LISTEN TO FASHION? ROBYN STANDS OUT!

The fashion and music world go together like models and rock stars.  A performers image has become as important as their vocal ability for marketing and publicity.   In the late 90's, Cher was quoted as saying that people "watch music now".   Luckily for her, Cher was ahead of her time and worked her image as hard as she worked her vocals.   CHER IN BOB MACKIE AT THE OSCARSAlong the way, she made Bob Mackie a household name as the man who created those wild fashion statements. 

You can't talk about fashion and music and not talk about Madonna.  (Her next album M.D.N.A. is out in weeks!)  She did what few performers do.   Each physical transformation is a perfect extension of the music she creates. MADONNA - VOGUE  The 1980's was the decade of that saw the Music Video blossom.   What was once an optional way to promote music, became a mandatory tool to selling a band - which was now marketed like a brand.   The birth of MTV changed the industry forever, and Madonna was there at the beginning.

Today, there are a new crop of artists that grew up watching singing brands.   They know there is no separation of church and state - so to speak.   If you aren't a size two, you better have the pipes of Adele to make everyone notice & not notice.

Then there is Robyn.  This Swedish singer and songwriter is not your average pop star.  With a unique look, a unique sound, and unique moves, Robyn gets noticed with every move she makes.

Her debut album "Robyn is Here" in 1995 brought acclaim and a hit single "Do you know (what it takes)?".   Enter the bad news... Several years of contract hell and corporate wrangling over creative control stalled her career, which should have been multi-platinum by this point.

After buying herself out of her contract and forming her own label, Robyn was finally able to release a much anticipated follow up album - "Robyn" with the single "With every heartbeat" that brought mainstream success worldwide.  Brighter days are here!  The album Body Talk with the single "Dancing On My Own" is strong enough to relaunch her name to a new generation of pop fans worldwide!   

The sound is groovy pop that has an edgy 70's sound that can only come from someone form Northern Europe.   If Abba and the Jody Watley had a daughter, it would be Robyn. 

One of the coolest things about Robyn, is that she has this huge following and great style, and has still remained independent.  She has made a choice not to affiliate herself with any one designer brand.   She has said in interviews that although she loves fashion, when she thinks of the artists that inspired her growing up - you didn't think of a brand name, you thought of the person.  Madonna and her rubber band bracelets and headbands of fabric are a perfect example. 

Click one of her images to listen to the smooth dance tracks by Robyn now!

AMY WINEHOUSE -FADES TO BLACK...

THE ALBUM THAT CREATED A LEGENDBritish singing sensation Amy Winehouse died on July 23rd, 2011.  A sad ending to the tortured young woman's life and brilliant career.  At just 27, the timing made her a member of a most ghastly and infamous club - that of famous rock stars to have died at the very same age.  Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Curt Cobain, & Brian Jones all left the planet in their prime and at the not so tender (to say the least) age of 27.   

Winehouse burst onto the music scene in 2007 with the release of her second album- Back To Black.   Her voice was instantly recognizable - smoky and sultry- it made anyone who heard it stop and listen.  The sound, a hypnotic mix of Blues & R&B, with a slice of Ska Soul was a breath of fresh air in a music scene filled with Pop-tart formula sounds.  Winehouse was somehow the female cross between Billy Holiday & Buddy Holly.

Then there was her styleMTV'S REALITY MEATBALL - SNOOKI. THE UNIQUE STYLE THAT MADE AMY WINEHOUSE FAMOUS  Winehouse's image would catapult her to a level of fame that few artists achieve.  Her outrageous fashion sense - a throwback to the 60's with her bumped bee-hive hair would put her in every magazine and tabloid around the world.   It also influenced designers, stylists, & fans across all genres of music, fashion, and pop culture.   From the Court Jester of Reality TV, MTV's Snooki,  to the King of the Fashion world himself - Karl Lagerfeld - all were influenced by Amy's style.

Sadly, asCHANEL PRE-FALL 2008 - PARIS LONDON COLLECTION fast as she became famous, Amy got snared in the web of drug and alcohol abuse that would plague her life for the next 4 years.  Unfortunately, the world seemed to tire of images of Winehouse making a spectacle of herself night after night all around London.   Some would say that the harsh tabloid environment in the U.K. fueled her outbursts and helped ruin her image, but I would argue that Winehouse made herself too easy a target.  Stumbling around London visibly drunk and high in bloodied ballerina shoes was a desperate cry for help.   As any celebrity knows in this day and age of iphone videos creating news (ie. John Galliano's antisemitic rants in Paris), one has to be smarter about their public behavior, especially those living in the United Kingdom. 

The truth is that the reason Winehouse lost her shine was quite simple.   Her drug and alcohol problem got in the way of her work.   Just like millions of other people who use drugs, it takes over your life and ruins it.  Regardless if you are a world famous singer, a single mother working the night shift, or a white collar businessman.   Drugs kill.

Add to this the timing in the music industry when powerhouse voices like Duffy and Adele were releasing incredible albums loaded with explosive singles.   Winehouse's follow up to Back to Black just didn't materialize.   Music fans and the music industry started to move on.   Sadly, Amy was booed off the stage in her last public performance in Belgrade at the end of June.    Her next album that remains unfinished is said to be released later this year.  

Music fans will never forget Amy Winehouse, it is just so sad we didn't have more to remember her by.

To listen to her greatest work click - Amy Winehouse - Back to Black.