.  A R T I S T  P R O F I L E  .

C A V E M A N 

 Vibe is king for the Brooklyn based band, Caveman. I first saw them at Brick & Mortar Music Hall back in December when a mutual friend of the band and fellow musician, Ricky Valente of The Bull and the Butterfly (see my profile on him, here), urged me to go. I heard layers of My Bloody Valentine, The Beach Boys, Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes with their lush, atmospheric soundscapes and chamber-pop harmonies. After the show, I took them on an epic adventure through the Mission for a little taste of San Francisco. This time, I decided to interview the five piece about their latest LP, CoCo Beware; life on the road and getting signed to Fat Possum Records.

from left: Stefan Marolachakis, Jimmy Carbonetti, Jeff Berrall, Matthew Iwanusa, Sam Hopkins, Me.

On that crisp Tuesday night in April, as I walked to the venue, I test my tape recorder... nothing. Not even a "test one, two". Frantically, I enlist my girlfriend, who happened to come out of the club at that moment, to record the interview on a cell phone. I figured anything was better than trying to make sense of my scrawled out notes. At that point I knew this wouldn't be a traditional post. My palms began to sweat and the rush of my uncontrollable, goofy grin washed over.

The newly signed band stood before me. Five handsomely dressed gentlemen in a circle, with their familiar, spirited smiles waiting for me to start. I gave my congratulations and welcomed the guys back to San Francisco with a hug and a wink. 

Caveman, formerly on their own Magic Man! label, had just inked a deal in January with Fat Possum Records and joined the roster among Spiritualized, The Black Keys and The Walkmen. Singer, Matthew Iwanusa, said the crossover was pretty seamless, "the transition never felt forced". Caveman's 2012 kicked off with the re-release of their debut LP, CoCo Beware, and several dates in Europe including the La Route du Rock Festival in St. Malo, France. It was the group's first time playing to European audiences and they confessed thoughts of recording their next album overseas. In early March, the US Spring tour began and swept through Club DeVille and the Hype Hotel at SXSW, Savannah's Stopover Festival, Omaha's Slowdown Jr. and the Larimer Lounge in Denver, all fun nights in particular for the band. Drummer, Stefan Marolachakis, expressed his wanderlust during the tour, wishing he could "spend more than five seconds in each place". He loved the west coast stretch from Salt Lake up to Vancouver and down to San Francisco and dreams of a 30 day tour just in California alone (yes please).

 One of the things that intrigues me the most about a band is their writing process. I asked them to describe how they like to write and the band agreed that "making a day of it and creating the perfect mood and environment" is essential. Stefan recalled that he never quite understood the impact that atmosphere had on inspiration- referring to his earlier years of playing where the "lava lamp didn't exactly cut it". As for what was on heavy rotation in the van? "Lots of podcasts. Alec Baldwin's Here's the Thing and the Civil War Podcast, along with the Alan Parsons Project Pandora station". Who knew bands these days were into Civil War podcasts?

via Refinery29

 " L I F E

 I S  C O L L A B O R A T I O N .

Y O U  C A N  T R U S T

 Y O U R  F R I E N D S  " .

I respect that Caveman is enthusiastic about collaborating with their friends. New York menswear designer and shop owner, Robert James, of By Robert James, is a close friend who styles the band out in his historic inspired garments that reflect a rock and roll feel. The designer has been featured in Refinery29, Paper Magazine, Style.com, Guitar Aficionado, Spin.com and L'uomo Vogue, along with dressing legends like Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones. Caveman's guitar player, Jimmy "Cobra" Carbonetti says "Life is collaboration" and agrees with the band that "you can trust your friends". Carbonetti owns a hand-made custom guitar shop, Cobra Guitars, which is located on the top floor of By Robert James. Every guitar the band plays is custom built by Jimmy. Rumor has it he might build a new drum kit for Stefan and bass for Jeff Berrall. Can't wait to see those beauties! 

By Robert James, 74 Orchard St. New York, NY. 10003

{Jimmy talking to Vintage and Rare TV}

{Our mutual friend, Ricky Valente, showing off Cobra Guitars}

 " A T  T H E  E N D

O F  T H E  D A Y  ,  I T ' S  A B O U T

P E O P L E  E N J O Y I N G

T H E  J A M S  "  .

 The question that asks, "What's the take-away you'd hope for your audience", is one that I will always have in my arsenal. Every artist wants to take you different places with their craft. Caveman's answer? "Good vibes, positivity, for you to stay through the show, love and an overall great time". I even heard "a lover" somewhere in their response. Matthew says, "At the end of the day, it's about people enjoying the jams". 

What's on the horizon for Caveman? The boys finished their tour with a couple of dates on the east coast, playing Philadelphia and Brooklyn. I am especially excited that they'll be back to SF for Outside Lands in August (whoever wants to sell me their ticket, I'd love you forever)! The group will also be writing and recording their next album. Despite the implications of the name "Caveman", this band has certainly been pulled into the light. I'm keeping my eye on these guys. 

xx

{photos by Erin Dudley and Benna Wise}

. . .

New hair! There is nothing better than refreshed color and a bang trim. I actually went a little brighter this time. I popped into Hair of the Gods in Hayes Valley and took a leap of faith on a new salon and stylist(I saw Donnelle). Pleasantly surprised, I love it! 

Happy Thursday! 

xx

Liela Moss of The Duke Spirit is pretty smokin in this video. I was obsessed with the song, but now I think I'm smitten with her style! Particularly the hair and makeup. I might have to go back to straight across, late sixties style, sex-bomb bangs.

