Super Kawaii Mama» MUSIC

Music Review – Nico Duportal & His Rhythm Dudes

Super Kawaii Mama — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:58:07 +0000

Occasionally, only once in a while, an album comes along that is everything you dreamed of and more. An album that gives you the familiar rush of a teenage fan who plays each track over and over, never tiring of the sound. That album for me is the latest offering from Nico Duportal and his Rhthym Dudes – “Going Back to Ya”.

A good friend of mine introduced me to Nico’s sound via a phone conversation, where his enthusiasm was so strong that he sat and attempted to play me several tracks over the phone. Now while the sound quality was lacking with this method, it did nothing to dull the passion in his voice. As he said to me, “You know when music just makes your heart sing?” and I sure did.

Since getting my hands on a copy of this album two months ago, it it a rare day that I have not listened to it or at least one track. I can honestly say that it is simply impossible for me to pick a favourite tune. Every time I think I’ve landed on one, the next one comes around and I’m torn. Nico’s sound (in very technical music terms), is to die for! His voice is rich, lush, gritty and has a hefty does of ‘come hither’ mixed in. A sound known to my friends and I as “swoon worthy”. Officially you’d have to categorise the sound as Jump Blues or more commonly, Blues (but I like mine better).

The recording quality of the album is spot on for the feel of both the era and the mood. That wonderful, less than perfect sound you’ll remember from 1950′s produced vinyl albums. It’s funny because when I hear this album on my all too modern iPod, all I can see in my head is a great black and white, lo-fi clip of girls screaming for their idol. It’s that kind of good.

Here is who should buy this album- Guys who want to get a girl into their arms for a dance then a drink afterwards, Girls who like to sing in their cars, Babyboomers who want to remember their heyday, Aspiring blues singers who want to hear from a modern artist just how its done, Women who want the perfect soundtrack to their 50′s fantasies, Musicians for the appreciation and anyone who thinks that music these days has gone to the dogs.

What do you get when you cross Blues, Rockabilly and a one man band? -George Kamikawa

Super Kawaii Mama — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 03:33:03 +0000

Thursdays are so often a bit ho hum, as was today. I was wandering around the streets of Melbourne city tackling some late errands and getting nowhere, when out of the blue a sound hit me… and a great big grin lit up my face. As I made a bee line for the source of the sound, dodging trams and craning my neck to see through the throngs of shoppers, I was astounded to see a solitary man. Cowboy hat perched atop his bowed head, harmonica to his lips and a base line that made me want to jump out of my skin, I quickly pulled my phone from my pocket in an attempt to capture what I saw.

I’m told that George is well known for his thumping blues on the streets of Melbourne and I’d love to see what this guy could do on stage. In 2004 he won the Australian Country Music Busking Championship at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, so clearly his reputation proceeds him.

As I stood there mentally counting the cash in my purse, I was torn between not wanting the song to end and dying to get my hands on his latest CD. But I did wait, and I did pick up George’s new album entitled “Sliding Days”. And in a rather contradictory fashion, I then rushed right through the mall not even hesitating at the sale racks, just so I could get back to the car and immerse myself in what he had to offer.
To listen to more of his tracks check out the George Kamikawa MySpace page

…and… Breathe….

Super Kawaii Mama — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:44:46 +0000

Well now, June certainly got away from me this time! Unlike so many other industries, Winter seems to be my busiest time of the year, running pillar to post trying to fit everything into fifteen plus hour days, seven days a week. So as penance for my appalling absence this month, I’ve set aside the most of July to catch up on all the things I’ve yet to show you, all the articles half written, and all the video tutorials that are awaiting the editing room.

It’s become clear that my usual planning skills, although pretty darn good, just haven’t been up to the task of the last month; so I’ve decided to bring in the big guns and get myself a copy of the new book by fellow blogger Nicole Avery, “Planning with Kids” from the blog – Planning with Kids of course! I’ve spent so many hours in airport lounges of late, that reading and browsing bookshops has been like a spotters sport. It’s always smile worthy to see a friends name on the shelves.

I love the addition of the little plastic T-Rex on the cover – that’s often how it feels when you have two (or more) small people after your attention all the time.

