Dec. 2022 - Vol. 17 | Issue 01

PHOTO PROFILE: JACOB HARMS

OPENING ACT

As Arkade embarks on Volume Seventeen, we decided to launch with a non-traditional yet powerful image for Opening Act. This Gill Montgomery shot of Jeff Holce, Ben Bogart, and the squad epitomizes snowboarding's roots. Camaraderie and DIY have always been essential elements of snowboarding culture. We were never invited. We just showed up. We paved our own way when no road was provided. To the chagrin of many, we even stuck around and changed the world. Along the way, it was always supposed to be about fun and creating a lifetime of memories with our friends. Sometimes that gets forgotten in the boardrooms, and sales meetings, but it always gets remembered on the hill. The original magic is there with your homies on the lift. It's there with the fist bump before a drop. It's there in the shit-eating grin after the best pow laps of your life. It's there during a middle of the night urban mission. It's there on backcountry peaks hours after a pre-dawn trailhead rendezvous. It's there at the BoneZone, where DIY reigns supreme, and showing up with a shovel is mandatory. "Skin in the game," as Snowboy Productions’ Krush Kulesza, the king of DIY, likes to say. You only get out what you put in, literally and figuratively. So, as you begin this season, regardless of it being your third or thirtieth, remember why you began that very first season and try to capture a bit of the magic again, preferably with a friend.

Photo: Gill Montgomery Words by Daniel Cochrane

SHOOTING GALLERY

PHOTO: Weston Colton

SKATER: Matt Bergmann CAMERA: Canon R5 LOCATION: Salt Lake City, UT

PHOTO: Sam Jorgensen

RIDER: Mike Liddle LOCATION: Minneapolis, MN

CAMERA: Sony a7iii

SHOOTING GALLERY

PHOTO: Benjamin Littler

RIDER: Corinne Pasela LOCATION: Brighton, UT CAMERA: Hasselblad 500C/M

PHOTO: Benjamin Littler

RIDER: Corinne Pasela LOCATION: Salt Lake City, UT CAMERA: Hasselblad 500C/M

SHOOTING GALLERY

PHOTO: Tristan Sadler RIDER: Chase Burch CAMERA: Canon R5 LOCATION: Powder Mountain, UT

SHOOTING GALLERY

PHOTO: Sam Jorgensen

RIDER: Calvin Green

CAMERA: Sony a7iii LOCATION: Minneapolis, MN

SHOOTING GALLERY

PHOTO: Simon Berghoef RIDER: Bryce Devore CAMERA: Canon 90D + 70-200 LOCATION: Marquette, MI

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTOS: Tristan Sadler

Aiden Chamberlin

SHOOTING GALLERY

PHOTO: Stephan Jende RIDER: Kaleah Opal CAMERA: Canon R5 LOCATION: Duluth, MN

PHOTO: Weston Colton

SKATER: Shylio Sweat CAMERA: Canon R5 LOCATION: Salt Lake City, UT

ABBY FURRER

Abby Furrer is as real as they come. She has relentlessly devoted years upon years towards reshaping notoriously male-dominated spaces. With roots in Banff, Alberta, her influence on the local snowboarding scene has in turn made waves throughout the global snowboard community. From highly successful ride days to collaborative bindings, boards, beanies, and more, if there were more hours in the day, Abby would use them to scheme something special. Plus, the Rude Girls' influence goes beyond snowboarding – they’re also pushing against the status quo in skateboarding as well. It’s now commonplace to see a diverse range of top-tier riders flying the Rude Girls flag. As the driving force behind Rude Girls, Abby uses her position to uplift friends and strangers alike. I have never witnessed someone so determined to ensure that every single one of her shop riders is supported to the highest degree possible. We should all look at what Abby is doing for snowboarding and follow suit. She is dangerously humble, and I can almost hear her awkwardly laughing while reading my blatant praise. Sorry Abby, but it’s all true!

Intro by Finn Westbury Interview by Peter Harvieux

Photo by Ruby Davenport

PHOTO: Gill Montgomery

CAMERA: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV LOCATION: Salt Lake City, UT

Abby, hope the fall change-up at the shop is going smooth. Let’s jump into it. Where do you hail from originally?

