Acentric Magazine (Vol. 1, Issue 3) by Acentric Magazine

VOL. 01 // ISSUE 03 Music / Lifestyle / Local Culture December 2016

BUSINESS BEAUTY

A MUSICIAN’S JOURNEY

ARTIST ALERT

From stamped pennies to hand cut crystals, explore artist Carolina Londoño’s journey into metalsmithing.

After being a guitarist in My American Heart during the height of the emo era, Jesse Barrera opens up about his journey to stay in music.

Multi-talented Chris Rasmussen shares thoughts on post-grad life and how to pursue art well.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3

STAFF

CONNECT

founder & editor in chief ANGELICA NICOLLE ABALOS

lifestyle photo editor MELANIE KIM

managing editor DAYNA DRUM

contributing designer RYAN WICKHAM

copy editors CARLY EVANS NINA CALABRETTA GINA SCARPINO LAURIE BULLOCK

contributing photographers JORDYN BESCHEL ANSLEY COHEN COURTNEY COOK ZOE DILLMAN MICAELA FERNANDES KRYSTINA GABRIELLE ERIKA DANIELA GARCIA ASHTON GARNER BRITTANY ISAACSON SAM LICHTENSTEIN WHITNEY NEWELL ANDI SAKOWSKI GINA SCARPINO BRIANNA STACY ZELTZIN VAZQUEZ ERIN WILSON IDORA YASIN

contributing writors JORDYN BESCHEL COURTNEY COOK ALLISON DEL FIUM BRITTANY ISAACSON SAM LICHTENSTEIN RYAN PANNY LORRIE REYES ANDI SAKOWSKI ERIN WILSON IDORA YASIN

SPECIAL THANKS layne MARIA GIRONAS / REYBEE, INC.

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CONTACT Acentric Magazine encourages submissions of any kind. If you are interested in contributing to the magazine and would like to interview, review, write or photograph for us, please send a general inquiries email with “Contributor” in the subject line. general inquiries INFO@ACENTRICMAG.COM press inquiries PRESS@ACENTRICMAG.COM

cheap luck co. CAROLINA LONDOÑO featured artists JESSE BARRERA CHRIS RASMUSSEN

ACENTRIC MAGAZINE | DEC 2016 | VOL. 1, ISSUE 3 Acentric Magazine is an online and print magazine based in Southern California, with contributors from across the globe. Our team of creatives share interests as eclectic as their origins. We are a collective of writers, editors, artists and photographers who cover a variety of topics from music to local culture, and all aspects in and around. The Acentric Magazine team collaborates with equal amounts of eccentricity and passion for the sole purpose of bringing you the latest, cutting edge content, locally and globally. Published quarterly. Printed in USA. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved on entire contents. Acentric Magazine would like to thank everyone who has furnished information and materials for this issue. Unless otherwise noted, artists featured in Acentric Magazine retain copyright to their work. Every effort has been made to reach copyright owners or their representatives.

cover photo MELANIE KIM

CONTENTS

07 10 14 21 24 31 41 49 54

BUSINESS BEAUTY: CHEAP LUCK CO. Idora Yasin

HOMETOWN VIBRATIONS: REDSCROLL RECORDS Brittany Isaacson

ARTIST ALERT: CHRIS RASMUSSEN Erin Wilson

LOCAL HIGHLIGHT: MAGNOLIA MARKET Courtney Cook

A MUSICIAN’S JOURNEY: JESSE BARRERA Lorrie Reyes

EMERGING ARTISTS: LAYNE Allison Del Fium

LIFESTYLE ROUND UP: PICTURE PERFECT DATES Jordyn Beschel & Sam Lichtenstein

TRAVEL TIPS: COMMON SENSE ISN’T SO COMMON Andi Sakowski

END OF THE YEAR: TOP 5 ALBUMS Ryan Panny

BUSINESS BEAUTY | CHEAP LUCK CO.

CHEAP LUCK CO. words & photos by IDORA YASIN

Armed with a surplus of ideas and a determination to create, Florida based artist Carolina Londoño started working with jewelry in late 2015. Her journey began with stamped pennies that she would tie on leather strands and make bracelets with. These penny bracelets triggered an undying need within Londoño to learn more about her new craft. After many months of soul searching and learning about what steps to take next with life, Londoño gallantly stepped into 2016 with the induction of her new brand, Cheap Luck Co.

