TwoCoastLove

Macklemore: The Heist

2012-10-09T19:15:00.002-07:00

It was about three months ago, in the midst of summer, while I was driving to my internship in Hollywood at Capitol Records. It was nine in the morning but the sun was already blazing, I was late and I had to get gas. $3.98 for a gallon. I was pissed, coffee in hand and not in the mood to listen to Top 40s or anything too peppy on my way to work.

I turned on 98.7, a typically rock/indie station and drove down Rose Avenue in Venice en route to Hollywood. It was one of those rare moments when you randomly turn to a new station just as a song is about to begin. They introduced it as a young, unsigned artist out of Seattle who had just released a song about gay rights. I was intrigued.

The opening was long, a kind of misty sound with faint piano and chimes. Then the piano grew and the intro started, and the voice I heard through my speakers was calm, pronounced, sexy. The first line "When I was in the third grade, I thought that I was gay."

The song continued with the artist, Macklemore, explaining why at eight years old he had these thoughts. How he actually wasn't gay but at such a young age it was a confusing, misunderstood, misjudged thought.

Featured in the song is Mary Lambert who sings a beautiful hook about how her lover keeps her strong and warm. Macklemore enters again "If I were gay I would think hip-hop hates me." His raps smoothly come in and out between piano riffs, a light beat and Lambert's hook.

"I might not be the same, but that's not important. No freedom til we're equal, damn right I support it."

That one line got me obsessed. The song ends with an insurgence of a brassy trumpet solo and Lambert's hook again. Beautifully written, beautifully stated. I got to work, at a record company, with plenty of amazing artists and CDs to listen to. But, I listened to his song "Same Love" on repeat for 8 hours. I looked up other songs and became instantly obsessed.

I found Macklemore's, born Ben Haggerty, Tumblr and followed that and his Instagram. It said he was going on tour soon so I looked up when he would be in LA. Not until October. But he would be in Boston in November. I emailed my friend his songs and she was hooked, too. We bought tickets right away - a small price for the amount of excitement and thrill we had. It was like knowing a musical secret that would eventually be shared with everyone in the world. The type of secret you're proud to share.

Yesterday Macklemore released his first official album, The Heist. Immediately it became #1 on the iTunes new album charts. Macklemore is unsigned to a major label, and proud of it, as you can hear in his song "Jimmy Lovine." He ends the song with: "I appreciate the offer, thought this was what I wanted/ Rather be a starving artist than succeed at getting f****ed."

Gay rights, musicians rights, this guy knows what he's talking about. But there are countless tracks on The Heist album that are just plain fun to listen to. "Thrift Shop" is all about his love for Good Will and wearing people's grandparent's clothing. Then there's "Cowboy Boots" a country-esque song dedicated to drinking, aging, friends and memories.

So, the point of this post: Buy the album. Be a part of the growth of a truly amazing artist for our generation. Finally, something worth listening to.

Macklemore.com

Columbus Day DIY

2012-10-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Today we didn't have class in honor of Columbus Day. I'm not sure what people do to celebrate this day but since I was classless and got off work early (I guess people don't eat on Columbus Day), I decided to give my room some TLC. So, I bumped Kanye's Late Registration album and got to work with paint, brushes and some creative placement of my favorite unworn shoes. Now all I need to do is pick the perfect picture for my empty frame!

Bee Hive

2012-10-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful summer/fall transitional-confused day a few Saturdays back so Selin, Allison and I went to Bee Hive in the South End. We have decided that each week we will go to a new area of Boston that we have never been to before and this was our first stop! We cheated a little bit because Allison had already been here twice with her boyfriend, but she said the eggs benedict and Bloody Marys were irresistible. She was right! They usually have jazz bands perform inside but it was too beautiful of a day to waste indoors. Soon enough with the fall season approaching we won't have a choice!

I'm Back!

2012-10-02T17:25:00.001-07:00

It has been over an entire semester - basically 10 months - since I have last posted which is far too long. So many things have happened and developed and it is time I start to document once again. My lovely roommate, Selin, recently bought me the Cupcakes and Cashmere book and it has really inspired me to get back into the online blogging world. From now on: dedication.

Off-White and Sparkles

2012-01-26T19:52:00.000-08:00

via Tumblr

Free People January I

2012-01-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

In California...

Bonjour, mes amis!