In order to make sense of the whirlwind of a month I’ve had, I thought I’d do a little mini photo diary for you over the next few days. Partly to remind you what I look like, I’ve been so absent this month; also in part because it all gets so mad at times that I forget what I’ve done from day to day and it’s nice to look back and take a moment for it all the sink in.

So back at the end of May, I headed up to Queensland for the Garterbelts & Gasoline festival. You’ll remember we had a bit of a vintage shopping tour and all kinds of tiara’d shenanigans. That’s where the next six weeks of craziness began…

Because we like to travel in the style we’re accustomed too (nothing to do with how much luggage we have..) we arrived in the stretch limo, champagne in hand. Yes, I know; it already looks like trouble!

Oh so demure at breakfast as we fortify ourselves for the day ahead… but you wouldn’t believe what some of these ladies could put away!

This really had to be seen to be believed, but on Miss Nada’s plate is the biggest single scone known to mankind -and she actually did it!

Miss Nada, Me, Miss Chrissy and Bonnie Rose – hanging out and shopping up a storm in Mt Tambourine.

Do we have fun? Ummmm… well I can tell you that onlookers certainly do when we hit the streets!

The festival had a fantastic little art show, the only disappointment for me is that all the pieces I loved weren’t for sale!

But of course it wouldn’t be a nostalgia event without the Show n Shine part of the weekend. We ladies are all partial to a bit of vintage transport, and spending the afternoon wandering around through all this shiny, shiny eye candy is sometimes more than you can bare. So of course we make sure to take a few snaps of our favourite to add to the wallet as a reminder of why we need to keep on saving out pennies for a few of these beauties of our own!

Bonnie Rose shows her wild side.

Harry Deluxe, the indomitable Rockabilly chanteuse, goes with something red hot to match her red hot voice.

and me, well I was rather partial to this sleek and dangerous number.

But what about when the lights go down? Silly question – we have a good old knees up!

Candice DeVille, Bonnie Rose & Helen McLean.

Yes, indeed I do dance; in fact dancing and shopping are currently vying for first place in my list of thing I love to do.

Bonnie Rose and I propping each other up after a very long weekend.

And that’s only one weekend in May! As I said, I’ve lots of catching up to do as I get a chance to go through all my images from the last month, so if there’s something you’d particularly like to see, let me know and I’ll see if I can dig something up for you. And thanks for sticking around while I disappeared!

Xxxx!

Wintersun 2011 – Tales of a Traveller

Super Kawaii Mama — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:07:45 +0000

If you follow me on Facebook you’ll have a pretty good idea of where I disappeared to this last week. As usual, I leave town with all the best intentions of blogging while I’m away, then find myself working and or socialising every minute of the day… and night. The last week in Port Macquarie was no different, with so much to do that I somehow managed to do a whole week on no more than 3 hours sleep each night! Yes, self inflicted torture but what fun!

Having never been to Port Macquarie I didn’t really know what to expect of the town. In fact I had done so little research that it didn’t even occur to me that it would have a beach… duh. And while the weather was wintery as to be expected at this time of year, the entertainment was so hot that we had an unforgettable time.

Getting to Port Macquarie meant a 5 hour layover in Sydney (my bad planning), so I decided to be conscientious and use the time to answer emails while watching the planes taxi off. So I sat by the window, tapping away furiously on the laptop catching up on emails, when an older chap (not elderly by any stretch of the imagination), came and sat beside me. Concentrating, I kept on working away, typing like a demon until about 45 minutes later he interrupts to say, ” My you’re a busy little beaver. Is that work you’re doing there?” Of course I smile and say, “Yes, I’m catching up while I have a chance.” Imagine the stunned expression on my face when he gives me the look one gives a clever child and says, “Now who would give such a pretty girl so much work to do?” Seriously… WTF?! But the lady in me won out over my inner bitch and closed the conversations politely so I could get back to the task at hand.

