• photography by SANDRA MHRBERG

    stylist QIM CLAESSON

    grooming MOONA NARANCIC

    Shivers Down the Spine with Tussilago

    Written by Ksenia Rundin

    Nowadays many of us choose to avoid social contact and stay at home, amusing ourselves with reading, writing, doing nothing, suffering, pondering or simply listening to a music. And this last component we wanted to bring up, when we came up with the idea of doing interview with the Swedish music band with a beguiling name Tussilago. While preparing the interview, we wonder why we actually want to listen to music and why we don’t. How Listen to a music often results in a pleasant emotional response. Neuroscientists Anne Blood and Robert Zatorre at McGill University in Montreal conducted an intriguing study in 2001, by, with the help of magnetic resonance imaging, measuring cerebral blood flow changes that appeared in response to subject-selected music that elicited the highly pleasurable experience of “shivers-down-the-spine” or “chills.” The study also exposed changes in heart rate, electromyogram, and respiration. The final result showed that listening to pleasurable music activates brain regions called the limbic and paralimbic areas, which are connected to euphoric reward responses, similar to those we experience from sex, good food and addictive drugs.

    Already in 1956, the philosopher and composer Leonard Meyer in his book “Emotion and Meaning in Music” surmised that emotion in music is based on what we expect and whether or not our expectations become satisfied. When the audience’s every expectation was met and when no expectations were met, were found to be ultimately unsatisfying. Connecting music theory with and aesthetics to psychology and neuroscience, Leonard Meyer was among the first scholars to explore the relationship between game theory and music composition. He also suggested that the value of a musical work was in direct correlation to how well the complexity of the work engaged the listener. Besides creating their own music, Tussilago’s band members listen to a music a lot, both old pieces and new ones. Now you at least might have a clue why and become curious to test the music theory on yourself. After a two-year-long lull, Tussilago make a comeback with a new album “Sense of Me”, influenced by such names as Tame Impala and Brian Eno. The song with the same title is a co-production with the composer and musician Petter Winnberg from the Swedish band Amason. 

    How did it all start with Tussilago?
    Samuel and Rickard and Zacharias (Vacation Forever) had a band with two others previously to Tussilago, but when the lead singer left to study medicine abroad, the band became an experiment. After a couple of months our old friend Pierre came back from a year abroad, and when he took the spot as bass player, Tussilago was finally complete. 

    Why did you choose to name your band Tussilago?
    When we got our first gig we still hadn’t decided a name. Tussilago had come to mind from when Zacharias mom found a cat in a trash bin close to their home in Portugal. We were there at the time and got to take care of it together. It was named Shanti, but Rickard always called it Tussilago. We had a few options for our band name but couldn’t decide. When we had only a few hours until our first live show, we just took Tussilago and stuck with it.

    Who is your audience? Has it changed since you started?
    We have a pretty mixed audience, or actually maybe not, since most of them probably live at Södermalm in Stockholm. I remember in the beginning, when you could see statistics on Spotify for the first time, we thought it was interesting that there were something like 65 percent women listening. That has changed since, I think it is 60 percent men now for some reason. We have a really wide range of age though!

    How have you changed since 2011, when it comes to music, lyrics and the band as such?
    A lot and not so much at the same time. We still listen to a lot of the same stuff we did then, but I think we all just like a wider range of music now. The band has gone through some phases over the years but the spirit stays the same. We still jam, goof around and hit our heads over the lyrics.

    What has been the biggest challenge for you as a band so far?
    To open for Dungen. 

    How has COVID-19 affected your music and lyrics?
    A lot, but probably mostly subconsciously. What feels most different is to have a bigger amount of time at your disposal, normally we have to squeeze sessions and jams into the schedules of our lives but now everything has a slower and smoother pace. Lyric-wise, we will soon see the difference, we have mainly been jamming instrumental songs lately.

    What upcoming projects do you have?
    We have some live shows that have been cancelled that we hope will be moved to a period later on, and we are working on new material in the studio now. Stay tuned!

    Is there any dream project that you would love to do?
    To build a raft and take it to New Zeeland! With the band. One that you could live on, and make music. But it would have to be really big if we were to succeed. I don’t know, it would be great though.

