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ISSUE 07

THE ANALOG EDITION

Staff writers

Emilia Pirir Regan Gonsalves-Allen Alexa Rios Soto Iris Langen Sage DeCremer Rachel Manning Rowan Shumway Lorenzo Cano Riley Petrocco Bailee Isackson Kathleen Dunbar Abigail Haddad Peyton Kelly Eric Gao Elda Sarat

designers

Editors Kaylin O’Connell MMG Editor-in-Chief

Lauren Quijano

MN Managing Editor

Marley Logan

KCPR Content Director

Omar Sanchez

KCPR Creative Director

Omar Sanchez Eric Gao Diego Rosiles-Camelo Skyler Wubben Trevor Sandler Emily Oswald Mia Dowell

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Band practice with retrace

Story by Emilia Pirir & Regan Gonsalves-Allen Design by Eric Gao

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Follow the sound San Luis Obispo’s vinyl trail

Story by Sage DeCremer & Rachel Manning Design by Skyler Wubben

It’s five o’clock somewhere

Story by Lorenzo Cano Design by Diego Rosiles

It’s a Girl Party

Story by Riley Petrocco, Bailee Isackson & Kathleen Dunbar Design by Skyler Wubben

Letter to Cal Poly............................................................................... 6 Story by Alexa Rios Soto, Design by Eric Gao Things I should have thrown away................................................ 7 Story by Iris Langen, Design by Diego Rosiles-Camelo ‘Against the Grain’............................................................................10 Story by Rowan Shumway, Design by Trevor Sandler What’s your Polaroid moment?.....................................................16 Story by Abigail Haddad, Design by Omar Sanchez Ode to the college house..............................................................20 Story by Peyton Kelly, Design by Emily Oswald Game..................................................................................................22 Games by Marley Logan & Kaylin O’Connell, Design by Mia Dowell & Omar Sanchez

Lazy lentils: a taste of home

Story by Elda Sarat Design by Trevor Sandler

Abroad through my camera lens Story & design by Eric Gao

Sanchez & Nucci playing guitar at Apple Valley Park Regan Gonsalves-Allen | The Peak

Band practice with retrace: the efforts behind acoustic revival Story by Emilia Pirir & Regan Gonsalves-Allen Design by Eric Gao

One day before their San Luis Obispo debut, acoustic duo retrace sat at Apple Valley Park under a shady bed of trees for band practice. 805 locals Joaquin Sanchez and Matthew Nucci met through their post-hardcore band, Wherever You Are, and have since bonded through their shared appreciation for songwriting. The two decided to branch off and start their own acoustic project back in June. They landed on the name retrace, inspired by the hit song from the early ’90s band, ee. “As long as I’ve been in the scene…not a lot of people do acoustic stuff,” Joaquin Sanchez said. In late July, Sanchez and Nucci had released their first EP, “leave the door open.” The duo wrote and later recorded the three-song collection in Nucci’s garage within the span of eight hours. Sonically, the

tracks relay a raw, earnest form of music production reminiscent of early ’90s DIY and acoustic emo. With their first discography release under their belt, the duo is already looking ahead. Sanchez and Nucci expressed their enthusiasm towards upcoming projects, including more acoustic, intimate shows in lowkey settings.

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How do you feel going into your first show in San Luis Obispo? Joaquin Sanchez: “We’re really excited.” Matthew Nucci: “We’re trying to do more shows like this where they’re kind of just at parks and hikes and stuff.” Concerned with the fading number of acoustic shows present in San Luis Obispo’s cafes and parks, Nucci and Sanchez are turning to a DIY approach, hosting their own events for anyone to attend. The Sept. 20 show at Cuesta Canyon Park was put together through a slew of connections and newly formed friendships. Alongside retrace, local bands Diary and The Let Downs joined the lineup for the acoustic performance. Southern Californian artist Swirl Circuit made the trip to join the set as well. Nucci and Sanchez said they were curious to hear their local counterparts’ acoustic sound, as they usually lean heavy on drums. What’s your take on DIY and the music scene in San Luis Obispo? MN: “You have to do it. You need it. That’s the only thing you can do.” JS: “Oh my god, if you don’t start doing shit by yourself, you’re not gonna– it’s not gonna go anywhere. So you can’t rely on other people. You can for some things, but you have to pave your way to start at least.”

After this band practice, they recorded vocals for new song, “my sweet angel” and released it the next day. Releasing their music comes with a loose schedule. New music could drop after a jam session or sometime next week. Listeners will just have to stay on the lookout. “We’ll drop tonight or tomorrow or something if we feel like it,” Matthew Nucci said. When did you start playing? JS: “Honestly, not very long for me. I learned bass to join a band three years ago. So I’ve only been playing guitar for a year, if that honestly, and then I’ve been doing vocals for like less than…eight months.”

