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CHLOE ROSE editor-in-chief chloerosegerard.com DANIEL HOWIE editor @dandanhow
WILL GERARD editor @willgerard10
art by Nubiya Zavala
PHOTOS BY CAMERON NISBET
sleight of hand. the cool granite jabs into my hips, and I press harder, slowly harder, while I sponge the rim of the wine glass that’s been cleaned once and again and again and again my hand slowly slips and a small shard nicks the pad of my forefinger I don’t flinch, I wonder, instead, what you’ll do the second week we spent in this kitchen, you saw red dribble on the wooden board, and didn’t even think before sticking the tip of my pinky to the center of your tongue your eyes are unvexed your mouth uninviting you simply put the bandage on the counter and don’t imagine the way that I taste anymore
ANONOMOUS
BY AMINAH BAZZELL-SMITH
Nan Goldin’s The Ballad of Sexual Dependency is a thought-provoking autobiographical account of wild young adults in the 1970’s and 80’s. Covering topics such as domestic violence,drug abuse, sex, post-Stonewall gay culture, and partying, the slide show exhibition was honest,truth-telling, raw, and uncensored. Goldin’s 1986 visual diary chronicles both the physical and emotional pain of bohemia. This work is dedicated to her sister who committed suicide many decades ago and depicts the mistreatment and death of many of her friends. Ecstasy and pain, love and loss, lust and abuse – the juxtaposition of these elements in her work came together to create a provocative account of our favorite club kids.
set to music from The Velvet Underground, James Brown, Nina Simone, and many other artists. A very badass soundtrack thumped in my ears as hundreds of fierce photos darted past my eyes when I viewed the photo essay for the first time on the edge of the cushion. Many times there would be a pivot from “bad” to “good.” It went from fun and free to abusive and disheartening. It took me a minute to take note of her loose connection of every theme with every photograph. A section showing men and women getting ready to go out; another of sexual partners “celebrating” at parties. A prominent theme of violence was followed by candid sex and the children born from these acts of uninhibited sex. Snapshots of drug used are trailed by coffins and skeletons.
Originally created as a slideshow to entertain friends, Goldin’s work was
The eroticism of her photographs captivate the viewer and transports
them into the scene. Originally shown on a manual slide projector, Goldin captured herself and her friends in very intimate moments. These photos are so familiar, almost as if you were scrolling through someone’s Instagram or personal blog. Close-ups of carnal loving and people smoking captivated my attention as a viewer. I found myself wanting to know everything about what was happening when the photos were taken. Whose body is that in “Heart Shaped Bruise?” What was the extent to Nan’s relationship with this man Brian? Many of these photos were taken at the height of the AIDS epidemic – were any of these bodies riddled with the disease that took the lives of so many young Lower East Siders? Goldin’s work made me wonder about the lives of her subjects, and the way in which New York City swirled around them. After visiting the exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art, I walked around downtown Manhattan with my camera, curious of the energy that would flow through the lens. I snapped some pictures in gentrified SoHo and thought about how different the lives of these downtown kids are compared to those who lived in their apartments 30 years before them. I imagined Goldin’s subjects being friends with Jonathan Larson’s characters in RENT- almost made me wish that I too could run around avoiding Benny and dance with Mimat the Cat Scratch Club. Bill Clinton was right for calling her work “heroin chic.” People alone, people together, people having sex, getting high, sitting at a bar, getting ready for partiesNan Goldin’s love is
not a commercial type of love. It is sad and wild and exhilarating and happy and depressing all at the same time. This alternative type of love invigorates you as each slide changes. What I appreciate most of all about Ballad is that it is not a romanticized story of high-risk lives. It is love and all of the bad and good that come with it. As much fun as the characters on RENT were having you still have to remember that Angel died from an illness that swept through and devastated her entire community, and that Mimi was younger than I am when she started using. As much as it excited me to see friends dancing in “Twisting at My Birthday Party,” it saddened me to see Goldin’s black eyes from the fists of her lover that is seen throughout the photo essay. Goldin is more than just a woman with a camera taking pictures of friends at parties; she is an artist, a memoirist, and a pioneer. Her subjects are more than addicts and party-goers; they are a depiction of the downtown daredevil lifestyle that defined New York City, Mexico, Boston, and other cities she shot in in the 1970’s and 80’s. Goldin’s record of loss, redemption, and love mix beauty, horror, despair, and a lust for life. The eclectic and electric lives of Goldin and her friends weigh heavy on your chest; snapshots are transformed into portraits with a story. I am a huge believer in the narrative of the self, and Goldin’s account of her life is a narrative I could view again and again. ▪
