I had quite the inner turmoil back in December whilst deciding the feature roster for the first two months of the #FindOutFriday segment. Deciding who I wanted my first 'holiday' special to feature around was no walk in the park; I mean there are so many different avenues a Valentine's post could take...all of the norm, which I'm not ashamed to admit I considered. The 'Hearts and Flowers' approach, was always going to be a safe bet, right?
So off I trotted to put the 'run of the mill' into motion. Intent on targeting girlies circa 13-24 years with 'vocal love' offerings from male pop hunkage - preferably in triplicate - an idea struck me...why not give you the most popular gift around this time of the year; only without the inevitable bump to Weight Watchers' subscriptions (no pun intended, I swear...)?
And for that added (personal) entertainment boost, why not pit the Girls against the Guys, and make the two battle it out to prove who really does this L-O-V-E thing better? And so the first ever #FindOutFriday Battle of the Sexes Special was born! I'll be your Judge and Jury for this contest of Titans, where I asked 10 representatives from different avenues of the Music Industry, the same question...
What goes into making the Perfect Valentine's Mixtape?
From Making the songs to Breaking them to an unsuspecting public; who does it better? Whether drawing from their own works or calling for 'Big Gun' backup, fighting dirty is encouraged! So without further ado: Let the Battle commence...
ROUND ONE: SONGWRITING
Sherii ven Dyer vs. Lekhem
@SheriiVenD
Starting for Team X, Sherii ven Dyer is a part-Indian, part-Jamaican, part-Cuban Singer-Songwriter that you may recognise. Most well-known for her days as lead singer for girlband Made In Londonamongst many other accomplishments (like backing Gwen McRae on her 'Girlfriend's Boyfriend' anthem); Sherii is now building quite the solo name on the live music circuit. With her wealth of experience, you can bet she has a recipe for how to make perfect love music... "The best mixtape would definitely need a touch of the old school, like the Bee Gees 'How Deep is Your Love'. Most definitely add some Robin Thicke 'Lost Without You' and then I'd have to add my own love tune to the mix, 'Heart Skip A Beat'!"
Your favourite 'Jamerican', Lekhem is first up to bat for Team Y. Not only do we get the viewpoint of a Rapper and Producer in our very own BakaBoi; but the added Writer's perspective from ESP's self-proclaimed 'Alien Resident' makes him a delectable 3-Course Meal...
@LekMuziq
"As a songwriter, I believe that the best thing you can do for your music is be honest within it. Having the ability to tap into emotions and then to express them through music is a very honest process within itself. Once that mentality is used in the creation, the music will always be reflective of life stories, as they are real and soulful. With a Valentines mixtape or project, making music that speaks to the Soul and the libido are what’s in order.
Using experiences with fantasy is often a great way to express this. Think of those times when you're snowed in with that 'Special Someone'; or it's a rainy day and you just spend the whole time enjoying each other’s company...When you’re upset with each other - once that anger has gone, the mad fury of lovemaking that would follow...Or when you randomly miss that person, even if they've only just left your presence...
Valentine's Day is seen as a time for Love. Make the music that best portrays that and you will never go wrong."
I don't know about anyone else but the flavours of this Caribbean Takeover left me hungry! It was a tough one, with Legends and an RnB Romeo in the mix, but...
ROUND ONE (SONGWRITING): WINNER - LEKHEM FOR TEAM Y
So the musical love notes have been penned, it's time to involve a Mic, right? It's Picasso versus Plachy for this one, as I call on two Singers who literally sing colour...
ROUND TWO: VOCALISTS
Alex Mills vs. Mike Hough
@AlexMillsMusic
Alex Mills may hail from Northern UK's greenbelt; but it's that black belt in Vocal Mastery that has her sharing stages and (musical) bars with the likes of Tinchy Stryder and Wretch 32, before her own first album's release. I caught up with her backstage after this week's MASSIVE Musicalize performance...
With his own legion of 'Houghlians', it's a safe bet that Mike Hough knows a thing or two about how to command boudoir attention...
@MikeHoughMusic
"For me its about delivery...Sex music and slow RnB are key to a sexy mixtape for Valentine's day, so I would focus on lyrical content and style. I think it's about the way you deliver as an artist. You wanna set a scene, make that lady feel sexy and passionate when she hears the way that you're 'singing' to her, so you gotta put your heart and soul into that.
I'd think about putting myself in that situation, how I would wanna treat that lady and make her feel good; so I'd sing through the Mic as if I was singing directly to her, and let her feel that. Lyrical content can be taken into a world of imagination, but for me, it would be in a respectful way. No lady wants, nor deserves, to be spoken of like a piece of meat, which some 'RnB' Singers can do whilst making a Valentines Day/lovemaking track. So its about selling the song and music in a way that makes her feel special, simply through a lyric. For me, music is all about being able to personally feel something and connect to it...So I would want to make that."