    Link to one of Tussilago's latest songs Talk Talk:

    https://open.spotify.com/track/4bvjNNtOhOZUQmFkYfHxux?si­dl0THedpQJO9AWW9KlEmyA

    Pierre wears
    leathera jacket ACNE STUDIOS
    cardigan OUR LEGACY
    trousers BLK DNM
    Rickard wears
    blazer ADNYM ATELIER
    shirt & trousers ACNE STUDIOS
    Samuel wears
    smoking jacket BLK DNM
    knitted sweater OSCAR JACOBSON
    jeans ADNYM ATELIER

    Pierre wears

    smoking Jacket & trousers BLK DNM
    t-shirt & shoes private

    Rickard wears

    Leather Jacket BLK DNM
    cardigan ADNYM ATELIER
    t-shirt & trousers BLK DNM
    shoes stylist’s studio

    Samuel wears

    blazer ACNE STUDIOS
    shirt & shoes stylist’s studio
    jeans ADNYM ATELIER

  • blouse vintage COMME DES GARCONS
    skirt FENDI
    boots ALAIA

    photography by JESSE LAITINEN

    amake up YIN LEE using MAC COSMETICS

    hair LYNDELL MANSFIELD

    Interview with Wendy Bevan

    Written by Mari Florer by Fashion Tales

    Each song tells a story and opens a door into another world”

    Wendy Bevan arrived home to her hometown Los Angeles in the nick of time, right before Trump closed the airport gates to protect the Americans against COVID-19, the virus that is on top of every human's mind nowadays.
     
    Bevan has been working in London, finishing her upcoming album – a collaboration with the producer Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran). She is proud of the result and excited to release the album later this year.

    I video call Bevan, when she is back home in her classic 1930´s Hollywood Apartment. She is in a good mood after have talked to her parents in London. We start talking about the weather in California. “It´s morning and the weather is nice — a perfect day for hiking!” She smiles.

    M: Are you staying home?
    W: Yes, I will do, but I don´t have to yet. I think it´s quite easy here for me. Because in London I’d have been in a small place with lots of people. Here I have my own place, which is big enough and even includes my studio.

    M: Please, describe your home. How does the interior look like? 
    W: It’s a classic 1930’s Hollywood apartment, pink from the outside; and reminds me of a little space ship in its shape. I have a papaya tree, roses and birds of paradise in my courtyard and the apartment itself has a huge amount of natural light, which I absolutely love. Its beautiful throughout the day and the light constantly shape shifts through the windows from morning to evening. The interior is very simple, chic  1970’s meets a mid-century modern vibe. I’ve tried to design it so the shadows cast from the light are not disturbed.

    M: Tell me about your collaboration with Nick Rhodes – how did you two meet each other? 
    W: Nick and I met through mutual friends and we have been collaborating on my second album for the past 18 months. 

    M: Why is he producing your album? 
    W: We both think in a very visual way, what constitutes a huge asset for our album collaboration, including building mood boards, finding picture references that create a visual world, echoed in the music. He completely understood the sound I wanted, what usually appears to be difficult to find in a collaborator. I love the world Nick has conceived with his projects in the past, including Duran Duran. Furthermore, he still very much continues creating an amazing, rich world that stands the test of time. It possesses a permanence that makes the songs sound like they were from another world.

    M: What is your favourite Duran Duran song? 
    W: That's a tough question!! To name a few, I love; Hungry Like a Wolf, A View To A Kill and Union of the Snake. 

    M: Tell me about your new songs – what is your inspiration behind them and how does this “record” stand out from your earlier releases? 
    W: This album is one of my favourite projects so far. For me, as an artist, it’s a big step up from my past releases. It feels like we’ve captured something extremely special; Nick and I have sonically created a very, otherworldly, unique sound that is hard to put into words. We have cast a wide inspiration net for this project. Hopefully, it conjures up different feelings for every listener to relate to and question. 

    M: Do you write all the lyrics yourself? 
    W: Yes, I write the lyrics for the songs. Lyrically, it’s my world and Nick is a great source of inspiration when it comes to support and nurture my ideas. It makes my lyrics become something strong. I’m proud of my work, where each song tells a story and opens a door into another world. 

    M: What projects do you have during 2020? 
    W: This album is my main project this year, which I will be focusing on the most. Setting up up a live show and performing all the songs live is one of the things that I’m most passionate about but, may now may have to reaches how this will happen under the current situation. But, now we have the album completed, this can start to develop as we understand how to adapt to the new world. It’s an exciting time.

