Steampunk NC

Has anyone ever heard of the term "Steampunk" before? Because I haven't, and certainly not before coming to NC.
According to Wikipedia, Steampunk is a branch of science fiction that centers around steam-powered Victorian England and where technological innovation as the Victorians would have envisioned is at it's core. We're talking alternative universes where machine and man were both decked out in 18th English garb and could time travel or venture to the center of the earth, a la Jules Verne. I think "imaginary flying machines, goggles, and corsets" sums it up just fine.

Steampunk Gallery:
City Of Lost Children kick-ass French film
The Clockwork Cabaret weekly podcast

The Affinity Bridge novel

Prince Poppycock

“A Louis XIV confection or occasional Nancy Sinatra-esque chanteur/chanteuse in gold glitter boots with world-class vocal talent. No lip-syncing for Mr. Quale, who is a true artist and transforms himself Klaus Nomi style once he graces the stage. Nina Hagen would be proud, as would Diamanda Galas.” – Roy Rogers Oldenkamp for WeHoNews.com

"Part randy dandy, part rock star, part drunken courtesan, Poppycock instantly owns the audience with but a glance and a wiggle of bedazzled pantaloons, and that’s just the beginning. His operatic prowess, glamourous costumes and ostentatious prose leave not a heart unstirred."
~Zoetica Webb via Coilhouse
Poppycock official website 

The Freelancer's Fashion Blog

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I love fashion.  If I kept all the girlie magazines I've bought over the years I'm sure it would fill up half of a good-sized bookshelf.  However, I didn't keep them but I still look to many different sources for inspiration.
Now that we've got this bad-ass retro road rig (photos of car and trailer coming soon), I feel it's necessary to dress accordingly.  Thankfully there's The Freelancer's Fashion Blog by a lady based out of Finland with the best vintage style.
Check her out...

Nick Cave's Sound Suit

Nick Cave--no, not that Nick Cave of the Bad Seeds fame. The other one--a performance artist and dancers based out of Chicago has created the Sound Suit.  Made out of found objects, these full body suits are made to move in.  And it makes sense as Cave trained with one of the most bad-ass dance troupes around, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
You tube has some good suits in motion.

 Sources Artistic Things & Coilhouse

Midnight Specials

The Finns have several dvds from the 1970's musical variety show, Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special.  It's the best music in pop culture from that era, hands down.  It came on right after the Johnny Carson show and had all sorts of performances by Curtis Mayfield, Gladys Knight, John Denver, The Bee Gees, and so-on-and-so-forth.  I've been watching a couple each night before I go to bed for "research" purposes--you know, camera angles, theatrical skills, and good lord, the costumes!  I've got a running list of musicians that I think integrate music, performance skills, and wardrobe to the best degree.  I'll post a couple of them in the near future but for the time being, I'll leave you with my favorite Midnight Special thus far...