DIG MAG Spring 2023

NAVIGATING THE UNKNOWN feat. Familiar Faces

Milky Waters at Dusk

BY RACHEL LIVINAL

One writer reflects on her battle with

coping mechanisms and an attempt to heal from

Finding Footing: Women in Aviation

BY VITTINA IBANEZ

Two female pilot students in Long Beach discuss what it’s like to jump into the turbulent aviation industry. They’re currently vastly outnumbered by the men in the field, but shifting tides could bring about major changes.

Facing the Future with Familiar Faces

BY OLIVIA PEAY

Local band Familiar Faces navigates the daunting world of music. Through their lyricism, production practices and drive for consistency, they ascend the stairway to stardom.

WHO ARE WE? - MEET THE TEAM

DIG MAG is the insider’s guide to Long Beach for the CSULB community, inspiring readers to immerse themselves in the Long Beach lifestyle through in-the-know stories about the latest in food, arts, entertainment and culture; indepth features about people and trends on the campus and in the city; poetry, fiction and literary journalism written by students; and beautiful photography and design. Published by the Department of Journalism and Public Relations at CSULB, it is produced entirely by students.

Editor-In-Chief

Vittina Ibanez

Senior Editor

Olivia Peay

Features Editor

Winston Tran

Art Director

Natalie Barr

Graphic Designers

Phillip Nguyen

Kim Vo

Photo Editor

Emily Chen

Online Editor

Laila Freeman

Assistant Online Editors

Emily Cain

Vanessa Page

Multimedia Editor

Reyn Ou

Video Editor

Justin Castillo

Podcast Editor

Rachel Livinal

Social Media Editor

Hanna Pierini

Assistant Social Media Editors

Sabrina Gobaton

Becky Tran

Faculty Advisors

Robin Jones

Jennifer Newton

DEAR READER,

Happy spring!

Spring brings many things — a couple being new beginnings and transformation. It happens to be bringing both of those for me, and as exciting as they can be, they can also get really intimidating and scary.

I recently (read: finally) applied for graduation this past semester, was told I was on the right track and will, indeed, be graduating in May just days short of my 22nd birthday.

As much as I’m ready for my life to transform, to never have school again and enter the “real world,” I’m nervous.

I’ve been doing the same dance my entire life. I go to school, I make new friends, I discover new passions and join new extracurriculars all fostered by environments rooted in education. But soon, my world will be more. To the class of 2023: OUR world will be more.

And it’s scaring the shit out of me… because I’ve only ever walked the world with what feels like a protective bubble; never really feeling the need to take my own place within it since I have been privileged enough to have the cushion of primary and secondary education. I’ll soon have to navigate uncharted territory.

That’s what this issue is about: navigating the unknown.

A lot of us on staff this semester will be graduating soon and have been feeling overwhelmed and joyful and nervous regarding the uncertainty of our futures. And funnily enough, the one who actually pitched this theme (the lovely Ms. Olivia Peay) is one of the only members of the DIG team not graduating this semester — so evidently, the feeling is not exclusive to those of us being granted diplomas come May.

It’s tough, and if you are one of those fighting similar demons, I hope this issue brings you comfort.

There’s a lot of introspection in this one, and, hopefully, a lot of inspiration if you’re feeling lost, nervous or excited about entering a part of your life where you feel you might be shooting in the dark. I hope you find assistance with your troubles, and at the very least, I hope it reminds you that you are not alone in the fear that comes with navigating the unknown.

Much Love,

Vittina Ibanez

WHERE TO GO:

STORIES & PHOTOS BY VANESSA PAGE

Whether you are looking to expand your current go-to list or stray from your usual routine, there are plenty of reliable places to grab a quick bite, meet up with friends or use as a new study spot. So where do you go when you don’t know where to go? Here are a few Long Beach places worth a visit. You can even hit them all in the same day they’re all within a 10-minute drive of campus.

PHNOM PENH NOODLE SHACK

Take an afternoon to explore Cambodia Town in Long Beach. There are many ways to experience and support the culture of this community, such as visiting Phnom Penh Noodle Shack.