What’s your take on the emo resurgence? MN: “Love it. Love it.” JS: “It’s awesome. It’s so cool.” Beyond that influence, the acoustic project is a space for them to experiment in with newer sounds.

“There’s too much that we want to do. We get stuck not doing anything.” - Matthew Nucci

MN: “I started playing technically when I was in fourth grade. I took guitar lessons and then I quit for like five years. And then I started again when I was in high school. I only started like really writing though, like maybe like two, like a year and a half ago. Like I started writing for Wherever You Are.” As current participants in the second-wave emo and hardcore scene through Wherever You Are, retrace has noticed some of the genre’s compositional elements transfer over to their acoustic sound. “I would say a lot of the clean vocals in post-hardcore are kind of very similar to melodies. So I feel like that could translate over as well,” Sanchez said.

MN: “It’s just so rewarding — doing your own stuff, because that’s like, no one else did it.”

Nucci connects the similarities back to his lead role in writing guitar melodies for both bands.

“DIY is very important, especially in this scene.” -Joaquin Sanchez

“I feel like they kind of have similar structures, I guess, just because that’s just how I write,” Nucci said.

retrace records all of their music via phone. Simply put, they place it on a table and just “go for it,” as Nucci says. From there, they use a Digital Audio Workspace, or DAW, a software used to mix and edit music.

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Nucci & Sanchez with their guitars Regan Gonsalves-Allen | The Peak

Recently, the pair have drawn inspiration from other artists such as Santa Cruz band Racecourse and electronic duo ear. Nucci attributes the recent weaving of varying synth features and melodies to both musical groups, sparking conversation about introducing similar tools to their own music. The duo hinted to a potential new member to join and help incorporate more electronic elements into their sound.

Dear Cal Poly,

Letter by Alexa Rios Soto, Design by Eric Gao

I’m so excited to finally be pen pals. Coming from a city up in Northern California, San Luis Obispo felt almost foreign. Cal Poly wasn’t my first choice; I committed before I ever set foot in town. My dream was to go out of state, but I don’t regret my decision. Entering my sophomore year, Cal Poly still feels like a rollercoaster, from nonstop studying at Vista Grande last year and celebrating birthdays with brand new friends to catching “poly plague” and taking trips down to the beach; I can’t say it’s anything short of fun. I remember feeling so nervous coming into my freshman year, posting on my Instagram spam account expressing my fears that I wasn’t going to make any friends. And then Quarter Plus threw me right into it, and I had to just be myself.

Finally, I added her gifts: huge letters with pictures on them, and since she’s a big Garage fan, I emailed her a gift card. Her boyfriend also came over and brought her balloons and flowers, obviously, and a big gift bag. When she woke up, she was so excited and happy. It was fire.

Setting up birthday party Alexa Rios Soto | The Peak

I’m so glad I reached out to people and embarrassed myself just to meet new friends. Looking back on high school, I also worried about whether I’d be able to make close connections, but it’s a matter of just doing it.

Then I went to work…but work was nice, so it wasn’t a big deal. Later, our sorority had an exchange, so we got all dressed up, and my roommate put on her birthday crown, and my whole friend group of girls went out.

I’m dying to tell you about my semester, especially after switching from a quarter system. My classes have definitely picked up recently, and low-key, I’m overrun by homework and projects.

Which I might also add, I think a lot of people bonded when they were in the same dorms, but I found myself making better friends with people who didn’t live near me at all.

This past weekend has been a lot, in the best and worst ways. For one, I have so much homework, but two, man, do I love my friends?! On Friday, I woke up super early to set up for my roommate and best friend’s birthday. I was up at 5 a.m. making double-chocolate banana bread. Fun fact: I met her during SLO Days over the summer, and we completely connected over those two days, then naturally didn’t talk for two months… until we realized we were in the same sorority! It’s actually so funny. I have so many friends from SLO Days that I still keep in touch with, and some of my closest friends I met that night. San Luis Obispo is just like that — you really will just randomly meet your best friend.

Anyways, I made the bread, sliced it up for her and filled her plate with yogurt and raspberries. Then I set up a banner that read “Happy Birthday” and draped streamers along our stairwell.

