Sonny Kay is without a doubt one of my favourite visual artists. Words will not do when it comes to his work; it needs to be experienced for oneself. Every time I look at one of his works my understanding of it evolves a little bit more, I find myself coming back to the images time and time again as inspiration for my mind and food for my soul—they remind me of the pure potentiality of life. Sonny is the art director for Rodriguez Lopez Productions and has created tee designs and album covers that complement the musical dialogue of artists such as long-time friend Omar Rodriguez Lopez, one of my favourite bands Le Butcherettes, the kick ass Zechs Marquise and more.

Art-wise, what are you currently working on? And so far, how do you feel about it?

 SONNY KAY: Right now I’m finishing laying-out new albums for Good Old War and The Mars Volta. The GOW project is more a matter of assembling parts that the band provided, whereas the Volta thing consists of original art I created for it, and now I’m in the process of adding lyrics, etc. So basically two different approaches. They’re both a good challenge, but of course the ones that utilize my own art feel more personal.

Previously, when asked about your artwork and the evolution of your album cover designs for Omar [Rodriguez Lopez] you have said, “I find my thoughts dwelling more and more on concepts of multi-dimensionality and what might be called the fabric of reality.” I wanted to ask you, what was your first introduction to these concepts? What first sparked your interest in these ideas? Have you ever personally experienced something that you perceived to be this?

SK: I suppose my earliest introduction to this kind of thing would be via people like George Harrison and Timothy Leary, all the sort of figureheads of 1960’s psychedelic awareness. I always had a kind of passing interest in psychedelic poster art, and that kind of thing, but more from an aesthetic point of view. I managed to completely avoid hallucinogens until well into my 20’s. Then about ten or eleven years ago I had my first bona fide “psychedelic” experience after taking a double dose of psilocybin mushrooms in Japan. I came away from that with the explicit understanding that there are dimensions of consciousness I could never have begun to imagine. And so from that point on I began reading everything I could get my hands on about hallucinogens, and more specifically, entheogens such as DMT. When I finally had the opportunity to try it myself, I was prepared for it in a way that I felt put me at an advantage over someone just happening upon it at a party or something. I felt like I’d primed myself intellectually. But nothing could have prepared me for the total sensory overload of it, nor the depths of astonishment possible that you just can’t imagine.

I read another interesting comment – “I think creativity should be valued much differently than it is now” – from you in an interview and I was wondering if you could elaborate on this thought?

SK: Well the point I was trying to make there was that I feel like the whole paradigm of consumption and profit needs upending. If it was impossible for anyone to turn a profit from creativity, I think we’d see a change in the kind of self-expression taking place. For one thing, I believe there’d be much less of it. And what there would be might be motivated by different ideals, more pure and more relevant to the essence of the human experience. Less about product and repetition and more about a connection to the truths at the core of our being. Removed from the context of capitalism, I think creativity could revert to the realm of “folk art”, or more appropriately, tribal art. It could serve a different set of functions entirely, which are arguably far more noble than plain old exploitation.

What does art mean to you and as an artist what matters most to you? 

SK: It’s a way for me to express things I feel and believe more creatively and poignantly than trying to verbalize them ever could. It’s a way for me to love myself and embrace the lifetime I’ve been given. I’m not sure what matters the most. I suppose contributing to the ongoing dialogue that forms the fabric of culture, in general. Giving voice to ideas that go against the grain of the moronic monoculture represented by our governments and the corporations who own them.

Currently, what is your favourite thing that you’ve created and what is it about it that you love so much? 

SK: That’s so hard to say. Usually my favorite piece is either the most recent finished one or whatever I happen to be working on at the moment. At gunpoint I’d probably say the one entitled Adrift, Or Barking Up the Rung Tree (pictured above). More than any other, it seemed in some way “destined” to exist, and that I was simply enabling that inevitability. Walking into a gallery and seeing a huge print of that one framed on the wall is an incredibly satisfying and humbling experience. When I built it, each element felt like a precise fit. The chimp’s eyes, too, are just so piercing and expressive, I feel like they look right into your soul. To me, they feel so utterly heartbreaking, and at the same time they possess this dignity. I really enjoy the dichotomy between the desperation in his eyes and the playful insincerity of what the baby gorillas are doing.

What type of art and artists interest you at the moment? 

SK: That’s so hard to narrow down. I can be pretty schizo when it comes to art, and I tend to go through phases of paying attention and then just shutting myself off completely. Right now I’m reading The Graphic Language of Neville Brody, who designed all the Cabaret Voltaire covers back 80s, I guess that’s more design than art but they get muddled up for me. Record art and packaging design never cease to interest and inspire me. On the other hand, pretty much anything featured in Juxtapoz is awe-inspiring and compels me to do better.

What is one of your all-time favourite album covers and what does it mean to you? What do you find compelling about it?  

SK: I usually say the first Budgie album, or Unknown Pleasures, but today I feel like talking about the third Bauhaus album, The Sky’s Gone Out. I imagine a lot of people might find it boring, but I think it’s one of the most evocative and creepy things I’ve ever seen. The genius of it is in its simplicity. I love the geometric aspect to it, that it’s essentially just a painting of a circle. Always been a sucker for circles… The stark, high contrast design acts like a trap for the eye. The way the circle bleeds toward the outside edges is just so… I don’t know, just weird. It was a revelation seeing this when I was 13 or 14. I loved the way it at once had nothing and yet everything to do with the title. Nearly all the imagery associated with this band is crucial to me, but this album cover is just monolithic.

