XO Edit # 4 | June 2014 |

THE EDIT FEATURING: HOW TO DRESS WELL

JUNE 2014 // ISSUE 4

THE EDIT Le’keisha Sims Founder // Editor-In-Chief Moeima Dukuly Director of Editorial and Business Development Jesse Ashton West Coast Market and Multimedia Editor Jessica Schink Copy Editor Natalie Baker Graphic Designer Jordan Bailey Meredith Harris Block Shanna Fisher Kailas Javier Navarette Contributors xomagazineonline.com web infoxomag@gmail.com contact moeima@xomagazineonline.com for all advertising and sponsorship inquiries @we_are_xo instagram // twitter facebook.com/xomagazine facebook

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XO EDIT // JUNE 2014

inthisissue THE USUALS

3 4 5 6

MUSIC

7 19 23 21

On Tour With... MSMR Track By Track: Howling Bells How To Dress Well Introducing: Clean Bandit

FASHION RADAR

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Label of Love: KOD Jewellery Beauty: SUBDUED

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#ONESTOWATCH: Avalon Petersen Photojournal: Hong Kong + Indonesia

Editor’s Letter XO Listen Editor’s Picks #STUCKONREPEAT: June 2014 Playlist

On the cover: Tom Krell {How to Dress Well} Photo by Zachery Michael

THE XO EDIT IS A MONTHLY NEWSZINE THAT DELIVERS ALL OF WHAT WE LOVE, NONE OF WHAT WE DON’T. WE REVIEW the past month’s happenings as well as present a few things you might have missed or that we are compelled to expose, be it PEOPLE, PROJECTS, PLACES IN TERMS OF NEW MUSIC, FASHION, ART AND THE WORLD AT LARGE. XO EDIT // IN THIS ISSUE

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letterfromtheeditor “Not all poetry wants to be storytelling. And not all storytelling wants to be poetry. But great storytellers and great poets share something in common: They had something to say, and did.”

-Sarah Kay Welcome to the fourth issue of XO Edit.

It’s officially summer and we hope you are festival hopping, hitting up beaches, traveling to where your heart desires and having the absolute time of your lives, adding more and more fun and outrageous chapters to your story.

June was a month of stories, whether you are jamming out to— or, let’s be honest, bummin’ out to—Lana’s #summertimesadness sophomore release Ultraviolence, or checking out our June cover star How to Dress Well’s (aka Tom Krell’s) latest release What Is This Heart.

June’s releases had us peering through another’s eyes and getting hooked to their musical storytelling and, many times, the stormy emotions therein.

We want you to be inspired to take charge of your own story— and don’t forget to check us out daily, because we definitely have the soundtrack to our own story… and possibly even yours!

Crank up the music, sit back, relax and we hope you enjoy this issue!

All the love in the world,

Le’Keisha Sims

Editor-in-Chief, XO Magazine

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XOLISTEN

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1 lana del rey - ultraviolence 2 ed sheeran - x

3 black bananas - electric brick wall 4 deadmau5 - while (1<2) 5 jungle - jungle

6 ab soul - these days

7 slaves - through art we are all equals 8 brian eno & karl hyde - high life 9 speak - pedal

10 beverly - careers XO EDIT // XO LISTEN

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EDITORSPICKS x in h p als om s .c e ni th mo ials e e + er mon c c en an ere r i c o fl mer ian su mer su

es c i ju com a j e. su uic aj j u

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c om k c n . a dy fr rub kbo sc an fr

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i t ka ele om Lo ac ai.c br lok my

n te d t ki tle i m -t lbu m f l a se ut d.co b n de eba th en

JUNE 2014 PLAYLIST

STUCKON REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT

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1 money, power, glory - lana del rey 2 merewif - willow beats

3 all under one roof raving - jaime xx 4 tough love - jessie ware

5 mother & father - broods 6 sway - anna of the north

7 bug a boo (dj hoodboi remix) - destinyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child 8 black mud (aquilo remix) - layla 9 information - eliot sumner 10 thousand eyes - lia ices