ondoño’s journey into new territories with her jewelry began after she stumbled upon a world of female silversmiths on Instagram. Inspired by their determination to create with their hands, she began to take metalworking classes after moving to Orlando in the earlier part of 2016. “I could never afford their pieces so I figured the only way to have jewelry like theirs was to make it myself,” Londoño said. It was through these classes that she learned the essentials of how to work her new skill. She slowly began to craft with more than just metal, adding different gems like citrine, quartz, and amethyst to her jewelry. Inspired tremendously by nature, Londoño often takes inspiration from the environment that she’s surrounded by and makes her work into relics of her memories. Experiencing landscapes so starkly

different from the flat environment that she is used to brings a wealth of inspiration to Londoño’s creative processes. “I always find myself most inspired after a trip where I get to spend time in a natural landscape that differs from the flatness of Florida,” she said. Although she spent the most time exploring her creative boundaries while living in Miami, moving to Orlando allowed Londoño to explore unimaginable opportunities. It is a place that has brought her gratification in being able to add something to the world. Despite the short amount of time that she has been metalsmithing, Londoño has quickly broken ground with her brand. Only a month after publicly releasing her jewelry, she has had her work showcased at local craft fairs, where she is able to sell a lump sum of her pieces. She recently 9

CONNECT website CHEAPLUCK.CO facebook | instagram @CHEAPLUCK.CO etsy shop ETSY.COM/SHOP/CHEAPLUCKCO

BUSINESS BEAUTY | CHEAP LUCK CO.

“I HAVE FINALLY REACHED A PLACE IN MY LIFE WHERE I’M SORT OF AT PEACE WITH NOT KNOWING.” showcased her work at Perspectiv Miami – an art exhibit showcasing a collective of various artists and crafters this past October. Londoño’s career in metalsmithing is a milestone that she’s marked as a turning point in her life. Having earned a bachelor’s degree from Barry University, she was set on the idea of spending the rest of her life behind a camera. Equipped with experience as a staff photographer for different publications, the idea was to keep going with that dream. All that changed when she took a seat for the first time at her workbench. A

mere desk in her patio, she dreams that any venture that life takes her on, her workbench can come with her. “It would be a dream if one day it can be a main source of income for me,” Londoño said. She consistently works on new pieces to provide as many shop updates as possible, in addition to working with local brands from her community. Londoño is like many young adults – traversing the world looking for the best path to happiness. “I have finally reached a place in my life where I’m sort of at peace with not knowing.” She said. She continues to work on bridging the gap of working as a young adult toward success, and as an artist working toward happiness – her metalsmithing brings her both. 11

REDSCROLL RECORDS location WALLINGFORD, CT words & photos by BRITTANY ISAACSON

edscroll Records is a record store in Wallingford, CT. There are tons of super budget-friendly vinyls for sale, making it one of my favorite places to broaden my music collection. The store has an entire room of used classics, so you can definitely count on finding something cool to add to your collection. Besides the classics, there are tons of new releases and popular albums. I was super stoked to see that they carried some of my favorite artists, such as The 1975 and A Day to Remember. With over 20,000 albums for sale, you’ll definitely find something for your taste. If you want to discover some new music, Redscroll has tons of underground, indie, and alternative albums from up-and-coming artists as well. Listening to vinyls is an authentic and unique musical experience. Over the last decade, vinyls have gained some popularity once again. So while vinyls won’t be going anywhere for some time, there aren’t too many locally owned record stores left. They’re a great place to pick up some collectibles that you wouldn’t be able to find at chain music stores. So go out and support your local shop; you’ll find some cool stuff and keep the sentimentality of record stores alive.

HOMETOWN VIBRATIONS | REDSCROLL RECORDS

by ASHTON GARNER

CROWN THE EMPIRE

by BRITTANY ISAACSON

THE AMITY AFFLICTION

ARTIST ALERT

CHRIS RASMUSSEN Post-grad life is often a tough adjustment. Adults that were once students can flounder in a world of decisions as they struggle to find purpose and adjust to a new routine. Creative juices can run dry, and the disappointing job hunt can make responsibilities feel all too real. But for Chris Rasmussen, post-grad life seems to hold a different path. words & photos by ERIN WILSON

fter releasing his first album and showcasing a fine-art photography show during his senior year of college, he appears relaxed and ready for whatever comes. When he spoke of artistic and creative pursuits, his eyes gleamed with possibilities over all he has yet to achieve. At the moment, Rasmussen works for Adriano Goldschmied (AG)–a high fashion denim company–as a parttime photographer and photo editor. He described his life as being full of creative possibilities and the freedom to produce art in many forms, both visually and musically.

