Molly Donahue, formerly of the band Love Story, recorded her first solo album this year, entitled Metal Alvin, which is due out at the end of this month. In addition to this, Molly also has a photo blog where she records her life separated into different segments- namely, “eats,”(food) “out of doors,”(nature) “animalia,”(animal friends) “noir”(spooky landscapes) and “people and places.” Friend, fan, and fellow flower girl, Frances Tulk-Hart, sat down with Molly to discuss the inspiration behind her new project.

Frances Tulk-Hart: Hey Molls, I had so much fun shooting you for your new up and coming album, Metal Alvin. Can you tell us a bit about it starting with the rather obscure name? Where did Metal Alvin come from?

Molly Donahue: I had a blast shooting, too. Metal Alvin just sort of came out of nowhere one night, hanging out with Renn and Jason (Love Story band members) and leaving obscure comments on websites. I guess you could say I used it as a ghost name and it just sort of stuck. I like the way it looks on paper and think it rolls off the tongue nicely. People will hate it or not understand it and that’s okay. Such is life.

Frances: What was the inspiration behind the album?

Molly: I’m at a place right now where I’m really missing the woods and open land and the quiet, and i think that is pretty evident in the songs. Oh, and birds. They make quite a few appearances throughout the album…

Frances: This is your third album, but your first solo album. How was it working on your own as opposed to collabing with  your old band “the love story”?

Molly: The Love Story was pretty magical. We fed off of one another easily and songs just formed out of thin air, no composing required. That’s a pretty special thing and made it really easy to be in a band. It helps that they are two of my dearest friends. But I started out as an extremely shy musician. Still am, actually. My dad was my only audience until I began sending Renn Cassettes via snail mail. This album has been a long time coming. It’s very quiet in comparison to The Love Story, which is on purpose.

Frances: You are also a rad DJ. Which band or singers do you think you have a similar sound to? And where do you play?

Molly: Hmm… Vocal-wise I’ve been compared to everyone from Dolores O’Riordan to Siouxsie. They’re both huge compliments but I don’t hear it at all. I just hear myself. It’s hard to separate yourself from your own voice. And Metal Alvin live? We shall see. I have mind-buckling stage fright.

Frances: If you could have any pop star, dead or alive, over to your house for a dinner party, who would it be?

Molly: Oh man, Kurt Cobain. I was 14 when Nevermind came out. That’s a shape-shifting age. How about I go with the less cliché answer and say Liz Phair. Exile in Guyville is a perfect album, start to finish. Her lyrics are brilliant. and she inspired me to learn to play the guitar.

Frances: If the race for the presidency ended up being between Sarah Palin and Kim Kardashian, who would you vote for?

Molly: Ha! Wow. That’s a nightmare in the making. Politics are so depressing. If I have to choose I say Kim Kardashian. I’d rather the earth be plastered in makeup than covered in an oil slick, though I guess they are essentualy the same thing. Humans can be such monsters!

Frances: And finally, what was your New Year’s resolution? Did you figured one out?

Molly: Just to live long and prosper. Is that a Star Trek quote?

You can buy a CD, download an MP3, or buy a cassette by clicking here (yes, you read right. You can still buy a cassette).
Photos by Frances Tulk-Hart

Tony Cederteg is undeniably all things creative. A publisher, editor, designer, art director, musician and a friend, to name a few. In the beginning of December he surfaced as Jony and released a 7-inch vinyl entitled Fartygets Fingrar in an edition of 100 white transparent copies. In keeping with the “more than meets the eye” spirit the first 50 copies came with two CD-R records (Sibirien Series Vol. 1 & Vol. 2) and 23 new additional songs recorded on a cell phone and computer, along with a small booklet of lyrics. No, he’s not a Transformer. Yes, he does enjoy a good bottle of water and a bag of chips. Click “Read More” to enjoy his music and to watch the projects two music videos, directed, respectively, by Todd Jordan and Adam Saletti.

The Still House Group is an artist-run arts community based in New York. Founded in 2007 by Isaac Brest and Alex Perweiler, they have produced numerous exhibitions in New York and Los Angeles. This Friday, December 2, they will present Riffraff, a show curated by Cecelia Stucker, in Miami. The reception will be from 7-9 pm at 23NE 25 St. in Wynwood. These photos were taken during June and July of this year by Peter Sutherland, the collective’s first resident. To see more images, click “Read More.”

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the current The Lake & Stars ad campaign comes this pole dancing video featuring the lingerie brand’s fall/winter 2011 collection. The film, which can also be seen in The Lake & Stars’ new BOFFO pop-up store, is an abstraction of pole dancing. It aims to highlight the strength of women and underline their power rather than their frailty, as well as provide a community of dancers supporting each other in tandem positions. The film features two former Rockette dancers, a principle dancer from The Lion King on Broadway, and two world-class award-winning competitive pole dancers, each reiterating the force of femininity and the possibility of embracing one’s sexuality while still emoting power and control.