Another tough one! The girls are going for serious artillery but the Boys...well they do keep coming with that personal element that makes it all the more special don't they...Sorry Alex, I don't think I have a choice here:
ROUND TWO (VOCALS): WINNER -MIKE HOUGH FOR TEAM Y
But what about that other form of 'flow'? Ladies don't just Love the likes of Cool James for the most enticing nervous tic in the history of...well, Lips...Or the impish smile...or the washboards, or...well you get the gist. There has to be more to the formula; after all, don't Rappers need love too?
ROUND THREE: LYRICISTS
Amplify Dot vs. Drassick aka DIGITAL
@AmplifyDot
Dotty is that 'Hood Chick' endorsed by Missy Elliott early on, for her fire flow. I know I've yet to leave one of her shows without gaseous afflictions (I've sought medical attention, A.Dot's 'Short, Back and Sides' mixtape has been prescribed in regular doses). 'Pretty Hard' by definition; She was also kind (and brave) enough to join Team X's cause ahead of her EPIC set at Musicalize...
"A great Valentines mixtape is all about Slow Jams. As long as you've got those on smash you're good. A bit of H-Town, maybe some Marvin Gaye, Maxwell, D'Angelo, Drake - job done! "
Drassick aka DIGITAL aka Mr Pretty Brown Eyes aka North London's finest, is no stranger to coming up with 'The Goods' that get girls smiling. So what's the 'DreQuation' for sealing the deal?
@drassickuk
"Making the perfect Valentine's mixtape is all about the mood. The selection needs to stimulate her mentally, then everything else will follow. The songs need to have vivid expressions of love and affection, with rhythms that kiss the heart. As a Rapper, it gives me the perfect opportunity to say a lot of things that I always want to in general. I say them anyway, but with the Valentine's season I can show my feelings the best way I know how. I’ve never been an artist who’s afraid to express my emotions towards women. In all honesty, I love writing songs for them! I like to capture the imagination of my listener, and use my story-telling capabilities along with my experiences to create a soundtrack for the bedroom (living room, or kitchen...even the stairs if I'm doing my job right :D). The perfect Valentine's mixtape would be one that you can play from start to finish, over and over again while you're with that special someone.
Late greats, modern classics, take your pick. For me, the era of music a song comes from is completely irrelevant. It’s ALL about the emotion and the honesty that you feel. If an artist can make you feel their love, then that makes the music perfect to me. That's what I aim to do in mine, every time."
Oooooh, Drassick WOULD have taken that one for me, but Miss. A.Dot got a body blow in there - the first to draw for Marvin! Sorry, Dre!
ROUND THREE (LYRICISTS): WINNER - AMPLIFY DOT FOR TEAM X
So now the ingredients of your Passion Punch are mixed; but how do you package your perfect blend?
ROUND THREE: PRODUCTION
Lady Vengeance vs. Dready
@LvOfficialBeats
Also known as LV, Team X's Lady Vengeance is more than a force to be reckoned with. Known for managing the Street Team for one of the UK's top female MC's, in addition to her hugely impressive Production credits (be sure to check out her 'early days' edits on this version of the 'Stomp the Yard' soundtrack), this is one contender primed and ready to take out the competition!
"As a female Producer, to create the perfect Valentine's Day mix I'd have to set the mood. For me it's associated with Romance, Love, Desire and Passion; so I'd have to pick the artists and songs that I feel really express all of these things.
You have to have some old school classics in there along with some new tracks. I would start off with a little bit of bounce. You don’t want to go straight in with the real slow jams, you want to build up the feeling:
Marques Houston - Clubbing
Kanye West - Slow Jams
Drake - Would You Love Me
R. Kelly - Bump n Grind
Destiny's Child - Cater 2 U
Usher – U Got It Bad
Az Yet - Hard To Say I'm Sorry
KC and Jojo - All My Life
Frank Ocean - Strawberry Swings
Maverick Sabre - I Need
Tyrese - Nothing on You
The reasons for my choices are that the songs I have chosen have that sexy feel, but also a nice energy to them which everyone can vibe to. I feel that all set the right kind of mood. Even though some are not love songs, they still have that romantic element to them and the vocals also carry you away to a magical place.
To round the mix off, I would have Charlie Sloth hosting as the ladies love his voice."
A personal favourite 'Specialist' of the one and only BUSSABUSS, Dready is well-known for giving Goliaths their fight music. With credits in the catalogues of everyone from Wu Tang to Duran Duran; Dready has clocked up more than Air Miles since his days with So Solid...
