Drake Magazine Fall 2014

drake m aga z i n e _ fa l l / w in ter 2014

TRAFFICKING TRAP th e m i d w e s t ’ s r o l e i n huma n tr a f f ic k i n g

3 quirky competitions DIY gourmet grilled cheese music spotlight: twin peaks, frankie teardrop, liam hayes

Lights, Camera, Fashion behind the style of favorite tv shows

Drake Magazine Staff, 2014 Editor-in-Chief

Linley Sanders The truth isn’t always pretty.

Yet, it’s how we react

strive to capture the reality of the Midwest—and hope that each

Art Director

Photo Editor

Kayli Kunkel

Morgan Cannata

Managing Editor

Associate Editor

Kendall Wenaas

Melissa Studach

Assistant Editor

Katie Bandurski writers

page 20 page 15 out page 52 Trap,” (page 26

Zach Allen

Emily Gregor

Faith Brar

Chance Hoener

Garrett Carty

James Jolly

Ashley Dail

Lauren Kassien

Maggie Dickman

Beth Levalley

KristIn Doherty

Molly Longman

Taylor EisenhAUer

Braeden Stanley

Zoe Ekonomou

Brian Taylor

Meagan Flynn

Emily VanSchmus

Annika Grassl

Angela Ufheil

art staff DESIGNERS

Drake Magazine

drakemag@gmail.com with

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Greta Gillen

Sam Fathallah

Susanna Hayward

Cameron Johnson

Maddie Hiatt

Cole Norum

Alecia McEachran

Olivia Sun

WEB Executive Editor: Lauren Kassien

drakemagazine.com don’t already, follow us on Twitter (@DrakeMag facebook.com/Drake.Magazine

Multimedia Editor: Hayleigh Syens Social Media Editor: Hannah Bruneman Assistant Editor: Jenna Pfingsten Webmaster: Lauren McElmeel

Best, © 2014 Drake Magazine is published with the support of the Board of Student Communications.

Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of Drake University.

Linley Sanders

Letters to the editor are encouraged, but will not be published. Direct any questions, comments, or concerns to drakemag@gmail.com.

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CONTENTS

FALL/WINTER 2014

Bits & Pieces

Food & Drink

Fashion

4 | Feel-Good Footwear

10 | Not just for sunburns

34 | co-ed closet

11 | Cold ones on the counter

36 | 7 steps to a killer blog

12 | Cruising cuisine

38 | night to day

15 | Goodbye, kraft; hello, craft

39 | lights, camera,fashion

4 | sunshine in a bottle

5 | buy this, not that

6 | sense-ational careers

7 | Precaution against plastic

8 | bit of lit 20 | craft beer culture 9 | An Independent generation

Health & Sex Say What

Music

22 | sex in the office

48 | punk rock revival: frankie teardrop

23 | exercise +

49 | throwback tracks

32 | nice guys finish last 50 | old sound, young souls 33 | check your privilege

25 | man up

10

48

20 6

23

52 25

15

Features 26 | the midwest's traffick trap 52 | Weird Competitions

More

58 | what’s online

DrakeMagazine.com.

watch for articles with this web icon, then check out bonus content on drakemagazine.com

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

These brands emphasize taking a walk in someone else’s shoes.

FOOT WEAR Oliberté

Oliberté became the world’s first Fair Trade Certified footwear factory in 2013. The company makes every pair of shoes at its factory in Ethiopia to support workers’ rights and fair trade.

The leather, lace-up shoes and boots start with farmers and local employees, proving the company’s message that every country in Africa—no matter its economic state— deserves the power to support its people. »OLIBERTE.COM

Mitscoots

Tim and Agata Scott began volunteering on the streets of Austin, Texas, and were surprised to find that besides food and water, people who are homeless most want clean socks. The Scotts then founded Mitscoots, a company that sells brightly colored, durable socks. For every pair purchased, the company gives a pair of equal quality socks to someone in need. Mitscoots employs homeless people to package the socks for delivery and keeps them on the payroll until they’re able to afford a place to live. And when the company volunteers deliver the socks, they don’t just drop them off. The volunteers stay for conversation, then check up on the homeless periodically. »MITSCOOTS.COM

TANAMINS—sunless

SPF 30 written by faith brar

written by emily vanschmus photo courtesy of feelgoodz

FeelGoodz

Traveling the world demands comfortable footwear.

World traveler Kyle Berner (pictured above), inspired by flip-flops he found at a Bangkok market, created FeelGoodz, a company that combines his love for comfort, travel, and global consciousness.

The company’s flip-flops are made from natural rubber (instead of synthetic—the kind you’ll find on tires) and other natural materials.

Plus, they employ farmers in Thailand, Vietnam, and Guatemala, and ensure they’re all paid fair wages. »FEELGOODZ.COM

tanning vitamins—are the solution for anyone wanting a bronzed look, without sweating in the sun. The pills are rich in Vitamins D and E, but also include PABA, a substance found in certain sunscreen products. Tanamins meet FDA guidelines, but have yet to be approved.

“PABA is one of the components that

Portovelos

Trendy, slip-on canvas shoes are all the rage in the fashion world, and helping people is all the rage in the real world.

Harvard grad Lavina Tien came up with a way to look good and give back.

Each season, Portovelo chooses a cause and finds a way to contribute. This season, the company is recognizing the 600 million children in the world living below the poverty line. They are pairing with Flourishing Features, a non-profit in Mongolia, to feed children struggling with hunger. For every pair of Portovelos purchased, 15 meals will be provided to a child in need. »PORTOVELO.COM

bacteria need to make folic acid,” says Kim Beck, medicinal chemistry professor at Butler University. Folic acid can help protect skin from UV rays, but PABA— which is under debate for its effectiveness and safety—is no longer taken as a supplement because enough is digested through the average person’s diet.

written by Angela ufheil_illustration by kayli kunkel

a gender to products that could be gender-neutral to increase sales and brand presence, says Beatriz Pereira, assistant marketing professor at Iowa State University. “If you are in a store and not sure whether to buy product A or B, and one of them is gender specific—that might tip the balance to make the final decision,” Pereira says.

Banana Boat Sunscreen debuted a line of sun care products exclusively for men in 2013. According to the ad campaign, Banana Boat Triple Defense Sunscreens are “formulated for men’s unique sun care needs.”

Anastasia Tobias, the senior brand manager at Energizer Personal Care, the company in charge of marketing Banana Boat Sunscreen, says the product was created to deal with the growing number of skin cancer cases in men.

It has certain properties to meet the needs of men, including antiperspirant and a different scent. “As a woman, I wouldn’t wear it because it smells like male deodorant,” Tobias says.

She says the new line has produced more sales because it targets men—a demographic that does not use sunscreen as often. But brands get into trouble, Pereira says, when the market segmentation does not seem purposeful. BIC recently debuted BIC Pens for Her, a pastel-colored ball pen with a slender barrel. Jill Johnson, a BIC spokesperson, says that the feminine design has drawn both positive and negative reviews.

“The idea for the BIC for Her product line originally came from research with consumers who said they would be interested in pens that had more stylish design features,” Johnson says in a press release. “Research that has been conducted since the launch of this line has continued to confirm this, as have the sales.”

Pereira believes people would not have been offended if the pens were merely pink. “The fact that they added ‘for Her’ really got people upset,” she says. “It seems more like discrimination than just focusing on the customers’ needs.”

Brands don’t come up with gender stereotypes on their own, though—it’s a circle. Pereira says companies look at their audience, then aim to tailor products to what people want.

“Marketers don’t come up with anything that’s not already present in society,” she says. “They take advantage of gender expectations and end up helping to make it worse because the marketers are part of what define our culture.”

SOME COMPANIES STILL ASSIGN

icons by Freepik, Tutsplus from flaticon.com. Licensed CC by 3.0.

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

Sense-sational

Careers These jobs require excelling at one of the five senses. written by hannah bruneman _ photography by cameron johnson

Audio engineers are the masterminds behind the catchy jingles people love to hate. These musically- and technically-inclined individuals work closely with clients to create memorable sounds.

Keith Brown, owner of Crystal Sound in Urbandale, Iowa, harnessed his musical talents when he was young and has been composing sound bites and scores for clients ever since—including Wells Fargo, McDonalds, and Chevrolet.

“I love to write, compose, and play,” Brown says.

“But I equally enjoy doing the technical stuff, doing the digital editing.”

SOUND

Pleas for cuddle buddies can now be answered—at a price. Across the country, cuddle experts provide the need for human touch. Samantha Hess, creator of the website Cuddle Up To Me, began her cuddling business in 2013 after realizing the benefits of personal connection.

Before things get intimate, Hess meets with her client publicly to go over arrangements and guidelines—meaning no sexual advancements. Her 30-minute snuggle sessions cost 35 dollars with additional options, including overnight visits.

TOUCH

Most people wait until after their job is done to sip on a cold one—hence the creation of happy hour.

But in Stephanie Peterson’s case, consuming alcohol is her 9-to-5. As a quality control technician at US Distilled Products Company, Peterson ensures that “what goes out the door is good and legal product.” She checks the alcohol’s proof, color, and, of course, taste.

“I work with developing new product or tasting new product,” Peterson says. She’s influenced favorites like UV Vodka and Kinky Liqueur. Cheers, quality control technicians; the young adults of America thank you.

TASTE

lift this

written by maggie dickman

IT’S POSSIBLE TO GET A TONED TUMMY

without intense workouts. It’d only require a simple procedure—by a plastic surgeon. Plastic surgery offers plenty of ways for people to get their “perfect” body, but it can lead to greater problems down the road.

“Some things are done too early, not anticipating the natural changes that occur as we age,” says Brenton Koch, a doctor at Koch Facial Plastic Surgery & Spa in Des Moines, Iowa. Despite this, more 20- to 30-somethings are taking the plunge for plastic.

People seem to be thinking “all about that bass” nowadays—the gluteal augmentation procedure is up 16 percent since 2012. Dale Franks, a doctor at WDF Plastic Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, says that there are three ways to get a bigger booty: the injection of silicone directly, the use of silicone implants, and fat grafting.

But Franks warns that the use of silicone can lead to infection or a permanent deformity.

• J-Lo booty:

Diamonds are worn as a sign of commitment, passed down through generations, and are a symbol of luxury. The details in these precious stones make skilled diamond cutters necessary in the jewelry industry. Precision is key, so it’s imperative that the jeweler has top-notch vision. Diamond cutters are trained at an advanced level and often learn the art form through trial and error.

According to The Diamond Institute in Washington, “[Diamond cutters] constantly experiment with different materials, angles, and polishing techniques in order to improve upon what they achieved on the last stone they cut.”

SIGHT

Fat grafting can be done on nearly any part of the body, including the face, making an Angelina Jolie pout fully attainable. The drawback?

“A third to a half of the fat will die, which means you may need to do [the procedure] again,” says Richard Tholen, a doctor at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery.

• Luscious lips:

For a toned body minus the workout, the Smartlipo procedure removes fat and gives the appearance of tighter skin. Liposuction is a simple procedure, but there is a negative side.

“When people gain weight, they don’t gain weight where the liposuction was done,” Koch says. “So they have irregular dips and valleys.”

