Design Milk: The Beat Boxed 17

Here is my latest Beat Boxed: La Roux from Design Milk.An 80’s-inspired revivalist act, a trendsetter fighting against the trends, the anti-pop star pop star, whatever has been said about La Roux, the uniqueness of their futuristic sounds and Elly Jackson’s empowering lyrics is undeniable. The synth-laden pop has taken over charts in the UK and the US and continues to have an effect on everyone who listens. This appetite for synth pop keeps getting bigger and bigger, taking the once underground act the mainstream way. Although this was not the intention of La Roux (it was actually something they were against) but as it’s happening they are embracing it. Elly is easily recognizable with her signature wild red hair and her distinctive androgynous style and has become the photographer’s easy target. Their new album Sidetracked is now out, which is a snapshot of their biggest musical influences, but features only one of their new songs.

I love this video of “I’m Not Your Toy” for its pure quirkiness. We’ve got the tribal fashion and vibe, mixed with the futuristic personas and glowing sticks. The crazy characters dance weirdly around the pool in a steamy greenhouse and lounge around in retro wicker chairs…

Take a peek into the La Roux-esque bedroom. The eclectic style is 80’s inspired, but definitely goes above and beyond. Much like the video it’s filled with weird juxtapositions that oddly work together to create something funky and offbeat. The music and style of La Roux exudes characteristics that are definitely not mainstream, but are keen to a style that will attract you and dominate your senses. The retro 70’s regency bed frame and 50’s art unite with the 80’s bedding fabric. These styles unpredictably combine with the modern rug, chair, and side table to just fascinate you. The room just wouldn’t be the same without the Plexiglas fish tank!
1. Wholearth Wall Decal 2. Panoply of Rayguns 3. Arden Quin “Oedipe” 4. Pressed Glass Light Bead by Tom Dixon 5. Palm Beach Antique Regency Headboard 6. Vintage Fabric for Bedspread 7. Feather Kuma Pillow 8. Plexiglas Fish Tank 9. Bend Table by Established and Sons 10. Crash Chair 11. Wood Rug by Established and Sons

 

These interior shots from Casa D magazine conceptually remind me of La Roux. These pink walls cannot be forgotten and will get everyone’s attention much like Elly Jackson, the “red-haired one.” The room is a blast of style, but is not about creating the standard space just as all others do. It can still remain androgynous in style and form. The bed sits behind closed doors just like Ben Langmaid does…pure genius, but not too eager to be exposed. When you close off these doors the space appears to be solo, but little do you know what a masterpiece is hiding behind them.

Hope you enjoy the music. You can download an awesome mixtape here. Ready. Set. Go.

Design Milk: The Beat Boxed 10

In 2010 a few of my goals are to take more baths (rather than showers that is), meditate often, and see The Flaming Lips perform live! Every January I start looking forward to Coachella and the release of the much anticipated lineup. Well, my original article was written last week and since then the lineup was released and the Flaming Lips will not be playing:-( The lineup is insane, so I cannot complain! I can still lounge around in my Flaming Lips inspired bathroom and listen to their latest album Embryonic!

“To see or not to see, to be in a gentle and magical form. Transparency and volume dancing together intertwining in a unique and endless hug. Floating, sensing and dreaming.” This description of the Arturo Álvarez Flu Lamp perfectly captures the feeling one should sense in this bathroom. The psychedelic kaleidoscope tiles dance on the floors and onto the walls with water like essence. The glass tub fills with water and disappears into the ground and you feel as if you’re floating inside the room. The veins of the black marble shoot through the prisms and create the powerful, but soft energy of water carving through rock. The lighting floats dreamily above while the energy and ethereal movements of the space make you feel like it’s some kind of hypnotist! Get it?!

DJS, this insanely gorgeous retail store in Hong Kong, designed by Panorama International at first glance probably does not make you think…”Oh yeah, The Flaming Lips!” ... I feel like if you put inside this store and turned me in circles I probably wouldn’t be able to find my way out. I’d feel like I was floating in mid air, much like I’m imaging the way I’d feel if I was that jumbo ball floating over the crowd at a Flaming Lips. Read the entire aricle here.

Mark your Calendars LA!

There's a lot going on this week, so get ready!

Wednesday: BPMp3 Battle at AK1511, a great new gallery space on Abbot Kinney. Competing teams include Stones Throw, Dim Mak, Deckstar, from Elsewhere, Cobrasnake, eatskeet, Love Made & Barracuda. . Plus an open bar thanks to Belvedere & Amp.



Thursday:Hammer Presents Also I Like to Rock with Foreign Born + Warpaint @ 8PM + Galleries are open until 9! You may remember this post about Warpaint!


Saturday: Don't miss this incredible sidewalk sale from 9-5 @ 730 N Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038. What an amazing group collaborating for this sale, NK Shop, Lawson-Fenning, Rewire, and Reform Gallery...I wouldn't miss it!


Saturday: Party @ Rehab Vintage/Sonrisa @ 7609 Beverly Blvd.
{Sonrisa is now under new ownership and is going by a new name Rehab Vintage. Patrick is doing some amazing stuff with the space, so I would definitely check this one out! }


Saturday: Clay and Response Opening @ Heath Gallery 6pm-8pm. Admission is free and open to the public. rsvp or 323-965-0800

I'm really excited about this one! Artists Steve Abee, Rick Baker, Louise Bonnet, Eve Fowler, Roger Herman, Lucas Michael, Brendan Monroe and Wyatt Troll chose a pot made by Adam Silverman and created a response piece within their chosen medium — sculpture, photography, etc. Each piece (pot and artist response) will be displayed and sold as a set at Heath LA. You may remember Louise Bonnet from this post a few weeks back.

"A Musical Sculpture"

Design is my passion, but without music I couldn't survive! I want to share with you one of my favorite local bands that I've been obsessing over since last summer! If you know me, you've probably heard me rave about the band Warpaint. I have mad respect for these 3 beautiful independent female artists and that 1 bad ass male drummer. I've seen Warpaint probably 6 times and I stand in the front row, hips swaying, head tilting, jaw dropping, and just let them take me away. I can't really describe the sound and honestly I can't really compare them to anyone else, but this is when you know it's love...right?!

Here you go, this guy can! I love this description!

“This is some hip, sultry, stimulating stuff. Warpaint is making a musical sculpture with pinches of psychedelic, post-punk, and dreampop clay in a very non-blatant and interesting way.” ---Classical Geek Theatre

let those creative juices flow!

I think that's my hand:-)
photo by Dylan Gordon

So precious!
photo by Lauren Dukoff...wow she does amazing work.

yay! spirograph!

I think they are up to something...I can tell by their eyes!
photo by Mia Kirby

I just read that they are now signed to Manimal Vinyl and will be re-realeasing their EP Exquisite Corpse on vinyl...how awesome is that! Their EP Exquisite Corpse is available here and it's amazing!! Also don't miss their upcoming show at the Hammer on July 16th. I'm super bummed I missed their show tonight at Amoeba, but I was there in spirit!