RAW Press UNITY by RAW Press

I have a vision that goes beyond sight. I can feel what

you see in the mirror. It’s in every line I write for my

I want to portray to the world. I can’t quite put it

blog, every photo I take and through every hand I shake.

into words, but I think I could communicate it through

It is my soul on paper and on the screen. My embrace

what I know best; style. Not style in the typical sense;

and greeting to every person I meet. Lasting impressions

my clothing, the way I do my hair or the frames that I

that in turn, create my entity and personal style.

wear. I’m talking about style that is bigger than what

It’s how you remember me.

Puzzled that our city did not currently have a publication that focused on the creative boom that was happening around us, we knew that this was the natural progression of our own creative endeavors. The purpose is to create a guide to others and reveal the creative geniuses found in our city. Raw Press will focus on, but not limit exposure to: art, fashion, music & film. Our aim, put simply, is to expose more people to what is running through the creative veins of this once steel-hearted city - through both an online platform and print publication. The content of our publication changes with different themes but always expresses the unique dimensions of the creative mind in all who are highlighted in each issue. Our mission is to create a relevant dialogue that is thoughtprovoking and exudes an entrepreneurial spirit to inspire all who create. We are artists ourselves and we are existing within this new visual industry (Art, after all, is the New Steel). As artists in this city, we are unlimited in our potential and unbridled in our expression. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of raw talent in this city and we intend to expose it.

Like what you see? Become a supporter of RAW! Want to advertise with us? Check out how you can advertise your business all while supporting the artists in our city! Discover how you can become a supporter by visiting:

patreon.com/rawpress or by clicking below!

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sfit island mi g in er ov sc di // n make fu tom wilson // ve lo . mr me ll ca a. west jailhouse love by l. o borges girl fight by seteni

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brett davis x s en ck wi l ae ch mi . matchmaker series ft

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miltonian ha ue tr // it sh a donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give

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julie fazooli // y ar on si vi ed nc va ad

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bulajic ie nn co // er ak re tb no. 1 hear

Misfit Island biz partners & bros: Ben (right) & Cole Rispin (Left)

“Misfit Island is a collective of content creators specializing in film, events, publishing and new media. But we dabble in a lot of other stuff too. Our company motto is “Make Fun”.”

RAW: If Misfit Island was a video game... what would be the goal? MI: Haha, we’ve actually thought about this a lot. We have little character icons that we use for our separate projects and divisions. Our characters are these cool little one eyed critters, or “misfits” designed by Dan Brandon Art. We’ve often thought that these little guys would make a great 8-bit scroll game, where they scurry across an island, eating their greens and collecting light bulbs that represent ideas. RAW: If the Misfit Island staff are the video game characters.... what would they be? MI: Well if we were to interject ourselves into the game, maybe we could be end bosses. I’d have to think a little harder about what our powers would be. RAW: Does your team have any unvisited passions/potential clients that you would like to explore as a business? MI: Well, again video games would be something I’d love to visit down the line, but we’re actually in preliminary talks with some fun ideas with that medium, mostly for hand held devices. I’d love to get more into animation too. RAW: What is it about music & film that makes a good marriage? MI: Well, I think most bands have really interesting stories as far as relationships go. Even bands who never get out of the garage have a story. Being in a band is a very unique existence. Unifying a group of people in music creates a kinship that can go a lot of different ways. Then transport this dynamic to the millions of scary, sad, happy, exciting, devastating, mundane and hilarious scenarios that happen on the road or when bands actually do get out of the garage, and you have yourself some real life drama that even the most brilliant fiction writers couldn’t imagine.

