BWD Magazine - January 2014 by BWD Magazine

Worldwide Indie Music, Lifestyles, Entertainment Magazine

CANDY OLSEN

New Year’s Edition

January 2014

C&C POP-UP SHOP TO A&E’S “HIT” STORAGE WARS

LONERO Stunning Sounds Washing Over, All In It’s Path!

“Fantastic In The Forgotten,

to A&E’s Hit Show Storage Wars!”

JOSEPH PAULETICH

A DECADES WORTH OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

CRASH MIDNIGHT SURGE OF ROCK!

FEATURES 04 Candy Olsen C&C Pop-Up Shop – A&E’s Storage Wars

Double Trouble

DeWayne & TeWayne aka Double Trouble

10 Crash Midnight A Five-Strong Surge of Honest Rock

16 Mystery Cipher Home Grown Reputation to Keep An Eye On

18 LoNero Stunning Sounds Washing Over All In It’s Path

26 Macabre Cérémonie Leaving No Step Untrod or Mind Left Closed

COVER STORY 12 Joseph Pauletich Fantastic in the forgotten, A&E’s Storage Wars

LIFESTYLE 06 5 Tips to Musical Experimentation Drug-Free and Mind Altering

30 Offenda Unique Tag-Line Emblazoned T-Shirts

ENTERTAINMENT 31 BWD Radio (Sponsor) Your Top Indie Artist’s ‘Global’ 24/7 Non-Stop Music Radio Station - Commercial Free - #1 in Genre Variety, Live Shows and Contest Giveaways!!

32 BWD Records (Sponsor) The Independent Music Label of the South

2 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

FROM THE EDITOR

LAST ISSUE

Bridging the gap across all media platforms BWD Magazine is dedicated to turning the spotlight onto the figures and faces, names and in-the-knows hitting the headlines and filling the attentions of the entertainment world. From musicians to models, ground-breaking acts to artists and artisans, imagination is the only limit in BWD’s ambitions in bringing the audiences of the world to the names we feature. With over a decade’s worth of experience in the music industry and a crowd of millions worldwide spreading the word with each new release, BWD has established itself as the leader in its field.

Editor In Chief V Keach

BWD Magazine- ‘Leading Whilst Others Follow’

Associate Editor J Addams

Lead Contributing Writer J Addams

Contributing Writer V Keach

Art Director V Keach

Graphic Artist V Keach, BWD Graphics

Circulation/Sales Officer(s) V Keach/J Addams

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BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 3

“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THAT VAN!”

CANDY OLSEN K

My motto... “Ignorance is

Bliss” and just keep doing your thing!

nown for her effervescing visage

Attending the LA County High School For The

and coquettish guile on the hit

Arts, at 16 she was able to refine and define her

A&E show ‘Storage Wars’, Candy

twinkle-toed treading of the boards, becoming

Olsen is just as at home pirouet-

attached to a local ballet company and excelling

ting as she is presenting, with

at the art.

the Fairfax, Virginian citizen’s also an accomplished professional dancer.

One year later and a move to the Big Apple itself found the Fairfax femme in the notable Joffrey

Partner and co-owner alongside Courtney Wagner

Ballet School; not long after, and with a full schol-

of the C&C Pop-Up Shop – a unique endeavour

arship under her belt, Olsen became enrolled

that sees the pairing touring around the streets

within the Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre.

and auction houses of the States looking for

Again, education and excellence ensured Olsen

‘uncycled’ items of interest and object d’art to be

shone on the stage, and from here she joined the

sold from their ad-hoc Auction House within a

New Jersey Ballet.

striking banana yellow van – Candy has brought Contact Information: Websites: Cncpopupshop.com and etsy.com/shop/CnCpopupshop Facebook: /CnCpopupshop Instagram: CNCPOPUPSHOP Twitters: @cncpopupshop @Candyleacane @WaggleNYC - Courtney’s handle

more than simple space filling to the shows list

Another twelve months and suddenly fate came

of auctioneers, she brings insight.

knocking with an offer to perform in Hal Prince’s national tour of The Phantom Of The Opera –

Candy initially started her bid for stardom with

wherein she would also later appear in the Hal

a televisual credit list that began at age six;

Prince production of classic performance Evita.

alongside investing her talents into the channels of jazz, gymnastics, ballet and acting, it was

Calls to dance for Disney, the LA Opera, and the

through the world of dance Candy would see her

Hollywood Bowl; enumerate TV and film produc-

star start to rise.

tions, firmly marked her out as not just a damsel

of dance but also the doyen to Diavolo in the original production of The Dream Catcher.

Along the way, Candy also found time to graduate from Seattle’s United Stuntmen’s Association’s International Stunt School - making

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

her the worlds’ first ballet dancer who could make a bone breaking fall mid-two-step.

BWD: With a carousal for calm and opening of proceedings the floor is yours…

2002 opened up further opportunity to tempt the world of television to prostrate itself before the feet and toes of Candy Olsen as

Candy Olsen originally a Southern California girl but calls home

she became part of the Belgium show ‘A New Day’ and also ‘The

Brooklyn, NY is one half of the dynamic duo of C&C Pop-Up Shop

Celine Dion Show’; her natural effervescence leaping from the

on the reality TV show Storage Wars New York! The show is an

screen and lending the shows a level of grace and gravitas that

awesomely crafted formula. It’s got the thrill of the hunt, the fight

was impossible for the public to ignore.

and the score all wrapped up into one 22 min episode!

So it was more a case of when not if… Tinseltown came calling

It’s a reality show that follows 4-5 buying teams to different stor-

in the form of A&E; being part of their huge ratings winner show

age auctions in NYC, Brooklyn (Holla!), the Bronx, Queens, Staten

Storage Wars, which Candy Olsen became a world-known name

Island, Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey so far!

and household face. Four seasons in and as part of the show’s title itself, Candy’s sidle from the world of dance to dominating the

During the show you’re watching the buyers score big, bid other

glow-box in the living room is one that a small-town-girl made

teams up causing them to spend too much or go home, the exca-

good; wherein fortune may yet be still some way in the future,

vations and my favourite the appraisals. Ending the show is a sum-

but with long-time partner in crime and business Courtney Wagner

mary of how people’s egos lost them a lot of dough! Or how their

ensuring whatever time isn’t spent seeing her on TV means a

crafty, wily bidding got them the room of the year.

chance of catching her in the Brooklyn Night Bazaar or the Hester Street Fair with their C&C Pop-Up Shop and an ‘uncycled’ item or

Side bar.....Excavation, is a technical SWNY term...the first time

six, there’s little doubt the road to the pot of gold at the end of the

C&C heard excavation we were like what!!??

rainbow is looking to be a journey that’s Candy all the way. (Interview Continued - Page 14) BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 5

FIVE TIPS TO (DRUG-FREE) MIND ALTERING MUSICAL EXPERIMENTATION

LEARN THE RULES; THEN BREAK THEM!

If music really was the thing of love we at BWD Towers would be spending nearly every waking minute fending off calls from

chat show hosts offering bins full of cash to record the moment we get fork-lifted out of our homes through the massive hole in the wall that used to hide the shameful wallpaper inside our bedrooms and collection of My Little Pony dolls. So before we reveal our shameful secrets of too many late nights and eBay purchases under the influence of a fresh credit card and appalling decorating skills, let’s talk expanding our minds within musical composition. Such as telling you to…”

Whether Rap or Rock, Blues or Drum-n-Bass, chances are any artist worth a lick of spit knows their creative field fairly comprehensively; the verse goes here, the bridge goes there, so on and so forth. So mess things up and see what happens; who says

the chorus has to come after each and every verse? Why not throw it in right at the beginning, followed by the huge build-up lead normally kept for the bridge, before quietening things down to become more open and sparse? This simplest of swapping around of structure lends more gravitas to the lyrics when the vocals kick in, creates a consumptive mood of closeness and slight suspense; breaking back into the chorus will make it sound louder, more impassioned and full of emotional feeling and weight. Record each structure as you normally would, then cut-n-swap each individual chunk of sound about and see what happens. Even if you stick to the ‘tried and true’ rules you write by it’s still worth experimenting with the structure as this method of composition helps bring out and highlight any weak parts within the song you may have missed, and can polish up accordingly.

6 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

WRITE TWICE, RECORD ONCE

Breath You Take is perhaps the best example of what you can achieve sonically when taking two differing styles, sounds, and approaches to writing and seeing where the balance for the pair lies.

Where some musicians fall afoul is in keeping themselves too focused on the one

LIVE AND LEARN

track. Yes, commitment and enthusiasm for the composition is essential- more so when the muse is in da house. However, getting waylaid in a track that is simply too hard to

see a way through is only going to stall any progress and force you into either A; giving up, or B; producing something less than what

you wanted.

A running theme of these ‘5 Tips’ pages is our belief that you will only be able to improve if you expand; everywhere you turn- from train rides to check-ups- people are plugged into mp3 players and blissfully

If you work to the point where things start getting too ‘thick’ to

ignoring the world to a genre of their favouring. So go out and find

move on, start a new track. Try and focus on the new song and let

some! Apps abound on the Android and IOS that will let you experi-

the other one simmer gently on the back burner; you can come back

ence an infinite number of styles and sounds for nothing. Stream and

to it whenever you like, and a minute or two spent looking at the

search through a few at a time; settle on a channel and listen to a

composition of another track may lead to you seeing a way past

track or two to see what this ‘indie’ thing is all about (for example).

the interminable pause in the progression of the previous one. You could even…

Even if you don’t fancy the idea of bloating up your mobile, every single artist is online in some form or another, each genre repre-

PICK N’ MIX

sented a multiple number of times and ways and available for a free listen with an obligatory ‘Free Track’ either on their official website or online music store to introduce you to them.

Working on two tracks at once brings the added benefit of having two sources to pick

Taking into account how genres are usually listed under a handy

and choose the premium notes and scores

Category tab and you get a visual, as well as, aural awareness to the

of your toil from; maybe the verse in the

type of style being represented under the tab. All the information,

first doesn’t quite fit with the chorus of the

all for free, and all ready to teach you something new each time you

second, but what about that middle eight

click on the Random tab under Genre and without you even having

of the third track you didn’t think worked would fit in nicely here?

to get up off the toilet to answer the door to yet another chat show

Maybe if you put it in before the chorus, instead of after it, threw in

host stuffing dollar bills into your hands and motioning the forklift

the second bridge of the first song behind the outro of the third to

forward.

make a perfect segue into the flugelhorn section you were worried you’d have to leave out, and you can then bring in the synth underneath to really turn up the heat.

ONE AND ONE MAKE…ONE?

