LOCAL WOLVES // ISSUE 34 - RAYMOND BRAUN by Local Wolves

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ebruary is an anticipated month for me. My planner is constantly filled with adventures planned, school work deadlines and ending up with an exciting trip to a city I’ve been wanting to visit for the longest time: San Francisco! Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to document everything. It’s one of those places where you hardly ever visit but you know that it’s a place you consider living at? Yeah, me too. This issue focus on bravery and conquering fear. As a college student in senior year, internships are so important and it’s always on my mind. It’s such much adrenaline of excitement, nervous jitters and trying to keep up with everything that people are informing you about. In the end of the day, you push forward to do what you’re passionate about and don’t worry if you end up making mistakes, it’s a learning process.

Cathrine Khom founder / editor-in-chief

contents

Classics 07

playlist

munchies

do it yourself

p.s. positivity

wolfie submissions

pinpoint

community

f e at u r e s 24 26 30

wyldr caroline sunshine indy yelich oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;connor

kennedy slocum

lostboycrow

42 50

raymond braun sallie harrison

megan nicole

alexx mack

katherine baker

beyond reflection

ISSUE 34 // RAYMOND BRAUN local wolves magazine is an online + print publication based in southern california. with a talented team from all over the world, local wolves is focused on embracing the local scene anywhere you may go. covering topics such as art, music, entertainment and film, our goal is to capture and share stories about passionate people doing what they love to do.

wolfie team

many thanks

founder / editor-in-chief cathrine khom copy editor sophia khom playlist editor sena cheung maker madison bass-taylor videographer jessica eu head stylist katie qian hair/makeup artist jessie yarborough website coordinator kristy cheung publicist ashley bulayo social media caroline edwards, nicole tillotson front cover logo fiona yeung back cover logo isabel ramos cover photo lhoycel marie

alexx mack @missalexxmack los angeles, ca

design / illustration kelsey cordutsky, christine ennis, laura filas, lisa lok, leah lu, megan kate potter, isabel ramos, lauren wright contributing writers lexie alley, kamrin baker, sadie bell, kendall bolam, ashley bulayo, orion carloto, sydney clarke, rachel coker, karina diez, anna hall, alexis jarrett, chloe luthringshausen, hudson luthringshausen, kaela malozewski, emma matthews, harriet stanley contributing photographers lexie alley, mila austin, pamela ayala, madison bass-taylor, megan cencula, viviana contreras, brindy francis, amanda harle, lindsey harris, katy johnson, rachel kober, chris lampkins, samantha landreth, lhoycel marie, penelope martinez, jenson metcalf, roxana moure, meagan sullivan, melissa tilley, ashley yu

caroline sunshine @csunshine orange county, ca indy yelich-oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;connor @indyyelich devonport, nz katherine baker @beautybykat08 london, uk

wyldr @wyldrmusic los angeles, ca

kennedy slocum @kennedyslocum los angeles, ca

connect localwolves.com twitter | instagram | snapchat @localwolves

lostboycrow @lostboycrow los angeles, ca megan nicole @megannicole los angeles, ca raymond braun @raymondbraun los angeles, ca sallie harrison @salliewho los angeles, ca

physical copies magcloud.com/user/localwolvesmag general inquiries info@localwolves.com press inquiries press@localwolves.com get involved community@localwolves.com

playlist + february 2016 +

coverage: sena cheung

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munchies + B a r i sta Pa r lo r +

COVERAGE: Megan Cencula LOCATION: NASHVILLE, TN + Q/A with general manager: Dominick Granda

My personal favorites Food Popâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Black + White Waffle BP Breakfast Sandwich (great vegetarian option) Moto Biscuit DRINK Daredevil Espresso Barista Parlor - Finca Idealista Pour Over (Taste notes of golden raisin, Brazil nut, maple syrup)

What was the building used for originally? So we don’t know what the original use for the building was. We do know that it used to be a sign shop and a drum shop. The fact that it was a sign shop is cool because there are splatters of paint imbedded in the concrete around the high top tables. Rumor has it that the store used to be a small warehouse that worked on Model T cars but that has yet to be confirmed, just hear-say from the neighborhood. What makes Barista Parlor Germantown unique from the others? We look at Germantown as kinda being a middle ground to the Golden Sound and East locations, sharing the best aspects of each. It’s industrial yet pretty. BPxGT has a really cool open colorful vibe that I think is a lot more subtle at our other locations too. Our menus are the exact same though as we take pride in remaining consistent from location to location. Would you explain the land, sea, space theme of the shops? Yeah! So the themes are kinda like a three part series. The East location is sea as depicted by the pixelated mural of the Preussen that occupies the back wall of the shop. Golden Sound’s theme is air/space and has a consistent theme of 1960’s NASA. That’s why their shops individual logo is the command module. It also has a beautiful art piece on the back wall done by Isle of Printing (who also did the East mural). The mural is a giant cloud that has lights behind it to give an illusion of movement and it’s beautiful. Germantown is the last theme of land. The theme is centered around the idea of 1970’s drag racing— thus the dragster logo. The colors used and furniture are also reminiscent of that era as well. What is the most popular combination drink/ food that you serve? The most popular combination is definitely a single origin pour-over coffee and a Moto Biscuit. That’s like the Barista Parlor staple and probably what we’re best known for. A close second would be our Bourbon Vanilla— our most popular milk and espresso drink.

do it yourself + M I N I H EART S H A P E D P IES O N A STI C K +

I N G RE D IE N TS + pie dough + jam (of any kind) + heart shaped cookie cutter + lollipop sticks + 1 egg COVERAGE: MADISON BASS-TAYLOR

STE P S

lightly flour surface and cut out hearts in the pie dough

place another heart on top of the jam and use a fork to push the sides of your pie together

place a small dollop in the center of the heart and place a stick about halfway through

use 1 egg to make an egg wash and lightly coat each pie. bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes

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So the other day as I was scrolling the internet, I came across this anonymous quote that said:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;One day someone will walk into your life and make you see why it never worked out with anyone else.â&#x20AC;? I caught myself reading over it a few times and every time that my eyes scanned over those words, a rush of collected memories filled into my head. There are times in all of our lives where we meet someone special to us. Whoever this person may be, our minds are consumed with thoughts of them. Things may be exactly how you pictured it to be with them. Smooth sailing and a predictable happy ending.

But of course, as all good things must come to an end, so do the both of you. I spent a lot of my youth crying over boys. Believing the pretty words, swooning over their charismatic ways, and falling in what I thought was love. Between the just “talking” and “kind of seeing each other” phase, I ended up dating a few guys in high school that still hold a place in my heart. Just like any other teenage girl, I thought I’d have a future with every single one of them. I didn’t know any better, I just figured that if we really loved each other as much as we tried convincing ourselves, than nothing could possibly go wrong and we’d eventually get married or some silly sh*t like that. Of course, with all of the growing up and disagreements, that was never bound to happen.

My relationship with who I’m with now it’s honest and real. I was afraid of never finding someone that understands me like my ex did, but this time I found someone who understands me a whole lot more. He knows why I like being alone. He understands when I’m feeling uncomfortable in public and want to go back home. He doesn’t find my habits weird at all. Even when my jokes are far from funny, he laughs. He knows how to calm me down when I’m feeling blue. He knows my perfect idea of an adventure. Things may be different a year from now or they may be even better. Only time can tell. From reading that quote, I was reminded on why my past relationships never worked out. I had to wait for something even more magical to come along. And it did.

My last relationship ended rather messy. It was almost too codependent and one side of the party was happy while the other, not so much. After things took a turn for good, the over thinking started to settle in my mind. I began thinking of all the happy parts of the relationship. You know, the laughing, the inside jokes, and the routine of being together. Eventually that triggered thoughts of never finding someone who understands me. Just as much as he did. Would someone accept my weird habits? Will they find me as funny? Are they going to understand what makes me upset? Will they understand why I sometimes need alone time? I began convincing myself that I would never find anyone that will understand me like he did. Months down the line, everything changed. I met someone. Started off platonic, and here we are a year later in love. This time everything is different, nothing like I’ve ever had before. It may be because I grew up and stopped believing that all things have to have a happy ending in order to work out.

So if you’re reading this right now and you are worried about that boy that wont text you back, or that girl that you fell in love with and things had to end, don’t worry. In the end something will work out. Whether it’s with them or someone even better. We must learn from our past and the hardships we had to go through in order to see a brighter outcome in our next story. Time can only tell.

