ODE TO LOU REED

There is no way you could've missed the tragic news that the legend and inspirational musician Lou Reed passed away on Sunday, at a not so old 71 years of age. We do keep the blog pretty light hearted but with such an inspirational figure no longer with us we had to take a look back at what Lou Reed has achieved, how he changed music and influenced almost every musician around.

From the late 1960's when he fronted The Velvet Underground he made waves and brought a certain movement out of the streets, with friends like Andy Warhol and Patti Smith he was at the heart of creativity. Andy Warhol's art work was featured as the cover of the first album which is still a hugely popular and iconic image. The album caused quite the controversy and was one of the first to bring art, music and fashion together into the mainstream. The album was commercially unsuccessful but created a lifelong fan base for the band and Lou Reed. 

There is a famous quote from Brian Eno saying "that while the Velvet Underground's album only sold 30,000 copies, everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band."

In 1972 Lou Reed left the band and began a solo career producing albums and collaborating with other artists like David Bowie. His distinctive voice and lyrics of misfits, hustlers and transvestites were still not making it the top of the charts but touching people's lives like no other artist. His honest songwriting and emotional lyrics could make you laugh, cry and want to change your life and no one had ever really had that affect on society before. Even David Bowie said " I had never heard anything quite like it. it was a revelation to me." He released many solo albums including the self titled album Lou Reed, Transformer, Rock N Roll Animal and Sally Can't Dance.

Even if you are not a huge fan of Lou Reed's music there is so much you can take from him and appreciate from his life. With such an open minded approach to music, others, art, love and life he used the heart of the New York City to propel him into everything. This fuelled creativity and a lifestyle that many probably wouldn't be able to keep up with.   

Thanks to Lou Reed many musicians and bands were heavily influenced and went on to begin their own careers, that related to many people of all ages and most likely changed their life too.

Here are some of the songs we couldn't live without.

Transformer

Walk On The Wild Side

Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground

Sweet Jane

 RIP LOU REED

MARCH 2ND 1942 - OCTOBER 27TH 2013

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Images Lou Reed Google Search.

Bow for Bowie

So.. the new David Bowie video came out today and what can we say. Well it's David Bowie.. obvs then there is Tilda Swinton.. amazing but wait, who's that? Our two favourite androgynous models Andrej Pejic and Saskia De Brauw playing a young Bowie! It might not get any better than this. A movie type, stylised 5 minute music video without a perfect moment missing.

What a fashionable bunch, Saskia De Brauw, Tilda Swinton, David Bowie, Andrej Pejic

We spoke about the David Bowie Is: Exhibition recently which opens at the V&A on March 23rd and this video has just reminded us all at COW why we must go to see.

David Bowie has always been ahead of the times when it comes to music and fashion and at the age of 66 he is still shockingly influential. We bow to Bowie!

Things To Come..

.. 2013 is going to turn out to be a very eventful year. Our diaries are already filling up with exciting new movies, exhibitions, gigs and more. Here are a few things we are looking forward to attending over the next few months.

THE GANGSTER SQUAD - in cinemas January 11th 2013

Set in LA in 1949 this Gangster movie is first on our list to see this January. With Sean Penn running the shots through the streets, eye candy cops Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin trying to keep him in line and the red head love interest played by Emma Stone, there is definitely plenty of action to wake you up from the January blues. We are also looking out for the classic 1940's zoot suits, glamour and vintage style that comes with this movie.

LONDON FASHION WEEK - London - February 15th - February 19th 2013

Here at COW we love vintage and retro clothes and accessories but as a fashion lover you can't ignore the drama and excitement through London Fashion Week. We will be sure to be checking blogs, watching twitter feeds and hopefully sending people to some shows to keep up to date with what next big trend is coming through for Autumn/ Winter 2013. This gives us the chance to make sure we are picking the best pieces for our stores and online for you to filter these trends and pick up the style for less.

DAVID BOWIE IS - Exhibition at the V&A - 23rd March - 28th July 2013

We can guarantee a COW road trip to London for this one. A retrospective of the work and life of David Bowie. The show compiles over 300 objects from the legend's career including instruments, hand written lyrics, costumes, photography and much more. As a major influence in Fashion and Music and also a bit of a weird heartthrob for all young girls whilst watching The Labyrinth this will be a great exhibition to spend time with friends, family or on your own taking in all of the wonder that this man projects.

THE GREAT GATSBY - in cinemas - 10th May 2013

Well what can we say.. It's finally here. Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Isla Fisher all come together head to toe in 1920's attire. With a story line based around loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings as well as the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits, what could go wrong. We can only wait in anticipation of probably one of the most super stylish movie releases this year by shining up our pearls and polishing up on our Charleston. 

Keep your eye out for other events we want to share with you on here, twitter and facebook and let us know what you're most excited about!