Cut The Noise Issue #2

Mission Statement

The second issue of Cut the Noise is here, WHIP’s hyper-niche, if you-know-you-know, physical zine that brings the latest of Philadelphia’s underground to your hands. See what the members of WHIP’s web department have been cooking behind the scenes and what music has been shot out of the creative blunderbuss of Philly. We hope that you take this collection of work and use it as motivation to try something new. Whether it’s a new record, clothing, store, artist or a new way of seeing the world. You’re reading this because you value human made physical things that robots or computers cannot replicate. Each spread was made by its author with care. Thank you and enjoy! WK

Acknowledgments

WHIP Radio for allowing this to happen Evergreen Press for printing Temple News for allowing us inside Readers for reading Musicians for playing Artists for arting Writers for writing

ListenasyouRead

A collection of song from artists featured and mentioned in these pages. Including: Sweet Pill, The Blinds, Valendina, Dead Love Triangle, Attack Dog, bar italia and many more.

ChewedUp: A Sweet Pill Single

Chewed Up joins Starchild as the second of two singles released before a four-part EP and Sweet Pill’s first-ever headline tour. Mirroring a similar beaten-down tone as Starchild, Chewed Up features an undoubtedly more frustrated and in-your-face punch. Combined, the two songs show a poppier and slightly emo side of Sweet Pill, a noticeable turn from the dismal twang of Where the Heart is, since signing with Hopeless Records. Their amassing fanbase would stand to say Sweet Pill is simply just ushering in a new sound of success.

- Lindsey Hernandez

The Ukie Club or the basement of the Ukrainian American Citizens Association was the 3rd to last stop on the sold-out Designated Dreams tour co-headlining Jane Remover with the release of Census Designated and quannic with Stepdream.

quannic opened with a demanding presence of distorted tones and lyrics that held in the air. The set delivered a blend of shoegaze and electric punk that filled the bar from floor to ceiling, setting the perfect stage for Jane Remover’s static hyper-pop. Opening with “Cage girl / Camgirl” Remover’s set included a satisfying mix of old and new favorites like “search party” and “Backseat Girl” to please every fan. Wiry energy from title track “Census Designated” coursed through the crowd, highlighting how both artists made themselves perfectly at home in Philadelphia.

-Lindsey Hernandez

Jane Remover & quannicat the Ukie Club 02/23/2024

The Blinds

The Blinds are an experimental rock band currently residing in Philadelphia.

The band features Ashley Biss on guitar and vocals, June Hart on drums, and Luke Riley on bass.

Check out Erika Cutaia’s photos and interview with vocalist Ashley Biss.

WHIP’s2023

I Don’t Want You Anymore- Cherry Glazerr

This album is so special and different from Cherry Glazerr’s previous releases, yet still manages to perfectly incorporate their old grungey/garage-rock sound with their new fuzzy electronic sound. The songs are definitely on the more serious side compared to previous albums, and it all really shows their growth and maturity. I have been a huge fan of Cherry Glazerr for a long time, and this album is so incredibly introspective and gut-wrenching (at times!). It feels like it came to me at just the right moment, which makes me love it all the more! Some of my favorites on this album are “Touched You With My Chaos,” “Sugar,” and “Shattered.” -Lianna

Platzner

Scarlet- Doja Cat

Doja took the chance to capture everyone’s attention the best way she knows how: SCANDAL. Through changing her appearance and calling out whoever got in her way, she has riled up casual listeners, fans, and everything in between. Everyone preyed on her “flop” era because of these changes. Yet, little did we know at the time, we were all falling into her marketing trap: the release of the instant classic SCARLET. “It’s like taking candy from a baby,” she says. And she meant it. -Rachael

Abellard

Härvest- Poison Ruïn

The sophomore effort from Philly dungeon punks is beautiful and evil. It feels like they stepped out of a portal from Medieval Times or out of the basement after a lengthy D and D session. The beautiful atmospheric interludes break up the pounding riffs of the songs. Some of the highlights are “Pinnacle of Ecstasy”, “Blighted Quarter” and “Torture Chamber”. -Will Kirkpatrick

Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd- Lana Del Ray

Lana Del Rey continues to earnestly wear her heart on her sleeve in her ninth studio album. Staying true to embodying the classic Americana aesthetics, Ocean Blvd is thematically cohesive. The lyrics are picturesque, poignant, and stuck with the tension between freedom and structure while seamlessly poking fun at current cultural zeitgeists. I had the great pleasure of being able to see Del Rey perform this album at Newport Folk Fest this summer and I can attest to the fact that her vocals are even more intimate and angelic in person. All in all, this is an incredible body of work that should be heralded as one of the greatest in her discography to date. -Zoë Longley

AlbumsoftheYear

Model/Actriz- Dogsbody

Dogsbody is Model/Actriz’ debut full-length LP, and their first studio release since 2017’s No. The album is erratic, abrasive, and often overtly sexual — singer Cole Haden’s jagged vocals are frequently more shouted than sung, and his lyrics reflect a desperate struggle to come to terms with his own lack of power, self-identity, and physical touch in the wake of a toxic breakup. The loud, frantic instrumentals are influenced by everything from Xiu Xiu-esque electronic noise rock to contemporary dance punk to the band’s self-proclaimed emotional muses Big Thief. My personal favorite track is the slightly toned-down closer “Sun In,” which serves as a thoroughly moving culmination of the album’s lyrical journey through intertwined sexual yearning and self deprecation, all-consuming post-breakup angst, and finally a state of lucid acceptance and emotional renewal. With Dogsbody, Model/Actriz have cemented themselves as a staple of the modern experimental noise rock scene, and have delivered the rawest and most forward-thinking punk record of the year. -Dom Passafiume

Tracey Denim- bar italia

An act shrouded in mystery, bar italia’s 3rd studio album, Tracey Denim, feels like being catapulted back into the 1990’s era of heady shoegaze. As a whole, the album bleeds of a relatable melancholic yearning that has opened the trio to mass appeal. Hypnotic yet effervescent through 15 tracks, bar italia establishes themselves in the juxtaposition of new wave and slowcore. For newcomers, I’d have to recommend a personal favorite “best in show” which embodies a seductive indecisiveness through crooning “I can stay the night but I can’t be open/ maybe it’s just you or maybe I’m broken”. -Lindsey

Hernandez

Careful!- Deeper

Deeper’s third album, Careful, marks a dynamic shift for the Chicago band as they join new label Sub Pop. The opening track, “Build a Bridge,” echoes sentiments of the albums essence: “it’s the right kind of rhythm, you’re so lost in the sound.” The high-energy clashes are palpable, coursing through the body like electricity on a wire. Beneath the pulsating beats, Deeper weaves fragments of a reoccurring narrative of automatic living found in their previous works. Introspection, routine, complexities. The synergy between lyrics and music creates a captivating blend that continues to make me feel a heated pump in my heart.

-Erika Cutaia

Du Bois-Robeson People’s Center

Marxist bookstore, lending library, and community center

By Will Kirkpatrick

Hours

Sunday Closed

Monday 5–8 PM

Tuesday 12–4 PM

Wednesday Closed

Thursday 6–8 PM

Friday 4–6 PM

Saturday Closed

Located at 4515 Baltimore Ave in West Philly and only a short walk from Clark Park the Du Bois-Robeson People’s Center was opened in 1986. Named after W. E. B. Du Bois and Paul Robeson, the goal of the center is to provide access to a wide variety of books, many relating to politics or other thought-provoking material usually surrounding ideas of communism or other socially aware topics. Within the past few months various booking groups have hosted shows in their space, some acts that have passed through include Yung Sham, Blimp, A Night of Arrogance and Attack Dog. Along with music they frequently host movie nights and book clubs. Check their socials for more info on their programs.

“The show we played was a lot of fun. At the time the show space was still held in their backroom. Wood panelling and portraits of Commie heroes like Mao, Marx, and Stalin covered the walls. It had a charming, untouched-by-time feel that really endeared me to the space. It felt like the kind of venue that you could see a snapshot of Fugazi performing in during the 90’s,” said Dylan Michael of Attack Dog

To test the center’s accessibility, I took public transit. From Cecil B. Moore Station on the Broad Street Line to City Hall a free interchange to the westbound trolley line 34 lands you at 45th Street and Baltimore Ave, only a short walk away from the front steps of the library. The center’s proximity to the trolley stops makes this a cheap and pain free trip and is incredibly accessible to anyone in the city.

