Dreams, drugs and stardom make for one helluva tale
Have you heard of the British band Utopia Avenue? Don’t worry … neither had we. Made up of folksinger Elf Holloway, blues bassist Dean Moss, guitar virtuoso Jasper de Zoet and jazz drummer Griff Griffin, who were part of London’s psychedelic scene in 1967, and who created a unique sound, with lyrics that captured their turbulent times. The band produced only two albums in two years, but their musical legacy lives on. And this is their story. One of a brief, blazing journey from Soho clubs and draughty ballrooms to the promised land of America, just when the Summer of Love was receding into something much darker. It’s a multi-faceted tale of dreams, drugs, love, sexuality, madness and grief, of stardom’s wobbly ladder and fame’s Faustian pact, and of the collision between youthful idealism and jaded reality as the sixties drew to a close. It’s a story that celebrates the power of music to connect across divides, define an era and thrill the soul. Hodder & Stoughton, R355
Sensational Spring spoils
We’re all being kind to ourselves and enjoying a little spoil every now and then … and very few things are as decadent and indulgent as the new luxurious Lindt Creation range. Absolute heaven for chocolate lovers, the Creation range comes in a variety of flavours and each chocolate is filled with exquisite ingredients … like nuts, wafer, caramel, mint and crème brulee! The range is available exclusively at Woolworths and Lindt chocolate boutique stores, R69,95 a slab. Our favourites? Creation Milk Hazelnut, Creation Wafer and Nut and Creation Caramel! Details: www.lindt.co.za or follow them on social media: IG @LindtSA; FB Lindt
Even a Spring shower won’t bring us down … we’ll whip out our Tropical Tangerine umbrella. R621 from rosehipdesign.co.za
When it comes to bright and cheerful, Lou Harvey’s always top of the game. She’s just teamed up with Mr Price Home for her second Creative Colab Collection … it’s all brilliant, bright and botanical. Soft furnishings, kitchen and bathroom accessories, crockery and stationery in oversized bold florals, sunbirds and paisley. You’ll find the range in store, or on online. Details: mrphome.com
Wild about Spring
Our favourite season of the year … and apparently the fave of the Macaroon crew too, who every September launch their new range … each one better than the last. This year it’s all about Wild Wreaths. They’re dressing the animal kingdom – think apes and ellies, leopards and lions – in blossoming crowns of wild flowers. Available online this month on macaroon.co.za
Compiled by KYM ARGO
