Issue 15

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music .fa

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JessalynGilsig CloudCult IndiaEisley Adam Young SimonHelberg SemiPreciousWeapons BuiltByWendy StoneColdFox fall 2010

issue 15

CONTRIBUTORS Erik Schultz

Editor-In-Chief

Emily Peterson Lead Designer

Star Noor

Fashion Editor

Richard S.

Advertising Sales Alexandra Spencer Australian model and fashion designer, this decidedly downtown exhibitionist is best known for her infamous “4th and Bleeker” (4thandbleeker.com) fashion blog riddled with self portraits, cheeky DIY fashion ideas and witty throwbacks on all things hip. Gracing the covers of international publications and the face of multiple brands, Alex recently sold out her limited edition ‘Jeepers Creepers’ romper launched under her own line, also named 4th and Bleeker.

Richard S.

Marketing/Promotions

Jesse Weed

Website Dude

David Ziggy Greene Comic Artist

Kyle Goldie Kate sZatmari Pamela Lopez Grant Louie Aguila

Fashion Photographers

Pamela Lopez Grant Ollanski Hip hop before techno, testing restaurants before going to clubs, bike before car, Berlin before Stockholm, drawing before Photoshop, console games before watching movies, Cola Light before water, Star Trek before Star Wars.

Ryan Burchfield Born and raised in rural Northern California riding motorcycles and having fun. I am a musician gone photographer, I do feel they strongly correlate. I have always had a soft spot for photography for a very long time. Images and sound work best for my attention span....

Cover Photographer

Lauren Weigle, Michele Oestman, Corey Hayes, Michelle Nelson, Larissa Underwood, Aaron Fallon, Pamela Lopez Grant, David Ziggy Greene, Monica Alvarez, Janet Sanders, Jamie Poster, Sean Costello, 13th Witness, Emilie Yount, Teresa Walters, Anna Thiessen, Ollanski, Legend Riviera, Chris Baldwin, Leanne Trigg, Dominic “Mankini” DeLeo, Olivia Crouppen, Kyle Goldie, Michael DiDonna, Kate sZatmari, Mackel Vaughn, Derek Despain, Camille Yvette, Eric Hason, Allison St. Germain, Tyler Shields, Michael Russo, Louie Aguila, Scott West, Alexandra Spencer, Ryan Burchfield, Moses Contributors Check us out

www.musicfashionmagazine.com

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info@musicfashionmagazine.com

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If you are looking to see your business become fruitfull then you should get your freakin’ ad in our magazine. Send us an email and we will work with you to make that happen.

Kate sZatmari Celebrity photographer Kate sZatmari, can often be found on top of a car, a train or sitting on the ledge of a balcony. “I’m always looking for the right angle, the perfect shot.” This time she kept her feet on the ground while shooting Simon Helberg from the “Big Bang Theory”. “He’s got an incredible sense of humor and a down to earth warmth.” Kate has also contributed to NEO2 and Highlights Magazine.

mf magazine is published about four times a year by Spec Media.

All material in mf may not be printed without permission from the big chief. The views expressed in these pages are not the views of the magazine but those of the rad people we talk with.

Eric Hason Eric Hason is a photographer living in Brooklyn, NY. When he is not taking pictures you can find him daydreaming, tending to his compost, or procrastinating practicing his piano lesson.

Diane Walsh Diane Walsh is a freelance writer and artist based in the Pacific Northwest.

She likes to divide her time between Seattle and Vancouver and loves to cover indie artists from all over the world.

cover JessalynGilsig photos by PamalaLopezGrant Styled by Brandon Niquolas, Art Hunter and Eli Thomas at Artists by Next Makeup by Mathias Alan(mathias4makeup.com) using Stila and SkinCeuticals Dress by BTFL People

WHO WE ARE

Louie Aguila My images are my business card.

I’m a dreamer and will keep dreaming.

CONTENTS 8 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 31 32 41 45 52 44

CloudCult AdamYoung ListenUp JamesMaslow NazaninBoniadi Jerseylicious IndiaEisley JessalynGilsig ReidScott SimonHelberg GLOW BTFL People StoneColdFox

BuiltbyWendy

What inspires the Guy Who has you laughing through perplexity, to rock the ‘mankini’. mixtape by Dominic “Mankini” DeLeo like a Light – 764-HERO 1) Out I just love John’s voice in this song.

Photo by ?

2) Distopian Dream Girl – Built to Spill

“My stepfather looks just like David Bowie, but he hates David Bowie.”

3) This Must Be The Place (naïve melody) – Talking Heads Best love song ever.

Cocksucking Blues – McLusky 4) Lightsabre Another, of the best love songs ever.

a Spell on You – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 5) I….Put best love song ever.

Days – The Cure 6) Inbetween Worst love song ever.

an Angel – They Might be Giants 7) She’s I loved them so much before they went and got a band.

Kane – Art Brut 8) Emily “If memory serves, we’re still on a break.”

Only Knows – The Beach Boys 9) God I used to despise the Beach Boys. This song turned me.

Only One – Billy Bragg 10) The Flip a coin: Socialism or broken heartedness. Broken heartedness.

11) One of these days – Camper van Beethoven For whatever reason, the guitar part at the beginning kills me.

12) Iceblink Luck – Cocteau Twins Something about cherry cola?

13) Dalliance – The Wedding Present I could have picked anything by The Wedding Present - This is pretty amazing though. The buildup is epic.

14) Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin The only song about longing you will ever need. Sorry “Pictures of You.” 15) Cold Cold Ground – Tom Waits Death plays an accordion.

DOMINIC “MANKINI” DELEO is an Evergreen State College dropout. He studied “applied wearing a bikini top on basic cable” sciences. He can be seen wearing a bikini top on “The Soup” every Friday at 10pm on E!. In addition to sporting the latest trends in women’s swim wear on national television, DeLeo is also a writer and producer of “The Soup,” everyone’s favorite clip show hosted by Joel McHale that satirizes pop culture and current events. From the endless scripted reality drama on “The Hills” to the promiscuous teens on “Gossip Girl,” to the word vomit of Wendy Williams and Kathy Lee Gifford, no one is safe from writers of “The Soup” who deliver us the best of the worst that television has to offer.

Oh yeah, and he likes music.

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Crystal Eve Jessie Trinchard Meredith Williams Natalya Adams Crystal Eve Ryan Taai Lauren wilkinson

LETTERS/ART TO THE EDITOR

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6

Tunng

By Lauren Weigle Illustration by Ollanski

Phil, Martin, Becky, Ashley, Mike, and lyricist Ben. The band-mates of Tunng all seemed to meet through a web-like happenstance in London… in sort of a “what a small world” kind of way. What once began as a small, musical project between friends Sam and Mike, soon became the successful UK band Tunng. Famous for their unique stylings, audiences relish in their distinctive vocals and “folktronic” sounds. Considering it’s rumored that Sam and Mike first began their careers writing music and scores for soft-core porn films, who would have thought that these two guys would use their creative talents to form a musical group that would be so beloved? Over the years, the players have changed, but the game remains the same…and so does the essence of the band.

Each member of the band brings unique elements to their melodies and performances as they are well-versed in a wide range of unconventional instruments. Mike tells us, “Yea, I mean, the majority of it is on the guitar and the piano. There’s a lot of electronic elements. Marty’s got an eclectic array of percussion instruments and we incorporate things we’ve recorded and stuff like that.” This wide range of attentiongrabbing instruments that Martin uses includes but is not limited to things like shells, pieces of wood, teeth, toenails, seeds, and keys. In addition to their interesting musical arrangements would be their variety in their words, their lyrics. However, they do try to generally choose subjects having to do with little adventures, relationships, or weekends away when it comes to their song-writing. But, what do they most enjoy writing about? “I think I most enjoy writing about little adventures gone wrong and things like that,” says Mike. The best part of this “folktronica” group is that although they stay true to a few staple characteristics, their sound is everchanging; hence why they are often referred to as an experimental folk band. However, it is for this very reason, that it can be difficult to pin-point and actually classify this group to a specific genre of music. Fortunately, this also makes it tricky when it comes to trying to compare the group to other bands in the industry. Consequently, Tunng is able to stand on its own, away from the rest of the pack. This gives each member of the six-piece band a great sense of pride and motivates them to keep writing, keep performing. Mike’s driving force in addition to this is the ability to create something from nothing. The way you can walk into a dark basement one morning and come out hours later with a beautiful, original piece of music that never existed is what fuels his fire. And, the fact that it’s all come from inside your head, gives him a sense of satisfaction unlike any other.

In terms of their latest album And Then We Saw Land, Mike describes it saying, “It was a strange album to make, but a really, really positive experience.” The album is set to feel like a nautical excursion with romantic adventures and journeys, which probably made for lots of excitement throughout the recording process. Even so, time in the studio is always invigorating although the six of the band members rarely are able to all be in the studio at the same time. Maybe this is the perfect recipe for what makes the group’s infamously free-spirited sound.

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CloudCult

By Jamie Poster Painting by Scott West

raig Minowa cannot be defined by one C passion. While he originally intended to do film scoring, he got distracted

in college by a passion to protect the environment. After working for some environmental non-profits, Minowa returned to the studio and created the project called The Shade Project. That project flowed into what became Cloud Cult and with Minowa’s environmental inclination, he also expanded into a nonprofit that promotes sustainability and acts as a record label, the Earthology Institute.

He’s finally returned to his original goal and is writing film scores for national geographic documentaries. Minowa recently moved to Wisconsin from his home state, Minnesota, where he lives on an organic farm.

What does the name Cloud Cult mean?

It’s a sect of old prophecies that look at the balance of technology and spirituality and basically suggesting that technology is growing faster than our spirituality can handle. We need to find that balance between the two.

Who are your influences?

During the Christmas season I stretch Christmas music for as many months as my wife will let me. Anything just light and not serious because the music that we do is just so intense it takes so much out. When I listen to music that’s comparable to that I find my brain gets really caught up in what’s going on whereas if I listen to old bubble gum pop my brain’s just not interested because it’s pretty obvious what’s going on.

You include painters into your set.

Yeah. They jump in and do live instruments and sing too. They both do original things each night and they’ve both been band members for the better part of the decade. We have an auction, there’re bidding sheets for each of the paintings. The highest bidder gets to take it home. When I would go to shows I’d find that even though I was a live musician and loved to watch live music, I’d find part way through the show I would drift off a bit unless they were really engaging. I felt like people are paying for tickets and coming out to this event. I wanted to make something multi-sensory, an artistic event. At one time we had 7 different painters and interpretive dancers who would be behind the screen and do silhouette dancing. It was an attempt to bring as many different kind of arts together at the same time.

Well, it seems like you guys have a really magical vibe. Can you talk about that?

We have a really good crew of people. Everybody’s in music for the right reasons. Everybody’s really honest and really rooted. They’re doing music for the spiritual energy and the healing of it rather than the image of it or the fashion of it - the reasons that some people get into it. They’re just all really good people. I think when we all get together and play music, since we’re all so honest and trying to find that real legitimate energy behind the song, that chemistry can come across on stage and a lot of our fans are the same kind of philosophical or spiritual seekers trying to figure out why we’re here and what we’re doing and what not.

The shows end up being a good collection of people.

It’s not a drunken frat boy party.

What is Earthology?

Well both my wife and I worked for environmental non-profits through the 90’s and through college, different internships. When we graduated, we both were doing that as our regular jobs. In 1999, when I finished the Who Killed Puck Cloud Cult album, we realized we needed to start an organization because I realized there was no way to replicate the CD through conventional methods. At the time there weren’t any CD manufacturing companies that were doing environmentally friendly CD replication. So, I started to develop an eco-friendly CD packaging to release that album. At the same time we were dreaming of overall scope of what Earthology could be and ultimately making it our own non-profit.

How does this play into Cloud Cult?

They’re relativity separate. Earthology releases are our own label and that’s sort of a sect of Earthology Institute. That portion of Earthology takes care of the Cloud Cult business. Everything that Cloud Cult does has to adhere to the ethics of Earthology. We’ve done a lot of developing different manufacturing methods and product lines and touring methods over the years.

When did you put Cloud Cult together?

I played in some different bands through high school and early college. I had a lot of performance anxiety doing that and I ultimately was recording songs with different cassette players and layering them. I liked doing that so much and I hated playing on stage so much that I decided I wasn’t going to play in a live band anymore; I was just going to do studio work.

Then over the course of the next few years I did The Shade Project, which was a closet project out of the closet. There was some small record label interest in that and I put an ad out for musicians. That’s where I met Sara Young, the cellist that’s in Cloud Cult right now, and we played for a while. The performance anxiety got to me after three shows. That’s when we went back to the studio and Who Killed Puck happened. It was always a studio project and a live show out of necessity.

When did you overcome your performance anxiety?

Well, we had a little boy and he passed away in 2002.

Basically, after that, I could care less what people thought about me. Or, I realized there wasn’t anything worse that could happen. Things were going really good with the music I was writing at the time. All of a sudden I went on stage and realized I didn’t have that anxiety anymore. I didn’t care about people anymore.

There’s a lot bigger things to be afraid of.

So, how do you feel about the film-scoring world?

Oh I love it. Super love it. Ohhhhh! It’s a nice break because with Cloud Cult I’m in so much the center of that and the limelight of that and define the message behind it. When you’re scoring for somebody else’s work, you’re suddenly the backdrop and my personality is more of a backdrop kind of person. If you get me in a room with even 3 or 4 people I’m typically the most quiet person in the room and that’s just how I’ve always been. I like quietly working in the studio and creating a backdrop for something that somebody else is brilliantly putting together. Especially with National Geographic where I can do it for documentaries that have really positive messaging.

How long do you plan on doing this for?

I don’t know, every album I kind of wonder as I’m finishing it off I never know if that could be it. Especially, I don’t know, I want to be free flowing with it at this point. If it’s time it’s time and if it keeps going it keeps going… At the same time I want to make sure it continues to be a healthy thing. If it gets out of balanced or unhealthy I’ll make the shift and start scoring for documentaries.

By Star Noor Photo by Corey Hayes Makeup and hair by Legend Riviera

on’t size up Jordan Witzigreuter D by his fun Rock & Roll hair and his infectious danceable Alternative-pop

music. He may be young and he may have that dare you to stare persona but he’s by no means the typical “Rock & Roll” cliché.

Performing under the moniker The Ready Set, the 20 years old from Fort Wayne, Indiana is by nature shy and reserved with piercing blue eyes and a sweet boy next door smile. A great student of music he spent his early adolescence locked in his bedroom methodically analyzing stacks of CD’s and dissecting the Billboard charts. By his mid-teens he had already begun writing his own songs and performing shows. A studious and determined artist, TRS is methodic and prolific in his craft. He plays every instrument on his album channeling his years of influence into one diverse album I’m Alive, I’m Dreaming, “I hate buying a twelve-song CD and having twelve of the same songs,” explains TRS. “So I made sure no one song on my album sounds like any other.” All of his efforts paid off when a demo of his super melodic tracks including an early version of the now released single

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“ L o v e Like Woe” landed in the hands of Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz who quickly signed him to his newly coined Decaydance Records.