Open since 1985, this family business provides traditional Cambodian food in a homey environment. The small but cozy space provides appetizing aromas, and the walls yield framed media clippings and artwork. The restaurant has expanded from its original five tables, and the authentic food keeps the location busy. The menu has a large variety of noodle dishes, rice

(pork meat, stomach, and liver with shrimp) or Mo’s Special Noodles (pork meat and beef balls). The Student Noodles are a popular option (small rice noodles, meat of choice, bean sprouts, peanuts and pickled cabbage), and dine-in orders are served with a side of house garlic fish sauce and pork bone soup. Regardless of what you order, expect abundant portions.

Aside from the local community and tourists, Noodle Shack has been recognized by food lovers such as Andrew Zimmern of “Bizarre Foods”. Whether you are familiar with Cambodian cuisine or not, the menu is sure to diversify and please your palette.

Location: 1644 Cherry Ave., Cambodia Town, Long Beach

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Social media: @phnompenhnoodleshack

When You Don’t Know Where to Go

GOOD TIME CAFE

Location: 1322 Coronado Ave., Long Beach

Hours: Everyday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Social media: @goodtime.lb

If you’re searching for a place to catch up on your assignments, purchase a plant or enjoy a lovely breakfast, Good Time Cafe offers it all and more.

Upon entering the café, you’ll notice the hipster ambiance created by the cooccupancy of the botanical business All Time Plants, an artwork wall, and an ever-changing and unpredictable playlist. Accomplish your work in no time in this relaxed atmosphere, where power outlets are easily accessible

to most seats, and the Wi-Fi is stickered onto every tabletop for convenience. Take a short work break to admire the plants and artwork for sale, or walk around the vintage warehouse across the street, Urban Americana. Good Time is well-balanced for those who are creative and work-driven.

If you’re an early bird, Good Time’s breakfast burrito is a highly recommended option to pair with your morning coffee order. Aside from the usual caffeinated selection, you can choose from a seasonal menu or a “Good Time” — a beer with an espresso chaser. While Good Time caters to your taste buds, you can enjoy your order enveloped by greenery and good vibes.

BELMONT BREWING COMPANY

Location: 25 39th Place, Long Beach

Hours: Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Social media: @belmontbrewingcompany

Overlooking the ocean, Belmont Brewing Company, known to locals as BBC, is perfect if you want to take advantage of the beach pedestrian path, catch a sunset by the sea or experience a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. BBC features a wide variety of housemade brews and blends to pair with an American menu.

Since 1990, this brewpub has been a staple for locals and regulars looking to have a brew while they catch a sports game or enjoy the ocean view. In addition to the bar area, BBC offers tables and booths both inside and outside.

For a night at BBC, the spinach-artichoke dip is ideal to share with the table, and the garlic chicken pasta (julienne vegetables, chili oil, alfredo sauce, penne pasta) or Mediterranean burger (fig-dijon mustard, bacon, goat cheese, arugula, tomato and onion on a brioche bun) are ideal main courses. BBC’s most popular brew is their Strawberry Blonde, a light fruit-forward blonde ale. If beer is not your thing, the bar also offers cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages. Within steps of the beach, you can enjoy brews, consistent service and delightful American food.

FROM VISION TO ART DAVID PARK WITH DESIGNER

STORY BY WINSTON TRAN

Casual fashion has reigned at the forefront of social media conversations through expansive content dedicated to fashion styling, DIY creations and thrift hauls. The realm of fashion no longer feels exclusive to the innovators shaping trends in high fashion but has opened the door to those seeking entertainment opportunities through its digital presence.

Online fashion content overflows with imaginative stylists and earnest thrift hauls, but how has this phenomenon defined fashion for aspirational designers on the ground?

“Fashion is in between art and necessity,” said David Park, a fourth-year fashion design student at CSULB.

Park began his fashion odyssey while navigating his life through the latter years of high school. He had no plans to pursue a rigorous career path, especially one that entailed nights of sleepless studying. Instead, he had his eyes set on the way garments are created and fit on one’s body. “Clothes are what you need, clothes are what will make you look cool,” he remembers thinking.

