Alex Holmes: So you're a stylist. Can you elaborate on what that means, day to day?
Candice Lambert: That is hard to sum up day to day.  It is a lot more than people think.  Everyone thinks that you just shop for a living and it is so fun and easy. There is a lot more that goes into it.  For example, right now I am making a look-book for a client for their new album.  This takes a lot of time, because you have to meet the client, listen to the album, discuss where they think their image should be, discuss where their manager and the label think they should go... and overall what you, as a stylist, envision as well.  Then you go back home and find images that inspire you, it could be a shirt, a shoe, an outfit...a color.  It is very time-consuming but also a lot of fun.  After that, you work out numbers, “a budget,” shop, do a fitting, do the shoot and return it all.  Then turn in all the receipts and paperwork.  You have to be very organized and on top of your game.

AH: Where are you from originally, and how do you think that has affected your fashion sense?
CL: I was born in Texas but lived all over the world.  My father is a General in the Army, so we lived in South America, Europe and all over the U.S.  I think it affected my fashion sense in that I am open... open to different styles, cultures, and love it when people express who they are... even if I don't always get it.

AH: What have you been working on most recently, and is there anything exciting coming up?
CL: I work mostly in music but I did just finish styling a short film, it was fun to go out of my genre and try something new.  I just finished the new Offspring video, which we filmed in Huntington Beach.  Talk about great guys, and what a pleasure to work with.  Now I am working with Fantasia on her new album and it is going to be AWESOME.  I heard some of the tracks yesterday and it blew me out of the water.  I am really excited for her and she is such a doll.

AH: Who is someone you would like to work with?
CL: Oh man... The Foo Fighters, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Awolnation, Dead Sara, Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys, U2... just to name a few. Believe me... the list goes on.

AH:  Have you had any memorable experiences with celebrities you could share?
CL: I have had a lot of memorable experiences with bands but I can't really narrow it down to one.  Plus I like to keep those things to myself... I am a private person and they don't seem as special when you share them.

AH: How did you get into your career?
CL: INTERNING!!  I worked at a record label, a music branding company, a fashion house, you name it... I did it.  All I wanted to do was work in music as a stylist.  So I interned and worked for free...it really is priceless.  Then eventually I started getting paid as an assistant and picking up my own jobs along the way.

AH: What is your personal style?
CL: I would say I am a mix between Joan Jett and Gwen Stefani.  I am a punk-rock kid who loves Chanel and her old dirty jean jacket with holes and buttons all over it.  My point is, I like vintage mixed in with designer...the new with the old and always a punk-rock twist in there.

AH: If Bed|Stü made a shoe called The Candice, what would you want it to look like?
CL: Well it would be black, probably a bootie or a boot... with some kind of distortion somewhere on it... feminine but with an edge.  I have to think about that a little more.

AH: What do you like about Bed|Stü?
CL: Bed|Stü is the bomb.  They make the best boots and shoes for men and women.  I like that they keep up with the trends and styles but have their own little special touch added to them...the oxidized versions, the distorted toes and scratches.  They make their shoes look worn, with some character to them, and a vintage feel... very cool stuff.  

AH: You’re making us blush. What are some wardrobe must-haves for women and men?
CL: Pair of black skinny jeans, a good Leather, a pair of black boots, booties, and a heel. Accessories... belts, jewelry... etc.

Really though the most important part is to have is confidence in what your style is and who you are.  I think you can throw together any variation of an outfit but you have to rock it and believe in it.  Your fashion and your style are an expression of who you are... you just need to be confident enough to express yourself and not give a damn.  

Check her out at twitter.com/CDiceLove

This week, we talk with Nicholas  Esser, Bed|Stü’s East Coast Account Executive, about his move to NYC, men’s closet essentials, and what he cooks up for his buyers.

Alex Holmes: Where are you from originally, what did you do before this, and how did you come to work for Bed|Stü?
Nicholas Esser: I am from Benicia, California in the bay area, east of San Francisco, south of Napa. I was an account executive for a multiline accessories showroom before Bed|Stü. Before that I was a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. 

AH: How many pairs of Bed Stu do you own, and which are your favorite?

NE: I probably have around 20 pairs of Bed|Stü Shoes. My favorite pair of Bed|Stüs are the Post boot. It was my first Bed|Stü and I have it in 3 colors now. I love them. I could walk all day in them. Run to catch a cab. They fit like a comfortable sock. The new tan glove color is my favorite for Spring.

AH: How do you like New York? How has the adjustment to east coast life been? 
NE: New York is a great city to live in. I am glad I got to live here while I am young enough. It is not a city I would want to grow old in but I do enjoy it here. There is always something to do. The adjustment was a little tough in the beginning, but once I got over the first winter it was not so bad. I still miss the west coast and try and go back as much as possible.

AH: What do you like to do on the weekends? Do you get out of town much?
NE: I just bought a new car so I am really enjoying getting out of the city on the weekends.  Summer in NYC can be a little hot and sticky so I’m trying to find my weekend escapes ahead of time.

