Ladies Night

So Mary, Trena and I had a great ladies night. Got all fancied up and went to dinner at Trattoria Delia. Every part of our meal was amazing. The tiramisu was to die for. The wine was divine. Later we went to our friend's birthday dance party. That's were these pictures were taken. I wore my new BB Dakota skirt as you can see in the pics. The vest and pearl necklace were thrifted.

The Smittens Interview at Baby Honey Blog

The Smittens were interviewed for Club Baby Honey blog.Check it out here or read below.

Hello Smittens! I'm interviewing you because your wonderful cover of the Just Joans 'What Do We Do Now' (from your seven inch split EP on Wee Pop!) made my Top 20 Songs of 2009 list. How does it feel to be in receipt of such an overwhelming accolade?

Well that was some great company to be in. And clearly we couldn't have done it without the genius song they wrote.

And how did that collaboration come about? Were you good friends with the Joans beforehand? Can we expect similar projects in the future? Maybe with Transmittens?

We wanted to cover one of their songs after we saw them play the first time in Glasgow. We were on the books to release a single on WeePOP records, and invited them to join us because we enjoy gimmicky symmetry and of course we wanted to hear what their cover of one of our songs would sound like, and, lucky for us, they were game. As far as future collaborations go, there's nothing currently on the books, but you never know.

Similarly, what are The Smittens favourite songs (or popshows or LPs) of 2009? You don't have to do twenty, I know that you're busy people.

The Littlest Smitten says her favorite pop show was seeing Gordon M. from Ballboy playing in the church at Indietracks.

The Charming Smitten says: The Middle Ones at London popfest, Suburban Kids in San Fran (the night after the SF popfest) or the POBPAH Valentines show in Burlington, VT.

The Greek one says: San Fransisco Popfest final Tullycraft show

The Lady Smitten says: I fell in love with Cats on Fire last summer at Cosy Den.

And the Dashing says: The Would-be-Goods at Twee as Fuck last February, Burning Hearts in Stockholm, Speedmarket Avenue at Indietracks, Just Joans at the Nottingham all-dayer in November. I've been addicted to all these bands' records this year.

Your performance at Indietracks last summer was one of the highlights of the year for us here at Baby Honey Towers. Any other favourite moments of 2009?

3 Smittens got married a week apart in 2009 (two of them to each other). It was really the year of doing everything we dared ourselves to do. Also finally touring Sweden--better known as the Magic Kingdom of Indiepop.

And what does 2010 hold for the band? New records? Are you coming back to the UK? Can we book you? We'll start stockpiling the Newcastle Brown.

Yes, yes, and yes please. Though Colin still hasn't gotten over the fact that they don't have Newcastle on tap in Newcastle. 2010 holds some time in the studio recording a new album, the release of our addition to the Tullycraft Covers compilation (put out by LA Tool & Die), the release of our latest album, The Coolest Thing About Love on vinyl, a cover of a Cars Can Be Blue song for the HHBTM 10 year anniversary compilation, and for sure, a UK and European Tour. We are also confirmed to play NYC popfest and Indietracks, and have been invited back to play Cosy Den as well.

How is Vermont? Is there much of an indiepop 'scene' going on in Burlington? Are you aware of the British band called Vermont? They were pretty good actually.

We love Vermont. As far as indie pop goes, we are currently sitting in a room with 80% of the indiepop people in this state (it would be 90% if Max was here). There is a big indie community here in Burlington, VT but it spans a variety of genres and media--artists, farmers, dancers, folk musicians, bakers, and more. It's an amazingly creative, conscious, and beautiful little place and we totally feed off that and hopefully give something back as well.

We're big fans of Wee Pop! and think that Camila is, like, totally rad, but can you tell her to stop making the packaging for the 3" CD-Rs so pretty? Sometimes it's heartbreaking to have to open them and spoil such beautiful design.

First off, Camila is the bees knees! You've seen her cd artwork; what you don't know is that she makes a mean veggie lasagna and is the best host in all of the UK! If you buy two of every release, you wouldn't have to worry about whether your only copy got ripped.

When I cack-handedly attempted to interview you and The Pocketbooks last time we met, you mentioned that you very much enjoyed discovering some particularly British delicacies such as Marmite and Newcastle Brown Ale. In the spirit of cultural exchange, are there any US or Vermont-based
foodstuffs us Brits should know about?