I know that you love going to thrift stores (as I do) and you get a lot of your imagery for your collage work from old books you find there. What’s one of your favourite finds from a thrift store?  

SK: I found an incredible hardcover photo book entitled Africa’s Powerhouse about the energy industry in South Africa in the early 1970’s. It’s full of incredible, beautiful photos which I’ve definitely poached from time to time. But I treasure it because as a baby I lived in Johannesburg for about a year, and obviously don’t remember anything about it. That book has served as a kind of time capsule for me, a snapshot of a time and place in my life I could never really envision otherwise. A lot of thrift shop books you find time and time again, but I’ve only ever found it once. Also, I lost it for about a dozen years – left it with a friend who was scanning it for me before I had my own gear, and then lost touch with him. I met his wife at a show in Denver a couple of years ago and out of the blue she asked me if I still needed it, and I just about fell over. So it made its way back to me. I will never let it out of my possession again.

You also love to travel and have a fondness for Japan; in all your travels what place has had a really lasting impact on you?  

SK: Japan, without a doubt, just in terms of the aesthetic and the quality of life (and the food, and the people, and the music, etc…). But plenty of other places have had a lasting impact. I would happily go and live in Mexico for a while, the further south the better. I really feel alive when I’m down there.

Growing up, as a child, what were the things you found most fascinating about the world?

 SK: The diversity and infinite variability of the plant and animal kingdoms is something I’ve never lost my fascination for.

Now as an adult, what are the things that you find fascinating about the world? 

SK: The variety of culture and human experience. At the same time, I find it utterly perplexing that so many people accept reality at face value.

Have you ever had a life changing moment?  

SK: Probably quite a few of them, yes. As corny as it sounds, seeing the band Heroin play in San Diego in March ’92 definitely qualifies. So does being kicked out of/causing the demise of The VSS in ’97. My first DMT trip tops the list though, without a doubt.

I believe that there are opportunities all around us every day to learn from. What’s something that you learnt today?  

SK: There’s no such thing as a sure thing. Not that that’s really news, but I’m reminded of it on an almost daily basis.

What is your greatest vision for you art?

SK: That it connects with people and undermines the immediacy and “disposability” of the source materials and methods used to create it.

For more Sonny Kay. Purchase art by Sonny Kay. Rodriguez Lopez Productions.

Create forever!!

*Photo credit: Sonny Kay by Cameron Puleo and Sound Colour Vibration

Tags: 1960s psychedelic awareness, art, Bauhaus, Budgie, DMT, George Harrison, Good Old War, Heroin (band), Juxtapoz, Le Butcherettes, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, profit from creativity, psilocybin mushrooms, Rodriguez Lopez Productions, self-expression, Sonny Kay, The Graphic Language of Neville Brody, The Mars Volta, The VSS, Timothy Leary, Unknown Pleasures, Zechs Marquise

I believe that Drea Smith is destined for greatness. One half of indie duo PYYRAMIDS, along with OK Go’s Tim Nordwind; previously fronting the genre mashing He Say, She Say with best friend Million Dollar Mano; currently working on a solo project with Doc McKinney (Santigold, The Weeknd, K-OS + more)—this lady is a creative dynamo. It’s only a matter of time before the world catches on to how kick ass Drea is! Here’s our recent chat…

I am so excited to have found PYYRAMIDS!

DREA SMITH: Aww thank you! I read your blog and it’s awesome!

Ha! I was checking out your blog as well and as I was looking at it I was thinking, wow! Janet Jackson, PJ Harvey, Bratmobile and all the fashion related things you feature are all very similar to my own tastes. I was so excited looking through it! How did you first come to music?

DS: I actually went to performing arts, like junior high, I was a vocal major. My mom put me in front of the TV and I was watching MTV early [laughs]. I knew I wanted to be a rock star when I was eight.

You love such an eclectic mix of music, you love punk, hip hop and more, yet your music doesn’t necessarily reflect all these things.

DS: Yeah, well you know what’s funny? I actually want to do a little bit of every genre that I like. I want to get involved with all of it if I can. I love post-punk music and down tempo music, PYYRAMIDS lets me explore that side of music that I like.

You play guitar too?

DS: I used to. I’m trying to freshen up on it. I started playing guitar when I was fifteen but, I haven’t really picked up a guitar much in the past five years. I need to get back into actually writing with a guitar and exploring how a guitar would sound now for me.

Before you were in PYYRAMIDS you were in He Say, She Say (pictured above) which was signed to Lupe Fiasco’s label; can you tell me about the experience of being in He Say, She Say?

DS: I started He Say, She Say with my best friend, Mano. We’re still super close. We started writing songs together when I was eighteen and he was twenty. We met in college. I had sent some of the demos to Doc McKinney, who is my mentor now. He’s worked with The Weeknd. He said, ‘Y’all should be a group.’ The industry was so saturated with solo female artists. Mano is a DJ who is heavily influenced by house and dance music, things you would hear at a club. I was heavily influenced by indie rock, introspective lyrics and punk music. We ended up meshing all of those genres together to create He Say, She Say. Mano went to high school with Lupe and had been sending him things that he had been working on and He Say, She Say caught Lupe’s attention and he signed us. We’re actually on an indefinite hiatus but me and Mano talk about making music all the time together.

