Punk and Stuff Like That

A couple days ago I was asked to contribute a guest post for I Live Sweat on my experiences with sexism in the punk scene. I'm not typically one of those people who thrives on making a big stir or writing something I know would isolate more than half the people I'm friends with, but I decided to go for it anyway, just because sometimes I really do think things are not fair and it took me years to not get discouraged over it.  At this point, the way girls are sometimes treated when they're in certain creative fields is really more of mosquito bite than something that gets me fiery.
Here's an excerpt:
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Let me start this by saying that sitting down to write this was not easy for me because not only does it make me upset to think about, but I know that when people talk about this topic, it’s mostly taken with a grain of salt. I don’t like people rolling their eyes at me; I don’t like being preachy; and I hate sounding like I’m some sort of victim—all which I think is part of the problem. I shouldn’t ever feel like I have to apologize for wanting to be treated like one of the guys or even wanting to be treated like I’m different because girls are different.

The difference wasn’t always clear to me. Before I was completely immersed in any music scene, let alone the DIY punk community I now call home, I’m ashamed to admit I was the first person to roll my eyes when the stereotypical Bikini Kill-obsessed, cut-off-shorts-clad punk  girl complained about the way men treated her at shows. I just didn’t believe it was true, and I think it’s something that’s hard to recognize if you don’t experience it yourself, which is why I’d never fault anyone for thinking that the punk scene is immune to sexism—especially because it’s empowering and supportive in so many ways.

Read the whole thing on I Live Sweat's blog

A Week Ago

I can't really tell you where any of my clothes are from in this outfit, especially because this dress is so old I wore it to my high school's homecoming in 2005.  I love holding onto clothes knowing they'll come back into style, and I really feel like I got lucky with this one.  This picture was from last Friday when it almost felt like Spring outside, and I stopped by Kris's place in the Bronx to flesh out the mixes of five more songs before heading out to Long Island for a bar crawl with my cousin and sister. We need to do that much more often.

Speaking of mixes, check out this piece I wrote for the NY Egotist about how Kickstarter has kicked the the major label on its behind more than Napster.   Alright, not more Napster, but still; now it's not the just the public that doesn't need major labels to get music, it's the artists too—almost. I'm still a firm believer that labels are both important and helpful to artists, whether or not they are needed.

Oh, and here are some nachos. Here's a tip: to balance the guilt you'll feel from eating a heaping, unhealthy-but-delicious pile of nachos, mix both bad fats (the cheese, the sour cream, and everything else that tastes awesome) with good fats (avocado and...that's all I've got).  Yum!

Check out my friend's new video!

Watch my incredibly talented friends Rachel and Andrew be adorable on camera. I love the 90s vibe, and girl knows how to hold up a Dunkin Donuts for sure.

Recording, Recording, Recording

Last weekend we began recording our album, and while I didn't do much of anything during the drum and bass tracking except drink soda and sit around ("producing" as I call it), we are going to do guitar and vocals very soon, and that's it. I'm trying not to think about the final recording stages because that's where I tend to get kind of crazy thinking about if people are going to listen and like this and playback every single note a hundred times until the rest of the band tells me I need to stop.

When we did this last time, I didn't think about any of this stuff except for how the record sounded. I had no idea what to do once I held the CD in my hands and blindly went on tour down the east coast. Everything involving that first month as a real band with a real release was...well, really, really hard. And then one day, all of a sudden, I was swept up into a whirlwind of shows, reviews, interviews, and so many people I am so glad I get to call my friends.  Something just clicked, and now it feels light, and easy, and natural, though I still have nerves, I'm really happy with how everything is turning out/has turned out -- no matter how small my success is. I used to feel sort alone making music, but now I've learned to let go. To put my trust in the 3 other people, my best friends, who are in this with me.

Here are some pictures from our session, and Greg's apartment (where the lack of cable practically forced us to watch hours of hilarious YouTube videos).

Happy birthday to me.

Forever 21 lace tank, American Apparel skirt, Dolce Vita shoes

It's hard to imagine that this time last year I was with Lucky Magazine and skipped out after work into the god-awful clutter of Times Square with a plastic tiara on my frizzy head of long brown hair. It's one year later, and I'm less rich, have less friends who I know I can count on, and less things to do, but I'd like to think more people know my name, I'm more driven, and better at what I do.

