MonaLisa Twins Interview | Music

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We have interviewed MonaLisa Twins, we have featured these talented women, Lisa and Mona Wagner,  before but thought it was time to get their own thoughts in their own words.

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Have you always wanted to make music?

Lisa: Music has always been a big part of our lives, so it was a very natural thing for us and a smooth transition into being “professional musicians”. The radio was always on and we were constantly singing, even on car rides or in school. As kids we got easily excited for a lot of things: we had a passion for animals, all kinds of art, we loved books, movies and everything that was fun to do. But music stuck with us the most, so yes, we always wanted to “make” music, since we were always doing it anyways, but the wish, dream and passion to really make it our profession, started growing from the age of about 13.

 

What are the origins of Mona Lisa Twins?

Mona: Since we’re twins we’ve been living together for 19 years now. That’s quite a lot of time, considering that we’ve spent nearly every single day under the same roof. It’s actually a miracle we can still stand each other, but for some odd reason we do.

When we were younger, our Dad ran a recording studio at home, so we have always been messing around there and recorded cute Birthday songs for family members or friends and the like. Music always meant good times and spending time with our Dad. To this day we still work together with him, write the songs and record them in our own studio.

L: So it was all just a really natural development, we grew up and over the years became better and more certain of where we wanted to head with our music. There was no date or year where it all started, but you could mark a family concert back in 2007 as the first milestone of the musical journey.

 

How would you describe your sound?

M: When we started out covering lots of songs and later to write our own music, we discovered a great passion for the 60s, especially the early beat music. It was the kind of more sophisticated Rock’n’Roll that we were so in awe of. We loved the easy but somehow very powerful songwriting style of that era and tried to integrate as many of the musical elements in our own songs as possible.

L: After listening to loads of 60s bands we were looking for newer groups who wrote in a similar kind of matter, but were a bit disappointed by the lack of it. So we tried to write the kind of songs that we would enjoy listening to. We incorporated many of the elements that we thought made the whole 60s era so special – mainly focusing on interesting, catchy but diversified melodies in our vocals but also guitars, bringing back the strong harmonies and wiry, bright guitar sounds.

 

What is your favorite Mona Lisa Twins song?

L: This is nearly like having to pick a favorite child! But well, I could say that for our more upbeat songs, I personally am very proud of “This Boy is Mine”, since it really brings the raw 60s Beat music vibe across we were aiming for.

M: For me “The Wide, Wide” land has got a very special place in my heart. We wrote it for our grandma who passed away of Alzheimer, and we first played it at her funeral together with our cousin. It was such an emotional moment, and people seem to connect very well with this song.

 

What is your favorite non MonaLisa Twins song?

L: Ah, that’s even harder! It normally is some kind of Beatles song, but there are also so many wicked ones to choose from. One of my all-time favorites would be “You’re Gonna Loose That Girl”. As for more recent songs I’ve been listening to John Mayer’s “Born & Raised” album a lot lately and especially love his song “Speak For Me”.

M: Probably “Because” by the Beatles.

Who is your favorite modern, and non modern artist?

M: As for “modern” artists I would probably say John Mayer. I’ve been going through an unhealthy obsession with his music lately, but I just love the way he puts words together with sing-along melodies. Non modern is easy, the Beatles in my opinion will always be the most mind-blowing band that ever existed.

 

L: It’s hard for me to pick favorites, but for more “recent” bands I enjoy The Belle Brigade, The Arctic Monkey and Josh Pyke to mention a few. Overall I prefer bands from the past, which next to the Beatles would be Donovan, Simon & Garfunkel and Cat Stevens, but the list goes on and on.

 

Who inspires you?

M: People who do more than you would expect them to. This doesn’t have to be art related at all, but I just get really excited when I hear about stories where people go out of their comfort zones to reach their goals. Everything worthwhile on this world was done by people who are not afraid to try out something different and new and are not constantly held back by the desire to “fit in”. I think that’s what life is all about.

L: I completely agree with that. And of course that would also be my musical heroes and idols from the past and present.

