Skinnie Magazine Issue 118 by Skinnie Magazine

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CONTENT$|Issue #118

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FEATURES p.012

AND THE BASS GOES BOOM Steve Aoki Makes A Long Overdue Debut

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LIFE IMITATES ART Murs Has Ben There and Done That

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CATCH THE WAVE Documentary Filmmaker Cyrus Sutton Finally Get His Day

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TOO HOT TO HANDLE Skinnie Girl Alaina Gonzalez Sizzles

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FRESH ON THE SCENE Skinnie Takes A Look At Spring Style

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DOWNTOWN’S DINING DESTINATION Get Familiar With One of L.A.’s Best Restaurants

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The Skinnie scene You’ve Made It To Print, It’s Time To Celebrate

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A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR|

TEN years.

feb 2012 J ISSUE NUmber 118 10184 Sixth St. Suite A Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. 91730 Ph. 909-476-0270 Fax 909-476-5931 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PUBLISHERS Jimmy Clinton and George Giordano ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDITORIAL Editor-In-Chief Ramon Gonzales Jasen T. Davis, Alex Mendoza, Eric Bonholtzer, Katie Evans, Kristie Bertucci, Patrick Douglas, Lacy Ottenson, Elysia McMahan, Ben Marazzi, MM Zonoozy, James Gobee Contributing Writers

For editorial submissions, email editorial@skinniemagazine.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ART & DESIGN Art department

Mel D

PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Vincent, Alan Rivera, Sean Myers, Joanna Miriam, Wil Marques, Damian Tsutsumida, Genevieve Davis, Spencer Amonwatvoukal, Kyler Locke, Leanna Flecky, Karen Curley, Harmony Gerber, Edison Graff, Amanda Davies, Angela Jugon, Timothy Sheppard, Erik Faiivae, Christian Sosa, Tammy Rapp, Todd Scheuerell Contributing Photographers

Sales & Marketing Advertising

Marketing Director Jason Zahler Matt Lee, Jose Lanza and Julius Lopez

For all sales inquiries email sales@skinniemagazine.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Administrative House Of Designs Morgan Desmond Angela Jugon Raquel Lopez, Cynthia De Los Santos and Ryan Mercer Webmaster

online editor

Contributing Staff

FASHION Michelle Ngo Heather Choi and Christina Pham

Fashion Director Fashion Coordinators

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SUBSCRIBERS If the post office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within two years.

My first encounter with Skinnie Magazine happened as I was performing in a shitty little metal band right when I finished high school.There was a brief period of time when the band had actually generated a small following and meriting some press coverage. One of the few outlets to give us some editorial real estate was Skinnie Magazine. The copy was lame. I remember feeling stoked that the band was in a magazine, but reading the copy and going, “this makes us sound like dickbags.” Good, bad, who knows? What I can tell you is that Skinnie stuck with me. We would all give up the whole band dream not very long after, but in true under achiever fashion, I just couldn’t let go of the scene. I started writing and one of the very first editors I ever pestered was Hans Fink of Skinnie. Armed with a few features that were multi-syllable messes, I started somewhat of a career here. Delving into pop culture for the sake of a 1500 word feature, I managed to experience the sights and sounds few people ever get to see – and for that, I am forever grateful.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER The content in this magazine is for entertainment and intended for mature audiences only. Advertisers are responsible for their ads placed in the magazine. Skinnie Magazine is not responsible for any actions taken by their readers. We may occasionally use images placed in public domain. Sometimes, it is not possible to identify and/or contact the copyright holder, if you claim ownership of something we’ve published, we will gladly make a proper acknowledgement. Skinnie Magazine does not share opinions and/ or views stated by the writers and or photographers. Some of the content published may be of a mature nature; we do not, in any way, condone underage drinking or any other illegal activity. All submissions become property of Skinnie Magazine, be it text, photos, art, etc. Skinnie Entertainment Magazine All Rights Reserved. 2011

10 years. Whether Skinnie Magazine is loved, hated, or even on your radar at all, 10 years proves difficult to argue with in terms of sustainability and longevity. Like anything else, we get our fair share of criticism – we learned a long time ago that making everyone happy just wasn’t in the cards. We can however look back on a decade of Skinnie and feel a real sense of pride. To everyone that has contributed to this homegrown publication with genuine intentions…please know that 10 years could’ve never happened without you. Thank You For Reading…

Ramon Gonzales

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Murs Cover Photo by Jeff Farsai

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ACCOUTREMENTS

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Tequila – Let’s get the obvious out of the way. With a coffin shaped bottle, pewter skull pour stopper, and “To Die For” resting just beneath the brand name, the tequila purists might write this one off as kids stuff, but don’t be fooled. Offering their Silver, Anejo, and Reposado varieties, the flavor profile doesn’t have the bite most people would expect from most tequila. Described as a citrusfocused blend, this Jalisco crafted tequila ensures a quality pour in the mix or on the rocks. $$$ AgaveUnderground. com

2 TRES NOIR ‘Ultra

Lux – Handcrafting timeless styles rooted in no frills Americana, this Southern California eyewear brand has become synonymous with quality and unapologetic fashion. Channeling the post baby boomer generation, the Ultra Lux smacks of bouffant adorned 60’s swagger, delivered with modern flair. A must have accessory for anytime of the year in Southern California, Tres Noir frames are the kind of accent that will stand the test of time – both in quality and presentation. Available in 3 different colorways, the lady will love you for ‘em. $89.99 TresNoir.com

3 FENDER X Duane

Peters Sonoran Guitar – Coined, “The Master of Disaster” legendary skate pioneer Duane Peters has fronted the likes of US Bombs, Gunfight, and Die Hunns to name a few.