It’s hours are what is the least accessible thing about Du Bois-Robeson People’s Center. Closed on weekends and hours leaning towards the evening leaves a decent chunk of time with no access.

I do not know the accuracy of the hours listed online, but it gives a general framework. On February 17, 2023, they had not opened by 5:00 with no story updates so keep an eye out for any news regarding their status. This is a small space only ran by a few people so do not expect or demand perfection. It should be noted that you can browse while they are hosting shows or other events. So maybe find a night to listen to some music and pick up a new book.

Outside of the center is the Little Red Library a communist take on the widely popular Little Free Library. The idea is simple you take a book, you leave a book; but you are more than welcome to take without leaving. With an emphasis on politics the Little Red Library seeks to break down barriers to political involvement through easy access to materials.

“I recently saw Philadelphia’s “@“ perform in the basement (too many noise complaints for first floor shows) and it was still fun, but carried less appeal. Nonetheless it’s a great venue I will always point touring bands towards for a good Philly show,” said Michael. “If you need something to do before or after, Queen of Sheba next-door has great Ethiopian food, and at the end of the block Doro Bet was recognized by the New York Times as one of the best restaurants in Philly last year.”

The titular Little Red Library

DIY FASHION

By: Eva Agabegi

The Philly DIY music scene is one filled with many creative visionaries each with their own unique form of artistic expression. Whether you find yourself at a house show, rave, art mart, etc. Chances are you will stumble upon a uniquely cultivated atmosphere, unconventional to that of the mainstream music world. One of the most defining characteristics unique to this subculture is the evolution of fashion over the years. No matter the kind of music you’re into, you are bound to find a diverse range of eccentric fashion that emulates the free and imaginative spirit of the community to which it belongs.

Many styles are derived from a mix of 90’s punk rock, emo, grunge, and casual streetwear. Musicians and fans alike often embrace a mixand-match approach, incorporating vintage pieces and handmade items into their outfits. Creating a distinctive look that reflects personal taste rather than adhering to mainstream trends, encapsulates the individualistic ideals of the DIY scene.

Thrifting offers individuals a chance to curate a wardrobe of unique clothing items that are personalized to their own form of expression. Clothing such as vintage tees, worn denim, as well as other various statement pieces contribute to the essence of these distinct styles. Although you may find similarities in the articles of clothing worn among its crowd, DIY fashion is based upon individualty and self-expression so the sky’s the limit on the lengths to which your imaginative style choices take you.

“I find DIY fashion to mean taking the garments and materials I already have and making them into things I am excited to wear. In a society where overconsumption is the standard, I am trying to change my own consumption habits by reworking garments that would otherwise be thrown out. I took an interest in customizing my own clothes from a young age, and as I learned about the impact that the fashion industry has on the environment. I draw inspiration from street art and zines to create unique garments,” said Soshi Walder creative force behind Breath of Revival clothes.

Photo of @limit.nine in Breath of Revival gear

A running demon is consumed by its abstraction, collapsing in on itself. The movement of the figure suggests an attempt to avoid the collapse. The background is a simplistic hill with a blue sky. The artwork communicates self-destructive or self-sabotaging behavior.

-Orest Luzeckyj

Artist- Orest Luzeckyj Title- Skipping Demon Medium- Mixed Media on Paper 18”X 24” 2023

A twisted and contorted figure stands central in a closed room with striped red walls and a pink floor. Its face is pinched inwards and blown out simultaneously to suggest inner tension. Its hands are wound into blue fists as if it is bracing for impact. Its legs dissolve into twirling swirls. This artwork communicates inner tension and angst.

-Orest Luzeckyj

Artist- Orest Luzeckyj Title- Bullman in Redroom Medium- Monotype 18”X 24” 2023

By: Sydney Martin

Catching up: Dead Love

Triangle Two Years Later

By: LindseyHernandez

Photo: @Tvbuz

-What’s the biggest difference or change you’ve noticed in yourselves over the past two years?

