Letter FRom the EDitor & Contents
It’s almost impossible to have a conversation with someone about A Magazine without the inevitable question of the meaning behind A. To shed light on the mystery, A stands for Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt who oozes powerful femininity. Our fashion, beauty and culture publication started by solely focusing on culture as the women’s issues magazine, A rtemis. We’ve evolved from relying merely on words to utilizing art and fashion as a way of storytelling. But for us at A Magazine, the essence of Artemis is still as relevant as ever. We know that fashion is “fun,” but what makes fashion impactful is the feeling your favorite trend evokes, or whatever it is that makes you feel beautiful. Society may discredit our generation as selfish or stubborn, yet as a whole, we realize the value in acceptance, equality, self-expression, innovation and the utmost happiness for everyone. We’ve made cracks in the glass ceiling, and we’re only getting started. Our empowered view at A has inspired us to create a magazine that is just as informative as it is simply enjoyable to read. Our seventh issue of A Magazine explores what it means to be yourself and celebrate life in a place that may not always seem like a party. From being extra as f*@! at ACME, expressing yourself through music or finding love in an unconventional way, A Magazine is here for the celebration. It’s time to embrace being you. As the trendy may say, we’re “living our best life.” So go ahead, live your best life – whatever that may be.
E D I TO R - I N- CHI EF
Kendall Becker @kendall_becker
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I Got It From My Momma
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Gently Sculpted
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The Feminine Form
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Foundations
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Wall to Wall, Corner to Corner
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So, What Do You Eat? Caleigh Marten
The New Romantic Revival
Wearing Gucci to Get Your Milk Hallie Saculla
Bubblegum, Bubblegum
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Technically Dating
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Soundcheck
Marissa Nichol
Mickayla Wawrousek
EDITORIAL TEAM S PEC IA L T HA NKS
A very special thank you to all of those who lent a hand, shared a space and gave their time to assist in the making of this issue of A Magazine.
MAN AGIN G EDIT OR
ART DI RE CTO R
PHO TO ED I TO R
Mickayla Wawrousek
Gracie Harms
Alyse Nelson
@missmickaylamae
@gracieharms
@akatnelson
VI DEO G RA P HE RS
Nate Shively Ella Zurawski @ellazurawski Alicia Falorio @alicia_falorio
O N T HE C OV E R
Photos: Alyse Nelson Model: Ava Lancaster Location: Cleveland Museum of Art C OP Y C HIEF
ASS I S TANT ED I TO R
AS S I S TA NT ED I TO R
Hallie Saculla
Caleigh Marten
Marissa Nichol
@halliesaculla
@cemarten
@rissnichol
ST U DE NT M E DIA
Jacqueline Marino Advisor Kevin Dilley Student Media Director Tami Bongiorni Advertising Manager Jacyna M. Ortiz Media Specialist
P ROMOT ION S DIRECTO R
BEAT E D I TO R
W EB ED I TO R
Gia Amendola
Faith Riggs
BĂŠnja Gladden
@gia_amendola
@faaithzebra
@baenjagladden
P H OTO G RAP HE RS
D ESIG N ERS
ST YLISTS
M O D ELS
Alicia Falorio @alicia_falorio
Betsey Garwood @betsygenevieve
Adam Forrester @notorious_forrest
Alayna Bechtel @alaynabechtel
Elizabeth Small @elizabethgsmall
Omar Phillips @omarwp
Benjamin Bartling @benjaminbartling
Hannah Wright @hannahlizwright
Dani Bennett @itsdanibennet
Alaysia Sanders @lays.slays
Emily Prusak @em_prusak
Savanna Wills @savanna.99
Candace Sanders @dontcallme_candy
Jacqueline Wammes @jacmarie163
Danielle Casso @daniellecasso
Ava Lancaster @ava_lancaster
Grace Hunt @grace_abigail401
Taylor Pierce @taayp
Dani Watts @ohheyimdanii
Maddie Kidd @madeleine_kidd
Jayden Batts @battsjayden
Blakely Dillard @blakelydillard
Grant Buford @bufordgbaby
Tyrone Berry @ty_antoine_
Rachel Anderson @radd_andersonn
Carina Fischer Moreira @fmcarina
Hannah Peters @_hannah98
Wendy Jackelyn @wendyjackelyn
MA KE-UP A RTIST
Shannon Carlough @shananiganzzzzz
Caris Kuhn @rakuhnn
Kelsey Chang @kaseyryan
Zion Burrell-Hall
Tia Patterson @tiaa_angeline
Szalay Miller @szalaymiller
Carissa Eberhardt @_carissa__
Kelsey Hayes @kelsey.rey
Drexton Trantina @d.trantina
Nick Peters @nickpeters14
Jacqueline Wammes @jacmarie163 Valerie Cammack @valeriecammack
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@xion.hgs
I GOT I T FROM MY MOMMA
A MAGAZI NE
I got it from my Momma If there’s one person you want to share your makeup bag with, it’s your mom. She knows all the secrets to getting youthful skin with a natural glow, while you know how to get the perfect matte lip and fluttery lash. She may not know our adored brands like Glossier and Milk Makeup (do you really think they had rainbow highlighters in the ‘80s?), but we at A Magazine bet you’ll thank us later— especially if there’s a bottle of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel in there.
