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?

(continues over page)

Western Australia band Boys Boys Boys! are indeed an exciting find! Every aspect of them is super, super fun! Influenced by CSS, the B-52s and Le Tigre they’ve definitely become a new favourite! Members Koko and Bridget answer my Qs while Nelly is on holidays overseas lounging in pools!

What do you wear on stage?
Koko: On stage wear has just gotta be as bright, colourful and fun as possible! I LOVE anything that sparkles, the sparklier the better! So lots of sequined tops, shiny, lycra pants and crazy sneakers. And lots of bling to top it off! Anything that makes you POP is a must. A girl’s gotta look her flyest on stage after all!

Bridget: Anything I can scrounge from the wardrobe that passes the smell test. It gets more ticks the more outrageous it is and less stains it has on it.

How important is your stage outfit to you?
Koko: Our music is super energetic, so dressing up to the max, so that you feel like a pop star, is important ha ha. The crazier and funner you dress, the more crazy you wanna perform onstage. I really enjoy creating the aesthetic for the band—it’s one of the funnest parts! It’s not every day you get to wear the crazy things we do when we play, so we might as well go nuts! Plus we LOVE lycra!

Bridget: Not important because I know if I rock up a mess Koko can sort me out.

Make-up-wise what’s your onstage must?
Koko: Tons of pink/sparkly eye shadow, a trusty foundation, sweatproof mascara and GLITTER.

Bridget: Lipstick that doesn’t smudge too much because after the mic gets all up in my face I can end up with it everywhere that’s a bummer.

What’s your biggest beauty indulgence?
Koko: Me and my girlfriends like to get together, bring ALL our nail polish colours and give each other ‘ghetto nails’ as we call them, with lotsa crazy patterns. I also love a nice, fruity moisturizer for after showers, so you smell fresh and sweet, mmm…

Bridget: I like to get massages. All the time. I even like the ones in the shopping centres that the masseuse is talking on the phone in another language whilst rubbing you. I love them.

What are your offstage outfits like?
Koko: My wardrobe is outta control right now! I have a huge mix of clothing styles, plus a WHOLE section dedicated to just sequin wear for onstage. I go by whatever I’m feeling on the day really. I could go for hip hop flavor with an oversized rapper tee, African print leggings and high-top sneakers. Or if i want to dress up a lil’ more, I could go indi with a bowler hat, bow tie, high waisted jeans and brogues. I LOVE clothes!! Ha ha.

Bridget: Less outrageous. I really like wearing jumpers that your mum would have worn in the 80s. I’m not looking forward to summertime I don’t want to let them go.

Who are your style icons?
Koko: Anyone who likes to makes things larger than life and really push boundaries with their fashion. Designers like Jeremy Scott and Vivienne Westwood. Celebrities such as M.I.A, Uffie, Gwen Stefani, Gaga, Kanye West, Yolandi Vi$$er, Nicki Minaj, Michael Jackson and Prince. Gosh I love Prince!

Bridget: I like Zooey Deschanel for bringing back the girl next door. She is flawless and beautiful. Other than her I’d have to say Koko she’s the most stylish gal I’ve ever met.

What do you do creatively when you’re not creating/playing music?
Koko: If i get any free time at all, I also like to sketch or write. Or even a bit of sewing, to work on those special fashion pieces.

Bridget: I’m a photographer by trade so you can usually find me retouching brides and bands in 80s mum’s jumpers.

What makes your musical style different?
Koko: Our live show is pretty different to any other bands, because we mix the elements of a pop show like Britney Spears with a rock show too. The funnest, most original aspect to our show, is that we have choreographed dance moves for almost all our songs. And we’re really not afraid to look like dorks too! Our music is like a hyperactive kid on red cordial! Weeeee….

Bridget: I think it’s different because it’s unashamedly pop and fun. It is what it is and it doesn’t try to be anything else. I have never seen another band like us. I’ve seen a lot of bands that look and sound amazing but never seem to be having any fun and I find that less interesting to watch. I like it when a band tries to perform even if that means they come across as big dorks. That’s why our style is different. No one is covering that “dork market”.

Have you ever encountered sexism within the music community?
Koko: Sexism? Hmm… only a little bit. We haven’t had any truly bad experiences with it. It’s more funny than anything. Some guys in the biz will just assume that we’re weakling girls who can’t help with carrying the gear. But then we will jump right in and move the heavy stuff too, and boy are they surprised ha ha!

Bridget: Not really. Not in our little community. It’s all love.

How do you deal with the haters?
Koko: In this biz there will always be someone that doesn’t dig what you’re doing, and that’s fine. Everybody is different. But haters are still no fun. I’ve learnt just to brush it off, and focus on the good things, like all the people who you make smile and party like they don’t have a care!