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#stayboldbebrave + W O LFIE SU B M ISSI O N S + This month we discuss our take on bravery, boldness, and not letting your fears stop you from being who you are. // ILLUSTRATION 1: LAURA FILAS / ILLUSTRATION 2: MEGAN KATE POTTER Everyone has a fear of failing, but never let it dictate who you are or who you want to be. Being brave can seem like a difficult task to achieve especially in the world of today where people of all ages are judged based on their appearance, personality, or beliefs. We all have that asset within us, sometimes it just takes a little nudge to the shoulder to bring it out. I want to share a story with you that brings me much enjoyment to recall over and over again, more especially for those who haven’t let the bravery come out of hiding yet. Bravery-hiders (if that’s even a thing), this story is for you. I was constantly receiving rejection emails from publishing companies that didn’t like my story. It wasn’t really a story, more like a collection of poems and short stories, but nonetheless it is something I, myself, created and enjoyed. All of these rejection emails made me feel less of a person and more of a failure so I threw that story on the stacks of my many unfinished pieces of writing I had written over the years. It stood there, collecting dust and all, for about a year. I stared at it every now and then and just rolled my eyes at it whenever I could. Can you believe that? A piece of work that I wrote and once loved was left to rot beside my other miserable never-will-happens. It was all because of those rejection emails. They made me feel like I couldn’t create content good enough for anyone, most importantly myself. I write out of enjoyment solely for my own sanity. Instead of feeling accomplished, I felt ruined. I felt as though I was trapped inside of a well, with a light merely peeking through on occasions. Then one day, that light beamed on me like never before and that’s when I knew I had to finish what I started. That light was the one that saved me from what felt like never-ending misery and self-pity. No one should ever feel self-pity, especially if it’s from something you absolutely love doing. I forged ahead and made that story my life. It wasn’t easy nor was it difficult, it just took a couple all-nighters and some kick*

Fear is a bridge; the binding between rationality and terror. We stand in the epicenter where the balance is equal and sentiments are at bay. The struggle to remain constant is conspicuous as the persistent panics of adversity impair this desirable sense of stability. As our horrors accumulate to the ends of our bridges, how can we return to a steady equilibrium? Persistence. Perseverance. Patience. Fears pyramid heavily on the right, so we rush to the left, far from the safety of our center, in an attempt to seek the anchored security of levelheadedness. Just as rapidly as horrors amassed previously, they now reside upon the left. The endeavor to ceaselessly generate balance is incessant— it is a relentless labor of deprivation, adversity, and suffering. We cry like the beggars, for the comfort of the center, our home, seems impossible to reattain. The run, however, is not forever tiresome. The heart grows strong and muscles more powerful. The former strain and toil of work becomes a test of endurance until we soon find our run has transformed into a sprint. Equilibrium is not remaining fearful of fear, but testing the balance and assessing your tenacity to conquer. – JORDYN HALPERN / BOSTON, MA The battles we fight with ourselves are often the longest and hardest. For years my brain and heart have been having a civil war across my veins and through my bloodstream. My brain has always loved for everything to stay the same but my heart yearned for change. My heart, being the stronger of the two, triumphed and this resulted in change creeping up on me so spontaneously. Suddenly my bubble of familiarity was under so much pressure it popped and for the first time in my life I faced my fears. I started to be honest, bare, and completely vulnerable. I opened myself up to friendships I never thought I would have, and I began to share my writing with eyes other than my own. I stopped hiding behind a fake personality and I embraced who I was. I only said sorry when I meant it and I only shed tears on people who deserved them. Most importantly I stopped settling and I started reaching as far as my eyes could see. I decided I would no longer coexist with my fears but I will push them far away from my life because living in fear was too tiring and my soul could not take the weight of it. A feeling of invincibility is now within me and I’m living a healthy, positive life. All of It was scary but I did it, I’m doing it. I’ve changed and it terrifies me but I love it because it means I can evolve into something so much more and I no longer feel as if I’m stuck. – AISHAH ABDULLAH / WASHINGTON, DC What would you do if you weren’t afraid? The question haunts you at night, because you know there is a better version of yourself that you aren’t right now, that you know very well you could be. You settle for only dreaming of fulfilling the vast potential that resides within you, bottling it in your fear of failure and keeping it in a locked cabinet far from your comfort zone. You cower away right when your strengths are needed. You avoid the unknown, you avoid situations that might bring your inexperience or lack of

knowledge to the public eye. How do you plan on gaining this experience, how do you plan on learning whatever there is to know? From now on when you encounter your fears, you will not run away. You will not return to your bed to continue dreaming about a version of yourself that might not have run, that might have stayed. You will stay. You will gain, you will learn. You will seek out these situations and skydive into them with the gravitational force of a hundred planets. Your comfort zone and your potential for success are two lines that never intersect. What comes to mind when I ask you what you would do if you weren’t afraid? Do that. – HANNAH FAULWELL / SIMI VALLEY, CA Bravery is not exclusive to grand acts of heroism, or imposing gestures. Bravery can be simple, quiet, and personal. I think one of the bravest things that anyone could do is be kind to themselves. It is so simple, yet so difficult. Why? Why do we let ourselves succumb to the pressures of our peers? Why do we become so wrapped up in what other people want us to be? I wish we didn’t. I have been struggling for the past few years, and I have spent so much time alone, and afraid; so much time devaluing myself, and hurting myself in more ways than one. I have spent so many late nights anxiously searching for ways to fix this about myself and ways to fix that about myself, but I finally feel like I am at a place in my life where I can take control. I am at a place where I can breathe again; a place where I don’t feel so afraid of myself or anyone else. I want to learn and grow in all of my current ventures and endeavors, and I look forward to all of the new experiences and adventures that I know 2016 will bring. I want to live life to the fullest and become the best possible version of myself. I want to take more risks and step out of my comfort zone more often, because I know I will only be better off because of it. The New Year is still only getting started, and I am going to do everything in my power to make it mine. – WHITNEY CHAPPELL / BALTIMORE, MD To be afraid is to let yourself be conquered by those that are less than you. To be afraid is to put your path in someone else’s hands. To be afraid is to take the easy way out. To rise above that fear is to accept that you’re afraid, and to make a conscious choice to rise above it. To conquer fear is to look your opponent right in the eye and dare them to beat you. So use your fear, don’t let it be forgotten in the darkest hours of your lonely nights. Use your fear to push you towards your goals. Afraid of failing? Work harder so that it’s impossible to fail. Don’t let fear stop you from becoming who you are, let it push you to become who you want to be. – MEGAN BECKER / AUSTIN, TX

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I’ve only dreamed of one thing: blissful, pure, happiness. I have lived my life so long realizing that I am most afraid of the thing that I have desired every waking moment of my life. I always wondered why I could never have this magical, elusive thing that could turn my soul into sunshine. The thought of it followed me around. I wasn’t just afraid of happiness, but afraid of judgement, even afraid of fear itself. I felt paralyzed in a suspended state where I was so scared that one day I would wake up and realize that I hadn’t done any of the things that I wanted to do when I was young, but some days I was too scared to even leave my room. My biggest fear, for so long, was the thing that I was never able to stop doing. Living. I wasn’t afraid of staying on the sidelines and being background scenery, I was scared of really feeling alive. That meant that pain was real. That every little thing I had ever felt was real and that it never mattered that all we are is just another planet spinning in a galaxy too large to even fathom. I was afraid to realize that the moment I live in, and everything around me was reality that I could touch. And then I did. I grabbed it and seized every single opportunity, and I ran until I couldn’t feel my feet anymore and I started singing in the shower at the top of my lungs in the shower because I realized my family loves me even though I’m weird, and decided to take pictures of everything I found beautiful, even if it was myself. Life is beautiful. Everything is mine and nothing hurts. – SYDNEY SHORTMAN / FORT COLLINS, CO 2015 was one hectic year. I graduated high school, traveled the world, started college, got a job, and began an entirely new journey in my life. Those 365 days were full of memories, change, and personal growth. Though it was one of the most challenging years of my life thus far, I learned a lot about myself (and others) through my trials. 2015 taught me to discover who I am and to be that person, bravely and unapologetically. So, in turn, I want to challenge you. Figure out what you are good at and what you like to do. Develop educated perspectives of the world rather than echoing views you see on Twitter. Read books. Learn for the sake of knowledge. Doing these things helped me tremendously. You will be so much happier if you boldly embrace who you are. I know this is easier said than done. I learned this lesson the hard way while in high school. I wanted to make everyone happy; however, I quickly realized that it is quite impossible. While I was trying to please everyone, I lost a piece of myself. Thankfully, I came to my senses and realized that I cannot let my fears of inadequacy control me. With boldness comes confidence. Putting yourself out there will make you a stronger and more confident individual. It will push you beyond your comfort zone and help drive you to success. It just takes practice. It took me 18 years to truly be comfortable in my own skin. But I am so happy that I finally am. As a Tumblr post I saw brilliantly stated, “2015 was my character development year, which means 2016 is strictly action and story progression. And I don’t know about you but I’m excited.” – KRISTEN VONNOH / CHATTANOOGA, TN