We have really good locally brewed beer here in VT. And great local cheese. and obviously there are those guys Ben and Jerry. You might want to check out spelt pretzels, fluffernutter sandwiches, half and half in your coffee, and when in New York, Dominican breakfasts of yellow rice, black beans, and eggs (with a side of fried sweet plantains). PS don't be fooled by the Canadians: Vermont maple syrup is the best. In fact, it's nearly sugaring season.

Tell us a secret.

We can be real bitches. If we're on stage and all wearing stripes, it's not actually a coincidence...

Do you have any tattoos?

Both Dana and David are inked in places we can't divulge.

Our show with Mates of State

Last night we opened for Mates of State at Higher Ground. It was one of the best nights of 2010 so far. They were so good. Also they couldn't have been more pleasant to talk to and friendly. Thanks for having us on the bill!
xoxo, Holly

Mates of State Poster for Wednesday

Handsilk screen on old sheet music by talented Ted Olson. Each flyer is one of one. For Sale at the Mates of State show this Wednesday! We are so excited to open for them at 8pm sharp. Hope to see you there! xo, Littlest

The Smittens Are For Lovers

We've got a Valentine's Day show Sunday night! As quoted from the Burlington Free Press today, "You know it’s Valentine’s Day when two bands on the bill are named The Smittens and Jenny Montana and the Love Club. Those acts will be joined by Burlington indie-pop queen Missy Bly at The Monkey House in Winooski."
Come on by and feel the love! Also don't forgot to come out Wednesday night for Mates of State at Higher Ground. We start the show at 8:00pm.
xoxo, Holly

We are Artist of the Month!

The Smittens are opening for Mates of State on February 17th at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT. Higher Ground has just listed The Smittens as artist of the month. Check it out here or read below. I can't wait for this show. It's going to be so fun! Come out and support us and see a few great bands!
February 2010
The Smittens are a five-piece indiepop band from Burlington, Vermont and like to think of themselves as a DIY twee pop explosion. Dana Kaplan, Colin Clary, David Zacharis, Holly Chagnon, and Max Andrucki switch up instruments, song-writing, and singing to create brilliantly lyrical and hyper-catchy pop songs of all colors, shapes and sizes.
Catch The Smittens with Mates of State in the HG Showcase Lounge on February 17.
http://www.myspace.com/thesmittens

Exciting News for The Smittens!

Hi there!
I've been a sick girl for the past few days despite having a gig in the middle of it which by the way was super fun! Thanks Cave Bees and Wolff! Today I left work early as I'm still fighting a nasty sore throat and stuffed noise. I was feeling kind of down as one is want to do when your sick and can't get anything done or have any fun but then The Smittens got confirmation tonight that we are opening for Mates of State on February 17th at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT! We are very excited and honored to open for one our favorite bands. So buy tickets now if you haven't! It's going to be a great night of music. Also on the bill is MT Bearington from New Haven, CT.
Cheers and love, Littlest

Show this Saturday!

Hey all!
Hope you can make it to the The Monkey House this Saturday night for The Smittens, Wolff and Cave Bees. Dan Bolles music blog Solid State writes about it today here. Check it out! Also here is a video of Wolff. Enjoy!

Todays Outfit

Everything thrifted! Except the shoes they are from Old Navy last year.
xo, Littlest

Date Night

Last night David and I had a date night. I wore my new BB Dakota navy blue skirt and UE pink tee shirt. Love them both! We went and saw three great local bands. Butterfly Star Power who's singer is only seven! Followed by our friend James's band James Kochalka Superstar and lastly on friend Missy Bly. It was great show and we were in bed before midnight!

 

The Bobbin

Local shop The Bobbin Sew Craft and Lounge gets a write up in The Burlington Free Press. I'm so psyched for them. I love my state and the people in it.Read the article below or online here.

