God Is Coming To Earth And She Is Hip!

Ohmahgawd, ya'll. I've been searching high and low, for seriously racking my brain for a Halloween costume this year. At first it was Robert Smith from the Cure, then that evolved into an ex member of the Horrors, then Karen O, then Pocahontas, then an ice cream cone, and finally Kirby. Yeah, I wasn't quite sure how to do that one...I just knew a large pink bag was involved. Alright, so I really just wanted to draw red circles on my cheeks. I thought they were cute.

Anyway, so I had nearly given up on having an amaze costume in which to be photographed at the HARD Halloween bash going down next Friday. But then I saw a comment Lolita left on V's blog, giving her a costume idea I have inadvertently stolen and made my own.

Hipster Jesus.

Christ, why did I not think of this? I'm thinking a short linen UO dress with rope belt, sandals, and a crown of flowers and thorns. Maybe some ridic lensless glasses too...just to add to this look. I'm not sure. I'm now suuuper stoked about Halloween. So, um, thanks Sarah! I owe you one!

Or if you make it to LA one day, I owe you a free quesadilla from Machos Tacos, cupcake from Gelson's, and trip to Silverlake to go to Berda Paradise and buy some amazing cheap books.

Grazie, girl.

Deuces,
Erika

It's Halloween. Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

OMG people, Halloween is coming up in only three weeks! That's kind of awesome. The only thing remotely shitty about Halloween is coming up with an uber original costume that will practically make people implode with rage and envy upon seeing it. At least that's what I'm going for every year. Last Halloween I went as Twiggy, the model, but that didn't really matter since my friends were sooooo lame and decided it would be more fun to get pizza and drive around a little bit instead of going to the wayyyyy awesome party my college friends were throwing. But it's whatevs. The year before I went as a sailor girl. I made my own costume and it was so shitty that it actually was funny. I don't even know where that heap of cloth is now...anyway, even though I still need to come up with a badass costume, I know I'm going to be having tons of fun on Halloween. Why, you ask? Because I'm going to this:

That's right bitches. October 31st the HARD Haunted Mansion is coming to town. I was so jelz when the last HARD Festival rolled around because it had so many awesome people playing, but that was nothing compared to this lineup:

Justice
Crystal Castles
Crookers
Simian Mobile Disco
DJ AM
Um, and more!

Obvi it's going to be the most orgasmic electro party on the coast. Will you be there? I will be there. Maybe I'll see you. Probs not.

HARD Haunted Mansion
Friday, October 31, 2008
Shrine Expo Hall
8 pm - 4 am
Doors open at 8 pm
$55

Deuces,
Erika

Inspiration: Absolutely Fabulous

Um, who doesn't love Absolutely Fabulous? If you don't, I don't want to know you. Oh, and if you've been living in a nasty black underground bubble that has prohibited you from learning anything of the outside world for over a decade, allow me to cue you in to the genius that is AbFab. You have Edina (Eddy), the flamboyant, wild haired drama queen who's supposedly working in PR but is basically rich off alimony payments, who hates her ex-husband and mother, loves pills and drugs of any kind, and over exaggerates everything from her movements to her wardrobe. Then you have Patsy, the young-in-mind chain smoker who usually has her platinum blond hair in an expert twist. She was born to a hippie mother and never knew her father. She's an advocate of younger men, liquor, face lifts, and picking fights in Eddy's defense. Add to that mix Saffron (Saffy), Edina's normal, plain, "dull as dishwater" daughter who's desperate to move into her university's residence halls to escape the hell that is her home, where she must take care of Edina, endure daily criticisms and vitriolic comments from Patsy, and help her grandmother. Basically, Eddy and Patsy get into the most ridiculous adventures, hatch the craziest schemes, and constantly try to prove to those around them that they are as absolutely fabulous as they believe themselves to be.

So you see, if you're not watching this show, you should be. It still airs on BBC America and you can actually find episodes on VHS for very little, or buy seasons on DVD for equally affordable prices. But all that background knowledge is just so you can adequately enjoy the fashion collage I put together with these lovely and fab ladies in mind! This one is inspired by Eddy, just so you know. Enjoy!



Deuces,
Erika

I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)

Okay, someone out there had to get that Sandi Thom reference. No? Alright, alright, I'll stop. Because what this post is really about is my guitar! That I bought! Today! That's right!