Q+A BY WILL GERARD PHOTOS BY CHLOE ROSE
CJ RUN
they/them/yours truly
Where did you get the name CJ Run? I came up with it not this Christmas we just had but the previous Christmas 2015. I wanted a stage name and I had been thinking about it for a while. I used to go by “CJS” but it didn’t have a nice ring to it. I wanted it to be a phrase. You have The Weekend or Panic! at the Disco, Artful Dodger, things like that. I wanted it to be a two-tier name, you know? There’s this German movie called Run Lola Run, which is one of my favorite movies of all-time and I don’t know I was just like ‘CJ Run,’ like watching CJ run, you C-J run and my name is CJ Run. When did you first have an interest in music? I’ve always had an interest in music. Growing up from a very diverse area and being from a background – my family is Nigerian and I grew up in Europe – a lot of things coincided together. But I didn’t start taking music seriously until I was about 13. What did that look like? Were you just writing lyrics? I used to be really into American hip-hop when I was in the UK. I hated British hip-hop and was like ‘nah American hip-hop is real hip-hop, that’s what I’m going to listen to. Who cares about the Grime scene? American hip-hop is where it’s at.’ I used to be really in to Kid Cudi, 50 Cent, and Soulja Boy. It doesn’t even make sense; everyone was just together. I used to write raps in an American accent. I had a notepad and I used to watch BET a lot, Missy Elliot was one my
heroes. I would try to write like her and my bars were never really like me because I was using American slang and talking like American people. It just didn’t make sense. When you write do you feel like it’s a genuine reflection of yourself as an artist? My slang, the way I speak, being British, I use that in my music. But living in the US for six years,there are still a lot of American nuances that I’ve picked up and can’t get rid of. There are certain American rappers that I enjoy, whose flow I incorporate into my British style. It’s just a blend of everywhere I’ve lived and everything I’ve been exposed to which has made me who I am, so that kind of shows in my music. What’s your writing process now? Usually it’s very in the moment and I’m a person that feels a lot. I don’t tell everyone that I feel all the time but a lot of thoughts and things go through my head constantly. My Twitter is really random as far as self-expression because a lot happens at once to me. Usually I’m just compelled to write about all that. My recent EP, ForgetMeNot, was the first time that I had a whole project that was only love
They were all based on true stories and true people. It was all queer-based. songs.
The first song, Return to Sender, was about someone I was interested in that’s bisexual. There’s a line ‘Every other guy is trying to get in your phone/and every other girl is trying to get in your zone’ and it expressed how I didn’t know how to talk to this person. The second song
– which everyone knows and has made a big deal about – was Spaghetti, which is about this girl who was straight and I liked a lot. It was just a real big mess. That was a very pivotal point in my life because I had just got to college and was new to being out and gay. Then the first person I was attracted to was straight! I don’t deserve this! Basically, my writing process is honestly as my life happens and life is always happening. Sometimes I can’t keep up and I got to keep track of all the things that happen to me so I can write about them. Sometimes I can knock out a song in an hour, or it will take me a week, or a month to get the idea down and get it out. It’s in real-time. As it’s happening, it’s coming out. What kind of music are you listening to these days? Like who are your main influences? Right now, I think my main influences are producers, specifically. I just listened to the recent Thundercat album and that was other worldly for me. I’ve been listening to a lot more female singers. I used to limit myself to only male singers, but I listen to a lot more women, more than I used to. Also, Australian rappers and (those of) different English speaking countries, like Canadian rappers. Their flows and their syntax is different. It inspires me to think differently about how I write. That’s been mainly the key focus right now. Do you face adversity being in a field of predominately cis men? I’ve male when walk
always know that music is dominated, right? But then you’re actually in it and you into a room or you look at
the lineup for a show and realize you’re the only non-male,it’s like
