Monday, September 10, 2012
Studio Soundtracks:
Party On With Ch-Ch-Chen
Parisian DJ Louise Chen a.k.a. Ch-Ch-Chen kicked off our SUPER NASTY Party at the Westway during NYFW with a set that got everyone on the dance floor and hyped for live performances from Blood Orange and Syd Tha Kyd. To keep the party going, we asked her to share a few of her favorite songs and Nasty Gal finds.
“Girls, Girls, Girls” by Jay-Z
“This song is kind of the anthem to the Girls Girls Girls party, I definitely had this song in mind when I baptised it.”
“I Love My Bitches” by Rick Ross
“I went to Philadelphia with a few girlfriends for the Made in America Festival last weekend, and we had so much fun that we kept telling each other how much we loved one another. Ahh, hoe-mance!”
“Clique” by Kayne West feat. Jay-Z & Big Sean
“The latest leak off Kanye’s Cruel Summer mixtape is a crazy club banger produced by Hit-Boy that features mind-blowing verses by Jay and Ye. I’m obsessed with this song at the moment.”
“Gypsy Woman” by Crystal Waters
“One of my all-time favourite tracks to play out in clubs. It’s sexy and feminine and yet it’s got a touch of melancholia. It really gets the best dance moves out of everyone.”
“Do! Do! Do!” by Carte Blanche feat. Kid Sister
“This song is my Pandora’s Box to a never ending thread of good memories! I’m madly in love with it, just like the first time I heard it.”
“Found Love” by DJ Kiff
“I’m really into Jersey music lately and it’s introduced me to some really cool sounds. This DJ Kiff remix is my ‘getting ready to go out’ song. I admit, I play it on repeat and my neighbours hate me for it.”
“Morning Sunrise” by Weldon Irvine
“Someone very dear to me made me discover and love this song. Now I think of them every time I hear it AND every time I hear it sampled on Memphis Bleek and Jay-Z’s ‘Dear Summer’. Bonus!”
Shop Ch-Ch-Chen's Nasty Gal Picks
Rebel Hot Shorts
The Kink High-Rise Jean
Moonrise Romper
Clear Platform Boot
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Studio Soundtracks:
Now Playing At Nasty Gal HQ
We’ve been known to get (almost) as excited about discovering an amazing band as we do when we find the perfect pair of shoes. Since we often wear them out just as quickly, we decided to ask our music-obsessed team what they’re currently playing on repeat.
“1991” by Azealia Banks
“So this song has been out for a bit, but the video just came out and it RULES. Can we please talk about the styling?! Such an amazing nod to mid ’90s R&B and Hip Hop.” – Liz, Vintage Buyer
“Let’s Talk About Sex” by Salt-N-Pepa
“I’ve been playing MTV Party To Go 2 nonstop since I found the CD in a storage bin when I was back home in NJ. I think it definitely deserves a revival.” - Kelly, Junior Buyer
“Angels” by The xx
“The xx’s new album Coexist, and the first track “Angel” is my fave. Sure, it’s super similar to their last album, but still rad as shit.” - Saga, Merchandising Assistant
“Bombay” by El Guincho
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of blasting this jam from El Guincho. It has some of the coolest imagery of any video ever.” - Dee, Assistant Apparel Designer
“Jewellers Heart” by The Bats
“Because it’s everything I could ever want in one song.” - Houman, Sample Coordinator
“Busse Woods” by Acid King
“It’s the perfect thing to listen to on Mondays (or Tuesdays) when my brain is already functioning at 1/3 of it’s normal speed.” - Alex, Production Coordinator
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” by Bob Dylan
“I can live by a line from almost every song he wrote, and right now it’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”.” - Chloe, HR Coordinator
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Studio Soundtracks:
Back To The Future
Since Nasty Gal HQ is abuzz with excitement over our first collection, it seemed only natural for it to be the inspiration for this week’s soundtrack. From Kraftwerk, the pioneers of electronic music to a young David Bowie floating in space, it’s time to turn up the tunes that blast vintage into the digital age.
“Das Model” by Kraftwerk
“Kraftwerk pioneered a digital sound that was way ahead of their time with minimalist beats and an almost robotic stage presence. Though almost any of their songs would have been perfect for this playlist, we’re pretty into the variety show-meets-vintage model mashup in this video.”
