Movies With Style: Anna (1967)

I've been looking to buy this film for years! You can't find it in the States for some reason (Criterion, please explain?) and it has been out of print. I'm hoping since the album was re-released (on vinyl nonetheless!) the film will eventually be released in the States too.

I think the only people who really know about this film are hardcore French Pop-Anna Karina-Gainsbourg-Marianne Faithfull fans.

Fortunately, Some kind heart finally posted it on youtube for free. All of us can enjoy it now.

It features an all-star cast of Neuvelle Vague's finest actors and musicians: Gainsbourg, Jean-Claude Brialy and the title character, Anna Karina, in a series of "music videos."

Scenes that have changed my life and taste (I'm not exaggerating at all):

*Marianne Faithfull singing one of my favorite songs of all time (OF ALL TIME!!!) in a crowded dancehall, "Hier Ou Demain." It was a song Gainsbourg wrote for Marianne when they were hanging out in Paris. This scene is like the dream of all dreams. Perfection.

*The cutest visual presentation of Anna Karina, dancing sans pants, you will ever see.

*One of my favorite male/female duets in French Pop (of course the Gainsbourg-Karina version counts too).

*Anna Karina sings about pistols in country western gear.

*Anna Karina and two horses on a beach.

Yes, that awesome!!!

Here it is:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9

Summer Please

The icy winds here in Northern California are getting everyone down. I think we should all escape this weekend and hit the beach.

Here's a sampling of my summer soundtrack:

Holly and the Italians - Youth Coup

Catatonic Youth - Control My Gun

Electra (featuring Tara Butler) - Feels Good (Carrots and Beats)

Premiere Class - Poupée Flash

images from Wildfox Couture, Patty Boyd's book Wonderful Tonight, Purple Magazine, Liebe Marlene, Sedmikrasky, Sandra Freij (Lund Lund). Music loads from Slumberland, Beat Electric and Neonized.

Mr. Mayor

I was watching the morning news and it was mentioned that Newsom was going to be on Dr. Phil tonight. I know that Newsom has become the poster boy for gay marriage, but being on Dr. Phil against a parade of angry Christians isn't really the way to do it. They showed a clip and it just turned into a spectacle.

This just reminds me that Matt Gonzalez should have been mayor.



Thank goodness Dan Savage was in this debate. Newsom just sat there.



Dan Savage is a great writer and a great sex educator. I almost minored in Human Sexuality Studies and have been really interested in the subject matter. In an ideal world, sex educators like him should be crafting teen sex education from now on. Unfortunately, in an ideal world that would allow full rights for everyone.

Girls Don't Count in Blackpool

This is one of Factory Records' most underrated bands (it must have been hard to shine though after Ian Curtis, New Order, A Certain Ratio and the Happy Mondays).

The whole Factory family gave their support to the Cassidy brother's vision in sound (their first 7" "Girls Don't Count," or Fact 18, was produced by Curtis and Joy Division manager Rob Gretton. Their dance record, From the Hip, was produced by Bernard Sumner).

I guess I just thought that with all these talented people involved, people would still be playing Section 25 songs all over Britpop and post-punk clubs today.

To learn more about Section 25, there is a great bio on them here.

Looking From a Hilltop is a pretty epic song.

Girls Don't Count

image from the Section 25 Official website

Gainsbourg vs Houston

"You're not Reagan. I'm not Gorba, Gorbachev. So don't try, eh?"

Movies With Style: Une Femme Est Une Femme

I'm probably one of the biggest Godard fans you will ever meet (I have a small collection of his films of what I can afford, I make references to his movies on a daily basis to the chagrin of my loved ones and day dream about being Anna Karina's character, Angéla).



My love of fashion is heavily influenced by the styles and colors featured in all of his films. Godard's on-going color theme of red, white, primary blue and yellow are constantly part of my everyday style (besides black). And, I always watch Une Femme Est Une Femme when I'm happy, sad, blue, anal, gloomy, excited, hungry. Basically, I live with this particular film in mind.

Everything about this movie is perfection. The styling, clothes, apartment, scenes, Charles Aznavour's music. It even features a beautiful road bike.

French label AGNES B built their empire on Anna Karina and her look.







Here are my favorite scenes.







I even got M to make references to this movie (he often says, "quoi?!!!" in the way Jean-Claude Brialy's character, Emil, say it). Sometimes we fight like this too.



images from my own personal collection of Godard images (yes, I have a folder of just Godard) and AGNES B images from Scout Holiday.