WO RDS
Hallie Saculla PH OTOS
Jacqueline Wammes DAUG HT E R Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel Sonia Kashuk's Blush Brush
DAUG HT E R Ulta Beauty Setting Spray Ulta Beauty Tender Matte Lip Cream Ulta Beauty Bombshell Matte Lip Cream Ulta Beauty Jackie Color Rush Lip Gloss
MOTHE R
Meaningful Beauty Cindy Crawford: Antioxidant Day Cream and Glowing Serum
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DAUGH TER Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara MAC Eye Pigment in Naked, Blonde's Gold, Out All Night and Reflects Bronze Eye Glitter
M OT H E R Volum’ Express The Colossal Waterproof Mascara MAC Texture (Velvet) Eye Shadow
M OT H ER NouriShine Plus Café au Lait Lip Gloss bareMinerals Flirty Mauve Lip Gloss
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gently sculpted
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G E NT LY SCU L PTE D
A MAGAZI NE
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Kendall Becker PH OTOS
Candace Sanders
the raw truth behind the stigma 8
s much as girls complain about “having” to buy that $25 mascara and the hours it takes to get ready, women are fortunate to have that choice without ever being questioned. The controversy of male beauty practices is another double standard haunting our society. Thanks to those like Phillip Picardi who paved the way for innovative beauty at Refinery29 before heading to Teen Vogue, we’re revealing the raw truth behind the stigma. No matter your gender, every human deserves to look and, most importantly, feel their best, whether that means using a dab of concealer to cover dark circles, relaxing with a beloved Lush facemask or rocking the perfect statement eyeliner. Feeling comfortable in your skin shouldn’t be a privilege, but a right.
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T H E F E MI NI NE FORM
A MAGAZI NE
The Feminine Form WO RDS
PH OTOS
Mickayla Wawrousek
Alyse Nelson
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T H E F E MI NI NE FORM
A MAGAZI NE
N AT U R A L S The female form is a representation of true curvature and softness, yet also a depiction of constant strength and power. Poised to showcase a woman’s natural figure effortlessly and celebrate a certain vulnerability within femininity, these looks embody striking silhouettes, lengthened forms and delicate ornamentations. Purposely choosing an environment of vast space with floral elements, the results offer a visual representation of broad movement that communicates the organic freedom women should always have over their decisions, bodies and ultimately, the entirety of themselves.
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THE F E M I NI NE FO RM
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Foundations 18
FOU NDAT I O NS
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WORDS
Mickayla Wawrousek P HOTOS
Candace Sanders
As humans, our natural instinct is to seek companionship and harmony among all individuals who surround us. Through quiet action, written articulation and spoken word, we express and hope for a seamless collaboration and universality for all. There’s great importance in being attentive to how we work and function side by side, task by task. A Magazine has illustrated what it means to hold your own boldly, yet also stand powerfully together in unity through foundational, neutral toned garments and linear, striking shapes. There’s toughness in sharing shoulders, asking for help and leaning on one another; you never know what can be achieved in purposeful conjunction.
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Hallie Saculla P HOTOS
Dani Watts
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WAL L TO WAL L , C ORNE R TO C ORN ER
A MAGAZI NE
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WALL TO WALL, C O RNE R TO C O RNE R
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MAGGI E MANNI NG “I think when decorating my room this year, I wanted to keep my space clean, but also play with hints of colors and patterns. I really wanted to create a space for myself to feel comfortable in after a long day. It's my safe place.”
GRANT BUFORD “I love mixing and matching many different styles together to give a homey and eclectic feel.”
MI CKAYLA WAWROUS EK “I’ve always been prone to collecting, so it feels rather fitting to constantly surround myself with gathered items that remind me of places I’ve been, people I love and moments I cherish. Plants are always a nice addition to any space too.”
