Positivexposure Issue 6

positivexposure June 3 2010 • Issue 6

art • music • creativity

Fang Island

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Photographer Ashley Greene

Photographer Samantha McLaughlin

Photographer Kelly Curtin

Photographer Adelaide Rose

Photographer Kenzie Willems

Photographer Michelle P.

All around creative lady, Jane-E Valentine

Ellie Lawson

Fang Island

This Love

Humility Now

2

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positivexposure

Brick + Mortar June 2010

Photographer Hannah Davis

Honest Iago

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Photographer Thomas McCarty

Photographer Tiffany Von

River City Extension

In The Rooms

positivexposure is: Sunny Landon - General Manager | Sarah Nittinger - Copy Editor | Emma Hope Creative Director | Tyler Vick - Marketing Assistant | Alyce-Keli - Photojournalist | Jordan Duffy - Contributing Editor | Ashton Dixon - Assistant Copy Editor | Annabel Smith - Assistant Art Editor | Clara Higgins Assistant Music Editor

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contact us: Editorial@positivexposure.com | Ads@positivexposure.com www.tinyurl.com/positivemailinglist - mailing list www.positivexposure.com | www.flic.kr/groups/positivexposure - Flickr group www.flic.kr/positivexposure - Flickr www.twitter.com/positivexposure www.tinyurl.com/posexfb - Facebook http://positivexposure.tumblr.com positivexposure is a digital magazine that features music, art, activism, and creativity - exposing what we like, not criticizing things we don’t. We believe that creativity is a community, not an industry. We look forward to continue building this from the ground up with you, not in spite of you. photo credits page 2: Ashley Greene, Samantha McLaughlin, Hannah Davis, Thomas McCarty, Kelly Curtin, Adelaide Rose, Kenzie Willems, Tiffany Von, Michelle P., Jane-E Valentine: Themselves, Ellie Lawson: Timo Javinen, River City Extension: Pat Furey, Honest Iago: Scott Toepfer,

FROM THE STAFF Hello and welcome to the latest issue of positivexposure.

Speaking of lateness, we're going to take this opportunity to apologize for the time it's taken us to get this issue out.

We’re sure you can all understand how sometimes things just don't quite come together in time.

To make up for that, we're pleased to announce that this issue has the most featured photographers yet! Keep submitting to the positivexposure Flickr group if you want your work considered.

Our cover artist this month is Fang Island, a band we love and think you'll love too, if you don't already! (Seriously?

You don’t like Fang Island? We hope you’re making a very unfunny joke.)

More exciting news is that we're about to reach our first birthday! Can you believe that? We want to take this time to thank you all for reading this and sticking it out with us this past year!

We have a pretty awesome one year issue planned, let’s hope we can get it out this year :P. Thanks a lot and see you soon.

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Ashley Greene

Meet Ashley Greene, a photographer from Arkansas. We think you should know her because her images have a sense of vulnerability and grace, and a strong, sharp focus that brings her ideas to life.

How long have you been a photographer?

I’ve been taking pictures for about three years, but I’ve been doing photography “seriously” for about a year now.

How did you get into photography?

I’ve always loved taking photos. When I was little, my grandparents bought me a little toy camera and I’d walk around taking photos of the neighborhood cats.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Music, nature, friends, strangers, animals, and antiques.

Anything, really. Images just pop into my head most of the time and I try to recreate them in a photograph the best I can.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I’ve never actually thought of that. Inspiration? I just want people to look at my photography and feel inspired to create their own art.

Do you have a favorite photographer?

There are so many. Li Hui, Lane Coder, Annette Pehrsson.

A lot of people on Flickr.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

I usually just shoot myself. I don’t really have anyone willing to pose and do all these odd things in photos for me.

What gear do you use?

A Canon AE-1, 50mm lens, and a cheap plastic tripod.

Do you have a favorite camera to use?

My Canon AE-1.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

Australia, definitely.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

No. Sure anyone can own a camera, but you’ve got to have the talent and the creativity to back it up.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

The creative satisfaction. Producing photographs that you’re proud of is just the best feeling.

What’s your least favorite thing about photography?

Having to get the film processed.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

Oh goodness, I don’t think I could choose. I love them all equally. They’re sort of like my babies.

Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?

I do. It’s the greatest thing in the world to me, I couldn’t see my life without it.

Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?

I think every photograph should reflect the mood of the photographer at the time.

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www.flic.kr/wemakethisworldourhell

All photos by Ashley Greene

expose yourself!

Samantha

mclaughlin

meet samantha mclaughlin, a photographer in charlotte, nc. We think you should know her because her passion for art shines through her minimalist portraits. she knows that if you master yourself, you can master anything.

How long have you been a photographer?

I would say I officially found and acknowledged my love for photography and decided to become a “photographer” about two or three years ago.

How did you get into photography?

I never really realized until recently that I’ve been taking an obsessive amount of pictures my entire life. There are just boxes and boxes of pictures that I’ve snapped over the course of my childhood and teenage years on disposable cameras that I would buy at the grocery store. I’ve always been obsessed with trying to capture memories on film. I don’t know how exactly I got into it, I just know I’ve always been doing it.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I take inspiration from everywhere; music; movies; magazines; other people’s work; what I’m feeling on that particular day; etc.

I want to eat the world with my eyes and then spit it out into my art.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I want to be a story-teller with my work, whether that be telling my story or someone else’s. I want people to feel me through my photographs.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

People and light, preferably how the two interact with each other.

What gear do you use?

This is embarrassing. I am currently saving up for a dSLR, so all I have at the moment is a Canon PowerShot; it’s a little advanced digital. For “big” photo shoots, I usually borrow different friends’ dSLRs. What made you decide to do a 365?

During the fall, I was going to art school in Columbus, Ohio and we had an assignment to do a self-portrait in our drawing class, and my self-portrait looked nothing like me. This whole assignment led me to realize how important it is to be able to draw, paint, or take a picture of yourself before you could successfully do those things with anyone else. So, with some research, I stumbled upon the 365 group on Flickr and after some reservations (I didn’t want my friends to think I was a narcissist,) I decided to dive in head first with this project.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

I do to an extent. You can teach people the logistics of a camera but you can’t teach them how to have an eye for a great photograph. Some people are born with such a talent and others may not be. I’m still trying to figure out if I make the cut.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

I guess it would have to be the reason I have boxes of terrible disposable camera photographs. I am in love with the idea of capturing a memory or emotion. It’s like I’m afraid that one day I will forget.

Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?

Soul. Every photograph should have a soul. If it doesn’t have a soul then there is no use in it being there.

All photos by Samantha McLaughlin

www.flic.kr/samanthamclaughlin

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hannah davis

Meet hannah Davis, a photographer from Auckland, New Zealand. We think you should know her because just over a year ago she didn’t take photography seriously. A fast learner, she seems to top herself with every new photograph.

How long have you been a photographer?

Well I started getting into photography around, I think, February of 2009, but, I got my dSLR in August and started becoming really serious and a little passionate about it in September.

How did you get into photography?

I really just started taking self portraits for my social networking sites like everyone else, and I’ve always been greatly interested in fashion photography, so around the start of 2009 I started trying to take better photos, rather than just snapshots. I started experimenting with different lighting and Photoshop and the obsession just went from there.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Oh gosh it’s hard to pinpoint it down. I guess I get a lot from music; I’ll hear a song and a bunch of ideas will pop into my head, either from the emotion in the song or in the lyrics. I also get a lot of inspiration just from looking through so many amazing photos on Flickr and Tumblr.

There is an endless source of inspiration on the internet, but then sometimes it’s just some beautiful light or a lovely location.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I want to show myself, my life and how things look through my eyes. I’m so shy in person and this was the best way for me to open up to people.

Do you have a favorite photographer?

I do! Annette Pehrsson. I just love the emotions and intimacy she shows through her photos. The way she can capture a beautiful moment between a couple, or even a single person, is truly inspiring.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

People, definitely. I’m a kind of emotional person to put it lightly, so showing emotion is something I’m trying to do. I think having people as a subject is much more of a challenge, since you have to try to bring so much into the photograph and make your audience feel something, rather than just taking a nice picture of an object.

What gear do you use?

