I was first contacted by Jen on behalf of Flotation Walls for wardrobe consultation. After many emails, photo swapping, music listening and story telling, not only did I gain a great friend in Jen, but an everlasting affection for one of the most compelling bands of our time!
Flotation Walls was conceived by singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Carlos AvendaƱo in Columbus, Ohio several years ago. Ryan Stolte-Sawa (violin, guitar, piano, synths, vocals), Zak Moses (electric bass, upright bass, vocals) and Luke Brevoort (drums) join AvendaƱo to comprise Flotation Walls. Their sound is what I would call trippy-psychedelic-folk-pop, from four talented musicians who manage to project the energy of 25! There is just something magical that sets this band apart from the rest.
The group has recently received national and international press attention, including interview segments for MTV2, a piece on Newsvine.com that was featured on MSNBC's entertainment front page, British webzine Punk77 and several others.
What I love the most about their new album "Nature" is that it takes you on a journey. Every song is carefully thought out and arranged perfectly. The piano solo in "Wet With Light" is hauntingly beautiful and the energy of "Willis The Fireman" is unparalleled!
I asked if Carlos would be available for an interview, and even in the midst of a gruelling tour schedule, he managed to take time out! Below is the exclusive interview, some photos of the band, a few tracks you can listen to, and info on where you can purchase "Nature" for download or on CD.
Enjoy!
HC: I know that “Nature” has been a labor of love that has taken longer than expected to produce. How has this affected the final outcome of the album?
Carlos: I think the songs are better for the time spent on them. All the fat has been trimmed and every single sound has a purpose. Since I had a long time to listen to the first batch of songs it gave me a chance to make sure they were as equally enduring as the newer material.
HC: Why did you choose the name Flotation Walls?
Carlos: It's a beautiful name isn't it? It suits us. I didn't choose it. It was a hand-me-down.
HC: Your band could possibly fall under the genres of “Psychedelic Folk”, “Indie Rock” or “Nouveau Hippie”. What do you feel best describes the heart of your music?
Carlos: I love psych folk music but that is only about 1/5 of what we do. I don't care much for indie rock in name or in music. I like the idea of Nouveau Hippie but I'm not sure we're that exactly either. Genre stuff is mostly for marketing and from the artistic side doesn't mean much except limitations. That being said I think I'd pick "art pop" if I had any say.
HC: Who or what are your greatest influences?
Carlos: Scott Walker, My mother, Os Mutantes, National Film Board of Canada shorts, The original Wicker Man movie, Leonard Cohen, Aphex Twin.
HC: What motivates you to create music and spend a great deal of time on the road?
Carlos: In creating music it's fighting depression, anxiety and also to make the music/visions in my mind manifest. Trying to create beautiful things out of thin air is one of the best things about being alive. Touring is adventure. It's a brilliant thing to be on a road trip with 3 people I love and get to play shows every night.
HC: Not only does Flotation Walls have a unique sound, you seem to have a distinct fashion style. Where do you get your outfits?
Carlos: Well the yellow thing has been around forever. Visual representation of the music is really important in a live show I think. Yellow has always seemed like the odd man out on the color wheel and that idea represents us in some ways. Some outfits are things we make and some are made for us. These new outfits were made by Brannon Jennings and they are amazing. I'm wearing mine right now.
HC: What is your favorite road food?
Carlos: Anything that is free and cooked by someone other than me. Other than that, I'm really liking carrots right now.
HC: What turns you on?
Carlos: It may sound cliche but people who are expressive, honest, free and unashamed. People who choose dreams over security and stability. The wall of women in Immoral Tales. FMRI technology and it's implications in studying emotion. My girlfriend Jen. The harp.
HC: What turns you off?
Carlos: Injustice. Illness. Impostors.
HC: Aside from tenacity, what is your advice to artists and musicians desiring to make a living at their creative endeavors?
Carlos: Rock stars do not exist anymore. That time is over. The last one was Marilyn Manson and that was almost 15 years ago. You need to evaluate whether you are willing to give up most everything to have a vocation based in the arts. You will not last if playing music night after night is not it's own great reward. If that sounds good to you, you will have a wonderful time and I highly recommend it.
"Nature" is now available on CD or download. To purchase the CD direct from the band and get more about Flotation Walls visit their website and check out their blog for news and updates during their current tour!
Photo Credits: 1. Brannon Jennings, 2-8 Jen Duane, 9-13 Casserole, 14 Robert Trautman
LISTEN TO FLOTATION WALLS HERE
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
FLOTATION WALLS
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Hippie Independence Day!
Happy 4th of July everybody! Just a quick note....if you live in the states and are celebrating this weekend, remember to be safe, be thankful, and party like it's 1969!!! :)
More groovy posts to come, including an exclusive interview with the hottest upcoming Nouveau Hippie band!