• Flat tummy:

Don’t be fooled by that celebrity’s perfume; while he or she may be the face of a sweet scent, it’s professional perfumers who put their noses to work.

Chris Diienno is the president of the American Society of Perfumers, a non-profit organization representing over 300 scent artists in the fragrance industry.

Perfumers create scents for a wide range of products including lotions, detergents, and candles.

“Perfumery is a leap to inspiration,” Diienno says. “It’s trying to pull a scent out of that experience and telling a story through fragrance.”

SMELL

Under-eye bags aren’t a good look on anyone. That’s where eyelid surgery comes into play. “We pluck out a few fat pads to make the lower eyelids less tired-looking,” says Anthony Breit, a doctor at the Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota. Though this sounds ideal, a patient will have to deal with some bruising for about a week after the procedure.

• Bright eyes:

Chin surgery is on the rise for men and women desperate for a perfect profile.

Adam Smith, doctor at Tri-State Specialists in Sioux City, Iowa, says there are two ways to get a perfect chin: through an implant or directly cutting the bone.

Smith warns, however, that chin implants can be dangerous for the recipient. Because the implant is a foreign object placed in the body, it can wear away the bone or become infected, causing permanent damage that’s difficult to correct.

• Defined chin:

nip + TUCK

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

written by lauren mcelmeel photography by cameron johnson

“Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without a Date”

BY KATIE HEANEY

A card-carrying member of the lonely-hearts club, Katie Heaney has been single her entire life. In this hilarious memoir, Heaney describes her lack of a dating life, the possible reasons behind this phenomenon, and her many failed attempts at finding love. Beginning with a fourth-grade skating party—which she depicts as the elementary school equivalent of a booze cruise—Heaney examines the thought process of being in love with someone who doesn’t know you exist.

As she leads the reader through her own romantic missteps, she drops some extremely relatable truth bombs, such as the fact that baristas, by virtue of their occupation, are all kind of hot. But her memoir isn’t entirely dedicated to her own singleness; she weaves in detailed stories of friendship and anecdotes about regular life. Perfect for a beach or vacation—Heaney imparts her own experiences and advice to the reader with sassy and relatable flair.

“I Was Told There’d Be Cake”

BY SLOANE CROSLEY

Twenty-something Sloane Crosley’s biggest fear while living in New York was that, upon her untimely death by subway crash or bodega shooting, her family would discover her toy pony collection.

So, she did the natural thing and left the ponies in a big, black garbage bag on a Brooklyn-bound train, next to some poor girl who probably called security.

Quirky anecdotes like this and so many more are found in Crosley’s gut-busting book. From frosting a cookie to look like her first boss, then presenting it to her the next day, to becoming obsessed with finding a one-night stand, Crosley’s hijinks and missteps give us a glimpse into turn-of-the-century New York. Fans of “Sex and the City” and “Girls” will find a familiar voice in Crosley’s debut memoir.

“My Drunk Kitchen: A Guide to Cooking, Drinking, and Going with Your Gut”

“Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps”

BY KELLY WILLIAMS BROWN

BY HANNAH HART

“My Drunk Kitchen” is a staple for beginner and professional cooks, alike. Hart delves into the “secondary pubescence” stage between college graduation and your thirtieth birthday. Her wise teachings ultimately lead to the realization that as an adult, you’re now required to bring a dish to the potluck you’ve been invited to by that friend from work. In addition to chasing the cure for a hangover, Hart provides helpful cocktail suggestions—hello, blueberry vodka-tinis—to pair with whatever dish you’re preparing.

Written by the Millennial version of Emily Post, Kelly Williams Brown, “Adulting” is a godsend for those of us who are starting to realize that maybe it’s time to grow up after all.

Peppered with personal anecdotes about life after college and grad school, Brown divulges the secrets of becoming a fully functioning adult, including the boring minutiae of adulthood (read: taxes, bills, and credit card debt). From weighty topics such as developing your personal opinions, to lighter fare, such as how to be a “fun-thing initiator” in your friend group, “Adulting” will quickly become a go-to for any predicament.

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

not just for

sunburns Aloe vera is gaining recognition as a weirdly beneficial beverage. written by ZOE EKONOMOU photography by SAM FATHALLAH

Aloe vera isn’t just for

skin anymore—it’s now available in beverage form. And while the juice may not be love at first taste, its role in healing is progressing, but not without controversy.

Drinking aloe has become a popular health craze among celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys, and Cheryl Cole, who claim the plant has aided in their flawless skin and digestion. The bitter beverage has sparked the interest of health bloggers, juice bars, and smoothie shops across the country.

The juice is now commercially accessible too—it’s available at Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Walgreens.

“It’s supposedly the miracle cure for everything when you drink it,” says Anne Cundiff, a registered and licensed dietitian in Des Moines.

“People think if they take it internally, it’ll work for weight loss, energy, diabetes, et cetera.”

Sheree Clark, a health coach and nutritionist has been consuming aloe for digestion purposes for the

past 10 years. Clark takes a leaf, cuts away the outside, and mixes the inner gel into her smoothies. “I’m a raw vegan,” she says. “A lot of raw vegans are likely to eat more plants and do more things with plants than the average person.”

The scientific community is divided over the safety of aloe vera products. Some warn against potential contamination of aloin, the yellow-brownish sap found in aloe juice and other health products. Others believe the potential benefits outweigh the dangers. According to Clark, aloe beverages can significantly reduce inflammation symptoms, improve digestion, relieve ulcers, and help lower cholesterol.

Both nutritionists agree that additional research should be done before consuming aloe. “I think with everything that’s trendy,” Cundiff says, “It’s always good to take into consideration why it’s trendy, where the trend is coming from, and the history.”

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

On the counter Make room in the kitchen for

this new gadget. Soon, SYNEK—a beerpouring appliance often compared to a Keurig—will bring almost any brew right next to the coffee pot. The toaster ovensized, stainless steel box uses vacuumpacked beer and keeps it carbonated until consumption.

The idea came to creators after talking to craft brewers about one of their biggest hurdles: the cost of packaging and distributing. The current solution— growlers, which are glass or ceramic beer jugs—come with high prices, are tough to transport, and don’t last long.

“The SYNEK is the 21st century growler,” says Michael Werner, strategic director for SYNEK. “It’s targeting the craft beer enthusiast who wants to enjoy a craft beer at home.”

To solve the problem, the creators took a cue from the wine industry, which started bagging booze decades ago. But unlike wine, the carbonation in beer needs special treatment to stay fresh. The SYNEK cartridge is a patent-pending, vacuumsealed, UV-protected bag. Users attach the cartridge to the device and the bag provides their brew of choice—an idea that quickly gained financial support on crowdfunding site Kickstarter.

These beer-filled containers go into the device, which keeps the beverage chilled and carbonated. Then, drinkers can pour a cold one at will using the device’s tap.

The airtight cartridge makes sure the brew stays fresh for more than 30 days after the first pour. Plus, the one-gallon (that’s about

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This Kickstarter invention could revolutionize how we drink craft beer. written by KRISTIN DOHERTY photography by SAM FATHALLAH

11 bottles) cartridges are interchangeable, so no need to finish the whole gallon in one go. That means access to more brews and higher quality beer. Cheers.

The packaging brings costs way down: Drinkers provide their own cartridges, which cost about $1 apiece—a huge improvement from the cost of bottling.

However, as with any new invention, there are a few hurdles. First, this new form of beer distribution blurs legal lines in a few states. For example, some states require beer be distributed in containers of a certain size; others force all alcohol to be labeled with specific information.

SYNEK cartridges don’t always meet those regulations. “We have to educate legislators, we have to reform some laws, and we have to comply with some laws in place,” Werner says. “We’re changing the whole industry, and not everyone is forward-thinking.”

Because of that change, some craft brewers are hesitant. But Werner is optimistic about changing their minds. A few big-name breweries are doing qualityassurance testing to make sure their beers taste as fresh as always when poured using a SYNEK, and the team is going on a “touring rampage” to demonstrate the product at microbreweries this winter.

Werner thinks once brewers see it in action, they’ll be on board.

“We’re not asking any favors—we’re solving a problem,” Werner says. “We’re helping them sell more beer at a higher quality and lower cost. What brewery is going to say no to that?”

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

America’s heartland offers great food on the go, literally. From Minneapolis to Chicago—and everywhere in between—these are the Midwest’s best food trucks. written by zach allen

Taqueria la Esperanza Des Moines Just east of the Capitol building, Taqueria la Esperanza, owned

by Jose Gallardo, delivers just what it promises: “Comida Authentica Mexicana”—authentic Mexican food. The menu boasts competitively priced dishes, including tortas, seven varieties of tacos, and burritos large enough for two. And no Taqueria la Esperanza feast would be complete without a splash of sauce, which comes free with purchase. Altogether, this truck provides a delicious and satisfying dinner for only a few dollars. find them at: 1547 E Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50316 photography by SAM FATHALLAH

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

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Home Street Home Minneapolis

Relaxation is tricky in today’s world, especially with fast-paced mindsets and professional obligations. Destiny Buron and Dan Kidd, owners of the Home Street Home truck, hope to alleviate that. Business picked up after their bleu cheese–stuffed burger was crowned the Twin Cities’ best food-truck burger by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Since then, the truck has been a midday getaway for Twin Cities workers. Every Thursday, patrons enjoy the vendor’s peaceful environment and live music. “We try to make people feel like they’re really getting away, even for just an hour,” Buron says. In addition to the brief escape, the fish tacos, locally bottled soda, and a 97 percent waste-free policy keep customers coming back.

photo courtesy of home street home

Bridgeport Pasty Chicago Concern for the environment isn’t just for political rallies.

It’s on the minds of everyday people and entrepreneurs.

That’s why Jay Sebastian and Carrie Clark, owners of Bridgeport Pasty, took a new approach to the food truck biz. Their pasty (read: pot pie to-go) shop on wheels opened in 2011.

It’s fully electric, powered by nine 8-volt rechargeable batteries—an idea that prevailed when the idea of bicycle delivery fell through.

Among the many items on the menu, The Steak and Stilton, the Chic-Pot-Pie, and The Veggie are real crowd pleasers.

Like Bridgeport Pasty on Facebook to stay updated on their location. photo courtesy of bridgeport pasty

Contact them at: 651.600.0962, or check out their calendar at homestreethometruck.com to stay updated on their location.

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

Urban Caveman Milwaukee

Healthy doesn’t have to mean boring. Three years ago, Alan Harris began a journey to discover delicious and nutrient-dense cuisine. His research led to the birth of Urban Caveman in 2013.

Harris sells meals made from scratch with local ingredients. “Nothing comes from a bag. Nothing comes from a factory,” Harris says. “It’s all just real, plain healthy food.” His most popular item?

The Caveman Burger Bowl. It’s a dish of mashed sweet potatoes, ground beef, and fried egg with bacon sprinkled on top. contact them at: 414.604.6328 or find them at @UrbanCavemanMKE to stay updated on their location.

photos courtesy of urban cavemen

Monk's Roast Beef KANSAS CITY

KC boasts some of the best meat in the Midwest, and carnivores won’t be disappointed by Monk’s Roast Beef. This truck delivers the finest of its namesake. Kenny DeBenedictis, MRB’s owner, entered the KC street scene with his truck back in 2012. “I made a great sandwich I fell in love with years ago and wanted to take it to Kansas City,” he says. Each sandwich is made-to-order and crafted from fresh beef that’s slow-cooked and sliced on the scene. A system of call-in and text-in orders keeps traffic running smoothly.

