interviews are so under-rated: Kanye West and Zane Lowe

"If you're a Kanye West fan, you're not a fan of me. 

You're a fan of yourself. You will believe in yourself"

So BBC Radio 1 has recently finished releasing  4 parts of an one hour interview with Kanye West. The interviewer is a radio personality called Zane Lowe and may I say that he is the best interviewer I've ever seen? And a big bonus that he's from Auckland! He's unlike any interviewer. He doesn't shove two-dimensional questions in Kanye's face and it's like he's a friend or a therapist to Kanye, who is overly aggressive and so "in-your-face". I love the beginning of part 3 where Kanye sheds his ego for a moment to inspire us, his fans (or his haters) to be ambitious and he's the "espresso" to get us "going". I don't even drink coffee (I'm more of a green tea person) but I'll let Kanye be my caffeine boost. 

Zane also did an interview with Jay-Z a couple of months ago in the same set up of an one hour interview divided into four parts. It's so interesting to watch because Jay-Z and Kanye are so contrasting. Jay-Z is so humble and chill, which allows the interview to become an informative conversation rather than an interview. It seriously feels like two friends just talking to each other and when they laugh, you laugh with them. Heres part 1 of the interview:

I'm really impressed by how Zane handles these interviews with these massive stars. Seriously, how was he so calm and composed? And his appreciation and knowledge of music is so vast!  It's always great to see a Kiwi being successful outside of New Zealand.

- freak out

Chatting To My Friend, Holly Rose Emery

The Budding Career of Holly Rose

catching up with Holly

While other seventeen-year-olds are only beginning to think about possible career options, Holly Rose Emery is already making a name for herself in the fashion industry as a full time model. She currently lives in New York while her family are here in Auckland. Holly hopes to become a famous model and follow in the footsteps of Kate Moss or Miranda Kerr - without a doubt she will achieve this as she possesses determination and oozes maturity beyond her years. I met up with Holly backstage at New York Fashion Week to talk about her career.

Holly closing Mulberry S/S14 
(and that's Cara Delevingne behind her)

After only modeling for one year, Holly has been booked to walk for numerous designers at New York Fashion Week, a much-anticipated event. As she walks into a frantic room of stylists, hairdressers and make-up artists preparing models for the opening of fashion week, she wears a loose, white T-shirt and grey sweatpants displaying a sense of calmness and quiet confidence. Yet there is an aura of excitement and nerves along with the strong scent of hairspray lingering in this room that is filled with overflowing racks of vibrant clothing. She greets everybody then relaxes her 6ft body into a makeup chair before she’s transformed from an ordinary 17-year-old girl to an haute couture model. I sit myself next to her with my backstage pass hanging around my neck and out of the way of the workers zooming here, there and everywhere. Makeup artists begin to paint her porcelain skin as I ask Holly about what she loves about modeling and instantly her face lights up. I can tell by her enthusiasm that she is well away on her favourite subject as she talks at full speed about modeling, “I’ve met so many interesting people, been to so many different places and I thank my modeling career for providing me with these wonderful experiences.” She shows great pride in her achievements as she lists “walking for Prada, Valentino and being featured in my own editorial in Vogue Australia” as highlights of her career so far. All these experiences would have been a distant dream for Holly a year ago but with immeasurable hard work, Holly is on her way to her goal of being a successful model.

Contrary to the stereotype of stick thin models, Holly was in fact quite a big person. Unlike the slender, elegant young woman she is today. At 95kg she knew she was overweight as she use to lounge on the couch eating nutella sandwiches while she watched Tyra Banks announce the winner of America’s next top model. “Believe it or not”, she says, “That’s when I realized I wanted to do that!” Two years of a Weight Watcher’s membership, loads of self-discipline and drive, saw Holly lose over 40kg. On her sixteenth birthday she walked into the offices of Red11 modeling agency read to give it ago. “Boom! I was signed”, says Holly with an animated grin. It is clear she knows it was the best decision she has ever made. Holly had 6 successful months of modeling in New Zealand before her agency offered her the opportunity to become a full time model overseas and Holly obviously jumped at the chance because “it was a step closer to achieving my dream.”

We may be envious of Holly’s life but it isn’t as glamorous as we perceive. While her blonde hair is wrapped around curlers, she speaks with a half-joking tone and tells me that “modeling is harder than it looks” but I know she’s being sincere. Becoming a full time model meant that Holly had to make some sacrifices. She looks a lot less exuberant when I bring up the topic as she gazes at the floor and replies, “It was extremely difficult leaving my family and friends and dropping out of school.” Holly looks at me and sighs as she reveals her self-doubts, “Sometimes I wonder if I‘m doing the right thing by leaving school and leaving family and moving out of the house”, but a smile appears and her spirits revive as she continues, “But I know everything will pay off in the end.”