oh bloody hell, I’m really the only non-male on this list and I have something to prove tonight. People don’t understand gender so to everyone I’m just this really butch dyke that raps. I’m the girl that looks like a boy that raps which really isn’t what my gender is and that can get a bit touchy. I haven’t really gotten a lot of hate or outward ‘ah you don’t have a place.’ What kind of reception do you get from your peers? It’s a lot of curiosity. I pride myself on looking very ambiguous. You look at me maybe from afar and you think ‘maybe that’s just a really short boy.’ Then you walk up and hear my voice, then you think ‘that’s a 12-year- old boy that hasn’t reached puberty.’ But then I do certain things that are kind of feminine and then it’s like ‘wait that’s a dyke, wait that a tran-’ but people just don’t know. I have conversations with people where they will use every pronoun in the book. It’s just amusing. I usually say ‘they/them/yours truly so that’s kind of my tag. How do you feel when people ask about your identity? I understand some people have never been exposed to someone that’s not a traditional gender. I don’t mind it if people ask politely. If they’re like ‘yo not to be rude or anything but are you a boy or girl?’ I’ll be like well the gag is… I’m neither. Usually my following know about me, who I am, and what I’m about. I never really get that (negative comments) at shows and the new people get to know and they’re like ‘aw
shit, CJ is dope, they use they/them. Gotta jump on that if I want to be cool with them’ and everyone is trying to be cool with me now. I always wonder if people would respect me if I wasn’t a musician. If I was a conventionally attractive, good musician, and if I was as charismatic and outgoing as I am, I always wonder if people would respect my pronouns as
Would all those cis men I meet at shows respect my pronouns as much if I was some regular kid? My identity much.
is strongly rooted in masculinity. I like being given masculine words of affirmation. Who are your favorite local artists? A lot of local rappers. Isaiah G, shout out AAAP Diamond Gang, he’s a very talented rapper. He has a song with Saba, it’s called “Yes” and it’s gotten a lot of good plays.
Isaiah is one of those guys that’s so talented that I feel like I’m not lyrically ready yet to ask for a feature. But we’re friends and he comes out to my show and shit. We’re cool and I look up to him a lot but I’m not there yet. I’ll be honest, I feel like people expect that since you’re a local artist you have to fuck with other local artists because you’re all doing the same grind. I only support music that I like and think is good. I’m not going to support you because we’re in the same area code and we both rap. Do you have a dream collaboration? Probably my favorite artist of alltime, Lily Allen. I want to do a song with Lily Allen. I worship at Lily Allen’s feet. Alright Still, is like my bible. Whenever I lose inspiration I listen to that album. That’s why I do what I do. She’s great. ▪
[this is a blank page]
UNDERCUT COLLECTIVE
BIRTHDAY BASH !
JAYY REALL POETRY BY
JAY SMITH
AFTERPARTY w/
DJ LATEEF $5 Saturday, April 8 7:00pm Channing Murray 1209 W Oregon, Urbana
ART BY BRITTNEY WILLIAMS
CJ RUN
i’ve never been good at relationships. maybe it’s the product of being a divorced parents child, maybe it’s because I crave too much independence. but I’ve never been good at anything longer than a few months but that doesn’t keep from being a hopeless romantic. Im always amazed when 15 year olds find themselves madly in love or when couples have been together for over 50 years, because it just doesn’t seem realistic to me. in December 2015 I rushed into something with someone I thought I could trust and it ended with me being forced to drop out of college and move back home and explain to everyone why I wasn’t capable of having a healthy relationship ever again. Over the past couple months or so at become obsessed with the idea of love. truly unconditional full heart love. I’ve been watching romantic movies and reading romantic novels watching TV shows where the main characters fall madly in love at the end trying to figure out how this perceived idea of love reflects to real life when I see couple sitting across from each other staring at their phones during their meal or arguing in public or breaking up every week as some sort of power play. I know that there’s really love out there I know that it exists because I see it. I see it in young couples, the honeymoon phase if you will, and I wanted to learn more about that. here’s a collection of true unedited young love. ▪
erin + daniel
“...she slid in my DM’s...”
“she didn’t follow me back...she follows me now so i guess that’s all that matters”
alexa + jay
*shot with kelsey greene
“i really enjoy her company”
“yeah i was really really happy....”
“we are not restaurant people...were same side seaters�
ashlee + alan
“he’s my best friend”
NDER THE 10 C0MMANDMENTS OFBYTICAL WALKER
writer, artist, Cal Walker is a Chicago are the creator and theater maker. They Tinder rears its of 50 Worst Dates, where life. Cringe along ugly head in Cal’s love with Cal at 50worstdates.tumblr.com.