AH: How many pairs of shoes do you own total? 
NE: 60ish. I was not much of a shoe guy before I worked at Bed|Stü, but now my closet is overflowing!

AH: What essential types of shoes need to be in every man's closet? 
NE: Every man needs a great dress loafer and a classic boot. 

AH: What are some other fashion essentials that no man should be without?
NE: I am a big fan of a nice watch. Or some great cufflinks. Nothing says class like a great pair of cufflinks with a Thomas pink shirt. 

AH: When is it time to throw out a favorite pair of shoes? 
NE: NEVER - Get them resoled and wear forever!!!

AH: If you could throw away one piece of your partner's wardrobe, what would it be? 
NE: He has these pants that have the front pockets on the exterior. They are awful. I sometimes think about pouring bleach on them
 
AH: And if he could throw away one piece of your wardrobe, what do you think it would be?
NE: Probably my sweat pants. I pretty much live in them. When I am home from work I swap out of my work clothes and straight into work out clothes. While I like looking good, I love being comfortable.

AH: I hear you like to cook for your buyers, what do you usually make? 
NE: Fried chicken and blueberry muffins, just not together. 

  

Options are key when choosing a Mother’s Day gift, but have no fear, I’m here to help. When it comes to gifting your loved ones(or even the occasional “frenemy”) it’s best to start off small. The same goes for Mother’s Day. A leather cuff, such as our Toofer cuff in brown, is a great option for the fashion-forward mom who loves to add a little something extra to her outfits. Note: it’s best paired with a bouquet of flowers and a thoughtfully written card. Refer to the beginning of this post for a slight description of your own words vs. Hallmark.

Moving on to the slightly more experienced Mother’s Day gifter, we have the next best option: a purse, but more specifically, the Bed Stu Emily bag in Tan. Gifting mom with a bag for Mother’s Day is comparable to the age-old “tie for Father’s Day” gift, except a whole lot better. While ties are standard are rarely worn(but really, what do I know about ties?), purses are something mom can use everyday.

Belts are a tricky product to gift, but worry not, I’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for an accessory mom can wear on her days off or during long days in the office, check out the Haley belt in tan. With subtle heart adornments, you can show mom you care the good old fashioned way: through a really great gift. If your mother is more of a black belt  only kind of gal, look no farther than the Syrena belt in black. The zigzag stitching is an update on a classic; perfect for a classic woman!

 You knew I’d dabble in the experienced gifter zone sooner or later, and the time has finally come. Shoes are one of my favorite gifts to receive--when it’s done right. There are tons of factors to keep in mind. What size shoe does mom wear? Fancy or casual? And most importantly, heels or flats?! We’ll start off with two comfortable yet cute options: Aunt Rose in teak and Aunt Bettie in merlot. Both are great for leisurely afternoons, and can even be worn with a dress for a day at the office. Let’s just say mom will thank you for replacing her surely uncomfortable shoes with one(or both) of these slip-ons.



If mom is less of a flats lover and more of a heels worshiper, you’ll want to try Julie in saddle burnished. This strappy wedge is a great everyday heel thats both stylish and incredibly comfortable(trust me, I own them). Another option is Gloria in the natural shade. It matches nearly every outfit, and it’s the perfect afternoon brunch shoe. Note: now would be a great time to make a brunch reservation for Mother’s Day.

So, here it is. Our fist themed recap. We were seeing #bedstured.



photos by: @nicolebeltrami, @markglesne, @citybrewed, @nickessernow, @estey200


We've got you seeing #bedstured now too?! Use the hashtag #bedstured to join in on the fun. We'll be announcing our newest challenge soon, so stay tuned!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art may be one of my favorite museums in New York. On a recent gloomy day, the East Coast Bed|Stü team(minus one), headed over to the museum to look at the good, the bad, and the slightly outrageous art housed in the nearly 2 million square feet building.

My favorite part of the Met, althoughit’s hard to choose just one, is the victorian model room set up. I can picture myself living in more than one of the chandelier housed bedrooms, aside from the fact that it’s in a museum and I’m really not up for constant company.

If you do decide to hit up a museum, you can't forget your walking shoes. With 2 million square feet of ground to cover your shoe choice can mean the difference between a nice afternoon and an afternoon wishing you hadn’t left the couch. Ladies, for a trip to the museum, check out the Cobbler Lita(any color will due). For the spring, pair it with a light sundress or a comfortable pair of pants(cuffed at the bottom) and you’ve got the perfect museum look. Guys, why not check out a pair of the Cobbler Corsico shoes? A classic look for a day at the museum.  