From boxy dorm rooms to cozy apartments and even houses that double as music venues (yes, that’s a thing), students of Kent State know how to create a safe space away from campus’s constant noise. The blueprint of one’s home away from home isn’t the same for everyone; we all have a method behind how we style our homes, whether we think about it or not. After scouring the most eclectic, unique student dwellings in Kent, we encourage you to take pride in your college home and truly make it your own.
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WALL TO WALL, C O RNE R TO C O RNE R
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ALYSE NE LSON “Not having the greatest memory, I think I tend to keep memories in the form of small trinkets, photos and found objects. Coffee is a true love of mine, so to remember all the coffee shops I try, I collect the sleeve from each one.”
HE L E N MEFFIE “Of the seven bedrooms I’ve lived in, this one is my favorite. My room is an accurate representation of who I am as a person.”
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SO, WA HT D O YOU E AT?
WORDS
Caleigh Marten P H OTOS
Alyse Nelson
So, What do you
eat? Debunking the Myths Behind a New Generation of Healthy Eaters
Millennials are continually shaping the way the world works in new ways. When millennials surpassed the Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living generation, it’s not hard to see why these shifts have been occurring. Younger generations are now looking beyond the labels to find
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diets that will make their bodies feel and look its best. A Magazine sat down with three Kent State students to debunk the myths behind millennial eating habits. These students break down what they are putting into their bodies and why.
SO, W HAT D O YOU E AT ?
For me, it is not very expensive at all, considering a main part of my diet is fruits and vegetables. Finding those around Kent is super easy and inexpensive to do. —MAGGIE MONE YPENNY
vegan Going from a vegetarian to a vegan isn’t that much of a change, right? For some, it can be, but for Maggie Moneypenny, it was the result of months of research and choosing what was best for her body. For the senior fashion merchandising student, the transition from one diet to the next went into effect three months after studying abroad in Florence, Italy. “I was lucky and was able to study abroad in Italy, and I didn’t want to limit myself on the cuisine,” Moneypenny says. “When I came back I couldn’t quite take the plunge, but I watched the documentary ‘What the Health,’ and it was like a switch flipped.” You’ll hear the argument time and time again that being a vegetarian or vegan, or simply eating organic foods, is too expensive. Moneypenny argues that is not the case at all. She says it depends on what you’re buying and what kind of vegan you want to be. Some vegans will eat junk food, and others will buy nutritious substitutions, whereas you do have the option to purchase cheaper items, but still make healthy choices.
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“If you are the type of vegan that eats lots of meat substitutes and fancy vegan cheeses, it’s definitely going to be more expensive,” Moneypenny says. “For me, it is not very expensive at all, considering a main part of my diet is fruits and vegetables. Finding those around Kent is super easy and inexpensive to do. I could get a week and a half to two weeks of groceries at Aldi and be satisfied.” Grocery shopping is the easy part for Moneypenny, but the possibility of judgment is where she felt the most hesitation in her choice to start her vegan diet. “Part of the reason I waited so long to fully become vegan was the stigma behind it,” Moneypenny says. “I was so worried what people would think of me and how they might judge me for it.” Once she could fully commit to her decision, she no longer felt restricted, but that she had made the right choice for her.
Gluten-FREE For Gina Didiano, a senior fashion merchandising student, cutting gluten out of her diet was a necessity. When Didiano was 16, after a year and a half of unexplained symptoms, she was diagnosed with celiac disease. Coming from an Italian family who loves to cook, her daily meal options were limited. Making over her entire diet presented a massive adjustment. “I was always that type of girl who could have eaten a whole loaf of bread,” Didiano says. “I loved pasta. I loved pizza. What was I going to do?” Removing gluten from your diet means to cut out the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley. This includes any foods or ingredients containing those sources of gluten. As a self-proclaimed picky eater, Didiano had a hard time finding new foods to replace her old favorites. There was a time where she only ate salads and vegetables. “I didn’t know what to eat, and my parents didn’t know what to feed me,” Didiano says. “Everything we loved to eat contained some form of gluten. All Italian food has carbs in it. There was no big adjustment; I just wasn’t eating.” To feel healthy inside and out, she
had to figure out what she liked to eat all over again. Eating salads every day wasn’t cutting it, and Didiano says she started to get dangerously skinny. Making the appropriate changes for her involved finding a solution, like substituting rice for any meal she used to enjoy that had pasta. While on campus, she would turn to Eastway Market or the Kent Market 2 to get her go-to, Boar’s Head Deli. “If I am on campus eating, I run straight to Boar's Head Deli,” she says. “They are really careful. If I ask for a glutenfree bun, they will ask if I am sensitive to gluten and if they should change their gloves. They will clean their entire station for you. They are so good about it.”