The next day, I got up bright and early, my friend picked me up from my house and we headed off to Hearst Castle. But when we got there, we decided not to do a tour. We realized we were feeling kinda lazy, and it would take too long. So there we were in the parking lot, with our plans up in the air…and on a spur-of-the-moment idea, we decided to keep going north toward Big Sur.

College friends at birthday party, Alexa Rios Soto | The Peak

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Exploring Bi g Sur Alexa Rios Soto | The Pe ak

We made it to Ragged Point, and WOW, it’s so pretty. The weather was perfect. We took pictures and got a gingerbread cookie (I think?) for 40% off, so yay for a win. Then we went a bit farther north to see more of the view before heading to Target and Costco to pick up a few things before I got ready for the rest of the night. I bought one of those huge chocolate cakes from Costco for my friend’s birthday party. It’s a tradition we do, and my friends and I just love to go all out for random things. I met them in such a strange way: They threw a party in their dorm room, and I never turned away. I kept coming over, and eventually our lives were so intertwined. After class, it was “Let’s go to Whitney” and “Kickback tonight? Let’s do it at Whitney.” When I arrived at my friend Avery’s house, I put the candles on the cake and hid it. As more guests arrived, another friend distracted the birthday boy while we lit the candles and sang “Happy Birthday.” It felt SO good to see everyone, since some people live in the Poly Canyon Village apartments and others live farther away, so everyone coming together warmed my heart. I think the worst part is living so far away from campus…honestly, it’s so isolating because I feel like I’d spend so much time in their dorm, and now it’s a 25-minute walk there and back. I’ve just been telling myself it’s the beginning of the year and it’ll sort itself out, and that’s the best we can do. Sunday was honestly just a reset — a slow morning coming from a good, solid weekend. I look forward to more wonderful, happy weekends in San Luis Obispo, meeting new friends and having new experiences. Hopefully you’ll get this letter soon. AND! I hope you enjoy the photos I attached. They’re just a look into my life because I’m always capturing little moments. For now, I’ll talk to you soon!

From, Alexa

s g n I should have i Th thrown away...

Poem by Iris Langen Design by Diego Rosiles-Camelo

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Follow the sound: San Luis Obispo’s

Story by Rachel Manning & Sage DeCremer Design by Skyler Wubben Inspired by the Paso Robles Wine Trail and Tennessee Whiskey Trail, the San Luis Obispo County Vinyl Trail serves as a map of record stores and listening lounges around the Central Coast. Owners of Jan’s Place and avid vinyl collectors, Jeff and Lisa Root were captivated by the variety of record stores and the knowledge of its owners, ranging from Solvang to Atascadero to Paso. “If you look up and down the coast, there’s a number of places that are sort of connected,” Jeff Root said. “If you’re into this sort of culture, here is a map of places you may or may not know.”

Boo Boo Records Tucked on Monterey Street, Boo Boo Records is a deep-rooted part of San Luis Obispo’s music scene. The store has witnessed five decades of music lovers passing through its doors since its opening in 1974. Beyond the endless shelves of records and CDs, Boo Boo Records offers a space for the community to come together by hosting vinyl listening parties and album release celebrations.

Boo Boo Records Sage DeCremer | The Peak

Cheap Thrills Cheap Thrills is the kind of place where someone goes in looking for one thing and finds themselves flipping through an entirely different section twenty minutes later. A two-story maze of music, movies and video games, customers are likely to get lost in a realm of physical media and leave with something they weren’t expecting. Cheap Thrills Sage DeCremer | The Peak

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Vinyl Isle A smaller store, Vinyl Isle provides an intimate setting for music discovery and searching. Those interested in deal-hunting can sift through the $1 bins outside of the store, making a vast vinyl collection all the more attainable.

The Record Rack

Boo Boo Records

Sage DeCremer | The Peak A standout spot in the quiet town of Nipomo, The Record Rack is a worthwhile go-to for those willing to make the thirty-minute trek. One of the two owners is a friendly face and more than willing to share music knowledge and tell stories. Their four for $1 record deals make it one of the most affordable spots on this map.

Jan’s Place A hub for aspiring disc jockeys, wine connoisseurs and music lovers, Jan’s Place in downtown Paso Robles perfected the art of the vinyl bar. Whether it’s an out-of-town DJ playing UK electronica or owner Jeff Root spinning his favorite soul records, there is something special about hearing music when it’s played so intimately. From featuring customer drawings and notes in the zine “Against the Grain,” to displaying locals’ record collections on their weekly “Open Deck Night,” analog media is not only cherished but used to connect the community. Customers may be seated at a table with total strangers but will undoubtedly leave the dimly lit listening lounge with new friends and plenty of record recommendations.