Mano DJs for Kanye West now?

DS: Yes he does. I am so stoked because Watch The Throne tour comes to L.A. soon and I get to go to all three shows!

What does PYYRAMIDS mean to you?

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Tags: American Horror Story, Bratmobile, Chanel, Clayton Hauck, Doc Martens, Doc McKinney, Drea Smith, Givenchy, He Say She Say, Janet Jackson, kanye west, Lupe Fiasco, Million Dollar Mano, PJ Harvey, PYYRAMIDS, RES, Ruby Woo lipstick by MAC, Santi White, santigold, sexism in music industry, The Weeknd, Tim Nordwind, Tyler Curtis

Happy New Year lovelies! I know we’re already a week in but, I thought I’d take this moment to wish you all an AMAZING 2012! I hope everyone’s New Year has gotten off to a wonderful start, mine has.

Things in my world are starting to look brighter, better and more magical than they ever have before! There’s lots of interviews in the works with inspiring creative folk who are doing interesting and important work in the world including: Glen E Friedman, Kate Nash, Dave Catching, Ian Vanek from Japanther, the artist Sonny Kay &more! The next couple of weeks will also see in-depth interviews posted with some of my favourite people: designer Peggy Noland, Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes, Drea Smith from PYYRAMIDS/He Say, She Say, photographer Harmony Nicholas… this year is going to be a big, big year!

Also, Issue #7 of my award-winning zine series Conversations With Punx is off to the printers this week too. Featuring in-depth interviews on spirituality, creativity and life with Duane Peters, Corey Parks, Lord Ezec, Russ Rankin, Brad Warner, Franklin Rhi & Ben Weasel.

Here’s some inspiration to help start your New Year right:

• Harnessing the Power of Intention for the New Year: “Intention is the starting point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love. Everything that happens in the universe begins with intention.” What are your intentions for 2012?

• Want to know what the The No. 1 Habit of Highly Creative People is? Get your party of one on!

• How Do You Stay Creative? Inspiration to keep your creative juices flowing.

• Warhol Philosophies: “I think everybody should like everybody.” Inspiring prints.

• 28 steps to a positive & successful life. Tips to put you on the right track.

• Oprah and Eckhart Tolle discuss The Flowering of Human Consciousness and what it means to be present in each moment. I’ve recently starting watching this series and it’s seriously had a huge, positive effect on me. In fact, it really has blown my mind! Please watch it.

• How To Make Glitter Shoes! I was so excited to find this. Growing up my favourite shoes was a pair of silver glitter shoes my big sister owned, kind of like the ones Diana Ross wears in The Wiz! I know you can buy glittery shoes from a lot of places nowadays but being a big DIY fan and enjoying rockin’ unique pieces I prefer to make things myself. Can’t wait to try this on the weekend!

• How to Style Long Hair Short. Another inspiring post from my new favourite blog A Beautiful Mess. I’ve been thinking of cutting my hair but after finding this guide it’s inspired me to keep my hair long.

• Tips For Thrifting. As readers will know I’m a huge op shop/thrift store fan. Over half of my wardrobe consists of treasures found in unlikely places. If you’re new to thrifting you may find this little guide helpful. Expand your wardrobe without blowing your budget.

• Victorian Star Wars Portraits. Star Wars characters get classy.

• One of my favourite writer’s Paulo Coelho talks on writing. My friend Beck got me hooked on his books over a decade ago by introducing me to The Alchemist. He is one of the few authors I love where I have all his works in my library that I constantly find myself revisiting.

• Need More Culture In Your Life? Read These Books.

And lastly, I recently came across the band Indian Handcrafts that I’m really diggin’:

Dream big!! Create forever!

*Image (which is on my office wall as inspiration for 2012) source.

Tags: Andy Warhol Philosophies, Carine Roitfeld, DIY Glitter Shoes, dream big, Eckhart Tolle, Harnessing the Power of Intention for the New Year, How to Style Long Hair Short, Human Consciousness, i-D magazine, Indian Handcrafts, Oprah Winfrey, Paulo Coelho, Tips For Thrifting, Victorian Star Wars Portraits

Sydney-based jewelry designer Victoria Cheatham creates precious treasures for you to wear designed to empower and release your inner goddess. Add a little sparkle and magic into your life with her Lotus Mendes creations! I’m a huge fan of her work (I wear a Lotus Mendes Goddess Ring daily) as is magazines Grazia, NW, OK, Famous, Cleo, Shop Til You Drop, Who and more. Lotus Mendes creations have adorned celebrities such as The Veronicas, Jacinta Campbell and Mel B (Scary Spice) with the fan base growing with each new spectacular collection released. LM embraces five acts: RESPECT, TRUST, LOYALTY, LOVE, and HONOR. Recently I caught up with Victoria (pictured below) to chat about her beginnings, Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (which her jewels premiered at in 2011), her inspirations and the magic that is Lotus Mendes.