@Dready10
"Everyone has an opinion on love songs for a valentine's mixtape, but if your mixtape does not consist of Stevie Wonder or Luther Vandross, you are MAJORLY flopping yourself!!! LOL"
Now...I'm not going to lie; Dready delivered some SERIOUS competition here. 1: he brought STEVIE. I mean come ON...That alone is enough to take out most competitors. 2: Do you see the t-shirt? That's near decapitation, right there! BUT. LV came out swingin' with strategic seduction and that, for me, was something of a Bedroom Battle in and of itself...Hmmm, I need a moment here... Ok. After CAREFUL consideration...
ROUND FOUR - PRODUCERS: WINNER - LADY VENGEANCE FOR TEAM X
You see the heat from the kitchen already, and that's before the final feast is served! Now, if ever there was a time for a 'Big Finish' ,so to speak (behave yourselves); this has got to be it. I had no choice, but to call in an audio ANNIHILATOR for each team...Who else has that 'Good Food Itis' before dessert?
@djnikkibeatnik
DJ Nikki Beatnik is a deck-destroying SUPERSTAR on a global scale. One half of 'Beatnik' with fellow awesome Super-Producer (and brother), Statis; uberstylish Nikki is one of Kelis' personal tour DJs, in addition to the newly-solo Nicola Roberts. Her reputation as Time Out Magazine's Best Female DJ was only solidified further when the Urban Music Awards crowned her Victorious over her male contemporaries last October. GAME ON!
"If you are making a Valentines Mixtape for someone you care about, make it from the heart, put your loved one's favourite tunes on there, from Jodeci to Nirvana. Mine would definitely have to include 'Say I'm Your Number 1' by Princess."
Slaughterous! I could call the whole thing just off of this, but that would not be fair...Team Y what can you possibly come with after that? Ohhhh yeah; I suggest a bib for this one, it's about to get MESSY...
@Ace_UK
DJ Ace, a Radio 1Xtra resident with his trouble-making partner Vis for over 10 years now, is far more than a National favourite. Also Manager to another of the UK's Top 10 MCs and the talented sounds of an 'about to blow' RnB Angel, the Striker for the Boys shreds sound systems in worldwide venues on a regular basis. It's only fair that Team Y get a Global Fight Star for the final round:
I can't even know what to say to this one...I'm officially speechless! Team X...you know I'm quite obviously partial to you, but Ace involved PROPS - come ON!!!
Alright, I think we all know there can only be ONE Winning Team. If I'm honest, I really thought I knew who had this in the bag when I drew up my teams, but after carefully reviewing each entry, for each round, merit versus merit, I'm ready to rule:
The WINNERS of the first ever EricaSharlette Promotions Ltd.
Battle of the Sexes - Valentine's Special is.......
(is someone drumrolling?)
TEAM Y:
LEKHEM
MIKE HOUGH
DRASSICK
DREADY
ACE
I'm sorry Ladies, but I have to concede, this time around, the Boys did it Better! Comiserations to Team X - Glamazons, your Battle was VALIANT! Special mention to the members:
TEAM X:
SHERII VEN DYER
ALEX MILLS AMPLIFY DOT
LADY VENGEANCE
NIKKI BEATNIK
I have to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to EVERYONE who took time out to be involved with this week's feature. It was something of a mammoth undertaking, but despite some technical issues, I got to bring you what was my most enjoyable feature yet!
I hope you enjoyed the Battle as much as I did! Don't agree with the ruling? Let me know why in the comments section!
Well this is one I've been waiting for a justified opportunity to do for quite some time...Though the most hyperactive of the ESP family, Drassick is actually the quietest, something you wouldn't necessarily be aware of unless you really get to know him, and well.
Packing a pretty-boy, pint-sized punch; DIGITAL aka Drassick is far more watchful and more reserved than his energetic persona would suggest; making him the hardest nut to crack, as even I found when I (tried to) put him in this week's hotseat...
SO, Andre Drackett! Your turn has finally arrived...(D: Wait, can I change my mind? Don't really remember agreeing to this anyway?) I know those other two have you scared, so we'll start off easy...
1. You have two professional names that you are known by. Explain their origins:
Well 'Drassick' came from a friend of mine that I'm not gonna name and shame...But he could never pronounce 'Drackett' when he was intoxicated by substances I won't mention (laughs), it always came out as 'Drassick' so it just stuck! 'DIGITAL' I've had for longer than I can remember; it was gonna be my stage name as it's what most people know me as, because I'm always being around electronics and a little bit obsessed with them.
2. You've been quiet on the external front for some time now, re-emerging in the middle of a major re-brand; why did you feel the change in direction was necessary? And what else has kept you away from the limelight?
YOU (laughs)! I'm joking. It was a new start for me. We discussed it and found it to be the best because I wanted to redo everything from the ground up. I told you what I saw for myself, and you found all the ways to make it real from the very first meeting. We've been working on a lot of stuff; everything really, from the music I'm making to the way that it, and I, are being presented to the public.