Always a hectic time at the shop! This is a loaded question, so to keep it short, I was born in Australia but grew up just outside of Vancouver, BC. I moved back and forth between the two quite a bit. I feel very fortunate that my parents gifted me citizenship to both the beach and mountains.

Oh, interesting and awesome. What was your first experience or exposure to snowboarding, who was there?

My first exposure to snowboarding was moving to Banff in 2011. I hadn’t been around the culture or even walked into a snowboard shop before.

My first experience on a snowboard was later that year at Lake Louise. It was early November, meaning it was man-made snow and icy as heck, my first time strapping into a board. Somehow, I magically made it off the lift without falling. My friend Kyle looked at me and said “Well, see you at the bottom.” It took me an hour to get down a run that now takes me 5 minutes.

Sounds like an interesting first day on hill. What was the take away from that experience?

Moving to Banff was mind blowing because I had never seen mountains like this before. But, if I’m being honest, my first takeaway from snowboarding culture was that it was elitist, cliquey and kinda lame compared to skateboarding. I felt outcasted because I hadn’t grown up riding, and it wasn’t until I started working at the shop that some people even started to acknowledge me.

PHOTO: Loose Visuals

CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7RM4

LOCATION: Sunshine Village, Banff

PHOTO: Loose Visuals CAMERA: Sony a7R IV LOCATION: Sunshine Village, Banff

Who was part of your push to participate at that time and are they still apart of the action?

My friend Kyle, who was there on my very first day snowboarding, was the one who brought up the idea of me moving to Banff. Snowboarding was something I had always wanted to try, so it didn’t take much convincing, but I don’t think I would have moved to Banff without that conversation. He gave me a place to stay and helped me get settled by introducing me to people and helped me look for jobs. I really have him to thank for this life I am now living. He is still in town but unfortunately, we haven’t been out riding with each other since my first season. Shout out Kyle!!

Sounds like it might be time to hit up Kyle for a session. What spurred the first forays into retail?

When I was 17 - and still living in Australia - I left high school due to a hip infection that went undiagnosed. That ultimately led to being hospitalized, which resulted in an open wound for 3 months. All this really put me behind in school and I was too embarrassed to repeat a grade. Ego’s suck. I ended up getting a job at a surf shop and worked my way up to a management position fairly quickly. While working there, I told myself I wanted to own a store one day.

That’s an interesting start to retail. How long has it taken to work up to being able to put more stake into your role?

I am seriously grateful that my boss, Mineki, has put so much trust in me from the day I took over the buying and management in 2013. He sat me down and told me that I was the only girl at the shop and the buying was mine if I wanted it. He seldomly questions my purchasing decisions and has backed me in times where anyone else would have fired me. There has never been a time where he thought he knew more about women’s product than I did and straight said; “I’m a guy, I don’t know what women want, you know more,” when in those first buying seasons, I really didn’t know much. He is the one that gave me the opportunity to have a say when many others would have gatekept a decision-making position with so much power. If it weren’t for Mineki, who knows where Rude Girls would be today. November 2021, I celebrated 10 years at RG and Mineki gave me shares in the shop for the work I have done. This doesn’t really answer your question, but I think I’ve always invested everything I could and have always done what I’ve wanted to do for the shop because I’ve always been given the freedom to do so. Thank you Mineki.

Solid on him, was there an “ah-ha” moment to lead you to want to build something deeper for others?

Not sure if I can pinpoint an “Ah-ha” moment that kicked off our events, but I think it was realizing that we were the only crew of girls lapping the park and were deemed “intimidating” for it. At the same time, we were the only snowboard shop specific for girls that we knew of, and we were deemed intimidating for it. We knew there was a void in our community for events that were focused on inclusion and tailored towards Banff locals. We knew we had an opportunity to use the shop as a platform to bring people together by creating a safe, low-risk, and inviting environment in snowboarding. We also wanted people to feel comfortable walking into the shop and asking us questions about something that can be so daunting - I think we all know that feeling of being “vibed” out of a shop.

