Everything Has A Place

Interior design is not a field in which I am particularly skilled. In any case, I came across this spread from Domino Magazine from 2007, which featured a house tour of Blonde Redhead's apartment, complete with photos of their baubles and knick knacks.



I'm kind of surprised actually, because listening to their moody melodies, I expected their living space to reflect the same darkness I hear in the music. Maybe my biggest surprise is that they have a cat. They're cat people! Who would have guessed? His name is "Toto" according to this interview.

Everything in the space is so delicate, fragile. Even Toto looks like he might shatter if you try to pet him, and yet it all fits. Everything has a place. My favorite piece in the apartment is the perculator on that stove. I know it doesn't seem very special considering all the other antiques, but the smell of brewing coffee says, "We are living here."

That's really the only thing that matters.

Blonde Redhead- Elephant Woman
(Buy Misery is a Butterfly)

“23” + 1: Blonde Redhead, Raveonettes at Terminal 5

Nothing like getting back into the game with a little Blonde Redhead at Terminal 5.

Best part of the night was when a plaid-clad fellow showed up to jam with Kazu Makino and the boys on “23”.

“I don’t know who this is,” said Kazu, feigning recognition of one of the most recognizable guys in the scene.

Even though I was pretty far away from the front of the stage, I knew exactly who that was. I pretty much jumped on my friend, shaking him silly, shouting. “Oh my god! That's Paul Banks!!!” I was surprised when not a few more people in the crowd went a little crazy. Yes, guilty as charged, I am the screaming Interpol fan. And how jealous am I? I wish I had this guy’s view.

Because in all honesty can you tell that this blur right here is Paul Banks?



Well this one is a little better...


Everyone was pretty into BR. Does anyone know the name of the last song they played? Ah, I wish there was a setlist floating around somewhere.

The Raveonettes had their share of fans too. Lust Lust Lust, which received mixed reviews still has a few gems like "Lust" and "Aly, Walk With Me." I’ve never heard “Here Comes Mary” live either, so that was a real treat. They'll be back in the city in March at Bowery Ballroom, which they've called their "favorite venue."




The Raveonettes- My Tornado (expired)
(Buy Whip It On)

Blonde Redhead- 23 (expired)
(Buy 23)

Seasons, you are hair

Blondie and Blonde Redhead are perennial favorites. The young Debbie Harry and her shocking blonde coif bouncing to poppy tunes reminds me of summer. Kazo Makino's piercing echo set against the melancholy drums and guitars of the Pace brothers is the call of winter ushering spring. But what about autumn?

I'm all over this duo from New Zealand who rightly call themselves "The Brunettes." Heather Mansfield and Jonathan Bree are what autumn dreams are made of-- a flush of mellow guitar and piano melodies with catchy, sometimes sweetly haunting, and sometimes silly lyrics-- "I'm going loopy loopy over love... loopy loopy love," sounds like the work of Jack Black. Imagine raking up a yard of leaves, and then hurling yourself into the piles. Fun times! They kick off their North American tour in Vancouver on September 5th, and will be playing Mercury Lounge here in NYC on October 2nd to promote their latest album, Structure and Cosmetics.

So as you get ready to say farewell to another summer, throw on that sweater, contemplate darkening your tresses for fall, and give The Brunettes a listen.

(links expired)

Blondie- The Tide is High

(Buy Autoamerican)

The Brunettes- Loopy Loopy Love

(Buy Mars Loves Venus)

The Brunettes- Small Town Crew

(Buy Structure and Cosmetics)

Blonde Redhead- The Dress

(Buy 23)