For digital I use a Canon EOS 400D with my 50mm 1.8 lens and sometimes my kit lens, and for film I use a Minolta XG-M. I have a couple Polaroid cameras and a TLR, but I haven’t gotten around to using them yet. I also have a tripod and a cheap remote, which makes self portraits a whole lot easier.

Do you have a favorite camera to use?

Right now, I’d have to say my Minolta XG-M. I’ve only gotten one roll of film developed with it since it’s kind of new, but I find film so fun and much more exciting. You don’t always know what the results will be.

What made you decide to do a 52 Weeks project?

I’d seen a bunch of people on Flickr do the 365 project

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All photos by Hannah Davis

expose yourself! and I really admired how much they improved and grew a love for photography. I tossed around the idea of doing one too, but I’m a bit of a perfectionist so I knew I wouldn’t be able to cope with it. Then I found out about the 52 Week project and just decided one day that I had to do it. A contact of mine commented on one of my photos not long ago and said “you get better and better each week.” That meant a lot to me and that’s basically why I’m doing this project; to improve and to challenge myself. Also kind of to make sure I got good use out of that expensive camera and didn’t just let it sit around collecting dust, haha.

What have been the rewards and challenges so far?

The rewards for me personally are self improvement and gaining confidence in what I do. In the last couple years I lost a lot of confidence in myself and it greatly affected my work and my hobbies and even my relationships with friends, but now I’m slowly but surely gaining it back and it feels really great.

The challenges I’ve had would have to be trying to think of something new and executing it well each week. It never really got hard until last month, when some things shook up my personal life and made me feel lousy and uninspired. That’s another why I love doing the 52 Week project though; it makes you push yourself even when you don’t want to.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

Oh, this is easy. I traveled to Europe in January last year and absolutely fell in love with London and Paris.

I’m still dying to go back and I regret not getting into photography before I went since I missed so many potentially amazing photographs. I just find those cities so beautiful and interesting. I’m also intrigued to travel farther in Europe to places like Sweden and Latvia.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

I think so. I think if someone had an interest in it and put their mind to it, then definitely. A couple years ago I didn’t even think I could do anything like this, but now it’s something I love and can actually do.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

Capturing an image forever. I’m a very nostalgic person so I want to save every important moment of my life, and photography is such a good way of doing that. I’ve thought that since I was about ten years old. For me now, it’s also just the best way for me to express myself and get my emotions out. It’s very therapeutic and I know I need that in my life.

What’s your least favorite thing about photography?

It gets frustrating at times. When I don’t have an idea, or when I do and it’s really difficult to execute, it gets me down from time to time.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

There are a couple. I think my first film photo of my dog, Coco, because I love her a tremendous amount and this was the first photo where I think I really captured her personality, which made me very happy. The other one is a black and white one of me hiding away in a room crying. It just portrayed my life at that time perfectly and I feel it’s the first photo I’ve taken where I’ve done what I’ve been trying to do with photography.

Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?

I hope it is. I don’t really know for sure, because right now I don’t think of it as a future career and things change a lot in my life. But this is one of the few things I truly hope stays with me forever.

Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?

Some kind of emotion, even if it’s a small amount, I think it should be there, somewhere.

All photos by Hannah Davis

www.flic.kr/thirteentwentytwo

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meet thomas mccarty, a photographer from davenport, Iowa. We think you should know him because his diverse works are simple, spontaneous, and always changing as he experiments.

How long have you been a photographer?

I started taking pictures in 2007, but I’ve always been interested in cameras.

How did you get into photography?

I took my dad’s point and shoot camera outside one day and starting taking pictures. I’ve been in love ever since.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from a lot of places. I see a lot of extremely talented photographers and their pictures are what keep me going.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I want people to see that experimentation is a good thing, and that having something different is okay.

Do you have a favorite photographer?

Annie Leibovitz.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

I love photographing people. The way you can capture a moment with someone’s expression or body position just amazes me.

What gear do you use?

I have a Canon Rebel XSi and my main lens is a 50mm 2.55.6 If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

I would love to go anywhere with a large field or beautiful mountains. Some place away from society.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

I think that anyone can call themselves a “photographer”, but for me a photographer sees something that no one else can.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

I love capturing the type of moment where you look back at the photo and start to smile.

What’s your least favorite thing about photography?

My least favorite thing about photography is... nothing! I love every part of it!

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

My favorite picture is probably one of my most recent photographs. It’s a picture of my feet and it’s titled “Spring is Coming”. I had just gotten back from my creek and my feet were incredibly cold from walking in the water, but I had a vision for a summery picture so I set it up and was amazed with the result!

Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?

I hope so! I would love to work in the photography field.

Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?

I think that a photo should tell a story. Although my don’t always, I think that it’s a nice element to have.

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www.flic.kr/tmacm12

All photos by Thomas McCarty

expose yourself!

meet kelly curtin, a photographer from tracy, california. We think you should know her because, although she’s not comfortable calling herself a photographer, her barely edited, stunning images say otherwise.

How long have you been a photographer?

I have always loved playing with cameras but I would say that I got seriously into photography about two years ago.

How did you get into photography?

My mother took photo classes when I was four or five and I used to love taking pictures with her, I would always want to use her camera.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Dreams, movies, fashion, people on the street, light, music, other artists, and the list could go on... silly things, really.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I can’t really tell anyone what I what them to get out of my work, what they take from it is really up to them. I just hope they feel some kind of emotion from it.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

Portraits.

What gear do you use?

Nikon d60 with its 18-55mm kit lens, Nikkor fixed 50mm 1.8 lens, Asahi Pentax k1000 with a Pentax 50mm lens, a tripod and a remote. I don’t have Photoshop, so any editing I do is just with iPhoto Do you have a favorite camera to use?

An Asahi Pentax k1000, my father gave it to me.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

Oh gosh, I want to go everywhere, but I would love to go on the road with Bob Dylan and take photos of him on tour like Barry Feinstein did.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

I think anyone can pick up a camera and shoot a picture but not everyone can be a photographer, real photographers are artists, they have to know how to work a camera, how to play with light, how to work with people and how to use their imaginations. Not everyone can be good at that. I’m still not comfortable with calling myself a photographer.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

I love being in the darkroom, and the seeing a great shot through the viewfinder.

What’s your least favorite thing about photography?

How expensive it can get.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

Probably a photo of my grandfather, he is not a fan of photos but there is one shot that I got of him with some great backlighting and orange bokeh that I love.

Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?

Yes! I hope when I am old I have a huge collection of cameras that I can pass onto my grandchild or someone, that would be fun.

All photos by Kelly Curtin

www.flic.kr/kellyacurtin

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meet Adelaide rose, a photographer from hermon, new york. We think you should know her because she uses her Victorian surroundings to create a charged emotional atmosphere.

How long have you been a photographer?

I've been into photography for about two years, but only "seriously" into it for one.

How did you get into photography?

When my dad came home from Iraq, he brought back a camera as well, which after a while I just kind of called my own.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Everything, but my house inspires me a lot because it's Victorian and I think that shows through my photos.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I don't really want just one message, I want a person to look at the photograph and feel something, not just "oh this is good," but actually feel something that changes them in a way.

Do you have a favorite photographer?

I have far too many, but here are some: Paolo Roversi, Marlene Marino, Lauren Poor, Frenchie-Jane, Ellen Rogers, and so much more, haha.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

People, because it's easier to show emotion.

What gear do you use?

I use a Targus tripod, a Nikon d40, a remote, a 18-55mm lens and a 50mm lens.

Do you have a favorite camera to use?

Well I only have one, but I'd love to shoot film more.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

Oh god, that's a tough one, but I think maybe India. It’s so full of color and it's just so intriguing Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

To a point I guess, but I don't think they can be a successful photographer.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

The reactions I get from people. It's nice seeing how my work has affected someone.

What’s your least favorite thing about photography?

When I have a perfect idea in my head, but it comes out horrible when I actually go to take the photo.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

This one. I don't really think it has a story behind it but it makes me happy and cold and I'm not sure but I just really like it.

Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?

I think it will, even if it's hardly part of my life, it will always be part of me.

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http://pictor.us/ff/amberrose/

All photos by Adelaide Rose

expose yourself!

meet kenzie willems, a photographer froM forth worth, texas. We think you should know her because her photos bring you into the type of moments and memories that we all want to hold on to.

