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Della x UO Interview: "Nii" Addotey
Selorm "Nii" Addotey, co-founder of Della, recently took the time to tell us what it's like to have the business located on his front lawn—and his dream superpower, of course.
Hi Nii! What is your role at Della?
I’m the co-founder, and I basically run everything on the Ghana side of Della. I check in on the ladies to make sure the production schedule is running smoothly. I fix machines when they break. Some days I cut fabric for the upcoming projects. Now that Rachael is here and we have more help, I don’t do much of the administrative stuff.
How did you get involved with Della?
I’ve been involved from the start. I met Tina [other co-founder] at a drinking bar in Hohoe four days before she was leaving back home, and we became fast friends. She had some bags made from a seamstress in town and told me she wanted to see how they would do in America. I knew the Ghanaian culture and everything she needed to keep it going, so I helped out from here. I have worked with Della ever since.
Since you’ve been with Della since the beginning, how have you seen it grow?
It started with me, Tina and one seamstress. We didn’t even own sewing machines. Now, we have a facility full of sewing machines and more than 18 employees. We are giving members of the community regular income, which is great. I never expected it to grow like this. For the fact that we’ve been in business for almost three years now, I think we are doing well. If we have done these last three years, we can do another three and then another. There is a bright future here.
What made you interested in the mission of Della?
Tina and I built a friendship before we built a business partnership. I liked Tina and her vision, so I wanted to make her ideas work. I see myself as an entrepreneur, and I like helping businesses grow.
What do you and your friends do when you hang out?
As entrepreneurs, we think about the future and ideas. I have a large porch, so my friends and I often sit through the night, listen to music and talk. Sometimes we talk politics or music. I also like going to the beach when I get the chance.
What kind of music do you listen to?
Reggae. I only listen to Reggae and Craig David, a British singer. My roommate played him all the time at polytechnic, so I started to like him.
What’s it like having Della in your front yard?
I had the intention of running my porridge company in the rooms next to my house, but those plans changed when we started Della. I was planning on using it for a business anyways, so it’s not too bad. I am always on call. Even when I am sleeping, I am only a few feet away from the work.
Do you and the ladies hang out together?
We had a Della party at Obama Gardens when we launched our line with Apple. We were the first to supply cases to Apple from Sub-Sahara Africa, so we had a lot to celebrate. I drank and danced with the ladies. We got cake. After working hard for weeks on the order, we were able to hang out as friends and celebrate together.
Three words to describe yourself.
Brave. Serious. Brilliant.
Where do you see Della in five years?
In three years, we are already international. So that means in five years, the sky is the limit. I’d like a new production center with more workers. We could maybe have more than 100 workers. I’d like to have a vocational school with accreditation, so we can not only employ already certified seamstresses, but give interested people training and then give them employment. I don’t know what the future holds, but it is exciting.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A lion, king of the forest!
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
It would be cool if I could snap my fingers and marijuana would appear any time I wanted. And it could disappear, too.
Do you have any secret skills?
I cook. I don’t do it often, but when I do, it’s good. I’m good at every local food, especially ground nut soup.
What do you want people know about Ghana?
In Africa, Ghana is a gateway to Africa. Since history, Ghana has set the pace as a leader and peaceful country to live in.
Shop Della x UO
(Photo by Bekah Cope)
Interview: Turf War
Turf War are a band made up of five dudes (John, Cecil, Brian, Brad and Ian) from Augusta, Georgia that have now made a name for themselves with their new EP, entitled The Great Escape. Their sound is heavily influenced by classic rock and roll, which I'm a massive fan of, but there is also a taste of the South, where the band grew up. Below I talk to frontman John Robinson about the importance of that one band Nirvana, how where you live can influence your sound, and how the Strokes are still up there for him, and probably all of us. - Maddie
First off, how did you guys meet and start playing together?
We all grew up around each other with the exception of Ian. A few of us played in crappy punk and hardcore bands in Augusta when we were younger so we knew each other from that scene. We come from a smaller town so you can't be picky about who you play with. There's a small minority of people that are into the music I was into, and they all played in Turf War at some point.
Did growing up in the South have any influence on your music?
Yeah, big time. We like simple pleasures. My parents grew up in rural Alabama so they're some sweet home Alabama chanting motha fuckas. My mom listened to a lot of '90s country, some Clarence Carter and my dad got me into good country and Tom Petty, I also grew up listening to CCR a lot. I always thought they made the perfect music for what I thought of the South. Then I watched "Behind the Music" and found out they're from California. Oh well. Shit happens. 
(Photo by Tim Song)
Your new EP, The Great Escape, definitely has some true rock and roll roots. Did any specific artists influence you when writing and recording the songs for it?
I take influences from the wide variety of music I listen to. For The Great Escape EP I wanted to go more roots rock than the first album. I don't think the title song is roots rock but the rest of it is more rock 'n' roll that anybody can get into. Kids, moms, dads, hipsters, druggies, homeless people... anybody.
How did you decide on the name 'Turf War' for the band?
Everyone asks that question. There really wasn't that much thought put into naming the band. I thought Turf War sounded cooler than the other names I came up with, and John Robinson and the whatevers just didn't have a good ring to it.
What is the album that had the most influence on you growing up that you still listen to today?
Nirvana, Nevermind. I can't escape the influence that Nirvana had on my life from age ten on. That was the first band that I knew who all the members were and I studied religiously and dressed like them and wanted to be them. We'll never be Nirvana but it would be nice to influence at least one kid the way they influenced me. 
Since you guys are touring and will be playing Hopscotch Festival in North Carolina in September, who would your ultimate festival headliners be?
Man. That's a hard question to answer. I'm so fuckin' excited about Spiritualized headlining Hopscotch. That's a dream in its own. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers would be an amazing headliner.
Last but not least, what album could you never live without?
I would love to lie and say something cool like Exile on Main Street or a Replacements album, but honestly the first Strokes album is a time capsule for me. I can listen to that with some folks my age and for at least half of the record I feel 19 again. I don't get straight outta Compton I get straight outta high school.
