March 2022 - Vol. 16 | Issue 02 by Arkade Magazine

Vol.16

Iss.02

TUCKER ANDREWS BY JACK DAWE

IN THIS ISSUE

OPENING ACT

SHOOT ING G A L L ERY

JEFF HOLCE: THE MAN, THE MYTH, T H E AT H L E T E

REDBULL RECAP

HI THERE

DAMAGE BOARDSHOP

PHOTO PROFIL E: T R E V O R S L AT T E R Y

ARTIST PROFILE: S E A N S TA R WA R S

SOUND CHECK

F I N A L D E S T I N AT I O N

END CREDITS

PHOTO: RIDER:

Benja min Lit t ler

Pa rker Du ke

L O C AT I O N :

Jeremy R a nch, U T

ARKADE 16.2

OPENING ACT

Words by Daniel Cochrane

As cold deep powder days give way to slushy spring park laps, we bring you our final offering of the volume. Did you get enough days on the hill? We didn't, we never do, and we’re sure you feel very much the same. But just as these short winter days will turn to long sunlit summer afternoons, so too will they quickly become crisp fall evenings promising the return of winter. In the meantime, stay busy, stay adventurous, and stay you. If these past few years have taught us anything, it is that we are, in so many ways, at the mercy of so many things beyond our control. Relish the moment. Spend time on the river. Look at the mountains. Camp. Love your friends and let them know it. Take a road trip. Come home and plan another. See live music. Make art, or just appreciate it. Pet all the dogs. Do the things that make you happy and surround yourself with those that do the same. When the days start to get short, we will be back with a fresh batch of memories under our belt and a new set of stories to tell. See you soon.

P h o t o: Benjamin Lit tler

Rider: Darren Hainrihar

ARKADE 16.2

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTO: RIDER:

Stepha n Jende

Nora Beck

CAMER A:

C a n o n E O S -1 D X M a r k I I

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTO:

William Nevins

L O C AT I O N :

S a l t L a k e C i t y, U T

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTO:

William Nevins

L O C AT I O N :

S a l t L a k e C i t y, U T

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTO:

We s t o n C o l t o n

S K AT E R :

Shylio Sweat

CAMER A:

Ca non R5

L O C AT I O N :

S a l t L a k e C i t y, U T

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTOS: RIDER:

Pe t e r L i m b e r g

To n y Wa g n e r

CAMER A:

Olympus St ylus

L O C AT I O N :

Minneapolis, MN

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTO: RIDER:

Pe t e r L i m b e r g

Blake Geiss

CAMER A:

Olympus St ylus

L O C AT I O N :

St. Pau l, M N

SHOOTING GALLERY PHOTO: RIDER:

A shley Rosemeyer

J i l l Pe r k i n s

CAMER A:

Ca non EOS 5D Ma rk III

L O C AT I O N :

# I t sT i t s

85 Y e a r s o f MEMOR IES 85 Y e a r s o f P OW D E R 85 Y e a r s o f MAGIC 85 Years of SNOW 85 Years of JOY 85 Years of US 85 years of

brightonresort.com Photo: ovvany illalobos

when I first started riding at brighton, I was welcomed with open arms and smiling faces. it was clear that I found something special. the community is warm and welcoming, not to mention the constant flow of good energy is intoxicating. Everyone I have met is a fast friend and after being here a few seasons they turned into my closest friends. thinking about the years to come brings nothing but bluebird skies and smiles. - gan int

JEFF HOLCE

T H E M A N , T H E MY T H , T H E AT H L E TE

It's hard to describe Jeff in such a short space here but I’ll try. A lot of people try and claim this, but I think Jeff might actually care about snowboarding more than anyone. Besides snowboarding, he also really cares about his friends. He’s the first person to help someone whether they’re trying to get a clip or just need help working on some mundane project around the house. He is dedicated to sharing his athleticism with his homies. For example, when the Bone Zone was moving to Brighton around 2014, Jeff was the first volunteer to help. He started helping from the very first day and then showed up every day after that - for the next 7 years. Jeff quickly after that first day became one of my favorite people on earth and is now someone I consider a very close friend. I can’t think of a bigger snowboard nerd out there and it's been an absolute pleasure to nerd out on snowboarding with him, look for spots, watch videos, get to point a camera at him, and now get to see him join the pro ranks. I’m sure it's a dream come true for him, but I like to consider it a dream come true of mine as well. Jeff is pro as fuck. If he would have never turned pro, I woulda been pissed. He knows everyone, goes to everything, coaches kids how to snowboard all summer, organizes events, lifts up his homies, and stacks a-grade video clips all winter long. Jeff Holce is the definition of what a professional snowboarder should be and we should all be lucky that he exists in this space.