His concentration on perfection transcends into other areas of life as well. TRS is not the kind of artist you will see doing The Dirt style- downing a bottle of Tequila before hitting the stage, he drinks water and eats oranges.

“I try to take very good care of myself just because the energy factor onstage is so important to me,” he explains. “I want our shows to feel like those small hardcore shows I went to when I was a kid where everyone would just lose their minds, but bigger and with crazy lights.”

You’ve spent hours studying music, who are some of the musicians off the top of your head that have been most influential but sometimes overlooked?

There are too many to name, honestly. In this day and age it’s very easy to get overlooked if you aren’t involved with the right people or don’t have the right look. It’s a bummer because there are so many great songwriters and singers that have a really tough time breaking into the mainstream or a larger audience due only to them not having the right people working with them.

Growing up you listened to bands like Green Day, who are legendary in their own right, what do you think is the most important factor that artists must possess to become legendary?

Two big factors are integrity and being aware of who and what you are. All of the monumental musicians are artists AND entertainers. You always need to keep that in perspective. It’s the concept of being able to create meaningful music that is able to be understood and loved by anyone.

You can’t limit yourself- the greatest songs of all time are loved by everyone, regardless of scene, demographic, age, whatever.

You once said you’d like to collaborate with Prince, why him?

Prince is one of those artists that stands the test of time and has always made great pop songs. I respect artists like him because they’re able to keep writing music that everybody loves but is very much in its own category. His earlier stuff was definitely ahead of its time and I love that.

You reject the Rock N Roll lifestyle, what do you think about those stars you see in the media who have been plagued by the Dirt style?

To each their own, I guess. We all like to have a good time on tour, but for me it’s really just a matter of staying on my A game for every show. I’ve got too many opportunities in front of me to not be giving my all at every show. People can get carried away with the whole “rock n’ roll party” world and I’ve seen music take the back seat for some. I just don’t think that persona really works for me.

What is the one thing that Pete Wentz has said to you that sticks out in your mind?

He told me something that Bono told him once, “the 2nd album isn’t the album to be weird with”.

It’s a super simple piece of advice, but we’ve all seen bands try to make their 2nd album a crazy experimental thing and a lot of the time it doesn’t work. Lots of artists abandon what they were

when they grow. It goes back to looking at yourself as an entertainer. I think it’s really important with every album or song you make to keep the elements of what make your music yours. A lot of musicians focus too much on credibility and pleasing a certain group of critics rather than their actual fans.

How would you describe your album?

I call it a fun pop album. “Pop” is the most vague genre title, so it leaves a lot of room for opinion. I guess I’d say it’s “Pop mixed with everything else”.

It’s got elements of electro, rock, funk, techno, hip-hop, etc. I wanted to make it super diverse and make sure none of the songs sound like the previous one.

Which track is your favorite and why?

The sixth track on the album. It’s called “Spinnin”.

It’s probably the biggest step out of what I normally have done in the past, which is why I love it. It’s got an early 90’s Michael Jackson vibe to it.

It’s about the tolls that being on the road all the time can have on a relationship, but at the same time the way that time apart can make relationships stronger.

Your music is fused from a broad range of genres, what about your fashion sense? How would you describe that?

I’m pretty big into fashion. I guess I always have been. I’m pretty notorious about purchasing clothes really, it’s sort of embarrassing. I like switching stuff up and trying to wear the things most people would think that they couldn’t “pull off”. I like ripping up my shirts and making them look all beat up. I like super tight pants. I just try to keep my swagger fresh.

By Lauren Weigle Photo by Michael DiDonna

ll Rock N’ Roll needs to see the “A bottom before they can understand the top.” Well put, Justin; singer and front-

man of glam rock band Semi Precious Weapons. Justin, the artist behind the lyrics, hails from Chicago and is the only one in the band who wears high heels and makeup. Though many have the misconception that the entire band dresses in the same fashion, Justin insists, “They’re just dudes. I’m somewhere in between.” In any event, this is a group of musicians who just love watching people have fun at their shows and enjoy forming relationships with their audiences. For three years they crammed themselves into a van and drove all over the country to make their music heard. Well, it’s been heard and now it’s loved. The other faces of Semi Precious Weapons are drummer Dan, bass player Cole, and master guitarist Stevy. Dan grew up in Boston, has a degree in classical composition, and loves Hemmingway. Cole, on the other hand, is “a crazy person and a drunk”, who loves Latin women. He’s also one of the best players in the world, especially when he’s “mid-somersault.”

Lastly, is Stevy, who enjoys making all the band’s webisodes and loves being the stereotypical “weird film-maker”.

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So, how did the name Semi Precious Weapons come to pass as the identity of your group?

Somehow it just came to me. I wanted something that was honestly some kind of glamorous while still very violent. And, it just came to me, so I called three of my friends from college. We had all gone to school together in Boston and just moved to New York. So, I said, “Hey! We’re starting a band and it’s called Semi Precious Weapons.”

Well, that’ll do it.

Yeah. (He laughs.)

How would you describe yourselves to new audiences or fans who haven’t had the live Semi Precious Weapons experience yet?

It’s Rock N’ Roll. It’s Glamorous. It’s loud. It’s filthy. It’s fun. You can dance to it, you can have sex to it, and you can cry to it.

When it comes to Rock N’ Roll, what motto or “rule of thumb” do you personally like to keep in mind?

All Rock N’ Roll should be dangerous, and it should be sexual, and exciting or else it’s not Rock N’ Roll.

The whole essence of Rock N’ Roll is that it’s supposed to be some sort of rebellion.

Then what’s the most rebellious or Rock Star thing you guys have done together?

Our show at Lollapalooza! That show just happened [this summer] and it was probably the most Rock Star thing ever. It was over 5,000 people there to see us outdoors in the middle of the day and the show was just nuts. I changed my outfit on stage, I poured champagne all over the audience, and then me and Lady Gaga made-out as we stage dove!

Yeah, I heard about that!

Yeah, so it was pretty perfect.

So, how’d you get hooked up with Lady Gaga?

Actually, Gaga’s first few shows were opening up for us in New York City. She’d been a big fan of our band since she was probably about eighteen years old and she was one of the first fans we really ever had. Then, we found out not only was she a

great fan, but she was a great performer, so we had her open for us and we became friends. Then she luckily became the biggest star in the world with tons and tons of hard work. So, then she kind of kicked and screamed and put her foot down until everyone that works with her or for her let us come on tour. Once everyone saw how good we were and what nice guys we are and all that crap, they brought us on tour for the whole time. So, now we’ll be on tour with them for about a year and a half.

Well, being that you started the band in New York, how does it feel to be voted “Best Band in NYC” in the Village Voice?

Oh, it was unbelievable. It was actually voted on by the readers of the Village Voice, just the people of New York voting, which is really, really amazing.

The Village Voice itself still hates us since they’re a very hipster, pretentious paper. But, it was so

amazing because it was the people of New York who actually voted us as the best band. We loved it because we take our live shows so seriously. We really believe that live shows should be a show, a good time, and a memorable experience, so for them to vote us the best band in New York City was absolutely crazy.

Right. So, more craziness is your jewelry line at Barney’s New York. Tell me about that.

Well the jewelry started out as being band merch, so it was all things to kind of go with the band, which were weapons and hearts. It was sort of classic jewelry that we were re-interpreting in a fucked up way. Now the line at Barney’s has really grown and we do these diamond zodiacs. Now the new collection is a sterling silver tooth with a diamond in it and then we have like a metal engagement ring on a necklace. So, its Rock N’ Roll jewelry, but it’s actually very wearable and beautiful while still darker and edgier than most.

Cool, so other than the jewelry line, what do you plan on doing after you’re done touring?

Well, we’re on tour with her until next May and we have a couple breaks in there. During breaks, we do shows of our own because we want to be known as a great live band, so we’re just going to keep playing and keep playing. We have a month off in January and we’re going to make our next record. We want to return to the golden age of Rock N’ Roll, where everyone had records that were only 8 or 9 songs, but you released a new album every year.

So, tell me about your debut album. Was it a rerelease or what was the story with that?

It’s a whole brand new album, but we did put three of our favorite songs that we made on our first album that we made with our own money. So, it wasn’t really what we wanted it to be and we put our three favorite from it on You Love You, our debut album. We re-recorded them here in LA, so

now they sound how we always wanted them to sound and now we’re really, really proud of them.

Which three were the favorites that you put on the new one?

Um, Semi Precious Weapons, Magnetic Baby, and Rock N’ Roll were the ones that were on our original album.

Well, when you wrote these songs, or when you write any lyrics for that matter, what do you like to write about?

I like to write about myself a lot, which I think all songwriters do, or my insane declarations like “I’ve been magnetic since I was a baby” or “Rock N’ Roll never looked so beautiful”. I hope that they will inspire people… no matter how broke you are or how fat you think you are or if you think you’re the wrong gender or whatever you think it is, that you can still live the life that you want to live. And, I also like to write about really glamorous, beautiful, self-destructive women. I seem to have lots of

friends who are these amazing, inspiring, but sadly, self-destructive women.

Ok, so let’s just put it on out there. I know your band-mates always talk about what a charismatic, walking piece of sex you are. So, what makes you so attractive to your fans? Why are you just so hot?

(He chuckles.) Um, well, luckily it’s just confidence. I have the confidence thing going because my brothers and my parents were so amazing.

They just told me since I was a kid to just always be who I wanted to be. I feel prettiest and hottest wearing panty-hose and makeup and being platinum blonde. So, that’s what I do. I think that most importantly, people are just turned on by the fact that I have the confidence to do that.

Any final words to live by?

I hope that you all love yourselves and that you all get laid!

he Dance Party’s release, Touch, depicts two women in scanty black lingere on T its album cover. The women have their hands between their legs, hiding all their goods. Despite the teasing cover photo, The Dance Party isn’t afraid to bare all.

TheDanceParty

By Jamie Poster Photos by Ryan Burchfield

Styling by Moses for Margaret Maldonado Agency Assistant Styling by Tomm Zorn Hair and Makeup by Mindy Pedrick Grip and Lighting by Dwayne Autery for Edge Grip Digital by Tyler Jennings and Brian Runnels

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From the lead singer who unabashedly claims, “You know, we want to do drugs, we want to have fun. We’re in a rock band,” to the intuitive, yet revolutionary band name that announces exactly what this band is here to do, everything’s out in the open. Let’s not forget about the naked women pole dancing at the LA strip club where the band made a name for itself either.

Lead singer, Mick Coogan, moved from Washington DC to Los Angeles, where he lives near the beach working on the next explosive song that will make you have a rip-roaring time. He took a break from partying and songwriting to talk to us from his house in Playa Del Rey.

What’s the craziest party the band has ever had?

I would say, the craziest, one of the last strip club shows. This was the most blacked out I’ve ever been in LA, or probably maybe ever. But, I remember it was our last show in LA for a while and everybody came. The place was sold out by like 10:00, and I swear, the manager was like, “I’m closing these doors, fuck the fire marshal, do whatever you want.” And there was a dude there who had a cereal box full of ones, he was making it rain on all of the strippers, and girls were literally coming up and putting so many dollar bills in my pants that I couldn’t do it, I was just taking them out of my pants and throwing them at the strippers. Afterwards, we got off the stage and they literally, each table, there was like a pile of cocaine on each table, and people were literally just straight up having sex, like in the strip club, not giving a fuck about anything. I was just blackout and with a lady friend and she was just carrying me around and I was just watching what was going on. I was like, “This is the craziest shit I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” It was like, Soddom and Gammorah, end of days, Revelations.

Do you guys play the local LA strip club scene?

What we did in LA was interesting. Very early on we were out drinking at one of the bars in Hollywood and we met a dancer, well, we’ll just call them strippers for now. So, we met this stripper and she goes, “You guys are fun, you’re in a band.” We were like, “Why don’t we play in a strip club.” And she said, “Fuck it, let me go talk to my manager.” One thing lead to another. Our manager hooked up with the strip club and they were like, “Fuck this man, let’s have these guys play a show at a strip club.” He’s like, “Alright fine.” We set up all our shit on stage, and there’s girls on stage and they’re like going crazy because we’re playing party rock and it was instant. From then on we had a residency there once a month and the parties just got crazier and crazier. So, that was like our big thing in LA. What is your definition of a rock star?

A rock star, they’re pretentious and like, fuck you, and like Billy Corgan, Kurt Cobain, they had that, this like pretentious attitude, fuck you, I make fucking awesome music and if you don’t like it go

fuck yourself, you’re wrong. It’s so fake now…

You have to have some pretentiousness because that sets you apart. If you’re just shaking everyone’s hand all the time, then nothing sets you apart. That’s kind of, in my mind, this image that I have. I’m not saying I’m one of those at all. I’m certainly a hand shaker. Everybody’s trying to make a buck, you can’t make any enemies in this business right now.

When you wrote the line, “It seems like some of these new wave hipsters are just an empty cup,” were you referring to that DC scene?

That was kind of in response to people who would come to our shows and be like, “Who the fuck are these guys?” We’re like, “Fuck you man, if you want to come to the show, great. Come on, we’re going to have a good old time.” Don’t take yourself so seriously; you’re in a rock band.

What do you do on stage?

The whole band leaves it all on stage. I just go crazy, just dancing. Fucking jump in the crowd, I don’t care. The music is natural shit for us, it’s just like an extension. When we’re playing shows, people get it. They see that we’re up there dancing, smiling, drinkin’, having fun, and they’re just like, yeah, these guys, this is what they’re about. That’s how we got this far, just being honest with the audience.

How did you come up with this idea of The Dance Party?

We were part of a scene in Washington D.C. that was a little, kind of post-punk like Fugazi and stuff like that. Straight edge, you know, bands that were political minded and more on the progressive side of things. But, we grew up listening to pop music like INXS and Michael Jackson and Def Leppard. So, that type of music in DC really didn’t pair to us. We were kind of the outsider. That’s all that we’re really interested in writing. Try to write some good catchy pop songs you can play at parties or fuckin’, Kind of get loose to.

Why do you think bands and concert-goers alike often take themselves so seriously?

We get a band like Fugazi who’s an amazing, wild, live band, but their whole message is don’t do drugs, fuck the government, whatever. And you know, we want to do drugs, we want to have fun. We’re in a rock band. This is what we want to do. We didn’t want to start any kind of revolution, but we want to kick some ass and that’s like our whole goal. That’s the image that we want to portray. It’s not fucking rocket science. The rocket science is writing a song that people are going to like, but not in terms of being a band.

It sounds like you’re partying all the time. Do you ever get tired?

No, I’m so bad. I don’t get that hangover. People are just like, “Mick, what the fuck man.” I go out partying really hard the night before and I wake up and I just want to keep going. It’s a very dangerous thing and I know it’s a dangerous thing, but I always have to hold myself. No I don’t get tired, fuck that man.

AdamYoung  By erik schultz Illustration by Michele Oestman

g

dam Young is the mastermind behind Owl City A and the new, old, project, Sky Sailing. With the Sky Sailing record out now and a new Owl City album

work with him. I’ve been a fan of his work since high school so it was very surreal to have the opportunity.

