Express Rocks

Samantha James’ First Acoustic Performance at Express Rocks

“I’m loving the fact that I have the opportunity to sing at this party,” Samantha James says of Express Rocks before taking the stage. “I feel totally blessed to be here.”

The Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter has been traveling for three years and today is the first time she’s doing an acoustic performance with Jared Meeker on the guitar. 

Samantha’s soulful songs fit right in with the laid-back vibe at the Viceroy. Guests lounge in and around the pool listening to her set, which includes songs like “Rise,” “Angel Love” and “Amber Sky.”

It’s the perfect ending to a gorgeous weekend.

Poolside Style at Express Rocks Day 3

With the sun stronger than ever in the desert, hats are a must. So we went around to Express-orize the guests at Express Rocks with Express straw fedoras and floppy hats. The neutral goes with everything from earthy olives and browns to bright turquoise prints.

Another great feature? They work for girls and boys! We love how this couple wasn’t afraid to go to matchy-matchy with their fedoras by the pool.

Samantha James Talks Feathers and Nature at Express Rocks

When you meet Samantha James you can’t help but stare at her captivating yellow eyes. They draw you in instantaneously, but it’s the singer/songwriter’s warm personality that keeps you hooked.

“I’m inspired by life, everything really. People who enter my life, people who lead my life, things I experience on a daily basis,” Samantha says of her music. “I’m spiritual. For me, I think that being spiritual and having faith in something keeps me grounded.”

When writing her songs, Samantha prefers to be outdoors. “I’m fueled by nature,” Samantha says, telling us she escapes the city of Los Angeles and heads to the trees, mountains and ocean to get inspired.

And when it comes to fashion, Samantha is ahead of the trends! Her hairdresser put feather pieces in her long locks about a year ago. “Seven months after she put them in, everyone was wearing them,” she recalls. Then, the other night, while Samantha was watching American Idol, she saw Steven Tyler rocking feathers in his hair, too!

Today, Samantha adds to her feather strands by Express-orizing with an Express geode pendant necklace and the Express rhinestone friendship bracelets..

“I love vintage. But at the same time I like nice things too,” she says of her style. “It’s bohemian chic but I like to be comfortable.”

Unlike other artists, Samantha doesn’t dress differently for the stage then she does in real life. What you see is what you get. And that’s one gorgeous singer with a great attitude and beautiful voice.

Neon Trees: It’s Fashion Over Function

Neon Trees isn’t about to let the desert heat damper their personal style. While guests at Express Rocks bake in bikinis by the pool, the Utah-based band isn’t afraid to wear leather! OK, well Chris Allen (and his freshly pink hair) and and Branden Campbell are staying cool in white tees. But not Tyler Glenn…

“It’s fashion over function,” the singer smiles in his black jacket. Elaine Bradley goes with long-sleeve lace but shares her bandmate’s love for leather (minus the leather, that is). “I have two that basically do not leave my body,” the female artist says of her Express (Minus the Leather) jackets.

Last night, the band played in Iowa and it was so freezing Elaine had to sit on her hands to stay warm! Tonight is a drastic difference. Neon Trees is playing in the intense heat at Coachella. We can’t wait to see them!

Tinie Tempah Cools Off At Express Rocks

Taking a break from the heat, British rapper Tinie Tempah popped into the Express Rocks lounge to cool down. Dressed in a simple tee and slacks, the London-based artist describes his style as very basic. Even his tortoise shell frames are a classic.

But when it comes to shoes, Tinie has one rule: Footwears comes off on planes! Whenever he travels, the rapper loves to slip on the socks he’s given on board. But for now, all he needs is to cool off. “It’s BOILING out here!!!!!” Tinie tweeted yesterday. Luckily, he’ll soon be back flying the friendly skies with his socks on his way to a much cooler New York to continue his US tour. But first up is hitting the stage at Coachella tonight!

Poolside Style at Express Rocks Day 2

The fashion keeps getting better and better at the Express Lounge. Today, we went around to Express-orize party goes with Express straw fedoras and Express Striped Slub V-Neck Tees.

The best part about the hats is they really go with everything from printed vintage dresses to rompers and cowboy boots.

