Topshop & Topman Opens In San Diego

This morning I got the chance to go to the grand opening of Topshop at the Fashion Valley Mall here in San Diego. To say I've been excited for months would be an understatement. I've always been a major fan of the shop and felt very deprived not having one here. Finally my prayers were answered! The store officially opened at 11am. They were even rewarding the first 10 people in line with a $100 gift card and the next 50 people with a $50 gift card. After a lot of line craziness, we managed to at least be in the first 50 and were given a gift card. While in line, they also had a DJ, t-shirt printing and a lot of people walking around with goodies. First off, the store is absolutely beautiful. It's two levels and all of the staff were lovely and so chic. Anyone who has shopped at Topshop before knows that $50 doesn't get you very much, but I at least got to spend it towards a beautiful oxblood tunic. Also, when you spend $70 or more, you get your own printed t-shirt. Overall, I'm really happy how everything went and I'm so thankful to have a Topshop near by now.

xx
Ashley

Hipster?

"Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter. The greatest concentrations of hipsters can be found living in the Williamsburg, Wicker Park, and Mission District neighborhoods of major cosmopolitan centers such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco respectively."

"Hipster" is such a confusing word. I, myself, often get called a "hipster" and I always question why. Does listening to indie music and going to coffee shops make you a "hipster"? Or does being a young teenager and wearing high waisted shorts and crop tops make you one? Is it cool to be a "hipster"? What does liking something ironically even mean?

I find people who label themselves as a "hipsters" to be quite hilarious because aren't "hipsters" supposed to not want to be called that? Who knows.

Also

This

VS

This

Although one photo is of men and one is of women, I consider these groups extremely different. Don't you?
Which group do you think are "hipsters?"

The guys who work at the coffee shop down the street? Or the Tumblr girls?

xx
Ashley

Interview with Tyson Motsenbocker

While at the James Bay show, I got the chance to discover his incredible opening act, Tyson Motsenbocker. He has the most incredible voice and was able to command the whole crowd to pay attention to him. He also had the chance to explain the incredible journey that he embarked on last year. He walked from San Diego to San Francisco after the passing of his mother. After hearing his beautiful voice and his amazing story, I knew I had to write about him. After the show, I had a chance to talk to Tyson. He was so lovely and agreed to an interview.

AG: First, who do you draw inspiration from for your music (in terms of musical artists)?

TM: I draw inspiration from artists in seasons. Right now I've been really inspired by a Los Angeles songwriter named Blake Mills. I'm really liking the new Ryan Adams record as well, a band called Dawes I really enjoy. I spend a lot of time listening to instrumental music as well, Helios and Nils Frahm this week. I get a lot of drive from my friends as well - Ethan Hulse and the Lowly Spects and my good Canadian friend Mike Edel.


AG: What is your writing process like?

TM: I know all artists have their own process, words first or music first, chorus first or verses first and so on. I can't really write a song until I have a visual picture of where the song is happening. I end up doing a lot of daydreaming and imagining until I understand the setting and the mood and the way the song will feel, usually the lyrics come pretty quickly after that. I write music first, almost always, usually verses after that.


AG: What is your favorite song you have written and why?

TM: My favorite song I've written is probably a song off my yet-to-be released record called Always. It's a vivid song for me with a strong chorus and it makes me feel happy.
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His EP, Roads & Rivers is incredible. You can check it out here.
Footfalls and Fallen are definitely my favorite songs.

Follow him on twitter!

I hope you guys liked the interview!

xx
Ashley

Meeting James Bay

If you read my last blog post, you will know that I talked about my love for English singer songwriter James Bay. Last night, I was surprised by my one of my best friends with tickets to his intimate show at The Loft at UCSD. I was so excited and extremely surprised because I hadn't heard about him being in town! At the end of the show, I also got to talk to James for a little bit and told him about the post. He thanked me for writing about him and we had a short conversation afterwards. It was such a great experience! Here are some of the photos I took last night!

Also, be on the look out for my post coming up in the next few days about his opening act, Tyson Motsenbocker!

xx
Ashley

Music Spotlight: James Bay

I don't know why it took me so long to discover this incredible voice. He has the most beautiful folk-pop style and his voice is addicting. James Bay recently toured with Kodaline, Tom Odell and John Newman. He has the same affect over me that Ben Howard does, and he has a similar style. James is from Hitchin, England and you can definitely hear the influence in his voice. His new EP, Hold Back The River, is coming out next month and you can pre-order it here. Make sure to check him out, you will not be disappointed.

So far, my favorite songs are Let It Go and Clocks Go Forward.

xx
Ashley