From my perspective; I just want to make my music and put it out there but, I'm learning about all this other stuff that I need to pay attention to, in order to make that one thing I want happen. Hopefully people are starting to see what's been going on behind the scenes now that we've launched my website, we've got the new branding of 'Drassick/DIGITAL' on everything and the release of the EP and mixtape.
'Daddy's Little Girl'... Alicia Mae joined us on 21st December
More than all of that though, I was just really focused on getting everything ready for the birth of my beautiful baby girl, Alicia Mae.
3. You just performed a huge acoustic set celebrating last week's release of your warm up EP, 'RESET BUTTON', the launch of your website and the earlier mentioned 'RiseNGrind', scheduled for release in a few days time. Talk us through the whole process of the show; from picking your set list, right through to that last bar on stage:
The set-list, for me, mirrored my life. The stages were reflected in the genres and pace. I started with 'Roger That' and '2Step' which are clubby and upbeat, then slowed it down gradually, so by the middle, with 'It's You' then 'Round and Round' it was more about me and the personal side. 'Karma' and 'Moving On' brought the focus back to my music life and the stages I went through to get there.
Making the band was hard, but fun...there were a few changes, even up to the day of the show but in the end, the people who came together made the whole experience mean a lot to me, and I don't think I would have loved it as much without them. Shout out to Stirra, MAVERiQ, Julie, Ki, and Vince (vocals); Ezekiel, Michael (keys and strings) and Shadow9 with the mad drum energy! Oh and you and Luz for putting it all together...I suppose (I'M JOKING)!
4. Gee thanks, my heart is swole! Back to it...I personally think it's quite difficult to classify your sound as you've made a dent in every genre from Grime, to 2-Step, to Hip-Hop, while bringing an RnB element to almost all. What do you think your sound is? Break it down for us:
At the moment I'm in an experimental phase. I think my style is versatile enough that I don't have to stick to any one genre...If I HAD to choose I would have to say Hip-Hop/RnB, Grime and 2-Step...(laughs). Seriously, I guess if you had to classify me - and I really don't want anyone to - but if you did, I suppose you have to tie me to Hip-Hop and RnB.
5. So we know about the love of gadgets, but what else keeps your hyperactivity in check?
'RockNRoll' ;)
6. Alright, let's try a different tack, Cheeky; what other creative skills do you have: (Laughs) I writesongs and play a bit of guitar. I can act and can studied video editing in Uni but I'm not fond of it.
7. Talk us through the one track in your back catalogue that means the most to you: 'Let Me' ft Pierre Amil. Mostly because that song closed a chapter for me. It was when I changed the direction my music was taking and the choices I was making in my life.
8. If I had to compare you to cartoon characters, it would probably be a weird combination of Mr Chatterbox, Mr Funny with a touch of The Joker in there; because our conversations go a thousand miles a minute and you're always laughing at something NUTS. But there's also an underlying touch of danger in your lyrical content, that you deliver with a smile. Can you name a character that best describes you? Tell us why:
I can't think of any one character that best describes me...not sure I need to, you've made me sound like a crazy Guy with multiple personalities!
'THE DREQUATION' ACCORDING TO @ESintheP
9. Tell us about the moment that you first decided that you wanted to make music; how did it happen?
Drassick with cousin Bushkin and friend, DeeJay Kindez
Well I've wanted to do it from the age of about 13/14, but due to school and family I couldn't turn in that direction. It seemed like every time I thought about starting up another issue came up. But when I finally took the step into the industry I started to go to raves with my cousin 'Bushkin' and his crew (formerly known as Heartless Crew) to MC with them. When I finally made the decision to become a rapper Bush, introduced me to 'Shizzle' and it started from there.
10. What are you happiest about at this very moment and what are you most looking forward to?
The birth of my 2nd child and watching her grow, no contest!
Also the launch of my website after all of the planning that went in; knowing how much more is coming to it when Charli-Anne (Jelli Ltd) made it so sick already. The release of 'RiseNGrind'...I know I've been itching to put it out for the longest time, but that was before I really understood about looking at the bigger picture, how all the little things that I never thought of, affect it in the long run...and all the work you're making me do towards the Summer projects that you won't let me speak on yet...Can I at least tell the people to watch out for the MADNESS that's coming?
I think that last part can be arranged!
The ESP Family have a little BBM house where I harass them about many a thing collectively, and we catch up with one another throughout each week. About six weeks ago, I joked about this being the 'Year of the Dregon', while planning our Chinese New Year projects. I had absolutely no idea how apt it would actually become!
Drassick's quiet may have been mistaken as complacence by some; but they would have to be people who have no idea how deep his passion for his music actually runs. His commitment to taking his career further have only strengthened in the time I've been Blessed to know him. All I can do, is warn you to brace yourself for the next phase; because when it comes to what I like to call as THE DIGITAL TAKEOVER, as he, himself will tell you: "You're not ready"...
