DANE KNUDSON // NJE // YOSHEN NAIR HELOISE HUNTER MARSHALL // TARYN KETTLE
Issue no.2 // 2013
Editor-in-Chief Li Joshua Photography Paul Reichle Li Joshua Layout and Design Li Joshua Yoshen Nair Media and Marketing Amy Naidoo Digital Production Sean Lynch Yoshen Nair www.disparate.co.za facebook.com/DisparateOnlineMag @Disparate_Mag
So here we are, 4 am in the morning, pissing ourselves with excitement. DISPARATE is back for its second issue yo! Believe me its been no easy task whipping this up, but totally worth it in the end. We’ve definitely grown since the first issue, so a massive thank you to all who have become part of the family. It seemed only fitting that we evolve with the times. So prepare yourself for some one on one awesomeness from the many awesome artist who inhabit the awesome city of Durban. Awesome right? Its like overload up in here, new contributors, new team members, new artists...Change is good, and only for the better seeing that we at Disparate are all guns blazing to showcase the best of Durban creativity. I recently was having lunch with a mate when she mentioned how artists here in Durban are so full of attitude and how this has led to the general downgrade of the arts scene here in the 031. I beg to differ. Our second issue was only possible because of these very people who have inhabited a sense of camaraderie for their fellow artists. So lets press on and rock the 031. Heres to evolution! Incase you haven’t been informed, the Disparate blog is officially up and running, check it out on our site and become a part of our digital movement.
Li Joshua DISPARATE Editor-in-Chief
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disparate // contributors
Everybody stand up, say hello to Ms Taryn Kettle. Having been part of Durban’s awesome crowd for a good few years, we felt it only natural for her to give some golden input. Responsible for our music reviews, shes sharp on the tongue and never slow to correct. Watch your back with TK around she’ll probably hit you with a milk tart for fun... because she feels like it
Back for round two Delon Quaid Leonard is all over the new movie reviews for our July issue. Being no stranger to the DISPARATE family we thought we’d shake up Delon’s scene a bit by throwing a review of a film which was released before his birth. Little did we know we were to receive this review the following day completed. Bastard. He never sleeps. Geez
This is Nasiphi (Ms Sibidla if you’re nasty). With her finger firmly on the fashion pulse of the city, Nasiphi has lovingly covered our feature on the ever evolving trend of Street fashion. When shes not seeking out the finer things in life, you can find her undergoing some retail therapy or doing her daily posts on her fashion blog.
CONTRIBUTORS
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2 mates from very different backgrounds talk about >> SCIENCE + VISION
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HITTING THE STREETS The new trend of street fashion
THE NEW SOUND OF THE 031>> check out our feature on NJE a band with a style that embodies the Durban ideal
Issue 2 has a strong focus on the idea of Artistic Evolution. Whip out your microscope and you’ll see artists in the 031 always pushing boundaries and evolving.
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DANE KNUDSON sits down with us and talks about his unique approach to street art
disparate // contributors
<<<
sk8shades Layered frames R1000 Dirty frames R1000 Combination (Blackwood/Wild Olive) frames R1200
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Poise & Ivy Fashion Bowties R70 http://www.poiseandivy.co.za/
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Ruri’s Garb Beanies R100 Bando’s R60 http://www.facebook.com/ruris.garb
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Savior Brand co. Leather Envy - for Macbook Air/Pro 13” R750 http://www.saviorbrandco.co.za/
NJE>>> THE NEW SOUND OF THE 031 Their sound is an Afro Grunge, Soul, Funk, Blues vibe drawn from the extensive and diverse amount of music that they listen to and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re taking the Durban music scene by storm! Disparate recently got a chance to interview Nje a band whose sound just saysâ&#x20AC;ŚDURBAN!!!!
disparate // music
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disparate // music
“A MATE ASKED HOW CO
ALWAYS HEAR THE WORD
USED”
DISPARATE: OK, so lets just put the curiosity at ease...How the hell did you guys come up with the band name?
