"I was born in Salford and grew up in Northwich, Cheshire. I always loved my music and thought Manchester was the place where I fitted in, but I wanted to prove people from the suburbs weren't idiots, so I always made it clear the Charlatans were from Northwich, although that meant nothing to anyone outside the north-west"-

Lead singer, Charlatans

MODA

Faris Badwan- The Horrors

  A former illustration student of Central Saint Martins, Faris Badwan now fronts indie rock band The Horrors, who have performed with the likes of Florence Welch and won an NME award for Best Album.

Although mostly recognised for his music career, Faris expresses himself also through the use of art. His work displays his perception of the world; his particular style uses repetition and transformation to create hectic, hypnotic illustrations. His intuitive monochromatic mark making works have been displayed in 2 exhibitions, at the Bondhi Gallery and The Book Club in London. Inspired by artist Paul Klee and his tendency to become frantically obsessed with things, his work presents as meticulous yet chaotic.

   Creatures in Colour was Faris’ most current exhibition and took place at The Strand Gallery, London September 2012. As the title suggests, this was Badwan’s first time of presenting colour in his work. In an interview with Dazed Digital, Faris says, “Watercolours can be extremely vivid and transporting. I like the enthusiasm that comes with enjoying new things.” Most of the drawings are done in a “hypnotic states of consciousness” which interests the audience because “they want to observe the world of the drawings and discover the secrets.”- http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/gallery/14594/1/faris-badwan-creatures-in-colour

   Personally, I find Faris’ monochrome work more interesting because the style is more expressive and seems more natural to the artist. The use of colour in his most recent work makes it blend into the art scene, sitting in with the likes of Paul Klee and Gustav Klimt. Being in an indie guy himself, it suits more for him to stand out with his work and so some of my favourites of his illustrations are from the Dark Arts at Shoreditch's The Book Club.

   Amalgamating art and music, Faris designed the illustrations for the lyric sleeve of the band’s debut album Strange House. The album artwork for their most popular album Skying was produced by Neil Krug, who founded Pulp Art Book and has also worked for Tame Impala and My Chemical Romance. With The Horror’s music being classified as garage rock, gothic rock, shoegazing and post-punk revival it lends itself suitably to the indie culture due to the originality of its sound. The overall appearance of the band is set aside from mainstream music culture, seen in the way they dress, the gigs they put on and the artwork used for their albums.

Burberry Acoustic

  Burberry suffered a brand crisis in 2000 when the trademark check began being related to the ‘chav’ phenomenon. The pattern was being counterfeited and even dogs were seen wearing it. In an attempt to fight back Burberry banned production on baseball caps etc and removed the print from most products. May 2001 enters Yorkshire born designer Christopher Bailey, whose vision for the brand went on to change it to what we know today.

   Using actors and musicians that the younger generation can relate to is what is used in Burberry campaigns. Emma Watson being the face in 2010 and actor Sam Riley (who played Ian Curtis in the 2007 film Control) was the face in 2008. This is where I feel the ‘Indie’ subculture comes in…Christopher Bailey’s passion for music and the way he entangles it into the world of fashion. Used in the brand’s advertising, musicians such as Bryan Ferry, Patrick Wolf and Jack Bevan from Foals have all been featured. This entwining of art forms has now become so strong is the brand that it has its own team- Burberry Acoustic. Showcasing young British bands that they believe in, this project aims to engage customers in the wider culture of the brand. Burberry Acoustic has its own YouTube channel which posts videos filmed exclusively for the site by UK indie bands. This is a great platform for them as they are being supported by such a respected brand.

   Bringing this part of the brand further in the limelight, Christopher Bailey decided to collaborate with up and coming artist of the time Tom Odell for the Burberry AW13 show. Recalling how he gave the musician tactile instructions, "I said this is a fashion show, and you've got, you know, girls walking up and down, but I want people to feel the music – I want them to have that feeling where the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Because that's how I feel when I listen to music." http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/sep/04/christopher-bailey-music-burberry-fashion

   The link between the Burberry brand and music can be seen just by the young musicians it attracts to their front row. They have staged private gigs with the likes of Jake Bugg and have invested in British musicians such as Sam Beeton who you would recognise from their ad campaigns. Going one step further, the flagship store opened its doors up to the public on 23^rd April 2013 for a large scale gig ‘Live at 121 Regent Street’ by indie band the Kaiser Chiefs.

   Personally I really appreciate the brands efforts to collaborate with the music industry of today, especially as if it wasn’t for them I would never myself have discovered my love for Tom Odell

.

T-Shirt Print Design

Two Colour

Full Colour

Full Colour

   Alasdair McLellan is one of fashion’s most fore most photographers. This may seem irrelevant to a blog based on the ‘Indie’ subculture, however, born in Doncaster 1974, it is McLellan’s northern roots that he reflects in most of his work that I find lends itself well to being referred to as indie.

   After studying photography at Nottingham Trent University, McLellan has gone on to shoot numerous covers for Vogue and i-D and also campaigns for Margaret Howell and Topshop.

   Always referring back to his past, his work reflects upon the gritty, blue atmosphere of the north. Sharing a similar belief in ‘English Realism’ with fellow northerner Morrissey, whom of which he includes as one of his influences, it is reflected in his work through use of dull colour, industrial locations and a general depressed mood. American photographer Bruce Weber also has influence on McLellan’s work as they share similar industrial, working class heritage. “He believes that photography should be personal and loves the possibility of creating any kind of world through its medium.”- https://i-donline.com/en_gb/topics/28/alasdair-mclellan

   One of the strongest parts of the Indie subculture is its reference to music, this of which Alasdair also relates to in his work. Bringing the arts of fashion and music together, McLellan has done shoots with artists such as Arctic Monkeys singer Alex Turner and of Morrissey for an interview in i-D magazine in 2004. He was also a member of the group that produced ‘Fashion DJs’- an event held at Abbey Road studios in an attempt to ‘celebrate the inextricable link between musical performance and fashion exhibitionism.’-  http://showstudio.com/project/fashion_djs

   I came across Alasdair’s work on my visit to Salford Lad’s club when I saw an image on their notice board of fashion model Cara Delevingne shot outside the same building. This editorial, titled ‘Manchester Division’ was shot for fashion magazine Purple, using typically ‘Indie’ locations for this shoot such as record stores and some back street alleys. The contrast between the modernity of the Stella McCartney and Mary Katrantzou pieces used against the cold and dull setting that is Manchester works well. I also like the juxtaposition of the look of the male model Tom Middlehurst, whose hair is deliberately styled in an Ian Curtis way, against the fresh face of Delevingne. In a way this reflects what ‘Indie’ is today. It’s going against what you think it should be, it’s rebellious and goes against the curve.