How does it feel to have all these “new” older Sky Sailing material out to your fans?

It feels great. I never expected to find a time or place to release it but this summer wound up being perfect. I wrote the Sky Sailing record three years ago and never expected it to become anything other than lost and forgotten. It was a blessing to have the opportunity to put it out and I was amazed at how excited Universal was about it.

How does faith works its way into the music you are creating?

It’s so apart of who I am, I feel like I’d be “dishonest” in a way, if I were to leave it out of my writing. It’s a huge inspiration to me and is truly the reason I do what I do.

in the works, Adam has positioned himself at the top of the indie folktronica hill.

How much reworking did you do to the Sky Sailing material?

I remixed a few songs and did a few vocal overdubs. It’s an old record and I clearly would’ve done things differently had I recorded it now but it was a lot of fun revisiting the old material.

Was it hard to take something you had done such a long time ago and not rework the whole thing with all the experience you have gained since then?

Yeah, I was kicking myself a little bit over how I recorded the acoustic guitars back then. It took a little extra finessing to polish up some of that stuff but it was a good challenge and it was fast work.

Why did Sky Sailing take a back seat to Owl City when you decided to get your first batch of music released?

I was planning on releasing Sky Sailing music right away but before I could do so, Owl City took off much faster than I’d anticipated. I started getting calls from record labels and tour offers and whatnot.

Owl City demanded all my attention and the old Sky Sailing stuff wound up in the can until now.

Are you planning to continue with Sky Sailing alongside Owl City?

Yeah, I’ve got a lot of inspiration for future Sky Sailing records so it’s all a question of time and priorities.

If Sky Sailing does continue, how will songwriting differ for each project? Will you write separate for each or decide after the song is complete?

I write separate for each project and usually have a pretty good handle on what direction I want the song to head in before I even begin recording. I think the two projects, while similar, are disconnected enough from each other to allow me to sit down and know what “band” I want to write for.

You are working on the new Owl City album. What can fans expect from the new record?

A lot of similar vibes from Ocean Eyes, but a lot bigger, more polished, stronger melodies, more descriptive lyrics, etc. I’m about half done writing the new record.

You have been involved with a few other projects. What else are you working on?

I did a collaboration with trance legend Armin van Burren for his new record. I’m incredibly honored to have had the chance to

What is next for Owl City and Sky Sailing?

I’m into taking things a day at a time. The new Owl City record is currently at the forefront.

How have you grown as a musician and songwriter through these projects?

I’ve become a lot more picky, which I think is inevitable. One of my favorite parts of artistry is the equipment. I’m a huge gearhead so turning knobs and engineering is one of my favorite parts of the process. I’m always trying to stretch myself and grow in that area.

I see that you had started several different projects prior to Sky Sailing, some of which only have a song or two associated with them. Do you have plans to rework any of that old material as well?

It’s all about timing. If I had all the time in the world, I’d probably have more separate projects than I could count. I’ve been inspired by every genre at one time or another and having separate projects allows me to experiment in that way, rather than try to cram it all into one band.

Can you tell us a little about the feature film you are working on the credit sequence track for?

It’s a Warner Brother’s film called Legends of the Guardians. Ironically, the film is all about owls. I wrote the credit sequence song for the movie.

Is producing music for film a direction you could see yourself moving into?

Absolutely. There’s nothing I’d rather do than write music for film.

You have done a few remixes and I hear you are working on more. What draws you to want to remix work?

I love the idea of starting with a finished song... somebody else’s finished song, and giving it a different twist. I love cutting and pasting bits of tracks over and under layers of other things, found sounds, etc. It’s a pretty inspiring thing because it takes a lot of the “writing” work out of the equation which can sometimes be the hardest.

When you started, you did instrumental music. What drew you into that style of music?

I’ve always been really intrigued by how instrumental music can take the listener anywhere. As a listener, I love not being told how to feel and what to think, and thus, each time through a given song can mean something totally different. I love how spontaneous it can be. I love how all my favorite instrumental records remind me of a hundred different scenarios and situations in my own life, like a collection of scenes from a movie. Instrumental music is somehow a really personal thing to me, like film scores to my own life. I think that’s really interesting.

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Listen Up!

By Lauren Weigle

Ladies and Gentlemen, step Argotec + Alex = Argotec. What is Argotec? Alex tells us, “The right up! Right this way! Don’t Rich intricacy of our music and live shows is definitely what makes be afraid to see this issue’s new us Argotec… Hip Hop, Electronica, Drum & Bass, Glitch Hop, and Trip Hop is what keeps Argotec raw and all-encompassing.” set of Listen Up! bands! Care But, this still doesn’t answer the question. Argotec’s music genre-bending and unique, using manipulated electronics to listen to the experimental is and Kaos Pad3 effects to truly make their live performances sounds of Argotec? Otherwise, explode. They also utilize projections, which are handled by beloved Dr. Babylon. Rich and Alex’s experimental sounds would you prefer Loveseat? the appeal to a wide variety of listeners due to the fact that that’s x a c t ly Loveseat, the energetic musical ewhat Arduo, hailing from Canada. Or, gotec is up if you wish to find another made of; “an duo to satisfy your creative e c l e c t i c collection palette, how about The of creminds Driftwood Singers? Their old ative without folk-sounding melodies can b o u n d put anyone at ease. However, aT hr ri oe usg”h. a r d if you’re feeling more lively hwork, a at the moment, you can always lot of ex, turn to Talain Rayne and his perience and a lot “electronic-infused pop-rock” of love for their songs. Any way you spin it, craft, Arhas managed to write music that “wakes people up inyou’re definitely in for some gotec tellectually”. Innately, Argotec enjoys creating music about cool sounds and good energy social change, “promoting the existence of a universe far away the old New World Order of a few secret societies rulwith these four on your from ing over the many.” Technology and its evolution is also a great inspiration for Argotec’s lyrics. With Argotec, what you playlist. see is what you get.

Loveseat

What makes Jen and Pouya such a great duo? What makes Loveseat the great musical duo that they are? Their reply? Simply, “Anything and everything we’ve experienced.” Simplicity… a great thing in a group… and a rare thing in a group. So, how did these two musicians hook up and realize their creative destiny? Go back five years to Toronto, Canada and you will discover two people, “fresh off the boat from opposite corners of the earth.” However, the actual establishment of Loveseat didn’t even happen until last year. Though the core members are Jen and Pouya, they work with a five-piece setup for live gigs and conquer the music world with the key tools used in being a good musician. The key is “not ever thinking you’re a good musician”.

With their energetic dance rock sounds, I cannot fathom them not ever thinking their good musicians… and I don’t think their fans could either.

Though they insist they’re constantly growing, still learning, inspiration for their music comes merely from their dreams… “lucid dreaming” as they put it. Nonetheless, though they enjoy realizing their dreams through their music, they always keep in mind their listeners’ needs. They believe that although creating music can be quite personal, music is meant to be shared. And, they just love sharing their image of a “god-like being roaming the earth among the mortals”. In the future, their goals remain simple yet again… to still be able to play their songs for others. After all, their favorite aspects of what they do are just writing and performing.

What more could an audience ask for?

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Talain Rayne

Talain always knew he loved music.

What he didn’t know was that one day, music would be his life. In fact, it wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he really embraced his passion for creation. He later spent time on Martha’s Vineyard at the Contemporary Music Center, where he first truly felt that his ventures would be those of success.

Since his time there, however, the CMC has moved to Nashville. On an entertaining note, Talain’s name was actually created by his parents, who mixed their own names (Tally and Alain) to form their son’s. Some other interesting facts about this talented guy are that he failed college three times, is a sucker for back massages, and loves to write music about his family as an avid follower of Christ.

Many people compare Talain to a plethora of different artists; anywhere from Ke$ha to Coldplay to MSTRKRFT to Owl City to The Fray. But, what makes Talain his own artist? He confesses that it’s, “my brokenness, and my willingness to admit that I’m far from perfect. I’m a driven sporadic human being who likes Shirley Temples and spends too much time on my porch, which is pretty darn awesome.” Talain believes in passion, drive, talent, and t echnique .

In turn, he believes by using these vital tools, he will continue to evolve as a musician and perform for more and more amazing audiences. However, his true inspiration for his music comes to him anytime he watches the classic movie The Goonies. Talain tells us, “I want to make a difference with my music, not sure if that’s possible, but I want to be able to offer something different.

I also want to connect with my fans as much as I possibly can. I have come pretty far in such little time, and hope that continues to happen.”

The Driftwood Singers

Musical partners in crime, Pearl and Kris bring folk music to a whole ‘nother level as The Driftwood Singers. Kris and Pearl explain that, “Our original music is reminiscent of old Appalachian close-harmony music and draws a lot from turn of the century folk ballads. And, the sound is very sparse; most of the songs feature only guitar, autoharp, and vocals.” Even though so many mainstream sounds attract those who just want something upbeat to dance to, the Driftwood Singers take pride in creating pieces that reach their fans on a more emotional plane, regardless of the beat or tempo. Currently, they are finishing up their record and planning a winter tour so you can find out exactly what they mean by this.

Down the road though, Pearl would love to see the two of them in Nashville, playing their music for their fans.

Inspirations for their lyrics come from “beat po-

etry” and “murder ballads”. Kris seems to just love stories about spousal abuse that ends in disaster or tragedy. Nonetheless, the part of music-making that excites Kris and Pearl the most is just playing around with different chords and words. “Nothing feels better than accidentally stumbling on a great lyrical idea or melody when you’re just messing around.” So, is it the scary stories of couples trying to kill each other or the genuine spontaneity in their creative juices that attracts their fans? Maybe Kris can tell us… “We play a lot of original songs that sound like they could be old folk songs and for some reason, we get a lot of people walking up and telling us how much they loved to hear those old-time songs again. People seem to be under the impression that they have heard our songs before, even when we’re first debuting the. I think the familiarity of the melodies draws people in.”

If you would like to submit your band to mf magazine for a possible feature head on over to sonicbids.com/mfmagazine

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JamesMaslow

By Lauren Weigle Photos by Mackel Vaughn

Hair by Alyssa Ybarra Styling by Derek Despain Makeup by Miguel Andrisani

enacious, adventurous, and silly…that’s James Maslow. Ask him to tell you T about his secret desire to learn how to play the bagpipes…or his constant need to stay active… or how he climbed Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the

continental U.S., through a terrible winter. “It was one of the greatest few days of my life. It was in early June of 09 and they had more snow that week than ever before. Though it should just be a long hike, my team and I had to blaze out our own trail with ice axes and crampons from 12,600 ft up to 14,505. Reaching the top and signing the book felt better than I can explain. The next climb for me will be Mt. Rainer,” he says. So, look out, Mt. Rainer! James is on his way up!

What was it like beginning to train as a singer at the young age of 6?

I enjoyed singing and simply never thought much of it. I continued to play sports while singing for years and though many of my friends only did one or the other, most of them falling into the sports section, I enjoyed being a little different.

Being different is always a good thing. I know you attended schools for performing arts.

How does the curriculum and experience differ from that of normal public education?

I went to the San Diego School of Performing Arts where you could hear kids singing or watch them dance in-between every class. Everyone looked forward to their performing classes the most every day and it made school and the arts very fun. I then attended Coronado High School which was very different. They were big on sports and school spirit which was a whole different experience, though a blast as well.

Tell me about the plays and performances you were in during your school days I did every play I could growing up. Some of my favorites were Grease where I played Danny Zuko and Les Miserables where I played Marius.

The friendships you make with people rehearsing for and then performing with in a show are very unique, because you really get to know them in a short amount of time. Shows were some of my best memories growing up.

Well, how did you know at such a young age that you wanted to pursue the arts?

It was in the 8th grade that I made the decision to attend SCPA, which meant I had to wake up at 5a.m. and take the school bus an hour south in order to do so. It was a bit of a gamble, but within the first week I really realized how much I had always loved singing and entertaining. If nothing else, the long daily commute was motivation enough to try and learn as much as I could and be as good as I could be.

Let’s talk about your television debut on the show iCarly. What was that experience like for you as it was your first?

Working on iCarly was one of the best weeks of my life. From day one the cast and crew there really treated me like family and made the week of shooting so much fun. I realized that if I was able to do that (act) every week, I would never really work a day in my life. Dan, the executive producer taught me a lot about filming with a 4-camera set up and I'm still friends with Miranda (iCarly) and the rest of the cast today. I am very grateful that I had that experience.

Ok, let’s move on to Big Time Rush. Tell me about the show.

Big Time Rush is a music-based comedy about 4 best friends who go from normal Hockey players in Minnesota to goof offs in LA somehow becoming a successful music group. We are currently filming the 2nd season, and it has already surpassed the first in my eyes.

What do you feel it is about Big Time Rush that brings in the fans?

I think it is the fact that the four of us actually get along in real life and that chemistry seems to shine through in the show. Also, we do have some pretty killer music. (He smiles.)

Yea, I bet that doesn’t hurt. When it comes to writing your own music, what kind of songs do you most like to come up with?

I often write ballads. I find it more difficult to write an up-tempo song for some reason. Overall my music is R&B/pop… kind of a mix between Brian McKnight and Jason Mraz.

Nice. How do you prioritize time to yourself versus work and writing your ballads?

Often it takes my best friends to pull me away from working these days to go out and relax!

I love what I do, so I can't complain, but they have a good point and it's that you have to take time to yourself. I try and read a book or nap in my dressing room whenever I get a free hour on set, and better than that, take a trip to see me family in San Diego whenever I get a free weekend. But, at this point in my life work does usually come first, though always second to family.

Yea, I think a lot of people can relate to that.

So, back to TV. What’s it like to be a television star on the famous kids’ network Nickelodeon?

I grew up watching Nickelodeon, so to now be the person that other kids watch is very surreal, but amazingly cool! It's great inspiration to be a good role model, because I remember the people I looked up to at that age, and how much joy they brought me every time I watched TV.

Then it must have been awesome for you when you attended Nick’s Kids’ Choice Awards. You have a secret desire to be slimed, don’t you?

Yes! I had always wanted to get slimed and recently I did! I can't tell you when or where because it's a bit top secret, but if you watch Nickelodeon, you'll see very soon!

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Shirt Caulfield Prepatory - Galt Longsleeve Woven Trousers Caulfield Prepatory - Brooklyn Trouser Hat, Rings, Leather Bracelet & Silver Cuff Stylists’ own Socks Caulfield Prepatory - Model Ten Socks Shoes Converse, James’ own Eyeglasses Ray Ban #RB5121 Watch Vintage Seiko

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Nazanin Boniadi

child of what today’ artist should be, and a damned good actor to boot.

More than just a captivating beauty with attention grabbing tricks up her sleeve, Nazanin is an award winning performer and honor role brainiac.

The epitome of a modern woman with a broad spectrum of artistic talents; she is both a reliable and relatable voice we all need in those who drive our popular culture.

With roles in blockbuster films like Charlie Wilson’s War and Iron Man, and in TV shows such as 24 Season 8, The Deep End, and HawthorneNazanin is rapidly becoming a shinning star in Hollywood Land. She was born in Tehran, Iran at the climax of the Iranian Revolution causing her family to relocate to London where she grew up. From an early age her passion for the arts was apparent receiving a merit from the Royal College of Music for playing the violin, a certificate in ballet from the Vaccani School of Dance, and winning the British “Yamaha Electone Festival” for her proficiency on the electric organ.