Being someone who travels to all manner of places, I’m not much fazed by different locations and having to think on the fly; but one thing I always forget is that people aren’t quite used to me. So stepping off the small propeller plane onto the tarmac in Port Mac with the locals awaiting their loved ones, faces pressed up against the wire fence; my cashmere, full skirts, sequins, dark glasses and hat boxes were quite the sight! This is when you feel a bit like Moses parting the Red Sea… but it is useful for getting to your luggage quickly!

And how beautiful was the first morning…

Breakfast in the sunshine with the fabulous Miss Chrissy

I’d like to tell you that each morning was this leisurely experience kicking back in the sun, but generally we were all working so flat out that not much sun (or rain) was seen. The beauty of mixing pleasure and business on these trips is working with friends, but it does mean that you don’t really get a chance to see all the cars and performances. We spend all day at different ends of town on our various gigs, so of course when the sun goes down…. all bets are off!

My buddy Scotty Baker and I pose for another “Classic 50′s moment snap shot”, of which there were many.

So after a little healthy pizza parlour action for the crew we were sufficiently fortified to hit the town!

A little from my personal party photo album of the week…..

Casual night for kicking up the heels with a bit of Swing dancing.

The fabulous Catherine and Bonnie from Bonnie Rose Vintage

Tara from Lucky Trix, the suave Scotty Baker and Miss Chrissy.

The incredible Heather from Pretty Things Peep Show and Miss Catherine.

yes… the usual suspects.

The Rockabilly Diva Miss Harry Deluxe entertaining us at the after party.

We might possibly be the most glamorous party animals ever.

If you’d like to see even more of our rabble rousing and secret videos, check out my Candice DeVille Faceboook page. Now that I’ve managed a few good nights sleep I’m back on deck and ready to tackle the next project. Stay tuned tomorrow for a look at the big Wintersun 2011 vintage fashion parade in all it’s finery!

Wintersun – This is what you’ll be doing in June

Super Kawaii Mama — Sun, 15 May 2011 10:44:23 +0000

Winter in Australia can be really miserable what with the rain, sleet and all round bad weather; especially in Melbourne. But in June, there is one absolute lifesaver of an event that will fix every kind of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Wintersun!! This fabulous nostalgia festival has been running for the last 24 years and is going from strength to strength. This year for the first time, it is being held in sunny coastal town of Port Macquarie, where all of my favourite vintage festivities will come together.

Originally begun as a bit of a Show n Shine type of event, Wintersun has grown and morhphed into the biggest and most lauded nostalgia festival in the country. Running over ten days (yes that’s 10 big ones), there is everything from cars to pin up girls, markets, vintage fashion fairs, vintage parades, the best swing and rockabilly bands from around the country, dance work shops, fashion and style workshops (that’s me amongst others), and more retro contests and activities than you can handle!

I’m telling you about this now so you can start planning your winter get away and shining your dancing shoes. In fact, let me give you an idea of a common day at Wintersun for me…

9am – breakfast on the balcony, swathed in silk and watching the shiny, souped up classic cars drive by.

10.30am – a bit of a promenade down the street with my vintageous lasses, arm in arm as we head down to the market.

10.45am – pose for photos with cars enroute and eye off the talent.

11.00am – find beautiful vintage frocks at market; squeal with excitement and make deals as to who gets what without loosing an eye.

12.30pm – lunch on the terrace at main street, checking out dapper chaps from behind our sunnies and making plans for the evening.

2pm – Vintage fashion parade – strut some stuff.

4pm – Hanging out en’masse in our apartment, doing each others hair and talking beauty tips (yep, super girly)

5pm – Cocktails and comparison of purchases. More excitement, donning of sequins and a little dancing around the living room.

7pm – Dinner with as many suitably attired people as you can muster, all descending upon a local establishment where Mojitos are on the menu.

8.30pm – Arriving at the first band venue

Until at least midnight – (or 3am for some of us)- Continue to dance until you can’t stand up, laugh, joke, chat and give those vintage frocks the time of their lives.

….. then do it all agin the next day!

So just what is in store this year? Well read on and click through to Wintersun’s VINTAGE ALLEY for information and ticket details for each event. Be there or be Square!

Tickets for all Wintersun events can be found here!