And what you may not know about me (which is understandable, because even though I put most of my life out here on my baby of a blog, there are shitloads of things I've kept private, which probably doesn't make me the right kind of blog owner), is that I've forayed into the world of guitaristry before. Actually, I play a multitude of instruments: piano, flute, and the drums, my real musical passion. Instruments and music and writing are the only stress relievers I have. But back when my friends and I were in our seminal girl band, Russell Betty and the Corrigans (an obscure Great Gatsby reference and the fourth and final name we decided on), I was destined to learn all the instruments.

This was long before I ever saw or knew of the Coathangers or Grand Ole Party, and learned that the drummer and lead singer of a band could actually be one and the same, and at the time I thought the only way for me to sing the songs I wrote was to be a lead guitarist. So at it I went, borrowing my bandmate's acoustic and tab book, using a pink clothes button as a pick, and strumming away while holed up in my room for hours. From those weeks of musical encampment, I mastered only two chords: C and F and constructed sappy, whining folk songs from them.

And now, two years later, I am basically starting from scratch, having forgotten everything I ever learned. I held my guitar and it was almost like meeting an old friend with whom you used to do everything but whose name you seem to have misplaced, despite the many memories.

Hopefully these nine months I have left of school will provide me more than enough fodder to start creating some really good music and hopefully this guitar will bring me some much needed peace of mind.

I'm gonna be the next Beck! I'll be Becky!

Deuces,
Erika

Just E This Time...

Normally this would be an EVBNO style post I guess...but it's just me! Yesterday I was determined to get out of the apt. My mom left me a text suggesting I take my bike and go riding at Venice Beach...and that sounded fine...until I remembered beach=humidity. Black girls have this thing where unless they have access to a flat iron, an electrical outlet, and a mirror, they will not let anything happen to their hair. That means no pool, no rain, and especially no humidity. It's like the silent killer, ya'll. So I voted nay on la playa and decided to stay inland instead.

I went to Silverlake (which is actually a really great place if you get past the general superiority vibe and don't mind if people ask you how long it takes for your bangs to grow out or talk to you about music and politics like they're the same thing) and got lunch at Psychobabble Cafe. I was so tempted to take a photo of my meal because it looked and tasted fantastic but I was sort of being stared down, so I didn't. But it was amazing. I had a cheese panini, Caesar salad and mint tea. Gawd, sometimes eating healthy IS good. Who knew, right??

After that, I parked and walked to Berda Paradise. On the way, I got weird, incredulous looks from everyone on the street. I think Rumer Willis is right. I think I dress more like a New Yorker than an Angeleno. Hmmm...anyway I was wearing my Missbehave X Nails Did tee, a pair of black tights, and white flats. Didn't go over so well I suppose.

Anyway, if you don't know what Berda Paradise is, it's this uber amazing thrift store that works in conjunction with the Sunset Free Clinic so the proceeds from what you buy there go to the Clinic! So you can have fun shopping and give someone a free test for Chlamydia! Sharing is caring...So like I was saying, Berda Paradise has just about everything from books, clothing, hats, bags, shoes, records, vintage sunglasses...glass bottles, if that's your thing...I found a skirt and a sweater that were adorable, and then, oh, the records! I got two Petula Clark vinyls, an old Billie Holiday pressing, and a Barbra Streisand record.

Did I ever tell you guys how awesome I think Babs is? I'll do it sometime.

So after that I drove to Sunset Blvd, went to Amoeba Records and found three seasons of Absolutely Fabulous on VHS for only 1.99 each! I pretty much grabbed them all. Oh and then I had to REbuy that fucking badass Justice record since mine was stolen...all in all I spent way too much money.

Annnnd to wrap this ish up, I had to show my ID just to buy a lighter at the 7-11, I got honked at by an ambulance, the dude at the public parking lot ripped me off, I read on the ticker over the Wachovia bank building that the Hadron Collider will be out of service for at least two months, and MIA's on the side of a building.

I can't wait to do it again! Lookout weekend! Sry for the shittastic pictures. It started getting dark by the time I began shooting snaps. Ah well!

Deuces,
Erika

Let's Do It Again!

So it sort of came to my attention as I was driving along Sunset Blvd tonight that I haven't heard/looked into any new remixes lately. I also haven't posted any good remixes in a long time. Maybe it's the club kid in me, but I love a good remix. Not the warehouse bullshit that's just sounds and blips and electronic squeaks over some basic bass beat. No, I like the real remixes, the reinterpretations and reevaluations...the kind made for you to listen to on your headphones, not when you're hopped up on E and waving pink glowsticks on a sweaty dancefloor. Although those are fun nights too!