'RiseNGrind' is scheduled for release at
12:21 on Tuesday, 7 February
in honour of Drassick's daughter, Alicia Mae.
Downloads will officially be available from the following sites:
Learning what makes a talented person 'tick' is always interesting. Getting a 'glimpse behind the curtain' of someone you know well, that reaches hidden depths you had no clue you would find? Well that is one of the most hypnotic things that I think I have ever come across. I've
For those unfamiliar; Charli-Anne Shirley is the Founder and 'Designer Extraordinaire' behind Web and Graphic Design company Jelli Ltd. She is also the extremely talented Visionary and Creator of Vintage Fashion, Accessory and Printed Apparel brand, deer oh deer. It was only a matter of time before I raked her over the coals! Find out what happened when I put the most creative lady I know (who just so happens to be one of my nearest and dearest), under the spotlight...
1. So Mrs S; let start at the very beginning in a very Julie Andrews-like manner. I'm privileged enough to know that your earliest Artistic Influence comes from your lovely Dad, John. Can you remember the first piece of Art to inspire you?
Charli with Dad, John
YOU! Always with the hard questions (laughs)! Well Art has always been a massive part of my life; from 'day dot' really so I have far too many memories to just pinpoint one! My Dad was an Art teacher before he retired, so he is knowledgeable about the subject in general. I remember he used to take me to exhibitions when I was really small. He was so passionate about it...I suppose that more than the Art itself, my first real memory was of seeing my Dad and thinking "Wow; this person, is totally in love with this thing". From a young age; I remember seeing what was obviously a huge passion...how much in love he was with something that was just such a huge part of his life. Your parents are role models so when you see someone that you love and they're just...enthralled by something, you can't help getting drawn in. There wasn't anyway I couldn't have been involved in something creative.
Charli's Mum Christine and older Sister, Heather
It wasn't just my Dad. My Mum is not an 'Artist' in the technical sense of the word, but she is very creative, she's very musical and an amazing poet; she writes a lot. My whole family is creative. My sister was also very musical as well, so I guess my whole environment was conducive to me coming out with something in my own voice. I dabbled in various things, tried my hand at music and all the rest of it; but the underlying thing was that I wanted to create something visual. So although I can't really remember a specific piece, I do remember my Dad loving and introducing me to, a lot of the classic Artists. He loves a lot of Renaissance Art, as well as Romantic Artists like Constable, Turner...a lot of the works that he was into was quite dramatic and emotional. So I guess that influenced my work as well. And also kind of quirky things as well. We have quite an eclectic taste in this family!
'Looking South from Near Red Brow Towards Rosthawaite',
Constable
'Light and Colour', 'Shade and Darkness' Turner
2. I'm Sorry...You "dabbled in music"? When did that happen and in what context?
(Laughs) I shouldn't have said that...it's because it's YOU I'm being interviewed by! I could at one point, "Sing", but I never considered myself a 'Singer'; I wasn't confident. I wanted to make music, so I wrote, sang and worked with various Producers; this was when I was at University and I would drive to Brighton from Southampton with the Producer and we'd record in the studio. I did some dance tracks and a few little bits but I was never fully able to get across what I wanted, because I felt my voice wasn't strong enough to do it. And of course, having someone like Mariah Carey being my favourite female vocalist EVER, then just hearing my own voice, I was just like "Ugh, NO! I can't be Mariah, I'm not gonna bother!" I do love music and it is a huge part of my existence but yeah, that was my little music adventure! But we don't talk about it!
Bobby (Male face of deer oh deer) and Charli-Anne
That was at the point when I met my best friend Bobby actually. He's this amazing vocalist. I'm more of a private person creatively, I find that being an artist, which I'm not, but I am(!) doing my creative stuff with deer oh deer, the graphic stuff with Jelli, and also my own personal stuff that no-one ever sees...I'm not performing for anybody - that's totally coming from inside me. I put out what I feel is good enough for other people to see.
3. So talking of Family, Friends and Stuff...I think it would be fair to say that everyone that you work with, you have strong personal ties to. Do you feel that adds to your creativity and inspiration in anyway? How does that affect you professionally?
(l-r top) Lottey (female face of deer oh deer / Design Assistant), Mike (Operations Director), Charli-Anne (l-r, bottom) Toby (Sales), Andrew (Mr. Shirley!), Yours Truly (Marketing/PR Manager)
Yeah, it does inspire me. Whenever I've worked in any job, done anything creative or put something out there, I've always needed to feel like I'm part of a family or a team. I can work on my own, and I need that space to work on my own; but definitely feeling like you're in it together with other people, and you're all "making you're own lanes" as Lek (Lekhem) would say...I need to feel like yes, we're making our own lanes, but we're all still in the same town! There's nothing worse than feeling completely alone when you're trying to do something and nobody else gets it, or can experience it with you; sharing those highs and the lows. It's amazing to have a support network when you're feeling a bit down but also, to celebrate with you when things happen!