Jan’s Place Sage DeCremer | The Peak

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‘Against the Grain’ San Luis Obispo local is rebelling against social media through analog zine Story by Rowan Shumway Design by Trevor Sandler I first encountered “Against the Grain” when my uncle, a San Luis Obispo local, handed me a copy of the zine. A year later, I met the creator, Matt Cross, on the back patio of Linnaea’s Cafe. I instantly recognized him from two things: the colorful copies of “Against the Grain” under his arm and the face I had seen on a bottle of Matt Cross Hot Sauce in my uncle’s fridge. Cross was originally a pastor for a Christian church but left the faith a few years after moving to San Luis Obispo. As we sat down with our coffees — mine a dirty chai, his a black coffee — he joked that studying to be a pastor didn’t leave him with a lot of transferable skills, so he turned to a career in music. But he didn’t stop there. He makes his own hot sauce, he briefly owned a pub and he’s thinking about getting into bootleg spirits next. Above all else, he’s an artist, and the zine came from a desire to share his creativity with the world. Cross published “Against the Grain” for a year, between January and December 2025, with the goal that it would act as “analog social media.”

Matt Cross Creator of “Again st the Grain” at Linnaea’s Cafe Rowan Shumway | The Peak

the place, and it was the only place to really find out about stuff. Now it’s all just social media.” Cross was fed up with social media. He tried to quit it altogether but found difficulty in promoting his music without it. When AI began to emerge, it worried him even more. “I can’t stand that shit,” he said “It draws you in because, yeah, it does make things easier, but it’s robbing our society of creativity.” He made “Against the Grain” as his small way of pushing back against the tidal wave of AI and social media. The zine started as a collection of Cross’ own art and writing, but he quickly amassed a loyal crew of colorful contributors. The zine ran for 12 issues and contained art, poetry, essays, opinions — anything that readers submitted to the email

“Zines were a thing back in my day, like when I was a teenager and starting college,” he said. “You’d see them all over

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address at the back of each issue. In this way, it truly became a form of “analog social media,” where anyone could share their thoughts, creations and expressions freely. One was a frequent columnist. A bouncer called Big Fish, a tough-looking guy, who wrote stories on his career in a segment called “Bouncer Shit.” “He scared me,” Cross said, but Big Fish surprised him in every way.

“He was such a good writer. I learned more and more about him,” Cross said. “He’s Jewish, and he fights for trans rights. He married a porn star. He looks like he’s super right-wing, but he’s super liberal.” Cross eventually convinced Big Fish to start writing a book. This is what Cross does best — noticing the creativity that exists within others and coaxing it to the surface. “Don’t judge yourself. Put it out there. Just do it,” he said. He’s lived his life by these words, insisting on making art even when the world tells him not to. As a kid, Cross was encouraged to play football. He gave it a try, but realized he didn’t like sports. One of his articles in “Against the Grain” focused on this experience of lacking what he calls the “man gene.” He thinks football is lame, he doesn’t like violence and he values artists above athletes. It’s clear that Cross doesn’t make art solely for the purpose of expression. It’s an active practice of rebellion against the expectations imposed upon him.

cles about leaving Christianity. Instead of ignoring the hate mail, Cross invited the reader to meet him for an in-person conversation. The guy eventually backed off, but Cross welcomed the critique. “I want people to interact with it and see what they think about it,” Cross said. When he was publishing “Against the Grain,” he did so anonymously. That way, if the person sitting next to him at Jan’s Vinyl Bar was reading a copy, they would share their honest opinion. “Against the Grain” was distributed at Jan’s, Linnaea’s and Boo Boo Records during its publication wCross said he stopped the zine simply because he got bored. “The only thing I’ve stuck with is my marriage and music,” he said. There is no doubt that whatever Cross does next will be just as unexpected and inspiring. As for the advice he wanted to pass on to the next generation of creatives, he said that he lives by the words of lead guitarist and vocalist of the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia: “In this life, I choose fun.”

