Powder blue, star figure, heel-less wedge booties and knee-high black socks. A short black skirt, black top and black cape slung over one shoulder. Large, round, black-framed glasses and a baseball cap covered in silver and multi-colored sequins and stars. Plus, a leopard-print backpack slung over her capeless shoulder. This is Lady Dug.
Lady Dug, otherwise known as Amy Douglas, got her bag at Citi Trends, a retail chain that sells brand-name streetwear at discount prices, for $10. The multi-instrumentalist called her bag “sassy and classy.”
“It holds my shit. It’s a child’s backpack and it is definitely mine,” said Douglas.
“A lot of people don’t realize it’s Simba,” said Douglas, noting “The Lion King” character’s inclusion in the print. “When I ride the bus, kids love it. They say, ‘Is that Simba on your backback?’ Adults just mention loving the animal print.”
She loves how functional it is, with it’s two pockets and ample space. Douglas said she can easily ride her bike to Earth Pets, get the large, $15 bag of catfood, fit it in her backpack and ride home.
“I’ll shove everything in my bag,” said Douglas. “I’ve got a harmonic key tuner, a drum tuner and valve oil.” She noted the surprised looks she often gets when she pulls out a particular item, but said that these things are essential to her.
Other essentials?
“Dry shampoo,” said Douglas. “I’ve been on tours since I was 18 and I only found out about it when I was 23.” She spoke both enthusiastically and with irritability at the fact that this product changed her life so much, yet, no one bothered to point it out to her when she was struggling with greasy hair on long bus rides with her bands.
“I finally heard about it from one of my homegirls in St. Augustine,” said Douglas, mentioning her hometown in Florida. “It is so good for people with Latin, oily, greasy hair. Shit will save you, make you feel fresh, look fresh. I am a walking advertisement for dry shampoo.”
Douglas pulled out more beauty products from her bag, glamorous must-haves for the girl who shines on stage. She raved about Maybelline Master Graphic by Eyestudio liquid eyeliner. It looked like a thick magic marker.
“It’s a one stroke genius,” said Douglas. “This specific eyeliner is like the best thing I’ve ever had in my life.” She explained just how she puts it on and how much time it has saved her. The enormous round glasses she wears made it easy to see the perfect, sharp edge of her makeup.
Clockwise from left: Simba backpack, Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo, glitters, Johnson Chromatic Pitch Pipes, makeup pouch, earbuds, Maybelline Master Graphic by Eyestudio liquid eyeliner, Revlon Bold Lacquer Waterproof Mascara by Grow Luscious, "Hot Numbers" notepad.
Lady Dug often plays drums in 4-5 inch platform sneakers. She stands out in many ways. Literally, she shines. Particulary with glitter.
“Purple glitter and gold glitter at all times,” said Douglas, adding to the list of essentials for her bag. “It’ll make you look good no matter what.” She pats the shiny material around eyes and along her cheekbones. Even in an entirely black ensemble, she sparkles with color.