When Lola Young came to Chicago to perform at Lollapalooza last August, she stopped by my studio first.
I know, I’m telling you about something that happened nine months ago, but that’s kind of how print journalism works.
Should I still be “promoting” Sixtysix 13? Technically it’s the current issue. But to be real, Sixtysix 14 has already been done for months and we’re deep into Sixtysix 15.
Still, good stories are timeless, right?
Back to Lola.
At the time Lola was really popular, but not insanely popular yet. She showed up with no entourage other than her manager, Nick Shymansky, who was also Amy Winehouse’s longtime manager, and I was hoping to hear some stories.
The thing was, we were all in a rush. I was packed up for a motorcycle ride out to Wyoming and had 1,000+ miles to chew through later that day. Lola had to get over to Grant Park.
So we met. Briefly.
If you’re new to Money Folder, here’s some background. I handmade a zine about the absolutely bonkers East Coast punk and hardcore scene I was into during high school in the late ‘90s. It was called ALARM.
It semi-exploded, and for nearly 20 years I ended up writing about underground/upcoming/emerging musicians. I’ve seen a few stars before they were stars. Everything about Lola Young struck me as someone with that incoming huge star power.
Lola has a way of kind of owning a room, something I’ve never understood how people do. It’s a superpower I’m envious of but remains a total mystery to me.
She was polite and nervous. I could tell she was preoccupied with her big upcoming set. It would be the first US-based festival she ever played. I did my best to break the ice. We talked about gym shoes and how streetwear is such a waste of money.
But mainly we talked about making some fun photos.
Our shoot lasted all of 15 minutes, but that’s all it took. Sometimes less is more.
Her fans are rabid and pre-orders for her issue cover went crazy.
I hosted a dinner during NYCxDesign week to celebrate a new lamp by Tristan Lohner from Fermob. Our guest list was half French designers half oddball NYC artists and designers. It was great.
I’ve very excited to be announcing a new emerging design and concept store called PAVED STATES. More to come on that.
Did you make it to ICFF? Here are a few of my favorite things.