Charlie in the studio, East London

photograph by yours truly

By now you've all been sickeningly fascinated/sucked in/unwillingly riveted by the Lady Gagz video. Not surprisingly at all, a number of Charlie Le Mindu pieces have found their way onto the newly nosed Gaga; least of which crowns the top of that McQueen ensemble she werks in the middle of the clip.

Yes yes, it's one of Charlie's SS 2010 coiffures.

Worn backwards, that is.

Lips, darling.

In the meantime, Charlie has been named Fudge's Hair Ambassador (whatever that means), amongst styling hair for various hot bands video clips as well as his cut and style residency at Tatty Devine's Brick Lane shop.

In the midst of this update, I hit him up for 5 tracks he's been listening to lately, and here's what he hit me back with:

I haven't done an 'Etc' categorised post in like, forever, and I can't believe I haven't done one this already...

Was that not the best 4 seconds you've spent all day? It never fails to brighten my existence to see someone *cry* like that.

So whenever you're feeling sad or lonely, or that the world is getting you down, know that Dawson's *crying* with you, and smile through that *tear*.

teenagersin-toe-key-ooooohhhhhh

Teenagersintokyo, for y'all who didn't already know, are neither teens (any longer at least) nor are they in or from Tokyo. Actually they're four Australian girls and one Australian boy who have been in Wales recording with Bat for Lashes producer David Kosten, having relocated to live in London since June.

I remember seeing these guys (minus the guy at that time) floating around Sydney a few years ago, popping up alongside the likes of Van She, Lost Valentinos (who were still going by The Valentinos at the time) and various other Modular types; and even then their bourgening skills were evident. So to check in with where Samantha (vox), Linda (bass), Sophie (guitar)
Rudy (drums) and Miska (keys) are all at, we caught up with keyboardist Miska on how life currently is for the Australian quintet. She even took the time to whip us up a self portrait.

Check Miska's self portrait, our interview and some choice teenagersintokyo tracks after the jump >>

Emma Bell's SS 2010

Oh that Emma Bell! For Spring Summer 2010 the Londoner went on her usual pilgramage of the exploration of colour, mixed media and craft in a controlled explosion of rainbow and chaos. Designed whilst she was the Artist in Residence within the Museums Quartier in Vienna, Austria itself became one of the influences of this collection.

Beth Jeans Houghton wearing Emma Bell in NME

Beth Jeans Houghton behind the scenes of her NME feature wearing EB

Anyhooz, check the gallery below for Emma Bell's latest kaleidoscopic concoctions that take a look into representing the female form fuelled by British boxing, tie-dye, hand quilting, plastic and Victorian porn to find the meeting point of order and disorder in these attention seeking ensembles.

GALLERY

Jinder

photograph by Arash Arfazadeh

So Jinder. She uses her 'youth blood to get through the night'. Sounds a little weird (and kinda gross) and I'm still not sure whether the next line saves it or not...cause she's 'a vampire, vampire hurting for fun' (or is it hunting?) Hmm.

...Oh what the hell. In that case, ME TOO GIRL!

Josefine Jinder is the 20 year old Swede signed to Trouble & Bass who is the owner of a diploma in sound technology from Liverpool's Institue of Music - which is apparently Paul McCartney's uni. Jinder is also responsible for 'Youth Blood', this super cute, neo disco and trés groovable synth-tastic bit of pop.

Bok Bok has done a remix of the track, working in some super dry, flat percussion and the confundus charm of hot hot broken beats (oh YES I DID just reference a spell from Harry Pottahhh) supported by sustained synths.

Go cop the original single HERE and get with using some youth blood like a vampire hurting/hunting (check it and let me know) for fun, before grooving to the heady and less vocal based Bok Bok remix.

Miss Goulding

As much as I like Ellie Goulding's 'Under The Sheets', the b-side to the single, 'Fighter Plane' feels like a bit of a poignantly cool oasis after the tad over flourished original version of the a-side.

In 'Fighter Plane', Ellie's silken vocal is given centre stage where it belongs; accompanied by smoothly squat synths a lá Imogen Heap and her ever lush, richly layered harmonies. With electronicised dark strings and gentle synthetic drums that add another dimension midway through the track; 'Fighter Plane' builds, breathes and floats gorgeously. The production is beautiful, I must admit I enjoy this track so much more than 'Under The Sheets' - except perhaps the brilliantly restrained Baby Monster remix, cop it below too, with it's cool bit of heartbeat bass.

Maybe she should change her name to Ellie Gold, cause that's what this girl is full of.

Late of the Pier

When I first heard Late of the Pier, it took me such a long time to getting the hang of pronouncing the 'of' bit their name instead of 'off'. And finally, WOO they are getting set to release a new single. Their shimmering style, schizophrenic guitars and frenetic percussion are all still present, but they've gone a slower, more emotive and melodic kind of route this time. I CANNOT WAIT to hear more as these guys are an absolute mainstay on my musical rotations.

They debuted this track - entitled 'Blueberry' - live, really early in 2009, but it's only going to be released in February 2010 on the band's own label Phantasy as a double A side single with 'Best In The Class'. Check it out in a rip from Erol Alkan's BBC 6mix below:

Is Tropical

...Specially in Sydney right now, but I actually wanted to refer to London three piece Is Tropical, comprising of Gary Barber (Vocals/Guitars/Keys), Simon Milner (Vocals/Guitars/Keys) and Dominic Apa (Drums/Programming). Their upcoming debut single 'When O'When' (to be released on newbie Hitclub Records on the 18th of January 2010) initially struck me as intriguingly odd, manga-ish kinda cowboy be-bop cruising music.

And then, in my head, the track formed the shape of something like a ruggedly handsome and virile young Scotsman in a kilt, with a pair of hairy, yet nimble legs coming out of a skirt as it begins. Okay, what I'm trying to say it's kinda secure in it's own soft side. And then the electric guitar and drums kick in and the track lifts it's kilt and shows us its bollocks. Dynamic, strong and effortless, 'When O'When' has been produced and mixed by Al O'Connell (who's also done Klaxons and The Big Pink).

I absolutely cannot wait to hear more from these guys, definitely an exciting prospect for 2010. I'm itching to give you the wicked B-side from the single, but in the meantime, check the video for 'When O'When' below. No kilted boys flashing their balls though, sorry if I led you on.