Faced with the uncertainty of his future, yet enlightened by the ins-and-outs of clothing, Park began to teach himself sewing techniques as a hobby.

“I started sewing my junior year [of high school], but I didn’t know what I was doing,” Park said. “In my senior year, that was when I went, ‘OK, let’s take my mom’s sewing machine and practice.’”

What began as an innocent interest in clothing eventually bloomed into a genuine

curiosity that urged Park’s hobby into a possible career. Since the realm of fashion still posed as an unfamiliarity to him, he figured he should keep his sights on this path just to “find and try it out” himself — an experience that honed in him a true passion for the art of garment-making.

Rising alongside Park’s sewing was his childhood friends’ up-and-coming clothing brand, Bellow USA, a ready-to-wear fashion line that emulates their experiences in urban life and love for streetwear. The group crossed paths in a brush of fate that resolved Park’s passion into a professional opportunity.

“I was experimenting with sewing, and I made this bandana hoodie,” Park said. “It was a Cal State Long Beach one instead of the ones we eventually sold, but my friends saw it and hit me up. That’s how I got started with the brand.”

He dabbles in a multitude of tasks for Bellow USA, but specifically focuses on fashion design. Park aims to create exclusive t-shirts and hoodies that cannot be bought wholesale.

Among his colorful creations are his signature hoodies with the word “Bellow” hand-stitched with bandana cloth, a collection of graphic “B” tees with variations in font and lettering styles, logo hoodies, tote bags, and

cleverly themed collections designed around the aesthetics of firearms and nature.

Popular streetwear brand FTP influenced Bellow USA’s “cult-ish” slogan, “Believe and Follow.” Park described the brand’s current flair as “streetwear-esque” and “raw” but expressed the team’s ambitions to explore different avenues of design.

“Our collections are based on what we think is cool and interesting,” Park said. “That’s why we’re always fluid — going in and out of styles, different things along the way that we found interesting. We wanted to express that through clothing.”

In a conversation about inspirations, Park shared that his childhood love for streetwear fueled his hunger to create. He named the notorious Supreme as one of his ideal influences, saying, “When you look at something that’s at the top of its category, it’s Supreme.” He admires fashion designers Reese Cooper and Kiko Kostadinov, who have revolutionized menswear into clothing that intersects at the crossroads of trend, complexity, visual stimulation and minimalism. Park aims to break into the world of high fashion, for Bellow USA and for himself.

“‘Believe and follow’ stands out to what the brand is,” Park said. “When people think of Bellow, they won’t think of it as a definition per se, but the clothing brand as a whole. Just like the brands Supreme or Bape. It’s very broad, but it keeps us on a path.”

According to Park, just as his brand is personal to him, fashion design as a whole must be rooted in such sentiment. Looking at a prototype or finished product must evoke a connection between the designer and their creations.

Full of imagination and dedication, Park is confident in taking Bellow USA to “the next level.” There will be a lot of new items — more cut-andsew and individual pieces, instead of an inventory of just shirts and hoodies, as Park and his friends are gearing up to graduate.

“It’s looking like I’ll be designing for the rest of my life,” Park said. “And that’s just because I enjoy it so far. It’s fun. I see myself doing this for, like, 10 years or so. I’ll be 31!”

“People who look at it might not think this certain way, but that’s the beauty of it all.”

PROFESSORS VS. STUDENTS

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE FEELING LOST?

STORY BY VITTINA IBANEZ

All have felt lost at one point or another, whether they’re struggling with school, the future, creativity or themselves. Here are what some CSULB students and professors do to cope with those internal struggles.

STUDENTS: Pray.

Journaling is a great habit that helps me interrupt negative thought patterns and put my emotions into perspective. By doing this, I can better notice what the root of this feeling may be. From past experience, I usually find that when I’m feeling lost, it comes together with feeling detached from my sense of purpose and/or feeling disconnected with those around me.