 

Describe your style.

L: It’s probably best described as reinvented 60s sound. Bright guitar riffs, harmonies, melodic and catchy, but certainly not trivial songs.

 

What’s next for you?

M: We are planning to release a Live-CD in spring 2014. We played so many shows this last year that it would be a shame if no one got to hear the songs we performed, except the people who saw the shows. So we figured we put out another live record, before going back in the studio to record new original material.

L: We’ll include live versions of our original songs as well as covers. Our voices changed quite a bit, since we recorded the last album, so it should be interesting for our fans to hear how we perform our music these days. Besides that, we are planning to write many more songs and release them as singles one at a time.

 

Norine Braun “Coventus The Eye Of The Heart” | Music Profile

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Norine Braun "Coventus The Eye Of The Heart"Artist: Norine Braun
Location: Vancouver BC
Styles: Roots Rock, Blues Rock, Adult Album Alternative, Funk influenced
Similar to: Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, KD Lang, City and Colour, Grace Slick, Sade
CD: Conventus The Eye of the Heart (Advance)
Members/Instruments: Norine Braun vocals and guitar Adam Popowitz lead guitar and bass, Elliot Polsky drums and percussion Alice Fraser keys and Huggybear Leonard blues harp and penny whistle
Production: Adam Popowitz produced and engineered at Rear Window Song and Sound Coquitlam BC
Bio:
Canadian artist Norine Braun bridges the gap between a singer-songwriter and a rock and roll performer with her new release Conventus The Eye of the Heart. Norine Braun’s music falls somewhere in between the intimate, heartfelt approach of folk and the energy of pop, roots rock, just as if Joni Mitchell, kd lang and Colin James would join Patti Smith and Prince for a jam, somewhere in the vast wilderness of the Canadian landscape.
Her music blinks an eye to the past, while firmly looking forward, blending timeless elements such as blues, rock, funk and country and presenting them to the audience with a freshness and balance that are in tune with today’s sensibilities.
Norine’s diverse approach to songwriting and her prowess as a heartfelt performer are the fundaments of her solid reputation within her local scene, and beyond: This talented artist received recognition from events such as L.A. Music Awards, The Best Female Musicians Magazine and many more.
Ever the chameleon, hardworking DIY Norine Braun is set to release her ninth studio album, adding to her impressive and prolific catalogue. “Conventus The Eye of the Heart”, an inspired piece of music centered around the concept of “unions”, something that affected Norine’s life in several disguises. Vancouver’s finest musicians have joined her again on the musical journey for Conventus. Adam Popowitz has produced, engineered and performed guitar and bass on Conventus, Elliot Polsky performs on drums and percussion, Alice Fraser performs on keys and Huggybear Leonard performs on blues harp and penny whistle.

Emotional, heartfelt and eclectic: Norine Braun in 3 words. “Her voice has the viscosity of a jazz crooner, the elegance of a gospel singer, and the heart of a folk or blues artist.” Bryan Rogers
About her latest release, Norine says “Conventus The Eye of the Heart is my new and ninth album born out of life’s unions and struggles. The past couple of years I encountered many unions in different disguises. I was diagnosed and cured of colon cancer. As I lay in my hospital bed last January, I listened to my roughly recorded demos of these songs and I let them show me the way to health. Music was a healing activity that held my interest and focus in my recovery.
This past year I also embraced a most magnificent union. I married my partner of 25 years on Halloween 2012 the anniversary of our first meeting. I watched my partner’s mother dementia advance and witnessed a great love and strength as we moved through this life transition. I looked at the union in my own family of origin relationship and how my life’s journey as an adoptee has greatly shaped who I am. All of these unions, union of self and body, self and spirit, family union, union of love and marriage are found in the creation of these songs and my new album.
This music is not only my story, it’s also your story in fact it’s our story, it’s everybody’s story. We have all known someone who felt lonely, defeated, betrayed, rejected, scared, and yet found the strength to get back up, fight and win. We all know when we find that union with someone, something or within ourselves we can overcome and celebrate and cherish everything. This is what Conventus is about for me. Conventus is a celebration of union and of life”
What do you think?