 

  

DR: I recorded “Smile” with the same producer we had used on the last couple of Silent Treatment records, Mark Renk. He’s a vocal guy and we have spent a ton of time together. He could sense this change coming.  We spent some late nights discussing the direction of the record. I wanted it to be warm and loose; like I was sitting next to the listener. I wanted the music to be completely honest. There are guitar flubs and off-key notes, but I wanted it to sound like a human played it. I was over trying to get everything painfully perfect. Of course, I wanted it to sound great, but the idea was to add some character... like when you listen to a Zeppelin record and you can hear the hum of Page’s amp or Bonham’s squeak of the kick pedal.  We recorded digital, but we kept the mindset of a live complete take in mind; no cutting and pasting.

AH: It’s funny that you say that about wanting it to feel like you’re sitting beside the listener. I got that from your album. I was about to say that it sounds like the kind of music I want to hear in a small place, around a fire or something. There’s definitely warmth in there. Is the plan to tour now?

DR: Yes, the plan is to hit markets that I’ve established and to expand from there. I’ll be flying out and doing a series of short runs this summer in cities like Portland/Seattle, Denver, Austin, Boston/Philly/NYC. I’m keeping things simple. My overhead on a plane ticket and carry-on guitar isn’t much.

AH: Great to hear we’ll get to see you over here on the East coast. Do you plan on playing shows solo, or bringing anyone along, or maybe playing with friends or studio musicians on the road?

DR: I’ve found I really like to be alone on stage at the moment.  It’s been pretty liberating. I get to be the timekeeper and dreamer of dreams. I’d like to return to all of the tour stops with a more flushed out band. Olivia and I have been talking about going out together as “David & Olivia”.  She does a set, then I do some, then we both get up on stage together. I’ve been writing more songs in the “Key to My Heart” duet vein that we’ve been working out. Really excited for what is and what’s to come.

AH: What’s the experience you want to create for your audience when you perform alone on stage? You’ve already told me you want your recordings to sound like you’re right there. What do you want to do when you ARE right there? What can I expect from your show when you make it to New York?

DR: Yes, great question. I’ve thought a lot about the experience. I’ve gone from a loud rock spectacle where I’m jumping around and playing off of my bandmates to “OK, I’m alone, how’s this going to go?” I suppose the main difference is how I’ll communicate with the audience. It’ll be intimate and personable.  It’s all about being honest and open and letting the audience into this warm place inside that all of this music flows out of.  Whether that’s through how I tell a story, sing a song or strum the guitar, it’s real and people will be able to tell. It’s not often nowadays that people are completely honest with themselves, let alone others.  




WEB: www.DavidRosalesMusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DavidRosalesMusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DRosales
Youtube: www.youtube.com/DavidRosalesMusic
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/smile-ep/id494634006

I'll give you a few hints. 

For our men: Orleans. Ellington. Cosburn.

For our women:  Coral. Turquoise. Natural. 

Excited? We know we are! Be sure to check back within the next two weeks to see these new styles/colors available right here on our site. Until then, here's a photo of one of our newest men's styles Orleans Camel/Denim Shoes (coming soon). 

 
Hosted by one of our designers, we were able to get a sneak peek into his world - which by the looks of it, consists of shoes, shoes, and more shoes! He may not fit into all of these, but who wouldn't want a closet like this!? We'll keep dreaming. 

 

And of course, we brought some of our friends along as well. 

Happy 17th Anniversary Bed|Stü!

Photo was sourced from: http://www.starpulse.com/Actresses/Spelling,_Tori/gallery/20120418-33/

Once a week we are going to find a new destination, activity, or event, and we are going to figure out the perfect Bed|Stü shoes to match. Through exhaustive planning, brainstorming, and testing, we will identify the ideal pair of shoes to compliment your lifestyle. They’ve got to have just the right style and just the right functionality for you whether you’re strolling down the boardwalk in Santa Monica or taking in some culture at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

So next time you’re headed out to the park, a party or a bowling alley, stop by here first. We’ll let you know what to put on those feet before you step out.

What's up first on our list? Just the right shoes to enjoy a Spring afternoon in New York. 

As for macaroons, I have to thank her for sharing with my colleague and I as we chatted with her on a chilly sidewalk outside a café in Brooklyn.

And as for Downton Abbey, you need only look at the BBC’s website, which features April’s dog, Scout, dressed as a character from the hit series. It turns out Scout is also a fan (or maybe not, based on her expression!).

I suggest that you check her out on the upcoming tour (beginning April 12^th), because there’s big news: April has a baby on the way! Check her out before the baby steals the stage.

   

Watch the video below and see if you can spot his footwear!  

Thanks to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for our next contest. 

We love hearing feedback from our customers and right now it's all about adding the white belt to your spring/summer wardrobe. If you're looking for a white belt with a vintage feel, decorative threadwork and/or a true statement piece, we've got you covered!

Here are three white belts that will take your spring outfit up a notch:

Rockaway White Belt	Teague White Belt	Mitchell Natural Belt

Not a fan of white? All of these belts are also available in additional colors. Take a look!

While I’m not too much of an Easter Bunny fan (fabricated bunny stories kind of freak me out), I do love Easter. Aside from being with family (and celebrating for religious reasons) I love that it’s an official reminder that Spring has officially arrived (a season that was rarely noticeable when I lived in Florida). Here at Bed|Stü, we love holidays, especially when that holiday includes dyeing Easter eggs.