Love All Around,
Cara Mia ♥
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Surfin USA and My Molly B Bikini
It's summertime! Barbecues, beaches, parties and friends! All that fun stuff and....well, a little promise I made to my husband that I would go surfing with him this year. This thought had me frantically digging through my drawers in search of the perfect bikini. I quickly realized I needed a swimwear overhaul and the search began!
Feeling slightly rebellious, I opted to ditch the department stores and find a bikini that would be truly original. When I came across the Molly B Bikini Shop I knew I had found exactly what I was looking for! Not only did I fall in love with her designs, several of which are vintage inspired, I enjoyed reading the story behind them. Every bikini is handmade by Molly and custom fit for each person.
When I find something fabulous I have to share! So I asked Molly if she would answer a few questions for a post on Hippie Couture and she happily agreed. Here's the interview and some pics, and to get you in a sexy summer mood, a fun 60's surf video at the end. Enjoy!!!
HC: When did you first realize that you wanted to make bikinis and one-piece suits for other people?
MOLLY: I can’t remember a time when I was not obsessed with bikinis. The first bikinis I designed and sewed were for my friends in High School, but that was more of a hobby. When I was 19, my boyfriend (now Husband) and I spent 2 months surfing and traveling in Costa Rica. Before we left, he gave me a small box, and told me I could bring as many bikinis as I could stuff into it. At that moment we both realized I had a problem, as I was trying to shove 100+ bikinis into a 1’x1’ box. I realized then that I wanted to make my passion for bikinis into a career, and lifestyle.
HC: Your bio says that you earned multiple degrees in college. What did you study?
MOLLY: I graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a focus on Latin America. At the time I thought the only route in life was to go to school, earn your degrees, and get a steady job. So from there, I decided to become a teacher, and got my secondary teaching credential and a Masters degree in Education from Pepperdine University. I taught 7th & 8th grade history at a middle school in Laguna Beach having a blast with the kids. But the thought of owning my own bikini company continually pulled at me.
HC: I hear you love to surf! Have you ever had a “scariest moment” out in the ocean?
MOLLY: Where do I start, many times! Most recently, I went on a trip to Tavarua, a small exclusive island in Fiji. One of the best surf spots in the world, Cloudbreak, sits about 2 miles off the island basically in the middle of the ocean. As if the constant thought of poisonous sea snakes, and 15’ Bronze Whaler sharks wasn’t scary enough, the wave is very powerful and breaks over a shallow coral reef. While I think I can hold my own as a female surfer, I’ll be the first to admit this wave is a little over my head. I caught some of the best waves of my life, but I also got held under water for long periods of time, and hit the reef a couple times too. While I wasn’t injured, I did get some decent scrapes and cuts (nothing a little lime juice couldn’t clean up…..oouch that stings) for my effort, and would do it all over again.
HC: I really like the fact that you use unique prints and a variety of colors. What inspires you when choosing the fabric for your suits?
MOLLY: I have several different inspirations when it comes to my fabrics. First off, the ocean and beach inspire me a great deal. That’s where the flowers and bright colors come into play. I pick a fabric that makes me dream of a tropical place. My more classic fabrics, simple prints and even solid colors come from the inspiration of my Grandmother Genevieve. She was a classical seamstress from the war generation and even designed dresses for the Lawrence Welk show. I always laughed with her when I was little over a dress she made once; there was so much lace involved that the lace went around her house three times!
HC: What famous celebrity would you just love to see in a Molly B bikini?
MOLLY: I would love to see Cameron Diaz wearing a Molly B’s. It seems as though she embodies what Molly B’s stands for; just making life simpler. Cameron is all about green living, embracing other cultures, travel, and laughter.
HC: Thanks again Molly for my awesome bikini! You rock!
I'm ready to surf!!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
PSYCHEDELIC ALBUM ART
Every time I go thrifting, I'm immediately drawn to anything bright, trippy and psychedelic! Whether it's books, clothing, or records, if it's colorful and has a cool pattern, I must have it! Well....as long as the price is right!
On one of my last excursions, my handsome husband (who also has the same attraction to bright, trippy stuff) found two albums from the late 1960's and proceeded to bolt across the store to show me his find. We scooped them up not knowing what they would sound like, but the covers were just too good to pass up!
This purchase inspired the search for more psychedelic album covers from the 60's and 70's, which you will see pictured below. Some are from my actual record collection and some from my inspiration folder. The first 2 pictured are the most recent finds, which ended up being fun to listen to as well. The 25 Hit Tunes album has the song "Tequila" by The Champs, some Lou Rawls, and various artists, and the Mexican Trip.....is just that!
If you have album covers (from any time period) that are psychedelic, or you think they are just really cool, leave a comment with a link so everyone can check 'em out!