But, in her college years Nazanin decided to forgoe the arts for the more “stable and secure” lifestyle of a physician and so she relocated to the U.S. to attend the University of California, Irvine. During her years at the university Nazanin not only graduated with Honors but also won the competitive “Chang Pin Chun” Undergraduate Research Award for her work in heart-transplant rejection and cancer research. Suffice it to say, being satisfied in her abilities, Nazanin felt free to put down the microscope and pursue her first and truest callingthe performing arts.

Perhaps more impressive are her global humanitarian efforts. Lending her voice as an Official Spokesperson for Amnesty International Nazanin has been working both at the grassroots level and appearing on numerous international TV and radio programs to campaign for human rights. Her most current and perhaps effective efforts have been to bring attention to the unjust conviction and treatment of Iranian youth, women, and prisoners who have been targeted maliciously in the past decades. In her outreach she has worked to create and support acts which will help ensure the end to the injustices of this world meeting globally with political leaders, prominent human rights attorneys, and addressing the United Nations while continuing to create an impressive body of work as a groundbreaking artist.

By Star Noor Photo by Sean Costello

harismatic and beautiful Nazanin C Boniadi is the epitome of a collective awareness, the poster

Styling by Olivia Crouppen Makeup by Hilda Levierge Hair by Robert Ramos White dress- Ozlem Suer Shoes- LaRare Necklace and ring- Erikson Beamon Earings - Givenchy

Special Thanks to www.5thandsunsetla.com and www.screamingbroccoli.net

You are an Amnesty International Spokesperson, why did you choose this organization to work with as opposed to others?

Growing up in London, I remember watching entertainers I admired like John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson and the guys of Monty Python, Bob Geldof and Sting perform in the Secret Policeman’s Ball, an annual televised benefit concert that raised money for Amnesty International so I was very aware of this great organization.

When personally considering a philanthropic partner who could use my voice most effectively, I was inspired by the way they educate and engage millions of individuals to advocate those in need, and because of their strong history of support from musicians such as Sting, Bruce Springstein, U2, Nicolas Cage, and Jennifer Hudson I knew they are able to work within the entertainment industry to appropriately utilize artists to rally the widest group of people possible to affect positive change, that is really what being a spokesperson is all about.

Artists and entertainers were the first group of people to make me aware of what human rights are. Now, if I can have just a fraction of the impact on future generations through my human rights advocacy that the artists I grew up watching and admiring had on me, I would be thrilled.

In the broad spectrum of Amnesty’s reach which issues have you tried to advocate personally and why?

Over the past two years I have focused my attention on 3 main areas. The first has been general human rights advocacy, using my platform to help educate new generations on the 30 articles of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and how we are all compromised when human rights are violated. It is my dream to have human rights education be part of every high school curriculum across the world, because knowledge is power and you cannot defend what you do not know. The Second has been lending my support to the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), the only piece of legislation I have read that provides an effective solution to the global epidemic of violence toward women and girls. I believe it is a vital step toward world peace.

The third and most intense area of focus has been campaigning for human rights in my homeland of Iran. Most recently, I had the pleasure of partnering with the wonderful rock band, The Airborne Toxic Event, on ‘The Neda Project’ respectfully named after a young Iranian woman, Neda Agha-Soltan, who was brutally shot while peacefully protesting the election results in the streets of Tehran. This was a series of events held in conjunction with the one year anniversary of the disputed presidential election, and in support of the human rights movement in Iran. Neda has become the face of the resistance and symbolizes the struggle for freedom in that country.

Tell me about any one issue you wish the world knew more about and focused more on.

There is a growing child prostitution and sex slavery crisis in Iran that has been exasperated by its discriminatory treatment of women.

Since sex is such a taboo subject in much of the Middle East, there is no room for public discourse on how women and girls can protect themselves against sexual predators, unwanted pregnancies, and infectious disease.

Unfortunately, one of the tragic consequences

has been a spike in HIV/AIDS infection in recent years. Education and awareness would go a long way in helping solve this devastating problem worldwide.

ness of the industry. I look forward to the day when an Iranian actor can open a movie in the U.S. and across the world. I don’t think we are too far away from that day.

As a woman, what would you say to the Iranian women fighting for their rights in the country today?

Women in Iran have proven their tenacity and steadfast devotion to human rights. Not only have they been at the forefront of the protests against the disputed presidential election of 2009, but for years they have been the driving force in campaigns for democracy, equality, and freedom. That’s why they have been dubbed “Shir-Zan” or “lioness”, because of their incredible fearlessness in the face of tyranny. I am in awe of these women. They are true heroines, each and every one. And when the women of a country are this brave, they set an incredible example for their children to follow, and there can only be optimism for the future of that society.

What can you tell us about your latest film?

I had the good fortune of working on a wonderfully smart and witty short film last year, called Diplomacy, which is currently playing in the international film festival circuit. Diplomacy was written and directed by Jon Goldman, who last directed Grey’s Anatomy’s Sandra Oh, in the 2005 short film Kind of a Blur. It is a political comedy that examines the possibility of diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran, and how subtle changes in rhetoric can potentially change the course of history, for better or worse.

The majority of rapes in Iran go unreported to the authorities because of the lack of public knowledge in victim advocacy and the government’s inability to adopt laws which protect women instead of wrongfully persecuting them for allowing themselves to get caught in a situation where they might lose their chastity. As an ambassador for human rights, would you agree with this statement and what are your thoughts on the matter?

The accusation of rape is a very sensitive subject for public discussion in Iran for several reasons: Firstly, the Islamic Republic’s penal system views the testimony of women as having half the value of a man’s. Such discrimination has had terrible repercussions on how women are perceived and treated by society. Secondly, rape does not constitute a separate criminal offense in the Iranian Penal Code and the rape of women is dealt with by the Judiciary under the zena provisions of the Code, or “penetrative sexual relations outside marriage”. Under Islamic law, such offenses are considered crimes against God, rather than crimes against a person, and are thus punishable by the death penalty. So, even if a woman can prove that penetration did in fact occur, she would be in danger of being executed due to the loss of chastity and a “crime against God”. The cumulative effect of these oppressive laws, make it almost impossible for women to speak out and seek justice when raped. Any kind of meaningful victim advocacy can only exist once these unjust laws have been rewritten to protect rape victims, rather than to punish them.

What do you think about Hollywood as a place for Iranian performers?

When I first started auditioning in 2006, Hollywood had a post-9/11 mentality toward Middle Eastern actors. There was an abundance of casting calls for terrorists, battered wives and store clerks. However, with the unfortunate political climate also came an ever increasing demand for Iranian actors, which seems to have encouraged more of our youth to study the performing arts and join the auditioning pool.

So, over time the number of Iranian actors working in Hollywood has increased, which I count as a blessing. Fortunately, the roles are becoming far more mainstream, and less stereotypical. For example, ABC recently shot a pilot episode for Funny in Farsi, based on the book by Firoozeh Dumas, so it seems we are being more accepted in the social conscious-

If you could play the lead in any film based on any Persian fable which story would it be and why this one?

I would love to play the role of Manijeh in the love story Bijan and Manijeh, from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. It is an Iranian Romeo and Juliet story, except for there is a happy ending: Bijan falls in love with Manijeh, daughter of the king of Turan and enemy of Iran, Afrasiyab. After Afrasiyab punishes Bijan by ordering him to be imprisoned in a deep well in the desert, and banishes Manijeh to that same dessert, Manijeh digs a tunnel to Bijan’s prison, begs for food every day and takes it to him to keep him alive.

She later helps the great Iranian hero, Rostam rescue Bijan from the pit. Her strength, determination, loyalty and love for Bijan are unwavering throughout. It would make a beautiful epic feature film.

Which performers do you admire the most who have influenced you as an actor?

I fell in love with the idea of acting when I first watched Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

Her on-screen charm is simply unparalleled.

What is your dream role?

I love playing powerful women with an underlying frailty and a complex inner conflict to resolve. I’m particularly drawn to period pieces.

There’s something very magical about being able to transport an audience to another era, whether it is Biblical, set during the Persian or Roman Empires, or the Renaissance. I am also passionate about taking on a role in a film with a strong human rights theme, such as Rachel Weisz’s character in The Constant Gardner.

It would be an exceptionally fulfilling way to fuse my work as an activist with my craft as a performer. If Azar Nafisi’s memoir, Reading Lolita in Tehran, should ever be turned into a feature film, it would be a dream to play any one of Ms. Nafisi’s students, each of whom possesses the type of free-thinking bravado and inner conviction needed to challenge an oppressive society and eventually break the chains of tyranny.

Any upcoming projects we should be looking out for?

I will be appearing in Paul Haggis’s upcoming movie, The Next Three Days, which is scheduled to hit theaters in November 2010. It is a remake of the 2008 French film, Pour Elle. It was such an honor working with Paul. He is incredibly nurturing and supportive of his actors. He is also a devoted human rights activist whom I have a ton of respect for. And the experience of acting opposite Russell Crowe was incredibly powerful.

To read more of this interview with the amazing Nazanin Boniadi and view more exclusive images head on over to www.musicfashionmagazine.com

ReidScott

Grooming by Erica Sauer, Exclusive Artists Management Styling by Sasa Jalali, Aim Artist Stylist Assistant by Delano Beauden

By Jamie Poster Photo by Chris Baldwin, Creative24 Inc.

hen I asked Reid Scott what advice W he would shell out to a Hollywoodbound aspiring actor, he replied, “Get a

hybrid.” Scott’s e-mail signature reads, “Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.” And while he admits, “I was kind of a hippie when I was a kid,” Scott’s current daily life revolves entirely around arts and entertainment. Not only does he have roles on three TV shows (My Boys, The Big C, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager), but he’s developing a TV series with Sony, he’s playing music, and he has a movie in post-production called Losing Control. He would probably use his recent success to fight for the environment, but his executive producer has swayed him to work with Save the Children’s project Mission Pneumonia.

How do you find time for everything that you do?

Yeah, I have a lot of hobbies. And work can get pretty hectic from time to time. I just try to slow things down and take time to do what I want when I want…within reason, of course. If I have a week or two free I don't sit around the house. I like to mix it up and really take advantage of the freedom. It sounds weird to plan your down time. But I think it's really important.

How has success affected your daily life?

So far success has only allowed me to buy bigger and more expensive toys, and to lose more money at poker than I could before. Thanks for asking.

Do you still get to play music?

Music is part of every day for me. Even if it's only for 15-minutes or so I'll grab one of my guitars and just get some aggression out.

But my favorite thing to do is stay up way too late and just noodle around. I record some of my own stuff out of my home studio. It's really just for fun, but some musician buddies of mine will come over to lay stuff down from time to time. It's my therapy.

What music are you listening to right now?

Lately I've really been digging a couple bands my friends in Chicago turned me on to. Mumford and Sons, and The Raccoons.

You're welcome.

mf _ 24

I see you studied acting and writing. Have you written anything lately?

I wrote a short called "The Prick" which was bought

by Sony a little over a year ago. We're currently developing it as a TV series.

What's the silliest role you played in a commercial?

It wasn't really a silly role, but one time I did a Panasonic commercial where I was running all over NYC with my video camera and we shot a scene at Katz's Deli. We shot take after take of me eating the most enormous pastrami sandwich I'd ever seen. After about 20 takes (and like 5 sandwiches) I was turning green. One of the crew girls asked me if instead of actually eating the sandwich, I wanted a spit bucket. And I was like "Yes! I don't even know what that is but, yes! A spit bucket. Please."

I haven't eaten pastrami since.

What is Losing Control about and what kind of character do you play?

“Losing Control” is about a girl who’s a budding scientist, and isn't sure her fiancé is the one for her.

That's me, the fiancé. So she decides to conduct an experiment where she dates a bunch of other guys to determine which one truly suits her. So my character is kind of the control group. Hence, "Losing Control".

You play doctors in both The Big C and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Is this a type of character you feel connected to?

Playing a doc is fun. You get to use a lot of big words, carry a stethoscope, command respect.

That's pretty much the opposite of me in real life.

My mom couldn't be prouder though. "My kid's a doctor! Sort of..."

Is it different working with Showtime than with other networks?

Showtime is amazing. They can take a lot more risks than the major networks because they're not tied up with advertisers, and they do it with much fewer cooks in the kitchen. They pretty much let the production just do its thing.

It seems like you and Laura Linney have a real chemistry. What's it like working opposite her?

Laura Linney is incredible. Truly. I've never worked with a more efficient, or talented actor.

She nails each scene perfectly from the first take and any change she makes to her performance is so dead on. Her mind just works on a whole different level. Working with her is like getting paid to take a master class.

What actors do you look up to?

Paul Newman is still my all time favorite, but as for contemporary actors I think Mark Ruffalo and Sam Rockwell are leading the pack.

Why is Owsley Stanley one of your heroes?

He was a true visionary. Not only did he influence the entire hippie movement, granted through psychotropic drugs, but he built one of the most incredible pieces of sound equipment ever assembled…The Grateful Dead's "Wall of Sound".

What can we expect from you in 2011? Do you have any projects planned?

2011 is looking good. Hopefully “My Boys” and “The Big C” will be back. I've also got a few photography projects I'm working on in NYC, and an animated series coming out through Disney that I'm really excited about. For now it's called “Motor City” and I play the leader of the good guys, naturally. And my arch rival is played by Mark Hamill.

Yeah, I get to battle Luke Skywalker. Life is good.

r e J seylicious

By Lauren Weigle Photos by Anna Thiessen Makeup by Torrance Forde for Touch Ups

t’s Jersey in the House! Tracy DiMarco, Iwelcome Olivia Blois Sharpe, and Fillipo Giove you into their world of dark tans,

guinea tees, neon stilettos, and big hair.

Although not all of New Jersey follows the same dress code, these three thrive on taking the Jersey guide to style to the next level. Always on the hunt for the latest outfit, the sickest shoes, and most stunna shades, these three cast-mates, of the hit Style Network show Jerseylicious, know how to represent, which is why they took the bull by the horns to even style their very own photo shoot for us. Nonetheless, there is more to these three reality stars than meets the eye, as life behind the scenes at the Gatsby Salon is not all filled with the drama that takes place on the show. Take a step inside Jerseylicious, where the attitudes are strong, the personalities are life-size, and style is number one.

So, how do you guys feel about all the attention New Jersey has received over the past year or so in terms of all the reality shows; from the Jersey Shore, to the Housewives of New Jersey, to Jersey Couture, to you…

Tracy: I think the reason Jersey has gotten picked up so much lately is people see how amazing of a place it is because we really don’t care what anyone has to say about us.

Olivia: I feel like we’re really unique, with a style that no one else has and whether you like it or not, we love it. So, I think it’s starting to catch on.

Fillipo: I think it’s just the style that they picked up because I’m not actually from Jersey, but they put that kind of style together with Jersey. I wasn’t born here.

I’m from Staten Island, New York.