Check out The Great Escape on SoundCloud, or get the limited white cassette tape here!
Look Of The Week: Anna Rafferty
Hi Anna! What do you do at UO?
Hello, blog team! I am the women's department manager at Urban Outfitters on Rush St. in Chicago's magical Gold Coast neighborhood.
Can you tell us what you're wearing?
It's all thrifted, except the socks are from Urban. The '90s mom jeans I thrifted in Omaha, Nebraska (where I'm from); everything else I scored in Chicago.
Did you make your shirt, or thrift it? What are your favorite thrift stores in Chicago?
Well, both! I found this amazing Simpsons printed flat sheet for 50 cents at the Village Discount Outlet in Irving Park in Chicago and couldn't pass it up. I thought maybe I'd make it into curtains or something. Then my best friend, Lauren (a fashion student and sales associate at the Urban in London, UK), designed an outfit from the fabric when she was here for a visit recently. There's a matching skirt, too!
I'm obsessed with thrifting, and Chicago is home to some of my favorite thrift stores. I love the Village Discount Outlet in Logan Square. It's a massive space, not the kind of thrift store you can peruse if you have only 10 minutes to kill. You gotta commit to an hour at least and do a lot of digging. But it's worth it when you leave with a garbage bag full of treasure!
But seriously, that Simpsons tank is amazing. Who is your favorite character on The Simpsons?
Ralph! He has some of the best quotes on the show. "Eww, Daddy, this tastes like Grandma!"
Do you love donuts the way Homer loves donuts? Any favorite donut places in Chicago? (MMM, donuts.)
That's a tough passion to rival. No, Homer has me beat. But I do love Glazed and Infused in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. They make some really creative donuts, like Peach Iced Tea or Blackberry Goat Cheese.
Where can we find you online?
I have an Instagram page where I post a lot of thrifted looks. Annarifraf is me!
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Interview: TORRES
My name is Mackenzie Scott. I sometimes write and sing and play the guitar, and sometimes I do these things at the same time in front of people (the singing and the playing the guitar, that is). I also drink ungodly amounts of coffee and run a Facebook account for my cat, Little Bat.
Are you a born and raised Tennessean?
I’m actually not a born and raised Tennessean at all. I was born in Orlando, Florida and grew up in Macon, Georgia from the age of three. I’ve only been in Tennessee since 2009.
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Your voice is amazingly dreamy yet raw at the same time. Have you always been a singer? When did you realize you could sing well?
Thank you. I’ve always tried to sing, but I kept it a secret when I was young. I’d lock my door and sing Britney Spears songs into the mirror, but when I was around people I’d always make it a joke. I’d sing in cartoonish voices and play characters because I was too insecure to sing seriously and be myself. That’s why I got into musical theatre when I was in middle school and continued through high school. That’s also when I learned that I could actually carry a tune without having to be afraid of someone listening. Ironically, playing characters on the stage gave me the confidence I needed to be myself, unabashedly.
When did you first decide you wanted to make music?
I’m not sure. I think I’ve always made music in some form, since I was six or seven. My parents gave me the opportunity to learn to play a lot of instruments at a young age.
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What musicians did you look up to when you began? As a female, did you specifically look up to women at all?
Male and female alike, I had a lot of influences: Johnny Cash, Joan Jett, Ryan Adams, Brandi Carlile and Tori Amos were some of my early heroes around the time I started writing songs.
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Can you tell us five things that you sing about/that have influenced your writing?
1. Heartache in the morning
2. Heartache in the afternoon
3. Heartache in the evening
4. Jesus
5. Lucifer
How much does living in TN influence your music?
It doesn’t really affect the music at all.
What's your go-to live performance outfit?
Black pants, black boots, collared button-down shirt, black blazer, and sometimes a wide-brimmed hat.
When you're not singing your own songs, what's your #1 karaoke song to sing to?
"Crimson & Clover" by Joan Jett
Interview: Roger Gastman
Roger Gastman talks about everything, but the one topic he's most interested in at the moment is the underground D.C. graffiti culture of the late '80s into the '90s. Here, we discuss his vast collection of memorabilia from the time, his personal love of graffiti , and what he's doing next (which I hope includes throwing another party).
Hi Roger, can you give me a brief description of Pump Me Up: The Subculture of the 1980s, the show you just wrapped up at the Corcoran Gallery of Art?
It’s a collection of the D.C. subculture in 1980s: punk rock, go-go, hardcore, gangs, graffiti, and underground culture. A lot of rock culture from D.C. that has never been documented.
What got you interested in the whole subculture depicted in the show?
I grew up in D.C. and in the ‘90s, was running around writing graffiti, and I was always interested in what came before me. What was there before? Who did something first? I kept digging up more and more information over the years and I met someone who was doing graffiti a few years before me. I followed them further downtown—probably some places I shouldn’t have gone—and met Cool Disco Dan, the focus of my documentary The Legend of Cool Disco Dan. He wrote graffiti and opened my eyes to a lot of what the D.C. culture was in the ‘80s, especially the black subculture.
How was your style of graffiti different from what Cool Disco Dan was doing?
For me, graffiti was about punk rock and hardcore. I went to hardcore shows and everybody wrote graffiti, especially during this time. Dan came out of the go-go graffiti community and his was graffiti was completely different from the type we were doing. He had crossed over.
What brought you together?
All of the go-go graffiti writers who were writing their names in the ‘80s stopped in 1987-’88. The crack epidemic came and they started hustling. Dan was never into crack or hustling—he just wanted to continue to write his name. He figured out people in the hardcore scene were writing their name and Dan taught us a lot about downtown, a lot about going out and the culture of downtown and showed us what sparked this kind of graffiti.
Do you think the underground movement of graffiti affected the city at the time?