RAW: What is happening in Hamilton right now that has you excited or intrigued? MI: Well, there is so much going on. Hamilton is an entity that is really struggling to find its identity. A lot of people have a lot of valid point of views of where the city should be headed. The one thing we can all agree on is the amazing music and art that the city generates. That’s what excites me. No matter how fucked up the politics are right now. RAW: If you had the opportunity to resurrect 3 influential people and unite them at the Misfit Island table for a dinner party... which 3 from our past would you choose? MI: Oh shit. That is a really tough question. Lemmy. I’d want to meet Lemmy. Bob Kane / Bill Finger would be amazing. And maybe Harold Ramis, Chris Farley or John Candy... ...I’d have to flip a coin there. RAW: What can we look forward to from Misfit Island? MI: We have so many projects coming up. We’re releasing our film about the Canadian Indie band, The Reason, directed by Chris Paco called, “If It’s Not Something It’s Something Else”, we’re shooting a pilot for a show we’re developing with Jeremy Widerman & Jon Harvey of Monster Truck called Beer League, we have a graphic novel coming out called “Strike The Dead” written by my brother Cole and I and illustrated by Michael Storey, our artists Mickey Moone & Chuck Coles both have music coming out soon, we’ve recently started exploring the podcast universe with our podcast #MassNerder, our web comic #Punkomix has partnered with Alan Cross’ website “A Journal Of Musical Things” and we have some very big events coming up, but sadly I can’t announce them at this time.

Tom: I wake up on a bus in America and I go to sleep on a bus in America - so I don’t know what the hell ... BUT... back home I’m surrounded by the total love of my kids, grandsons (lots of family), and a fantastic woman; so I know that I’m going to be okay.

The world wants to be comfortable, nurtured and fed at regular hours. I gave up that notion 40 years ago and I never looked back. I just gotta continue to break free of what the universe expects of me. Once in a while I get to surprise myself; I wake up everyday and come up with new ways to survive creatively. There’s a lot of time to fill in one day - coming up with new ideas.

Call me Mr Love..

RAW: Is there a classic Tom Wilson equation that gets you results?

RAW: Are there any unvisited passions that you would like to explore besides music?

Tom: I try to be fearless; that’s the job. I’m starting to get pretty good at it.

Tom: I’m an artist. I do whatever I want to do, whenever I want to do it. I sing songs, I paint, and I’m writing a book - so the quick answer to that question is: No. None. Zero... Music is and always has been just one passionate outlet for me. Because I look like a musician, people think that music is all I must do, but this year has been full of creative challenges and what else can a man striving to be an artist ask for after 40 years but creative challenges. The cold blue silence of Canada in January allowed me to wake every morning and continue writing my first book for Random House/ Penguin. It’s a daunting task and one that I have to (and excuse me for using this term), “chip” away at. Lets just say it’s coming along. I’ve also spent my time at home putting together a new art exhibit that will be unveiled in 2017. It is inspired by deep rooted Mohawk culture and the energy of migrant workers who traveled up to Southern Ontario to work the tobacco fields throughout the long summers of the 1960’s. It’s called, “THE MYSTIC HIGHWAY”.

RAW: What is it about music that brings people together? Tom: I have no idea.. It’s like trying to describe God, or Colonel Sanders or Donald Trump. Nobody knows why people believe in it or why people gather around it. I just know that music and art are way better for us and healthier for the planet. RAW: What is happening in Hamilton right now musically that has you intrigued? Tom: I’m not in Hamilton enough to really know. Madeline Wilson or Lou Molinario or Brodie could tell you better than me. But......The Dirty Nil: They are Hamilton’s last gasp of rock n roll. They play like their lives depend on it and they leave their blood on the stage every night. Harrison Kennedy - this city should have a Harrison Kennedy Day and name a street after that guy. And of course, Terra Lightfoot; she’s a Goddess. Beside them we’re all just a bunch of posers right? RAW: We’ve lost a lot of iconic musicians (especially lately). If you had the opportunity to resurrect 3 of them and have them at your dinner table, who would they be? Tom: Musicians? Will this be a Pot Luck?? Okay, I actually got to spend time and break bread with two of the musicians I’d choose: Joe Strummer and Merle Haggard. They were gentleman who I am lucky to say, welcomed me to their dinner tables. I’d probably like to see some artists around my table who have brought me romance, the ones who have inspired me to keep going. No shiny, slick monsters, just the beautiful souls who could use a hot meal and a quiet place eat it. The fallen and the suffering, the ones who made the mistakes so the rest of us didn’t have to: Charlie Parker, Diane Arbus, Tennessee Williams, Sylvia Plath and of course, Frankie Venom. By the way, this city owes Frankie a statue and I’m going to make sure it happens sooner or later. leeharveyosmond.com

Watch Tom Wilson

skirt/bodysuit/boots: Vintage soul geek

Eyewear: caroline abram/advanced vision bodysuit: Vintage soul geek

bodysuit/telephone: vintage soul geek Eyewear: caroline abram/advanced vision

Eyewear: Robert Marc/advanced vision jacket/bodysuit/boots: Vintage soul geek

I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting to leave impressions on those I

First impressions are everything. They dictate your path

meet. isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it something to know that I did not exist

by instilling feelings in others that can influence your

before in your world? But now that I have introduced

life through future interactions and exchanges. You

myself, you see me and log my image into your mind. The

can inspire others based on how you made them feel

image of me is mine to create and project to the world.

by how they perceived you. What a wonder... to be seen.