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Cross played a series of free, socially-distanced concerts on Terrace Hill in San Luis Obispo. These shows, in true Matt Cross fashion, were purely analog — no pedals, no processors, just a guitar and a voice. He was shocked when a crowd of about 200 people showed up because there was nothing else to do. Eventually, city officials caught wind of the shows and contacted Cross about obtaining a permit to perform. “You want me to pay you to do shows for free for people during COVID?” he said. “You might wanna rethink that.” Cross said the city only found out about the shows because was posting them on his social media. The next time he performed on Terrace Hill, he only promoted the show in an issue of “Against the Grain.” The city had no idea.

nes e Grain” zi “Against th y | The Peak a Rowan Shumw

That’s really the purpose of any zine. When technology fails us, we turn to the things we’ve always known to work — word of mouth, a paper flyer, something tangible and real. Cross told me about a time he received an angry email from someone who had read one of his arti-

ISSUE 07

It’s five o’clock

SOMEWHERE Story by Lorenzo Cano Design by Diego Rosiles-Camelo

In a cushy and comfortable college town like San Luis Obispo, a well-trodden bars provide a brief respite for those traveling through or for aged and experienced individuals, both of whom seek a comforting atmosphere and fine drinks. A few establishments in San Luis Obispo can provide a watering hole during mid-week afternoons in addition to the busy student-dominated Thursday nights. On a Tuesday afternoon, The Mark Bar and Grill’s colorful exterior shone bright on the western edge of downtown while a relatively small crowd inhabited the business. Inside sat two regulars, Tom and Judy, who have enjoyed San Luis Obispo’s nightlife since 2008. They traveled from Pappy McGregor’s to Creeky Tiki, and as each bar permanently closed over the decades, they found a new home, eventually landing at The Mark. “So, to me, it became a place to belong, a place to have friends and it really helped me feel settled,” Tom said. “We make it a habit to go to lunch. It is kind of like family, some of the people here call us mom and pop.” Tom and Judy see The Mark as a key part of their lives to find an escape from the rigor of adult life. In general, the bars in San Luis Obispo represent a haven for all ages. While alcohol sales provide the main business behind bars, these third spaces also promote stimulating conversations, discoveries and connection. “We have some great conversations. We have friends we meet here that work at Cal Poly. You find different people in this community that talk about different things,” Tom said. “It’s healthy. They just happen to serve alcohol.” Every bar has a rapport between its patrons and employees, particularly with the bartenders. These relationships are instrumental to building the foundation for healthy conversations and a long-lasting bonds.

Lorenzo Cano | The Peak

In this case, Oakley, a 24-yearold bartender at The Mark, finds comfort in learning about her customers’ lives. Serving them drinks is only a part of the job.

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Oakley, a bartender at The Mark Lorenzo Cano | The Peak

In her two-and-a-half years of bartending, Oakley seems to have noticed similarities and differences among the different groups at the bar. She notes that the local crowd, a little bit older, are more reserved and stick to each other’s company, whereas the student crowd is more keen to introduce themselves to strangers. As bartending is a very public-facing job, they often function as an all-seeing eye. According to Oakley, the newer crowd that comes in, usually around spring time, seem to be more introverted, opting to stand in the corner and use their phones instead of interacting with others. “With the younger crowd, it seems like a protective barrier,” Oakley said. “It has a lot to do with social media, but mostly the reels and the shortform content where people have a 30-second attention span, and they cannot really focus on multiple things at once.” The reclusive behavior seems to break the connection between bar staff and younger patrons, which could otherwise develop into routine or friendship. Regulars brighten Oakley’s day, so much so that she gets concerned when they don’t show up at their usual time. The connection between an employee and customer is unique to serving jobs but is pivotal in bartending. The whole aspect of the job requires bartenders to be social creatures, and have quick service skills and the ability to read a room. In an age of increasing technological inventions that encourage disconnection, places like The Mark serve as the last bastion for partying, dancing and socializing.

Pints at Black Sheep Lorenzo Cano | The Peak

Black Sheep’s mantle adorned with mementos Lorenzo Cano | The Peak

However, not all bars require a lively party atmosphere to be successful. The relatively small, hole-in-the-wall bar, Black Sheep Bar and Grill, makes its home next to a bespoke cigar shop and down the street from the hustle and bustle of the concentrated strip of downtown bars. Black Sheep fosters the same important patron-bartener relationship as any bar, and its size may even help. Modeled after a traditional pub with row seating, a full length bar and outdoor space, Black Sheep’s design requires bartenders to form meaningful connections with their regulars. Nicole, a 24-year veteran of the establishment, knows nearly every single person and has observed the growth of intimate relationships as people come in and out. She sees people form friendships and even relationships where they eventually bring their kids in, which is a gratifying part of her job. “I would definitely say it is a community within a community,” Nicole said. The nuances of bar life go well beyond catching up with a friend or going for a game of pool, but extend into celebrations of life and even as a place to convene after tragic moments, to which Nicole is no stranger. She is a constant presence in some customer’s lives and receives their updates, both good and bad. “In one week, I had two different moms come in here to let me know that their sons had passed away,” Nicole said, gesturing to a mantle that adorned a corner of the room. It was covered in mementos and photos, honoring the legacy of late regulars and co-workers of Black Sheep.