- Juanita Lucia, Business Administration ‘24

-Christian

George, Film and Electronic Arts ‘23

When I feel lost, I tend to create video journals that are only meant for me to see. I pour everything out in these recordings. When I replay them, it helps me uncover false beliefs. Also, when I visually see myself in a stressful state, it helps me build self-empathy. I get to understand that my feelings are important and that I deserve to feel better.

- Priscilla Bueno, Interior Architecture ‘23

“ When going through the emotions of being lost, I would personally think positively of the situation. However, if all goes wrong, there is nothing wrong with giving out a big cry. You are not by yourself, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out to people.

- Tammy Bui, Healthcare Administration

“

I question the things I am doing. If they don’t bring me purpose, and there is uncertainty and things are out of my control, I don’t do them anymore. I simply walk away and find purpose in other things that align with my future goals.

PROFESSORS:

I stop and assess where I’m at. I may spend some time trying to process my thoughts, with no TV, no radio, no music. I know for certain that I always feel better when I move. If I can, I will dance or play capoeira or surf or get airborne at the gymnastics gym. If I don’t have time for all that, I go on a walk. If I don’t have time for a walk, then I stand and stretch or roll around on the floor until gravity doesn’t feel so vicious anymore.

Healthy habits, on all levels of my existence! Although I don’t exercise as much as I should, I do eat super clean. During my undergrad, I read a book related to how the hormonal system dictates our lives; since then, I realized that food is my medicine.

When I feel lost, I employ the tools that I’ve learned over the years — things like exercise; calling friends, loved ones and mentors; breath work; and meditation.

I cook for the people I love. I call my friends. I work out. I listen to music... I linger a little longer over my morning coffee and make a list of everything I need to do. Then, I divide that list into the Eisenhower matrix — and decide what’s urgent and important, what’s important but not urgent, what’s urgent but not important and what’s not important and not urgent… When I’m lost, I remember that I have gotten through 100% of my worst days.

- Dr. Joshua Palkki, Music Education

- Mitali Jain, Nutrition and Diet ‘24

- Dr. Jonathan Talberg, Choral Studies

- Prof. Amy Campion, Dance

- Dr. Elena Ionescu, Family and Consumer Sciences

‘26

Tips for Self-Discovery

STORY & PHOTOS BY EMILY CAIN

American psychologist Dr. Richard Alpert, also known as Ram Dass, was a renowned spiritual leader. Ram Dass taught, “I can do nothing for you but work on myself … you can do nothing for me but work on yourself.” These words changed my perspective on self-discovery. It is essential to see that fully knowing yourself is a tool that transforms you in ways that shine through to the world around you. But of course, doing so is not easy.

For many, the years spent in college double as a period to grow both intellectually and spiritually. Settling into young adulthood often means attempting to pin down who you really are: a daunting existential task. This self-discovery means exploring the depths of yourself in an attempt to better understand the complexities of your own emotions, values, and potential. Although defining your individuality will put you on a completely individual path, there are a few tips to lead you in the right direction.

Meditation1

Meditation is a dedicated moment of mindfulness during which one enters a state of nonjudgmental observation of their thoughts, emotions and other sensations.

Ashley Torres, co-president of CSULB’s Musical Meditation Club, firmly believes in the introspective value meditation holds.

“The journey of self-discovery is a long one that takes plenty of patience,” Torres said. “Meditation gives students the ability to learn better coping skills in navigating their life and also helps them in going deeper into themselves.”

Not only does meditation provide a means of motivation to push through inevitable challenges, but it can also offer an artillery of multifaceted skills.

Despite this, meditation can be intimidating, and it is often misconstrued. Torres clarified that a completely clear mind is surprisingly difficult to achieve. When going into your first meditation session, an open mind is more valuable than a clear one; complete clarity does not have to be your sole intention. In fact, for a successful first-time session, Torres suggests paying very close attention to your thoughts.

“Observe your thoughts and let them go,” Torres said. “Have a journal for your thoughts that want to rage to help your focus.”

“I can do nothing for you but work on myself … you can do nothing for me but work on yourself. ”

Meditation can be practiced anywhere, even in your own backyard. Just roll out a mat and breathe deeply. Photo by Emily Cain.