Whenever my emotions run rampant, I blame my zodiac sign. Sulking? Sorry, I’m a Cancer. Picking fights for no apparent reason? Cancer. Literally crying over spilled milk? You guessed it: Cancer. Unfortunately, with age, I’ve come to realize that not everything can be attributed to Astrology. A few years ago, I was clinically diagnosed with depression. In some ways, this news elated me. I finally had a medical reason as to why I am, as Clueless’s Cher Horowitz would say, “a full-on Monet.” On the other hand, I was petrified. The stigma behind mental illness is, unfortunately, still alive and well. And, the only way to eradicate this stigma is to talk about it. How was I supposed to tell people that my seemingly sunny disposition was merely a mask for the dark and brooding storm that seemed to always cloud my mind? For the first time in my life, I was afraid of what other people would think of me. I love being the center of attention, something that was sparked by my love for dance. When I first started dancing, I was shy, awkward, and I dreaded the stage. However, the more I encouraged myself to be brave and bold, the less I felt the stage fright. Talking about your feelings, as it turns out, is a lot like performing. Starting a conversation about my depression felt a lot like landing a grand jeté a little too close to the edge of the stage. But, like with dance, I gradually became a little braver and a little bolder. Talking about my depression is a fear that I am confronted with on a daily basis, but I refuse let that fear control my life. Since initial my diagnoses, I have learned to be more open with my struggles with mental illness. I have also traveled to seven countries, graduated from college, heard some of my favorite bands live (hey there, Harry Styles), and so much more. My depression is a part of me, but it certainly isn’t all of me. Oh, and I still check my horoscope every day. – MAMIE CLARK / MINNEAPOLIS, MN This is for the people who did it all wrong I promise neither answers nor swan songs But I guarantee you’re not alone This is from a place from darkness Where I danced with doubt under chain and harness In my personal cell, one that rivals the eternal furnace This is a confession: all open palms and mistakes Take my body, take my regrets Strike the match and set me ablaze This is not an apology For my biology or my psychology, So save your ideologies; I write my own anthology This is my liberation, no need for explanations No more suffocation, begin my resuscitation. Time for a celebration— my reincarnation – LIANE CAPIRAL / NEW YORK, NY

PHOTO: SELINA YE

ILLUSTRATION: LAURA FILAS / CHICAGO, IL

BOTH ILLUSTRATIONS: LEAH LU

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Van Gogh once wrote a letter to his brother Theo about his consistency in trying to do the things he could not do in order to learn how to. Being fearless and bold, I believe, comes first with being patient. During my final years of high school, a close relative of my mine was diagnosed with a mental illness that affected my personal relationships, my family, and diminished my overall mental assurance. I felt hopeless, scared, and uninformed especially with the misconstrued romanticized fallacies of mental illness through movies, books, and social media. The social glamorized fixation falsifies the truths of a crisis, of visiting your loved one in a hospital, and of the illness itself. The first time I saw my relative under medication, I cried for two days. The first time I accompanied them to their psychiatric meeting I cried the whole way through. I held the secret for four years about the battle I was facing in accepting the changes and unpredictability in my life. I had no goals, no ambition, and no desires. It wasn’t until my first year of college that I started speaking to people and peeking into the world around me. I met people who inspired me and told me it was okay to stray away from the sketched picture laid out in front of me. I found things to love again and essentially started taking care of myself. Overcoming the fear I clung onto came with loosening my grasp and letting my life take its course, making my difficulties my strength, and believing in tomorrow. That’s when I started looking people in the eyes, standing when people told me to sit, and speaking when they told me to be quiet. – CINDY MATHEUS / MIAMI, FL Fear. A four letter that has the ability to consume and prevent us from achieving things and showcasing our true selves to the world. Like many people I have fears and one of my fears is people seeing the vulnerable and sensitive side of me. On the outside I appear just like any other 15 year old, laughing and smiling when necessary, chatting away with my closest friends and just being very happy and enjoyable about myself and my life. There’s no problem at all, well, none except for all the problems that I face behind the fortress that I have built. Within the fortress I’m hurting. I could crumble and fall apart at the tiniest things. There’s a side of me that I believe no one knows about. It’s the side of me where I cry myself to sleep about something that had occurred that day or I’ll spill tears for no reason. People like to believe that I don’t care about people’s thoughts on me, but the truth is I do. I care so much that it hurts me. I feel miserable. I don’t want people to think of me as a weak and vulnerable person so I don’t show them this part of me. I feel as if no one would understand which is where my fear of people seeing this side of me enters. I’ve written endless pages that describe my feelings, my vulnerability and how sensitive I am, only to then delete them in fear of people finding it. Bravery steps in here. What I’m doing right now is what I personally believe is an act of bravery. I’m writing about something that I fear people knowing. Today I’m finally brave enough to show people this part of me. It feels rewarding. – TIARA PURCELL / DARWIN, AU

And I’m ready to suffer, and I’m ready to hope. It’s a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat.” These words alone are the words that made me embrace pain with my arms wide open. I knew it was inevitable. The dictionary definition of ‘brave’ is ‘ready to face and endure danger or pain.’ There was a point in my life where coping was infeasible; I lost everything I loved all at once. My heart was nothing short of anorexic and it was burning all my warmth, eating all my energy, wasting all my youth. When was the turning point? I was a flower that wanted to bloom but it wasn’t my fault I was planted on hardscrabble soil. I would cry in the mirror and on the bed and on my phone. F*ck this— it was all too storybook, too strategically poetic. An innocent young girl hiding behind pastel and pearls with a heart blacker than a chain smoker’s lungs. I dreamt of sleep and transcending, I dreamt of heaven and escape… but there was no way. I was brave. I lied to myself about many things, but this was different. I was f*cking brave. After all of that time, I was finally ready to face and endure the danger and pain life came with. I spent years after that making love to my ghosts, one by one, and putting those encounters in poetry. So kill me with your words, destroy me with your lies. Take out all your darkness on me, I’ll try not to take it personally. I’m prepared. The ethereal weights have gotten heavier, and my legs a bit stronger. I’m brave because I’m still standing up without fear of falling. I’m bold because I can express my experiences through words. And I’m strong because, well… I’m here, right? – MARIA ELENA / LONG BEACH, CA “I grew up with anxiety. I also grew up with my mom saying, “have big brave.” Words are really easy to hear, but they’re often hard to listen to. When I moved away to college, I realized that my biggest struggle always stems from transition. I’ve learned that being yourself and being secure are things that seem easy within a comfort zone. It’s when comfort isn’t first hand that bravery and boldness become important. Just like giving isn’t genuine if it’s out of convenience, bravery isn’t real if it’s within comfort. I’m not talking about situations of heroism, albeit those are not neglected— they’re just not as often. I’m talking about when you wake up and don’t want to hang out with your friends, because you feel like they’re not trying as hard as you are. I’m talking about when you really want to get out of the house, but you don’t go sit at Starbucks to do homework because you’ve never been there before or you don’t have a friend to go with. I’m talking about when you let in the wrong words that aren’t real while you’re forcing out the ones that you need. I think the bravest and boldest thing you can do is to care about the small victories that seem like they’re too unimportant to push yourself to do. The genuine parts of you are stronger than the qualities you struggle with. Have big brave.” – SYDNEY MERRITT / ST. PETERSBURG, FL

TWO ILLUSTRATIONS (LEFT): DUSTIN BUCK

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pinpoint + M O R O C C O / H ALE Y T H E M A K ER . C O M + COVERAGE: HALEY POLINSKY / SOCIAL MEDIA @HALEYTHEMAKER

HALEY POLINSKY is a Toronto based artist that works with foods in all mediums from photography to cooking to illustration and styling. She spent three months living in the ancient medina of Fez this past year participating in the chef residency at Restaurant Numero 7. To see more of Morocco, Haley will be publishing her fourth addition of her online food magazine, Food Union this spring, which will focus all on Moroccan food and culture.