And you know what… you can even apply to be the next Face of Wintersun!

So book your tickets, pack your suitcase and come hang out with me vintage style!

WIN a Double Pass to see Imelda May in Australia!!

Super Kawaii Mama — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:00:12 +0000

So, as it turns out I’m not the only lass with a famous blonde curl at the front of my hair. My twin of the tresses is about to hit Australian shores in March and rock (abilly) the socks off this country! Imelda May kicks of her national tour on the 2nd of March in Byron Bay before bringing her sound to a venue near you.

Here’s what’s been said in her press release…

“

Chart topping Irish Songstress and Rockabilly Queen, IMELDA MAY is coming to Australia.

Since being handpicked as a virtual unknown by Jools Holland to perform on his show in 2008 Imelda May’s career has gone into overdrive. Signing to Universal Music, the sultry songstress has dominated the Irish album charts. Her stunning number one double platinum selling debut “Love Tattoo” has remained in the top 12 for 29 weeks, with hit singles Johnnys Got a Boom Boom and Big Bad Handsome Man attracting massive airplay.

Mayhem her brand new Album debuted at Number one in the Irish Charts and landed top 20 in the UK. Not only that, Imelda is the first Irish female solo artist to top the charts with an album of original material in a staggering 14 years. And it doesn’t stop here.

Awards have flooded in for Imelda, including ‘Rising Star of 2009′ by Hello magazine, ‘Jazz Artist of 2009′ by The Times and ‘The Next Big Thing’ by The Daily Mail and the coveted Meteor for Best Irish Female 09.

2010 got off to an auspicious start when Imelda accepted an offer from Jeff Beck to perform with him at the Grammys. This was followed in April by a two-night support slot in London with one of her idols, Wanda Jackson.

This year Imelda performed at Glastonbury, T In The Park, Womad and Ireland’s Electric Picnic as well as touring the UK in May and September. She also has three songs – including the legendary “Johnny Gotta Boom Boom”, and forthcoming single “Mayhem” featuring on the soundtrack to the new “Wild Target” film starring Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt and Rupert Everett.

“The problem with an artist like Imelda May is that she’s so good, it makes a critical review almost impossible to write; her performance is flawless.” Clash Magazine”

This is where you are right to start getting excited. Want to sample a bit more? You can have a listen and get your free download of her new track Sneaky Freak here.

And here’s the good news for you - you can WIN a Double Pass to the Australian performance of your choice!!!!

How to enter –

Share a Shout Out of your favourite Super Kawaii Mama post with your friends.

You can do this on Facebok, Twitter, your own blog, a forum… anywhere that gives you a URL of your Shout Out that you can paste into your comment entry. Yes, you can provide a screen capture for your entry if you can’t provide a URL.

Leave me a comment on this post that includes the URL to your shout out.

(Please state if you are over 18 years of age as this is an 18+ event only. Read the terms and conditions for more)

Entries close at midnight EST FEBRUARY 27th (to give the winner time to plan their big night out)
The WINNER will be chosen by random number generator according to the order your entry is posted in the comments. So the more times you Share a Shout Out and leave another URL to each one, the more chances you have of winning!!
AND there is also a FANTASTIC runners up prize…..

A personally autographed copy of Imelda May’s latest Album!

Terms & Conditions-

Entries are open to anyone living in Australia and able to redem their prize during the available Australian concert dates.

Super Kawaii Mama reserves the right to redraw a contest winner, should the first drawn winner not be able to accept the prize for any reason.

Please note: The concerts are OVER 18+ events. In the event that the winner is UNDER 18, the Runner’s Up prize will be allocated to this individual and the draw will be conducted again for a 1st prize winner of legal age.

All tour dates, venues and ticket details are available on the official website here.

What do Spring Valley and Elvis have in Common?

Super Kawaii Mama — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:57:44 +0000

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.

You cannot possibly be a fan of vintage style and not have a little Elvis Presley in your life. Given, you may not be a full blown, dressed in white lycra and diamantes fan, but no doubt there will be at least one Elvis song that will get your hips swinging and your lips grinning.