Like Monk’s Roast Beef on Facebook to stay updated on their location, or Contact them at: 816.510.0087

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goodbye kraft,

Hello Craft Written by brian k taylor carlson recipes by beth levalley photography by morgan cannata

It’s hard to top a crispy,

buttery grilled cheese sandwich, oozing with gooey goodness. After all, this staple is a comforting part of the soul of American nostalgia. Midwest chefs are grabbing onto this childhood throwback by concocting new combinations of ingredients—elevating

these menu mainstays to gourmet status.

In ancient Roman times, cheese was paired with bread as part of an elaborate feast. Today, grilled cheese has transformed from mere Kraft singles to adding even more types of cheeses and ingredients.

READ ON FOR RECIPES AND MORE »

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The Cheese Shop of Des Moines

Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar

833 42nd Street, Ste B, Des Moines

209 N. Linn Street #1, Iowa City, Iowa

“Grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious. We all grew up on them,” says Julie Fleming Henningsen, chef of The Cheese Shop of Des Moines. “We now have access to better food and better cheeses.

Other ingredients give them a sense of whimsy.

My favorite unique ingredient is pickled shallots.

It’s always daring.”

Items such as peppery arugula, spicy chilies, and sun-dried tomatoes are finding their way into these cheesy, bready creations. Chefs are also using a variety of cheeses, including small-batch, handmade options from local dairies.

“I typically use cheddar, but our fondue mix is a Swiss cheese blend. You can smell it from afar. The funkier the cheese the better,” Fleming Hennigsen says. “We also use a German mix—a combination of German cream cheese, gouda, and cheddar. All of our grilled cheese sandwiches are served openfaced. The cheese is melted over the top. We use white bread—simple and classic.”

Brix, a new cheese shop and wine bar in Iowa City, attributes the success of its sandwiches to the ingredients.

“Because of the prevalence of high-quality artisanal cheeses from states like Wisconsin, California, and Vermont, the U.S. now produces some outstanding cheese products,” says Christina Sjogren, manager of Brix. “We're able to do some creative things with it and don’t have to import European products as much—plus [the sandwiches] taste awesome.”

Brix is planning for a few new grilled cheese combinations.

“We have a new menu in the works. One of the ingredients we’ll be using is wine-poached dried figs with bleu cheese, gruyere, and onion jam,” Sjogren says. “It’s sweet and savory, and we’re calling it fruit and fromage.”

Best Regards Bakery & Café 6759 W. 119th Street, Overland Park, Kan.

The Melthouse Bistro 1857 E. Kenilworth Place, Milwaukee

The Melthouse features exclusively Wisconsin cheeses on locally made bread.

“The reason why the grilled cheese is becoming so upscale is that it’s part of a larger trend of people experimenting with new flavor profiles,” owner Troy Davis says. “We use a broad range of different types of flavors, and people are more open to them. We take things we grew up on and put a different spin on them.”

Troy and his wife Susan have been toasting up grilled cheeses for several years. Their “entry-level” grilled cheese, called “The Cheesehead,” starts with fresh homemade wheat bread topped with Wisconsin sharp cheddar, muenster, and nutty provolone, and finished with a zesty pesto aioli.

Best Regards gives the power to the people to come up with their own gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. They take two slices of artfully baked breads and offer a choice of 15 different cheeses and 11 add-ons, including avocado, pesto, and Berkshire bacon, which means there are more than 40 million combinations to choose from.

“We love to take non-pretentious food, elevate it, and enjoy it to a higher degree,” says Robert Duensing, co-owner of Best Regards. “Chefs who are passionate take the food for us common people and use new ingredients. That can be pretty special.”

One of the most popular grilled cheeses at Best Regards is made with their own French country bread, roast beef, caramelized portobello mushrooms, and Swiss and havarti cheeses.

Recipe for “Health Nut” on page 18

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Sweet Tooth ¹/³ tsp. butter 2 Tbsp. Mascarpone cheese 2 pieces of a day-old angel food cake loaf, cut one-inch thick 2 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping 2 Tbsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Heat a saute pan to medium and melt the butter on the surface.

Spread a tablespoon of Mascarpone cheese on each slice of angel food cake. Place one piece of the cake with the cheese face-up in the heated pan and drizzle with half of the caramel ice cream topping.

Distribute the chocolate chips on top, then add another layer of caramel. Turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid until the chocolate melts, about 30 seconds.

Don’t worry if the caramel spills over—it’ll soak into the bread, creating a sweeter sandwich. Once the chocolate chips are melted, turn the heat back on and put the second piece of cake on top. Flip the sandwich to toast the other side, for about one to two minutes.

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

Cheese Lover 2 slices white bread ¹/³ tsp. butter 2 slices American cheese 2 Tbsp. cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. Gruyere cheese 2 Tbsp. fontina cheese Butter one side of each slice of bread.

Place the buttered side face-down in a heated saute pan. Layer the American cheese, cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, and fontina cheese on top of the bread. Cover with a lid to let the cheeses melt for about 15 seconds.

Because these cheeses have a low melting point, the middle should be soft and stringy. Add the top slice of bread and flip the sandwich to toast the other side.

Health-Nut

(previous page)

For pesto: ½ cup basil 1 Tbsp. slivered almonds 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese 5 Tbsp. olive oil For sandwich: Pesto 2 slices whole-grain bread 2 slices tomato 3 slices avocado 2 Tbsp. bleu cheese crumbles Blend basil, almonds, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a blender to create a pesto. Spoon half of this pesto onto each slice of bread. Layer slices of tomato, avocado, and crumbles of bleu cheese over the pesto. Top with the other slice of bread, pesto side down, and grill in a panini press for about two minutes, or until toasted.

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Jalapeño Popper 1 bacon strip 1 jalapeño pepper 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp. cream cheese Place a strip of bacon in a heated pan and cook until crispy, then place on paper towels to drain the excess fat. While the bacon is cooking, place the jalapeño on a baking sheet and cook in an oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Dice the jalapeno into small pieces. Set aside. Place two one-tablespoon mounds of Parmesan cheese and cook until crispy in a clean pan. Once the outside edge gets golden-brown, flip over and cook the other sides. Place these crisps on a paperby towel written first last _ to eliminate excess fat. In a small bowl, mix by FIRST LAST photography together the cream cheese, crumbled bacon, and diced jalapeño. Spread the cream cheese mixture in between the Parmesan cheese crisps.

Mamma Mia! ¹/³ tsp. butter 2 pieces garlic bread, cut ¼-½ inches thick 1 Tbsp. cream cheese 2 Tbsp. Mozzarella cheese 1 tsp. Parmesan cheese Heat a saute pan to medium and melt the butter on the surface. Spread cream cheese on one side of each slice of garlic bread. Place the side without cheese facedown in the pan.

Disperse half of the mozzarella on top of the cream cheese, followed by the Parmesan, and then add the rest of the mozzarella. Cover with a lid for 30 seconds or until the cheese melts. Set one slice of bread on top of the other to make a sandwich, then flip and toast the other side.

Read how an Iowa grilled cheese vendor is attempting to turn his business into a food truck at drakemagazine.com

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craft brew

culture written by LINLEY SANDERS photography by SAM FATHALLAH

Midwesterners love their microbrews. But as the culture increases, some are taking the risk to experiment with their own homebrews. starts with the roots—and not just the type that barley grows from. Michael Bergman, publisher of “MidwestMicroBrews,” believes the best brews stem from homegrown talent and a localized mentality—qualities that Bergman says make Midwesterners some of the best craft beer creators around.

“Since the craft beer revolution, it’s been here in the Midwest that we’ve really embraced it—probably a lot more than other parts of the country,” Bergman says.

That’s right, we may be the flyover states, but the beer boom didn’t skip the Midwest. For Dan Schwarz, president of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, his entrance into the beer business started with a group of friends playing cards and sharing craft beers. While talking, they realized each had A good craft beer

attempted home brewing in the past. This discovery led to the group creating Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater, Minn.

They now work alongside other breweries, paying it forward in a Midwest mentality. If another brewery is short on supplies, they’ll send out a message and someone will share the needed ingredients or parts. Small breweries want to see each other succeed, Schwarz says.

“There’s really a camaraderie and willingness to share in the brewing industry,” he says. “Actually, there’s just a lot more camaraderie around beer.”

Forget cutthroat corporate America, craft beer plays by its own rules. And that culture is growing across the Midwest.

In 2013, the production of craft beer rose 18 percent, while overall beer production decreased 2 percent—sorry, Bud.

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

“We can grow barley here. We can “As more people get interested in the grow the products that go into the craft, they’ll want to explore the bigger beer,” Bergman says. “We see it as an side of things, too,” Bergman says. extension of the farmers’ “Craft brewers love home market mentality. Instead brewers because the more of drinking beer from a people who are interested once multi-national corporation, in the craft, the better.” we drink locally. We’re Sure, pubs are a midwest helping our neighbors. For competitive business—who brews a lot of Midwesterners, hasn’t wanted to open a got we can see the value bar? But most owners, their in that.” like Sebastian Desotelle A lot of big names—think of Northern Brewer, start, Samuel Adams—originated a homebrew store in they on the coasts, which is Minneapolis, believe home didn't why most people don’t brewing is about passion, slow associate the Midwest not finances. with beer. These brands “When you get into it, down. eventually paved the way you see that you can do for craft brewers who this,” Desotelle says. “But were reluctant to begin. what makes something go And once Midwest brews got their start, from a good beer to a great beer? When they didn’t slow down. Today, 23 percent you go to those microbreweries that are of home brewers hail from the heartland. popping up in the Midwest, some of them Beyond discovering brews, more people are doing a fantastic job. You can really are attempting to imitate great craft beers appreciate what they’re doing. I think it at home. helps create a love for great beer.”

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microbrew mythbusters For aspiring brewers, Desotelle says these three misconceptions shouldn’t hold people back.

1. It’s Expensive.

Brewing can be pricy, but it doesn’t have to be. “People think it costs hundreds of dollars to get into because they see people who have big systems and things like that,” Desotelle says. “But really, you can get into it for like $100 or less.”

2. It's bulky.

No need to set up an entire factory in the living room. Home brewing can be complex, but there are also simple, beginner’s kits.

“Honestly, you just need enough room for your stovetop and the space for a six-gallon bucket,” he says.

3. It’s difficult.

With today’s technology and the availability of fresh ingredients, Desotelle says brewing has never been more accessible. Sure, there are potential problems, but navigating them is half the fun. “It’s DIY—that’s a big part of it. There are all these problems you have to solve to figure out the best way,” he says. “If you can make macaroni and cheese, you can make beer. It’s super simple to do.”

the midwest’s

Traffick

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

Trap Des Moines sits at the crossroad between Chicago, Omaha, and Kansas City—making it a prominent point for human trafficking in the Midwest. written by molly longman_ photography by Cole norum

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

A Fisher Price toy chirps

as an “Adventure Time” rerun plays on the TV, and a pit bull barks in another room. A bowl of potatoes sits on the stove, waiting to be peeled. Heather Rios, 39, picks up her 18-month-old son, Manny, and swings him around as he happily squeals and giggles. A lot is going on in Heather’s quaint, yellow home in Waterloo, Iowa, but compared to her past, her life today is remarkably serene.