Peter Andre in his custom 'Cookie Monster Hunter Hood
We had the recent deer oh deer moment with Peter Andre wearing the hood. It was just so brilliant to be able to share that and have that little "whoop" moment, where the whole team knows how much work everyone's put in along the journey, to get that far. All these little moments that we're having together, we're all going to remember them. I want to have those moments, because I want to be able to look back in 10 years time and be able to call you, or Lottey or Bobby and say this is what we were doing back then; do you remember that?
In other ways it's difficult because there's pressure. Sometimes you just want to walk away from everything completely just and say; "You know what? For a week I'm not doing anything!" But you know you can't, you've got other people relying on you, and it's not easy to walk away from that. But I think I would far rather have that support and that feeling of knowing there's always going to be someone there I can talk to about what's going on, and share with. It far outweighs the need for being able to cut myself off, so yeah, you all definitely help me!
4. Can you tell me how the 'Glamslamorous' nickname came about?
Oh. Well! That is just the ultimate combination! 'Glamslamorous' is my Alter Ego..thing...person...creature! When I'm not slogging away at my laptop working, making deer oh deer stuff...when I go out and have a good time and like to get Glammed Up! But basically the whole Glamslamorous thing came from a combination of two people. Two musicians who have influenced, and helped me through a lot of the crap that I've been through, but also astounded me with the things that they've achieved. That's Mariah Carey obviously and Prince. Mariah's whole 'Glam' appearance...there's something about her that she always has an aura that I love.
Do I even NEED to label this?
A lot of people hate on her for whatever reason they want to, but I see beyond any of that outward glamour, which is like her little character that she has. I kind of identify with that, having that need for playing a role or a character that people see, but there's a lot of depth to her as a woman. I can see that and I've always seen that. I've had the privilege of meeting her a few times now as a fan and she was just so beautiful, inside and out, and so down to Earth. There's this whole fan thing where she affectionately calls her fans 'Lambs'; from that we all named ourselves. I was 'Glam Lamb' because I was always into the lipstick, the sparkles and the rest of it. When I met her, she knew me as 'Glam' and said to me that my theme song should be 'The Glamorous Life' by Sheila E...
...Which of course is one of the BEST Songs EVER! I was absolutely stoked about that, so that IS my theme song and always will be - if Mariah gives you a theme song, you don't argue with her! Hence the name of the blog that I've just recently started - The Glamorous Life.
The name is also a Prince thing. After the whole Glam Slam Club (The singer opened string of nightclubs under the name). I can't even deal with Prince, he's just incredible. He visually, is a GENIUS as well as musically. The image he created for himself; he broke so many boundaries with style, I mean you can't even put him in a particular genre, because he's pretty much covered everything in his career. He's an icon, everybody knows Prince. He's just inspiring, an amazing musician.
5. Most people will look at the Artists you've named and not understand why they're influential. What is the message that you hope people will take from you, they way that you have from them?
People like that you just think, at one point in their lives they were ordinary people going about their day with a dream - look where they are now? I think it's important for anyone who has a passion and a dream to think about them and realise that it can happen, you just have to work, and you have to work hard. They did and look where it got them. Those two out of any artists you can pick out there, are the hardest workers I've ever seen, with probably the least recognition. They're not complacent at all, they just keep going and that's inspiring for anyone who has a dream they want to fulfil - including me.
6. You know we can't not talk about the tattoos! Where did the inspirations first start?
Andrew's Transformers tattoo
I didn't know what was out there until I met my husband. He is literally like a walking canvas so of course there's immediate conversation. I'll never forget the first time I met him! We were in a pub and the first thing he did, I mean we were just sitting there talking and he just put his foot on the table in this pub (laughs) and showed me his leg tattoo, which was this Transformers piece that he's got which is amazing, it's still one of my favourite pieces. But I just remember thinking, this guy is firstly insane, but just adorable because he's like this little ball of colour! And he's sitting there with his leg on the table and I just thought it was AMAZING! This guy is covered in all this stuff and he's not having tattoos because he's trying to be cool, but because he genuinely likes it! So of course, being creative and someone who's inspired by Art, I was really intrigued by the world of tattoos. It did happen later for me than for a lot of people. We talked about them, he used to buy certain magazines and we'd look through them and be drawn to all of these people walking around with these amazing pieces of artwork on their bodies...