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I was always that type of girl who could have eaten a whole loaf of bread. I loved pasta. I loved pizza. What was I going to do? —GINA DIDIANO
SO, W HAT D O YOU E AT ?
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I think that it is important to listen to your body, and mine needed protein added back into it. — S H E L BY KO T Z
Dairy-Free Changing one's diet is a personal decision. Your body knows what it needs, so it is essential to listen to it when it presents a change. Shelby Kotz has always applied that way of thinking to her adjusted diet. “I have been vegetarian before, but I missed meat too much,” Kotz says. “I think that it is important to listen to your body, and mine needed protein added back into it. So when I realized my body couldn’t handle dairy anymore, I took that out.” The senior fashion merchandising student has known of her intolerance for quite some time, and it has been an established dietary restriction in her life for two years. However, she didn’t cut everything out until summer of 2017 when she realized that some of her favorite foods were causing terrible stomach aches. Giving up dairy was difficult for Kotz because of giving up her favorite treat – ice cream. Food retailers and brands found in conventional grocery stores are starting to catch up, but it isn’t always easy to maintain. “Beforehand, most grocery stores did not offer easy to make dairy free options, like things you could throw in the microwave,” Kotz says. “Now, places like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are starting to expand on those types of options.” You generally don’t realize how many dairy products you consume until it presents a change in your body. For some, a lactose intolerance is something that carries a minimal effect on their everyday life, but for others, their bodies simply can’t handle it.
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The New RomanTic Revival WO RDS
PH OTOS
Kendall Becker
Benjamin Bartling
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Alyse Nelson
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You know that feeling when you walk into a room and know all eyes are on you? Does it make you nervous, or do you embrace it? We think it’s boring to blend in, so don’t be afraid to let yourself shine. Whether you’re on your way to class or grabbing a bite to eat, layer on a statement piece - or ten. For us at A, there’s nothing quite like turning some heads with utterly fabulous fashion and confidence to match.
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WEARING GUCCI TO GET YOUR
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WEARI N G GUCCI TO G ET YOU R M I L K
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The Desire to Fashionably Fit In WO RDS
Hallie Saculla
I L L U S T R AT I O N
Betsy Garwood
Victoria Putman wakes up in the morning and throws on her vintage Oscar de la Renta blazer, slip dress and ankle boots to walk the lively streets of New York. Finishing her ensemble with a swipe of red lipstick, Putman looks the part of the confident woman she is on the inside. “I think I just maintain my own unique style by only buying and wearing what I like and what makes me feel good,” Putman says. “I like for my pieces to correlate and be able to be versatile. I think when you can do that with your wardrobe, you definitely have a unique style. Individual style comes from within, and when you know what yours is, it’s honestly hard to make yourself stray from that.” The junior fashion merchandising student from Kent State is among the bloggers who help other women find their style by starting her own fashion blog, ToriStateOfMind. Putman began her blog during her senior year of high school as an expression of her creativity and personal aesthetic.
While standing on this pedestal in a fashion community that praises unique style, it is essential to a blogger’s longevity to maintain individuality while inspiring trends for others. Similarly speaking, the rest of the fashion community still strives to develop an individual style. But how can that be achieved when everyone is following the same bloggers, media outlets and trends?
“I think this fascination with followers is slowly shifting to another position,” says Alexia-Chloé Brun, a fashion buyer and trend forecaster with a master’s in psychology for fashion from London College of Fashion. “Why would I continue to admire or envy this it-girl? She wears clothes I can not afford and travels every day, while I struggle to take a day off. The focus and trends become more and more on what we aspire to be and how we want to live our lives.” In today’s digital age, bloggers and the media have the power to dictate trends. It has become less about what is seen on the runways and more about how multi-million follower influencers interpret trends. If one blogger or celebrity is seen wearing Gucci’s yellow lens sunglasses, within days, fast-fashion retailers like Zara, Forever21 and ASOS will carry the style too.
