Shannon: Music Video – Behind the Scenes
Last week my friend, Eoin C Macken of Blank Canvas Pictures was directing a music video in Slane Castle for the stunning Shannon O’Connor who is soon to release her debut single. Check out her website Shannon Official. I decided to head along to say ‘hi’ and brought my camera just incase there were any photo opportunities. These are my behind the scenes shots from the music video. It was shot in Slane Castle (oh the memories of those teenage years spent at concerts on the hill). It was a lot different this time, not just because we were in the castle – the basement to be precise. Who knew that Slane Castle used to have a niteclub in the basement?! This is where the video was shot – the niteclub is no longer going but the venue is still set up as such. It provided a great backdrop for Shannon’s video. It was a great day with a lovely cast and crew. Shannon has such a fantastic look and I love her debut single (even after listening to it on repeat for the day!) - I have no doubt that she will go far in the music world.
Photos by Catch Coco ♥
Uh Huh Her video by Tasya Van Ree
As you know, I find Tasya Van Ree’s work very inspirational.. She’s the epitome of cool! I love the distinctive dark edge found in the majority of her work. Check out this video made recently for the Uh Huh Her, featuring herself. I really can’t praise her enough.. so I won’t even try..!
CREATIVE GENIUS! xxx
Video made by Tasya Van Ree and image by Tasya Van Ree
Karima Francis
Congratulations to Blackpool born singer-songwriter Karima Francis, who last night signed a record deal with Mercury Records.. literally moments before taking to the stage as support act for Smith and Burrows. Understandably over whelmed, she gave a very heartfelt, emotional performance, saying how she wanted to tell her life story in a half an hour, but it just wasn’t possible.. well eh.. maybe for the best karima!
It was already crystal clear, she had hard earned her position and subsequent record deal.. none of it came easy to her.
Needless to say you can really feel the pain and emotion in her voice, its all soul and heart.. nothing like a singer who sings from their heart.
I must say, style wise? this girl is just the coolest looking dude I’ve ever seen. I love her authentic, androgynous look.. IT IS HER! without a doubt and unapologetically. I have never seen skinny jeans on legs so skinny.. and that hair!?… She just emulates rock star, oozing cool in a Bob Dylan kind of way.
Its always a pleasure to see a young talented artist work hard and succeed.. so congratulations Karima. Fair feckin play!
Now that you’ve noted her style.. Have a listen to her incredible voice below.. love this song x
Florence and the Machine: Style Icon
I don’t think I could possibly be any more excited about the release of Florence and the machines new album ‘Ceremonials’ It was recorded within five weeks in the famous Abbey Road Studios in Welch’s home city, London, and produced by Paul Epworth.
Check out the Dawn Shadforth-directed video for the single ’Shake it out’ I have it on repeat already and the stately styling/art direction for the video is stunning. The costumes and theme of the video are fantastically theatrical and dreamy. The wamth of the candles, the mystique of the masquerade ball, the danger, the drama!… The visual really inspires me and I find this concoction of Music, Drama and Fashion so exciting! I just love how they have created a genuine atmosphere, that you can really feel and almost touch. It complements and adds to the pounding, emotive music so perfectly.
It’s clear to see that she can really pull off a Haute Couture gown.. and those legs! not to mention that incredible voice. Florence is a redheaded goddess and a true style icon! I cannot wait to hear the whole album.. eeeeeeeeeeeek!!! xxx
Pan’s Labyrinth- Brompton Cemetery
Hello there boys and girls. Apologies for the lack of posts lately. I’ve been way too busy having the craic and haven’t had the time to get organised and post about it!..(bows head in shame) I went home to lovely Ireland and spent a few days at the all Ireland Fleadh, which is a big Irish music festival. It was incredibly good and great to see some of my 25 cousins!.. and thats only on my Dad’s side. The ceoil agus craic was something else! mighty one might say.. so I’m looking forward to Fleadh 2012 in Cavan. For those of you interested in Irish music sessions check out my cousin Ann’s new website here
I also went to Electric picnic (the bestival/glastonbury of Ireland)….. UNREAL BUZZ!… really amazing times!
Anyhoo! I’m back in London and the other day I went to see Pan’s Labrinth in Brompton Cemetery. It was so wonderfully atmospheric and spooky! such a great way to spend an evening, watching a movie surrounded by gravestones.. ha sounds ideal doesn’t it!? our faces lit by the glaring full moon. It was surreal and the perfect film choice for this beautiful eery setting. Pan’s Labyrinth is so well shot and is so mystical, imaginative and terrifying… I kept looking around me to remind myself of where I was.. I love when that happens.
