Verena a.k.a Schneck Tourniquet is frontwoman for Portland-based punk band The Bloodtypes. She also has her own solo project The Darkest Moons. I found out about her via fellow lady musician Shanti Wintergate. Verena is originally from Germany and has a classical piano background. Despite being a musician from an early age The Bloodtypes is her first attempt at starting a band… and might I add with wonderful results! The songstress chats about her beginnings as a musician, her experience of the Portland music scene, style, packing for tour and more.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I perform in a band called The Bloodtypes and also have a solo project entitled The Darkest Moons. In both I sing and play the keys. I spent most of my weekdays teaching English as a second language. I am an avid rider, mostly dressage, some trail riding. I am crazy about cats and dogs and live together with a magnificently beautiful cat called Needles. He shows up in my songs. I love yoga and have been known to practice even on horseback. I reside in Portland, OR, possible the USA’s most European city. I can walk to the grocery store and go out to shows every night. People are smiley and friendly. It rains a lot.

How did you first come to playing music?
I have to thank my parents for that – they sent me to music school early on – and I really loved it. I was perhaps five years old when I started learning to play the keyboard. Weirdly, I also took composition classes from age 10-12, but never really wrote music until my early 20s. I’m pretty well versed in classical piano and harmonics.

The first band I joined for about a second was a metal band that wanted me as the pretty girl voice… I was about 17. We never played a show and I sang on only one song. I couldn’t hear myself or anything in the practice space, it was hilarious. The song was about a Viking’s fight for his motherland. Yeah, right.

At about 24 or 25 I joined a band called “Leben ist Tand” (life is meaningless). We played gothic-industrial style music. I loved the music, but the bandleader was overbearing – he hated my vocals and never let me write songs. I quit the band after our first show.

The Bloodtypes are my first attempt at starting a band and writing punk rock songs. It’s going amazingly well considering.

You’re originally from Germany, what was it like growing up there?
Born to middle-class parents who value stability, I led a sheltered life – which somehow resulted in my rebelling against it all as I grew up – smoking, drugs, boys, music, the whole deal. I adored Marilyn Manson (I cringe as I write this now) and all things morbid.

Metal and Goth have deeply influenced me. As a German, Goth, metal and industrial are ubiquitous and they’re definitely sticking with me. When I go out to a Goth night here, it’s not the same. Some of the songs I write definitely seek out the feel that the music I grew up with had.

As far as mindset goes, the fundamental thing about being German is that for you there are no certain values. As a German, you’re ingrained with a sense of shame. It’s because we have this WW II history. Nothing is safe, nothing is sacred, everything is to be questioned. The notion of patriotism is ridiculous to me – and dangerous. Any kind of fanaticism is deeply disturbing to me. I reserve the right to discuss and question anything – much more so than my American friends.

What influenced your decision to move to the US?
It’s actually quite the story. So, I was a pretty big fan of this fantastic band called the Epoxies. On their 2007 Europe tour I met their Keyboardist after a show in Düsseldorf, Germany. It was love at first conversation – he is that charming. We had one date and then he flew back to the US, leaving my heart aflame. After six months of phone conversations and pining, I finally visited him in Portland, OR and fell in love once again – not with the man, I already was head over heels for him, but with the city. Portland is fantastic and I’ve never felt freer or more able to achieve things creatively. A year after my first visit, he asked me to marry him and move to the US. I’d finished my studies and was ready for a change. I moved in 2009 and have never looked back.

What was the first band tee you ever owned?

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Lauren Lau (bebe Tigre) is an artist based in Sydney, Australia. She spends her days as a costume design assistant for film and television. I came across Lauren’s art/work via my friend SpiderXdeath (they’re super loved up and engaged) the vocalist for band Deathcage. In her spare time the stylish lady loves to paint, she is currently working on an art piece for the upcoming Archibald Prize in 2012.

Tell me a little bit about what you do – you’re an artist, photographer & sometimes travel blogger; you also make costumes/clothes. 