Three years ago The Bobbin Sew Bar and Craft Lounge was born in Burlington. Co-owners Rachel Hooper and Gyllian Rae Svensson, both of Burlington, host weekly classes in mending, knitting, block printing and have coined the term “eco-sew” with their Friday afternoon classes designed to educate the community on reusing materials.
“About 67 million tons of fabric hit the landfills every year,” Hooper said. “We live in this disposable culture where we don’t value quality materials and we don’t value the labor that goes into making our clothing.”
This surplus of materials is what brought them to create The Bobbin. All sustainable sewing and crafting classes include materials. “A lot of our materials are recycled,” Svensson said. “Basically, we are here to give people a place to build a skill and recycle. It’s empowering for everyone involved.”
Many people come in intimidated by the sewing machines, but Hooper and Svensson said they are always on hand to show people that sewing can be fun and accessible. After taking a sewing class, machines can be rented by the hour.
“For some, it’s hard to pull the sewing machine out and make space,” Hooper said. “Here we have all the space and material you need to sew and create.” They offer birthday parties for children and parties for adults, too. The space and the guidance of Hooper and Svensson can be booked for an evening, or people can stop by to do some mending. Svensson said The Bobbin is a green business.
“We’re bringing sock darning back,” Svensson said with a chuckle. “As Americans we are going to need to reach a place where we get back to basics.”
Hooper said, “We embrace the Depression-era ethics of mending. Remember ‘a stitch in time saves nine?’”
Along with alterations and custom design work, The Bobbin also has clothing for sale made by local designers. The arts and crafts that line the walls and myriad vintage materials are also for sale.
Last week the two women held a class in crochet, creating models of the shape of the universe — coral-like structures called “hyperbolic pseudospheres” by some scientists.
While holding a red and blue piece of crochet work, Hooper explained that it was a hyperbolic pseudosphere.
“It’s next-wave geometry. It’s about negative curvature,” she said. “See how it folds in on itself and crenulates. That’s because of the properties of hyperbolic space. Scientists are using models like this to figure out how big the universe is.”

Hey All!
Well last night's show at The Monkey House was super fantastic. Thanks to all that came out.
Here is the latest review of "The Coolest Thing About Love". Click here to go to I Was A Teenage Ghost Cat's review or read below. xo, Littlest

Vermont's The Smittens have turned American twee into an art. They're as soft as Ohio's Bears and as polished as Tullycraft. Three part harmonies utilizing the holy trinity of twee singing: The cute girl, the nerdy guy, and the dopey baritone. The effect is quite fetching. They call themselves "bubblegum," not twee, but this is just semantics.

The Coolest Thing About Love is the kind of album that grows on you. The sound quality may actually be too hi-fi for its own good. Fortunately, the songs themselves are incredibly infectious. I find myself singing "The Interstate" and "Baby Don't You Know" more often than I care to admit.

When the world gets a little too sharp at the edges, it's good to have a record like this in one's arsenal to make it a little softer for awhile.

EatingWell in 2010

The lovely local lady Eva Sollberger's latest Stuck in Vermont Vlog for this week is about EatingWell Media Group. The theme song for this weekly vlog is by us, The Smittens but in this particular vlog this week all the music is by us!

EatingWell Media Group are a national magazine, website, and cookbook publisher in Charlotte Vermont. This year they are releasing a new cookbook called EatingWell 500 Calorie Dinners which is soon to be featured on QVC.
Make good on your New Year's Resolutions and eat healthy and local in 2010!
Music: The Smittens, The Coolest Thing About Love, "Something Sassy"

Solid State Music Blog

Dan Bolles writes about our show this Friday with local act Swale on his music blog today called Solid State. Check out his post here.

Smittens Tote Bags!

Check out the new The Smittens tote bags! So cute! We'll have them at the show Friday at The Monkey House. If you can't make it to the show email us at band@smittens.com. Only five bucks!

Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year everyone! Here is a picture of Trena and I last night at a friend's party and another at midnight.Hope this coming year brings you much happiness and love.
xo, Holly Chagnon

Merry Christmas from Florida

Happy Holidays everyone! David and I are spending Christmas this year in Florida with his father. Our first Christmas as a married couple! Peace and love, Holly

The Smittens-Upcoming show Jan.8th!

The Smittens have a great show coming up on Friday January 8th at The Monkey House. We'll be rocking the night with Swale. Followed by a dance party with deejays Chickadeejay and Ted Dancin. So come on out for a fun night! p.s. All five Smittens will be in attendance!

I love to dance! I danced for many years regularly performing and collaborating with others. Over the last five years I've only performed here and there with dance. I've also taken dance classes and held a few dance parties to remind myself how happy dancing makes me and what a big part of my life it is. I wanted share a little video from a local showing of a work in progress at the Flynn Space that I was unable to attend. I wanted to go but had a schedule conflict but this video made me happy to see others dancing here in VT and that people came out to support. Enjoy!\

More Local Artists to Buy From

Speaking of buying local here is another event I was just tipped off about from my friend Kacey of Subsix Studios.
Date:Saturday, December 5, 2009
Time: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Location:39 Front Street
Support your local artists and craftspeople this season!Recycled ceramic plates and sandblasted glass from big girl company.Felt goodies, paintings and cards from Sarah Ryan Studios.Graphic mugs, vases and other ceramics from Danmade.Fiber necklaces, accessories and jewelry from Subsix Studios. Stained glass Art from Found Glass Studios.