Black Sheep Lorenzo Cano | The Peak

Nicole, a bartender at Black Sheep Lorenzo Cano | The Peak

warm brick layering and inviting atmosphere, the bar was packed with catch ups and dates, even on a Tuesday afternoon. What was initially expected to be an observation on day-drinking and light gathering turned into a discovery of community and the importance of bars serving as third spaces. The interactions between bartenders and regulars are pivotal to the sustainability of bars and allow for the businesses to remain successful. Bartenders almost become a personification of the bar, serving as a face to the name. Despite the increase of technology use among college students, daytime customers still had the same socialization as the nighttime crowd. Regardless of the variety of ages present at the bar, it serves as a common ground to meet real humans and talk about real things that matter.

Nicole understands customers’ need to step away or take a break from social interaction because people have limits. With the

ISSUE 07

It’s a

Story by Riley Petrocco, Bailee Isackson & Kathleen Dunbar Design by Skyler Wubben

Girl Party began because of the girls we met at club meetings, Front Porch, lying on the lawn and in the crowds at shows. It’s scary to join a club dominated by boys who never considered saving a spot for you. We make up the band Diary (or Dear Diary? We never really know). We started jamming in Riley’s apartment living room with practice amps and an electric drum kit with the sole intention of bringing female presence back to the San Luis Obispo music scene.

Girl Party Bailee Isackson | The Peak

Our freshman year was spent watching bands like earthship, which had female members who absolutely crushed the stage. But as we entered our sophomore year, we saw a severe lack of female representation in the scene. Shows became repetitive, and we found ourselves feeling disinclined to go because every one was the same. A man in a crowd of men will never consider what is wrong with that picture, but a girl in that crowd or on that stage will always be aware of the discrepancy. We know the lack of inclusion may not be intentional, but the problem lies in the lack of intentionality — in failing to build a space where girls feel like they belong. Going to shows isn’t that fun when it’s always four identical twenty-something men who never thought to question whether their post-rock, indie-noise, shoegaze emo slowcore was worth your time. Every. Single. Time. Girls are always made to feel like they have to prove they belong in a space, while men just have the inherent belief and feeling that they do. Girl Party Bailee Isackson | The Peak

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We started with covers and wrote our first few songs in our shared note titled “Dumb” over the summer going into our junior year. It was chord progressions, voice notes, random lyric combinations. We came into our junior year at Cal Poly with the goal of playing a show, maybe not sucking too bad and bringing some fun to the music scene that we so deeply cared about. People seemed excited about us, and the more feedback we got, the more we realized that women wanted a place to be creative, but there was just no support. Friendship bracelets at Girl Party Bailee Isackson | The Peak

Girl Party is the result of a common grievance the three of us shared, one we heard repeated by many around us. We seldom look up on a stage and see a single girl, let alone one dominating said stage. We were always grateful for the stoics, the girls holding it down, usually on bass or vocals, surrounded by their male bandmates.

Don’t get us wrong, we don’t hate the boys; we’re just disappointed at times. We’re grateful that they saw what we were doing and invited us to share the stage with them, even when we only had four songs. We wish that when they were booking shows, they would consider the importance of variety.

But in the crowd, between sets and in the parking lot after the show, we talk to girls who play instruments or dream of singing, carrying notebooks full of lyrics. The thing is, they don’t have a support system to push them together or encourage them to get on stage. The three of us felt like it shouldn’t be a novelty to be a girl band; it should be a requirement of any scene, in any space. They should exist as abundantly as their male counterparts. The stages filled with boys simply were not conducive to that

As much as we would like to say we put a lot of hard work into creating Girl Party, it was really quite simple. And we think that is even more of a feat. The community already existed and was ready to gather — all it needed was action. All it took was an Instagram post with a tagline expressing our frustration: “Sick of all the boy bands?” It took no more than a case of beer, a bag of oranges and a Tupperware of homemade cookies to bring womxn into a shared space. And with that, Girl Party began!

Girl Party Bailee Isackson | The Peak

Calling Girl Party a “womxn mixer” makes it appear more formal than it truly is. All we’ve really done is set a time when the womxn of San Luis Obispo can come together and find a sense of community in a scene where there isn’t necessarily a space saved for them. At the end of the day, all we need is some time to make new friends and play in the park together!