Where did you start selling your jewelry? What was the response like?
I have been creating and designing precious jewels for over 12 years for myself and for friends. It all started because I never wanted to be seen in the same piece as anyone else. I wanted and craved uniqueness and individualism so I would sit in my studio for hours creating and designing. As I created more and more pieces I knew it was time I started to actually make money from what I did so I started to sell my jewelry at Bondi Markets (about five years ago). I would sell one-off pieces that I had made. It was actually difficult for me to sell off some of the pieces I had made as they all had a meaning to me and every piece of jewelry had a magical element to it.

The response to my pieces was always different – some people loved what I did and some people did not get it. For me to create jewelry, it was like there was a force that was inside of me that I could not stop. It was about making women feel and look amazing – that if they understood the magical element of jewelry they would understand the power it could unleash within them. My passion was for others to feel what I felt – for all women to feel individual, unique and unstoppable. I use my body as a blank canvas and my jewelry is like my oil paint, each day I paint a different picture using my jewels.

After selling pieces at the markets for a while, I knew that I had to now take it to the next level and start looking into the manufacturing side of things which, has taken me a good four years to perfect.

When did you start down the creative path?
My life is about designing, creating and making precious jewelry for woman and men. It is my passion and my ultimate love (oh and my darling husband!)

I started making very long bead and crystal earrings, moving into glomesh, stones and then metals. For inspirations I used to visit second hand shops and try and find the oldest piece of jewelry – to which I would create something new. I loved to blend the old with the new as it made me feel as if I was bringing the past into the present and creating a new meaning for it. After constantly being asked where I bought my jewelry from, I realised it was time to make this into a business.

Passion for what I do is an understatement: I want woman to feel unique, individual, beautiful and truly believe in themselves that they can do anything they want in this world. Jewelry to me is magical. They are pieces of timeless beauty that possess powerful magical energies that can transcend a message to its wearer: if you believe this you can make anything happen.

My ultimate aim is to continually design collections that come from my heart, to have my customer wear a Lotus Mendes piece and feel what I feel when I am creating the piece. To ultimately create pieces that: speak without saying a word.

Do you have any official qualifications? Do you think formal training is important to what you do?
I am a self-taught jewelry designer but I do have business qualifications. I studied at University and have a Bachelor Degree in Communications – Majoring in Public Relations. When I knew I was going to turn my passion into a business, I then went and studied Fashion Business at FBI College in Glebe, Sydney. I believe that some people have a natural ability and talent that they use and others, if they choose, can be taught. Practice makes perfect—you can do anything you set your mind to—but I am a strong believer in the fact that education is important and that we can never stop learning from each other. You can never gain enough wisdom and knowledge from the people who have succeeded in your chosen industry.

How did you get your start doing artistic/creative things for a living?
I was selected to show my first range at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) – To showcase at RAFW 2011 was a total mixed bag of emotions for me. As each design and each piece of jewelry has such a meaning behind it, I have to admit I was fearful of rejection but, I knew it was make or break time. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else as a career so, I knew the time was right for me to launch my label and get my pieces out there. I was really ready for it. Ready for whatever was to happen…

What was the highlight of RAFW?
Firstly to be accepted to showcase at RAFW was amazing! That instantly released most of my fear I had about allowing the public to see my work and to be part of my inner creativity. For me, my creativity is a really personal and passionate journey so knowing people would be seeing it was like something was being released inside of me. One moment I have etched in my memory is seeing Lotus Mendes up on the wall with all the other designers. I knew then that it was all happening and Lotus Mendes was on her way to success! Also, to see lots of people looking into my display case and receiving rave reviews made me realize that all my hard work was about to pay off and that it was my time. People now are beginning to really understand where I am coming from with my designs. Also, having to constantly refill my look books and business cards was a good sign ha!

How did you prepare for a massive event like RAFW?
Work, work and more work!! I think being able to prepare for such a big event defines and shows how passionate you really are. There are so many little aspects that you have to get done that you really have to be organized. I also did a lot of visualizing about how I wanted my pieces to be displayed and set up –I thought of a few really crazy ways to display my pieces such as on a clear custom made perspex box filled with coloured crystals and water and then realized that it was probably not really possible to get it made in time so opted for a more simple, chic and clean look. After all it was about my jewels and there own presence and magical elements that would be enough for people to be drawn to them.

What were the biggest challenges you have faced?
The biggest challenges have been trying to find the best factories to work with to produce my designs. This process has taken more than six years and I am still forever learning everyday more about the manufacturing and production side of things. Everyday can be a challenge but if you love what you do then you just keep on doing what you do! Being creative and having your own business is a huge challenge in itself. You have to be extremely self motivated and passionate and know your market inside out to be successful in this industry.

What makes your artistic style different?
My style all comes from within. My style personifies my emotions and my feelings. Every piece I create has a meaning which I pass on to the wearer. My style is more about portraying a message to the wearer about understanding life itself and how adorning yourself with precious jewelry it can have such a positive effect on your own being. I believe that jewelry is magical and I create pieces that “speak without saying a word”.

What’s your favourite thing you have created so far?
That would have to the Powerful Goddess Ring. I have now released it in 14 colours and this is just the beginning. My plan is to have every shade of colour in the whole world within five years so if you are searching for a colour for your outfit and you cannot find it anywhere you will definitely be able to find it at Lotus Mendes.