Speaking of, I never blogged about this fab review Candy Hearts received from AbsolutePunk.net. It's a really big deal for me, since I looked towards that website for new music when I was younger. I take every review to heart, which I think makes me not only a better musician, but a better writer because if I review something, I know I better mean what I say. I'm playing with people's hearts and they are playing with mine. They loved the album, anyway, and said it was "fast and fuzzy, like a baby ostrich with adult legs." Sometimes, or most of the time, that's how I really feel. I never knew even the feeling of my songs could be so accurate to who I was, but I always believe in being honest with yourself and your audience in anything you are doing.

Also, call me crazy, but I remember what I was wearing sitting in that frigid office in Conde Nast where dreams come true--a cherry Nanette Lepore halter (that I have not worn since then, why?), Max Azria white skinnies, and my trusty blazer I've had since childhood (with the shoulder pads torn out!). It's weird how you remember stuff like that, right?

I got these in the mail the other day. If anyone wants one, holler.

Music video and city travelling.

Pink bow, Thrifted bustier, Target pink skirt, Doc Martens shoes

I've been so busy lately writing, trying to find a job, visiting friends, playing lots of songs, and going to shows.  It's weird having nothing you have to do, and it will probably drive me crazy in a couple of more days.  I wore this outfit above to shoot a music video with Candy Hearts. It was our first ever music video, and I hope it came out okay.  All I know is the lights were really, really hot, there were so many cameras, and it took me like an hour to do my hair. I never thought I would see myself in HD--actually, I watched tv and worried about what I would look like if my chance ever came. Well, here it is.

Two days before, I went to Williamsburg to check out Lemuria at Death by Audio.  It was one of the best shows I've been to ALL YEAR,  and Slingshot Dakota and The Measure [sa] were also playing.  It was a dream line-up, and each band played all the songs that I really wanted to hear. It was great energy all around.  After the show we briefly hung out with the bands because Kris knows everyone, and the boys from Timeshares were there, who really know everyone. I've been dying to meet these bands because I really love them, I really want to play with them, and they dominate my iPod. I normally dont geek out about this stuff, but it was SO cool!

After the show, we ended up at the Charleston (like usual) since Kris has been stockpiling free pizza tickets (shh don't tell!). I slept on a floor, with no air conditioning, on a very loud street in Bed-Stuy.  when we woke up we went to Kellogg's Diner, where I got my favorite diner breakfast: waffles and ice cream. Well, that post was just one large run on.

Party shows party!

D.I.Y crop top, American Apparel skirt, Vintage oxfords, Forever 21 necklace

I don't have all that much to say today, but I am super happy about two things.  Firstly, I made this crop top all by myself, and yes it's wrinkled, but I'm pretty happy with how it looks! Secondly, I forgot to mention the review we got on thatspunk.net, and it was a really nice one. Totally flattered.

I wore this outfit to eat some Mexican food and see These Animals--Greg (who plays bass and sings with us if you don't know), his other band.  They were so awesome! Then, we went to a sweet after party with all my friends. It was so much fun!

You can see a video I took of some of their set here.

Culture shock.

I forgot to post about Culture Shock.  Since it happened things have been just so crazy, and I didn't get any good shots of my outfit, but here's a rather boring looking picture of us playing. I assure you, it wasn't boring, no one had a proper flash.  I also met one of my idols: Andrew WK.  We are friends on twitter now.  I am also willing to admit that I was having trouble handling being right up front.  After, my legs were so bruised it looked like I was in a car accident.  I also messed up my arm when I was pushed off stage during an attempt to escape from the crowd. Three letters for my expression below: lol.



Kris looked a lot better in his picture than I did in mine, so I'm going to post his. Our drummer Nick, who picked Andrew up from the city, asked Kris to be his "body guard" since so many people were there. No one hassled him anyway.



and here is the ever-fierce Russel, ready to catch light on his good-side within a moments notice.

This is it?

Nasty Gal romper, Esprit Blazer, black wedges, and knock-off Wayfarers

It's time for the last issue of The Independent, and with this my mission ends, or rather it's expanded.  I've felt like this journal has been transforming, from an editor documenting the day-to-day to a girl whose trying to be a writer. A writer of everything: news, music, blog entries, and even screenplays and short stories. So here it is. I will finally try to "make it." I'm still struggling with what that means.