“Space Oddity” by David Bowie
“Even though this is one of our forever favorites, we only recently discovered the original video for “Space Oddity” from 1969. Bowie puts a psychedelic spin on 2001: A Space Odyssey, featuring Major Tom floating into the unknown with chiffon-clad space babes.”
“I Feel Love” by Donna Summer
“Since no soundtrack would be complete with a little disco, we had to include this Donna Summer classic that influenced the beginning of techno music. After first hearing “I Feel Love”, Brian Eno famously said, ‘This is it, look no further. This single is going to change the sound of club music for the next fifteen years.’ Enough said.”
“From Here To Eternity” by Giorgio Moroder
“ Another disco legend, Giorgio Moroder actually collaborated with Ms. Summer on some of her most iconic tracks. We’re pretty sure it’s impossible not to start dancing as soon this song from comes on. In fact, I’m dancing in my chair right now.”
“We Are Your Friends” by Justice v. Simian
“This collab from Justice and Simian Mobile Disco was the official club anthem of 2006, and it’s still one of the most fun songs to shout out with your friends on the dance floor.”
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Studio Soundtracks:
The City That Never Sleeps
A killer playlist sets the mood for every party, and with ours just weeks away, we’re getting inspired by one of NYC’s most iconic institutions. CBGB defined the punk music scene of the Seventies, setting the stage for most (if not all) of our favorite bands from the era. This one goes out to the place that will forever rule rock & roll.
“Hanging On The Telephone” by Blondie
“Debbie Harry is one of our eternal style muses, so of course Blondie is a studio favorite. I love everything about this video from their 1978 album Parallel Lines, and it even comes with a sing-a-long in case your in the mood for some karaoke after a few drinks.”
“Kimberly” by Patti Smith
“This is a live video of Patti Smith performing in 1979 at CBGB. She’s perhaps one of the most famous artists to explode out of the nightclub that brought the punk to the forefront of New York City. “Kimberly” is a gem on her immaculate debut Horses.”
“Spanish Stroll” by Mink DeVille
“Okay, I have such an obsession with this song that I use it for my alarm clock, and am still not tired of it! Willy Deville was another CBGB staple, and his eclectic mix of rock n’ roll and world sounds makes him a great amongst the greats! He also just so happens to be one of my personal style icons, and we share the same birthday (this Saturday, August 25th!).”
“Pet Sematary” by Ramones
“The first thing that pops into my head when I think of old school CBGB is dudes in stripe tees, moto jackets, and shaggy hair…oh wait, that’s The Ramones. They are totally the poster boys for New York punk in the late Seventies. I could probably play this on repeat all night.”
“Innocent” by Garland Jeffreys
“This song was used in the amazing NYC film “Times Square”, which has probably one of the best soundtracks EVER! I scored a copy on vinyl at Amoeba, and it’s a staple on my record player. Anyway, this song has an awesome “rebel without a cause” feel, perfect for a busy day running around town!”
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Studio Soundtracks:
Sounds Like Teen Spirit
As kids of the Nineties, we’ll forever have a weakness for the albums that played on repeat in our bedrooms while we chatted on AOL did homework. From Nirvana unplugged to The Smashing Pumpkins, here are a few of the videos we stayed up late to watch on MTV.
“The Man Who Sold The World” by Nirvana
“This was one of my all-time favorite Nirvana songs growing up, and that’s saying a lot. But seriously, how could you not love Kurt Cobain covering a Bowie classic?”
“No Rain” by Blind Melon
“One of the ultimate feel good songs of the ’90s.I’m pretty sure it’s impossible not to have visions of bumblebees dancing in your head as soon as it comes on.”
“Violet” by Hole
“Hole has inspired everyone from rebellious ’90s teens to Tavi Gevinson and Meadham Kirchhoff, and for good reason. Love her or hate her, there’s no denying Courtney Love takes girly riot to a whole new level.”
“Talk Show Host” by Radiohead
“No offense to The Cardigans, but this is definitely the best song from my worn-out Romeo + Juliet soundtrack. It has all the angst that embodies Leo Dicaprio’s love-may-kill attitude in the movie.”
“New French Girlfriend” by The Auteurs
“In the same vein as Oasis, these Brits exude dreamy alt-pop vibes. “New French Girlfriend” is a favorite of mine from their second album, Now I’m A Cowboy.”
“Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins
“Hands down one of the coolest videos and songs EVER! Thats all.”