In D.C. at the time, there was much more dangerous going on. When people are writing graffiti in places like Georgetown, DuPont Circle or heavily trafficked tourist areas, they were more aware of you. If you got busted, something was going to happen to you. But for the most part, the city didn’t care about graffiti. Until the late ‘90s.
How does D.C. compare to other cities when it comes to graffiti?
Cities like Philadelphia, L.A. and New York are much richer in graffiti history, leading back to gang graffiti in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s.
Where did graffiti begin?
Traditional graffiti as we know it today, writing your name over and over again for the sake of it, started in the late ‘60s in Philadelphia and NYC. People argue about who started it. Philadelphia can win that argument by having a more defined graffiti scene through the ‘60s that was more stylistic, but New York made graffiti famous by the subway trains that they were starting to put out in the early ‘70s.
How would you describe yourself and what you do?
I am a collector, a hoarder, a curator—whatever you want to call me. In the last several years I’ve been putting out magazines, books, documentaries, doing museum shows, gallery shows, working with artists. I am a fan and I’m interested in a lot of this subculture, mostly the subculture that spawns out of the ghettos: graffiti, music, etc. I’ve been able to put together good collections of ephemera and artwork and probably saved a lot of things before they were destroyed or dug up things people didn’t know still existed.
You don’t write graffiti now, right? Would you ever go back into it?
Sure. I know plenty of people that had second or third graffiti careers in their late ‘30s or ‘40s and did just as much graffiti as they did in their teens. I guess you can’t count me out yet, but I’m not active.
What was your tag and what’s the story behind it?
“Clear” and there’s no real meaning.
Where do you think graffiti is today versus where it was in the ‘80s?
In the ‘80s, graffiti was a huge movement. It was in the galleries and it was getting a lot of attention. In the late ‘80s it died out, the trend stops, but in the mid-‘80s it was everywhere in the U.S. and across Europe. In the last ten years, give or take, it’s turn into a multi-million dollar business. It’s not a subculture anymore; it’s its own culture with many different subcultures that have come off of it. It’s the fastest growing art movement in the last 40 plus years.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I am working on distribution for The Legend of Cool Disco Dan. I’m working on a film Wall Writers that we just finished about graffiti in 1967 and 1972. John Waters did the voiceover for that. I am also working on a couple other books and working with Sanrio on a couple of projects too.
Who are a few graffiti artists you think everyone should check out?
1. Cost (Queens, NY)
3. BLADE (NYC)
4. Freedom (NYC—the Freedom Tunnels ended up being named after him.)
5. Risk (L.A.)
What was your last purchase on your credit card?
Emergen-C at the airport in Phoenix.
What are you watching on Netflix?
I just finished watching all of this really horrible TV show that was amazing called Blue Mountain State. It’s about a football team and every other thing is like a dick joke or getting drunk.
What’s the best party you’ve ever thrown.
There’s been everything from a Christmas party a few years ago with male strippers. At a birthday party last year we had this big fat man baby bartending. A sword swallower. We had Angelyne, the original ‘80s version of Paris Hilton, come over. She drives a pink corvette. It was a win.
What do you play most on your iPod?
I still listen to the same things that I was listening to when I was a teenager: Naked Raygun, Cock Sparrer, and ‘80s D.C. bands.
What’s your screensaver?
OJ Simpson wearing gloves.
If you could wear one clothing brand from back in the day again, what would it be?
Cross Colours! I never wore it but I wish they’d bring it back so I can wear it.
Where do you get the images for your blog, Roger Gastman Talks About Everything…
I get a few dozen emails a day from my friends, or from some random person I met of fucked up, weird images and links if you can imagine. Or it’s three in the morning and I can’t sleep so I type in crazy searches into Google images and see what pops up. I have folders and folders of thousands of ridiculous image people send to me everyday. What’s on the blog is PG-13 compared to what I’d like to post, but I have clients I work with… but if you get on my personal distribution list you get some real gems.
Bazaaaaar Pop-Up Interviews: Kilo Kish
I'm Kilo Kish, 22-years-old, from Orlando, FL but living in Brooklyn, NY.
You're a jack of many trades. Can you list all of the things that you "are?"
A creative thinker, singer, songwriter, candle lover, violet-candy obsessor.
Some of your music reminds me of slam poetry put to music. What type of genre do you feel your music fits into?
None. Really I just make what I can and leave the rest of interpretation to everyone else.
Who are some of the people you've worked with on your K+ Mixtape? Who is someone you would love to collaborate it in the future?
Childish Gambino, Flatbush Zombies, SBTRKT, The Internet, Earl Sweatshirt. I'd like to collaborate with Kanye West.
What have been the most surreal moments of your career so far?
Traveling overseas and being in magazines.
If you were going on your dream tour, who would it be with and where would you travel to?
'N SYNC. We'd go to Japan, South Africa and New Zealand.
Human figures from life and floralish.
I also heard you mention working with printing your art on fabric, like home goods and beddings. What is your interest in textile design? Favorite part about it?
Pattern, print, and repetition is super interesting to me. Creating patterns is like putting together a puzzle and you can insert them into every aspect of your design.
Can you describe your personal fashion style in five words?
1. I
What musicians and artists influences you the most?
(Recently) Marina Abromovic, Tom Sachs, Egon Chiele, Charles and Ray Eames.
If you had to eat one meal for the rest of you life what would it be?
Grilled salmon, quinoa, with mixed green salad and chardonnay.
What are five things you talk about or think about on a daily basis?
My focus, shoots/interviews, food, boyfriend, mom.
What is one thing you love about yourself?
I'm always thinking myself into oblivion.
What is your life motto or philosophy?
Feel everything, work hard be nice to people.
What is the last text message you received and who was it from?
Wild Profile: Marissa Maximo, Meaningful Intentions
Get to know Marissa Maximo, UO's Director of Brand Relations and Special Projects and the curator behind our BAZAAAAAR pop-up shop, hitting both coasts: L.A. this Friday and NYC on May 9. In an interview with The Wild Magazine, Teena Kang speaks with Marissa about her wild side, her hopes of love and happiness and what will make her crack up laughing. Read the interview here and make sure to check out our street bazaar-inspired pop-ups if you're in the neighborhood! (via WILD) —Ally
Look Of The Week: Alexandra
Introduce yourself! Tell us what you do at UO.