EDITING: SETENIO BORGES C R E AT I V E D I R E C T I O N : SETENIO BORGES MODELS: I S TA A M A N I C K A M NICOLE MARIE BUSTON CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES: UMAJENAGEAN V I N TA G E S O U LG E E K LA BICHETTE

CLOTHING & HANDBAG: L E AT H E R H A R N E S S UMAGENAJEAN LUCKY SEVEN DRESS LABICHETTE HANDBAG - PIXIE MOOD LA BICHETTE V I S I T W W W. L A - B I C H E T T E . CO M

CLOTHING & HANDBAG: EMBROIDERED SEQUINNED TOP V I N TA G E S O U L G E E K LAME GOLD SKIRT V I N TA G E S O U L G E E K HANDBAG V I N TA G E S O U L G E E K V I S I T V I N TA G E S O U LG E E K . C O M

photo story > l.a. west ecently it seems as though Hamiltonians have united and branded themselves with city pride. There are a few makers behind the recent explosion of Hamilton merch. We sat down with the founder of True Hamiltonian, Max Francis and asked him what motivated him to start what is now the biggest brand of Hamilton T-shirts the 905 can get their hands on:

She basically said that everyone deserved to see their family during the holidays. I felt so grateful that someone could care so much about a person they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, that I was sold. Even though i was going through a rough patch, that one act of kindness helped me RAW: Why Hamilton? make the decision to stay in Max: I was a divorced single father Hamilton, where it became Home. trying to make it work for my family. Being a practical person, I needed RAW: Where are you at today? to make certain choices in life for my daughter. My deciding factor was Max: I am Excited to wake up about ten years ago around the holi- everyday, knowing that the things days, I was planning to visit my mom. i do with my life can make a I went to my bank where I found out difference with everyone I come that my earnings had been deposited into contact with. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just a regbut I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take the money out. ular guy making it in the city. Not knowing what to do, the branch I just wanted to put something out manager came to see me and asked the there that everyone can relate to. teller to go ahead and do what she could for me.

jacket: vintage soul geek

R: How did it start & why do you think hamiltonians embrace it? Max: I just made a shirt that said “ Hamilton is Home ” and then people started asking me to make them shirts. So I went to the farmers Market where I met a man named Peter Sardo. He made a few of each size for me and when i attended our first street fest they sold out in an hour. The money I made from that I invested back into the company and created more. People like the fact that it represents their city, people don’t care what others think and the message from the shirts just gives them more pride.

R: What makes Hamilton Home? Max: People here don’t give a shit what you think, I met a man in a bar who drove a garbage truck. He told me that while on his route he found an old rocking chair on the road. He proceeded to take it home and sanded it down and refurbished it for his old lady. I immediately Thought to myself, “he doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him” - and this is one of the things that endears this city to me.

jackets: vintage soul geek eyewear: robert marc/advanced vision

jackets: vintage soul geek hats: the eye of faith

hat: the eye of faith

jackets: vintage soul geek hats: the eye of faith

hats: the eye of faith

glasses: rapp optical from Advanced Vision

RAW: When you saw yourself in the future growing up... can you match today with what you saw back then? JF: I think so - I always wanted to be an artist, filmmaker and writer when I grew up. I was always taking classes that would help shape me to that effect. I worked in record shops growing up and on television and film crews for a long time. When the crash came for the industry I switched gears and took a graphic design course to help me stay creative, but also learn new skills. I worked a few jobs that meant nothing to me just to pay the rent, like I’m sure all of us do, but the past few years I’m finally able to take those life dreams and make them a reality by just letting go of what was expected of me, throwing caution to the wind a bit and just doing what I love, which brought me back around to the creative world again. I do have a drawing I did as a child where I depicted that I wanted to be Pee Wee Herman when I grew up, but 7 year old me had yet to understand what kind of a struggle would be involved, so I think I just let that one be and moved on to drawings.