On Thursday, the East Coast Bed|Stü team invited a few of our favorite people to join us for an evening of dyeing a few too many Easter eggs, and chatting with old and new friends. Needless to say, we know how to have fun.

In between creating truly original footwear and accessories- the Bed|Stü staff is constantly instagraming their favorite moments of the week. 

Cheers to the first official week of April!

Want to see more from our week? Here are the complete images from our employee's instagram for March 31 - April 6:

  

  

  

  

  

  

And don't forget to follow Bed|Stü on instagram: bedstu 

With six different shoes and colors to choose from, we've picked two of our favorites and want to know if you are a Manhattan or Downtown kind of guy (or gal).

Our East and West coast teams met up at a hotel on the edge of Austin on Thursday afternoon.

Before we (East) even met up, though, we had a shop-hop with Joah, the mind behind StyleX, and a group of stylists, bloggers, and business-owners. Piling into two white panel-vans, we wound our way through the mobs of people choking the streets of Austin. We started at a new addition to Austin’s fashion scene, a small store selling Italian fashions: Cotone. Alex, Cotone’s owner, welcomed us and gave us a rundown of his personal goals and his take on the landscape of fashion in Austin. From there we bounced from one end of town to the other, from sneaker shops to jewelry stores, from the vintage to the modern, and enjoyed more than one store’s hospitality with a few cocktails and snacks to help us through our journey.

At the end of the day we had a good feel for where we were and what we could expect in the coming days.

After a beautiful sunset kickoff party hosted by StyleX on the pooldeck of the W Hotel, we all went to bed early, knowing that we had to be at the convention center by 6:30 to setup for the first day of StyleX.

On the road before dark, we found ourselves among the first to arrive and begin setup at the convention center. As we carried boxes and boxes of shoes to the shelves of our booth, the room slowly came to life. Fashionistas and innovators ranging from the smallest shop in Austin to American Apparel began to set up all around us. Before we knew it, a voice came over the PA system, “Attention StyleX, doors will open in 5 minutes.” It was time. As everyone began buttoning their jackets and straightening their racks, the flood began. Once the doors were open, it was nonstop. What a success. We met lifetime locals and first time visitors, musicians and designers, filmmakers and politicians.

StyleX had grown by leaps and bounds from last year, and Bed|Stü was one of a select few brands that had been there to see its beginning.  As visitors and designers walked from booth to booth, eyeing new styles and trying on their favorites, a runway show began, with SXSW musicians as the star models. Nearly every model, I might add, wearing Bed|Stü.

The following day allowed a slightly later start for our team, as we were already set up.

Saturday saw just as many new guests stopping by our booth, but it also allowed some of us time to get out in the street and take in the festival while meeting people and talking about our stuff. A beautiful St. Patrick’s day sun illuminated thousands of festival-goers proudly wearing their Bed|Stü SXSW 2012 bracelets up and down 6^th street, the most lively and populated area of the festival. Music streamed out of every doorway, window, and it seemed even every crack in the sidewalk. Street performers lined the streets – a werewolf playing the fiddle, a one man band on the corner, an impromptu parade of brass and drums marching up and down the street, growing larger with each pass. The air was electric, and StyleX was at the center of it all.

Photo Credit: Nathan Martell & Ellie Eckert

Now it's the time for the east coasts team to tell you about their Austin travels. 

With my list of places to visit about a mile long, and only a few days to spare, I had to narrow it down to the essentials: food, shopping, and a little more food.

My first essential stop? Big Top Candy Shop. As their Facebook page describes it, “the most amazing candy shop the world has ever known!” No need to say more, I’ll be there.

While strolling around I plan to “accidentally” stumble upon Bows + Arrows, a clothing, accessories, and home store that is (unfortunately for my credit card) right up my alley. I’ll think of it as an investment. I’ve got to look stylish at our Style X booth!

When asking around for the best places to visit in Austin, I was frequently told that the vintage shops would blow me away. Challenge accepted. Out of all the shops I’ve stalked leading up to our trip, Feathers Boutique made it on my very selective “must visit” list. Hand selected gorgeous vintage items? Yes, please.

I’ve never really been one for donuts(I have an exclusive love for Doughnut Plant, and tend not to stray too far from that). I will, however, make an exception for Gourdoughs. Aside from the “Big. Fat. Donuts” description on their website, they boast a donut named the “Flying Pig.” This deserves a visit. Not only is the menu impressive, but the Airstream Trailer that acts as a food truck is just as catchy. 

Last on my list? STAG, a store filled with new and old clothing, accessories, and antiques for the “modern man.” Sure, I’m not a man, but I can appreciate vintage assortments of just about anything. 

My Bed Stu boots are packed, my list is complete, and I am officially ready to take on Austin, Texas! 