I am an oil painter focusing on portraits and the figure and my day job is in costume for tv/film. I just finished up working on Wild Boys as a costume design assistant that allowed me to learn the fine art of ageing costumes and buying. The workroom was a spot they gave me to work with airbrushing and ageing metals etc. it was awesome. At the moment I am on a telemovie as a buyer then assistant standby. I also like playing around with clothes like customising jackets and dying things.

When did you start down the creative path?
Seeing my Dad’s drawings, prints and psychedelic and abstract paintings was pretty inspirational.

Do you have any ‘official’ qualifications? Do you think having formal training is important to what you do?
I went to Tafe and studied fine arts where I majored in oils and printmaking. I found in costume some do not have formal qualifications and just networked and got on the job experience. If you are disciplined enough to work by yourself and with others and teach yourself the skills needed in the department, have examples of your work and you can execute and deliver what’s needed then maybe formal education is not needed. Though of course you may be favoured if you have gone through school and correcting wrong techniques can be hard.

You may do it tough if you choose not to study because you will do jobs for free for the experience and knowing what the industry is like. Getting a foot through the door and meeting people is a challenge.

I don’t have formal education in fashion or costume but I always show to my boss my initiative and he’s also like me, he taught himself how to sew and make garments (had his own fashion label) then he sort of just fell into designing shows. Amazing and inspirational.

What makes your artistic style different?
I think for my generation I am different as I am using oils to create an open face to evoke emotion to the viewer. There are a lot of layers in the paint to create a certain tone. I am not replicating something that has been created before, my work is not drenched in sarcasm or satire, I think it is honest.

What do you do to nurture your creativity?
I see band shows and do things not related to my work because I admire those with talents and interests that are not of mine.

Who do you look up to in the creative world and what is it about them that appeals to you?
I love the contemporary artists Michael Hussar, his images are so fantastic and I love Odd Nerdrum for keeping up the old masters technique in this modern day. Spider my fiancé is a huge HUGE HUGE inspiration and driving force, I’ve always been a fan of his punk flyers he used to do. My Dad Chee-Wah of course. Hieronymus Bosch, Francis Bacon, Pushead, David Lynch, Betony Vernon, Gottfried Heinwein is an amazing artist—there are so many Bianca!

What motivates you to do what you do?
The satisfaction of completing something that is an extension of me.

What are your greatest aspirations?
I want to show in NYC.

I love your style. How would you describe it?
Hollywood Babylon

Do you view what you wear as an extension of your creativity; a form of creative expression?
Yeah sure to a certain extent of course I won’t deny that I haven’t thought about what I am going to wear. It’s my personality too.

Who are your style icons?
Anna Della Russo and my best friend Dionne Loehr Harris who has been working with Wheels and Dollbaby since she was 20.

What is the most sentimental piece that you have in your wardrobe and what significance does it hold for you?
Can I say it was an accessory? My Yves Saint Laurent Y-MAIL purse that I bought in Las Vegas with my own money and it was cool because I felt like yeah I deserve to buy this I worked hard!  And also my Dad’s doubled row studded leather belt that he bought when he first arrived in Sydney in the 80s. It’s really cool because the studs are really tight together.

What’s your advice on achieving great style without breaking the bank?
Buy things that will complement the loved pieces in your wardrobe, not things that are in trend or fashion. That way you will never be regretful if it goes out of season because it’s your style. If you have a sewing machine alter your clothes to fit your body. Ill-fitting clothes will make you more or less want to throw it out because it doesn’t flatter you. Ebay.

Last time he was in Sydney, David LaChapelle (pictured above) shot you. Tell me about that experience.
We just rocked up to the photo shoot and his assistants chose us to be photographed. He is very cool and a little spaced out and I was very star struck. He was very complimentary to myself and girlfriend Katerina Valentine.

What projects are you currently working on?
I’m working on a portrait of the actor David Field who is on Wild Boys and his first film was called Ghosts of the Civil Dead with Nick Cave. I am entering it into the Archibald.

