May 14, 2012 10:53AM

Interview: Blouse

We speak with the dream-pop band about doughnuts floating through space and Snoop Dogg.
Blouse by Jeff Luker

The other day I had a really good day on the internet: I came across Blouse. They're a three-piece band based out of Portland, and they came together a few summers ago when Charlie Hilton, Patrick Adams and Jacob Portrait all started playing music together in a warehouse. Making deep and dark synth-led dream-pop, they released their self-titled album in September last year. We caught up with lead singer Charlie about doughnuts floating through space and Snoop Dogg.

Ingrid Kesa: How was Blouse born?

Charlie Hilton: It was a divine accident. I had gone back to university to study graphic design and met Patrick on the first day of class. We had a three-hour studio together with a really awful professor, so there was a lot of time to talk. Eventually, talking led to playing music. Of course, I had been writing for a long time and Patrick and Jake had a history of making music together, but Blouse was really born out of the three of us coming together and wanting very badly to make something new.

Blouse's debut album cover art (2011).
 
What inspired the early-internet time-travelling doughnut video for 'Ghost Dream'?
Gusti and Helmut of $andboxxx came up withe the concept for that video. They're a pair of fine-art students at l'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. To them, the ghost dream is all about memory, so all the objects in the video are signifiers to childhood. Their original treatment called for a plain chocolate doughnut, but they decided to add sprinkles in the final version. I'm glad they did.


Who is the most well-dressed band or musician of all time?
There's something very sleek about David Byrne. I love his suits, even that giant one he used to wear.

Is Portland anything like the TV show Portlandia makes it out to be?
Yeah, a little.

If you had to have a rap cameo in one of your songs, which hip hop artist would you choose and why?
Snoop Dogg, because he's Snoop Dogg.

Ingrid Kesa

News & Features

Oyster Playlist: Levins' Favourite R&B Songs From The Last Decade

To get the party started for Hoops & Love Kings: An Easter R&B Supperclub at Goodgod this Sunday.


Watch: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola & Léa Seydoux's Entire Short Film for Prada Candy

All three episodes finally together in perfect harmony.


Tumblr Reaches Over 100 Million Blogs

And 44.6 billion blog posts.


Listen: Tyler, The Creator x Frank Ocean x Stereolab

Plus Tyler talks about he knew Frank Ocean was gay and didn't care.


Oyster Interview: Big Boi by D.A. Wallach

From The Peace Issue — out now!


Oyster Fashion: 'Hazzard' Shot by Zac Handley & Styled by Mark Vassallo

See our menswear shoot from The Peace Issue (out now!) and a video of the boys in action.


Watch: 'Afraid of Heights' by Wavves

Nathan Williams does drag.


Watch: Lily Cole in 'Sacrilege' by Yeah Yeah Yeahs (NSFW)

Girl sleeps with lots of men, girl gets burned at stake.


A Look Inside Inez & Vinoodh's New York Apartment

See the photography duo's stylish digs, feel jealous.


Oyster Interview: Atoms For Peace

An excerpt from our interview with Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich for Oyster #102: The Peace Issue — on sale now!


Spring Breakers Review

Visually it might look like a turbo-charged David LaChapelle picture crossed with a meme.


Watch: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola & Léa Seydoux for Prada Candy — Episode One

According to this video Prada's Candy perfume will get you not one, but two, guys.


Valentina Sykes x Zimmermann SS13/14

She styles herself in her favourite look from the new collection.


MBFWA 2013 — Kate Sylvester & Shakuhachi Casting

The quest to find The Next Big Thing begins.


Watch: James Franco's Grandmother Promotes 'Spring Breakers'

Not even the elderly are safe from the hype.


Lindsey Wixson, Liu Wen, Daphne Groeneveld & Joan Smalls for H&M's Models Off-Duty Collection

Plus the Swedish retailer announces plans to open in Australia next year.


Opening Ceremony x Spring Breakers

Spring Break 4eva bitches.


Del Kathryn Barton Wins Archibald Prize 2013

Romance Was Born fans, this applies to you.


Beauty Daily March: Bondi Blues

King of the beach.


Oyster Fashion: Grimes Shot by Rene Vaile & Styled by Mark Vassallo

See the shoot from our Peace Issue — out now!


Move Over Miranda Kerr — Jessica Gomes Is The New Face of David Jones

Miranda's contract terminated after she was too demanding.


Ryan Gosling Is Sick Of Ryan Gosling

Takes a break from acting, denies ever saying 'hey, girl' despite meme.


Beyoncé x H&M

She stars in the new campaign.