Will Sawyer: Definitely more confidence in creating things.

Ben Roberts: More confidence, more individuality in the songwriting process.

Jason Hankins: Learning to balance more responsibility and keeping the joy of music through a changing lifestyle.

-What was something unexpected you learned during your tour?

B: We can all get really pissed off at each other.

W: That Ben and I act like sisters.

B: Learning to get along with each other, but also on a positive note, I think the idea that it’s all possible is pretty crazy. You know what I mean? The idea that you can go into it and travel. It just felt good to meet people along the way who liked our music. Which is the craziest feeling ever, going somewhere far away and having people enjoy your music.

W: Yeah, people were coming out. It was cool to see that we could go out to New York and we could kinda fill up a room. It was a really good feeling.

J: We didn’t think we could do it and like get it done.

W: We thought no one would show up.

J: Lots of thanks to the Jet Fuel Soda boys.

-Any goals or manifestations for the next few years, what’s next?

W: Spend our 20’s touring, get jobs, and then tour, and then die.

B: Honestly I have no idea though. Who knows what could happen, but touring would be awesome. I only have a like year left of college, the goal is just to beef up a discography so I can be taken a little more seriously in the touring industry I guess. You kinda need to have lore and big discography and stuff like that to get attention. I can’t really get into people’s discographies if there’s not a lot of lore and a lot of music, so I’m trying to build that into my own music.

-Are you focusing more on the type of music you explore or personal growth?

B: Yeah that too, it correlates when I change the music changes as well. I’m hoping I can change the sound over the future and build that discography of different sounds that are under my name and people can discover J: Doing that but also playing shows helps you see what energy people are centered to, and you might be pulled in a direction based on how people react to what you play.

-Have you noticed any direction you guys have gotten pulled in lately based on the reception you’ve gotten?

B: In a weird way, I feel like people like the more produced sound that I’ve been making in my music and I’ve been more pulled to do the less produced sound recently. I’ve been more pulled to doing short lo-fi recorded songs that are a lot slower and pop-ish than stuff I’ve written before.

-Is hard to see people not pick up on something you’re trying to get across sometimes?

B: Yeah, I think it can slap you in the face sometimes when you put out a project that doesn’t sound like what people want to hear. You forget that you have to build up a fanbase for a sound, a lot of people like one or two songs from someone’s discography but they don’t really like the artist. It’s hard to do a new sound or change an album a little bit, it’s not gonna be as receptive as you think it is.

-Definitely, I feel like people don’t follow a musician as much as they are just looking for a particular sound anymore.

B: Exactly, that’s what I’m trying to build up right now, more of an actual fan base for myself rather than my music.

-What have you noticed to be a big factor in marketing yourself versus your music, has that been a bigger challenge than you expected?

B: I think it was when I first started playing shows and writing music because at the time I was like “Oh my god do I create another Instagram? Can I post myself anymore?”. Now I’m at the point where it’s my personality and my music not just one or the other.

-Time to wrap it up! Any final words to put out there?

B: Listen to Fair Game, butteredroll, listen to daemon media, listen to Codex County Line!

W: Fair Game is coming out with an album soon, listen to that!

Jason: Fair Game album coming out, new Dead Love Triangle album!

ALL ABOUT ANTI FLOWER SHOW MOVEMENT

by Olivia G. Roque

If you’ve ever walked around Philly, there’s a 90% chance you’ve seen Nancy and other works by Anti Flower Show Movement. I spoke to Neek of Anti Flower Show Movement to ask about Nancy, the movement, and the Philly Art Scene.

O: Who is Nancy? What does she represent? Would you consider her to be a symbol?