My fiancé Spider and I are having a show at China Heights on the 10th February 2012 we are painting on to leather. We created the work by drawing then swapping and adding to it so the images have no form or structure and are just wild! I am really excited about that because our styles are different but our work always has a dark side to it.

For more Lauren Lau peep her blog.

Create forever,

Carré Callaway frontwoman for Los Angeles based rock trio Queen Kwong was discovered at age 17 by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor. She’s gearing up to release an EP early next year and has just played shows for the first time in Paris and London! Carré has also worked with Icarus Line frontman Joe Cardamone, Dave Navarro and more! She also loves cool socks, Nick Cave and cats! Meow!

What do you wear on stage?
Whatever I’m wearing that day. My outfit always involves boots of some sort with a cool pair of socks (whether visible or not), and sometimes tights with cut offs over ‘em.

How important is your stage outfit to you?
Not very important. I go on stage as myself, therefore my clothes are no different than what I usually wear. I just make sure that I’m comfortable. I used to wear heels while I played shows but it really limited my movement on stage so I stick to boots.

Make-up-wise what’s your onstage must?
Black eyeliner, mascara and chapstick.

What’s your biggest beauty indulgence?
Bonne Belle Lip Smacker packs!

What are your offstage outfits like?
Same as my onstage outfits. I think the only difference is that I don’t wear my most girly clothes onstage (i.e.: heels and dresses). I learned the hard way that wearing short dresses while playing shows on high stages with photographers around is not a good idea!

Who are your style icons?
I don’t have any style icons. I’ve pretty much dressed the same way my whole life. I keep things simple. I like what I like. I like when girls show leg, wear cool socks/tights, and boots.

What do you do creatively when you’re not creating/playing music?
I draw a lot but I’m not good at it. I eat a lot, too. Is that creative? I can eat in creative ways.

What makes your musical style different?
I think my style of music is really raw and in-your-face. These days there aren’t many “rock” or “indie rock” bands that push any boundaries or have any edge. My musical style definitely does that.

Have you ever encountered sexism within the music community?
At times, yes. Here and there. Most of the sexism I encounter isn’t intentional. People aren’t used to seeing a girl play the kind of music I play or put on the kind of shows I put on. When I tell people I am a musician they immediately assume I am just a singer and usually they also assume that I play acoustic, singer/songwtriter type music. I guess that is what mainstream people associate with a girl in music. Until what I do is mainstream, that’s not going to change. I rarely encounter girls who do what I do in music. It is really unfortunate. But until more girls start doing it, people are going to assume that most girls aren’t “capable” of it.

How do you deal with the haters?
I don’t give a fuck. People will like me and a lot of people won’t. I don’t really care because I don’t like most people anyway.

Tell me about your latest projects.
I just went to play eight shows in London and Paris. It was amazing. It was the first time I have played shows in either city. I had a really fun time. Recently, Smoky Carrot in the UK released my current single, “Bitter Lips” with a B-side song called “Eddie The Kid”. I hope to release the next single in November and then an EP in February supported by touring.

Plus, Ten Things Loved by Queen Kwong (from her site)

1. Cats
2. Iggy Pop
3. Guitarist Neil Hagerty
4. Gramophones
5. The Proposition film written by Nick Cave
6. Actually, anything by Nick Cave
7. Crossword puzzles
8. Guitars
9. Dessert
10. Boots

Listen to Queen Kwong:
Pet by Queen Kwong

Queen Kwong live opening for Nine Inch Nails:

For more Queen Kwong. Queen Kwong’s blog.

Love & sparkles!

*Photo credits: 1 – Charlie Bones / 2 – Andy Little / 3 – Carré

I’m a huge fan of Carolina Echeverri’s art and of the inspiring lady herself – she’s one of the coolest people I’ve never met (in person, yet!). US art magazine Juxtapoz is also a big fan, making one of Carolina’s photographs ‘Pic of the Day’ at Juxtapoz mag online. She has also worked with many of my favourite bands and friends’ bands such as The Bronx, Bad Religion, Tiger Army, Devotchka and more as the Head of Marketing & PR at Epitaph/Anti Records in Europe. She recently left the world of Epitaph to move to Denmark, her days are now filled with managing Dutch quintet Alamo Race Track and the Danish painter SCRMN as well as focusing on her beloved art.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I’m a 31-year-old Colombian expatriate who lived and worked in Amsterdam submerged in a world full of the best musicians and artists one could hope to work with. This last June I decided to run away with the Danish circus and I now awake every morning in lovely Copenhagen, next to the man I love, still spending every awaken hour of my day with my hands in the art mud, either as a music manager, a painter’s manager or on my own art and photography.