Heather was a victim of human trafficking. Every year, so are approximately 30 million other people worldwide. One summer night, when she was 16, Heather missed curfew.

She decided her best option was not to return home at all. Instead, she went to a party in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she knew virtually no one.

Heather was looking for a friendly face. A woman, about her age, smiled.

Heather was looking for someone to talk to. The woman obliged. Heather

“

Trafficking frequently goes unreported by victims because of the stigma that comes with admittance.″

wanted adventure. The friendly, young woman seemed to understand her need for escape and happened to be traveling to Milwaukee that evening.

She promised they’d be back in a few days, “tops.”

Iowa has two national human trafficking circuits embedded in its soil: Interstate 35 and Interstate 80, says Mike Ferjak, director of the human trafficking enforcement and prosecution initiative for the Iowa Department of Justice. They connect major Midwest cities, like Chicago, Omaha, and Kansas City. Des Moines is right in the middle—and serves as a gateway.

After a cramped and awkward six-hour car ride in a ’79 Buick LeSabre with the young woman, Heather arrived at a rundown house where she was held captive and forced into sex slavery for the next three months of her life.

Now, as Heather speaks, Manny sits in her arms and starts to cry. She hands him a little, orange sippy cup full of water. He stops crying, and his big, brown eyes lock focus back on “Adventure Time.”

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

“Right away I was taken away and put in a room,” Heather says.

“I was locked in there for a couple of days with no food, no water, no nothing.

I heard gunshots all night. I heard ambulances. There was no way to get out. The windows had bars on them; I was on the second floor. And that was when I thought to myself, ‘I’m not going to get home.’”

Control over human trafficking victims is often achieved by confinement, threats, physical restraint, and frequent moves from city to city, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ferjak says that traffickers tend to move every seven to nine days to avoid detection.

This may be the reason I-80 and I-35 are such trafficking hubs, he says.

Last year, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center received 118 phone calls, eight emails, and 10 online tips reporting signs of human trafficking in Iowa. Even still—the

National Institute of Justice warns that estimates are often low because of underreporting.

“People don’t realize how common it really is here in Iowa,” Ferjak says. “I truly believe that it happens every day.”

Police and child advocates estimate that one in three teens will be approached by someone in the sex trade within 48 hours of running away. Hundreds of teens run away from home every year in the Midwest, drawing traffickers in at a rapid rate. But these traffickers aren’t on most people’s radars, leading to fewer reports and fewer arrests.

“People don’t like to talk about anything bad happening in their community. It’s an uncomfortable topic. It’s sad. It’s gross. People don’t think it happens in Iowa because it’s easier not to think about it,” says Brenda Bash, a supervisor at Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services.

After Heather had spent a few days in a small room with only a phone book and a few spiders and cockroaches, the woman who drove her to Milwaukee collected her for a bath. Her face was no longer friendly.

She no longer smiled. This was the first night a gun was waved in front of Heather before she was forced onto the streets to be sold for sex.

Every night, Heather stood on a corner by a phone booth and was picked up by a line of cars. Her captors supervised intently from a porch across the street.

“If she tries to get away, just shoot her and leave her out by the highway,” one trafficker said.

The walls in Heather’s room were paper-thin. She could hear them discussing her fate for the night. Her worth. Her punishments. When she contracted gonorrhea, she heard them contemplate whether she was worth the medication. Worth the trip to the doctor.

“After so many weeks had gone by, I was trying to come to terms with it,” Heather says. “This was going to

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The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) cites the following as characteristics that make one susceptible to human trafficking:

Being a runaway or homeless at a young age Lacking a support system of friends and family Loitering in an unfamiliar environment Showing signs of vulnerability at transportation transits, shelters, or other public places

Warning signs that human trafficking is taking place:

Submissive behavior Marks of physical abuse Seemingly rehearsed conversation Many people living in a small space For those involved in or suspecting of a case of human trafficking: Call 911.

In a situation that requires immediate rescue, calling local law enforcement is the safest option.

Contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 1.888.373.7888

Victims or those suspicious of trafficking can report to the NHTRC. The 24-hour hotline is accessible nationwide and offers multilingual assistance.

The organization refers callers to anti-trafficking services in their area, which can provide a recovery plan for victims.

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be my life. I thought, ‘Maybe the less I fight with these people the better it’ll be,’ because I’m stuck. You give up and just cooperate so at least you don’t die.”

Her captors fed her a half-bowl of Ramen Noodles occasionally and beat her with a tire iron when she got mouthy, Heather explained.

“I remember watching TV in my room and Oprah was on, and I remember being so mad at Oprah,” she says. “I was like, ‘Well, she gets to eat every day. It must be nice to be rich and eat and drink every day’ because I was starving. I was just so angry.”

After three months, Heather knew that she was nearing the end of her rope. Her body was deteriorating from lack of nutrition and sexually transmitted disease.

The first time Heather was left alone outside of her room was in a K-Mart in Greenfield, Wisc. Aside from selling her, they’d employ her to steal things. She’d been instructed to fill up a cart, run out of the store with it, and jump into the car with the stolen merchandise.

Instead, she hid in a nearby clothing rack until an employee walked by. She whispered to the employee, “I’ve been kidnapped. I need security and police right now.”

Everyone involved with Heather’s case was arrested that night. Heather had been memorizing the address of the house for months, thanks to the phone book in her room that served more purpose than just killing cockroaches.

“The police came so fast because it was the suburbs,” she says. “I knew I was on the road to finally getting home.”

But Heather’s return home wasn’t an

easy one. Police officers, friends, and strangers alike weren’t sympathetic.

After all, she had chosen to run away.

“

people don’t realize how common it is here in iowa. i truly believe that it happens every day.”

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The $9.5 billion industry of human trafficking is growing in the U.S. Here’s a look at the national statistics.

In 2013, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) received 25,269 phone calls regarding victims of human trafficking.

California (3,083), Texas (2,236), and Florida (1,722) ranked highest in 2013 for the number of phone calls received by the NHTRC. Of all female human trafficking victims, 70 percent are placed in the commercial sex industry.

According to the Polaris Project, a nonprofit working against human trafficking, the average victim may be required to have sex 20-48 times a day.

A pimp can profit $150,000-$200,000 per child annually. Take that times the four to six girls the average pimp controls.

The Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in seven endangered runaways reported in 2013 is likely a victim of sex trafficking.

The average entry age for a minor in prostitution is 13-14 years old.

A Chicago-based study of prostituted women found that 56 percent had been runaways at youth; the numbers were similar for men.

“The police handcuffed me to the wall and took me to the children’s detention center,” Heather says. “I was called a whore and a slut.”

Trafficking frequently goes unreported by victims because of the stigma that comes with admittance.

People have a hard time differentiating prostitution and trafficking because the topic is taboo. It’s simply not addressed.

Terry Hernandez is the executive director of the Chrysalis Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating women and girls and protecting their rights. She says educating Midwesterners about trafficking is the first step to preventing it.

The organization incorporates awareness training in their after-school

programs for girls in Iowa elementary and middle schools.

“The girls and the parents are always somewhat surprised [when we talk about trafficking here],” Hernandez says. “A lot of recruitment for trafficking is taking place on the Internet.”

Today, digital drives the human trafficking business. Websites that advertise female escorts use coded messages to sell victims of trafficking, Ferjak says. There are over a hundred postings for girls in Iowa every day.

That number spikes during heavily attended events—like the state fair or large concerts.

Police can use these sites to track down and convict traffickers. In a lot of ways, the websites can be law enforcement’s best intelligence source. But they’re also a widespread marketplace for traffickers. Ferjak

refers to them as the ultimate “doubleedged sword.”

Heather believes that educating people about these sites, as well as Midwest trafficking circuits, is a key component to protecting children from falling into the trap that is trafficking.

Meanwhile, Manny is giggling on the floor. He’s blissfully unaware of the conversation that’s been going on around him for the past hour and of what his mother has been through.

She plans to share her story with her son someday. She wants him to know that anyone can be a victim of trafficking.

That it can happen anywhere. At a mall, truck stop, an Internet chat room. Even in the Midwest.

“He’s not safe just because he’s a boy, and he’s not safe just because he’s in Iowa,” Heather says. “Human trafficking can happen to anyone, anywhere.”

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XXX

These sex-related professionals are making a difference with their careers—and aren’t trying to hide what they do from the world. written by hayleigh syens

uncomfortable and interested all at the same time. Ears perk up at the very mention of it. It’s salacious, it’s seductive, it’s—er—sexy. Except when it’s not.

Sex. It makes people

Sex Therapist

“People think that my job is way more exciting and bizarre than it really is. It’s quite tame most of the time,” says Denise Stapley of Cedar Rapids, the only American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) certified sex therapist in Iowa. “I’m just a therapist who deals with sexual issues. That’s really it.”

Stapley started off as a general clinical therapist and transitioned into sex therapy after realizing that clients were coming to her with sexual issues.

“I realized how important it was, and I just became really interested in the field,” Stapley says. “It was a need that needed to be filled, and I felt a passion for what I was doing.”

Stapley deals with everything from libido and desire discrepancies to educating clients about their bodies to, yes, interesting fetishes. While the topics Stapley talks about on a daily basis are enough to make most people blush, she says it’s no big deal.

“Socially, we’re just not trained to talk openly and comfortably about sexuality,” Stapley says. “I feel an incredible need to have appropriate education and to normalize it, not to shame it. It is what it is. My daughter was just telling me this morning—they’re doing a digestive unit at school—and she goes, ‘Mom, I don’t get it. Why are people so freaked out? It’s just a penis.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s just a penis.’”

Addiction Group Leader

For Marc Montanye, religion and sex work together.

Montanye is the director of Renewal Ministries at Christ Community Church in Omaha, Neb. One of the church’s most highly attended groups is Men of Integrity (MOI). The group deals with “men’s sexual brokenness. It is a program that brings men together in a safe and honest environment where they can address their deep-seeded lust issues.”

Men meet once a week and discuss their progress with overcoming sexual addiction before breaking into smaller groups to try and get to the root of their problems.

“The leader’s job is to show the guys compassion, show them Christ’s love, and help them understand that there are people who are sympathetic or empathetic toward what they’re going through,” Montanye says. “Often, what

we find is that addiction—whether it’s with drugs or alcohol or sexual addiction—is driven by something that is in our hearts.”

MOI holds five pillars to a high standard within their group—safety, healing, honesty, education, and accountability—and Montanye believes that all of the men are dedicated to changing and becoming better people.

“We’re called to be in fellowship groups and relationships, and a part of those relationships is that we’re supposed to look out for each other,” Montanye says. “When somebody’s struggling, we’re called to reach out to that person and to help them in their struggle.”

Sex Toy Shop Owner

“People think we’re a bunch of angry feminists, and that we love sex toys. I’m an angry feminist, but I can’t speak for my staff. Oh, I just heard from the back. Yes. They all are.”

