North American shows are sold out and the Montreal leg of their current tour was no exception. Indeed, the reception has been so positive that the concert had moved from Club Lambi to Le National, a bigger venue than the one originally planned.

Not bad for a trio (they're supported with 2 other musicians during their live performances) who still had a residency in L.A.'s the Echo (a Popcorn Unicorn favourite - we talked about it here) every Wednesday last January.

The band, fronted by leader Mark Foster, played the integrity of their debut album "Torches" and one new song, delighting an audience that was already won over. A collection of up-tempo indie pop songs with a dash of electro, "Torches" debuted on the 8th spot of the Billboard Top 200 Music Albums Chart upon its release in late May.



The set list was rather short since Foster the People only have one album out, but we still had a great time. The guys delivered a tight set, which could have benefited from a little more interaction between band members on stage and between Mark Foster and the crowd. Hopefully, they'll build a little more stage presence as they grow in popularity.

Here are a few pictures of their performance - most are of frontman Mark Foster since the other guys stood at the back most of the time.

You'll also notice a some hands/arms waving in a few photos as I was standing next to 2 die-hard crazy fans who couldn't keep it together during the whole set (probably overwhelmed with the hotness emitting from band members - did I mention that all 3 guys are super cute?)











Here's a performance of the band's newest single "Helena Beat" on Jimmy Kimmel Live in support of their album release.

Jimmy Kimmel always showcases the best bands - I should watch more late night TV.

MC in Wonderland

If you could create your very own imaginary world, what would it be?

Elgarboart Esty store offers a collection of photographs that truly depict how I would like my own surreal universe to look like.

The luminous landscapes and pastel colours convey an airy, light and soft atmosphere that really speaks to me.

I've always found carnival rides to be quite magical.









Americana-inspired architecture and pannels make me dream of escape, travel and fun.







Oh and Frankie, I did not forget you. There will also be beach activities in my Wonderland!







And here's the soundtrack to my fantasy world. I'm currently totally obsessed with this song! It fits with every frame above.



I think we got ourselves the first anthem to the Summer of '11!

UPDATE: OMG!!! just found out that they're playing at Club Lambi in Montreal on June 17th. I'm sooo going. Frankie, you should check them out at Coachella this weekend and give me a review in advance since they'll be there as well.

Style Inspiration : Blondie

I had the idea for this new entry for Style Inspiration after a recent night out with my friends. We all started humming when this song came on.



So I imagined myself at an early 1980's exclusive party in NYC, hopeful to impress Debbie Harry with this outfit.

P.S. Just for you Anna :) xx

Style Inspiration : Blondie by mclarue featuring black leather handbags

I'm with the band

Vintage rock t-shirts have been such a consistent trend over the past few years that they have become a wardrobe staple.

However, being a true music lover, here are some rules to wearing them:

1. It's called VINTAGE. So any t-shirt from a band that has released its debut album within the past fifteen years (that is 1996) is out of consideration. I don't care how much of a musical genius you consider Jack White to be, the White Stripes have not reached vintage status yet even if they're done.

2. Don't be a poseur. You need to own at least one album AND/OR know the lyrics to several songs AND/OR can name band members AND/OR have seen the band live. In other ways, you need to be knowledgeable of the band whose t-shirt you're sporting.

3. I know you're a big fan and know "Bed of Roses" by heart but anything Bon Jovi related should only be worn as pajamas.

4. Grateful Dead t-shirts are allowed but only within Vermont borders. Unless you're a hippie.

5. Bonus points if your t-shirt is second hand. Big bonus if it's an extremely rare tour t-shirt that your cool uncle purchased at a New Order show in London in 1983 and has since handed it down to you because it's important to "keep it in the family".

6. Vintage rock tees should not be purchased at mass market retail chains. Sorry H&M. e-Bay is the equivalent of Ali Ba Ba's cavern for music memorabilia. If you don't like to shop online, support your local rock n' roll shop. Plus, who wants to sport the same shirt that everyone in town will be wearing because it was on sale at Urban Outfitters?

Here are a few of my top picks. All from eBay.

Debbie Harry. The baddest chick in the game.


No explanations required.


Never been much of an Axl fan. Duff and Slash were my favs.


I <3 this album cover so much.


I actually own that one. My favourite t-shirt, I could wear it everyday.


Classic.


When two geniuses meet.

Style Inspiration: Janelle Monae

You may have discovered Janelle Monae recently during this year's Grammys when she gave a sizzling performance following Bruno Mars and B.o.B.



You surely have already heard her contagious hit "Tightrope" if only as the soundtrack of those ubiquitous Chevrolet Cruz Ads from last fall in Canada.

One of the most original, inspiring and fresh artists to have emerged on the music scene last year, Janelle Monae is here to stay. The Big Boy protegée has been able to break from the pack with her funky futuristic soulful album, "The Archandroid", an ambitious sci-fi inspired affair that lives up to its hype.

Ms. Monae pairs her talent as a vocalist and performer with a androgyniously sophisticated sense of style that balanced retro rockabilly and feminine accents.
This first edition of the "Style Inspiration" column from this blog is directly inspired by Janelle's gamine meets post-war era meets black tie affair style.

Style Inspiration: Janelle Monae par mclarue sur Polyvore.com

Dion Lee long sleeve top, $460
Alexander McQueen satin blazer, 1,245 GBP
Balmain leather pants
Gold earring, 1,099 GBP
American Apparel hair clips accessory, $14
Ray Ban ray ban shade
Normann Copenhagen Move Money Clip Normann Copenhagen, $31
Microphone MySpace Layouts 2.0, Profiles 2.0 and Backgrounds at...
UpscaleHype

I'm leaving you with the video for Cold War, one of my favorite tracks from the album. And I'm praying for Janelle to headline Montreal Jazz Fest this summer. Fingers crossed!



Photo credits: www.jmonae.com