Tracy: Well, I think it’s more the tri-state that has its own style. And, New York and New Jersey just have their own kind of people…

Olivia: But Jersey girls are different than girls from New York. We’re a lot more flashy and more gaudy, but in a tastefully tacky way.

Well, do you ever feel that life in Jersey is sometimes misrepresented on TV or do you feel like it’s pretty much ‘what you see is what you get’?

Tracy: I think that the Jersey Shore show misrepresents us a little. It makes it seem like wherever you go, you get into a fight when it’s not always like that.

Olivia: Yea, and they weren’t even really from New Jersey at all.

Tracy: I mean, I think the Housewives is pretty good because there is a lot of cattiness in Jersey whether

it’s with the kids or with the parents. The moms are always trying to compete for who’s the prettiest, etc.

Not everyone’s like that here, but it does happen.

Olivia: I mean, I’m sure it’s like that all over, in California or wherever. Everyone’s competitive, but in Jersey, we’re going to voice it. Oh, but I hate when people who don’t live here think we’re dirty. What’s with the dirty Jersey?!

What do you feel you each bring to the show, whether you’re representing Jersey style or not?

Tracy: I think that I bring the attitude, what people are scared to say out loud, so I’m kind of speaking up for people who won’t speak up for themselves. I’m very protective of my friends, my family, and myself, so if I see something happening that I don’t think is right, I’m not just going to sit back and watch it happen. And, people need to remember that it’s three months of filming cut down to eight hours, so even though everything you see I have done or said, but they’re going to use what they want to use for the show.

Fillipo: Just like everybody on the show, I believe we bring entertainment and the funny. Even when she’s nasty, she makes people laugh and I think Tracy’s very funny on the show. Likewise to Olivia. As for myself, I believe I bring a sexy spice to the show. (He laughs.)

Olivia: I feel I’m very down-to-earth and a lot of girls can relate to me, especially because the first season I was bullied. A lot of girls can relate to that. I mean, I’m the kind of girl who can stand up for herself when she needs to, but I’m not going to go look for drama.

I think it’s important to show younger girls that you can’t let someone walk all over you, but you shouldn’t dwell on it either.

Tracy: We also like to showcase our talents on the show, doing makeup and hair.

Since we’re on the subject of image, can you tell me a little bit about each of your own personal style?

Fillipo: I like to give off the sexy alpha-male image.

The fact that I can wear pink proudly and not worry about what anybody’s gonna say about it, ya know? I just like to show off what I got. I work out and I work hard at the gym, so I like to wear clothes that either hug my body or clothes that just reveal my body. I’m proud of what I am.

Olivia: I try to be really outgoing. I like to wear stuff that I don’t think anyone else will be wearing even though we all sometimes end up with the same shit.

There really needs to be more of a variety of stores in this area. (She laughs.) I like to be really different. If I see something that’s absolutely crazy, I’ll buy it. If something’s ugly, I’ll buy it. I feel like even if someone feels like I have on the ugliest shoes ever, they’re still talking about them…and they may think about it later and think the shoes are actually pretty cool.

Fillipo: Yea, if you can pull ‘em off.

Olivia: Honestly, as long as you have confidence with whatever you wear, then it looks good.

Tracy: Um, I think that my style expresses who I am. I think it’s just an overall thing, that we all try to go over the top, above and beyond; wearing things that we think will be talked about a lot since they’re so out of control. You can’t please everyone, but I’m not looking to please everyone. I’m looking to please myself.

So, everyone pretty much wears anything here, but what do you think is the “typical Jersey style”?

Olivia: Go big or go home.

Tracy: Just very loud, animal prints, big fake nails. And, the brighter the colors, the tanner you look.

Olivia: Yea, neon makes you look crazy tan. I’m talking bright like a street sign.

Tracy: Highlighter!

Fillipo: If you’re going to move here, definitely get a tanning salon membership.

Olivia: Or the gym if you’re a guy.

Tracy: Wear big hoops. If your hands can fit through your hoops, you’re good.

Olivia: Oh, and really funky shoes. Nothing plain.

Is that what you love about New Jersey’s image?

Olivia: I just like that fact that we really have no shame. We will wear whatever and we don’t really care.

Well, which trends do you think are just “over” and you wish people would stop wearing?

Olivia: The freakin’ capris and pumas.

Fillipo: Hey, I wore capris the other day. I think capris are still nice.

Olivia: As long as they’re not shredded by a cheese grater.

Fillipo: Yea, those cut, cut jeans. That’s played out.

Tracy: Oh, and Ed Hardy.

Fillipo and Olivia: Oh my God, yes.

Tracy: It’s ok for a girl who’s in Ed Hardy with her hat and her sweatpants to go to the gym…That’s totally fine. But, guys with their sparkly shirts, their sparkly belts, their sparkly hats…please stop.

Olivia: Honestly, the hottest thing for a guy to wear is the guinea tee.

For people who don’t live around here, what’s a guinea tee?

Olivia: It’s a guy’s tank top.

Fillipo: Like a “wife-beater”. I mean, that’s all I wear… wife-beaters, v-necks, t-shirts, guinea tees…all solid colors.

Olivia: The hottest outfit for a guy is either a v-neck or guinea tee and some True Religion jeans.

Tracy: Yea, fitted ones.

Well, what do you think makes people who don’t live here so interested in your type of style and so glued to these shows like yours?

Tracy: Well, since we really don’t care about other people’s opinions, I think it scares people because we’re so unpredictable.

Fillipo: It’s entertainment.

Olivia: Yea, you never really know what to expect.

Tracy: Yea, they also want the drama. They want to know that they’re not the only ones in the world with drama.

Olivia: Ya know, people love watching train wrecks and we’re just like one big glittery train wreck.

Jerseylicious airs Sunday nights at 8pm on The Style Network

mf _ 26 Styling by Michael Russo Makeup by Andre Sarmiento Hair by Sean Mikel for Frederic Fekkai @Starworksartists.com

IndiaEisley

By Lauren Weigle Photo by Tyler Shields

shley Juergens vs. India Eisley…

A are they one in the same? Not even close. While Ashley (Secret Life of the

American Teenager) is a sarcastic, sort-of know-it-all who doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her, India is more on the quiet side.

Though she too can sometimes be “moody”, she’s shy, compassionate, sensitive, and humble. While India loves discussing movies and her work, she becomes stumped when asked questions about herself and what makes her such a wonderfully talented 16 year old girl.

This is, in part, due to her genuine modesty and bashfulness. Beginning her passions with dance, she realized that acting was her true calling, following in the footsteps of her parents who are both professional actors. Although much of her childhood was spent on the move, from the beach to the mountains to her family’s ranch, being on set with her parents was a constant in her life. No wonder she delved into the acting world herself.

As a child of actor parents, how, if at all, has this helped you in starting your career?

Actually, it is my mother that really has been acting since she was very young in England. My dad has done a little acting, but is really a musician. Being raised in the kind of surroundings and people that I have been around has just become a part of me, I guess. My parents understand the acting world very well, so I suppose that has helped me in what I want to do, or should I say what I am doing.

Where would you like to take your acting career when you look down the road?

I started acting because I love films, so I hope to be doing that, and I would like to play all different kinds of characters. I especially love period pieces… to be in a wonderful period piece… that is a big dream of mine!

Well, let’s talk about what you’re up to right now. Tell me about your character Ashley on Secret Life of the American Teenager and why you enjoy the role so much.

Ashley started out as the rebellious younger sister, and she has matured a lot since the beginning. I think as she’s getting older, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for her to hide her emotions behind humor. It’s as if, little by little, different vulnerabilities and feelings, some new, and some that she has kept bottled up inside her, are starting to surface. It’s nice to see how she is changing with different layers and aspects to her; she’s not one dimensional at all.

I guess it’s the changes that I enjoy most.

How would you describe the person you are in real life in comparison to your character on the show?

There aren’t really any similarities between Ashley and I. She’s not very sensitive about most things, mainly because I think she doesn’t really allow herself to be. She kind of has hid her feelings about most things until recently; I’m quite the opposite. Although I’m a bit shy and quiet, I do let my feelings show to people that are close to me.

Describe for me a typical day for you on the set of Secret Life.

It’s quite normal: I go to makeup and hair, then rehearsal, then wait for a bit, then we start filming. When I wait I normally bring a DVD player and a book. Everybody kind of does their own thing on set, but we do talk a bit between scenes or at lunch, but mostly we just get our work done.

Do you get to hang out a lot with your cast-mates outside of the show since you don’t much at work?

I don’t really see them outside of work. Once in a while, I’ll see them at an event that we have been all invited to, but other than that, no. We all have different interests and things we like to do, so we just enjoy doing our own thing when having the day off.

So, what kind of messages do you think the show sends to teens and their families?

I think it gives an opening to conversations between parents and their children, about things that I suppose for most people can be uncomfortable to talk about. Sometimes it is easier to figure something out if you can see somebody else doing it or saying it first. So I guess to some point, the show may help people a little.

When it comes to being realistic and true to life, how “right on” do you think the show is when it comes to teens dealing with sexual issues?

I guess it’s resonated with young people in a way that seems honest, making it somewhat true to life… it seems to have made the real issues entertaining for viewers, while maybe simultaneously shedding a little light on things that have happened to them in their lives.

Do you ever feel awkward or nervous with certain scenes that deal with such adult subject matter?

Not at all. Young people grow up much faster than say, our parents, did. We all see so much more than they ever did because of TV, movies, and most of all, the internet.

Very true. But, do you ever find yourself relating to a given situation brought up on an episode when filming?

There may have been a couple of situations I might have related to but there’s really not much time to think about them too much because we film things so fast. I wish we could take more time to think about what we’re saying or reacting to, but you can’t in TV, it just goes by too quickly.

What else do you like to do when you’re away from set?

I see a lot of movies, probably at least two a week. I cook and bake a lot…I make a mean blueberry pie. I quite like traveling as well. But mainly, I love watching films. I’d love to start dance again, ballet, as that was one of my biggest passions growing up – it’s just hard to do with my schedule changing all the time.

Where have you traveled and where would you like to hit next?

I’ve been traveling for most of my life because of my parents work on film locations or tours. I loved Rome and Japan. Tokyo was great; I would love to go back. They all have great shopping. I also spent time in Sri Lanka when I was nine. My mum was doing a film there for a couple of months. That was a very interesting place…Sri Lankin people are wonderful.

mf _ 28

By Lauren Weigle Photos by Pamela Lopez Grant

Jessalyn

You may have seen the vivacious Jessalyn Gilsig if you have turned on your television…EVER. She has made her mark on pretty much every show in your TV Guide, making waves on such hits as CSI, Nip/Tuck, Friday Night Lights, Prison Break, Law and Order, Heroes, Boston Public, NYPD Blue, The Practice, and now the phenomenal Glee. Not to mention, she’s been all over the big screen and has embraced the works of Shakespeare as her theatrical roles of choice.

Nonetheless, while this accomplished woman is predominantly famed as a talented actress and stage artist, she is also quite the gifted painter. To boot, Jessalyn just finished filming independent film Fifty-Nothing, speaks fluent French, and when she’s not busy playing Mrs. Terri Schuester on the Fox network, she can usually be found goofing around with her 4 year-old daughter at home.

So, let’s dive right into your theatre credits and your experiences in that area.

It’s funny. I actually went to theatre school and when I graduated went to pursue the stage. I never really thought I’d get into TV or film. I performed in a lot of regional theatres, so I did a lot of Shakespeare and the classics, along with some plays in New York.

I always thought I would just sort of make a living doing Shakespeare and its funny now because I don’t think I even had a shot at Shakespeare. But that’s pretty much how I fell in love with acting, starting with the classics. Then, necessity and curiosity brought me out to LA.

Ok, so that’s how you began acting… How did you start painting?

Well, growing up, I always wanted to be a painter. I actually went to art school after high school, but my side job was acting. I would do voice-overs, commercials, and a little bit of theatre… but I always thought acting was a way of supporting my painting habit. And then at some time I thought that if I really wanted to make a living to support my painting, I should probably go to acting school. I find my logic hard to understand now, but I thought it made sense at the time. So, acting became my profession, but painting has always been my dream.

Well, I know you’ve had some of your work featured in Patricia Clarkson’s The Station Agent, right?

Yea, it was just sort of a happy accident for me. Thomas McCarthy, who made that film, is a very good friend of mine and he asked if he could put my paintings in the movie. It was a great experience for me. It kind of forced me to make my artwork more public and a bigger part of my life.

Is there a place where people can view your work?

Not yet. I’m playing with the idea of putting together a website and I’m actually talking with an agent right now of putting together a book to tell the story of an acting career, but through pictures.

You mentioned you’ve done a lot of voice-over roles. Do you think it’s easier or more challenging as an acting gig?

I think it’s really different. I mean in some ways it might be easier, but I really like it because it’s very technical. And, I think a lot of actors like doing it because it really doesn’t matter what you look like. It’s like the only job you can have where you can just go in and you don’t have to shower. Nobody cares what your appearance is or if you put on a couple pounds, which is nice.

Aside from the voice-over roles, are there any acting experiences that stick out in your mind; that you’ll never forget?

When I did The Flood, this British film that was shot in South Africa, we were there three months and almost every day we were either wet or submerged in water. I discovered I was pregnant, but I couldn’t tell anybody because they would have freaked out, especially from an insurance stand-point. Plus there were a lot of stunts and things we had to do. I mean, I was so sick the entire time we were filming.

Styled by Brandon Niquolas, Art Hunter and Eli Thomas at Artists by Next Makeup by Mathias Alan(mathias4makeup.com) using Stila and SkinCeuticals Dresses by BTFL People

Did they think it was from being in the conditions, being in water so much?

Yea, exactly. (She giggles.) But then, they were so kind that they got us a hot tub. So, we could go from this cold tank and while we were waiting, we could sit in the hot tub. But, when you’re pregnant, you’re not allowed to go in a hot tub, so eventually I think they just thought I was obnoxious. I never wanted to go out, I wouldn’t go in the hot tub, every time I had a break I was so tired from morning sickness that I would just go to my trailer and lay down in my wet clothes. So, I always say to my daughter that the reason she’s so tough is because she survived The Flood.

So, how did you become Mrs. Schuester on Glee?

(She laughs.) Well, Mr. Schuester asked me to marry him… Um, well I knew Ryan Murphy from Nip/Tuck and I loved working for him. Creatively, it’s just so gratifying to work for him. He’s just so creative and he really pushes the envelope. He really pushes you as an actor and always surprises you. So, he called me and said there’s this role. It’s kind of a tricky part, but I think you can really do something with it. Ya know, I would do anything for Ryan, so I said, “Okay. I’ll be the most unpopular woman in America.” So, I took it on and it’s been really fun. It’s a really hard part. It doesn’t leave a lot of room for me to make people like her, so I always have to look for those little pockets of opportunity.

What do you feel has been key in making the show such a great success?

I guess it was its moment. I mean, I really love the show and I love it because there’s something very honest about it, but Ryan always has a way of undercutting the material so that we can all relate to it.

Well, behind the scenes, what’s life like on the Glee set?