XO EDIT // #STUCKONREPEAT

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MSMR on tour with

WORDS, PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS | LE’KEISHA SIMS

IT’S A HOT AND SWEATY AFTERNOON IN APRIL AND ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE POP DUOS MSMR JUST FINISHED THEIR SET AT DALLAS’ 24TH ANNUAL EDGEFEST! I HUNG OUT WITH LIZZY AND MAX FOR A CHAT IN THIS MUSIC OASIS, TUCKED AWAY QUIETLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUBURBS.

ON PLAYING COACHELLA FOR THE FIRST TIME

“Ahhh it was amazing! We were excited to play and somehow we managed to play the mainstage. And the crowd was amazing; it was a beautiful experience!

A great first Coachella!” - Lizzy

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MUST-HAVE TOUR ESSENTIALS

“Definitely sunglasses and sweatpants! Last time we went on tour, we wanted to be cute and brought all these amazing clothes, and then relied we brought nothing comfy to just relax in!”

- Lizzy “We learned our lesson for sure! “ - Max

MUSIC FOR SUMMER 2014 THUS FAR

“St. Vincent’s new record! We love her, and the visuals this go around are amazing!”

- Max

ON THEIR NEW REMIX EP - SECONDHAND^2

“We just had a ton of really great remixes that either our friends made for us, or that we didn’t release and we had no idea what to do with them but we knew we wanted to do something with them, and then the idea for the EP came about!

All of the remixes that people might have been hunting down are now all in one place!” - Max

AND….THE ULTIMATE LIFE AND DEATH QUESTION: WHICH IS BETTER -- IN AND OUT, OR WHATABURGER?

“Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve eaten a burger, but from what I remember, In N Out has better burgers, hands down, but -- and this is a big but -- Whataburger has better fries!” - Lizzy “Yeah, I mean, it’s cute that In N Out wants to do fresh cut potatoes and veggies, but at the end of the day when I want fries, I want some greasy, salty perfection that we call french fries, and that’s what I get from Whataburger!” - Max

XO EDIT // ON TOUR WITH MSMR

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LABEL O

UNKNOWN TO MANY,

Poland’s capital city Warsaw is a competitive emerging market for fashion and design. An example of such design is KOD Jewellery, by Krystyńa Odolinska. “Handmade in Poland with devotion to detail,” KOD is a contemporary interpretation of classic form originating from past styles, ages and design trends. www.koddesign.pl

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OF LOVE

MAKEUP: ON FACE: REVLON COLOR STAY, INGLOT AMC FACE & BODY ILLUMINATOR, INGLOT AMC CREAM BLUSH ON EYES: HEAN HIGH DEFINITION EYESHADOW, INGLOT PEARL EYESHADOW ON LIPS: KRYOLAN LIGHT DERMACOLOR

PHOTOGRAPHER | JAVIER L. NAVARRETE MAKE UP & HAIR ARTIST, STYLIST | KAROLINA SHUMILAS JEWELLRY | KOD MODEL | ANIA BARANOWSKA (D’VISION WARSAW) SPECIAL THANKS TO: KRYSTYNA ODOLIŃSKA AT KOD, KUBA KRYSIAK AT PIN UP STUDIO (WARSAW), ZUZA ROMUK WODORACKA AT D’VISION, KRYSTIAN SZCZĘSNY

XO EDIT // LABEL OF LOVE

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#ONESTOWATCH

avalon petersen

Meet Avalon Petersen, a redheaded model/actress based in Los Angeles, recently signed to the Lemon Lime Agency known for their roster of quirky, hip types. Standing at 5’7”, Avalon’s alabaster skin and big, expressive brown eyes are not easily forgotten. When you see her (as you undoubtedly will), remember we spotted her first.

Shot by Shanna Fisher in LA.