Guys were happy to change their shirts into comfy Express stripes…

With the intense heat, it was the looser the better when it came to clothing from oversize shirt dresses…

To white empire waist dresses.

Keep checking back all weekend for more poolside style from Express Rocks!

Titus Andronicus and Their Express V-Neck Tees

The Express Striped Slub V-Neck Tee is all the rage this weekend. First Kellan Lutz rocks his at Coachella then punk indie band Titus Andronicus rolls through the Express Life suite to pick up some tees of their own.

“We’re having a lot of fun,” the New Jersey-based band says as they cool down from the desert sun. Yesterday, the boys played at Coachella and are heading back this afternoon to watch some more bands. We hang out for a bit and chat about their style from boat shoes to where to put your sunglasses when you’re inside. The solution? Hooked onto a v-neck tee!

Lucy Woodward Talks Fashion & Love at Express Rocks

“You just walk in and you’re like, Heaven!” Lucy Woodward tells us about the scene at Palm Springs. Between the gorgeous people in bikinis and bright blue skies we would have to agree!

The singer, who lives in Los Angeles but grew up in New York, is performing acoustic at Express Rocks. “I would never normally wear this color,” she says of her vintage Kelly green dress. “But my grandmother wore this color all the time in the 70s and 80s. She passed away years ago but her style was so hip.” Today, Lucy tributes Grandma Sylvia but modernizes the look with an Express geode pendant necklace and the popular Express rhinestone friendship bracelets. “They remind me of camp, but like bedazzled camp,” she says of the bracelets. “They’re timeless.”

But Lucy doesn’t only get inspiration from previous decades when it comes to fashion. “It’s pop/big bandy,” the blonde explains of her latest album. “I was very influenced by the ’40s and ’50s.”

But the biggest inspiration for Lucy when it comes to her music? “Love, love, love.”

While her love life isn’t going perfectly right now, at least it will give her material for upcoming songs!

When it comes to the stage, Lucy steps outside her norm with makeup. Today, she rocks gold eyeliner with glittery silver accents. “I thought since it was outdoor I would do a little more shiny shimmer.”

And that shimmer is an adjustment for Lucy. Living in New York, she used to dress in solely black. “It’s so dirty and you’re sitting on the subway and always brushing up against people so you really wear a lot of dark colors.” But that didn’t fly in LA. “I was like the gothic child!”

Now, Lucy brings more color into her wardrobe, as seen today with her vibrant print. But comfort is still key for the singer. “You see some crazy bikini girls with their fur coats,” she says of party goers here for Coachella. And it’s great for them but Lucy likes sticking to things that won’t make her overheat in the desert!

So which artists excite her? “I would love to see Erykah Badu doing her thing,” she immediately replies. “What a live show. Her, Kanye, Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire…”

Next week, Lucy will be going on tour and soon you’ll be able to see her on the big screen with Lea Michele! “I’m Bon Jovi’s backup singer in the upcoming New Year’s Eve, which is the sequel to Valentine’s Day.” We can’t wait to see it!

Kellan Lutz Rocks Out in Express at Coachella

Twilight hottie Kellan Lutz stayed cool at Coachella with an Express Striped Slub V-Neck Tee. The stripes are right on trend for spring and soft cotton is perfect for festival fashion. It was comfy enough for Kellan to stomp around the field with friends, rocking out to Interpol. And boy, did he look good doing it!

Poolside Style at Express Rocks Day 1

While music is what draws people to Coachella, the fashion at the festival is equally incredible! We had party goers at Express Rocks add Express straw fedoras and the Express geode pendant necklace to their already fab outfits.

Crop tops are a major trend, paired with everything from maxi skirts to cutoffs. And feathers are flying all over the place on earrings and in the hair of some of the coolest peeps.

Even animals are using Express hats to shade themselves from the desert sun! This hot dog has a pose off with blogger Sydne Summer.

Crochet is also all over the place, being layered over bikinis to keep cool in the heat.

We especially loved how an Express necklace adds an earthy feel to this vintage rock tee.

Keep checking back all weekend for more poolside style from Express Rocks!