I always feel bad saying this, but it’s exactly what you think. It’s the best job! It’s just ridiculous. Everyone involved loves the show. You can’t help but smile in that environment. You become a fan of your own show.

What about outside the office?

Well the kids are really close. They’ve chosen to support each other as opposed to work against each other. I mean, their schedule… they really carry the show on their back. They really put in the hours. I mean, I know they socialize and I know that a couple of them are even roommates. It’s just really beautiful to see. There’s just something very intimate about our cast and it really suits our show.

In terms of your day on the show, what’s the typical daily grind like for you?

For me, don’t tell anyone, but I have the best schedule. For the kids, though, it’s unbelievable. The hours are really very long and intense, but there’s always laughter. Someone is always having fun. Believe me.

We know we are the luckiest. No one complains.

That’s good for those long hours could really kill you. When you have time away, though, what are you normally up to?

Well I have a daughter. She won’t let me wear makeup. I’m not allowed to be dressed up. So, I just basically get on the floor and roll around with her.

If she came to you like ten or fifteen years from now and told you she wanted to be an actress, how would you respond?

Yes! I hope that through watching my life she can get an honest picture of what it’s like, the highs and lows of it. So, as long as she makes an educated choice, I’m always going to support her. If she asks me what she should be, I’d say an accountant or a neurosurgeon, but I doubt she’s going to ask me that. (She chuckles.)

Ok, back to Glee. Any new stars or artists we can look forward to seeing soon?

Well, I’ve heard rumors that Neil Patrick Harris might come back. I mean I hear something new every day.

I wouldn’t be surprised if I heard Obama was going to be on the show. Ha.

Simon Helberg

By Monica Alvarez Photos by Kate sZatmari Grooming by Mariko Sakata Styling by Camille Yvette

expecting a funny, nerdy pervert Icall.was when I answered Simon Helberg’s Well, let’s face it. I was kind of, sort of, hoping that Howard to be on the other line. Instead, all I got was this interesting and funny guy. But I mean, what do you expect when an original member of the infamous Groundlings mates with a successful casting agent?

There’s no business like show business… or something like that.

I understand that you play the piano and that there might have been a chance we would have been exposed to your musical talents rather than your acting talents.

Yes. The world could have known only the magic of my fingers. I do play piano and that’s basically what I was going to do in life. I played in a lot of bands. I grew up in L.A. and when I was 14, I started playing in all the clubs…The Whiskey, The Roxy, all those big places… I was playing jazz and I was also playing in rock bands. I was way too young to even be in those clubs. I had braces and I had to get a ride from my dad. Somehow they let me play. But I couldn’t drink. When I was playing jazz, I was playing lobbies of office buildings and I was wearing a jazzy hat and tie and then I would have to wait for my dad to pick me up. It wasn’t the traditional jazz lifestyle of doing heroin and stumbling down the street. It was more carpooling with my father and going to the orthodontist before my gigs. That was my cool lifestyle at that point.

And then when I was about 16 I peeked and then I decided that I was going to start acting. I ended up kind of switching off midway through high school.

mf _ 32

Hat Brixton Pants and Tie Ben Sherman Blazer Band of Outsiders Shirt McQ by Alexander McQueen

Do you think your parents’ career choices influenced that switch or do you feel it was something that naturally happened?

It sort of was a double edge sword because in one way, I was around it my whole life. My dad was one of the original members of the Groundlings so I sort of grew up at The Groundlings Theatre. I soiled myself on stage… and not when it would be inappropriate in my later years but actually as like an infant. And so I hung out there and my mom was a casting director and she cast of bunch of TV shows. So I spent my time going back and forth to tapings, too. So I was very familiar with all of that and I really loved it but I never considered doing it.

And then when I did, my parents were worried at first because it’s such a hard, brutal business. They were protective and they supported when I went to college and I’ve been able to work and have successful in it. It’s amazing to be on the other side of it. It’s pretty cool.

Before your first IMDb credit (Mumford - 1999) were you able to do any super low budget indie college films?

I went to Crossroads High School in Santa Monica and it was sort of a lot of industry people’s children.

I don’t think it’s quite as liberal as it used to be but it was when I was there. One of my really good friends was Jon Kasdan, the son of Larry Kasdan.

His dad was making Mumford and Jon told him about me and a couple of other people in our class and Larry came to see an improv show that we were doing and ended up hiring three of us. I was one of them. Jason Ritter and Zooey Deschanel

were also in my class and he hired them for great parts in the movie and they’ve been working since then. I finished high school and then I left for college. I was at NYU for two years and then I came back for a summer and ended up getting hooked up with an agent and a manager and got really, really close to a couple of things and decided to stay.

(Eventually) took a year off and I didn’t go back. But I loved school. I learned so much from being there.

I was lucky to be working and I figured I should capitalize on that.

Let’s talk about your character, Howard, on The Big Bang Theory. Do you feel like you have anything in common with him?

Well, thankfully I don’t have that much in common with him, otherwise it would be sad. There is something that I actually do admire about him.

He’s so confident and comfortable in his own shoes. He’s really courageous. He’s a genius but he’s totally ignorant in every other way. Life is sort of a mystery to him. He sort of gets to live in this beautiful state of delusion. What I would say that I have in common with him is his drive and eagerness. As far as being a male whore and a Casanova, I don’t have that. It’s like he’s the over confident idiot. I remember hearing Catherine O’Hara talk about characters in comedy and one that she said is sort of the standard is the over confident idiot… the person that has no concept of what they are and how they’re coming across. With girls, I never had the guts to walk up to them and just point blank show them that this is what I am, here’s what I think we should do and here’s my belt buckle that accentuates my crotch. I admire that but I always beat around the bush, no pun intended.

I heard that Bernadette’s character, played by Melissa Rauch, might be returning in this upcoming season. Is that true?

Yeah. I’ve heard it confirmed from the producers and writers that she is coming back and you’ll sort of get an insight into our breakup. I don’t know if he gets her back. I think he might win her back and I think it will be fun to watch him try. Melissa Rauch is so funny and really fits in so nicely with our group. It’s hard to sort of find someone that fits in well with everybody, character wise. It adds such a wonderful level of humanity to see him learn and grow…these characters don’t grow that much.

To see my character have a learning curve is nice.

That’s what is great about long running shows. You get to see them grow and evolve and that’s really wonderful.

What other projects do you have in pre or post production right now?

I did an independent movie that I had a small role in called ‘Let Go’ but it has supposedly, completely fallen apart and I’m not quite sure if it’s going to happen. I heard that the funding may have fallen out. So I don’t know if I’d count on seeing that.

Otherwise, I did some theatre this summer. And that’s basically it. Right now I’m just sort of having a pretty cool time back at work (on The Big Bang Theory).

Do you ever find yourself craving a non comedic role to add to your body of work? Do you even have any interest in pursuing any non comedic roles?

Yeah. I guess people can’t look at my face without laughing. [Laughs] I tend to go in mostly for comedies but I think it’s generally the way people tend to see me. But, you know, when I went to school in New York, I studied very classical work. I wasn’t even allowed to actually do comedy there for the most part because one of my teachers could tell that it was sort of my most comfortable zone and she wanted to not rely on that. So I ended up studying mostly drama. I got to be in the Cohen’s Brothers’ ‘A Serious Man’ which ended up being kind of comedic but definitely a totally different sort of genre and muscle…very grounded in reality and a

Shirt McQ by Alexander McQueen Bow tie CPAS Hat Brixton

little more subtle than Howard’s character. I totally look up to people like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti and Sam Rockwell because they kind of get to do everything and they have been fantastic at it. Those careers are pretty spectacular.

There is more opportunity for that sort of stuff in theatre and I hope to do more of that as well.

Have you written anything lately that you would definitely like to get produced?

My wife [Jocelyn Towne] actually just wrote a movie that I’m going to be producing with her. My wife is going to direct it and star in it and I have a part in that. We’re trying to get people attached to it and get that moving as an independent movie.

It’s really an incredible script and I’m not just saying that because I’m married to her. It’s actually a relief that she’s an amazing writer because if she wasn’t it would be very awkward. I have been working on writing but not as much as I meant to this summer. I enjoy writing and it would be nice to do more of that.

Do you plan to do more with your music? Do you play everyday? Do you listen to music everyday?

I go through phases. Like in the last couple of months, I haven’t been playing that much. I do go through phases where I play everyday…sometimes for long periods of time. Sometimes I don’t touch the piano for long periods of time, which I don’t really like. I would love to play more. It’s just hard

Plaid shirt Ben Sherman Cardigan RAW Diesel Blazer Robert Geller Glasses John Varvatos

to lug around a piano, you know? I do have a lot of friends that are musicians and I’m sure the time will come up again where I will get to sit in with someone or even just to kind of play. Get a bunch friends together and just play. Sometimes I play by myself. But it’s just like everything else in life, you can play with yourself but it is more fun when there is someone else there.

So aside from playing with yourself, what else do you like to do with your free time?

[Laughs] Well, this isn’t going to sound interesting when I say it out loud, but I enjoy seeing movies and I enjoy food. A lot! I’m curious to see the movie ‘Get Low’ with Bill Murray and Robert Duvall. That looks really interesting. Sometimes I want to look on the website to see previews but then sometimes I just want to see them when I go to the theatres because it’s one of my favorite parts.

I like to live in a state of surprise.

So what kind of music have you been listening to lately?

In terms of all time favorites, I’m a huge Beatles fan. And I’m a huge Elvis Costello fan. I’ve been listening to a lot of Warren Zevon recently. And Loudon Wainwright. And Wilco. I just bought some albums that I’ve yet to listen to. I bought The Shoes and The Raspberries. I’m open to anything but I definitely gravitate towards older music. I love jazz, too. I love Coletrane and Bill Evans. My iPod

is on shuffle and it’s like a schizophrenic. One minute it will be Thelonius Monk and the next it will be Richard Pryor. I’m pretty open. I’ve been listening to Glenn Gould. He’s a classical piano player and he was like the Marlon Brando of playing Bach music. A Canadian Jew…like Seth Rogan and all the other Canadians Jews that have prevailed.

Canadian Jews are my favorite.

Yeah. When I grow up, I want to be a Canadian Jew. So tell me a little about your own personal style.

Are you a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy?

If I said “Barney’s, Barney’s, BARNEY’S” would that cool? [Laughs] I do actually like to shop at the Barney’s Co-Op sometimes. I actually do kind of pay attention to clothes in a way that is maybe not that awesome for a guy. I really like this company called Band of Outsiders…mainly because I’m a small man and I enjoy the designers that pay attention to slight physiques out there. And they really tailor for little men. [Laughs] And that is great because I put on a button down shirt and not look like I’m going to a Bat Mitvah, which I appreciate.

I really do like vintage t-shirts, too. I appreciate a good, worn in, pair of Levi’s. I’m kind of a clothes whore. I can really go crazy. That’s a weakness for me.

Photography Kyle Goldie Wardrobe Leanne Trigg Makeup and Hair Negar Hooshmand

@ Liz Bell for M.A.C. Makeup

Model Lauren Innes

@ Next Canada

Model Clayton @ Next Canada

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Lauren

Jean Paul Gaultier top from Holt Renfrew MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela from Gravity Pope Tailored Goods Clayton

PLAY by Comme Des Garcons from Gravity Pope Tailored Goods Fillipa K shirt from Gravity Pope Tailored Goods Zara pants

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Lauren

Marni sweater from Holt Renfrew Alexander Wang leggings from Holt Renfrew Opening Ceremony boots from Gravity Pope Clayton

T by Alexander Wang shirt from Gravity Pope Balenciaga jeans from Holt Renfrew John Varvatos boots from Gravity Pope

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Lauren

Missoni sweater from Holt Renfrew Marc Jacobs tank top Clayton

Acne shirt from Gravity Pope Tailored Goods Marc by Marc Jacobs pants from Holt Renfrew

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Lauren

Marc by Marc Jacobs tank top from Holt Renfrew D&G skirt from Holt Renfrew Clayton

Balenciaga shirt from Holt Renfrew

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SoyonAn and JenniferBryan By erik schultz

oyon An and Jennifer Bryan are two of Stelevision the leading costume designers working today. Soyon An is the Emmy

winner designer for the hit FOX dance show, So You Think You Can Dance, which just wrapped its 7th season this past summer. Soyon has also worked on another little FOX show called American Idol. Jennifer Bryan is the acclaimed designer for The CW’s hit, The Vampire Diaries. She has also designed for the remake of Knight Rider, Las Vegas, Dark Angel, and hit movies like Barbershop 2 and Eli. These two powerhouse designers are ready to rethink what is worn on TV, film and stage.

“The Vampire Diaries” What are some of the challenges and differences designing for stage, TV and film?

Jennifer: Each of those disciplines have their unique challenges.

For TV, designers are concerned about the scale being proportional to the small screen and that patterns and textures don’t overwhelm each other; although that’s becoming less of an issue as more and more households view TV on large flat screens.

On the stage, it almost the opposite approach, you want colors to pop or stay saturated and not get washed out by stage lights. You want your colors, patterns, and textures to be seen in the balSomerhalder as Damon Salvatore, cony as well as in the front row Ian James Remar as Giuseppe Salvatore seats. When I’m designing for a Nina Dobrev as Katherine. movie, the image is now larger © Warner Bros. Television Entertainment/Quantrell Colbert than life and the magnification can be your enemy or your friend. Whenever I can, I camera test my designs before I let the actor wear the piece.

Soyon: The challenges for all three elements are making sure that everybody involved is happy.

The talent, the producers, the creative minds behind the concept and myself as the designer. Sometimes with a large creative group, people can’t express what’s on their mind as well. The goal is to try and help everyone share what they envision and Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore bring it into the concept. Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert It doesn’t always hap- ©Warner Bros. Television Entertainment/ Quantrell Colbert pen but I do always try my best! For the live stage: You have to make sure the costumes look beautiful 360 degrees and also the person who has the nose bleeder seats can appreciate the wardrobe. Also for the live stage, I have to make sure the wardrobe is made to last as long as the show is being toured. TV: There are TV tricks, that makes the job a little easier, but because of the camera angles and close ups, the costumes have to be close to perfect in the amount of time to prepare. Also the colors you see in the naked eye are not the same as seen through a camera lens. Also there is continuity issues.

Film: The difficulty is similar to TV, but in Film, the story can

be shot out of order, so you have to make sure you document everything or the wardrobe might be quite obvious that it was not shot in sequence.

How does designing for a show differ from what you might like to design for a line?

Jennifer: When I’m designing for a show it’s really driven by the character and story and you have to dress each individual character. I want as much separation within my actors’ wardrobe as possible.

When I’m designing a line you go with a different set of rules, its mass appeal rather than individuality. You start out with a premise and build a line while keeping that premise or theme to create a “collection.”

Soyon: Designing for a show changes week after week or episode after episode. Designing for a line changes with season. Also designing for a show you design a whole world, and designing for a line, you design a world only for that line.

When designing for a show like this, what is your biggest inspiration?