I'll be covering this tomorrow night!

xx

Last week was the annual NARS Mega Event at Nordstrom downtown SF. National and Regional Artists came out to educate clients and show several looks from Fashion Week! We focused on Marc Jacobs, Rodarte and Thakoon. I had a blast meeting everyone and seeing some familiar faces!

{Blogger and all around hilarious gal, Jes Ryzenberg, stopped by. She took this shot from my chair.} 

. . .

 M A R C  J A C O B S 

This look is all about the lashes, structured brows, soft, feminine lips and cheeks. 

My top product picks:

1. Brow shadow in either Blondie or Bali. Use angled Brow Shader brush!

2. Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30. Apply with your hands. Can't say enough about this one. Flawless.

3. Stylo Pen in Nuits Blanches. Best. Liquid liner. Ever. Wing it out. 

4. Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara in Black. Load it up!

5. False lashes. Any kind will do. Strip, halves or individuals.

6. Sex Appeal blush. Apply on the apple of the cheek.

7. Laguna bronzer. Under cheekbones, around the hairline and bridge of nose.

8. Bilbao lipstick. A perfect warm nude with a creamy finish.

from left: Stylo Pen, Bilbao lipstick, Tinted Moisturizer, Sex Appeal blush.

. . .

R O D A R T E

I adore this indigo hued, smoked out eye! Even though this face was inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night, I like to call this the Smoldering Mermaid. Lots of rich, deep navy and teals. This is my interpretation. 

1. Laguna Multiple Stick. Use as the eyeshadow base.

2. Night Flight eyeshadow. Pack on with a flat brush all over lower lid.

3. Mandchourie Eyeshadow Duo. Use the lighter teal color on inner corner and blend into crease. You can use the darker shade to soften the shadow on lower lid.

4. Wet Night Flight with water for the liner. Use the Push Eyeliner Brush. Apply right at the lash line, top and bottom lids.

5. Line inner rim or water line with Kaliste eye pencil. This color is a fantastic teal. OR go nude with Larger Than Life pencil in Rue Bonaparte.

6. Sex Appeal, Orgasm or Deep Throat blush. Yes, those names are real.

7. Layer Laguna Multiple Stick on top for a little glow around cheeks.

8.  Bilbao lipstick, Orgasm or Giza lip gloss to pull it together.

from left: Laguna Multiple, Mandchourie Duo, Night Flight single, Larger Than Life pencil in Rue Bonaparte.

 . . .

T H A K O O N

These nail polish colors were inspired by Thakoon's last collection. I would wear ALL of these! Vibrant colors are very Spring/Summer 2012...

You can find these colors and products H E R E !!

. . .

left: National Artist, Hank, rockin some liner.

right: Hank and me. The whole week was this fun. 

J E N N Y  S M I T H

It was such an honor to work with Lead Makeup Stylist, Jenny Smith. I learned a lot of different color combos and tips. The most inspiring thing about Jenny's drool worthy career, aside from working with Founder and Creative Director, Francois Nars, is that she began as a freelance artist back in 2001. Now Smith styles the makeup used in look books for major designers such as 3.1 Phillip Lim and Zac Posen, among many other editorial collaborations. Jenny has also participated in shows for Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Thakoon, Vivienne Westwood and Erin Fetherston to name just a few. 

P.S. Did you see her Marni necklace? Swoon!

. . .

. V I D A L  S A S S O O N .

01.17.28 - 05.09.12

You will always be one of my biggest inspirations. Thank you for thinking outside of the box.

“Hairdressers are a wonderful breed. You work one-on-one with another human being and the object is to make them feel so much better and to look at themselves with a twinkle in their eye. Work on their bone structure, the color, the cut, whatever, but when you’ve finished, you have an enormous sense of satisfaction.” - V.S.

Check out my earlier post on Vidal HERE.

above: via here

        I had the chance to catch up with Jason Borger, the keyboardist for songwriter/musician/producer, Jonathan Wilson, at the Great American Music Hall. I didn't know what to expect since I hadn't seen Jason in years or the band at all. I arrived and the ornate space immediately took me back to the time I was there with Jason back in 2005 when we saw Phoenix play and then hung out with them til the wee hours. What an experience. But anyway, this is about J.W.! I was pretty much blown away. Sweet riffs, coherent jams and soft breezy vocals are everything I want to hear in a band like this. Especially with a keyboardist playing tons of lush organ sounds. Their live show is amazing. I listened to more of Wilson's double vinyl album set, Gentle Spirit (released on Bella Union), and I have to say that I could play it front to back to front again. The band will be special guests touring for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on Petty's entire European tour, including two sold out shows at Royal Albert Hall. That's pretty impressive for an artist's first solo album!

I dig this song(and video) Desert Raven, off Gentle Spirit. 

Catch Jonathan Wilson tonight at Seattle's Tractor Tavern! For all my LA peeps, go see them May 9th at The Troubadour and get your tickets now for their May 18th show at NYC's Mercury Lounge before they head to Dublin.

xx

Crystal Renn by Camilla Akrans for Vogue Japan June 2012

hair: Alain Pichon  makeup: Sil Bruinsma

Crystal Renn will always be one of my favorite models. Skinny, plus size, any size... she's still striking. I do love her old curves, though these images are pretty sexy.

. . .

I am infatuated with everything about this spread. 

. M A R I E  C L A I R E  I T A L I A .

M A Y  .  2 0 1 2

Heather Marks by Paul Schmidt. Styled by Raffaella Campeggi.

Hair by Sebastien le Corroller. Makeup by Marie Lanne.

Happy Sunday!

xx 

 I'm super proud of my creative team on this shoot. We got published in Chaos Magazine's The Wicked Issue! 

photo by : Kristin Cofer

styling: Annie Morrison

hair + makeup: Erin Dudley

model: Jessica at FORD