Definitely a common feeling in the collective shop experience. How did you go about creating a community?

We started with our first Rude Girls Ride Day in 2015 doing one-a-year until 2017 and now we do them once or twice a month. We’ve invited women to come hang out at the shop for an info session so they could ask questions, try on gear, meet new people, and get to know us. We started weekly skate nights in 2018 when a new local park was built and have supported other skate meet-up initiatives by sending product and promoting them on our social channels. We have partnered with other communities for Ride Days and now offer a Virtual Ride Day so anyone can take part. We sell pins, have raffles to raise money and accept gear donations for other communities that don’t have the platform of a shop. We collaborate on merchandise and donate a portion of sales back to skate clubs and organizations that might not have the access to making their own merchandise. It will never feel like enough and I believe there will always be more we can do, but we are trying our best, not for marketing purposes but because there is a need for it all.

How have your activations and follow-thru on ideas and concepts been received by your fellow retail cohorts?

I am just going to preface my answer by saying this is my personal opinion. I think that some core shops have gotten away with just being the core shop and expecting business from their local community for that stand-alone fact. Rude Girls is small, we’re an all-women’s snowboard shop trying to make it in an industry where men’s snowboarding makes up for more than 60% of the market share, a fact I am constantly reminded of. But that doesn’t stop us from trying to prove to everyone that if you create that space for them, they will show up. If you focus on visibility first, your sales will reflect what people can see. I’m sick of hearing from other retailers that “we don’t have the market for it”. It bums me out when we have riders reaching out to us from all over North America asking to ride for us because their local doesn’t support people in their community, or they are on the team but don’t receive the same level of support as the guys.

We have seen other retailers take on similar initiatives and can see and feel the impact they are having on their communities. Shout out Industry Rosettes and Girls of Darkside. What grinds my gears are the shops that are neglecting the opportunity to help grow snowboarding. Isn’t that why we work at shops, to keep people boarding and to get people into it? What’s the best way to grow the “sport”? Create a safe environment for everyone to feel comfortable in, make it feasible for people, diversify it by sharing your platform with underrepresented riders no matter their skill level, and help facilitate people’s growth on both sides of the industry. These are all things we have the power to do as “core snowboard shops”.

PHOTO: Jillian Tester CAMERA: Disposable

PHOTO: Loose Visuals

CAMERA: Sony a7R IV

LOCATION: Sunshine Village, Banff

So true, it’s an activity anyone can do, no need to act like it isn’t when you’re selling it?! How have you felt as the “industry” has taken notice and worked with you and the shop closer?

We have received an overwhelming amount of support with a lot of brands wanting to work with or collaborate with us. Being a part of RG has brought us to so many places and to so many events. Our favorite boarders we have always looked up to are now our friends. One rider once told me that herself and others felt more a part of our community in Banff than they did in their own town because the lack of effort from their shops. We have been asked to open another shop in both Canada and the US. We are beyond grateful, and it is so often that we catch ourselves asking… How is this our life? Thank you everyone. Quick shoutout to Jordan Hall (@doingbusiness) who has been our biggest supporter since day one and was even at our very first event.

Culture and participation seem to be at the core of your efforts, what do you hope the people that engage with the store, events, and yourself are left with?

I think community is at the core of our efforts. To us, community means inclusivity, and inclusivity means meeting people where they are at, whether they are new to snowboarding or just getting back into it. Whether they are returning from an injury or are excelling beyond their years on a board. We don’t care where you’re at, we will meet you there. Create a community to help narrate the culture, narrate a culture that results in participation.

What’s been a major moment that you still look back on and realize that the effort has made an impact or mattered to others?

Every single event we have hosted or have been a part of. Having our favorite boarders and skaters representing our name. Doing board reviews with magazines and having people move to Banff to take part in our Ride Days. Seeing all the new crews that have formed because of our events and seeing the progression of these crews. Having customers and our team raiders get RG tattoos because everyone feels included and a part of the family. Seeing anyone wearing our merch and anytime someone reaches out to us for advice on product. The list is never-ending, and we are constantly in disbelief.