1. Thou Shall Have At Least One Picture Of Just Thyself. If you have all group pictures, there’s a fair people will assume you’re the hottest in those photos. Guess what? Usually, that’s not you. 2. Thou Shalt Not Just Say “Hey”.
It’s uninspiring and not going to get you anywhere.
3. Thou Shalt Message First. You matched? You talk. 4. Thou Shall Use Correct Spelling And Grammar
I wish this didn’t need to be said. It’s your first im pression-- make the most of it.
5. Thou Shalt Not Ask Questions Answered On My Profile
If you didn’t read it, why are you here?
6. Thou Shalt Not Have “Swipe Left If” in Thy Profile.
It’s just tacky.
7. Thou Shalt Not Ghost. If I message you my number, that’s a risk. Say something back. 8. Thou Shalt Not Message Twice, If The First Is Not Responded To.
Take a hint, buddy.
9. Thou Shalt Not Ask for Netflix and Chill.
We all know what it is by now. Be creative.
10. Thou Shall Honor Thy Bio.
Just write something. Seriously.▪
ART BY NUBIYA ZAVALA
BY DANIEL HOWIE
Since my first crush back in middle school, I’ve always associated certain music with certain crushes or time periods. I remember sitting in my room listening to Replay by Iyaz on my iPod Nano while thinking about how cute my crushes eyes were, or some goofy puppy love shit like that, when I was 14. However, I know that music can help you get through those shitty breakups or times where you feel lonely too, and, in honor of the lovely holiday known as Valentine’s Day, I’ve decided to compile some heartbreak albums for you guys to listen to if you feel a certain emotion or mood. Some of these are lyrically heartbroken, but a lot of them are just categorized by the feeling that the music gives. Enjoy.
If you want something uplifting and dancy to get yourself out of your feelings...
“Awaken My Love!” by Childish Gambino, 2016. The most recent project by Childish Gambino is one of the most funky, upbeat, and alive albums to come out of last year. The twists and turns and versatility of Gambino’s vocal performances make this an incredibly easy album to pay attention to and forget whatever else is happening around you.
Random Access Memories by Daft Punk, 2013. As a huge Daft Punk fan, I wanted to put Discovery in this spot (which is a stellar album), but Random Access Memories has stood to me as more thematic and immersive. While there are some soft songs on this album with themes of love, there are just as many happy songs that will make you want to get up and jump around. From the second the opener starts, it’ll be easy to lose yourself. Wildflower by The Avalanches, 2016. The first album from this group in about sixteen years, Wildflower is a masterpiece of the potential of sampling. This album is almost childlike, with a very happy go lucky sound throughout. There are elements of rock, hip-hop, polka, funk, electronic, and disco all throughout this project, which makes it the perfect album to take your mind off of life for a bit.
If you want to get out your angst and anger...
Dissed and Dismissed by Tony Molina, 2013. This twelve song, twelve minute project is frustrated as hell and filled with brief moments of some great punky alternative songs. The whole thing is sharp and punchy, and is incredibly easy to put on and just get mad for just over ten minutes. Bury your face in your pillow and scream-but only after turning this album on and cranking the volume up.
God Loves Ugly by Atmosphere, 2002. This album isn’t really a breakup album per se, but it’s a great album to get some irritation out to. The rapper in this group, known as Slug, gives off this personality that is simultaneously reminiscent of slacker anthems of the past but also a modern lovable asshole. Imagine if John Bender from The Breakfast Club became a rapper and put out an album. If that sounds like something you want to hear, give it a shot. If it’s the middle of the night and you want a soundtrack to feeling dark and isolated...