JF: The name Julie Fazooli kind of came out of thin air during my divorce a few years ago, when I went through a sort of rebirth, if you will. “Fazool” is a slur on “fagioli”, which in Italian, means “beans” - so it’s Italian slang for Julie Beans. Another translation of “Fazooli” is the Roman for “supererogatory” which defines the class of actions of going above and beyond the call of duty. Mostly it means beans though, because I’m full of em.

Sunglasses: Robert Marc from Advanced Vision

Sunglasses: Orgreen from Advanced Vision

RAW: When getting into your creative vibe before you create your art, is there a personal ritual that must commence? JF: Usually I take my pants off first. It’s more comfortable. Music is always key. I need a good playlist. Snacks need to be at arm’s length because sometimes I go for hours. Sketching things I like to be alone to focus on things, but after that stage I like to work while people are milling around or a movie I’ve seen is on, to keep me slightly distracted while I render, paint, ink, shade, etc - it can get tedious and boring otherwise. RAW: Does Julie live in the moment, or plan for the future? A little of both. I don’t have many set schedules. I don’t like to be boxed in like that - I need total flexibility in my days to shift tasks around. With art, you have to work when the mood strikes you and not force it too much. Although deadlines always light a fire under my ass. My future plans are always elastic, as they constantly shift. I guess I’m a bit time-transient. RAW: What do you see yourself doing tomorrow vs 5 years from now? JF: Tomorrow I’ll be hauling out my booth for another street festival, hawking my wares, so I’m still small scale, developing an identity for myself. I’ve only been at this a couple of years, so it’s still in it’s wobbly-legged toddler stage. In 5 years I’d like to start working on building more of an artists community with other like-minded creatives in Hamilton, as well as further developing my skills as an artist and possibly get into tattooing in the future. I’d also like to design a clothing label and finally getting my first complete novel written and published. I have a semiwritten novel graveyard waiting to be dug up and worked on too. I kind of want to do all the things. My brain races with ideas like a hummingbird sometimes. RAW: Although a seasoned artist, you have a youthfulness to you & your work, what’s it take to stay forever young? JF: Don’t take life too seriously. Cry about it when it happens, but let it immediately go. Don’t carry your past on your shoulders, leave it behind you. It’s what you do in the present that dictates your future. People pissing you off? Just leave them alone and do your own thing. Don’t like your job? Quit and pursue your dreams. Broke isn’t the worst thing that’ll happen to you. Want to have a fun future? Get off your phone, get out, and play with the world. TV and all that other shit can wait. Life is happening now.

RAW: What

JF:

a a m

glasses: Rapp Optical from Advanced Vision

is the message you’d like to project to Fazooli fans who are artists themselves?

: Fans? Hahaha aww man, I don’t know if I’m quite there yet. But I think when you work hard, and dedicate yourself to something, and keep at it, you can succeed at anything. You’ll doubt yourself, people will want to distract you, you’ll fail million times, but you gotta keep going, do good things, because little successes add up, people notice good behaviour patterns, and then all of a sudden it’s a downpour of awesome opportunities and you’re in demand. Laugh at yourself when it doesn’t work out, and try again the next day - because one day you’ll look back on that frustrating moment that helped get you that thick skin you needed to survive. Most importantly - no matter what - don’t ever stop doing what you love and are good at. RAW: What are some things you’re working on that we need to look out for? JF: I’d like to do another Foodie Flash series - the food tattoo designs - to cover foods we all love that I haven’t done yet, as the sky’s the limit with that, really. I’d like to start doing some more typography-based design for clothing as well. I’m thinking a Party Champions series of hats and tees for party people - because we all like to express ourselves when we’re wasted.

RAW: Finish this sentence: When I look around, I see...

glasses: Rapp Optical from Advanced Vision

co-owner of Vintage Soul geek & curator of everything awesome. connie, along with her husband nik, bring a genuine flair with the largest collection of hard to find vintage pieces in hamilton. Connieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style gives us a combination of different eras: creating a feeling of fantasy & wonder. You can visit nik & connie @ vintage soul geek 279 king st. east hamilton, on

vintagesoulgeek.com