The problem with living alone and trying to maintain purple hair...

Brighton

Brighton hasn't changed a whole lot in 7 years. On sunny days the seafront is busy, the pier is packed, and the west pier is still a charred wreck following a couple of fires in 2003.

What does seem to be new is the above store. Possibly the best comic book store I've been in.

Oxford Sunset

Things that suck about England.

No fly screens on the windows. Beautiful Spring days invariably end with a house full of bugs.

My weekends in East Sussex are always lovely. When I'm in Australia, I miss Jamie's company, even though much of our time together is spent arguing about socialism or watching shoddy 80s films.The Coles have an an adorable cat named Bert.  I miss Claudia at home, so his affection is appreciated.

U.K. bowling alleys are cooler than Australian bowling alleys.

We're only young and naive still.

The Naked and Famous - O2 Academy Oxford - 19th May 2011

The Naked and Famous were getting a fair amount of radio play on Triple J before I left Australia and made a few appearances on the summer festival circuit. They're a perfect festival band in a lot of ways, super energetic, strong vocals, catchy tunes you can dance to. They're what would happen if MGMT went poppier, grew some balls and added a female vocalist. Thanks to their singles being used in some high profile advertisements and tv shows, they've taken off in the U.K.. This little New Zealand band  took to the stage in Oxford and seemed somewhat suprised that the packed room of people in front of them knew the words to their songs. The synth-heavy album has a fuzziness to the edges that makes it easy to listen to. This falls away in the live show and it's all crisper and more aggressive. Thankfully, Alisa Xayalith's voice is up to the challenge and she carries the show. Also, I'm jealous of her shiny, shiny hair.