Spring Fashion: Make It Rock
Some of the ’Burgh’s hottest musicians rock steady in American Eagle Outfitters — the hip, locally based fashion label — fusing music and style at Stage AE on the North Shore.
Pittsburgh is known for having a community rich in the arts, including everyone from designers to performers. Here, three on-the-rise musical acts sport spring’s breakthrough styles from American Eagle Outfitters (AEO): Tino Coury, the pop/R&B soloist; Lovebettie, the band that coined the term “swagger rock”; and Joy Ike, the soul-funk singer.
AEO offers one-of-a-kind fashion that exemplifies rock-and-roll cool. Known for its high-quality, trendy apparel, AEO merchandise is available in more than 1,000 stores, including those in 10 countries outside North America (and at ae.com). The company was founded in 1977, and today, you can find many iterations of the number 77 throughout AEO clothing and imagery — hence the main address of the company’s global headquarters (77 Hot Metal St.) in the SouthSide Works.
The clothing featured here was inspired by familiar elements of spring and summer, including the vibe of a summer music festival and a free-spirited, bohemian lifestyle.
The Artist
Tino Coury
Genre
Pop/R&B
Behind the Music
It’s a Thursday morning, and Tino Coury is hanging out with Pittsburgh Magazine on the second-floor balcony at Stage AE. He looks as low-key as he does at the mic, and that’s his appeal — the approachable guy-next-door (who is also a heartthrob), with eyes as warm as his lyrics. At 23, the Collier Township native who’s based out of L.A. comes home for the holidays to visit his family — in fact, they even have a sound-proof room set up for him to do his work. Coury was studying business at Duquesne University when he decided to focus on music during his sophomore year. This shift in interests wasn’t out of the blue: In high school, Coury suffered a football-related wrist injury and got into music.
“After I got hurt, I set up a studio in our laundry room and started the whole process of going online and teaching myself how to play,” he says. Today, he can play the drums, bass and keys. “I loved Blink 182, Green Day and Usher when I was first starting out — they were inspirational,” recalls Coury, who has performed with Jason Derulo, Drake and Mike Posner, to name a few. But his first bit of inspiration may have come even sooner: “I had a red guitar that my parents got for me when I was in seventh grade,” he says. “That’s probably when I caught the music bug.”
Pre-Performance Ritual
“I warm up with a lot of singing — but every performance is a little different, so I just go with it.”
Must-Have Wardrobe Essential
“I like snapback hats, definitely in black.”
Musician on a Mission
“I’ve supported Eva Longoria in her cause to help children — she’s honorary chair of Rally For Kids with Cancer (rallyforkids.com), an event I’ve donated my time and performances to.”
Up Next
“In early summer, I plan to release my second single.” For more about Tino Coury, go to tinocoury.com.
Get Tino Coury’s Look
AE Legend V Neck T ($15.50), AE denim jacket ($79.50), slim jean ($39.50) and AEO white analog watch ($24.50).
The Artist
Lovebettie
Genre
Swagger Rock
Behind the Music
While at The Club at Stage AE, the four members of Lovebettie — Alexandra Naples, 25 (lead vocal/piano); C.T. Fields, 29 (guitar/background vocals); Dan Mulkeen, 35 (bass); and Larry Shotter, 30 (drums) — find their places on stage. Comprised of members who hail from different parts of the region, Lovebettie has been referred to as Pittsburgh’s hottest band by Microsoft Windows, in which the band was a featured download to hundreds of thousands of Windows Media Player users. “C.T. and I started the band in 2006. Then Dan joined in 2009 and Larry in 2010,” explains Naples.