Again, with two songs in the mixing pot

there’s a chance to tell two different stories musically. If one is a hard-beat, fast running rhythm of intense shock and awesome whilst the other is a free-style explosion of Jazz, there could be some friction if mar-

rying the two together. However, with all things experimental, the results are only going to be as good as the commitment invested. Listen to the way two seemingly apposing sounds can work well when the optimum level of each is found. P. Diddy’s take on Every BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 7

DOUBLE TROUBLE S lash and Axl, Simon and Garfunkel, or – if you prefer –

came from music; how it affected and effected its audiences on so many

Biggie and Tupac; each a pairing of infamous genius

levels, how it stripped away the false and frippery to reveal truth, integrity,

made greater by the other, the product of such a combi-

respect and a connection with the world on a personal and emotionally

nation revealing some of the most legendary songs and

charged level.

music to ever cause crowds to go wild, fans to forge firm

allegiance to, and synonymous with being counted amongst some of the

A slew of local and school talent shows thoroughly commanded with

most talented and prolific artists ever to take over the charts and hearts of

effortless style, DeWayne and TeWayne quickly asserted their authority all

their audience.

over the scene and when the pair dropped their self-published release ‘Pop A Rubberband’ to an overwhelming audience response, Double Trouble

In the forms of twin brothers DeWayne and TeWayne aka the formidable

cemented their status as rising stars set to burst from the stage, up through

twofold fire-starters of song Double Trouble – we now see where the next

the charts and straight onto the coveted first position spot on your playlist.

legends of fan allegiance may well be.

Though it isn’t as if the duo are sitting back and waiting for the world to come knocking at their door, however…

Born Damian and Damon Griffin to a nine strong sibling lineage in Memphis, TN., the two seemed destined for something big even before the word ‘go’,

“We know that this is such a small step towards the many more we have to take

the apparent impatience of the pairing to push the musical landscape back

to reach the top,” they said when discussing their BWD Magazine feature win.

into new territories resulting in the twins being born prematurely on June

“We are very grateful and we know that y’all will enjoy the music that we put out.”

21st. Incorporating a mix of street/gangsta courtesy of TeWayne and DeWayne What is adversary if not an opportunity to achieve new levels of greatness?

bringing a more socially conscious lyrical led tone ‘Double Trouble’ has

With a strong musical vein running deep within the branches of their family

finally given the fans what they’ve been crying out for with the release of

tree they too began following in the footsteps of the singers and DJ’s already

their freshman mixtape, Double Trouble 2: The Movie, something we predict

part of the Griffin family, re-shaping them somewhat to fit the swagger and

will turn out to be more than an amazing album, but also the start of the

stride of those brimming with the confidence of those creating something

groups meteoric musical amelioration.

new; something big. Contact Information: Not that theirs was an instant acclaim to the hall of fame, however. Frustrated with the lack of engagement with their schooling and seeing nothing in the

Twitter: @DeWayne_TeWayne

backdrop of South Memphis to use as their canvas to draw inspiration upon,

Facebook: dewayne.tewayne

there was little in the way of positivity within their confines. Which, as if fate was alluding, left the duo finding their purpose within the electricity that

8 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

TeWayne and DeWayne BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 9

“LOST IN THE CITY.... FIRST SINGLE OFF THE ALBUM MADE FOR THE MONEY”

or those given to more than just a little supposition

ing three and a half thousand copies of their debut EP Fresh From Detox

about the future of music and its rock and/or roll cre-

stripped supplies bare when released. Unsurprisingly this brought the

dentials in danger of being recalled for re-evaluation

group to the industry’s attentions and in 2009, Chris Brown of Bronx Bridge

they’d probably concur to having More Than A Feeling the

Entertainment (Ingrooves/Fontana) stepped in and swooped up the band;

Boston (M.A.) band Crash Midnight should be put forth as

the deal was inked and done before the year was out.

evidence things are looking very bright indeed. As work on the band’s first full length album Lost In The City was being With an aura of street-born swagger and cut with hard edged living Crash

completed, the first single off the album, Made For The Money made its way

Midnight are individually named (and on occasion blamed) as Shaun Soho

out and onto the radio. Approval was instant as was the impact it made, Bo

(vocals), Bo (bass guitar), Alex Donaldson (lead and rhythm guitar), Todd

describing it as “…the perfect first song for people to hear from us, it really

Friedman (also guitars), and Jim Donaldson (drums), a five-strong surge

introduces them to our sound ... and you can dance to it.”

of honest rock written from the heart of an emotive explosion.

With 2014 being the year you’ll be asked what you were doing

With their attack-attain-advance

when Lost In The City was

approach ‘Crash Midnight’ have

released; the band decided to

lived the night-life experience

wet our appetites with the sin-

twenty-four-seven; a band of

gle release 151, a track about the

brothers in their Boston apart-

notorious high proof alcohol of

ment who made the scene come

the same name.

alive as the band launched off the stage and into a carousing

BWD Magazine stepped in and

set of partying hard, walking-

spoke with Crash Midnight about

the-walk, and having a damn fine

their new album; the experi-

scar to show for it.

ences that went into creating the bands epic set-list, the lessons learned from living so close to the edge,

Witnesses to Crash Midnight’s blaze across the States described a vintage

and whether it’s better to have loved and lost or to have simply taken out

rock sense of every venue becoming an arena; every song an anthem for the

some insurance and fudged a few facts.

audience to connect and recognize themselves within the words, and every chance to see the band perform another chance to be a part of something

With their album on schedule for an early 2014 release, you can follow/

so much bigger than words were intended to define.

stalk the band at one of their online sites and enjoy the video for the single chosen to support the release of the band’s track ‘151’ on their terrific -Tube

Taking the bottle by the neck and their music to the fans, a stagger-

10 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

of viewing You- channel.

CRASH MIDNIGHT

BWD: Starting at the beginning, hello and who are Crash Midnight?

Australia was super expensive to ship to but they kept ordering.

ALEX: We’d see like one order come in from a new country and then all of a We have Shaun Soho on vocals, Bo on the bass guitar, Alex Donaldson on

sudden, three more, and then ten more after that, like this little ground swell

lead guitar, Todd Friedman at rhythm guitar, and Jim Donaldson on drums.

going on in all of these countries and the same thing was happening in the US - Virginia Beach bought like over 100 albums in one month and we’d

BWD: Your biography shows you as a band who have ‘lived the song’, as it

never even played there!

were, tales of partying hard and playing harder throughout..?

SHAUN: All this got the record labels to start calling, but we had gotten ourselves locked into this situation where we couldn’t sign a deal without

SHAUN: Everything with this band came together out of where we were and

owing a ton of money to a previous producer and it was more than any of

the real stuff we all went through together as a band. When we started, we

the labels were willing to pay off at that time to get us so we were stuck.

were 5 guys all living in this small two bedroom apartment in Boston.

We had to pass on deals because these numbers wouldn’t work out and it

ALEX: We’d all pile into the living room and just drink and smoke and write

was really tough.

songs. That was where this whole album came from.

ALEX: It made things really difficult and strained for the band being stuck

SHAUN: The cool thing about these songs is they’re all very personal to us.

like that.

They all deal with a specific situation or experience we had together or with

SHAUN: I think the worst part about it was we self-produced ‘Fresh From

someone close to the band. I think that element of truth comes through to

Detox’ and that was what got the labels interested. The producer deal came

people in these songs and makes them interesting and gets people to con-

after that and we never even released the material that came out of it so we

nect with them.

were getting this record label attention from material that had nothing to

BO: We write about real issues and experiences that affect us and the audi-

do with that contract stuff, but there was nothing we could do except wait

ence responds to it.

out the contract and see if any labels were willing to pick us up while the

SHAUN: I think what set us apart from a lot of the bands in Boston, with a

contract was in effect.

few exceptions, was that this was our life - it wasn’t just something we did

ALEX: It didn’t happen.

in our spare time. We poured ourselves into this band, we’d be going out

SHAUN: The money was just way too much, so we ended up having to sit

every night to clubs or throwing our own parties in this scene and it’s not

through a whole year and a half until the contract expired and we could start

just something you can half-commit to you know? There were times when

shopping the band without that contract attached to us. It paid off though.

we couldn’t afford food, but we’d scrape enough together to go down to the

We got better as a band. When all we could do was practice and play shows

liquor store and pick up a bottle of 151 and throw a party anyway. Those

and keep trying to make the material the best it could be, that really let us

experiences are something that makes you stronger and something that ties

take some big steps forward in songwriting and later that year, we were

you together as a group.

signed to Fontana under the Universal Music Group which has now become “The InGrooves Music Group”.

BWD: Your debut EP ‘Fresh From Detox’ seemed to be just the shot in the arm the music industry was looking for, selling out all of the initial pressings..?

BWD: Clearly the songs honest and real approach to the subjects therein resonated within the minds of your fans?

BO: The music industry certainly does need a shot in the arm, hopefully it’s us.

SHAUN: All the songs on this album are really personal to us and I think that

SHAUN: We never expected that kind of overnight following that came when

comes through a lot when we’re performing them live as well. Songs like

we put that EP out there. Boston’s a different scene, a lot of college bands

“Diamond Boulevard” that are about all the adversity we dealt with in the

and indie groups. We were one of the only - I guess what you’d call “more

Boston music scene, on the road, and with music industry types and empty

classic” sounding bands - out there. All of a sudden, when we put the EP on

promises - every time we play that one, it reminds me of all we were up

sale online and saw people from all over the country, and kids all over the

against and what it took to get here.

world, buying the album and t-shirts and signed posters - it was amazing.

ALEX: The songs definitely take me back to where we were as we were

BO: We’d have to take several trips each week down to the post office with

writing them.

these duffel bags full of big white envelops that would have a t-shirt, CD, and

SHAUN: “Welcome To Boston” was written after a street fight we got into

signed 8x10 most of the time because these kids were buying everything we

down on Landsdowne in Kenmore Square on our way out to a club. Some

had available. We’d fill out all these crazy international customs shipping

preppy future-date-rapists dragging a drunk girl home and hassling us about

labels trying to figure out what to classify our merchandise as on the slips.

our long hair or whatever didn’t expect us to come back at them swinging. It

SHAUN: It really was all over the world. South America was a big one, so

turned into a total melee on the street until they finally ran.

were Europe (especially the UK and Germany) and Japan. We found out

(Interview Continued - Page 22)

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 11

rom the humble beginnings of a small second time around store in 1982 to a world famous store of limitless potential specializing in the finer of antiquities and intriguing items of consumer discretion, via the razor’s edge of previous vehicle ownership, Joseph Pauletich hasn’t just been there and bought the T-shirt; he

got it at an invaluable price and continues to see it pay him dividends on a daily basis through the skills, talent, and insight in finding the five spot in the flawed, the money in the mire. From his beginnings in the east village of Manhattan to the living room of every house in the world Joe started out refurbishing and re-homing fairly everyday accoutrements; lamps, furniture, and a smorgasbord of various fine art and unique collectables that passed o’er the door-mat. With two fellow partners lending their learned eye to the business, Joe’s schooling in antiquing and auctions was further bolstered by taking himself to the very heart of the market itself, his face appearing across Long Island and throughout the boroughs running stalls, shops, anything and practically anywhere that bought him even one single step closer to the possible untold fruits that lay in the hands of those wishing to pass them on. Being a native New Yorker, Joe grasped the nettle and applied himself to the heady task of storage reclamation and re-appropriation; though the possibilities may appear limitless with what the next purchase may have brought him, the reality of spending what could be a significant amount of money on what could turn out to be a duck in a dog suit meant Joe was only ever one bad buy away from seeing his financial security turn into a seemingly fiscal frivolity. Now, some twenty two years since his first wild leap into the unknown and unseen

JOE

PAULETICH Cover Story EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

innards of storage room acclimation, Joe stands beside a host of other experts

BWD: Known to the world as one of Storage Wars infamous

in the field of finding the fantastic in the forgotten, starring in the hit television

faces, who is Joseph Pauletich..?

series Storage Wars on the A&E network, the gatherer of the grandiose from within the garbage has seen his hard work and diligence pay off with his company SoHo

JoeP is an ambitious, logical, well-intentioned auction buyer,

Treasures now the name for those seeking that exclusive piece of designer furni-

dealer, trader who has learned business from the ground up

ture, elusive object d’art, or even ever classy chandelier.

making many mistakes early, and through out the course of time understanding it’s a growth process and that all entre-

With the simple understanding that when you are at an auction, you must buy;

preneurs continually have bumps in the road to learn from.

always, Joe Pauletich is proof of the old adage that you have to ‘…spend money

After studying intensely the inner workings of how proper

to make Monet’.

business is done and to maximize profit, presently JoeP tries to take a common sense approach, and use his gut feeling.

