Week 6 in Seattle: Poison

Last year I had the opportunity to photograph so many musicians. It's a pretty cool gig. Being from New York I was not really that aware of west coast bands. And actually, I was pretty out of the cool music loop all together. I grew up listening to mom's music- Karen Carpenter, Anne Murray, James Taylor, etc. You get the idea.

One year for Christmas my grandmother got me a Phish CD. I thought I was the coolest kid ever. Turns out I was the last human on earth to get "Billy Breathes" as a gift. That Christmas my sister was pissed at me. *I* got the Phish CD and she didn't. I never really liked her taste in music but I did like Phish!!

In 2001 I started dating James. He introduced me to so much: Stereolab, Steely Dan, MMW, Nickle Creek (note: NOT NICKLEBACK)... Within a year of dating I got to meet his brother's girlfriend (now wife) Liz. Liz, let me tell you, is the shit. She was really the person who influenced me the most in this area of my life: Old 97's, Liz Phair, Belle and Sebastian, Wilco, Billy Bragg... See where I'm going? This girl was my hero.

I'll get to the point here. I don't remember anyone introducing me to early 90's R+B. I guess it just kind of happened? This week I got to photograph... drum roll please.... Bel Biv DeVoe. HOLY HELL. I love these guys!! And to top it off, the other artists there (that you would know) were Jon B, Al B Sure!, and SWV. What a rockin' show!!!! I mean seriously- who wouldn't like hearing BBD's song "Poision" last 15 minutes with an awesome DANCE OFF!?!? My life sure can be pretty darn fantastic.

Cheers!
Jill Rachel

[For a full review with photos from that concert, visit http://backbeatseattle.com/wordpress/?p=43722]

Week 6 in New York: Thrifty Socialite

I'd like to say for the record, that I promise next week's photo won't be a tight, over-exposed, "stuff" shot! Clearly, I like these types of shots, perhaps too much. I'll switch it up. PROMISE.

I decided on Saturday afternoon, that it had been far too long since I'd been inside a thrift shop. There was a time that I couldn't make it a full week without stopping into any given shop, the thirst of the hunt too intense to be sated. Recently though, I've become jaded by Westchester thrifts - their ridiculously overpriced used goods, the lame selection that is most likely going to be picked over by the ever growing populace of those hipster folk. And, in truth, I've too, probably just become lazy. So, I decided to make the journey to my local Salvo - all of 1 mile away.

It was like a big warm (if slightly moth-ball smelling) welcome home hug. This particular Salvo has been a big letdown in the past, especially considering the shear magnitude of this place. The first floor is full of your random odds and ends, the second floor is entirely dedicated to women's clothing and the third floor is a mix of men's and children's. That's right. A three level Salvation Army. You'd think this would be fortune and glory personified - but the ratio of awesome to tragic in this place is 1:150. However, I felt like today was the day, and I ended up being at least 80% content by the time I left two hours later. I not only picked up this amazing brand new Zara dress for $4 (yellow tags 50% off!), but I also came out with a cute plaid tunic and business dress & blazer combo. Not my usual bag, but they definitely suited my current needs. Not much in the way of functional vintage on this day - so I'll have to try again in a few weeks.

Armed with this amazing steal of a dress and feeling good about getting out and about, when my girlfriend called in the evening and asked me if I wanted to grab a drink, I was only too excited to oblige. What could have easily been a jeans & tee night out, became a 'let's dress up like real girls!' outing. I would never ACTUALLY describe myself as a socialite - but it's great little finds like this one that make me want to get out there and wear my thrifty threads loud and proud.

Cheers,

Breezer M.

p.s. bonus!