Where does this season lead you?

We are filming the first ever Rude Girls Movie. On top of that, we are doing lots of events in Banff and at other resorts, plus we will also continue with our Virtual Ride Day. A lot going on for sure, but we have the best crew to do it all.

It’s been a pleasure to see the effect of your efforts the on snow and in the zone. Watching from afar then seeing it in person it really left a mark in my mind as to how a scene can be so open and amazing. Truly reminding me of growing up in the culture in a different era. When we just saw other riders and instantly had a connection. We pushed, rode, hang out, talk shop, and just made new friends all the time because of the shared experience. The culture as a whole has grown so much maybe losing pieces of that but I feel we have factions or segments that are still so open and growing so amazingly. Thank you for the time and all the energy you put out. Any shout outs, thank you want to blast? Light’m up…

God, this will be a long list;

First, thank you for giving us the opportunity to further our reach, it’s because of things like this interview that we can continue to do what we do.

Then I need to shout out the Day 1’s; Nikki, Iz, Linds, Cori, Jo, Zoe, Tess, Ellen, Ally, Sarah

The Entire Rude Girls Team and Family: Taylor, Jenaya, Kiki, Kennedi, Kim, Caitlin, Emilie, Finn (Shout out Finn for editing the crap out of this interview) Bryanne, Zyrell, Beth, Krista, Christine, Maya,

Our Newest Family members: Janna, Vic, Rocky, Lo, Megs

Rude Girls wouldn’t be what it is without all of the above mentioned people, I love them all.

My Family: Moo, Aron, Lainey, Em K, Marko, Alyssa, Chew, Dylan, Will, Hayden, Josh, Taylor P, Megan M, Megan S, Noori

My Mentors: Kelsey B, Mary W, Christine S, Kim W, Desiree M, Jenna K, Alexis S, Women in Action Sports Monthly meetups that keeps me sane, Brent

The Brands reps that have backed us since day 1: Jordan- Salomon, Ryan- Nitro, Tommy J-K2, Tyler And Persia and Kaelin - Volcom, Dan-Capita, Mike E-Vans, Jay and Shelby -DC, Zach and Taylor -Burton, Joey - Sims, Grayden - Rome, Tom - Ride

Anyone who has supported us by buying from us or coming to our events.

All of the other crews out there doing their thing. And of course, the big dog himself, Mineki.

THE MANY LIVES OF

BJORN LEINES

Words by Josh Ruggles

Photos by Ian Provo

In the world of snowboarding, Bjorn Leines has been a dominant presence for 25 years. He’s been on the cover of just about any shred mag known to man. He was a member of the Forum 8, and he was dropping hammers in the streets and backcountry while the kids dominating the competition scene were still lapping up baby food. He’s been in some of the most influential films in all snowboardom, including ‘The Resistance’, ‘True Life’, and ‘NowHere’—and that’s just a snippet of his shred career.

Being one of the pioneers that brought shred to the masses, Bjorn has had an almost cat-like ability to adapt and thrive. His staying power appears to be due to a few main factors: First, snowboarding is his life in every sense of the word. Secondly, he’s hard-nosed enough to not stop until he’s satisfied. Last, he’s a true professional with a unique ability to read the tea leaves of the industry. In the mid 2000s, when money was pouring into the industry like water, snowboarders were getting six or seven figures, and flown around the world to chase the white room. But rather than spending downtime dropping cash on bottle service like many of the young stars, he and his brother Erik Leines were collaborating with the likes of Wu-Tang for their next line of Celtek Gloves.

After all that liquid money drained back out snowboarding, many of the industry’s best were out of a job. But through all the tumult of the last 10 years, Bjorn is operating like he always does: shredding, adapting, and building. This inability to be complacent has helped him take on a new role as part owner of Cardiff Snowcraft.

