Northern Soul Gal Levanna Mclean: Interview

Internet sensation and great friend of mine Levanna Mclean has agreed to do an interview, which I am very excited to share with you all. Levanna is a beautifully talented dancer gliding across the floor like an ice dancer, she's one of the nicest people I've met. As well as a great dancer she has a wide knowledge of the Northern Soul scene, going to all the popular and well known Nighters, Dayers and Weekenders. I'm sure you'll get the chance to meet Levanna at an event at some point in the year but for now you'll just have to read about her.

 

How did you get into the Northern Soul scene?
As a young teenager, I listened to artists such as Amy Winehouse, The heavy and The specials who were pretty much in the mainstream and never really knew or understood what the strange music that my mum listened to. She called it Northern Soul and that was about it. It wasn’t until after hearing Amy Winehouse’s release of ‘our day will come’ that my mum, who had been onto Northern Soul most of her life, showed me the original song by Ruby and The Romantics. Hearing the original really made me think what else have I been missing out on all this time? So I went through all my mum’s records and soon enough I was asking to go to my first all-nighter. I knew as soon as I walked into that room, I had found where my heart needed to be. 

Would you say you think it’s something everyone should consider looking into?
Soul is a very special thing and isn’t for everyone, I understand that. It is a state of mind and a way of life, once you’ve experienced the scene; it’s hard to stay away. When you realise that every one person on the scene is so different yet so similar, that is when you realise just how special Northern Soul is. At first, Northern Soul is really hard to get your head around but it is an alternative for those who are bored of today’s music and want something more. The music has heart and it gets in touch with your emotion, that’s why I love it, however it’s more than just a love of music, its appreciation.

How long have you been dancing for and how did you learn you moves?
You may find it hard to believe, you might not. My first night out dancing was somewhat embarrassing and I most certainly was not elegant on the dance floor, but you know what? I didn’t have a care in the world, the music took over and I just did what I feel. That is the best way to be on the dance floor. Of course having all the fancy footwork and floor work looks amazing but in my opinion, if you’re having a good time and you’re feeling the music, that is when you know someone has soul! 

What is your favourite Northern Soul night?
That is such a hard question! I would have to say the 100 club because you can just feel the history of all the people that have been there every month for 34 years and quite simply, the music is phenomenal.

What is your favourite song?
My favourite song changes every week one day it’s Roy Merrell – Tears of Joy and the next it’s Betty Lloyd – I’m catching on. I still have so much more to discover! 

What inspired you to start making YouTube videos?
The first video was just a spare of the minute sort of thing, I had just come back from the 100 club and it was off to Moscow so didn’t really have time to come down from that amazing night, so I still had my dancing feet on! We came across the slippy floor of the statue and find myself dancing away whilst singing along in my head. My mum thought it would be funny to film me and after looking back at the footage, decided to put it on YouTube with some music over it. I didn’t anticipate such a big, positive reaction. 
if someone was trying to get into the Northern Soul scene what would be the best way of going about it? are there any websites/forums you can suggest?
Just listen to the music and if you like it, you like it. If you don’t, that is fair enough! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Looking to try out some moves on the dance floor? Soul Source is a good way and finding some of the big events that might be close to you.

A massive thank you to the lovely Levanna for doing this interview for my blog, as I know she's been busy since her YouTube video has reached half a million views!! To view all of her Northern Soul Girl Dancing videos check out her YouTube page 'IfThisIsLev'.

Celebrate Awards Season

To celebrate the Academy Awards fast approaching I have decided to list the best Winners of the 1960s, some unfortunately will get over looked but there were some great films out in this era. I will do my best to include the important ones. Academy Awards (Oscar's) are the most important film awards in history, the best Actors, Actresses and Movies have one these awards.


1960, Best Supporting Actor:

 

Peter Ustinov won Best Supporting Actor  in 1960 for his role in Spartacus, this year was the 33rd academy awards which was hosted by Bob Hope. Most of the awards in this year went to The Apartment directed by Billy Wilder.

 

1961, Best Supporting Actress:

 

 

Rita Moreno won Best Supporting Actress in 1961 for her role in West Side Story, this film won 10 awards at this Oscar ceremony. This was the 7th time that Bob Hope presented the academy awards. For the first time, two directors shared the award in the directing category for West Side Story.  

 

 

1962, Best Actor:

 

 

 

 

Gregory Peck won Best Actor for his role in To Kill A Mockingbird, this year was the 35th academy awards which was hosted by Frank Sinatra. Lawrence Of Arabia won seven awards including Best Picture & Best Director.  

 

 

1963, Best Actress:

 

 

 



 

Patricia Neal won Best Actress for her role in Hud, where she acted along side Paul Newman. This years Oscars were hosted by Jack Lemmon comedy actor from Some Like It Hot. Hud also won Best Cinematography for black and white movie.  

 

 

1964, Best Picture:

 

 

 

 

My Fair Lady won Best Picture this year, as well as Best Director & Best Actor. Audrey Hepburn unfortunately didn't get Best Actress, Julie Andrews won it for Mary Poppins. This year marked the only time in Oscar history where 3 films got 12 12 or more nominations; Becket, My Fair Lady & Mary Poppins. It also marked the first year where the acting Oscars were all won by non American actors.