Who do you look up to in the creative world and what is it about them that appeals to you?
I believe that every artist is amazing in their own way. To tell you the truth I never looked at magazines until I started to be in them myself. I have read many biographies of famous designers and one of my favourite would have to be Gianni Versace as his philosophy on woman and wanting them to feel and look beautiful is very similar. His passion was so intense and I can remember when I was reading his biography I started to cry because there was actually someone who had the same intense beliefs and passion for woman as I did.

What motivates you to do what you do?
I have an amazing support system around me which helps incredibly, but it’s like I have a force inside of me that just makes me create and design. I have no choice really as I am creating even when I sleep. There is this underlying force and want to be able to make every woman feel powerful, strong, beautiful and believe she can do anything she wants that ultimately motivates me the most. To know I have had a positive effect on someone is the reason I create. It’s the best feeling ever and really gives me a purpose.

What are your greatest inspirations?
Life! Life is the greatest inspiration of all. Being alive, having a wonderful husband and family and knowing I can make a difference through my creativity. Everyday I am inspired by what I see, feel and believe. Through these emotions I then create pieces that mirror what I feel, believe and want to teach.

What projects are you currently working on?
I am now working on my next range which is so exciting! I just can’t wait to see my samples! I visualize them everyday. This is the best part when you really visualize a design then see it come to fruition is an amazing feeling! There are also a number of other projects going on but don’t want to say too much!

For more Lotus Mendes. Check out the LM collections here.

Have a magic day friends!

Tags: FBI College, Goddess Ring, Jacinta Campbell, Lotus Mendes, Mel B (Scary Spice), Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, The Veronicas, Victoria Cheatham, Warrior cuff

I heart Jeannie Mai! The self-proclaimed Fashionista, Foodiva and Wearapist is a powerhouse of a woman with a big open heart and impeccable style. As a television personality – the host of The Style Network’s Emmy-nominated ‘How Do I Look?’ makeover show – she educates, guides and empowers women to overcome their insecurities; to see their true beauty, and to embrace their personal style to convey power and confidence helping in the pursuit of their biggest dreams. She also appears on E! News and the (US) Today Show as a fashion correspondent.

Jeannie started her career as a celebrity make-up artist and stylist working with the likes of Alicia Keys, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston and more. If all that wasn’t enough! One of the greatest reasons I think Jeannie is amazing, is the fact she gives back to the community and contributes a wealth of positivity to the world via her inspiring philanthropic work. Mai works with several charities: Heartbeat Vietnam (a non-profit devoted to improving health care for impoverished children); NightLight International (an organization committed to rescuing women and children from sex trafficking and prostitution rings by providing employment and vocational opportunities) and more.

As well as ‘giving back’ herself, Jeannie encourages and motivates others to give back to the community with her pet project, The Prayer Box. Located in Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles, The Prayer Box encourages visitors to leave a personal prayer and take another from the box—the idea is to share expressions of love, hope and faith and to open people’s heart, mind and eyes to the prayers, plight and dreams of others. To me, Jeannie is a shining beacon of light, filled with loving-kindness and compassion—the perfect person to kick off another year of awesomeness on ConversationsWithBianca.com!

Let’s dream even bigger and better than ever this year friends and take positive action towards living our best life (something which is always growing and changing). And remember, as Mother Teresa once said, “It is not the size of our actions but the amount of love and care that is put into them that matters.” Dream big! Be awesome! Here’s to a kick ass 2012!

I’m a huge believer that we become what we believe in our life.

JEANNIE MAI: Yes!

Growing up what did you believe? What did you picture in life for yourself?

JM: I pictured so many different whirlwinds of possibilities and super powers that I didn’t just believe in one thing. The one word I remember that every position that I pictured I could be growing up (or that any women could be growing up) was: beautiful. Every woman to me was so radiant! When I say ‘radiant’ I don’t just mean looks, I mean the way they think, the way they connect together to build things to make amazing things happen, to combine talents and uplift each other – that was much more to me a ‘star-struck’ feeling than a position. No matter what position, whether she was a police woman, a doctor or she was a celebrity, every woman had that same spotlight glow on them. I think that is why I eventually started to fuse into makeup and fashion. I realised that is really the key to unlock all of the other beliefs about yourself on the inside as you can see it on the outside.

Have you always been a helpful and kind person? You have such a big and open heart; where did that come from?

JM: Aw Bianca thank you! That’s a nice thing to say. I didn’t always have a selfless perspective. I always loved being selfless but it wasn’t always an automatic thing. Obviously with your teenage years you get much more self-involved but, it was right around my mid-20s that some things really happened to me that helped me to find faith. To me faith is what really fuels me. I am very particular how I talk about this because I don’t want to preach at all for anybody else. Whatever works for anybody else that is amazing!

For me, having the feeling of gratitude that I was made and born with a purpose ignites that ‘give back’ feeling that I wake up with every single morning. To not only give back to others (like to the person that hands me my Starbucks cup to somebody that I am performing a makeover on) but also to myself what I need to be fuelled and to give my best, to not walk into situations half full. If I can’t bring my optimum best I reschedule or edit the situation so that I can. Like with this phone call that you so graciously moved. It was like, ok if I’m not going to give Bianca my full attention because I’m running around getting ready or whatever, I’m going to move it until I can give you my full attention because you deserve that. It’s something that I think people can experience once they have enlightened themselves to it. It’s actually still really a selfish thing to begin with because once you experience what it’s like to be that, it feels so good for yourself that you just want to keep doing it.