A journal acts as a place to release the thoughts that do not seem to flee — putting your feelings onto paper forces you to deconstruct them enough to make the abstract tangible. This translation of thoughts to words often allows for a more concrete understanding of them, which can lead to a better understanding of yourself overall.

Journaling comes in many forms: stream-of-consciousness writing, answering prompts, gratuity journaling and more — each with its own benefits. Finding the time for these various kinds of journaling will result in a simultaneous analysis and exploration of your mind.

(562) 985-4001

CAPS available 24/7 by phone

Counseling/Therapy

Counseling is a form of talk therapy where one speaks with a licensed professional concerning any persistent thoughts. Having a professional witness your emotional process may allow for healthier coping mechanisms to develop.

Amanda De Loera-Morales, director of CSULB’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), sheds light on the specific ways counseling may aid in one’s journey of self-discovery.

“It provides a space to open up and be as open and transparent as [you] want,” she said. “For a student currently on a journey of self-discovery, they can use counseling in whatever way they like, and ideally, it will help them resolve some things, come up with new ideas and reflect on experiences.”

Starting counseling or other forms of therapy may seem difficult, but the key lies in finding the licensed professional who is right for you. De Loera-Morales suggests identifying factors like “accessibility, likeness, areas of focus and availability.”

All-in-all, being on a path of self-discovery will have its trials and tribulations. De Loera-Morales noted that it’s important to maintain patience and persistence with yourself and the various ways you go about introspection.

“Give yourself grace, space and time,” she said. “We are creatures who are ongoing in our growth and development. We are constantly transforming.”

The Musical Meditation Club meets every Thursday at 5 p.m.

CAPS is open on campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and available 24/7 by phone at (562) 985-4001.

Beach Wellness also offers a number of resources that may work for you.

Using guiding questions, like the ones provided by this card game made by We’re Not Really Strangers, can help you achieve more self-reflective journaling.

Photo by Emily Cain.

On the CSULB website, the Counseling and Psychological Services page offers more information to help you explore your options. Photo courtesy of CSULB CAPS.

SMALL BUSINESS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS! OWNERS!

WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU!

COLLABORATE WITH US ON MONTHLY GIVEAWAYS!

“We have a different sound, and we know that. We just want to make sure that we’re getting that sound out to people who want to hear it.”

Brennan Murray of the band Familiar Faces

STORY BY RACHEL LIVINAL

PHOTOS BY EMILY CHEN

M ilky Waters at Dusk

My mind works like a lifeboat The wide open plane of the ocean Is my trauma

This ocean Blue as the irises of my eyes Is hardly seen, And very green on occasion They mirror Reflections of Hands wrapping gently, Fingers poking hard

Men, All the jawlines And obscure noses I’ve touched thus far

Last night I laid in my bed Watching the luminous waves Rock from my post, Watching the sun Glaze her bright eyes With my memories

I watched her sink From orange To pink

To gray, Until the waves Became milky, dark, And hollow

I had never seen the water like that In that version of the ocean I saw, How lonesome I have been

My mind works like a lifeboat, The dark gray ocean, Is my trauma

Normally, When the sun starts to set, I try to pull As many warm bodies as I can Onto my lifeboat

These people Are usually men, Or toxic friends Who touch me, Caress me, Or tell me all their secrets

They make me feel special, So I gift them my ocean, For in those moments It is blue

But the dark gray waves Are my trauma, Not theirs, From my bed post last night, I watched the waves reveal their souls

The darkness unveiled Not one, But hundreds of Fragmented figures

I saw myself, At 3 years old, With a wrinkled look From confused, Broken parents, She was flailing–I pulled her in

I saw myself, At 16 years old, With disfigured pink panties, Whimpering–I pulled her in

Panting for breath, I peered into the abyss

There I saw My own face–Hardened, Freckled, Woven into fruition From all these Girls and women

I saw myself, At 18 years old, With the dream catcher from my old room That promised But never caught my nightmares, Silently crying–I pulled her in

And I said I have to do better

There’s more ocean to explore, More bodies to pull, More nights by my bedpost, Where I must let the milky water Sing me into a lull