BESSARA SOUP - This is a way a lot of Moroccanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start their morning with a bowl of dried fava bean soup. In Fez, you can find a little Bessara corner in each market, where vendors have one big pot and make a batch or two of this creamy soup each day to serve the locals. Top it with more minced garlic and a sprinkle of cumin and paprika and a generous drizzle of olive oil, it is most often eaten with bread than a spoon. It is also a great hangover cure, refilling your stomach from the night before.

PLACE SEFFARINE - This is one of noisiest places within the Fez medina, a place where you can witness the making of beautiful copper pots and utensils. The men work all day banging to shape the copper, it is a sight that must be seen.

DONUTS - Nothing beats these one dirham donuts. The first time you purchase a donut expect to pay the tourist price of 10 dirhams which still feels like a steal to us tourists who are most likely used to paying $4 for a gourmet donut in our gentrified neighborhood.

HERB CART - Herbs are essential to Morocco, and you will find these carts all over the medina overflowing with fresh bunches of mint, parsley, coriander, rosemary, wormwood, oregano and marjoram used for cooking and tea.

KEFTA - A main staple of the Moroccan diet, kefta, a spiced minced meat skewer. I loved this vendor in the market who had a small shop that he constantly had his head poked out waving a piece of cardboard over his grill.

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SARDINES - Cheap and plentiful in Morocco, expect to pay one euro for a kilo. My favorite preparation is the charmoula stuffed sardines, that are marinated with garlic, parsley, cilantro and harissa (the local chili paste) then lightly coated with flour and fried until golden.

MARKET - This is Muhammed. he is one of my favorite vendors at the Bab Boujloud market. He takes so much pride in his stand and has the most organized stall with all the vegetables perfectly lined up and bursting with freshness.

ART - You do not see much street art in Morocco but I loved this piece I found outside Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;cif that recreates the old traditional designs with a modern twist of spray paint.

POMEGRANATE - The fruit is incredible in Morocco, the freshest you will have ever eaten, fruit that tastes actually like fruit and costs pennies.

SPICES - Spices are essential to Morocco, I generally do not cook with a lots of spices but after spending time in Morocco I am now using them a lot more in my cooking. The spices are so fresh and vibrant. The spices actually smell like something compared to the supermarket packets we are familiar with in North America that are often odorless.

MINT TEA - Mint tea is essential to a visit to Morocco. Moroccans like their tea on the sweet side is an understatement, most often equal parts sugar to tea. Mint tea has a couple significances, the hotter the tea your host pours is a statement that they are happy to have you and would like you to stay a while and chat. Sugar also means richness so the sweetness of the tea comes from the idea of representing your wealth in sugar as it was an expensive commodity to acquire. I recommend sipping a mint tea street side and people watching, there are endless vibrant scenes to be taken in or find a terrace above the medina to take a break from the chaos down below.

PATTERNS & TILES - One of the joys of living in Fez is the opportunity to take in daily all the stunningly, beautiful intricate carvings and tiles that line the walls of the medina.

BAKERY - One of my favourite Morocco medina sights in seeing kids and women bringing their daily loaves of bread to the communal bakery. The majority of homes within the medina do not have ovens so they relay on the community wood fired ovens that are found all over the medina to bake and supply their bread. Everyone creates a different cut on the top of their bread to identify theirs.

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wyldr Story: Sadie Bell Photography: Madison Bass-Taylor

In Los Angeles, a city often perceived as an escape from reality, there is a band hoping to provide nothing but honesty. WYLDR is a three-piece band from L.A. made up of Michael Matta (multi-instrumentalist), Taylor Van Ginkel (guitarist), and Will Winters (vocals), three musicians who recently joined forces because of their shared faith and hope to produce honest, genuine pop music. Will Winters, the lead singer and primarily songwriter of the band, said him, Matta, and Van Ginkel, came together because they shared “an intense desire to create something special.” He said, “We all have been involved creatively with the church,” but because the church is a physical space with a ceiling, they set out to create something that held no bounds. “We had a desire to create something cool and something big. I had seen Tay and Mike play together and knew ahead of time that they were cool. When they heard me listening to a band all of us like, we thought we should try to make something [ourselves],” Winters said. Together, they have developed a creatively challenging, sonically romantic endeavor. Their music sounds like a dream, resonant of cinematic eightiespop, flirting with modernity’s value in authenticity. WYLDR is danceable, but juxtaposed by lyricism that should be felt. Their lyrics comes from a personal place, but are publicized because they want their honesty to be heard. “Our world is a place where you can spend unbelievable amounts of time without being honest with others, let alone yourself. This is probably because we are all egotistic. The obsession of self that we modern people experience is enticing and easy, but it is a prison,” said Winters. Through WYLDR’s music, though, “We offer people our pain, our unbelief, our anger, we are participating in a movement of liberation from the self. We are offering ourselves to a world that has absolutely everything and nothing at all.” “We want to offer the world our pain and emptiness, an act of solidarity with everyone that has a pulse. A lot of pop music says absolutely nothing and it bothers us. We wanted this to be something fun for people, while at the same time challenging. To be in the moment sonically with an eternally universal message is difficult, but we want that. We don’t feel the need to be super philosophical or anything right now, just honest,” he said. By making music in a city that is often labeled as fake, Winters said “this context is what makes honesty so compelling.” Like many young creatives, L.A. inspires them. “There are challenges here that might not exist elsewhere, but we deeply sympathize with these issues. Los Angeles is an inspiration that we proudly represent, but it’s also an existential burden that we willingly accept.” WYLDR is set to release their debut EP this year, a compilation including themes of longing, regret, and love— an exploration of attachment to feelings of the past and the pain of lost love. “We come from a subculture of faith that doesn’t celebrate honesty and brokenness in a way that it thinks it does, so for us, the EP is an exercise in vulnerability,” said Winters. In a city haunted by glamor and an obsession with status, the expression of honesty might be able to provide some sort of clarity, and WYLDR is ready to do exactly that.

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caroline sunshine

st o r y : l ydia s n app e r p h o t o g r ap h y : da n i e l l e e r n st

“Growing up, I was pretty rambunctious. I had a lot of confidence and blind ambition. Although, looking back I’m not really sure why. I was never particularly attractive or popular,” recalls actress Caroline Sunshine thinking back on how she got into this crazy industry. Caroline shot to fame after nabbing a role as one half of the ambiguously European Hessenheffer duo on Disney’s Shake It Up. After wrapping that character in 2013, Caroline has an incredible, and exceptionally busy, few years— and she’s not even old enough to drink yet. “I was having dinner with a group of 80 year olds last week and I used the phrase “when I was a kid” and they all looked at me and said, “‘What do you mean when you were a kid? You’re 20!’” Last November, Caroline starred in Fullscreen’s The Outfield alongside Cameron Dallas and Nash Grier— yeah, we’re jealous too. “So here’s the thing,” Caroline begins. “I had no idea who they were before I started this film. I thought they were in a boy band! To be fair, I think I am one of the only women with internet access that didn’t know who they were.” We can’t blame her for her lack of Vine knowledge though, because alongside having a fruitful acting career Caroline is a full-time student at Claremont McKenna College studying International Relations and Economics. “After the night of The Outfield premiere, I had to take an economics exam the next morning at 8am. I was literally reviewing how to calculate real GDP while I was getting my hair curled for the premiere.”