And seeing as I once aspired to be one of those DJs that specialized in the club scene (that's a whole other story altogether!)...you know, the kind you read about on Missingtoof that make those monthly mini-mixes (whoa alliteration!)...I have a shit ton of good remixes just lying around. So here's my WNTR RMX PLYLST (or my winter remix playlist. I thought it looked cooler abreeved, yes?) And I know it's still a month or two until full blown winter, but...well don't get so caught up in the details, okay??

WNTR RMX PLYLST

Crystal Castles v Health: "Crimewave (Sinden Remix)"

Paper Route Gangstaz: "Bama Gettin Money (Diplo Remix)"...this one is one of my fave jams!

Bloc Party: "Hunting for Witches (RAC Remix)"...the only remix of this song I haven't already posted...I guess it's pretty remix-able!

Glass Candy: "Clowns (Ssion Remix)"...does anyone remember Glass Candy? I talked about them awhile back...

Klaxons: "Atlantis to Interzone (True Psuedo Remix)"

Now download these rmxs, turn up your laptop's speakers reeeeally loud, and be musically cultured jerks everywhere! Yay!

Deuces,
Erika

I'm Taking Over!

Ever feel hell bent on world domination? Do you sometimes get an inkling to take the world and all the shit in it over? Are you one of those people that feels like you could run the world the best...or at least sell it away the best.

Now you can!

Remember Monopoly, that boring ass board game that is supposedly "fun, competitive, and fast paced" but is really tedious, kinda uninteresting, and takes about two weeks to play? Well fuck the old Monopoly, with super trivial locations like Baltic Ave and St. Charles Ave and other places to which you've probably been but of which you feel like you've never heard! No more baby stuff! Now it's serious! How serious?

WORLD serious.

G's and Gents, I present to you: Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition.

Instead of buying streets, you can buy cities like Toronto, New York, London, Jerusalem, and Shanghai! I always wondered what it would be like to own Montreal! Apparently, America voted on which cities should be in the game. But that seems a little weird since only like two or three American cities are represented. Oh well, semantics!

So go out and conquer the world! And then sell it for a million Monopoly dollars! The American way!

Deuces,
Erika

Do The DANCE

Remember how I was saying that V and I found a radio station that was playing all 80s all weekend? Well they played a ton of great 80s jams that ranged from the ubiquitous to the rare and awesome sauce. So since it's been a day and these goddamn catchy tunes are still in my head, I'd like to share them with you. Come on girls!

Pebbles "Girlfriend"



Madonna "Lucky Star"

Gawd, Models Are Dumb

Once upon a time, my boyfriend and I went out to Castleberry Hill in Atlanta and shot some snaps. Sadly, I was really crunched for time and had to go have lunch with my friend, so he couldn't take the rolls to Wolf's Camera like he planned. Instead, he reluctantly handed them over to the non-profesh people at Walgreens, who, in turn, as he says, "shat on his pictures" by not developing them properly. Oh well. He's going to try to get the negatives developed at Wolf's. In the meantime, busy yourselves by looking at a few photos from said shoot.

And then if that doesn't keep you occupied, head on over to my Tumblr, where I'm currently talking about my shit life. Grazie!

Deuces,
Erika

Cribs: Erika Edition

So I believe I got a request from a Miss Alex about posting up pics of my new place, and I'm more than happy to oblige! Plus I don't have anything to talk about. Photos usually distract from that.And here, ladies and gents, is my bedroom. It's pretty awesome. The blue Grizzly Bear poster and the huge ass byoP poster I got free from Criminal Records. The Pipettes poster and the Nicole Atkins poster were both looted from the venue after said concert. The dark pink poster with the face on it is actually from the New Young Pony Club album. I got the MIA bandana free, too...but it's a long story...and I got that red poster from this awesome ATL concert for Stomp And Stammer Magazine...The Black Lips, Deerhunter, Snowden, and the Selmanaires...all for 15.oo, and I won tickets for it on the radio. Sometimes Atlanta's pretty cool. Usually not.
In case you can't tell, my calendar is by Donny Miller. In case you aren't familiar with his awesomeness, read up. You can also read the running dialogue between me and V. Those Feist pictures are actually postcards that my old boss from the radio station gave me. I had 4 but I gave two to my boyfriend since he likes B&W photos so much. It's an artist thing. The cool thing about that Matt & Kim poster is that my boyfriend actually got Kim to sign it for me as an early birthday present. We saw them when they came to the Whirlyball as a part of the Fuck Yeah Fest, and they were awesome. Matt even hugged me! Kim and I talked too, and she laughed at how excited I was. And as you can see, I've collected all the MIA for Marc Jacobs ads...mostly because I like MIA but I love Juergen Teller.
The pink Boris poster was free from an in-store at Criminal Records (they played ONE song and it lasted about 15 minutes!) and the Arctic Monkeys poster was from when they played at the Tabernacle about 2 years ago. It was fresh off the release of their latest album. And all the
8.5 x 11 glossies were pulled from Nylon or Missbehave.

