Paper Bag Records

When looking for awesome music, it's well know that sometimes it helps to stick to one label. In a somewhat related topic, most Canadian bands are quite awesome as well. So, when we find a Canadian indie label, we've struck indie gold.

Indie labels only sign cool bands, and Paper Bag Records are a fine example. Bands like Broken Social Scene, Tokyo Police Club and Stars have all graced the Paper Bag Records label, but the more obscure ones are usual where to find some awesome.



FemBots are a fine example of indie musicians, performing most of their songs on toys or powertools or whatever happens to be lying around. And they've been playing their toys and powertools for eight years... These guys make awesome music. Also, they're usually found playing as backing musicians for The Weakerthans.

So let's all thank Paper Bag Records, for keeping the indie awesome alive and well. If you need suggestions on how, I hear they like cookies.

Today's fine photo comes from Lenny Wu who "takes photos for enjoyment and being in photos as well."

Indie Fashion

So you listen to the music, go to the gigs and hang out with the cool indie people... But now you want the look. That certain style that makes you stand out from the populous masses.



While the masses are looking forward fashion-wise, indie looks back. Back to a simpler time, when music wasn't a breeding ground for commerciality. Thrift stores and charity shops are the corner stone of any shopping trip, here you can find awesome retro clothes. Ebay also has some good retro clothes for sale usually.

A typical wardrobe of an indie guy (I can't say much for indie girls, since I'm not a girl nor have I taken notes on their wardrobe), will consist of some or all of the following:

• Shirts. Short or long sleeved.
• T-Shirts. Band shirts, or shirts with a witty statement or interesting picture.
• Trousers. Jeans (Drainpipes and Flares), Chords and the likes.
• Shoes. Converse are a must have but any shoe will do.
• Overware (I'm not sure what else to call it). Leather or Tweed jackets, hoodies, anything really.
• Hats. Any kind of hat will do. The more interesting and unique the better.

The main thing is to be eclectic. Also, wearing clothes for instances in which their were not intended is a plus (like wearing Bowling shirts at gigs) or having clothes that have some sort of interesting story attached, like how it once belonged to an American, who gave it to you at a music festival in return for some beer and a nice story.

Most indie guys will have beards and lots of hair. Younger indie guys will tend to have no beards, and hair that can be misconstrued as "emo hair", but there is a subtle difference, the difference being that it usually isn't dyed.

Today's photo is from Chromewavesdotorg, though who the person in the picture is I've no idea. If anyone does know, tell me in comments. He seems to have something on his mind...