“But everyone has to make sacrifices to achieve their goals and I’m certainly not complaining.” Although she’s always had an innate passion for acting and immersing herself in various characters, college has also given her the opportunity to explore passions outside of that specific artistic realm. On top of actual classwork, Caroline works at the Mgrublian Center for Human Rights, is a member of the Model United Nations team that is ranked #6 across the whole nation, and writes for her campus magazine The Vanguard. “I’ve always loved writing,” she reveals. “I can’t wait to see what else I’ll discover about my interests. I think we are entering the age of the “Renaissance woman” where we are going to start seeing more and more women excelling in multiple fields and I hope to be among them.” Having her foot in so many different pools makes for a unique set of people that act as inspirations for her, admitting that it’s the people she encounters in everyday life that inspire her, rather than people in the public eye. “My friend Austin is the only person from his town in Arkansas to go outside of the state for college. My friend Sijia is from China and she is spending all four years of college in the United States. There is a Marine Corps veteran at my college finishing his degree. Those are just a few examples. I’m inspired by the unique sacrifices my peers and their families are making every day to achieve their dreams.”

“I

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th e “ R e n aissa n c e wo ma n ” w h e r e w e a r e go i n g to sta rt s e e i n g m o r e a n d m o r e wo m e n e xc e lli n g i n m u ltiple fi e lds a n d I h o pe to b e am o n g th e m .”

indy yelich-o’connor STORY: HUDSON LUTHRINGSHAUSEN PHOTOGRAPHY: MADISON BASS-TAYLOR POLAROIDS: PRISHTINA GJONAJ H/MUA: JESSIE YARBOROUGH

Introducing Indy. At 17 years old, the New Zealand native has been baiting fans for years now and it seems she’s finally ready to take herself to the next level. Her public profile is decidedly barren, with nuggets here and there that give clues as to who this 17 year old is, but never quite enough. Maybe that’s what keeps followers yearning, but I got to chat with the young Auckland dweller and I know the hype will only get bigger the more she shares. INDY YELICH-O’CONNOR is her name and right now she’s just about anything she wants to be. She has intrigue all across the board, but her focuses seem to lay with fashion. Our conversation, however, begins with writing. Indy began blogging on her website “GenresofIndia” at just fourteen years old, covering an array of subjects— but what stuck out the most to me was her readiness to tackle heavy issues: “When I started ‘GenresofIndia’ I was a quite a youngster with an attitude of ‘I want to save the world.’ I wanted to voice the kinds of issues that teenagers were experiencing— the sorts of things my friends and me were going through. It turns out; from the responses I got from my readers that I was connecting to other teens. So I kept going with my blog. If you are talking and your voice is heard, keep on letting your voice out.” She calls herself a thinker, sometimes even an over-thinker. Her website, then, was a way for her to not only draw out her thoughts, but practice a passion. Writing, she says, has been her first love since she was only a child.

“I have been keeping journals and have written little novellas and poems and other stuff like that. There has always been something about expressing myself with words that makes me feel powerful.” Her passion for writing extends beyond the creative outlet, she continued, explaining how she loves to write essays for school and even won the “Classics Cup” this past year. With all her expressed interest in writing, the appropriate path for Indy seems to be journalism, however, she’s not so sure. Her goals have shifted to the far ends of the spectrum: “For a long time I thought I would like to do journalism or work for a magazine but now I am more interested in a presenting or acting role.” Her dreams may be big, but for now, Indy Yelich-O’Connor is your regular teenager, she tells me, before listing off a handful of teenager activities that she swears by (including lots of television and the admitted social media binging). Even with a job of her own, which allows her to pay for her luxuries, she remains interestingly Indy when she says “getting a taste for news websites and back stories/history of people makes me hungry to have more knowledge, to learn a lot more things. I am always researching and looking up what is going on in the world. I like to know about that kinda thing, makes me feel more connected. New Zealand is such a tiny country and so far removed from the rest of the world, we are made up of islands– it’s important to me to know what’s going on in the world.”

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After a brief recap on books she’s been reading and hobbies, we land back on fashion. Indy has not only an interest in fashion, but a personal style that proves it. It may seem crass, but a developed style in a young adult is always impressive, so I had to ask about Indy’s unconventional digs. “I have my own style and I like to find clothes that will suit my personality,” she said. “My fashion inspiration comes from Clueless and Carrie Bradshaw!” The influence is there, but Indy certainly adds a drop of her own personality to create a full-circle style that is very much her own. While items like her khaki Yeezy Boots or her Armani Striped top are some of her best, Indy does not shy away from vintage or thrifted pieces. “I love altering clothes and I have a pair of excellent old jeans that I have been working on. I love that book The Satorialist by Scott Schuman— it’s chic and cool.”

As for her future? Indy is keeping her options open. My last question for her is regarding the small detail of her Soundcloud, which currently holds one track, a cover of “say something” with 100,000 plus streams. Could music be her next move... Maybe, maybe not. “Well, look it was a winter’s day and no one was at home and I was a little bored. It took me an afternoon to figure it all out. I really loved what I did and I was happy to post it. The track was just a bit of fun as I really loved the song itself– say something. I truly didn’t expect the reaction I received from the track. At first it was 100 plays and within a few hours it was 100,000. Might have been a different thing if the response had been bad. I wouldn’t have wanted to record anything else for a long time. I do love how performing makes me feel. Music is something I have loved my whole life but right now I am keeping my options open.”

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kennedy slocum Story: Kendall Bolam Photography: John Novotny Photo assistant: Jake Young Makeup: Chelsea Fitzsimmons

While Harry Potter has its own collection of redheads, the magical world of W.I.T.S Academy has gained one of their own! Kennedy Slocum is one of the stars of the new Nickelodeon show W.I.T.S. Academy, a series about young, aspiring witches and wizards. Slocum plays Ruby, a notso-sweet student who desperately wants magical powers and will stop at nothing until she attains them. Slocum’s personality couldn’t be more different than her character’s, yet she delivers a convincing and delightfully funny performance. With thousands of followers on social media, Slocum is quickly becoming an actress to take note of.

For Slocum, a passion for acting blossomed early in life. “I had always been fascinated with the idea of connecting with an entirely different person, so that I can be part of telling a story that other people connected to.” Slocum’s character, though manipulative at times, is one that many viewers can relate to. She explained that playing a character like Ruby has challenged her to understand and portray her character effectively. “Everyone has insecurities, but playing Ruby has given me the opportunity to show viewers what they can turn into if they let their insecurities rule their lives.” Slocum speaks to young girls about their own insecurities in her recently released single, “Silly Girl.” A tune that promotes self-acceptance and positivity, “Silly Girl” is Slocum’s first big breach into the musical realm. Slocum explains that her style is a unique blend between alternative and folk. With music being an outlet that she wants to pursue, Slocum hopes that people will be able to see the heart behind her music, as well as find a connection to the songs she writes. When asked how her life has changed since her first televised appearance, Slocum replied that the exposure was almost isolating.

“The industry can completely consume your life if you let it, so I’ve been learning how to balance my career with my personal life.” Finding the perfect balance is difficult, but Slocum replied that the opportunities, she’s been given has made it completely worth it.

“if this is what you love to do, it will be worth it to share what you’ve got at every opportunity. Believe that you have something unique to give, and know that what you have to offer is different from anything people have seen before.” What advice would she give someone trying to make it as an artist? Her answer is this: “Don’t give up. The industry is crazy and random, people who don’t work as hard as you may get their break first, and people more talented than you may never get their big break. Rejection is part of the deal. But if this is what you love to do, it will be worth it to share what you’ve got at every opportunity. Believe that you have something unique to give, and know that what you have to offer is different from anything people have seen before.”