When did you start down the creative path?
This is always an interesting question, and I would like an answer that I’ve always been on the creative path, and so are most of us. When it was a conscious decision to make art versus an intuitive need? I’d say very early teens. It took years after settling in the Netherlands before I could get my head around to sitting and grabbing materials again. For years I kept all art inside my home, for inner purposes and myself only, but it was only a few years back – influenced by my man – that I decided to make my art a formal débutant.

Do you have any ‘official’ qualifications? Do you think having formal training is important to what you do?
[Laughs] I am afraid I don’t, I actually have an International Business degree. I know, doesn’t sound very art nor punk, but good warriors fight from the inside. I think my vote goes to the party whose beliefs include that craftsmanship can be taught, but artists are born.

What makes your artistic style different?
It’s my style on the basis that it’s my own sentiments, needs, expressions and memories collaged in techniques (sometimes straight forward ones, sometimes mutated and hybridized to fit my demands). I find it a bit difficult to say it’s different as the context of different can be rather skewed. Different from whose? People out there? But who ARE these people? Do you know all these people? Do I know all these people? These artists? It’s hard to say when we know so very little about the world we live in. I am of the belief that the bits we do know we recycle to our own manner, they make imprints in our brain and they come out slightly changed from our hands and mouths. Can things be then the same? Or the opposite, can they ever be really different? …… it’s a very tough question. A good question. What do you think?

What do you do to nurture your creativity?
Live, every day at a time pretty much. For me it’s important to spend enough time by myself to listen internally to what’s going on inside, which I find hard to do in this day and age. Silence awakes the soul sometimes as much a music does, so both are basic creative engines for me.

Going to exhibitions and museums also really gets my head and heart going; I get extremely inspired by staring at other people’s great works of art. Hammershøi, Nadar, Bellmer, Kahlo, Ray, Botero, etc, etc….

What’s your favourite thing you’ve created so far?
There isn’t just one, I really like the “Cowboys, Egyptians and Us” and “Klamperborgvej” photos, but I also love the Memento Mori I transfer collage. At the same time I must admit I am always more excited about the stuff I’m cooking in my head more than the ones that are already hanging.

Is your art inspired by music?
As I said before they are creative engines, I need them as sun and water, but my inspiration doesn’t come for music per se, it’s a mood setter. THE moodsetter.

What do you listen to while creating your pieces?
Usually music that can strongly swing my emotions. A lot of Tom Waits, a lot! The Cramps, Nick Cave, (The/El) Bronx, Wilco, Son House, Whitmore, Califone, Face To Face, Sparklehorse, DeVotchKa, Tiger Army, Alamo Race Track, Sage Francis, Social D and sometimes, if the day is right some Chopin every once in a while…

Who do you look up to in the creative world and what is it about them that appeals to you?
Botero for me is a great inspiration, it might be a countryman thing, but he can like no other painter alive for me do beautiful images, highlighting sarcastically the message and still be romantic, political, satirist and dark, even when the images are so colored. As a famous artist (Now that Twombly has passed I think he is in the Top 4 best-selling living artists today..) he has given a lot to his country, in unaccountable forms, he is very much Colombian in his passion and humbleness.

As a photographer I think Ray and Nadar are right at the top, with both expression and experimentation. Musicians, all the above, I love and look up to, I respect them for many different reasons but I think if you read the names you know the common thread that carries them all….it’s an unforgiving honesty in their art, a fighters approach and relentless talent in their specific fields, as different as they may be.