Growing up, Elvis was present at every family Christmas singing “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you”. He often kept me home from school with sultry eyes and ukulele playing in “Blue Hawaii”. Even now I can’t escape his heady mix of sensual vocals and rock n roll attitude; when ‘Milk Cow Blues”, gets playing in my car its likely you’ll see me singing along at the top of my voice, eyes half closed, and hopefully, pulled over by the side of the road!

So when I saw the brand new Spring Valley television commercial, they already had me hook line and sinker, as Elvis crooned his way through “Spring Fever”. In fact, I kept on getting stupidly excited every time it came on the telly; both at the song itself and what a cool match it was for the sweet flavour of the juices too.

Anyhoo, Nuffnang and Spring Valley got in touch with me so I could help spread the word that you too can own a complimentary copy of Elvis’ “Spring Fever”! Spring Valley are giving away the Elvis track that features in the new TV ad. In fact this track is not available in Australia so this is a money can’t buy opportunity. Theres a limited number of tracks so pass this onto your friends and get downloading quick. Just click the special Elvis Spring Fever for Spring Valley link, and enter the special promo code “319 – SPRINGVALLEY”, and follow the prompts

I’m also quite partial to the ridiculously cool images they’ve used in this clip of fantasy animals in a perfect green world of rolling hills, cherry blossoms and flowing streams. I wonder if they’ll turn this one into a screen saver, ‘cause I could watch it all day. So even though we’re fast approaching Autumn here in Melbourne, it’ll always be Spring time with a little Elvis in my life. Awwww..

Head over to the special Spring Valley and Spring Fever and get your very own piece of Elvis and Spring Fever!

Kitty Daisy & Lewis in Melbourne!

Super Kawaii Mama — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 01:29:20 +0000

Okay, I was really really excited about this news. The moment I fond out that Kitty Daisy & Lewis were hitting Melbourne, I hit up the ticketing outlet as fast as I could. As it turned out they had only one Melbourne date and that clashed with my upcoming overseas trip. Boo. So Mr SKM did some quick rearranging and next thing you know I had my tickets to go and see this talented family for the first time! Yay!

If you haven’t heard about this group yet, check out this video of one of my favourite songs.

Know who I’m talking about now? This is one bloody talented family!

So when the evening of the concert came around, we all got tizzed up in the 40 degree heat and headed into town.

It was really, really hot still even though the sun was on its way down. So combine that factor with a sweaty dance venue and standing for hours and I had to make a creative outfit choice.

The dress is by the fabulous Bernie Dexter and is worn with one of her petticoats underneath. The bag is a denim and pink bow studded number from Yes Style. The cowboy boots I found at Retrostar and where just perfect for the Hillbilly sounds of Kitty Daisy & Lewis… as well as the standing and walking to be done!

Not only are Kitty, Daisy & Lewis very talented young siblings, but they brought their parents to play with them! Mum on double base, dad on guitar, and those ‘kids’ tackling every other instrument known to man, (almost).

I also have some video footage of the night, but thanks to a stupid new file format that the camera I was using was set to, I now have to go through a whole process of conversion that is going to require two computers! I’m still doing it though as I refuse to let it get the better of me… so stay tuned later in the week to see what I shot.

Anyway, it was a great night out. I’ve been really enjoying seeing so much live music of late. It has been years since I’ve had the chance, what with small children and all, but now that they are a bit bigger I’m heading out every chance I get. Especially considering that live music here in Melbourne is an endangered species with the current venue licensing legislation… that’s a whole other story.

All the fun I’ve been having in town here recently has inspired me to go searching for something different on my next trip. I’m heading to Thailand and Singapore next week and thinking how much fun it would be to seek out local bands and see their take on my favourite music. So if you have any recommendations for great locations and or bands, especially in Singapore, do let me know and I promise to take some cool footage to share with you of those too!

Showing Melbourne how 50′s is done

Super Kawaii Mama — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 01:00:19 +0000

The last few weeks have been a couple of the biggest and busiest I’ve had in a very long time. December is flying past in a blur and I’m only just today beginning to think about Christmas. I’m kind of surprised my body has managed to keep up the pace what with all the working, partying and coming in at dawn.. eehemmm..