Created by Sam Bawden, an architect with a passion for the shred, Cardiff began as a project to create a better board for himself and his friends. After years of refining the shapes, sidecuts, skins, and the like, Sam formed Cardiff—a splitboard-first company. Cardiff boards ride so entirely different from the rest of the industry offerings that it took one ride for Bjorn to jump on board.

“I had a new pro model that was already designed and ready to come out at the upcoming trade show, but I took one run on the board and was like, ‘Yo, what's going on here? This handles so much better than my snowboard,’” Bjorn says. “And that's really where the conversation started. It was an opportunity to grow my career beyond being an athlete within a snowboard brand.”

Because of his extensive background in the industry, Bjorn quickly became a critical part of the brand; heading up their sales and marketing efforts. Starting as a very small crew of three, Cardiff has exploded into a buzzing headquarters.

“It took a couple of years, but once we got good financial backing, we built up the team over the last two years. Being on the athlete side of things, I still get to be involved with the content creation and the community aspect being around the team,” Bjorn notes. “On the other side of things, being a team manager, I get to help elevate their careers and help set them on good pathways.”

As part owner of Cardiff, Bjorn has helped the budding brand become a community-driven force that punches well above its weight. Part of this has been his assembling of other snowboard elite, and up-and-comers, and local legends, including Niel Provo, Megs Matheson, and Jeremy Jensen. He’s also been key in forging partnerships across the industry. With stellar product, a band of amazing riders, and an inclusive focus, Cardiff is building something that’s truly a breed of its own.

“‘Stand in high places.’ That’s the tagline behind Cardiff, and it means three things: First, stand in high places together physically. Whether it's the resort or the backcountry. It’s that feeling of making it to the top of the mountain,” Bjorn explains. “Next is the product. We want to have the most premium, durable, long-lasting, innovative product in the market. And the last piece is the ethical standards we hold ourselves to as a company. You can choose to be a good person and enable other people, give back, and open your arms to the community—or not. We strive to do right by the athletes, our community, and everyone who wants to be a part of what we’re building.”

On top of creating a brand and a movement, Bjorn is still riding at an elite level— humbly educating the new wave of talent on the meaning of ‘greatest of all time’. With kids of his own, he continues to throw down in the backcountry. With the amount of injuries he sustained over the past three decades, it’s a small miracle he’s walking, and a true testament to his legendary status that he’s not slowing down.

His ‘True Life’ video part alone is enough to remind one of their own mortality. Bjorn’s segment consists of a handful of early bangers, followed up by a crash that put him out for six weeks, then a first-day-back crash to put him down for another month. Again, on his first day back, Bjorn ended his 2002 season with another meat-slapping crash. Yet, after 25 years of pulverizing jumps, lines, and himself, he’s still slaying the backcountry pillows and cliff bands like he’s in his twenties.

Because Bjorn was built with the determination, grit of Clint Eastwood, and savvy of a George Clooney, it tracks that he's also working on another major film. While so many of his peers have long since hung up the boots, he’s been grinding with Black Diamond on his next project. “We’re working on a movie this year that's about my career, and also ties into the Wasatch backcountry, and the snow pack here. It’s been a rad project—a fun one to work on,” Bjorn says.

The story follows Bjorn through an entire season end-to-end, showing how to make the most of a season’s conditions, how to mitigate risk, and own mistakes. It also highlights his journey as a pro rider coming from the Midwest. From being exposed to the steep, deep, and dry of Utah snow to becoming a dad, and mentor for other riders, the film will chronicle the steps that shaped who Bjorn is. “It’s really the journey of my career in a timeline. From Minnesota to the heights of snowboarding, and from the streets to the backcountry.”

Bjorn has done more in the past 25 years than most will in a lifetime. He could fill notebooks with bucket list-worthy things he’s done, and he’s fought for every line item. But rather than stand on his accomplishments, he continues to learn and improve. “It's this constant process of learning. You're always learning out there.”

Chase Burch.

What can I say about a human who is simultaneously insanely talented and humble?

Chase is a man of mystery that doesn't take life for granted and pushes himself in so many aspects of life. He isn't frightened to explore new beginnings and will take on any challenging task that may come along the way to continue pursuing his dreams. He isn't afraid of a challenge.