NJE: Actually, I was just listening to a recording of us the other day explaining the name... Basically we thought it would be cool to have something Zulu, seeing that all these “english terms” and names are kinda running out. We wanted something short and catchy and if it can be easy to pronounce then kiff. One day we had friends over and just randomly talking on the topic of learning Zulu and a mate asked how come she’d always hear the word “nje” being used, so we went on and explained then I was like Whoa! Guys is there a band named Nje?! It met all our criteria for a band name so we were like yeah that’s it!
OME SHE WOULD
D
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;NJEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; BEING
DISPARATE: Seeing you guys when you started out, which was more of an acoustic set up, we recently caught a performance at The Winston and saw a few new faces added to the group.
NJE: Yeah we have a bassist and drummer added into the mix, they are both jazz trained, really talented guys and just complete the sound really well. During our first live gigs we realised just how much bigger our sound could be instead of just the same acoustic setup that we were used to. DISPARATE: As a group is there any way that you guys go about writing new material?
NJE: Well there isn’t like a set route we follow in terms of creating new stuff, like we’ll go off separately and do our own thing then come together and be like hey this is what I came up with, see what works and doesn’t work, the tweak here and there, then when we all together have more input and at the end of it, hey we have a full song. DISPARATE: How would you describe Nje’s sound? NJE: Aaaah (laughs) This is always the hardest question, we’ve been trying to explain it for a while now (laughs). I think a lot of it has like a straight rock edge to it, but then you get elements like beat and timing which are very funk, so ummmm ya...funky rock and roll kinda vibes. DISPARATE: Well with our times now I think its become harder for artists to give a clean cut answer to such a question seeing that their influences are so diverse.
disparate // music
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NJE: Exactly, we almost go through song by song saying what genre it is seeing that they all so different. We also listen to pretty much everything which undoubtedly influences us when making a new song. DISPARATE: You guys individually have been involved in the local music scene fore quite a while now. Do you feel it has evolved in anyway?
NJE: I think hugely yeah. A lot of it has changed, a lot of different sounds and elements musically have now come up and just Durbs on the whole is just being more receptive to the music scene in general. DISPARATE: Who are you guys most influenced by? NJE: Right now? I’d say like James Brown, Pearl Jam, The Pixies, Nirvana, geez this is a hard question, ‘cause like we say this today and tomorrow our influences are something else. What we do really have a soft spot for is 90’s one hit wonders (laughs) DISPARATE: The 90’s has made a comeback for sure. KEEN TO ROCK OUT TO NJE >>> CLICK HERE
>>>MMMMMMM
MMMMOOKI
ETS EAT OUT
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disparate // mooki
Mooki is by far one of the coolest Asian cuisine hot spots to open in Durbs in a long while. A fun, vibrant, fresh restaurant where anyone can feel comfortable and tap into the innate creativity of founders Paul and wife Charisse. Paul has over twenty years experience in the industry and Charisse comes from an advertising background. “We are a tight team and one (or both) of us is always on the floor.” Primarily opened as a take-away, they have expanded very quickly into a full-on restaurant. “Our kitchen staff (Bob, Blaise and Castro) have no background in cooking and were trained from scratch. Their dedication is a great asset to us, and we are committed to training and developing skill sets in people.” Says Paul. Both founders absolutely love noodles, and both loved the noodle bars springing up in London, which they came across during their travels - so the seed of an idea was planted. With the decision to emulate a quirky Japanese Ramen bar, Mooki has evolved to offer the Durban crowd a variety of different Asian cuisines. The diverse menu offers everything from Japanese to Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian inspired dishes, with the DISPARATE favourite being the Ginger and Red Chilli Noodles. Paul brings the success of Mooki into a simple statement “People love Mooki because of our playful approach to the dining experience. We try to put a fun spin on everything we do. We live by a mantra, which is “Good food, good value and good service”. Salivating are we? Check out the mookie menu after the jump >>>>>
disparate // artist
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disparate // profile
Incorporating styles and techniques that you would more likely see on a drawing easel, Dane Knudson is slowly redefining his interpretation of Graffiti and Street Art DISPARATE: So how exactly did you get into the street art scene?