Mr & Mrs Shirley
Andrew just opened the door to this amazing world of Art that I'd never had firsthand experience of in a positive way. I was brought up in a traditional Catholic family. Although we're quite Bohemian - we're not stiff upper lip, British, boring stereotypes, but we do have a traditional influence, I guess. So that kind of art I wasn't exposed to it in that same way until I met Andrew. His family are very different to mine. His parents have tattoos, his sister has tattoos and I absolutely LOVED it. I remember my first one completely wasn't planned; I went with Andrew to get the skull on his shoulders and this amazing tattoo artist, Aaron said: "oh I might have a gap of an hour when I've finished Andrew, do you want a tattoo done?" At first I was like, "...What?" Then the adrenaline rush of "Yeah, I want it! But I don't know what I want!" kicked in. Aaron said "I think we should do something on your foot". I said ok! Andrew was looking at me like "what the hell are you doing?! Don't get it on your foot! It's really painful". I decided no, and I really liked it!
Because I hadn't planned what I was going to get, it had to be a Butterfly, obviously because of Mariah, again! The song Butterfly is my favourite, I love the lyrics, the whole idea of what it represents, in the song and my life as well; it just means so much to me. Aaron does Japanese styles in particular, and so the influence is there with the Cherry Blossoms around it...For me it was just perfect. I could go on and on about tattooing; you need a whole separate interview just about that...
7. So since you've taken us there, let's keep going on the route. The Japanese Kawaii-style, where did that come from?
Ohhh...see I'm good at this whole segue-thing, aren't I? (Laughs) Well I don't think you can't mistake - I like things that are cute! I like things that are pink, I like things that are sparkly, I like things with bows on...(she's not kidding, have you seen our AW10 Bow'n'Chain collection? ES)
Think Pink - Charli-Anne paid homage to our fave Female with one of her earliest collections
AW10 BowTie Chain
Candy Bling (Inspired by the 2009 Mariah Carey track)
Female face of deer oh deer Lottey, modelling 2011's 'Lolita' inspired range
I grew up in the era of Sanrio, when it was the biggest thing ever. I remember Hello Kitty at it's birth point really. My Melody is still my favourite Sanrio character. I remember the Little Twin Stars, all my pencil cases were the Sanrio characters - I just loved the style of the Art and everything about it. I remember my best friend at Primary School for probably about 2/3 years was a Japanese girl. She used to draw characters from the cartoons she watched and I remember looking at them and thinking, that I just loved the way she drew them. The whole style of it just really appealed to me from a young age, I've ALWAYS been in love with it. That only grows when you look more into it. When you get into tattoos as well; that whole geek sub-culture really, is a world that I love; you can't fail to be influenced and inspired by it.
'The Gay 90s' , Mark Ryden
Ryden was the GENIUS behind Michael Jackson's most daring album artwork.
There's something about that imagery with the big eyes; you see it in the deer oh deer characters and that kind of doe-like quality in a sense. They're not necessarily Japanese but you see that kind of style in the works of Artists like, Mark Ryden, who's one of my favourite Artists. He does all this crazy work but he's an absolutely brilliant Painter. All of his work has a concept, a dark side, and I love that. I love things that appear to be cute, but when you look at them closely, it's actually something different., especially Art.
Hansel & Gretel, Junko Mizuno
The Life of Momongo,
Junko Mizuno
There's also Junko Mizuno; she does comic strips and comic books. She's done a couple of graphic novels. She's done things like the Hansel and Gretel story, but she's made it quite twisted; there's all this weird stuff going on but it's just so beautifully done! She's got these really cute, weird, beautiful drawings and the characters are really evil! She's got this female character that is sexy, and she's got beautiful clothes and she's girly and got long hair; she's what every little girl wants to be, but then when you look underneath that, there's a lot more to it...it's a little bit warped! And I think that's why with certain things that I do, more with deer oh deer - I can't so much with Jelli because I'm working for clients - but with my own stuff, I can put that little twist on it.
I'm so absorbed in the culture that I created my own character who, kind of came out to play for a little while, maybe about a year and a half, two years ago. She's having a little break right now and hopefully will return at some point, I don't know when! She is called 'Chicchai' which means 'Tiny'.
'Chicchai' means 'Tiny', which at an even 5 Feet, fits our Char to a T!
She's like a little woman and when I look at her, I think of myself when I was a child. She's got the little fringe and the brown hair; she's girly, but she's also a little bit brave. She's got a little funny friend called Blue. Blue is a little Rabbit kind of character who doesn't speak very much! I've created some other characters who are her friends...She actually has her own facebook page, but I'm not really doing much with her at the moment because I'm so focused on deer oh deer and Jelli. Chicchai will appear again at some point. My friend Paul actually made me a 3D rendering until then!