Chase's work ethic is unprecedented, and his energy is contagious. I have asked him how he does it all. How he has time to fit everything in and do it so well. It's truly inspiring.

For example, Chase owns two Airbnb's, hosts backyard weddings, officiates weddings, has a sailboat in Mexico, bikes the white rim trail on short notice, does all of the Lucky Slice marketing, started a snowboarding show called Interlude at Powder Mountain, goes on solo overnight dirt biking missions, helps other brands grow their business, does graphic design, snowboards religiously, films video parts, travels the globe, hosts video premieres, MCs events, creates events, is a marketing genius and so much more. I mean, these are just a few things. I know I am missing a ton. He is a creative that knows how to create so well!

Simply put, Chase is a legend. A human many of us strive to become, and I owe him so much. He has pushed me to be better in every aspect of my life. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself and allowed me to pursue my dreams. And for that, I am forever grateful.

So, with that said, here is to Chase Burch. A True Friend! Someone with a drive to grow and pursue the most out of life in every aspect you can think of. You are one of my best friends, and I will always hold our friendship near and dear to my heart!

Love, Tristan

Propaganda shop owner Adam started skating in mid-late 80's and snowboarding 1987 quickly falling in love with it. This love had him pushing from out his home town to Calgary in the 90’s only to return to Saskatchewan in 2002. Upon his return he first started repping and working different gigs to save up cash. As a rep he would host events like premieres and contest locally helping to create and foster community. With no specialty skate/snowboard store in town and key lines available, Adam felt the logical step was to open a shop, which he did March 5th 2005. With a curated selection for brands, years of on snow experience, and service, Propaganda delivers exceptional customer experience. Adam is proud to support the prairie scene, rep the good stuff, and get out and board. 18 years of Propaganda is made possible with the support of all the customers, friends, team, staff, and the loving support of Adam’s wife Andrea and daughters Anna and Ava. Shout out to the brands for the providing support to all the events over the years, Propaganda Throwdown, Snowboy x DWD Barrely, Airblaster Mini Skolf, Vans Hi Standard, and Wapiti Slush Cup.

JACOB HARMS

As premiere season is in full swing here in the Midwest, writing some words about my friend Jacob Harms offers a time to pause and reflect on the past 5 years of filming with our crew Panic Order. There are so many special moments that stand out, many of which have been captured by the lens of Jacob. We had been friends for a few years before any of us had even touched a street spot. We would see each other riding every day after school at the local resort. I think our shared love for snowboarding really pulled us together. He always had a super unique approach and style to snowboarding, which I think really translates into his photography.

My first memories of Jacob bringing out the camera was back when we were filming our first video, “Clear.” We were all just so excited to be out hitting street spots, and getting an occasional photo just added to that feeling. Eventually, he really started developing a passion for photography, spending more time behind the lens, and less actually hitting spots. Here’s something about Jacob, he’s the type of guy to really nerd out about something he’s passionate about and photography was no different. This passion led to Jacob exploring all sorts of different cameras and approaches to his photography, which allowed him to develop a very unique style.

While filming our third video, I think Jacob really found his groove. He had his go to gear for whatever type of photo he was shooting, an incredible eye, and the drive to come out and get cool photos. Once he knows what he wants a shot to look like, he then will do whatever it takes to get the results he’s looking for. Year after year, Jacob captures greater and greater images. This is a value I think is shared amongst our crew, the drive to be better than the year before.

Currently, Jacob is waiting with anticipation for the upcoming season. Once our newest project “Thunderdome” releases, it’ll be just about time to get back to it. There’s excitement in the air as the cold Minnesota temps are slowly starting to make their way in. Soon we will be back on snow, doing what we love, with Jacob there shooting it all. Thank you for capturing so many special moments that now get to live forever, can’t wait to create some more.