Photo Shoot

Friends, this beautiful creature is my friend Lindsay. Isn't she stunning? Not only stunning, but smart as fuck, well read, an amazing photographer and fun. Thursday my friend Josh is doing a photo shoot with her and guess who gets to help style it? That's right! I'm really excited.

Iconoclast: Fela Kuti

This is, hands down, one of the greatest musicians of all time. Yes, of all time.

Human Rights Activist. Composer. Multi-instrumentalist. Controversial polygamist. Political maverick. Kalakuta Republic and Movement of the People leader. Intellectual. Legend.



It's unfortunate how ethnocentric most Americans are. It is especially telling that the only people who I've ever met who know who Fela Kuti is are: musicians, music students, music nerds and students of African culture, people in black pride/black power organizations. I wish people who like James Brown knew that something more powerful came from his influence. That a whole group of Nigerian musicans collectively came together, with Fela, to demand justice, rights, independence and African unification from a militaristic dictatorship.

At Lennon's death, aprox. 100,000 people showed up the following Sunday to express their loss. Kuti's funeral at the old Shrine compound had over 1,000,000.

This is my favorite image of him. It is cunning and magical. Playful, yet powerful. I also think that he had amazing style too. Tight, second-skin trousers and button-downs. A beautifully painted face. Loafers without socks. Bright blue speedo!

This is 6 parts from the French documentary "Music is the Weapon." His story is a truly moving one. Especially part 4.

In one clip, he controversially singles out Bob Marley, but I sort of understand. I think Marley felt at a time that he was a sellout. Marley himself claimed he was put off by how most people going to his shows were white (little to no Jamaicans or black folks). His music is now a commodity enjoyed by bros and people who don't know what it is like to be a person of color. Does that mean he isn't moving black people to unite against oppression? Or, perhaps, it is Fela's own ignorance, his own arrogance. What are your thoughts?

Misty Mouse

Remember when I posted about Ruth a while back? Well I recently discovered the re-release from Fractal is completely sold out.

Combining the powerful talents of Thierry Müller and creatives Philippe Doray and Ruth Ellyeri, Ruth were a French synth/coldwave project. Their only LP, 1985's Polaroïd/Roman/Photo, remained hidden in obscurity until "Mots" and Polaroïd/Roman/Photo was released as a single 7" a few years ago and on two French wave comps, BIPPP and Jeunes Gens Modernes (a comp compiled by Agnes B!). After getting some airplay for a while by dj's all over the world, Ruth's music is now celebrated as essential to the synth pop genre.

Ruth- Polaroïd/Roman/Photo LP
1. Thriller
2. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo
3. She Brings The Rain
4. Misty Mouse
5. Mabelle
6. Mots
7. Tu M'Ennuies
8. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Cotton Wool Mix, 1984)
9. Sans Mots (L'Orchestre Inachevé, Remix 2001)
10. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Instrumental First Mix, 1982)

It's a fun, weird, multi-faceted, textured, gorgeous and incredibly SEXY record. You can download the full album here

Coil

I caved. I hope this doesn't mean I have to subscribe to some kind of Olsen twin fan club. I already get lumped into that (an interest in fashion + small stature does not equal Olsen twins, though they are amazing businesswomen/dressers). I would be fine with just being a Robert Lee Morris fan instead!

Comme des Garcons

Unexpectedly picked up this little gem of an EP for $1.95. There are pros and cons when it comes to record shopping in San Francisco. After discovering the awesome power of Los Angeles' Amoeba, I hate record shopping in SF. It is so picked over and the selections at Amoeba, Rasputin and other music retailers are so lame. They cater only to certain specific commerical genres and labels. Except, of course, my most beloved shop Groove Merchant, which has records that are hand-picked by men of the most exquisite taste.

The only pro is that places like Rasputin don't realize they are marking down priceless disco records that are well worth more than a $2.00 price tag.

