Sugaree
Shake it, shake it, Sugaree
Just don’t tell them that you know me.
This post is coming to you all the way from the land down under. I’m finishing up a short run of shows here in New Zealand and Australia with Zucchero before heading back to the US for a quick regroup to leave the country again for four months. I can’t believe how fortunate I am to be able to go to the Dead and Company shows in the 5 days I’ll actually be back in my own hood. Grateful Dead have always had a special place in my heart. It literally seems like yesterday I was 13 discovering ‘Workingman’s Dead’ for the first time and put that cd on repeat in my discman. Little did I know all the solos that I could hum to a T for the past 20 years would be the inspiration for me learning my secondary instrument, pedal steel guitar. I had no idea what instrument made those sounds on ‘Dire Wolf” or ‘Sugar Magnolia’, I just knew it to be the sound of the Dead. When I purchased my first steel almost four years ago, I was determined to learn Jerry Garcia’s solo over ‘Dire Wolf.’ That’s what started everything. That’s the very instrument I’ve been obsessing over (and not leaving my house much) the past four years of my life. That’s the reason I’m writing this post in Australia, and that’s why I owe the Grateful Dead many thanks for inspiration to help me carve my own musical path.
“Just one thing I ask of you
Just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darling, Sugaree.”
Steel Your Face Tshirt Adam Carstens / High-Waisted Vintage Denim GM Studio LA / Suede Booties (similar) Free People
HAIR: Ashley Layton / MAKEUP: Marlene Sullivan
Photography by Ashley Marie Myers
Play With Fire
Well, you’ve got your diamonds and you’ve got your pretty clothes
As a musician I have my fair share of black clothing. So much black that I have a bin the the garage labeled “black overflow.” I have no idea what kind of ‘overflow’ I’ve stowed away, but certainly not important enough to have even opened the ten gallon plastic bin I filled over three years ago. Honestly, sometimes it’s fun to set it and forget it, and later revisit the forgotten garments of years past. It’s like going vintage shopping in my garage! Back to black…it’s only been recently that I’ve been getting into bold reds (starting with the dramatic color change in my hair last fall) and mixing fire tones with basic black has been one of my favorite color combos recently. This Pachamama Bohemian jacket is anything BUT basic, however, just using three colors this is one of my favorite boldest pieces I own. And it makes it all the more special that it was gifted to me for my birthday this year by the designer herself when she came to a show of mine in Florida this April. I love you Val!
Bold reds amongst the desert tones at Pappy and Harriet’s.
My favorite little bandana I got in Tokyo last March.
“But don’t play with me, ’cause you’re playing with fire.”
Hand-stiched Bohemian Jacket Pachamama Bohemian / Leather Pants GM Studio LA / Vintage Bolo
Hair: Ashley Layton / MU: Marelene Sullivan
Photography by Ashley Marie Myers
Ramble On Rose
Ramble on baby, settle down easy…
Dirt roads, dustings of pink, greens, sun-faded blues and yellows make the desert a sight for sore eyes. If I’m jumping in my car, driving due east of Los Angeles is my favorite direction to head. The solace of desert life is something I always dreamed of as a midwestern kid, and beginning only just a year ago with my first trip to Joshua Tree, the desert has never let me down. I can guarantee I’ll own a second home there before the end of my thirties. Besides the artistic way of life that comes so easily in Joshua Tree, there is so much inspiration in the desert. The vegetation, wildlife, the night sky, the mom and pop shops that will always be ahead of the trend, and the locals. It’s the outlaw way of life that has become so desired by the creative types like myself. Desert outfitters such as Pachamama Bohemian and The Champagne Gypsy will forever fill my wild west inspired closet.
“Did you say your name was Rambling Rose?”
Embroidered Elephant Denim Jacket Pachamama Bohemian / Beaded Mini Backpack with Pom Poms Pachamama Bohemian / Gold Crochet Monokini Pachamama Bohemian / Mother of Pearl Angel Wing Earrings The Champagne Gypsy / Gold Moon Face Ring The Champagne Gypsy
Hair: Ashley Layton / Make up: Marlene Sullivan
Photography by Ashley Marie Myers