DANE: Well the whole graffiti thing I got into as a young teenager, I think in some ways the whole rebellious notion of it was appealing. I’ve always been into drawing, now with me currently focusing on figure drawing and wanting to lecture drawing its definitely brought a new dimension to my graffiti style. DISPARATE: How would you describe your artistic style? DANE: Aaaah that’s a tough one. I think simply in terms of graffiti style, my styles 3D, I know its a very broad term but I’m always aware of the relationship between the different elements in the piece in order to give the best 3D representation possible. DISPARATE: Do you think that being so involved in the figure drawing practice has influenced your graffiti works in any way?
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DANE: I think so. Ummm like with drawing I like mark making, I’m not a big fan of smooth clean drawings, I like seeing the lines and the attitude in those lines, and I think I incorporate that in my graffiti works as well. DISPARATE: OK so what’s your take on the local Durban street art scene?
DANE: Ummm...Limiting would be a word to use (laughs) DISPARATE: Do you feel there’s a lot of stigma attached to Durban street artists in a way?
DANE: I think the street art scene in one way is non existent and for some reason there’s conflict between graffiti artists and street artists. I think its because generally the public talk about the two as the same thing. The public also attach the same negative connotation to both, also its just so limited within the city due to municipality. There’s also a flip side though, ‘cause every time I’ve been involved in painting a wall or spoken to someone who has, almost all people passing by will tell you how much they enjoy what you’re doing or show some form of interest. Its really quite weird, these two opposing sides of the same scenario.
disparate // artist
DISPARATE: Do you feel we are evolving artistically as a city? DANE: Yeah, it goes up and down. I think there’s always people that want to do things but they never end up doing it together. I feel there definitely needs to be more collaboration. DISPARATE: Are your pieces often based on some underlying concept or are they just purely rooted in visual aesthetic?
DANE: I think now my work is more concept driven definitely. Before my work always had a basic idea but leaned more to towards something that was visually appealing, now I don’t just see as “does this piece look good” I think for something to have more value it needs to have more concept. DISPARATE: Is that your inner graphic designer coming out? DANE: (laughs) I don’t know, I think its just wanting to achieve more from my work. DISPARATE: What creative project are you currently busy with? DANE: Ummm drawing (laughs) Well what I’m currently busy with is my masters, and that’s got to do with representations of the nude figure. So all my work will have figure drawing incorporated into my medium of graffiti, the integration of these two worlds, so that’s what I’m working towards. DISPARATE: Well we cant wait to see how that turns out.
So when it comes to music, I’m usually a bit behind the times. Grimes 2012 album entitled “Visions” has really been getting the mind juices flowing.
ISPARATE
>>>
STUFF
Grimes - Visions
All Knitwear It’s winter in Durban, and while it’s not exactly arctic temperatures outside, I long to wrap up in some of these crazy knits from All Knitwear, particularly this Fleur Yellow Hat. $60 http://allknitwear.com/
HAPIfork I’m a fast eater. Yes I’m a greedy pig. Eating too fast leads to poor digestion and poor weight control. The HAPIfork is an electronic fork that helps you monitor and track your eating habits. It also alerts you with the help of indicator lights when you are eating too fast. I need one. hapilabs.com/products-hapifork.asp
NOUGATELLI COOKIES Dude, You have got to try these. At first I was like meh, I’ve seen this show before, there’s gonna be nothing in the centre... Well. Joke’s on us... Choc chip cookies crammed to the brim with glorious nuttella. And from the Spar down the road no less... Best 3am post-party snack ever!
FAVOURITE
“MAN’S MIND, ONCE STRETCHED BY A NEW IDEA, NEVER REGAINS ITS ORIGINAL DIMENSIONS.” OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES SR.