              

 

Last year, Bed|Stü was part of the first ever StyleX at SXSW 2011. StyleX is the official fashion discovery showcase of South by Southwest. It's a celebration of up-and-coming brands and designers from around the world (50 pop-up shops) along with an inside look at the fashion industry from thought leaders (eight panels) and some pretty spectacular runway shows featuring SXSW musicians as the models.The chance to interact directly with the consumer and see people’s reactions to the product was both exciting and influential. This year’s StyleX will be bigger, showcase more brands, and have a much wider audience, and we are looking  forward to being part of it again. SXSW is such a unique festival in such a fantastic city, and Bed|Stü will be right there with you for all the shops, shows, and parties.

Hope to see you all down there!!

Steve Weatherford strode quietly into the Bed|Stü showroom, removing his sunglasses and greeting our team with a smile and a barely audible hint of Midwest in his “Hello.” At 6’ 3” and 215 lbs of toned muscle, the punter for the Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants cuts an impressive figure.

While he seemed coolly intimidating at first, his casual ease and friendly demeanor quickly made everyone perfectly comfortable hanging out with the sudden star. 

Although Weatherford has been in professional football since 2006, this is his first championship, he tells us, in anything. The past few weeks since the Giants’ victory have been a non-stop rollercoaster of parties, press conferences, charity events, and camera flashes. Our photographer apologizes for the constant shutter snaps, but Steve quickly eases his concern, telling him that in the past few weeks the sound has been so pervasive that he doesn’t even hear it anymore.

As Steve walks through the showroom his love of shoes and fashion is impossible to miss. He almost immediately tells us that he has been wearing Bed|Stü boots since college, where he bought them from Buckle, and comments that our selection and style have grown dramatically since 

then. He picks up pair after pair of Bed|Stü’s new line, grinning like a kid in a candy store, “These are awesome! Do you have them in my size?” Steve is particularly taken by some of the bolder styles - reds and oranges in our chic new Downtown shoe from the Spring 2012 collection.

He shares stories with us about his family, his college days, and his career in the NFL and with the Giants. Of particular note was his appreciation of his fans and supporters. He tells a story about a man who flew to a Giants game on the West coast in order to bring them New York bagels. Steve hasn’t forgotten.

Before he heads off to his next event, and eventually his flight home to his family in San Diego, Steve signs autographs for all of us, and signs a football to Bed|Stü. He asks if he might be able to grab a pair of shoes for his wife. Of course he can. Steve Weatherford is not only a talented and driven athlete, but a friendly, down to earth, and courteous Midwest boy (with an excellent sense of style).

Photo Credit : Vladimir Dusil

"There's nothing like a cold day in New York City. To keep warm (and still show my personal style) I decided to pair a plain black maxi dress with a casual sweater, and to wear my favorite Bed Stu Boots, the Louisa in brown suede. By favorite, I mean the shoes that I've literally worn non-stop since I got them. Yeah, that kind of favorite" - Ellie

 

You can look forward to many more entries on Ellie and her impeccable style. In the meantime check out her personal blog http://www.citybrewed.com.

Did you know World Cancer Day is tomorrow? Bed|Stü is proud to support Stand Up To Cancer in this awareness-raising initiative. What can YOU do to take a stand against cancer? In honor of World Cancer Day, Feb 4th, make a personal pledge to help decrease preventable deaths from cancer. We all have the power to change the odds. Tell the world what you will do at http://WorldCancerDay.su2c.org

Gabe Manchego, one of Bed|Stü’s designers gives us a little insight on the inspiration for the collection. 

“On a development trip to Mexico, we were inspired by the traditional hand woven sandals that have been a part of Mexican culture for hundreds of years. We wanted to bring that look and feel to the Women’s Cobbler Series.”

Ranging in colors from Bone to Black, our Women’s Cobbler line has grown with softer looks to compliment our great boots. All of our wedges and heels are made by hand using natural vegetable tanned leathers, and wood from sustainable sources.

When asked their favorite? Our designers picked the Daisy, Julie, and Melissa.  Personally, I can picture all of them in my closet!

Click here to view the collection: http://www.bedstu.com/womens-bedstu/cobbler-womens.html

We know you ladies have been patiently waiting for Bed|Stü Womens 2012 Spring Collection to debut, as the women at the Bed|Stü offices have been triple checking, every day, to see if the newest wedges and heels have come in! As we wait just a little bit longer, we are giving you an exclusive sneak peek.

Here's a chance to vote on your favorite lifestyle photo for the Spring Collection. What Bed|Stü shoe matches your style?

 

And drummer Jeff Curtin (far left) even answered a few of our questions.

Alex (Bed-Stu): How do you all know one another?

Jeff: I met Josh working after hours in the Brill Building near Times Square. I was working as a runner at a post house called Sound One, and we would stay late at night to use the studios to record music, although the rooms were built for TV and film work. Juan (bass) is a friend of mine from DC, and Josh and Ryan grew up together on Long
Island, so I guess we're a couple pairs of old friends. 

A: When did Small Black form?

