26 SanDiegoMagazine.comNovember2011
❯❯ ITYFILESC | Culture
A 21st-century collab if ever there was one,
the duo of Roberts & Lord has Myspace to
thank for its existence. Simon Lord, of the
Manchester, UK-based electronic band Sim-
ian, stumbled upon the music of local boy
Ra er Roberts while clicking around on the
site, and the two producers quickly co-wrote,
via email, an entire 12-track album, Epony-
mous, out now on the Asthmatic Kitty label.
The album’s goofy lyrics (a love song to a
mosquito?) are Lord’s, and reminiscent of the
great indie-pop band Of Montreal. The play-
ful pop-noise backing music comes courtesy
of Roberts, a guy who’s clearly comfortable
playing with multiple musical styles, perhaps
thanks to his other job composing music for
commercials. (His company, Singing Serpent,
produces ad tunes for clients including BMW
and Adidas.) Eponymous cycles, Beck-like,
through genres as diverse as gospel, space-
pop, psych-rock, electro, R&B, and folk, then
peppers it with Galaga sound eff ects and
’80s-era turntable scratches. Who knew
something so weird could actually sound
cohesive? But then again, who knew anybody
still used Myspace? robertsandlord.com // RZS
[ HEAR THIS ]
Roberts & Lord
As the seasonal chill creeps in, it’s time
to trade the crisp, light drinks of sum-
mer for the warming brown liquors of
winter. While whiskey, bourbon, and rye
are increasingly common ingredients in
cocktails these days, it’s still rare to fi nd a
San Diego bar that serves Scotch mixed
with anything other than soda or ice. But
Jsix bar manager Doug Cox isn’t afraid
of Scotland’s signature smoky,
peaty spirit. To prove it, he’s re-
vived this classic sipper, which
dates back almost a century
and takes its name from a
1920s Rudolph Valentino
fi lm, as well as from the
blood-orange juice that
gives it its stunning hue.
Made by gently stirring
the juice with an ounce of
blended Scotch and equal parts
Heering cherry liqueur and Car-
pano (a nuttier spin on sweet ver-
mouth), the Blood & Sand is served
in a martini glass and garnished
elegantly with a wheel of citrus.
Cozy and sweet-tart, it’s a great
entrée into the world of Scotch (no
kilt required). // RZS[ DRINK THIS ]
Blood & Sand[ SHOP HERE ]
Ted Baker LondonThe British are invading Fashion Valley
and we’re happy to surrender. In addition
to Burberry expanding and relocating next
to Gucci, this month, Ted Baker London
opens its fi rst boutique south of, well,
South Coast Plaza. Near Bloomie’s on the
lower level of Fashion Valley, the store will
bring its distinctly British humor stateside,showcasing threads in a store deco’d
with vintage maps and a Victorian wood-
paneled cash register counter, plus animal
motifs and palm leaves in the dressing
rooms—a tribute to our very own San
Diego Zoo. (Why, thank you.) Ted Baker’s
womenswear collection for fall—pardon—
autumn recalls the English countryside but
adds femininity with large fl oral
prints on tops and dresses.
The season’s menswear is
at once professorial and
woodsmen chic, with tweed
blazers, leather lace-up
boots with the Oxford
brogue perforations, and
even cable knit cardis.
Ted Baker, a clothing co.
since 1988, is known for
its whimsical touches
(like bows on galoshes,
pictured le ). In a
world where fashion
tends to take itself
too seriously, there’s
room aplenty for
unconventional Ted
Baker in laid-back
San Diego. We need
more unique pieces,
not to mention shopping
experiences. T.B. makes it
jolly-good fun again. // EMDon’t turn the page until you promise to try these San Diego newcomers
New Arrivals
DOWNLOAD THEM NOW
“Interior Demon” and “Mosquito”
ALSO NEW IN FASHION VALLEY
OMEGA, In Add Minus, Forever 21ROBIN JOLIN