The Rubens at The Corner

Last Tuesday, regional bluesy rockers "The Rubens" graced a packed The Corner to put on their biggest live show yet. I was there to capture as much as of the action as possible. It was a passionate, fun gig - these guys are going places.

All images shot on a Pentax K7 with a 50mm/f1.4 lens.

Emma Louise at Northcote Social Club

It's been so long I'm not even going to acknowledge it!

"Hmmm, did I just walk into a private game of pass the parcel?" I thought to myself as I stepped into Northcote Social Club's band room. I was wayyyy too early and those that were even earlier than I had lined the perimeter, silently daring anyone to be enthusiastic (and by that I mean a. stand, and b. move ever so slightly into the centre of the room). Silly hipsters. Then again, I was wearing maroon pants, a jumper adorned with sheep and was toting a 50mm lens. 

Luckily, as support act 'Argentina' took the stage, security ushered everyone to their feet, and I no longer felt like it was "mat time" in kindergarten. From the beginning of this Brisbane band's set, it was clear they were not from Melbourne's dreary climate. They were delivering songs that could only be described as effervescent pop rock, songs that put you on a beach and make you dig your toes into the sand. They played the kind of music you'd put on on the home stretch of a road trip - Argentina takes you to a place that's both familiar and heart warming. As more psychedelic orchestral sounds found their way into the set, I imagined their music behind a crackling 8mm film montage, your heart soaring and weeping in one brilliant beat. Do you see where I'm going with this? Argentina make you feel as if you have everything and nothing, as if nothing could better this day, except the hope of tomorrow.

But onto the main event! The beautiful  Emma Louise. 

Having not seen much visual media of her, except for what I now know to be a deceiving video clip, I was at first blown away by her size. She was tiny! Especially as she was being dwarfed by her band, who all seemed to have some kind of giant DNA lurking in their blood.

None of this mattered once she opened the show. Her voice, pitch perfect, transported us to a place where she held our hands through the delicacies of her life. Truly, she was like a fluffy pair of ear muffs in a blustery wind, or the first sip of hot tea on a frosty morning. Her warmth was clear to the entire audience, and her banter between songs was awkward but endearing.

Her latest single "Boy" was well received by the, in her own words "quiet but attentive" crowd and most would have had no idea it was the first time she had played the song live (she gave away quite a bit between songs). "Jungle" was great as well, although I feel slower paced songs are where her strengths really lie.

Emma Louise closed with the song, "1000 Sundowns" (a personal favourite), a tribute to her uncle who passed away from cancer. It was incredibly heartfelt and her performance left not a dry eye in the house.

Emma Louise's music is the type of phenomenon that swells your heart and begs you to fall in love. The kind of love where everything is perfect and you're swimming through perfumed days, coated in each other's smiles.

So get out there, fall in love!

Von Follies by Dita von Teese for Target

Look, it's going to be really difficult for me to not spend this entire blog post salivating over what a goddess Dita Von Teese is. Her stage presence makes Robin Williams look like a wallflower and the way she exudes femininity basically makes my ovaries explode. Gorgeous, with a penchant for danger (her relationship with Marilyn Manson, am I right?) her self made success puts her in excellent stead as an 'alternative' role model.

Moving on...

The appearance of Von Teese drew a refreshing crowd to Central Pier. We were treated to old world glamour- tailored pieces and structural lines that, unbeknown to us, would mimic Von Teese's collection. 40's hairstyles were abound, many throwing caution to the wind, combining their lacquered look with fabulously coloured locks - fire engine red, fairy floss pink, I think I even saw sky blue on one girl. It was rockabilly for the modern day - women celebrating their shapes, without being demure.

Dat Corset.

Dat Coat.

Dat Suit. 

Dat Skirt.

Dat WHOLE OUTFIT!

So yes, success all round for the festival goers.

As the time trundled closer to 8.30, I wandered over to the press entrance. You know, whatever, I had a Media Pass, no biggie. KDGJSDGJLVLMSHQIFJKL.
 I was excited. I was even more excited when I turned around and none other than JOSH FLINN from Australia's Next Top Model was behind me.

I had a total geek out, nearly cried, and refused to take a photo with him. First world success? I think so.

 He was so tiny in real life, he looked as if he should have had a FRAGILE sticker plastered across his forehead. A little frail man, in an astounding leopard print blazer - could anyone have blamed me if I'd tore it off his back? I don't think so.

 Once seated, (without a gift bag, sob, although we had conspired to steal one), I had a good forty minutes or so to consider my circumstances - the show was going to be fashionably late. 

Here I was. Media Pass around my neck, lauded journalists to my right, noses buried in their smart phones, soaking up The Bourne Book. I was about to see Dita von Teese in the flesh. The dress I was wearing was amazing. I knew I could actually afford the designs I was about to see, rather than having to stick pictures of them on my wish board. Bloody fantastic.

And then the show began.

There Dita was, strutting to a brassy big band soundtrack, sauntering down the runway. The woman knows how to pack a punch. She worked every inch of that runway, hips swaying, as she pumped her Christian Louboutin's (and the crowd) into a frenzy.

As I said earlier, Von Teese brought something new and visceral to LMFF. Never have I seen a fashion crowd so engaged. That could have just been the girls in skimpy underwear, but when there's wolf whistles and cheering throughout the show, you have no choice but to imagine that the Dita brand is taking off. There is no shame in vamping it up and this 'vintage for the modern era' is certainly beginning to resonate.

 Black lace, leather gloves, whips (all taken from Von Teese's personal collection) adored the models, who were of all shapes and sizes. All of them looked fabulously confident. 

The designs themselves were stunning, fit for any wannabe burlesque star (or ringmaster). 

I left feeling satisfied, albeit never wanting to see another model's thinly veiled ass again.  The collection gave off a sense of luxury coupled with accessibility. Von Teese is a fantastic saleswoman. 

Von Follies by Dita von Teese is available at Target.

Von Follies and more

It's coming boys and girls, the first night of coverage of L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion festival, with segments such as 'Bemused or Aroused Male Audience Members - You Choose' and 'Who Do I Have to Kill to Get my Hands On That Outfit?'.

Yes, it was a night where I couldn't decide if I wanted to take myself and the entire carnival (circus?) seriously. And that internal vonflict (...oops, conflict) has left me longing for sleep itself. Tomorrow, my pretties, tomorrow!

Big fat air kisses to you all.

MWAH

Rock the Bay.

Hello dear bloggettes!

Tess here.

On Saturday I went to a music festival called Rock the Bay, held at the infamous Espy in St Kilda. 

Hooolllllllyyyyyyyy Shite. It was incredible. Australian bands, playing to packed local crowd infused with a glowing sunset - it was a dream come true. The crowd really was fantastic, co-operative, friendly. I think it was because everybody was truly there for the music - unlike bigger festivals where whichever one you attend labels you as 'indie' or 'metal' or 'australian flag toting bogan'. 

It was so much fun covering this event. I hope you like!

Don't forget that tomorrow is SLAM day so get out there and see some LIVE MUSIC!

Peace.