'Patagonia is a brand I’d very much like to collaborate with; I love their ethos, clothing, and their sense of outdoorness. Let my people go surfing by Yvon Chouinard is a fantastic book.'
It's not everyday we get the opportunity to fire a few questions at our icons or people of a genius ilk, however, just recently I was lucky enough to be able to do just that.
Oliver Spencer has been a consistent label in my wardrobe for years and will always be up there as one of my favourite brands due to it's classic and timeless designs and understated British coolness.
Through the medium of Hip Leeds I was able to get an interview with the man himself and ask him a couple of questions that were on my mind. Although brief I managed to get some interesting answers and insights into one the most thoughtful and creative minds in British clothing...
It's nearly the weekend, I'm off and we've got Boogie Cartel this Saturday night (9.00pm - 04.00am @ The Horse and Groom, Shoreditch) For any of you who fancy coming down to get down. We've met a few readers at our nights which is a nice touch and we hope to catch a few more of you this coming party.
If you head down, don't be shy - we're the two chipper blokes with big grins loitering around and behind the decks.
Right, seeing as we're all set to take the roof of (as usual) I've been combing through my records and here's a couple of sounds that I've been digging this week, just right to ease you into the weekend and get you ready for some good times and get downs.
Kicking things off with some classic sleazed up business from Miss Evelyn 'Champagne' King... This is the original version although I've been playing the 'Casual Encounters' edit which makes a lot more use of that tasty bass line. Still, a good record is a good record and Ev's vocals are pretty much heavenly. Winner.
Next up I'm rocking with some classic disco funk coming from Armenta, straight out of 1983 - probably one of my favourite years for music in general. This is pretty much a throw your hands in the air peak time feel good number, served up best to a load of loved up birds although the fellas seem to enjoy it too... Smile on your dial material if ever I've heard it!
Firefly's - Love is gonna be on your side was the last record I bought and came out on Emergency in 1981. The label itself has got a pretty rum discography and has a number of releases that I count as favourites. Listening to this takes me back to listening to my parents modern soul tape selections when I was a little'un. All good. Definitely getting a spin this Saturday! Another feel good smasher, epic break down and beautiful stings... All in all, pretty ace!
After all those happy love filled disco flavors I'm ending things with some proper, proper sleaze. West Phillips gets it pretty spot on with his analogy of some heavenly little thing getting busy on the dance floor. We've all been there, you know the sort of records that just make you want to grab hold of the nearest bird and start grinding your midriff against her derriere? If there was ever one record produced that makes me want to do just that then this is most definitely it, although I'm not too sure what my missus would think about that... Hi sweetheart!
It's definitely that time of year again; You know, when all the scarfs, hats and gloves make an appearance...
I've been lusting after a pair of Dents driving gloves for some time, looking through their stocks over summer but I've never got around to getting a pair as I tend to find I spend most of the warmer months searching out the perfect Breton or vintage sunglasses.
Thanks to a very kind girlfriend who surprised me with these on the weekend, I now have a pair. These are brown chocolate leather with classic woven details, and are pretty much perfect for getting on that country gent vibe... All I need now is the bit fat Rolls Royce to accompany them and I'm down for a little joy ride through the country, old chap. Chin Chin !
I had a pretty top weekend just gone, instead of gallivanting or being stuck in work I spend it catching up with old faces from the past I hadn't seen for some time and also had the pleasure of having my girlfriend down for a couple of days which was all good.
We ended up doing a little bit of unplanned shopping and, as is usually the case in such scenarios, I ended up coming back with a few unplanned and unexpected gems I managed to land two cracking shirts from Ralph Lauren, one of which I've been salivating over for quite some time - this seasons Red sports chambray and seeing as good things come in two's I also landed a rather snappy see-sucker effort from Mr Lauren as well.
Both are instant favourites and the good fortune makes up for being messed around a week or two ago for a Steven Alan see sucker I was hunting.
Usually I'd waffle on with a load of jazz about how killer both these shirts are but instead I'll leave the pictures do the talking as I'm pretty sure the quality and undeniable coolness of each does a much better job than my over exuberant enthusiasm could...
I'm not going to tell you the record's that will be aired but instead tease you with a few photo's of artist's that look highly likely to be making an appearance (today that is..... tomorrow might be a different story).
If you know them then you win..... the satisfaction of knowing just who they are. And that is worth more than any prize I can possibly offer you, so it's more of a quiz.
But a quiz that isn't answered, so in reality it isn't a quiz..... more of a guessing game.
I hope I've cleared that up.
And last but not least I found this clip uploaded from a very kind friend of the man on the phone "Craig".
Not only does it just sum up most phone call's at 6am on a Sunday morning on the way home from a heavy night out, but it speak's volumes for those on the Disco circuit and I could put at least 10 people in this clip and believe it was them...... I am of course the Unicorn.
Handsewn in the USA with crepe sole's, good enough to eat.
Is it wrong to find them so attractive ? ......it is ? good then that make's me feel so very very wrong, and that's always a good thing.
Thought I'd throw this out there for any northern / Leeds heads... Basically Hip Leeds and Ben Sherman's spanking new Plectrum line have collaborated and together they're running a competition to win a cool round ton to spend in the new concept shop in Leeds.
I've not really posted a little break away blog since my Norway trip.
No real reason as to why I just seem to let the focus of music or clothing take over (much like my actual life).
So as it goes we went for a very nice break away on Friday to Minehead in Somerset until this afternoon, lot's of relaxing, lot's of food (Too much food), and just a bit of time out.
I won't bore you with the detail's of how I met Billy Bear (not the cheap sliced chopped ham kind) but just share a few of the photo's I took over the last few day's.
I will bore you though with the fact that I've found my little retirement home "The Captain's Cabin" and I intend to buy it outright and bring the music to Minehead.... and spoil myself on their fish & chip's.
After a 'quiet pint' that got very much out of hand last night, I'm having a Friday night just lazing around and chilling out. A couple of big weekends are coming up and I don't wish to be a spent shell when I should be partying hard so needs to a must and all that.
I've gone for an everyday ensemble made up of some of the comfiest wears I own. Plenty of Our Legacy, well worn in denims and trusty Superga court pumps. Throw some classic see sucker in thanks to Marks and Spencer's hat department and I've had a royal day playing records, laying on the couch and working my way through my DVD collection. American Gangster and Casino done - better get another 'lad' film in before my lady gets here.
