Lindsay Darling and Brittney Townson make up one of Toronto’s most energetic (not to mention adorable!) DJ duos, Bangs & Blush. With under a year as a team under their high-waisted belts, Bangs & Blush have already shared their love of 60’s rock & roll, pop, Motown and soul all over Toronto, from Queen West to Banana Republic’s Mad Men Launch this past July. While promising (and delivering) one of the “sweatiest dance parties in the city,” these ladies remain effortlessly charming and stylish, often paying tribute in dress to the vintage sounds they pound out.
How important do you rank overall aesthetic or style to achieving success within your industry?
Anyone can do or be anything they want, not because of experience or expertise, but with the right personality and attitude. Fashion and style are pretty much the strongest forms of self-expression. The way you dress conveys a certain message to people regarding what you’re about.
Have you ever used clothing as a way to alter or reinvent yourselves?
Of course. Everyone goes through phases… what we wear now was definitely not what either of us wore in high school. We’ve always loved Motown, soul, and 60’s, but both of us used to go to hardcore shows when we were teenagers. The two of us seem to have had the same progression when it comes to style.
Who is your favorite fictional style icon?
Carrie Bradshaw, Joan Holloway, Holly Golightly, Blair Waldorf… the women from John Hughes movies. The list is endless.
What was your personal style like in high school?
Brittney: I was all over the place; when I started high school I was a little tomboy. I started listening to a lot of punk and hardcore music, and then came the Chuck Taylors, studded belts, black hoodies, and I would tease my jet black hair big like Robert Smith. Then I wanted to be a mod. I’ve somehow come to try to combine all of that.
Lindsay: Ditto minus the Robert Smith hair. I was more into channeling my inner Courtney Love.
We all know the wonders of blush, but why bangs?
Bangs are a classic look on women: sexy and mysterious. Instantly dramatic. We’re changing the famous saying to “bangs have more fun.”
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of being a duo? Do you find that you influence each other musically or style wise?
I think we’re both very individual, know what we want and are major perfectionists. Because of this though we work super well together because we both want the same things and have the same instincts. We definitely influence each other both musically and style wise.
A lot of what you play at your events consists of Motown Soul, 60’s pop and rock-n-roll. Do you have a tendency to lean towards vintage in your wardrobe as well as your music collections?
Brittney: Whether I was in my punk or mod phase, I was always obsessed with vintage and second hand clothing. If there’s one thing that’s never changed about my style choices, it’s that I always wanted to be wearing something original that no one else in the world had. I learned at a young age that shopping vintage would allow me to be original and stand out from the crowd. I appreciate the classic cuts, tailoring and prints of the clothes from the 60’s and 70’s… they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.
Lindsay: I do love vintage but I’m selective in my approach in that I tend towards high-end treasures from years passed. I love walking into Cabaret and having it all beautifully laid out for me. I also adore vintage jewelry and will quite often spend hours scouring bins at the Sunday St. Lawrence market for whatever catches my eye.
Top Ten Music Related Fashion Icons
Brigitte Bardot (John Lennon had a HUGE crush on her)
Mick Jagger
Marianne Faithfull
Vivienne Westwood
James Brown
The Supremes
Pamela Des Barres
Pattie Boyd
Jane Birkin
interview by Casie Brown
photography by Constantine Core
