Tortoise & Blonde

T&B Seen on the Scene: On set at The Last Royals video shoot for Crystal Vases

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We <3 Tumblr and we <3 musicians.  

(Source: skylovestoeat)

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Tortoise & Blonde featured in the Huffington Post: “The Future of Music: Free Health Care for Bands?”

“Tortoise and Blonde does not have tons of money to finance fancy music projects but what they do have, they use wisely. By providing eye care for bands, the company demonstrates the most important element in the band/brand relationship: common purpose. T&B shares with its bands a need for eyewear and a passion for design. And from these values, like the perfect prescription, a world of opportunity is revealed.”

Read the rest of the article.

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Stylelist: How to Build a Brand that Gets Both Music & Style

“Needless to say, the collision course of music and style is a democratic one. It’s not just for major brands partnering with major musicians, but also for upstart brands looking to organically connect with upstart musicians. Tortoise & Blonde, with a budget a fraction of what a brand like Nike has, focuses on developing close ties with bands and fans alike through pop-up events and online music sharing. It turns out that while upstart brands have to hustle harder for attention, the big brands have to use their dollars effectively to resonate authentically. My main recommendations for such major brands is two-fold: 1) Keep it real. 2) Keep it simple.” - Joah Spearman

We’re honored to be featured in this piece on Stylelist, by Joah Spearman, on brands that get both music & style.  The link between our brand and bands is a very natural one, which transpired as we launched Tortoise & Blonde a little over a year ago at SXSW11’s StyleX.  We found our scene immediately, being around the music and meeting all the bands last year at the festival, then continuing our relationships and partnerships through the year.

We’re the eyewear equivalent of an indie label band, and understand the fight to be heard in a sea of big fish (or see & be heard, as we like to say).

We love being able to discover new music and help these bands envision their bright futures, as we grow together.  As Joah says in this article, you have to keep it real.  We embrace the rock n’ roll lifestyle that Tortoise & Blonde represents.  One Today, Another Tomorrow.

bearstronaut:

We’re dancing in our seats to this Bearstronaut mix.  Glad we linked up with them at SXSW as they rocked our glasses through the festival!

Love from the bands at our #StyleX SXSW booth today from Maps & Atlases and Savoir Adore.

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Spotted: Gary of Savoir Adore in the Tortoise & Blonde Sunset on Milk Made

Check out Milk Made’s interview with the band!

Victor aka Kool A.D. of Das Racist stopped by the office last week.  We celebrated a late Valentine’s Day with flowers, cupcakes, and the new Magoo frames.

Fav Tweet of the Day from @PearlntheBeard

We looks out for our bands here at Tortoise & Blonde… #visionpuns