Jennifer: When I’m designing for “The Vampire Diaries” my inspiration comes from the terrific stories the writers weave into the scripts. And needless to say, whenever I get to do one of the Flashback episodes to the 1860’s, I just love it! The silk gowns, hoop skirts corsets and frock coats; being able to transport the viewer back to a time of romance and mystery is a very creative outlet for me.

Soyon: My biggest inspiration is the talent.

What are your design plans outside of the show?

Jennifer: I have always wanted to design a shoe line.

I’m working on that now; it’s in the planning stages.

Soyon: I plan on designing for other existing lines, designing for Broadway and theaters, custom designing for music talents, and possibly a narrative project.

What other projects are you working on that you can tell us about?

Jennifer: “The Vampire Diaries” keeps me busy full time, however this summer while the show was on hiatus, I designed a pilot for VH1 in Atlanta called “Single Ladies” starring Stacy Dash and LisaRaye McCoy. I had a blast. Fashion, fashion, fashion! I would describe it as an urban “Sex in the City.”

Soyon: I also style the Rickey Minor’s Band on the Tonight Show. I’m getting ready to design the So You Think You Can Dance tour. There are a couple for projects, but I don’t want to jinx them.

What is the biggest thing you have learned about yourself through all of this?

Jennifer: Let’s see, perhaps that I can work longer hours than is humanly possible.

Soyon: I have learned that being like water is the most reviving method to getting through a rough day or a crazy season. Water takes the shape of any glass, bowl, cup, no problem!

Was there an outfit, scene or character that really stumped you? How did you overcome it?

Jennifer: Oh yes! I’ve read the script and as we break

to wear — they shouldn’t have to interpret the it down, sometimes the story-line and what a charclothing’s message. acter is supposed to be wearing does not “track” logically. We have meetings and the writers usually Soyon: Designing something that will work for the tweak the scene or the acmasses. Costume designing can someBehind the scene of tion and it’s taken care of. “So You Think You Can Dance” times be very over the top.... I view it as The bottom line is they from runway to main stream. have to have clothes I love putting on a show! on, well, most of the Who are some designers you time, so I have to overlook towards for inspiration? come the problem!

Jennifer: I love Vivienne WestSoyon: The most recent wood, Yigal Azourel, Charles one was the finale epiJames. sode (of SYTYCD). All the choreographers Soyon: From Chanel, to Yohji wanted suits for the Yamamoto, to Comme Des guys and the girls for Garcons, to D Squared, to some reason. I over Mc Queen... the list goes on... came it by figuring Like I said before, like water, out different ways to I can go from dainty to super do the suit look, talkedgy with a Soy-twist. ing to choreographers Who are some young deabout other options signers that really stick out like skirts vs. pants, in your mind? jeans vs. dress pants.

Adding leather to Jennifer: Vena Cava, Tracy a suit look. Using Reese, Jennifer Fisher and Cameldifferent textures lia James for jewelry and Bobby to maximize the Schandra for fab handbags. look.

Soyon: Alexander McQueen... Rest in Peace.

What are some of your go-to acIs there an era, style, person or cessories for the show that you would really love to show or in gendesign for? Why? eral for designing Jennifer: I’d love to design for the and pairing?

First Lady! Not since Jackie KenJennifer: I love acnedy has a First Lady made such an cessories! These impact on fashion and style. And days I’m into laywhat’s great about her style is it’s ering neck chains, the type of clothes that most of us and stacking can see in our own closets rings. For myself, Soyon: I would love to design for I usually wear Cyd Charisse because she’s so some sort of silver fierce in those dresses, but elobracelet; I collect quent with her classic beauty. them.

I know you asked for one, Soyon: I love cut off but I would love to design for leather gloves, leather Lady Gaga as well... I think bracelets, diamond we would make a fashion stud earrings, spats, evolution together that’s bea belt.... It’s the little yond imagination. details that finish off a great look.

What advice do you have for a young designer/costume What is the biggest designer? challenge going from Jennifer: Get as much formal costume designing to training as you can in fashready-to-wear design? ion and design. Develop the Jennifer: When you are habit of constant observation moving back and forth of people and clothing. The between those two information that you obtain worlds, you have to you’ll be drawing on one day! consciously dial down Soyon: Composition and negthe theatricality of cosative space. Also there is no tume design and not let design that is too crazy or unobtainable. it seep in to ready-to-wear with its universal appeal and vice-versa. You want people to relate to ready

p

people BTFL

You have to be willing to use your imagination. We often think of a place and time where the dress we are making will be worn.

By Diane Walsh Photos by Louie Aguila Styling by BTFLpeople Makeup by Angela Peralta

What are your inspirations?

Art: My inspiration has always been my mother and stories of her youth. Women inspire us. Just the beauty of it all…it’s a big world and— everyone— our muse.

B

Brandon: My inspiration comes from the everyday

Such “mode” in clothing…Can you tell us more about your eclectic style of design?

Art: We think eclectic is a brilliant way to describe it! We don’t think we lean towards one particular set of style or trend. Every girl is different and with [this] in mind, we have a never ending set of ideas when we do design. We let our imagination run wild and—in BTFLpeople—we are sure that every girl will find a garment that suits her style.

You’re moving to a whole new level in the biz.

How does that feel?

Art: We never imagined we would get to this point It’s all surreal really, but with the knowledge of knowing that with hard work comes success, it only wants to make us work harder in reaching our ultimate goal. But it feels pretty darn good.

Where do you usually get your ideas?

Art: In many forms… from old movies, the print of a fabric, stories, music…

Do you have an international market demand for your clothes such as, in Japan?

eautiful people: that’s what—Art Hunter and Brandon Niquolas—are—and that’s what—BTFLpeople fashion/ line is to us. Meeting through a mutual friend, and then having intimate conversations, they discovered they both had a love for clothes, construction and design. Art has mentioned it was a “pure love for fashion and all that inhabits in its world”.

From their studio in Silverlake, California, Art and Brandon are creating an international brand for every woman.

world and the experiences that I go through 24/7.

So… we hear you’re in the process of making product for some new businesses this year?

Art: We are in talks with a couple of boutiques and businesses, and it really just all came together through internet, word of mouth and referrals from the kindness of people’s hearts who truly believe in our craft.

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Art: We often get e-mails from interested parties

experience and, to produce our best, we have to love everything from beginning to end—from creating an idea of what you’re going to make to—finding the right fabric and up to that last stitch.

There’s often something unique that been added to a dress like a neat-collar or you’ll use supervibrant colour—together with—a different cut, real funky-like… Can you describe your line and your own impressions?

Art: Each dress is one of a kind so no one will ever have the dress you own. It’s like finding a missing puzzle piece for your closet that no one has. With each dress we always add an element that makes— you—stand out—and to bring forth the beauty that you have on the inside and show that to the world, like your second skin. We think when a girl feels comfortable in her skin she will truly stand out.

How does it feel to be perceived as, not up-and-coming designers, but designers that have arrived?

Art: It feels like we did something right. It’s really weird to be so young, and be perceived as this big clothing line.

overseas for a garment seen on the site, and only hope that it grows bigger!

The clothes seem like they could be worn by any size woman. Is that true?

Art: Our dresses are designed and made to fit a majority of body sizes.

Can large women wear BTFL people clothes and still look good?

Art: Of course they can, but it really depends on finding the right dress and cut that suits her body type. We love a woman’s body and to each body type [the cut] is unique.

What do you think makes you a good working team? Is that what makes the business successful?

Art: It really is about great communication, no sugar coating, just barefaced truth and most importantly—respect. No between the lines and always have each others back.

What things do each of you like to do re: the designing aspect of your business?

Art: We are very hands-on people. We like to be involved in anything we can. Each day is a learning

Do you design the lines yourselves, by hand?

Art: Yes we do. We think the best way to get your vision across is if you do it yourself, only you know your design better than anyone.

Where and from whom do you buy your fabrics?

Art: We get our fabrics from local and international sellers. It’s about stumbling into that diamond in a rough and when you see it, you just know.

Where are the lines manufactured?

Art: Silverlake (Los Angeles)—from our studio.

Who do you gear your clothing toward?

Art: We gear our clothing to all walks of life: girls, women, men—whoever appreciates our craft—and with the endless choices of designs, they are sure to find a dress that fits their individuality.

What’s your ‘world’ view of all this?

Art: We want to be able to live out our dream: making each consumer beautiful— one dress at a time. To be known as a unique and beautiful line that everyone can relate to.

How do you feel you stand out differently from other fashion lines?

Art: We are unique in our ideas and stay true to our visions. It’s not about setting a trend but about—making one.

What would you like mf readers to know about your line?

Art: BTFLpeople offers you a variety of designs and style. It is not about blending in. It is about standing out. We have never believed in trends because trends can be found everywhere and we are here [with] a line that aids you in your individuality and personal style, and with us, you are sure to find a rare and stand-out piece that will set you above the trend and that—we truly believe—is—BTFLpeople, love yourself, love your inner beauty and don’t be afraid to shine.

DerekWarburton erek Warburton is a survivor. Looking at his D stylish designer clothes, his star-studded clientele list, and his fabulous international social life one would

never guess the meager means from which this stylist extraordinaire has risen from. In the paradigm that is Fashion Derek is the quintessential man.

Growing up with a single mother after his parents’ divorce was a challenging period which prepared him with the philosophy of “Help, Teach, Inspire, Love, and Have Fun;” a philosophy that Derek has applied to both his personal and professional life to bring him a long way from his days of growing up in the mountainsat times, homeless and living in a tent in the woods with his mother. Today, Derek is an outgoing and laid back man with a slew of talents. A world renowned stylist, he’s been called many names: from Lifestyle Guru in the USA and Man About Town in Milan, to the not so nice ones from the haters he’s come across, all of which he’s handled with the kind of Saviore Faire expected from an expert of beautiful living.

Presently, the fashion school dropout is quickly becoming a brand synonymous with all things stylish.

From his gigs for the likes of Miranda Kerr, Sean Paul, Alek Wek, and Beyonce to his appearances on the Third Season of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” Derek has transformed his struggles into creative freedom: a growing house of fabulosity which includes everything “ D e r e k- lici o u s .”

And, in that mix seems to be a great social responsibility which Derek takes quite seriously.

The fashionista uses his talents for the aesthetics to help those in need of guidance and support as a way to give back. Most recently teaming up with the Bottomless Closet NYC (an organization which serves a large number of women each year by providing clothing donated by individuals and fashion companies) to create his “How to Be Derek Fabulous” workshops in which he teaches disadvantaged local women how to dress presentably for work, a tool essential for revamping their image in the job market that has become increasingly competitive in the past years.

By Star Noor Photo by Eric Hason Hair and makeup by Bill Gross Styling by Derek Warburton

Tell me about The Bottomless Closet and your work with them.

I have been taking care of women my whole life and now it’s my turn to give back to them. Having been homeless for a time while growing up and having a mother strong enough to rise above it and turn our lives around is an astoundingly important story to share with women who are struggling to rebuild, or in many cases build for the first time, their lifestyle. In my small way, I feel like my story and letting them know that I am “their child” who has built a successful life for themselves and is giving back to their community, is important.

What do you wish every woman knew about fashion styling?

I wish every woman knew that the key to style is that it has to be personal. I know so many women that look at a magazine, tear out the page and emulate. I believe in collecting and keeping things for a long time. I have two main philosophies: buy your look not the trend and “is this a ten year purchase?” If you look at my styling work, I am not trendy, I give looks that look current today and will look current in 10 years.

What are the 10 biggest trends for AW10?

Trends are very funny to me, do they really change? This fall it’s all about deep jewel tones, furs, and big bold jewelry. (Laughing) To me that’s the look every year.

What is a big fashion faux pas that women should steer away from?

Anything that the mags say are a trend that does not suit your body type. I think a lot of times women take the mags as the gospel, which I will admit they should on a certain level, but it’s how you wear them. So many times a woman will be wearing shoes that look ridicules or a color that doesn’t suit her skin tone. What many have not realized is that there are tricks on how to be on trend and not compromise who you are: for instance, if you are dead set on wearing mustard but it makes you look like the crypt keeper, you can still rock it out, just keep it away from your face. Wear that off color in a trouser, skirt, shoe bag; you still get your offering but at no risk to your complexion.

Name some brands off the top of your head that are perfect selections for a “Budgalicious” wardrobe.

Some of my budgalicious brands are: Aldo, I love them, they work out the knock-offs.

Charlotte Russe, because they give you trend on a budget and it is a great line to take “high/low”, and of course Zara. My trick to Zara is to ALWAYS change the buttons.

Tell me about your life philosophy “Help, Teach, Inspire, Love and Have Fun!!”

I live my life everyday by these rules and they have become my personal and professional brand. I have become a public speaker on self branding and self esteem. It is so important to have a personal brand because we live in a manufactured society and you must do something to set you apart. No one will get you! They haven’t gotten me for years, but the tides are turning and my message is ringing clear!

vintage cream dress and corset Jane Tran hat Chan Luu necklace Melanybe bracelet Christian Louboutin shoes

MollyCrabapple

Retouching by Elena Levenets Styling by Allison St Germain Makeup and Hair by Whitney Blischke for Toni & Guy Hoboken

By Star Noor Photos by Anna Thiessen

f you had to describe Molly Crabapple in one word that word INew would be: Fascinating. Her art story is the usual unusual. The York Fashion Institute of Technology dropout credits the

Parisian bookstore Shakespear & Co. as the place where she learned to draw during an after-high-school “aspiring artist” scant in Paris. Drawing her way into the pages of The New York Times, Bizarre, Playboy, The Village Voice, and hundreds of other publications, Molly has become one of the prolific artists of her time.

These days, Molly is putting her whimsical hyper-Victorian trademark on everything from publications, to fashion, to creating comic book characters for the world’s top comic publishers, to book illustrations, to gallery showings, to conjuring Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School: an international chain of alternative drawing salons that take place in over a hundred cities on five continents.

In their latest adventure Molly’s Girls are gracing the paperthin cotton canvases of Dirtee Hollywood. The Californian based company has become a home away from home for the artist’ musings; the perfect wear and tear garb for the wild in every woman. In its third season, Molly’s drawings have become a lustful must-have, coast-to-coast. If the devil is in the details than Molly Crabapple make hell look good.

What made you travel to Kurdistan?

When I was 18, I was obsessed with Richard Burton, the Explorer. I studied Arabic, memorized the first book of the Koran, and fell in love with Ishak Pasha Saray, whose stripety stripe towers still appear in my work. As Ishak Pasha Saray is smack dab on the Turkish Iranian border, I had to go through Kurdistan to get there. Also, Kurdish culture is the bomb.

How did you come to collaborate with Dirtee Hollywood?

Dirtee Hollywood approached me to do a t-shirt line. I never really imagined myself in the fashion world, love my McQueen pieces though- I do, but the prospect of having a platform and complete creative freedom was an amazing offer. I’m designing my fourth season for them now, and we’ve gotten to hold lavish launch parties at Fred Segal in LA and Atrium in New York. I couldn’t ask for cooler co-conspirators.

Now that you do have a fashion platform, is there a certain project you’d like to piece together for the future with a particular?

One day, I want to design a textile, all girls and octopi, for a proper 18th century dress, like the type I would draw. So the model would be my work, and, be wearing my work. I could even scatter her wig with my characters.