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lostboycrow Story: Ashley Bulayo PhotographY: Madison Bass-Taylor

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Have you ever been so curious as to why a certain song is someone’s ‘favorite’? When you take the time to listen to what’s being sung, it opens your eyes. It’s like seeing someone in a different light and knowing so much more about them through powerful and meaningful lyrics. Likewise, once you hear Lostboycrow‘s music, you’ll notice he puts it all on the table. Nothing is held back. Lostboycrow isn’t a typical name you’d hear, is it? Well, neither is Banksy but what do they both have in common? They both have distinct visions that they share with the world. “‘Lostboycrow’ comes from the tale of the lost boy told by the crow nation in what is present day Montana. They are a culture whose ancestors believed nothing to be more vital than dreaming— to seek and have a vision that would ultimately dictate who you were to become and how you would help those around you. This mentality has shaped the way I present art. Lostboycrow is a constant reminder to seek a vision— it is an invitation to dream together and a homage to the beautiful people who taught me to do so.” Lostboycrow’s latest EP, Sigh For Me was met with amazing praise leading up to the release. Back when he published his first song via SoundCloud, he never expected the internet to explode with such positive feedback. To gain traction on its own with no real promotion is impressive. You just never know what you find while surfing the internet but we’re all glad he received the attention he truly deserves. He goes on to say, “It was (and is) surreal, for lack of a better word. So beautiful and humbling to see people latch on to the art I was making without having to really silicate or scream over jaded comedians at open mics. The blogs and the internet allowed me to just be ‘Lostboycrow’ right away and I’m forever grateful.” Head to Lostboycrow’s SoundCloud for a free download of the EP when you get the chance and experience his music. True, majority of his tracks have to do with love but listen to “The Lost Boy,” where we get a bit more in depth look into his personal life. He says, “Trying to do that justice and still making it fit into an EP of strictly love songs wasn’t necessarily tough but something I had to be aware of. At the end of the day, it’s all me unraveling my soul and so I thought it was just as important as the other tracks, as well as a good indication of the journey I’m on.” The new year is already kicking in his favor with the release of his EP and his recent debut show. We could only imagine the endless opportunities to come towards his direction. Will he be successful? We believe so. But we all have our own definition of what it means to be successful. How does he see it? “Life to me, is about pouring yourself into those around you. Success by that mentality is then measured by how many people are affected by the love and passion I am able to give of myself. Music/art is such a unique opportunity to be wildly successful in that regard as well. Also, a Grammy.” His experience at his residency in Los Angeles last year aligns with his vision of success. From there, he learned how to deal with adversity. He states, “When it comes time to perform you cannot have another care in the world. Everything technical could go wrong but at the end of the day you still have to get out of your own way and just connect. Microphones/lights/etc. can always be weird but your connection with each person is what you have control over. Being believable is all that matters.” If, after this, you decide to jump on the Lostboycrow train (and we hope that you do), make it a point to listen to his music and follow his Instagram to be inspired everyday. We wondered about the blue streaks and angel wings— his “signature” to his photos: “The blue streak represents the unique filter we each see the world through. We all have a story to tell, with a unique perspective in-line anybody else’s. The wings are to remind myself and everyone that there is always a bigger version of yourself you can be. It’s already who you are— and you get to become that version everyday if you choose.” Cheers to you, Lostboycrow.

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raymond braun Story: Hudson Luthringshausen PhotographY: Lhoycel Marie Teope

“I was there on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. There was a huge crowd of us— the vast majority of whom were supporters of marriage equality and everyone was refreshing SCOTUSBlog on their phones. When SCOTUSBlog updated and said the case being released was Obergefell vs. Hodges, everyone started screaming. And at the same moment, all of our phones refreshed and we saw the news. The crowd just erupted. It was the most powerful, moving, visceral reaction I’ve ever experienced.”

Raymond Braun is currently commanding thousands of subscribers on YouTube, but his reach is far beyond the platform. The young Stanford graduate began working through YouTube long before he launched his own channel. Braun initially started with Google/ YouTube as the Associate Product Marketing Manager for entertainment marketing on YouTube in the San Francisco Bay Area, then moved to London to become a Brand Marketing Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. After a promotion, he found himself in New York leading YouTube’s social campaigns and programs— a position that left him responsible for all of YouTube’s social media campaigns across their various platforms. His expertise is well-rounded, to say the least. So it is no surprise that Braun’s YouTube channel not only immediately captured a large audience, but that his view count consistently supersedes his subscriber count. Braun’s true calling, however, extended beyond just his knowledge of marketing and online video. It lay somewhere more personal for the young man. What would eventually lead to his stepping down from his positions began with his role in originating and leading YouTube’s first ever LGBT campaign, #ProudToLove. “Building on the success and momentum from the campaign, I created a 20% role as YouTube’s LGBT marketing lead. For three years, I had the amazing opportunity to lead all of YouTube’s LGBT marketing, partnerships, and community engagement. I worked with everyone from leading non-profits to social—

media influencers to celebrities to help them engage with the LGBTQ community more effectively on YouTube. This was always the most exciting and fulfilling part of my job.” This success led Braun to eventually step back from his position and step forward into a different spotlight. “Earlier this year, when I first saw the headline that the Supreme Court would be hearing the Obergefell vs. Hodges case, my heart stopped and I had a “light bulb,” everything-is-clicking kind of moment. I thought this had the potential to be one of the biggest civil rights milestones for my community in my lifetime, and I wanted to spend all of my energy, time, and resources to contribute to this historic moment.” In order to do that, Braun would have to make some changes. And he knew exactly what he needed to do: “I pitched the idea of taking a leave of absence from my full-time job at YouTube to work as a consultant for a variety of LGBTQ non-profit organizations and to launch my own YouTube channel dedicated to the LGBTQ community. I wanted to document these historic moments and add my voice to the growing conversations around the LGBTQ community on YouTube. In September 2015, I left my full-time job at YouTube to form my own company, RWB Media, focused on digital entrepreneurship, social and influencer marketing, and LGBTQ community engagement.” Since venturing off, Braun’s role as a social influencer has given him even more unique opportunities to connect with and promote the LGBT community.

His Instagram photo-series, #VisibleMe, is a great example of his dedication to voicing the LGBT community. #VisibleMe allows the invisible to be visible. Braun uses his own social platforms on a weekly basis to share the important, powerful stories from LGBTQ youth by posting an individuals photo and personal words, which in turn reach audiences of over 25,000. His commitment doesn’t stop with the LGBT community. Just this month, Braun extended his coverage to the political sphere in his recent YouTube video titled, “Behind-the-scenes of Hilary Clinton’s Campaign” in Iowa. Following behind-the-scenes of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, he traveled to South Carolina as Hilary Clinton prepared for the fourth Democratic Debate in Charleston. Braun’s video gives viewers a special inside look at scenes of preparation as well as Clinton team members and many supporters sharing their words of support for the campaign. Politics, for Braun is important for young voters, and he hopes to “see more content on YouTube and social media highlighting all the candidates and issues at stake while encouraging positive, respectful political discourse.” During our interview, Raymond Braun and I extensively covered his thoughts on a variety of topics. What is the most inspiring thing anyone has said to you, or that you’ve heard? For me, it always comes back to the Golden Rule. What do you think is unique about the position you earned through this work and the voice you’ve been able to obtain on behalf of the LGBTQ movement? As I immersed myself in this work, I really came to realize the power and privilege of the individual YouTube creator to connect with a community, share their voice, and hopefully improve and inspire others. There were components of my job at YouTube that were public facing, so I began to hear from YouTube viewers around the world who shared stories about how YouTube helped them become more comfortable with their sexual orientation and gender identity and help them feel not alone. All the work I do is for LGBTQ youth who feel isolated, misrepresented, and invisible. Their courage and strength amidst difficult circumstances is what

drives me every day to do more and be more. My mission is to help young LGBTQ voices be heard and to do my part to change the world they grow up in for the better. I try to highlight and amplify diverse LGBTQ voices and perspectives on my channel and social platforms to show different possibilities for young people and to celebrate the amazing diversity, creativity, and vibrancy of our community. I believe social media can be a force for good and I intend to use it that way. Now you’ve refocused your energy on your own channel: What inspired that move? 2015 was the year that I decided to jump in and pursue my passion full time. I have always been passionate about advocating for the LGBTQ community, particularly LGBTQ youth. My family is from a small conservative town in Ohio. When I was younger, I rarely saw or interacted with any LGBTQ people in my community. LGBTQ representations in mainstream media were hard to find, so I turned to the Internet to search for information in an attempt to better understand my feelings. The Internet became my most treasured resource to imagine what my future could look like as a gay man— and sparked my interest in working in technology. All of my work, combined with my own personal experience, drove home a powerful point: For many LGBTQ youth, the Internet —particularly YouTube— is their lifeline to affirming and supporting their identity. LGBTQ youth rely on YouTube and social media to connect and gain hope for their future. I want to create opportunities for LGBTQ teens to find support, community, and entertainment online so they can grow up feeling affirmed and proud of who they are. There is an urgency behind this work because so many kids still feel isolated, lonely, and like they don’t fit in. Helping to create a safe, creative, supportive, expressive place for them to explore their identity and build community can literally mean the difference between a kid growing up with self esteem and a strong sense of self— or not. If you could have invented one existing thing in the world, what would it be? The Internet because I think it has so powerfully transformed our world. It has accelerated access to information, opened up society, changed how we communicate, sparked innovation. Incredible.

