CITIZENS OF FARAH is launching for SS12
Mercury Prize nominee, Ghostpoet, is about to embark on the international leg of his tour. For those of you who missed out on his sold out Scala gig, good news! A new London date at Koko has been added (although you will have to wait until 2012 before you get the chance to catch him).
Renowned for his dapper style and pared back but amazing performances, this show is one not to be missed.
Ghostpoet’s album, Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam is out now.
Our friends at Attic Clothing up in Scotland have recently opened a new store in Inverness. Tomorrow we celebrate the launch of the store with a special window display and party. All are welcome, so if you are in the area from 4pm, pop in for 10% off and pick up a goodie bag, courtesy of yours truly, too. Details below.
Winter’s back – with a windy vengeance! Stay warm and stylish in our product of the week, the wool jacket, featuring elements like a concealed button fasten through; four branded press stud fastening pockets on the front (with two detailing open side pockets) and adjustable buttoned cuffs. Now available online at Size.
Over the years Music Journalists, designers and fans alike have discussed and described their favourites when it comes to album cover art. Not just the front cover to the music, album art has grown into an ever changing and highly collectible area that see artists fighting to support bands, and bands using more creative, off the wall imagery that wasn’t present years ago.
The artist talent of many photographers and illustrators from inside and outside of the music industry have produced an array of cover art of the years. Mick Rock is notably one of the most legendary for this – a photographer often referred to as ‘The Man who shot the 70’s’, first met David Bowie in 1972 and from there became an honoured iconic in the Music/Art world. His back catalogue of album art is extraordinary, notably Queen’s ‘Queen II’ album and ‘Transformer’ by Lou Reed. Artists also dabbled in album cover art work which caused waves within the Industry, an stand out example of this was the Velvet Underground Cover produced by Andy Warhol.
Collectors of music-related illustration, design, and photography worldwide have been able to build their personal collections of album cover-related fine art through the efforts of galleries and publishers that specialise in these types of work too. These include the St Paul’s gallery in the UK and the PopRock Gallery in the US. You can visit the St Paul’s gallery site here.
Since 1910 musicians have associated visual arts with their sonic output in the form of the almighty album cover. Most artists use it to set the tone of the album, others as a representation of their band, homage to artist they respect or in some cases for sheer shock factor. From the LP’s of the 50’s to the CD’s of the 80s. Whether its photography, a painting of computer generated image – millions of album covers grace each music fan with a small piece (4.75 inch) of Art history every year.
Here are our favourite 10 Indie Album covers.
1. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
2. Jens Leckman – Night Falls Over Kontedala
3. Arctic Monkeys – What Ever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not
4. The Decemberists – Crane Wife
5. Dinosaur Jr – Farm
6. Neutral Milk Hotel – Areoplane Over The Sea
7. Santogold -Santogold
8. Damian Rice – O
9. Modest Mouse – Loneseome Crowded West
10. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Tattoo’s have long been an integral part of the many fashion and musical subcultures. Whether they’re used to express individuality or as an act of rebellion, they have always been the one thing that links different types of people from all walks of life together. Much like Farah, who has always been a friend to the fashion outlaws and misfits, from the Rocker-billy’s to the Mods, Farah has always celebrated the expression of individuality!
BERT GRIMM
Tattoo’s take on many different styles and themes, however the most established and worn style is the Traditional tattoo – from swallows and roses to homeward bound sailing ships and mermaids, the romanticism of traditional tattoos remains the same.
PERCY WATERS
The traditional style dates way back to the 1920’s, when Farah was born, with pioneers such as Percy Waters and Bert Grimm leading the way, tattooing sailors and circus acts! Bert Grimm who operated the oldest continuously run tattoo parlour in the US inked up many a sailor waiting to leave port with romantic motifs that still inspire many of the tattoos we see today.
BERT GRIMM
Percy Waters who made his name tattooing many of the great circus acts during the 1920’s and went on to own the largest tattoo supply business in the world. Bert Grimm operated the oldest continuously run tattoo parlour in the US inking up many a sailor waiting to leave port with romantic motifs that still inspire many of the tattoos we see today.
Farah prides itself on taking inspiration from subcultures juxtaposed with a rock n roll attitude. Favored by many different scenes – Indie, Rockabilly, Punk, Teddy Boy – the brand is all about adding that individual vintage inspired edge to your wardrobe.
With the new ‘Fenn’ Vintage Flannel shirt available now for £60 from Urban Outfitters a definite pyschobilly vibe can be picked up.
The psychobilly lifestyle has been around long before many current Farah fans were even born. Born in the seventies the scene is a mixture of punk and rockabilly, an amalgamation of all things music orientated, New York, CBGB’s and science fiction.
Psychobilly gained underground popularity in Europe in the early 80s- moving across the pond to the states in the 90’s. Since then the advent of several notable psychobilly bands has led to its mainstream popularity and attracted international admiration.
The cramps were one of the first bands who led this trend.
Much of the sub cultures look borrows from the 50s. Rock and roll was a big influence. Men often teamed black and colour checked shirts with creepers and Dr Martens – some seeing it as a transition from the earlier Teddy Boy movement with a more punk edge. Tattoos were common and an individual sense of style was essential.
We collaborated with Dazed & Confused on a hunt to discover today’s ‘Tribes’, those people whose personal style expresses their individual identities. Check out the piece on Dazed Digital.
And here are the finalists close up, as chosen by ourselves and Dazed. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled. Tomorrow the article comes out in print and we announce the winner. Tenterhooks.
Last Friday marked the opening of a Farah Vintage pop up store, in Cheshire Oaks. The store will be open for three months and it carries the key styles, from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection.
London based indie rock band The Vaccines, are currently touring the globe with their debut album, ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines’. Having played this years infamous SXSW Festival in Austin Texas, the band are making a lot of noise everywhere they go. To celebrate the announcement of their performance at this years Glastonbury festival, we have 3 signed copies of their new album, to give to 3 lucky winners!
To win, all you have to do is answer this simple question:
What was the name of The Vaccines first single? Was it…
A) Wreckin’ Bar
B) Wreckin’ Far
or C) Wreckin’ Car
Email your answers to: farahcompetitions@pery.com
GOOD LUCK!
Check it out – Frankie and the Heartstrings have been kind enough to give us 3 signed copies of their only-just-released album, HUNGER. Well, we’re not the type to keep things to ourselves, so we’re sharing all three with you. All you have to do to win one is tell us what lead singer Frankie’s surname is (here’s a clue – he’s one of our Artrocker Icons…) That’s it, easy as pie. Post answers to our Facebook wall. WINNERS CHOSEN AT RANDOM. Competition closes Friday 18th March at noon. Good luck!