You’re a deeply spiritual person; what does that mean to you? What does spirituality mean to you? What does being spiritual mean to you?

JM: Spirituality for me means to believe that I was created with purpose. That’s my whole foundation, that I was born uniquely with purpose; that I was moulded together, every hair on my head, every experience that I went through, every heartbreak, every closed door, every person that walked into my life up until today—there’s a purpose for it. It gets me excited to be my very best and to expose myself to what could happen next. It’s all chronological; it all has to do with each other. For me, it’s also praying, having a conversation with God, actually thanking him in the morning for what took place and touching base throughout the day. And, trust me I am not the most holy saint of a person. I swear like a sailor… I’m pretty raw with my spirituality too and that’s what I love, having a really good communication level with praying. I love that when I talk to God that I’m talking to him just like I am talking to you or my best friend over a couple of beers. It’s no different; you don’t get any different side of me. What is different about who God is for me as opposed to talking to just any other person is that I thrive to mould myself to be better because of him. It’s a different sense of mentorship.

In a previous interview you mentioned that sometimes people annoy you but you always choose the higher road with every single person. I wanted to ask, how do you manage to do that?

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Tags: alicia keys, Bill Gates, dream big, faith, fashionista, foodiva, Heartbeat Vietnam, Helen Keleher, How Do I Look?, Jeannie Mai, Jennifer Aniston, Maria Shiver, Mother Teresa, Nick Vujicic, NightLight International, Pray It Forward, prayer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Steve Jobs, The Prayer Box Project, The Style Network, wearapist

We’ve done Top Music Makers Of 2011, my Favourite Things Of 2011 and my Favourite Magazine Covers Of 2011. I thought I’d see out the year 2011 with a post spotlighting some of my favourite gig posters of 2011 [source & more info for posters/designers]. I saw some really great shows this year, some of my favourites included: Kyuss Lives!, Le Butcherettes, Jhonny Russell & the Mystery School, Regurgitator, Ouch My Face, Catcall, Pangaea and Pow Pow Wow. I’m looking forward to see lots more live music in 2012 and to discovering lots of new bands. A band called Indian Handicrafts has come to my attention of late – check them out here!

Top to Bottom (Bands + Designer): Wild Flag by Ron Liberti; B-52s by Scrojo; Bjork by Horse; The Melvins by Justin Kamerer; Gogol Bordello by Luke Drozd; Primus by Todd Slater; Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Zechs Marquise by T-bone & Aljaxx; Jane’s Addiction by Aaron Gresham; Flaming Lips by Scrojo; Ween by Justin Hampton; CSS by The Bubble Process; Le Butcherettes by Andi Good; The Bronx-Japanther-Mariachi El Bronx-Dead Country by David Watt.

Have a super fun & safe New Year!

Tags: Aaron Gresham, Andi Good, b-52s, Best gig posters of 2011, bjork, CSS, David Watt, Flaming Lips, gogol bordello, Jane's Addiction, Japanther, Justin Hampton, Justn Kamerer, Le Butcherettes, Luke Drozd, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Primus, Ron Liberti, Scrojo, the bronx, The Melvins, Todd Slater, ween, Wild Flag, Zechs Marquise

Rainbow Arabia – husband and wife team Danny and Tiffany Preston – is another favourite find for me this year (I included Tiffany on my Top Music Makers for 2011 list). They’re inspired by “the purchase of a Lebanese synthesizer playing microtonal scales and lo-fi Eastern drum patterns” so the story goes. The UK’s Guardian described them as, “Kaleidoscopic, intoxicated dance music made out of dervish rhythms, snakish melodica, and percussion procured from the labyrinthine corridors of some smoky souk.” I recently got to interview Tiffany about all things Rainbow Arabia and her musical beginnings – her first concert ever was a Ramones show!

How did you first come to music? I’ve read that you have a background of metal, goth, classic rock & punk rock?
When I was 13 I met my best friend Angie and she tuned me on to The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death and The Ramones. My first concert was The Ramones. I met some other kids that were listening to more punk and reggae so I got into some of that too. I started playing guitar when I was 16. I went to this continuation high school where most of the kids were into metal and classic rock. I used to beg kids to teach me songs. The first song I learned was Fade to Black by Metallica.

Who or what inspired you to start making music yourself?
It’s funny I gave up guitar for many years. In my 20s I went to school for fashion. I thought I was going to be a fashion designer. I never imaged I would do music although deep down inside I really wanted too. It wasn’t until I was 29 I met a girl who was staying at my house who encouraged me to play with her and I never looked back.

What does music mean to you?
I always had a strong passion for music. Music is an outlet for me. When I hear certain songs, it will take me to another place. Music can bring people together. It can inspire the way people think. The first time I went to a Ramones concert I felt like everyone there was my friend. The power of music is fascinating. When I listen to a Neil Young song I say, “Yes, that’s what I’m feeling” it’s like a friend talking to you. I can’t imagine my life without music.

Both yourself and Danny had been in musical projects previous to forming Rainbow Arabia, when did you realize that you should create music together?
Well we were both on hiatus from our previous bands and for the first time we jammed together.

