tryptophan, trance, and Jesus

Happy belated Thanksgiving! Hope it was as great as mine. I cooked for the first time ever...first time cooking anything and I decided to tackle a 14lb Turkey. Luckily it ended successfully. I then proceeded to dance the turkey calories off at Pacha, the worst club with the best acts in New York City. We got to see three fabulous sets by Super8 and Tab, Paul Van Dyk, and Tritonal. Like I mentioned, Pacha is terrible. 15% of the crowd was there for the music, 70% were there preying on the music lovers, and the other 15% probably didn't know where they were.

The show was good, but left me vowing never to return to that place even if bribed with a VIP table and 4 hour Daft Punk set. Did I mention Pacha is the worst? I'll probably see you there next month.


The real show I wanna talk about it Eric Prydz. I know I've even mentioned on here seeing him before but he KILLED it. A highlight for me was towards the end when he played an emotional but still hard-hitting remix of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus". If you've ever heard that song played at a current EDM show (Depeche Mode is known as one of the original electronic groups) you know how moving it can be, especially instilling a feeling of camaraderie with your fellow music admirers. The way Prydz remixed the song still captures the meaning behind having a "personal Jesus."

The show was at Roseland Ballroom in NYC and was for a sold-out crowd. Still, the environment was friendly and appealed to a seemingly more young-professional crowd as opposed to the typical EDM candy-raver kids that litter a lot of these shows.

Two of my best girls and I went went a little club-casual, with simple tops and cute skirts:

Before Prydz and the 14lb Turkey, I have to mention one of the best shows in NYC this season: Myon & Shane54 at Webster Hall. The show featured another trance duo that has been killing the scene recently. Webster Hall, in my opinion, is also one of the most fun places to see a show. Usually a good crowd (although seems to be getting worse), decently attentive bartenders, and only mildly annoying security staff. This show was after a long, hungover work shift so please ignore my AWFUL hair. But the outfit featured a re-worked vintage Hendrix T,  a wrap around shirt worn as a vest cardigan, and black jeans with Steve Madden boots (perfect for concerts.)

 

Saxophones, Cruella, and a roadtrip

 

Big Gigantic, Ladies and Gentlemen

Big Gigantic at The National in Richmond, VA will forever be synonymous with ridiculousness. This year's show marked the anniversary of one of the greatest weekends ever, when a big group of us saw them last year... same time, same place. (okay, it was a few months difference, but it sounds better this way.)

Killin it

 Outfit-wise, I was a little boring, I admit. I wore high-waisted jeans with a backless dress worn as a top. I didn't pack very well and had little options, but we made do.

A blondetourage we had going on

As you can see, I was still very excited...

To make up for my less than exciting concert outfit, I'm going to cover the basics as for what to pack in your purse or fanny pack to ensure proper concert preparedness:

The necessities. Not pictured: Extra Phone Battery!

 1. As always PHONE, KEYS, WALLET. It's my newest mantra anytime I leave the house and a concert is of course no exception. On that note, remember to only bring your keys to concert if you actually NEED them. If you're in a different city or not driving, it's best to leave them at your home base. You also may want to bring an extra phone battery if you have one; you never know where your night will end or when the next time you'll see your charger. Final note about these: cash is king. Don't bring more than $50 cash (usually my policy) you never know what could happen, but usually having large sums of cash on you doesn't end well...mostly for just you though.

2. Lipstick/Chapstick/Compact. Lipstick is a staple for me, my favorite is NARS "Cruella" but I always bring a compact if I'm wearing lipstick that night. If I'm going with nude lips I still always bring chapstick!!

3. Lighter/Matches. You obviously don't need to bring both but even if you're not a smoker, it's nice to be recognized as a hero when you're the answer to everyone's "who has a lighter?" question you will undoubtedly hear, at least 100 times.

4. Camera. No explanation needed.

5. Sunglasses. Crucial, maybe not for the show, but like I mentioned earlier, you never know where you'll end up...these will come in handy as you venture out the next morning to a boozy brunch, nursing your hangover.

6. Advil. For the next morning to cure said hangover. However, note that some venues are strict about bringing in pills. These are marked with "Advil" so you should be okay but try to find out how strict the venue is first!

7. Finally, the most important element: your ticket. Can't get in without this...I always try to bring up my receipt or e-ticket on my phone ready to show the people at the front just in case!



Next up: Hungarian trance duo Myon & Shane 54. I promise to get more creative with my outfits!

Sandy, Paul Simon, and Courtney Love

Happy Friday and Happy November!!




Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, I had an extended vacation at home and am a little behind on my Halloween post. I got pretty lucky as far as the storm went, and I'm praying for those still without power and food!!


Pre-Sandy adventures included seeing Major Lazer at Terminal 5. 

I've never been one to actually buy a Halloween costume. Even when I was a young, bright-eyed trick-or-treater my costumes were always homemade. This included a Power Rangers outfit complete with construction paper and bike helmets (I was the yellow ranger as my big sister pulled rank and got to be the pink ranger....everytime.)

I'm not sure my mom knows how to work the flash on her camera phone. or how to give haircuts.

This year was no exception to the make-shift costume trend. I actually went thrifting for inspiration and stumbled upon two amazing pieces:

The first was a black fringe top. Amazing, I know. I decided even if I didn't wear it for Halloween, I had to have it:

 This shirt inspired me with two Halloween options: Courtney Love or Madonna. Seeing as I was planning on dancing all night, I went with the blonde-star that wore more comfortable shoes.