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Fender let him run loose in designing this limited edition acoustic electric Sonoran manufacturing just 500 worldwide. From the Fender Stratocaster headstock, Maple “C” shaped neck, bone nut and saddle, and colorways unconventional for an acoustic, it doesn’t get anymore Duane Peters than this. $399.99 Fender.com

4 iPro Lens System – In

one word – PHENOMENAL. Schneider Optics has long been known for crafting some of the finest professional lenses you can buy. Utilizing their skill the brand has developed a line of lenses specifically for your iPhone 4 and 4S that shoots with incredible quality. A unanimous hit among the tradeshow cynics, the lens system was the talk of the 2012 Macworld/iWorld Film Festival.Yes, this system shoots with such clarity that filmmakers are making it their must have tool for both still photography and motion footage. Offering a wide-angle lens in addition to the fisheye lens, a crystal clear image can be captured with some 165 degrees of visibility. Complete with a carrying case that doubles as a tripod mount adaptor, it must be said that all of this can fit in your pocket. This is a gamechanger – no question. $$$ iProLens.com

5 CREATURE X Trash Talk Deck – Easily one of the best exports from Sacramento in the last few decades, TRASH TALK has transcended the bulshit

stigma of the “hardcore” label to appeal to wide array of fans. True to their grass roots, skate giant CREATURE and artist Jay Howell cranked out only 400 commemorative decks celebrating the release of the band’s “Slander” video – the animated, 84 Films produced masterpiece fueled with weed, loud tunes, and of course, skateboarding. $56.95 nhsFunFactory.com

6 G-Shock Metallic

Dial Series DW- 6900 – Since their first release in Japan during the early 80’s, the Casio G-Shack name has transformed the wristwatch into a technological wonder. Having released some 30 different models of the watch, each one has continued in the element-resistant spirit that initially drove the product’s inception. The craze among collectors, G-Shock has

announced the release of the new DW – 6900 Metallic Series. Guaranteed to have the blogs buzzing, the new line offers all of the bells and whistles you should expect from a G-Shock, with a grown-man kind of feel. $$$ GShock.com

7 Sarah Chloe

Heartbeat Rings – PERFECT for Valentine’s Day jewelry designer Sarah Chloe introduces the Heartbeat Ring. Available in Sterling Silver, 14k White Gold,Yellow Gold, and Rose Gold, this New York City staple makes the kind of hand-crafted gift she will probably brag about for months. If not, fans including Scarlett Johannson, Cate Blanchett, Maria Menounes, Maya Rudolph, Mark Sanchez, Christina Hendricks, and Brooke Burke might help you convince her that she

is in good company rocking something from Sarah Chloe. Get on it. $79 SarahChloe.com

8 IRON FIST ‘Vanity

Fair’ – Intense? Absolutely. But the design team over at Iron Fist had every intention of inciting more than the typical reaction when it came to their over the top designs. In much the same way men obsess over what makes a statement in footwear, IF has developed a reputation for creating fashion forward footwear for ladies that are looking to break out of the conventional when they step out for the night. Encompassing a firm understanding of the punk rock ethos in their look, these heels ain’t for the faint of heart. $$$ IronFistClothing.com

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bass & treble

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pulverizing POP culture from the

pickle patch For Steve Aoki, This Never Gets Old

By Alex Mendoza

In these digitally charged days of media consumption, Pop Culture omnivores follow the lead of two figures: the Taste Makers and the Aggregators. Not to be confused with rejected names of your next-door neighbor’s musically challenged garage band, the two factions work in tandem; creating an ever-evolving cycle that features in-depth exposés and previews on what is normally touted as “the next big thing”. Compared to the humble beginnings of journalism, those with a craving to spread the latest morsel of news – no matter how inane and bland – have the power of the Internet community at their fingertips instead of having to be there first hand, as substantial metropolitan cultures serve as the primary hubs for these denizens of the digital entertainment world.

wunderkind was producing his own records and turned his campus apartment into a hit concert venue dubbed as The Pickle Patch. “I’ve always felt extremely fortunate with the friendships I’ve made and the people I’ve met, and that comes from the earliest years when this whole thing music thing started. One of the primary reasons I was able to make my music available to a wider audience was due to the friendships I forged across the years. I couldn’t have done this without them, or the people who have always stood by me and supported my music.”

And amongst the ocean of Taste Makers and Aggregators, Steve Aoki effortlessly navigates both shores to deliver what people truly are attuned to years before they are even aware it actually exists.

Yet his earliest performances did not involve a tantalizing arrangement of beats, bleeps and blips. Rather, his association as the vocalist with the hardcore punk band This Machine Kills - and later on as one half of Rifoki (the five-song punk song collaboration between The Bloody Beetroots’ Bob Rifo and Steve Aoki) - provided Aoki with exposure to various genres that would shape his trademark ability to dabble with unfamiliar styles.