64

PHOTOgrapher

PROFILE

Words by Clay Lobben

Photos shot on Contax G1

BILLY COTIE / FS BLUNT / DULUTH, MN //

CLAY LOBBEN / ST. PAUL, MN //

BILLY COTIE / FS BLUNT / CLEVELAND, OH //

CLAY LOBBEN / FS LIPSLIDE / MINNEAPOLIS, MN //

PETE CROASDALE / ELBOW KINK BOARDSLIDE / CLEVELAND, OH //

Brian Hoffman's (@brianjayhoffman) work has a penchant for probing and unmasking some of the absurdities of modern life via satire and thinly veiled subversiveness. So, there was a certain sense of irony that it was an Instagram "you might be interested in" suggestion based on "similar tastes" that originally guided me to his work. The sting to my ego aside, the robot gods correctly assessed my artistic preferences. Thus, I quickly hit that follow button and dove into his body of work.

Hoffman is a Boston-based designer, illustrator, printmaker, and punk rock bassist producing a litany of work that directly responds to the craziness of everyday life. He describes his work as digital printmaking and the style as "Lowbrow." Printmaking has taught him that imperfections can make all the difference in a piece. Scratches, splotches, plate mistakes, and imperfections give each finished piece its character.

Although his work is inspired by heavier themes such as sexuality, modern society, and the macabre, Hoffman endeavors to keep it amusing by incorporating vintage cartoon characters or iconic images. The result often takes the viewer back to a time and place they may remember fondly, creating a sense of comfort in the face of the uncomfortable. Hoffman reveals, "I like to twist in some edgy piece of reality, a hint of darkness —a wink of subversive realism" this is done to blur the lines and definition of the concept of beauty. Most of his works are infused with humor and sarcasm, sometimes subtly and sometimes directly. Images are mixed and manipulated to tell a story and illicit a reaction where expectations are turned on their heads and, other times, where heads are literally turned. While he doesn't intend to be overtly political, Hoffman does want to be provocative. "I want to get people feeling intrigued and reacting" he stares. I genuinely appreciate how Hoffman's work juxtaposes the familiar and the foreboding. Perhaps next, he can create a piece examining that damn Instagram algorithm.

Words by Daniel Cochrane

by Daniel Cochrane

Love is messy, and "I Was Asleep," the 2022 debut LP by Salt Lakebased Daytime Lover, offers listeners meditations on all its intricacies, from euphoric highs to overpowering lows. This album, released in early spring, has been in constant rotation in my apartment for the past six months.

While only eight tracks and a little over thirty minutes, songwriter and lead vocalist Moriah Glazier takes on vulnerability, consequences, growth, compromise, loss, and joy to pack a powerful punch for the listener. Although admittedly, a slow boil, "I Was Asleep," works its way into your soul. Each element of this album is measured perfection, from the occasional saxophone swells to the sudden powerful bursts that underscore Glazier's vocal proficiency. One of my favorite aspects of the writing is that Glazier plays an open, honest, and vulnerable hand. Many moments on this album will hit home with listeners. The brilliance of the experience comes from the fact that every listener has abundant moments to choose from, offering each a unique take.

You can support Daytime Lover via their Bandcamp page and catch them live at many of Salt Lake’s music venues.

Collard is a London-based singersongwriter that broke onto the music scene towards the tail end of the 2010s. His soulful R&B vibe is musically and lyrically reminiscent of Prince (his 2018 single “Ode" being a direct homage). Collard differs, though, via a healthy dose of lyricism and subject matter wrapped in a GenZ worldview.

His 2019 debut LP, Unholy, is a heartfelt opus highlighting humanity's individual and collective struggles. In many respects, Unholy reminded me of a less overt version of one of my all-time favorite albums, Marvin Gaye’s “What's going on?"

"Gucci Shoes" is the latest in a string of singles following the release of Unholy and acts as an excellent palate cleanser from some of Collard's heavier subject matter. To continue the Prince analogy, "Gucci Shoes" is very much the "You got the look" feel-good bop to the grittier politically tinged effort "Sign of the times," both singles existing as contrasting parts of the "Sign of the times" album.