TO GET SOMETHING DONE YOU GOTTA BE AFFIRMATIVE LIKE THE OTHER DAY AT LUNCH... I WAS LIKE “LADY GET ME MY COMBO MEAL” -AND SHE DID.
Say Hello to Ms. Karin. She’ll be dropping in on each issue sharing her pearls of wisdom. Gotta love her.
ORDS BY PICTURES AND W ER ND VE GO I MAYUR
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disparate // events
Walking down Stamfordhill Road, two girls stood outside Live The Venue swearing into a cellphone and tripping over their long drunken legs. Yes. It was going to be a good night. My first time covering an event like this (or any event at all really), I was pretty psyched hey. Especially since Desmond + the Tutus are really the kind of band that merges a not so try-hard, not so-Johnny-Clegg South African vibe with enough international humour, flair and production to play at any large music event in the world. And also especially because lead singer Shane Durrant’s tiny moustache had me at hello. I’m a little biased. Anyway. The Accidentals were playing a vast array of stuff musically as I walked into the venue, while the crowd was abuzz with a readiness - people piling shots at the bar and smoking cigarettes on the deck. A chick wearing a chiffon top without a bra was jumping up and down ready to go. A lot of guys had a great moment there. After mingling a bit and checking out a Black Label or two, we stationed ourselves close enough to the stage for The Accidentals closing number, which had the crowd almost moshing, weirdly enough. A really amazing opening for the headliners. Matt, lead singer of The Accidentals, (and previously from Sibling Rivalry), owned that stage. Eventually, the Tutus came out raging. Energy pumped and everyone was drifted into a swirl of captivation, bodies in sync with their eclectic sound, self-described as kwela rock meets indie disco punk. Hipsters who knew every word alongside swooning teenagers, we were all drawn. Car Guard Tan and Zim Zala Bim had everyone crawling out of their bodies, but that climax moment for me came when they pulled out a rendition of R. Kelly’s Ignition. Imagine a mix of jumping crying crazies indie rocking to the sexual words of Mr Robert Kelly himself, sang by that man with the tiny moustache? Dead from excitement! I know I dropped my beer on at least 5 humans with my jumping insanity. Glancing around at the crowd, it was clear their music was palpable and to me, it eluded a vibe that kind of entrances you to your roots whilst showcasing the forwardness of the sound of our music right now. And that is bloody fantastic. Overall, a totes amaze night and they shall get a hundred bravos from me.
DRIFTED INTO A SWIRL OF CAPTIVATION”
TUTUS CAME OUT RAGING.ENERGY PUMPED AND EVERYONE WAS
“THE
Y O U C A N B E A PA R T O F D I S PA R AT E M A G A Z I N E . T O A D V E R T I S E O R F E AT U R E I N O U R U P C O M I N G I S S U E S C O N TA C T U S V I A O U R W E B S I T E > > > d i s p a r a t e . c o . z a
WELCOME TO A NEW AGE OF DIGITAL OPTIONS
From as long as I can remember every fashion forward person has always wanted to break the fashion rules. Street fashion or street styles as it is known around the world allows fashionistaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to do just that. Words by Nasiphi Sibidla
disparate // trend
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FASHION ITS THE STREETS
>>>
ISPARATE
Breaking the rules has never been this fun. Wearing totally different patterns, colours and fashion styles in one outfit. Yes the rules are still there but only as a guide line. Who said wearing two different looks was a fashion don’t. We were too scared to break the rules that were set by your Karl Lagerfeld and your Stella McCartney that we lost our identity in the process. Some fashion designers see it as couture fashion with a street edge and some see it as a way for the general public to experiment with runway looks that they wouldn’t necessary be seen dead in. What do I say, “its fashion forward people thinking outside the fashion box.” Fashion designers have always dictated what one should wear in summer, winter and spring. We have allowed them to tell us what colour goes with what and what pattern is best suited for one’s body shape. Were we foolish to listen to them? No; however, we should have taken what they told us into consideration when choosing an outfit. Generally speaking society was too scared to break those set rules that society conformed to a style that seemed easy on the eye or should I say easy on the eye