“I’m always writing music, directing films, and trying to write scripts,” Rasmussen shared. He explained that writing music and expressing himself creatively is deeply important to his lifestyle, particularly now because it helps him in the process of growing and changing in life after college. Excitement flowed out of him when he talked about his current projects, but he wanted people to understand the realistic side of his life too. “My lifestyle isn’t very glamorous at the moment – I do a lot of

ARTIST ALERT | CHRIS RASMUSSEN

commuting. I listen to a lot of podcasts,” he laughed. “Post-grad life is hard. There’s a lot of change all at once, and a lot of things that just get thrown at you at the same time.” Make no mistake, Rasmussen excitedly embraces what life offers him, but he faces the same responsibilities as any post-grad adult. He is unique because he has managed to find a way to keep life focused on creative pursuits even though he has big responsibilities. In addition to his thoughts on the importance of art, Rasmussen talked

“I’M FIGURING OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ME AND HOW I CAN BE MOST TRUE TO [MYSELF].” about how he has changed not only as an artist, but also as a person since the college years have ended. “In order to change, you have to let go of things. I’m even letting go of a previous version of [myself] – I’m a different person than I was three months ago,” he explained. “I’m figuring out what it means to be me and how I can be most true to [myself].”

Baptism, 2016 Chris Rasmussen

Driving Fast Car, 2016 Chris Rasmussen

Littleton Odom, 2016

While Rasmussen has a lot of passion and excitement to share about his work, he also offered advice to any creatives as they continue to grow into their talent and field. His personal experience helps to determine prudent ways to approach art regardless of skill level. “The relationship with art, photography, music, whatever it is has to be healthy like any relationship you might have with a person. You have to learn that balance. In high school I used music to fill a void that I had. That can be really detrimental when you hear someone say ‘I don’t like your song,’ because you don’t hear ‘I don’t like your song.’ You hear ‘I don’t like you,’ because your identity is so wrapped up in what you do.”

“THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, MUSIC, WHATEVER IT IS HAS TO BE HEALTHY, LIKE ANY RELATIONSHIP YOU MIGHT HAVE WITH A PERSON. YOU HAVE TO LEARN THAT BALANCE.” On the other hand, Rasmussen further discussed the importance of “giving someone a push” to do what they love. He believes that setting limits in regards to what people create is important, but diving into a new skill can be life-changing in exhilarating ways. For Rasmussen, it seems that embracing art in its many forms has ARTIST ALERT | CHRIS RASMUSSEN

been a stable refuge during a period of much change and growth. While art changes with a person, it can feel familiar and encouraging to someone who has spent years as a creative. As he talked about the relationship between art and self, Rasmussen shared his feelings on what it’s like to have people react to his artistic pursuits. He described art as almost an “extension of self ” as a way of explaining the personal connection to various projects. The focus for him is more about channeling who he is as an individual into his artwork rather than trying to “be the best” all the time. Rasmussen is talented and accomplished. He appears welladjusted and generally happy about his circumstances. What sets him

apart from others is his honesty and commitment to growth. He cares deeply about his craft, and he is unwilling to settle for what feels comfortable or easy. While not every creative pursuit will produce the desired result, he continues strengthening his skills through the experience of creating and sharing the final work with the people that surround him. Post-grad life always contains its frustrations and difficulties, but it is inspiring to learn from Rasmussen’s perspective when looking to the future.

CONNECT website CHRISRASMUSSENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM instagram | twitter @CHRISGRASMUSSEN

LOCAL HIGHLIGHT | MAGNOLIA MARKET

MAGNOLIA MARKET location WACO, TX // words & photos by COURTNEY COOK

If someone would have told me four years ago a place like Magnolia Market would exist in Waco, I would have laughed. Magnolia Market is now the hottest spot in Waco and is visited by hundreds of tourists daily thanks to the hit HGTV show, Fixer Upper. Thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia is now the not so hidden gem of Waco, Texas.

agnolia Market is a dreamy place. Every single corner of the market is Instagram worthy, and I am not even joking. Every single time I visit, I almost always post an on-point Instagram picture. One of my favorite spots at Magnolia Market is the Silos Baking Co. The bakery is fairly new to Magnolia Market and has only been open for a couple months. In the bakery, you can find sweet treats like cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and other delicacies. My all time favorite is the Silos Cookie. The line is usually out the door because the goodies are so delicious. Another great spot at Magnolia Market is Magnolia Seed + Supply. It is a very unsuspecting little garden shop that is really easy to miss. To get to the shop you walk through a little garden that is full of herbs and flowers, and this time of year it also includes a cute pumpkin patch. In the shop, they have adorable little planters and terrariums as well as

other seeds and gardening goods. Every time I step into this little shop I literally want to buy everything. The main shop at Magnolia is filled with all kinds of home dĂŠcor, apparel, jewelry, books, and a whole bunch of other delightful things. My favorite part of the main shop is the popcorn stand. As soon as you walk down to the popcorn area, the aroma of caramel overwhelms your senses. I recommend buying more than one bag because it is so tasty. Magnolia Market is honestly an amazing place. It has blessed Waco and has allowed my city to grow in ways that I would never expect. Because of Magnolia, Waco is now home to some of the cutest boutiques and delicious local food spots. I do not visit Magnolia Market as much as I would like, but each time I visit I find something new to love about it. If you are making a pit stop in Waco for some reason, make sure you check out Magnolia because it is honestly Disney World for adults.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHT | MAGNOLIA MARKET