Searah Deysach knew that there would be some backlash when she opened a sex toy shop that describes itself as sex-positive and women-oriented. After many disappointing experiences in sex toy shops, Deysach quit grad school and opened her own. Her Chicago-based store, Early to Bed, prides itself on being lady-friendly and ready to answer any questions.

“No one has any sex education in this culture. Women are completely disenfranchised from ownership of their sexual bodies,” Deysach says. “Sex toys have been treated as a dirty thing in our culture for so many years, and so many people— in particular, women—go through their entire lives without experiencing sexual satisfaction because nobody knows who to ask if they have a question about their vagina. A safe place to go talk about your body and get your sexual questions answered is hard to find.”

Deysach and her staff work hard to make Early to Bed the safe space that so many people are looking for. Besides just having a highly-trained staff, Deysach offers sex workshops that allow customers to explore and ask questions without feeling judged or shamed.

“Our culture does a really terrible job educating anybody about pleasure, and I think it’s a big part of healthy human sexuality,” Deysach says. “So, from the beginning, I wanted sex workshops to be a part of what we did to give adults an opportunity to—in a safe environment—learn more about everything from blow jobs to G-spots to ropetying to pretty much anything under the sun that comes under the topic of sex.”

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

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EXERCISE Fight fitness boredom by adding one of these exercise trends to a workout routine. written by Lauren Kassien photography by Cole norum

Anyone who’s spent time at the gym knows running in place for hours on end can make working out tedious and dull. The International Health, Racquetball, and Sportsclub Association estimates four of every five U.S. gym memberships go unused, with many people citing boredom as the reason for not lacing up their tennis shoes. To fight fitness fatigue, these emerging exercise trends offer a hardcore workout with a twist, motivating people to get off the couch and onto their feet.

Treadmill, dreadmill.

Exercise + Antigravity

Who says exercise has to be limited to the ground? Wannabe fitness fanatics can take their workouts to new heights—15 feet in the air, that is—with aerial exercise. Once only available for professional acrobats, aerial fitness classes are becoming exercise staples at yoga and dance studios across the Midwest. Now, people of all ages and abilities can take their workouts to the skies while channeling their inner Cirque du Soleil performers. “Aerial fitness is becoming much more mainstream and affordable,” says Felicia Coe, an aerial

fitness instructor at Des Moines Social Club. “Women come into my classes with their girlfriends all the time, and I have a lot more male students getting into it, too.”

Coe specializes in silks, a branch of aerial fitness that marries strengthbuilding yoga and Pilates moves with antigravity acrobatics. Students twist and turn their way through a variety of traditional yoga poses, all while suspended from the ceiling by a net of hanging silk fabrics. Beginners start by learning how to climb the dangling silks, a killer workout by itself, before progressing to more advanced tricks— upside down warrior pose, anyone?

The fabric pieces can hold up to 1,000 pounds, but students have to rely on their own muscles to hold themselves up in the air. Because of demand for some serious upper-body strength, aerial fitness classes are perfect for sculpting well-defined back, arm, and core muscles. “It’s not until a couple of days later that you’re really sore,” Coe says. “It’s such a difficult workout, but you don’t realize how much you’re utilizing all of these muscles because you’re having so much fun.”

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Exercise + Sex

More sporty than sexy, pole dancing has shifted its focus from a sensual, erotic art to a full body workout. Though classes vary by location, most begin by simply teaching people how to climb the pole.

From there, students learn how to sit, swing, and perform a short choreographed routine. Jennifer D’Ovidio, co-owner and pole instructor at Aerial Arts Rochester, in Rochester, New York, says the basics alone offer a hardcore workout. “Pole is definitely focused on mind, core, and upper body strength. You’re going to get a lot more of a challenge here than you will doing free weights or machines at the gym,” she says. “Because you’re having this mind-body connection, it takes a lot of skill and a little bit of grace to succeed.”

If that isn’t enough to get newbie dancers breaking a sweat, D’Ovidio ups the intensity of classes by having students ditch their tennis shoes to pound out fast-paced pole routines in a pair of their favorite stilettos.

While many continue to associate pole dancing with low-rent strippers and grimy, smoke-filled gentlemen’s clubs, the art actually originated as a sport in India more than 800 years ago. Many pole

Exercise + Dating classes like D’Ovidio’s are trying to slash the stereotype by taking the dance They say couples who sweat together, stay together. If that’s the case, ditch back to its sporty roots. In addition to the dingy bar—there’s no better place classes, the Midwest is home to several to meet a significant other than at a competitions that allow dancers to show off their hard-practiced skills. “My speed dating fitness class. The idea is simple: Participants spend three minutes studio is a huge advocate for trying to chatting with a stranger. Once time’s bring pole fitness to a more mainstream up, everyone does a 30-second strength level,” D’Ovidio says. “We want to give or endurance move, before switching people the opportunity to use pole not partners. “The idea is to use adrenaline as a gentlemen’s club activity but as a to keep people more way to perform, alert and interested,” grow strong, and says Bertha Cross, have a goal to owner of Fitness work toward.” this class Heights International gets you gym. “I’ve gone to Exercise excited about speed dating events + Circus your fitness where you just sit Circus fitness and talk to people goals... It classes bring with nothing in childlike dreams makes between, and by the of becoming a exercise a time I finished, I was graceful trapeze lot more exhausted. We’re all artist or brave accessible— adrenaline junkies tightrope walker here, so we need and a lot to life while something to keep offering a totalmore fun.” our energy up.” body workout.

At the end of the An emerging session, participants exercise trend, write down the numbers of up to three circus fitness classes cover all the people they want to see again. If two benefits of a traditional workout— people mutually choose each other, it’s including strength, balance, endurance, a match made in fitness heaven, and and flexibility—with a fun, engaging the gym will hook the two participants twist that can’t be matched by sweating up via email. The best part of fitness it out on a stationary bike. “Circus speed dating is that it helps gym junkies classes are an exercise not only for the to connect with others who are just as body but also for the mind,” says Laura passionate about health and fitness.

Ernst, Everything Circus class coach at “When people are starting to date, the Des Moines Social Club. “We offer a it’s easy for one person to say, ‘Yeah, I combination of hand-eye-coordination, workout,’ even if they never really do,” a mental workout, and a physical Cross says. “With this class, you know workout all at the same time.” you’re talking to someone who is at Basic circus classes like Ernst’s give your fitness level.” students the chance to try a variety of Big Top events, from low-impact juggling Exercise + Beer and hula hooping to more intense Think of it as carb-loading. Participants tricks like unicycling, aerial acrobatics, in the annual Beer 5K at Sleepy Hollow and trapeze artistry. “When I’m on the Sports Park in Des Moines, do more treadmill, the goal is so boring,” Ernst than just run. Fueled by adrenaline—and says. “Instead of forcing you to run in a few shots of liquid courage—runners place for 30 minutes, this class gets race through a three-mile obstacle you excited about your fitness goals, course, tackling various boozy challenges like getting four tosses while juggling before receiving the ultimate finishing or pedaling 10 times in a row on a prize: samples of locally-brewed beer. unicycle. It makes exercise a lot more Last year’s obstacles included Extreme accessible—and a lot more fun.”

“

Beer Pong—played with a volleyball net, 50-gallon barrels, and a medicine ball—and a swim-off held in a 40foot beer cooler. The race ends on Challenge Number 20: a 300-foot trip down a foam-covered slip ‘n slide.

“We don’t want people to worry about being the fastest or the first in this race,” says Nathaniel James, Sleepy Hollow Sports Park general manager.

“We get people to come out who can’t run a 5K or don’t want to run a 5K, but they enjoy themselves and play the games. It’s a fun experience for everybody.”

Proceeds from the Sleepy Hollow race benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year, more than 400 participants registered to drink and run. “We wanted to think of something no one else was doing,” James says. “Any other beer run I’ve heard of is a 5K run from Point A to Point B. We want this to be more of a game, so you’re not just mindlessly running along from start to finish. It’s a fun run, and I think that’s what attracts people most.” stop beating around the bush and bring manscaping to the forefront of conversation. In the years since puberty, we may have let the hedges grow just a bit too high—so much so you may not be able to see the neighbor’s house anymore. And some of us really like that neighbor.

Keeping care of the lawn has more benefits than just proving an evolution from caveman status. Guys taking charge of how they dress—and undress—is a matter of hygiene. Just like the hair on top of your head, keep the hair down below trimmed. No need to be as smooth as a newborn baby, but don’t resemble Gandalf the Grey below the belt.

The more confident you are sans clothes, the more you’ll be with them.

Plus, there’s no hurt in adding that ‘optical inch’ to make your member look a little more impressive. If hygiene isn’t enough of an incentive, think of the ladies. According to a study held

by Remington Products, “60 percent of women who are casually dating said Gentlemen, we need to

One writer’s take on guy grooming−yep, we’re going there. written by garrett carty photography by Cole norum

there should be some trimming around the groin.”

First time manscapers are in for a whole new ballgame. Here are some quick tips for that coveted, wellmanicured lawn.

Time Put aside 10-20 minutes.

Make sure you don’t rush into it.

Keep it slow Seriously. Keep. It.

Slow. There’s no reason to be swinging around a razor blade at max speeds.

Warm water Warm water

exfoliates skin and softens hair, leading to a smooth and easy shave.

Lotion/Oil After you have

completed your masterpiece, lotion up.

Baby oil also combats razor burn.

believe it or not, the manscaping process is even more complex. read more online at drakemagazine.com

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Throwback nice guys Finish Last written by Kendal Wenaas _ photography by Jim Newberry

It’s time for hookup culture eccentric entertainer takes his toThis embrace equality. music out of the digital age. written by Braeden Stanley photography by Olivia Sun

on the rise, we’ve entered into a new age of casual sex. But just because there’s a nostrings-attached, laissez-faire mentality when it comes to emotions doesn’t mean we should be similarly noncommittal when it comes to satisfying our sexual partners.

There needs to be a culture shift in which guys start actually caring about the female side of sex.

I was in a serious relationship for my first two years of college. We respected each other in every aspect, and everything was mutual—including sex.

But after my girlfriend and I broke up, I found myself thrown into modern-day hookup culture.

Though a wide-range of ambiguous definitions exist, most agree that, at its core, hooking up is just uncommitted, casual sex. In theory, it provides the allure of physical pleasure without the complications of long-term commitment or emotional attachment.

A growing acceptance of hookups and a societal shift away from standard dating relationships has become especially popular among the young adults. A study by Justin Garcia, director of education and research training at The Kinsey Institute, suggests that 60 to 80 percent of undergrads engage in hookups.

Some say that hookup culture is a good thing, allowing people the opportunity to engage in casual sex on their own terms. On the other hand, people WITH HOOKUP CULTURE

argue that hookup culture does just the opposite by perpetuating social stigmas that often follow women but not men.

But young women are actually just as willing as men to engage in casual sexual relationships, according to Garcia’s study. So, what’s the real problem here?

Well, both parties being equally willing doesn’t mean that both are equally satisfied. The problem is us—the men— and a very noticeable disparity in what should be a mutual respect for our sexual partners.

When I entered the single life and caught my first real glimpses of college hookup culture, there were a lot of surprises. One of the biggest things I noticed, though, was a number of girls who all had similar expectations in regards to men only caring about their own needs.