BWD Magazine managed to drag Joseph away from his preparations for the big auction sale on January 11th at Peachtree & Bennett in Atlanta, GA long enough

JoeP looks at life and business from all angles having experi-

to sit down and ask this leading learned legend just what started his fascination in

ences and accomplishments in many varied areas, including

the auction world; what interesting finds he has found in his hands, and whether

but not limited to the construction industry, real estate, auto-

a bird in the hand really is worth -a trip for- two in the bush.

mobile repair / sales, telemarketing, auction buying / selling, sales and retail management.

With his latest haul from his battle within the Storage Wars New York being offered at auction; Peachtree & Bennett in Atlanta, GA on January 11th, the master himself

JoeP is proud of the many advancements and progresses he

will be in attendance on January 10th for the exhibition.

has made through his life time, starting from humble beginnings and growing from small retail locations and flea markets to larger more prestigious locations, making legendary leaps in the profession he loves.

12 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

Photo © Caldwell Dowling

BWD: You first foray into the auction world began quite early on in

sale of items of value and other. Making phone calls and locating

your career…?

buyers came easy to me as well as loading, unloading, separating, pricing and selling household items because of past experiences.

JoeP had his first endeavour in business, in the early 1980s, begin-

These are the necessary skills along with energy that is needed to

ning with two more experienced partners, was a quick dash into

succeed in this industry.

the world of business and very exciting. We had the good fortune at that time to rent and operate a one thousand square foot loca-

BWD: Being so prolific in your endeavours to grow your experience

tion on 1st Avenue &10th Street in New York City, better known as

and name within the world of antiques and similar saw you working

the East Village. Long hours and working seven days a week fixing,

across the length and breadth of the borough..?

refinishing, buying, selling pre-owned items to the residents in the area.

Ideas are what always helped me grow, many times I think of my start in business and the lessons I learned back in the 1980s how

Lesson learned at that time is that you must use your own abilities

the basics are routine, and need be constantly and creatively ex-

to survive in business and pay the necessary expenditures and no

panded on. For instance, I know that the bottom line is earnings

one cares how hard you try. Entrepreneurs are paid for results, and

and business people need funding to feed the innovative mind. So

what is produced and marketed, not for hours clocked in.

from the moment I start a new venture I want to see cash flow im-

BWD: When was the first moment you felt the bite of the bidding bug and knew this was it? Early 1991 after over ten years of switching around and gathering diverse experiences starting from fixing and selling cars, then dealing in second hand goods in the East Village, three years telemarketing a wide array of products including art, being involved in a successful used car business; I bought and sold my first storage rooms. From the very first storage rooms I bought and sold, I realized I was a natural at buying, selling, handling different types of merchandise and my life up to that point was training for a lucrative career in storage auction buying. Identifying and summing up the entire storage room contents seemed natural from the start, as did locating and finalizing the

mediately. When Vivian and I developed and ran Vivian’s Treasures, we discovered what our patrons wanted. The more enjoyable to sell, and faster selling items are clean, better branded items, this explanation holds true in any area of business setting. We grew into selling good clean second hand, pre-owned items in Queens. Separating and merchandising antique and higher end items in flea markets in Manhattan on weekends to maximize profit and service both ends properly. Eventually, we concentrated and dealt exclusively with higher value items on a retail level, always keeping up with trends and listening and observing what clients want, what they buy fast, what they are searching for, and always encouraging a comfortable business relationship setting.

Interview Continued -Page 28

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 13

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - CONT’D

CANDY OLSEN

But it’s the fun part...digging, ripping boxes apart and figuring out how to

to keep our overhead low by popping up out of the van and at different

make back all that cash you just spent acquiring this stuff and most of the

hipster markets around the city. It also helps us stay creative about what we

time there’s a surprise, usually something nasty which can be hilarious or

are selling. We curate every sale, thinking about what people need and what

unusual $$$!!

neighbourhood we are going to. When we went to Brimfield Antiques Show, the largest antiques show on the east coast, we brought all our biggest and

I think the show is super fun and entertaining with a hopefully educational

oldest antiques knowing that that’s what people go there for and when we

element. Most of the time at least for me, I’ve only got an inkling about

just popped up at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar we brought two racks full of

what we’ve got on our hands and how much it’s worth.

our Fall/Winter funky bohemian vintage pieces and a few crates of records, collectibles and accessories. It’s all about your audience.

My expertise I’d say (wink) is more about having an eye for cool, vintage and unique items but admittedly bah! I’m still not sure exactly what everything

I love the pop up, it definitely goes with my gypsy nature. I’ve spent 15

is or it’s real worth. I’m learning every day and the show helps me do that.

years traveling around the world and this gives me the feeling of picking

We are forced to learn and listen because every penny counts. It’s been a

up and going that I crave. Although, packing the van is a lot more work

steep concentrated learning curve for us. The more we learn how to identify

than just a suitcase. That being said we are also looking into possibilities

what the items in the room are worth and what they can tell us about the

and opportunities for putting down a root...or two maybe putting a rack

value even better...like a nicely packed quality brown box dust or no dust

or booth permanently somewhere but keeping it small for now so we can

is money...a room that has a lot of dust, no opened boxes, and has been

still move about.

sitting awhile with no black trash bags that’s got C&C written all over it. When you can pick out high end furniture and equipment it usually means

The shop itself online, on the etsy site, and in person is a bit all over the

there’s more high-end to follow. However, you have to assess all that in

place in terms of content; we both have very eclectic taste, so you might

about 30-45 seconds. Uff! The pressure! :)

find a handmade 70’s curly lamb vest we acquired in the Bronx, a pristine 1950’s cocktail dress, an Argentinian hand tooled leather rocking chair, a

Needless to say Courtney and I have bought more than a few duds :) but

modge podge up cycled cigarette case and vintage men’s bowling shoes at

we are getting better!

the same sale or it could be all 40-80’s ladies glam cocktail and evening couture.

One of my favourite aspects of being on the show…besides digging through loads of boxes are the appraisals! We get to travel to locations we’ve never

One things for sure… we are in love with what we do, vintage in general

been to and meet incredibly interesting and passionate people who usually

and each of the treasures we find.

tell us we are about to make some cheddar!!!! BWD: We all know you as the fiendishly sharp eyed femme fatal of auctions About our biz... Courtney and I have known each other for years and offi-

and A&E’s Storage Wars, but to take you at face value would be selling you

cially started our C&C two years ago. The pop up shop was Courtney’s idea

somewhat short, wouldn’t you say..?

and I have to say she was sooo right. It’s brilliant! It has given us a chance 14 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

Ahhh...well I’m just an amateur with a lot of hootzpa!

C’mon it’s been a blast!!

I grew up performing, taking classes and being a ham. As a kid I appeared

Ballet still is and will forever be my first love. I still take class a few times a

in some commercials and on a few TV shows while growing up in LA. I

week along with yoga. I also take dance work when it comes up if we aren’t

looooove performing in any venue or genre but it became very clear to me,

filming full time.

when I was about 16, that what I really wanted was to be a professional ballet dancer. So right out of high school I moved to New York and started

I just did a workshop in November and December of ‘An American in Paris’

studying at The Joffrey Ballet. I then got a scholarship to Alvin Aileey and

a new Broadway musical based on the 1950’s Gershwin movie. A musical

I remember distinctly calling my dad and telling him I was never coming

directed by one of your own actually!!! The most amazing, talented and

home, this was it, I wanted to be a dancer. Soon after that I got into a small

lovely Christopher Wheeldon. He’s the director of the Royal Ballet. We’d

company, The New Jersey Ballet and it just kept going.

stopped filming for the season and most of our sales were in the evening so it was a good fit. :)) I love dance and can easily say I feel the same about

Since then I’ve travelled all over the world with different shows singing,

shopping and selling vintage.

acting, and dancing on pointe, in jazz shoes or heels. I realized in my early twenties the only way I was going to eat like a real person and make money

The show has been a cool way to do all of it; perform, wear and sell our cool

was if I diversified. Couldn’t believe my first theatre gig, everyone eating!!

finds and begin a new career based on something equally exciting to me.

Having brunch, drinking...I was like...what took me so long!! That being said

No doubt the moving out of dance and into something new has been scary,

it hasn’t been all shits and giggles. I’ve had super hard years where I’d go

dare I say terrifying at times. I have to remind myself that it takes a lot of

to several auditions a week and get cut, couldn’t get a gig to save my life.

practice and time to be good at something and we have only just begun.

I’ve delivered pizza, been a personal assistant, taught dance, gymnastics and trampoline classes, waited tables, served frozen yogurt, coffee, cocktails, and

C&C is still in its infancy as a biz and growing. We are hoping it will be our

even filed papers.

sole mode of income eventually enabling us to do more with our brand and go farther with our dreams and goals. I’m putting it all out there. I’m a big

There were a few times I considered quitting altogether. Rejection is hard

fan of that. Gotta throw it all out there and see what sticks. Always open to

and definitely not for everybody but after a few months I’d get the bug again

the new possibilities and adventures for me and C&C.

and come back even more determined! I’ve gotten to work with the best dancers and choreographers in the world. I

BWD: There’s even a credit in your biography relating to you being a master

usually tell people if you can think of anything else you’d like to do besides

of stunts..?

being a dancer, do that! It’s a hard life. You miss out on a lot of important friend and family events, and you can never rest. Being finished paying your

Ahhh...well I’m just an amateur with a lot of hootzpa!

dues doesn’t exist, but I’m grateful and don’t regret the decisions I’ve made. The light bulb went on during a very dry spell in NYC work wise and I was The short story of how I ended up on SWNY started when I did Spamalot, in

trying to figure out how I could hustle more work...I thought maybe if I

Las Vegas, and ended with getting reconnected with Courtney by a mutual

branched out!??? I’ve always done gymnastics and have done aerial work

friend of ours that I did that show with. He was our Sir Gallahad and my best

professionally so I thought I’d take a few classes just to see if I was any good

friend in the shows’ boyfriend.

at it and if I liked it.......and I did! Honestly, it was awesome!! I fell in love with Hap Ki Do and overnight I turned into a small time adrenaline junkie.