Love All Around,
Cara Mia
Friday, June 12, 2009
Hippie Couture and Chickdowntown.com Contest Winner
Congratulations to Deana from Brooklyn, NY!!! She is the winner of the Hippie Couture / Chickdowntown.com giveaway! If you participated in the contest and did not win this time around....Turn on, tune in, and drop out with Hippie Couture for more fun posts and awesome giveaways! :)
Have a great weekend everybody!
Love All Around,
Cara Mia
Saturday, June 6, 2009
THAT 70s STYLE part two
It's Saturday night and I've opted to stay in and have a fun night at home. To get in a 70's mood, I've put on my shortest pair of running shorts, some knee-high socks, and my favorite disco tracks. Now, I may bust out my rollerskates, but this will depend on the amount of cocktails involved! :)
Since I mentioned in the last 70's post that many fashion designers are gaining inspiration from that time period, I decided to include a few current looks from the runways and some pics of celebs that are loving this trend.
Personally, I think anyone can pull off a 70's inspired style. The key is to wear one or two items at a time, rather than dressing head to toe in 70's garb. Unless of course you are staying home on a Saturday night....in that case, slap on an Afro wig and Shake Shake Shake...Shake your Booty!!!
Love All Around,
Cara Mia 
Since we're on the subject of the 70's, here's a clip below from the classic movie, Saturday Night Fever. Also, if you are a die-hard SNF fan, I have for sale in my Future Hippie shop, one vintage Saturday Night Fever disco shirt, officially licensed with the movie logo on the inside label. It is a true collectors piece!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Hippie Couture and Chickdowntown.com Giveaway!!!
I've been wanting to do a giveaway for quite some time now but wanted to make sure it was something really cool. Ironically, I was just contacted by chickdowntown.com and they offered to sponsor a contest on Hippie Couture and giveaway an awesome pair of jeans to one lucky winner!
They have such cute stuff on their site and I thought it would be a fun thing for everyone to enter, so I happily agreeed.
The prize being awarded is one pair of very sexy Current Elliot Mini Pocket Jeans which retail for $273.00!
To enter just leave a friendly comment on this post. If you do not have a blog you may enter by email. Please, only one comment or email per person. The contest winner will be chosen at random and notified on Thursday June 11th, 2009. This contest is open to all U.S. residents.
On a side note, this is just one of the items on their site I'm personally freaking out for right now, the Black Halo Strapless Jumpsuit.
Which I think would look fierce with these.....
....but that is a whole other post!!!
Good luck with the contest everybody! They are a sexy pair of jeans being awarded by Current Elliot and I'm excited to see who wins!
Love All Around,
Cara Mia
SPECIAL NOTE
Friday, May 15, 2009
THAT 70s STYLE part one
Although I am partial to the hippie style of the early 70's, I have a deep love for everything fun from that decade. This includes the rock and roll/glam side of things as well as (*cough cough*) disco fever! Now, I know that back then, the "rockers" and the "disco kids" were very much at odds and it would be considered completely gauche to like both styles, but since this is a different decade, I say "no holds barred!"
Two of my favorite trends from the 70's that I believe can be pulled off no matter what decade, are bell bottoms and platforms. They are both being rocked on the runways right now, with some slight variations in the design, but no doubt, the 70's influence.
I think my next party is going to be a 70's theme. Parties are just more fun when everyone dresses up! 
If you're feelin' the 70's vibe here's a few fun things....First a cool video I found on Youtube of a chick putting on 70's makeup just perfectly! Second, a great store to rent 60's and 70's costumes for the next big shindig. And third, I have an amazing pair of original Seafarer bell bottoms in my Future Hippie shop that are up for grabs. I would love to keep them but they are an XS. Hopefully they will find a good home because they are just fierce!
Love,
Cara Mia
Friday, May 8, 2009
THE MAGIC BUS part deux
I received several positive emails about the first Hippie Bus Post and thought it would be fun to do a sort of follow up post. I love everything colorful, trippy and psychedelic, and these buses definitely fall under that category!
I don't own one yet but once I do, I plan on tricking out the inside with old-school hippie style decorations and oversized gypsy pillows! I imagine driving along the coast with the windows open on a cool spring morning. Maybe pulling over onto a remote beach to lounge in the back while watching the sunrise.
How 'bout you guys? Any fantasy road trips you'd like to take? Or maybe a story about somewhere you've already been......
On a side note, I was searching Youtube for a cool video to post with footage of hippies in the 60's taking a bus trip, but I couldn't find anything that interesting. What I did find made me laugh though, and reminded me that whether you're 17 or 70, sometimes you just need forget what people might think, and LET YOUR FREAK FLAG FLY!!!
Love All Around,
Cara Mia