    M: You have fantastic outfits and are a true inspiration. Do you have any favorite boutiques? 
    W: Thank you! I have always loved dressing up. I think I got this from my grandparents, who were terribly glorious and worked in the wool trade. I also inherited my love for theatricality and costume from my parents, who were theatre actors. My grandfather's first wife, Doris Langley- Moore opened a museum in Bath, England with her clothing collection, which is still open today and where you can visit her archive. She was one of the first female fashion historians and a truly dynamic and rather scandalous woman for her time…. I’ve always found a huge amount of inspiration in fashion and costume. It informs some of the characters I have created in the past through music and pictures. There are some labels that I love older and new, but I do like to buy a lot of vintage pieces that possess real elegance and shape. Some of my favourite designers are Thierry Mugler, Westwood, Comme des Garçons and Dries Van Noten. I’m also a big fan of the newly vamped label Ganni. I particularly love their 70’s flared pants! In fact, anything with a 70’s edge, also 1940’s & 50’s is my vibe. 

    M: How does an ordinary Friday look like for Wendy Bevan? 
    W: No day is ever the same for me, as I may be in the studio from early hours either recording or taking photographs. If I’m not, I have a routine that works for me. Before working out every morning, I get up and meditate for at least 20 minutes. Later, I try to squeeze in a hot yoga class during the day at some point or go for a hike. While living in LA, it’s easy to get into a healthy lifestyle, fresh juice and amazing vegan food. Normally, I start the day by writing some lyrical ideas, I try to discipline myself into this routine otherwise words are in my head during the day and the written page is lost. By the afternoon, I may be in a rehearsal or even in the studio recording something. By late afternoon and before sunset, I try to practice the violin and spend some time practising on my vocals. Since living in LA, I have also started to draw and paint a lot. If time allows, I might spend some moments doing this during the day - it's a great creative release for me. Throughout the quarantine, I’ve been working on several different projects including a new series of surrealist self portraits.

    M: If we want to look at your art projects – where can we see them? 
    W: Follow me on my instagram @wendybevanofficial or check out my website www.wendy-bevan.com. I’m also represented by RSA (Ridley Scott Associates) for my photography and moving image work, you can follow my work there too. 

    M: What dream of yours haven´t you realized yet? Why so? 
    W: I have so many dreams, it´s hard to realize everything by now, but surely, I will one day. I look forward to the future. Mainly, it´s about remembering those dreams through the hard times and keeping focus on your long-term goals. That´s not always easy, especially when life throws so many surprises on your way. But these days, I stay focused and dream of the future with my feet on the ground. In 2020, I’d love to be performing my work more, it´s how I build my world. But, it´s hard to plan right now, no one knows what the future will look like.

    M: Which of your qualities are you most proud of? 
    W: One of the things I most enjoy about life is the opportunity to be kind to one another. I have a big heart and like to be there for the ones I love. I have been practicing Buddhism over the last few years which has changed my life perspective. As an artist, things are not always secure and life offers a lot of uncertainties. At some point, I needed to understand how to create balance, which I feel I can now easily achieve with meditation. This foundation allows me to be who I am with some clarity. Maintaining self-belief throughout your career is a real challenge that I have faced many times. It has also helped me maintain stability throughout the isolation period of COVID-19.  I’m proud of the quality of strength and courage that somehow I seem to be able to sustain no matter how hard the storm is. 

    M: Name three people that have inspired you the most in your life? 
    W: My sister, my mother and my father. They have been my foundation, my house, my day, night and sky of everything I have learned and become. As I grow in this world, my understanding of human nature has become integral to knowing and loving my family. I now can imagine having my own one day.

    dress ROTATE
    coat with faux fur CLIO PEPPIATT
    boots TOPSHOP
    jacket JEFFREY BRYANT
    leather & lace skirt CLIO PEPPIATT
    boots & gloves ALAIA
    jacket JEFFREY BRYANT
    leather hot pants R&M LEATHERS
    boots ALAIA
    corset, veil & stockings SIAN HOFFMAN
  • #odalisquestaycreative

    Written by Fashion Tales

    We are all experiencing challenging times, where our physical health and creative souls are endangered by COVID-19 and its consequences. For many of us it has also exacerbated the financial woes leaving one standing alone against the vicissitudes that the world currently has to offer. Therefore, we have started a project #odalisquestaycreative and asked our contributing friends to answer four questions in a video format:

    How do you use your creative side to adapt yourself to the circumstances caused by COVID-19?

    What have you learned so far about yourself and your business field during this crisis?

    What kind of support would help you today to survive as a creative entrepreneur?

    What do you think is the future of your business field after the crisis?

    Our intention is to share our stories and thereby to make the world aware that we — creative entrepreneurs — still exist, still active, still ingenious, and we still need constructive support that should be properly incorporated into the cultural policy.

    Let’s inspire and conceive changes together! Let’s prepare the world for tomorrow! Let’s save the culture!

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