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We want everyone to come together and find a musical community that can support them, with the intention of creating more bands in San Luis Obispo that have non-cis men as the focal point, not just female singers, but a diverse ensemble of people and perspectives and a shared love of playing music. We encouraged people to bring instruments, games and themselves. It was a small but mighty crowd at Cuesta Park the first time we hosted the event. Girls and beyond are welcome. Our only rule is no (cis) boys allowed! We know Girl Party is not perfect, and we like that we grow with it. This second Girl Party was exactly what we had dreamed! It felt like our goals were coming to fruition as we listened to the sounds of guitar, clarinet, conversation and laughter mingle in the afternoon sun. We can only hope that after that afternoon, girls felt compelled to go home and write some music or text their friends to start a band. The ripple effect will land them in front of us on a bill we can finally be proud of.

Wh a t ’s your Po l a r o i d m o m e n t? Story by Abigail Haddad Design by Omar Sanchez Illustrations by Emily Oswald, Mia Dowell, Trevor Sandler & Diego Rosiles-Camelo Sometimes, we know a moment is important as it happens; other times, we only realize afterwards. With the world moving so quickly, days can feel caught in a whirlwind, flying by before we can really take them in. But just like a Polaroid can capture a fleeting instant, we can pause and pick out the moments we want to preserve. From the inspiring awe of nature’s grandeur to the playful familiarity of a loved one, the San Luis Obispo community answered the question: What’s a recent moment you wish you could save as a Polaroid picture?

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ISSUE 07

Abroad through my camera lens

One of my first nights out in Paris with my roommates. Employees were sticking the Supreme x Playboi Carti posters to the walls as we drank at Les Progres, a local café in Les Marais. Sephir, a French Soundcloud rapper, wanted us to help him collect posters.

Story, design & photos by Eric Gao ing through my I’m currently at Field Day look and developed album of film scans I gathered in Paris. I can’t at Atelier Publimod in Les Marais ge and all my help but reminisce upon each ima nt an insane spe I memories from my time abroad. and getting it amount of money on all the film developed, but I don’t regret it. ily and I moved When I was really young, my fam nt a few years from Los Angeles to Beijing. I spe rnational school in China and attended an inte the world, and where I met kids from all around rning to the retu r it really impacted my life. Afte ortunity to live United States, I’ve craved an opp erse myself in in another country again and imm the culture.

I think of Switzerland every day. My friend Avery and I booked a really last-minute trip to the Swiss Alps, and it might just be my favorite place ever. I vividly remember that we were listening to “Pack Yr Romantic Mind” by Stereolab as I took this shot on the gondola ride.

Europe for four I lived in Paris and traveled around ly some of the months, and they were genuine The experience best and most fulfilling of my life. and goals for ghts shaped and impacted my thou my life post-grad.

-to-day Parisian I took images throughout my day ways. I clearly geta life and on quick weekend a casual bourecall snapping pictures during Week and chatlangerie run during Paris Fashion l musician with ting in broken French with the loca the accordion.

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I took a weekend train up to visit Nathan and Sadie, friends from Cal Poly. This was the last picture I took before I fractured my ankle later that night. I’m glad I hiked the Swiss Alps before it happened.

I went back to London at the start of fall break for another tattoo from Oski, my favorite tattoo artist ever. I got a piece from him a year earlier in 2024 and was craving more. We had a long eight-hour session and chatted the whole time. It was the day before his birthday, so we went to his favorite local pub after to celebrate.

I took this picture a few minutes afte r I saw a proposal at the top of the tallest of the Sev en Sisters. Wishing those girls the best!

uth of France trip down to the So I took a weekend ever. I’m curis the cutest town x Ai y. er Av it vis to ere, which grance I bought th fra e th g in ar we rently Here’s a picth my time in Aix. I only associate wi r favorite boua baguette from he ture of me trying e sweetest old ato spread from th m to th wi rie ge lan s’ market. man at the farmer

h. I went back Solo trip: I loved Stockholm so muc good. I’m really this summer because it was so . craving a cardamom bun right now

My family joined me in Paris, and we went to Greece to celebrate Christmas. It was an amazing end to my time abroad.

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he college house. It held more than I imagined: adventures laid to rest, immeasurable growth, the trial and error of first time adulting — all in a crappy, broken, yet magical house. Broken windows, mold that fights with the power of a thousand armies, the most resilient colony of ants you’ve ever encountered and the inability to cool down when it’s warm or stay warm when it’s freezing out. Lawns littered with sparkling silver Coors Light cans, like diamonds in the rough. A hammock between two dead trees and weeds that grow through the cracks in your driveway that just won’t quit.

long lessons. From our first Farmers Market trip and sunset beach dip, to stumbling through downtown San Luis Obispo streets on a Thursday night. We chose to be side by side through it all. It is too bittersweet to think that in mere months, this constant will change.

