LouLou Ghelichkhani Interview - Thievery Corporation

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To say we’re fond of Thievery Corporation and the group’s lead singer, LouLou Ghelichkhani, is putting it mildly. ESL Music has been a player in the D.C.’s nightlife and entertainment scenes for as long as we can remember, from the late-night institution that is Eighteenth Street Lounge to its body of musical work that could soundtrack our parties for life.
Refinery29 has an interview with Thievery Corporation singer LouLou Ghelichkhani, one of electronic music's most stylish artists.
Tell us a bit about your career as a musician, both with Thievery and with your own side project, Bone Fur and Feathers.
I have been a muse for Thievery Corporation for 13 years. I have had the honor to record songs on five of their studio full-length records and many more mixes/compilations. I was very young when I started, and it has taken me some time to really find the confidence to write my own music.

The Year of the Water Dragon has been incredible so far. I have been working on one of the most exciting projects, called Bone Fur and Feathers — Conrado Bokoles and Rob Pierangelli are my musical soulmates. We are finishing our first EP; our first single will be out early fall.

Inside ESL Music studios, LouLou wears a Cameo top, American Apparel leggings, and handmade sandals she bought in Costa Rica.
Who are your style influences or icons?
Sophia Loren, Blondie [singer Debbie Harry], agnès b., Brigitte Fontaine. And a major girl-crush on Scarlett Johansson.
Do you have a signature look for performing on stage?
Betty Boop meets superhero meets wild child.

LouLou at Chez Billy in Petworth, where she DJs and curates the music selection. She wears a vintage hat gifted by her boyfriend, Zara denim shirt, Rojas tank from Alter in Brooklyn, AllSaints leggings, and Stuart Weitzman booties.
What about the rest of the time, like when you're in the studio or at home?
I love simple casual wear — jeans with cool t-shirts and sweaters. [I'm] addicted to stripes and dots, beautifully designed jewelry, and lots of boots.

Panther ring from Alter.
What inspires your music?
Patterns; taking photos of our adventures and travel and making collages; animals; books and more books. Everything about them — the stories, and the art of making them.
Did you always want to be a musician?
No, I was studying to become a French or math teacher.

So, you didn't see musician and muse in your future?
Yes and no. I always wanted to be involved in the arts. I did momentarily become a holistic skin care specialist in upstate New York for about four or five years, on the side. A life goal is to have a bed-and-breakfast with an incredible spa.

LouLou at home in Bloomingdale.
LouLou in her at-home studio, where she records and dreams up ideas for new songs. Her red Marshall amp is a prize possession.

Vintage dress from a clothing swap, Anthropologie belt, Miss Sixty boots.
You wear a lot of under-the-radar designers — how do you find them?
Mainly word-of-mouth, or I meet them at after-parties on tour and at festivals. Coachella and Lollapalooza have some of the coolest artists' lounges — you get to meet a lot of really interesting and talented people.

Seahorse earrings made from old records by San Diego brand Grammatique.
Where have you found your favorite clothes and accessories?
Locally: Meeps ( old and new), Redeem, Violet, Lettie Gooch, Buffalo Exchange. And Smash! I love Daisy, she finds really sweet pieces. Nationally: AllSaints, Rag & Bone, American Apparel, Alter (Brooklyn), Devil May Care (Rochester, New York).

Favorite shopping cities: Sydney (best boho wear), Barcelona (best pinup, edgy wear), and Ubud, Bali (for yoga wear). All my favorites were found by accident on tour.

Dept polka dot jacket from Gilt Groupe, Forever 21 top, Rich & Skinny jeans, Betsey Johnson heels.
What are your favorite places to hang out in D.C.?
Big Bear Cafe (I'm in love with John Cochran's menu), Room 11, El Chucho (my new favorite Mexican joint), and Chez Billy on the weekends.

We bike all around Rock Creek on the weekends, when Beach Drive is closed, and [I love] the Freer and Sackler galleries and gardens.

Melody Ehsani ring.
What's your favorite part of living in D.C.?
Fall and spring. The diversity. And knowing some of the coolest cats around.

LouLou channels a classic pinup next to a neighbor's beautiful roses.