Along the way, there have been other struggles. In three weeks, I will officially be unemployed (by all jobs that actually provide money), and I'll no longer have anything to do with SUNY Purchase, except for the people I've met and love. My band is currently two skips away from being drummerless, as my drummer has been thrown into real life really fast. I don't know who we'll find to fill-in, but I'm excited to meet anyone in general whose as excited about music as I am.  As a result, I am getting reacquainted with my acoustic. I will be continuing with Her Campus through the summer, but from home. Yes, I'll be blogging from the comforts of living room.  Is 21 too old to be moving back home? I'm not sure yet, but I do know my Mom and sister (and my brother on a good day) are way better to live with than some of the people this school has stuck me with! Cheers to the years of random roommates being over.

Tuesday night Thermals concert.

 
H&M jacket, Forever 21 dress, Simply Vera tights, Dr. Martens boots

I started writing this entry on Saturday night, when I was sitting in my bedroom eating Sugar Babies and watching Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 for the 10th time, but then my cold went into full swing, and I decided to just stop.  As dull as last night was, Tuesday night was so much fun (despite the sickness that won't die).  I wish I could wander around NYC every day, trying new restaurants and going to shows, but I can't because today I WILL finish my article and my songs. I stocked up on cold meds and coffee and I am ready. to. go.

Before we hit up Brooklyn Bowl to see the Thermals, we went to Soy & Sake, an awesome vegetarian restaurant in the West Village. First we got an appetizer of crispy chicken and it was heavenly— dare I say better than real chicken nuggets. I got the coconut crusted chicken, which came with yummy pineapple slices, and Kris got the General Tsao's chicken, which was so good. So much soy, I probably shouldn't eat soy for a while. After, we stopped by Rocco's, which Kris swears has the best cannoli he's ever had. It was pretty good, but that place always feels touristy to me. I like the idea of a dessert restaurant though!

After that, we finally made it to Brooklyn Bowl.  The opening acts were, well... typical Brooklyn, adorned in feather headdresses, animal masks, and wandering micro-Korgs.  The Thermals were excellent, though, and I'm completely enamored by Kathy Foster. Chick bassists rule, and I'm probably the All Girl Summer Fun Band's biggest fan.  Brooklyn Bowl was cool though, even though bowling there seemed pretty expensive. The crowd was weird a mix of hipsters and thirty-something professionals who looked like they just got out of work. Perhaps they were grabbing a beer after work.

Here's a little secret for those of you who want to attend sold out shows at Brooklyn Bowl. Sometimes, they just say they are sold out and then let you in at the door. If they are actually sold out, you can say that you are bowling and easily sneak into the show (thought you'll have to pay for bowling, which is slightly more than a ticket).

Candy hearts record release show.

Thrifted sweetheart bustier, BCBG jeans, TJ Maxx flannel, Steve Madden flats

Friday was the Candy Hearts record release show at the Charleston (the really fun pizza bar).  I was so happy that the basement was filled with tons of old friends, new friends, and soon to be friends.  Earlier that day, I travelled the lengths of New York City to get my hair styled by my friend who is graduating from Arrojo really soon! I'm her hair model for her final project, so by next week I will have an extremely different dye and cut. I'm nervous because I've never dyed my hair except for the wash-out red streaks I put in when I was 15 and punk rock.

Friday afternoon, before Kris, Greg, and I ate at this AWESOME Mexican place (that I got no pictures of because I was delirious with hunger), we filmed a Pink Couch Session.  This was my second ever on-camera performance, and I was pretty nervous because of number of people who will probably see it.  I had always watched the Pink Couch and thought about what it would feel like to sit in the place that so many bands I adore and respect sat.  Well, now I know what it feels like, and it feels awesome!  It was, overall, the most fun I had in a long time, despite my inability to stop giggling because of how excited I was. I can't wait for it to be posted.  We also checked out Big Soda's session and it was so cute!

I wish I could say the rest of my spring break will be equally as fun, but I have so much work to do! I am writing a really great article for Her Campus, doing some freelance work, delving deeper into my horror screenplay, preparing a french presentation, finishing my senior project, planning an end of the year party for The Independent, reworking my resume, and scouring the job listings on ED2010.com. I am really lucky to have all this wonderful creative work going on right now!

Now for picspam:

The end of the semester is kicking me down hard.

I have been so busy these last couple weeks.  It has made posting near impossible, mostly because I've looked like such a bum! I have been working 24/7 on my senior project, and it is driving me crazy.  I've also been planning this super fun end of the year event for The Independent, which has been going smoothly, so there's not much to say about that. 

