And All the Tigers

And All the Tigers: "

Consisting of Harris Shper (on vox and guitar), Christine Hale (vox and keys), Al Mal (bass) and Farid Rener (drums), The Hoof & the Heel make unforgettably beautiful music that fits easily on dreamy summer playlists. Based out of Montreal, the quartet's EP called 'And All the Tigers' mixes folksy, poppy, hauntingly magical sounds to create some incredibly captivating tunes. We recently sat down with them down for a few questions, answered below.

Who's the Hoof and who is the Heel and why?

This is a question we get a lot. Let's just say Farid is both for now.

What's the best show you have played?

Hard to pick just one, but an incredibly fun show was not too long ago at the Interstice loft in Griffintown. We played with Gutstrings and Peter Nevins, and everyone was just having a great time listening to music. There was no stage, so we were very close to 100 people dancing right in front of us and the energy was fantastic!

How did you meet?

Farid and Harris met through a mutual friend, then met Christine through a local promoter. She met Al when their names were picked out of a hat to play together in a band for Pop Montreal's Rock Lotto, and voila!

Favorite song of all time (each of you) and brief description why?

Harris: 'A Damn Good Disguise' by The Mendoza Line. Obviously a difficult question, but this is a song I can listen to forever and not get tired of. If I listen to it when I'm happy, I get happier. If I listen when I'm sad, I get sadder. It has a very simple melody and a lo-fi production, and the lyrics are beautiful and ugly and perfect.

Christine: I have two—"Jesus, Etc." by Wilco because of Tweedy's lyrics, voice and the overall production—and "Wally, Egon & the Models in the Studio" by Rachel's because the cello somehow wraps around my heart and squeezes. Sometimes you just don't have words for how music makes you feel. Both are so bittersweet, simple and honest.

Continue reading and check out a video after the jump.

Upcoming tours or plans?

NXNE in June, U.S. tour in July/August, mixed with local shows as well. Recording, writing, etc.

Why Montreal?

Love this city! So many creative, kind, beautiful people and the cold just makes us enjoy the summer more.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Work. [Harris is a recording engineer; Christine is an illustrator/designer.]

Who writes the songs?

Because it's been hard to get us all in the same room at the same time other than practices and shows, Harris been writing the melodies/lyrics so far, and then we all work out arrangements very quickly in our practices. We all usually write our own parts with input from everyone in the band once the song is put on the table.

Anything else we should know?

Share our music with friends—if you don't have enough cash at the moment to buy it from iTunes or the like, send us an email and we'll send you a digital copy of the album! We love having people come out to our shows and want everyone to enjoy the music, thanks!

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The Ghostbusters Return to the New York Public Library [Ghosts]

The Ghostbusters Return to the New York Public Library [Ghosts]: "

Sure, the ghost special effects somehow have gotten worse in the last 20 years, but it's pretty much impossible to not be charmed by the Ghostbusters returning to the NY Public Library. [Improv Everywhere] More »

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Men’s High Fashion – The High-Top/Gladiator Hybrid

Men’s High Fashion – The High-Top/Gladiator Hybrid: "

High-Top/Gladiator Footwear Hybrid

I’m a sucker for a new pair of treads. Rarely a week will pass by when the temptation to buy yet another pair of shiny, Italian leather necessities doesn’t engross me uncontrollably to the point where my head no longer has control over my wallet. Due to this bitter sweet predicament, I have decided recently to put a ban on my footwear fixation, limiting myself to one pair (if that) per month. And I thought quitting the fags was hard!

Unfortunately my shoe cravings aren’t easily subdued by excessive amounts of gum or chocolate (trust me, I’ve chewed until sore in the temples), so I’ve decided to write about the recent little delicacies that have sent my pulses racing instead: The High-Top Sandal.

Trend Setters

The first time I spotted these futuristic, hybrid gems was in the Juun J spring 2010 collection, designed by rising designer Kim Kiroic, who showed a peep-toe, high-top version of the trend. They are awesome if you ask me.



Kris van Assche also conjured up an open-toed gladiator-esque high-top, much like Kim Kiroic’s take on the trend, with maybe just slightly more gladiator to the high-top:

This trend has also witnessed a collaboration between Raf Simons and Dr. Marten, together producing an outstanding, slightly strange but undoubtedly beautiful Dr. Marten boot sandal. The first time I saw them I actually felt myself make a strange, involuntary noise:

Raf Simons also endeavoured in creating his own hybrid sandals for his Spring Summer 10 collection, incorporating everything you want from a ‘this season’ shoe: plastic, futuristic, architectural and my God they’re pretty. The result, I’m afraid, is going to severely upset my bank balance; these are the shoes dreams are made of and quite easily my favourite from the entire trend *heart flutters*.

Givenchy took this trend by the horns and just ran with it, producing a series of hybrid footwear. From a high-top looking sandal to a more futuristic, metallic gladiator sandal (metallic gold, leather, gladiator sandals with gold studs and a wooden sole to be exact); to high rise gladiator sandals completely embellished in studs and even a formal shoe version. Oh god I want them all.

I’m going to have to stop writing now as my cravings have become so strong it’s clouding my judgement and distorting my vision. I fear soon I will lose complete self control. For those of you that don’t need to reign in your spending or those who’ve never suffered from a sever case of shoe inclination… I envy you.

Big Love,

Jacob Kamara

Editor Additions

I better take over now as it seems Jacob may indeed pass out if he sees anymore footwear. I thought what might be quite a nice edition to the article is to show you a range of high fashion or premium designer sandals that are available online this season. It is sometimes hard to get hold of key high fashion trend pieces without visiting a specialist boutique or official designer store, so if you want any of the above featured footwear you are going to have to search for them. This does give them a nice limited edition/unique feel though once you purchase them.

However there are some amazing gladiator sandals on the market right now and they can all be bought online:

Oki-Ni

Matches Fashion

Browns Fashion

ASOS

Outfit Inspiration

Looking for outfit inspiration? Don’t worry I got you courtesy of Lookbook.nu…

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There Was Another iPad 20 Year Ago [Retromodo]

There Was Another iPad 20 Year Ago [Retromodo]: "

Computer genius Alan Kay designed the Dynabook back in 1971, the first notebook and allegedly the first iPad. In 1989, Tom Dair—co-founder and president of Smart Design—worked in this other iPad predecessor for Apple. Here is its story: More »

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The Whole Cosmos Is In This Furry Pillow [Design]

The Whole Cosmos Is In This Furry Pillow [Design]: "

Maybe the whole cosmos isn't in this pillow, but the LEDs hidden in a zippered compartment and causing these glowing, swirling patterns sure do give the illusion that it is. More »

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