I was numbing feelings, I was a very depressed child, I was very manic and the thing with me and drug use came in like a getaway. What drew you to that lifestyle at the time? I’m kind of open about it because I would really want people in the youth to know how real it is. I’ve experienced cocaine, heroine and ecstasy. I don’t do it now, but when I was younger, I was getting trippy. It was like entering a new world, so with the drug influence I wanted to make music that was kind of psychedelic to elaborate on the drug use I had experienced in my earlier years. I was exposed to it when I was younger, and it was a getaway. Well, I’ve done drugs since I was 16 years old.
You mentioned a comparison between Edie’s drug use and yours. I feel like her story is one of the most tragic stories that took place in the 60’s during the pop art movement. I just felt there was a really big connection between my life and her life, in comparison to the drugs and the social scene where everything was based on pop culture. It was a relationship that was under wraps because he left her around the time Andy Warhol kicked her out of The Factory. It’s a crazy story because Bob Dylan and Edie Sedgwick use to date in the 60’s. He was really into Andy Warhol and a lot of classic rock, and his favorite artist was Bob Dylan. The situation with Edie stems from a relationship I was in with a guy who makes music as well. Well to jump back to what you were saying about Edie, how did that love for her and her becoming your muse come into play? I actually prefer Casey Veggie over Lil B. It’s like opening up a new genre of rap and hip-hop.ĭo you feel the same way about Lil B and his movement? Even though they’re rap, they’re being considered as rock and roll.
And I just love that they’re really free-spirited and outgoing and they’ve captivated the hipster culture with what they’re doing. The things that they say remind me of the thoughts that go on in my head and that I might tweet from time to time. I love the fact that they’re just straight up twisted. I don’t think it’s a sense of rebellion I think it’s more so people just being who they are and not afraid to be that. They had great stuff going on like Woodstock, and I feel like our generation is headed that way, you know? With all of this viral stuff that’s going on with breakout artists like Odd Future and Lil B, it’s cool that people aren’t afraid to be themselves.
Back then, the movement was really based on free love and coming together and music.
But as far as my thoughts on rebellion and stuff, I just feel that we’re the modernized 60’s. It was just really cool because with the storyline and with what I was doing, it would be perfect to pay homage to her on her birthday.
Photographer: Quinn Ashly, I didn’t drop the album on 4/20 because of it being the day of marijuana it was a tribute to Edie Sedgwick because she was born on 4/20. If you could collaborate with anyone dead or alive who would it be? I’d love to work with Drake. The people who support my movement, they make it all worth it. How do you cope with the stress of being a musician? I cope with the stress of being an artist by remaining true to myself along with my art and thinking about my fans. Who inspires you? The lovely Edie Sedgwick. What is success in your eyes? Success for me will be one day opening my eyes and witnessing the rebirth of The Youthquaker Movement which I am working to modernize for the generation today.
What are your greatest weaknesses? Boys in rock bands and mod dresses. Last Night In Paris: What are your greatest strengths? Phlo Finister: Remaining real in an industry that is so made-up and being mod, of course. In a single song, she can pay homage to Tupac, Garbage, Nancy Sinatra, and Phlo Finister, too. Her music is much the same: Aaliyah-brand R&B made new with heavy-handed production beats and Phlo’s own signature sound (like so many things and nothing you’ve heard before). There are a few things that remain constant in Phlo Finister: Her eyes are always lined thick with black, her style is Edie to a T, and her principle is strictly Youthquaker. She’s a slow-burning mash-up of sounds and visions from future-past, vintage, and super-vintage worked and reworked for a new generation. Knit Suit Jacket and Shorts by St John, Top by Donna Karan, Tights by American Apparel.Ī grip of blind dates betwixt a grip of musicians