Devil with the Blue Dress
Pomplamoose – Little Things
Dress: Macy’s. Shoes: SM Store (similar). Belt: similar. Ring: SM Store. Bag: Guess. Nail polish: Loreal ‘Paparazzi Pleaser.’
Photography by Jessica Peterson
The Inspiration
This dress is both fitted and forgiving, which is my definition of perfection! I’m playing with matches here coordinating the dress, shoes, and bag. Matching gives any outfit a more retro feel, while disparate, but complementary elements make it more modern. This dress could go both ways. For a modern look, I’d pair it with gold shoes and a purple bag. Stay tuned…
The Music
I first wrote about Pomplamoose on Dignity Zine in October 2011:
Remember how cool the nineties were when indie labels were as bountiful as Lady Gaga’s hats? Subpop records in Seattle, Thrill Jockey in Chicago, Too Pure in London… What happened? Grunge got pimped to major labels and the whole thing went “alternative.” Indie label bands went to the majors. Kurt Cobain killed himself. Nothing was sacred anymore. It was all too profitable not to be capitalized on. What a breath of fresh air is Pomplamoose, not just an indie label band, but a NO-LABEL band. It leaves me wondering, Pomplamoose, where have you been all my life? Truth be told, I’ve been a obsessed since first hearing the duo on National Public Radio then watching all of their self-produced YouTube videos. Actually, Pomplamoose calls them “video songs,” and there are rules.
- What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
- If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).
Despite the rules, band members Jack Conte and his girlfriend Nataly Dawn have fun making this music. There’s no script, no production team, no hair and makeup. You can even catch the lovebirds eating macaroni and cheese at the end of their original song “Hail Mary.” The twentysomethings started recording in an apartment in San Francisco as evidenced by the old blankets covering the walls of their tiny studio. To up the ante, Conte’s spunky grandma dances to the Pomplamoose rendition of “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire, which was posted to YouTube in honor of Dawn’s father. Conte mocks French chanteuse Edith Piaf on“La Vie en Rose” after Dawn pays due homage. These videos are fun to watch and their covers aren’t merely winking satires.