And maybe months will go by, And I will cry For these bodies, I never let rest

But I must keep pulling, I must keep my eyes Searching along those waves

For 21 years old is too late to feel heartache, But too early to feel like l’ve aged 21 years old is just time to let my ocean And I carry our work In motion

So I can bring myself Back home, One whole body, For some charitable day

Finding Footing: WOMEN IN AVIATION

Women and minorities courageous enough to enter the field of aviation often find themselves face-to-face with difficulties while navigating the ins and outs of an industry that, historically, has not supported them. Female pilot students of color, Nataly GijonGarcia and Amanda Villapudua, discuss what it feels like to jump into the turbulent industry where the shifting tides could mean major change for future female pilots.

STORY BY VITTINA IBANEZ

Women have been largely outnumbered in the aviation industry since the Wright Brothers put a plane into the sky back in 1903. Over a hundred years later, women make up only about 5% of pilots in the United States, with just 1% of those being women of color.

Piloting proves to be a difficult occupation for women to uptake. Female students often lack support and mentorship, but these challenges do little to discourage those like 19-year-old Nataly Gijon-Garcia.

“I’m like one of the only females in my classes. The ratio is very low,” Gijon-Garcia said. “There isn’t much help for women. There’s so much information out there, you don’t know what to pick or who to listen to or what to follow. And just being a woman makes everything harder because there are so many males.”

Still, she continues with her studies fueled by the love of her family and the goal of being the inspirational figure for other young women who wish to pursue the field — the figure she, herself, did not get the privilege of having until recently.

“All my pilots have been males, until last year when I heard on a call that the pilot was a female,” Gijon-Garcia explained. “I bawled when I saw her. I saw myself in her. She paved the way, helping me be here. Most of the people that I see are white and get the privilege, get the help that they need. They get favored a lot more than women or a person of color. A big motivation for me is paving the way for other people.”

Amanda Villapudua, 30, believes this is a strong contributor to the lack of female pilot students, and thus, pilots: Young girls don’t have the figures in the field to look up to. They seldom have mentors to help guide them.

“That’s what it comes down to. It’s exposure,” she said. “We need to let them know that there is no gender in this field.”

Like Gijon-Garcia, Villapudua has also had her share of experiences with gender inequality as a student pilot. A photography graduate from Cal State Long Beach, Villapudua has been studying to become a pilot for seven years and has been a flight attendant for just as long. Recently, she wrapped up her time as an attendant and pivoted her focus to taking the wheel. Because of her experience, she’s witnessed the gender inequality in piloting firsthand.

“I can tell you right now, I’ve never seen a Black female pilot. I’ve seen a couple Asian pilots, and I don’t think I’ve seen any Latinos/Latinas at all as far as pilots go,” Villapudua said. “I can remember every female pilot I’ve flown with, and that’s just how few I’ve seen.”

According to a survey of female pilots by aviation educator Penny Rafferty Hamilton, the top barrier for women in the field is the lack of money for general training. While a single flight lesson costs hundreds of dollars, the first step in becoming a pilot requires a certain amount of flight time and training sessions — a total amounting in the thousands. Villapudua is fortunate to have found ways past her financial obstacles.

“I took out loans for CSULB. I was determined not to get loans again,” she explained. “I’ve been trying to get scholarships but haven’t had luck, but I’ve been getting help from my husband and at work, too. They’re always giving us different bonuses, so I’m taking that money and putting it straight into flight school.”

On top of that, official legislation barred women from the field for years.

“Looking at the history of flight attending and piloting, predominantly attending was an all-female job and piloting was all males, and it was completely exclusive until not too long ago,” Villapudua explained. “They didn’t allow females. That was it. It was an all-male job.”

But women and minorities alike are now being called forth by the aviation industry. There’s one

big reason for this: the pilot shortage.

Gijon-Garcia said this shortage is happening because the age-old industry is failing to fill the places being left vacant.

“A lot of commercial pilots are retiring, so they need more people, “ Gijon-Garcia said. “When the pandemic hit, the airline industry just went down. A lot of airlines went bankrupt. But people are starting to fly again, and there aren’t proficient pilots.”