How long have you been a photographer?

About two years now, I don't plan on stopping any time soon!

How did you get into photography?

My grandfather always had cameras around during the holidays and family gatherings. I specifically remember a trip to the zoo when I was younger... I begged and begged him for his Nikon to take a pictures of the animals and ever since then I’ve been determined to figure out the mechanics and conquer techniques so I could one day use that exact same camera.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Music definitely has a lot to do with my work. I'm constantly playing some sort of tune in the back of my head which in turn influences any photograph I take. I keep a scrap book full of quotes, torn out magazine pages, sketches, ideas, and memories to log any kind of thought I have when I'm not within reach of my camera.

What message do you want to send through your art?

That you are everything you've ever seen. I want my viewers to see my art as ideas of the unknown twisted into memories of something sweet, real, raw, and familiar. Something of its own kind, its own breed.

What gear do you use?

For the time being, I use a Nikon N4004 and a basic Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H20. I love smaller cameras just for the convenience and the easy access. I also own a few Polaroids and a Balda.

Do you have a favorite camera to use?

My Nikon was passed down to me from my grandfather that I mentioned earlier. Its images are crystal clear and the colors are incredible. I wouldn't trade this baby for the world.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

Tough question... I'm going to make a very general statement and say anywhere in Europe. I'm more interested in people than nature and landscape. Imagine the variety I would come across and how many stories I would hear!

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

It's forever. It's part of your own soul diluted and simplified for others to feast on with their eyes.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

This one. The spontaneity of this shot is what makes it my favorite. My friend Jeremy and I went to see Dear And The Headlights live in Dallas. The man in front of us was dancing in such a conservative manner the whole set, too busy clinging onto his girlfriends shoulders. They started to play 'Sweet Talk' and everything I speculated about him before went right out the window. He was grabbing his hair and singing his little heart out. It captures the evening perfectly.

Do you think photography will always in your life?

It will, just as it is a part of me. I may get a little rusty along the way, but it will definitely be around to document my future children and their childhood years.

All photos by Kenzie Willems

www.flic.kr/kenzieasdzaan

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Meet tiffany von, a photographer from massachusetts. We think you should know her because her photos are still infused with originality and innocence that is often lost with experience.

How long have you been a photographer?

I just recently started photography in the summer or '09, it will be almost one year this June!

How did you get into photography?

I always loved taking pictures, but one day it just happened. It turned from a simple hobby to something I want to pursue for the rest of my life.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

For me, inspiration comes from so many places, but my number one inspiration is my savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason I do what I do and the reason why I take pictures.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I want to show people that they are loved. I want to show people the love of Jesus, and the beauty of his grace. I want to send a message that there is hope, and every day is a new day full of redemption.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

I love taking portraits, because there is always a story behind them, behind the person who you are taking it of. I also love taking self portraits because it helps me express my emotion and portray what I am thinking.

What gear do you use?

Currently, I use a Sony A-200, but will be getting a Canon 5d II for school! Also, a Tripod & 18-200 mm lens.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

Hmm.. I would go to either Australia or Europe.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

I believe that anyone can take a picture, but it takes passion to take that picture and tell a story.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

The fact that photography is freeing. It's a way for me to express what I sometimes can't say in words. I love that there are so many ways to take a picture, and there's always something new to create.

What’s your least favorite thing about photography?

The stereotype that photographs can be 'generic', that it's just clicking a button and taking a picture.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

It's a picture of a pink flower with water drops and it means a lot to me. I took the picture a while ago when I was starting out, it almost symbolizes my love for photography. The blooming of a new chapter in my life.

Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?

Yes, yes and yes. I know for sure it will be.

Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?

No, not particularly, because every photograph is different and unique in its own little way.

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www.flic.kr/tiffanyvon

All photos by Tiffany Von

expose yourself!

Meet michelle, a photographer from maine. We think you should know her because the way she sees the world in photographic series speaks volumes through her minimalistic photographs. this newcomer wants to pair her creative ability with the technical side of photography she hopes to soon master.

How long have you been a photographer?

I want to be a photographer but I don’t believe I am one yet. I hope someday that I will be lucky enough to consider myself a photographer.

How did you get into photography?

It sounds so cliche, but last year at school I took a picture of my converse and I’ve been serious about taking pictures ever since.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Clothes, locations, movies, music, and memories. I’m always inspired by the Urban Outfitters catalogs.

What message do you want to send through your art?

To emphasize the simple and beautiful moments in life.

Do you have a favorite photographer?

I have many. Mary Robinson, Anna Amphigorously, Yuli Sato, and Wai Lin Tse. Those are just a few.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

People. The presence of people adds so much to a photograph. I like to shoot people in pretty clothes in interesting and simple locations.

What gear do you use?

My camera is a point and shoot so that is all I use. I haven’t gotten into very technical photography quite yet. It’s a Fujifilm FinePix S1500, just a regular point and shoot camera. It’s not the best camera out there. I have my eyes set on an old Minolta film camera right now.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

This is a very hard question. I would love to travel the world someday just taking pictures in places like France, England, Italy, Greece... everywhere. I also have so many ideas and locations for shoots closer to me. Some include flower shops, friends houses, museums, my school, around town, and other simple places like that. Hopefully I will be able to accomplish those soon.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

Anyone can click a shutter, but not everyone can make people feel 1,000 things just by looking at a single image. That’s what a photographer is, I think.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

When you can make a person feel something, an emotion or a feeling. If it can give them chills or instant inspiration.

Another thing I love is how it makes me look at the world differently. Ever since I’ve started photography, I’ve been thinking in photographs.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

My favorite is probably just one of my grandparents house.

I love the memories of that house and would love to try to capture it in a photo. If I was just left there alone for a day with lovely clothes I think I could produce something really wonderful. It’s a really lovely place. It’s old, nostalgic, cozy, comfortable, vintage, lovely, subtly beautiful, and it just feels like home.

All photos by Michelle P.

www.flic.kr/rainraingoaway

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Meet Jane-E valentine, a photographer, artist, and fashion blogger from long beach, california. We think you should know her because of her effortlessly stunning photographs, beautiful emotionally charged paintings, and outfits that put your brown shoes and blue jeans to shame.

How long have you been a photographer?

A photographer, wow. I've never put that on my list of trades, but if by photographer you mean a person who loves beautiful, dreamy, thoughtful scenes and people and happens to capture them every once in a while... then yes, I can see it.

How did you get into photography?

My boyfriend actually got me into Polaroid photography two, almost three years ago. He introduced me to a Pro-Pack and a Spectra, and I was in love.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Anything that has meaning, that brings me emotion, good or bad. It's the scenes in everyday life that make you stop and remember to breathe, it's what I believe in, what I can feel, what is around me. What gives me the most inspiration is looking at something simple and giving it a deeper meaning, giving it a life and a voice of its own.

What message do you want to send through your art?

I don't think I'm trying to send any message through my art.

I want to show the world the pictures in my head. I want people to understand, although I know some never do. I think the point is that if I get it out, I feel better... I have to be in an extremely depressing place when I paint, and it's really emotionally draining trying to get it out, but once I do, I truly believe I've expressed something I never could in words.

Whether or not it sent a message to someone who's seen it, that's for them to decide.

Do you have a favorite photographer?

My boyfriend, Bradley Johnson. He has a beautiful ability to capture a person's soul on a piece of Polaroid film. He looks at you through the viewfinder and sees directly through your eyes to your soul, and I think that's the very essence of photography. Wouldn't you agree? To capture the soul of something beautiful.

Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?

My friends, my clothing. I'm most comfortable with those.

What gear do you use?

I always have two different types of digital cameras for blog shooting, a custom camera Bradley made me, a Pro-Pack, and a Spectra. I keep it simple.

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All photos by Jane-E Valentine

expose yourself!

Do you have a favorite camera to use?

Spectra, for sure. I love the film, even though I can't find it ANYWHERE. I love the exposure capacities. I've taken a few of my ALL TIME FAVORITE photos with the spectra.

If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?

Normandie.

Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?

If you have an appreciation for beauty and a thoughtfulness for capturing it, then yes. I believe everyone is a "mental" photographer. Taking snapshots in your mind as you go through life.