Wow, that was cool. I sort of felt like I was featured on Todd Selby's site for a second. Huh. Oh yeah, and this is my bike. My boyfriend made me take a billion pictures of it. I always joke that he's only into bike porn.
I ride it to school about 3 times a week, which saves a good bit of gas, but takes twice as long. Oh well. Every time I get tired riding it, I think to myself, I'm gonna be so skinny by the end of this year! And then I press on. Motivation, kids. Motivation.

Deuces,
Erika

TGIF!

Ahhh thank God it's FINALLY Fri-motherfucking-day!

Let's recap, shall we?

This week I started classes, bought a bike, bought textbooks, skipped classes, made new friends, skyrocketed my phone bill by talking endlessly to my boyfriend, got my school ID made, unpacked, paid my utilities, and got locked out of my apartment.

You know, fun stuff!

How was everyone else's week?

In celebration of the big F-day, Valentina (of Savage Sunshine notoriety) and I are heading over to W. Hollywood for some good ol' fashioned debauchery. More on that later, naturally. And in other crizazy news, McCain has picked a VP. Drumroll please...I give you Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska. Yep...a woman. How long can Hillary keep these feelings inside before she just goes postal?

Now I bid you adieu. Divorce Court beckons.

Banzai bitches! And happy birthday Olivia, the red-headiest Missbehave girl ever! Seal hugs! Wow, Sarah Morrison is good with keeping up with birthdays!

Deuces,
Erika

Don't Leave A Key Underneath The Mat For Me

Tonight is my going away party! That song, "Goodbye" by the Postmarks will be playing in my head. I didn't organize it, some of my friends did. I'm excited because someone else is driving me home. It's all a part of my friends' master plan to get me as drunk as possible so they can use me as a source of entertainment while they remain completely sober. My goal is to wake up in the same place I fell asleep. If not, I'm aiming for a three mile radius.

Everyone seems sad enough, since I'm leaving this hell hole called Atlanta for the Valley on Tuesday. It's a four day drive I'm not looking forward to.

I hope tonight goes well! The party is at El Mexicano, which has the best Mexican food in the city...well aside from going to a Mexican person's house and having them make you dinner. The last time I saw a going away party, a giant monster destroyed half the city, someone dropped the video camera, and a skinny white girl got impaled.

Oh wait, that was Cloverfield. Sry.

Deuces,
Erika

Girls Aloud!

You wanna know something funny? I almost went to ATL's Girls Rock Camp back in July. But I was afraid I had too much experience on the drums.

When I go to Barnes and Noble, it's usually for just one of two things: to buy a new novel that'll help me forget how much I hate my life, or for a new issue of Missbehave or Preen. (BTW, if you've never read Preen, pick it up! It won't put you to sleep like i-D and the glossies are as cool as Visionaire. Yeah I'm cultured, what of it?)

Anyway, sometimes there are off days and I don't find anything that I'm looking for. But I have to buy something. It takes so much effort for me to walk to BnN that I never allow a trip to be in vain. So I made the mistake of picking up the new ish of Seventeen. First of all, it was hard enough for me to pay for it when Miley Cyrus was cheesing back at me on the cover. Secondly, it hurt me physically to read it.

Having been seventeen not too long ago, I can honestly say these kinds of "issues affecting teens today" were shit I was dealing with back when I was 14. "Perfect party ready makeup"? "Kissing 101"? "How to make him notice you in study hall"? What??? Maybe I would have really pored through these pages when I was in middle school, but they've become drastically irrelevant to today's young women.