In the midst of this year’s CMJ festivities, WDRKMR (Alexander Iezzi and Jordan Robin), caught up with Los Angeles-based musician Chelsea Wolfe. They  found her at stylist Jenni Hensler’s Williamsburg loft for a rainy afternoon of dress-up and conversation.

WDRKMR: Photographing you was especially fantastic because of your visible transformation when you get into wardrobe and in front of the camera. Can you tell us about how style and performance affect you as an artist/musician?

Chelsea Wolfe: I really liked working with you guys too. I found traces of flowers scattered down the stairs later. I’m one of those wear-on-the-outside-what-you-feel-on-the-inside sort of people, so getting dressed or dressed up has a lot to do with what’s on my mind or heart any given day. Lately I’ve been really inspired by layers, furs, leather, and jewelry that doubles as a weapon or armor. I don’t consider myself a visual artist at all, so trying to bring together clothing that suits the music is a good challenge for me..

WDRKMR: You started with theater, didn’t you? Were you playing music all the while or did you transition from one to the other?

Chelsea: I didn’t start with theater, actually… I mean, I’ve been indirectly involved with things of that sort my whole life, but it took me a really long time to feel comfortable as a performer and not just someone who records and stays hidden. I’m naturally a pretty hermitic person.

WDRKMR: Either way, there is a very theatrical quality to your music not only because of styling and performance, but there is also a sonic drama that matches the mood of your look. Which would you say comes first? Does the music develop from the mood, or does the mood develop from the music?

Chelsea: They work together. I’m always trying to create an atmosphere and a film screen within each song. I want something bigger than sound.

WDRKMR: Can you identify a moment when your interest in fashion came to be? How would you explain the role of fashion in your work?

Chelsea: I’ve always been interested in fashion, and of course being able to follow collections from afar on the internet helps create constant inspiration. I didn’t understand what sort of silhouettes I wanted or needed for a long time, I would just wear layers of black. But now I’m experimenting more and trying to find the right shapes for me and clothing that brings together form and function. I need to be able to move around and breathe and know that what I’m wearing isn’t going to come apart. I like straps and laces and clasps. I can’t stand wearing something that feels like it’s going to fall off if I move an inch. I like things that look medical or strangely oversized or out of date. Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Alexander McQueen, Mordekai, Iris van Herpen…

WDRKMR: What draws you to the dark and often occult objects that you use in styling? For example the detailed headpieces, oversized spikes, horns, etc. We noticed Jenni had a lot of symbolic accessories for you.

Chelsea: I think it’s an affinity for toughness, warriors, nordic folk and white trash… and something elegant mixed in. Kind of black metal in a less blatant way. Yes, Jenni does an amazing job of understanding my all-over-the-place influences and bringing them together in a cohesive way.

WDRKMR: How do you identify yourself and your work? Would you say that Chelsea Wolfe is a musician, an artist, or something other?

Chelsea: I think musician and artist are the same thing for me. I approach music in a way that has privacy and integrity and is influenced more by film, visual art, books, than by other music.

WDRKMR: Would you say you have a different persona onstage or on camera than off? What are the similarities and differences between Chelsea Wolfe onstage and Chelsea Wolfe offstage?

Chelsea: No, pretty much the same. A combination of shy and rage. I am pretty moody, not a jerk, but my mood ranges in extremes within a day, show, hour.

WDRKMR: We have been interviewing a number of people working in different creative fields, we’ve found that while disciplines and process change, there are two constants in the creative world: wandering and dreams. Would you say that these things are part of your process? Also, do you remember your dreams? Can you tell us about a dream you’ve had?

Chelsea: Well, last night I dreamed that Rei Kawukabo brought me some Comme des Garçons dresses in different shades of red. Usually my dreams are very elaborate, like little movies, with lots of colors and shapes. When I was younger I had night terrors, I would scream in my sleep, but really I was just having these repetitive, maddening dreams about one singular object growing large and small over and over. I think it helped shape my perspective of size and distance, which is really kind of off. If you didn’t mean literal dreams, I’ll say I also find dreams as in goals very important. It wasn’t until I started admitting that I wanted to succeed as a musician that I found a single ounce of success. And I still have a very long way to go!

WDRKMR: Can you describe what your process is like?

Chelsea: Creative process? It depends. Sometimes inspiration hits me out of nowhere, like a crush, you know? And I just become obsessed with something without really knowing much about it, or him, or her, and I follow that inspiration wherever it leads. But sometimes I’ll do research on a subject and fill my head with words and pictures pertaining to something that intrigues me and write songs and work on things that way.