What’s your favorite thing about photography?

Being able to look back at a picture and not only remember a feeling, but be there again, for the second, third, fourth, fifth time. Never having to give that up.

What’s your least favorite thing about photography?

The technicalities behind everything you have to do in order to capture a fleeting moment... Lighting, focus, exposure... I wish I could just take the picture and capture the exact feeling I want...

But I guess that's a part of what sets photographers apart.

What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

It's hard to choose a favorite. Every photo I've taken means something different to me.

Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?

Yes, definitely. I don't think it's something you can just want away from.

Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?

Love. Beauty. Meaning.

How are your biggest fashion influences?

God, that's like asking me to choose a favorite photo.

Alexander Wang. McQueen. Rag and Bone. I love what Erin Wasson is doing for RVCA, affordable, amazing, I love it.

Online fashion blogs. Helmut Lang. The list goes on and on.

What are your ‘fashion pet peeves’?

Fashion pet peeves... I think it's really subjective, but I HATE when people don't know how to put proportion together correctly... DRIVES ME INSANE. What is your favorite clothing item you currently own?

I have a list of favorites... It took me a while to think about: 1. The "Skinny Skinny" Jean from Madewell in black.

2. Balenciaga hunter green platform wedge loafers... When I say platform wedge loafers... I mean 6 inch platform wedges.

3. American Vintage mid length tank dress in taupe.

4. American Apparel oversized tanks and tees in various colors.

5. Vera Wang Lavender Label wedge sandals in black.

How long have you been painting?

I've been painting for five or six years.

Do you have a favorite painting that you have created?

I love everything I create.

Check out Jane-E’s fashion blog, http://closetobsessions.blogspot.com/ All photos by Jane-E Valentine

www.flic.kr/janeevalentine

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With an awe-inspiring positive attitude, enchanting songs and sheer determination, London based singer songwriter Ellie Lawson has followed a unique path to success. Here, she talks to us about starting her own record label, the ups and downs of the music industry and how we all create our own destiny.

Tell us a brief history of your career so far.

I’m an urban-folk singer songwriter with a message and my whole career has been about finding a way to record my music professionally and get my music to fans. I certainly haven’t taken the easy path and it took me a long time before I was signed to Atlantic records in the USA. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out but I never gave up for a minute and went on to release my music independently with Barnes and Noble bookshops on my own label, Create Your Own Reality, and just had a new album out as well. After touring America for two years and performing on the Ellen DeGeneres show, I moved back to the UK and released a new album called Lost Songs with some UK producers. I’ve been an ambassador for the brand Quiksilver Women for two years now.

What motivated you to start up your label Create Your Own Reality?

It was a case of being dropped by Atlantic Records and being out on my own. I could either give up and feel sorry for myself or continue and make things happen for myself. I chose the name Create Your Own Reality to remind myself and others that you can be in charge of your own destiny with thought, planning and creativity.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I write a lot of songs on my own and I collaborate as well.

I am inspired by truth and getting to the bottom of a tricky situation. Writing a song helps me clarify deep feelings and questions in my life and in the world, and it’s a really nice way of channeling the best side of me because I can take my time to work with the intuition, passions and wisdom that I’ve got locked inside. I regard it as really special so that’s why I bother to sit down and work with it in that way, I guess.

What’s in the near future for you?

From May 29th I am touring ten Quiksilver stores in the UK as part of my sponsorship deal with Quiksilver Women.

The tour was my idea and I was so happy that they loved it and wanted to roll with it! I am also working with the crowd sharing website ‘Slice The Pie’ as a way to fund my next album. It’s a great way for fans of my music to help me with the recording of my next album and they get the new music first, credits in my album, and shares if they like!

What aspect of music excites you the most?

I love the whole process of creating music and promoting it. Having a blank page that I can fill with all my dream ideas and then making them come true is bliss to me.

So writing a song, recording the song, playing the gigs,

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recording an album, giving it to people and hearing them tell me that they play it in their car or whatever excites me a lot!

What aspect of music discourages you the most?

I hate it when politics and business men get in the way of real talent by not looking at each individual person and situation. The big machine and corporate mentality can only see one way of working because it is so focused on profit and ego, and not what greatness can really come from music and individual artists.

Who’s your favorite under-rated artist?

My favorite underrated artist is Sia, God bless her. She is amazing and keeps making great music despite not getting the commercial success she deserves. I remember hearing her on a radio show and the presenter was not bigging her up like he should have been and that made me angry. When you compare her talent to that of, say Cheryl Cole, who can’t write her own songs and can barely sing, it’s a joke.

Where do you stand on the downloading debate?

There should be more deterrents because whilst the sites are there and easy to use with no repercussions, people will download illegally. If people could download food or a car for free and get away with it, they would. It totally affects singer-songwriters lives and funding, and some laws should be changed so that people no longer see it as an option.

Your song ‘Justify’ is about Tony Blair and the Iraq Invasion, do you consider yourself a political activist?

Yes, in that I believe in taking action in the things you believe in and having faith, and that there are many other people out there who also believe in the same things. I never believe in violent protest, just the power of a lot of people aligned together peacefully. It’s important to stand up and do something and say something when you believe in it.

www.myspace.com/ellielawson

Photo by Timo Javinen

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What aspect of music discourages you the most?

Money. That's what discourages me in life. Everything costs money. It's funny, because I'd like to think talent is the only thing that can get you a music career, but unfortunately in this day and age, it is just as easy, if not easier, to buy one.

helping to bring back the GOOD reputation of the jersey shore is the folk-rock eight-piece known as river city extension. Hailing from Tom’s River, New Jersey, they recently released a full-length album and are heading out on tour on Lydia’s farewell tour. Chief songwriter joe michelini talks about their new album and more.

How did you come up with your name?

We got our name from the song "The Trouble With River Cities" by Pela. I chose the song because I related to it so heavily, and I was also looking for a name to start a band with. I was from a river city, and this song almost seemed like an extension of my life.

Were any other names considered?

Yeah, if we ever billed under a different name, for a secret show or something like that, that band would be called "The Great White Hope".

What’s in the near future for your band?

We are doing some national tours this summer, which is super exciting, and making sure this record goes where it needs to go. We worked very hard on it. That being said, I've already started writing the follow up full-length, which includes a full-production version of our song The Ballad of Oregon, which is a favorite for live shows.

What aspect of music excites you the most?

Playing live, hands down. Also, when Mike plays shows with his shirt off. It happened twice last year and hasn't happened yet this year but I'm pulling for it.

Photo by Pat Furey

On May 11th, The Unmistakable Man was released…how has the reception been?

Good so far. It's always so hard to tell. As an artist I think you will always be surprised by good reviews or responses. When we did our CD Who’s your favorite under-rated artist? release show, we were nervous about Brick and Mortar, for sure. They are a it selling out, and over 100 people got Toms River band we play with all the turned down at the door because the time. A great drum and bass duo with lots venue was over capacity. That's crazy of organ samples etc. They just finished to me. That will never feel real, and their first record, 7 Years In The Mystic I'll never know. There are people we Room, and it's phenomenal. I'd love to be work with who have all these things able to take them on tour one day. The in numbers, and know exactly what's vocals are like nothing I've ever heard, going on. That's cool to me, but for the and John on drums is just stupid-good. sake of humility, I don't think I'll ever Anyone who doesn't take the time to really want to know. These are my check them out is simply choosing to songs, I make music because I like it. ignore what is going to be a major part of If the reception is good, cool. If it's not, music over the next decade. well that stinks, but it's not why I make music.

As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

How do Nautical Sabbatical and Egos. We're a band of eight testy, edgy, The Unmistakable Man differ? irritable but also sweet, caring people.

It's funny because I've heard We love each other like a family, but that Unmistakable Man is more polished, doesn't mean we don't fight like a family. but in my opinion, Nautical is more We fight all the time, but normally it's petty polished. Unmistakable Man is a lot and stupid. It took a year or so to get past more real and a little more grown the big ones, and now I think we all pretty up. It's also almost three times the much understand that we need each length of Nautical. It sounds a little other in the band and in our lives as well. more like our live show. The songs on Unmistakable Man sound pretty much How is your song-writing process? the same way live as they do on the I write the core songs, and usually they record, with the exception of a few write their own parts. Sometimes I will songs. give them an idea, but most of the time they just run with it. We have learned to If you could have one lyric for work well together and figure out what people to remember River City exactly River City Extension sounds like. Extension by, what would it be?

