FontyFest

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Click Click Boom

Jim Marshall by Tim Mantoani 501x720 Jim Marshall

“I love all the musicians – they’re like family. Looking back I realize I was there at the beginning of something special, I’m like a historian. There’s an honesty about this work that I’m proud of. It feels good to think, my God, I really captured something amazing.”
- Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall is one of my favorite rock photographers, who captured so many iconic images and rock stars. Jim died in 2010 at the age of 74, but he leaves behind a legacy captured on film. Since we are about to embark on a week o' music, I thought it would be fun to revisit the golden age of rock and roll - and I wanted to give Mr. Fonty a little 30th birthday present inspiration. Originals can be bought HERE

The Beatles

Johnny and June

Cream

Peter Frampton

Allman Brothers

Joni

Bob Dylan

Dylan

John Coltrane

Jimi Hendrix

Mick Jagger

Jerry Garcia

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Splurge vs. Steal: SXSW

SXSW gives the music go-er many fashion hurdles. The day usually begins around 11 am (if not earlier) and doesn't end until at least 1 am. In between is a lot of walking, sunshine, and beer drinking, and in my experience, there is never an opportunity to run home for an outfit change or to apply some blister blocker. So dressing appropriately is of the utmost importance.
The most important tip is to wear comfortable shoes. I don't understand the girls who are able to ~~hobble~~ walk around in 5 inch heels all day. This season's ankle booties are the perfect answer to staying stylish, while being foot-conscious. Another issue is the heat which quickly turns to cold once the sun goes down. Packing a light sweater that easily fits into your bag without being bulky or heavy, is a must. And while we're talking about bags... a cross body bag will be your best friend. It keeps your shoulders from aching and allows you to fill your purse with all sorts of free cds and swag.

J Crew long sleeve top
$50 - jcrew.com

Madewell striped top
$45 - madewell.com

Rag bone silk top
$325 - rag-bone.com

Alexander Wang striped top
$547 - boutique1.com

AG Adriano Goldschmied denim jean shorts
$220 - stylebop.com

Lauren Conrad stretch denim shorts
$31 - kohls.com

R2 round toe boots
$40 - tillys.com

Etoile Isabel Marant bootie boots
$580 - barneys.com

Forever 21 long strap handbag
$16 - forever21.com

Chloé mini handbag
$665 - net-a-porter.com

Old Navy round frame sunglasses
$9.94 - oldnavy.gap.com

Miu Miu logo sunglasses
$390 - miumiu.com

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Tunesday With George: New Multitudes

This isn't your average super-group, and this isn't your average tribute album either. New Multitudes is a Woody Guthrie-inspired project, featuring the amazing collaboration of Jay Farrar (Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo), Will Johnson (Centro-Matic, South San Gabriel), Anders Parker (Varnaline), and of course Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket). Much like the two Mermaid Avenue albums by Farrar's former Uncle Tupelo co-frontman Jeff Tweedy (along with Billy Bragg), this album taps into the unrecorded song notebooks of Woodie Guthrie. The result is at once both timeless and timely. I recommend buying the deluxe version on iTunes, because you get a full albums worth of extra songs (11, I think).

Monday, March 5, 2012

Going South By Southwest

Friday marks the beginning of the annual 2 week long music, film, and technology festival in Austin, TX - South By Southwest. Mr. Fonty has been going every year since 2005, and this will mark my sixth year as a tag along. The music portion kicks off next Tuesday, but this nearly 30 year old body can't handle that many days in Austin, so I will be joining the fun on Thursday, March 15.

The term "festival" doesn't accurately describe what SXSW really is. Every restaurant, bar, and grassy knoll large enough to hold an amp turns into a make-shift music venue, and there is live music oozing from every orifice of the city from dawn until well into the dawn of the next day. It is an exhausting week of activity, and I can't wait to get to the mayhem.
South By, historically, was a place for unsigned bands to create buzz and get noticed by industry folks. As the event has grown, and with the rise of music bloggers and everyone with a computer having a voice, the buzz starts humming about bands well before their vans hit the Travis County line.

Barton Springs
One of my most favorite places

Because the buzz on bands builds so early - and the pop-up venues are so small, you can't go to South By with your heart set on seeing any one show. Each year, I create an exhaustive list with about 6 shows at any given half hour. This way, no matter where I am in town, I will always have a show to see. Neurotic? Completely. Useful and used by everyone I know in Austin? You know it.

If you're going to SXSW, let me know who you're excited to see. Here is my UNOFFICIAL schedule and my OFFICIAL schedule. I'll have my top picks for South By in the coming days. I'm devoting this week to all things music - since it was music that brought me to my Fonty in the first place!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Splurge vs. Steal: White Lightning

'No white after Labor Day' is one fashion rule I love to break. I wear my white jeans year round with no shame. Here is how you can take your white jeans from winter through the spring thaw.