Name-dropping both Prince and Marvin Gaye places many expectations upon Collard's music. That is why I have chosen "Gucci Shoes” from his many recent singles, as it offers an excellent starting point for anyone curious about Collard's brand of socially conscious neo-R&B/soul. Collard's music is available on streaming platforms.

Knifeplay's origin story is fast becoming a norm in the world of self-released indie music. The band evolved from Maryland native Tj Strohmer's initial bedroom recordings to the fully-fledged fivepiece they are today. Now based in Philadelphia, they recently released their sophomore album entitled Animal Darkness.

Describing Knifeplay's sound often depends on which track you are presently listening to. Generally regarded as "shoegaze," the Animal Drowning LP has musical swings as dynamic as piano ballads (Ryan's Song), slow-core (Hearts), and breezy pop psyche (Deserve), making for a varied and pleasing adventure. To my ear, Knifeplay gives off powerful vibes of another Philly genre-shifting indie stalwart, Nothing. Not surprising as both bands have spent studio time with producer/sound engineer Jeff Zeigler.

As noted earlier, Knifeplay tends to be lumped in the current wave of shoegaze’s rebirth. Unlike most examples of the genre however, Knifeplay's subject matter/lyrics trend towards more moody and darker subjects of alienation, death, and self-destruction. Drenched in feedback and ebbing and flowing between whispers and great symphonic swells, Animal Drowning is a lush, sonic tour de force that will undoubtedly end up on many "Best of" lists for 2022, including my own.

Salt Lake's The Plastic Cherries are back with "Lovers on The Run," the second single release since 2021's local smash LP "Sunshine." The Cherries, originally a fruition of the bedroom recordings of Shelby and Joe Maddock, have since blossomed into a full-fledged five-piece with the addition of Natalie Hamilton (keys), Stephen Cox (bass), and Wayne Burdick (drums). The result made for an absolute force on the SLC local live music scene and has carried over into the studio as evidenced by “Lovers On The Run.”

Released on the back end of the hottest summer in Salt Lake City, "Lovers On The Run" hit the local scene by storm. It is a pure pop masterpiece that intertwines Shelby's vocals and Joe's respondent guitar in a high-energy and thunderous ode to road trips, love, and the freedoms of youth.

The Cherries have been recording a new album, their first sessions as a full band, and if this single is any sign of what's to come, then the group has only begun to tap it’s potential. If you still need to find your way into their fold, make your way to their Bandcamp ASAP.

The Plastic Cherries

Lovers On The Run (single) 2022 Uphere! Records

Collard Gucci Shoes (single)

2022 Hi-Tea Records

Knifeplay Animal Drowning (LP) 2022 Topshelf Records

Daytime Lover

I Was Asleep (LP)

2022 Daytime Lover Records

@j.collard

@theplasticcherries

@daytime.lover @knifeplay_music

Arkade Magazine would like to acknowledge and thank Brighton Resort's Randy Doyle as he formally retires from his many decades of service. The Doyle family has been a part of Brighton since Randy's father, Zane, and business partner Willard Jensen merged a network of privately owned rope tows on the modern-day site of Brighton Resort in the early 1940s. This created the Brighton we know and love today. Randy's tenure is most notably marked by overseeing Brighton's expansion and modernization while continually balancing the preservation of its quaint local feel. Gold stars on Randy's resume include a resort boasting 100% high-speed accessed terrain (a rarity even in 2022), the most significant night access in Utah (including two straight years of increased night terrain in 2021 and 2022), as well as countless infrastructure upgrades and implementations creating the lodges and amenities that make up Brighton today. Randy also helped usher in the snowboarding era by guiding Brighton to be one of the first resorts to allow snowboarding. This simple act of kindness created a deep and lasting snowboarding culture at Brighton and helped cement Salt Lake City as a pivotal force in the snowboarding world. As he departs, he leaves behind a Brighton that is a true gem among the ever-increasing rise of the indistinguishable and overdeveloped mega-resorts. Everyone that has ever relished pow turns at Brighton Resort owes him a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Randy, and enjoy the well-earned retirement.

PHOTO: Andrew Kooyman

P:Ted Borland