"Eager eyes setting back in my head Are any influences universal to the What have you done for your time? whole band?

I can't read what the bible says Bands our band likes: Why?, Cloud Cult, But I'm learning to love what is mine Miike Snow. I'd say that's the bulk of it.

I'm trying to care and I'm trying to One of our biggest influences as a band carry the weight of the things I have is also PopCap. Pretty much anything done Hoping for answers and begging they make influences us in one way or to feel As the monster that I have another. become"

www.myspace.com/rivercityextension

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What brought about the decision to have three guitar players?

JB - I think it became clear after recording “Day of the Great Leap” that it would be necessary, that the idea was bigger than what we could achieve as a four piece. If I had it my way we’d have 1000 guitars.

CG - Jason and I used to listen to records together and pretty much any song with harmonized guitars blew our minds. It was like candy, I think it's one of the most beautiful sounds. So to have one guitar playing rhythm while two others were harmonizing off each other made a lot of sense.

NS - I heard they were thinking about getting a third guitarist and took that opportunity to get myself involved. I was secretly wishing that I were a member and so I had to push the idea and to make that idea about myself filling the position. I knew we would have fun together.

What has 10 legs*, 50 fingers*, and is taking the music world by storm? Fang Island! In this interview, lead guitarists Chris Georges, Nick Sadler, and Jason Bartell talk about how they met, their new self-titled album, Joe Buzzell, and the ultimate sonic boom that is the brooklyn five-piece known as fang island.

Can you expand on "everyone high fiving everyone"?

NS- Yes. We hope to expand peoples levels of happiness with our music and that would include being excited enough to high five a stranger. It’s about getting psyched on other people.

CG - Everyone high-fiving everyone is kind of like that image from the Disneyland ride "It's a Small World" of every race and culture standing in a circle around the world holding hands.

Our goal as Fang Island is to get people excited no matter what your musical tastes. We want everyone at the party having fun! I love how people express themselves through high-fives. Everyone has their own unique style. You can get a really good feeling from someone who knows how to high-five.

JB - It always makes me think of the sound it would make, if everyone in the world high fived at exactly the same time.

Ultimate sonic boom!

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Is it ever hard to collaborate with three of the same instrument?

JB - Not particularly, it feels pretty natural.

NS - I wouldn’t say that it’s hard, but that it’s about re-thinking how to arrange and construct a song that includes three of the same instrument. It’s a simple matter of keeping the elements of your band in mind.

Did any of the members know each other before attending Rhode Island School of Design?

NS - Cosmically, yes. Physically, no.

CG - I did meet Jason on our first day of school, but he really intimidated me and I was too shy. I wish I had had more confidence then so we could have started playing earlier. We became friends our sophomore year when we were enrolled in print making.

I met our original drummer and good friend, Pete Watts, through weed smoking hangouts at school. We immediately clicked and became inseparable. Pete used to jam with Phil Curcuru in pre-college of RISD the year before. Phil later became our bassist. So, Pete was the only member who knew another member before school.

JB - I met Chris on the second day of school as I recall. It’s hard to say exactly, he was very intimidating Who are your direct influences?

JB – The collective subconscious.

NS - Leo Kotke, Andrew WK, Samuel Muglia, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Bootsy Collins, Madonna, The Who, Queen, Rowland S. Howard, Leigh Bowery, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Kid Cudi, coffee and Keith Harring.

*I’m just assuming everyone in this band has all fingers and legs intact. ;)

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CG - Andrew W.K., early Metallica, Boston, Roky Erickson, early Smashing Pumpkins, The Who, Mega Man soundtrack, My Bloody Valentine, classic rock radio. Each one of us listen to a lot of different music though. Lately, Michael Rother's "Flammende Herzen" and "Sterntaler" has had a lot of influence on my writing.

I know there are mostly gang vocals on the album...is there any type of lead singer?

CG - Jason wrote a lot of the lyrics on the new album, so his vocals are generally in the forefront because he knew where the words were coming from and could emote them the best. I don't think we have a lead singer or leader though. Fang Island has always been about the group. It's about everyone having fun. It's everyone highfiving everyone. To quote Tommy Hall, "We're all heads."

NS - traditionally, our band is about doing things together. hence the gang vocals; Sandlot style.

Does anyone not sing?

NS - We all sing on the album as well as some of our close friends, but not everyone sings live. Sometimes it’s easier for some of us to focus on the importance of our instrument in a live setting over the vocals.

Every song on your upcoming album is quite busy...how do you fit so many ideas into one album?

JB - I don’t see it as multiple ideas so much. We try to keep the underlying themes consistent, even if a lot is technically going on.

CG - Pete used to say that our music was about fleeting moments.

Just when you grasped onto one concept there was another. The song "The Absolute Place" on Sky Gardens was our ultimate statement about the concept. An eight minute song with, what felt like, about 30 different parts rarely repeating. But each part was like a simple, mini power pop/punk song. However, this had progressive rock problems.

Progressive Rock isn't for everyone.

The new album does have busy moments, but I think we really tried to simplify a lot of songs to have less parts and more of a "groove." Instead, we focused our ideas of maximalism into sound.

The song "Davey Crockett", for example, is one riff repeated, but with dozens of guitars, double drum tracks, armies of people clapping their hands and a choir singing. Songs like "Daisy" and "Sideswiper" may seem busy, but are made up of a lot of very simple parts.

Do any of your members have formal training?

CG - I briefly took guitar lessons in high school, but my teacher and I

would mostly sit around and talk about monster movies and maybe jam for a bit. I taught myself most of what I know about guitar from sitting in front of the TV and jamming along to the Full House theme.

What is in the near future for Fang Island?

NS - Undoubtedly, coffee, bagels, pizza and cans of soda. After that we have our sights set on the rest of the US, Japan, and live television; preferably the Kid’s Choice Awards. Can someone please set us up with Kid Cudi as well?

CG - Touring constantly!

Tell me a brief history of your band.

CG - Pete, Phil, and I started Fang Island to fulfill a class credit.

Classes were getting in the way of what we really liked to do: play music with one another. We made up our own Rock Band class and recorded an album Fang Island Doesn't Exist, and got a B+.

Jason, meanwhile, was also doing something similar with his brother as "The Brothers Bartell" and recorded a fantastic album based on the Road Warrior movies. I think he got an A-. Our bands started playing shows together and one night in the cafeteria we asked Jason if he wanted to join as a second guitarist. We recorded "Day of the Great Leap" and that's when Fang Island first really felt like a band.

NS - One night I was hanging out with some of the Fang guys at a restaurant in providence called Juliens that has small art shows each month. Chris, Phil, and maybe Pete were working there and also had a group show up, which is probably why I was there. Pete mentioned that Fang Island was thinking about a third guitar player, and I instantly volunteered and asked that he please talk to the rest of the band about it. Before I went home Chris gave me a small action figure that he made out of a cigarette box and had packaged in the box’s cellophane. I took that figure home and put it on my mirror; I still have it. The exchange of that figure was a sign for me.

I’ve been playing music with Marc for years; He’s been an amazing drummer since we were kids. Pete and Fang Island parted ways so that we could pursue music and Pete, who is an amazing artist, could pursue a career in art. The stars aligned, Marc slide down an enormous candy cane coming from the clouds, and we made the self-titled together. I should mention that everyone who’s played in Fang Island remains a close friend and in many ways will always be a member.

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How did you come up with your name?

CG - Originally our band consisted of Pete on drums, Phil on guitar or keyboards, I was playing guitar, and our friend Katherine was playing the cello. We played a lot of sad instrumental songs. We were called Wolfcastle, named after one of our favorite Simpsons characters. Katherine left the band and we needed a new name.

Also, "Wolf" bands were popping up everywhere and we wanted to stand out. The name Fang Island came from an Onion article Pete read and thought was really funny. We thought it was a good name to transport the listener to another place. Unfortunately, a couple years later we started hearing of a ton more "Island" bands. But we stuck with the name.

Were any other names considered?