“Music is all about connection, and there’s no real better way to connect with people than sharing the music they’re not familiar with, and that’s one thing that’s important to me in the music I listen to - a sense of raw energy that no one else is really picking up on,” Aoki states.

But the key to Aoki’s appeal lies in his general musical authenticity and sincerity as an individual, as one of the general pitfalls of producing electronically charged tracks is losing a sense of connection amidst the turbulent sea of synthesized timbres and throbbing percussive rhythms.

“I am the type of person who thrives on that type of energy, so when I recognize it in a band before anyone does, I want to make sure I share it with as many people as possible. I’ve been that way for as long as I can remember, and seeing them get as amped and excited about the same song is something that never gets old.”

It’s clear with current mainstream hits established by the familiar cast of pop and electronic producers that this evolving style of electronic music is the ideal sonic palette for this generation - a vast amalgamation of Pop Culture icons, rising indie stars and diverse electronic productions that have delivered EDM to the front of the music mainstream.

With years of Aoki’s childhood and adolescent experiences fueled by his passion for music, Aoki utilized his knowledge about society and how it functions to his advantage, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and another in Women’s Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. But aside from studying the words of Max Weber, or the deluge of feminist essays detailing the outcry of the mistreated women of the nation, the budding electronic

“One thing that’s benefitted me in making my music is the fact that I live in a place like Los Angeles,” Aoki explains. “Everybody comes here and everybody loves it here. And if they don’t live here, they wish they did, because it’s the type of place that attracts all these producers, stars and so forth. It’s given me the chance to throw all these parties with these

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guys to get to know them a little better, and of course this place is my home. It has been that way since I was a kid, so obviously that aspect of myself interplays with the way I create and share my music.” Where Aoki succeeds further is his ability to sense echoes of these alluring musical vibes in up-and-coming acts; acts that thrive on a musical honesty that is similar to his own in other areas outside of the electronic music realm, with some of his earliest bookings including bands such as “!!!”, At the Drive-In, Jimmy Eat World and The Rapture at his Pickle Patch abode, and somehow finding time to meet Rivers Cuomo at a secret show on campus in the process. These days it is difficult to find something within the electronic music realm that Aoki has not influenced in some way, shape or form. His Dim Mak label (named after his childhood icon, Bruce Lee) has broke bands such as The Bloody Beetroots and Klaxons – just to name a few – but also turned the darker and edgier underpinnings of the electronic music realm as a marketable force to be reckoned with. Current genre megastars such as Boys Noize, Justice, Ke$ha, Kid Cudi, Lady Gaga, Skrillex also found themselves graced with Aoki’s Midas Touch, as they had their

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debut US performances at Dim Mak studios - located deep within the heart of Hollywood. Surprisingly enough, even after all of these years of running a multitude of artists through his own creative filters, or performing at massive festivals such as Ultra and IDentity, Aoki has never released a studio album comprised solely of his own material. But that has changed with his debut studio album outing, “Wonderland”, a whirlwind collection of Aoki’s diabolical electronic charm embedded within the diverse assortment of artists and styles that Aoki has embraced over his successful musical career. “Every vocalist and producer on the album are all friends of mine, or people I’ve known for quite sometime,” Aoki reflects. “This whole album is very personal to me, because it’s been entirely built on my relationships with them. Some of these people I wasn’t always good friends with, like Rivers Cuomo, but I knew them in some capacity and as we worked together we became better friends over time. And some of these tracks are out of the box for the vocalists, but because these were such personal relationships I was able to get them to do these things that were definitely out of their comfort zone.”

Shock and awe moments are delivered in spades, as Aoki features past classics such as “No Beef” and “Turbulence”. But it’s his collaboration with punk legends Die Kruezen and The Exploited in the track, “The Kids Have Their Say” that will definitely turn heads. The song is an unexpected marriage of electronica, distorted guitar riffs and relentless punk vocals that bring vocal cord abuse into question. It is the ideal representation of Aoki’s rebellious musical spirit, as well as a keen reminder that Newport Beach native is only getting started with his stealth takeover over the electronic scene. But that’s not all Aoki has in his arsenal, as recent stints within the rap world have provided him with infectious singles, such as his remix of Drake’s “Forever”, that turned the mainstream hip-hop world in his direction.

good friends of mine, and having those two iconic personalities on one song is pretty epic to me. But everyone I worked with is amazing, cause you have people like will.iam, who is a pop genius, and then Rivers Cuomo, who was my fucking hero ever since I was a little kid. It makes this whole experience that much more enriching, because this album is ultimately a summary of who I am as a person and as a musician.” Ideally, “Wonderland” is an autobiographical account of the scene that Aoki has helped construct over the past 20 years. Other collaborations with Rivers Cuomo harken back to his roots within the confines of UC Santa Barbara, serving as the aggregator of a scene that was playing to a particular audience.

As such, “Wonderland” features a biblically proportioned collaboration with Kid Cudi and Travis Barker titled “Cudi the Kid”. It employs sparse, melodic soundscapes, fuzzy synth textures and Barker’s merciless drum fills guiding the song towards Dubstep-tinged phrases of wobble bass glory.

But other musical unions with LMFAO & Nervo, as well Angger Dimas or will. I.am, insist that Aoki recognizes the wave of the Pop Culture future before it even comes to fruition, making him more than a Taste Maker, but a global auteur of all things worth listening to in the sprawling realms of dance, hip-hop, electronica, house, pop, punk and rap - with “Wonderland” serving as the road map towards a musical horizon that thrives upon unpredictable shifts in style and substance.