I’ve posted a few shots on Twitter as the week progressed but I’ve put together a selection of my favourite pics from the last week to give you a glimpse into the goings on.

We kicked off last Thursday with opening night for The Ultimate Rock n Roll Jam Session in Melbourne with a seriously fun photo shoot and the cover of MX!

Ezra Lee and I looking all 50′s glam.

The wonderful Helen McLean came along and took some great shots of the morning too.

There was a whole lot of larkin’ around going on with the boys, (sorry Dave, I couldn’t resist) as they jostled for position over who was going to get to drive the Cadillac. (That would be none of them!) But we managed to stop traffic quite effectively that morning, and one poor punter even went totally upside down crashing into a park bench as he couldn’t take his eyes of the scene!

Even though I was running around like a crazy person, Mr SKM and the rest of my family still managed to come and see the show on opening night. How’s this for an iPhone photo of Mr SKM and I? I’m so impressed by the quality of these.

Fashion note: Mr SKM’s shirt is from Route 66 and my dress is an original 1950′s sequinned wiggled dress! It even has a matching jacket to go with it. Sigh…

An after show Christmas party saw me faffing around with some $2 shop holly to fashion into a last minute headdress backstage.

Lipstick note: I know you’ll ask so, this lipstick is a super cheap $3 one found at Priceline; “Poppy” by Savvy DB.

Then this Friday was an even bigger night again as we had a short spot on the 7pm Project, 50′s Friday to run and then get off to see The Reverend Horton Heat concert too!

I must have had about 30 or more dancers out on the pavement as well as all the boys and my lovely pinup girls. We made quite a sight outside the theatre!

Some of my lovely friends who helped out on 50′s Friday, Katie Cupcake, Nada and Miss Meg.

Friday night’s outfit was a special custom made dress from Something Else Clothing and it is simply divine! A scarlet red cotton sateen that fits like a glove.

Can I keep it? Please?

Then after all these evening shenanigans I headed off to see The Reverend Horton Heat at Billboard with friends and another very special ‘Flame’ dress from Something Else Clothing made just for the occasion!

It has been an absolute whirlwind and and absolute blast these last few weeks, so I am very ready for great big Christmas nap. Bring on the pudding and the brandy!

The Reverend Horton Heat in Australia!

Super Kawaii Mama — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:29:07 +0000

On the scale of cool things to do, yesterday ranked right up there for me. I was privileged to spend a little time chatting with Jim Heath aka The Reverend Horton Heat as he and the band kick off their Australian tour. After twenty five years in the music industry, The Rev (as they have affectionately become known) are claimed by many a music fan as one of their own. Psychobilly, Rockabilly, Hillbilly, Country… no one can agree where to pinpoint their sound, and this is but a part of their incredible appeal.

Their latest album, Laughin’ & Crying With The Reverend Horton Heat, has become one of my regular pre-party albums. With some of the funniest lyrics you’ve ever heard, combined with a cracking pace and instantly recognisable guitar riffs; this is one album that burns itself into your brain and will give you a case of the D.T’s when it’s not on hand. But ‘Laughin & Crying” is only part of the story when it comes to this tour.

Jim and his crew bring a red hot serving of slappin base, driving rhythm, and iconic vocals, leaving no doubt that these guys are every bit the legend that proceeds them. The evening covers highlights from their best of the best, ensuring that every moment is a hero moment; each punters grin wider than the next. And while you may think its all high octane, The Rev have a nack for picking just the right pace that even saw a little slow dancing by the bar and snogging in the corner. Frankly, it’s a bloody great night out with your mates, boots on and beer in hand. And if you don’t already know the words to each and every song, your trigger finger will be itching to hit up iTunes before you even make it back to the car.

DO NOT miss this one while they are here in Australia. I for one will be back at Billboard in Melbourne this Friday to see them again in true Texan style.

Tour dates and tickets details for The Reverend Horton Heat in Australia, can all be found here – along with the limited edition Tour Wine!

And yes, here’s what you’ve been waiting for… a look at my audience with Jim “The Reverend Horton Heat” Heath!