Even though models have a relatively short career span, Holly plans to be in this competitive world for long time. “The secret to a successful career is to build a brand for yourself”, and through eyes of steel Holly says, “And that’s what I’m going to do.” Holly has achieved more than the average teenager but she is humbled by her journey. An organizer comes over and breaks the news to Holly that she will be closing the show and she shakes her head in disbelief, “I can’t believe this is real life.” Just as Holly is about to leave the makeup chair to get changed from her sweatpants to high-fashion apparel, I ask her what she would want to do if she wasn’t modeling but unexpectedly she leans towards me and redirects the question at me, “What do you want to do when you’ve finished school?” I respond, “I have ideas but their all just pipe dreams.” She plants her hand on my shoulder to give me the following advice:

“Keep dreaming big because you never know and dreams are able to somehow manifest their way into reality”

P.S. this was actually my english assignment so somethings are fictionalised - such as that I actually didn't go to New York to interview her (I wish). Holly's personality and quotes are genuine as she is a close friend of mine.

Mid-teen crisis: pilot episode

I remember as an 11 year old girl I just couldn't wait to grow up and be 16. Being 16 seemed so old and "so cool" but I don't remember any legitimate reasons as to why I wanted to grow up so bad. It could have been that movies and TV shows often portrayed teenage girls to have the most fun or it could have been that teenage girls were in every movie that I watched at 11 and so I wanted to be like them. Although as a 16 year old girl today, I don't understand why I wanted to grow up so bad because now I resent becoming an adult. I subconsciously associate 16 with starting a career or becoming successful and I'm definitely nowhere near starting anything but instead I'm focusing on finishing school. I hate saying that I'm 16 because I'm more than halfway to 30 and I have to think about my future now.

Growing up is one of the most scariest experiences that an average teenager would have to face. As a  16 year-old girl and in my second to last year of school, I have had to think about universities and future career options. My dream is to get paid for what I love doing whether its making music, writing or just creating art, similar to the careers of Pharrell, Jay-Z, Kanye and Tyler, the Creator. However, I highly doubt that will happen and I will most likely go with the norm and study commerce at Auckland University. I'd rather go to NYU and attend the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music but I definitely cannot afford it but I don't want to stay in New Zealand so maybe Melbourne is the next best alternative.

At school, we have to do this assignment thing where we look into different career options and what we can do to get there. It tells you to list 3 "realistic" options and I had no idea what to write without sounding delusional of some sort so I wrote down musician/composer, marketing manager (preferably at a music label) and music journalist - I obviously had to tone my ambitions down a little bit. I guess school just tries to keep your head out of the clouds but in all honesty my top career option would be:

•  A successful music artist that composes for film, writes for magazines (or possibly start up my own magazine) and design clothes. So basically, I just want to create and do stuff that I'm passionate about. The only way to make a comfortable living is that I would have to be well-known or some may say "famous" (but I hate this word). I just want to be an artist that brings all the different arts together and build my own brand. However, I know this is insanely difficult to accomplish and not only do I have to be determined but I also have to be extremely lucky.

Yesterday I was on the bus to attend Auckland University's Open day and when I saw the countless of backpacks of students walking around like a colony of ants, my heart dropped a little as I rested my head on the back of the bus seat in front of me. I hate facing the reality that I'll be going to university and facing the "real world". The world doesn't cater much to my enjoyment and fantasies - well the world that I know. I don't want to spend my life at an office wearing blouses and pencil skirts. Maybe I should explore and discover the different worlds within our big world. Maybe I'll go to New York and just meet strange people like writers, poets, comedians, performers, musicians. Maybe I'll just have to come to terms with the fact that being an artist may mean I'll be poor but at least I'll be happy.

Almost Famous
Oddly enough, I found this photo after I wrote the paragraph above.

If you're older than 16 then you'll probably find these problems rather petty but I guess they are. I'll grow up and reflect on my journey and say "it wasn't that bad." But right now I'm having a mid-teen crisis.

With all my thoughts and emotions, I think this is a perfect moment to re-read Catcher in the Rye.

-Freak out

Heres a playlist: 'Screw Stress'

What do most of us do when we are stressed?

Listen to music

From here and beyond until I finish my last NCEA exam of 2013, I know I am going to be extremely stressed and I know heaps of other people will feel the same.  So heres a playlist that could be played while you're relaxing in the bath with a burning vanilla scented candle or you can play it while you are studying your arse off.