Model: Avalon Petersen at LemonLime Agency Stylist: Avalon Petersen

Look 2 ( Harley Tshirt): Shirt: Vintage Shorts: Levi’s/Vanessa Mooney

Look 1 (Black coat): Fur coat: Nordstrom Hat: Vintage

Look 3 (Striped tank): Tank: Whitley Kros Jeans: Vintage

XO EDIT // #ONESTOWATCH

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SUBDUED

eyes laura mercier- cocoa creme shadow stick kevyn aucoin- basic black eye pencil laura mercier- volumizing mascara lips cargo cosmetics lip color santa fe PHOTO | Kailas STYLING | Tiffani James MAKE UP | Christyna Kay HAIR | Jennifer MacDougall MODEL | TK w/ Wilhelmina NYC

skin laura mercier illuminating tinted moisturizer warm bronze Laura mercier shimmer bloc golden mosaic mally beauty shimmer shape and glow

eyes dior show mono fusion #881 hypnotique kevyn aucoin- basic black eye pencil laura mercier - volumizing mascara lips dior addict lipstick #338 mirage skin laura mercier illuminating tinted moisturizer warm bronze laura mercier shimmer bloc golden mosaic mally beauty shimmer shape and glow

eyes mac cosmetics eyeshadow texture mac cosmetics fluid line black avon mega effects mascara on the eyelids avon mega effects mascara on lashes lips mac cosmetics sheen supreme lipstick - bare again skin laura mercier illuminating tinted moisturizer warm bronze laura mercier shimmer bloc golden mosaic mally beauty shimmer shape and glow

XO EDIT // SUBDUED

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eyes mac cosmetics pigment melon mac cosmetics eye pencil coffee dior show mascara skin mac cosmetics creme blend blush “something special ” alluring aquatic bronzer “golden” mally beauty effortless airbrush highlighter lips obssessive compulsive cosmetics : lip tar metallic bronze copper frost

eyes obssessive compulsive cosmetics loos pigment rust- deep burnt amber obssessive compulsvie cosmetics eyepencil sybil midnight brown out dior show mascara lips obssessive compulsive cosmetics : lip tar metallic bronze copper frost skin mally beauty effortless airbrush highlighter mally beauty shimmer shape and glow

trackbytrack howling bells heartstrings

After a three year hiatus Howling Bells returns with their album, Heartstrings. Recorded and produced in London with Catherine J. Marks (Foals, PJ Harvey) as well as the legend Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, The Killers, Depeche Mode). Heartstrings delivers 10 tracks brimming with emotion from the quartet â&#x20AC;&#x201C; lead vocalist Juanita Stein dives in and discusses the meaning behind each.

Paris ”

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slowburn”

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Having toured around EU a couple times, we’d always found playing Paris far from whimsical.

Arriving in beat up vans and staying in dog bowl hotels, we could never wait to leave. A self confessed Francophile, you can imagine my disappointment. UNTIL, that is, a girlfriend of mine arrived from Australia and begged to head to Paris for the weekend. In short, I fell head over heels, discovering the sepia toned magic of the city for the very first time. It completely seduced us. The day we got back, I wrote the song; it is an ode to Paris.

your love”

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reverie”

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A nice summary for the album: “I’ve come full circle, I’m here again. I’m poised and ready for the lions’ den” Nearly a decade since we started the band, we feel wiser and consequently more comfortable with ourselves as people and a band. Through the ebbs and flows, highs and lows, we’ve come to understand and appreciate our place in the musical stratosphere and serve that as honestly as we can.

The very nature of any artist is to create and then share this creation. Some art forms require more or less time going through the machine before exposing themselves. The journey for an independent spirited artist in the 21st century requires the patience of a fucking saint. The challenge lies in maintaining inspired throughout the process. This song bottles my frustration at all of that.

This song explored the sentiment of sheer heartbreak and all that it leaves behind.