Rainbow Arabia uses Arabic, North African and Asian elements in your music, where did your interest in these styles/cultures stem from?
At the time when we started the band we were listening to a lot of world music. Danny had a dub reggae band called Future Pigeon they would play shows and get turned on to all kinds of different music. One show they met the guys from sublime frequencies and Danny bought a bunch of compilation cd’s of rare recordings from around the world. For a while that was all that we were listening too.

What’s one of the most exotic places you’ve travelled? Has there been a trip/tour to any particular country that has had a big impact on you?
I love traveling. I think Istanbul was one of my favorite and most exotic places I’ve been to. I think Brazil had a big impact on me, the people are really exciting.

Do you collect sounds for Rainbow Arabia when you travel?
I think traveling really opens your mind up. Ideas start flowing and it’s easy to feel inspired. So we always come home with new ideas.

Rainbow Arabia is inspired by Omar Souleyman; what is it about his work that inspires you? Have you heard the Bjork remixes he did for Biophilia?
Our first EP was very inspired by Omar Souleyman. He had such a raw energy to his music, the first time I heard it I thought this is punk and pissed off. It was so inspiring. The beats were kick ass. When I found out he would be working with Bjork I felt so happy and excited. I heard some of the remixes and they are amazing!

In a previous interview you mentioned ‘we tend to mix a lot of flavors in our songs, but our sound is still developing.’ Have you come to a place yet where you feel as though you have developed your own sound?
We are working with a drummer on our new record, so again the sound and feel are changing. I think this record has a more cohesive sound then our last record. Right now we are really more focused on song writing. I think it’s safe to say our new record sounds like a more mature Rainbow Arabia.

You’ve also mentioned your songs are from ‘personal experiences, usually, overcoming darkness.’ Do you find that when you’re in dark places music helps lighten the mood/situation?
When I write a song or lyrics it’s always sort of on the spot and even when I don’t try to make it about my own experience, it always end up being about something I’ve experienced. There are times I felt sad or dark and forced myself to work on music and sometimes that is when I come up with the best stuff. It’s not easy to work when you’re feeling pessimistic. Although there has been many times music has lightened my mood from pessimistic to optimistic.

As a musician what is the most important thing to you?
Making music I enjoy and that others will enjoy.

What do you do creatively when you’re not creating/playing music?
I like to fix up our house. I would like to paint and draw more. I love photography, fashion, cooking or anything creative. Most of all I like to dream.

What’s your greatest vision for Rainbow Arabia?
Wow that’s a good question. I would love to see Rainbow Arabia improving musically, building our audience and thriving. It would be wonderful to do music for a movie. Hopefully giving back somehow. It would be nice to have a baby playing the tambourine.

What projects are you currently working on?
I’m doing a Slits Tribute band. We are playing a show at Part Time Punks on January 15th.

Live:

For more Rainbow Arabia.

Wishing you a colourful, bright day!

*Photos courtesy of Rainbow Arabia’s Facebook.

Tags: Bianca's Top 12 Music Makers for 2011, bjork, Christian Death, Danny Preston, Future Pigeon, global pop, Neil Young, Omar Souleyman, Part Time Punks, psychedelic tribal beats, Rainbow Arabia, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Slits Tribute band, The Cure, The Ramones, Tiffany Preston

Australian artist Pom Pom and I first bonded over our mutual love of band Felinedown and admiration for their kick ass frontlady Brodie-Ann Wright. After a little correspondence I found out that Pom Pom makes music herself that she describes as “a distorted crossbreed of Trent Reznor, Fever Ray and Peaches.” When not making music she teaches dance, drama and music. Here’s our little Q&A…

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I write dark electro alt pop (or industro-pop). I grew up in the industrial coastal city of Wollongong, NSW. I started programming electronic music a couple of years ago. I’ve been living in Sydney for the last couple of years, and gigging pretty regularly in Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane and Melbourne. I migrated my way down to Melbourne earlier this year with my live band mates to pursue the rock n roll dream (sub-text for eating 2-minute noodles and drinking $4 bottles of red wine)

How did you first come to playing music?
I grew up singing and dancing. I started playing in a rock band with my best friends in high school. That same line up became pretty serious when we finished school. We were an all-girl art rock band and post school called ourselves, Blackbird. I started writing songs from as soon as I basically picked up a guitar at the end of high school. As my tastes in music have changed, I’ve transitioned from writing very guitar driven tunes to writing music with more of an electronic edge but still with a rock attitude.

What do you wear on stage?
Always a pair of high chunky heels. Usually a lot of clashing toxic colours and textures; sparkly hot pants, vintage cheerleader outfits, military, and utility wear. Skirts made of fairy lights and hyper coloured catsuits.

How important is your stage outfit to you?
I love performance and performances that go all out! For me that entails everything from strong songwriting, committed sweaty performances and a killer outfit.

Make-up-wise what’s your onstage must?
These days theatrical eye lashes, black or blue lips are a bit of a love of mine at the moment as well. Drawing on my face and body too for the ‘f” of it.

What’s your biggest beauty indulgence?
Highly impractical purple feather lashes that look great from afar but can be hard to see out of!

What are your offstage outfits like?
A combination of tomboy punk and super girly-ness. ripped stockings, my 11 year old purple Doc Martin boots, belly tops and hair bows. A marriage of baby girl vintage, Harajuku and rock.

Who are your style icons?
I don’t really follow fashion or labels as such but musical artists whom I admire their style includes:
Gwen Stefani, IAMX, Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson.