Hi! I'm Alexandra. I am a freelance stylist for ecommerce at Urban.
What are you wearing today?
The cardigan is by Üterque, t-shirt by Rag&Bone, necklace and ring are my mother's, and the bracelet is vintage.
We've heard you are well-traveled. Where do you think the best shopping can be found abroad?
For vintage and thrift the US is fantastic! Towns vs. cities are better because you find more unique articles of clothing. In Spain the best stores I found were Le Swing, Boo, La Comercial, Santa Eulalia, and Los Encantes; it's a wonderful kitschy market. In Paris Colette, Merci and Kiliwatch are some of my favorites, along with shopping at Le Marais. In London I have always loved Dover Street market and Opening Ceremony; Portobello Road market is also always fun.
Is there a holy grail item you always keep an eye out for when shopping?
Well, there are two: the perfectly worn leather jacket and the perfect white button-down. I am still searching for both that will fit absolutely perfect.
What clothing item can you just not seem to stop wearing lately?
A leather jacket! I also just got some pieces by Isa Arfen's spring collection that are so amazing! They go with everything and anything.
Where can we find you online?
Just Instagram: @alexandritag
'Teenage' the Film: Matt Wolf, Jon Savage and Jason Schwartzman
The new documentary Teenage, which premiered this weekend at Tribeca Film Festival, takes a look at how different youth subcultures scattered across the world and throughout centuries have helped define teenage culture today. Through beautiful, super-8 archive footage paired with the recreations and narrations of four different teens (a self-destructive flapper, a black Boy Scout, a Swing-obsessed German boy, a Nazi youth girl) Teenage creates a vibrant "living collage" of history in a way that no documentary film has done before. We talked to Matt Wolf, the director of the film, Jon Savage, who wrote Teenage: The Creation of Youth Culture, the book that served as the basis of the film, and Executive Producer Jason Schwartzman, about the movie, what they were like as teens, and why adults forget what it feels like to be a rebellious youth. —Hazel
How did you all connect to make this movie?
Matt: I read Jon's book and I thought it was very compelling and I thought it could be a great film. He had just finished the Joy Division film and I just had just finished this movie called Wild Combination about Arthur Russell, so we swapped DVDs and started talking. We thought we could work together so we started a sort of Skype relationship. Eventually I went to Wales with a harddrive of footage and we started the process of etching out what the film could be.
Jason: I saw Matt's film Wild Combination and I loved it; I remembered watching it many times over the course of a week after it came out. One person I was eager to show it to was this friend of mine, Humberto Leon, who has the store Opening Ceremony. Humberto said that he was friends with Matt Wolf and later [Opening Ceremony] wanted short films for their store opening in Japan and he hooked Matt and I up and we made one together. It was during the shoot for that that he told me about how he was going to make a movie based on this book by Jon Savage and I was excited about it.
In terms of how you, Matt and Jon, envisioned the film, did you have a clear idea of what the film would look and feel like? Did you two know from the beginning that you would want to do use archival footage or sort of take this in a more artistic direction?
Matt: We could have done a multi-part television series with expert historians and talking heads, but early on we knew we didn't want to do that. I had accumulated about 70 or 80 hours of archival footage at some point while we were piecing together the film. I had a residency at an artists' colony, and everyday I edited a sort of compilation mix of archival footage to contemporary music and that was a really important part of the process for me. It made this "living collage" style we were going for.
Jon: Matt and I discussed early on that we didn't want the film to be from the point of view of adults, we wanted young people's own words. So Matt and I developed a narration where we took quotes from the book or wrote quotes that gave the teenage point of view—how it actually feels to be young. In general, the film is pretty much how we wanted it to be from the start. I've worked in documentaries on and off for years and you can get very bored with documentaries—you know exactly what's going to happen. And with Teenage, I think we've invented a new form.
Who is the audience for Teenage; is it teenagers?
Matt: Teenage, to me, is an art film in a sense. The film is also an incredible music experience. I see the film almost like a record, and the narrations are like the lyrics to the record. You can just sort of sit and experience it without looking at it. I hope fans of music are a fan. And the film isn't really about your typical teenager, it's about exceptional young people, people who think against the grain. I wish I had seen this film when I was a teenager.
Jon: Me too. Because then you realize you're not alone.
Jason: I almost wish they would show this in schools because I think it's exciting. Also, I remember Matt came to my house with a rough compilation and narrated it for me in person, and even when he wasn't talking it was beautiful to watch.
When you were going through all the footage and even watching the film now, was there a certain quote or piece of footage that really stood out to you?
Matt: The thing that was a big break-through for me was the color footage of German swing kids. The story of the German swing kids is the most moving to me because it was the story of how pop culture and politics collide. These young people were smuggling American music and culture as a way of expressing themselves but also as a subversive tactic to resist the Nazi regime. It's so punk. I also love the quote, "Before Pearl Harbor I was playing with paper dolls, after Pearl Harbor I never played with dolls again." And there's also this quote towards the end of the film, from a letter to the editor for Seventeen Magazine, that says, "I love being seventeen. I wish I could stay this age for awhile. Seventeen is that perfect spot between adolescence, which means you're going somewhere, and adulthood which means you're on the downgrade."
Jon: [laughs] I'm totally downgraded! I love the quote, "My world is speedy and they're old." That's from a book called Middletown, which is about this couple who went to a town in the midwest for a year in the 1920s and reported what they found. But, my favorite bit, is the footage of the Chicago swing jamboree in 1938 with 200,000 kids going mental. And it was an integrated audience, which is amazing, because black American music was incredibly important.
Jason: You know what's wild, and it just occurred to me, is that it blows my mind that you [Jon] wrote this book without seeing a lot of this stuff. The book and the movie, they're companion pieces in a way. Jon wrote this book without having seen a lot of it and Matt made that possible.