They’re a family on and off stage — plus, they share a little secret. “We’re married,” says Fields as he glances over at Naples, his wife of two years. “We’re all good friends,” he continues. The band has shared the stage with the likes of Lifehouse, Everclear, Fuel — plus, they were at the Lady Gaga Afterparty for her Monster Ball tour; what’s more, they’ve collaborated with producer Jim Wirt (who’s worked with Fiona Apple and Incubus) on the release of their 2011 EP. “Yeah we’re funk, with rock,” says Fields. “And we just ended a month-long U.S. tour from New York to the esteemed South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, in which we had seven shows!”
Pre-Performance Ritual
“We all take a shot,” says Lovebettie, collectively.
Must-Have Wardrobe Essential
“We keep it simple in denim and T-shirts, with hats and shades. But whatever Alex is wearing is front and center,” says Fields.
Musician on a Mission
“Last March, we toured from Boston to Austin in support of Not For Sale (notforsalecampaign.org), a campaign that fights against human trafficking and modern-day enslavement.”
Up Next
In April, they will be performing in Dewey Beach, Chicago, Lancaster, Baltimore and Arlington. For more on Lovebettie go to lovebettie.com.
Get Lovebettie’s Look (left to right)
Dan: AE Legend V Neck T ($15.50), under an AE plaid shirt ($39.50) with relaxed jean ($39.50), AE silver aviator sunglasses ($15.50) and AEO blue rope bracelet ($7.50). Alex: Lace bodycon dress ($49.50), AEO artisan embroidered belt ($24.50), AEO friendship bracelet sets ($9.50 each), AEO strand charm bracelet ($15.50), AEO dove multistrand necklace ($17.50) and Sam Edelman for AEO two-tone wedge ($59.50). C.T.: AE Legend V Neck T ($15.50), relaxed jean ($49.50), AEO cluster charm necklace ($12.50), AEO ammo necklace ($12.50), AEO bottle-opener cuff and buckled-leather cuff ($12.50/each) and AE silver aviator sunglasses ($15.50). Larry: AE Legend Henley T ($15.50), original straight jean ($49.50), AEO ring necklace ($12.50), AE white aviator sunglasses ($15.50) and AEO canvas Chukka sneaker ($39.50).
The Artist
Joy Ike
Genre
Soul Folk
Behind the Music
Relaxing in the Lounge at Stage AE, Joy Ike is fully operating as a sonic and sultry folk artist who can command the attention of stadium-sized audiences. Ike, 28, is authentic and grounded in her music, which she owes to her older brother, Blessing. After he passed away in 2008, she became inspired to kickstart her music career. She describes this moment as the catalyst for pushing her to leave her job and fully commit to music. The Squirrel Hill resident was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., and moved to Pittsburgh when she was 3.
“Both my parents came to the States from Nigeria 35 years ago — so I grew up surrounded by Nigerian culture,” she says. “Ever since I was a kid, I never wore shoes. When playing my music, I go barefoot — pushing my keyboard pedals — and it feels like I’m even more connected to who I am.”
Pre-Performance Ritual
“There was a time when I would eat before I did a show — but not anymore. No one wants to see a gal try to keep her food down in the middle of a verse.”
Must-Have Wardrobe Essential
“Black or dark tights! I love to put on a dress, but that doesn’t go over so well when you’re sitting at a keyboard. That’s where the tights come in!”
Musician on a Mission
“I support Compassion International (compassion.com), which is a Christian child advocacy ministry that provides children in Third World countries with food, shelter and other necessary provisions.”
Up Next
“At the end of this month, I’ll be on tour with a few friends, including stops in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and, of course, Pittsburgh.” For more about Joy Ike, go to joyike.com.
Get Joy Ike’s Look
AE printed easy dress ($39.50), AEO lace loop scarf ($24.50), AEO skinny perforated belt ($19.50), AEO artisan ring ($15.50), AEO medallion disc earrings ($15.50) and AEO beaded wraparound bracelet ($17.50).
For a complete Stage AE concert list, go to promowestlive.com. Shot on location at Stage AE, 400 North Shore Drive, North Shore; 412/229-5483. Hair and makeup by Katherine Reel.