After getting reconnected with Courtney we started throwing around ideas

My favourite stunts are fighting, wire work, getting catapulted into the air by

for a vintage business and planting the seeds for C&C. Not long after, we

an air ram or wire and driving. It’s funny…I’ve found though that the moment

were approached to do a show based on our biz with a reality production

I switch my attention to something else I enjoy, my dance career usually

company in New York. That was awesome!

finds a new life and that’s exactly what happened. The moment I sent in my check for school, I got a phone call. Luckily, I still got to go to the school

Turned out that our director was friends with the director of Storage Wars

and right out of it I ended up in Twyla Tharp’s apt auditioning for my dream

so when they came to New York they called him up and asked if he knew

dance show and got it! 2 years of dancing and touring with Come Fly Away -

any women he could recommend for the show...thankfully he told him about

all the while working on the beginning of C&C on my layoffs and downtime.

us...and two weeks later we interviewed for the show. A month later we got

As soon as the tour ended, SWNY started.

the call and a month after that we started filming. I’d still love to work in the stunt world someday. Although, it’s even more I don’t think that’s usually how fast it goes! It was just right place…right

competitive and tight knit than the dance world but how ‘fun’ that would

time and I am so happy and grateful!!

be!!!!

(Interview Continued - Page 20)

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 15

MYSTERY CIPHER

ith a name that reveals little, yet alludes too much, the

Hoodie Muzik Group, a collective of artists holding major credits within the

artist known by the nomenclature of Mystery Cipher has

music industry.

already started building a reputation and career that’s the envy of many signed artists.

Now eighteen and an artist who has proven himself as his own name to know, collaborations with Offishall Time, Jag, Cassidy and Freck Billionaire

Breaking out of the Boston, MA area Cipher – aka the Hip Hop artist known

next to his own consistently impressive body of work – and with work

as Vinny – showed the sort of temerity and fortitude that would mark him

commencing on his 2014 project looking to build and grow his rock-solid

apart from his contemporaries and lesser artists when, at the age of 11, he

rep - BWD Magazine thought it time to track the artist down and ask him

began forging his musical masterpieces to the surprise and captivation of

to unveil some of the Mystery surrounding the Cipher, what makes him tick

others. All musicians consider the acceptance of their work having merit as

and why, and where the future lies for this adroit artisan of the airwaves.

the goal for their efforts, but it was made even more a feat of considerable accomplishment when his tracks and sounds were recorded using nothing more than the less-than-desirable built in microphone of his home pc. Whilst later he would find the opposite tools of the turntable-ing trade at his disposal, it was through his virtu-

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BWD: Hello, and if you would care to reveal some of the Mystery by introducing yourself..?

oso-like nous of DJ Dexterity, Cipher was able to grow a reputation of

Hello BWD and anyone who

formidable competence and creativ-

may be reading this, my name is

ity within the underground scene that

Vinny and I go by the stage name

left him unequalled on the scene.

“MysteryCipher”. I am an 18 year old upcoming Hip Hop/Rap art-

Having shown his mettle as being an

ist from Boston, MA. I started in

artist to keep an eye on, his talents

music around the age of 11-12

earned him enough of a home grown

and started battling online, but

reputation to push himself further

began my serious path in the

forward in pursuit of his musical

music industry at age 16. I’m

growth. When his twelfth year saw

blessed enough to have worked

him the proud owner of a much-

with artists such as Cassidy,

improved set of spitting-tools in the

Chubby Jag, Future, Offishall Time,

guise of a professional microphone,

Freck Billionaire, etc. I believe that

he quickly took himself off to the uncompromising and wholly exposed

hard work and dedication can make any dream possible and that is exactly

world of online world of beat-battles, wherein fools are never suffered

what I make every day consist of. I am beginning to also grow my core sup-

gladly and an audience is quick to voice its anonymous opinion regardless

portive base through social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud,

of the subjects age, experience, or potential harmful consequence.

Reverbnation, etc. Feel free to follow me on twitter @Mystery_Cipher. I reply to all my supporters! I’m trying to reach 25k followers by the mid of

Trouncing the competition across the board, Cipher soon showed himself

next year. I’m currently at 13k! Want to know what it’s like behind the music

as a genuine force to be reckoned with, the website LetsBeef.com becoming

mask? Well when I’m not focused on music, which is rarely ever, I am mostly

his own personal training ground to take on and decimate any challenger

working on school activities. Although I may be an upcoming artist I’m still

brave enough to step up the challenge of bettering the young artist.

focused on school and getting an education. I am a senior in high school and will hopefully be attending college next year. I’m also an athlete. I

As he began his fourteenth year on the planet, Cipher could count an

was the quarterback and captain for my high school football team this

unbeaten record at rap-battles and a single in the iTunes charts – the track

year. During football season I take a minor break from the recording side

entitled Flow – as part of his ever-enriching rap-resume. It was through his

of music, but I still have pages and even notebooks written and worked on

shrewd use of networking and the ever growing connections to be found

for all other aspects of my career. I am just starting on my next upcoming

on the internet that he soon became a part of the producer Blue Jones led

EP that I plan to release around mid-year 2014. When a set release date

Blue City Music Group, a pool of similarly talented musicians and producers.

is known you will see it first on BWDRadio.com! Now that some of the

From there his audience and recognition grew, and soon he began making

Mystery has been revealed let us carry on!

the sort of (sound-) waves that saw him being accepted into the seminal 16 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

BWD: You started your journey to the world’s music stage mic via a some-

always about getting the best of an opponent by trying to get them to slip

what unorthodox route..?

or catch them off guard and then exploit that moment to the fullest. Making music is so much different and I quickly began to learn that. Today most

That’s right! It all started for me at the age of 12, but even before that I can

people don’t care who has the hardest punch lines or craziest metaphors/

remember myself writing down rhymes throughout my child hood. I grew

wordplay. It’s mostly about being catchy and doing something that is going

up in love with rap battles, and that is where I began my career in music.

to quickly grab people’s attention. So I try to infuse both of those into my

Growing up, I would watch endless amounts of videos from every battle rap-

songs and verses. Whenever I’m writing a song I take my time with every

per I could. I literally began taking notes on their rhyme schemes and how

line to make sure it’s perfect. When I finish the song I play it back to myself

these legendary battle rappers would put together bars that would take

trying to answer this question, “Would an average listener replay this?” If I

hours for an average listener to even understand. My favourite battle rapper?

am satisfied and feel although it is perfect I will hold onto it, but if I have

I would have to go with Murda Mook. At age 12, I decided to try to make my

the slightest doubt in it then it’s back to square one. That is why I make sure

way into the rap battling community. I became a member of an online rap

my verses are something that may take a listener a few hours to understand

battling community called LetsBeef.com. I was on there for a few weeks and

fully. That is why most of the other artists/producers/supporters I talk with

believe I went something like 12-0 in the written battles section, and then

on a friendly basis call me Mr Monkey Bars; every line is over people’s heads

I decided to start making original music. Between ages 12-15, I would just

and that is exactly what I want. I want a listener to be able to replay a song

practice on music whenever and however I could. At age 16, I decided I would

and find a new meaning in it every time. That is what inspires me as an artist.

become serious with music and since then I’ve been working like there’s no tomorrow. I remember when I first made my debut EP “Well Connected”. My

BWD: You’ve worked with such artists as Cassidy and Freck Billionaire; how

style wasn’t fully developed and I had room for a lot of improvement, but I

did these meetings of minds come about?

wanted to throw something out there just to see how people would react. On that day alone I received over 400 downloads. I was amazed and honoured,

I’m absolutely honoured and grateful to have worked with these artists that

but with this upcoming EP, I feel like I’m at a much better advantage now

I looked up to and continue to be influenced by them today. I worked with

and hopefully plan to have a bigger success.

Cassidy and his artist Chubby Jag on “Dumb Out”. As previously mentioned, Cassidy is my all-time favourite punch lines artist, and although he may

BWD: Clearly your talent behind the mic is on a par with almost any name

not be getting the mainstream love he used to have he is still a top dog

one can call to mind; where does this ability come from?

performer. On the other hand I have been a fan of Freck Billionaire ever since I heard his mixtape “The Rich Yung Report”. I worked with Freck on an

My lyricism is something I take great pride in. Most people today are more

unreleased song that will be on my next project. This man is by far one of the

focused on how the beat sounds and how catchy the song is, but growing

most underrated, illest bar for bar artists in the music industry. I still at times

up I was always fascinated by artists who could paint a picture with their

find it hard to believe that I worked with these artists; I grew up inspired

wordplay and lyricism. As more of a lyricist, I grew up listening to artists

by. Both of these collaborations came about through twitter, and I still keep

such as: Big L, Eminem, Fabolous, Freck Billionaire, Pac, Biggie, King Los,

in touch with both of these amazingly talented artists. I hope to work some

and my favourite punch line artist of all time: Cassidy. These lyricists basi-

more with these artists coming in the near future!

cally inspired me to be able to put together words in a way that can allow people to listen to a single song 10-20 different times and still uncover new wordplay, punch lines, and metaphors every time. When I was battling it was

(Interview Continued - Page 25) BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 17

n 2007, there was nothing outwardly visible to suggest

endless solo-spots, and the take-turn approach one assumes when the word

the music industry were having anything other than a fine

instrumental is mentioned; written as if preparing the pathway for vocals

old time aboard their dominating cruise liners of creative

LoNero have demonstrated their passion for the experience of music as well

control and chart strangling releases; as the buying public

as its performance within the fourteen tracks on their debut release, captur-

went about their business chivvying about on flotillas of folding stuff, con-

ing the emotional connection that draws the listener in, stands them at the

suming the approved and pre-packed product of the homogenized familiarly

very fore of the prow and encourages them to spread their ears and arms

safe sounds of four chords and a face you can shove on a t-shirt, one group

wide while feeling the exhilaration of the moment in music.

decided to heft a mighty slab of artistically-hewn rock into the commercial calm waters of Cowell and Co. Wave watchers and enthusiasts of ear-pleasing noise would have noted a rippling sent out across the seas of the music industry; the detri-

With Grammy Award winning producer and engineer, to such names as diverse and distinct in style as Metallica, Rancid and Joe Satriani, Mr Michael Ronsen steering the good ship LoNero; 2011 saw the band return to port within their own recording studio, emerging with the release J.F.L.

tus of flotsam and jetsam known as the standard by which all bands and

With a view to refining known shores rather than ripping the land apart

musicians were being judged was buoyed and barged about by a subtle yet

J.F.L. introduces the bands broader sense of musical command and explora-

significant wave of powerfully charged force that was promising to defy

tion; lengthening our collective lexicon with the definition Punkstramental

all Canute-like calls for calm

-- J.F.L. affords audi-

and order.

ences and fans a way

They saw the mighty tsu-

to appreciate a bands

nami of sound and named it

acknowledgement

Relentless, the debut album born

earlier musical pioneers

from the band known as LoNero,

such as The Ramones

and rode high astride surfboards

and Social Distortion

of stunning sounds washing

in a much richer and

over all in its path and threaten-

rewarding

ing to drown any foolish enough

ever before, as realized

to take the surge of sensational

on standout tracks like

seas lightly.