Matt: We were really rigorous in making sure that everything in the film is based on historical truths and uncovered history. We based the narration on primary source quotes and based our characters off of real people and that rigor is really important to us as filmmakers and historians.
Jason: Another great thing about the film is that it doesn't get into all the stuff you already know. These are the people and the stories that seeped through everything.
And tell me a little bit more about picking out the uncovered stories and building the narrations you wanted to use.
Matt: I took Jon into a recording studio and we tried narrating the story and it didn't feel authentic because he was an older person and a British person speaking about this global story.
Jon: I was terrible. [laughs]
Matt: A friend of mine connected me to Jena Malone, who came to the studio and experimented with doing voice-overs with tons of subjective quotes. I thought that worked and was an interesting way to tell a story. But then I thought, can an American girl carry this whole story? No. So, we ended up narrowing the film to America and England and Germany and race was an important part of the story as well so I added an African American character and I wanted there to be an equal balance between female and male narratives.
And there was a line in the press release I was really interested in about activism and rebelliousness, and how you point out that adults today sort of forget what it feels like to be a teen. In your opinion, why do you think there's that separation?
Matt: At the core, I think it's that teenagers represent the future because they're going to live in the next era, and that creates a lot of hope and anxiety for adults. They project their fears onto young people and it leads to a desire to control them. But why do adults forget this need for freedom and self-expression and revert to this need to control? I think it's out of fear.
Jon: And also people get beaten down by life, they really do. People get into habits and raising a family, if you do that. It also depends on temperament. I've always been a guy who's interested in the present and the future. A lot of my work is in the past but when I was a kid I was into stuff that were really cutting edge, which is why I'm excited about the film because it's so different. You have the everyman histories, the history of the normal people, but when I was a kid I hated the normal people. I never wanted to be normal EVER. With the book and the film I was interested in the exceptional people who make the change. Because, if there's no change there's just entropy and then everything turns to shit.
Matt: When I was a teen I was a gay activist, and I remember publishing this underground newspaper and dumping it in the middle of my quad and then going to the bathroom and just barfing. I didn't even think about it as brave, it was just this immediate need to express myself. As I get older I think about what people will think of me and I try not to think that way, but with teenagers, they just purely express in a very visceral way.
Jason: I do remember being an adolescent and feeling angry and sad and not knowing why. As you get older, adults need to find a reason for why you feel all these things. I have a daughter now and whenever I meet a parent of an older kid they go, "Just wait till she's 13!" *eye roll* and it's like, why the "just wait?"
Jon: It's part of that experience of separating from your parents and joining the world of your peers.
Matt: And when you're young, a lot of the time you're oppressed. I think with this film, it's really about a formative period in history in which young people were facing an unprecedented amount of oppression from their parents and the government. They were really just struggling for basic forms of recognition and to endure these struggles and define yourself under judgmental and high-pressure critique from adult society it leads towards revolution.
Interview: Blake Anderson
I'm Blake from the wildly successful, incredibly funny, moving and groundbreaking television show, Workaholics.
Who is in your Coachella crew for the weekend?
Chase Money ambassador of Austin, Trash Wang and my boo, Steak.
Where are you staying?
In the backseat of my jeep at a gas station.
Have you ever been to Coachella before? If so, would you ever camp there?
This is my second Coachella, but I'm afraid to camp there though because there are too many gypsies and witchcraft.
What color path are you following?
Uhhh...I'm just gonna say brown?
Who are the top five bands you plan on seeing?
Trash Talk, Descendents, Violent Femmes, Earl, R. Kelly. I'm always tryin' to see R. Kelly.
What brands are you going to be sporting for the weekend?
TEENAGE all day, everyday. Crap shades and a Mishka hat for those sun purposes.
If you had to create a five-item survival guide for Coachella, what would be included in it?
All beer everything
What's the best after party you've gone to and why?
Well we did roll 12 deep to a Red Robin on Sunday and shut that bitch down.
What's the latest you've stayed up so far?
Three hours past my bed time.
How do you deal with your hair in this weather?
I'm trying to come outta the festival with dreads: hand sanitizer and sand.
What's the most ridiculous thing you've seen at the festival?
The amount of butt cheeks this year were staggering. I felt like I could see the tip of every girls' butt cheeks.
What were you doing at exactly 4:20 on 4/20?
I mighta been at Mellowhype... or maybe I was at Jack in the Box? Maybe I was at a bar? Shit, I dunno.
Choose:
Second weekend. It's way laid back. I think its because everybody's brains have already been fried.
Extreme heat or cold desert nights?
Extreme heat. I don't mind when it's hot, ain't nothin that a cold beer can't fix.
More Than Just a Pretty Face: Jade McSorley
Hi! I am Jade McSorley. I’m from the North of England and I’m here in New York just for a few months.
What are you doing in New York?
I’m here with my agency, One Management.
Before the interview, you mentioned your blog. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
Yes, I have a blog called Sold Out. Basically it’s about vintage clothes because I get to travel a lot, so when I go to Italy or Paris there’s always amazing vintage shops and I’m a bit obsessed with vintage. I worked in a vintage shop, before I started modeling, for three years. My collection is a bit mental now. It’s kind of gone beyond me. I’ve got too many clothes! So yeah, I just blog about all the fun finds that I see on my travels. There are some amazing pieces out there.
Where do you think is the best country or city to shop for vintage?
I’d say that New York is pretty good if you find the right vintage stores, but Paris is amazing for cheap vintage, especially in Le Marais. There are places where you can go and get vintage, but it’s a bit crazy. Like, you’ll find loads of people in this one room—it’s like a cattle market. Everyone’s rummaging around and you’re kind of a bit scared for your life. And then in Milan you can get really good vintage. It’s quite expensive there, but it’s really good designer stuff.
Where’s the best place you’ve been sent for work?