1. Up in Flames - Coldplay

A fairly slow song with repeating piano chords and a constant drum beat complimenting Chris Martin's almost-a-whisper voice, which make this song more intimate and soothing.

2. No Surprises - Radiohead

One of my favourite songs of Radiohead with its tinkling glockenspiel making it almost dream-like or like a baby's lullaby.

3. Across the Universe - The Beatles

The Beatles were inspired by their time in India which is obvious within this song through the chant 'jai guru deva om' (which translates to 'I give thanks to Guru Deva') and also heard through the Indian guitar - the sitar and, which allows this song has a meditational sense to it.

4. Yayo - Lana Del Rey

This is a classic Lana song as it features in her first e.p Kill Kill, her debut album (Lana Del Rey a.k.a Lizzy Grant) and also in the Paradise edition of Born To Die - truly shows how far she has come. It has a more acoustic sound with the simple plucking of the guitar strings and the echoing of her vocals.

5. Chelsea Hotel No.2 - Leonard Cohen

Cohen wrote this song in memory of Janis Joplin, whom he was close with, and it has a sense of romanticism without being cheesy. I think Cohen's lyrics truly standout from the minimal production and you can definitely feel his grief through each note.

6. Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Doris Day

I love this version of this song as its jazzy and cool. The improvisation and trills of the piano compliments Doris' breathy, low voice. The subtleties of this song such as the tapping drum beat and strings really hold this song together.

7. Strawberry Swing - Frank Ocean

A great rendition of Strawberry Swing, which was originally written by Coldplay, it was re-written by Ocean as he showcases his song-writing talents over another musician's backing. The driving rhythms and electric guitar riff makes this song uplifting and just makes you feel good.

8. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

For anyone thats read 'Perks of being a wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky will know that 'Landslide' is the tunnel song that helped create the feeling of 'infinite'. Need I say more?

9. The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel

Always gotta have a bit of folk to relax the mind haha. This song is quite a percussive piece but it beautifully opens with the harmonisation of whispering vocals.

10. Claire de lune - Claude Debussy

"Classical" music is perfect for studying as it doesn't have lyrics that may distract you from your studies. Debussy's works aren't classified as 'classical' but it is actually impressionist music which relates to the impressionism movement in art. Debussy was inspired by impressionist art and mainly aims to paint a picture for the listener. Just listen to the colourful harmonies and think about what Debussy is trying to portray (if you aren't trying to memorise Shakespeare quotes for your English exam).

More than just Yonkers

Damnit, I'm developing a crush on Tyler. Everybody loves Tyler and Odd Future, especially the people of the tumblr community and the white boys that skate. I never understood the big deal about him and I thought he was extremely obnoxious. I tried listening to him and all I heard was "fuck bitches, fuck cocksuckers" or something along those lines. People may have different reasons to why they like Odd Future and stuff, maybe because their "cool"? But I sure didn't want to jump on the band wagon.

But then his latest album, Wolf, came out. I remember when I saw his video for IFHY ft. Pharrell on someone's blog and I became extremely curious and I wanted to see what Pharrell did on this track. The colourful, cartoon-esque, fake essence of the video was very entertaining and it interpreted the song in a vibrant way that would make you want to watch and listen to the music. I thought "ok, this is actually not too bad" and then I came across a review on his album on XXL (http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2013/04/album-review-tyler-the-creator-wolf/). After I read that, I thought "wow, he seems very smart. Maybe I'll give him a chance".

Then I listened to his album on spotify and damnit, it was good. It wasn't a typical hip hop album as it made the use of piano very well. I don't think I've ever heard jazz piano chords as a dominant feature on a hip hop track until I heard Wolf. Tyler has truly developed his artistry and this album is an obvious step up from his previous album, Goblin. My favourite tracks on Wolf are Lone, Colossus, Tamale and Domo23. I think Lone concludes Wolf perfectly and it allows people to take him seriously as an artist; I know I respected him more after I listened to this song. Lone bares his vulnerability as he delves into his problems and the situation of his Grandma's death while he is talking to Dr T.C, one of his alter egos. The production sounds like music a therapist would play for you to help you relax during a session or something. This is one of the more "jazzier" tracks with a saxophone leading with a mellow melody that is taken over by strings as the song develops.