“Getting Travis Barker and Kid Cudi on one track, even though their both really

Thankfully, Aoki is more than happy to guide us along the way.

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building a better

rocketship Murs Looks To The Future With Promise

Not that job isn’t loaded with some hefty perks, but there are few experiences as nerve-racking as the couple of minutes prior to an interview with someone you have only known in song. It must be said that more often then not, expectations fall short. Be it because of a publicist’s programmed responses the artist had memorized, the shitty questions the unprepared journalist pushed in the conversation, or just a general lack of enthusiasm all around. Conventional interviews aside, a conversation with Murs proved fruitful in that pages upon pages notes have been shifted through to get here – a very simplistic, albeit definitive conclusion – Murs just might be the finest example of hip hop culture walking. Obviously that kind of statement is susceptible to a healthy amount of scrutiny, but the real assertion is this. After some two decades of traveling the world, penning some of the genre’s most intelligent lyrics, churning out dozens of releases both as a solo artist and as a member of a collective – Murs has remained the kind of artist that might go the rest of his career without having his sincerity called into question. His ability to drop a track with the likes of radio mainstays like Snoop Dog, only to come back and release collaborative efforts with cult sensations like Sicc Jacken or Terrace Martin prove that. His ability to craft a steadfast reputation among the “backpackers” that shit on hip hop music for selling out was contrasted with a major label deal that met some groans, but no dismissal. For fans of Murs, the answer to the clichéd question of whether hip-hop is dead is simple, and he’ll be the first to own up to it.

By Ramon Gonzales and Images by Jeff Farsai jefffarsaiphotography.com

‘Streets Iz A Mutha’ from Kurupt and listening to Mack 10 and DJ Quik that was my soundtrack. It was very obvious that if you weren’t from California you wouldn’t understand the music. Maybe that was what drew me to it so much. It was describing the places I knew, the people I knew.” Growing up in Southern California in the 90’ s, Gangster Rap left an indelible impression not only on the music, but fashioned much of the rest of world’s perception of what West Coast rap music was. It was the Impalas, the 40 Ozs., the house shoes, drive-bys, and throwing up your set – and while Murs was tuning in, there was a disconnect. “I have friends in every neighborhood in Southern California. Lynwood, Covina, Mid-City, the Valley. I’m way more gangsta then people know. But for me I had a responsibility to accentuate the positive… I sound LA. I was telling stories that were West Coast-Centric.” It was the same potent blend of environmental awareness and intelligent savvy that resulted in a sound that was in deed LA, but more so would become unequivocally Murs. As an indispensible member of the Living Legends crew, Murs, along with Scarub, Eligh, Aesop, and The Grouch have become some of the more prominent names to emerge from the camp. Arguably, Murs really struck gold when he teamed up with production’s true 9th Wonder (pun intended) to drop Murs 3:16 on an unsuspecting audience in dire need of something new. It’s a milestone Murs acknowledged even as he prepared to drop his most recent effort, Love and Rockets, Vol.1 The Transformation.

“As long as I’m alive, it’s alive.” What becomes much more apparent in exploring Murs’ contribution to the art form is just how delicate of a balancing act his craft has been. “For me, hearing

“People liked 3:16 so much. As an artist you never want to make the same thing you just got done making, but it was impossible to think about why people liked 3:16 so much. There was something very core about it. For this record we kind of

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locked ourselves away in upstate New York. And I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder and that was put right back into the record. Putting that L.A. core into this record was very similar to what we did with 3:16.” Despite holding onto his West Coast roots, for The Transformation, Murs had to do a healthy among of letting go just the same. After spending some time on a major label, Love and Rockets Vol. 1 happened on the heels of a partnership that Murs explained took all of “15 minutes” to shake hands on. Meeting with mogul Dame Dash, Murs admits, allowed him to focus on the product, not the pitch. “It was a 15 minute conversation. Six months later, we had a record and tour ready to go. The thing about Dame is that he never micromanaged the process. He made sure we were surrounded by talented, artistic people and he let us go to work. Dame’s drive is in making something succeed and doing fresh shit.” Having long been championed as the poster child of indie hip –hop, the partnership allowed Murs to shake the weight of a major label deal and return to the kind of hustle that really earned him such respect among not only his peers, but even those outside of the genre. Notorious for spending sizable portions of the calendar year on the road, Murs was back at it with this record and a renewed vigor that seemed apparent not only on record, but in disposition completely. ‘You know, these rappers that are still living that life have groupies that 30 plus years old. No one wants to see a 30-year-old plus groupie. No one wants to see someone trying to swag out when they are over 30. And on the other side of that, you got rappers talking about ‘bitch, bitch, bitch’ but they have been married for years. For