JESSE BARRERA words by LORRIE REYES photos courtesy of JANINE YBANEZ

Jesse Barrera held his guitar while standing among his then bandmates of My American Heart, and gazed out at the 15,000 fans standing shoulder-to-shoulder. In 2008, at London’s Give it a Name rock festival at Sheffield Arena — where bands like All Time Low, Cobra Starship, Plain White T’s and Paramore all took the same stage — Barrera could not believe where he was. “That was definitely something I won’t forget,” Barrera said. “15,000 people jam packed in one room. When you play a show like that it’s almost surreal. I legit asked myself if I was dreaming during one of the songs.” But the guitarist-turned solo artist-turned record producer was not dreaming. The San Diego-native knew from a young age that he was going to pursue a music career. In fact, on the “about me” page on his website, The JB Cave, Barrera’s first quote was never so telling. “I told myself in high school that I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than music.” Little did he know his career would twist and turn down numerous paths — but they’ve all been musical roads. The now-29-year old spent seven years as the guitarist for My American Heart. From 2002-2009 Barrera and his then-bandmates recorded two studio albums, “The Meaning in Makeup” (2005) and “Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather” (2007). The five-piece band gained traction in the underground rock scene in San Diego and it spread. 26

“We were just a bunch of kids who started out covering Rufio and Thrice songs trying to earn respect from our non-existent high school friends,” Barrera said. “We ended up catching a few breaks and somehow caught a huge local following.” That following led to a showcase where Kevin Lyman signed them to his label Warcon, which folded in 2008. “It was definitely not your typical way of growing up as a teenager and into young adulthood,” Barrera said. “[We] had music videos cycling on MTV and Fuse and just felt stoked that we actually had a record in stores. “When you’re 17-18 [years old] and see your album in a Best Buy, you made it. Even if you’re making $5 a day and eating Subway for every meal.” A MUSICIAN’S JOURNEY | JESSE BARRERA

Although My American Heart, which disbanded in 2009, had to go through name changes, different labels, and all the drama that goes along with a band setting, they all still keep in touch. “We had a good run and I wouldn’t change anything,” Barrera said. “Next year marks our 10 year anniversary of our last full length [album] “Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather”. So we’ve been toying with the idea of playing a few shows. We’ll see.” With the help of producer James Paul Wisner, Barrera became fascinated with recording while My American Heart recorded their second studio album. The band spent a month at Wisner’s home in Florida, and Barrera found himself learning the art of recording. “It was a super vibey and raw experience,” Barrera said of recording the second record. “He just had a bunch of cool creative tricks that were mind blowing to me at the time and I was always sort of in the room when anyone was recording.” After bugging a few of his friends that had small home studio setups, he started one of his own — originally just for fun and to figure out how the whole “producing” thing worked. But his love for recording grew quickly. He purchased his first digital audio workstation and has never looked back.

“I TOLD MYSELF IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT I COULDN’T SEE MYSELF DOING ANYTHING OTHER THAN MUSIC.”

“I just wanted to have fun and tinker around but I got the hang of it pretty quick and made my home demos sound like records,” Barrera said. “People noticed and the work came. Kept adding pieces and it hasn’t stopped for seven years. So I’m thankful for how it all came about.” At the same time, though, Barrera had been writing his own music at the time of “My American Heart’s” disbandment. His writing led to a solo career that saw two albums, “Love in Technicolor” (2010) and “From the Ground Up” (2013). “I guess I really do believe in the term ‘everything happens for a reason,’” Barrera said. “At the end of “My American Heart” I knew I had to figure something out and figure it out quick. I was already writing songs for myself at the tail end of our run so it kind of just went from me pursuing my solo career 27

and producing a record for myself — mostly because I was broke — into producing and writing music for other artists.

Barrera recorded and produced “Love in Technicolor” himself on an mbox and with one microphone in his mother’s house in San Diego.

“[There’s] definitely no systematic flow here — I just knew I wanted to do music or something creative someway or another.”