I’ve heard far too many horror stories of men being satisfied and then disregarding the needs of their partners.

And it’s not just a local phenomenon.

Young women everywhere are realizing that hookups don’t provide them with the same level of satisfaction as males.

Yes, part of the problem comes down to genetics and evolution. Men are naturally more prone to orgasm, due to the fact that they have to in order to reproduce—whereas women don’t need to in order to become pregnant.

But that’s no excuse for neglecting women’s needs.

In a recent survey of approximately 15,000 college students, sociologist

Elizabeth Armstrong researched “The Orgasm Gap,” a phenomenon related to men’s higher likelihood to be sexually satisfied. Armstrong’s studies showed that in hookups, men were three times as likely to achieve orgasm compared to women. On the other hand, committed relationships showed much more of a one-to-one ratio, with men and women having almost equal levels of satisfaction.

I’m not saying that everyone needs to go partner up and hop aboard the dating train; hookup culture is far too prevalent for that. And honestly, hookups can be great—as long as there’s a mutual respect in terms of caring about your partner’s needs.

Most people agree that sex is better in relationships because of practice and knowing how to best please each other. Unfortunately, many men report in Armstrong’s study that they are far less likely to work toward pleasing a girl they just met—partly due to the fact that many people find it awkward to discuss specific needs in the bedroom. That needs to change.

If hookup culture is here to stay and casual sex without emotional attachment is going to be the norm, then we should be just as casual when it comes to asking our partners what they like. Constructive conversation in the bedroom doesn’t have to be awkward. Be considerate, be safe, and remember: Nice guys finish last.

Check your

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter

To change society, everyone needs to be included in the conversation. written by James Jolly photography by Cameron Johnson

a time for overeating, oversleeping, and arguing with the family. Last Thanksgiving, I was partaking in a lively political discussion with my sister, when she uttered a phrase that brought the conversation to a halt: “Check your privilege.”

I had to drop my next point as the debate was diverted from politics to something completely unrelated: my background. I was immediately excluded from the conversation, eliminating any opportunity for me to help reach a solution.

For those who do not know, ‘check your privilege’ is a phrase that should be used to remind those in different situations to remember how lucky they are. It’s supposed to tell someone to take a step back and look at things from another perspective, so they can better understand and contribute.

But that is not how the phrase is used today.

It’s often used to invalidate opinions and end arguments. It’s used as a curt way of saying, “Your opinion is wrong because your previous experiences make it wrong.”

I understand the good intentions behind the phrase. I realize that I come from a white, middle-class family in an affluent town in one of today’s richest nations. I know that my experiences have permanently colored the way I see the world. I know that I am not always consciously aware of that fact—and that sometimes I need to be reminded.

But this phrase is an attack. It attempts to invalidate what people from certain backgrounds say because “they just don’t get it and never will.” It uses the same logic as racism and sexism. A single characteristic, or even an entire background, does not define someone, and it certainly doesn’t make his or her opinion any less valid.

The statement is hypocritical and insulting.

Instead of opening people’s eyes to your side of TO ME, THE HOLIDAYS ARE

the discussion, you are closing your eyes to theirs.

You are saying that they are incapable of contributing to the discussion because their history is different.

People who use the phrase are usually trying to remind others to be open-minded, but there are better ways to do that. If you want someone to see where you are coming from, just explain it to him or her. If you think I am holding on to a false assumption, explain to me why you think that. People are rational creatures who learn and evolve with new ideas.

No two people have ever had the same experiences, and we must refrain from assuming they have.

But while our backgrounds are important, they should never be the focal point of conversations.

Everyone deserves the chance to speak and to be heard free of judgment.

In order to help and understand, people must be allowed to be a part of the conversation.

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

Co-ed closet Fashion’s androgynous trends allow both sexes to wear the same pieces.

written by Katie Bandurski _ photography by morgan cannata and olivia sun

Adam jacket, $198, jcrew; shirt, $88, jcrew; sweater, $89.50, jcrew; Jeans, $39.95, H&M; Boots, $124.99, Clarks

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

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Kim jacket, $148, jcrew; sweater, $89.50, Jcrew; backpack,$29.99, target; boots, $34.99, target; Jeans, $39.95, American Eagle

whether borrowed or

bought off the rack, it’s always fun to experiment with the opposite gender’s clothes. The “boyfriend jean” is pretty well-known, but who’s to say men can’t get in on the action too?

The following pieces can be worn by girls and guys alike.

Debra Parr, chair of fashion studies and associate professor of art and design history at Columbia College Chicago, says gender-neutral clothing has been evolving for centuries.

Recently, however, the trend has escalated as Millennials bridge the gender gap, and Parr predicts it’s here to stay.

“Fashion really thrives on change,” Parr says. “Whatever is trendy now will not be trendy next month. But the Millennial generation is interested in enduring fashion rather than fast fashion.”

This being said, no need to break the bank buying new items every few months—these pieces are classic staples in either gender’s closet.

Scarf

Nothing quite says, “welcome to the Midwest,” like a brutally cold winter.

Stylishly protect the neck with a classic scarf. Look for styles that incorporate a variety of neutral colors (think burgundy, navy, and gray) in a classic pattern like plaid or paisley. Women can wear this piece in any number of ways. Try it with jeans and a Henley, or a skirt and cardigan. Men might style a scarf with their favorite jacket—either a well-worn bomber or classic blazer.

Sweater with Elbow Patches

A cozy sweater in navy is both comfortable and chic, and the addition of elbow patches gives classic style a contemporary edge. Men can try this piece with a simple pair of jeans and oxfords. Women might choose to layer it over a long chambray shirt,

and then pair it with skinny jeans and boots.

Camo Jacket

Military-inspired clothing is invading the fashion scene.

An army jacket is the perfect way to get in on the trend without overdoing it. Men can pair the jacket with a white button-up and a pair of straight-leg jeans. Women will once again look to layer it up with a flannel shirt and some distressed denim. Look for flannels with a pop of color for a bolder look.

Classic Jeans

If a color wash is too daring, try a slim-fitting gray or blue jean instead.

Slim and trendy, jeans can be found in practically any hue. Both sexes can match their new pair with a simple, white T-shirt and a blazer. Women can add chunky jewelry and a wedge bootie to up their style.

Brown Leather Boots

Few things are as fashionable and functional for cold weather as a pair of brown boots. A style that hits mid-calf is simple and trendy. Men can tuck in tapered, colored jeans (think burgundy or hunter green) and add a T-shirt and jacket on top.

For women, these boots work well dressed either up or down. Try skinny jeans, a sweater, and a scarf for running errands or tights and a velvet dress for a night out.

Leather Strap Watch

A classic leather strap watch will withstand the test of time and trends. Even better, this piece can be worn with just about anything by just about anyone.

watch, $23, Target; scarf, $55, jcrew; boots, $60, steve madden

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DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14 For more quick tips, head to drakemagazine.com

Fashion blogger Lauren Felix explains how to stand out on social media.

written by Melissa Studach photo courtesy of laurelyn savannah photography

her fashion blog in 2007, she didn’t even tell her friends about it. Seven years later, it’s her job to promote content and extend the reach of online material, including her own on La Petite Fashionista. Bloggers have formed a socialite industry—sitting front row at fashion weeks, styling looks for major magazines, and writing books. On-trend herself, Felix quit her corporate job as a fashion retailer to create LPF Media, a social media-consulting agency for bloggers and small businesses. The Wisconsin-based entrepreneur explains her approach to defining and utilizing a personal brand.

When Lauren Felix created

1. be true to you

Self-expression—whether through color, tone, or content—will give a blog an identity of its own. “Other than your audience, the primary reason a brand wants to work with you is your personal brand. They know that you [can] portray yourself, that you’re being true to yourself on your site, and that your audience can relate.”

2. Keep Design in Mind

Felix stresses that uniformity throughout the look and feel of a blog strengthens the material. “As soon as you have a sense of consistency, everything looks much more professional, much more tied together. That goes from the logo to the colors on your blog, as well as fonts.”

3. Engage Your Audience

Although social media platforms have made individual exposure more difficult than ever, they are still the best source for an audience. To extend a blog’s reach, Felix suggests spending an hour a day publicizing it on social media. “If you’re going to spend all that time creating content, you want to make sure that people are able to enjoy it. You see your best return when you’re engaging with others as well as just pushing out your own promotion.”

4. Promote Offline

Felix was getting a haircut when she had an idea for a hairstyling tutorial post. Using the bubbly personality that’s portrayed on her blog, she approached the stylist about collaboration. “Always have some business cards on hand. Whether you’re at a blogging event, a networking event, or just meeting someone when you’re out and about. I like to strike up conversation all the time.”

5. Expand for Profits

Growing your personal brand into a business is up to you. “Taking that social part of social media and putting it to work, really making sure that you’re interacting with brands that you might want to work with. You might even want to send them a pitch email if you have a great idea for collaborating with them.”

6. Don’t Fear Change

Felix was a senior in high school when she started blogging about fashion. Her content has since grown to encompass cooking and a career as well. “It’s perfectly OK to evolve your content. You’re not getting away from who you are; you’re staying true to yourself. If I were to just write about fashion, it wouldn’t be who I am right now. My audience has grown with me, so they understand.”

7. Compete Genuinely

With new blogs created daily, it’s hard to get noticed.

But Felix says blogging for the joy of it—rather than just for monetary compensation—will separate your work from others. “Whatever you can do to differentiate yourself through content, creativity, and marketing will help you grow your brand.”

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Night to Day are best kept separate. But when a night out leads to waking up late for work, the lines blur. Luckily, quick alterations to these wardrobe musthaves can transform last night’s look into office-friendly attire.

A personal life and a professional life

Wrap Cardigan

Belt

This sweater can complete almost any outfit—party or professional. Plus, the cardigan will stay comfy during a day that would be much more enjoyable spent in bed.

A versatile belt can complete an outfit at night and make the look appear even more put together in the morning. When going out, fasten it tight around the waist. This will bring in the sweater’s bulky shape, accentuating curves.

Little Black Dress

A simple LBD can go from flirty to classy just by changing what it’s paired with. The timeless wardrobe-staple makes a transition from night to day almost effortless—just swap a bold bracelet for a classic watch.

Black Headband

Using all that hairspray last night was not a good idea, but a chic black headband will help smooth things down in the AM. Knots and frizz are unprofessional, so hair should be as sleek as possible.

written by annika grassl photography by olivia sun

Small Cosmetic Bag

Keep this in a purse and fill it with the MCMCM essentials: makeup remover, concealer, mascara, comb, and mints. It wouldn’t hurt to throw in an Ibuprofen either. The bag also comes in handy when needing to ditch those dangly earrings and statement necklace for the next day’s activities.

Cross-Body Purse with Removable Straps

This bag is the perfect accessory. Carry it as a

clutch during a night out, then attach the straps to be hands-free the next day.

A bag with subtle accents of color or lace pairs well with both a suit collection and LBD. Nude Ballet Flats

Chances are that skirt or dress from the night before is on the shorter side, so heels are a no-go in the office. Plus, after a night of dancing, these flats will be a welcome relief. The neutral color can be paired with any clothing choice and pull the look together.