Useless by Bones, 2016. Bones has had a huge impact in dark, underground hiphop, and while he isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, this mixtape in particular has a consistently nocturnal sound. Useless balances dark melodies and hard hitting beats from start to finish, and Bones himself gives a variety of vocal performances-one moment, he’ll sound airy and light, but the next he’ll sound intense and grating. This is a good soundtrack to a night of feeling empty. Black Metal by Dean Blunt, 2014. Black Metal is one of the most interesting and surprising albums that I have ever heard. It’s dark and lo-fi sounds combined with the downtrodden and straightforward vocals from Dean Blunt himself create the exact songs I associate with late night feelings of dissociation. This album feels like it could come straight out of a dream, especially with the occasional female vocal appearances from Joanne Robertson. These elements combine to create a dark, yet dreamy, experience. Blue Valentine by Tom Waits, 1978. Tom Waits has become one of the most eclectic and creative musicians of all time, but this album came out early in his career during his bluesier, less experimental years. The result is an impactful record of beautiful story-telling, unique vocal performances, and a consistent atmosphere of a late night in a city. The jazzy instrumentation paired with Tom’s melancholy and somber delivery creates stories of heartbreak and paint characters that fit perfectly in the nighttime.
I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside by Earl Sweatshirt, 2015. The aftermath of Odd Future has resulted in some incredible solo projects, and this is no exception. This album, mostly produced by Earl, is a step into the darkness of isolation and drug addiction. The beats sound like they’re being blared from a back alley and Earl comes across as intensely self aware. While the specific situations that Earl brings up may not be specifically relatable, the feelings of loneliness and loss of identity are incredibly easy to find a connection with. If you’re looking for purely instrumental music to calm down your emotions...
Ambient 1: Music for Airports by Brian Eno, 1978 This ambient music classic, and the first album to address this genre of music as ambient, was created by Eno to be “as ignorable as it is interesting” and was created as an alternative to music played in airports, which Eno found to be irritating. The result is a soft, four piece album of gentle ambient songs and loops, songs that feel like the listener is looking at soft colors move by slowly. This is an easy album to sleep to due to the relaxing sounds, but is an equally easy album to lose yourself in. Journey (Original Soundtrack from the Video Game) by Austin Wintory, 2012. As a kid raised playing video games, certain video game soundtracks have always had a special place in my nostalgic little heart. Few soundtracks, however, stand up on their own and tell a story without needing to have any interactive element quite like this one. While the game itself is beautiful, Wintory’s work on the soundtrack tells a beautiful tale by itself, pairing anthemic melodies and patterns with beautiful instrumentation, resulting in a work of art that feels like an adventure in its own right. If you’re in your feelings and want to get more in your feelings...
Take Care by Drake, 2011. Obviously.
808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West, 2008. Kanye’s most experimental album at the time, 808s was a huge step away from the soulful style Kanye was known for, even after the more electronic Graduation. This album feels more like a synth pop album, with West singing, often with autotune, and very electronic and synth heavy beats throughout. This album was created after the death of his mother and the end of a long relationship, resulting in an album that oozes of heartache and loss while simultaneously feeling like a coping method. This album continues to stand up well today as a phenomenal breakup album, and is perfect for a variety of lonely feelings. For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver, 2007. This album is one of the most blatant breakup albums I’ve ever heard, and continues to stand up as a powerful and vulnerable project even after ten years. Justin Vernon’s vocals and songwriting paired with the acoustic and soft instrumentation create a feeling of sitting in chair in a room by yourself immediately after a breakup. If you’re in your feelings and want ot bury yourself in them, here you go. If you’re feeling dreamily melancholy...
Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground by Bright Eyes, 2002. Lifted is an album I discovered pretty recently and I absolutely love it. There are so many surreal songwriting choices of mixing and writing and sequencing, and the vocal performances are raw and genuine. This is one of those album’s that has an undercurrent of emotion and vulnerability, something that is easy to relate to, and it’s easy to find new reasons to enjoy it with each listen. A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead, 2016. The most recent release from this prolific band is filled with miserably lethargic songs, combining ethereal and airy production and instrumentation with somber melodies and songwriting. It truly is like looking into your reflection in a pool and seeing the ripples in the water change your perception of the image. It’s sad, subtle, and beautiful.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the past...
Everything in Transit by Jack’s Mannequin, 2005. This album is on this list because it’s incredibly nostalgic for me personally, but the sound itself is remnant of that pop-alternative era that is very reminiscent of younger years for people born in the 90s and 2000s. The sharp and catchy songwriting about love in various forms sticks in your head and there are plenty of songs that you’ll be singing in your head when you’re trying to sleep. It’s a fantastic album to give you a feeling of déjà vu and remind you how life used to be, for better or for worse. Everything in Transit by Jack’s Mannequin, 2005. This album is on this list because it’s incredibly nostalgic for me personally, but the sound itself is remnant of that pop-alternative era that is very reminiscent of younger years for people born in the 90s and 2000s. The sharp and catchy songwriting about love in various forms sticks in your head and there are plenty of songs that you’ll be singing in your head when you’re trying to sleep. It’s a fantastic album to give you a feeling of déjà vu and remind you how life used to be, for better or for worse. If you need something loud, abrasive, and nasty to channel your anger into..
