"Rock is dead. Listen to Fashionista.."
-90.3 WZBC, Boston College Radio
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Bio:
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"Fashionista was concieved during the Summer of 2004 in Cambridge, MA when Indrayudh Shome and Daniel Rolnik (and Cameron Collings, the original programmer) were attending a film workshop at Harvard University. The two core members later resurrected the project in their respective homes in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, seeing it as an opportunity to experiment with styles and sounds that they would not be able to use in their other bands. 'Fashionista' is used by both Shome and Rolnik and the two joint together to produce a full length collection of demos in April 2005.
In terms of sound, 'Fashionista' cannot be defined, perhaps because the band's purpose is to experiment with styles. Shome's songs exhibit a stressful blend of loose structure, industrial landscapes, and dissonant hooks, while Rolnik has been known to mix emotional, minimalist pieces that explore the manipulation of various sounds. However, the group is sometimes referred to as 'Fringe Rock', a classification that ironically means that while the music borders many different styles, it hesitates to fall into one."
"Fashionista is mostly a departure from our individual bands to make whatever the hell we want to because we want to. The goal is not to please the audience, it is an attempt at honest music without the molding criticsm that playing in a live band brings. Whether its a complicated solo or two piano chords, it doesn't matter. This is made for us, and whoever else happens to enjoy it. There are only a few lyrics, but we hope that the instruments speak to you just as clearly." -Shome on the Demos April 2005.
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Discography:
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89268: Do you remember the first time?
(Aug 2005)
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---unreleased---
1. Dead Gypsy March
Guitar, Vocals: Indrayudh Shome, Stomps and Claps: Caravaggio Loria, Acoustic Guitar: Guthrie Jones, Guitar: Justin Lee, Bass: Kevin Kung, Cello: Daniel Butler, Accordion: Matthew Tanaka, Samples from National Geographic
2. Packaged
Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Percussion: Indrayudh Shome, Cello: Daniel Butler
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Demos April 2005
(Apr 2005)
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Side A (Indrayudh Shome):
1. Muse
2. Petroleum
3. Seizurematic
4. Perhaps Halcyon
5. You Got Me
6. 1 (Featuring Danny Quinn on cowbell)
Side B (Daniel Rolnik):
7. Sleepty
8. Dented
9. Shudderlove
10. Axou
11. Rap Along
12. Orch Keys
13. Chamelionface/Riverfish
14. Zombie Flesh Eaters
Bonus tracks: Packaged (Demo), 2, You Got Me (alt.), Piano Jam, Goddamntechnojam
All songs by Shome or Rolnik except 1, 5 by Shome and Allaluminumcan.
Artwork by Adrian Dexter.
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Press/Reviews:
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Arthur Douglas Joseph Urquiola, journalist and of "Spermatic Chord" (Hong Kong).
"Lost in a haze of smoke and pills
....The Fashionista CD sounds like some jams that some friends recorded on a computer, because that's exactly what it is. While some people try to keep the same kind of professional production values while trying to cut costs by doing it on a laptop, what makes this work is the fact that Mr. Shome and his friends from Harvard film school have resisted the urge to pro-tool this recording to shit. They may very well have been lost in a haze of smoke and pills as some of the slurred, acoustic tracks (‘Dented’) and free-jam industrial (‘Rap Along With It’) would suggest, but the overall vibe has you lost in it.
It's all about vibe.
Ultimately, what you're gonna get from this is a collection of jams, demos and self indulgent wankery from members of [Allaluminumcan]... 'The Muse' somehow snuck its way onto this from AAC's live set. On paper it shouldn't work, but it does. The desert rockin' grooves of '1' (No relation to the Spermatic Chord song) and the industrial sonic-overload of 'You got me' are inflicted tastefully along side the late-night drive music and space rock."
Andrew Chu (Talkmusic.org)
"The Fashionista Experience
The CD readjusted my definition of “music”, and I believe that [the creators] of this amazing piece of art should be applauded for giving the world such a unique and beautiful gift. On buying Fashionista, I didn’t expect much from the poorly packaged CD, consisting of a booklet printed with an office ink-jet and a paper envelope CD case. But when listening to the CD, I with struck with amazement and wonder by the sounds flooding out of my speakers.
With vocals and barely noticeable electronic tunes fading in and out, backed by funky bass lines and awesome guitars, Fashionista is a pure musical breakthrough. I strongly recommend this CD to anyone interested in music.
Once again I must thank Indy for providing such an incredible experience."
Daniel Quinn, collaborator on Fashionista and of "D String"
"'Wah, so good CD!' I had previously only heard a couple of songs, the most noteworthy one being One where I played backing bass and cowbell, but the rest of the stuff blew me away. Add in the unique packaging, artwork and bonus tracks, and you've got yourself a fashionable, listenable, rocking album."
Ian Corrigan of "One Inch Punch" on the Muse (Singapore).
"Muse starts off with a slow, droning riff, eventually building steam with the vocals towards the swirling chorus. The toned down mumbling Radiohead-esque vocals give a quiet desperation to the song beginning until it leads to the songs declining finish... it's interesting, it's catchy, and it certainly doesn’t suck, so don’t let your "good taste" get in the way of liking this quirky little Hong Kong band..."
Kyle Banick from Clear Lake Reflections on the Muse (Houston, TX).
"What a trip. The singing is what gets me. It's great how it weaves in and out... It's really weird. The electronic drums lace it with a poppy feel while still retaing an ethereal and floating quality."
Dominic Lee of "Subdermal Abrasion" on the Muse (Hong Kong).
"Sounds better than the [Allaluminumcan version]... a lot better. It sounds like Marilyn Manson... the whole vibe of the song... I can imagine it in some horror vampire movie..."
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GARAGEBAND.COM reviews on the Muse:
"Nice mix, very strong, and brilliant with the melody structure. Very smooth cuts and time changes, these guys are in touch with each other musicanship wise. What a gift. Huge potential here for big insane mixes with this band. They have a lot to say and say it with taste. Great work, five star work." -americanrust
" This song grabs the attention from the first couple of seconds, which is a very good thing. I would definitely like to hear this song while hanging out at a dark, dirty bar." -washoff
"I love when music styles mix. What flavor. This has a vibe to it that i can't explain. Very awesome... I will give this an A for originality." -thejacket
"ELECTRO SHOCKER!" -braillehouse
"...I dug it. It has a kinda Radioheadish edge to it and that is what I like about it... The musicianship is great." -scorp371966
"It sounds like a bunch of 300 year old ghosts having a karaoke evening in an old abandoned mansion on a hill." -MikeGam
"I really enjoy the effects and electronica of this song, it gives it a nice loose, ambient feeling." -tastystuff1
"...A cool song, with quite a lot of Radioheadish mood to it. An originality, if I ever heard one." -samu2
"This song has a cool stressfull creepy mood to it. Much thanx to the frenzy drums, the original use of vocal harmonies and the lead guitar that flyes around because of the flanger effect. I especially like the beatchange at 1:24 into the song. It´s unexpected and creative. The song makes me think a bit of Radiohead. Maybe ´cus the singer sounds like a hoarse Thom Yorke." -celebratethesun
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