Intro by Te d B o r l a n d

Inter view by Pe t e r H a r v i e u x

Photo by Pe t e r L i m b e r g

PHOTO:

Gil l Montgomer y

CAMER A:

Ca non EOS 5D Ma rk I V

L O C AT I O N :

S a l t L a k e C i t y, U T

ARKADE 16.2

Hey Jef f lots has been going down, hyped to connect to talk about it all. I’ve been thinking about all the years of messages, comments, and a few in person chats. I feel like you’ve been on the scene for such a good portion of time doing your thing your way kind of all over. Let ’s start from the beginning. Where did you grow up riding and who were some of the first people that help build the passion?

Hey! I grew up riding mt hood. My family was huge into spending time on the mountain so I was a weekend warrior for the longest time up there! My parents love the mtns and exploring around hood. So thanks to them I got into snowboarding. Growing up in the Northwest I wasn’t really aware of the scene other than there was a snowboard camp called Windell’s. For a really long time we just went snowboarding since it’s what a lot Oregonians just do in the winter time. I think DC Mtn Lab and Patchwork Patterns got me hooked into snowboarding in a way deeper way and introduced to me to that type of scene. How did the you get the moniker “Jef f the athlete”?

I had a friend who called other skiers “athlete” and I thought it was the funniest thing ever. He would be dead serious and I would start calling other snowboarders that has a half joke and then it backfired and everyone started calling me that hahaha. At one point you we’re in Denver, how was that scene and how did you get there?

So I’ve never lived in Denver or Colorado but I know this might be a crazy stance but I’m pro Colorado haha, but to get back to your question, I was on a insanely long road trip with Kevin Hanson and Garret Read (garret filmed suzerainty green berg). We went to Toronto and it went bad so we trying to make it back to PNW and stopped in Colorado to break up the drive. Garret and Kevin f lew home and then I just ending up staying for like 3 weeks hanging with Brendon Barry. Meet him through Instagram DMs and I stayed with him earlier in the winter when filming in Winter Park area. But basically, Denver was having the best winter ever. They had been stacking like crazy there. Brendan is the plug for Colorado and the best dude out. He let me sleep on his f loor and we filmed almost every day. He named his movie called boys nite! Very lucky to have some clips in there. But all those dudes are the best! Wish I could see them more! You’re posted up in Utah now and seem like you have made a lot of impact on the scene. What drove you to SLC?

I saw some park edits and there was a 2-page article in TWSnow about snowboarding at the rail gardens so that’s the main reason I moved there! I wanted to ride urban and it seemed like Salt Lake City had that! Growing up in the Northwest it’s really hard to jib in the streets since it doesn’t snow that much in the city. In recent years it seems that has changed but growing up it rarely snowed. Ended up really liking Salt Lake and didn’t want to move anywhere else. What about the Bone Zone and that relationship, it seems to be something you’re very involved with and passionate about since you’ve landed in SLC?

Yeah, ummm when I 1st came to Utah, I got kicked out of the Bonezone but it was way different back then. I brought a shovel but no one knew me so I was asked to leave. Then 2 years later I went there with Ted one day and it was a good time but you had to know someone to go there. Then the forest service destroyed it so Ted and A A worked it out with Brighton to have it there. It’s been amazing since it’s moved there. It’s open to everyone! Please bring a shovel but it’s really special now and helps bring the scene together in a really positive way! Teds still around and a part of it in a big way which is awesome but he and Brighton have been letting me lead it now which is pretty crazy. Lucky to have so much help up there too. This year we only had to close 2 days since we had so much shovel by power from everyone. Thank you, Wasatch snow community! I love being around people. I’m not the most social person but I really do love doing stuff with people if that makes sense.