Carolyn Mair is a professor of psychology for fashion at London College of Fashion and University of the Arts London, where she created the world's only master’s and undergraduate courses to apply psychology in the context of fashion. “Trends used to originate from the wealthy classes and trickle down, but now trends can develop in the street or online from bloggers, who are increasingly influencing fashion,” Mair says. “These ideas are promoted online and in store until they are adopted by more people. Once the majority has adopted a trend, it starts to decline. This is the basis of the fashion industry.” Although trends come in varying waves and seasons, the scientific reasoning behind those trends does not. Mair says that we as customers continuously seek out a brand we can identify and have a good experience with. When we follow a trend, we feel a part of the zeitgeist and a sense of belonging. As social beings, this makes us feel good. A graduate of Columbia University in counseling psychology, Dawnn Karen also recognized a legitimate link between trends and psychology. Karen found that no one had yet merged fashion and 39
psychology from her generation, so she says she pioneered the field and became the first millennial to embark on research and studies within the community. “Trends are about evoking some type of memory or emotion within,” Karen says. “If a trend reminds the consumer of something from their childhood, they will be more likely to have loyalty or be more inclined to indulge in that trend.” Not only do trends come from past decades to spark a memory or emotion, but trends also rely on the desire to fit in. Karen says it’s natural to want to adhere to a certain standard to be accepted by society, and the fashion industry recognizes this and uses it to its advantage.
Why would I continue to admire or envy this it-girl? She wears clothes I can not afford and travels every day, while I struggle to take a day off. — A L EX I A - CHL O É BR UN
However, it’s not about merely selling a product for brands. Brun, who has great experience in trend forecasting, credits the customers for setting the trends, while brands solely adapt. The way people live their lives impacts the way they react to a trend. If there is a cause or deeper meaning behind a trend, customers will be more inclined to want to feel included. Have you seen Dior’s ‘Why have there been no great women artists?’ T-shirts? Industry leaders from classic couture houses to fast fashion hubs have used the traction of political statements to appeal to consumers everywhere.
Another way customers feel included is by wearing logos. Whether it’s Gucci’s signature marmont hardware or Supreme’s eye-catching badge, logos are a symbol of status. Even though a customer might try to be unique by wearing a high-end designer logo, Brun
says they continuously belong says they continuously belongtoto“a“afashfashion tribe.” That ion tribe.” Thattribe tribemight mighthave havebeen beena a ‘prep’ ‘prep’oror‘goth’ ‘goth’ininmiddle middleschool, school,but butitit will always bebe anan exclusive group will always exclusive groupofoflikelikeminded individuals. minded individuals. “There always has “There always hasbeen beena astatus statusthat that comes comeswith withwearing wearinghigh-end high-enddesigndesignersers and showing offoff their logos,” and showing their logos,”Putman Putman says. says.“I “Ithink thinkit it makes makes people people feel feel important importantororstylish stylishbecause becausealthough although they're seen allallover they're seen overthe theplace, place,they theystill still are areexclusive exclusivebecause becauseofofthe thehigh highprice price point. Not everyone can have it,it, soso a lot point. Not everyone can have a lotofof people want it,it,whether people want whetherit itfits fitsinto intotheir their personal style oror not.” personal style not.” Comparatively, Comparatively, more more attainable attainable brands brandslike likeCoach Coachand andMichael Michael Kors Kors recently recently released released collections collections without without logos onon their products. logos their products. “I “I feel because ofof how over-attainable feel because how over-attainable [Coach [Coachand andMichael MichaelKors] Kors]made madethemthemselves selvesand andbybyopening openingsosomany manydifferdifferent channels ofof their brands ent channels their brandslike likeoutlets, outlets, selling inin various department selling various departmentstores storesand and even differentonline onlinestores storesmade madethem them even different
DeWeese Health Center 1500 Eastway Drive Monday-Thursday: 8:30am-5:30pm Friday: 9:30am-4:30pm
soso over-marketed over-marketed and and less less exclusive,” exclusive,” Putman Putmansays. says.“It’s “It’sno no longer longer about about the the brand, brand,sosonow nowI Ithink thinkthey're they'retrying trying to to make makeititnot notabout aboutthe thebrand brandor orlogo, logo,but but about aboutthe thephysical physicaldesign designand andquality.” quality.”
When Whenwe wefollow followaatrend, trend, we feel a part we feel a partofofthe the zeitgeist zeitgeistand andaasense senseofof belonging. belonging. – –C C AR OO L YL N AA I RIR AR Y NMM
Being Beingbombarded bombardedwith with all all of of these these logos, rebranding campaigns and logos, rebranding campaigns andtrends trends each eachtime timecustomers customersscroll scrollthrough throughtheir their Instagram account, it’s crucial Instagram account, it’s crucialnow nowmore more than thanever evertotofind finda away waytotowade wadethrough through the noise and still have a personal the noise and still have a personalstyle style that thatstands standsout. out. “I“Ithink thinkwe wecan canbe bemore moreindividual individual now,” Mair says. “There now,” Mair says. “There isn’t isn’t one one fashfashion, and even trends are not taken ion, and even trends are not takenup upby by
everyone everyonein inaaparticular particular age age group group like like in in previous previous decades. decades. Some Some items items to to become become trendy, trendy, others others are are simply simply fads fads that that come come and andgo goovernight. overnight. Some Some people people are are slaves slaves to to fashion fashion and and are, are, therefore, therefore, not not seen seen as as particularly particularly trendy; trendy; whereas whereas many many people people these these days days may may take take inspiration inspiration from fromfashion fashionand and make make their their own own style.” style.” While While an an outsider outsider might might feel feel every every twenty-something twenty-something like like Putman Putman who who has has aa subscription subscription to to The The Business Business of Fashion Fashion and and follows follows Negin Negin Mirsalehi Mirsalehi on on Instagram Instagram dresses dresses the the same, same, that that is simply simplynot nottrue. true. There’s There’s no no denying denying that that 2017 2017 has given given customers customers aa massive massive amount amount of fashion fashion media, media, logos logos and and trends, trends, but there’s there’s also also no no denying denying that that fashion-lovfashion-lovers ersare areequipped equipped with with more more inspiration inspiration to develop developaatruly trulyindividual individualsense sense of of fashion. fashion.
DEWEESE HEALTH CENTER IS AVAILABLE TO ALL KENT STATE STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF.
Services Include: • • • •
Primary Care Women’s Healthcare Psychological Services Physical Therapy
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Call (330)672-2322 - Same-day appointments are often available or go to www.kent.edu/uhs for easy ONLINE scheduling. All Insurance Plans Accepted. Discounted Self-Pay Rates Available.
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BU BBL E GU M, BU BBL E GU M
A MAGAZI NE
Bubble Gum,
BUBBLE Gum WORDS
Hallie Saculla PHOTOS
Valerie Cammack
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BU BBLE GUM , BUBBLE GUM
A MAGAZI N E | 2018
The fashion industry welcomes new waves of colors with every season, but one hue that has prevailed collection after collection and become its own entity is millennial pink. We know – the color has been used 100 different ways, but there’s a reason no one will stop talking about this blush, ultra-girly shade. Women have taken back the stereotype of a pink bow in curled hair and made it their own. Millennial pink isn’t just a color; it has become a statement of embracing femininity with strength and dominance.
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Pink has become a statement of embracing femininity with strength and dominance.
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T EC HNI CA L LY DAT I NG
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TECHNICALLY DATING Why Technology Is Enhancing Our Dating Lives, Not Destroying Them
WORDS
Marissa Nichol
ILLUSTRATION
Gracie Harms
“Get off your phone.” “Stop texting and talk to somebody in person.” “Technology is ruining monogamy.” If you’ve ever heard these comments around you, you’re probably a millennial. Many claim digital dating killed chivalry for millennials and beyond, but the possibilities within technology introduce new opportunities for the current generational lifestyle. If change is inevitable, why not utilize the resources handed to us through our phone screens? Think of how your parents met and whether or not they knew each other from high school or college. They didn’t exactly have the option to check out people from 100 miles away. Using that radius feature on dating apps can add the prospect of meeting new people you wouldn’t physically be able to otherwise. Today, one in five 18 to 24-year-olds is pushing boundaries on dating apps, according to Pew Research Center last year. The jump from one in 20 in 2013 parades the dating lifestyle growing with technology and the popularity in choosing an alternative to primary techniques.
Jackie Knutti is a senior sociology student at Kent State who turned to dating apps for attention after a breakup. After motioning in and out of meaningless relationships, it only took one swipe right to find the love of her life living six miles away in Tallmadge. “I got really lucky—honestly so lucky,” Knutti says of using dating apps.
Knutti started using the dating app Her, which is specifically for LGBTQ women, but had the most success using Tinder. Tinder is an app where singles can match with each other based on photos and personal bios. Users swipe others’ photos left when uninterested and right when interested, and two people can only message each other if they both swipe right. Tinder provides 39 gender selections as of 2015 including transgender female, transsexual male and agender, according to USA Today. The revolution of gender options is giving more opportunity to LGBTQ dating lives when it becomes difficult to meet people face-to-face. The impact of manifesting identification online eliminates the dreaded conversation of clarification when meeting for the first time. It also gives someone the contingency of discovering their sexuality when still getting a feel for what’s out there, which was the case for Knutti. “I definitely found out what my type was,” Knutti says. “I also went back and forth with whether or not I wanted to start trying to date guys again, and that was a nice way of getting a feel for it without actually having to talk to boys in person.” Knutti identifies as demisexual, which means she is only sexually attracted to an individual if she has a strong emotional and romantic connection to them. Because this bond doesn’t happen easily for her, neither does finding the right companion. With the ability to switch back and forth between different genders on Tinder, she met her partner, AJ Kaiser, who is also demisexual, as well as a nonbinary demiboy. Nonbinary is a term used for all genders other than a man or woman, and demiboy falls under that spectrum as partially male without defining the other part. “I think the main reason why I swiped right was because it said demisexual,” Kaiser says. “I was like, this is cool because we at least have the same identity, so we don’t have to have that awkward talk about sex.”
After matching on the app, Knutti and Kaiser started texting, followed by a couple of first dates watching alien movies and their first public outing at Kent’s Potterfest. The connection Knutti found with Kaiser is above anything else she experienced in her past dating life. “He’s adorable,” Knutti says. “I love him very much, so I don’t mind gushing about him all the time. He’s really silly, and we always have a good time, which is something I’ve never had in any of my other relationships.” Now on their 14-month anniversary, Knutti says they live together in an apartment in Brimfield they moved into six months after they started dating. As Knutti and Kaiser plan the next steps in their relationship, more millennials gain access to the same opportunity. Regardless of how our generation got to this point, going out to hit on people at a club just isn’t the norm anymore. Relying on a dating app may hold back some from being assertive in person, but that same access can give others the confidence they wouldn’t get any other way. It could even make that always awkward first date experience not so awkward by getting to know them online first. The next time someone tells you to “get off the phone,” embrace the technological enrichment of your love life and swipe right.
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Soundcheck WO RDS
PH OTOS
Mickayla Wawrousek
Benjamin Bartling Alicia Falorio
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HONE Y MOON Northeast Ohio is not typically associated with a plethora of rising, skilled musicians capable of shifting boundaries and spurring innovation, regardless of it being home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Right within the boundaries of Lake Erie and Pennsylvania is an expansiveness of individuals moving forward in their craft and grasping possibilities with steadfastness. These instrumentalists and singer-songwriters are pushing a Midwest musical presence beyond our state, which tends to be ignored and sidelined all too quickly.
Sharing their time in the immediate, Kent and Norwalk, H O N E Y M O O N speaks volumes to what it means to put time into something cared for, other than what relates directly to a student’s area of academic study. Austyn Benyak and Zac Breitbach, students at Kent State, alongside drummer Cody Doman and bass player Caleb Lacy began creating together as a continuation of a project that came to its finality at the end of last year. Not disregarding what they are studying as valuable, they’ve found it salient to expel energy into work they hope to see continue past their time of graduation. On the subject of future intentions, Breitbach says that “every musician’s dream is to get paid for their craft.” They’ve discovered their primary skillsets rest within the music industry, and they earnestly strive to improve the intricacies of those abilities for long-term prosperity to come. H O N E Y M O O N feels proud of what they have accomplished in such a short span of time, but have learned to come to terms with some of the difficulties.
We’re a venue band, not a house band. Our noise volume is so loud. — AUST Y N B E N YA K
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From left to right, Austyn Benyak, Caleb Lacy, Zac Breitbach and Cody Doman. Benjamin Bartling
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Finding their footing by playing live shows last August, their first show was held at Mahall’s in Lakewood, a venue they’ve continued to frequent. Although they would ideally like to see the inner walls of prominent Kent house venues like The Workshoppe and The Hoe Garden, they are happy with where they are now. “We’re a venue band, not a house band,” Benyak says. “Our noise volume is so loud.” They have cultivated a foundation of audio to be what they believe in. Their sound doesn’t necessarily fit comfortably
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into one category, especially on a local scale. It’s described by Breitbach as “alternative rock blasted into low Earth orbit.” “I like to think we don’t fit with other people, which we don’t,” Benyak says. “The people that get it, get it.” Sticking to classic denim and good boots, specifically pairs of Chippewa engineers and Red Wings, H O N E Y M O O N hopes to move forward with as much ferocity as they initially began with.