Two years later, after navigating what Barrera said was, “the roughest time in his life”, he released “From the Ground Up” with the help of a Kickstarter campaign.

His solo career, which was definitely on a different plane than “My American Heart” musically, the passion never left. Barrera experimented with different sounds in his solo career, moving from rock to pop. “It’s something I’ve just been doing for fun to be 100 percent honest,” Barrera said. “[It was] never something I had in front of my priority list of things to do. I kinda just pull from what’s inspiring me at that moment in time and write songs.” 28

“One day I told myself it was time to turn it all around. I told myself to write a record and be 100 percent true to what I am. And the record just came,” Barrera said in the Kickstarter pledge. “Eleven songs that explain the last five years of my life. The darkest of times and the happiest. “This is as honest as I could ever be. This record is truly about finding the light in the darkest point of your life. It’s about knowing that we will all fall to the A MUSICIAN’S JOURNEY | JESSE BARRERA

“THE THING I LOVE MOST ABOUT EMO MUSIC AND THAT SCENE IS THAT WE WERE ALL IN IT FOR THE MUSIC AND NOTHING ELSE.”

Barrera also continues to tour with friends, getting to play at the Greek Theatre in October. He said that was an “epic” night and checked it off one of the places he’s wanted to play. “The history and the size of that place is monumental,” Barrera said. “It was also with a bunch of artists I had produced and worked with in the past so it was a reunion of sorts and a ton of fun. I still would love to play Madison Square Garden with someone, someday. If that ever happened I don’t know how I’d deal.” Barrera’s journey from My American Heart to his solo career to record producer may not have always been planned in detail, but he’s always known that the love he has for music will keep him in the game. And if he does end up hoisting a guitar at Madison Square Garden someday, Barrera might wonder if he’s dreaming, just as he did in front of 15,000 people in London. But odds are, he won’t be.

floor at some point, but knowing there’s nowhere else to go but up.” Barrera continues to work as a producer out of The JB Cave, located in San Diego, collaborating with artists spanning genres, like Ryan Mitchell Grey, Tim Atlas, and a band out of Riverside, Late Night Revival, whose album is set to release on November 11. He also DJ’s, making an appearance at San Diego’s first Emo Night in October, helping fuel the recent resurgence of the genre. “I think emo definitely died out for a few years. But like everything, styles will always come back. It’s a never ending cycle,” Barrera said. “The thing I love most about emo music and that scene is that we were all in it for the music and nothing else. Ok, maybe the ridiculous haircuts and girl jeans. But we all just loved singing our hearts out and going to shows and making new friends that had a common interest. That was my youth.” “It was so much fun DJing the San Diego Emo Night and playing some of my favorites. Definitely one of the funnest nights I’ve had this year.”

CONNECT website WWW.THEJBCAVE.COM instagram | twitter | facebook @THEJBCAVE instagram | twitter @JESSEBARRERA

by GINA SCARPINO

SUM 41

SWITCHFOOT by ANGELICA NICOLLE ABALOS

EMERGING ARTISTS

interview & editorial by ALLISON DEL FIUM // photography by MELANIE KIM

EMERGING ARTISTS

ayne Putnam and Alexander Rosca, better known as LAYNE, are a musical duo providing the pop-rock genre with a refreshing style. Their new EP “The Black Hills” is proof of their ability to convey a distinct sound with seamless guitar riffs and drum fills. The duo’s authenticity has also allowed them to catch the attention of music fans across the country. The duo began their journey in two separate states with two very different ways of finding their passion for music. Front-woman, Layne Putnam began in the Black Hills of South Dakota. At a young age she was influenced by her father’s love for music. Putnam’s father, a professional fiddler, provided a steady stream of music throughout her young life.

34 34

MEET US IN As Putnam grew, she found her identity in a different genre than her father. She learned multiple instruments, including guitar and drums, and began translating that into a new way to express her thoughts. Putnam then began writing music, ultimately finding her sound within the pop-rock genre. A few states over, Alexander Rosca was just getting started. Beginning his journey in Portland, Oregon Rosca picked up the drums at the later age of sixteen. With a drum set and an internal passion to begin his career, Rosca began teaching himself the instrument. He evolved into a well-rounded drummer, providing the pulse and backbone to LAYNE. EMERGING ARTISTS | LAYNE

THEY EFFORTLESSLY COMBINE MULTIPLE MUSICAL ELEMENTS THAT ARE FOUND FROM A WIDE RANGE OF GENRES AND CREATE A NEW SOUND: LAYNE’S SOUND “Somebody” is just one example of LAYNE’s ability to provide an element of vulnerability within their songs while incorporating rhythmic beats and a refreshing rock and pop sound.