of the fashion society. Street fashion has no boundaries. It’s fashions way of expressing itself, a way of setting yourself aside from the next person. We are all individuals and we don’t interpret things the same. Why should we interpret fashion the say way. What I find fashionable may not necessary be fashionable. Say it with me “street fashion is my licence to unleash my inner fashion goddess”. Piling on or wearing too many loud colours or patterns in one outfit will earn you stares but who cares. It is now acceptable to wear whatever you want, whenever you want and however you want. What I find even more sexy and appealing with street fashion is that I set the rules. This summer I will break the fashion rules they best way I know how and will I care what the next person thinks? No. Those are my fashion rules and you don’t have to approve or obey them. Essential elements to remember: •Comfort and individually is key and •Always make heads turn with every time you step outside your house. Street fashion is my freedom of expression and I will express myself. No colour is loud enough, pattern to busy or shoe unwearable…
thrive on chaos
SEEK
AND-YE SHALL FIND Nature photography and scientific data are the last places that most would think to look for mod, futuristic inspiration. The Duo working on the project Science & Vision however, think otherwise. Micro photography and Macro Imagery meet design in an explosion of abstract- post-cubist goodness that fits uncomfortably well in today’s decidedly “po-mo” design aesthetic.
disparate // artist
DISPARATE: How did the collaboration come about? YOSH: Well we’ve known each other since primary school. It began with us discussing cool random concepts that would have us incorporating her style of nature photography and my design work, I’ve been really impressed with Heloise’s nature photography so we chose to kinda bust the stereotype of the mundane and create something completely new. The project is basically rooted in the concept of finding the beauty nature that is often overlooked. HELOISE: Yes, like capturing the kind of structural patterns found in nature and having that creativity aspect combined with something mathematical.
DISPARATE: How would you describe your individual artistic styles? HELOISE: I’ve been thinking about this for a while, I feel all artists can be divided into creators and documenter. I consider myself a documenter. I don’t put things together to take photos of, I see what is there what new ways there are to look it. I capture it to show people what I see the way I see it. That’s why I think I have such an issue with the term artist, because I feel like I cant take complete credit for it, I’m the facilitator. YOSH: I’m the exact opposite (laughs) I’m a control freak when it comes to my design and my art work. I love the fact that I have the power to sit with a piece of design and make sure its perfect in my eyes.
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YOSH: Yeah there’s defiantly something that’s very analytical to the way the pieces have been created.
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disparate // artist
HELOISE: See, we’re balanced. YOSH: Yeah I guess we are. DISPARATE: Have you found it difficult working together on a piece, seeing that your individual styles are so contrasting?
HELOISE: I actually see it as his project. Whatever he does with what I take I’m pleased with that. I’ll make a suggestion when I feel it could help, but ultimately its his baby. DISPARATE: Who or what would you say are your influences as artists?
YOSH: I’m a huge fan of 1920’s-1940’s modernism as well as German abstract expressionism. Though I’d say my greatest influences would be photographers such as Man Ray and Alvin Langdon Coburn. There’s something about those heavily solarized images on the verge of abstraction that just gives me goose bumps. When it comes to the ways I’m which I treat my subject matter, I see myself drawing inspiration from more of a post cubist space. DISPARATE: Has the collaboration resulted in any artistic evolution for you guys individually?
HELOISE: photographing subject matter for a specific design purpose is something that I’ve never really had to do as an explorative photographer. Now rather than simply capturing an image in the manner that I deem beautiful, I’m having to capture something for the sake of singular properties such as texture, colour and shape. CHECK OUT OTHER PIECES FROM THE SCIENCE AND VISION COLLECTION >>> CLICK HERE.