me now, I’m not on some rap shit anymore. I got married.We adopted kids, I cut my hair, I am involved with charities. I did all that shit. I popped bottles. I was the only black dude in Hyde before Hyde was the spot. But no one is telling people about growing up, about real life, about experience. Love and Rockets was very much the transformation for me.” Prior to Murs, rappers weren’t selling merch and creating a brand. Prior to Murs, rappers weren’t putting in thousands of touring miles – at least not in passenger vans they drove themselves. Prior to Murs, rappers weren’t interested in taking on cultural divides and doing the Vans Warped Tour – it wasn’t the safe bet. Before skinny jeans and skate culture became infatuated with hip-hop music, Murs was on his skateboard in 03’. When festivals started looking towards rap mainstays to help anchor their headlining spots, Murs went and created his own festival. While the lane is open for emerging artists like Odd Future, Dom Kennedy, Kendrick Lamar and, Casey Veggies, Murs has undoubtedly walked that path first. So how important has Murs been to hip-hop music – the evidence is plain as day. As for Murs and where he stands when he acknowledges what his career has been thus far, the future is the same as it ever was. “At the end of the day a pimp is always a pimp. Angry indie rappers are always going be angry indie rappers but as for me? I wanna sell 5 million records and have my music reach as many people as humanly possible on planet Earth – but I want to make sure I do it on my own terms.” Maybe I was wrong. Murs might not be the finest example of hip-hop; he might just be the finest example period.

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full contact

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catching waves and capturing

moments Cyrus Sutton and “Under the Sun” By Rob LeDonne

Today’s surf industry may seem like all fun and games, but in reality it’s very commercialized and extremely difficult to break into. There are two schools of thought when it comes to contemporary surf culture: there are those that surf for the sport of it, (to get endorsement deals and buckets of money), and those that surf to satisfy something deep inside of them, leading to a more creative and artistic life, less about the draw of fame or fortune. 29 year-old Cyrus Sutton, a filmmaker and surfer, is fascinated by this intriguing divide and made a documentary examining it called “Under the Sun”. For Sutton, he’s lived on both sides of the spectrum and dove into the subject matter with a ton of passion, trying to find out exactly why this is and what the future of modern surf holds. Sutton knew immediately he wanted to make a film about it after realizing these divides. “These parallels have never been drawn before; I never heard anybody talk about it, so I felt like I found a gold nugget.” Hailing from California’s picturesque Orange County, Suttton took up surfing when he was a sprightly 12 years-old, relatively late for someone who would later go pro. “I started to get into baseball first, but as soon as I found surfing, I knew it was

something that I wanted to pursue,” remembers Sutton. “My dad started taking me to the beach and from then on, it really took a hold of my life.” It was his parents that instilled in him a go-getting spirit: “My mom and dad taught me a lot; they both wanted me to do things my way.” As the years went by, Sutton became so good that he was a professional surfer while still in high school. Forgoing college to live his dream, he traveled all over the world, competing and living, in his words, an idealistic life; an opportunity many teenagers would kill for. Sutton relished every moment: “it seems like these days there’s a guide or manual for everything, but surfing is kind of really mysterious and you can only get good at it, or get a sense of accomplishment, through trial and error. When you do it right, you get this incredible satisfaction.” Suddenly, a chance trip to Asia put Sutton on a totally different course.“I got a staph infection and got sick in Samoa, and as a result I couldn’t surf for awhile. That was the first time I picked up a camera, and made a surf film in my downtime.” Sutton’s interest in filmmaking surged while his interest in the surf industry started to wane. “I started getting very disenchanted,” he says now. “Once I started learning about

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the industry and the people in it, it went against my ideals. I was trying to come to grips with a flawed human society’s interaction with something so pure.” As Sutton dove deeper into the fimmkaing aspect, he began to garner more attention and accolades than ever before, like receiving an Emmy Award for 2005’s “The Next Wave: A Tsunami Relief Story,” a film he directed and wrote alongside Justin Krumb which originally aired on the action sports network Fuel TV. It centered on the devastating effects of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, following four people into the heart of the catastrophe with gripping results. Showing his range, Cyrus made “Tom’s Creation Plantation” in 2009, a much lighter film chronicling the ancient art of wooden surfboards known as alaias. Since then, however, Sutton notes that the audience for independent surf films has changed. “The market has just shrunk exponentially. Nowadays there’s so much stuff on the web for free, and so many companies sponsoring surf films. That, coupled with the fact that the cost of camera equipment is so cheap, it really waters down the market. In terms of surf culture, there’s a bombardment of media out there.” Nevertheless, knowing a good idea when he sees it, Sutton managed to secure funding from Ubiquity Records to make “Under the Sun,” and in a career that brought him all over the globe, he decided to focus the film on two beach side communities in Australia that perfectly captured the idea he was trying to convey. “I first went out to Australia when I was 18,” recalls Sutton. “I realized that there were these two contrasting surf cultures there: Byron Bay and Gold Coast. Even though they are so close to eachother, they are so different in every way, both mentally and physically speaking.” While there, Sutton was reminded of the culture back in the states: specifically the competing vibes of Los Angeles and Orange County. “The differences between (Byron Bay and Gold Coast) so perfectly reflect what I grew up with (in California).” A half a world away, Cyrus also notes that “both areas in Australlia gave birth historically to archetypes and the environment that I was raised in; a lot of it is rooted in these two towns.” Just like famed surf film “The Endless Summer” introduced a America to surf culture in the 1960s, Sutton is introducing an entirely new American audience to Australian surf culture in the 2000s, and the many lessons that can be drawn from it. “There’s a lot of conclusions you can make and everyone is going to drawn their own,” explains Sutton “What people can take away is that there are amazing things in the world and you can really get wrapped up in what you’re being marketed, whether it’s surfing, or even skating or snowboarding, or any of these relatively new sports that are being branded. What’s really important through all of this is

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being happy doing what you’re doing. It’s about being on the mountain, the waves, or in the skatepark. It doesn’t matter what clothes you’re wearing or how you look, what matters is that there are things deeper than all of that.” At the same time he was making a name for himself with his films, Sutton came to a crossroads.“I had been spending all my time pursing my passions and I was feeling kind of turned off by whats going on in the economy,” he remembers. “I realized that the most important thing that I could do was to be as healthy as I could and teach myself basic skills of living, whether it’s building or cooking or whatever else. I realized that if the end of the world came tomorrow, I’d be screwed.” As a result, in an attempt to further anyalyze and explore this insight, Sutton teamed up with some friends to launch Korduroy.tv, a website with a mission statement that says it “was born from our disillusionment with mass production,” and whose slogan is “Spreading Digital Aloha”. More specifically, according to Sutton, the point of Korduroy.TV is “to try to empower surfers through tutorials and interviews with artists and creative types; inspiring people to look outside the box and to take control and take stock in their own lives.” First online in 2009, Korduroy is in the process of a massive overhaul which, as Sutton puts it, “is a gift to all of our fans.” Videos on the site include clips like “How To Live in Your Van,” (self explanatory), and a look at a recent trip Sutton took to Mexico. Korduroy also boasts a recurring segment dubbed “Inner-views” which profile various people across the country, most recently a pro-snowboarder in Salt Lake City. As usual in Sutton’s ever-changing life, he came to yet another fork in the road and had the opportunity to start shooting commercials, something he’s been working on in addition to his duties at Korduroy. Not to worry, he’s not producing spots for McDonalds or Coca-Cola, but as you may have guessed, for surf products (he recently filmed one featiring veteran surfer Wingnut). Most notably, however, is that more than 10 years after getting that staph infection in Samoa and leaving the world of professional surfing, in December 2011 he was signed yet again, this time to Reef. “They’re supporting me to learn the things I want to learn,” explains Sutton, but this time he has the knowledge of the reality of the industry he’s so perfectly captured in all of his films. Whether it’s his website, films, commercials, or anything else he may be working on, his love of surfing is something that overrides it all: “Surfing is beyond comprehension really, it lets you listen to yourself and your intuition and that thought process winds up influencing your entire life.”

Hydroponics is our business, service is our best product and educating you, our customer, is our passion.

55 Hydroponics

1727 Boyd Street Santa Ana, CA 92705 714.259.7755

For more info, contact us at sales@55hydro.com or visit us on the web at

www.55hydro.com

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skinnie girl

too hot to

handle

Skinnie Girl Alaina Gonzalez Photography by Michael Vincent - MIchael Vincent.com Wardrobe and Art Direction by Tal B

Tell us about this Latin America’s Sexiest Woman title you won…who gave you this honor and more importantly, how did it make you feel? I was asked to Represent Mexico inThe World’s Most beautiful Latina! The event was a huge deal! They flew in Women from all over the world! We had press interviews, photo shoots, endless parties, it was a blast! It was really an honor to be chosen as one of the world’s Most beautiful Latinas. What do you think it is about Latinas that set them apart from other ladies? Latina’s are fiery, passionate and alluring! You have done some acting before right? Do you want to continue in that direction professionally or do you enjoy modeling more? I had a role in the movie The Penthouse, I played a reporter and the love interest of the star Corey Large. I have also had appearances on Entourage and Fox’s Hit Show Lie to Me! I see myself playing much bigger roles in the future! I would love to play roles that represent a strong, sensual and powerful Latina! Watch out Salma Hayek! You have been in quite a few Men’s Magazines – what does it feel like to be a sex symbol? What does it feel like to know guys all over the world are a fan of yours? Its very flattering to know that men find me so desirable, but at the same time, it’s great to show that I am not just all

beauty...I got the brains too baby! It fills amazing to be able to share my writing with the world as well. You can find some of my published articles at http://www. examiner.com/user-afg805. What were some of the music videos you have been in? Did you have any Rockstar moments? I played the love interest in pop sensation’s Kaden in ‘A Boy Like Me’. We had such amazing chemistry and it really showed in the music video. Not to mention how amazingly hot Kaden was, I loved playing his muse! Another really fun video I did was for the British Pop Stars Molly Smitten in ‘Fade Like the Sun’. I had a super sexy shower scene! You were recently featured in FHM – what was it like to see that issue? It was unreal!! I truly feel blessed to see my self grace the pages of FHM along side some of the most talented and stunning women in the world. But it is even better to see myself in Skinnie Magazine. What are your plans for 2012? Movies? More music videos? I would love to be in Maxim, Latina and Sports Illustrated. I would love to do some bigger movies! I also would love to do some back up dancing for Lady Gaga or Jay Z, I have trained professional in dancing for ten years. I am also going to really push to get some of my writing in publications such as Ms. Magazine or even Skinnie Magazine!

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On Kate Top by BTFL People, Shorts by Black Love, Belt is BTFL vintage collection, Shoes Jeffrey Campbell, Bangle by Mai Collections On Manuel Shirt by The Hundreds, Tee by American Apparel, Shoes by J Shoes

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Fashion Director Michelle Ngo Photographer Sean Alonso www.1-shotphoto.com Models Manuel Torres & Kate Compton Stylist Brandon Niquolas & Art Brandon Hunter Hair Jose Monzon Makeup Brittany Sullivan Location Frank Meza Art Studio

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Destination:

downtown Bottega Louie Does Fine Dining Without The Preteniousness

Anchored on the corner of 7th Ave. and Grand in Downtown Los Angeles, the Brockman Building is home to one of the city’s must-visit destinations in Bottega Louie. Boasting undeniable curb appeal, the floor to ceiling windows that run the perimeter of the restaurant provide a unique showcase for Gourmet Market & Patisserie. A confectionary collection that looks more like art then it does dessert, ensures a first impression that is guaranteed to get the palette interested in what the chef has to offer. Far from the conventional, stuffy setting of traditional Italian Trattoria, the stainless steel open kitchen bustling with a dozen or so chefs is just as energetic as the dining room – which is just as packed on a Tuesday as it is on a Saturday. And for good reason – Bottega Louie has set a standard for feasible fine dining. Between

Words Ramon Gonzales

the ambiance and the menu, the expectation would be that a visit here would result in some damage to the wallet, but the prices are no more than that of chain restaurant. Hip factor aside, this L.A. hotspot has earned every bit of the hype – here’s why.

Clean, simple, elegant – the floorplan of a restaurant might not be a detail that weighs heavily for too many people, but it does make sense that comfort and a good meal go hand in hand. Massive ceilings, white tile, subtle gold accents, and tons of open space create a dining environment that effortlessly feels classy, all the while retaining genuine comfort. This isn’t the kind of place that requires a shirt and tie, but the ambiance is such that you just might want to put one on anyway.

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Functioning as part market and bakery, the lobby serves as a vivid introduction to the restaurant. A massive glass case houses dozens upon dozens of pastries, tarts, cakes, and the restaurant’s famous variety of macaroons in a way that can only be described as eye-popping. The kitchen, an open stainless steel workstation allows diners to see all of the action as a dozen or so chefs create dishes that are just as appealing visually as they are to eat. On the opposite end of the dining room, a traditional wall oven churns out hand tossed pizzas comprised with gourmet toppings. And how can you not love the bar…offering craft beer, a healthy wine listing complete with pairing options and a feverishly busy staff, the term mixologist might work well to describe the competence but it’s not that cheesy. The bartenders do an amazing job of getting every meticulous detail of your drink order not only correct, but consistent.You name it. They make it - Flawlessly. (On any given Friday night, there is a bartender with short blond hair. She makes an AMAZING Eastside with just the right amount of simple sugar and cucumber – CRUCIAL) While the internet has given everyone the ability to become a restaurant critic, a simple search will result in a few common complaints about Bottega Louie. A no reservation policy. A high level of volume in the dining room. The occasional two-hour wait to be seated. It’s all worth it. Once you do get a seat, the braised beef short ribs nestled on a bed of creamy polenta with a blend of ricotta and sage makes every complaint you might be able to muster go away. The fact is, Bottega Louie is packed, is loud, and doesn’t take reservations because there are so many people that recognize that

the food and the atmosphere are well worth the price and the downtown traffic. Not looking to get into an entrée? Looking to go more casual, you’re covered. An order of the Portabello fires paired with a perfect garlic aioli, followed by a hand-tossed clam pizza (accented with a bit of thyme, garlic, and Pecarino Romano cheese) should do the trick. From Italian staples like Lasagna (packed with hearty Bolognese sauce) and Shrimp Scampi to dishes imagined with more modern flair like the Hanger Steak Verdura (complete with unreal black truffle sauce) and that short rib masterpiece mentioned earlier, there is no weak link on the menu. In fact, every trip to Bottega Louie is another challenge to see if the last visit could be topped. But let’s not forget dessert. The anchors of traditional Italian dessert are executed perfectly.Tiramisu, complete with rich espresso flavor and velvety mascarpone goodness is a gem. Beignets, plain and filled with rich custard and sweet fruit are pillows of lightly fried heaven. But you have to consider the nectarine cobbler packed with poached nectarines and sweet crème fraiche. Or maybe the Panna Cotta, this one comes with blood orange gelee and candied almonds.Yeah, that good. Hipsters, noise level, and the wait aside – the downside to Bottega Louie rests in the cliched adage that some good things are worth the wait. The flipside to that reality is that Bottega Louie makes sure your wait is pleasant with fantastic drinks and a comfortable atmosphere. Los Angeles has so much to offer in the way of unique culinary experiences and Bottega Louie is a very noteworthy contributor to the city’s clout. 7th and Grand – see why the hype is indeed deserved.

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SKINNIEScene

Three 6 Mafia @ Marquee 15

INDEX

LOS ANGELES

LAS VEGAS

ORANGE COUNTY

SAN DIEGO

INLAND EMPIRE

p.046 Weekly Club Listings

p.048 Weekly Club Listings

p.050 Weekly Club Listings

p.052 Weekly Club Listings

p.054 Weekly Club Listings

Calendar Club Pictures

To Receive Updates on Skinnie Scene Club Listings or To Submit Your Events, E-mail: Update@skinniemagazine.com to be Added to Our Weekly Skinnie E-blasts.

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Los angeles | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Jamie Barren, John Pangilinan of The ID Agency

LA CALENDAR

02.08 Coldplay @ Club Nokia

James Stewart & Davi Millsaps for Pirelli @ Dodger Stadium

Yoyeur

James Stewart for Pirelli @ Dodger Stadium

MyStudio Hollywood

Yoyeur

Pirelli Scorpion MX Launch @ Dodger Stadium

MyStudio Hollywood

Pirelli Scopion MX Mid Hard Launch

02.09 Estelle @ Key Club 02.10 Cut Copy @ The Avalon 02.11 Young The Giant @ The Wiltern 02.14 Lucha Va Voom @ The Mayan

02.13 Wale @ Key Club 02.17 Machinehead @ The Avalon 02.19 Vektor @ The Echo 02.24 Die Antwoord @ Club Nokia 02.25 Pfife Dawg @ Key Club

03.05 Drake @ Galen Center 03.04 Jolie Holland @ Bootleg Theatre

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Los angeles | Skinniescene

Francesco Molfetta

@ Toy art gallery

Photos by Genevieve Davis

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Las Vegas | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Diverse Snowboards, Shane O’Neal, Scott Harrison, Danny Mahoney

LV CALENDAR

Beauty Bar

WOW - Dita Von Teese @ Hyde Bellagio

XS Nightclub - Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson

Beauty Bar

Dita Von Teese @ Hyde Bellagio

Diverse Snowboards @ Beauty Bar

Dita Von Teese Performs @ Hyde Bellagio

02.16 DMX @ Hard Rock Café On The Strip 02.08 Motley Crue @ The Joint 02.09 Children of Bodom @ House of Blues 02.09 Elton John @ The Colosseum At Caesars Palace 02.10 Chuckie @ Marquee

02.22 Penguin Prison @ Saville Row 02.10 Steel Panther @ House of Blues 02.13 Foster The People @ Marquee 02.13 Lauryn Hill @ House of Blues 02.14 Wale @ Marquee

02.25 Die Antwoord @ House of Blues 02.19 Lenny Kravitz @ MGM Grand Garden Arena

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– SCOTT MA

NTZ, ACCESS

HOLLYWOO

OWN THE BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK AND DVD FEB 21 ALSO AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD INCLUDES

ALTERNATE ENDINGS!

LANGUAGE AND SEXUAL CONTENT plus ALL NEW

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Stream/Download by 7/27/12

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Orange county | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Jeff Allen, Erik Faiivae, Leanna Flecky

OC CALENDAR

02.13 Children of Bodom @ The Yost

Dre Pareles @ 2nd Floor HB

Winner On The Left @ Continental

The Yost

Girls, Girls, Girls Art Show @ 2nd Floor HB

Menno De Jong @ The Yost

The Yost

Sullen Angels @ Continental

Sullen Art Collective @ Continental

The Far Right Please @ Continental

02.11 DJ Quik @ The Observatory 02.14 Excision @ The Yost 02.17 Big Bad VooDoo Daddy @ The Coach House 02.18 TSOL @ The Observatory

02.19 Dark Funeral @ The Observatory 02.21 Iced Earth @ The Grove 02.25 Heart @ Honda Center 02.28 311 @ The Grove 03.02 Musink @ OC Fair & Event Center

03.03 Musink @ OC Fair & Event Center 03.04 Musink @ OC Fair & Event Center

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san diego | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Jeremy Wassink & Bobby Reyes of Eventvibe.com

SD CALENDAR

02.12 Benga @ Voyeur

FLUXX

Wintervention @ Hard Rock

Snow Bunnies @ Hard Rock

FLUXX

Hard Rock

RAGIN' @ House of Blues

NERO @ House of Blues

House of Blues

Infected Mushroom @ FLUXX

02.08 Anthony Greene @ The Epicentre 02.10 Young The Giant @ SOMA 02.11 Devin The Dude @ 4th & B 02.14 Children of Bodom @ House of Blues

02.21 Gomez @ Belly-Up Tavern 02.18 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Anthology 02.22 Iced Earth @ House of Blues 02.24 Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds @ Sound Wave 02.29 The Kooks @ House of Blues

02.26 Cursive @ The Casbah 03.03 The Business @ The Shakedown Bar

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inland empire | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Erik Faiivae

IE CALENDAR

02.14 Jeff Garcia @ Marquee 15

Big Ass Drink @ Chronic Cantina

Three 6 Mafia @ Marquee 15

Three 6 Ain't With It @ Marquee 15

Budz @ Chronic Cantina

Chronic Cantina Corona

RAGIN' @ Chronic Cantina

Peace Signs @ Chonric Cantina

Hyper Crush @ Marquee 15

02.11 Anthony Greene @ Glass House 02.11 Strung Out @ Stingers 02.15 Zion I @ The Barn 02.16 The Expendables @ Glass House

02.17 Social Distortion @ Fox Theater Pomona 02.18 Social Distortion @ Fox Theater Pomona 02.23 Los Lonely Boys @ UCR 02.25 Cursive @ Glass House

02.26 T. Mills @ Marquee 15 03.03 Cypress Hill Smokeout w/ Cypress Hill, Korn, Wiz Khalifa, @ NOS Events Center

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inland empire | Skinniescene

aware art show @

Aloft hotel

Photos by Amanda Davies

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