WDRKMR:  Are you originally from Los Angeles? I am. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the unique creative energy I find in LA and how it differs from New York, or another city where there is a bit more of a street culture and a more confined space to walk through the streets. I spend a lot of time walking with my headphones and thinking of ideas, but in LA there is a different way of using the place to find inspiration because of car culture and the way the city is set up. Is there somewhere you go or a location you find inspiring? Do you use the city in your creative process?

Chelsea: I’m from Northern California, on the outskirts of the capital city. I think the place I grew up influenced me a lot. A big, old, overgrown house across the street from the train tracks and next-door to a railroad museum. Something about forward-motion and nature mixing with humanity. I’ve lived in LA for a year and it has new inspiration. This glittering darkness, the constant sun and smog, dirty and sparkling. I love it. I’m constantly surprised by new areas of LA and the different feel each place has. I don’t mind car culture because I’m not really one to be out in the open a lot. Walking around with a lot of other people makes me paranoid. But I do love New York and I think in a setting like that I’m able to actually forget that anyone is around me and just pretend I’m alone. If I ever get nervous onstage I use that same trick.

Photographs by WDRKMR (Alexander Iezzi & Jordan Robin)
Styling by Jenni Hensler

Top image: neck piece made of broken mirror shards, made by stylist; gloves, Dolce & Gabbana; dress, Gemma Kahng; headpiece, Bevel

Second image: chain headpiece, Mordekai; neckpiece, Gris Gris; dress, Mandy Coon

Third image: fur arms, Logan Neitzel; tunic, Gemma Kahng; skirt, Mandy Coon; belt and wrist cuff, Mordekai; headpiece, Bevel

Fourth image: neck piece made of broken mirror shards, made by stylist; gloves, Dolce & Gabbana; dress, Gemma Kahng; headpiece, Bevel

Fifth image: fur arms, Logan Neitzel; tunic, Gemma Kahng; skirt, Mandy Coon; belt, rings and wrist cuff, Mordekai

Sixth image: metal halo, Mordekai; leather top, Gris Gris; vintage lace top, Christian Lacroix; skirt, Timothy K;
gloves, Dolce & Gabbana; ring, Bevel

Seventh image: fur arms, Logan Neitzel; tunic, Gemma Kahng; skirt, Mandy Coon; belt and wrist cuff, Mordekai; headpiece, Bevel; belt, wrist cuff and rings, Mordekai

Tonight, November 17, a two-person exhibition of photographs by Heather Boose Weiss and Danelle Manthey is opening at Susan Eley Fine Art. Gallery One will features a dozen silver gelatin prints of landscapes by Boose Weiss, and in Gallery Two, ten ink jet portraits of individuals in color and black and white by Manthey. The show, entitled Winsome/Awesome, addresses the two artists’ relationship to nature and movement, as well as individuality.

Winsome/Awesome will be on view through December 30 at 46 W. 90 St., 2nd floor, NYC. The gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am-5 pm and by appointment.

This Thursday, November 10, Arts & Sciences Projects presents Proof of Purchase, Christa Joo Hyun D’Angelo’s first solo exhibition in New York City. Proof of Purchase investigates the contradictions embedded in advertising, global consumer culture, and the underlying motives deep within the new millennial psyche. Click “Read More” to see more and see you there.

Our friends at Family Bookstore are having an opening reception and book launch signing for the LA-based Rap group OFWGKA. Golf Wang features captured moments these friends have spent together and features work from Odd Future, Vyron Turner, Wolf Haley, Brick Stowell, Taco Bennett, Lucas Vercetti, Julian Berman and Sagan Lockhart. I imagine it should be an interesting evening. Here is some music to take you out. Click “Read More” for specifics. Onehundred.

These images are from Heavy Metal Family, a photographic series by Simon Cave that took him into the parking lots of metal concerts across the state. Hardcore fans turned out to be anything but. They were friendly, inviting and there was an unexpected camaraderie even amid the chaos. That’s the thing about true fans – they embody a character or image wholly and fully, and couldn’t care less about trends or brands. Coming from the fashion world, where ‘characters’ are constantly being manufactured and are highly produced, Cave says it was utterly refreshing to be surrounded by such authentic, organic characters. Or people, rather. Because the images from Heavy Metal Family show just that: normal guys living hard, every day. Click “Read More” to see more from the series.

Photos by Simon Cave. Text by Lily Kwong

Turn on, tune in, and drop out – it’s August. Avant-turntablist and our friend Maria Chavez made a mix that is sure to put it in perspective. Download it, put it on your e-square or e-rectangle and see you out there. For more of Maria, you can check her site for upcoming performances here.