NS - Corn.

CG - We were almost called Hidden Houses. Our address in Providence, RI was 44 Hidden Street. That's where we would all jam.

It was a filthy house and one of the most insane years of my life. But we went with Fang Island.

If Fang Island were an ice cream flavor (real or made up) what would it be called and what would it taste like?

NS- Friend-berry fudge; would taste like your best friend?

JB - Apple. Why does this not exist? Does this exist?

CG - It would be a stack of every flavor imaginable extending into space on one little sugar cone. It would taste mindblowing.

What made you want to create music?

JB – I think it has changed over time, but initially I was interested in finding out more about the feeling I got from listening to music. At this point the desire to make music is pretty self-perpetuating.

NS - In high school it was lack of friends at first, then hatred of my high school art classes (where I learned nothing useful) and the idea that I would be doing the same thing in college, but then it became about creative urges and the desire to improve myself. Of course Silverchair helped with legendary "frog stomp" riffs and lyrics; you gonna wait till fat boyyyyyyyyyy...

CG - Being at art school put the drive in me to want to create anything. Playing music with the other members of Fang Island makes me want to create music. There has been nothing more satisfying then playing beautiful music with my friends and watching us all grow.

What aspect of music excites you the most?

NS - The no rules, no holds barred aspect of creating a song and working it out with other people and seeing how it can change and become something new in someone else’s hands. Music, like art, and like many things in life, can be anything you want it to be and all you have to do is make it that way.

CG - In music making, the idea that your skills can only get better each time you pick up an instrument. Levelling up really excites me.

In music-listening, there are still fresh ideas out there.

JB – All of the above.

What aspect of music discourages you the most?

NS - The same things that can be discouraging about music, for me, are sometimes the same things that become inspiring. Sometimes a band or musician drops an album that’s so incredible to me that I feel like I should quit, but after the initial shock turns into awe I just feel inspired and end up picking up an instrument. Besides that, I would say that it can be discouraging at times to think about the lack of a support system for musicians and artists who choose to do these things with their lives.

CG - There is not enough time to be discouraged, you must press on.

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Who’s your favorite under-rated artist?

JB – Joe Buzzell.

CG – Joe Buzzell.

NS – Joseph Good Buzzell.

What is the goal of your music? Do you have a message that you want to get out?

JB - To build on the idea of harmony, both literally and figuratively. To be over the top. To create an avenue of experience for both you and I. Riffs and Hooks, Riffs and Hooks.

I want to be ONE person’s favorite band. Just one.

Fang Island was recently released. Tell us about it.

JB - This record represents, I think, an immense transitional period in the band’s life, forged by countless challenges and matched by even more hail-marys. After recording Sky Gardens we all moved to different cities in the north east, which made practicing performing and recording very taxing. particularly on our wallets. It took a lot of planning and sacrifice from everyone just to play a one-off show in Connecticut for ten people. We did it because we love playing and we wanted to keep the band alive, but it was very difficult at times. I think this difficulty was a positive thing, because it ultimately led to a desire for change and the motivation to “act now.” We ended up paying out of pocket to make the record over the course of five or six months, with a lot of help from friends and the recording studio (called Machines with Magnets). The idea was to get it sounding as good as possible before showing it to any labels, to avoid being dismissed early on. Cathy Pellow and Sargent House picked it up almost right away after we were finished and we’ve been working with them ever since. Fang Island is a map to the past and to the future, simultaneously. I could go on and on about this, but I’ll leave it at that for now.

Fang Island is very busy and eclectic but still very cohesive...are there any song written that didn't make the cut?

JB – We still have never had a real recording of a song called “Chompers,” it’s the song we played in our kindergarten video.

Hopefully someday…

Are there any particular songs you are proud of?

CG - I've always been very proud of SS Fort Jams. Writing that song felt very magical. The basic structure was written in about 15 minutes during a jam session. It all felt very natural and organic. It may seem cheesy, but that song taps directly into my innermost emotions.

JB – “Davy Crockett” off of the new record still stands out to me. I think it’s the best example of what I have always known this band was capable of sonically. I always am wanting things to be bigger bigger bigger, and “Crockett” is the closest I’ve come to being satisfied. There are over 100 tracks on it, we actually recorded us high-fiving for the claps at the end. Ridiculous.

What is your favourite song to perform live?

NS- S.S. Ft. Jams.

JB – Crockett again, though I usually get too excited and bang my guitar into a detuned oblivion.

What is the one thing you want people to know about Fang Island?

JB - We love you.

CG - We are 100% serious about rock and roll music.

NS - That Jason can dance a hole in the floor. You should see him bust his patented “stanky shadow leg” which is a combo of goth-club shadow dancing and the stanky leg. Chris and Marc are master Wu-Tang dancers and I lead the group moves with my rendition of The Jerk. We want you to know that we’re up for dance offs any time and any place.

www.myspace.com/fangisland

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Were any other names considered?

We were having THEE worst time coming up with a name, but we all felt strongly for This Love. So yeah, a lot of very stupid names were tossed around.

What influences you most?

Just knowing that we're living our dream and not going by the books.

What’s in the near future for your band?

Well we plan on touring and writing.

What aspect of music excites you the most?

Playing live.

What aspect of music discourages you the most?

Absolutely nothing.

Who’s your favorite under-rated artist?

I would say My Favorite Highway. They deserve it.

you may know wes comer and jake sims from the now defunct pop-rock band callahan, but they’re back, with two more jakes - bonham and rinehart - and a joe - mcfaddin. in this interview with the band they talk about the ashes they rose from, and the future of this love.

What made you want to create music?

Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say that it's all about the feeling. Playing live, writing songs, or just talking about our future as a band. It's all about passion.

If your band was an ice cream flavor (real or made up!) what would it taste like?

Rock 'n Roll, man.

As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

The fact that we all had to start all over again with this new band. It keeps us humble and grounded.

This may be a super obvious question, but with three Jakes in the band, does it ever get confusing? Or do you have nicknames for each other?

Haha, yeah we use last names.

Plenty of bands that have significant line-up changes keep their name…why did you change it, and why did you choose This Love?

It wasn't so much the line change as it was the style change. We didn't think it was fair to the people who loved Callahan’s up beat pop/ rock to just change everything and leave them hanging. Callahan was just a chapter in the underground music scene and we think that's where it should stay.

www.myspace.com/thislove

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as something else, so I thought as a band we were supposed to sort of be a punk band at the core but we can get those values out to the listeners in a different way, sort of in disguise, plus I thought it rolled off the tongue pretty nicely. Though now everyone thinks we named ourselves after the parrot in Aladdin, which is cool with me.

Were any other names considered?

Craig: Another magazine's comparison of us to Murder by Death and The Receiving End of Sirens once tempted us to change our name to “The Receiving End of Death. “ We laughed for like ten minutes for some reason.

when you look at honest iago, you find four very dedicated musicians.

Collaborating between cities, states, and even continents is not a concept that makes any of the members bat an eye. In this interview with the entire band, they talk about their recently released album, their international past and future, and much more.

What made you want to create music?

Hunter: Whenever I saw someone doing anything on guitar, I was simply mesmerized because I had no idea how they did it.

One day near the end of high school, almost on a whim, I decided I was going to give it a shot. I was immediately addicted and practiced for hours everyday for the first year or so...

Nick: I started playing saxophone at a really early age and then guitar because I really just enjoyed playing. Then in college I got really into composition and ended up going to grad school for it.

When I try to justify it to myself I usually end up saying that I'm trying to bring some happiness or new perspective into the world, and since music is what I've got the most ability in, music is the best way for me to do that. I think I'd have the same intentions doing anything else. This is just what I do.

Matt: I've always been the quiet one and I just saw music as an acceptable way for me to get on a stage and go a little nutty for a bit, and express ideas and feelings that were very personal, and if you're up there screaming and what not it’s really hard to hear or even think about other people judging what you are saying or feeling.

Craig: I've always used music as my creative outlet, partly because I have no talent in the visual arts. Writing music was always a way help me understand different things going on in my life, and in a way document my experiences.

How did you come up with your name?