The showing of Pan’s Labrinth was brought to Brompton Cemetery by The Nomad Cinema, which is the Uk’s biggest pop up cinema. For more information or to see what’s on near you click here I highly recommend it!
Loving Lissie
Hello lads and lassies! Yesterday on youtube I stumbled across an American folk/rock singer-songwriter called ‘lissie’ I clicked on a video of her doing a lady gaga cover.. and I was pretty much blown away.. Wow, I really love when this happens, when you have no idea what you are about to listen to.. it could be woeful or it could be incredible. There is just so much talent out there, it can be hard to find it all. I guess the internet is really great for that. This lady has a raw, soulful, honest voice and when she sings you can feel the real pain and emotion shine through. I find it so inspiring listening to her! It makes me want to sing more.. It makes me want to write more.. hell! it makes me want to be a better all rounded, creative person!!..ha.. hell!?.. so american! I guess there is something very American about Lissie and her music. It’s very authentic. I also love her laid back jeans and t-shirt style… Basically, at the moment she can do no wrong in my books!
Have a listen. The first tune ‘Bully’ reminds me of the legendary Kurt Cobain.. and her disheveled hair is also reminiscent of Kurt.. She’s not quite as sexy as he was though.. well in fairness who is?!..
The 2nd video is all faded and musty. I like the video and love the song. Neither of these video’s are singles so to hear more you best go check out her website here Enjoy my dears and have a great week X
photo’s by Andrew Calder
PJ Harvey in Ann Demeulemeester
PJ Harvey recently exploded back on tour with her powerful new ‘political’ album ‘Let England Shake’ Thanks to my lovely friend James I had the pleasure of seeing her perform her first London show at the Troxy. I’m never organised enough to have booked tickets in advance. In fact I actually never book tickets for anything really. So, thank you James, I do like a bit of last minute spontaneity! Anyway, we were waiting patiently for her to come on stage..The atmosphere was electric and you could feel the excitement in the air. I was surrounded by hard core polly fans, some of whom shouted ‘We love you polly!’ every now and again. I was feeling the love buzz in the room!..it was only splendid!…After a tense hour of waiting she made a very dramatic entrance adorned in what can only be described as the coolest stage outfit EVER!……..Wow……..her prominent features and her amazing bone structure looked so fantastically theatrical under those lights. Magnificent. She was dressed head to toe in designer Ann Demeulemeester’s creation. In fact the whole band were wearing Ann Demeulemeester..The men in really rustic waistcoats, shirts and dark trousers..They looked very classically French and complemented PJ nicely.
This video was taken that night at The Troxy. Its a bit rough around the edges and she stumbles slightly at the start but I think it sounds better live than the album version, have a listen..Love it!
At the end of the ‘80s Ann Demeulemeester changed the course of fashion together with the Antwerp 6. They were all Belgian graduates of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp. They were somewhat revolutionaries of their time. Ann felt her teachers wanted her to recreate Coco Chanel, but she follwed her heart and her first collection was described as black and funereal. I truly adore Ann Demeulemeester designs, they are dark, edgy, and bold. I love the skirts in her latest collection, that are shortened on one side and fall to the floor on the other. Her designs are influenced by and incorporate punks and poetry. You can see the fragility, strength and androgyny in her collections. Music is definitely an influence on her work as some of it is so hard core rock and roll!..
Polly’s ensemble was a full length long sleeved dress made of leather and cloth. It looked like a black straight jacket with leather belts around it. I felt it certainly conveyed a dark sense of restraint. Nevertheless I could feel the sense of freedom PJ Harvey must have felt to be finally performing her politically charged album. Designer’s who can make you feel something for the design and for the woman wearing it are worth taking note of. The black head piece she wore was stunningly beautiful, it rose from her forehead and looked like the over grown wings of a black crow. The outfit was mystical and witch like and so appropriate for the sombre mood of the music. I read an interview where PJ said she felt she could finally address the political on this album. That she was so influenced by the world around her but until now never felt she could do this properly. She sings so beautifully about a fallen England, death and of World War I, of soldier’s falling ‘like pieces of meat’ and of ‘severed limbs in the trees’. There is so much passion in her voice and there are moments of drama that highlight this. It was such a moving experience to see this raw performance. She held her autoharp tightly to her chest, like a protective mother would hold her baby in a war torn country. For the entire show she stood at the side leaving her band centre stage sitting on old wooden pews. There was none of this ‘hello England’ malarky..she barely spoke at all..as she really didn’t need to say a word……..Magic.
News flash!: Pj has been confirmed to play Electric Picnic this year! hell yeah!
First four images taken from PJ Harvey website/Following two images taken from www.catwalk17.com
last image of Ann Demeulemeester is by Adrian Wilson