Thank god for Missbehave, but I feel like there should be something more. MissB is for street savvy badass women who can hold down a 9 to 5, keep their boyfriend satisfied, cut a bitch at the bar, hit up the online sales at Karmaloop, and still have enough money to pay the rent on the 15th and buy their girls a round of drinks on Friday.

While that is (for the most part) me, there's like a void, a lost niche for a magazine that appeals to the broke-ass, socially awkward, incredibly smart, fashion forward, obsessive, compulsive 18-22 set. I'm thinking of starting a revolution. I'm thinking of starting a 'zine.

Who's with me?

Deuces,
Erika

I Can Do Anything You Want Me To Do So Long As I Don't Have To Speak

Today is a big day ladies (and whatever gentlemen that may come trolling through)! This morning my hot shot photographer boyfriend is taking model-y pictures of me over at Castleberry Hill. I'm super excited. We're using all my clothes and accessories and I had the final say on all the outfits so you know they're going to be super kawaii! Sorry about that...I have a slight Harajuku Lovers obsesh. It got worse when I worked at the Sanrio Boutique. But enough about my old career history.

This isn't going to be any Cobrasnake type ish, so don't worry guys. But the pictures will be developed on Friday and when I get 'em, I'll scan 'em so you all can discuss how pretty I am! Just kidding...maybe you'll talk about more relevant things, like how there's less trees in the background due to acid rain and global warming or something.

Anyway, I'm just letting you guys know I'll be gone for half the day (ugh...6:00 am wake up time, meh) but will report back as soon as possible! (Cos I know you guys can't survive without my posts and all...you get cold sweats and hives and start seeing little leprechauns planting daisies and such...)

Deuces,
Erika

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Boo, It's Sunday. When I was younger, I used to hate Sundays because it meant I had to go to church. Don't get me wrong, I like church, I just hated having to get up so early when I stayed up so late on Saturday. Then, when I got a little older, I hated Sundays because I had to go to work all day. Now I hate Sundays because they're so boring, but here's some shit to look forward to today:

New episode of Mad Men
Miss Viviane's sex column on Single Scoop

This is what my weekend in the A looked like:

Thursday was Chris's 21st birthday. Since I dipped out around 2:15-ish, I didn't stay with him for the excitement that was him stumbling home so completely faded that he vomited all over his porch and tried to break his roommate's bed. None of which, of course, he remembers. I love that kid.

Friday was a little more relaxed. I picked up a new Zune since my other one was gone when my car was returned and, to my utter amazement, even with no makeup and barely doing my hair, the dude at Best Buy still tried to pick me up. Don't worry, I totes rebuffed him.

Saturday was the shit. First I went shopping at H&M (cluster. fuck.) and Urban and then my bf and I met up with our friend Clint to go eat at the EARL, which I got kicked out of (whoa! surprise!) because you can't even fucking EAT at that place after 9 if you're not 21. I think I'm going for some kind of record for the most 21+ places I can get kicked out of. I'm at 3 already. After that denial, we got some kind of lowbrow Mexican food and then headed back to Clint's house where everyone proceeded to get drunk and fairly stoned before we lit the fireworks I'd picked up from my trip to Tennessee. The first one was fucking badass, and went okay (read:no trees were lit on fire) but the second one was a beast. We noticed the rounds starting to get closer to us until one was literally right over our head. Has anyone ever been IN the fireworks before? All you could hear was me yelling "Holy Fuck!"

(Sidenote: I will be expecting a check from Holy F*ck for that brief free press. Thx. Lovely Allen!)

Resume: So after that we did some sparklers which were awesome and then we sat around in the driveway talking about things...uh, just miscellaneous things, really. I dunno, 2/4 of the group was stoned anyway. It was fun. I think.

I wonder if I'll ever turn 21. If, by some magic, I do, I'll dedicate my whole life to sneaking in under 21 kids into 21+ events, bars, and restaurants. Until I'm 23. And then I just gotta start hanging out with bitches my own age, right?

How was your weekend? College in GA starts in a week. I can't even take it. I'm still laughing at all those kids because I don't have to be in school until the 25th. So suck it Atlanta! V! I'm so stoked to see you out in LA!

Deuces,
Erika

Last Night, She Said, Oh Baby I Feel So Down

This is the cake we baked for Chris last night. It was my idea. In case you can't tell, it's in the shape of a can of PBR, the grossest beer ever, but Chris's favorite.