Music available on Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify Facebook, Instagram: @honeymoonohio Twitter: @hnymnrock
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T HE OHIO W E AT HE R B A ND
From left to right, Derek Strata, Ray Lumpp and Corey King. Benjamin Bartling
Music available on Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify
Dedicated to a sound rooted in folk Americana, oscillating ever so often towards finding foundation in blues rock, T H E O H I O W E AT H E R B A N D has taken care in upholding a polished, humble demeanor among consistent creation and progression. Throughout the past five years of playing aside one another, lead vocalist and guitarist Corey King, drummer Ray Lumpp and bass player Derek Strata have come to call Akron home, finding a support system spanning well past city limits.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @ohioweatherband ohioweatherband.com
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The three-piece curating fluid vocals and lyrically commanding pieces has intrinsically perfected a formula equipped for producing unique, evolved compositions familiar to their name specifically. They’ve committed the ample time required to revolutionize their abilities in playing and writing, focusing heavily on collaboration throughout the process. “I bring the skeleton of the song, and we make it an actual song together,” King says. While speaking further on their technical development, Strata stresses that “everyone’s definitely improved, even practice wise, we have to do that so much less because we’re actually efficient at our instruments.” They’re not shy to admit it takes a good deal of energy to feel as though what they’ve produced is seamless and complete. Over time, they’ve gathered a solidified stance on who they are and understand the makeup of their evolution thoroughly. “In the studio, you’re just listening so hard, for every little thing and then when you bring that into your playing, it changes stuff a little bit,” Lumpp says. “We’re even more focused on different subtleties and intricacies of a song and the dynamics of a song.” As King mentions, long-term, T H E O H I O W E AT H E R B A N D hopes to see “sustainable work and recurring work,” capable of meeting a monetary need, allowing them to do what they love and providing a continued harmonious, “organic” growth of support.
We’re even more focused on different subtleties and intricacies of a song and the dynamics of a song. — R A Y LUM P P
Nearing the end of conversation, Lumpp recalls moments from playing most recently at music festival South by SouthWest in Austin, Texas. “It was really cool being that busy with music and staying up all night seeing so many different bands in any given space,” Lumpp says. “I went to bed with my heart racing.”
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P UNC H DR UNK TA G A L ONG S After taking considerable time to evaluate her musical circle honestly, relationships and various key playing parts within her life in 2015, Alisha Stahnke altered and ended much of what made up the familiarity of her day-to-day life. “I would love to have no home and be on the road 24/7, but you have to work your way up to that to really make it worth it,” Stahnke says. Through incredible self-awareness, she took the reins on decisions she felt were pertinent to the success of her well-being, leading her to open opportunity in areas she previously felt were off-kilter. She says her next deciding moments of starting a band are “going to a million open mics, getting an electric guitar, and writing a bunch of songs.”
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From left to right, Alex Wright, Alisha Stahnke, Wesley Who and Caleb Lemo. Alicia Falorio
Music available on Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify Facebook, Instagram: @punchdrunktagalongs
These girls fought to be a part of the music scene and to make themselves relevant. They weren’t scared to get political. I look up to these women, especially in a time like now.” — A LI S H A S TA H NK E
Stahnke soon collected a grouping of exponentially fitting musicians, bassist Alex Wright, guitarist Caleb Lemo and drummer Wesley Who, to take on the task of creating the P U N C H D R U N K TA G A L O N G S . The band's name was chosen based upon one too many sips of whiskey and a story in which Stahnke finishes with the simple advice of, “Don’t drink and eat Girl Scout cookies.” Stahnke lengthily expresses the Punch Drunk Tagalongs’ focus as an “indie rock band that at times sounds psychedelic and experimental, while at other times 51
will transport you back into the grunge soaked 90’s, pulling influence from Mazzy Star to Wolf Alice.” T H E P U N C H D R U N K TA G A L O N G S consistently feed off of the energy in a room, recalling favorite shows as those in which they have felt viable, electric support. Most recently, after playing in Brooklyn, NY at the Brooklyn Wildlife Festival, Stahnke reiterates its importance saying “the house was packed and the energy was bubbling. I have never seen a crowd so into our music.” With her signature Doc Martens, her powerful leadership, kick-ass attitude and her emotional sensitivity being utilized as a tool, Stahnke has created a strong platform to evaluate what she finds needs her reflection, whether it be the state of relationships, social media or even the present political climate. Feeling as though there’s great importance in paying attention and being aware, Stahnke elaborates on some of her greatest influences as Riot Grrrl, a feminist punk movement blossoming in Washington state during the 1990s. “These girls fought to be a part of the music scene and to make themselves relevant,” she says. “They weren’t scared to get political. I look up to these women, especially in a time like now.”
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