What motivates you to do what you do?
Pure need of expression, it needs to leave my body and be itself before I drown in it. Or the need to captivate something so beautiful my head will never comprehend enough in its greatness to be able to duplicate in memory.

What sites do you have bookmarked/subscribe to for an inspirational fix?
I don’t really use them as inspiration, but I like reading Boing Boing and the Guardian and NYT’s Cultural section.

What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a museum exhibition of my European cemeteries pictures in Medellin Colombia (where my paternal family is from). There cemeteries are also national patrimony displaying one’s art, history and culture, my aim is to show the 19th century European counterparts to the people in lovely Medellin.

I also just got asked to do a project, a “still life” to be broadcasted in a cultural, political and technological local TV show in Amsterdam. I’ll be recreating it to be broadcasted live and discussed in their program. It’s very exciting as it’s a great Colombian video artist living in the Netherlands who asked me, Raul Marroquin, feel free to look him up!

For more of Carolina’s art!

CREATE FOREVER!!

As all you lovely readers of Conversations with Bianca know I love supporting female performers, artists and business women—Lola the Vamp is all this and more! As well as being Australia’s leading burlesque performer she operates the Brisbane chapter of Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, has supported Nick Cave with her act on his solo tour and appeared in several music videos including one for You Am I’s Tim Rogers; she’s performed for Dita Von Teese, been featured prominently in books on burlesque and headlined the US-based premiere burlesque convention Tease-O-Rama. Lola the Vamp’s star is shining brighter than ever as she gets set to launch a new V.I.P section on her site. Thanks to her business savvy, genuine passion for what she does, well-researched knowledge (she performs burlesque for her PhD), super positive attitude, integrity and supercharged creativity Lola is a lady to watch.

What was the motivation for your career choice?
I was excited by the combination of high and low brow in burlesque at the time – 2002. It presented ‘classy’ imagery combined with striptease and brazen sexuality, things that may not have always been easy bedfellows.

I was also enchanted because it didn’t deconstruct in two seconds. It required consideration as to the ultimate meaning of each burlesque act. I was interested in creating a character that could encompass these things. I saw in burlesque, the capacity to express my ideals about the beauty of dishabille, the history of the female body in art, freedom and a poetic view of sexuality.

How did you first get turned on to burlesque?
I travelled to the USA to audition for Dita (Von Teese), Catherine D’Lish and Kitty West, aka, Evangeline the Oyster Girl from 40s Bourbon St. I was Dita and Kitty’s favorite auditionee, and Kitty gave us a stage direction: ‘you know when you’ve just had an orgasm?’ I was sold. The act didn’t go ahead but I knew I’d found something I could work in.

What are your aspirations?
To create imagery in performance and representation with a brazen and sassy attitude and to bring what I have honed in burlesque to as many genres, companies, venues and outlets as I can, without compromising my ideals of sexuality and glamour. Lola the Vamp is an expression of poetic glamour, erotica and a little bit of sass and rebellion.

Can you tell me about the various creative aspects of your job?
There is the obvious, such as creating shows, choreography and planning and sourcing costumes and objects, and also the business side.

What do you do to nurture your creativity?
I try to aid and abet love. This comes from a Tom Robbins book that describes love as the greatest outlaw. The best we can do is promise to aid and abet, rather than to honor and obey. So if I’m sick to death of touring, I’ll stop and stay in a place I love for a while. I hang out with my Bengal-Siamese cat too, she is endlessly inspiring. I look to history and painting, I try to develop a personal relationship by discovering cool new things on my own rather than watching what everyone else is into. Time on my own as an artist is important to my process.

What is your favourite burlesque tradition?
The simple and complex act of striptease. It conveys so much about the performer, our culture, art, history and women. Everyone does it differently, so no two acts display the same viewpoint on these things, and that’s delightful.

Tell me about your favourite ever live burlesque performance that you have seen?
You know I can’t think of one performance, but I’m thinking of details of many performances, Dirty Martini’s happy face, Catherine D’Lish’s walk, Dita’s bottom! But I can never go past Crazy Horse Paris, that revue changed my life. Incredible concepts and choreography, and they are not ashamed to have acts that are just simply sexy as well as acts with a high level of skill.