We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution Bill Hicks
disparate // reviews
MUSIC
REVIEWS THE REFINED EARDRUM OF TARYN KETTLE HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR 2ND ISSUE’S MUSIC REVIEWS. SHE GIVES US THE LOWDOWN ON THE SOUNDS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
BONOBO – THE NORTH BORDERS Top Tracks: First Fires, Towers. Over a decade in his career Simon Green A.K.A Bonobo has finally landed on the level ground of maturity. Travelling through the sub-genres of electronic down-tempo that has essentially set the album’s soulful disposition.
SIGUR ROS – KVEIKUR Top Tracks: Absolutely Nothing! Well-known Icelandic post-rock band, ‘Sigur Ros’, has released their 7th official full-length album! Revving up their hoary engines once again to make up for the album’s gloomy predecessor, 2012 ‘Valtari’ LP.
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KANYE WEST - YEEZUS Top Tracks: Hold My Liquor, Send It Up. Call him arrogant! Call him fearless! Whatever you call him…..Kanye West is a Musical Genius! If not the only artist that dares to produce the most marginal album cover, yet one of the most highly anticipated albums this year.
disparate // reviews
MOVIE
REVIEWS DELON OUR MOVIE GUY CAN BE A REAL PAIN. WE LOVE HIM ANYWAY. WHAT WE LOVE MORE THOUGH IS HIS TASTE IN MOVIES.
THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES Director: Derek Cianfrance Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes What do you get when you combine director Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling? All the grit of their previous 2010 gem, Blue Valentine, with all the thrill of 2011â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive. This is a tough watch though. It races down many uncomfortable roads most would never dare to explore. The themes follow unexpected murderers, drugged up youths and that tricky place between revenge and conviction. Complicated. Pure. Terrifying.
THE GRADUATE Director: Mike Nichols Starring: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross “Mrs. Robinson, I think you’re trying to seduce me”. The year may have been 1967 when that infamous line was first articulated on screen, but this tale is still every inch as seductive now nearly 50 years on. And you don’t even have to be a film festival cinema noir snob to appreciate this film’s charms.
THROWBACK REVIEW
The story revolves around Benjamin Braddock, brought so feverishly to life by future Cecil B. DeMille Award-winning icon Dustin Hoffman in his breakthrough performance. As the film’s slogan went, “This is Benjamin. He’s a little worried about his future”. Ben has just finished his studies at an East Coast college, and pressures from his successful father along with drowning questions from his mum’s socialite friends have already permeated through. But there’s a trickier situation awaiting him: Mrs. Robinson (a stealthily provocative Bancroft). The wife of his dad’s business partner and an all around cougar on the prowl, poor Benjamin doesn’t even realise he’s been lured in until he’s moonlighting his summer nights as her hotel bedfellow. It is only when Mrs. Robinson’s daughter Elaine (played both gently and strongly by Ross) comes home from Berkley that everything goes awry. To Benjamin she’s perfection – not even his atrocious first date ploys could kill their magnetism – but to Mrs. R he’s the toy boy she doesn’t want to share, least of all with her sweet little girl. Hilarious and heartbreaking shenanigans follow, with an iconic bus ride at the end that will have you championing on love. The fact that this level of stylish story telling was achieved so many decades ago is astonishing. Lingering coolly somewhere between Mad Men and what you would expect in the lives of John Hughes’ privileged characters after the credits of Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club, The Graduate is a smooth treat all the way through. A trailblazing film you won’t be able to resist falling in love with.
FREE ENTRANCE OPEN MIC TUESDAYS
JACK RABBITS MORNINGSIDE PULL IN!
LIVE MUSIC
http://www.sk8shades.com/ http://www.poiseandivy.co.za/ http://www.saviorbrandco.co.za/ http://www.facebook.com/ruris.garb http://soundcloud.com/nje-s-a http://mookinoodles.wordpress.com/ science-vision.tumblr.com http://allknitwear.com/ http://channelzn.co.za/
INKLIST
http://nasiphinoliesibidla.tumblr.com/
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http://twitter.com/TarynKettle