Dreamers Come True...

Realising that this blog was hugely female-oriented, I've decided to expand my horizons and include some insights from influential males from the music world. First up is Alex Morris of the kickass South Wales electro duo Dreamer. Fresh from recording a selection of new tracks, Alex kindly took a few minutes to answer my now-standard questions on his take on the sartorial world...


1) Hello there! Hows things, and whats new in the world of Dreamer?
Things are good! We're producing at the moment and putting out our new stuff, pictures songs etc the response has been great so far.


2) What are the bands plans for the next few months?
In the next few months as well as the releases and the usual gigs, we're showcasing in London, we're looking to do a free gig and getting in the industry to see us!

3) How would you describe your style?
We're going for the parisian electro look, vintage sport and 8-bit 80s gaming mixed in with the current trend of kooky tight jeans and leather jackets.

4) In terms of fashion, who and what are yr influences?
We're influenced a lot by the styles coming out of europe and the electro bands from there, particularly Justice. Bright neon colours and retrowear!

5) If you could trade wardrobes with one person, who would it be and why?
Matt Bellamy's wardrobe would be interesting! He's had some nice stuff in the past, he's a bit short though...

6) Where are your favourite places to shop?
Topman is always good for basic stuff, asos and h&m, but the best things are always found in vintage stores on ebay or in the cities, paris is good. Then modify them to fit or turn them into something else! 

7) What items in yr wardbrobe hold particular sentimental value to you?
My custom nike dunks! Everywhere I go I get asked about them and I wear them to every gig!

8) What significance do you think fashion holds to todays youth?
I think the youth of today wear their colours quite literally, you'd have to go a long way to find someone young or otherwise who doesn't make some effort to dress in a way they perceive to be cool or at least socially acceptable. It's good that you can still outrage people though!

9) What are your biggest ever fashion mistakes?
Coming from Port Talbot I think everything I wore was a fashion mistake up until a few years ago! My biggest mistake was probably something skater orientated, layers and layers of random shirtage going on mixed in with ridiculously expensive and samey surfwear!

10) What are your three golden style rules?
I think the three most important things to get right are hair, a good interesting top and a remarkable pair of something on your feet!

(http://myspace.com/dreamermusic)

Jump Up! Battant get freaky and answer some qu's

A few of you may remember my Top 10 style icons piece I wrote a couple of weeks ago. Those of you who actually read it will remember that I featured the uber stylish Chloe Raunet from London synth-led trio Battant, whom I saw play a killer set in Glasgows Sub Club. Well, I thought that it was only fitting that Battant have a feature to themselves, since I have developed a massive, massive band crush on them. The band answer my now staple questions about their takes on style du jour, and whats new in Battantville...

1) Hello there. Hows things, and whats been going on in the world of Battant?
Chloe: Things are good thanks. Our album has only just been released in the UK. We're doing a bit of touring here, getting ready for a larger tour this autumn and beginning to work on the next album.
Joel: Looking forward to going to St Tropez and sitting on a beach.

2) What are your plans in terms of yr music for the next few months?
J: Learn as many instruments as possible and try and write an album with my new found musical talents.

3)How would you describe your style?
CR: Musically? Raw, lean, unhinged, analogue pop. Fashion? I dunno… boyish?
J: A Larry Clark street rat.
Tim: Starving artisan chic

4) In terms of fashion, who and what are your influences?
CR: My father, circa 1952.
T: 1920’s French factory workers, beatniks, squat party ravers

5) If you could trade wardrobes with one person, who would it be and why?
CR: I don't think I'd wanna swap wardrobes. I quite like what's in mine and the thought of wearing someone else's knickers grosses me out.
J: Nice... Henry VII. Just to know what that would feel like.
T: Probably a young Gene Vincent or Eddie Cochran – if I could pull it off

6)Where are your favourite places to shop?
CR: I got a secret vintage spot in Paris – this lady who’s not open to the public but has the most amazing collection of pre-1960’s dead stock.
T: Second hand shops and markets.
J: Army surplus stores. Places that sell clothes that fit me. I'm quite small. Shopping can be a bit of a headache.

7)What items in your wardrobe hold particular sentimental value to you?
T: My LEVIS replica 1940’s air force jacket. I have had it years, it’s falling apart but I love it. Or my Churches brougues.
CR: An Edwardian leather utility bag I received from my lover last X-Mas, weird silk faux-bomber I bought visiting my sister in Taiwan, my gramma'sCowachan sweater
J: Anything that's been given to me by a friend.

