well, gang, the new issue of chickfactor print magazine isn't quite ready but the websites are getting some updates so there are new things to read and stare at. read our eurovision correspondent roger mraz's latest report and my new (anti) fashion column in the web-only section. I am happy to report that my stunning photo site gailohara.com is finally getting some updates as well! naturally there is a bidding war between photo galleries over my lenstastic talents, but I am holding out for staley-wise because I would very much like to be on the same roster as louise dahl-wolfe and horst p. horst.

we're very pleased to report that l'age d'or de la pop, the 2-day festival we hosted in december in london, was a smashing success. the first night featured a first-ever london performance by brooklyn singer-songwriter and chickfactor cover girl jennifer o'connor; a stellar annual live show by south london duo the pines; a high-impact performance by the london troupe known as the real tuesday weld and his little big band; and the chap formerly known as tintin: mr. stephen duffy, who insists on undervaluing his performance, but we thought it was ace. mr duffy has been jet-setting back and forth from notting hill to bev-hills where he is producing the new robbie williams record (I shit you not).

the second evening was even more gilded. we began with a high-energy romp from london's tender trap--their first show out of the house in ages since miss amelia fletcher has been off reproducing of late. ms. lupe nunez fernandez also joined the trap for her turn on their new single. they were followed by the heart-melting repertoire of sweden's club 8, who haven't played live in 4 years! chickfactor couldn't believe our luck when they agreed to play our l'age d'or and we're still reeling from it, believe me. after that was the sublime brotherly love of john + frank navin, otherwise known as the aluminum group, whose charm, talent, wit, and wardrobes won over the usually jaded london crowd. then the brothers emceed the fashion show featuring the arty designs of ms. andrea loest, and featured the likes of amelia, lupe, and some of their friends as models. this time there were custom-made wigs for each dress so it was quite a colourful affair indeed. last up were london's own surrealistic pillow: the clientele, doing their lovely lovely songs in a most moving performance. it was the best I've seen them in years, and I have seen them quite a lot. anyway, we were just so pleased with the whole weekend, we wish it were still going on. sunday's show wasn't as jammed as saturday's, but the crowd that was there was of the highest possible quality imaginable. like us, the whole affair was covered in a sheen of glitter dust. the only downside for me was attempting to help lupe emcee--next time I will be reclining in a comfy chair somewhere with a large martini where I belong.

it's been a long, cold winter and we're determined to get you an issue soon so please keep an eye on our site for more news. lupe swears there are people in sweden asking about the new issue all the time. we are also hoping to do some cf parties this spring somewhere. we are very excited about that new magnetic fields album too! ciao.