Anyway...

in celebration of Ze Records 30th aniversary, venerable reissue label, Strut (who re-released gems I love, from Mulatu Astatke and obscure Italian disco, leftfield disco tracks) is tipping their hats to one of my favorite labels. Any minute now, Strut is releasing ZE 30-ZE Records Story 1979-2009. It has a pretty damn good tracklisting nothing short of Strut's amazing taste. Lizzy Mercier, Cristina, Kid Creole, Suicide, the latest addition to ZE records, Michael Dracula etc. And yes, it will also be released on vinyl :)

Here is the tracklisting:

Ze 30: Ze Records 1979 – 2009
01 Was (Not Was) – “Tell Me That I’m Dreaming (Traditional 12” remix)”
02 Don Armando’s Second Avenue Rhumba Band – “Deputy Of Love (Mutant Disco version)”
03 Cristina – “Things Fall Apart”
04 Lizzy Mercier Descloux – “Hard-boiled Babe”
05 Alan Vega – “Jukebox Babe”
06 Casino Music – “The Beat Goes On”
07 James White & The Blacks – Contort Yourself (Album version)
08 Kid Creole & The Coconuts – “Something Wrong In Paradise (Larry Levan mix)”
09 Material feat. Nona Hendryx – “Bustin’ Out (Seize The Beat version)”
10 Garcons – “French Boys”
11 Aural Exciters – “Maladie D’Amour”
12 Suicide – “Dream Baby Dream (Long Version)”
13 Michael Dracula – “What Can I Do For You”
14 Marie Et Les Garcons – “Re Bob Electronic”

I'm too tired to post any tracks right now, but check back in a few so I can share some favorites.

Tonight!

If you live in the SF area and love good music, especially Punk, Post-Punk, No Wave, Reggae, Rocksteady, Dancehall, you get the point, stop by the Edinburgh Castle. I'm djing tonight. Have a pint, fish n chips and listen/dance to a whole lot of good records. It should be pretty packed.

Slow Loris

Watching this brings me more joy then you could possibly imagine.

Vivian Girls

I hope this inspires more girls to listen to good music and start bands.

Here is a link to XLR8R's interview with them (didn't embed it since the annoying godaddy.com add will play every time the page loads. So annoying). I find them really charming and they are incredible live. M says that it is the closest to Black Tambourine and the Aisler Set you will ever hear now.

Divided

Balmain

Proenza Schouler

Balmain again

Yohji Yamamoto

Number (N)ine

I have to say that I'm impressed. They took the best of everything and made these DIRT cheap. I think H&M definitely have a bit more integrity than, say, Steve Madden, Guess or Forever 21, who make exact copies of designers without being fearful of lawsuits. At least the Swedes try to make an attempt at changing the look a bit.

Style Iconoclast: Meiko Kaji

There are definitely reasons why I dress the way that I do and Meiko Kaji's role in the Stray Cat Rock series is certainly one of them (I'm a huge Meiko Kaji fan. Have been for years).

There is so much good going on in this movie. Meiko as the gang leader, biracial girl group The Golden Half, awesome fashion, racism in Japan and a badass girl gang who party when they aren't in the middle of a knife fight.

Meiko's huge, wide-brim hat, black waistcoat, trousers with a large buckle and the white cotton dress shirt is so iconic. This le garconne look echos in other 70's films that has permanantly influenced me (1977's Annie Hall) and other Meiko Kaji films (the Female Prisoner Scorpion series).

The whole film has great style. The end of the swinging 60's for the decadent 70's is clear throughout the film with a mixture of shift dresses, bell sleeves and flared trousers.

some Meiko influenced style

Meiko kicking ass :)

And she has amazing records too!

Onna No Jyumon

Jeans Blues

Stray Cat Rock 2

The Godfather

This makes me feel stupid for touching another turntable ever again.

Roll it, Ride it, Shake it

Movies With Style: Mirror (1974)

I love this film. Every scene is like living poetry. I don't think it matters that there is no linear, clear storyline, just the memories and dreams of Tarkovsky as a child. Sometimes we need a break from over thinking, over analyzing plots and meanings. Sometimes it is best to sit there silently and just watch.

Mondays with Ann-Sofie

Ann-Sofie Back is returning to her homeland to take over one of their most successful imports: Cheap Monday. That's right. London's hottest designer will now be the new creative director for the commercial brand.

According to reports from Lauren Milligan for Vogue UK, Back is taking over all aspects of product design, except for Cheap Monday's best selling product; the denim. Creator Will Orjan Andersson will continue heading design for Cheap Monday's popular peg-legs as Back re/de structures their clothing. Cheap Monday better have a dark sense of humor. They would loose a lot of her charm if they edited her signature "black comedy" looks (horror stereotypes, liposuction and plastic surgery have all been themes in her own collection).

Don't think this is the end of her own line though. She will continue to show her own collections at London Fashion Week.