Matt: While we were writing the first songs I was taking a class on Shakespeare, and we were reading Othello, and in it the main bad dude is named Iago and he is so good at being the villain that everyone thinks he is this stand up honest guy, his nickname from Othello is Honest Iago. I thought that is cool a guy masquerading

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Nick: Haha, yeah someone was like "we should be Murder by Sirens," and we all sort of laughed and then there was a pause and we all simultaneously said "or The Receiving End of Death" and cracked up. That still makes me laugh.

What influences you most?

Matt: Just everyday stuff. I like to find parallels in famous stories from the past to stuff that is going on today. I get a lot of story ideas from this book I have of Opera stories. It sounds weird, but even though going to an opera may not be the most fun thing, a lot of the stories and backgrounds of them are pretty crazy, violent, political and such.

Craig: Women. Honestly, most of the emotion that finds its way into my writing has some basis in a girl.

Nick: I try to look to other arts and other kinds of music. There's so much amazing stuff out there, and so much of it hardly ever gets exposed in the rock/punk/indie world, I really like to use as much from outside of the sort of genre we play in as possible. I guess I get my own rocks off from doing that, but I think it makes our sound a lot more interesting. Hope so at least.

Hunter: I definitely brought heavier influences with me when I first joined the band, such as As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, and old Killswitch Engage. Since then I've definitely mellowed out and become more diversified in the music I listen to and am influenced by.

What’s in the near future for your band?

Hunter: It looks like I'll be spending the next year in Edinburgh, Scotland starting in September to get a Masters in Acoustics. As I've told the guys though, continuing to be a part of the band means a lot to me, even if it means my role needs to change because of my absence.

Nick: We should mention that having members living far away for extended periods has become kind of normal for us. Our first bass player, Scott, moved to Boston, but still contributes a lot in the way of art and input to the band. Craig lived in Paris for a while and still helped write while he was there, and we released a track with programmed drums he had done right when he got back. I went to Paris too, then London for over a year, and was there during a lot of the mixing and editing on our record, so we sent copies and drafts of songs back and forth. Since about seven months ago we've all been somewhere between San Diego and Ventura, so that has made things easier.

As for what's coming up we're shooting our first video for “All

Photo by Scott Toepfer

up & coming

Prophets in Their Houses.” Our friend Alec Contestible is directing it.

We're also writing some new stuff, which is always good.

Craig: A west coast tour and Vegas baby! I'll be moving to LA in July which should make practicing a bit easier.

What aspect of music excites you the most?

Matt: Playing live.

Craig: I get to bang on things.

Nick: Finding new ways to bang on things.

Hunter: I love performing, especially when I know we've a had a bunch of good practices and I can just relax and let loose. It’s awesome when I get to surprise someone when they hear me scream for the first time, since it doesn't fit at all with my normal personality. I guess that's what it's all about; the chance to be someone else for a short time.

What aspect of music discourages you the most?

Nick: The fact that so little of it is actually about the music. If people judged artists solely on what they wrote and sounded like, I think the average quality of bands that "make it" would go through the roof, and a lot of the artists who are huge simply because they're good looking and know the right people would be out of luck.

Hunter: It's tough to know that good music often isn't what makes you successful in the music industry.

Matt: Kids not downloading entire albums, or artists just writing songs and not albums.

Who’s your favorite under-rated artist?

Matt: I think Murder By Death should rule the world. I also think that Saves the Day should have been way huge by now, like Weezer huge, I never got why they weren't the biggest thing on the planet after Stay What You Are. Craig: Crystal Castles. Seriously if you have got to take a long drive at night you need to bring the self-titled debut with you.

Hunter: I guess I don't have many favorites that could be called "under-rated"...HORSE the Band?

Nick: So much classical/modernist/avant-garde/whatever it calls itself is so awesome and has no idea how to get itself into the public eye. Olivier Messiaen is an absolute favorite, so is Gyorgy Ligeti.

I really dig some of the stuff David Lang is doing too, and Julian Anderson and George Benjamin. As far as bands and rock and that kind of stuff...Nels Cline, Bell Orchestre (especially live), Box, Years, The Mae Shi, Tortoise, Punch Brothers...the list goes on and on. It's probably not under-rated but I've been listening to the new Jonsi solo cd a lot and really like it.

If your band was an ice cream flavor (real or made up!) what would it taste like?

Craig: Dirty Levi’s in a particle accelerator.

Matt: Luscious and Lactose Intolerant-ish?

Hunter: It would taste like the best mexican food ever. What would make it the best mexican food ever? The fact that you're eating ICE CREAM THAT TASTES LIKE MEXICAN FOOD and it still tastes good!

Photo by Scott Toepfer

Nick: I like that all three of those could actually be the same flavor.

As an unsigned band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

Hunter: That's a tough one. There's trying to book shows, self-fund and produce an album from start to finish, reconcile new gear costs with bills, and knowing that if one of the four of you doesn't step up to do it, then it will NOT get done.

Matt: Booking Shows / Medical School.

Craig: Having time to practice.

Nick: There's a ton of work that goes into this. It must be true for every band, signed or unsigned or big or small, but I think just showing up and playing, important as it is, is the easy fun part of being in a band.

Everything else that has to get done for that to happen...booking, rehearsals, getting people's schedules together, practice, gear, etc. etc. etc. is the challenge. Living in a few different cities doesn't make it any easier. Plus there's a sort of catch 22 I've been hitting with booking shows out of town. Clubs don't want to book you unless you draw a certain number or pay to play, which we don't do, and you don't draw a very big number unless you get yourself out there and play a lot of clubs. I'm not complaining, it just seems like something's off about that.

You have changed your line-up a lot, and have had quite a few guest members in the past… Who are some of these guest members and why does your line-up change so often?

Nick: Oh man, my favorite show we ever played with a bunch of guests was actually at my own going away party before I moved for grad school. We handed out the chord changes to one of our songs in advance, and told people to bring instruments, and we handed out whatever percussion we could find to people who didn't. We had three guitars, trumpet, a bunch of people hitting drums and shaking shakers and rattling tambourines...my mom even played piano. It was amazing.

What is your song writing process?

Matt: So the story line is this. The album follows two characters. One is a girl from any small town wanting to start all over and reinvent herself to be what most people want to be now - "famous". And the other character is this guy who works at this huge fortune 500 company making enormous amounts of money basically taking advantage of people and capitalizing on others' misfortunes and so forth. One day, he just breaks and realizes that everything he has been doing is really for nothing so he goes on this quest to sort of find the "real" that is out there, he just wants to feel "real." So the dude and the lady cross paths and mayhem ensues, there's love, betrayal, forgiveness, everything really, and it all ends with basically him realizing that she is trying to be everything that he was escaping from and to find out how it ends, you're just gonna have to get the album, or buy us a California burrito.

How long did your album take to write and record?

Hunter: We started recording drums in March 2008. Between then and May 2009, all of the instruments were tracked and all initial editing was done. Then we recorded vocals and let the studio do their magic for three months. Finally, in September 2009, a year and a half after recording started Nick: And way way longer than that after we started getting it togetherHunter: - our baby was born.

Matt: A long long long time, and we can't wait to do it again.

www.myspace.com/honestiago

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grass roots

movement, putting a positive face on recovery. Those recovering from addiction are responsible members of society and the old myth is dead – they aren’t just the people living under the bridge, addicts can be your mother, uncle, judge, favorite teacher. Addicts and alcoholics do not have to die from their addictions, we do recover and recovery is an asset not a liability.

In The Rooms is a social networking site unlike any other. In the rooms helps connect people in all stages of recovery, as well as their friends and family, for support twenty four hours a day.

And it’s all free. In the rooms recently started a partnership with musicares to help musicians and people in the music industry get the support they need -- even on the road.

How did you get the idea to create a social networking website dedicated to helping people in recovery?

Three years ago, I was happy, successful and working in a different industry. My associate and long time friend, Ken Pomerance, walked into my office and asked me what I thought about creating a Facebooklike social network for the 12 Step recovery community.

We both have been in long-term recovery for over 26 years. I sat there for a second and yelled YES, of course, let’s do it! We haven’t looked back since.

How long has In The Rooms been running?

We started the company in April 2007 but the company did not launch until October 2008. We have been growing ever since. In The Rooms (www.intherooms. com) is the number one social network for those in recovery from addiction, seeking help and their families and friends. With over 80,000 members in 50 countries, In The Rooms is providing a 24/7 support community that transcends the boundaries of the 12 step fellowship meetings.