When heartbroken, we clasp at anything that resembles unity, anything that might bring you together again. The line “Reflections are all I have left” embodies this, and the line “reflections break me like a kiss” points out how devastating the process is.

A rough demo in London led to a fully formed track in Berlin, where Joel resides. Guilt, innocence, crime and punishment all motivated the lyrical content. We wrote the chorus about letting go -- letting go of those fears and misgivings which hold us back so intensely. It’s about suffering the consequences of whatever is coming and moving forward.

Sometimes you gotta open your arms to pain and accept it. Fighting it only makes it hurt so much more.

On tour one time, a few of us were standing on the balcony of a frighteningly tall hotel in Australia, when Joel made a paper plane and launched it out into world. It glided effortlessly, for what felt like forever. I mean it, I’d never seen anything float so beautifully for so long. The metaphor within that occurred to me later on and I wrote “Paper Heart.” Mostly about how lonesome I found the experience and felt a tinge of that deep melancholy you can feel when apart from those you love. Usually, the most painful separations are the reluctant, but necessary, ones.

“

tornado”

This song was written by my father, Peter Stein, who also wrote the last song on our debut album, “I’m Not Afraid.” Lyrically, his songs walk a lonesome path, exploring a more spiritual landscape.

His songs have always drawn from religious and political ideas.

Tornado is a metaphor for one’s internal struggle and how we can emerge from that unscathed.

euphoria”

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This was written a few years ago, but since then, we’d tried to do it justice many times without much success. The nature of the song requires suchan intense sensitivity and lushness, we were never truly content with the outcome.

At a last attempt, we changed up the musical structure, switching from piano to guitar and it kinda came to life.

[It is] a truly heartfelt and poignant track written in a flurry of emotional outpouring one night in London. It explores the obsessive nature of love.

That first love, where there are no boundaries, just a scorching intent and limitless depth of emotion.

original sin ”

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Paper heart ”

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heartstrings”

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Again, this song traverses the hollowness of heartache, however, this is coming from a wiser place, an older place. A place where answers and exhausting explanations are unnecessary. Only the honesty of one’s heart... that is what euphoria means to me.

Possessed”

“

This song explores the push and pull of the obsessive spirit. Those haunted by an almost irrational drive, utterly possessed by an idea that will send them insane if need be. Some of us teeter on the edge of that emotional seesaw; hysteria is an intriguing human quality.

WHEN HEARTBROKEN, WE CLASP AT ANYTHING THAT RESEMBLES UNITY, ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BRING YOU TOGETHER AGAIN. XO EDIT // TRACK BY TRACK

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CLEAN BANDIT

WORDS | JORDAN BAILEY

A new sound.

That’s what Clean Bandit brings to the musical table. Simply put, this UK-based quartet developed a way to seamlessly and appropriately blend one of the oldest, most admired forms of music with the digital music of a modern age.

Clean Bandit consists of brothers Jack and Luke Patterson (bass and keys, drums), Grace Chatto (cello), and Neil Amin-Smith (violin). This melding of musical talent is as such: Neil and Grace are seasoned, classically trained musicians. Both have been playing together in North London since age 5. One fateful night, Grace’s boyfriend and now band member, Jack, put some of their recordings to an electronic backing of basslines and beats. Elated with the new creation, they ran to the stage to showcase their new sound in front of a classical music audience, and what do you know... gangbusters. After a few more club nights, Jack’s brother Luke joined the gang on drums.

This completed the quartet, and from there, magic happened.

Is this the future sound of music? The melding of styles and genres never before heard, bridging the old with the new. For our sake, I hope so. Without bright, talented musicians, like the ones who are willing to think outside the collective realm of melodic understanding, our current musical world wouldn’t be nearly as colorful. So a big thanks to Clean Bandit, and musicians around the world like them, for forcing us to listen outside the box.

■

Clean Bandit experienced success with their first debut single “A+E,” which made the UK Singles Chart at the 100th spot. Upping that was their second single “Mozart’s House” which reached spot 17, but the band saved the best for last. Released in late January of this year and completely topping the UK Singles Chart was “Rather Be” featuring one Jess Glynne on vocals. “Rather Be” was a massive success with impressive stats; 4 consecutive weeks as the #1 single in the UK, over 700,000 copies sold, certified platinum, and is thus far the fastest selling single of 2014. To top it off, the accompanying visualization for the track is beautifully shot (by the band themselves, of course). Taking place in Japan, the video follows a Japanese fan through the streets (and fish markets) of Tokyo as she “becomes delirious” with Clean Bandit fever. As you get to know Clean Bandit, it becomes clear how important visual elements are to their tracks, all of which can be found on Clean Bandit’s debut full-length New Eyes, releasing in the states mid-June.

Clean Bandit uses guest vocalists exclusively, and with the gang about to embark on a huge UK/European tour, bringing a slew of singers along for the ride isn’t as reasonable as throwing some equipment in the back of a van. Never fear! Stepping up to the plate to cover each and every song on the album are two vocalists with presumably wide vocal ranges, UK garage legend Elisabeth Troy and vocalist Florence Rawlings. Violinist Neil Amin-Smith spoke to XO about the advantages of using guest vocalists. “You get the opportunity to work with totally different voices... that really brings many different things to the songs,” AminSmith told reporter Jordan Bailey. Different things indeed; New Eyes covers many beloved musical genres including everything from dub to dance. The advantage of guest vocalists is immediately apparent in tracks like “Cologne” and “Come Over.” One track after another showcases the true breadth of this album, a deep bass line here, a beautiful violin riff there, so that you truly never know what to expect.

Clean Bandit can be caught on tour starting April 30th in the UK, with stops in West Hollywood on June 17th and Brooklyn on June 19th. Pick up their debut full-length New Eyes on June 17th via Atlantic Records.

XO EDIT // CLEAN BANDIT

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DEPTHS OF THE HEART WORDS | MOEIMA DUKULY PHOTOS | ZACKERY MICHAEL

When the sun rises in the East, there is a sense of quiet, a stillness. Dawn creeps over nooks, crannies, valleys, plains, rooftops and yards, filling in cracks with its light, brushing away the gray. It is precisely such a sense of awakening that sets What Is This Heart apart from the last two albums released by Tom Krell, best known by his sleek stage name How To Dress Well. With this

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album, Krell’s love for R&B returns, but this time his voice stands tall on tracks more so than his past work, Total Loss.

From inception, this album was different. Throughout last year’s international tour, Krell churned out lyrics between flights, before and after performances and even during rare moments alone. “It was

very different,” Krell explained. “I was sort of scrawling down any and every thing that came to me.

Sometimes I’d try to ponder an idea as much as possible beforehand and use those moments alone to make them come alive. The creative process was interesting.”

And, of course, there was the multitude of influences, some of

which deviated from the soul and R&B inspiration Krell is known for enjoying and emulating. One such deviation was Lou Reed. “I’d never listened to the Velvet Underground before,” he confessed. “Yeah, I know, I know. When I finally listened I was blown away. I had no idea I’d gone so long without experiencing something like that.” Another ma jor influence was folk legend Tracy Chapman. “I’m from Boulder [Colorado] and … I feel like there’s a huge respect for her out there. She definitely should get more recognition from people in my eyes, but the people that do love her seem to be fiercely loyal, which is a great thing. Her voice and presence is like no other.”

On producing the album in Berlin, Krell says, “I had my routine. The [recording] studio was adjacent to where I was staying in Berlin.

I’d wake up, go downstairs, get a coffee and go directly to the studio. I did that again and again until the album was finally completed.” Working alongside him was renowned Scottish mix engineer Rodaidh McDonald.

“He’s amazing. He never really pushes you to go this way and that. I would sort of blubber some conceptual thought and he’d say, ‘Something like this?’ and it would be close to perfect.”

2 Years On – I can’t help but think of another incredibly emotional, expressive album opener when I listen to this track: Damien Rice’s “Delicate” on his first album, O. The two tracks mirror each other because it is so obvious that the listener has a world of emotion awaiting them.

Like a parabola, the song slowly rises in its intensity before reaching its zenith and tumbling to a quiet finish. I must mention the depth of the lyrics, as well. I’m not sure if the song reflects a memory or a dream (or perhaps a bit of both) but within the final lyrics, a melancholic sense

live like I love it.” The first minute of the song could be akin to songs by R&B’s R. Kelly or Ginuwine or other classic, tortured “slow jams.” Krell’s poetic battles with his decisions, his emotions and his behaviors are magnetic. You can’t help but see your own world in his.

Face Again – Bass: the kind that sweeps you away. Add a dueling crescendo and decrescendo with a dash of looped, chopped and screwed vocals and you have the dark, powerful end of the first quarter of What Is This Heart? A clear rap influence is here, and even as Krell plays with different sonic scenarios his voice is, again, the standout.

“Krell’s poetic battles with his decisions, his emotions and his behaviors are magnetic.

You can’t help but see your own world in his.”

Krell’s album title poses the question: What is this heart?

And the clearest way for me to begin to explore an answer to that question is this: It is the journey to understand the depth of all that is of you. The heart is the most continuous working muscle in the body. When it quickens or slows, when the flood of emotions wash over you, when you’re numb and listless, when you’re in so much pain the world blurs, what does it all mean?

What are these feelings, these stimuli that seem to be motivated by outside factors but stirred by the thoughts and experiences of the mind? In simplicity there is always complexity and in complexity innate simplicity– there are so many answers for each heart, yet they all serve the same chore. Within 12 tracks Krell explores this everlasting question, so in equal measure I’ll use my own heart and go track by track to reflect on the album.

of clarity arises: “That these loving hearts would always just burn on fire Just no satisfaction, just these twisted hearts on fire”. Beauty and sadness in equal measure: a perfect start to the album.

What You Wanted – I think one of my favorite things about Krell is how he seems to be able to go so many places musically, and on this album he seems to do that more confidently than ever. The track starts out with “You said I know that I want it and I

See You Fall – Krell goes from a biting bass to his more delicate sensibilities. There seems to be an influence of Tracy Chapman here with Krell using her signature rhythm of cascading vocals.

Repeat Pleasure – First single off the album, and for all the right reasons. Such a dense track, from the arrangements to lyrics like “Now that I’ve known you, the truth could never come without your smile.” “Repeat Pleasure” is one of the shortest tracks on the album but in such a short time takes us to varying soundscapes and explores the seemingly bottomless pit that is human wanting.

Words I Don’t Remember – Krell and Rodaidh McDonald’s love of looping appears again. Krell is apt to explore how far he can take his voice, which makes sense, given his wide range of musical influences. In six minutes he feeds your ears and almost seems to seek to forcefully remind himself of those words he can’t seem to remember.

Pour Cyril – A symphonic ode. Krell’s voice rides the instrumental elements of this song like a chariot propelled by a newly formed love and a new heart, repeating “no pain” over and over as the song gently, but swiftly, closes.

Precious Love – Again, an essence of Tracy Chapman here, but swathed

XO EDIT // HOW TO DRESS WELL

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“Krell embarks on a journey through the vast emotional tundra that is his heart,” in synthpop. One of Krell’s simpler songs. He croons, “C’mon, be my precious, my precious love.” There was just no need to go overboard here.

Childhood Faith in Love (Everything Must Change, Everything Must Stay the Same) – Childhood is such a huge theme throughout this album, undoubtedly because the heart changes so much as you grow and experience life and all its emotions. Again, Krell is direct in his observations: “everything must change, and everything must stay the same.”

A Power – “I don’t have the power, I don’t have the power.” Another lesson from Krell? Where in past songs his meanings are stark and

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clear, there is an ambiguity here that may be purposeful. He seems to be surrendering to the world around him, and with every repeating line of the aforementioned, he seems to crave a life of any and all emotions versus a sheltered existence without any experience of love and loss.

more for you. He in no way intends to retreat quietly. Saying “every new day carries the weight of the last,” this track may be a bit more emo than the last few songs but more operatic than what listeners are used to. Crooning, “Yes, this world is such a pretty, pretty thing.”

Very Best Friend – A clear example of a sentimental R&B-inspired track blessed with Krell’s love of moody synths. Nearing the close of the album, Krell lays out his love and truly keeps it real with lines like “Want you to have my baby, please don’t be appalled.” He has no objections to telling the girl he loves that he needs her close to him.

How to Dress Well’s What Is This Heart? is like a manual on how to feel.

Krell embarks on a journey through the vast emotional tundra that is his heart, never afraid to stare at his own reflection and dissect what is staring back at him. How many of us dare to do the same and be so bracingly honest and fearless in our own emotional journeys? But what lies at the end of the journey is something that should motivate all listeners: a chance to love more deeply, purely and without any abandon. ■

House Inside (Future is Older than the Past) – Booming. Sweeping. A deeply felt album, Krell squeezes out a bit

ONE LANGUAGE IS NEVER ENOUGH

(satu bahasa tidak pernah cukup) WORDS AND PHOTOS | MEREDITH HARRIS BLOCK INTRODUCTION | MOEIMA DUKULY

How many of you want to see the world? Now how many will actually get to see it – to experience the lives of others and be truly surrounded by a world so unlike your own. For all of you reading out there, grasping the opportunity to demystify far off lands and changing them from fantasy to reality while simultaneously allowing your senses to absorb what it is to really travel beyond tours and resorts is an experience like no other. Some people are given this opportunity more often than not and one such person is Meredith Harris Block, Program Director of the environmentally focused non-profit, Blacksmith Institute. Experience a sliver of her work as she travels through Hong Kong and Indonesia.

“I work on children’s environmental health issues in low and middle-income countries. My focus is on communities that are adjacent to industrial and mining activities where children’s health is most at risk. Although I spend most of my time in the most polluted parts of the countries I work in - it’s clear that the dichotomies that exist “out there” are no different than those in which we live at home.

I rarely photograph the children affected by these pollution problems. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, their lives are not a spectacle. Their hardships are private and not to be gawked at, pitied or exploited further. Secondly,“poverty tourism” pictures create an otherness that makes us think that we who live in highincome countries are different and separate from those living and working in lowincome countries.

So, while I won’t show you pictures of the sick kids, or the decimation of the environment, I will definitely brag about the incredible food, the epic beaches and my amazing staff.

This series of pictures is from a recent trip through Indonesia, where my work focuses on issues related to lead smelting and small scale gold mining.” -Meredith

Lombok Island, Indonesia

Eight-hour layover - Hong Kong

This backpack loves you

No one owns power-clashing more than the Indonesians

“Didn’t buy these” remorse - Jakarta

XO EDIT // HONG KONG + INDONESIA

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Artisanal gold mining in Sekotong

Ore at the gold mine

Making ore concentrate

Mining shaft and Pak Kulansi

Budi Susilorini, my Country Director for Indonesia, and Marilyn

Kuta Beach, Lombok

West Sumatra

Sunset, Mataram

Lead-contaminated soccer field and volcano

Mangroves, 2 km from mining village

Prohibited behavior on the trans-jakarta bus line.

XO EDIT // HONG KONG + INDONESIA

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THE EDIT JUNE 2014 ISSUE NO. 4 SUBSCRIBE TO XO EDIT ONLINE FOR FREE AT XOMAGAZINEONLINE.COM