Sadly, McQueen is gone; who are you eying for your new collectible designer?

I have much love for Miu Miu’s last season of swallows and naked ladiesappeals to the illustrator in me, and for their shoes. I have a pretty serious Fluevog addiction. While I could certainly not afford to collect them, Dior dresses properly ravish me. For more reasonable stuff, I buy way too much from Modcloth.

What are the newest fashion projects you’re working on?

Well, I’m designing my newest season for Dirtee Hollywood, which is a sort of dreamy take on the carnival and tropicalia. Think Frida Kahlo-esque girls with fruit woven into their curls, and dancers balancing on the moon. I’ll also have a branded line of embroidery patterns coming out with hipster embroidery company Sublime Stitching, so the craftier of my followers can corrupt their tea towels with my art.

Alexander McQueen dress Melanybe neck corset and necklace United Nude shoes

Tell me a bit more about Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art school.

We started in 2005, and I run it with help from my amazing assistant Melissa Dowell. At Dr. Sketchy’s, artists draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy camaraderie. There are Dr. Sketchy’s branches from Akron to Zagreb, and we’ve done events ranging from illegal Times Square flashmobs to Tableau Vivants at the Museum of Modern Art. What works have you done for Marvel and DC Comics?

I’ve drawn several superhero stories for Marvel (Typhoid Mary! She Hulk!), all of which have my snarky feminist take on the genre. I’m hard at work on The Puppet Makers, a steampunk murder mystery set in the court of Versailles for DC Digital.

What’s your craziest Burlesque flashmob story?

We did a flashmob at the grave of legendary Courtesan Lola Montez. She’s buried in Brooklyn, under her birth name of Eliza Gilbert. Lola Montez was a poor Irish girl who, masquerading as a Spanish aristocrat brought down the kind of Barvaria before finally settling in New York. Burlesque legend Jo Boobs channeled Lola’s spider dance. If only we were not busted by the cemetery police.

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1 Alex & Chloe Sideswiped Tee $36.40 2 Chambers Mont Double Breasted Sweater $POR 3 The Tie Bar Glenn Plaid Tie $15 4 J. Maskrey Pants £POR 5 Lanvin Passage 19 Sweater $POR 6 Company 81 Button Down Top $42 7 John Varvatos AW10 $POR 8 Cole Haan Air Brando Buckle Boot $ POR 9 Pedro Garcia Lennon Boot £300 10 Sire’s Crown Irina Sunglasses $350 11 Skingraft Cadet Leather Jacket $570 12 Espirit Watch £90 13 Magnanni Velvet Loafers £228 14 Sergio Rossi Animal Print Loafer $POR 15 Heutchy Forest Boot $395 16 Raf Simmons Suit $POR 17 Qasimi Homme Sweater £350 19 Perry Ellis Sweater $59.50 18 Skingraft Fringe Chest Plate $110

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Street by Cynthia Vincent Cropped Draped Blazer $275 2-Built by Wendy Wool Viole Side Button Top $178 3-Barlow Leather Skirt $178 4-Pedro Garcia Bootie £295 5-Belle Sauvage AW10 Dress £570 6-Dannijo Arlenis Necklas $645 7-Ali Taghavi Knit Cutout Dress $270 8-Aminaka Wilmont Leather Jacket £1117 9-Mascaro Nude Crystal Pumps £795 10-Elise Overland Cropped Shearling Jacket $2125 11-Delia Covezzi Dress £450 12-Sergio Rossi Ritual Knee High Boot $1980 13-Linea Pelle Sliced Leather Cuff $65 14-Julianna Bass Victoria Top $225 15-Proenza Schouler Pants $550 16-Laruicci Galaxy Earrings $145 17-Velvet Angels Marquee Bootie $325 18-House of Boing Starblue Dress $305 19-Circa Sixty Three Swirl Bangle $54 20-Lisa T Signature Bolero £650 21-Rosena Sammi Bhangara Bangels $45 pr. 22-Walter Army Bi Stretch Coat $328 23-Mike & Chris Leo Ballerina Dress $198 24-Lockheart Melanie Bag $625 25-Lolly Cashmere Animal Dots Hoodie $220 26-Danika South Bronx Necklace $65 27-Pretty Ballerinas Oxford Flats £179 28-Tucker for Target Fleece Jumpsuit $44.99 29-Skingraft Shearling Biker Jacket $875 30-Mechante Georgiana Sandals $570 31-Alex & Chloe Triple Oxidized White Diamonds Ring $1240 32-Lanvin Passage 29 Coat $POR 33-Issac Mizrahi Dress $POR 34-Loeffler Randall Kylie Sandal $476 35-Madame Mathilde Clutch $395 36-Bernard Chandran Dress £2520 37-David Wyatt Two Faced Peep Toe £416 38-Bjorg Gold Black Diamond Hoops €520 39-David Yo Lori Dress $625 40-Charlie Le Mindu Coat £2520 41-Kotur Cameron Maille $875 42-Mascaro Velvet Bow Bootie £275 43-Jane Oh Lace Dress $430 44-Jennifer Elizabeth Jessina & Gypsy Rose Bangles $230, $240 45- Nannette Lepore AW10 $POR 46-Reem Pants £POR 47-One Gray Day Dress Ununbium Dress $245 48-Sergio Rossi Plume Bangle with Jeweled Clasp $305

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Alexandra Spencer wearing Alice B. Toklas Dress by Stone Cold Fox, taken by AlexandraSpencer

Stone Cold Fox

By Alexandra Spencer

tone Cold Fox is the new, vintage, retro, current baby of two childhood friends, Soutlets Cydney Morris and Dallas Wand. Keeping their operation and distribution specialized creates unique hard to find, timeless pieces that are as much So, how did it all start?

Started when both of us graduated college and moved back to southern California. Cydney went to school for design and I (Dallas) for marketing. So, it was a match made in heaven to collaborate and do something we both love.

Dallas, tell me your favorite thing about working with Cydney?

That it doesn’t feel like work. I get to laugh every day with my best friend and we get to make beautiful things together. The best thing is feeding off each other’s creative energy.

Cydney, tell me your favorite thing about working with Dallas?

That we both really support each other and get so excited for one another about the little things we accomplish. She helps me really get my design vision out there and I would be no where without her. She also makes me laugh when I get really stressed out.

Tell me about your collection, Foreign Cinema, how long had those garments been sitting in your mind before they made it to the first collection?

For about a year.It started as Cydney's senior collection and then we kept adding onto it together to make a fuller debut collection. It’s a great representation of our brand, the color tones, fabrics and feel wiath a little edge, it has been a great starting point for us to grow from.

Was the design process easier the second time around for Gypsy Decay?

Not so much easier,but it was more of a collaborative look that we worked on together when we were traveling through Bali and Australia. We were definitely more comfortable and confident in the look we wanted our label to project.

Each piece is handmade and can be ordered at any time from any collection.How many people in your team at Stone Cold Fox? Yes, we are really into "timelessness" and things not being trendy. We want the items to be pieces you can wear for years to come and with the quality and look of the garments; you won’t ever throw them out. Surprisingly it is just the two of us doing everything, and we have one sewer who helps us as well.

So, tell me about the new collection?

The newest collection is called Lady Botanica. It is really inspired by quinceanera parties, an old Spanish rose feel and girlie romanticism. We still stuck with the Stone Cold Fox aesthetic, but tried to portray a soft, Spanish look and concentrated alot on these amazing trims we found.

Favorite pieces from your collections?

Probably the Jitane shawl, which is the all lace smoking jacket, the Lady Lupe bloomers and Don Juan dress. From our old collections we love the Birkin gown, Gypset shawl and the velvet Jagger bells.

Most requested piece from your collections?

Most requested is the Antique blouse, Hitchhiker bloomers and the Godard dress.

What music have you been listening to?

Johnny Kidd and The Pirates and a lot of Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers. We do little dances while working.

What have you been drinking, eating and wearing whilst designing this one?

We have been eating and drinking lots of espresso, watermelon mimosas, coconut shrimp while wearing silk robes we found in Bali.

Who do you want to see wearing Stone Cold Fox? Kate Bosworth, Abbey Lee, Sienna, Miss Moss, Charlotte Kemp and Laura Stone would be lovely.

What makes your clothes different than others?

We are really particular with the fabrics and textures of them that we use.Everything is handmade, and sometimes that’s why the fabrics vary. We use different dyes,color removers and ways of washing fabrics just to get the feel we want. There’s not any other labels that work like ours. We try to make really personal pieces with unique sillouettes that arent trendy.

Where do you see Stone Cold Fox going in the next couple years?

We see ourselves growing, but still keeping with our personal, handmade vibe. We would like to eventually dip into menswear and home decor as well. We also came out with our first accessories last collection, and would like to grow more in that area. Possibly with jewelry and more hand bags.

We want to become a niche lifestyle brand Few, but good, stores carry your line, what other stores do you see Stone Cold Fox being in?

Opening Ceremony, Church in Los Angeles, Pas de Duex and Barneys wouldn’t be bad. We like being a brand you have to search for.

Your way of ordering pieces through you is unique, if I was a first time buyer, which I am not, how would you suggest new clients purchase your clothes?

We started out doing personal orders only, by having fittings and going to womens houses with our collection or them coming to us. We sometimes do custom garments, and fittings for those who want slight changes. We provide a lot of other personal items that stores don’t have and it’s nice to try on and be a bit picky about what you’re buying.

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2010 as 1960s or 2030s. You will, as the name implies, become as stone cold fox.

BuiltbyWendy

By Star Noor Photos by Eric Hason Styling by Allison St. Germain Assistant styling by Ross Erin Martineau

esigner Wendy Mullin D has been producing laid back art inspired pieces for

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her NYC based label - Built

by Wendy - since 1991. Over the years the company has become a NYC favorite with a following of artists, musicians, actors, fashion stylists and fashion lovers alike - all of whom appreciate the easy chic aire of the BBW label.

Perhaps, what comes through in her work is the disinterest Wendy has always shown in “brand conceptualization” which at times is aimed to gain commercial interest, “I didn’t really set out to “create a brand” and I didn’t “come up” with my design aesthetic.

It was something that evolved organically and I developed my own style and taste.”

For her AW10 collection, Wendy reevaluated Germany’s post-war Bauhaus Movement and its utopian struggle to establish an apolitical revolt.

Using the works of Josef Koudelka during those respective years as a dramatic perspective of global insurrection: black and white images of youth protesting in a variety of spontaneous modeling’s - images which at the time had to be smuggled out of Prague - the Modernist aesthetic of rationality and functionality brought her to a fresh take on contemporary sportswear. Utilizing a war-time palette of muted, earthy tones along with an injection of hope and fervor of spirit found in the works of Bauhaus artists and teachers Wassily Kadinsky and Paul Klee whose abstract expressions of color inspired Wendy’s own colorful punctuations: Abstract florals, bursts of brights, and bold strips and triangles textilings.

Hard at work as always, the new mother is working on her fourth sewing book, “It’s all about designing and sewing coats and jackets,” she simply and mysteriously explains; as well musing up her latest collection which will focus on expanding her accessories. We thought we’d get to know the BBW cult leader by having her fill in the blanks about herself.

Wendy Mullin Fills in the Blanks: My style icon is…

I don't have one in particular - I have a new muse each season.

My favorite designer is…

I like a lot of different designers because I dom't have a favorite.

The meaning of good style to me is…

Dressing unique to yourself, mixing interesting pieces, both vintage and new.

All price points.

Something about me that no one else knows is…

I love accounting.

My philosophy on life is…

Take it easy.

The next place I plan to travel to is...

The Continental Divide.

When deciding on the design concept I first…

I look at art books and movies and then combine all things that inspire me to make a new concept. I also look through old sketchbooks to get in the groove.

The designers in my closet are…

I mostly have BBW and vintage, but occasionally I'll get some accessories from Stella McCartney, Marni, Chloe, etc.

My favorite book is…

Letters to a Young Poet - Rilke If we need to know only one thing about fashion it would be that…

Don't try too hard, simple is better.

The funniest piece of clothing I own is…

I have a red leather biker jacket I bought on Orchard St. I have never worn it.

If I were to dump out my purse on a table right now you would find…

Keys, Blackberry, wallet. I like to keep it trim, and I don't like carrying purses so this would all be in my pockets usually.

On any given day we can see you dressed in…

Anything from a floral printed scoop neck silk dress to an oversized pullover with jeans or leggings.

The most essential piece of tech toy I own is…

Blackberry. But I'm getting the iPad which I'm excited for.

The musician(s) I am inspired by the most lately is/ are…

Mostly classical music to put my baby asleep.

If I walk into a room full of strangers I would…

Introduce myself after getting a drink.

Makeup by Legend Riviera Hair by Mako Iijima Retouching by Einat Salmon All wardrobe Built By Wendy

Shot 1 Wendy Mink bracelet Victoria Bekerman necklace and earrings Loeffler Randall sandals DKNY tights Shot 2 Loeffler Randall shoes Wendy Mink necklace DKNY socks Shot 3 RJ Graziano bracelet and earrings Loeffler Randall shoes stylists own socks Shot 4 Wendy Mink earrings Victoria Bekerman bracelets stylists own socks Loeffler Randal shoes

S

WIN ALL THE CLOTHES SEEN HERE - TURN TO PAGE 58

SWAG

CREDITS/SWAG INFO

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You want to win the SWAG from the give-away spread?

Simply go to www.musicfashionmagazine.com; fill out the nice little survey; then each week we will draw a winner; you might just get hooked up with some rad clothing.

mf _ 58

SWAG fashion credits Photography by Travis Geny tgphoto.net Make-up by Ashli Kellogg www.facebook.com/ashli.kellogg11 Hair by Liz Mayfield Special Thanks to Jupiter Hotel jupiterhotel.com Special Thanks to HIP furniture ubhip.com

Painting- Deanna Lautenbach (artismycanvas.com)

1- Top: Cami Anna Lynn (camiannalynn.com)

Skirt: Cami Anna Lynn (camiannalynn.com) Necklace: Aegyptia (aegyptia.com) Hairband: Damsel’s Blackheart (damselblackheart.etsy.com)

2- Top: Induce (inducewear.com) 3-

Jeans: Stone Blue Jeans (stonebluejeans.com) Sunglasses: Angel Eyewear (angel-eyewear.com) Necklace: Marya Zoya (maryazoya.com) Top: Worn By (wornby.co.uk) Scarf: AJB Clothing (adambaranello.com) Skirt: Damsel’s Blackheart (damselblackheart.etsy.com) Ring: Fancy Sexy Me (fancysexyme.com) Necklace: Marya Zoya (maryazoya.com) Hairclip: Damsel’s Blackheart (damselblackheart.etsy.com)

4- Top: Cami Anna Lynn (camiannalynn.com)

Skirt: Cami Anna Lynn (camiannalynn.com) Ring: Winifred (annawinifred.com) Necklace: Idle Hands Designs (idlehandsdesigns.com) Hairclip: Claudia’s Clips (claudiasclips.com)

Introducing:

Different Drum Photograph by Anberlin drummer Nate Young

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