I don’t know what the best place is. Istanbul was pretty amazing. It was just totally different than anywhere I’d been before. It was really serene. I went for a job but I asked to stay for an extra few days, so I got to just walk around. That was really different. I went to the Grand Bazaar, it’s like an indoor market but it’s full of tunnels. And everyone said, “Don’t go alone, you’ll get lost.”
Did you get lost?
Of course! But I made it out.
Do you get to do any traveling on your own?
I do try and travel outside of work. I do a lot of yoga and I surf so I try and go around Europe when I’m home and go and do a bit of surfing and go to like a yoga retreat to chill out. Gosh, I sound like such a model, don’t I? I love doing that, though. It chills me out a bit. But most of the time I’m traveling and working so I don’t really have that much time to travel. I’d love to do something for like six months to a year and just go away and travel. Maybe one day.
Where are some of your favorite surf spots?
France is quite good. I’m not a really pro surfer, so I go for small waves. But Biarritz in France is a really good place. I really want to go to this place in Barbados that’s like a surfing school, so I might go this year.
Jade, featured here in our "UO x Kekkon: The Maxi Tube Dress" April Fools video.
Well, if I’m in Brooklyn I usually just hang out with my friend, another Northern girl named Abi Fox. She’s a model too, so we usually just go out and have drinks and go dancing to a Spice Girls melody or something. I’ve been seeing a lot of Brooklyn and going to different areas. And doing tons of vintage shopping. And I’m going to a gig this week—it’s a Scottish band called The View. They’re kind of like pop-rock.
Is that the kind of music you’re into? Who is your favorite band?
My favorite is
Interview: Phosphorescent
Matthew Houck is the man behind Phosphorescent and his new album Muchacho is out now. We caught up with him on the opening night of his tour to talk about his cover art, his many hats and, of course, Willie Nelson.
How long has it been since you toured?
It’s been over a year. I did a couple one-off things and a few solo jaunts here and there, but a full-on, taking the whole shebang out on the road it's been a year and a half.
Does it feel good?
I’ll let you know after tonight [laughs]. No, it always does feel good, for sure. The initial ramp-up for it I had little reminders of why I thought I was maybe going to stop doing this [laughs], but it’s just me having a small attitude problem or something.
Like what little things?
Just little frustrations. I think it’s exactly like any other job. You have things you don’t want to do at a certain point during the day and they have to get done.
Which is the definition of a job, basically.
Precisely. I think there’s this romantic notion that I still hold on to that the reason you do music is because you don’t have to have a job, you know what I mean? You can hold onto the notion that you’re skipping that particular hurdle somehow but no.
How old were you when you started playing music?
I started playing guitar when I was like, 14.
How did it become something you did for a living?
I think I just did it. I was really stubborn, probably to a fault when I was young, but it didn’t seem like I wanted to do anything else. I didn’t go to college, so I was playing coffeehouses and busking on the streets and trying to do that thing. And again, it was just a silly notion you have about things. You’re young and you try it. I was just stubborn, I guess.
Oh yeah, all the time. I think it’d probably end up being connected to music, or writing. Those things are kind of intertwined for me.
What’s your leaving it all behind fantasy?
Probably would be something about chemistry. Or maybe zoology or something. Something where you just explore the world more as opposed to your inner psyche at all times.
Who did you listen to and what music influenced you when you were growing up?
In the early days it would be a lot of country music, early ‘80s country music, but then, same as anybody else, when I was 14 and picked up a guitar, it would have been because of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Not that many! What happens is I hold onto them until I lose them and then another one appears. This one is my dad’s and I got it when I was visiting over the holidays. The hat I had before this I had for a really long time and that was from a buddy in Texas. Judging by the photos that I’ve seen, apparently I wore it for like 2 years straight on tour. It was a great hat.
What kind of hat was it?
It had a net thing in the back and it was from Hawaii. It said “Hang Loose.” It was a good hat. But I did buy a cowboy hat to make the record cover of Muchacho.
Where was that cover shot? What’s the story behind the setup of it?
It was shot in New York in a hotel in the village. It was this beautiful hotel. To me something about the feeling of this record is dark stuff. The songs themselves are uncomfortably heavy to me, but I don’t feel like that’s the thrust of it. I don’t feel that it’s a downer theme, just an acceptance of some of the darker parts of life and maybe the seedier parts as well, and so I was trying to get something that showed that.
What was it like the first time you met Willie Nelson?
Amazing. The first time I met him was in New Jersey because he happened to be close by. My record [To Willie] had just come out, like it’d only been a month and a half, and I was in New York and I got a phone call from a private number so I didn’t answer it, but somehow he had tracked down my phone number. He’d heard the record and tracked me down. At the back of my mind I thought maybe he’d hear the record after a year or so, but not within a month or something. So he left a voicemail and said he was going to be in Jersey the next couple of weeks and to come say hi. It was so generous and so amazing.
What’d you guys talk about?
It’s weird, I’ve met several older institutions, like icon guys of whatever music, but especially songwriter-y country guys, and they’ve perfected a way of being super charming and super hilarious at all times, so we just bullshitted. It was utterly charming. Just a really sweet, charming, amazing dude and a towering musician.
What do you think of Willie’s hair? I think it’s amazing.
Oh, yeah! I think Willie has a style that’s continually amazing to look at. He’s never not looked good. Those pigtails are great.
What I'm Taking To Coachella: Jodie
Name: Jodie Mckenzie
Location: Sydney
Occupation: Minkpink designer
Have you been to Coachella before? If so, what's the best memory you have?
No, I have never been before but I've heard some amazing stories from friends and I'm really looking forward to going.
What are you most looking forward to about this year's festival?
Seeing Dropkick Murphys, Grimes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Social Distortion, Gas Light Anthem, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. And the people watching! I love festival fashion as people really experiment and it's full of color and fun and crazy inspiration!
What are you packing and why?