PHOTO:

Gil l Montgomer y

CAMER A:

Ca non EOS 5D Ma rk I V

L O C AT I O N :

BoneZ one, Brighton, U T

PHOTOS:

Pe t e r L i m b e r g

CAMER A:

Olympus St ylus

L O C AT I O N :

P a r k C i t y, U T

You’ve been on Hood for how many years? MHSC is kind of the underground camp on Mt. Hood, it appears from my perspective. What ’s the story behind that relationship?

I did about 7 summers working up there. Growing up they had a camper staff program where one week you’re a normal camper and then the next your dish washer. Started doing that and the next summer I was a snowboard filmer. It’s a smaller camp so you can work a bunch of different jobs throughout the summer. You get paid hourly so it comes down to how much you want to work there. It’s really sweet. It’s a summer camp that has snowboarding. It’s so much more than just summer snowboarding if you’re a camper because of the off hill activities. Gave me some of the best summers of my life. When did you link with Dinosaurs Will Die?

Meet Geno and Jeff at mission ridge 7 years ago. I was so nervous I don’t even remember talking to Geno since I would black out the conversations hahaha. Then my good friend Dylan Trewin was repping for them and wanted to f low me boards. I’ve ridden them before then too and thought they were amazing. I really didn’t think I was cool enough or good enough to ride for them. Their team back then was so stacked so it was crazy to even f lowed boards from them back then. It was great to see your part in the Tangled, seemed like you had kind of broke a glass ceiling with that part. How’d did that come about and how did you feel af ter that released?

I was always filming with Ted and Des throughout the years. I would go on long trips with them and just help make things happen for their projects and get some clips along the way. Des and Ted wanted to film with me and I was so grateful that they let me. It’s been so long that I’ve had all my footy together in the same spot too! The rest of the crew was amazing too! After the release I personally felt like nothing changed. I was super narrow minded and didn’t appreciate it at the time. As time went on, I notice that it did open a lot of doors for me. This year I have the chance to film with Ted and Des again and I’m trying my hardest to redeem myself. I had more than I could handle while filming for Tangle so I felt like I was just trying to get through it. I was on auto pilot for most of that year and I was burden for the crew. I’m extremely thankful they were there for me. If I wasn’t able to hang out with them, I really don’t know how I would of end upped. Thank you Tangle crew for being there for me! As we’ve transitioned thru the last two seasons of a worldwide pandemic and social changes what or how has that influenced or ef fect your snowboarding and life?

The 1st thing that comes to mind is that I can’t go to Canada to visit the Canadian homies. Miss riding mtn mtn! I just think socially there was a big swing for 7 months where you were supposed to just hang out alone and then in Utah it slowly went back to somewhat normal. Utah is really loose when it comes to covid restrictions compared to the rest of the country. I think not being able to do Bonezone one year was the biggest change to me. I missed it a bunch that year.

C o v e r b o y.

PHOTO:

Jack Reid

CAMER A:

Ni kon D3

L O C AT I O N :

Butte, MT

Speaking of that, recently at the Bonezone there was a surprise for you? Share that moment with us, it looked so magical.

Haha so Jack Reid (batwing) wanted to throw this event called the suck fest at Bonezone. We built a really cool course for it and gave away almost 1000 free hot dogs. Anyways Joey Fava called a group shovel ten minutes early and I was pissed. I wanted to keep riding and I was like whatever I’ll do a tarp lap (dragging a bunch of snow down to the zone on a tarp). While I was up there everyone who f lew in or drove in to surprise me was waiting in the parking lot. When we were dragging down the snow, I saw so many people walking up to the zone. I was thinking damn that’s so many people I hope they brought shovels. Then I saw my friend Brendan and Geno. Then I was like something is up. This isn’t right. Then Tucker Brown lifted a board above his head with no bindings and then I just started crying. I couldn’t talk correctly for like 15 minutes. The entire zone was shut down for half hour when it happened. So many of my friends came from all over the country to be there. No one snowboarded until I set up my new board and took the 1st run on it! I had no idea I was turning pro that day and they got me so good haha. 40

Well Jef f, hyped to be able to connect, what ’s instore for this season and beyond?

