Comply to the Rebellion

Tattoos have definitely become a 'thing' in recent years, 'it' boys and girls have been plastered all over the tabloids and internet every time they get a new inking. It has become so popular that celebrities have caused a trend with certain tattoo artists like Bang Bang NYC, known for inking Cara Delevingne, Rihanna, Adele and Thierry Henry. Tattoos are obviously not a new thing, but it has definitely sparked a lot of attention in the press in recent months. Especially with models being successful despite their inkings, when in previous years tattooed models were rejected from the runway frequently. Nowadays we have tattoo veterans and amateurs all over the runway: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Jourdan Dunn, Cara Delevingne, Erin Wasson and Freja Beha. Henry Holland even had tattooed sheer tights on his models for his SS/14 show and Marchesa also donned temporary tattoos on the models at their SS/14 show, similar to Chanel's temporary tattoo use in Lagerfeld's SS/10 show. Below I have listed a variety of female celebrities who have a variety of tattoos in a variety of sizes and places.

 

Paloma Faith has a flock of birds that are drawn up her back in a highly intricate and feminine pattern, proving that tattoos aren't just for hardcore rocker motorcyclists with tar stained beards.  Faith's four birds wind up the length of her back and play toward her eccentric character. I am not sure what the birds are, but they're not the stereotypical swallows. If they are doves then there could be a symbol of peace or if they are blackbirds then maybe the tattoo means paradise or a good omen. However, I cannot be sure, and I do not know an interview where she discusses the tattoo.

 

 Model, Erin Wasson, has a delicate collection of tattoos on both of her arms. Of her tattoos, Erin has said, "I’m the girl who just thinks up something as I’m walk into a tattoo parlor and I’m getting it an hour later."

Rihanna's tattoos get practically two times the amount of Google searches as Kim Kardashian's bum! She has an array of tattoos, ranging from her famous star scatter down the back of her neck, to the intricate tribute to her Grandmother of the goddess Isis.

 

 Angelina Jolie, has a vast collection of Asian inspired tattoos all over her body all of them having a personal meaning to her. However, the most personal and heartfelt of all is the tattoo she has on her left arm of the geographical coordinates of her six adopted and biological children as well as Brad Pitt's birth place.

 

Freja Beha Erichsen, the Danish model, has a variety of dainty quote word tattoos over her upper body and a pistol on the inside of her right upper arm. They are subject to a lot of "tattoo envy" on Tumblr, with captions on photos regularly being, "ugh, let me be her" and "omg i just love this tattoo".

 

Although not a contemporary tattoo pioneer, if Moss does it we do it, right? I mean after all Moss is boss, even Lucian Freud seems to think so as he designed the swallow tattoo on her lower back after telling her about being in the navy at about 19 years-old.

 

 

Lady Gaga has revealed her tattoos in her music videos before, and on stage multiple times. It is not until you really think about it that you realise she has so many, certainly over ten, but the specific number is unsure as her collection is always growing. My favourite tattoos of hers are the rose tattoo done by Kat Von D on her lower back and the anchor on her ribs.

Hope you enjoyed that mini exhibition of celebrity tattoos.

Until next time...

The 1975

I thought I had better write this before the boys (Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald) become big enough for the rest of the blogosphere to be posting about them around the clock.

The 1975, you've heard of them, I know you have. Whether you know the name of the band or not doesn't matter, I am sure you have listened to ‘Sex’, ‘The City’ or their biggest track ‘Chocolate’ on the radio at one point or another in the past year. If you still don't know what I am talking about, I suggest you type The 1975 into YouTube and check them out. Personally, I feel it is safe to say that I have been a fan since they first released their debut EP Facedown back in August 2012. The City quickly became a favourite of mine, with Facedown, Antichrist and Woman all firmly in the second place spot when I formed my initial list of favourites. This was before they continued to release a further three EPs and their self-titled debut album, released on the 2^nd September 2013. For now my “favourites” list goes as follows (unordered because I can’t choose the top spot between them): ‘You’, ‘Sex,’ ‘The City’, ‘Girls’, Settle Down’, ‘Heart Out’, ‘M.O.N.E.Y.’, ‘So Far (It’s Alright)’, ‘Fallingforyou’, ‘She Way Out’ and ‘Me’.

 

Zane Lowe: The 1975 In Session & In The Studio

To compare the sounds of their songs to other artists is difficult as the boys have a wide range of influences from Otis Redding to Michael Jackson. As a result of this they are a unique sounding band, making them highly popular in a time where finding innovative musical sounds is relatively difficult these days as I beleive nearly everything has been experimented with by now musically. Their songs can be beautifully eerie song composed with a pretty trickling piano playing (Facedown) and haunting vocals from Matty, with synth style sounds echoing in the background. Whereas other songs have a strong drumbeat to it (The City) that makes me play air-drums along with George. 

 In session with Zane Lowe // Radio 1

I am in love with Healy's lyricism. They are an abyss of beautiful metaphors and imagery, whilst remaining relatable, much like how Turner's (Arctic Monkeys) songs are equally viewed as accessible. In their song 'The City' the opening line is poetic and relatable, "Don't call it a fight when you know it's a war", it makes me want to break into applause before the song finishes as it is a line that latches onto your brain throughout the entirety of the song and in the aftermath as well. My favourite aspect of The 1975’s songs is that there is a lot of layering with their sounds, in ‘The City’ you first hear the drums, then the more synthetic bass line combined with Matty’s vocals. Then the guitar comes in half way through the first verse and the song just builds up to the climatic chorus.

Photo: Ruth Kilpatrick

As many people who listen to the charts know, the boys’ debut album that they released on the 2^nd September this year, reached the number one spot in the UK charts. Paste magazine described the band as ‘equal parts ethereal and synth pop’, which I completely agree with! I think there is definitely a strong element of sublime ghostly characteristics in their music, which is especially clear on the tracks 'Undo' on their 'Sex' EP and ‘Fallingforyou’ from the 'IV' EP. In comparison, ‘Heads.Cars.Bending.' is a cleverly composed song with a synth sound throughout due to all of the layered elements. ‘Sex’, ‘Chocolate’, ‘The City’, ‘Girls’, and ‘Settle Down’ are amongst the more poppy songs that have been sponged up by the young teens of the UK (and the US). Needless to say they are a completely unique band with an individual style taken from the many influences of the boys.

Matty is definitely the more vocal one of the band and really wears his heart on his sleeve, as an avid fan I love this about him. However, the translucency of social media and displaying your personality in front of the world I can understand why he is more restricted about what he says on his twitter account. One of the most endearing features about Matty is how eloquent he speaks, articulating his words in a way that is magical... to my ears anyway.

So yes, as you can see I am a tremendous fan and each song is beautifully unique and wonderful to listen to. How could you not fall in love with each of them… the raw individual voice of Matty, the intense drumming from George, the catchy riffs from guitarist Adam or the rich baselines from Ross, they create the perfect alternative rock/synth pop band.

A band that has been around for ten years and describes themselves as a "band's band" has finally released their debut album and we are certainly expecting at least a second. I hope if you didn't know these boys before you are now inclined to listen to their music, as I personally find it highly listenable and like a chameleon in the way each song is unique in their sound and emotive language.