I like to be comfortable at a festival so I tend to go with loose layers that are easy to run amok in. I like to wear a lot of black with print and texture clashes all topped off with lashings of heavy silver jewelry. I always wear boots to a festival; they are essential to stomping around in the dirt and keeping my toes protected in the pit. A pair of statement shades and a fun tote to carry my phone, sunscreen and water are the finishing touch.
Outfit One (above)
Mania Mania and Pamela Love necklaces, rings and assorted chunky silver bracelets; Vintage Metallica tee; MINKPINK "Chevron" A-line mini skirt; Vintage hologram platform boots; Karen Walker sunglasses; Di$count tote bag; Ksubi denim vest
Outfit Two
Bona Drag tie-dye cape; MINKPINK "Fair Game" dress; Evil Twin tote bag; Mania Mania necklace; Pamela Love and eBay rings; Acne Boots; Cast Eyewear sunglasses.
What I'm Taking To Coachella: Yasi
Name: Yasi Salek
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Editor-In-Chief, Cultist Zine
Have you been to Coachella before? If so, what do you like about it?
I've been several times, but my favorite memory is probably watching a life-size cardboard cut-out of Biggie Smalls skateboard onto stage during the Black Lips set last year, which totally made hologram Tupac seem kind of unimpressive.
What are you looking forward to most about this year's festival?
Io Echo, Tanlines, Dinosaur Jr., 2 Chainz, and Modest Mouse. And The Lumineers because I will definitely be cry-singing to that "Ho Hey" song.
What are you packing and why?
I'm generally a pretty light packer because I'm pretty much Inspector Gadget when it comes to getting dressed: some slightly different version of the same look every day. Also, I'm too lazy to haul around a bunch of clothes and when you wear 90% black clothing, everything matches. Here's a break down of what I'm bringing:
Look One
Look Two
I'm a sucker for a good flannel, like this HUF one, because it's the only time color shows up in my wardrobe and because they fit snugly under my jackets. This cut-off White Lung tee is one of the many band tees I will pack, because I hate dirty shirts and Coachella is hot and gross. I love these LA Eyeworks Sunglasses because they match my flannel and also hide whatever dark circles and sorrow live underneath them.
Tees
I am shamelessly the kind of person who wears band tees to a show, even if the band is playing, because I'm just that kooky. This is the selection I will be taking to Coachella. None of these bands are playing this year, but they are all awesome and will definitely be on the line-up one day soon. I know this because not only do I have excellent taste, I am also clairvoyant. I also like long walks on the beach. Call me!
Pins
I don't really wear jewelry (besides my very difficult to read gold Cultist chain) but I like to alternate the pins on my shirts and jackets as some sort of sad attempt at accessorizing.
What I'm Taking To Coachella: Eli
Name: Eli Thomas
Location: Venice, CA
Occupation: Owner or whatever of Bagavagabonds and freelance hustler
Have you been to Coachella before? If so, what do you like about it?
Yep yep—this is my 8th year running. Worked a bunch, played at a couple, but it's kind of the perfect spot for everyone to meet up early in the year and chat about things, like what's what, etc. I really like how there are all of these insanely rad bands, both established and up-and-coming, that the masses are so keyed up to see, but at the same time just off to the left or right there is a show that ends up sweeping you away that you never even considered making an effort to see.
What are you looking forward to most about this year's festival?
Fake vacation! The work load is minimal for the fest this year, so I'm using this an opportunity to put my feet up and soak up some sun. Long past are the days of scouring the grounds trying to catch a song from every band on the bill. This year it's more about leisure—no agenda, no tactics, no time on hand.
What are you packing and why?
Function, style and comfort all need to be considered when piecing together the daily ensemble. The days are long, the weather is flippant, and it's the first festival of the year, right outside LA, right before summer, so everyone is constantly looking out of the corner of their eye to peep the new threads and trends. I have been leaning on Insight across the board for a few years now—shorts and patterned woven (Girgis is a fav), and a tank for the day, then flip it over to my favorite denim (Stooge raw) and shacket (shirt/jacket) at night. Key accessories: a hood, new Chucks I'm looking to break in, and Raen Optics. Done and done.
Look Of The Week: Melissa Mathewson
Here's our favorite look of the week: We have been obsessed with Melissa's jacket for months, and this week we were finally able to capture it on film!
Introduce yourself! What do you do for UO?
Hi! My name's Melissa Mathewson and I'm the PR assistant at UO.
Loving your outfit today. Can you tell us what you're wearing?
The jacket is from Anthropologie, top is vintage, denim shorts are One Teaspoon, boots are vintage and the jewelry was collected throughout the years.
If you could only wear one outfit every day (like Doug Funnie), what would your outfit consist of?
Probably a lot of denim (I love a good Canadian tuxedo—who doesn’t?) and tons of jewelry!
So, are you pumped for summer outfits now that it's getting warm again, or are you going to miss winter & layering (& that jacket)?
I have never been so excited for warm weather, EVER. I love wearing shorts and sandals. The less clothing the better, so I am definitely excited summer's here! Don’t worry though, that jacket's not going anywhere.
Where can we find you online?
You can find me on instagram @melissamathewson. (Warning: Dogs and food are my weaknesses.)
What I'm Taking To Coachella: Kara
Name: Kara
Location: Sydney
Occupation: Minkpink designer
Have you been to Coachella before? If so, what's the best memory you have?
No, first time going! Can't wait!
What are you most looking forward to about this year's festival?
The awesome line-up!
What are you packing and why?
Vintage patched & customized denim jacket, leopard creepers that I always wear and can dance in for hours, my Spice Girls polaroid camera to capture every minute of it (!), sunnies from UO, holographic backpack from UO, Minkpink 'In The Grass' shorts because they're a great fit and super cheeky, a '90s tattoo choker necklace and finally a vintage Harley Davidson beat-up tee!
What I'm Taking To Coachella: Nikki
Name: Nikki Tran
Location: Irvine, CA
Have you been to Coachella before? If so, what's the best memory you have?