This season I’m filming with Ted and Des again! I’m going to try and get out with Jill, Katie, and Jack for 6040 too! But just want to film when I can and keep riding a lot too! Just keep trying to see the world thru snowboarding! Sounds awesome, that ’s the dream, hyped to see new footy. Let ’s shout out the true heads, who you got?

Major shout out to Ted Borland, Des Melancon! They have had my back so much over the last 5 years. My family! Kent and Karen for taking me to the mountain so much growing up! Brendon Barry, Tucker Brown, Dylan Trewin! The Tangle crew! Sean Genovese and Jeff Keenan for believing in me! Paul Osborn and hazel for being the best! Dylan Oaktree, Griff and Jack Reid for being down to do stupid stuff ! So many more people to shout out and I’m really sorry if I forget you but Claire too! Brighton even though it has gotten way bigger it still feels like a family resort and it’s the home of the Bonezone! Shout out to my sponsors Moron wax, Airblaster, Dang Shades, Salmon Arms, Union bindings, Batwing and Milosport for being the best shop in the Salt Lake! DWD for life!

PHOTO:

Gil l Montgomer y

CAMER A:

Ca non EOS 5D Ma rk I V

L O C AT I O N :

It t y Bit t y Tit t y s, Brig hton, U T

PHOTO:

Gil l Montgomer y

CAMER A:

Ca non EOS 5D Ma rk I V

L O C AT I O N :

S a l t L a k e C i t y, U T

PHOTO:

Gil l Montgomer y

CAMER A:

Ca non EOS 5D Ma rk I V

L O C AT I O N :

BoneZ one, Brighton, U T

PHOTOS:

Pe t e r L i m b e r g

CAMER A:

Olympus St ylus

L O C AT I O N :

P a r k C i t y, U T

ARKADE 16.2

Jus tin Fronius

redbull

HEAVY METAL

A LOO K TH RO U G H TH E LE N S O F STE PHAN J E N D E

Words by Wyat t Lindberg

Shot on Canon EOS R5

ARKADE 16.2

Duluth's Cascade Park is snowboarding's Garden of Eden. Simply put; it is paradise. Your only limit at Cascade is your imagination. In fact, I'm convinced that there are more features to hit in this park than there are in Trollhaugen's Valhalla. Having grown up in Duluth and working at Damage, I'm no stranger to Cascade and its extensive history as a snowboard spot. Friends, local legends, co-workers, college kids, team riders, icons, pros and industry heroes have all wreaked havoc on the park. It has made appearances in homie videos, team movies, X Games "Real Snow" parts, iphone edits, instagram clips, VG, ThinkThank f licks, and everything in between. It’s one of the most revered spots in all of snowboarding and the crown jewel in Duluth's snowboarding mecca. Cascade Park was an obvious choice for Red Bull Heavy Metal. 48

The lead up to the event was almost as fun as the event itself. (It's not every day you get to host the entire snowboarding industry in your backyard, and it was certainly a pleasure to do so.) The shop was bustling the day before Heavy Metal and each time the door opened a new familiar face appeared. Shop rider Nial Romanek made his return home with his whole crew in tow. Jeff Holce and Dylan O made sure to swing through and say what's up too. Bridges asked us why we don't have an online store. Meyer signed my copy of "May Day", Stan bought a t-shirt with one of my graphics on it, Ben gifted Sexton a custom Public rug and not to be outdone, Jake OE told us about an epic game winning catch he made in a softball game. Once the Peanut Gallery left I couldn't help but smile as I f lipped the open signs to "closed", cut the lights and locked the doors that night. Heavy Metal was only one sleep away.

