Lately it seems like Grimes has become a magical music fairy godmother. First, Grimes’ tour singer/friend HANA grabbed the attention of electro-pop fans everywhere with her singles “Clay” and “Avalanche,” and now, Grimes’s protégé (and the first signing of artist co-op Eerie Organization) Nicole Dollanganger is on the verge of fame. The 23-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter sounds a lot like a lovechild between Lana Del Rey and Melanie Martinez: Dollanganger’s candy-coated vocals coyly play off raunchy, hypnotic lyrics. Plus, the Canadian singer has a timeless quality about her, care of her dollface and Lolita-like look—something that made us curious about her tour style and essentials. Her fashion sense is all frills and thrills with stickers, good luck charms, and even dolls.
Although Dollanganger has released seven other collections of music on her Bandcamp, her album Natural Born Losers will be released via Grimes’ artist collective on 10.9. With Marilyn Manson covers and a record dedicated to 1995’s cult classic, Welcome To The Dollhouse, Dollanganger has an eye for making the obscure her own—something that shines through in her pastel, delicate dresses and cute tchotchkes. We’re totally down with this because it brings us back to being a our obsessive Hello Kitty collecting days.
Continued below
GOOD LUCK CHARMS
Nicole Dollanganger: Out of superstition I always carry my good luck charms when traveling or doing something I'm nervous and excited about. There are three different pendants given to me, one by my mother, an old friend’s tooth, my grandmother’s ashes, a doll-head pin I found after a hospital visit and a bisque doll.
ART AND WORK SUPPLIES
I do most of my writing on my laptop but also like to carry around a few notebooks and sketchbooks for quick ideas. It’s also very easy to record and demo out a song idea to work on later with just some headphones and my laptop’s recording unit.
DRY SHAMPOO
It’s such a lifesaver when you’re on the road and have to be getting ready in public bathrooms or in the back of a van.
DRESSES
Dresses are so easy to wear and pack when you’re working with minimal bag space and wanting to still look somewhat presentable. They're also so comfortable and good for traveling.
MY COAT
My coat is a security blanket. I never go anywhere without it, even in the summer. It's been battered up through the years but it's really comforting to have, even to sometimes sleep in.
Follow Ilana Kaplan on Twitter.