By international law, commercial pilots must retire at 65, and during the pandemic, companies bestowed severance packages to pilots close to retiring since there were, at the time, too many. Now that people are flying again, those empty spaces have caused thousands of flight cancellations, delays and rising prices all over the nation. Experts believe this shortage is only going to get worse, but the solution lies at flight schools. Recently, the industry’s biggest powerhouses created new programs to help train women and minorities in aviation to diversify the field and resolve the pilot shortage.

“Airlines are offering cadet programs where you give normal school tuition — like 50K — to get trained by the airlines, and then you’re guaranteed a job after,” Gijon-Garcia said.

“At American Airlines, Delta, United, they’re looking to hire at least 50% of their workforce to be women or minority groups,” Villapudua said. There are even programs like the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles to show children as young as 7 the possibilities of piloting. Marc Whistman, a member of the EAA, is a private pilot training to apply for commercial airlines. His daughter, Este, already has big dreams of becoming a pilot at the tender age of 6.

“I took her flying,” Whistman said. “I think she started when she was about 4.”

For now, Este is just a passenger, but she’ll be able to test for a student pilot license at 16. Only time will tell whether or not the programs designed to diversify aviation will provide Este and the many young women like her with figures of inspiration to look up to in the field.

FACING THE FUTURE with

Familiar Familiar Faces Faces

STORY & PHOTOS BY OLIVIA PEAY & EMILY CHEN

The sound of guitar riffs, rimshots, piano chords and crescendos vibrate the walls in a bedroom-turned-rehearsal-studio just five minutes away from Cal State Long Beach.

Striving to make their mark in the music industry, boy band Familiar Faces combines indie, alternative and psychedelic rock melodies reminiscent of Tame Impala, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

Twin brothers Sean and Chad Bierman are the 19-year-old lead singers, producers, guitarists and songwriters of the band, playing alongside bassist Nonso Ikeji, 21, and drummer Brennan Murray, 19.

Despite being in the beginning stages as a band since its establishment in 2022, the four members of the band have all had a colorful history in music, introducing themselves to different instruments and music genres before the age of 10.

“Originally, I took the guitar as a competition against Sean and started

learning a bunch of songs that I would gatekeep from him,” Chad said. “Then as we got older, we called a truce. We started as Splitting Image, then The Bierman Brothers and eventually evolved into Familiar Faces as we met Brennan and Nonso.”

Rehearsals include hours of composing, producing, and finding what flows as a band as they navigate the daunting world of music to rise to stardom. Using every inch of the studio space, the band works together to find a consistent rhythm in routine.

“Chad and I wrote so many songs that we felt bad for Brennan and Nonso because they had so many to memorize,” Sean said. “We decided to make a chord chart so they could read it. After figuring out what we liked as a band, we’re focusing on just a few songs and getting them extra tight rather than learning new ones every practice.”

Much of their production process draws from the twins’ music education, including

their time spent at On Stage Music Academy, in the music engineering department at the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, and in jam sessions with family and friends.

Their first release, “I Love My Baby Like I Love My Shoes,” was dedicated to the twins’ parents to thank them for supporting their musical endeavors. It combines ‘60s and ‘70s rock, unlike some of their other songs like “I Love You” or “Breaking Through,” which feature more alternative melodies.

“Those are songs we wrote years ago, and we have them under our old name, The Bierman Brothers, so we’re working on a new catalog. We’re trying to stay true to ourselves in our brand and image but push the boundaries in what we’re creating,” Sean said.

Apart from producing as a band, the twins individually compose lyrics by focusing on introspection. Much of what they write is influenced by their personal lives, the actions of their friends, and other musicians they admire.

Several guitar effect boxes line the floor of the studio, boosting the octaves and frequencies coming from the band’s instruments.

Chad Bierman takes the mic as the band runs through one of its original songs.

“We’re not going to settle for anything less than great because we’re all perfectionists.”

— Chad Bierman

PHOTOS BY EMILY CHEN

“I hope people can find what I find in my music when I write it,” Chad said. “I hope it can give people something to love, like how I love that Led Zeppelin has inspired me to make this whole life of music. I hope I can give that experience to others.”