Bridget: I never read anything negative, I’m of the opinion that if you haven’t got anything nice to say you shouldn’t say it. People who are haters have flaws of character and I think their words say more about them than they do of us. That said we aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and I respect that too.

Tell me about your latest projects.
Koko: Our next plans are to finish recording our second album, make it super awesome! Make another amazingly rad video clip, keep playing gigs and to keep having HEAPS of fun!

Bridget: At the moment we are working on pre-production for our second album. It’s a pretty annoying part of making a record. I way prefer playing but it has to be done. Pretty soon we will be working on a clip to follow up Ticky Boom and tracking our record which is way more exciting! Woop!

For more Boys Boys Boys!

Have a most excellent day lovelies!

*Photo credits: BBB live by Chantel Concei

• Behind The Muses: “The love affair between music and fashion has never been hotter.” The September 2011 issue of Vogue Australia features a 10-page feature on designers and musicians that inspire them. It includes some of my favourites M.I.A. (pictured), Diplo, Kanye West, Yoko Ono and more. I believe this also appeared in W Magazine too. 
•  How I Learned to Play Guitar. A moving account of one lady’s determination and passion.
•  Snatch N Feathers custom jewelry is a one lady mission to design and create wearable art. I can’t wait to put in my order. First I’ll need to get my other ear pierced first though! 
• Girlpunk Mixtapes! Need I say more? – 30 minute mixes of (mostly) 80s female fronted punk. 
• I’m always on the lookout for outstanding interviews. I enjoy the older interviews that have featured in Rolling Stone Magazine by Jann S. Wenner and I’ve also been enjoying celebrity interviews with film maker Sofia Coppola, musician Patti Smith and fashion designer Valentino at The Talks. Writers on Process has some interesting stuff too. 
• 5 Minutes with Wheels & Dollbaby founder Melanie Greensmith. Rock chic! 
• One of my all-time favourite Australian bands Regurgitator have just released their latest album Superhappyfuntimesfriends in wearable button form. Wear and listen to music! Such a neat idea. Can’t wait until it arrives in the mail! 
• I am in love with this necklace that pays tribute to a childhood favourite, the Wizard of Oz’s leading lady Dorothy. 
• OMG! Porn for book lovers. I could browse this site all day! 
• Living and loving the freelance life—on your own terms. 
• I can’t wait to rock Obus’ spring/summer collection once the weather warms up a little more. Inspired by my beloved Mexico the colours pop and the ethnic prints are super playful! What more could I ask for? Fun fact: during the creation of the latest collection the designer was rockin’ out to Daniel Johnston! 
• Super adorable brooches! Bambis! Frida Kahlo! Kittys! Owls! Super Pugs & more! 
• Have you seen the girls skateboarding school in Afghanistan? 
• Thinking about working for yourself? Kathleen was brave enough to take the plunge and offers some insight on a year of freelancing. 
• I cannot wait for Catcall’s forthcoming record, The Warmest Places! I interviewed her before her recent Brisbane show at the Gallery of Modern Art’s Surrealism exhibition featuring works by Man Ray, Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp & more! 

 Love & sparkles,

“To me, making a tape is like writing a letter — there’s a lot of erasing and rethinking and starting again. A good compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do.” ~High Fidelity.

As a teen I’d sit in my bedroom at night and listen to the radio. I’d sit beside my mum and dad’s cassette player, fingers on the play and record buttons, ready to capture a song I like the sound of. I’d then take them (along with my meagre CD collection) and compile them into mixtapes for myself. On the weekends you could often find me holed up in my bedroom making them. I’d make a mixtape for ANY occasion! I was (and still am) the biggest music dork. I liked to make themed mixes or mixes that were perfect for different emotions. I even made cover art for them.

Once I started going to all ages shows I made friends that shared my enthusiasm and love for the art. When I started making zines and corresponding (by post—this was way before internet became a household thing) with other zine makers we used to send each other mixes of our favourite tunes—still to this day one of my favourite mixtapes was sent to me by Cade who did a hardcore punk zine from Australia called Circle One. The man has great taste!

I have always enjoyed receiving mixtapes from others. It’s one of the best ways to discover awesome new (to you) music. More often than not if someone has gone to the trouble to make you a mix they’ve put a lot of time and effort into it, they’ve taken care to choose some of the best material from artists they love (you’re getting a personal introduction to the act). It’s always been refreshing to be exposed to music I wouldn’t necessarily seek out myself.

Mixtapes have been made and celebrated in both the punk rock and hip hop communities for years. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc were all mix tape creators ‘back in the day’. DJ Roofeeo the drummer for one of my favourite bands the MFDS has recently made a rockin’ mixtape for download here. Another of my favourites Kanye West made the Can’t Tell Me Nothing.

