Here are yesterday’s set photos of Leighton, Ed, Blake, Penn and Taylor!

Taylor Momsen has revealed that she wanted her band’s debut album to be “rock” and “loud”.

This week sees the Gossip Girl actress and her group The Pretty Reckless releasing their first record Light Me Up, and the 17-year-old singer has revealed how the album came into place.

“It was a natural formation,” explained Taylor – who doesn’t know who Justin Bieber is. “I’m a singer-songwriter, so for two years or so, I was experimenting with various producers, to see who shared the same vision as me.

“It seems there are a lot of pop producers right now, and hardly any rock producers. So, when I finally met Kato [Khandwala], it was a big relief, because he’s like the most rocking guy you’ll ever f***ing meet. That set the standard. Then [guitarist] Ben Phillips and I wrote all songs.”

Momsen – who was inspired by Garbage and The White Stripes to form the band, added to Interview: “I knew one thing: it would be rock. It would be loud. When actually writing the songs, though, inspiration came from everyone and everything.”

“Everything was organic, written on the acoustic guitar. I wanted song-driven rock; the elaborate flourishes and specific production all came later.”

As for her lyrics and themes to the album, Taylor added: “It’s not really a happy record; if anything, it’s sad. And the songs were co-written with Ben and Kato, but the words are definitely coming from me, and reflect my personal views on certain situations.

“I write about what I know, what I live, what I observe. Darkness is a subjective word; it depends what your viewpoint is and how you live life.”

Momsen recently denied insulting Rihanna in an interview.

Source: OMG Music

Taylor Momsen has said that one of her favorite female rockers is Shirley Manson.

The Pretty Reckless singer revealed that despite being more inspired by male musicians, the Garbage frontwoman made a lasting impression on her as a young girl.

Speaking to Interview, the 17-year-old said: “One of my first favorite records was the debut Garbage album, which I heard when I was very young. Shirley Manson is a great female vocalist and performer and I admire her for that.

“But yeah, I do emulate men more – I grew up on Oasis, Soundgarden, AC/DC, The Beatles. I am trying to do my own thing, but there will always be comparisons, even if I don‘t agree with them.”

Momsen recently insisted that she is not directly inspired by Courtney Love, despite often being compared to her.

Source: Digital Spy

Taylor Momsen has spoken about her choice of outfits and make-up.

The blonde singer – who was best known as playing Jenny Humphrey in Gossip Girl before launching her music career as the frontwoman for The Pretty Reckless – is rarely seen these days without heavy eye makeup, ripped stockings and stripper shoes.

Asked about her wardrobe, the 17-year-old said: “I like fashion. I like dark colors. I like makeup. Being in the public eye forces you to figure out how to put it all together, I guess.

“I have a bounty of products. Bedhead’s black eyeliner is really good – it lasts a long time – but the only thing is you can’t smear it, so I have smudge black eyeshadow around it,” Momsen told Interview. “Also, lately I have been using red eye makeup!”

As for where she shops, Taylor said: “Stripper stores mainly. Especially for shoes.”

Referring to the huge platform stripper shoes – which come complete with a slot for accepting tips as she performs with her band – she explained: “I bought them because they were tall. Seriously.

“I like to wear platform heels onstage and they’re actually hard to find. But fans started putting money in them – so now they are filled with tons of bills. It’s pretty amazing.”

Source: OMG Music

Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen has opened up about her fashion choices.

Speaking to Spin magazine, the teen actress said, ‘I dress for myself. Clearly, it’s provocative, but it makes me feel good. And if the only reason it makes someone uncomfortable is because I’m 17, then that person’s a scumbag because it shouldn’t matter.’

Despite her punk look, she says she is not a ‘drug addict’ or a ‘crazy f******* psycho who’s gonna end up in the gutter’.

However, she did describe her vampish look as ‘high-class hooker’, but argued, ‘I’m not a role model’.

‘I’m figuring out who I am and what I want to be doing,’ she declared.

She also expressed her opinion on the state of popular music.

‘People think pop is rock, and the lines are getting blurred. Now Rihanna’s wearing f****** leather jackets and it’s really annoying.’

Source: Monsters and Critics

Actress and model Taylor Momsen stars on “Gossip Girl” and was recently chosen as the face of John Galliano’s new fragrance, but music is one of her prime passions.

Which may be the reason pop star Madonna selected Momsen to represent Material Girl, the new fashion brand she co-designed with her 13-year-old daughter, Lourdes Leon, and launched last night at Macy’s Herald Square.

Momsen fronts the alt-grunge band, The Pretty Reckless, which signed with Interscope Records last year.

She and bandmate guitarist Ben Phillips took the stage at Macy’s for an acoustic set, as Madonna’s “Music” pulsated from the speakers. The set included the title track from their debut album, “Light Me Up” and its first single, “Make Me Wanna Die.”

Momsen – dressed Tuesday evening in a black leather jacket and skinny black jeans – said that Material Girl is similar to her own style because “it is a collection for everyone; any type of girl can wear these clothes because it’s not just girly-girl or tomboy or rock. It’s very eclectic and fits me in that way.”

Momsen’s raspy, throaty voice has been compared to that of Courtney Love, and like Love, she tries to writes songs and play guitar with swagger. Momsen counts among her influences Jack White, Joan Jett, and Nirvana.

The Pretty Reckless has been touring all summer in anticipation of their album dropping on August 31, as part of the Vans Warped Tour (along with Andrew WK and Pierce the Veil). Speakeasy asked Momsen how she liked life on the road. “I actually flew in from Kansas yesterday and then it’s off to Canada,” she said. Even for a 17-year-old, she sounded a bit weary. “We had a day off!” she laughed. “But it’s so much fun and the tour’s been going great.”

After speaking with Momsen backstage, we wandered through the Material Girl section to check out the collection. A tsunami of black lace leggings, sequins, faux fur vests, T-shirts, tutus and ballet flats flew off the racks as we watched hundreds of teen girls who weren’t yet born when Madonna rolled around the VMAs to “Like A Virgin,” line up to do their back-to-school shopping. At $12 – $40, the price points are as microscopic as the bandeau tops.

The blazers and parachute pants completely sold out and had to be restocked. The designs are modern reinterpretations of styles Madonna wore in the movie “Desperately Seeking Susan,” and her classic videos like “Lucky Star” and “Holiday.” The clothes also draw on 80’s-era punk and new wave designs (black-and-pink horizontal stripes, animal prints, Vivienne Westwood/Sex Pistol plaids).

As for working with Madonna, Momsen said, “I really didn’t go in with any expectations. But Madonna is so completely down-to-earth; a really nice woman.”

Source: The Wallstreet Journal

Taylor has been busy performing with the Pretty Reckless! Here are the photo updates!

X Taylor shopping with a friend in SoHo – June 18

X Taylor leaving a photoshoot in New York City – June 21

X The Pretty Reckless visit Fox’s “Good Day New York” morning show – June 22

X The Pretty Reckless perform during the NYLON Party – June 22

X The Pretty Reckless perform at Warped Tour 2010 in Ventura – June 26 & 27

X Nylon June/July 2010

The Pretty Reckless have just premiered a new clip for their single “Make Me Wanna Die.” Watch Taylor Momsen rocks the vocals with her band during live performance clips and footage shot at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City. The 16-year-old front girl dons her trademark rocker style which reflects the gritty, edgy sound expected from their forthcoming major label debut.

Stay tuned for the official video premiere coming soon and head over to ThePrettyReckless.com for more info including dates for this summer’s Warped Tour.