Redefining Retro with Heebie & the Jeebies
Nestled amidst the palm-lined streets of Los Angeles, Heebie & the Jeebies emerge as more than just a musical force—they're purveyors of West Coast cool.
In the city where dreams are made, Kalie and Subro Pontes, the duo behind melodies and rhythms, combine LA's rich cultural heritage into every chord and every stitch of their style. You may have come across them before, and that's because they're good friends of ours.
We decided to head across the pond to the West Coast for a chat and catch up with them both.
It's impossible not to wonder what lured you both into the realm of '60s fashion. I imagine living in LA there's a wealth of history at your fingertips waiting to be explored. What initially drew you both in?
K: I think I can speak for both of us by saying that watching films and seeing photos of bands from the 60s really sparked something in us.
For us it's more about the timeless side of the 60s fashion, some of it can get a bit too gimmicky and we lean more towards the subtle side.
LA in the 60s was a melting pot of styles and influences. On one hand, the city's association with the entertainment industry saw a rise of sleek and sophisticated looks inspired by the silver screen, with women donning chic cocktail dresses and men sporting tailored suits reminiscent of Hollywood icons. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, the emergence of the hippie movement brought forth a more relaxed and bohemian aesthetic, characterized by flowing fabrics, psychedelic prints, and fringe accents. Additionally, the influence of surf culture permeated the fashion scene, with beach-inspired attire such as board shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and casual California.
How does living in LA influence your interpretation of this iconic era's style?
K: I was born and raised in Southern California just 30 minutes (without traffic) from the heart of LA. That being said I think the only influence it's had on me is for the old Hollywood fashion, I love the glamour of the Hollywood starlets of the 40's and 50's. Nowadays I can't stand much of the modern LA fashion. Subro only just moved here a few years ago and already had his style set.
As musicians in Heebie and the Jeebies, how does your sense of style intersect with your stage presence and performance style?
K: Luckily we just wear outfits we would wear any other day. The decision is mostly how much we are dressing our everyday style up or not. We usually stick with darker colours, maybe some pops of colour (red beret for me or a soho scarf for Subro). My set "uniform" consists of some type of black mock neck or turtleneck and a black skirt.
S: Basically what Kalie said. We usually wear our normal clothes but depending on the gig or the idea for a photo we choose how casual or dressy we should get, going from a Fred Perry, jeans and Adidas trainers to a 3 button suit.
Could you share some favourite 60s fashion icons or influences that resonate with you both?
K: I know without a doubt that Subro's biggest fashion icon is Michael Caine. I'd say we both lean a little more toward the fashion you'd find in a '60s spy film. Or outside of the 60s, our biggest influences would be some sort of crook from a Guy Ritchie film. As for particular fashion icons for me I'd say the two biggest are Audrey Hepburn and Anna Karina.
Kalie, what elements of 60s fashion do you find particularly inspiring?
K: A lot of the shapes and silhouettes such as the A line dresses and sleek turtlenecks. Also it was a time period that everyone wore odd hats, I'm a sucker for hats. Everything was shot on film back then so the fashion always looked more appealing.
Subro, how does your perception of 60s fashion differ from Kalie's, and how does that dynamic influence your band's aesthetic?
I was always more into the smart but understated look. People like George Harrison and Michael Caine are the reason I got interested in clothing and I love the sort of casual but dressy look with the turtle necks, blazer and boots and that sort of thing.