Last night was my friend Chris's 21st birthday. When I left him he was anywhere between beer number 11-13. This is the debauchery that went down, ATL style.

First we went to the bowling alley. By the time we got there Chris was already on beer 7-9. He's a pretty fast guy. Bowling shoes were 8.00 to rent, but apparently you don't need them, because they don't really give a shit if you bowl in your regular sneaks. Yay! 16.00 saved!

After everyone ate cake and the bowling alley played all of their Lil Wayne songs, we headed out to this bar called The Local, which I very quickly got kicked out of. LAME. FAIL. But Chris and his friends were so cool, they all decided to leave since I couldn't stay. So then we stood in front of the bar while Chris did flaming shots and a crackhead gave me and this really nice girl Amanda some flowers.

Then we walked to Fellini's for some pizza around 1 am and that's when this dude named Pat showed up. We'd seen him at The Local when he was buying shots, but were all very surprised to see that he'd followed us to the pizza parlor. He sat with us and everyone got a little drunker. Chris was having trouble standing up.

That's when we all decided to go to the Clermont Lounge...the worst strip club in Atlanta. No, no, wait. Maybe the Pink Pony or Folly's might be worse...noooooo...the Clermont wins. You're looking at very old women who don't really give a shit about their bodies while they gyrate indescribably in front of you. It ain't pretty folks. Just ain't pretty.

Around 2 am, on the way back to the car, we stopped by Fuck Yesss, which as everyone knows, is the crazaziest indie dance party in the A. Christ, people. That shit was the physical definition of Hipster Runoff. It was ridic. I could've played Blackout on my Hipster Bingo card and won immediately.

After that we dipped out and I came home and collapsed in my bed. But it was a good night. I'm stoked to turn 21 in LA. Yay party!

Deuces,
Erika

Blister In The Sun

Welcome to the hottest day of the year boys and girls! It's supposed to be anywhere between 96 and 99 degrees today, but I will still somehow manage to brave the heat and hit up H&M ...because that's just how dedicated I am.

The recent heat wave has forced me into longing for Autumn in the worst way. It is my favorite season: the peacoats and wool jackets, the collared shirts with sweater vests, the thick, colorful tights under summer dresses, the closed toe heels, the knit caps and scarfs, and the fingerless gloves...it's all so much fun. Plus colder weather gives me plenty of leeway to gain three or four pounds and not have anyone scrutinize me at the swimming pool. Normally, it would mean I don't have to shave my legs either (which is such a hassle in the summer!), but this Autumn has blessed me with a bf who will only make fun of my hairy legs. Great...

So with all that said, I thought I would compile my list of Autumn songs. I used to have a list that was about 50 or so songs deep, but that just goes to prove how weird I am about music. Anyway, people have the misconception that summer songs are fast and poppy and once you get into the cold seasons, the music has to be slow and moody a la Beach House or Animal Collective. But not so! Here I present you with my Fall music...feel free to add your songs below.

Because I'm nice and it's either this or calling the bank to ask why there was a processing error in my electronic check, I'm posting mp3's of the songs below the title. Read and listen!

Band of Horses - The Funeral: Come on, this song is timeless, and gorgeous. Plus the video is really sad. Also, I love BoH. "No One's Gonna Love You" is my and bf's song...geeky I know, but cute, right?
MP3

Malajube - Pate Filo: Secretly I want to move to Montreal, open up a scone shoppe, and spend my nights drinking red wine in bathtubs of other people's houses. And I also cling to the hope that it'll be like The Science of Sleep.
MP3

Aesop Rock - Daylight: Um, Aesop is kind of awesome. This song is a little older, but still just as good as his new stuff. None Shall Pass, btw, is crazy good. I can't even begin to describe Aesop.
MP3

The A-Sides - We're the Trees
MP3

Au Revoir Simone - A Violent Yet Flammable World: I love those cute Brooklynites! ARS' music is so pretty and so strong, which is a little unexpected since you have three Nylon cover ready girls making music. It's still magical.
MP3

Basia Bulat - In The Night: The prettiest Canadian musician I've ever seen, Basia Bulat is amazing. She has a gorgeous, sparkling voice and blond locks to die for.
MP3

Blonde Redhead - Misery Is A Butterfly: Kazu Makino has fantastic vocals on this song. I kind of think of Blonde Redhead as Bjork with a band, but everyone wants to dispute me on this.
MP3

Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Follow You Into The Dark: Are you kidding me??? Perfect fall music! Plus these lyrics are beautiful. Oh, brooding, thoughtful Ben Gibbard...
MP3

Sea Wolf - You're A Wolf: The first time I heard this song, I was in LA (heard it on Indie 103.1 holla!!!) and I thought it was heavenly. So will you!
MP3

Super Furry Animals - Run Away
MP3

The Futureheads - Skip To The End
MP3

Les Breastfeeders - Funny Funiculaire: This all goes back to formerly stated love of Montreal and French Canada. Oh and French Canadian pop punk.
MP3

Pony Up! - Shut Up and Kiss Me: Girls with guitars that sing about realistic subjects and say things like "I am sorry that you're stupid, I can't be your fucking cupid" make me soooo happy!
MP3

White Hinterland - Dreaming of the Plum Trees
MP3

Sean Lennon - Dead Meat: Hands down, favorite song by Sean Lennon. Done.
MP3

All right! That's all folks! Hopefully you guys find some new Autumn music that you like! And don't forget to tell me your faves! When will it be cold already???

Oh yeah, and poor Missbehave is a day late and a dollar short on my car theft. I wanna tell them not to worry about it now, but I guess it's too late (too apologize!).

Deuces,
Erika

Of Montreal Listening Party Tonight!

Erm, I don't even know if anyone besides me listens to Of Montreal, but I'm mostly just posting this for myself, because I would love to go if I lived in the East Village...or, um, New York City at all. Come out and join other drunken New Yawkers and listen to the pre-release of Of Montreal's new Skeletal Lamping LP before anyone else does! And then talk to the super guys from Polyvinyl! They seem nice.

And then after all that, turn your eyes to the horizon and watch Grizzly Bear on Letterman tonight!

Fun, fun, fun till daddy takes the T-Bird away!

Hi-Fi bar
10 pm - 12:30 am
21+

Okay bye, have fun, I wish I lived in New York!

Deuces,
Erika

Pinup Tattoos

For the longest time, I've been playing with the idea of getting a tattoo. I haven't mostly because I'm too lazy to go to the tat shop and make an appointment, although they do allow walk-ins. Still, I don't have the motivation to go, but I do have the motivation to get a tattoo before I move to LA, because then I'll have to do the research on a good parlor all over again. Like hell could I afford (time and money wise) to schlep to Hollywood and go to LA Ink.

But prior to me turning 18, I was super stoked to get a tattoo, so I did a ton of research on designs and art. I've decided to get a Fafi drawing on my right arm, namely this one:

But that still leaves me with a personal conundrum. All my life (or at least since 9th grade), I've sort of been in love with pin-up art. It's just really cute and really timeless to me. Mostly I just love Gil Elvgren, because his, to me, is the best. After spending hours on the computer trying to find a picture, I found these two:

Only, she's going to be sitting on old records and her hand is going to be on a phonograph. That's one of these, for those who don't know.

Because of the colors she's wearing, I think I would make her a lot tanner, closer to my skin tone, but lighter of course so it would show up really well against my skin.

I just haven't decided where to put it. My back seems like the most obvious option because of the space, but I don't want to get a tattoo and then not be able to see it all the time. I like constant reminders of hard work and having fun. I could put it on my stomach, but that's not gonna stay tight and taut forever and I would prefer my tattoo not gain weight as I did.

So does anyone have any advice for trying to get sort of large tats? Anyone have a large tat? Anyone come across more amazing Gil Elvgren pin-ups?

Deuces,
Erika

Bye Bye Valentina! And Now For Something Completely Different...

So this week was an odd one. Starbucks locations all over the country are shutting down, we're running out of white people, we got to judge a new cast of aspiring douchebag designer assholes, and Batman blew everyone away. Duh.

It's a pretty slow day, and I'm spending it watching the Mad Men Season 1 marathon on AMC. I haven't seen it since the original episodes aired, so it's nice to have a recap. Because it's a grossly hot, sluggish Sunday, I'll give your ears some food for thought with a video from Neon Neon.

I didn't know they made a video for this song until I saw it last night. Enjoy!

"I Lust U"




And big goodbyes and thank yous to Valentina for guest blogging this week! Do It At The Disco has never looked better! We can all look forward to hearing from Lolita Hazed starting this Monday. Happy Sunday!

Banzai bitches!

Deuces,
Erika