THE IN BETWEEN Now, based in Los Angeles and with the recent release of a new EP, LAYNE has found their identity as a collective group and their musical journey together is just beginning. In their most recent releases, LAYNE reflects on the past and how their new beginnings as a duo in Los Angeles impacted both their music and personal lives. In their single, “Somebody”, the duo expresses a personal experience for Putnam. It pays tribute to a lake in South Dakota and speaks of the effect that moving to Los Angeles had on a specific relationship.

LAYNE’s latest EP, “The Black Hills,” is no exception to these elements. Throughout the EP, listeners are given multiple references to Putnam’s past and where it all began for the musician. The EP title itself reflects the close relationship Putnam has with her beginnings in South Dakota and her music. Songs such as “Topical” and “Phone” are great representations of the incredible talent LAYNE possess. They effortlessly combine multiple musical elements that are found from a wide range of genres and create a new sound, LAYNE’s sound. In the midst of a new EP release, LAYNE has caught the attention of many music fans, within the Los Angeles area and beyond. Their EP was debuted on The World Famous KROQ Radio and they even hit the road for a mini tour in celebration of the release. As LAYNE only continues to gain momentum, they take time to show the importance of what they refer to as the “in-between.” 35

GET READY, TURN UP THE VOLUME, AND JOIN LAYNE AT THE “IN-BETWEEN.” The “in-between” is a space where their visuals and musical sound meet to form an unbreakable bond. The idea of the “in-between” is that everyone who is living is stuck between two events. The concept has been a way for LAYNE to create in a free forming manner but also allow their listeners to feel connected to the band and their message. The duo has even incorporated this idea into their logo using lines to symbolize the concept. Yet, what LAYNE is most looking forward to is what their future holds, both musically and personally. Collectively Putnam and Rosca wrote about twenty songs for the last EP and they are already working on their next body of work.

With a song writing process involving Putnam writing most of the lyrical content and Rosca providing fresh new beats, we can expect to see great things from this duo. As they gear up to promote their new EP and tour, they are ready to bring their music to listeners everywhere. So get ready, turn up the volume and join LAYNE at the “in-between.”

CONNECT website LAYNESWORLD.US facebook | twitter | instagram @LAYNESWORLD twitter | instagram @LAYNESWORLD_

EMERGING ARTISTS | LAYNE

PICTURE PERFECT DATES location NEW HAVEN, CT // words & photos by JORDYN BESCHEL

he art gallery at Yale University is located in the heart of downtown New Haven. The gallery resembles The Met in NYC, containing exhibits featuring art from ancient eras to more contemporary 20th century pieces. The Yale art gallery is a must for any tourist, and is even a hot spot for wedding photos. The best part about the gallery? It’s completely free and open to the public (which is great for dates on a budget). Claire’s Corner Copia is a small and quaint restaurant, famously known for its freshly-made vegan- and vegetarian-friendly menu. Claire’s is also well known for featuring a build-your-own smoothie bar, where you can choose whichever fruits, herbs, veggies, and liquids you’d like. From black bean burgers to non-GMO cupcakes, the possibilities here are absolutely endless. Book Trader Café is exactly what it sounds like: a café that doubles as a used bookstore. Book Trader consists of the library, the café itself, and the glass-roof seating area, which is surrounded by

more bookcases. This café is certainly a hidden gem to both locals and tourists alike. On a night out with your partner, shop around and check out books to read at home, grab a vanilla chai, and (of course) take trendy photos in the bookcases. LIFESTYLE ROUND UP | PICTURE PERFECT DATES

LIFESTYLE ROUND UP | PICTURE PERFECT DATES

PICTURE PERFECT DATES location SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ // words & photos by SAM LICHTENSTEIN

f you happen to be in northern New Jersey with your significant other and don’t know what to do/ see/eat (because come on, after all, it is New Jersey), look no further: the Sussex County Sunflower Maze is the place to go. The maze is open from mid-August through mid-September, and is located in Sandyston, NJ. I don’t currently have a significant other, so I went with the next best choice - my best friend/roommate and her girlfriend. Although I missed out on those adorable “kiss on the cheek in between the flowers” selfies, I had the chance to capture the happiness of two of my favorite people. Admission to the the largest sunflower maze on the East Coast is only $10 per person. Some of the sunflowers are crazy tall, standing at more than eight feet. If you and your sweetie are feeling up to it, there’s a scavenger hunt that’s meant for kids,

but any and all patrons are welcome to participate in. Once you’ve taken enough photos to make everyone on your Instagram feed jealous, drive over to one of the three locations of Glaze Donuts and make the winner of the scavenger hunt pay this time. Glaze has been featured on numerous websites and has been highly praised for their famous Italian Rainbow Doughnut, which is a must-try. The doughnut consists of a three layered marzipan cake doughnut, filled with raspberry filling and topped with chocolate frosting. If you’re in the mood to sample a few of the other items the shop has to offer, try other favorites like the Cannoli, a yeast doughnut filled with cannoli cream and topped with cannoli shells, or the Kronut, which is just like the trendy NYC croissant doughnut, but without the long wait and Soho pretentious-ness.