Toss the remote and prepare to channel an inner Sheldon,

Khaleesi, or Frank Underwood with these TV-inspired looks. Pump up the lipstick and straighten your tie, with these pieces we’re about to go live.

writer and stylist SUSANNA HAYWARD photographer MORGAN CANNATA hair and makeup aveda institute assistant stylist brooke lofgren

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Inspired by Game of Thrones

ON lauren: sweater, $178, aimee; tee, $30, jcrew; leggings, $98, velvet coat; boots, $60, steve madden

ON nadia: jumpsuit, $140, aimee; vest, $40, h&m; necklace, $30, TARGET

Tight braids, fur lining, and deep forest greens allow fierce fashion to establish an iron throne. Leather boots paired with snakeskin leggings or corduroy jeans create a winter look fit for Westeros’ finest.

Finally, slip into a rich forest jumper with a fur vest for royal nightlife attire.

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ON adam: jacket, $695; gray jacket, $225; button down, $225; jeans, $225; belt, $160; boots, $400; all items from badowers

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: on nadia n u g y a r , $21 t-shirt,

on lauren crewneck, : $30, rayg un

jack on ka et i: t-shi , $40, ray rt, $2 gun; 1 , ray shoe g un s, $55 , adid ; as

m: ada on gun; ray un; g 60, l, $ 1, ray get e n 2 r n fla hirt, $ 23, ta t-s tch, $ a w

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on all models: t-shirts, $21 each, raygun; bottom right, on isaac: shirt, $60, raygun

!

A G N BAZI Inspired by The Big Bang Theory

Nerdy-cool is back.

Casual Midwest weekends call for plaid button-downs, funky crewnecks, and brightly colored jackets. Layer these over eccentric graphic T-shirts for geek-chic style.

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MAJORITY WHIP Inspired by House of Cards

Dark and intimidating, these looks will run unopposed. A sleek black pant, puffed sleeves, and red lips take a Claire Underwood-inspired outfit to the next level. Or stay strictly business in sharp tailored charcoal and navy suits, matched with a sleek checkered shirt and tie.

ON ISAAC: SUIT, $898, badowers; SHIRT, $255, badowers; TIE, $145, badowers; Watch, $23, Target

blouse, $365, velvet coat; PANTS, $192, JBROWNLEE; BRACELET, $20, TARGET

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Southern

Spark Inspired by nashville

Trade the southern boots for heels—but keep the country flair. These shimmery dresses perform for themselves. Match a 20s-inspired LBD with a fur vest for a diva-done-right look. Style a bob or tease hair to give each outfit star treatment. Teal-laced sleeves and cream-colored heels create a showstopping look for any occasion.

above: on nadia dress, $68, nordstrom; necklace, $25, target; shoes, $60, JESSICA SIMPSON; above left: on lauren dress, $48, MATILDA MUSE; right: on faith fur vest, $58, MATILDA MUSE; dress, $89, dry goods; CUFF, $25, TARGET

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check out drakemagazine.com for behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot.

48

in the article, or no?” Frank Teardrop asks as he sits with his bandmates in the back of Java Joe’s CoffeeHouse in Des Moines before their show at Vaudeville Mews next door.

The band is packed onto old, canvas couches and chairs. Frank sits comfortably with his long, blond hair pulled back under a black Marlboro ball cap. He leans back in his rolled-up black jeans, dirty tennis shoes, and a green and brown letterman jacket that’s covered in buttons from bands like The Ramones. The rest of his band dresses similarly in denim shirts or oversized sweaters and pants rolled-up and torn with holes.

Frankie Teardrop formed about a year ago in Minneapolis after taking their name from the title of a song by New York band, Suicide. The song tells the story of a man named Frank whose life falls to pieces. It’s 10 minutes long and covers Frank going crazy, killing his family and eventually himself, and going to hell.

“It talks about how we’re all Frankies, and initially when I started the band, I wanted to write from that lens. That character in that song just resonates with me a lot,” Frank says—in fact, he took the song’s name as his own.

Frank recorded the first release himself and later asked Jackson “Jack” Woolsey and Gunner Kauth, bass and drums respectively, to start playing live shows with him. Eventually, Dan English, guitar and vocals, joined too.

“We had [English] to one practice, and he pretty much played everything right away, so I had him join the band too. We all just met each other from messing around and playing in bands and stuff,” Frank says.

The four-member band shares a love of loud and fast, distorted punk music.

The sound is reminiscent of the angst that accompanied the punk music of the late ’70s, but with hints of Cali rock influences. It blew through the speakers in the dim light of the Mews with a fury that seemed to resonate off the dark walls. The songs were short, about “CAN YOU PUT ‘FUCK’

This Minneapolis-based artist changed his name to embody his sound. written by chance hoener photography by Cameron Johnson

49

two minutes each, and Frankie Teardrop delivered them at a machine-gun-blast rate of speed.

“We’re gonna try to pack as many songs as possible into this short time,” Frank says quickly over the microphone.

Even with the speedy delivery, the band made a connection with the crowd, talking in little snippets between each song. But when they played, every head in the place bobbed to song after song, powered by thrashing power chords and tempo changes, and laced with wild solos and flying hair.

“It’s getting too hot in here,” Frank says, taking a break from the lively show and peeling off his jacket. “Good thing I wore my crop top.”

The band’s most recent release, “Raiders,” explores relationships and life in general.

“Raiders, the title track, is about finding comfort in chaos and being addicted to chaos,” Frank says. “Essentially, shirking routines and fucking one’s life up on purpose—for lack of a better word—because it feels good, and you’re used to it and ‘cause that’s the only way you can feel sane.”

Looking forward, Frank plans to tackle the band’s first full-length album—he’s taking the winter off to really focus on writing. Fans should expect more fast, distorted vocals and chugging guitars, but until then the band will finish out the year playing “shitty basements” and “dingy dive bars” like they love to do.

“Frankie T, baby.”

For more photos of the frankie teardrop concert, go to drakemagazine.com

This eccentric entertainer takes his music out of the digital age. written by ashley-marie dail photo Courtesy of Jim Newberry

CHICAGO-BASED MUSICIAN

LIAM

Hayes is protesting. It’s more of a silent protest—a boycott, some would say— of the music industry’s shift to mainlydigital recordings. Instead of following the status quo, Hayes is using analog tapes to promote his sound.

“It’s the difference between platinum and tin,” Hayes explains, as if the sound distinctions were obvious. And for him, they are. Hayes is an old-fashioned artist with a career tracing back to the ’90s, when he began selling music under the stage name Plush. Back then, he was known for his ‘70s style, Afro hair, and lapelled jackets—a style he still embodies.

The look isn’t for publicity—it’s pure Hayes. He reps a distinctly ‘70s vibe wherever he goes, even if that means having to “walk the dog in a tie and suit.”

His music reflects a similar style to the rock ‘n’ roll he enjoyed when he was young. It wasn’t uncommon for Hayes to be caught playing pranks or doing the occasional magic trick in his youth.

That same sense of mischievousness sometimes emerges in his typically mellow music.

His recording style isn’t always as effortless as his appearance, though.

Hayes says analog is more difficult to use than digital, especially in the production stage.

“It requires heavy lifting,” Hayes says.

“Like the machines and the tape reels.

But it delivers equally heavy sounds.”

Plus, editing music on an analog recording requires changing the texture on the tape—an undo button doesn’t really exist. For distribution, there’s an extra step to convert the music from an analog tape to a digital copy for music hubs like YouTube, Spotify, or iTunes.

At the end of the day, analog gives artists more control over their music, which is exactly what Hayes likes about it. Analog music can’t be tampered with or manipulated—keeping the sound purely Hayes. “[Use analog] if you trust your ears, want the highest resolution possible, and want to bottle the power of music,” he says.

For Hayes, there’s really no other option. The artist will be releasing his fourth album in January—on vinyl, of course.

written by MEAGAN FLYNN photos Courtesy of POONEH GHANA AND TYLER BROOKS

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Old Sound, Twin Peaks talks Pokémon, rhinoceroses, and defying their youth. a giant, shin-covering cast doesn’t seem easy.

But when the Chicago-bred, garagerock quartet Twin Peaks stopped by Vaudeville Mews in September—touting their new record, “Wild Onion”— vocalist/guitarist Cadien James was jumping on his fractured foot like his boot-sized cast was just a shoe.

How it happened? Well, you can believe the boring, media-circulated story that he collapsed after someone jumped on his back during a wild show in New Orleans.

Or, there’s the more interesting one— the “real story,” they say.

“We were playing this really weird kids’ fest at a zoo,” James begins.

He goes on to claim that he climbed the fence of the zoo’s rhinoceros cage, PLAYING A SHOW WITH

realized what a horrible idea that was, and then landed on his foot too hard on his hasty way back over the fence.

True or not, the band didn’t cancel a single show afterward—even if it meant James played Pitchfork Music Festival sitting down and was pushed in a junkyard-worthy wheelchair around a baseball field in their “Sandlot”-themed “I Found A New Way” music video.

This prideful tall tale of theirs may appear only as the result of too much “free zoo beer” (or a crazy concert if you believe story A.). Nevertheless, it’s also an allegory for how they’ve risen in the ranks. They haven’t slowed down, even for broken bones—and they’re taking risks.

Just a few years ago, they were a bunch of high school kids who called

themselves “The Landlords” and loitered around Popeye’s every day after school.

“It was a time in our life that was really just free of worries and full of food,” vocalist/guitarist Clay Frankel says.

They went to college for a semester, then dropped out with nothing to bank on but some promised exposure at South by Southwest. And before record labels started “chasing us around with a stick,” Frankel says, they made it by looking up to older bands that had already found success in Chicago, like the Smith Westerns.

That’s just the thing, though, about Twin Peaks: They’re also very young.

You can feel their age—all still 20—in their stories of rhinoceroses, in their Pokémon and superhero references, in their pride in getting suspended for

DRAKE MAGAZINE _ Fall/Winter ‘14

smoking weed with their old high school friend, Chance the Rapper.

But you can’t really feel their age when you turn on their music.

Twin Peaks released “Wild Onion,” its second full-length album in two years, in August. The 16-track album is a lo-fi rollercoaster blend of scrappy vocals and beats ranging from those of a punk song, like in “Fade Away,” to those of a melodic, Beatles-inspired four-chord, like “Mirror of Time.” Its dreamy interludes, notably “Strange World,” sound like they could play as the soundtrack to an ’80s happy-ending credits-roll.

And the sheer diversity of both tempo and the three sets of distinct vocals (Frankel’s are scratchy, reminiscent of Iggy Pop; bassist Jack Dolan’s, midrange and nasally; and James’s are deep and wild) means you can listen to the album a dozen times through and it never drags. It helps that most of the songs are under four minutes—“we have to finish before we fall asleep,” Frankel says—and have the feel of an easygoing race, perhaps to a sunny party with plenty of free zoo beer.

The guys say that their lo-fi style, which was present in their first fulllength album, “Sunken,” is a result of both influence and necessity. In their earlier days they were self-recording on laptops in boiler room-like basements; but even after they signed a contract, they kept their same vibe.

“I would always hear things that people had made at home on kind of

crappy equipment,” James says, “and I would always think it just sounds better when it has the quirkiness and character of doing it yourself.”