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As a kid, everyone has that “dream” job— what was yours? One of the benefits of growing up in Ohio was that I was exposed to politics at an early age. All the candidates make multiple campaign stops in Ohio because it’s such an important swing state in the general election. I remember my mom took me and my sister to see a Presidential candidate when I was much younger; and she explained that the job of politicians was to lead the country forward, help people, make difficult choices, and try to improve society. That sounded like a cool job to me! Now you have a personal stake in both marketing and gay rights, what do you think is the most important message you are trying to share, and how are social platforms changing the way the public can share and participate? I think one of the greatest and most powerful ways people can show support for the LGBTQ community is to vote for legislators who advocate for the LGBTQ community and to vote against discriminatory laws. Voter turnout, especially among young people, can make all the difference in local, state and national elections. Currently, voter turnout is staggeringly low. In fact in 2014, the New York Times editorial board ran an op-ed about how voter turnout for the 2014 midterm elections was the lowest in 72 years. We should support elected officials who advocate for LGBTQ equality and strive to educate those who don’t about the reasons why it’s important for them to change their position. Through everything I do, I want to spread a message of positivity and self love. I want to show people that being LGBTQ is not a limitation or something to be ashamed of... it’s a gift. I want to celebrate the beautiful, inspiring, incredible diversity, creativity, and resilience of the LGBTQ community. I want LGBTQ people to know they are not alone and to help them feel proud of their identity. I also try to set this example. I believe that anyone who is visible in society or social media should be cognizant of how their actions, their words, their presence— can influence other people (especially young people).

Your videos tackle tough topics. How do you decide what your audience can handle, and how do you continue the conversation after a video is posted? I receive several messages every day from LGBTQ people who ask questions or share topic ideas, so I always draw inspiration from my audience and the issues and topics that are important to them. I also draw inspiration from the subject matter that resonates with me personally and that I wish I could have been exposed to when I was younger. I often think to myself, how can my content make others feel happy, encouraged, supported, inspired, educated, curious, constructively challenged... these are the type of emotions I want people to experience when they watch my videos or engage with my content. Has your involvement helped you grow personally as a member of the LGBTQ community? There are infinite topics to explore within the LGBTQ community, and so many inspiring LGBTQ people who have stories that need to be told and shared. I sometimes feel intimidated and overwhelmed because I want to do and share and explore as much as I possibly can, but at the end of the day I also realize that I am just one person! It is my intention to always try to be as diverse and inclusive as possible in all my work, and I think I’ve grown tremendously as a person by having the fortune of being exposed to so many diverse and unique people, viewpoints, and perspectives within my own community. I truly love being part of the LGBTQ community and every day I wake up grateful that I’m able to so actively participate in my community, meeting incredible people around the world and helping to share their stories. What movie/book plot could you live in, and as what character? Growing up, my favorite author was Dr. Seuss. He creates some pretty cool, whimsical, colorful environments so I think I’d enjoy living in one of those or Harry Potter, aka my childhood!

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I’ve never been happier than I am now.

“

I have the opportunity to work on something that fulfills me and gives back to my community. Taking the leap was exhilarating and scary, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

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sallie harrison Story: Hudson Luthringshausen Photography: Emily Ballmaier

Many, many can relate to the struggle of not knowing exactly what we want to be studying through school to prepare ourselves for the “best” life ahead. For Sallie Harrison, that struggle was eased early on with something of an intervention from a family member. Now working as a multi-disciplinary designer, Harrison was shifted on her path by her Aunt who helped her realize that studying music through college wasn’t exactly right— what she truly wanted was to study art. And that she did. Harrison calls her experiences of taking pre-college classes in Graphic Design over summer the turning point that led her to pursue art for a living; she would continue to do music on the side. Now? Harrison is exactly what she wanted to be. She wakes up at 8am, works from home or at an office space in Atwater Village, then meets up with friends after work. She’ll even work for another hour or two before reading and getting to bed by 11pm. This has been her schedule since relocating to LA, working full-time as a freelance designer. Much of her work is for brands, but she still creates personal art— which she has earned a handful of awards for and features in artist exhibitions. Regarding her achievements, Harrison tells me “I try not to think too much about that and just focus on making more. To produce/put out more into the world more than I consume.”

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Her medium is unrestricted (her site lists over fifteen services from illustration to photography), with work ranging from beautiful photography to striking graphic design. Throughout she maintains a theme of balance and tranquility— she has an eye for aesthetically pleasing imagery (as well as a love for pastels). As for where she’s going, she tells me she’s been interested in getting back into the work she previously did with letterpress, printmaking and silk-screening. As well as her goals to “keep growing my business/art into a full time design studio. And I’m also really looking forward to getting into more photography collaborations with some LA artists and designers this year.” Finally, I asked Harrison to share advice for younger artists. Here’s what she had to say: “That’s hard because I still consider myself one. Maybe work hard, surround yourself with people that are making, creating, encouraging and challenging you. And fail/take risks because that is the only way you will grow!”

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megan nicole STORY: HUDSON LUTHRINGSHAUSEN PHOTOGRAPHY: MADISON BASS-TAYLOR POLAROIDS: PRISHTINA GJONAJ H/MUA: JALANIS / STYLING: KATIE QIAN

Singer, songwriter, host, actress, model… even philanthropist— these are only a handful of the terms one might use to describe 22 year-old MEGAN NICOLE. Of course, these are only the tip of the iceberg. And with more than 3 million followers, there’s no doubt this Texan is sharing with her followers more than just what’s on the surface. She has the candor to connect to a crowd over the internet, the affability to make it a family, and the professional mind to make it her career. These skills, however, were in action far before YouTube was her outlet. “I always loved putting on shows for my parents from dance routines to mini plays I wrote. Performing was something I always enjoyed, but the first time I actually sang outside my living room was a cool moment. I was 10 and sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at a school talent show,” Nicole told me about a galvanizing moment in her childhood. From there she says she became hooked on singing, but it took ‘till high school and picking up a guitar for her to consider pursuing the art full time. And a good decision that proved. Her debut EP, Escape was a huge success— earning her a North American tour, which she tells me was not even her first touring opportunity. She describes her feelings at the time as ecstatic, pointing out how happy she is that “people not only listened to Escape, but were able to take something away from it. I seriously still get so excited when even one person is able to connect to a song I wrote.”

From there the opportunities started rolling in. Through her father, Nicole is half-Hispanic, so her position as the co-host of La Banda —an internet show launched that looked to form a latin boy band— was a wonderful way for the rising star to connect with her heritage. Her partnership with Univision for the position allowed her to host, interview contestants, and be a part of many videos, one she says she was “stoked” to be a part of. “I loved that it was all around music and meanwhile I got to work on my Spanish. It was such a fun experience and I would love to do it again. And next time be able to communicate in Spanish even more.” One of the traits that struck me the most was Nicole’s grasp of giving back. I wanted to know where that desire came from with her. “Since I was 15 I knew if I ever got the chance to have a platform I would use it as a voice for important causes. I still remember a conversation I had with my parents when I felt called to this. It was the same day I told them I wanted to create music and pursue a career doing that. At the end of the day, I just want to love God and love people and if I’m blessed enough to have this platform I want to use it to make a positive difference in the world.” Most recently, Nicole used her voice to help the #TreatmentForAll cause— starring in a documentary film by visiting Malawi to promote the campaign alongside many different celebrities. She tells me the short time she spent there was educating, fun, and she even says she’s made plans to go back next year.

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Megan Nicole has a lot to offer, but her main focuses lie in her music. Currently she’s in the studio working on her first full-length album, but this hasn’t stopped her from releasing music in the meantime. Her song, “Summer Forever” even became the inspiration for a movie— not only was that movie made, but she starred in it! She went on to co-write some of the movie’s soundtrack as well. She has kept busy to say the least, but she tells me she has been working hard on the album. Very hard, actually: “I’ve just been writing, writing, writing, trying out different things I like, and it’s coming along.” I asked her about the direction of this album. She has made a name with pop-tunes and high-energy anthems, but recently switched things up with a sweet ballad called, “Safe With Me.” The release was well-received, but she says she has yet to write a song of the same type for the album. “I love writing ballad type songs even more than the fun upbeat ones at times, so I think you may see some songs that are more in that lane of “Safe With Me.” Who knows though? I’m still in the creative process of it all, so that could all change if inspiration hits from something else.” She credits much of her creative inspiration to artists like Stevie Wonder, Queen, and even Taylor Swift. “Her lyrics are always so clever and even when they are simple she always knows exactly how to say it so it hits home. She’s also great with conveying emotion and attitude in her songs,” Nicole told me about her inspiration from Swift. Aside from these greats, Nicole says that at the end of the day, she inward. “When it comes to writing songs, I pull a lot of inspiration from situations in my own life and then tell a story through song.”