7. Has there been anything you tried to design or anything you tried to turn your hand to that just, didn't work?
(Laughs) Now that's funny! I've always struggled with the confidence in my drawing. I've become far too reliant on my computer so I'm not as good at that as I could be. Everything I know how to do graphically is self-taught, I'm not professionally trained. I did a lot of Web training! I'm quite lucky that I can pick things up quite quickly on that front, but with drawing it's not that easy. The greatest Artists to me, are the ones who make the most confident lines on the paper. You can tell a confident line and you can tell one that says "eh...I'm trying". That to me is the difference between something incredible and something mediocre. And I never wanted to be mediocre with drawing or painting. So I kind of gave up on it a bit because I wasn't that good (expletive from Andrew in the background that can't be printed, but matched what I said-ES)! So I guess I would love to work more on that. Recently Andrew bought me these amazing 'How to draw Anime' books which are just brilliant, and I love all the illustrations. SO I thought, right; I'm going to sit down and teach myself. But I ended up being so picky with it and crap that I gave up because it was too hard and I couldn't be bothered! I've had to scrap that and say to myself: "Look. You're not good because you haven't practiced. You've got to practice". Anything creative that I can do is going to help me in my work, so I have to push myself to do things that I'm not confident with and may never be very good at, but will help me in the long run.
8. Of all the pieces that you've designed, and this goes back to the first time you ever picked up a pen, pencil or paintbrush - what's been your favourite design?
Oh my GOODNESS! I think the problem is, when you're caught up in something, it becomes your favourite thing! I'm working with Lottey on the Spring Summer collection and I'm totally obsessing over that right now. Maybe the jewellery for the last collection? I was really really pleased with that.
The GORGEOUS Jaya in custom Heritage Collection pieces ILUVLIVE, November 2011
I do love the Halcyon earrings. I love bold, structural things. I've always loved big earrings. If I go into a shop, I go straight to them and luckily, the whole Pat Butcher thing has been very big this season! This is how evil my friends are to me - years ago, I had this gorgeous coat. It had a big, beautiful camel-coloured collar, and I wore it with big earrings. Well my best friend Bobby, who clearly loves me dearly, decided to say: "You look like Pat Butcher in those". So I think that I've subconsciously been getting my revenge by designing all of these big earrings ever since...WE LOVE PAT! She's gonna be SORELY MISSED! But not really, because I AM the real Pat Butcher!
Halcyon Earrings, so named in honour of Marian Lindkvist, Charli-Anne's Grandmother
Actually, talking about people in my life who have influenced me enormously; I have a special connection to the Halcyon earrings. 'Halcyon' was the name of a Norwegian vessel that docked in the Lindkvist ports of Liverpool - Lindkvist was my Grandfather's surname. The design is a tribute to my Grandmother.
I know it's slightly off topic, but I want people to go and read her book so they can understand why I am the way I am! My Granny had a dream that she was surrounded by people in a mental hospital. They had been written off and dumped there, deemed not worth investing in because they couldn't function in 'normal' society. Supposedly none of the patients were capable of movement, yet somehow they were all moving their bodies to music. She wanted to change that in reality and improve their quality of life; that dream inspired that. She set up an organisation called the Sesame Institute. They managed to get certain hospitals to agree for her group to go in and do these movement sessions with some of these patients; people who had sat there for 10 years not able to do anything. Their family members talked about them never doing the simple things the rest of us take for granted, like lifting their arms. With the help of the therapy that she came up with called 'Movement with Touch', the Sesame Institute have literally been able to change lives all over the world...and that came from the dream of a regular mum with an autistic daughter.
9. Is that why Charity resonates so deeply with you? I know from working with you and just your nature as a person, giving is something that's a big part of your nature:
When you've had someone like my Granny in your family, you can't fail to want to try to do something even slightly comparing to that. At some point I want to do some more work for Charity. I've had that in my life, My work as a Fundraising Manager came from that desire to do something. Yes I do believe it's great to go out there and create a famous brand or whatever, but there's always a higher purpose, always something more important that, if I'm successful in what I do, then I will have to use that in a wise way. I believe that we can do that with deer oh deer so Watch This Space when it comes to that area.
10. Ok, so us being the way that we are, of course I have to end with a quirk. Why a deer?
Why a deer? Why a deer indeed! (laughs) Because I love them! I love the shape of the head, especially in that Kawaii style, it just lent itself to the character really well; with their enormous head, little body, and doe eyes. I love all animals, but I love the doe and the stag. To me, stags are just incredible creatures, they're the ultimate handsome couple! So I guess...a deer because they're random! AND we have them in Britain which also lends to our Brit-Vintage core!
I cannot tell you how PROUD I am of this Lady. This has been one of my favourite interviews for several reasons, but mainly because my intention was to bring one of the greatest talents I know to the forefront. I hope you got a glimpse! She is the hardest-working, most patient and empathetic woman I know. Although you could feasibly say our CharStar is the quietest of the ESP Family, take it from me when I tell you, that Charli-Anne is the backbone of our whole mad pack!
Please take a moment to check out just a few of her amazing works:
And keep an eye out for everything we have coming up! deer oh deer will be at HYPER JAPAN SPRING 2012, from 24-26 February...
And expect the SpringSummer12 collection, 'Carnivale' shortly after. I've already seen some of the designs and I can tell you, my jewellery box and I are VERY excited!
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