Naomie Harris | Get The Look

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Actress Naomie Harris looked amazing as she stepped out at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards in a daring midi-dress. Steal Naomie’s red carpet style with the stunning sequin shift Liquorice dress from Ashley Roberts for KEY Fashion.Naomi Harris, get the look, What do you think?

 

New Mum Sienna Miller Wearing Outhouse Necklace

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Last night Sienna Miller was spotted wearing an Outhouse necklace.

 

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They say style is a statement, and what better way to make a statement than with Outhouse jewellery. Founded by Indian sisters Sasha and Kaabia Grewal, Outhouse is a fusion of contemporary style and rich craftsmanship. Through their edgy and eclectic style, their endeavour is to add an element of Avant Garde to your outfit. Using a myriad of colours, textures and semi precious stones and crystals, each style of Outhouse is handcrafted keeping in mind the quintessential ‘Outhouse Girl’ who is fun, fearless and audacious.

With a huge following in India, Outhouse is seen in the likes of Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Grazia on a monthly basis, this popularity has travelled the globe and thanks to ILoveDesigner is about to explode on the British shores.

Outhouse Opal Statement necklace is available exclusively at www.ilovedesigner.com £175

Sir David Attenborough Launches Global Crowdfunding Campaign to Save Mountain Gorillas

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Frost favourite Sir David Attenborough will launch a global crowdfunding campaign this week to save mountain gorillas.

The Indiegogo crowdfund, launched to coincide with the first ever UK Crowdfunding Day, aims to raise £110,000 by December 11 to support Fauna & Flora International’s work with mountain gorillas.  This work fosters cooperation across national borders and empowers communities to monitor, protect and benefit from maintaining a healthy population of mountain gorillas.

Sir David, who first highlighted the plight of the mountain gorillas in 1978 in the BBC’s Life on Earth television series, said: “If we are to ensure the survival of mountain gorillas, it is vital that the global community supports our efforts.

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“By supporting this campaign and promoting it through your networks, you will not only be helping to secure a future for mountain gorillas, but also the tens of thousands of Rwandan, Ugandan and Congolese people who have come to depend upon them for their livelihoods and wellbeing.”

Founder of TheCrowdfundingCentre.com and organiser of the Deep Impact crowdfunding conference taking place on Friday, November 1, Barry James, said: “The UK is leading the world in using Crowdfunding for good as well as for business. We’re delighted to be working with Sir David and Fauna & Flora International to launch what we believe is the first truly global conservation crowdfunding project – which will undoubtedly be the first of many – as part of this first UK Crowdfunding Day.

“Crowdfunding is revolutionising how businesses are created – making them more people-centred –enabling and supporting the causes the crowd are passionate about. It’s rebooting funding as we know it.

“It’s reshaping the landscape for both for causes, charities and social enterprises and also for startups, entrepreneurs and medical research and has great potential for our communities, towns and cities across the UK. Crowdfunding has changed the financial landscape forever.”

 

3 Beauty Myths Shattered

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amandaeliasWe are all guilty of believing old wives tales or taking myths to the extreme when it comes to beauty. Thanks to the facial therapist, skincare expert and Bravura London founder -Amanda Elias – you can now put these 3 beauty mistakes to bed.

 Blemishes are caused by oily skin 

FALSE. Dry skin can suffer from bacterial breakouts too. Particularly when the skin is dry and flaky as this excess skin will block the pores and cause bacteria to multiply, therefore creating a spot.

Collagen creams will help put collagen back in your skin 

FALSE. The natural collagen in your skin is too deep for any cream to penetrate. A collagen based cream will help nourish your skin but it won’t stimulate the collagen production. Products such as glycolic acid and lactic acid increase skin turnover which in turn can also stimulate collagen.