2012-01-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

Instagrams from Paris & Belgium! Follow me @zoegillespie

Nasty Neon Yellow

2012-01-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

Nasty Gal's looking pretty yellow this spring

I'm baaack

2011-12-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

WOW. I can't even begin to explain my absolute disregard to this page but I'm back and will be posting soon enough. Since the last time I posted I visited friends in Boulder, Colorado, became the new PR Chair for Alpha Epsilon Phi, obviously have done a substantial amount of shopping, and found out my family and I are going to Paris for Christmas (among various other things)! I've been updating my Tumblr a lot (zoegillespie.tumblr.com) so my latest favorite images are up there now but I'll post some here as well. Can't wait to share photos of my travels! I'm crossing my fingers I get to make a day-trip to Amsterdam (casual). Until then, xx

Thursday Threads: Denim Destruction

2011-11-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

After reading one of my favorite foreign blogs, La revue de Kenza, and seeing her cut-off denim vest it inspired me to make my own. I took an old jacket and simply cut off the sleeves, instantly creating something new for my closet. I'm hoping to make this a weekly thing, so let's see how long that lasts... if you have any inspiring ideas for me hit a sista up via Facebook or Twitter

Spikes, Twins, and Hip-Hop

2011-11-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

I have just recently gotten back onto my Tumblr. I haven't posted on it since the Royal Wedding which seems like years ago now. I've been so crazy with work and school that I've barely posted anything of substance lately but here are some of my favorite Tumblr images. Currently blasting Beyonce in my headphones and scrolling endlessly through my favorite pages.

In case you want to check it: zoegillespie.tumblr.com

and peep the twitter @zoegillespie

Masquerade

2011-10-31T09:06:00.000-07:00

Some photos from the Sigma Chi masquerade-themed formal last week

Dress: Racerback Wrap Dress from ShopNastyGal.com, LF/vintage jewelry, home-made glitter mask

Sunday Shots

2011-10-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

I'm really feeling the assortment of random images lately...

via Oracle Fox, Where's My Other Shoe, and various

Thursday Thoughts

2011-10-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

via Tumblr, Oracle Fox, & various blogs

Cute & CoHMfy

2011-10-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

Two new sweaters from H&M's fall collection. The first is a classic beige slightly cropped woven and the second is metallic-gold shimmer & dolman sleeved. I've been layering both with black jeans and my Fiorentini's. Happy Fall!

Boston MFA

2011-10-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

Last week my Creative Writing seminar class took a nice trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. When I say nice that means me running for the bus then catching two trains to make it there on time, but I made it! Our assignment for this week is to pick a piece of art from the MFA and write in any style that we are inspired to write. Technically we weren't allowed to take pictures of a lot of exhibits but I snuck a few on my iPhone. My favorites were in the contemporary section which didn't allow photos at all. I got a little scared but secretly snapped away. I'll just have to go back again soon. Students get in free!

Boston MFA

465 Huntington Ave., Boston

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Sparkles and Fur

2011-10-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

ShopNastyGal.com's latest additions

Follow TwoCoastLove on Twitter: @TwoCoastLove

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Skating USA

2011-10-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

Here's to all of the flannel-wearing, blonde-haired west coast skater boys that us CA girls can't live without

via tumblr and Hard to Explain

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and Facebook: Facebook.com/TwoCoastLove

Thinking Pink

2011-10-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

The sisters of BU's Alpha Epsilon Phi participated in the Making Strides breast cancer walk last week and raised over $5,000.

In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, my favorite pink images...

via Hard to Explain, Tumblr, and various

Thursday Style

2011-09-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

Sweet Sea Surrender

2011-09-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

Sand, sun, sea, surf, and salt

I am missing California

via HardtoExplain79.blogspot.com

Long Hair Don't Care

2011-09-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

Super long post about super long hair.

One Year

2011-09-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

It's been exactly one year since the start of my blog-- crazy! At first I wanted to document the life of a college student, you know, all about studies, exploring the new city, personal discoveries... which are all obviously exciting topics, but a little too emo for my taste. Luckily, it transformed into a documentation of all of the things I love: travel, fashion, great food, showing off my friends, various projects, etc. Maybe once in a while I'll put in some words about my personal life but I think it's best to keep it strictly professional (i.e. internships, jobs, and all that good stuff).

For the next year I look forward to more travel (going abroad and visiting family), lots of great food, new work endeavors, and of course, my favorite, clothing! Thanks to all who read and keep up with my random bursts of inspiration. I project this to be a truly amazing year. xoxo

New to View

2011-09-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

Some photos from a few of my favorite new blogs (added to "Favorites" above)

C's & S's

2011-09-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

via Hard to Explain, Fashion Toast, Chanel, Jak & Jil, Nasty Gal