I've gone to Coachella the past 4 years. To be cheesy and honest, my best memories are when I'm surrounded by my friends. Standing there up close listening to our favorite artist, singing along, and dancing. It's pretty much a huge party in the desert, how can you not have a memorable weekend?
What are you most looking forward to about this year's festival?
I am not too big on cold weather, so I am definitely looking forward to a sunny weekend! Filled with lots of pool parties, tanning, good music and company. The lineup for Coachella this time around is exciting all in its own; looking forward to seeing the Postal Service, the Stone Roses, Blur, Phoenix, the XX, Modest Mouse, and so many more. I can go on forever.
What I'm taking to Coachella:
LuLu's - Sixtyseven Enrica Lake Black Cap-Toe Winklepicker Ankle Boots
These shoes are my current favorite. I love that it has a one-inch heel for that extra lift. On top of that it matches with all of my Coachella outfits!
Cult Gaia Lane Flower Crown Headwrap
This is definitely a statement piece and would be perfect paired with a simple white sundress.
Minimale Animale - Jane Fonda in White
I just recently came across this bikini line and was instantly in love. I have not had the chance to wear this yet, so I'm looking forward to the pool parties!
Publish Brand - Ralston in Cream
Florals are killing it right now. One of my favorite 5-panel hats from Publish Brand. Check us out! @PublishBrand
Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer
It is a MUST that you bring some shades. Coachella or not, this pair is definitely a must-have. It goes well with practically any outfit and on top of that it conveniently folds!
The Show Off Fanny Pack
I always, always bring a fanny pack with me to Coachella. Easiest way to carry all your necessities. On top of that you can dance all night and not have to worry about holding your purse.
Out From Under Mesh V-Neck Bra Top
I am currently obsessed with mesh and can't wait to pair it with some high-waisted bottoms. Keeping it simple and lightweight at Coachella, the heat can get a bit intense!
Designed By: Duluth Pack
Pete Williams, the editor at Highsnobiety, a lifestyle site that covers sneakers and streetwear, lets us know what he thinks about our exclusive Duluth Pack duffel. —Katie
How would you describe your day-to-day style?
Stay comfy but be ready for anything. Guess you could call that "versatile."
What clothing item do you consider a must-have for every man out there?
Today: Good sweatpants. Find something that looks presentable while staying comfy and you win. Not for any situation obviously, but something you can go out with on a Sunday and not feel sloppy.
What's one fashion tip you wish men everywhere would adhere to?
Keep open-toed footwear for the beach. If you're wearing flip-flops more than 5 blocks from the sand, you're not doing anyone any favors.
Who or what influences your style?
Skateboarding is my #1 influence. Then, various music cues, mainly from the '90s hip-hop and punk scenes.
What are some of your favorite fashion magazines and blogs?
Besides Highsnob & Selectism, I'd say Fashion Copious, The World's Best Ever and Acquire. Four Pins can also be entertaining at times.
What is it you like about the Duluth Pack bag?
Domestic production is important to me—I have my own clothing line called Raised by Wolves and we make everything in Canada and the U.S.—so I appreciate Duluth making everything locally. It also looks good and is sturdy at the same time. You can beat it up and it'll look even better.
How does Duluth Pack fit your fashion aesthetic?
Camo has been a lifelong obsession and works well as an accent to an all-black look, which is something I wear fairly often. In general I like a lot of utilitarian or military styles and this Duluth duffel is a great mix of both. 
The Designed By collection will be available in select stores starting today! And don't forget to check out our Garbstore, Remi Relief and V::Room previews.
Designed By: V::Room
Matthew Henson is the Market Editor at Complex Media, and since casual style is his passion, we thought he'd be the perfect guy to tell us what he thinks about our exclusive V::Room sweatshirt. —Katie
How would you describe your day-to-day style?
My style is very simple, and more importantly comfortable. I basically have a uniform so it's really easy for me to get dressed in the morning. It's usually layered with an overcoat, followed by a sweater or sweatshirt, a button-down shirt, and a tee shirt, black or navy pants, and sneakers (shoes only at market appointments). When you are running from showrooms, to photo shoots, and to the office all day, you need to be prepared for anything.
What clothing item do you consider a must-have for every man out there?
A must-have clothing item for every man out there is a great jacket. It's one of the first things people notice about your outfit when they look at you, aside from your shoes. Your jacket should not only be nice, but it should be functional—think in terms of having a removable lining, or being waterproof.
What's one fashion tip you wish men everywhere would adhere to?
I think fashion tips in general should be ignored and purposely broken, but I would say you should not have on more than eight articles of clothing on at any time (that includes socks, underwear, and your watch, so choose wisely).
Who or what influences your style?
My style is influenced by my inquisitive nature in regards to fashion, constantly learning, working with new brands and designers before they become mainstream, and learning how to make fashion actually wearable. My parents are both very stylish individuals so it is also something I always had an interest in growing up.
What are some of your favorite fashion magazines and blogs?
Complex is of course my favorite website and magazine. Outside of that I am a huge fan of Fantastic Man, 10 Men, i-D Magazine, V Man, Sneeze, and Monocole if I want to give myself a headache. The blogs I visit often are Highsnobiety because my friend Jeff Caravalho works there, and Four-Pins is by far one of the best men's blogs around right now.
What is it you like about the V::Room sweatshirt?
The V::Room sweatshirt is great because it has a great fit, and the details are amazing. It's rare that you can find sweatshirts made in speckled cotton, so you almost immediately notice the tiny pops of color woven into the fabric. It's also done in two tone navy and grey colorway with raglan details, which is a big trend for Spring '13.
How does V::Room fit your fashion aesthetic?
V::Room fits my aesthetic because the brand is based upon simplicity. They make necessities like tees, sweatshirts, and knitwear that are all made very well in great materials and have this lived-in quality, so they end up being really comfortable, and that is why they are so successful.
The Designed By collection will be available in select stores starting 4/11. Check out our Remi Relief and Garbstore previews, and come back tomorrow for more sneak peeks from the collection!