A cleaned-up Courtney love with my college roomie Tori who was a Goth..or Morticia Addams as I dubbed her.

The second amazing piece was this little number for which I found a not-so-matching necklace. I didn't end up wearing the dress unfortunately but I think next year or next week I'll be a disco ball.

Some friends with the best outfits:

Finally, some Major Lazer shots. It was an awesome show. Not overly crowded with good music, it felt like a big Halloween party. We even got to hear Major Lazer and all of Terminal 5 sing a bit of You Can Call Me Al.

After losing power and running water and drinking all the wine, we decided to head back to Virginia Beach for a mini vacation and break from the insanity consuming New York. We got to catch 12th Planet on actual Halloween and then Nas a few days later. Both super fun shows, especially when the night of Nas ended in a drunken limo ride home...

Next up is Big Gigantic

Blazers, lazers, and the moon

A giant, moving stereo that delivers your mail. Just kidding about the mail part.

So it's been a long time since my last post. This is not due to any lack of concert-going or fashion-fun-having. I've been just doing some exploring and seeking direction for my blog. I think I've found it.

For now, I'm going to blog about the shows I see, what the artists' style is, and what I wear to impress them. When I see something fashionably stimulating, I will, without a doubt, share but for now, I'm only going to take pictures of and share strangers' wardrobes when I'm really impressed.


Now time to catch up. Over the last month and a half:

I got to experience Steve Angello in Central Park:

I paired some vintage with a blazer, skirt, and tribal paint. This was before the epic downpour.

Steve. killin it.

this guy was on his phone the whole time...

 

 

 

 Got to meet/ catch Myndset at Stone Rose Lounge: We even wrote a review of the show for White Raver Rafting

Another blazer, this time paired with my favorite tank and sequin skirt. Spruced it up a bit for the lounge.

Myndset

 I got two nights of M83, one in Richmond, VA then Norfolk, VA. Both AMAZING shows. We even got to catch up with the band after the show in Norfolk. 

M83 at The National in Richmond, VA

The first night I went with the classic moon phases

The second night, I went a little more casual. Sunday night show....off the shoulder top, scarf, leather jacket. Us with Jordan Lawlor of M83..a total rockstar of our generation.

Finally, most recently, this past weekend I got to see Soundprank and Norin & Rad, recent anjunabeats sensation, in a very intimate setting at Club 39 in NYC. It was an amazing show and we got to let the talented boys know afterward. The guys were great and I can't wait to see how far this duo goes.

Hanging out with Norin and Rad after the show! I went for the classic LBD, red lips and aztec-inspired necklace.

Yes, I was this close because I was dancing on stage....

More Anjuna-love

Recent shows have also included Ghost Beach, Viceroy, Miami Horror, Alex Winston, Alvin Risk, and many, many more. I promise my blogging will improve. I am camera-ready, rejuvenated from my mini-hiatus and inspired once again to put some loving into StyleHeard!


Next show will be a Major Lazer Halloween. This shall definitely be interesting. 

$8 beers, melted lipstick, and a Disney World fanny pack

First day outfits with my darling Chi Anh

Thousands of fans gathered on Randall's Island in New York this past weekend for one of the East Coast's most premier electronic festivals: Electric Zoo. I was one of those music lovers and survived to tell you about my three day electronic dance music style quest.

First of all, of course, the music.... it was a phenomenal experience. Probably the most awesome thing musically about festivals is the energy. Artists know they only have about an hour to satisfy their biggest fans, convince the unaware that they're worth a listen, impress thousands, and have an awesome time doing what they love. I got to check out some artists I hadn't seen live before like Dillon Francis, Mt Eden, Diplo, Jaytech, Krewella, Axwell, Jack Beats, and Martin Solveig. I also got the chance to hear some of my favorites perform again like Above & Beyond, Pretty Lights, Zeds Dead, Porter Robinson, and Ferry Corsten. My favorites were A&B, Solveig, Mat Zo, Netsky, Rusko, and Zeds Dead. There were many more to be heard and reviewed. But that's what music blogs are for, like my friends at White Raver Rafting

Aliens like music too

 This here blog is to tell you a little bit style-wise what went down at the zoo. There were some terrible, terrible trashy T-Shirts, animal costumes, and some of the classic raver get-ups. 

              

We were at the zoo...

  

I saw some decorative creativity though...especially with bras. Electronic festivals get HOT, HOT, HOT so the less the clothing, the better for the wearer. So why not get a little creative with your lack of clothing...

My personal favorite bra, a tribute to Above & Beyond and Anjunabeats

                                                              

 Also some interesting trends I noticed...

A lot of patriotism:

 

                        

                      

Back Tats:

More Anjunabeats

"Save Yourself Love Yourself"

                                 

yes. this is real.

and finally, some superheros....

A few points for

 the creative...

I'd say Above & Beyond has some of the biggest fans

                                        

the chic...

The crazy...

Ponchos, wizard hats, and pinatas

and the cool...

Here's to the animals at the zoo. I had a great time, met some awesome people, and got to document some raver-chic fashion.

Part of our E-zoo Crew

For full Sets: http://mixing.dj/2011/livesets/electric-zoo-2011-live-sets-dj-mixes-tracklist-download/


Next up: Fashion week after-party coverage!