For more info on mixtapes click out the Wikipedia entry.

Now without further ado, I give you the very first (there will be many, many more! I’m going to make it a regular thing!) ConversationsWithBianca.com Mixtape with beautiful art by my partner in crime Jhonny Hobo (among many things Jhonny is one half of Hobo DJs you can peep a sample of their work here)…

MISS BIANCA’S DIGITAL MIXTAPE 1

Messer Chups – Flash Of The Night

Hobo Obituaries – Sad Trumpet

The Bronx – False Alarm

The Death Set – Around The World

Operation Ivy – Sound System

Uffie – Pop The Glock

The Roots – Don’t Feel Right

Moby featuring Gwen Stefani

Santigold – Creator

Deltron 3030 – Positive Contact

Gogol Bordello – Start Wearing Purple

Shmoe – Knees Up

Rancid – Red Hot Moon

M.I.A – Jimmy

Death On Wednesday – Stranded

Felinedown – Devil’s Playground

The Bouncing Souls – Anchors Away

N*E*R*D – Wonderful Place

What are you guys listening to? Send me mixtapes & new music! Hope you’ve found something new (to you) in my mix. Please support the artists do see them live, buy some merch and music… as I’ve said many times before “we have too much to lose as a society, economy & culture if we do not ensure Creators’ efforts are rewarded” your mission if you choose to accept: really & truly support the music you ♥ & artists that create it!

Hugs & hearts,

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“I’ve come to believe that nothing’s impossible if you can imagine it. There’s nothing new under the sun. When you’re moved, you’re moved, and you should seize the moment to express the feeling. It’s that moment of expression that I define as art.” ~Pharrell.

One of my fav hip hoppers and creators Skateboard P a.k.a Pharrell Williams has been flexing his creative muscles in the art world of late designing a line of chairs and candles. He has also launched an online art community ARTST Guild & Gallery. It’s billed as a “community where artists meet share work and collaborate”. I urge all of my camera wielding, music making, sculpting, writing, brush and pencil pushing, creative friends to check it out!

Artwork by Sanjai Bhana (a featured artist on ASTRT). Sanjai also has a blog crammed full of illustrative goodness. I especially like his Joey Ramone piece and Mr T tee.

For more info on ARTST Guild & Gallery check out an interview with Pharrell here.

Pharrell also recently spent some time at (one of my favourite photographers) David LaChapelle’s working on a collaboration. LaChapelle’s work is a kaleidescope of pop culture and art his images have featured some of my favourite artists: Debbie Harry, Courtney Love, Andre 3000 & Kelis (all Egyptian stylee), Chris Rock (contains nudity), Kanye West (as Jesus), Bjork, Gwen Stefani and (a naked) Moby (vs. robot)!

Thought for the day: Art is limitless (my Jhonny and his art remind me of this fact every single day).

Hope you all have a productive, creative day!

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Photo by WalknBoston

“Believe in yourself, even when the whole world doubts you.” ~Sri Chimoy

I want you to do one little thing for yourself today—something that I know will transform your life & help you do anything your heart desires! It doesn’t even cost one dollar, it’s totally FREE! You can’t buy it in a store or bid for it on E-bay. Are you ready for it? Here goes, I want you to: BELIEVE in yourself! Just like punk rock and hip hop has taught us to… and I know you know what I’m talking about!

Now you probably just went ‘ugh! Believe in myself??! Is she crazy?!’ (answer = maybe I am just a little nutty, I prefer quirky though, ha!) but tell that little negative voice to ‘shhhhhh’ I want you to pretty please give it a go… you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. We’ll do it together!

“If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

If you’re like I was, it may feel a little awkward to begin with and you may not even feel like you do believe but the more you practice something the better you get at it right? So let’s get to it! To get started, think of one thing you like about yourself or feel that you’re good at. Are you a good friend? Can you cook an awesome veggie dish? Can you make kick ass origami animals? Can you do a killer grip job on your skate deck? Are you a whizz at changing your guitar strings? Are you good at problem solving? Working on cars? Painting? Belly dancing? There’s got to be one thing! Don’t dismiss your talents. Identifying and knowing that you totally rule at one thing will boost your confidence and remind you of your capabilities and from there you can start ruling your Universe.

The following songs inspire me to believe in myself. What songs inspire you?

Life of My Own by the Cro-Mags

Bet Against Me, You Lose by Death By Stereo

Indestructible by Rancid

Creator by Santigold

Spaceship by Kanye West

Sing A Long Forever byBouncing Souls (these guys give me a reason to care)

Have a happy day!

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