Good Luck and Fat Tat.

way than

With a passion imbued by

With plans under-

a clutch of musicians who feel

way that will see the

melody and song are the most

band washing up on the

important aspect of the music regardless of whether it’s instrumental rock

shores of many a live venue around the world, and sponsorship from the

or otherwise, Guitarcore is the name by which LoNero lay before the sheer

mighty Seymour Duncan, Rebel Straps, EMG, Peavey and plenty more besides,

deluge of aural undulation breaking over the forebrain in a deluge of a

BWD Magazine threw out the anchors on the bands unstoppable surging on

downpour.

the high seas of sound to sit at the Captain’s table and talk music, melody,

With a structure that sees the music take an active role in its consumption LoNero have captured the soul of the song within the music, eschewing 18 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

and Magnum’s.

LoNero

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BWD: Before we got too far let us say ‘Ahoy!’ and ask, who are LoNero?

and Jimmy Herring; just to name a few. These are players that are melodic

Thank you for this opportunity. Well the short answer would be that LoNero

and put the song first. They understand that on the other end of that song

is four musicians that play music that we love. The long answer would be

is a listener.

that we are Bill Lonero (guitars), James Manaili (guitars), Mike McKaigg (bass) and Marco Bicca (drums). Four musicians that play music we love because

BWD: Taking a moment to turn to the charts, it’s difficult to see another

the music that is popular on the radio now sucks so badly and we are doing

band anywhere on the musical map delivering such a dynamic and gratify-

what we can to prove that good music is still out there.

ing sound..? Thank you! I think today’s music is being steered not by creativity but unfor-

BWD: When you say instrumental most people think of a four minute mon-

tunately, by instant gratification and self-satisfaction. Everyone wants to be

tage focusing on a single musician’s ability to throw a flurry of slurry and

famous more so than ever and they conform to what is being played on the

notes into the air; but your first album Relentless showed the world how it

radio or on all of these crappy shows.

was done, as it were..? Thank you! One thing that I’ve always noticed is that instrumental for the

Music should be about creating something unique but it seems like today it

most part is long winded and really created for the player and not for the

is just an assembly line of auto tuned, no-talents that really have no busi-

listener. Most instrumental rock is devoid of melody and choruses. It’s all

ness putting out music.

about the guitar player and how fast they can play. I like to equate it to a rhinoceros pounding away at a typewriter for 5 minutes. Sure there are a lot

What happens is the music charts, radio, TV, etc., are being filled with subpar

of letters on the page but they don’t say anything. Also, most guitar players

music being created by non-musicians on their computers that have never

are very competitive. I don’t care about any of that. I just want to play music

played live, never interacted with an audience, never toured, and never actu-

that I enjoy and I think others will as well.

ally experienced what they write about. Just because you can line up some beats in a computer doesn’t make you a musician. Just because you can buy

LoNero isn’t about speed or competition. We’re about the song and the

a microphone doesn’t make you a singer. No more so than just because I can

melody. It’s about rhythm and groove. Just because we don’t have a vocalist

take a picture with my phone makes me a photographer. I think everyone

doesn’t mean the guitar shouldn’t sing. In fact, it’s even more imperative that

wants their 15 minutes of fame and the internet provides that.

the guitar has its own voice. It would be very easy for someone to dismiss us as just another instrumental band, if they haven’t heard us, but they would

YouTube has made so many people famous when 20 years ago no one would

be ignorant to do so. There is no one person in this band that is any more

have ever heard of them. There are throngs of guitar players sitting in their

important than the other. Everyone plays a role and they bring their own

bedrooms with no experience whatsoever playing with other people yet

unique style and talent to LoNero.

they have two million YouTube views because they can play faster than the next guy. Meanwhile, some musicians that are amazing are playing their

This is not a “me” band. It is an “us” band. I get very bored when I listen to

hearts out in some bar in Indiana and no one knows who they are and

most instrumental guitar players. Not because their playing bores me but

they’re lucky if they can even get 5 views.

because their songs do. Usually they just solo over a stock rhythm for 5 minutes. That’s not a song. That’s an exercise. Some of the guitar players that I love listening to though are Angus Young, Steve Vai, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani

(Interview Continued - Page 24)

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 19

CANDY OLSEN Exclusive Interview Continued

BWD: Alongside Courtney Wagner you’ve taken the bull firmly by the horns

was setting in...

and out of the china shop and onto the open road with the C&C Pop-Up Shop and your uniquely title range of ‘uncycled’ items..?

We thought about driving around the hood dropping a bag at every corner but besides the gridlocked traffic, and a shooting a block away, it was illegal.

First, let me say that we would be literally nowhere without the banana

That got us thinking if we could find a huge trash bin somewhere under-

van. It’s probably the single most amazing decision we made since the

cover...we could just unload the whole thing....maybe?

beginning. I don’t want to jinx it....knocking on wood right now... But it’s the

So we drove to a super quiet area in Brooklyn that’s mostly industrial and

most reliable trust worthy van in the world! I’m not sure how we would’ve

started searching for a trash bin that had no cameras nearby knowing we

managed without it…. and the colour!!!!!! C’mon!!!

could get arrested if we got caught. After an hour and a half we found one!!! However, it was still light outside so we conveniently found this charming

Love love love that van...ah ok :) Movin’ on...

wine bar not too far away threw back a few glasses of wine and waited ‘til it got dark. A bit tipsy....err, uh totally sober we went back and quickly

I feel like I hit the jackpot getting reconnected with Courtney. It’s still crazy

unloaded the van...We laughed so hard that whole afternoon and night

to me how well we complement each other not to mention how often we

from nerves, exhaustion and the absurdity of it... It was crazy!!! I’m not sure

think the same things, show up wearing matching outfits; without talking

either one of us were prepared for the level of work and figuring out that

about it, and finish each other’s sentences. Although, I guess that happens

high volume buying brought. No one warned us of the pitfalls of buying a

when you spend more time with someone than you do your hubby. I’m not

big room or what black trash bags meant or how to recycle and filter your

sure Courtney’s husband knew how far our business and the show would

finds. Now, I’d say we can look at a room and calculate how many van loads

insert itself into his life...sorry Joe :) He’s been amazing though, one could

it will take, if it will fit in our own storage rooms, and how quickly we can

say at times… our saviour! Couldn’t have managed most of our crazy huge

off load the items that aren’t vintage but have good value.

and over stuffed new storage rooms without him. After every sale, Courtney and I usually go to a favourite bar and count our Courtney and I butt heads every now and then and since we both abhor

money. This one night, of many, at a cool place in Park Slope called Lucy’s

confrontation, which can be sticky, but we always manage to see the other

we sat down; intending to have a sober night. One drink, a few bowls of

side and come out with new ideas and tons more laughs. Can’t imagine

their delicious popcorn, and home bound we’d be. Well a few shots each,

having this crazy adventure with anyone else.

compliments of the bartender, 4-5 old fashions, and Courtney was doing backward somersaults on the floor of the bar demonstrating the new Lady

Gawd!! We’ve had some pretty hilarious moments since we’ve been on this

Gaga video choreography!! We have a lot of fun together and Courtney is

crazy path, there’s a few that stand out for me. One of our first rooms we

a riot to go out on the town with; no doubt, we’ve had many of those after

got on the show was up in Harlem, the one where we got that gorgeous fur

long days of auctions and boxes.

coat! Well, when we first looked at it... it seemed doable in terms of sorting it, loading it into the van and cleaning it out...and then we started excavat-

Once we had to evacuate a pop sale at an outdoor market after only being

ing with two friends and the stuff just seemed to multiply for every black

open for 2 hours. It was such a bummer! Due to 35 mile an hour winds and

trash bag we removed there were three more underneath... Well we took

a large runaway steel wall from the luxury condo building’s roof right across

three huge over loaded double decker carts downstairs to the street...the

the street, threatening to be ripped off the top and decapitating all of us,

facility was closing, we had to get out. When we looked at the back of the

they cancelled the market and sent us home. We took our time packing up,

van we just knew there was no way in hell we’d get it all in so.... After 20

bought two bottles of wine, and sat in the van the rest of the day; laughing

minutes of pure panic we announced to everyone on the street that there

and talking about our crazy day, what we’d do differently, polishing off both

was a cart of stuff they could take for free and within another 20 it was all

bottles, and taking taxis home.

gone!!!! However, we still had another two carts and to be totally honest, it was all trash (stuff that was broken beyond repair, non-donate-able) so we

BWD: Are you surprised at how the world has taken ‘Candy Olsen from

stuffed it all in the back. Our two friends took a few bags with them and

Storage Wars’ to their hearts?

with a few in the front seat we got it all. Then it was WTF are we going to do with all this shit!?? Where are we going to take it!?? We called and

I admit I was nervous last year when the show aired I thought for sure

texted the show, and the other buyers; asking where they take their stuff

people who didn’t like the show would come up to me on the street and

and no one wrote back... Ugh...WTF!!?? The donation centres were closed.

tell me about it so I braced myself every morning for a week or so but it

There was no trash place or dump nearby on our Google searches....panic

never happened.

20 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

Only the ones who like the show have made the effort to say so and I love

Dickinson or the fake fur and dance?

it :) Don’t get me wrong, I know there’s plenty of bad stuff out there, we’ve seen some of it. You gotta take the good with the bad though and if you’re

Haha. That’s easy! I love this question and it’s by far the easiest one for me to

into reading the good reviews well then you gotta read the bad ones too. My

answer. I’d choose The Real Deal with Dickinson!! Of course! I’ve travelled a

motto “ignorance is bliss” :) and just keep doing your thing.

lot but haven’t had the opportunity to spend time in the UK and I’ve always wanted to go. Any reason to jump across the pond (not sure if that’s the cor-

When we are filming, I’m having the time of my life but there’s always those

rect saying) I would take it and with the chance to host a show about one of

moments when I think uh oh what if I’m just a big asshole and everyone

my absolutely favourite things to do… Meow! I mean YES!!!

will now finally see that...haha! Most of our fellow neighbours in Brooklyn are too cool to stop us. Most hipsters and our friends don’t have cable so it’s

BWD: And finally; what can you tell us about your up-coming plans for 2014,

been fairly easy and quiet while at home in BK. When we are in the city and

and do they involve a banana yellow van?

traveling we get recognized more. I think it’s fun. You know it’s always nice to get stopped by people who love the show and watch. I hope we bring some

With the Banana van as our steady companion, 2014 is already showing it-

silly Hijinks and fun to what is a predominantly male, highly competitive

self to be extremely mysterious. We are hoping it’s full of opportunity....any-

world and make people chuckle. We are serious about our business and what

thing is possible! Courtney and I have been brain storming and making lots

we do but we are equally serious about having fun!

of lists...for the upcoming year.