The house has endured and mustered on through a broken bathtub turned contemporary sculpture in our front yard, the miscellaneous crap in our garage left by the previous tenants and a sump pump basement fire —leaving a chic char hole next to the washer and dryer. In all honesty the house, or myself, wouldn’t have survived the trials if it weren’t for the three people who through each move, each new set of stained walls and creaking floor baords.

Hannah showed me what it’s like to take better care of myself in all ways: to rest, to sleep, to improve my health but more importantly to live. To fuel my soul as much as my body, to read, to dance, to go outside, to have fun.

They became the comfort, the constants and the chosen family that turned any college house into our college home. The same decorations, the same scents, the same laughter and the conflicts that turn into life-

Roommates in front of the college house Peyton Kelly | The Peak

Brianna showed me sisterhood. The importance of family and the imperfection of navigating new passions. She has shown me feeling deeply is special, putting in effort is a reflection of care and joy is in the little things. Annabelle showed me a thirst for something greater. Through her, I am inspired to adventure, to try new things, to never take unique opportunities for granted and to let loose at the most trivial of things. Eventually, I won’t remember sealing the window with duct tape, turning on the stove with a lighter or the questionable landscaping of each of our yards because ultimately it’s not the college house I’ll miss. It’s the college home and these three wonderful humans that make me feel like I never want to move out.

Roommates on the hammock Peyton Kelly | The Peak

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LAZY LENTILS: a taste of home Recipe by Elda Sarat Design by Trevor Sandler

Ingredients: ◊ ½ cup soaked lentils ◊ ¼ of a yellow onion, finely chopped ◊ 1 roma tomato, chopped ◊ 2 cups water A warm, homey, nutritious and easy recipe for a baked college student It’s affordable, it’s easy and you’re getting the nutrients you need. A dish inspired by my mom’s recipe, but done more simply and quickly. These lentils can be a whole meal or a side of your choosing.

◊ 2 cloves of garlic, chopped

Spices: ◊ 2 tsp cumin powder ◊ 1 tsp paprika ◊ 1 tsp garlic powder ◊ 1 tsp onion powder ◊ Pepper and salt (add as you go) Optional: spinach, kale, bell pepper, squash, carrots

» Take your ½ cup of lentils, cleaned. Soak in a bowl with enough water over them to cover at least half your pinkie. Cover the soaking lentils with a plate and allow them to soak for for at least six hours » Do this before you go to class, and leave it in the fridge as it soaks » After six hours, drain the water and rinse it with new water (you’re getting rid of the antinutrients!) » Chop up your onion, tomato, and garlic (finely chopped or whatever your vibe is) » Heat up the skillet, add some oil on medium heat and add the chopped herbs » Stir it around and add all the spices » As soon as it starts smelling good, add the lentils, mix it up and add your water » Cover and let it simmer on medium-low for 20-30 minutes. Make sure to check on it if it needs more water, so it doesn’t turn dry and stick to the skillet (as you wait, clean and cut your veggies, do the dishes, homework, throw it back, etc.)

Elda chefing it up Elda Sarat | The Peak

» Add salt and pepper to taste along with any other missing spices. During the last five minutes, add your veggies of choice and let them steam in the heat (if its squash or carrots, add earlier)

o, cheese, avocad th: sourdough, wi s) s nt il ie nt tr le nu e th sorb the sides to pair itamin C to ab ce of broth (or mix up Toppings and lime/lemon (v oi of ch e ur ez yo ue sq meat, or. Just make water with for more flav want: Replace ce u oi yo ch if ur , yo es Upgrad uillon of t too salty!) th powdered bo esn’t come ou wi do r it te wa so ur lt yo your sa sure to adjust

ISSUE 07

Game by Marley Logan Design by Mia Dowell

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Crossword Analog Edition Crossword by Kaylin O’Connell Design by Omar Sanchez

1 2

6 7 8

Down:

1. Name of San Luis Obispo band with the EP, “leave the door open” 4. Issue 07: The ______ Edition 5. Bar in downtown San Luis Obispo with row seating 8. “Against the Grain” founder’s previous job 9. Location of Girl Party’s first event

Across:

2. A slip of paper saying, “A problem will not be as bad as it seems” 3. A study abroad location with the district Le Marvais 5. Alexa bought a cake for this celebration 6. A legume used in a skillet dish 7. College houses may have colonies of these insects 10. Popular record store in downtown San Luis Obispo ISSUE 07