She gave no clues as to the state of the album, so for now we’ll all have to wait. Luckily, Nicole is no stranger to folks on the internet. The singer often updates her followers through her various social accounts and stays active on YouTube by posting covers of popular songs. Her ability to capture an audience is impressive— she’s even topped out pop-giants with her subscriber count. “The people who watch and share my videos are a huge part of this. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do and I’m so thankful for them. I try to create fun and meaningful content and continue to grow and better myself as an artist. I’m just being myself with them, even the weird awkward moments they are there for.” Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just learning of Megan Nicole, by now you must agree her career is as demanding as it is incredible— and she herself is certainly on track for more success. But if you’re anything like me, you have to be wondering, how does a girl with so much on her plate find time to relax... She tells me it’s possible. Nicole and I chatted about her lazy sunday routine, and how much she loves sushi, Disneyland and football. “I enjoy reading, going to museums, and going to Disneyland. I’m not really into partying, so my kind of parties usually consist of board games. Game nights are the best. There’s also so many fun random things going on in LA so I look out for cool events. Most recently a holiday dance party at 6:30 in the morning complete with breakfast food. Now that was a fun way to get a day started.”

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alexx mack Story: Karina Diez Photography: Madison Bass-Taylor HaIr: Sarah Dougherty / Shea Hardy Makeup: Kristen Hasselbach stylist: Wilford Lenov

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Everyone has had that moment of desire for their life to be like a movie. Picture this. It’s Friday evening and you slip into that new dress you splurged on because you have been working your tail off this week, put on your most entrancing shade of lipstick, and head out to meet your girlfriends for drinks. Alexx Mack is playing in the background as the camera pans out; setting the stage for the positively epic night that is about to ensue. Mack began speaking the eclectic language of music at a very young age. Not only did her parents perpetually have tunes playing throughout her childhood, but her mother even sang to her while she was still in the womb. “My parents said as soon as I could talk, I would sing,” said Mack. “It’s just always been my passion.” After completing high school, Mack decided to pack her bags and move to the City of Angels. “I stepped off the plane and felt more like myself than I ever had in my life,” said Mack. Mack’s debut EP, Like We’re Famous was released in October of this past year and has been receiving well deserved critical praise ever since. Her upbeat melodies and sultry voice make for ultimate party anthems that will have you believing that adventure is out there and it’s happening this Saturday night.

Mack’s motivation for the theme of this EP is her disregard for the standards that artists often set about heartbreak and promiscuity. “I think it’s important to remind [the] youth that it’s okay to be strong on your own without anything tragic happening,” said Mack. “I was [also] tired of hearing that it’s okay for men to be strong in their sexuality, but not women.” Mack recently broke out into the Los Angeles music scene at Sayers Club in Hollywood. When it comes to performing, she looks for ways to engage her fans and bring them together. “I like to keep the energy high and fun. There’s a lot of dancing and crowd involvement,” said Mack. “[The] most exciting part of performing for me [is] seeing people turn to their friends with genuine smiles on their faces.” Through artistic choices made in her music videos, Mack works to blur the lines between gender roles in society. In Sunglasses, she switches things up as she drives her sleek sports car with her beau at her side, rather than vice versa. “In my opinion, the world would be a much more beautiful place if people felt accepted for who they really are, therefore, allowing them to be authentic to themselves,” said Mack. “I want my music to inspire and comfort those that feel different.

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katherine baker Story: Sadie Bell Photography: Meredith Sherlock

Before YouTube meet-ups became national events with loads of press, thousands of screaming fans, and security to guard famous Internet personalities, meet-ups were simply organized gatherings with humble interactions between rising YouTube stars and their fans. At a London meet-up just a few years ago, Katherine Baker got the opportunity to have a conversation with Jack Harries of the YouTube channel JacksGap, who at the time had about 30,000 subscribers and now has over four million. Baker said, “Having been a viewer, I was always curious on what it would be like to be on the other side of the camera, and Jack said to me, ‘Just do it,’” and she did. She got herself a camera, began messing around with editing tools, and inevitably developed her own channel where she could express herself as the genuine creative she is. After talking to Harries, Baker said, “I started my old channel and then finally migrated onto my present channel, BeautyByKat08 in October 2013 and I’ve never looked back.” Now, the nineteen-year-old, United Kingdom native has nearly 12,000 subscribers to her beauty, fashion, and lifestyle channel, and it is safe to say that there are no limits to her success and the possibilities that her future might hold. “I would say, without a doubt, that making YouTube videos is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life,” she said.

Her channel features DIY projects, seasonal look books, and a number of videos featuring advice and lifestyle content, all of which give insight into her youthful, delightful world, which she hopes sincerely impacts her viewers in a positive way. She said, “YouTube provides me with a space to influence others, which is both terrifying and rewarding. I have the ability to influence girls of my own age and younger in any way that I seek fit. I use this platform to act as a place to create without judgment and talk about issues that may have affected me when I was younger.” She said, “It is only when you restrict the types of emotions that you express that authenticity becomes a problem,” but that is no problem for Baker, as she tackles issues she has struggled with herself, such as self-confidence and bullying, in her videos.

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“It is important to be one hundred percent genuine when you are in a position of influence, particularly when it is in relation to girls mostly between the ages of thirteen to twenty. I need them to understand that they are not alone in the issues that they are facing. Being in this position of influence, I am going to use it for good and to express reality, even if it is for only five or ten minutes a week,” said Baker. She gained this positive outlook by immersing herself in the supportive YouTube community– by working with other YouTubers and by even being a viewer, as it exposed her to new ways to see the world and experience life. Baker said, “I find the YouTube community is such an accepting place to express your curiosity and views, and it has given me an outlet to talk about my past experiences in a very frank way. [YouTube] is undoubtedly something that has influenced my life positively and I am so grateful to have this opportunity,” said Baker. Though Katherine has a great deal of wisdom and an optimistic outlook on life, she is still only nineteen and in the process of discovering just exactly who BeautyByKat08 is.

“Throughout my teenage years, I had always thought I knew myself pretty well, but year after year, I would discover more about myself and I’ve finally realized— I know very little about myself. I am constantly discovering new things that I love— such as starting yoga and chai tea lattes but there are still things that are the same [about me] from when I was fifteen. I am constantly endeavouring to be grateful for the little things, rather than always just thinking about the bigger picture. Doing this in recent months has brought real perspective to my life and realized how lucky I am for what I have,” said Baker. As Baker continues to discover who she is, it is clear that she is on the path to success due to her high spirits and bright ambitions. She has her sights set on law school and her YouTube channel, which is growing every day. There is no way to tell just what the future might bring Katherine, but what is most thrilling to her, is the uncertainty of it all. “I don’t know where the future will take me,” she said. “That is the exciting thing.”

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beyond reflection

Photography: Adele Sakey

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community + FE B RUA r y 2 0 1 6 +

ToThe9s x Local Wolves — @wearetothe9s via instagram

Fighting exhaustion with positivity and words, perfect combo! “Speak what you must and hope that others will enjoy listening. and if they don’t, that’s okay. As long as you enjoy the art you create, that’s simply all that matters.” - Orion Carloto — @heywiz via instagram

Look what finally came in the mail! So stoked to be featured on Local Wolves’ January issue along with so many other talented creators! — @cassiemasangkay via instagram

# L O C AL W O LVES T O B E FEATURE D +

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Honored to be featured on Local Wolves. I actually discovered so many creatives from this mag. — @riccipamintuan via instagram

Ready to tackle another week. — @AlexisGriggs via Twitter

Btw, @localwolves mag is awesome so go check it out! — @lauralucy_f via twitter

In Print! Local Wolves Magazine with photography by Ryan James Caruthers. — @madeleinearthur via instagram

Stumbled upon Local Wolves and seeing how they are featuring some of my fave ladies I love watching on YouTube, I had to check it out! — @prettyensembles via instagram

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