Congratulations Ann-Sofie! I really think she has a great talent (she is becoming a fovorite of mine with each show) and I hope this means more success and praise for her future.

Style Iconoclast: Poly Styrene

Poly Styrene with Lora Logic. Absolutely brilliant. Poly makes me miss having a mouth full of steel like when I was 16. I still think I looked better when I had them.

The classic cover of their only full length LP

This will hopefully be a Jammies flyer

She was always good at making girl punk look cute in a way that didn't sell out to commercialism (like the Go Go's or Debbie Harry)

We Too Shall Plunder

"I was wondering if I could call you 'My Bloody Valentine." Hilarious!

Here's another Soft Focus interview, between two men who crafted the soundtracks of my youth. It's really weird for me. Soft Focus might as well throw in Colin Newman.

I got the feeling that this was a sort of nervous exchange between two HUGE music nerds, stoked about meeting each other (if you are one, are dating one or are surrounded by musicans/music collectors, you know exactly what I'm talking about). People get the misconception that people that play music/collect music/spin music at clubs are cool and this is proof that we are not, at all. This is only interesting if you are one of these people and it is probably boring if you are not one of these people. I found it really engaging, but then again, MBV is my favorite band of all time.









Side note story: About 4 years ago I was djing at a friends house party in North Beach with M. That night, Teenage Fanclub played (I think it was at the Independent? Correct me if I'm wrong) and friends were piling into my friend's house as a sort of after show party/house warming (she was also friends with Teenage Fanclub. How? I have no clue). As we were putting on records in her kitchen, there was a rumor going around that Teenage Fanclub was going to stop by for drinks and to relax. People were getting excited at the chance to meet them and the overall vibe that night was really positive.

At around 1 in the morning, Teenage Fanclub popped in. It was cool, they had a couple of drinks, chatted with fans, etc. Honestly though, I'm not a huge fan and continued doing my thing.

After they left, I was putting on the next record. M taps me on the shoulder:

"Hey, do you want to meet Colm?"
"Hmmmm????" I say without looking up as I cue up the record.
"Do you want to meet Colm Ó Cíosóig?" (the drummer of MBV)

Apparently Colm was a long time San Francisco resident, as was his stunningly beautiful sister, Fionnuala (who played in Tigerbeat). At the time, I was not aware of this fact and I also did not know that M was friends with him. WTF???!!!!

Colm walked up to M and they did the "hey man, I haven't seen you in a while/ what are you working on" exchange. As they talked, my hands begun shaking and felt I was about to cry. I never knew I would be star struck, but then again, I never meet anyone from MBV.

He had also brought records (he spun in the city that night) and said "hey, do you mind if I play some of my records?" (What, am I going to say no?)

He played White Magic (this was long before anyone knew them) and obscure, live Joy Division recordings, which was really fitting for the end of the night. His lovely sister floated across the room and chatted with everyone.

Colm is the sweetest, kindest, most curious, down-to-earth and genuine person you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. There only seems to be an air of positive magic around him and I am thankful to have been blessed enough to be around it.

He lives in Los Angeles now, but visits SF often to randomly spin in the Mission and see friends. Every time we run into him, I'm still the bumbling idiot that barely says two words to him. He probably still thinks I'm mute.

Finally, In homage to this great meeting of two minds, here is my favorite band from my childhood covering...my other favorite band from my childhood. Enjoy.

MBV - Map Ref 41N 93W

What Was Broken

will now be fixed...

My oven is being repaired as of this moment by a very sweet old man. Most of the dishes and desserts on my weekly menus (yes we have weekly menus in this house!) require access to my oven. Food choices have been reduced to "do you just want to get burritos?" for this week. That's fine, but no fun for me since I love baking. In a few moments it's back to soufflés, coffee crème brûlées and apple pies.

I think in celebration, I will make some macarons.

What is needed:

My mother is fluent, she can help me translate!

+

If only my tools were this beautiful

+

+

+



+

+

+

add rose water, yes!

+

+

+

=

If you live in SF, aren't interested in baking, just eating them, you can grab yummy, chewy macarons at Miette in the Ferry Building. Their pastries and cakes look as adorable and colorful as their shop. They aren't legendary Ladurée macarons, but the closest thing this way of SF and delicious none-the-less (right across the way is Blue Bottle Coffee. Their cups of Java look and taste like perfection!)

images from the Selby's series for Pierre Hermé, a pastry chef GOD as well as Scharfenberger Chocolate and random ingredient images for google