LIFESTYLE ROUND UP | PICTURE PERFECT DATES

by KRYSTINA GABRIELLE

GLASS ANIMALS

PERIPHERY by ZOE DILLMAN

by ERIKA GARCIA

OH WONDER

by ZELTZIN VAZQUEZ

JOYCE MANOR

TRAVEL TIPS | COMMON SENSE ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T ALWAYS SO COMMON

TRAVEL TIPS

COMMON SENSE ISN’T ALWAYS SO COMMON words & photos by AMANDA SAKOWSKI

n Nov. 13, 2015, as I was driving to my parent’s house to purchase a flight for my longawaited trip to Paris to visit a friend, I received a call from my mom. “Do not buy your ticket to Paris. There has been an attack.” I was suddenly in a complete panic, not because I couldn’t purchase the flight I had long anticipated, but worried that one of my closest friends was in danger. Thankfully, she was okay, but the fear drove my parents to convince me to not buy the ticket. Although I wanted to go, it felt wrong buying a ticket knowing they would be worried every second I was out of the country, and I decided to forgo the trip. Nine months later, I had a ticket in hand for a three week trip to visit Europe, Paris included. Right after this purchase, multiple attacks happened throughout Europe. It seemed as if my travels coincided with these events. I was terrified, but unwilling to cancel my plans again. After backing down the first time, I was not going to let fear drive away my passion to travel. Of course,

I WOULD MUCH RATHER LIVE A SHORT LIFE FILLED WITH INVALUABLE EXPERIENCES THAN LIVE A LONG, SAFE ONE BEING STATIONARY. there are circumstances where you are truly putting yourself in danger, but what is the point of living life in one place? There is so much to see and experience in this world, and I would much rather live a short life filled with invaluable experiences than live a long, safe one being stationary. Frankly, traveling abroad is scary, but that shouldn’t stop you. I often hear of people putting off travel because of the dangers, but I strongly encourage others to look beyond those dangers. Of course, there is no guarantee that you will be safe, but there are precautions that can be taken to lessen the danger.

USE THE RIGHT BAG Pickpockets run rampant in Europe, but the best way to prevent someone from reaching into your bag and grabbing your things is by using a crossbody bag. Of course, sometimes you have too many items to carry and a backpack is needed. If opting to use one, choose a backpack that is not easily accessible, such as a rucksack style bag, or use a travel lock to lock the zippers of your backpack together. When in crowded places, make sure to pull your crossbody bag or backpack to the front of your body. Many museums also do not let people wear backpacks on their backs as it is an easy way to knock over a precious artifact, so if you don’t like wearing your pack on the front, then I suggest foregoing the backpack. Keep your bag zipped up at all times and never, ever set your bag down. Unfortunately, I’ve watched fellow travelers’ bags be stolen and even a friend’s wallet and camera be taken while we were watching a group of performers.

DO AS MOM SAYS While walking the streets of Europe, many people will attempt to have you sign a petition, put a friendship bracelet on without your permission, try to hand you a rose, and more. In this case, do as your mom says and do not talk to strangers. These people are professional scammers and do not deserve your attention, so do not feel bad walking away and just saying no. This is also a great opportunity to get pickpocketed while they distract you and an accomplice gets into your bag. Simply continue walking and saying no while giving zero eye contact until they walk away. Not allowing others to take pictures with your camera also falls under this category. Sadly, I wish I could trust everyone I see, but even little kids on the streets can be trained pickpockets. Never ask anyone to take a picture for you and instead, opt for a selfie. If you must take a group picture in front of that historical treasure, ask someone who appears friendly — use your best judgement in this situation. 52

TRAVEL TIPS | COMMON SENSE ISN’T ALWAYS SO COMMON

MAKE A PLAN AND SHARE IT I am not too much of a planner and I often travel with zero cell phone service. Although I am an adult, my mom continues to panic on each trip. Having a defined itinerary is a good way to stop the midnight, panicked phone calls from Mother, of which I have received many). Having an itinerary with all your addresses, phone numbers, locations and flights is a good way to share with your family where you will be and when — especially in case something happens and they cannot get a hold of you. While I was in Italy, there was an earthquake that happened outside of Rome in the middle of the night. Thankfully, I had given my family a loose schedule and they knew I had not been in Rome for a couple days and was currently in Milan. Sharing an itinerary is a very simple and easy way for your loved ones to know where you will be and when.