You’re very successful in the burlesque world – do you attribute that, in part, to being a savvy business woman?
I think you absolutely need to understand business to be successful in burlesque. It’s a difficult genre to make work as a business; there are many financial constraints and high costs. Having a business understanding, training in keeping accounts, marketing and branding, and a clear philosophy is essential.

On your Facebook page recently you commented that at business school you were told that “there is no market for burlesque these days” and you mentioned “business can be creative” can you elaborate on that a little please?
I am very inspired by Richard Branson’s take on business as an adventure. He has followed wildly divergent industries and copped flack for moving from the record industry into aviation, for example. Sure, he had to learn the aviation industry, but he knew the Virgin ideals backwards, and both recording and aviation were expressions of that. I’m looking forward to Virgin Births.

My brand as Lola the Vamp is similarly able to transcend burlesque, if and when I choose it to. I’m Lola first, and burlesque is where I was born, but stepping into other fields that suit my ideals enriches and expands the Lola brand. It’s about Lola more than it’s about being in burlesque. This leaves me free to continue to create interesting work. I disagree with some of the directions that burlesque has taken in the last few years, and that’s ok. It’s not to say that it’s no good, just that I don’t have any interest in being a part of a grotesque burlesque act, for example. But I love to see other people doing that. I’m free to express the ideals of the Lola brand anywhere I may find them.

Who are your style icons?
Brigitte Bardot and Leslie Caron. That moment when the ’50s glamour came a little undone with the fiery nature of some women! It always goes back to Brigitte for me, undone balletic poise with long hair.

What’s your advice on achieving great style without breaking the bank?
Secondhand stores and antique centers. Get to know the people who run them. I’m not a great sew-er, I’m too impatient, so I tend to collect readymade pieces that I love and wait ’til they find their act. Do it your own way, no matter how cheap or expensive it is, just don’t go bankrupt and cause financial pain!

What is the most sentimental piece that you have in your wardrobe and what significance does it hold for you?
There are two pieces, both are props. One is my unicorn, which is a homage to a pony I had as a child, the other is an antique Japanese paper umbrella that has been passed down in my family since it was given to my great-great aunty Winnie by her Chinese boarders in the ’20s.

I’m sure you have had some amazing moments in your career so far, what is one of the ones that really stand out for you?
Being a headliner on the 2008 Tease-o-Rama North American tour, without a doubt! Traveling with Catherine, Dirty, Kitten on the Keys, Baby Doe, Satan’s Angel, and Michelle L’Amour. My first burlesque show was my audition in 2002 for then-headliners Dita and Catherine, so coming back as a headliner myself six years later was amazing. And supporting Nick Cave at his request with less than one day notice wasn’t too shabby either. I’d stop myself in the middle of the show to make sure I was really present and seeing what I was part of.

What matters most to you as a burlesque performer?
The freedom I saw in burlesque. The freedom to do with it what I want and to stay true to my vision despite perceptions of what is acceptable in this country or that city. That leaves me free to explore my burlesque ideals in other genres such as photography, film or acting. I can do mainstream things like pose for Penthouse and then do the Lismore show within the same month with equally intriguing experiences. It’s not selling out when you stay true to your desires and people recognize and respect that. I’ve performed at the most exclusive of balls for ‘high rollers’ to doing feature performances at strip clubs with equal sense of adventure and successful results.

What projects are on the horizon for Lola The Vamp?
I’m launching the long-awaited VIP area of www.lolathevamp.com. Presenting my character and aesthetic in still and filmic imagery is something I have always worked towards doing and I have a backlog of years of images and video.

I’m also looking into importing exclusive French lingerie and shooting fantastical imagery with it, then enabling a shopping cart so that my viewers (or voyeurs) can purchase the items they like best and add to the fantasy and the story by owning pieces and having their own mad adventures in them!

And, I’ll be publishing my PhD in my work as a burlesque performer within the next twelve months. That’s also taken a long time to become ready for the public. All my secrets will soon be revealed!