Maggie Leon

Pe te Cros dale

Mike Skiba

The next morning I geared up and met my co-worker & partner in crime Dan Spooner at Spirit Mountain to take some turns before heading to Cascade. We rode the rope for a minute before running into Pete Harvieux. After catching a couple of chairlift rides with Mr. Fobia himself, I left Spirit, crammed a Big Mac down my throat and made my way to Heavy Metal. I found myself walking toward the infamous "tower" feature beside Ben, my boss and mentor who has been on hand for several iconic Cascade sessions. Most notably driving Mark Wilson up to the tower for every single try of his line while Mark was filming for his Real Snow part. Once we arrived at the tower's drop in ramp we gave our guy Brett "The Hitman" Stamper a pep talk before getting lost in the crowd. While catching up with some of our regular customers I got "volunteered" to be the "tow-in" guy for the riders. I nestled into my spot atop the drop in ramp and began slinging people out of the tower. Seeing the huge smiles and pure bliss on each rider's face was wonderful. Everyone was just feeding off of each other's energy. It felt more like being at a spot with your friends than a contest. The next section - "The Playground Zone" gave the event even more of a "backyard boarding" feel. The hiking, high fiving, line finding, picnic table destroying, rail grinding and the camaraderie were all a sight to behold. Snowboarding needs this type of event way more than it needs knee grabs & Prada snowboards.

The infamous kink lived up to the hype proving to be a worthy opponent for our competitors. Few souls were brave enough to step to the rail, let alone finish it... The entire city was holding its breath when Benny went for his cab 2... and let out a deafening roar of applause when Zeb went the distance on a front board riding a Custom X of all things. I'll be damned. By the time the award ceremony was wrapping up my dogs were barking from running around all day, I could feel the adrenaline and Red Bull were finally wearing off. Once I got home and into bed I began rambling to my girlfriend about the incredible day I just had with the enthusiasm of a child that had just met Spiderman. After all, I had just been surrounded by my superheroes. Needless to say, it took quite some time to come down from that high... That's what I call Heavy Metal. Thank-You to all of the event planners/organizers, course builders, judges, commentators, DJs, media, riders, spectators, the City Of Duluth and Red Bull for making this event happen.

Zeb Powell

Benny Milam

The Winners

1s t

Benny Milam

Maggie Leon

2nd

M ar t y Vac h on

Jaylen Hanson

3rd

Zeb Powell

Lexi Roland

ARKADE 16.2

Rider Casey Pflipsen

Photo: Stephan Jende

Binding: XF Team

H I

T H E R E

Name: Nickname:

T, teaspoon, manner, dad

Birthplace:

Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin

Hometown:

Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin

Years snowboarding: Moment of pride: 56

Tanner Burch

Other hobbies:

Just shy of 2 decades. Becoming a father. Hands down. The classics. Skateboarding, hanging with kiddo, building parks at Troll, fishing, some golf.

Currently working on:

Diving in on a house with my girlfriend, taking better care of my body/mental health, my switch game and breaking 90 on a golf course.

Plans for the future:

Keep on grinding in this rep game, learn to ride some powder, go in on a motorcycle (sorry mom).

Heroes Idols:

Best advice given to you:

Been looking up to Pete Harvieux a lot, Midwest legend. Also anyone who’s still being unapologetically 100% themselves right now. Seems to be hard to come by these days. “Many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality.”

ARKADE 16.2

H I

T H E R E

Name: Nickname:

Stix

Birthplace:

Minneapolis, MN

Hometown:

Evergreen, CO

Years snowboarding: Moment of pride: 58

Stephen Nilsen

MoP Snowboarding: Other hobbies: Currently working on: Park or pow: Heroes/Idols: Best advice given to you:

30 Raising identical twin boys as a single father. Selecting and wotking with Silverton Mountain as the site for Project X - Shaun White's private halfpipe leading to the Vancouver Olympics. Yoga, Skateboarding, Surfing, Ice Hockey, Photography, Mentoring the Leeds School of Business @ the University of Colorado. Global takeover with Liquid Death POW! My late father and Shaun Stüssy. Never look down on someone unless you're there to help them up.

