Caring for Oilcloth

As you may have noticed, we're all about oilcloth right now. Oilcloth is pretty indestructible (as long as you keep the scissors away) but sometimes needs a little help. First, always handwash with soap and water - oilcloth does not like washing machines or dryers. Second, to get folds out of oilcloth, simply hang it up in a warm place and soon they'll be gone. That's pretty much all you need to know about taking care of lovely, kitschy oilcloth.

New Stuff

Humans cannot live on retro and kitsch alone, and so here are three chart topping hits from some current, red hot musical groups.



Okay, this first one is from a group that broke up around a year ago. Not so red hot, I guess. Very sad to see Sleater-Kinney go. The video for "Jumpers" isn't really about what the song is about, or at least not directly. I'm not sure I'd know what the song was about if I hadn't by chance read this disturbing article first.



This next one, "Young Folks," by the Swedish group, Peter, Bjorn & John, qualifies as a bona fide indie smash hit tune and whatnot. Talk about your infectious and contagious hooks... this one should be reported to the CDC. Put on your hazmat suit, or better yet, just give in to it.



As far as this last one, "Destroy Everything You Touch" by the British group, Ladytron, goes... I love the densely layered synth action and the ominous, mysterious lyrics. Makes me feel like going out and fighting vampires or doing some international espionage. But hey, that's just me.

Souvenir Travel Plates

I love travel souvenirs. Especially those tacky little plastic magnets in the shape of states, sno-domes and vintage souvenir plates. Here are a few from my collection (and yes, I need to paint that wall):

Junkyard

I was so blown away by this video the first time I saw it that I didn't realize that this is one of those "live" TV appearances that isn't really live at all - Nick is lip synching and the band is just pretending to play. Oh well. Still though, seeing Birthday Party sort of doing their thing at the height of their powers... well, this is a rare artifact for sure.

It's so strange, I'm not sure what to say about it... bass player Tracey Pew scares me, guitarist Rowland S. Howard is spazzing out in a very 80s sort of way that you just don't see anymore, and singer Nick Cave, even at such a young age, is already sporting a cocktail and cigarette foreshadowing his later loungey persona.

If you click through to YouTube, you'll see that there isn't much info about this clip except that it was from an appearance on a German TV show called Gotterdammerung (what a name!), shot in 1982. Imagine kicking back in your lederhosen for a stein or two, turning on the telly and seeing this! Gotterdammerung indeed!

Collins Kids

I wouldn't claim to be an expert on this era of Americana - count me as more of a fan - but the Collins Kids strike me as pretty damn out there for the time. First of all, Lorrie Collins is like 15 or something, playing guitar and belting out the tunes at the same time like it's no big deal. Lorrie Collins, wherever you are - you rule!

And then there's Larry... there's something a little unsettling to me about him, but in the end, you just can't resist the little guy. His sheer joyful enthusiasm and his amazing virtuosity always wins me over.



There are quite a few Collins Kids videos on YouTube - I recommend you check them all out. You gotta love this first one, "Hoy Hoy Hoy," - I especially love the opening credits for Tex Ritter's Ranch Party.



I like this second one, a performance of "High School Confidential," because it feels very impromptu and gritty. Lorrie really lets loose and Larry's got a great solo where he shows off some wild dance moves.

At first glance, the Collins Kids appear to straddle the line between novelty act and authentic teen garage band. Closer examination tells me they were the real deal - cool American rockabilly kids leading the way, setting the example for how to rock out. We love you Collins Kids!

Buh-nee en Kli-ide

I don't remember how I chanced across this video of Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot performing the odd song "Bonnie and Clyde," but I'm very glad I did. It's grade A strangeness straight outta late 1960's France. I'm including it here because it's a cool piece of kitsch in its own right, but also because as a male-female duet it immediately reminded me of "Some Velvet Morning." How do Gainsbourg and Bardot match up against Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra? You be the judge! It's a tough one...

Say what you will about the song's high kitsch and camp quotient, I think the song's droney, jangly instrumentation is really great and sounds pretty damn fresh. I like the simple, patient arrangement too - it allows the melody to steadily dig in and take hold. The result is that, if you're like me, this song will get stuck in your head for an enjoyable week or so. Everywhere you go, "buh-nee en kliiiiiiide.... buh-nee en kliiii-iiiide." Warning: unless your partner appreciates the joke, you'll annoy the hell out of them.

New Product: Retro Oilcloth Apron - Maude

We love oilcloth and over the past few weeks we've gotten new products in. The latest: the Maude retro oilcloth apron in Istanbul and yellow gingham. Yet another stylish addition for your home!