For a brief history of burlesque written by Lola click here.

Create forever!

*Photo credits: 1  / 2  / 3 – Kahlia Litzow

Every day is Saturday night, but I can’t wait for Sunday morning – K-OS

I try to make Sunday my day of rest although it never usually works out that way, by choice—well kind of by choice. Let me explain, most Sundays I like to take time out from my work and social schedule to reflect on where I’m at, where I’m going and where I’ve been for the week. I also ponder my place in the grand scheme of things. I like to step back from my work, take stock and give myself a break from everything. Meditation is something I’ve found that can help with this. I also like to take this time to plan my week ahead.

“It’s definitely time to take a break, to recharge my batteries. I’d like to take about six months and not go into the studio. I need to just live life, to be inspired by things again. I’m going to do random things. I want to go to restaurants, maybe take a class and see some movies and Broadway shows.” ~Beyonce

I find more often than not when I take this time out—when I attempt to have that break—I usually have some of my very best ideas; I feel incredibly inspired, hence why I don’t usually get to rest. Once I get an idea in my head I feel compelled to put the wheels into motion. I’m addicted (for better or for worse) to momentum. I have to be careful though because sometimes when you’re working on a project you can be so caught up in it that you actually miss the beauty of the process. And as the saying goes: it’s the journey, not the destination.

In general I find that when people have rest they’re a whole lot nicer. Rest also helps to boost your immune system, gives you energy and can affect your ability to concentrate and focus. And, when you have the world to conquer… cue Bad Religion lyrics…

I want to conquer the world / Expose the culprits and feed them to the children / Do away with air pollution and then I’ll save the whales / We’ll have peace on earth and global communion – Bad Religion

… it’s apt to have all of the above!

Sunday song playlist:

No Doubt – Sunday Morning
K-OS – Sunday Morning
Lily Allen – Sunday Morning
Mark Lanegan – Ugly Sunday
Blondie – Sunday Girl
Jimmy Eat World – A Sunday
U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday
The Monkeys – Pleasant Valley Sunday
Outkast – Sole Sunday
Stone Temple Pilots – Naked Sunday
Greenday – Church On Sunday
Billie Holiday – Gloomy Sunday
Etta James – Sunday Kind Of Love
Johnny Cash – Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down
Morrissey – Everyday is Like Sunday

So, my lovely friends try to spend time relaxing today… as much as you can. For all my people on the Gold Coast, Australia headed to the Big Day Out today don’t forget the sunscreen,sunglasses (I just got some cute rainbow love heart framed ones for $4.95! score!) and water; don’t forget to charge your mobile/cell phone so that if you get lost/separated from your friends you can call them… or if you’re like me you might skip that because you may enjoy getting lost ha ha… I’m good at making new friends and I like to go where I please… Acts to put on today’s BDO agenda = Lily Allen, Mars Volta & Girl Talk.

Lily by Enersauce

Lily by Deniz Sarac

Girl Talk by Nivium

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s guitar pedals by Mr Doubtfire

Volta fro by Mr Doubtfire

RANDOM MISS B STORY: In 1996 I went to the BDO with Custard. It took us 2 hours to drive from Brisbane (It’s usually a 40 minute trip). Half way there we pulled in at a service station to get fuel and snacks, Dave McCormak (Custard’s front man) crawled into a St. Vincent De Paul charity bin and pulled out a straw Mexican sombrero, later in the day he wore it on stage while performing. Custard shared their backstage dressing room with Rancid. I had a chat with Rancid’s Tim Armstrong that day that pretty much inspired me on the path to where I am now. We spoke of creativity; following your heart and the power of music… it changed my life! Thanks Tim. I also ran into Nick Cave that year and was a total fan-girl getting a happy snap with him, he told me that I had one of the most beautiful smiles (awww ha, ha… the man’s a charmer) and Zach De La Rocha commend me for helping prevent a girl from being crushed against the front of stage barrier during their set.

Happy Sunday lovelies! Take care and be safe!

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