ARKADE 16.2

S H O P P R O F I L E

Location Damage Boardshop 19 0 4 W S u p e r i o r S t . Duluth, MN 55806

Photos by Damage

Contact P E W I

| | | |

218 .7 24 . 4 0 27 damageduluth@hotmail.com damageboardshop.com @damageduluth

Hours M - F Sat Sun

| | |

10 a m - 7p m 10 a m - 6 p m 11a m - 5 p m

ARKADE 16.2

P H O T O g r a p h e r P R O F I L E SELF PORTR AIT

TRE VOR S L AT TE RY Wo r d s b y Peter Limberg

Photos shot on C o n t a x G1

I’ve had the opportunity of getting to know Trevor over the years and have been fortunate enough to work with him on several different projects. One in particular that is the most memorable and holds a special place to me was an independent project that he curated with me called "Peter". He was able to capture the riding and edit it so it truly felt like the output I had intended. Trev has also taken on multi-media work with various different snowboard companies, magazines, and ski resorts. Meanwhile simultaneously putting together many passion projects while getting a bachelor of studio arts. It’s through all which he’s become a mentor to me on multiple levels but especially within photography. I have enjoyed being able to watch his work evolve over the years as he too has evolved into one of my favorites Photographers. Trevor is multitalented across different visual art mediums yet his photography is what shines the most for me. I catch myself studying his images for periods of time trying grasp everything that is going on in his photos. The thing that resonates with me most about Trevor’s photos is you feel like you’re right there when he took the photo, especially in his action photos. Not only does he frame the subject in an optimum position, he also captures the environment that the subject is in so well it draws you deeper into the photo. Trevor has some big plans for the future with an independent project called Meloria and he's going to go about it in his own unique way. The amount of hard work and passion he puts into his craft is ripe for recognition. Keep your eyes peeled for what Trevor is about to share with the culture.

ARKADE 16.2

A R T I S T P R O F I L E

SEAN STARWARS Words by Daniel Cochrane

Working within his Laurel, Mississippi home studio music blaring, the artist known as Sean Starwars diligently does what he has been doing for over three decades; producing brightly colored relief prints of animals, humans, monsters, droids, aliens, insects, villains, heroes, as well as anything and everything else in between that catches his fancy. Sean is one of those fortunate souls who found his passion for art early in life. A passion he directly attributes to spending his formative years of the early and mid-eighties entrenched in the Virginia Beach skate scene. The skateboarding lifestyle heavily inf luenced Sean, specifically its acceptance of individualism and creativity. He cites 80's era pros such as Niel Blender and Chris Miller as significant inspirations, placing him quickly on the path towards creating art for a living. 72

"My very first inspiration was Neil Blender. I instantly connected with his artistic style that was abundantly displayed in his interview in the February 1985 issue of Thrasher. It was accessible to my teenage mind but confusing enough to keep me coming back again and again to make sense of it. It seemed like being a skateboarder meant that you would be creative in everything you do, drawing, writing, playing music, your sense of fashion. Everything! I felt like it was my duty to create. "Skate and Create!" right!?!" Sean enrolled at Virginia's Old Dominion University, and n true skateboard stereotype, he quickly found himself on Academic Probation for lackluster attendance. In the interim, he enrolled at a local Community College discovered printmaking. He was attracted explicitly to linocuts via his knowledge that the art of Chris Miller used for his skate graphics was produced from the same process. Sean was instantly captivated, stating, "Honestly, after the very first linocut I made back in 1989, I knew that this was gonna be what I did for the rest of my life! It's been over 30 years, and I haven't slowed down yet!"

SSW WITH THE LEGEND STEVE ALBA

ARKADE 16.2

The process for creating relief prints, both linocuts, and woodcuts, are virtually the same, except for media used, with linocuts being linoleum and woodcuts being well, wood. Sean begins by using a sharpie to draw his subject. He then cuts away the negative space leaving the black space ready to be inked. Other "plates" are created to apply additional colors in different areas creating a cohesive image. With the noted exception of the intense carving, the entire process is very similar to screen-printing. As such, the final product can be placed on wood, paper, cloth, or any number of other media. It's the carving, however, that holds a special place in Sean's heart. "The carving into the wood is my favorite part of the process. It is very cathartic to carve into the wood, especially with my music cranked up as loud as it can go. There's something magical about the process of taking a cruddy drawing and turning it into a woodcut! The end result is almost always immensely satisfying." Another allure for the overall process also ties to the early days of skateboard art, which is multiple color combinations. This creates unique versions of every print he makes. Sean likens it to the back in the day culture of varied colored graphics and stains on skate decks. I fondly recall these times, too, when a skate rat could walk into a shop and see a board wall dotted with many odd color combinations of the same pro model. Old heads like us won't tell you we had the Lance Mountain Future Primitive deck. Instead, we will inform you we had the Lance Mountain Future Primitive deck in blue with pink lettering and black accents.