Over these past few weeks at the Indy and just in my life, I have really learned to assert myself.  Sometimes, I realize that I don't have to do all of these favors people, if I dont want to. I don't always have to be nice, or do what people say. I am the boss, this is our publication, and I don't need to stand for being pushed around.  Sometimes I feel like I might slip and end up like "Kell on Earth" with "bitchy" reputation, but then I realize, hey, that is sometimes what you have to do to get the job done. Besides, when you are too nice, you get walked all over, which is something I will no longer stand for.

In other news, Candy Hearts did an interview with this blog, so check it out. We were also written up here.

Also, I've been looking wildly '80s or early '90s in dress. I don't know if this is something that should be stopped. How do you guys feel about the resurgance of clothing from those eras?

Record release flyer.

Here's a flyer I made for the record release show, which is a NY Daily News Editors Pick, WAHOOO!  I'm putting this up in my portfolio, because one of my favorite things about being a DIY artist is that I am my own graphic design/web team, and I get to do all of the designs for everything myself. This took me a long time; it would have taken about 1 hour less if I wasn't drawing with a touch-mouse pad and if i was using Illustrator (but my copy isnt working so I must fix it).

Also, I know I've been a bad blogger, and I want to say sorry to all of my readers. It's been crazy in real life lately.

After the show at trash bar.

Here are some more pictures from the Drop Records Not Bombs Show. I am really fond of that sweater, because it's my grandma's! Kris and I started writing some new songs together before our last show, which was really fun. I like writing as a team, rather than presenting a 90% finished song to my band and then seeing what they think. I also really had the best time ever at the Trash Bar show on Friday. There were a ton of people there, a ton of friends, so much love all around!

From Park Slope to Harlem and other things.

Vintage Glasses, TJ Maxx Jacket, Urban Outfitters Shirt, Thrifted Stretch Pants, Dr. Martens Shoes.

Friday, I went to visit my sister in Harlem but somehow found myself in a 2 hour subway ride to park slope to see my friends (who happen to be in this awesome band Field Mouse) and finally meet Jenny Owen Youngs, who is great friends with all of them, and I've heard so much about (not just from Perez Hilton). NYC Subways are so frustrating after 12am, and it took us some ridiculous amount of time to get home, and I totally passed out on Kris's shoulder and had weird subway induced dreams. 

Here are a few things for you guys to check out, that I forgot to post about because I am in a whir of senior project haze and watching way too much "My Life as Liz.":  Candy Hearts was featured in Star Beat Music, a cool blog about the NY/NJ underground music scene and in The Captain's Memos, so go on over there and comment, and tell them what you think!

I have more to post about, including exciting Indy news, but I am waiting to receive the pictures first, so stay tuned!

Drop records not bombs.

Express Romper, Forever 21 fascinator, Steve Madden flats

I wore this outfit to the Schack Attack Records compilation release, where my song "What I Want" was featured. We played with some awesome bands and I was really impressed overall how everyone came together to do something for charity like that.  All the proceeds went towards building a hospital in Etheopia.   Here's a video of everyone involved doing a massive cover of "Where is My Mind" by the Pixies. I am way way way back there, as someone who is not diva-ing it up, and also much shorter than all those guys.

The last song was crazy, and someone spilled beer on my sweater, which made me sort of angry.  We definitely broke fire code.

 

Happy valentine's day!

Rodarte for Target dress, Betsey Johnson belt, Guess platform pumps

 I was so psyched when I found this dress in my size (it was the last one!).  I bought it a month ago, but I was saving it for Valentine's Day! I decided to overload on the bows, because of how sweet this holiday was.  My boyfriend said I looked like a little present.  Anyway, we ate really awesome sushi and saw Valentine's Day, which I liked except for T-Swift's acting, and I'm not usually one to point that stuff out.

I'm also really excited because this week was huge. I finally published my first two blogs on Her Campus and played a ridiculously crowded, out of control show (which I will blog about tomorrow, if I can sneak away from the Independent!)

Writing writing more writing!

H&M Dress, Guess Shoes, Betsey Johnson Belt

A couple of days ago, I went on a photoshoot with Ellisa to finally take photos of the band.  I always feel incredibly awkward posing and I think the guys did too.  They obsessed over what to wear more than I did! 

Anyway, on a completely different note, I recently became a writer for Her Campus, and I am beyond excited.  I am writing my first article as we speak, and I get a byline and little picture and bio too!  For any of you readers who are females and in college, this site is the holy grail of advice and things you need to know.

Here's what I mean when I say we are all just a bunch of nerdy musicians: