Your Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 9: May 2012

MAY 2012

WEB-EXCLUSIVE BONUS:

ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

YOUR introduction

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

From Olivia: Thank you to everyone who stood by my side during the idea stage of this magazine, the first issue, and my last. I’m so lucky to have been able to produce something to leave behind at Emerson as a legacy for other students. I hope everyone continues to get involved, and through Your Mag, makes some waves. You certainly helped me make mine.

Finally. It’s over. Today is the day a collective sigh of relief echoes across Boylston. You can now lounge in the Common without that 10-page paper looming in the back of your brain. Feels nice, doesn’t it?

For us, the end feels just as good. We’ve put out nine issues, held a campus-wide film festival, received SGA recognition, and teamed up with other awesome organizations (Hay, Fashion Society! How’s it goin’, Alpha Epsilon Phi? How you doin’, Rareworks?). We’ve also lost sleep, a social life, and several hard drives, but it comes with the territory. Bottom line: the good and the bad, we couldn’t have done it without you.

Yes, you.

There is a reason we call this Your Magazine. You inspire us every day. We wouldn’t be able to come up with ideas for articles, fashion shoots, and collaborations without considering what you, our readers, want to read.

The end of the year feels just as good for you as it does for us, except instead of being elated with the end, we are more excited with what’s to come. We’ve already got some awesome ideas for next year, but more than anything we’re excited for giving you what you want.

Is there something you wished you had read or wished you had seen? Are you planning a big production next year and need some support? Are you approaching your senior year and wish you had gotten more involved?

You’ve made this year awesome, but let’s make next year better! We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again. We can’t do it OLIVIA MORAVEC without you.

letter from

the editors

Editor-in-Chief

Olivia Moravec Editor-in-Chief

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KILIAN WEBSTER Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Kilian Webster Assistant Editor

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YOUR introduction

Featured

Articles

8 14 28 38

Summer love

Article by Kierston Rusden, Photos by Jordan Graham

PUNK SIDE STORY

Photos by Brian Annis

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Article by Kilian Webster, Photos by Hope Kauffman

ASSEMBLING THE AVENGERS Article by Nick Johnston

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YOUR introduction Editor in Chief/ Founder

assistant editor

Managing Editor

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

AssT. Managing Editor

PHOTO DIRECTOR

Head Copyeditor

BUSINESS MANAGER

HEAD STYLIST

BLOG EDITOR

Olivia Moravec Krista Firkins

Kilian Webster Pete Ivanecky

Olivia Jacobini

Rachael Moore

Hope Kauffman

Elijah Clark-Ginsberg

Valeria Navarro

romance editor Madeleine Andrews

ASST. Romance editor Claudia Mak

romance Writers Matthew Grossbart Caitlin Anders Frankie Olito Danielle Barker Kierston Rusden

Photographers Kevin Sweeney Alex Fierro-Clarke Hannah Wallace Rebecca Roche Nick Hayes Brian Annis Mimi Vechionne

Layout design Adriana DePalma Claudia Mak Danielle Barker Claire Reinganum Elise Mesa Jacqueline Thomas Katie Lohman

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fashion editor

Lorena Mora

a&e editor

features editor

Nick Johnston

Beata Rybka

Emily Tannenbaum

Fashion Writers

ASST. features editor Christina Jedra

Elijah Clark-Ginsberg Valeria Navarro Haile Lidow Olivia Hoffman Andrew Favorito Adriana Herdan

feature Writers Kiera Murray Taylor Smith Liz Mantey Cheyenne Boccia Beth Treffeisen Alexa Swartz Nancy Valev Emily Labes

STYLISTS

Lacey Russell Bonnie Ong Jenna Losavio Amanda Gomez Audrey Geiger Emily Lacroix Victoria Soto

WEB Writers

Raymond Bellinger Madeleine Andrews Claudia Mak Amanda Gomez Silvia Stantcheva Kaela Holmes Norma Torrey Emily Lacroix Hilary Donoghue Victoria Soto Shannon Dwyer Adrian Adamo Micaeli Rourke

Copy editors Madeleine Andrews Katelyn O’Brien Devan Norman Eric Gaudette Caitlyn Budnick Claudia Mak Olivia Jacobini Hilary Donoghue Emily Labes

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a&e Writers Marc Hecht Charis Talcott Ian Clayton Eric Gaudette Roxy Ashiru Talia Steif

MARKETING MANAGER Callina Patterson

AD MANAGER Dana Cornelius

MARKETING Crystal Yuen Maria Vivas Alexandra Lynn Norma Torrey Brianna Martinelli Kristen Brice Reed Van Dyck Katya Atat Maria Dolman Lossada

Table of Contents ROMANCE

YOUR introduction

writer

6 You Do It to Yourself 7 Monthly Date Ideas 8 Summer Love 10 Do It Like a Dude 11 Post-Hookup Etiquette

photographer/artist

Madeleine Andrews Danielle Barker/Claudia Mak

Kierston Rusden “Selena” Caitlin Anders

FASHION

12 ECSpotted 14 Punk Side Story 18 Fashion: The Rite Way 20 Say No to Mandals 21 Fresh, Clean American Summer 22 Forever Young 26 PRINTspiration 27 The Do’s ad Don’ts of Going Out in Style

Jordan Graham Pete Ivanecky

Selbi Taganova Adriana Herdan Andrew Favorito Elijah Clark-Ginsburg

FEATURES

28 Starting from Scratch 30 10 Things I Wish I Did While I Was in College 31 Dear Emerson...

32 Next Stop: Symphony 33 Who’s That Girl?

34 MockDoc: “Moving Mountains” 35 DJ DJour 36 YM Film Festival

Brian Annis Nick Hayes Rebecca Roche

Valeria Navarro Olivia Hoffman

Mimi Veccione Alex Clarke Kevin Sweeney

Kilian Webster Krista Firkins Beata Rybka Nancy Valev Beth Treffeisen Liz Mantey Emily Labes

Hope Kauffman Pete Ivanecky Pete Ivanecky Nancy Valev Beth Treffeison Alex Clarke Emily Labes

Pete Ivanecky/Nick Johnston

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

39 Assembling the Avengers 40 The Game Has Changed 42 Bronies: A Phenomenon 43 Why Saga’s the Best Book You’re Not Reading Now 44 Prozac Rock: Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s 46 Chiptune!

47 Dr. Zaius 48 Monthly Playlist: Summer Jamz

Nick Johnston Ian Clayton Eric Gaudette Nick Johnston Olivia Moravec Talia Steff Marc Hecht A&E Staff

Krista Firkins

BONUS: “Zombie Apocalypse” - Photoshoot by Brian Annis

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YOU DO IT TO YOURSELF

Text // Madeleine Andrews Model // Julie Travers

Love hurts. It is simultaneously capable of stretching us to the highest reaches of blissful contentment while crushing us into the most dejected relic of our former selves. It has this inexplicable power whether it manifests itself as romantic love, a lustful encounter or committed companionship.

Unfortunately, it is not within my power to eradicate such a conundrum. However, I can offer some insight on how to lessen the pain through articulating my understanding that you, dear reader, are responsible for, thus in control of, said pain.

Let me be clear: in no way do I wish to blame those in pain, nor do I advocate self-blame.

I advocate mindfulness in the way you react to painful circumstances.

1) Your significant other cheated on you.

3) You miss your ex.

Your world has been shattered, your trust destroyed. You’re filled with self-doubt. You can’t even look at your significant other. You’re plotting revenge on the other person.

You didn’t do this to yourself by falling short as a lover. You’re doing it to yourself by letting your hurt manifest as anger. It’s more than okay to be angry in the face of such betrayal, but once you let the anger take action by doing something like contacting “the other,” you’re increasing your own hurt. There is nothing this person can say or do to change what happened. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can progress towards healing.

Perhaps it was your first love or a wild, whirlwind romance. For whatever reason, you are no longer in a committed relationship, yet here you are, unable to get this person out of your head.

You’re doing it to yourself every time you call, text, or look at their Facebook page.

These actions are likely automatic at this point. Become mindful of your urges to check up on this person. You may think that it will make you feel better if you see that your ex has gotten fat or is posting depressing lyrics as statuses, but it won’t. All it does is continue to give this person relevance in your life, thus giving them power. Take the power back by saving their number as “Don’t Call” and by selecting the setting on Facebook that hides all their actions. If you decrease the amount of times per day you encounter this person, you decrease the amount of times you’re letting this person cause you pain.

You’re really doing it to yourself if you’re trying to hang out with this person as friends. It is absolutely possible to be friends with your ex. However, it is not possible to do so until a considerable amount of time has passed since the end of your relationship. Does time heal everything? No, probably not, but it does lead to the dissolution of a number of petty issues that still exist between you during the time immediately following your breakup.

2) Your new love interest only calls you at 2 a.m.

You meet someone new and exciting, you hit it off, you have a great first date. You’re so excited the next time this person calls you; you barely realize they have done so drunkenly and very late at night.

It may take you several weeks to identify that a pattern has emerged. If this is a person you have more than casual feelings for, you’re hurting because you don’t feel valued.

You did it to yourself the first time you made a late-night visit. Be honest with yourself about the way you feel about this person. Would you answer affirmatively without missing a beat if they asked you to become exclusive with them? You would? Then stop making those late-night visits. Separate yourself from this person.

Maybe you would be great together, but they are either unable to see this and will not act on it, or are aware but are not ready for commitment. Either way, the situation will not become less painful. In fact, it is likely to become more painful because it is very difficult not to take it personally.

Do not ever give someone so much power as to let them control your self-worth.

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Even when love has ripped you into shreds, leaving you to feel hopeless and alone, take heed! You have more power in the situation than you realize.

It is only as painful as you allow it to be. Make a marked effort to discontinue behaviors that hurt you.

By doing this, you’re making room for self-love, and I am surely not the first person to tell you that this is the only way a love worth your while will appear.

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Text // Danielle Barker & Claudia Mak Photos // Claudia Mak

This just can’t be spring semester love, you see? (Yes, Justin Timberlake, this is also applicable to other seasons.) Well, it is college and honestly, what really lasts here? As the semester ends, the hopeless romantic in all of us asks for something memorable to hold onto during those long summer months of absence. Or, maybe you’re going to be spending the summer with your person of interest, but still want to leave a mark on your relationship in Boston. Either way, these are four steamy end-of-semester rendezvous:

1) Restaurant Hopping 2) Semi-Permanent Promise-Piercing Date

Explore a new Boston neighborhood together. Dining plans should include restaurant hopping in this unexplored terrain. For example if you’re headed to Back Bay, try getting drinks at one place like Espresso Royale Café (286 Newbury St) amongst scholarly types. Then venture into the Pru for an appetizer— soup at Boston Chowda Co (800 Boylston St.) This food-court location may seem like the opposite of where you’d like to take a date, but it is prime for people watching. Plus, your date will be pleasantly surprised when you switch your style up and go for dinner at the enchanting Parish Café (361 Boylston St), a mainstay among locals. On your way back, look for a dessert place that neither of you have tried such as the cute cupcake place Sweet (49 Massachusetts Ave).

3) Leave Your Mark

Wear swimwear to the Esplanade on a sunny day wielding a paintbrush, washable white paint, and minimal artistic talent. Lie out and take turns painting cool stuff on each other’s backs and get a tan in the sun. Once you get the paint off of each other (in whatever manner you choose) you’ll end up with some really decorative tan lines.

Go out and enjoy the seafood scene before the end of the semester! Share an entrée of steamers at the Daily Catch (located in Brookline and the North End, but their Seaport location comes highly recommended for a date for two). For a really sizzling date, get the oysters—they are an aphrodisiac, after all.

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Rather than going all out and getting something permanent like a tattoo together, you can opt for a less…everlasting symbol of love. Grab your lover and go get pierced together! Check out parlors like Chameleon (36 John F Kennedy Street Cambridge, MA) or Stingray (1 Harvard Avenue Allston, MA.)

4) Share Some Heat Over Steamers

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Love Text // Kierston Rusden

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Photos // Jordan Graham

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Models // Gabe Gibbs, Jasmine Pook

YOUR romance

Sitting under the sun in the Boston Common, I watched as the oh-he’s-so-dreamy look panned across the faces of four college girls watching a half-naked male runner. With stolen breath and droplets of drool on the corners of their lips, they each lowered their sunglasses and followed the toned man’s thighs up to his groin. The loveliest of the girls nonchalantly sipped on Starbucks iced coffee, while (I’m quite positive) she nervously imagined him stopping to introduce himself.

Though Mother Nature has yet to prove herself serious for the season, June is right around the corner and the semester is about to end. Watching these teenyboppers got me thinking; who isn’t looking for the perfect summer romance?

Here are some tips for landing the object of your desire:

1. Be you

Some people can easily catch every eye at the bar scene, but flirting is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you don’t feel like you’re being you by hitting on random people or watching strangers run through the park, don’t do that. Try other things like meeting people through friends, your work environment, or even online.

Sophomore WLP major Katie Hubbard suggests using the new popular dating website, OkCupid.

“OkCupid is a great way to meet people when you’re home for the summer and not doing your usual college party scene,” says Hubbard, “It’s also good to meet people to pre-screen them and make sure you have interests in common so your relationship isn’t based on looks or sex. It’s also better than blind dating, because you can see their pictures and decide if you’re attracted to someone before you are stuck with them for two hours.”

2. Be unique

Say you get that certain someone to agree to go out with you - now what? Leave an impression and be unforgettable by using unique dating strategies and plans. If you’re staying in Boston for the summer, make plans to meet in the Esplande one Wednesday night for a free orchestra concert.

Explore the different beaches that surround Boston (there’s Carson, Revere, and Castle Island for starters), or set up a scavenger hunt around the city using the SCVNGR app that’ll lead your date to you. If you’re wherever home is, try a backyard bonfire or check out Pintrest for some unique and crafty romantic treats that your date probably hasn’t seen or tasted before.

3. Appear confident

Insecurities and summer go handin-hand, but don’t let them hinder your romantic side. Smile a lot, be bold, stand straight, and just be a good person. And lighten up a bit! Asking someone on a first date is nerve-wracking, but remember that the person you’re trying to pick up is most likely equally as nervous.

And here are some tips to keep that summer love dear to your future self.

4. Be practical

If you’re traveling for the summer, like myself, don’t commit yourself to a relationship that’s bound to fail the long distance trek. As mammals, we weren’t designed to love from long distances. The creation period didn’t introduce us to Facebook or email or even letter writing. As a person with the physical need for interaction and connection,

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be practical when making relationship decisions if you’re not grounded in one place for a long period of time.

5. Be kind (to yourself) If things begin with someone and are not following the path you imagined, break it off, make some changes, or set up boundaries. As young, emotional adults, it’s expected that we just cling to the first person that seems to accept us for who we are. But if you’re making self-changes you never wanted to make, be kind to yourself and end the relationship. Taking care of you is most important always; the ones you love are next in line.

6. Be present

I’ve learned a lot about mindfulness recently. Mindfulness establishes and emphasizes one’s day-to-day life maintaining as much as possible, and a calm awareness of one’s bodily functions, sensations, thoughts, perceptions, and consciousness. Mindfulness is good. Practicing being present has been a game-changer for me and I suggest using it in summer romance situations. Don’t plan ahead, just enjoy the summer day and the light, fluttering feeling you get when you’re crush or partner is around.

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: s n o ses i

f n o rC

YOUR romance

u o Y

t I o D

Like a DUDE

(From an anonymous college girl who looks to Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones for inspiration.)

I was slurping down on back and we headed for “I am here to tell you that you me Vietnamese soup with Greg, the dorms. The walk seemed should never be ashamed of brief, considering we stopped to a guy friend of mine, one Saturday night when I fessed up make-out every other block. your love life, whether you are to my most recent sexcapade: We stumbled up to his room looking for love or partaking in and one thing led to another. hooking up with three different guys the night before. I considI had to hold back my gigthe hook-up culture.” ered it quite the accomplishgling when he whispered the ment, but telling this story made me reflect on my words, “do you want to do it?” in my ear. I told him various hook ups. I started to worry about my own I would think about it. The kissing escalated and he morals in regards to my sex life. I had always been asked once more. At that point I couldn’t resist. familiar with the whirlwind world of men, sex, and Afterwards, there were a few awkward pauses, hook-ups. Now I was beginning to question if my and I began to have doubts about the performance behavior was getting out of hand. Then Greg said overall. something to me that really hit me hard.

“Can I be honest with you?” I timidly asked him.

“You are not a slut, you just have game.”

He tightened his grip on me and brought me to his These few words made me realize that women chest and replied, “Of course, what’s up?” should not feel guilty about reveling in their sex life.

I asked about how he thought the sex went. He Men are praised for getting with multiple girls at a cured me of any doubts about the whole thing so I time, so why can’t women? began to feel relieved.

I am here to tell you that you should never be Then he drew me closer and said, “As long as we’re ashamed of your love life, whether you are looking being honest right now, can I tell you something?” for love or partaking in the hook-up culture.

Worry-free, I asked him what was on his mind.

One of my tips to maintaining a healthy and excit“That was my first time.” ing sex life in college is to always expect the unexI cannot begin to explain the rollercoaster of emopected. tions I was feeling: shock, concern, disbelief. I was It was just another night in Allston; packed apartcompletely speechless. ment, jungle juice running low, keg stands ensuing...

As he stroked my back and asked if I was okay.

As I was making my way through the packed dance Still in shock, I asked if he was serious. That one nod floor, who do I run into but Aaron. confirmed that I had taken his virginity without even Aaron and I were not strangers in the least. The knowing it. last time I saw him I was waving goodbye from inI told him I was extremely impressed by the fact side the train after a shameless make-out session at that that was his first time. Considering he was the the T stop. one who proposed we should have sex, I had no idea I played it cool. We made small talk and parted he was a virgin. Further, though I’d been initially apways but one thing to keep in mind is that anything prehensive about his performance, it was impressive can happen on the dance floor. considering.

I noticed Aaron dancing right next to me; we didn’t I am still astonished it happened. If you take anyexchange words as we began to dance together. thing away from this story, it should be to always exBefore long, we were making out. We stopped pect the unexpected. Boys can be awfully surprising. when we saw the cops made their inevitable arrival As long as you are confident in your sexual prowess, and somehow a group of us ended up at a restaurant. you can handle any curveball boys throw you. Even Afterwards, Aaron asked permission to walk the virgins.

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Post-Hookup

Etiquette If you’re into them but they’re not into you

Just because you’ve hooked up with someone once doesn’t mean it’s going to last, and sometimes the way you feel strongly contrasts how the other person is looking at the situation. Even if you thought it went great, the person you hooked up with might have seen it as only that, or maybe they just changed their mind about what they wanted. Regardless, if you’re into them but they’re not into you, try not to push the issue. If they don’t text you or make an effort to see you afterwards, give it a few days.

Once time has gone by, shoot them a text and casually let them know that you’re interested in seeing them again, but make it clear you’re leaving it up to them. Being too pushy is ineffective, no matter how they feel about you.

If more time goes by and nothing transpires, just let it be.

It will be hard and you might be tempted to turn and run every time you see them in Emcafe, but eventually you will get through it.

If they’re into you and you’re not into them

YOUR romance Text // Caitlin Anders Art // Pete Ivanecky

It could have been the aloof boy from Post-Modern Fairy Tales class or the person always hanging around the suite who was only supposed to be a friend. Either way, a hookup happened.

In the moment it was great (or not), but the morning always comes eventually, and it doesn’t matter whose bed you woke up in – you are now faced with the task of dealing with the aftermath. While the outcome is obviously unpredictable, these are a few ways to handle the situation smoothly.

Mutual aftermath feelings

If neither of you are into it, then there isn’t a whole lot to deal with. You could act like it never happened and move on with your lives, but if you’re both in the same friend group it might be a good idea to clear the air to avoid potential awkwardness.

If it turns out you’re both into it, great – see where it goes and let the other person have some role in how things play out as well. If you both decide to keep it a strictly hookup relationship, definitely proceed with caution. While “friends-with-benefits” often seems like the best of both worlds, feelings are always subject to change, and if someone wants to break it off or take it further it could become problematic.

It can be difficult to determine the best course of action in the wake of a hookup but know that even if you never speak to them again, there will always be other potential hookups waiting for you around campus.

You didn’t really know them or it wasn’t something you thought very hard about at two in the morning in a, let’s say, “compromised” state.

When you get the text asking if you want to grab coffee or hang out again sometime, you’re completely thrown because that wasn’t the direction your feelings were headed in at all, and now you have to figure out how to let them down easy.

In this scenario, the most important thing to remember is not to just ignore or avoid them. Not giving them the time of day or acting like it never even happened is worse then rejecting them, and no one

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deserves to feel that way. Also, definitely don’t flaunt your interest in someone else in front of them as a means of showing you’re not interested. That kind of passive aggression will only lead to unnecessary hurt.

Even though it may be hard or feel awkward, try to communicate how you feel to them. Phrase things in an articulate, rational manner.

No need bitchy about it. Once you’ve made your lack of interest clear to them, act normal when you see them around in class or on the T. They might think they hate you a little bit now, but so long as you are clear and treat them with respect, you’ve done your part.

YOUR fashion

ecspotted this month

Text // Selbi Taganova Photography // Daniel Hejl

Danny Rivera

Marketing ’15 Spotted at the Boston Public Garden

Jacket – thrift store; Shorts – Forever 21; Shirt – LF; Shoes – DSW; Bag – Urban Outfitters; Bracelet – New Orleans voodoo store

Eric Maxwell

Marketing ’14 Spotted near 40 Boylston

Blazer – Zara; Shirt, Bracelet – Club Monaco; Pants – Topman; Belt – H&M; Shoes – Aldo; Shoe Laces – Doc Martens; Glasses – Warby Parker

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Omri Rolan

Marketing ’12 Spotted near the Four Seasons

Jacket – Members Only; Shirt – Karmaloop; Belt – American Apparel; Pants – Hawking McGill; Shoes – Polo; Bag – The Western Mall; Watch – Jacob Jensen

Ananda Boga

Marketing ’14 Spotted at the Esplanade Shirt – Cotton World; Shorts – Tommy Hilfiger; Belt – Gucci; Flip-flops – Marc Jacobs; Bracelet – Invisible Children;

Stefanie Robinson

Writing for Film and TV ’14 Spotted at the Boston Commons

Shirt – Brand Melville; Shorts, Bag – Urban Outfitters; Sandals – DSW; Headband – Free People

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punk Side Story Photography // Brian Annis

Models // Joseph Barbosa, Jared Canfield, Savannah Mosser, Lacey Russell, Walker Desing, Molly Wolfberg

HOLIDAYYellow Dress: $120 Golden Spiked Cuff: $80 BEN SHERMAN Orange Shorts: $72 Japanese Print Oxford: $160 Blue Shorts: $72 Checkered Shirt: $91 Jacket: $190

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Fashion,

THE RITE WAY

Text // Adriana Herdan Models // Brianna Baxter, Michael Rivera Photography // Nick Hayes

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“I run everything out of my dorm”

says the soft-spoken Emerson College sophomore Jake Bailey as he sits in the school’s Max Lounge. At 19-years-old Bailey is not only studying full-time as a Marketing major but also has his own urban street wear brand Rite Brothers CO.

The brand was inspired by the area of Houston where Bailey lived in, since in his town there was a great mixture of people both from Texas and from the rest of the country. There were a lot of people originally from California, that moved to Houston and brought their own style and mixed it up with the local one. Bailey remembers how the norm at his high school was to wear nice jeans and a funky t-shirt. His classmates’ funky style was ultimately what inspired him to start his own t-shirt brand. Bailey says, “If I hadn’t gone to that high school I wouldn’t have developed a taste for fashion” So what makes Rite Brothers co. so original? Well, this company not only has eye-catching designs printed on their t-shirts but also focuses on providing its clients with a highquality product that will last you through the years which is something rarely found in most urban street wear brands.

Another thing that makes this brand so special is the fact that it has a story. As its name says, Rite Brothers co. is inspired by the success of the brothers of the same name, however spelled differently, in their creation and vision of the airplane.

Bailey chose them as inspiration because of their persistence in the creation of the airplane. While millions tried, the Wright

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YOUR fashion

brothers were the ones who actually got it right. They didn’t give up in the face of adversity.

Even though Bailey created this company, all the credit for it cannot be awarded to him. He has a team of about nine people- both within Emerson and outside as well- working on this project. “I’m the business side of the company” he says “I supervise and make sure that my designers follow my vision and I have the final say in all major decisions.” However, he says that he would like to get more involved in the designing process since he believes he has a very strong creative mind.

Even though business is booming for Rite Bothers co. right now, Bailey says this success did not happen overnight, “I have been working on this project since September, and it all finally came together two weeks ago.”

The entrepreneur says a lot of his

success is owed to social media and blogging. After buying his product, people post pictures of themselves wearing it which sparks curiosity about his brand. This has led to many random people calling him and inquiring about the t-shirts. “It’s cool when people who aren’t my family or friends or know me want to make my brand a part of their lives”

If you would like to make Rite Bothers co. a part of your life, you don’t have to look very far.

Boston’s very own Green Street Vault – which is a truck that doubles as a store- has been creating a lot of buzz about Rite Brothers co. t-shirts. You can also buy the spring collection online and, in about a month or so, their summer collection will hopefully be sold by multiple interested retailers both online and in Boston.The future looks bright for this young Emersonian.

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YOUR fashion

text // Andrew Favorito

SAY NO TO

MANDALS Mandals... Oh, mandals, why do you have to keep reappearing summer after summer on the feet of unstylish men everywhere? Were you not satisfied by your popularity in the late 1990s/early 2000s to leave us alone forever? It’s been proven many a time that you are, in fact, unstylish, not trendy, and the farthest thing from chic to ever set foot on this planet. Yet, you still keep coming back for more, refusing to leave the general population alone and instead plaguing us with your suburban-bought-by-mom “hippie” edge, your penchant for hairy toes, and the utter unattractiveness of your orthopedic-esque soles. Go away.

You are not welcome here. Emerson is not your friend.

Who was the person that decided you looked cool with ragged, faded, and badly fitting jeans? Who gave you the OK to serve as the alternative to actual shoes once the weather hit above 65 degrees? And, who gave you permission to leave the beach, the only place where you have any actual purpose? You have no right to be anywhere on Boylston Street, whether it’s smoking a cigarette, chatting with your friends, or casually walking to class – the only place on this campus you actually belong is in an LB shower.

Now, you may see this as me getting a little personal, but don’t worry – I’m not prejudiced. I’m merely airing my frustrations as to why you’ve suddenly become the footwear choice du jour of the male Emerson community. I don’t get it. We’re mostly gay. We’re (for the most part) exceptionally stylish for college students. We care about what we look like during the two-minute walk to Walker for class.

Still, I can’t fathom why you must make your presence more known than the security guards who yell at me for smoking under the LB archway. Can you be pinpointed to all of the straight VMA/film majors? No – it would be unfair to blame them simply because of their heterosexuality. Still, you’re not welcome.

Can’t you be satisfied with being the footwear option that costs $2 at Old Navy, or do you need to be greedy and take over the turf ruled by classy options like loafers and oxfords?

Do you feel like you’re in a turf war like the Sharks and the Jets from West Side Story, minus the artful/homoerotic choreography and Leonard Bernstein-penned score? Don’t be like the annoying girl in the peasant skirt, Emerson sweatshirt, and frizzy hair who takes the last seven cookies from the dining hall desert section – contrary to what Gordon Gekko says in Wall Street, greed is not, I repeat, NOT good. So back off, and go back to whence you came.

XOXO

Andrew may

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YOUR fashion

Fresh, Clean American Summer Text // Elijah Clark-Ginsberg

Another hot, humid New England summer is bearing down on us, but that’s no reason to dissolve into a disgusting, sweaty puddle of a man. Staying fresh as a flower in the summer isn’t easy, but with the right routine, you can still smell like roses.

Start the day off with a refreshing shower.

If you’re going to be wearing cologne, avoid heavily-scented products. Once you’re out of the shower, wash your face and shave, if that’s your style (with very few exceptions, I advocate a cleanshaven look for men, especially once it starts warming up). Now here’s the important part: apply some moisturizer with sunscreen. Not only will it sooth your skin after a shave, but it’ll keep your face smooth, soft, and sunburn-free (not to mention, it’s much more flattering than a dab of zinc on your nose). I recommend Anthony Logistics Oil Free Facial Lotion SPF 15.

With the sun beating down on your head, the last thing you want is a goopy, melty hair product that will leave you greasy and messy. Summer’s the time to ease up on hair products a bit and let your hair blow majestically in the breeze. Ask your stylist to recommend something that’ll give moderate hold with no shine. When in doubt, American Crew Fiber is a safe year-round pick.

The war against sweat is a bitter one, but you have two powerful weapons in your arsenal: antiperspirant deodorant

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and Gold Bond Powder. I’ll trust you can handle the deodorant yourself (again, go unscented if you’ll be wearing cologne.

Dove Men+Care is a good pick). Apply Gold Bond to problem areas when you get out of the shower to stay fresh and dry.

At long last, it’s time for the fun part: cologne. The key to summer fragrance is a light touch. You should never be dousing yourself in eau de toilette, but when the weather heats up, too much cologne can be downright nauseating. You get two spritzes; use them wisely.

Chances are, you shouldn’t be same fragrance in May that you wore in December. For summer, you want something citrusy, green, or aquatic.

Personally, I’ll pick citrus eleven times out of ten, but that comes down to personal preference. The only right way to buy cologne is to head down to your local fragrance counter (I recommend the downstairs counter at Neiman Marcus.

Look for Karen. She knows what she’s doing) and try some out on your skin.

Smelling a bottle or slip of paper won’t give you the entire story.

To get you started, some of my favorites for summer are Gucci by Gucci Sport Pour Homme, Chanel Allure Homme Sport, Acqua di Parma Bergamotto di Calabria, and Hanae Mori HM. You’ll just have to see for yourself if you share my tastes.

It’s time to go forth and groom thyself. Do me proud this summer, gentlemen.

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YOUR fashion

YourMag’s Graduating Executives Re-enact An 80’s Senior Prom

Forever Young Photography // Mimi Vecchione Models // Beata Rybka, Krista Firkins, Olivia Moravec, Madeleine Andrews, Lorena Mora

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YOUR fashion

LILY AND MIGS Petal Dress - $1000

Olivia Moravec ‘12 Editor-in-Chief / Founder

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YOUR fashion

LILY AND MIGS Fuschia Gown - $850

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YOUR fashion

Madeleine Andrews ‘12

Krista Firkins ‘12

Romance Editor

Managing Editor

Lorena Mora ‘12

Beata Rybka ‘12

Blog Editor

Features Editor

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YOUR fashion

PRINT spiration text // Valeria Navarro

photography // Alex Clarke

This spring prints are everywhere, and one of this runway season’s strongest trends were printed pants. Bold, colorful and cheeky, patterned pants will definitely get your great style noticed on the street. Printed-pants can be now found in almost every store in Boston. Zara and H&M have a great selection of flirty floral patterns, while stores like Forever 21 offer you more affordable pants in geometrical and tribal styles.

Are you craving prints now, but don’t know how to work them into your outfit? Sometimes, prints look awesome when done well, but other times prints can go way, way wrong. When wearing printed pants the key is always to play off with the colors of the pants. A safe choice will always be a black top, for example, an Oxford shirt for a classic-polish look or a sheer black blouse for a more casual style. Another option is to look at the color that stands out the most in the pants and then choose the top based on that color.

A rule of thumb is to pair a solid on a print. Just play out with the colors and have fun with the different hues on the pants. Stay away from print-onprint ensembles, it can be overwhelming and it can look cheap if the prints don’t go well together.

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model // Fernanda Vasquez

Printed-pants are not for everyone and confidence will be one of your best accessories when wearing them. Are you seeing in prints now? Know that you are a master in printed pants-matching skills. Go out there and try out this artful, graphic and colorful trend.

YOUR fashion

The Do’s and Don’ts of going out in Text // Olivia Hoffman

Photography // Kevin Sweeney

Every college in America has a signature style to fit a specific student vibe. For dresses and skirts, or something short, it should not be tight or else you will look, not to sound condescending, like a streetwalker. Although I myself do not follow this advice all of the time, and short and tight can in some cases work, the key is to always make sure there’s a balance with the rest of your outfit. Short and tight tends to work best with patterned tights or knee high boots. Low cut dresses avoid looking trashy when they’re looser fitting, even if they’re short. Concerning jewelry, if you are going to wear an attention-grabbing necklace, you should pair it with something simple underneath.

Joining statements like sparkly earrings or a chunky necklace with simple skinny jeans and a solid-colored shirt emphasize the jewelry. Single jewelry pieces are definitely a do, but adorning yourself in heavy jewelry is too much. The only jewelry you can get away with wearing a little too much of is rings, but if you’re going to

Model // Selbi Taganova

STYLE

do this, keep it to one hand because two full hands of rings is too much. Jewelry like ear cuff earrings can be really sexy because they aren’t too flashy, but still make a statement.

Since it’s hard to walk around Boston in a 6-inch heel, I would recommend wedges.

They’re more comfortable, and although they’re a definite nod to the Spice Girls…Girl power!

This style elongates your legs and gives you height while insuring you don’t fall on your butt. So many times I’ll walk past the Gypsy bar at night and see girls standing in line wearing heels they can barely stand in. Honestly, it’s more attractive if you can rock a heel that you look comfortable and confident in, making platform wedges ideal. If you don’t like the platform look and want to try for a heel, it’s best if the heels have a strap and a thick heel. Heeled boots can still be sexy while comfortable. The question you always have to ask yourself when you’re going out is “do I feel comfortable in what I’m wearing?” Confidence is ultimately what makes the outfit.

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YOUR features

Startingfrom Scratch Text // Kilian Webster

Photos // Hope Kauffman

I only met Olivia Moravec about a year ago. She was standing outside of the Gypsy Bar with my friend, Hannah, recounting an illicit tale from her freshman year.

She finished the story and then turned to me with a gleam in her eye and said, “You must be Kilian. I love your hair short!” I smiled and accepted the compliment, assuming that she must have mistaken me for someone else. It had been years since I had long hair, and how could someone so utterly fabulous know of me?

The spring semester came to a close. Olivia had started up a band with Hannah, and I had become their stage mom when they would perform at 6B Lounge’s open mics. Despite the fact that neither of them had been a part of any sort of band before, Olivia pursued, or perhaps assumed, fame like no other person I had met. I admired her enthusiasm, her vigor, her magnetism; anything and everything she stood for. I barely knew her, but I knew without a doubt that for Olivia it was either go big or go home.

Just a few months later, I was sitting in the living room of my summer sublet reading an e-mail from some crazy girl who was starting up a new magazine at Emerson. That crazy girl was, of course, Olivia. I responded, saying that I’d be happy to write for the magazine; that I knew absolutely nothing about journalism but that I knew enough about fashion or movies to write about them. I added that I’m really good at copy editing, and would love to be involved in any way possible. Ten minutes later, I received an e-mail

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saying that I would be the Assistant Editor-in-Chief.

I don’t know what it was that made Olivia choose me to be her right-hand, but as I later learned, she just has a knack for these things. I was confused at the time, caught in a whirlwind of planning and delegating, desperately trying to keep up with Olivia’s fast-paced mindset. Now, having been a part of Your Mag from the beginning, I am eternally grateful that Olivia took a chance and forced me out of my comfort zone. The rest of the summer was spent teaching our Creative Director to use InDesign, chasing down Emma Stone after spotting her at a sushi place a half-hour prior, running around Beacon Hill with a model dressed in a $200 dress and tissue paper with Bowie make-up to match. It was exhilarating. It was exhausting. And when Your Mag was officially birthed on September 1st, it felt undeniably rewarding.

Eight months later and not much has changed.

There is still that pit in my stomach as I wonder if designs will be done on time, there was a grammatical error I missed, or if anyone will read it at all. That pit soon turns to butterflies come midnight as I watch the notifications on the Your Mag Facebook page pile up from likes, shares and comments. That isn’t to say it’s been easy. We all learned the hard way what happens when people miss a deadline, when we’ve gotten paint on a pair of designer pants, when we’ve had to regretfully inform our entire staff that there won’t be a print issue for one, two or three months. I

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YOUR features

learned that being a leader doesn’t mean being an asshole, it doesn’t mean doing all the work yourself, and it certainly doesn’t mean being unappreciative of the work that every other person on staff is doing. And yes, at times I have been guilty of all these things. We all have. Because at the end of the day, it is easier to blame someone else for the downfall of the magazine than it is to accept that you may have had your hand in that basket, too. But that doesn’t make it right.

Olivia and I had to work together to try to keep a level head, whether it meant that I had to sit back and accept that we shouldn’t fire someone the first time they mess up, or that Olivia had to realize that I wouldn’t always agree with her creative preferences. There have been moments when we’d find ourselves in a very heated discussion, tears streaming down my face, her white knuckles gripping a cup of coffee, and I was convinced that it would be my last issue, that I would quit the magazine and be done with this shit once and for all.

I should have trusted Olivia from the beginning.

She was never some crazy girl with big dreams. She never chose me from nothing. That summer, Olivia became a watchmaker, creating this beautiful product from miscellaneous pieces and parts. There’s a reason why you’re reading this magazine. There’s a reason why we’ve been able to put out an issue every month. There’s a reason why this magazine will continue to exist long after Olivia’s graduation. It’s the same reason you spent your birthday weekend

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working 18 hours a day to film the perfect movie, the reason you’re juggling an internship, four marketing classes and a job at Starbucks, the reason you’re writing twelve-page stories only have them torn apart by your classmates, the reason you’ve got five days to memorize an entire script.

It’s because you’re at Emerson and it’s because you want it.

This semester, Olivia has juggled a double major, worked as a supervisor at her job in Emerson’s annual fund, graduated an entire year early, and not only founded but ran the magazine you are holding in your hands. If that doesn’t emulate what Emerson is all about, I don’t know what does.

Before Olivia invited me to be her assistant, I didn’t care about what I was doing. I didn’t care about participating on campus, I just wanted to take the classes I needed to take and get the hell out of here. Olivia made me care. She showed me what it meant to be busy-- really busy, not just “busy” in the sense that you don’t want to do anything but that’s what you tell your mom as an excuse for why you can’t go home that weekend or why you got a C on your science midterm. She showed me what it meant to be involved in creating something larger than myself and the team I work with. She showed me what it meant to leave a legacy.

A year has passed and Olivia and I are no longer strangers. Instead, we’ve spent nights cooking each other dinner, griping about boys, and wiping our runny noses. She has become more than just a friend to me. A sister, perhaps. And I have the magazine to thank for that.

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YOUR features

Text//Krista Firkins Art //Pete Ivanecky

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Things I Wish I Would Have Done In College

With an impending graduation date, a cap and gown with my name on it, and just weeks left in my “college experience,” I’ve had a lot of reasons to reflect on the past four years. I’ve always told myself that I will never have regrets, but I do wish there were more things that I got to experience during my time at Emerson. These are the things I would tell myself as a freshmen if I could do it all again.

1. Explore Boston more.

I love that I had my reliable spots to eat, drink, and shop, but I wish I had taken advantage of all the places that public transportation could bring me. Now that T fares are going up, there is no better time to do this.

2. Try your hand at on-camera.

Emerson students are supposed to explore their options of careers, but I always felt like, as a Print Journalism major, I could write and that was about it. Sometimes I wish I learned how to speak in front of a camera, because that is a skill that all media-related majors should know how to do.

3. Don’t be intimidated by other students.

I look at freshmen at Emerson, and I have all the respect in the world for them for getting involved and going after things that they want to do. When I was a freshman, I thought seniors couldn’t be touched, and I was afraid to reach out to organizations I wanted to be involved in or audition for things that I thought I wasn’t good at. But at the end of the day, everyone at Emerson is here for the same reason: to grow and learn, professionally and personally, and everyone wants to help each other with that.

4.Think twice about moving off campus right away.

Okay, so I pretty much lived on campus for as long as I could (my first two years). But I truly feel like you get the most out of your college experience when you’re surrounded by other students. Sometimes it drove me crazy living in the dorms, but now that I live off-campus, I miss it. If you consider moving off-campus, think about if it will affect what you love about your college experience.

5. Give Emerson tours or find a way to help shape incoming freshmen experiences.

Don’t you still remember the person who gave you your first Emerson tour? I do. I would have loved to influence someone else in this way and been a memorable part of their time at Emerson, from the very beginning.

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6. Read more books from the library.

In reality, most Emerson students don’t have the time to read, or even fit any more books or papers into their bags. But I do wish I had taken advantage of the resources the library provides to students.

7. Join professional societies.

I’ve heard people say that this is something employers look for on a resume and that it can be a valuable resource for students. But wouldn’t it look kind of ridiculous that I joined one in my second semester of senior year? Yeah. That’s what I thought. PRSSA and SPJ are just a few you can find here at Emerson.

8. Send more letters.

Like most students, I was terrible at keeping in touch with my friends from high school. The occasional Facebook post or text is fine, but I would have loved to have sent and received more letters from my friends and family from home.

9. Spend your summers at home if you have the opportunity.

My days of summer vacations are officially over once I graduate. Now, if I take the summer off, it is essentially socially unacceptable and lazy. So why not take advantage of your summers while you still can? Get a part-time internship or job back home, and enjoy full refrigerators at no cost to you.

10. Give things up sooner.

I stuck with activities, organizations, jobs, and even friendships that didn’t benefit me anymore. This isn’t helpful, and I only look back on these things wishing I had spent my time doing something that I truly loved. As most of you are coming to realize, your time in college is limited, so spend it doing things that you enjoy, rather than things you just think that you should do.

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Dear Emerson Everything happens for a reason. Just seven hours ago (it is a Thursday in early April 2012) I endured an excruciating customer service call with my co-worker (because I am now employed) who, pretending to be a client, badgered me about a subscription for 25 minutes. Before I learned that it was a prank -- or what I affectionately consider a hazing initiation ritual into my new place of employment -- my hands trembled to the point where I couldn’t get my coffee into my mouth. Regardless, my voice remained steady. After two years of bearing the resident assistant badge, I’ve learned that it is often best to manage the situation at hand and save reactions for later. But lessons taught to me by difficult, though still absolutely lovable residents, aren’t the only ones largely responsible for my employment (read: livelihood) right now.

During my first month at Emerson, I got “bullied” for the first time since being a fez (foreign exchange ztudent), a bit over a decade ago. Some mean kid in a P-Row elevator chastised me for referring to my hometown as “Hicksville.” Little did he know Hicksville is a place smack-dab in the middle of Long Island named after someone with the last name “Hicks.”

Luckily Greg Sands, a sophomore who had lived just a couple of towns over from me for almost a decade, and whom I’d never met before then, also happened to be in that elevator. And he did what my astonished 18-year-old self could not at the moment, which was tear that kid a new one -- verbally, not physically, of course. Four years and countless elevator rides later, I couldn’t pick the mean, loud-mouthed kid out of a line-up if my home pride depended on it. But thanks to him, Greg Sands and I met and are still friends; and that’s something I’ll never forget.

Similarly, I’ll always remember the nights when Dean Egan let me nap on his bed after complaining myself to sleep. He knew that between the deeply philosophical cinematography paper he was writing and the Nicholas Cage or Mel Gibson shoot he’d be working on in the morrow meant that he wouldn’t sleep a wink until at least three days later. But he didn’t wake me up because I had a nightmare of a roommate at the time, and he was my RA. Not much has changed since. Weenie -- as I dubbed him then and as I refer to him, publicly, even now -- still endures my sleeping soundly through pearls of world cinema while he tries to tell me what kind of camera was used to shoot them with. But it’s what makes us besties. And although I often fall short of being the “best” part of “best friend”, “blessed” is the word that most accurately describes how I feel when thinking about the people in whose paths Emerson has flung me.

I don’t imagine Tierra Bonser expected a prickly, picky and often-panicky caffeine junkie to be one of her five suitemate assignments freshman year. I know I didn’t expect a red fox and a force of a woman from the e-mails we exchanged that summer -- which was really just poor reading skills on my part. But despite my being both clingy and needy, when the two of us got accepted to the Castle sophomore year we chose to storm it together. I swear there is still a salty stain on the rug of the red room, just off of the library, from that time I sobbed and snotted (yeah, I’m a lady) all over it, while Skypeing with my parents and threatening to come home immediately.

If it weren’t for Tierra, I would have made good on those threats, gilded wallpaper or not. In retrospect, that trip was my favorite part of life. Not counting that time Tierra and I went to London.

Some may have heard hushed rumors of twelve not-so-little girls, whose classroom building in Russel Square was covered in vine, and none of whom was named Madeline, participating in a whispered-about London summer theater program which mysteriously ceased to be after only one session. Tierra and I can vow as to the verity and veracity of its existence.

We danced, soaked and barefoot, through Kensington Palace and followed a double rainbow to see the boy who never grew up. I fell asleep to Jeremy Irons reading aloud from Paradise Lost and stayed awake to listen to Bedtime Stories at David Carter’s 40 Winks. We took a 60 pound cab ride (with a 2:1 exchange rate) after I left an ancient Nokia at a secret speakeasy.

I slept so little and learned so much during those 40-something days that I fell into a mini-coma before my departure from Heathrow hit air.

Tierra, Dean and Greg aren’t the only people of note whom I thank

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YOUR features Text//Beata Rybka

Art //Pete Ivanecky

Emerson for. Two years ago, when I needed to make a narrow escape from Paris it was a former Emersonian, Maya Atlas, who came to my rescue.

Just like my roommate Caitlin Boroden dispelled visions of monsters under my bed, and my downstairs neighbor Adam Glinsky dealt with my fear of the dark. (It is not irrational.) And if it weren’t for alumna Ashley Liquori dragging my white bum to Miami for an impromptu getaway last month, I wouldn’t know that I still love Paris -- or that there’s someone to love in Paris, although that’s another story.

Three days before I came to Emerson, my dad and I got into an explosive fight and I swore that I’d never come home again. I chose Emerson on a fluke, only requiring that I not have to use communal bathrooms (no offense, Little Building). Dad and I made up by Thanksgiving, but looking back, I dread to think how my life would differ if I never came here to meet the people who have filled it since.

When three weeks ago, my internship offered me a full-time position effective immediately, my dad was the first person I told. “Just keep in mind that at home, you could keep a garden.” I don’t garden. Neither does my dad. And what we have in front of the house is a lawn of the clover persuasion. But it’s home, and that’s my dad’s way of saying that my parents had been hoping to have me there again. But although a part of my heart will always be in Hicksville, I don’t regret the fight that propelled me out of there like a bat out of hell. At Emerson, I learned more than I knew I didn’t know -- and I don’t just mean elevator etiquette or skills that scored me a sweet spot in magazines. I learned how to sleep less, live more, and most importantly, love a little crazy. I learned what it’s like to have an adventure. Looking back, the fight we had was worth having. Because as Marilyn Monroe once said, “Sometimes good things fall apart, so better things can fall together.”

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YOUR features

Next Stop: Symphony

Text & Photography//Nancy Valev If you’re ever in the mood for a nice, harmonious stroll, head over to the Symphony stop, located smack dab in the middle of Northeastern University, Boston University, and Berklee College of Music.

Exiting the stop, you’ll find yourself facing some beautiful architecture definitely worth viewing. Among these tall, looming buildings are the Christian Science Church Center, the Horticulture Society, and of course Symphony Hall.

Classical music lovers, or anyone interested in broadening their musical tastes, can find the salient sounds of string quartets or the soulful serenades of brass instruments in this concert hall. Tickets are available for the low price of $10 to allow the average broke college student to indulge in the luxury of fine music.

Have a case of the munchies? Symphony is speckled with a dynamic set of eateries that take a little exploring to uncover -- beyond the traditional Panera Breads and Starbucks in the area. For those of you with some culture-craving taste buds, Lucy Ethiopian Café is definitely a place to check out. Their ethnic menu offers delicacies such as peanut tea, spicy lamb dishes like “lega tibs”, (a lamb dish prepared with fried onion and spices) vegetarian dishes, or a simple hummus pita wrap.

Pavement Café is another great place to grab a coffee with

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a tasty sandwich at a reasonable price. Once you set foot through the door, you are immediately swept into the quasibohemian atmosphere of indie music and a freshly updated art collection. Be sure to try the Spanish latte (prepared with sweet whipped condensed milk) with a mozzarella tomato Panini which averages to about $5 total.

For those who want to take home some organic and all natural products, there is a Whole Foods located directly across the street from the stop. The Emerson hipster can stock up on products ranging from organic almond milk and locally grown tomatoes to gluten-free chocolate chip muffins. If you’re in the mood for a home-style meal, there is also a Boston Market located right around the corner.

Or maybe you’re getting in touch with your inner creative artist. You can channel this passion by attending classes at the Kaji Aso Studio in painting and drawing, ceramics, philosophy, poetry, and music. It is nestled cozily among the chic apartments and alley of blooming trees of Saint Stephen Street and is always a pleasure to visit. Prices for an entire season of classes amount to about $200 but are definitely worth the money.

Pulsing with a colorfully artistic vibe and a youthful, laid back ambiance of college students, this is one stop the Emerson student will not be disappointed visiting.

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Who’s That Girl?

Sarie Gessner’s hair falls in perfect curls down her flower printed vintage dress. Pearls outline her neck while a big black ribbon is tied around her waist perfecting her 1940s-50s outfit. But of course her look isn’t complete unless she has her signature cat eyeliner and red lipstick, making her stand out among the Emerson crowd.

Emerson College is known for its fashionable people and Gessner contributes to this reputation.“I feel more like home here,” said Gessner, “People have better fashion here than from my hometown.”

Gessner is originally from Rockford, Illinois and is now a freshmen majoring in Design Tech with a concentration in costume design. Every day she is able to translate her love for costumes through her own style of clothes. Her outfits consist of vintage garb, homemade garments and clothes from H&M. The silhouette and the glamour of 40s and 50s Hollywood inspire her fashion, along with the TV show, Mad Men. Recently, Gessner worked as crew in the Emerson show, Rough and Tumble. Backstage she did prom-esque hairdos for all the crewmembers during their down time when she wasn’t busy instructing people on what to do in wardrobe.

Jillian McKenna Doherty, a freshman playwriting major, worked alongside Gessner.

“She is a really great friend,” said Doherty, “She comes off very shy at first and then once you know she gets to be really crazy... it’s great!”

Doherty also believes that Gessner was born in the wrong decade because of how her pinup style stands out even among other well-dressed Emersonians.

Gessner has always had a heart for fashion. When she was young she remembers dressing up in costumes for her favorite Disney movies.

“I had one for when I would watch Hercules,” she said, “I had an old nightgown and everything for all my favorite Disney movies.”

Gessner really turned to fashion in high school when she was forced to wear a uniform. Before she knew it, she was doing her hair in crazy do’s and over-dressing her uniform to make it unique and stand out. At first her peers didn’t understand why she was taking the time to dress nicely, but they eventually took to it. Even teachers didn’t question the minor changes in her uniform because she was being even more respectful with her fashion choices.

“Having to wear uniforms really forced me to be creative in ways I don’t think I would have been able to reach if I didn’t have the uniforms,” said Gessner.

Without having to wear uniforms, Gessner believes she would never have found her love for fashion. In high school she used it as a challenge and found something that she truly loved doing.

Being fashionable can sometimes get expensive, but Gessner has figured out a system to save money. While buying vintage, she hems and re-fits low cost finds that she likes. When she creates something from scratch, she buys the least amount of fabric she needs at Windmill Fabrics, an inexpensive knock-off store of designer textiles. For everything else, she goes to H&M where the clothes aren’t expensive and follow her fashion taste.

In the morning Gessner has a routine that gets her ready

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Text & Photos // Beth Treffeisen in about thirty minutes. Gessner takes showers during the night so her hair can dry, and then in the morning sometimes curls her hair, or just does her famous swirl in her bangs. Afterwards she applies her make-up and then is set to go. Before she goes to sleep she often times picks out her outfit for the next day.

“It makes me more excited to wake up if I have something fun to wear,” said Gessner.

The only time Gessner ever takes a day off from dressing up is when she is at home sewing and then doesn’t even bother to get out of her pajamas. Although when Gessner believes she is dressing casually, others think otherwise.

Gessner’s talent goes beyond just her own clothes and extends into costume design. Recently she did costume design for the Rareworks Irish Double plays By the Bog of Cats and Lovers, and also is currently working on the play Angels in America, that will be on stage at the end of this semester.

“I just really like dressing a character,” said Gessner, “I think costumes really transform an actor and allow them to be that character.”

Gessner was an actress in some of her high school plays and enjoyed it, but also very much loved designing her own clothes. She decided she wanted to pursue costume designing as a perfect compromise.

“I just really am a costume designer at heart,” said Gessner.

Gessner doesn’t really have any big role models in the costume design world but she hopes to continue her love for making costumes either in theatre or film, depending on whether she ends up living in L.A. or on the East Coast. But for now she plans on getting as much experience as she can.

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YOUR features

text // Liz Mantey photos // Alex Clarke

THE MINDS BEHIND “MOVING MOUNTAINS”

It’s a feeling that film students know all too well; wanting to write and direct the greatest student film of all time. What could be better than the real life dilemma of student filmmaking but making a film about attempting to create the greatest student film of all time? Film students Peter Horgan, a junior VMA directing major and Matt Kenny, a junior Writing for Film and Television major, are co-producers and writers of a new student film tentatively titled “Moving Mountains”. The pair began the pre-production stages of the film last November and hope to have a finished product ready for release in September.

Both Matt and Peter categorize the film as a mockumentary that chronicles the story of the over the top film student, Guy Mendry. Guy believes that his talent far exceeds anything he could possibly learn at film school. To the dismay of his professor and group mates, Guy attempts to recreate a famous Hollywood blockbuster that is essentially impossible to remake. Tension ensues between Guy’s group mates Philip, the cinematographer, and Smitty, the producer.

The three have extremely different personalities and viewpoints on student filmmaking and the struggles between them are the backbone of the comedy in the film.

The film gathers its greatest strength from the partnership of the writers. Horgan explains, “My favorite part about making the film has been the writing sessions. Matt and I work really well together and we have a very similar sense of humor.” Inspiration for the story came from the two film students’ own lives. Kenny states, “In our writing classes we are told you should write about what you know. And right now we know film school and film students.” Most scenarios come from their real life experiences on film sets.

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Kenny explains that the worst thing on a film set is to deal with someone who has a bad attitude. Although on set they can be a pain to deal with, their poor ability to collaborate with others creates many comedic situations. Both Kenny and Horgan describe the film as a satire on film students and even on themselves. Although the film pokes fun at these students, Kenny wants viewers to understand they aren’t ridiculing all film students. He states, “We are simply lampooning those with the wrong attitudes.”

The film is different from most student films made for Emerson classes because of its length. The film is twenty minutes long and the pair says that it is definitely their biggest undertaking so far. This is the duo’s first mockumentary, and they have had quite a bit of adapting to do. Kenny explains that he has had to alter his writing style while Horgan has had to adjust his style of directing. Upon the release of the film, Horgan and Kenny will be sending copies of the film to backers, entering the film in festivals, and hopefully releasing the film on a Vimeo Pro account.

The film stares familiar faces of Emerson comedy troupes such as Patrick McDonald, from Jimmy’s Traveling All-Star’s, and Nick Johnson, from Stroopwafel. The humor of Kenny and Horgan, along with the all-star cast, is sure to create a fantastic screwball mockumentary. Although the writing and producing comes from Kenny and Horgan, the two could not complete the project without the help of what they refer to as their “amazing” crew including Kyle Daly, Director of Photography, Jeremy Sender, Assistant Director, and Pete Ivanecky, Production Designer. The film is being shot in May mostly around Boston.

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DJ D

YOUR features

jour Text & Photo // Emily Labes

Last year, Nora Jordan began to make plans for a business that she

with other entrepreneurs, particularly those in the entertainment

might one day start: a local hookah bar. But while she was brainstorming

industry. “Networking is my favorite and least favorite aspect of

This attitude can be applied to Jordan’s general business philosophy.

potential locations and beginning to draw up a business plan, her

starting a business,” she says, “I get really inspired when people give

According to Jordan, “I’m not doing this to become a millionaire.”

normally supportive family was less than optimistic about her recently

me good advice, and I try to take it.”

Rather, she hopes to be able to use her future success to help give back to

people. It’s not just about the music, it’s about the people too.”

discovered dream. “I got a lot of backlash from my family,” Jordan says,

Jordan typically prefers one-on-one meetings to organized

“[opening a hookah bar] wouldn’t be doing any good. I wouldn’t be

networking events. “Events are superficial,” she says, “They often

For instance, Jordan plans to contact local synagogues, so that they

making anyone healthier or better.”

don’t create authentic relationships in the way that people can. I’m also

can refer families in search of a DJ for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs to DJour

usually among the youngest in a sea of 40-year-old men, which can be

Entertainment. In exchange, Jordan will donate 10% of DJour’s profits

uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels really fake.”

back to the temple. “I would love to be known as the non-profit DJ of

Yet a typical office job was never in the cards for Jordan, 21, a senior Marketing Communications Major and an Entrepreneurial Studies

others, and get involved in philanthropy.

Minor. She says, “I didn’t want to work a 9-5 job, because I don’t

Recently, one of Jordan’s professors put her in touch with an

work well that way. I figured that out early.” As a DJ on The Spirit of

Emerson alum, Nicole Witkov, who shares Jordan’s entrepreneurial

Jordan is also passionate about small, local businesses. She considers

Boston – a cruise ship that offers dining, dancing, and other forms of

spirit. Witkov writes a popular “Mommy Blog,” and does event

herself “a locavore.” True locavores only shop and eat local, which can

Boston,” she says.

entertainment – Jordan had so far managed to escape the mundane

planning. Jordan said the two women are a good fit because their

obviously become expensive. She has great admiration for the business

grind. So, her father suggested she start a DJ company. Thus, the idea of

professional relationship is genuine and mutually beneficial. Jordan

structure of Israel, which she refers to as a “start-up nation.”

DJour Entertainment was born.

values this relationship a great deal, and tries to help others find great

“I love that model,” she says, “Everyone helps each other. It might

Jordan speaks with a great deal of fluidity and confidence. Her

connections. “That’s how a good entrepreneur thinks, in my opinion,”

be a bit of a Socialist point of view, but I’ll admit it, I’m a Socialist. I

enthusiasm for what she does is only matched by her eloquence. She has

she says, “It’s all about who you know, and it’s all word of mouth.

would rather help the people I know than the JC Penneys and WalMarts

dark, wavy hair, and an infectious smile that lights up her entire face.

Especially in the DJ industry.”

of the world.”

According to Jordan, “DJour Entertainment is a DJ company in

This is certainly true for Jordan, who came across the industry

Jordan’s family played a large part in instilling these values in her.

Boston that is able to connect older styles of music with up-and-coming

almost by accident. A Hull, Massachusetts native, Jordan interned for

Her sister introduced her to the idea of being a locavore, and her father

pop and electronica.” In the next five years, Jordan hopes that the

local radio station, WROR, in high school, and worked in promotions

is a business owner. “[My dad] owns a small, Mom & Pop furniture

company will be an established business with a large client base, and

for them for three years after that. The station hosted an event on The

store,” she says. “He runs a clean business and really tries never to

enough capital to really be able to give back. She hopes to have at least

Boston Spirit shortly before Jordan’s junior year of college. As someone

screw anyone over.” Jordan has also learned a lot from watching her

three employees, so that she can stop DJing and focus on the business

who has always enjoyed public speaking and had a background in

father’s business survive as the “WalMarts of every industry” take over

side of things. Jordan also hopes to have a small office space, and a car

radio (she also worked for WERS), she instantly saw the appeal of

the country. In addition, Jordan’s family has always been encouraging,

“wrapped in the DJour logo,” that would become iconic around town

being a DJ. So, she asked the Spirit’s DJ if they were hiring.

supportive, and receptive when she wants to bounce ideas off them.

(an idea she got from WROR).

Sure enough, they were, and Jordan began training at the beginning

Running an honest business, like her father, is something that Jordan

Although the company has only been existence since last July, Jordan

of her junior year. This was a turning point for her, as it planted the

truly values. “It’s hard to be 100% ethical,” she says, “But I always try.”

has already scored numerous Emerson gigs, including the Emerson’s

seeds for DJour Entertainment and helped her gain a great deal of

She intends to keep this mentality in mind as DJour Entertainment

Next Top Male Model Walk-Off, which took place at the Converse Store.

wisdom. “My boss is one of my best friends,” Jordan says, “I model a

expands.

For her work, Jordan was paid with a pair of customized Converse shoes

lot of my business practices after him.”

that sport her logo on them.

For now, Jordan is focusing on preparing for the Lithuanian

Yet it was Jordan’s clients who really inspired her. “On the Spirit,

Folk Festival, and she is getting ready to compete against thirteen

On Valentine’s Day, Jordan also DJed at Sweetwater Tavern – a

people tell me all the time, ‘Oh, I’ve never seen a female DJ. Good for

other hopeful entrepreneurs in the Entertainment Expo in April. The

popular café and bar conveniently located on Boylston Place – for

you,’” Jordan says, “I get that every other time I work.” The realization

competition will award $20,000 in start-up money to whoever wins

an event that was put on by the Boston Nightlife Express, a service

that she, as a female DJ, was a novelty was a huge break-through for

the competition. Jordan is also currently training another girl to DJ for

that provides safe transportation for college students in the area. She

her.

the company. “I see myself doing a million different things,” she says.

donated her services free of charge. Currently, her primary concern is

“I want to bring a feminine feel into an industry that is saturated

the kind of expansion that does not require merely fiscal capital. She

with men,” Jordan says. In order to establish DJour Entertainment as

says, “I’m really working on getting the name out there, building the

a predominantly female-run company, Jordan needed an image with

brand, building awareness, and acquiring equipment at the moment.”

which to brand herself. That’s where Samantha Siegel came in.

This June, however, DJour Entertainment will have its first paying

Siegel, has been Jordan’s best friend since kindergarten, and is even

event: The International Lithuanian Folk Music Festival. Over 600

her neighbor in Hull, is a graphic design major at Boston University.

people are expected to attend the festival, and Jordan couldn’t be more

Her design is truly what kick-started DJour Entertainment, according

excited.

to Jordan. “Private event DJs aren’t really branded,” Jordan says, “I can

Her anticipation for the event itself is equaled by her passion for the

really build a brand around the image Samantha created.” Siegel serves

preparation. “It’s a lot of communication back and forth,” Jordan says.

as an unofficial business partner to Jordan, who does almost everything

After negotiating the price, writing up a contract, revising said contract,

else on her own.

and then signing it, Jordan received half of the designated payment,

As someone with a strong background in marketing, Jordan is able

and has been doing music research ever since. Lina Subatis, one of the

to work on promotions, budgeting, contacting people, and everything

event’s organizers, has been sending her music to go over, and the two

else that comes with running a start-up. As a DJ, Jordan also creates her

have been creating the event’s playlist.

own set lists. “What I play depends on my audience entirely,” she says,

Communicating with her clients is one of the things Jordan loves

“I’ve DJed for 300 seven-year-olds, 300 senior citizens, and everything

most about her job. In addition, she thoroughly enjoys communicating

in between. You have to understand the psychological aspect, and the

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Clearly, she already does.

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YOUR features

FILMFEST ARTICLE

text // Pete Ivanecky & Nick Johnston

I swear, it happens every year. An aspiring young director makes an absolutely amazing short film that blows their professor’s mind and wows the students in their class.

But you never hear about what happens after. That’s because it’s rarely seen again, lost to some unimaginable void of great student work that has just been plain forgotten. We started the YourMovies Film Festival to prevent this from happening at Emerson again, to create an environment in which the on-going efforts of the student body could be shown and admired.

When we started working at YourMag, we were both enthusiastic about the chance to make the things we do during our time at college feel truly meaningful by focusing on student work and the everyday achievements of your average Emersonian. The thing you start to realize, when you’re seeing the sorts of plays, stories, programs, and specifically films being produced, is that nobody here is average: we’re here because we’re talented people, and we think that deserves to be recognized. The opportunity to make great work, or to fail and learn from such disasters, is tenfold here, and we should be able to recognize those who accomplish their ambitious goals.

There are principles that we all agreed on in the first place in order to try and preserve the integrity of the film festival. First, we agreed that wouldn’t charge any money for admission or for submitting a project. That way, students could do what they please with the content of the work without worrying about getting into any legal trouble. Second, we’d do our best to make sure to spotlight student work no matter your year. Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen make fantastic work each semester, and failing to showcase that would be a cardinal sin. Third, we wanted YOU to be able to pick what you thought were the best movies out of the festival, in the form of first, second and third place winners. A jury is fine for something like Cannes, but that isn’t for us. It’s not our festival, we simply program it. It’s all about you, no matter if you’re an audience member or a submitting filmmaker.

These ten films are fine examples of what we believe to be the best qualities that Emerson film students possess- creativity, empathy, technical skill and most importantly, heart- and we’re incredibly proud of all the folks, featured or not, that were brave enough to submit their projects. We can only hope that you enjoy them as much as we do. Let’s make a deal: we’ll continue to bring you the best in student work and publicly show it if you’ll continue to support the filmmakers at the heart of your community by attending our festival or, hell, any festival featuring content by young Emerson filmmakers. That way, we both win.

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YOUR features The Womanhood- Submitted by Yvonne Labarge (Writer/Director) and Tara Mastroeni (Exec. Producer) - “It’s a BIRD... it’s a PLANE... it’s PMS like you’ve never seen it before!”

Crime Drama- Submitted by Peter Horgan (Writer/Director) “The thoughts of a career criminal... set to Sinatra.”

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary- Submitted by Bryce Fallon (Writer/ Director) - “Mary, a time bomb of deluded ambition, has her heart set on going to only one university, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get there, even if nothing she does is right.”

Life on Mars? - Submitted by Alexandre Pulido (Writer/Director) “A Martian explorer is sent on an information-gathering mission to Earth, and falls in love.”

3rd Place

Priceless- Submitted by Kevin Greene (Writer/Director) “Two twenty-somethings attend a party that is literally out of this world.”

Being This Fucking Monster- Submitted by Mike Fink (Writer/ Director) - “A film about dark times, disillusion, drugs, and love.

What I used to see in the mirror, my deepest fears, the life I’ve lived so far, and what I remember.”

1st Place

Parents’ Day- Submitted by Luke Palmer (Writer/Director) “Lucy’s Dad holds a dark secret that could not only ruin her social life but indeed send the classroom to eternal damnation!”

A Foolish Companion- Submitted by Kryzz Gautier (Writer/Producer/Director) - “When put in an extreme situation, a woman analyzes and finds the true purpose of rubber ducks.”

Ice Cream- Submitted by Peter Ferris Rosati (Writer/Creator) “A claymation short about love, cats, and ice cream”.

Commonwealth- Submitted by Ian Curran (Writer/Director) “A hardened detective sets out to solve what may be his final case.”

2nd Place

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YOUR arts&entertainment

ASSEMBLING THE AVENGERS Text // Nick Johnston

Even if you’re not a nerd, there’s something incredibly exciting about the Marvel Cinematic Universe coming to its logical conclusion on May 4th with the release of The Avengers, a giant team-up of all the world’s greatest heroes to stop an otherworldly force that threatens the Earth. It’s one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, and promises to be a delight for all ages. Now, if you are a nerd, then you’ve probably been salivating since you got your first taste of the movie at the end of Captain America, browsing set photos and reading interviews, and getting spoiled by assholes on the internet (damn you, Reddit). However, what will it take for The Avengers to truly succeed as a movie-going experience in terms of style, storytelling and content? I’ve evaluated the qualities needed to make it a fantastic time in the theater using aspects from all the Marvel movies and some of my own personal analysis.

Let’s get it on!

Wit- Iron Man is the miracle at the heart of all of this. The fact that a movie starring a formerly drug-addled nut of an actor and Chris Martin’s wife, directed by the man who brought us Zathura, not only revitalized all of their careers and made a public hero out of the first, it allowed Marvel Studios to begin laying the groundwork for all of this. It came very close to not making it to screen- Downey Jr. was considered a huge risk for such a high-profile part due to his past and his insurance costs (Tom Cruise was originally the pick to go with), the script went through countless changes, and Iron Man’s never been the most popular superhero with the public- but when it did, it had a special blend of herbs and spices that, like a bucket of KFC, we couldn’t resist. The key ingredient to making Iron Man work would have to be its wit, from the incredibly memorable dialogue to the careful and loving subversions of the tropes of the superhero genre. If The Avengers comes anywhere close to equaling the intelligence of its founding work, it will be a joy to watch, and by hiring Joss Whedon to write and direct, I’d say the odds are in its favor. Also, for an

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example on how not to do this whole “individual franchises leading up to a team-up movie” business right, watch Green Lantern-- I can’t believe I paid to see that piece of shit.

Expediency- Out of all the Marvel movies, my least favorite is the tepid and mind-numbing Incredible Hulk, which is why I’m incredibly glad we’re getting a vaguely fresh start with the role being recast. Marvel Studios famously had a ton of trouble with Ed Norton and, like Terrence Howard in Iron Man, decided to get rid of him in favor of someone easier to work with, that person being the great Mark Ruffalo. For once, thank god for Norton’s pettiness; his stuffy, brooding Banner would be so out of place among the charismatic collection of actors brought together for the project. However, one aspect of that movie is essential to The Avengers working well. At the start of the movie, the Hulk’s origin is briefly recapped during the opening credits, and, instead of spending three hours telling us stuff that we already know, leads us directly into the new story. Even though this did cause some confusion among audience members, leading them to believe it was a sequel to Ang Lee’s version, we’re smarter than that now. Such expediency is required to tell a story with this scope (even The Iliad does this), and from the looks of it, we’ll be jumping right into the ass-kicking heroics. Also, Marvel seems like they’re finally getting the Hulk and how to make him work on film, so that’s an added bonus. Not since the days of Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby has anybody truly understood his character (see Film Crit Hulk’s Christmas article at Badass Digest for more insight!). Here’s to new beginnings and all the awesome smashing that will follow.

World-Building- I’ve gotten into many drunken arguments about why I think Iron Man 2 is a fantastic comic book movie, even though it’s almost on par with The Incredible Hulk in terms of quality. By no means is it a “good” movie, but, if you watch it without seeing any other Marvel movies, it ac-

YOUR arts&entertainment

curately captures the experience of picking up a comic book for the first time in a store as a five-year-old and being steadily introduced to the expansive world within. Not only does it manage to set up the next several Marvel movies, but it establishes characters that will play a huge role in the grander universe (Black Widow) while expanding on others (Nick Fury), and gives us a sense of what S.H.I.E.L.D is really like as an organization. With some clever hints near the end of the movie, we can figure out exactly where it is in the timeline of these movies. This establishes a sense of continuity and scope for both the setting and the characters, and I hear even the littlest of bits (such as Agent Coulson’s freak-out about finding the prototype Captain America shield in Stark’s workshop) wind up paying off in the end. While telling a captivating story, The Avengers should be broadening the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s horizons, and if the word is right, it will definitely stretch to the stars by the time the last credit rolls. But since I come to praise the achievements of the Marvel movies, one final thing about Iron Man 2: how hard can it be to completely hate a movie that has both Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke as the villains? I could listen to Mickey Rourke pronounce “bird” in a Russian accent any day of the week.

Accepting Your Origins- Is there really any other way to handle a property that concerns the exploits of a Norse god who hits people with a hammer than to embrace its goofy aspects? I really don’t think so, and it’s a shame that more time was spent on Kat Dennings’ dumb jokes, Chris Hemsworth’s beefcake, and the literal “star-crossed” romance than the wonderfully cosmic world that the Thunder God inhabits, but then again, we need for Thor to be on Earth in order for The Avengers to follow trait two. The goofy cosmic aspirations of Thor are the absolute best part of the film, and it’s fitting that Kenneth Branagh was chosen to direct the project, especially since there’s an almost Shakespearian quality to the dealings of Asgard as shown in the comics. The movie acknowledges where it came from by playing all of this straight and by not being afraid to be just flat-out ridiculous. Remember always that these movies, based on comics that were made for kids, are trying to capture as wide an audience as possible, and

failing to be fun and fantastical excludes people. I wish more movies would follow Thor’s tone, honestly-- how many more grim and gritty superhero movies do we need? I’m not saying a serious tone is wrong for all projects (when done right, like Chris Nolan’s Batman movies, it’s sublime), but really, who wants to see a brooding and mopey Thor aside from the most immature and jaded of geeks?

Heart- Captain America: The First Avenger, post-colon title aside, is my personal favorite of the Marvel movies. Something about it gels incredibly well with my tastes, not to mention that this does the whole “period-superhero” style infinitely better than X-Men: First Class. The setting, the acting, the design and plotting are close to immaculate, but they get enough right that they add up to a movie that I could watch over and over again. Still, it’s got a quality that’s more than me being able to laugh at a Tommy Lee Jones quip, see the original Human Torch in the scenes at the NY World’s Fair, or to watch Cap throw his shield and kick Hydra ass; this elusive quality, one that most superhero movies forget about these days, can be only found within the character of Steve Rogers himself. He’s one of the few morally-unquestioning heroes that remains in our cinematic landscape today, and it’s pretty noticeable that the whole “refusal of the call” arc doesn’t appear in him at all as it does with Iron Man, Hulk and Thor’s characters. He’s incredibly sincere and sweet, honestly wanting to fight for others’ freedom as opposed to simply going overseas to fight Nazis. If The Avengers needs to succeed in any one department, it needs to have heart, and to recognize that the moral center in the group isn’t based in the post-modern Frankenstein’s monster that is Tony Stark’s character. It’s firmly based within Cap; a true hero and earnest man who, upon waking up from a 70-year ice nap and realizing that he is a walking piece of history, doesn’t freak out or condemn the modern world, but instead laments that he never got to have that dance he promised Peggy Carter before his plane crashed.

For all Marvel’s inclinations to show how bitterly human their demigods are, Captain America stands in defiance to all of that, proving that our heroes can be just as good as we want and hope for them to be.

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YOUR arts&entertainment

THE GAME HAS CHANGED Wrinkled fingers chop raw meat with a cleaver. The sky is gray and a crow caws with each dull impact of the blade. Seen through an array of metal bars, Jon Snow ascends a staircase to have a conversation with the hoary butcher. Jon opens a wooden container to find fresh viscera in a heap, the darkest red that blood can be. “Love is the death of duty,” says the old man. He wears a black cloak with a large linked chain draped around his midsection.

He is blind. Jon throws some scraps of meat to the crows. Their conversation is serious and heavy with concepts like duty, honor, loyalty, family, and humanity. Tensions rise as the strings crescendo in the background. Jon gets upset and the old man speaks of his dead brothers, and reveals that he is Aemon Targaryen. Jon is facing a decision that splits his life between family and duty. Aemon lets Jon know that the choice he has to make is his to make alone, and he must live with it for the rest of his life, “as I have.” Queue foreboding drums.

This scene unfolds in the ninth episode of the first season of Game of Thrones, an HBO series written

by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss based off George R. R. Martin’s series of fantasy books. The scene just described is typical of the style of the show, and occurs in an episode that challenges convention by unexpectedly killing off a main character.

This, though, is also typical of Game of Thrones.

Viewers (or readers) soon find out that this series plays for keeps.

Stylistically, Game of Thrones uses a color pallet with low saturation; everything is somewhat

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Text // Ian Clayton

washed out, and the sky is usually overcast. Most people are dressed in maroon, gray, or bronze.

White (or grey) hair is quite common, as a large amount of the characters skew older given the fact that it focuses an on array of realistically flawed, mature characters. Grim reality is the name of the game, maintained even in the high fantasy setting.

Game of Thrones reminds viewers frequently that life in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros is bloody, toilsome, and often short. The soundtrack is orchestral, composed by Ramin Djawadi, and emphasizes drums and strings to lend the show an often melancholy, and intense feel. Costume design, as mentioned with regards to color, fits with the aesthetic by having armor on the conservative side of fantasy and clothing quite realistic for the period. The style knits together well and manages to carve out an aesthetic of its own in a genre prone to repeats.

Though Game of Thrones is high fantasy, it avoids a lot of Tolkien-esque clichés, mostly within storytelling. The show refuses the monomyth, or the hero’s journey, present in so much of science fiction, fantasy, and fiction in general. Game of Thrones instead puts more emphasis on character interaction and development than the grand journey that has become the norm. It also denies the good versus evil dichotomy that so many fantasy stories subscribe to, opting for political and familial conflicts with validity on both sides. Sure, some characters are nastier than others, but they aren’t divided into two camps to face off for all time and

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YOUR arts&entertainment the fate of the world. The other ways in which Game of Thrones diverges from high fantasy that precedes it is in its portrayal of intense scenes of violence and sex. No punches are pulled graphically, which is one more element that fits with the no nonsense, less idealistic, ruthless world that Martin creates. The book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, has enjoyed sustained popularity for the way it challenges the genre and the readership’s preconceived notions. The show, though, has reached an immediate and broad audience for its accessibility. Viewers know that with an HBO series there will be a high production value and a seriousness of content, which fits with the expectations of the show. There is also the audio/visual punch given to the violence and sex that is absent from the books. Viewers and readers today want their expectations challenged. The aesthetic in vogue has turned darker, colder, and bitterer. This is evident in video game culture, where a game like Skyrim succeeded with its snowy, harsh setting and apocalyptic storyline. The modern media consumer wants norms destroyed. We are the apocalypse generation, after all, and the media should reflect that. The media we want is less expected, less easy, and less Christian. Much of the traditional story tropes are being dismantled, making Martin’s stories more than something for a niche audience.

Besides the show, Martin’s series has spawned comic books, card games, miniature figurines, a video game, a tabletop game, a board game, and replica weapons. Clearly, it’s not just the format that people respond to. The media market for this series is almost allinclusive, meaning that it truly is the tone and style that we respond to. In any format today, the idea of “reality” is paramount. Gone is the upbeat pop of the nineties, and in its place is a grim, snowy, and ruthless world. Melancholy and dissatisfaction are important emotions associated with much lauded new media. Paul Levinson, a professor of media and communications at Fordham University, believes that the attacks on 9/11 had a direct effect on what people wanted reflected in the media. “The most profound overall change was one of tone.

The world suddenly seemed a more dangerous and uncertain place, and that was reflected across the board.” Then came the large hadron collider with threats of a black hole. The recession hit, and 2012 scares abound. With so much threat it’s hard to get in Tolkien’s mindset of simply setting off on a magical journey to see where it goes. There can be no good versus evil in a milieu of distrust and danger; people now opt for more difficult moral dilemmas. What Game of Thrones gives us is our reality put into fantasy, and the people want blood.

Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9:00 PM on HBO.

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YOUR arts&entertainment

A PHENOMENON Text // Eric Gaudette

Bronies are people that need little introduction.

They’re fans of the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and who are outside the target demographic of the show: little girls and their parents. This show has become a sensation on the Internet, to the point where people have started using their favorite ponies as avatars and profile pictures. Contrary to what people may initially think, many of these people don’t view the show as a guilty pleasure. Bronies will proudly admit to what they are by wearing t-shirts with their favorite characters on them, and, as one brony did, make a (semi) serious physics presentation on some of the shows scenes.

But why did this become such a phenomenon? Well, when children’s shows become popular, it’s usually because of double entendres found in the show or pop culture references that only adults would get. Examples of shows like this include Rocko’s Modern Life, which has the eponymous protagonist go into a sleazy motel, and kept up by sounds of beds violently moving.

However (and thankfully), there are little, if any, double meanings found in My Little Pony. There are some references thrown in here and there, but being a brony myself, I can assure people that the occasional nod to pop culture isn’t the reason we love it so much, though it is part of it. We love it because it blew our minds.

The creator of the show, Lauren Faust, once stated in an interview that she created the My Little Pony so that there would be a quality show for girls. Why? Most cartoons that are geared towards boys or just kids in general have a male protagonist and a predominantly male cast. Cartoons are like this because nearly every acclaimed work of fiction has a male protagonist. People usually haven’t gone against the flow because, what boy will want to see a show about girls doing dumb girly things? It wasn’t a risk many executives took.

If a cartoon, particularly in today’s day and age where children’s entertainment is so segregated, features a girl protagonist, people just think it wouldn’t sell because no boy would be caught dead watching a girls show. Not to mention that existing “girly” shows are everything people think they would be: boring, stupid, and filled with characters as thin as paper. Female cartoon characters don’t fair much better: they’re usually just someone that gets kidnapped so the rest of the cast can save her, and become a love interest for the hero.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic changed that.

Every character on the show has a unique, layered personality which develops throughout the season. Strengths and weaknesses can all be relatable. And, while there are pop culture references, the real humor comes from these charac-

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ters, who are so vastly different from one another that the writers create organic humor from their clashing personalities and the situations that arise.

While there are cartoons like this for sure, there hasn’t been one with an all female cast. It’s a refreshing change from what people are used to, and it proved something to bronies: that good entertainment can be found in unlikely places, if you’ll be open minded enough to give it a chance.

And open-mindedness is one of the key values of bronies everywhere. We, of all people, don’t judge people on what they like, or who they like. More importantly, we don’t hate the people that call us “pussies” or “perverts.” We respect other people’s opinions toward the show and us, even if they’re uninformed. Sure, some of us may encourage individuals outside “the herd” to watch the show for a few episodes, but at the end of the day, we’ll accept that some people just may not like the show. Who are we to judge?

I love being a brony because, unlike fans of other shows or comics or sports or anything, there is more to the fandom than just enjoying the show. We take the show’s message of friendship and kindness towards others to heart, and we apply that to our everyday lives to become better, more understanding people.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has such loyal fans because we learned something from it. That’s right, we learned something from a TV show! How often does anyone say that anymore?

If you’re ever curious about checking out what the fuss is about, all the episodes are on YouTube. You can also buy the episodes on iTunes. If you end up liking it, welcome to the herd.

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WHY SAGA IS THE BEST BOOK YOU’RE NOT READING RIGHT NOW

Text // Nick Johnston

Text // Nick Johnston

Brian K. Vaughan’s Saga, his first new book after taking a lengthy hiatus from writing to pursue film and TV work, is not only fucking brilliant space opera but one of the most human books in the medium currently. It lies in a minority of series that simply feels sweet without being trite, a feeling that permeates throughout the first issue, which is one of the best starting points to any serialized work that I’ve had the pleasure to read. I’ll admit that I’m a pretty big fan of one of his previous series, Ex Machina, (which was just as fascinating as a superhero book as it was a study of the power-driven and the American political system) but could never get into the critical and fan favorite Y: The Last Man for reasons both just and (mainly) stupid. Yet, it’s incredibly impossible for me to imagine how anyone but the misanthropic or self-loathing could hate this book.

A child is born in a run-down repair shop to two unlikely parents, Marko (who resembles a faun in horns only) and Alana (a badass faery), whose races are involved in a large intergalactic war. The words “starcrossed lovers” are used to describe the pair by many critics, but this isn’t exactly Shakespeare, considering that their relationship has lasted way longer than three days and both are well into adulthood, yet there’s the same specters haunt them. Their union and especially the birth of their daughter is an unparalleled act of rebellion against both of their worlds, and their race to safety begins almost immediately. A variety of forces want the child dead or for their own uses, including an assassin, a prince, mages, and a variety of military forces, and they’ll do anything to get their hands on her.

Let’s start with the art. Fiona Staples cements a position as one of the most fascinating artists working within the medium today, and it’s her ability to capture the essence of a scene

that makes all of the difference. With a lesser artist, these panels might fall flat, but her work gives Vaughan’s writing a true form and sells it beyond any reasonable doubt. From her imagination with the designs of some of the more interesting characters, such as a prince whose head happens to resemble a television (surprisingly different from the one present in FLCL) to the absolutely nuts design of the spider-womanthing that tries to kill the couple when they’re stranded in a forest (just read it), to the muted fantasy aspects of the main characters, her art threads the line between the real and the ridiculous. Her characters feel textured and worn in comparison to their impressionistic surroundings, but the style emphasizes the most important facet of the book: the interactions between the characters and the story itself.

The writing, which is audacious as hell and incredibly expedient without being overly expository, within the pages of Saga accomplishes a rare feat. Within the first vignette of the book, I felt utterly at home with both the setting and the characters. The universe feels expansive and utterly lived-in, perhaps due to the blend of fantasy and space-opera tropes within the text itself, but there still feels Vaughan seems to have an earnest love for all of his characters, regardless for their affiliation to the central characters’ struggle to protect their child. With the exception of the few big bads, every tertiary person within those 32 pages flourishes with life, especially the lead couple, the unlikely lovers who manage to bring something beautiful and new into a society that hates the very thought of it. The reasons we should give a shit about them are quickly established, not only because they’re likable and caring, but because of what’s at stake

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in the situation becomes quickly evident. It’s ironic that one of the main things I loved about the book, the omniscient narration by Hazel at some point in the future, may not work for some readers because her outcome is already known, but the way Vaughan writes her character overflows with the kind of love that a child can only have for his or her parents.

It’s Hazel’s narration that made me choke up when I turned to the final pages, and her reasoning is incredibly beautiful and sweet. As her parents settle and attempt to decide what to name her, she elaborates to us about why she’s even telling the story. Turns out, despite her Christlike origins and persecution, she’s not a god or an epic hero, but rather about as plain as you’d get. Her birth and survival are miracles in and of themselves, and rather she’d honor the people who sacrificed so much so that she could have a chance at a life.

Her voice, definite about her origins and the intentions of the cast of characters, only slightly suggests what’s to come in the pages of the book, and the possibilities are endless. Saga is in a league of it’s own, and god knows I can’t wait to see how this series grows and matures.

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YOUR arts&entertainment

PROZAC

R O C K Margot and the

Nuclear So-and-So’s Text//Olivia Moravec

Photography//Krista Firkins

Richard Edwards pauses while the sounds of a gypsy-like guitar riff bends into the first line of “Vampires in Blue Dresses.” It was the first recording I heard by Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s. The bootleg recordings from the Patio on November 5, 2005 in Indiana was the only copy of their songs I could illegally download.

When I finally got my hands on The Dust of Retreat (2006), the studio versions sounded so much cleaner and well recorded, but I kept going back to those three songs of their live performance. They gave me a connection with Edwards that was not graspable through the orchestrated sounds of a studio album.

Indiana natives, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s released their latest album Rot Gut, Retreat on March 12, taking another turn in their sound. Edwards has been the only consistent member of the band throughout its existence. Now at 28, Edwards’s days of writing poetic lyrics about drugs, alcohol, and sex have matured into deeper ethical issues, like in “A Journalist Falls in Love with Death Row Inmate 16” from the latest album.

But, even now there is something about the presence of Edwards live that gives his music a deeper meaning and stronger sense of beauty in the construction of each song.

Many of the songs performed came off of the latest record, but they couldn’t help pleasing the fans with a few of their original hits like “Skeleton Key” and “Broadripple is Burning.” Each time they switched albums, the change was noticeable through content, instruments used, and style.

I like to call their early sound “Gypsy Chamber Pop,” but they self-proclaimed their latest album plain rock. Even though their genre has switched to a more simple title, their music styling is still formed with the carefully selected riffs like an orchestra, a six person orchestra.

On April 10th, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s brought their “Rot Gut, Retreat Tour” downstairs at the Middle East Night Club in Cambridge with opening bands, Writer from New York and Ezra Furman, former Tufts student. The crowd was scarce until just before Margot began. The hardcore Margot followers made their way out of the woodwork for a PBR or Guinness, and some good music.

From the hype of the new record, fans’ opinions on the new sound split down the middle. But, at the show, fans near the stage kept requesting songs off the new album, anxiously waiting to see what they would conjure live.

Each of the six band mates brought out Sierra Nevada Pale Ale’s to drink during the show, placing their bottles near their equipment while setting up, just as they would a guitar pick or earplugs. The speakers on either side of the stage were stacked three high and held back by ropes. Once they started playing, you could see the high hat on the drum set bouncing in vibrations. It was loud, yet the music so soft.

“I don’t want to be your friend, Shannon!!” They yelled between each song until it was finally played.

“You don’t want to make a scene at the Middle East!”

Another one yelled.

Edwards suavely replied, “Just wait for it, baby,” in a sincere, yet playful way, like he would talk to a girlfriend or lover, in the comforting way he spoke to me through his music.

“It’s always such a joy to get to Boston after the Midwest,” Edwards say, unshaven with his shaggy dark hair. “You haven’t let us down yet.”

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That was one of the few short things he said throughout the entire 14 song set. For the most part, he was there to make music and share his passion in each of the words he sung, each in a somewhat defeated way.

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Christmas lights wrapped around the microphone helped illuminate the singer with the ground level spotlights that provided an undertow of lighting, or just an under lighting spot when one of the So and So’s would step on the pedal of the soundboard that controlled the lighting. It would form a stunningly dark reconfiguration of Edwards.

The absence of the ghostly echoes in their new songs showed the transformation from the ghosts of teenage wants and angst, to adult angst and defeat.

The So and So’s confused the audience purposefully at the beginning of each song, waiting as long as they could to break into the melody, forcing the crowd to focus on the raw music before they calculated the lyrics.

Erik Kang, violin, lap steel, and guitar player, spent the show switching off between instruments, as did Cameron McGill with his keyboards, vocals, and guitar.

The new album features very little strings, which used to be a signature in their first few albums, but Kang and McGill were playing just as much guitar as they were their specialized instruments.

“Skeleton Key,” a popular song from their first album, held a long drum solo at the start. Edwards and Kang stood face-to-face at stage right as Edwards pointed two fingers at his eyes, gesturing for Kang to watch him to the lead in. Again, the surprise changed from what song it would be to unexpected guitar harmonies that hadn’t been on the recordings.

Edwards lyrics still rest in my mind upon the great “depressionist” musicians like Conor Oberst or Jesse Lacey, who got me through high school. Perhaps the best genre title for musicians likes these are not folk, chamber, gypsy, or indie. But instead, the title of Margot’s latest single: Prozac Rock.

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YOUR arts&entertainment

Chiptune!

Text//Talia Steif

For those who are newbies to this genre of music, chiptune does not refer to the music made by Alvin and the Chipmunks, although that was my initial thought upon first hearing the word “chiptune.”

Chiptune, also sometimes referred to as 8-bit or chip music, is a kind of electronic music created using the sound clips from video games. To those like me, who lack a significant background in sound design, the chiptune creation process of synthesizing and manipulation is pretty complicated and involves big words like “waveform generator.” I honestly can’t understand or explain the science and technology behind chiptune, so let’s jump to some history.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, hundreds of new game consoles began to flood the market, allowing older models like the original Game Boy, Commodore 64 and Nintendo Entertainment System to be bought and sold at extremely low prices. Using these older models along with vintage computers, artists created chiptunes.

Now, with readily accessible, advanced technology and lots of relatively popular artists, chiptune is making a comeback.

Interestingly enough, the majority of chiptune is exactly what it sounds like and the artists do not attempt to disguise the sound chips as real instruments.

It’s clear that these artists are gamers all the way to the core.

Nullsleep (AKA Jeremiah Johnson), one of the more well known artists of this genre, creates short, energetic tracks that make you feel like you are playing a video game, minus the actual game playing. Johnson describes his personal style as “post-cyberpunk: a combination of distorted synthpop, electro and industrial produced with repurposed low-bit electronics.” These different influences can all be heard in his sound, but most of all, the use of low bit electronics is vitally

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apparent. Another description of Johnson’s aesthetic is just as accurate: “a wall of digital noise driven by a heavy beat, expanding and collapsing in a series of glitches and drones emanating from cheap plastic devices.”

His songs follow classic song formulas often heard in Top 40 music, while incorporating the repetitive tones of video game music. Some tracks have bass beats reminiscent of dubstep, others are more mellow with quiet beeps and blips that bring to mind outer space. Either way, Nullsleep’s music dips into a pool of nostalgia, allowing the

listener to remember old-school Pokemon games and Mario Kart races.

The world of chiptune revolves around both community and collaboration. Nullsleep cofounded his own collective, 8bitpeoples, comprised of chiptune and glitch artists.

In Boston, we have “Boston 8-Bit,” a chiptune and 8-bit music collective.

With eight acts as current members and five other acts as associated members, the Boston collective is reasonably large and contains a wide variety of sounds.

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The collective regularly hosts concert series in the Boston area.

These concert series, entitled “Boston 8-Bit presents: Chiptune,” feature chiptune music as well as video game art.

Active Knowledge, whose real name is Chris Mahoney, is the artist who started Boston 8-Bit through just a simple website.

Active Knowledge uses Nintendo Entertainment System and Ableton Live, a music production software, to build his sounds. In an artist’s statement on his site Mahoney describes how his music consists of “soundscapes designed for your brain’s pattern recognition centers.” While I know close to nothing about the brain’s pattern recognition centers, the sound patterns in his music stand out through the fragmented background beats. Frequent high-pitched tones that sound like fired ammunition shots in video games are balanced by constant deeper tones immersed in static. Most of his songs have intentional microscopic gaps, lags and blips that lend the tracks a glitch-y feel. One listen through and its obvious that this music is bouncing pump-up music, perfect for some sort of video game dance club, if those even exist. Like many other chiptune artists, much of Active Knowledge’s discography can be streamed or downloaded for free (or for “setyou-own-price” costs) through his site.

http://www. nullsleep.com/ http://www. activeknowledgemusic. com/#

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Dr. Zaius Text//Marc Hecht

The name of this section does not accurately describe the story I’m about to tell. This story (if it can even be called that) is not really about me, nor is it really about a song; it’s about a former coworker of mine, a 500-pound, black former cocaine dealer from a bad neighborhood in New York City.

After my freshman year of college I was scrambling to find work for the summer. I had applied to maybe 35 summer internships in the entertainment industry, mostly office stuff, all of which I was turned down by. I turned to the last resort, the home of desperation and regret - Craigslist. This was the point in my life when I was quite serious about a future in standup comedy, so the posting in the jobs section entitled “Standup Industry Jobs Available (For Summer)” seemed like a godsend. Oh, how wrong I was.

I emailed the poster promptly, and received a call early the next morning. “Can you come in for an interview this Thursday?” he asked, after only a brief exchange of pleasantries. I said yes. Being slightly less naïve than I am now, I still thought that this was legitimate office work, regardless that I had not sent in a resume nor mentioned anything about my education or my past work.

I went in on Thursday, arriving an hour early at 10 o’clock. I sat in the hallway of the Broadway Comedy Club waiting, staring at the star-framed photographs of Louis CK and Jim Gaffigan. About 45 minutes into the wait, two people entered and waited with me. At 11:30, a man came out of the back room and ushered us all in together. We handed in our resumes and he put them under the table, then offered us the job and asked when we could start. I was to start the next Monday.

There was no office; I was now a ticket salesman for the club, peddling my wares to tourists in dead center of Times Square, right by the giant Coke bottle.

On my first day of “work”, I arrived at the club at ten

am. Ten young guys were sitting around in the club eating lunch. I enquired to my interviewer, Jason, what the best ways

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to sell tickets were and how much I was to be paid. It was all commission: for every $20 ticket I sold, I would receive $8, and I shouldn’t expect to sell anything my first few days.

Some guys made $300 in a single workday, while some made nothing in an eight-hour shift.

At eleven we left the club together. When we reached Times Square we were split up into groups of two or three; my group consisted only of myself and a small Puerto Rican man who would not speak to me. A third person would be joining us around noon.

The hardest part, according to my boss, was getting people to stop so that you could pitch your goods. This was indeed the hardest part. Hundreds of people passed me by, and I couldn’t get a single one to even look me in the eye.

I would yell things like “Do you like Comedy Central?” or “Stand-up fan? Anyone?” but no one would stop, and for good reason. We were scam artists.

The tickets were worth five cents. They admitted two for $20. In tiny print on the back, under even more tiny print, there was a disclaimer warning of a two-drink minimum. The drinks started at $8.

At noon, I spotted a 500-pound man coming towards us. I could get him to stop, I thought, he can’t walk very fast, and even if he did just try to walk away I can outpace him.

“Do you like standup comedy?” I yelled at him.

“Hells yes,” he said.

“Would you like to buy a ticket to the Broadway Comedy Club then?”

“Fuck no. It’s hard enough to get other people to buy them.”

And that’s how I found out this guy was working with us.

For a few hours we stood side by side, yelling at people, doing everything we could to get them to stop. I had learned that he was a former cocaine dealer, and this job was his first after getting out of prison. I’m pretty sure that he still sold coke, just no on the same scale.

“Do you like The Simpsons?” he asked me, after having sold his 14th ticket.

I told him I did, and that’s when he started singing.

“Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius, doo doo doo doo,” he sang, out on the street, loud enough so that people were stopping and staring. He sang that entire song, from the Planet of the Apes Musical episode “A Fish Called Selma”. Whenever he sold a ticket, whenever there was a lull in traffic, whenever he was slightly bored, he would sing/scream that song. And that’s why I’ll never forget that song. Every time I hear it, I can’t help but think about my summer job selling comedy club tickets on the street with a gigantic former cocaine dealer who loved The Simpsons. That image is forever burned in my skull. I loved that song, and I loved that episode, but now it has a very different meaning to me.

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YOUR arts&entertainment

Summer JAMZ Text//A&E Staff

By the time you read this, the A&E staff will have already started to line up for The Dark Knight Rises, which is the main way that we’ll be spending our summer (the more pretentious ones have already spent all their fun money seeing Kraftwerk at the MoMA). Heat stroke, excessive dehydration, frisbees, bathing suits, cute hipster boys/girls at music festivals, iced coffee... who the hell wants to deal with all of that? Oh, that’s right. Everybody else. Well, that’s why we’ve made you this kick-ass playlist to give you music to party, chill, hook up and drink lots of water to (seriously, heat stroke’s a bitch). We all wish you the best of breaks, and hey! If you’re in town and want to bring us some water in June or July, come to the AMC Boston Common. We’ll be the ones who smell like sweat and death.

1. The Trashmen - “Surfin’ Bird” 2. Dum Dum Girls - “Wrong Feels Right” 3. Buzzcocks - “What Do I Get?” 4. Spiritualized - “Hey Jane” 5. Girls- “Laura” 6. Washed Out - “Amor Fati” 7. Destroyer- “Blue Eyes” 8. Trust - “Sulk” 9. Cut Copy - “Need You Now” 10. Chromatics - “Back From the Grave” 11. The Smiths- “This Charming Man” 12. Robyn - “Dancing On My Own” 13. Grimes - “Oblivion” 14. Yuck - “Chew” 15. Stevie Wonder - “Higher Ground” 16. Jay-Z and Kanye West - “Otis” 17. Odd Future - “Oldie” 18. Outkast - “So Fresh, So Clean” 19. Gorillaz - “Rock the House” 20. The Rolling Stones - “Under My Thumb” 21. Best Coast - “Summer Mood” 22. Wavves- “King of the Beach” 23. David Bowie - “Sound and Vision” 24. Dinosaur Jr. - “The Wagon” 25. Japandroids - “The House That Heaven Built” 26. The Men - “Open Your Heart”

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make-up // Kilian Webster models // Alex Trivilino, Jess Peck, Sheldon Brown, Emily Tannenbaum, Olivia Moravec, Kyna Doles, Brendan Mattox, Jordan del Guercio may

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APOCALYPSE photography // Brian Annis

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MAY 2012