Commercially Sean has a surprisingly small portfolio of work, mainly centered on band posters and album art. However, he does have some larger commercial branding projects under wraps. He was also involved in some product production with well-known surf brand Hurley before "business," i.e., company reacquisition put those projects on the back burner. However, the project is worth noting because it brought Sean and his art full circle. "Something amazing and personally rewarding came from that. Beyond meeting some of my heroes like Steve Alba, and Craig Stecyk, I also met Paul Schmitt. We started working on a super fun project to print my woodcuts directly onto individual maple plys. Paul takes them back to his factory and turns them into finished skateboards!!! They're total hybrids because there are not many skateboards with the graphic applied that way at all!!! It is probably the coolest thing I've ever been a part of, and it has brought all my lifelong passions together!!!" With decades in the game, Sean has some straightforward advice for any upcoming creative looking to make their mark on the world, and that is simply; "Spend as much time in the studio as you possibly can! Make it a priority! Always invest in yourself. Art supplies can be expensive, but It's worth it if it helps you make sense of this world. Even more so if it enables you to make a living! And lastly, never be afraid to reach out to somebody you want to work with. Most people don't want to shoot you down; they want to work with you if you can find a way to make it work for them!" Sean would also like to acknowledge his supporters throughout his career. He gratefully recognizes how lucky he is to work from a home studio surrounded by his family, "I have a lot of people to thank for helping me get to where I am today, wherever that is? My wife Julie has been my biggest supporter in all of the hardest ways! But my good friends and great artists Dennis McNett and Tom Huck have really inspired me and encouraged me for many long years. I want to thank JP Olson, who worked at Hurley for a long time, he took a workshop with me in Los Angeles, and we became really good friends." Reader's can view further examples of Sean's work and purchase merchandise and works at Woodcutfunhouse. com. You can follow along for updates and other slices of life as well at @seanstarwars on both Insta and TikTok. 77

ARKADE 16.2

S O U N D

C H E C K

by Daniel Cochrane

The Plastic Cherries

S u n s h i n e ( L P)

Haunt Me W a t c h Yo u B l e e d ( s i n g l e)

Blushing

T h e F i r e s ( s i n g l e)

Beach House O n c e Tw i c e M e l o d y ( " E P ")

2021 Extra Special Records

2 0 2 2 Ve l v e t G h o s t R e c o r d i n g s

2022 Kanine Records

2021/ 2022 Sub Pop Records

The Plastic Cherries are the Salt Lake-based project of Joseph and Shelby Maddock, and their 2021 release, Sunshine, is their full-length debut. Released in September, Sunshine reigns supreme as one of my favorite local samplings of the past year. The album is very musically diverse. Throughout listening, music fans will recognize the duo exploring, experimenting, and putting their own personal stamp on a wide range of genres from psych, to R&B, alt-country, and straightforward indie rock. Joseph and Shelby share vocal duties alternating between manic bursts and measured mellow coolness. The album on its own is exquisite, but their live performances are where The Plastic Cherries really excel. Their stage presence expands to a five-piece and is a sight to be seen. It is a rare occurance to have a young band exhibit such a well-put-together stage presence, and every show is a special event. Luckily for those in SLC, they are fond of booking appearances. You can support The Plastic Cherries on Bandcamp or mainstream streaming services. Physical cassettes can be found at Diabolical Records while supplies last. Check them live; you will not be disappointed!

