the nogoodforme.com interview: Alberta Poon of Wet Confetti/Frozen Peas Accessories

I never get sick of stringing together glowing words about the illustrious Alberta Poon: Here and here and here, and one time in Venus, I've swooned about the formidable cuteness of Alberta's Frozen Peas Accessories line and/or the hot synthy snarl of her Portland-based post-punk band Wet Confetti. So, now, we're going to let you read all about the bassist/designer/generally crushable polymath in her own words. Then you should go listen to a bunch of Wet Confetti songs on their MySpace. And then you should buy yourself an Ornery Owl Necklace (below, right) or a Dino Love Wallet (further below, left) or some other cuddly treat from Frozen Peas. But whatever you do, don't try to start your own band and/or accessories label until after you've passed the bar or finished up medical school - them's the rules according to Alberta.

Tell us all about how you started Frozen Peas Accessories. Frozen Peas started back in 2004 when I decided I could be making stuff as good as the stuff I was selling at this boutique I was working at. We had a lot of local designers consigning at the boutique and some of it was awesome and some of it was crap. I thought, "What the hell, whatever I attempt to make will at least be better than the crap here." But it ended up even better than I could have imagined!

What was your original vision for Frozen Peas? I imagined it very colorful, fun, nature/animal-oriented, and that's what it is exactly. I hoped that teenagers to 50-year-olds, women and men would enjoy it - and they do!

What do you listen to when you're working on your designs? What I'm into changes from week to week. Right now I’ve been listening to Ellen Alien, The Thermals, Joanna Newsom, Kickball, Neil Young, The Cure, etc.

What are your biggest inspirations? Obviously animals. I am an animal freak. I'm always watching the Discovery Channel and pointing out cute dogs to my boyfriend (which, by the way, is all dogs).

What's your favorite thing about running Frozen Peas? When I get a random email from someone on the other side of the world telling me how much they love my designs. And the fact that I work for myself is priceless!

Any advice for girls/boys out there dreaming of launching their own label? Just go for it! You don't have much to lose, do you? Unless you're in law school or something and drop out.

Who are your favorite designers? Studio Acorn, Genevieve Dillinger, Hazel Cox, Kate & Holly from Seaplane, Small Things, No Star Clothing, Monsieur T.

Who are your style idols? Kate Moss, Karen O, Kirsten Dunst, Sienna Miller

Whose closet would you most like to raid? Kate Moss

What's your favorite clothing item lately? Shorts. It's hot out, man.

What are some of your favorite clothing shops (around your town or in the whole wide world)? Seaplane, Magpie, Blue, Mini Mini Market.

Who are your favorite bands? Kickball, The Thermals, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Blonde Redhead, Television.

What music do you like to listen to when primping? Live with Regis and Kelly. I know it's not music.

Name one record you loved when you were a little kid that you still listen to today. Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream

Favorite makeout music? Uhhh gross!

Who's your number-one all-time music crush? Robert Smith

What was your first experience in making music? In high school I started to learn how to play bass. It was weird 'cause I thought I was too old to just start learning how to play music. But I was instantly hooked and it changed my life forever.

What do you like to wear onstage? I like wearing really short skirts or dresses, then some baggy-ass shirt or something to go with it. I usually wear sneakers so I don't eat it on stage.

Name one clothing/beauty/jewelry item you always take on tour with you. I always bring a necklace I made on tour. I get asked about Frozen Peas so much that it's good to have some representation. Vans shoes are awesome on tour cause you can just slip them on or off so easily, which is nice when you're in a van for eight hours at a time.

What's the craziest show you've ever played? We've had a few really really crazy shows. All of them were house of loft-space shows. They all consisted of kids going absolutely nuts, alcohol, floors almost collapsing, furniture collapsing, and blood.

Any advice for girls/boys out their looking to start a band? Just go for it. Unless you're in like medical school or something.

Posted by Liz in Interviews
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