What is in the near future for In The Rooms?

In The Rooms hopes to continue being the number one social network for those in recovery, and for families and friends. We have many exciting up and coming projects that we hope to provide easier access to various recovery communities.

Also, In The Rooms is spearheading the recovery

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What services do you offer?

In The Rooms currently has 18 different 12 Step fellowships represented and there is more to come. We feature a vast speakers tape library, daily meditations, a worldwide meeting list for AA, NA, GA and OA, blogs, forums, discussions, four ways to communicate including private and instant messaging, comments and status updates. In The Rooms has over 1200 affinity groups to choose from or you can start a group of your own that fits your needs.

What is offered for family and friends of those in recovery?

We have Alanon and Naranon both support groups for family, friends and allies. They can also participate in meeting others from the site in recovery or seeking recovery and can also participate in discussions, forums, join groups, listen to speaker tapes and much more.

Is it all free?

Yes, free and we keep all of your information completely private due to the anonymity issues in recovery.

Tell us about your partnership with MusiCares.

MusiCares and In The Rooms created the MusiCares In The Rooms site, www.musicaresintherooms.com. This is a safe and secure place for people in the music industry to share their recovery and their experiences, strength and hope, as many musicians struggle with addiction or are in recovery.

Is In The Rooms helpful if not used in conjunction with face-to-face programs like Alcoholics Anonymous?

Although we recommend all members to use In The Rooms in addition to 12 step programs, In The Rooms was also built keeping in mind people unable to attend meetings.

One member is a woman in Saudi Arabia who is not allowed to attend 12 step meetings. In The Rooms is her lifeline and has helped her become sober.

What are the benefits of using In The Rooms vs. faceto-face programs alone?

In The Rooms provides a 24/7 support community. So used in addition to in-person face-to-face 12 step programs, In The Rooms provides a place for the other 23 hours of the day to network with others in recovery.

www.intherooms.com

grass roots

In miami, florida, you will find humility now, a non-profit organization that believes you can change the world by brightening just one person’s day. You can brighten your own day with a sweet humility now T-shirt of your own that will provide a shirt for someone in need. they just announced their summer line and will soon be taking humility on the road, possibly at a festival near you.

What’s your cause?

Simply put, homelessness and apathy. A little more intricately, I’d say it’s less of a cause, more of a community. I find that a lot of people get wrapped up with causes and numbers meant to define success, and forget the humanity in their “cause.”

Whether it’s child solders, human trafficking or homelessness, each deal with people in need of community. Humility Now works to build relationships between those living in homes and those without them. More than any program, we know that these relationships is what will lead to real, significant change in the lives of our homeless friends and volunteers.

There’s a wonderful quote by Mother Teresa that says, “the most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” We hope that through our service events and advocacy, volunteers and unsuspecting readers who stumble upon our website will see the homeless with more openness and engage when we’re no longer in the picture.

When did you decide to do something about it?

Myself and David Merida, the other half of Humility Now, have been working with our homeless friends in Miami, Florida for a long time now. Too often we’ve seen groups feeding with no passion or joy at all. They see our homeless friends as objects of charity rather than human beings in need of love and relationship more than food. That and advocacy as well.

We wanted to give people the opportunity to contribute even if they’re not willing to meet the homeless face to face, that’s why we sell the shirts!

How can one person help? / What difference can one person make?

One person can help by sitting down and having a conversation with the next homeless person they meet!

Imagine living on the streets, being looked down upon, despised and ignored all day. A simple conversation would make a huge difference in the day of our homeless friends! All you need to do is change the life of one person to change the world.

actually be out by the time this runs though! We’ll have two T-shirts, a V-neck and tank top! We’ll hopefully be taking Humility Now on tour this summer, selling shirts and giving them away wherever we are. We hope to use touring as a vehicle to start groups all over the country. Coming up in the next few months are groups in Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee, Florida.

We’re in Miami, so Florida will be pretty taken care of by the time summer’s out!

In the future we would like to raise more funds than what we currently do through T-shirt sales and start some sort of homeless scholarship to get our friends back to work with whatever trade they choose to study.

How do you define humility?

We define humility the way the Apostle Paul defined it in a letter addressed to the Christian church of Philippi. Phillippians 2:3 says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

How was this project started?

I’m a dreamer. All day, at work and school, I dream of things I’d like to do instead of sitting in a chair. Running a non-profit organization had been an idea I tossed around for a good while before my father decided he wanted to fund my work with the homeless in some sort of way. After a few minutes of talking he decided to give me the few hundred dollars it would take to become a registered non-profit organization, and that was that. David and I jumped in head first and it’s been an uphill battle since. I really wouldn’t have it any other way. History shows us that justice has never been an easy road.

Good things don’t come easy.

What steps are you taking to help people practice true humility?

Hopefully giving people a variety of opportunities to get involved locally and encouraging others to start some conversation with the next homeless person they meet!

How much money from shirt sales go?

Humility Now isn’t an organization that raises much money.

Aside from organizing service events that give people the opportunity to get to know our homeless friends, we sell T-shirts. For every shirt we sell, we give one to the homeless.

Since we print on high quality, sweat shop free American Apparel shirts and buy a second to give away, we only end up making a few dollars per shirt - hardly a profit. With that money, we buy supplies for our service events. At the end of the day, we’re more in the business of brightening people’s day at our events and giving away free shirts than sponsoring programs.

What’s in the near future for you?

In the near future we’ll be launching our summer line; it might

www.humilitynow.tumblr.com

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Recommended By:

exciting.

What’s in the near future for your band?

We want to get on the road. We just put out our first EP 7 Years in the Mystic Room with the help of a few friends... Everything that we've done, we've done with no label support, from booking, flyers, promo videos, music videos etc.

So our plan is to find a way to bring what we're doing all over the country.

What aspect of music excites you the most?

John: It allows me to achieve a feeling that I can feel nowhere else in the world.

This drum and bass duo was recommended to us by fellow tom’s river, NJ band river city extension. in this interview with long time friends john tacon and brandon asraf, they talk about their debut ep, live shows, and their VAMP project - a group of visual artist and musicians friends dedicated to taking over the world through viral promotions and parties.

What made you want to create music?

Brandon: I had a pretty chaotic childhood to a certain extent and felt as if the whole experience left me numb to myself, except for when I heard a song I connected with. For that three minutes I felt whatever the song was trying to make me feel. I knew that when I grew up I wanted to give that same gift to the world.

How did you come up with your name?

We actually took the name from a side project our friend never started. We've always been horrible with naming our projects.

We just realized the only two names we ever kept, "The Black Rhythm" and "Brick+Mortar," were both given to us by close friends.

What influences you most?

The entire DIY movement. As far as music goes, we always check out bands our friends suggest to us...Don't get us wrong, we have a healthy respect for the past, but the future is what's

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Brandon: Music has no right or wrong, no black or white. It can be ripped into a trillion pieces and put back together again over a jungle beat at 240bpm or it can be as sweet as a note and a story.

What excites us both is the feeling you get from playing a show in a basement filled with kids sweating, screaming, dancing, and connecting with us for 35 minutes. Its our 35 minutes of heaven. Well, if we believed in one.

What aspect of music discourages you the most?

Pretentiousness. Meeting bands that don't give a shit about building a scene.

Everything else we've run into, so far, has been challenging, not discouraging.

That's why we helped form the Vamp Group.

Who’s your favorite under-rated artist?

Brandon: Arpline.

John: Holy F*ck.

As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

Each other. Learning how to do all this at the same time.

There are only two people in your band…can you perform everything live?

Yes. With the help of our Roland Spd-s, whatever we come up with we can play live. And the Korg Zero 4 makes everything flexible. We don't really make anything we can’t perform live.

Tell us about VAMP. "Visually Aesthetic Musical Programming. We are a group of artists, musicians, videographers, assassins, and moreover FRIENDS dedicated to taking over the world TOGETHER, through viral promotion of music, shows, one-takes, and parties." It started with just us and the artists we were friends with and seems to be growing into something more. http://vimeo.com/vamp

www.myspace.com/brickmortar