Watch You Bleed is Austin, Texasbased Haunt Me's first release following last year's break-out debut LP "The Sadness Never Ends." The project of multiinstrumentalist Darius Davila, Haunt Me, treads the waters between post-punk, Goth, and darkwave. Davila sometimes gives us poppy, albeit dark, offerings such as the above-mentioned LP’s opening track "Dying in Your Arms" and other times presents us with more morose droning Goth efforts such as the single “Dancing in the Dark. Dying in Your Arms is definitely in the "droning Goth" camp of offerings with vocal stylings reminiscent of Sister of Mercy's Andrew Eldritch filtered over pulsating synth beats and intermittent catchy hooks alternating between keys and guitar. Haunt Me's listener presence on mainstream streaming apps has grown nearly 20 times in the past year and shows few signs of slowing down. Although still within the "I discovered them early" realm, it is not hard to assume that Haunt Me could see widespread success if Davila continues to release such highquality offerings. If you dig catchy post-punk and dark/goth synthwave I’m sure you will find Haunt Me right up your alley. Haunt Me can be found on Bandcamp and mainstream streaming sites.

My personal discovery of Blushing occurred in 2019 as they toured as openers for Ringo Deathstarr (Elliot Frazier of RingoD produced, engineered, and mixed the band's 2019 self-titled debut). The band's latest single, "The Fires," is the third and final release from Blushing's forthcoming second full-length Possessions, slated for a mid-February release. Another Austin-based project, Blushing, was formed in 2015 when long-time friends Michelle Soto and Christina Carmona began musically collaborating. Eventually, the duo enlisted their husbands on guitar and drums to round out the band. Blushing's sound is an unabashed homage to the early 90's bands that bridged the gap between Shoegaze and Brit-Pop. They specifically name such acts as Lush, Cocteau Twins, and The Sundays (Lush front woman Miki Berenyi even shares guest vocals on an earlier Possessions single, Blame) as influences. True to their influences, Blushing's music features layered guitars, breathy lyrics, and playful background vocals. If you are a fan of that early 90's era of music, Blushing will come as a welcome addition to your music rotation. In late April, the band will bring their energetic live act to SLC's QuartersDLC to support the new LP.

Perfection...

As each year comes to a close, I, like many other music nerds, compile a personal list of favorite releases. Each year, without fail, an artist drops something late in the year to shake up my sloppily curated list. This year that artist was Beach House with their "EP" Once Twice Melody. I say "EP" because the band initially said they planned for two separate four-song releases a few months apart, which treads more towards LP territory than EP. Shockingly, as I began to write this piece, I realized that another five songs were added this same day, pushing the EP to 13 songs and 62 minutes. Digging deeper, I found that the ultimate plan is for one more mid-February release to make the effort a shocking 18 songs in length. Beach House is a perennial favorite, but I will be honest and admit 2018's release, 7, didn’t land with me. Once Twice Melody, however, is a stellar return to form and an absolute force to be reckoned with in the Beach House Discography. If you have wandered away from Beach House post-Depression Cherry (or even before), Once Twice Melody is more than worth coming back into the fold.

ARKADE 16.2

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Ogden, U T

Ogden, Utah. I first moved to Ogden when I was 19 years old. The year of 2007. It was my first experience of Utah and one that I immediately became thankful for! Ogden has its reputation of being gritty, wild and loose. A place many Utah locals would consider a ghetto and a place to avoid. Which, it is far from and for those who continue to label it as so, I say thank you and stay away, cause we don’t need you or want you!

Ogden is unique. It is wild. It is beautiful. It is everything a town should be! I have never seen a town come together as I have seen with Ogden. Everyone here is for everyone. From art, to music, to snowboarding, to skateboarding, to local business, to every outdoor activity, this place loves its people and the people love one another. We all love each other, support each other, and want to see Ogden grow in a way that is true and authentic to itself. The scene here goes deep. I mean, shit, if you look at any snowboard video you are all almost guaranteed to see an Ogden spot in that video. The culture here is full of pure heart. Something that most towns are missing and will never experience. I get why people want to move here. We are all wanting something authentic to be a part of and that is exactly what Ogden provides. This place is my home, my heart, my life! And I will forever cherish the memories Ogden has given me and hope that those memories continue on to the next generation. With love. Thank you Ogden, for accepting me as one of your own! -

Tr i s t a n S a d l e r

ARKADE 16.2

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March 2022 - Vol. 16 | Issue 02

Articles inside

March 2022 - Vol. 16 | Issue 02