ALWAYS BE SMART As my mom always says, common sense is not always so common, but staying smart while traveling is your number one way to stay safe. Remain on high alert, look confident, appear as a person no one wants to mess with, and if something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Also, make sure to research your location to make yourself aware of customs, laws and public transportation. Continuously staying aware, using common sense, and staying educated about your location are some of the easiest ways to ensure safety. Traveling abroad, without a doubt, is scary, but the valuable experiences and the memories you will have for a lifetime far outweigh the fear. When in doubt, utilize your common sense and if something does not feel right, then it probably is not. 54

TRAVEL TIPS | COMMON SENSE ISN’T ALWAYS SO COMMON

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END OF THE YEAR: by RYAN PANNY

BEYONCE //

LEMONADE The shot heard ‘round the Pop world, Beyonce’s hugely hyped Lemonade wields its jarringly personal content – much of the record addresses her rumored turmoil with husband Jay-Z – like sharpened weaponry. Compelling, engrossing, and emotionally poignant, the LP balances vulnerability and self-assurance effortlessly, from the heartbreaking “Pray You Catch Me” and “Love Drought” to swaggering bangers like “Sorry” and “Formation”. The track list offers impressive variety yet maintains a thematic cohesion– the country-tinged “Daddy Lessons”, the Hip-Hop-influenced “Formation”, and the piano ballad “Forward” may not seem related initially, but in the context of the record, each song is a different way to express the same thing.

WEEZER //

THE WHITE ALBUM On April Fool’s Day, these veteran Alt-Rockers unleashed their best record in 20 years. They’re all in their late 40s or early 50s yet they make music with the spirit and gusto of teenagers. How can you possibly deny an infectious, fun-loving summer jam like “(Girl We Got A) Good Thing”? Or the spunky bounce of “Jacked Up”? At just over a half hour, The White Album keeps things simple, brief, and hooky as hell. Weezer fans wouldn’t want it any other way.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD //

THE STAGE A7X followed up their most derivative LP (2013’s Hail to the King) with their most forward thinking and ambitious. A loose concept album, The Stage grapples with very real and very frightening dilemmas on the horizon for modern civilization – Artificial Intelligence, exponential growth, and nanobot technology – and the horrifying consequences that could arise if we’re not careful. Stylistically, it’s a hyper-indulgent shotgun blast in all directions that thrills from front to back. The band go from menacing (“Paradigm”) to downright blissful (“Higher) and hit on everything in between. Renowned scientist Neil DeGrasse Tyson even appears on the epic 15-minute closer “Exist” to dole out some wisdom and further drive home the record’s message.

END OF THE YEAR | TOP 5 ALBUMS

TOP 5 ALBUMS 2

DANNY BROWN //

VEKTOR //

THE ATROCITY EXHIBITION

TERMINAL REDUX

The best Hip-Hop album of 2016 came courtesy of one of the genre’s most eccentric personalities. With The Atrocity Exhibition, the acclaimed Detroit MC delivered a set of gritty, grimy tracks that explore his tortured psyche in a manner that’s insightful and lyrically superb every step of the way. Brown’s dark mind, which brings with it an inescapable sense of danger, is as captivating as any rapper in the game, and his production choices are fresh and unique as well, adding up to an utterly singular Hip-Hop release. Particular highlights include the zany “Ain’t It Funny” and the hard-hitting posse cut “Really Doe”, with Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Earl Swearshirt.

Vektor’s mind-bending third record effortlessly fuses together elements of Extreme Metal, Thrash and Prog to create a 73-minute whirlwind that draws the listener into an entirely different universe. The album’s dense sci-fi narrative and out-of-this-world musicianship may initially give off an impenetrable vibe, but the songs are every bit as memorable and melodic as they are chaotic and jarring, packing seemingly endless catchy riffs together like sardines. Just when Thrash Metal began to show signs of stagnation, Terminal Redux expanded the blueprint in exhilarating fashion.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

GARBAGE // STRANGE LITTLE BIRDS

FRANK OCEAN // BLONDE

KANYE WEST // THE LIFE OF PABLO

EMPIRE OF THE SUN // TWO VINES

RADIOHEAD // A MOON SHAPED POOL 57

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THE WORD ALIVE

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