J: Josh and Ryan were working on some recordings that had a dirty, loop-based aesthetic, and asked Juan and I to join the group. The first recordings came out of a time when Josh spent a summer in Portand and we were all looking for ways to push forward with song-writing and production. It felt like a new period of experimentation and Small Black came up largely out of those trials. 

A: What are your major influences?

J: Each of us have our own tastes and musical background, but a common ground for Small Black was our interest in sample based production, starting with early hip-hop. We're all fans of the song form and solid melody, and I think that comes through in the music too. We're all interested in production so between us we have a pretty big collection of synths, electronic drums, and outboard effects that are pretty important to our sound. Ryan had a background in hardcore, and used to play in a band called Silent Majority. Otherwise, our influences in production and songwriting are pretty diverse. Yo La Tengo, Neil Young, Brian Eno, and David Bowie to name a few. 

A: What is your creative process?

J: The songs are written and recorded simultaneously. Usually a song begins with an idea, whether it's a synth texture or some break we sampled or a melody or lyric, and you build out from there. It's a lot of sitting in a room trying to make the pieces fit together in a way we like. Then, when there's something solid, people can break off and develop ideas on their own to throw in. We all have home recording setups so we can work together or alone. Mixing up the process and changing environments from time to time is helpful in keeping us productive. We've taken a few trips to Delaware to record in isolation when we need to make a big push. 

A: How much time do you spend touring?

J: In the last year we've spent about 4 months out. We're always working on new recordings, though, so we value the time we have back in New York. 

A: Who have you toured with?

J: We started touring in 2010 with Washed Out. That was a great round of the US and Europe and was sort of our first experience traveling and seeing how far and fast music can travel ahead of a band through the internet. Both us and Washed Out were fairly new bands and there was great audiences in places we'd never been, cities we'd never heard of. We've done other runs with Cults, Pictureplane, Beach Fossils and Class Actress. All perfect groups to be lost or laughing with somewhere at 3am. 

 A: Tell me an anecdote of something that has happened to you as a result of being in Small Black that you never thought you would experience before the band.

J: I never thought I would be cursing out a Spanish prostitute on the street, but being in Small Black has given me that experience. She took my favorite new winter hat and put it up her miniskirt. I got pretty mad because she was halfway nasty and not wearing underwear so I knew the hat was dead to me. That was in Barcelona last winter. 

A: What are you guys working on right now?

J: We just put out a mixtape called Moon Killer. It's a free release we made with some samples we didn't feel like clearing and some other remixes and collaborations. We're hoping to have our second full-length out early next year.

A: I hear you don't like being grouped into the "chillwave" scene. Elaborate? 

J: I don't mind it. Although I don't think it exactly matches the intention in our music, I like to try to find the humor in all these sub-genres that bloggers love to create. They are just identifiers that help people talk about music and that's because there's just so much out there to talk about. Anything to make it easier is good. I take chillwave to mean soothing mid-tempo dance music that's good for a sunny drive. I have a chillwave t-shirt that I commissioned from a touristy spray-paint dude on the beach. It's a relaxed lobster riding a nice wave. Surfing's the source! 

A: You're with Jagjaguwar. How is it sharing a label with so many great, diverse artists?

J: Jag is a great place for us. They have a strong presence in both Bloomington and New York, and there's a real sense of family with our team at the label. Being with them has led to some fun experiences. This year at SXSW, I sat in with our label mates, Gayngs, when they needed a drummer, and they were all really warm people. It was just thrown together at the last minute, but it was one of those moments where the spirit was right and making music is just the way it's supposed to be.

So if you’re looking for music from guys who know how it’s supposed to be, make sure to check out Small Black’s mixtape, Moon Killer. It should hold you over until the new album drops later this year.

Gabe Manchego, one of Bed|Stü’s talented designers, just came back from a trip to China, where he traveled by plain, train, bus, and car to visit some of the factories that make his unique designs a reality for consumers.

With shoes, materials, and sketches in his hand, Gabe went face to face with the people who assemble Bed|Stü products.

“There’s just no substitute for being there in person,” Gabe told me, explaining how crucial these trips are. We’ve all been there – trying to convey an idea, particularly to convey the thrust of a creative idea over phone or e-mail, and just falling short.

This trip was Gabe’s second journey East, and the goal this time was Fall and Winter development.  These trips serve to build new relationships and maintain old ones, while providing an incomparable opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss practicalities and possibilities, and ultimately create a better product.

The trips, Gabe recounts, are all business. Fun and fascinating, but non-stop and highly focused. “We are always either in a factory or in transit.” 

The little time available outside of factories found Gabe taking photographs out the windows of moving cars and trains, and facing some fantastic, if somewhat daunting culinary experiences. For a guy who always wanted to have a job that let him not only explore his creative impulses, but travel, Gabe says that he is delighted to be doing what he does here at Bed|Stü.

His trips to China are evidence of just how far the people at Bed|Stü are willing to go to bring people fresh and new shoes that have the quality to last.