8) What significance do you think fashion holds to todays youth?
CR: Same significance it's held for the past 6 decades. Superficial identity.
J: Ha. Invention, Re-invention and a lot of cliche.
T: Pretty much the same thing since the invention of the teenager – who you are, what you’re into.

9)What are your biggest ever fashion mistakes?!
CR: I've had my fair share of ropey haircuts but hold no regrets.
T: There could be a long list… the big dyed black glam hair was a low point.
J: I dyed my hair a bad colour. Then it went plum. That was pretty bad. Then i had to shave my hair off. That wasn't so bad...


10)What are your three golden style rules?
T: Pull up your trousers, wear proper shoes, no stretch denim
CR: 1) wear polka-dots with caution 2) have matching socks 3) make sure your shoe-laces aren't too long.
J: 1) Dungarees are fine. 2) If your mum likes it wear it. 3) Buy loads of accessories.

http://myspace.com/battantbattant

© Copyright Betti Hunter 2009

Arcade Eden

Arcade Eden, a girl/boy electro duo who rival the likes of Crystal Castles and You Love Her Cos She's Dead, and who by their own admission sound like 'Santa, in Disneyland, on prozac, getting laid', let us into their mashed-up world of synths, sentiments and shiny things!


1) Hello there. Hows things, and whats been going on in the world of your music?

Things are pretty busy at the moment, we've been writing and recording alot of music as we're in the process of releasing our first album. We've also been lucky enough to play a few festivals this year which has been great.


2) What are your plans in terms of yr music for the next few months?


We're in the last stages of finishing our album, for which we'll be releasing our first single. We'll also be playing the mainstage of Rob Da Bank's Bestival which we're super excited about.


3)How would you describe your style?

We're a bit of retro inspired disco electro pop. We've always been really into vintage gaming so we always try to combine that influence into our music. We're into alot of music and hopefully this comes through in our music.


4) In terms of fashion, who and what are your influences?

We have quite a different style.
Larry: I take more influence from people like Clint Eastwood, Calvin Harris and Death From Above 1979 in more laid back retro inspired look.

Clare: I'm really into vintage. I get alot of inspiration from 1970's and 80's films and TV, i'm especially into the futurism style inspired by films like Space Odyssey. People from Farrah Fawcett to Karen O and Lady Gaga.



5) If you could trade wardrobes with one person, who would it be and why?


Larry: As mentioned before, it would probably be someone like Clint Eastwood in his classic years. The checker shirts, skinny jeans and a bit of leather! ...I'd leave the hats though :P


Clare: I really admire La Roux at the moment and the way she has developed her style. I've always adored 80s shoulder pads, metallics and wild make-up.







6)Where are your favourite places to shop?


Larry: I like alot of the mainstream shops like Topman but I also like a good dig around Brighton. I've found some great stuff there.


Clare: I like to root around vintage and charity shops...I like clothes with history and one-offs. I also do alot of my own customizing - I'm pretty handy with a needleand thread! I generally like to combine vintage with high street when I'm putting something together.



7)What items in your wardbrobe hold particular sentimental value to you?


Larry: I found this really great shirt in a shop called Dirty Harry's - it's a black western style shirt with these amazing embroidered roses on each shoulder. I save it for special occasions. I've never seen another one like it.


Clare: It's really hard because I have a few things I'm really attached to. But I guess one of the most sentimental would be a ring given to me by my grandma when she died which has been passed through the family for generations. It's really beautiful so I'm normally too scared to wear it out!



8) What significance do you think fashion holds to todays youth?

Fashion has always, and will continue to be vital to youth, as well as to music. It's about wearing clothes that give you confidence, and most of all having fun with it!


9)What are your biggest ever fashion mistakes?!

Larry: I once had the baggiest pair of bright purple jeans. They used to literally turn heads when I walked down the street, in a bad way!

Clare: Arh I once had a massive pair of knee high boots with metal all down the sides. They were really awful. They also used to weigh a ton...a big chunky mistake.


10)What are your three golden style rules?

Larry: 1. If its tight clothing, ALWAYS try it on before you buy it. There's nothing worse than getting home and struggling to get into your jeans. 2. If you've seen 5 people wearing it on the way to the shop, you probably shouldn't buy it. 3. Cowboys will always be cool :P

Clare: 1. Experiment, even if it goes wrong...it's all fun =) 2. Layers layers layers! Practical and a great way to mix it up... also a great help for unpredictable festival weather. 3. If it don't shine...it ain't mine! :P



© Copyright Betti Hunter 2009