BWD: Penultimate question time! In the UK there is a show called Dickin-

Besides the obvious wish that we get another season of SWNY, we are craft-

son’s Real Deal. Essentially a team based game-show affair hosted by the

ing some pitches for possible C&C spin off shows and working on a few

king of leather skin Mr David Dickinson. Two teams of two amateur antique

ideas for books that we have. Courtney and I both have the travel bug and

enthusiast are given a pocketful of cash and a car-boot sale and pitted

would love to incorporate some pop up sales around the country along with

against one another to find and buy the most-choice pieces of sellable col-

some auctions and junking, road trip!! We’ve even discussed doing one in

lectables within a certain amount of time. Afterwards they attempt to sell

London. There’s a group of friends of ours that are going over to do an art

their bought wares at an auction, with the winning team being those whose

residency and we’re hoping to possibly piggy back with them.

items they bought sold for the most. As part of the show they have guest auctioneers helping and advising on the contestants purchases. Having caught

More immediately C&C is steadfastly dedicated to decreasing the mountain

an episode or three you’re naturally delighted when the BBC call up asking

of vintage awesome we’ve acquired on the show. After buying over 35 rooms

you to appear on one of their upcoming shows.

we’ve got 3 of our own now filled to bursting. It’s a serious mountain! You could say we are drowning in an abundance of storage vintage. So we are

As a chance to cross the seas and potentially bring the Pop-up Shop and

determined to sell, up cycle and find homes for these treasures. Winter is

C&C to new shores you leap at the chance. Later, when leafing through the

hard because most of our pop ups are outside...so we have to get a bit more

contract, you discover the gig isn’t to appear as a guest auctioneer but to

crafty and find some more unusual avenues to sell and pop up, as well as,

actually host the show itself. – on the proviso that you pronounce the ‘au-‘ at

work on our social media and stock up our online store.

the beginning of the word ‘auction’ like ‘Oc-‘ as in the word October, retaining the bizarre manner in which it has become fashionable to speak. On the

At the end of the day though I think what’s most important is continuing to

other hand, you have a written note to call the Paris Ballet back about a

find the fun and loving what we do. I know that sounds simple but to me

contract regarding your appearance in their three year world tour of Andrew

there’s no other way.

Lloyd Webber’s Cats. So, Candy Olsen, which would it be; the Real Deal with

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 21

We tossed our empty bottle of JD after them and then headed into the club

stayed away from that “copy and paste” stuff that goes on with a lot of

laughing at my ripped shirt and the look on their faces. It ended up being

modern production these days where a band might sing a chorus once or

a pretty great night.

play a riff once and then copy and paste it into the rest of the sections of

BO: I don’t recall much of that night. I think we went to Landsdowne after

that song.

that. Or did Shaun just say that? I remember instantly regretting throwing

ALEX: That sort of production can really take the personality out of a song.

the bottle.

SHAUN: We wanted to try to get the energy of our live performances to

SHAUN: I think people are really good at telling the difference between

come through in this recording so it was important for us to record each

pandering and something that’s genuine. They’ve got a pretty decent

riff on the fly and each vocal line to give it a different feel every time you

“bullshit meter.” I’ve always leaned more toward songs that told a story

hear it in the song. I think that gives a song much more character and can

or were a glimpse at something personal to the artist. As a songwriter, I

let you pick out something cool each time you listen that you might not

like finding out where other band’s songs came from. That’s always really

have caught on the first few times. Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Stones, they

interested me and I guess because of that, it’s just naturally the way I’ve

all did a lot of that and I feel like it gives their material a much longer

tended to write.

shelf life. I’m always catching some little line or flourish on their songs

ALEX: Audiences seem to connect a lot more with that style of writing too.

that even after all these years keeps it fresh for me.

There’s more depth.

BO: There’s a thin line between being professional and boring as well as

SHAUN: Almost every song on “Lost In The City” came from a specific situ-

the difference between being “rock n’ roll” and just being a mess. Most of

ation or story that came from our early tours and our lives during those

our live shows are about exploring how well we can ride that line, feeding

first few years crammed into that two bedroom apartment. We woke up

off of the audience’s energy but also playing our music as well as possible.

one morning to a bathroom covered in broken glass from the bathroom

SHAUN: I don’t think you set out to live some wild partying lifestyle. That’s

mirror, a couple bloody footprints and a condom on the shower floor. That

not at the core of what this band is about. We wanted to write honest,

setting became the opening lyrics, “Broken glass n’ Latex lying in the

street-level, rock n’ roll and immersed ourselves in the scene and our rela-

shower stall n’ it ain’t fooling anybody, sliding down my hall...” of our song

tionships with the people involved with that. These are the songs that

“Goin’ Down The Drain”.

came out of sleeping in your clothes for days on end and playing shows to no one and then playing shows in front of thousands of people.

BWD: Your music speaks volumes about the level of professionalism and

ALEX: It’s about riding in limos to play the opening of a new club or like

integrity the band has for the songs you create, despite their themes allud-

the Boston Music Awards and not having had a hot meal that day.

ing otherwise...?

SHAUN: It’s chaotic and total paradox but that’s what it was like. We’d have girls and all these high-rolling guys all wanting to party with us and we’re

SHAUN: We put a lot of work into this band and the songs, the different

over there just trying to figure out why.

arrangement and sections and structure. Even in the recordings, we really BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 22

CRASH MIDNIGHT BO: Because they don’t have anything fun to talk about that’s why. What

during their games this season and getting the opportunity to stand on

are they gonna say, “Hey baby, do you have any idea how well the algo-

that field and do the anthem for the team I grew up watching was a big

rithm that controls the stocks I deal with did today?”

honor. Then a few days afterwards, I was asked to perform the anthem at Boston College for their Men’s Basketball ACC home-opener. That was

BWD: As the future of music becomes more digital and connected how

really cool too and they’ve been playing “Welcome To Boston” at their

do you see, bands such as yourselves, capitalizing on the prospects of

games as well. It’s just great to see so much home town support.

being instantly there in front of your fans eyes as well as in their ears?

BO: We have a lot going in the New Year. Promo for the new album starts

SHAUN: When the online stuff started with the social sites, it was a great

right after the holidays and a nation-wide radio campaign for “151” – our

opportunity to get our music out to fans that we’d never been able to

debut radio single – starts this winter.

reach or play to before. That’s how we started selling albums worldwide

ALEX: We’ll be touring this spring too. That’s probably what I’m the most

so it’s really incredible how much social media changed the game.

excited about. We should be announcing those dates very quickly in the

BO: A lot of people who would never have had a chance to hear our

New Year as well.

music due to logistics are now our biggest fans. It’s amazing how connected everyone is nowadays. SHAUN: It’s also sort of clouded the musical landscape with so many

Contact Information:

bands - and some of them are incredible - but it’s just a lot more for the average listener to wade through. As radio becomes more closed and

Website: www.CrashMidnight.com

commercial and online music becomes such a daunting mass of bands,

Twitter: @CrashMidnight

it’s simultaneously easier and more difficult for fans to find the kind of

Facebook: CrashMidnight

music they’re looking for.

BO: It provides us great opportunities to get out into places we’ve never been before and being embraced like we were playing our home town. ALEX: I think the great thing about our sound is it really does stand out from a lot of what’s on the radio right now. We worked hard to get something that sounds modern and classic at the same time. SHAUN: I hear all the time how much people think the stuff on the radio sucks or something like that, but then also how they don’t have time to try to find new music online. I think people are getting a little frustrated without having the sort of “clearing house” that radio and MTV provided back in the day for new music. At the same time though, we’ve always seen incredible support on our social media. I think our Twitter account is closing in on 200,000 Followers after only about a year or so, which is just crazy to me how quickly word spreads and how much people seem to be connecting to what we’re doing. BWD: And finally; with a new album to be dropped in 2014 (Lost In The City) and the single 151 doing great guys, what can we expect to see from Crash Midnight next..? SHAUN: I just finished up performing the National Anthem at Gillette Stadium for The New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns game December 8th, which was an amazing experience. The Patriots have been big supporters of ours, playing our song “Welcome To Boston”

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 23

LONERO

Exclusive Interview Continued Sometimes I think if AC/DC, Led Zeppelin or The Beatles came out today

BWD: Penultimate question time! It’s been announced that big ship builders

would anyone even care? Honestly, I don’t think they would and the really

Luxury Ocean Liner’s – L.O.L.- are launching their latest and greatest vessel

sad part is that the next Led Zeppelin or AC/DC or even The Beatles ARE out

ever to defy physics and not sink when dropped into the seas, the massive

there but they are being smothered by the crap that seems to keep floating

sea-moving monolith, the Biggen Proud.

to the top. The record companies today cater to the lowest common denominator. They know they can put out some fame hungry men or women who

Mixing incredibly rich interiors with impressively large cabins it’s of little

will do anything to become famous because they buy into what the media

surprise when the band are invited to partake in the ships maiden voyage

sells them. They then sell that to the general public that eats it up because

as guests on their way from America to the Cavern Club of Beatles fame in

it’s throwaway music that when they listen to it, they don’t have to think for

their stomping ground of Liverpool.

themselves. They are spoon fed and told what’s good by the media because it’s the easy way. The future of music is not going to be led by record labels

Upon entering the bands palatial cabin you see a Magnum of champagne

though. It’s going to be directed by true music fans that are sick and tired

waiting on the table and before witnesses can see enough to determine

of the same crap shoved down their throats and want more substance in

their evidence as credible, the bottle is empty and the band are replete.

their music; not just an empty shell wrapped in a pretty package ready for mass consumption.

Looking for the bathroom, a knocking on the door reveals the Captain welcoming the group and asking if they got the memo about them taking the

BWD: Do you feel the groundswell you built up with Relentless’ impactful

lead in the tradition of launching a ship by way of wrecking a perfectly good

approach was easy to maintain when writing your follow up album J.F.L.’s…

bottle of bubbly over its big-end.

given its Punkstramental approach? We take each album one by one. We don’t look at it as “this album has to

With a bathroom still nowhere to be found and the Captain off to await

be better than the last one”. We look at it as each album has to stand on its

the group on the brow of the ship it would be a moment’s work to resolve

own as if the previous album didn’t even exist.

both the need for the bathroom and the empty Magnum bottle, the band conscious of their only guide in this possibly tricky PR nightmare.

Each of our albums has their own identity. The new album “The Defiant Machine” will be decidedly different from “Relentless” and “J.F.L.”. We aren’t

Inebriated but indebted, the question must be; what do LoNero do? ‘Fess up

really interested in putting out what we’ve already done. Where’s the fun

or fill up? To not sinking Midway….

in that? So for us it’s all about the music and providing the listener with

I think we would take the bottle, fill it with toilet water (thereby killing two

something unique each time we release an album. I like diversity. I listen

birds with one stone) and then heading to the brow of the ship to smash it

to everything from Metallica to Elvis Presley to Waylon Jennings to Frank

before anyone notices the champagne has been replaced.

Sinatra to Megadeth to Joe Satriani, etc. I don’t eat the same meal every day and I don’t listen to the same style of music every day. As a musician I want

BWD: And finally; what can we look forward to from the band next? When

to push myself. I want to experiment with other styles. Whether or not I am

can we expect to see LoNero casting off on tour and conquering foreign

successful at that isn’t up to me to decide. It’s up to the listener.

lands? Well right now we are working on the aforementioned album “The Defiant

BWD: Is there one track overall you feel we can point to when asked to

Machine”. It will definitely be different than what fans have heard from

demonstrate LoNero the band, as well as, LoNero the musicians to someone

us before. It will be heavier yet still melodic. We would LOVE to play any

who has yet to dip their toes in the water?

foreign lands that would have us if we can get it organized. Audiences

Well that’s really hard to say. We’ve done everything from rock to Latin

in Europe, Asia, South America, etc. absolutely LOVE our music and their

to classical to metal to blues to Hawaiian. Yes, we are mainly a hard rock

devotion to the band is unreal! We get emails from fans all over the world

instrumental band but we love to experiment musically. Our song “Loose”

asking us to play in their country. I wish we could just pack up and do it but

from “Relentless” has definitely been the one song that has had the most

logistically so much is involved that sometimes it’s just hard. However, we

success. It’s been licensed the most for TV shows and such. However, the new

definitely will do it anytime we can.