Though Brennan and Nonso have not written any songs recently, they understand the therapeutic value of the songwriting process.

“I feel like a lot of people can’t express themselves the way they want to vocally, so being able to write music can give others that chance to communicate what they feel without having to say it directly,” Nonso said. “I think that’s just the beauty of songwriting, and these guys do it so well.”

Familiar Faces is based in Long Beach, but they sometimes feel like strangers in the music scene. Finding residence among bands whose styles are so unfamiliar to theirs has been one of their challenges as they try to expand their influence.

“A lot of the local bands around here do mostly punk or hard rock, and it’s challenging since we’re trying to focus on the indie

psychedelic mix,” Sean said. “It was difficult for us to choose the name Familiar Faces for a while because we play shows with bands that have heavier names.”

The rest of the band emphasized that they feel compelled to cater to those hard-rockloving audiences. To stay true to themselves, the boys aims to create consistent content that aligns with their values.

“We’re not going to settle for anything less than great because we’re all perfectionists. Expect a consistent image very soon because if you look at our Instagram right now, it looks like a Facebook mom’s scrapbook,” Chad joked. “We sat down and talked about who we are on our deepest level, and we want to portray that across our platform.”

“We have a different sound, and we know that,” Brennan added. “We just want to make sure that we’re getting that sound out to people who want to hear it.”

The band looks to attract a larger audience so their music can reach the ears of those unaware of their existence. Constantly rehearsing songs they have written and

composed over the years is only one element of their objective.

“The goal is to pioneer in a direction that we are innovating, so when people listen to it, they feel like they’re on that journey with us,” Sean said. “They might think about our songs throughout their day and want to listen to them again.”

Each band member expressed hope that their sound will be a creative process for others besides themselves, so musicians and nonmusicians will feel inspired to create their own music.

In 2023, fans of Familiar Faces can look forward to their live shows, now including vocal and transition effects for a more immersive experience. Instagram posts, reels and stories are constantly in production so the band can share what they are passionate about and engage with curious listeners.

“We’ve been really lucky for people to book us,” Chad said. “We love this whole area of music and are so happy to be a part of it. We’ll do what’s true to us, and our music will find its audience.”

Familiar Faces in rehearsal: Brennan Murray thumps a steady beat on the drums as Chad Bierman and Nonso Ikeji strum their guitars.

The twins sing an unreleased song.

A Yamaha Reface Analog Synthesizer, a 37-key mini keyboard, is among the band’s collection of instruments.

TUNES FOR ENDEAVORING INTO THE

STORY BY LAILA FREEMAN

UNKNOWN

The unknown can be scary but also thrilling. Entering unfamiliar spaces can be taking a step toward the future or a more introspective experience. However you dive into mystery, here are albums to fit your mood and keep you exploring new territory.

B+ A

SOS

by SZA

The highly anticipated album by SZA includes 23 songs that play around with different styles but have a recurring theme. Sometimes moving forward requires us to take an honest look at the past, ourselves and our relationships. It is a fun, upbeat tracklist to motivate you as you begin a new stage in your life. Driven by the desire to be a better version of herself and to approach life unapologetically, SZA meets the unknown full of angst and energy. Ready to conquer whatever’s ahead? Here’s SOS.

And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow

by Weyes Blood

Weyes Blood resembles a sultry version of Joni Mitchell on this album who gently guides listeners into a violet fog, commenting on life’s uncertainties. She sings about the relatability of everyone being overwhelmed and fearing the same things. However, she also says “we don’t have time anymore to be afraid” and encourages others to accept what they cannot control. Her poetic lyrics, angelic instrumentals and harmonies make this a soft project to put on to slow down and carefully plot your next move.

by Montell Fish

This project follows the stages of a breakup. It is an album about mourning a connection and the mental repercussions — wondering about how the other person feels, being curious about love in general, looking back at the past and realizing things were not as they seemed. If you need to feel seen after a romantic loss or need to reflect on your own relationships, press play on JAMIE.

BJAMIE

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