“It’s like guerilla warfare, you know?” Frankel adds. “You gotta fight with what you have.”

They’ve got plenty more ammo now. On tour, they’re the headlining act for the first time, and have enjoyed a handful of national—even international—media coverage all the while. In the three months following the release of Wild Onion, they sold 4,000 copies—and that’s not including cassette tape sales. The guys feel themselves growing up both as a band and as, well, real people making a living—and they’re not yet sure how they feel about that last part. But even by the end of this tour, they’re thinking they might have it figured out a bit more.

“By the end of the tour, we’ll have become Charizards,” Frankel says.

“We’re still low-league Charmanders,” drummer Connor Brodner adds.

“But at the same time,” Frankel says, “Pikachu never wanted to become Raichu, you know? Maybe I’ll look at myself in the music mirror when I’m a Charizard and be like, ‘Man…those Charmander days were the shit,’ you know? You gotta watch out for what you evolve into these days. Sure, new powers, but new responsibilities, too.”

He pauses. “Yeah, I know it’s from Spiderman.”

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Cassette Tapes: cool again? is almost becoming relevant again—and not just on the backs of iPhone cases.

Not like vinyl, and not like highwaisted jeans—but somewhat silently, escaping from the hands of mainstream data-trackers and being passed instead between those of lo-fi indie music lovers and low-budget indie record stores. Unlike our first Walkman in 1996, the cassette has not run its course.

Besides being cheaper to produce than any other format, the cassette is also the most convenient form for bands seeking the grainy effect tapes offer—like Twin Peaks. “[Tapes are] definitely a big part of the DIY culture that’s going on in music right now,” says Chris Ford of Gloom Balloon, who also runs the Iowa Music Store. “A lot of lo-fi artists like the sound of a home-produced tape: There’s a little bit of hissing in the background, and it’s a little bit warped, too. It’s not perfect. But that’s the allure.”

If you ask Philip Jerome Lesicko, of Chicago-based Manic Static Records, which began as a tapes-only gig, the tape is here to stay: “There have always been cassettes and people putting them out into the world, despite what the majority of people are doing. Now they’re coming back strong.”

The cassette tape

Punning, anvil shooting, and punkin chunkin—three bizarre hobbies that Midwesterners are now competing in. photography by cameron johnson

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competitive punning written by emily gregor

Marty Harrison took the stage to tell a corny rendition of his trip to Europe. “In England, I found out that the little, four-stringed guitar that everyone associates with Hawaii was actually invented in England. That’s why they call it a UKulele!”

Punning now goes beyond cocktail parties and everyday conversations. In the past 50 years, the hobby has reached a new level with the creation of punning competitions, commonly referred to as “Pun-Offs.” The O. Henry Pun-Off World Championship is held annually in Austin, Texas, since its initial start in 1978. “[Puns] are just so fun to make,” says Alexa Kurzius, previous competitor in Punderdome. “When I got [to the competition], I felt compelled—it was like this undeniable force to at least try it.”

Held in the backyard of the O. Henry Museum, the competition’s namesake is partly due to the location, and partly due to the fact that O. Henry was a wordsmith himself.

Producer and emcee Gary Hallock says O. Henry was famous for his “twisted-ending” short stories in which the reader thinks they know the plot and then in the last word or sentence, he completely changes the ending.

“You knew he was going to twist the ending, but you didn’t know how, and I see that as analogous to a good pun,” Hallock says. “If you are just telling a story to someone and they don’t expect you to pull off a pun, you can surprise them.”

But punning in front of an audience brings a lot of pressure. “I did terribly. It’s actually really hard, and it’s not just punning,” Kurzius says of her first competition. “It’s kind of having a lot of bravado and panache in front of an audience of 300 people, SPECTATORS GATHERED AS

so there’s the stage fright element and then being really quick and knowing how to improvise on the spot.”

The first of the two-part competition is “Punniest of Show,” which gives competitors 90 seconds to deliver punny material based on a broad topic. Because of its scripted material and memorized lines, the event has turned into quite the performance act, Hallock says.

“You’ve got to be really comfortable with the material,” he says. “The highest possible score you can get is a 40. We do have people who score perfect scores, so we have a clap-off to let the audience decide who they like better.”

Punsters around the world are practicing in hopes of making it to the big leagues. “I think it’s just a matter of simulating the actual event,” Kurzius says. “You have a topic, 90 seconds, and just punning. It’s something you can improve with practice.”

The second half of the competition is called “PunSlingers.”

Contestants have five seconds to create puns based on given topics. If they hesitate, aren’t able to create a genuine pun, or don’t fit the other criteria, they’re out. “The unwritten rules are that it stays on topic, and that you can’t pun on a word that’s already been punned on,” Hallock says.

Every so often, certain circumstances allow a contestant to continue, even if their pun was unintentional. One year, Hallock says, two competitors were playing with “alcoholic drinks” as their topic. “One fella ran dry and—no pun intended—he ran dry. You could see the pain in his face where he was trying to come up with something. He was stalling for time, and he said, ‘Well…’ He didn’t say anything else, so they gonged him out,” Hallock says. “His opponent turned to the emcee and said, ‘Oh, I get it, well drinks!’”

ANVIL shooting written by kendall wenaas image by yandle on flickr, cc. 3.0

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of metal are about to be shot 150 feet in the air. The first competitor ignites the fuse on his 100-pound anvil. Less than a minute goes by. Boom—there’s a huge flash of white smoke. Spectators feel the tremendous concussion of black powder expanding. The explosion lasts less than 10 seconds, but it’s astounding all the same.

“It overwhelms you. If you’re standing really close and looking up, there’s an illusion that the anvil might be falling towards you,” says Gay Wilkinson, who’s been shooting anvils since 1995.

Anvil shooting, which has been around since the 1800s, is the act of using ignited black powder to launch an anvil (read: metal blacksmithing tool that’s often dropped on video game villains) up into the air. The flying anvil is set on top of a second anvil, with the powder and fuse in the middle. The competitor ignites the fuse and puts some space between him and the projectile. Within 40 to 60 seconds, the black powder explodes and propels the anvil into the air.

“Sweet Home Alabama” fans can just picture Melanie— aka Reese Witherspoon—wandering onto the Carmichael plantation and almost being hit by a flying anvil.

At least that’s where Bugs George, of Uniontown, Kan., got the idea.

“They’re getting ready to launch one, and the guy says ‘Melanie don’t move,’” George says. “He should’ve said ‘Melanie run for the mountains.’”

Col. Murphy and Bobby Ray wouldn’t do too well at an anvil shooting competition though. The goal is to shoot the anvil off the base straight up so it lands as close to the base as possible.

SIX HUNDRED POUNDS

These competitions are a little more organized than the Carmichael’s backyard shenanigans, but in general they have very few rules. To win, they must shoot their anvil the highest and the straightest—one point per foot in height the anvil travels, and minus three points per foot away from the base that the anvil lands. Contestants must use one pound of black powder and the anvil must weigh 100 pounds.

Black powder is important—George knows this from experience. He once shot an anvil for his son-in-law and some friends, but with smokeless powder.

“It was way too much for the anvil,” he says. “It broke the tail, the horn, and about half the base off the anvil. We were so fortunate that none of the shrapnel hit anybody or any of the vehicles sitting around the house or anything else.”

George has been shooting anvils for about two years now—a fraction of the time that Wilkinson has dedicated to the sport. In 2000, Wilkinson won a national competition in Laurel, Miss. His name now goes hand-in-hand with the sport. He’s been launching 20 to 25 anvils every summer for the past 20 years and travels all over the Midwest as entertainment for elementary schools’ “pioneer days,” BMW motorcycle events, and numerous other events.

To this day, he gets just as much enjoyment shooting anvils as his crowds get watching. “[Anvils] weren’t really intended to be launched, but you can’t really hurt them,” Wilkinson says. “You shoot ‘em into the air, they’ll impact the ground, and you clean ‘em all up and shoot ‘em again…I’ve done it for 20 years, and I get as big a kick out of it as I did the very first time.”

56

punkin chunkin written by taylor eisenhauer

We’re meant to throw things. When we’re babies, we throw our pacifiers. When we finally get the pleasure of eating food, we throw that, too. And then, when we’re older, we channel our throwing into something productive, like sports. Once adulthood hits, there’s not a whole lot left to throw without some kind of lawsuit. But Shade knows the solution: “Pumpkins are the next logical thing,” he says.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that Shade has been involved with the world championship of pumpkin throwing for over 20 years and currently serves as the director of media and promotions for the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA). Yeah, pumpkin throwing is a thing. And yeah, there’s an association for it.

Punkin Chunkin has been the can’t-miss event we didn’t know we were missing since 1986. What started out as a friendly competition in Sussex County, Del., to see who could blast a pumpkin the farthest has grown into a three-day extravaganza. More than one hundred teams bring machines to compete—and some even come across the pond. A group of Aussies brought the Chunka from Down Unda a few years back.

Air cannons, catapults, and trebuchets (among other machines) can all be found on the starting lineup. So what’s the secret to hurling a pumpkin the farthest? For air cannons, finding the proper ratio of air speed and force to propel the pumpkin down the barrel of the machine without crushing it and causing unintentional pumpkin pie.

For catapults and trebuchets, getting the sling length and release time exactly right is vital to minimizing arc and maximizing distance.

Of course, each team has its own beliefs as to what will give their machine the best advantage, Shade says.

Each type of machine has its own category, meaning multiple teams proudly get to call themselves worldclass chunkers. Brian Labrie and his team are the current world champions and record holders in the adult air cannon division for their machine, American FRANK SHADE HAS A THEORY:

Chunker. Hailing from New Hampshire, Labrie has been a competitor since 2010.

But bragging rights and good times aren’t the only incentives to construct these pumpkin-flinging contraptions. “There are a lot of great friends, a lot of great times, and a lot of great achievements,” Labrie says. Every year, a share of the proceeds from Punkin Chunkin goes to a charity, such as Childhelp and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. And, almost since its inception, the association has given out scholarships to students planning to study engineering, physics, or “anything Chunkin related,” Shade says. Last year, $60,000 was awarded to 27 students.

While there are rules (or guidelines, as Shade refers to them)—such as no explosives—most of them simply deal with safety. So, as long as the machine won’t hurl a pumpkin straight at the Aussies, it’s probably fair game.

And while the WCPCA does supply projectiles, many teams choose to bring their own. They just have to pass inspection. So what does that mean? No gourds here, folks.

Spectators come for the flying pumpkins and stay for everything else. Punkin Chunkin offers live entertainment, brings in vendors, and holds a pageant—because what spectacle is complete without a pageant? But make sure to pack some alcohol with that ball gown because this party is BYOB. (We’re giving fair warning, kiddos. Plan accordingly.)

Of course, the atmosphere itself is reason enough to chunk. “You can enjoy the camaraderie of 30,000 people in a cornfield who all have one thing in common—and that’s Punkin Chunkin,” Shade says.

Shade served as president of the WCPCA for seven years. On top of that, he’s a trustee with the organization. “But most importantly, I’m ate up with Punkin Chunkin.”

And the one word Shade would use to describe this exhibition that has taken on a life of its own?

“Unbelievable,” he says. “You have to see it to believe it.”

Let the punkins fly.

57

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