Here are a few more photos from Gabe's latest travel:












 

-Alex Holmes

Or more like 3,000 girls.

I walked into Terminal 5 in New York to ear-shattering screams. As I approached the rail on the balcony level of the venue, the mass of kids crowding the stage at ground level jumped and waved their arms, many of them on their friends’ and boyfriends’ shoulders. A Rocket To The Moon had just taken the stage, and the theater was amazingly crowded for so early in the evening. As the combat and cowboy-boot clad rockers began their first number, it was immediately evident that the fans crowding the stage weren’t just watching ARTTM while they waited for the headliner – they were here for this band. As the kids bounced up and down to the catchy hooks and anthemic choruses, it was easy to see and hear that everyone knew the words. These were real fans, and ARTTM had them in the palms of their hands in New York. From the heartfelt hit “Like We Used To,” which had girls swooning in the balconies as they mouthed the words with their eyes shut, to the dancy clap-along “Mr. Right,” to a memorable version of their original song “Baby Blue,” which melded into a cover of Nine Days’ “Absolutely (Story of a Girl),” fans got everything they came for and more.

We’re looking forward to another attempt next August.  Until then, we have our pictures to remember the trip. 

The Postelles joined Bed|Stü East Coast team at our pop-up shop at Limelight Marketplace in NYC to hang out for a while and pick out some new shoes for their tour.

Shortly after, I had a chance to catch up with The Postelles guitarist/lead singer Daniel Balk to talk about touring, fashion, and radioactive exposure.

So what are the hardest parts and the best parts of being on tour? 

The best part of being on tour is playing shows in so many amazing places around the world. That energy pushes us through the hardest part, which is the traveling.

What do you look for in a shoe to wear on stage?

We all have a soft spot for the late 70's punk style combat boots. We'd like to say we wear them to give off an aggressive attitude, but to be honest they are just the most comfortable.

When you are packing clothing to go on tour, how do you know what to bring, and what is totally essential? 

You have to pack from feet to head, don't forget your socks!!! Sometimes when we are touring the US we forget the few days we dip into Canada and a passport can easily be forgotten.

If the shoes each of you is wearing right now were exposed to a massive dose of radiation, what superhero would your shoes turn into? And whose would win in a battle?

 Our shoes would definitely become Ninja Turtles. I'd assume David or Billy would win because they have the biggest feet.

Your music has a decidedly retro sound to it - what older bands have inspired you most? 

We could go on forever but a short list would be Buddy Holly, Ray Charles, The Kinks and many others.

What older band's look has inspired your personal style most? 

The Rolling Stones had amazing style because it would appear as if they didn't care at all, but in reality they did. It was effortless.

Everyone has that one t-shirt that they've had for like twenty years. What's yours? 

I own a a vintage shirt from Live Aid in the 1980's. I wasn't alive for it but the shirt does the job.

Tell me about working with Albert Hammond Jr.. That must have been awesome. What did you, as a band, gain from that experience? 

He taught us how to use our time efficiently and when and how to get down to business in a mature manner. We tend to lose attention frequently in the studio. 

If you could delete any part of your personal fashion history, what would it be? 

I wore doctor's scrubs to school sometimes, because they were so comfortable. Honestly, I wouldn't delete it but I'm sure many other people would ask me to. 

Is there anything weird about The Postelles that fans should know before committing to a lifetime of rock with you?

We share everything, I mean everything!!! Beds, toothbrushes, minds, guitars, girls, girls pants, everything!!!

About Barnstormer 4 in Streamwood, IL
This spring marks the fourth installation of the Daytrotter Barnstormer tour, bringing some of the country's greatest young talents to the tiny points on the map, in the middle of the countryside, under a roof of stars, amongst the smell of alfalfa and the mooing of cows. They'll be hitting towns near Big Ten University cities on this run - April 26-30th - getting into Minnesota and Michigan for the first time, while finding a beautiful old barn in the suburbs of Chicago and heading back to two of our favorite barns in all of the world in Monticello, Ill. and Maquoketa, Iowa. Along for the ride this time are the great Norwegian Sondre Lerche, New York's Guards (featuring members of Cults), Los Angeles' The Romany Rye and a handful of guests that we'll announce here and in our weekly newsletter as they're known. If you've ever been to a Barnstormer show, you know they're not to be missed. Get your tickets soon as many of these barns are intimate and there will be a limited number of tickets available. See you at the barns!

A barn owned by the parks district of the city of Streamwood, this barn looks like a real beauty and it is the only spot on the tour that will feature a beer bar. It's the first time we will have brought the Barnstormer anywhere near Chicago so we're looking forward to meeting up with all of the Windy City Daytrotter fans.