CD we are working on has a couple of songs that I really think showcase our

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musicianship. If someone were to go to iTunes and randomly pick a song or

Website: www.LoNero.net

two I think they would be pleasantly surprised to hear that they don’t sound

Twitter: @LoNero

like each other yet they still retain “our” sound.

24 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

MYSTERY CIPHER Exclusive Interview Continued

BWD: Your output shows a high level of professionalism and musical crafts-

Knowing nobody else would have heard the contents of the mp3 player at

manship, but has there ever been any incident where this has been tested?

the studio it would be simplicity itself to pass them off as your own creations, no-one any the wiser and yourself an entire albums worth of new material

I always feel like I am going through tests musically whenever I listen to

ready to be released, sold, and made legend by the music press.

other artists and how they approach their music. I’m a big competitor so whenever I’m listening to these other upcoming artists, who are as hungry as

Duplicitous, maybe, but the quandary still stands; and with the doors of the

myself, and I hear them snapping on records in their rhymes; I just start writ-

offices fastly approaching, you need to decide whether to stand by your own

ing. It’s a little bit of motivation and competitive instinct. I’ve been playing

single track and work even harder to match the tunes you were lucky enough

sports my whole life and just like when you are always competing in sports,

to unearth, or submit the music as your own and get on the ‘phone to your

I feel like it’s the same within the music industry. Just because your friend

lawyer smartish to stamp your official ownership over them?

is on another team (or in this case another artist) doesn’t mean you take it easy. As a competitor you still want to go out there with everything and win.

As an artist and lyricist I feel like taking that iPod would do nothing but have

That is how I look at it. As for song subjects, I would never put myself in an

the opportunity to hurt my career in the long run. I would stick by my single

uncomfortable situation. I choose what works for me. If I don’t feel a certain

and work harder to make sure the work is all mine and original. I want to be

subject that someone wanted me to speak or rhyme about then I wouldn’t do

able to look back and be able to say that I’ve worked hard for everything I

it. I feel like if you’re just trying to force yourself to write music on a certain

earned in this music industry. I don’t want the shortcuts. I mean yea it may

subject you’re not comfortable with, it will not come out with the quality and

be nice, but what’s good standing at the top when you yourself even realize

heart you were looking for in the first place. One funny moment was actu-

you should not be there. I believe hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t

ally when I was working with this producer on a song, and he wanted it to

work hard, and that is why I work non-stop trying to reach my goal in this

have a specific sound that I was not accustomed or used too. Anyways, I tried

industry. So although it may be tempting and the labels may enjoy it, at the

to make the song in the style he wanted me to, but I felt like I was forcing

end of the day I would stick to the hard work, motivation, and dedication that

myself to do something I wasn’t comfortable with. I started all over from

has driven me this far.

scratch ignoring everything he said and let everything just flow. I ended up writing the whole track in a matter of 2 hours and probably wrote some of

BWD: And finally; from such inauspicious beginnings to the world’s stage

the craziest lines I’ve written period. I stopped forcing myself to feel like I

of music, where do you see the artist Mystery Cipher five years from now..?

have to sit down and write. Usually, if I have to sit on a verse for more than 30-45 minutes I realize I’m thinking too much and I start over by writing

Five years from now? I hope to see Mystery Cipher sipping Ciroc with Diddy.

whatever comes to me. Now, whenever something crazy comes to my head, I

Haha seriously though, I hope to be able to look back at my journey through

just take out my phone and save it right away so I can’t forget it. So never put

this industry and say I’ve done what everyone said I could not. I beat the

yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Only you understand how you work

odds. I hope to see myself touring all around the world doing what I love to

best so use that to your advantage!

do. I also hope that I would be inspiring other upcoming artists and children with a dream just as past artists had done for me through their music and

BWD: Penultimate question time! You are on your way to signing with Uni-

actions. I want to be more than just a music artist. I want to be able to set

versal Records, after having accepted their begging letter for you to become

an example for all people with a dream that anything is possible. I would be

part of their artist and musicians roster.

totally fine waking up every morning knowing that my day is going to consist of doing something I love. Making music.

New single under one arm and signed contract under the other, you’re about to arrive at their offices when you spot an iPod under the seat, of the limo that the studio sent to collect you. Plugging in your Beats you discover it’s a collection of unreleased mixes from an unknown artist and, to make matters

Contact Information:

even more convoluted, they sound amazing.

Website: www. reverbnation.com/mysterycipher Quickly checking, Google reveals the tracks to be wholly unreleased, and

Twitter: @Mystery_Cipher

after ascertaining from the driver the owner of the ‘Pod is unknown to him

Facebook: MysteryCipher

you reach a moral dilemma; though you are confident in your abilities and

unquestioning talent the tracks have unsettled you somewhat, making you a little unsure as to whether your own music matches such unheard greatness.

25 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

MACABRE CEREMONIE From within the shadowed realms where the wildest of dreams dwell,

could be, to reach the unknown form calling out to them, promising to

between the untamed imagery of music’s melodic DNA and the imagina-

bring back whatever discovery may lay beyond should they return…and

tion of minds needed to see potential in the pot-ash, to nurture it enough

return they did, to the sound the world would forever know as Macabre

for its survival, yet leave well enough alone so it may grow unhindered

Ceremonie; with a brutal depth of extreme reaches and the passions of

into the deepest of unexplored recessed thought, an emotion was created.

God’s who have conquered Universes, the band’s black metal eschews a definitive, rather than speculative, explosion of emotion into the soul.

Though initially unchecked and alone it began to grow; to take shape and

With lyrics penned in the language of Moliere Macabre Ceremonie exposed

define the boundaries surrounding it, becoming the very landscape it was

the heart of the growing sound they had discovered, truthful and without

moving into and taking over with its uncompromising demands of forming

compromise.

a world defined by its own standards and wants. When no compromise is given there can be no call for same when change Shortly it began to outgrow its confines, required the very minds spoken

is in the air; as it was and from its inception in the confines of a cellar and

of to build it into the force of powerfully intense and emotively inspiring

a split EP collaboration release with Belenos- Metal Venom Promotions- to

sounds it knew was its birth right, its destiny. As it moved it saw the vague

the next project featuring Eta Carinae and being wholly self-produced,

shapes of those capable of understanding its dream, yet not quite of the

Macabre Ceremonie have been nurturing and growing the connection

stature needed to fully realize the pictures it was trying to form.

being forged between audiences over the world and their growing sound of discovery.

Silently it insinuated through the ethereal aural air, searching for the bridge that would allow it to cross the chasm of what it was and what it

When 2013 saw drummer Genocide leave the fold and branch out into

could be.

territories unknown alone the band kept their compass set true, drafting in a replacement and continuing to show that Macarbe Ceremonie is deter-

Quietly it waited; until the year 2011 and the fateful (or should that be,

mined to leave no step untrod nor mind left closed as they continue to be

fated) a connection was made between the vocalist Diktator and guitarist

the new shape of things to come.

Hypocrite. Each already known to the other from having been part of the same thrash metal band, the land of Avignon in France being the pairings own place of home.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BWD: Before we get into things would you like to shed some light on the

Having just witnessed the election of President Hollande and emotions

darkness that is Macabre Ceremonie..?

riding high they were piqued in their interest of the strange mass they could see outlined on the musical horizon.

Diktator: Macabre Ceremonie is a black metal band from Avignon, formed

With Diktator leading the way the two enlisted drummer Genocide into

in 2011 as a duo made of Hypocrite (guitars) and me (vocals). Then we

their party and set out to chart the space between what was and what

recruited Genocide (drums) for a few gigs in 2012.

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 26

BWD: Originally together in a previous band, what spurred Diktator and

because it is easier for me to express myself in French. Some French

Hypocrite to form this new band?

groups are writing in English as a mean to export themselves more easily but writing in another language can diminish the impact of your

Hypocrite: We are both passionate about extreme metal, but we felt

message if you do not master it fully, and they turn a blind eye of this.

frustrated by our last band that was quite limited in its musical and

For me, writing in French is a way to be more efficient and true to the

thematic substance. Macabre Ceremonie allows us to fully express our

messages we carry.

artistic vision, freed from those previous limitations. Hypocrite: Some black metal bands are singing in French out of patrioDiktator: We wanted to develop a musical and emotional entity that we

tism, but it is not the case with us. We are not broadcasting any political

were unable to achieve in our previous band that was lifeless and dull.

opinion.

BWD: Heavy, dark and incredibly well presented is how we see Macabre

BWD: Penultimate question time! Finish this sentence; “When your

Ceremonie; but how do the members of the band see it?

back’s against the wall and the sky’s about to fall the sound of the Apocalypse will be…”

Diktator: Macabre Ceremonie endeavours to depict humanity in its darkest colours. Some of our songs are bearing a very clear message, while

Macabre Ceremonie: OUR VOICES!!!

others are left to the listener’s interpretation. BWD: And finally; when can fans and eager ears finally get to listen to Hypocrite: We want to narrate the tragedy that our king is experiencing,

Macabre Ceremonies upcoming release?

and how we are sinking in moral and intellectual get-offs. Diktator: The record is currently going through mixing and should be BWD: Having already collaborated with Belenos -Metal Venom

released by the end of winter. Though we have composed new tracks for

Promotions –for the band’s first EP you have continued to work with

our next ceremonies and maybe a first album.

other noted musicians for your new EP, this time featuring Eta Carinae; why did the band choose this route?

Contact Information:

Hypocrite: We are friends with the guys from Eta Carinae, and they were

Twitter: @MacabreC

to release a - self-produced - EP quite soon and we are appreciative of

Facebook: pages/Macabre-Cérémonie

their music, so we decided to collaborate on this record.

Diktator: ….And ‘Split’ is a good opportunity to introduce two different groups to the same public with a limited financial expenditure. BWD: Do you feel being a European band gives you more insight into producing the kind of music Macabre Ceremonie is quickly becoming lauded for? Hypocrite: Well even in Europe - and particularly in France- Black metal is still a misunderstood genre, I would even say it is rejected. Our way of life is leading us to degradation - I am referring to mediocre religious lobbies in particular, as they have been a component of the French cultural landscape for way too long. BWD: Music that is quickly defining its own boundaries within the genre and words written in the language of Moliere; where did such passion and drive come from? Diktator: We do not write in our mother tongue out of pride, but rather

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 27

JOE PAULETICH Exclusive Interview Continued

BWD: When the world of television came knocking in the guise of A&E and

#4 Take and organize contact phone numbers you develop, this is so impor-

Storage Wars you must have felt like the rug had been pulled out from under

tant. You never know when you need to contact someone. Can be very time

your feet..?

consuming to track down a contact. Also, other people will come to you for a contact and may be important for you to help them.