N: Nancy is a face borrowed from a holiday postcard dated from 1916. I was at work, wasting company time trying to teach myself how to screenprint, I saw a website that displayed halftone techniques and had a short panel of old examples, one of them being that postcard. I’m not still not sure why I exactly chose that face, it was very instinctively done. I like to believe the face has a power that existed before I even allowed it to be seen by the world. I kind of just navigated to that face without hesitation and stuck to a plan to spread it and I’ve been non stop, since Nancy has entered my life. I was hoping Nancy could help other resonate to this urge. I really just wanted to create something out of nothing, change a situation, do right, create a discussion i could put around the city for folks to feel apart of. Honestly, feel like Nancy has been guiding others each in their own particular way, even for myself included. Nancy is there, always has been, Nancy is just one symbol of that feeling.

O: What is the Anti Flower Show Movement? Other than visual art, what do yall do?

N: I really just live my life each day to the last, leaving something behind that could potentially last longer than my own body is comforting.

O: How has the accessibility of Nancy and your art helped with spreading the mission or message of AFSM?

N: Not everything has to be made for money, too much greed we kind of get used to how things are ran I think, lots of lost priorities unfortunately.

O: When did the Anti Flower Show Movement start? What inspired its development?

N: 2015 I think. Not knowing what I was gonna do after high school, I really had no avenue set up for myself, I mean I had interest in computers but I was not in math class enough. I was on the computer a lot and on forums, I used to run Minecraft servers and was also occasionally making some PayPal money making YouTube backgrounds for gamers, so I was using photoshop a lot, honestly I owe my creative development to the internet.

O: How do you feel about Nancy sightings abroad from Philly?

N: Well honestly amazing, I really haven’t traveled much before, so it’s kind of just been fun seeing work evolve, and seeing where creativity is bringing me as a human.

O: Do you think your anonymity has helped with the circulation of your art?

N: I don’t think it really has helped, nor has it hurt the circulation. I feel comfortable right now, and those who support, know who they are, and know who I am.

O: Advice for anyone trying to break into the Philly Art Scene?

N: Stay consistent, learn your craft before you act, plan, be respectful, don’t be fake, be yourself, be patient, but be hungry, don’t ever settle, keep chasing what you want, really nothing stopping you in Philly from doing what you wanna do, if you feel alone, start your own thing, don’t wait for something to come up. It took a long time but for the first time in my entire life, the past couple years have felt like Im finally just starting to get on my shit, and it’s been a long and hard road, you have to keep pushing through every battle, no matter how severe. I’ve been trying to find more peace in the fucked up times, it’s been pretty rough couple years battling cancer, but I’ve been using that bad shit, to really love the good moments now as I’ve been in remission for 6 months. Live everyday like it’s your last, and don’t ever be afraid to be yourself, that’s the only piece of advice you really need.

By: Sydney Martin

Temple Climate Action

Temple Climate Action is a non-affiliated student coalition focused on campaigning for Temple University to divest from fossil fuels.

The club focuses on teach-ins, workshops, and reaching out to academic and community organizations in an effort to raise awareness on fossil fuel investments.

If you’d like to be a part of climate justice on campus, scan the QR code to join now.

A student organization highlight by Lindsey Hernandez

Babel, Babel, Babel!

a student organization highlight by olivia

g. roque

Babel Poetry Collective is Temple University’s only performance poetry and music creative collective. For over fifteen years, Babel has made a name for itself as an artistic space in Philadelphia.

After taking “Poetry as Performance,” with Dr. Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, current state representative Malcolm Kenyatta was inspired to create a student organization at Temple that helped expand the techniques he learned in class. Babel has since gone on to win the CUPSI (College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational) in 2016 and 2017, as well as host numerous open mics and showcases, along with produce a significant number of influential artists.

Those interested in writing and performing with Babel are invited to audition at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. They meet weekly to write, workshop, organize events, and play around with different writing prompts and mediums, as well as providing a space for poets to further develop their skills, build a community, and support for one another.

Make sure to follow Babel on Instagram @babelpoetrycollective to stay up to date!

CONTRIBUTORS

Zine-Co-Captains/ Editors

Will Kirkpatrick

Olivia Roque

Web Director

Erika Cutaia

Press Director

Caitlyn McGeehan

Contributors

Eva Agabegi

Lianna Platzner

Lindsey Hernandez

Sydney Martin

Zoë Longley

Dom Passafiume

Rachael Abellard

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