What is Daytrotter?
There are so many music/entertainment websites that copy one another, scrambling so fast to “discover” or present something new to the world. And just because you get there first, it doesn’t really make you an explorer. We did poke a stars and stripes into the moon, but we could always see it. We knew it was there. It wasn’t new. We can always come along and say we did, saw, heard something first, but we’re never right. What Daytrotter is attempting to do is to not kid around with you and tell you that we found something that you never knew existed. We are going to contribute to the musical landscape, not just toss it around like a used book or a stolen pick-up line. We’re going to give you something that you truly have never heard. We are not giving you songs from someone you love’s record album, thereby stealing from someone you love. We’re giving you exclusive, re-worked, alternate versions of old songs and unreleased tracks by some of your favorite bands and by a lot of your next favorite bands.

"We are delighted to announce the launch of our new website, which has been several months in the making. Since we launched BedStu.com back in the early years of the last decade we've been through hundreds if not thousands of items and, at times, the process of searching for and finding products on the site has proven difficult for our customers. We felt it was necessary and practical to re-design it with a more user friendly perspective. Our goal was to provide our customers easier access to content and the opportunity to interact with us with the hope of tapping into their valuable feedback. We hope that you enjoy discovering the new website; that you find it easy to navigate and a pleasure to use." - said the owner of Bed Stu Footwear.

The in-house digital team has worked diligently to provide the most current website features. The site's homepage welcomes visitors with current campaign images and easy to navigate pages. All products have more detailed descriptions and an average of seven high quality images. Our community section includes the new company blog "Bed Stu Voice" as well as corporate news and featured product highlights. Increased social media connectivity provides us a way to stay connected with our customers; allowing them a platform to share feedback and get to know the brand personally. Additional features
include:

- New user friendly interface
- News on upcoming charity collaborations
- Customer access to comment on blogs and press sections
- Layered Navigation for filtering of products in Categories
- Layered Navigation for filtering of products in Search Results
- Ability to do product reviews.
- Interactive Help Desk support.
- Easy to find "New Arrivals" and "Sale" sections.
- Ability to get our blog though RSS feeds.
- Ability to do Product Comparisons.
- Ability to create product wishlists.
- Latest One page checkout feature.
- Interactive product zoom-in capability.
- Ability to tag individual products.
- Order print out with easy to update features.
- Complete order tracking integrated with UPS.
- Simple and easy re-orders ability with account management.
- Integrated 256-bit encryption security.

So, what do you think? What are your first impressions? Hopefully you find the site easy to use, clean, and efficient. If you have experienced any problems, please go easy on us! It's only to be expected that one or two things don't work quite as expected. Let us know if you spot any typos, bugs or if something doesn't work on your system. Send us an email through our contact form. Fast and easy!

Some guys, in the search for comfort, resort to wearing shoes with no style. Even though I am on my feet all day, I was not willing to give up on style, so I thought I would sacrifice a little comfort to find a pair of shoes that I would be happy to wear out with friends after work. My Bed Stu shoes solved that problem for me. I sacrifice nothing when I wear these shoes; they look and feel great.

Sitting down is something I do at lunch. The rest of the workday I am on my feet, and my Bed Stu shoes keep up with me. For the most part, I do not notice my feet. Anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet knows that noticing your feet generally means they are hurting, but it isn’t until someone compliments my shoes that I even notice I have them on. When I was in a wedding of a friend of mine a few months ago I had to wear some shoes picked out by the bride. One hour into wearing those shoes made me realize how much I take the comfort of my Bed Stu shoes for granted.

Dressing like I have been cut from a cookie cutter is not for me. If you look down the street and see 10 out of 15 guys wearing basically the same things, rest assured, I will not be one of those ten (unless, of course, I am in a wedding party!) I have my own personal style and my shoes help reflect that style, they are casual without being sloppy, stylish without being flashy, just like me. My Bed Stu shoes are not in every store window. They are not on the feet of those cookie cutter guys.

My first pair of Bed Stu shoes will not be my last. However, if I waited for them to wear out, I might never get another pair!

And checkout our newest belts – like industrial styles that incorporate hand pounded & grinded metals into full grain leather to not only look rad, but scare the living daylights out of those Homeland security blokes at the airport. Or bust out the Kali Bear – a vintage Grizzly Bear buckle on a classic faded leather strap – perfect for Sierra Club meetings or certain Pac 10 football games.

 And did you know Bed:Stu makes bags – messenger style, backpacks, shoulder totes and more? Like all our stuff – they’re not for everybody – only those with keen eye & a passion for comfort. Checkout the Schultz – versatile as a backpack, tote or messenger giving you style with three carry options. Or the Slingblade – a unique single strap silhouette that becomes part of your urban assault wardrobe artillery. All the bags use washed, tough durable materials and have secret pockets for secret items – if you know what I mean.

Wallets are rolling too. Evil chains, snakeskin trims, organic leathers, weaves, grommets, all featured in the eclectic, yet sensible cash, ID & credit card carrying systems. Every Bed:Stu wallet is loaded with style – you can pick up the tab and look good doing it. Two of our faves are the Punta del Flap – handcut organic leather –and the Crisscross – weaved patent leather – as they are not something you see everyday.

Whatever we make at Bed:Stu, we twist it just enough to be unique – like you.