We live in fast changing times; the smart entrepreneur adapts, and expects the unexpected. He or she will discover the up to date practices, and em-

#5 Involve persons you trust, like certain family members, know their strong

brace them knowing benefits are there- somewhere if he or she can locate

and weak points. Understand people only do well what they like to do.

and unmask them. #6 Knowing what your competition is up to, visit them, be friendly, even Storage auction buying television shows introduced in 2010 changed the

make a purchase for resale, pick their brain but be humble. Most folk want

industry. It became an open book where as before it was more of a closed

to help. Thank them and let them know you appreciate them. Reciprocity and

society. I was offered by Original Productions and A&E a reality documentary

relationships are core of good business.

spot on Storage Wars New York, and was excited because my name was well known in the industry as a buyer who knows what he is doing and buys the

#7 Have fun! This is so important. Crack jokes all day. Look for the funny, be

best. The time was right to communicate my methods, techniques and efforts

a child, be interested in what you buy and sell. Do the part of the work you

developed over decades, to the public audience. I accepted the offer proudly.

like. If something breaks, laugh about it, it won’t change your life either way.

BWD: Are there any tips or advice you could offer us similar minded individu-

#8 Investigate, learn all you can about quality, this includes real estate,

als looking to begin their own journey into business through acclimation

household goods, automobiles, stocks and bonds, and people. Be well round-

and re-appropriation; any secrets or tricks of the trade you’d care to share?

ed, it all feeds off itself, and life is all inter-connected.

JoeP’s top ten recommendations:

#9 Sell fast. Mass production is how you make more money faster. Holding out for more money sometimes is a mistake. Let others earn and they will

#1 Feel good, eat well, stay alert and concentrate on all your surroundings at

be back for more, know your place, are you the middleman? Think about it.

all time, when out doing business, do not be lazy. #10 Know when to take time off. When things are going well, work harder, #2 Assist other dealers as much as you can. This can go a long way down the

when things are slow escape and relax, you will need it and feel you have

road, think of it like planting seeds.

earned it. I have worked on all holidays, after time I figured out which are the important holidays to work on for profit and which holidays just didn’t

#3 Own a good smart phone with a good carrier service. All the necessary ap-

pan out.

plications that help you perform with ease, such as Ebay, Craigslist, Auction Sites, and Barcode Readers. BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 28

BWD: Penultimate question time! You’re looking through a box of what ini-

important in an auction setting is provenance, which is proof of authenticity,

tially appears to be a load of old junk; worn and torn comics and a random

proper ownership and origin, perhaps even a story of how item was origi-

left shoe, bits of pottery and the occasional tea-spoon bought back from

nally obtained, from the artist. So clearance is essential to clean title to sell.

someone’s holidays bearing a picture of a cat in a pair of shades with the

Any reputable auction house will need to do a background check.

missive ‘Cool For Cats’ down the handle. So with all this in mind the parties in question will be approached gingerly Just as you’re about to move on you spot a pencil drawing of what seems

and explained properly step by step the options and issues to moving for-

to be an umbrella with a scaffolding network effecting a glove-like confec-

ward.

tion strung beneath, lots of crab-handed handwriting scrawled all in the margins. Closer inspection reveals the writing is backwards, so it’s off to

If this situation involved a private sale, laws and ethical guidelines are to

Google and with a raised eye-brow of querulousness you discover you have

be followed. Joining forces for common goal, can work out well if a happy

in your hand a Leonardo DaVinci concept drawing of what seems to be a

arrangement can be agreed upon.

hand adorned self propelled glove-helicopter, the Wearable Whirly-Bird. BWD: And finally; what surprises does JoeP and SoHo Treasure have in store Knowing you’ve quite literally hit the mother load on this one you’re cart-

for us 2014?

wheeling across the floor when halted by a customer enquiring about a box his mother brought in earlier. Seems he’s moving and in the hubris the old

The future JoeP is still unfolding. Expenses in New York City make it dif-

dear accidentally mixed up a box of precious family mementos with the stuff

ficult to operate brick and mortar locations. We are considering a larger

heading for recycling in the landfill three miles up the street.

web presence and exploring our options. The next level may very well be a consulting web site to connect buyers with sellers, this is a direction we

With a stomach sinking inevitability he sees his box on your desk beside

are presently exploring.

your computer, and claims it as the missing mementos themselves that he came to request back.

We stay busy as usual buying what we think we can turn a profit on. We have relationships with many known auction houses In the Tri state area

Obviously, you wish to re-unite the stranger with his spoon and shoe and

and on the east coast. We try our best to consign items they desire for

similar, and immediately head to retrieve the box. As you do, your eye

mutual benefit.

catches the computer screen and reminds you of the not so insignificant find you found. The prestige SoHo Treasures would attain by being the ones

The big JoeP art score from Storage Wars New York will be up for auction

who discovered such a historic item would be incalculable, an opportunity

January 11th 2014 at Peachtree & Bennett in Atlanta, GA. JoeP will make

to be listed in the same breath as Christie’s or Sotheby’s and that’s when a

appearances January 10th for exhibition and January 11th for sale.

thought occurs; maybe the man would like to share the prized drawing with the world and could use your services as an auction expert to help facilitate

Contact Information:

matters, ensure the items worth is reflected in the final valuation and sale

Website: www.sohotreasures.com

of same – a likelihood, given the number of zeroes running off the screen

Email: info@sohotreasures.com

where it says ‘Estimated Value’.

Twitter: @Josephpauletich Facebook: jpauletich

Do you err on the side of the Good Samaritan and return the box – DaVinci and all – to the owner and lose out on the opportunity of a lifetime, or chance your arm, reveal your find, and start planning that trip for two you’ve been meaning to take to Australia as reward for your acute business diligence? These situations happen. In this case, no snap decision will be made. There are questions to be asked, and inquires to be made. Since we are in business, business comes first, no one pays our bills and we do not get bonuses for good deeds. Keeping this in mind is important otherwise we will lose complete control of our objective, which is to benefit all parties involved. Personal and sentimental items get returned if possible, even saved and protected for chance return at a later date. This relates to storage room buying. Something that is very important when selling anything high priced and

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 29

Individuality is an often-sought yet seldom attained status; being

of personal irritation or concern with a crystal clear honesty of intent.

bombarded by images of the famous and infamous in every dubious

As they ‘themselves’ put it; “Out of necessity we began leaving messages

confections of fashion and the fashionably distressed store bought

on each other’s skin. What began with loving notes in red lipstick, could

brands and labels, leaves most of us either caught up in in the mael-

quickly turn into volatile messages in permanent red marker, it was as

strom of fashion faux-pas, or blindly following the herd along the Ho-

if the faceless nature of our communication enabled us to say what we

mogenised Highway of highly priced, mass produced apparel purport-

truly thought without the need of explanation or remorse and it felt

ing to bring out the Uniqueness Of You but really turning the world

liberating.”

into a giant Spot The Difference live-action game. Sensing others would be of an equal mind the pair quickly formed With each new celebrity-of-the-moment bringing out their own line

and began work on the worldwide clothing company they call Of-

of tops or trousers for the people to consume in the belief fame can

fenda; a liberating, lauded online lair for the free-thinkers and free-

be obtained through osmosis, and each cut-price clothes store bring-

from-fashion-traps to indulge and express their inner-most thoughts.

ing even further staid and simple ranges for the clothing connoisseur

To speak to others of a similar vein their ideas and opinions in a

to don come the sunny months, it is to the chagrin of many an outlet

frank and open exchange of views-on-the-world. Or to simply make

retailer that companies such as Offenda have taken their imaginative

a statement intended for an of-that-moment time in life when above

and truly inspired lines of fashion to their audience themselves.

all the hubris and hub-bub of the modern work-a-day world, where social networks are quick laud success but even quicker to lambast

Bringing some of the most unique ranges of tag-line emblazoned

failure, expectation hardly seems to ever match desire and the pres-

t-shirts to the attentions of the world through the far-reaching fin-

sures to be perfect are a constant presence in nearly all forms of me-

gers of the web, London based clothing emporium Offenda; offering

dia and film, you want to remind the world that you are who you are.

wholly individual hand-printed merchandise, the company is the result of two artists (one called Harlot, the other simply The Lord) be-

Though the world can either take it or leave it, it certainly can’t ig-

ing those ‘great minds that think alike’ so often quoted when a great

nore it.

idea’s time has come.

Contact Information:

As the name suggests Offenda offer the choice of garment intended

Website: www.offenda.co.uk

for those with a more mature appreciation of the self; those who see

Twitter: @Offenda_co_uk

freedom of speech as something integral for everyone to enjoy, and

Facebook: Offenda.co.uk

display such freedoms and liberties through slogans and thought

provoking tag-lines writ large and proud for all to consider. Born from a period of time when both artists were short on personal time to invest with one another, they eventually fell to leaving one another messages on the other’s skin. Like a lover’s poem, these missives expressed the emotions and thoughts of the couple in a way that spoke more than of just the words written in red lipstick. They were personal, expressive out-pouring’s of affections, and could be used to buoy one another through a difficult day or broach subjects 30 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

BWD RADIO is available on iTunes & Google Play! DOWNLOAD BWD RADIO’S HOT MOBILE APP

BWD Radio IS Your #1 Variety Station Spinning The Hottest Indie Music Artists of Today!! Non-Stop Music 24/7! All Genres! No Commercials! Your ON THE GO Station!

31 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com

BWD RECORDS, LLC INDEPENDENT MUSIC LABEL OF THE SOUTH Continuing to set the standard for others to follow

Owing to their unique position within the world of

BWD Radio has extended its vast reach in the me-

music BWD were able to snap up and sign Flori-

dia with the launch of its own record label, BWD

da based rapper 5 M.I.C-Z to their label, an artist

Records, LLC ‘The Independent Music Label of the

that brings with himself a level of credibility that

South’.

owes everything to musical talent and dedication and nothing to a cynical self-styled back-story and

Taking over a decade’s worth of industry knowledge

whose first release on the label – ‘Head Turna’ – has

and experience BWD Records, LLC - ‘The Indepen-

firmly established the label as serious competition

dent Music Label Of The South’ - is the culmination

to the established status quo.

of BWD’s vast expertise in the field of music and artist promotion; not content with simply waiting

Continuing to set the standard for others to follow

to see what single or artist reaches number one

BWD Radio has proven again the need to change

BWD Radio took their position of being known

and adapt in this never static landscape of media

globally as the leaders in discovering new indie

and music is key to continued growth and success.

acts and on the 26th of October 2012 launched

Pushing where others are content to stagnate is

their own record label, BWD Records. Dedicated to

the secret behind where BWD Radio currently find

finding the best as-yet unknown talent out there

themselves today, and with the launch of their own

BWD doesn’t limit itself to one specific genre; rath-

label in BWD Records it gives you some idea of just

er it extends its horizons to include all genres such

how far BWD Radio are aiming to go.

as rock, metal, hip hop and dance amongst others. A smorgasbord of scintillating new acts are present-

“Don’t just MAKE a Difference, BE the Difference.”

ed under the BWD mantle, representing the best of the best and most unique in their field, such as you

– BWD Records, LLC

have come to expect from one of the industry’s top

‘The Independent Music Label of the South’

media professionals.

Vi s i t w w w. B W D R e c o r d s . c o m o r w w w. Fa c e b o o k . c o m / B W D R e c o r d s . l l c

BWD Magazine • www.bwdmagazine.com • 32