What is amazing about Tyler is that he is extremely successful for someone that doesn't have any songs played on radio; all thanks to internet and technology, which he uses to his advantage. Through the creation of a large following (some call it a "movement"), he has a huge influence on today's youth culture and fashion trends. I remember last year seeing those photos of Tyler wearing a Supreme hat on tumblr and then practically overnight there was a wildfire of teenagers wearing Supreme hats and still continue to wear them till this day (but they should stop, to be honest).

He is perceived to be a bad influence but if you go past the prejudice, you'll find out Tyler isn't really that bad. Some people may not know that Tyler is straight edge, which means no drugs, no alcohol and no smoking. It is almost unheard of in our generation and I really respect him for that.

 Tyler definitely has talent, creativity and a vast imagination that he showcases as a rap artist, producer, director and designer. He states that rap isn't his main passion and he is actually planning to "retire" from the rap game. Film and directing is what he truly loves as he directs his own music videos, which is respectable and it shows he is in total control of his artistry. He has an obvious grasp on who he is as a person and artist.

I guess I've jumped on the band wagon but for all the right reasons.

- Freak out

Beyond Breakfast at Tiffany's

I just watched Breakfast at Tiffany's for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It was light, it was funny, it was cute, it was romantic = a good romantic comedy. Audrey was so playful and absolutely stunning. George was so cute, how could you not fall in love with a writer?

Its amazing how you can get a snapshot of how society was like during that time... because a few things did bug me about the movie which shows that times have changed.

Mr Yunioshi was played by a white actor, Mickey Rooney, and that annoyed me. Back then, Asian characters were often played by white actors. Of course Mr Yunioshi was portrayed as a weird (not in a good way), creepy, snarky character and i just thought he was used as a mockery of asians. This film was released in 1961, an era when racism was part of the norm and was rarely condemned. The whites had the most privilege (and still do) compared to all the other races while African Americans were fighting for their rights.

Mickey Rooney as Mr Yunioshi

Mickey Rooney

However, Blake Edwards did talk about casting Mickey Rooney as Mr Yunioshi in the 2006 short documentary, Breakfast at Tiffany's: The Making of a Classic. He said he did not think about the implications of casting a white actor to play a Japanese character and now "looking back, I wish I had never done it... and I would give anything to be able to recast it"

Just a few days ago, I read about Anna May Wong, the first Chinese actress in Hollywood, and she experienced a lot of discrimination and racism during her time. She often lost roles of Asian characters to white actors and the times she got a role she often played the antagonist, the villain, that would be killed in the end. The way Asians were portrayed in Hollywood created a stereotype of Asians being greedy, evil and ruthless. Anna May Wong's characters would never "get the man" in the films which is an unlikely ending to a film today.

Another thing that bugged me was when Paul said that he owned Holly, I don't know what way that was intended but women aren't objects that a man "owns". My liking for Paul lessened when he said that. The same idea  of him "owning" Holly was repeated when he also said to her "you belong to me" which is not the same as "you belong with me". It just did not seem right for Paul's character to say that but then again maybe it was just representative of the men during that time and the way society viewed women.

I love watching movies from way back or movies set way back but i just can't help think that if I were living in those times, i would have a terrible time and not have many opportunities. I often hear people say things like "oh i wish i lived in the 50s" because they think it looks like a "cool" time to live in and their lives wouldn't be ruled by technology. Me, on the other hand, would not like to live in the 50s. Sure, i love the clothes, the movies, the music, but i would not like to live in the 50s because i would probably be treated like crap. I'm fine with living in 2013 (even though technology does dominate my life), its not great nor perfect but things are moving forward.

- Freak out

by the way, heres a fun fact for you:

Breakfast at Tiffany's relates to To Kill A Mockingbird in a sneaky way. Breakfast at Tiffany's was initially a novella written by Truman Capote who was the basis of the character Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird as Harper Lee, the author, was childhood friends with him. 

cinematic style: My Fair Lady

I got out My Fair Lady from my local video store once before but I didn't think I could spend almost 3hrs on my ass where I could be doing other productive things even though I've watched Pineapple Express 3 times and once with commentary in the past 24 hours or so. It was ironic how Seth Rogen finished the commentary by saying "you must be high to be watching this commentary or if you're not you just wasted 2 hours"and I slightly blushed. Anyways back to My Fair Lady - I thought I would give this movie another chance after I saw some beautiful shots of Audrey Hepburn while filming My Fair Lady that were in a book of Cecil Beaton's work that I came across at the library. The film was enjoyable, I like it but I don't love it. However I did absolutely love the costumes and I could not stop staring at the screen because I was in awe of the amazing designs and also Audrey's beauty that shone through the screen but even the female extras looked fantastic.

Little did I know that Cecil Beaton actually designed the women's costumes.