What do you do creatively when you’re not creating/playing music?
Choreograph dance or go out dancing. Dress up. Go on spontaneous adventures. Op shopping is a creative thing for me also! The thrill of a random find and re-working it into an outfit is addictive.

What makes your musical style different?
I take elements of 80s synth pop, 90s grunge, industrial electronica and pure pop whirl them around and spit them out in a glittery wall of sound!

Have you ever encountered sexism within the music community?
Sure. You just get used to being described as a ‘girl band’ or a ‘strong female artist’ after a while… it gets really boring, I don’t even notice anymore. The Lady Gaga references constantly get really boring too.

How do you deal with the haters?
I learnt this from Mama Pom when I was 10. Haters only hate ’cause they are jealous. Deal with them by not even giving them a moment of your time. I do things that make me happy. I love writing and performing and dressing up. I don’t mind if people don’t like what I do.

Tell me about your latest projects.
About two months back I released my debut film clip online for the song, Your Little Flower, from my debut EP, In The Gaps Between. I’m working on a few collaboration tracks at the moment with some different artists as well as my second release which is looking like a mini album which I will release just prior to heading to live overseas sometime in the middle of next year. Also, a song of mine was recently picked up for an episode of Canadian Sci-Fi TV Show, Lost Girl, which is pretty cool. I’m half way through filming my next film clip which will be off the forth coming release also.

in the dark by pom pom

For more Pom Pom.

I hope you’re enjoying your holidays!

Hugs & hearts,

Tags: Blackbird, Brodie-Ann Wright, Cyndi Lauper, felinedown, gwen stefani, IAMX, In The Gaps Between, lady gaga, Lost Girl (Canadian Sci-Fi), Michael Jackson, Pom Pom

In the midst of all of the holiday hustle and bustle I’d just like to take a moment to breathe and to express gratitude—gratitude to my family, friends, all the wonderful readers of ConversationsWithBianca.com, all the wonderful artists and Creatives I’ve crossed paths with and chatted to this year, all the folks that have helped make this humble little site a destination for tens of thousands of unique visitors monthly!! This year CWB.com has had its best year yet! And it’s only going to get better with all of the exciting things I have in the works already for 2012! Thank you for all of the beautiful, supportive, insightful, kind, encouraging messages you have sent me this year (especially while I have been ill) and thanks for sharing your stories with me and letting me into your worlds. I feel so blessed and humbled that I know so many truly AMAZING individuals scattered all over the globe. CWB.com readers are the greatest!!!

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays!

Love & light,

Tags: gratitude

I know a lot of extremely talented crafty, arty ladies and I’m a lover of beautiful, unique, make-you-stand-out things. I also love decorating my home with things that make me smile and images that evoke emotion, create mood and that make my home a little Shangri-La way from the world. I decided to put together a little list of things ( featuring such bright, beautiful items as the Wheel of Life art print by Team Kitten – pictured above) that have been rocking my world this year. While ‘having stuff’ and accumulating things isn’t very high on my priority list – I’ll choose awesome experiences any day over material possessions – I do love to surround myself with lovely quality pieces that outwardly expresses my personality and loves to the world. I love decorating myself and living space! I hope you enjoy it. Support independent businesses and artists!

 Rings by Lotus Medes

Sew-Your-Own Sugar Skull cushions by Hungry Designs (Check out my interview with HD’s Amanda Whitelaw)

 Handmade Candy Apple Red Blossom Bobbypin Set by Honey + Hive (Check out my interview with H+H’s Kaelah HoneyBee)

Earrings by Snatch N Feathers

Baby Blue Flowers with Lilac Accents Soft Cup Bra by Purrfect Pineapples (cruelty-free lingerie)

Latex Bows by Abigail Greydanus (Check out my interview with Abi)

The Sayang Purse from LoKoa (Check out my interview with LoKoa’s Brie)

Glimmer & Shimmer by Foxes Cosmetics (Check out my interview with Foxes creator Tina De La Celle)

Handmade Beauty by Diva Zappa Knit Art creations (Check out my interview with Diva)

Crystal Love Necklace by chase.dakota (Check out my interview with c.d creator Sammi)

Betsey Johnson Panther Watch

Woman with White Cross 2 Art by Heather Gabel

A is For Arsenic Taxidermia Collection necklace

Klub Kid Vintage Fanny Packs (Check out my interview with KKV’s Ramdasha)

Lady Alchemy Elektra Cuffs (Check out my interview with LA’s Erin Lee)

MYOB Rest In Peace Pyramid Earrings from Patricia Field

Velvet Pins Sweet Poncho (Check out my interview with VP co-creator Catherine Maddin)

 The Art of Carolina Echeverri (Check out my interview with Carolina)

 What treasures have been rocking your world this year?

 Wishing you all Happy Holidays! 

Tags: A is For Arsenic, Abigail Greydanus, Betsey Johnson, Bianca's Favourite Things 2011, Carolina Echeverri, Chase Dakota, Diva Zappa, Foxes Cosmetics, Handmade Beauty, Heather Gabel, Hive & Honey, Klub Kid Vintage, Lady Alchemy Jewellery, LoKoa, Lotus Mendes, Patricia Field, Purrfect Pineapples, Snatch N Feathers, team kitten, Velvet Pins