 Facial oils are only suitable for dry skin 

FALSE. Even oily skin can become dehydrated; but the oil you use is very important. Opt for oils such as Jojoba which has similar properties to your skin’s natural oil, or Castor Oil which can help to clear blocked pores.

 

Amanda Elias is the founder of Bravura London, which prides itself on providing the best quality, effective pharmaceutical skincare products at affordable prices.

Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: Eye Witness Report

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Typhoon Haiyan, phillipines, Aid worker, Sandra Bulling, CARE International, is with CARE’s Emergency Team in the areas affected by the Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Nov. 11, 2013, 19:00 local time

 

“We arrived by boat at the port in Ormoc City. As soon as we stepped onto the port, we were in the middle of a disaster zone. Everything was destroyed. Tin roofing sheets were hanging off trees like wet blankets.

 

“All the houses along the coast are completely flattened. Everything is destroyed. Further inland, about 80 percent of the houses are roofless. About five percent of the houses are completely collapsed – these are mainly wooden houses. It seems like everyone we’ve seen has a hammer or tools in their hands, trying to repair their houses and their roofs. People are picking up poles and pieces of wood from the street. There are long queues at hardware stores, pharmacies. We waited in line for two hours to get fuel. So far the roads are okay, but it’s taking a long time to get anywhere.

 

“I talked to a shop owner whose shop was destroyed; he lost everything. He’s wondering how he’s going to feed his five children. I also met a little girl, who was trying to dry out her books. Her house was totally destroyed, but there she was, worried about her school books, because she wants to go to school. And it’s the only thing she has left.

 

“We just arrived in Jaro, a small town on the way to Tacloban. It’s dark now, so we can’t go any further. We’re staying in the police station tonight – not sure where we’ll sleep, maybe in the car, or outside. There’s an electricity pole that’s leaning dangerously over the police station, so everyone is trying to steer clear of that. Thank  you to the police for letting us use their toilets! Our plan is to go to Dulag, just south of Tacloban. Our driver just came from there, and says it’s very bad, and they need help.

 

“People are becoming quite desperate. Some officials just came and told us that there has been looting in the area, people trying to get rice for their families. People haven’t had food for three days, and they’re trying to feed their families. That’s why it’s so important to get food and emergency supplies in to these areas as soon as possible. In Ormoc, there was food; we could buy chicken and rice. But there were big queues at the food stalls and shops. We’re in an urban area now, and I don’t even want to think what it’s like the rural areas. We’ll start moving again at first light. I don’t think anyone is going to get any sleep tonight.”

 

Jura Launches Search for the World’s Best Stories

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writing competition, writing, Jura Whisky has launched a search for the world’s best stories, with the chance to win two all-expenses paid trips to the 2014 Jura Whisky Festival.

 

Jura Whisky is calling on all budding storytellers to submit a story in 1,000 characters or less. Every fortnight for ten weeks Jura Whisky will provide a different story theme for inspiration. The themes kick off this week with Travel Adventure, followed by Day Dreams, A Brush with Death, Into the Wild and Happily Ever After.

 

Art Wednesday will provide further inspiration by producing a series of videos which tell the stories of interesting, influential creatives and their work. The first two videos will feature writer Marcel Theroux and musician Nick Mulvey (previously of Portico Quartet), with more to follow.

 

From the competition entries, three stories will be chosen each week and turned into bespoke illustrations by creative agency Holler which will be posted on to jurawhisky.com.  At the end of the ten weeks, each of the 30 winning stories will be put to the public vote to find the favourite. Voting will remain open for two weeks.

 

The winner with the most votes will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Jura for the 2014 Whisky Festival to help select the new special edition festival bottling which will be launched at the 2015 Festival. Staying in the luxurious Jura Lodge, the winner will be treated to a VIP tour, taking in all of Jura’s ‘must sees’, including a speedboat trip to the Corryvreckan whirlpool, tea on the beach and a visit to Barnhill where Orwell wrote 1984.
The competition will run right through until Friday, 10 January 2014, is part of Jura Whisky’s new ‘Story Season’ campaign. The competition is open to entrants from all countries.