 

 

1965, Best Director:

 

 

 

Sound Of Music won Best Director, as well as Best Picture. The two most nominated films were Sound Of Music & Doctor Zhivago with 10 nominations each. Both of these films would show up 33 years later on the American Film Institute list of Greatest American Films of the 20th Century.

 

I hope your all ready and geared up for the new awards season, some great films nominated this year. There will be a few snubs like usual but there always is, them ones you can't get over why they haven't won or even been nominated. Keep your eyes open for, Academy Awards, Bafta's, Globes and Critic's Choice (has already been shown).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Soul Fashion

This is my interpretation of Northern Soul fashion, what kind of things I see worn on the scene and what can be better as well as more comfortable to wear when your going to an all nighter. I must emphasise that not every wears these kind of clothes when you go to Northern Soul nights, most people wear what they find comfortable but then there are others who dress up for the occasion. I tend to make a bit of an effort when going to these nights as I don't go to them very regularly and its a great excuse to dress up as well as have a good time.


Tops:

Shirts and polo's are usually worn to Northern Soul nights, shirts are probably better to wear as they will feel a bit more cooler. Polo's make you very hot when your dancing all night but they do look very good. Smart I think is always better, you still have to look good and make an effort, it makes you feel more confident when your dressed well.

Trousers:

 
The popular choice of trousers are Oxford Bags, they have a wide leg and therefore look great when your dancing. They flow with the music and your steps, you can buy these vintage, you can get them tailored or you can look on ebay. Other than Oxford Bags another popular trouser worn are Levis with a turn up, kind of 40s looking, also look great but not everyone finds them comfortable enough to wear all night. Male Mods tend to wear a whole suit to these occasions, which means their trousers are a bit more fitted around the leg and no where near as wide as the other looks.  

Skirts:

Circle Skirts were made popular at Wigan Casino, there not worn quite as much now but I think they still look good. These skirts are great for if your good at spinning, this look will really help to make your dancing more noticeable as it will flow with your steps. I tend to wear pencil skirts as I prefer them and I think they look really smart with a shirt and polo.


Bags:

Northern Soul bags, a lot of people have badges over their bags which look good but personally I don't have any on mine as I think it looks smarter. Popular makes are Fred Perry, Adidas, Head and Art Gallery Clothing.


This was just a brief blog about what I see worn when I go out on Northern Soul nights, hope you all enjoyed it.

Best of 1960s fashion

It's been a while since my last post, sorry about that I've been moving house and have therefore been preoccupied with boring things like redecorating, cooking and cleaning. I thought for my first real post in a while it would be a good idea to focus on the Best of 1960s Fashion, the high lights of the fashion era wither you can pull them off or not its always good to see the differences through out the era.

Monochrome:

Due in the 60s Monochrome was a big thing, it was everywhere in fashion magazines, on celebrities and in films. This look caught of very quickly, its one of the easiest to pull off as everyone has something black and white in their wardrobe. I think the black and white looks great and can be worn in a formal way to work or a casual way to just hang around the house in. Dog tooth, Checks, Pock a dots and Strips, can be found in any high street or charity shop. If all else fails a simply white shirt/jumper and black skirt/trousers combination can work just as well.


Flower Power:

For that Janis Joplin look, colour is the main thing you will want to focus on. Bright colours, patterns and flowers in your hair. I must admit not everyone can pull off this look (like me for example) but if you can then hats off to you, most people say this look goes with the life style but I don't think that's 100% true. Spring and Summer is the best time to try out this look, in my head I associate this kind of fashion with unmatching patterns, many different colours and long braided hair. Vintage and charity shops are the best places to look in for a lovely flowery dress, maxi dress would be best but if you want to stick to the mini's I'm sure you'll be able to find one on the internet.


Leather Look:

 

 

At the moment the Rocker style is very popular on the high street, with the leather coats, skinny black jeans, check shirts and volume hair. Listening to Elvis and fighting Mods is what made the Rockers popular along with the fashion, Rockers were known as hard nuts and you wouldn't want to mess with them but now days its just a fashion thing. People think there is a thin line between Metal Lovers, Emo's, Grunger's and Rockers but really they are completely different. The traditional Rockers look focuses on the late 50's and early 60's along with the type of music Rock & Roll, to get the true look I would suggest wearing; Jeans (turn ups or skinny), Dark shirts, Denim/leather jackets, Back comb the hair and dark eye make up would also go well with the Rocker style.

 

 

Smart Style:

 

 

I would associate the smart style with Mods. As I've already mentioned in earlier posts the main look is skirts, pencil skirts, polo's, trench coats, brogues and loafers. A mod dresses smart what ever the weather, darker colours, clean cut hair and suits for the men. Any more info on this style, check earlier posts.

 

 

Lost in Space:

 

 



This is probably the most unrealistic fashion look from the 60s and only some people can pull it off but most can't. You have to want to receive a lot of attention while wearing this dress, best time to wear something like this is for New Year or a big party. Don't wear a lot of make up with a dress like this or jewellery, it'll be far too over the top.  

Hope you enjoyed the new fashion post, don't forget to share this blog with friends and family who you think will enjoy reading it.