Bottomless Pit by Death Grips, 2016. The most recent release from the controversial and prolific experimental hip hop trio is their tightest and cleanest album yet, filled with creative industrial instrumentals and intense vocal performances from MC Ride. The lyrics are furious, the drumming is chaotic, and the entire album screams for your attention. If you enjoy experimental music, give this a go. Evil Empire by Rage Against the Machine, 1996. This famous album (from my birth year) is a fantastic blend of politically charged hip-hop alternative fusion, with punk and rap mixing in a way that few others have been able to replicate. Zack de la Rocha emanates frustration and rebellion with every lyric, and there are plenty of catchy hooks that’ll make you want to put this album whenever you get the chance. ▪
PHOTOS BY DEREK BRACKETT
love poem for a fox. I have lain with you in your den, brushed soft red fur until my hand melted into your body. I’m with you, always, bounding through meadows in which you ensnare mice and lavendercolored flowers. They applaud you, dance and shiver in the wind. Can I wear you always? Don you on ankle and wrist? Let me carry you as emblem, trophy, martyr— reminder that in your cunning, you did not have to steal my heart, instead convinced me to give it to you.
BY NISHAT AHMED
Q+A BY WILL GERARD PHOTOS BY CHLOE ROSE
SASKIA BAKER she/her/angel babe
When was Undercut Collective founded? March 28, 2014 was the very first show. It was also my 14th birthday, it just happened to land on the same day because that’s when the venue was available. This is the third year. I founded it because I was in middle school – and obviously middle school sucks for everyone – 13 was probably the worst year of my life and I really needed to get my shit together and I didn’t really have a purpose. Things had gotten to the point where I had stopped going to school for the second semester and had to enroll in a homeschooling program just because I wasn’t in a place where I could be at school. I had all this extra time and I decided to channel that negative energy into something positive. Where did you get the name Undercut Collective? I don’t remember exactly how it went. I was brainstorming names with my mom and at that time, I was super emo and shaved part of my head so I had an undercut hairstyle. I thought I was so cool... Somehow, we brainstormed that idea. My mom’s a writer. She’s good with words. We threw around ideas, ‘Undercut Organization, nah’ or whatever and eventually we settled on Undercut Collective. I didn’t really know what it meant to be a collective and it’s not exactly one at this point, but I guess kind of in a weird way. It was originally supposed to be one. We liked that it had the initials U-C, for like C-U, and the idea of undercutting things in general, which is to derive from the norm since we have concerts for people our community typically
doesn’t allow. What are your future plans for Undercut? For a while, I was considering passing it but as the control freak I am, it’s my baby. First of all, it’s a lot of responsibility to pass on to a person and they have to really want and enjoy doing it. Second of all, I don’t know if I’d feel comfortable giving it to someone to take care of. I think what I want to do is help gradually change the local music scene and make it more all-ages friendly and if that doesn’t happen in the next year, then I guess I didn’t do my job. But I think I’ve already seen some improvements. Seth Fein and I recently worked to get a bill passed, allowing a theatric license to bars in Champaign, which would allow them to sell alcohol and still let those 14+ into shows. I just want to improve awareness. What are your long-term career goals? I want to create an organization in a large city that’s primarily an afterschool program for high schoolers and allows them to come in and have a professional recording studio for recording their own music. If they want to learn how to play guitar, we’ll find someone to help them play guitar. If they want to learn how to make their own beats, we’ll help them do
Just give them as much access to the music world as possible. Hopefully, attached to that.
that would be an all-ages venue. It’s obviously not going to pan out in that way exactly but I definitely want to continue using music as a way to connect people because I think there are right ways to spread music and
there are wrong ways. If you had unlimited control, how would you improve the local music scene? I would make all the venues all ages. I don’t see how that would be an issue. Yeah, there’s alcohol but there are precautions you can take. It’s really become this capitalist ‘oh we don’t want to pay for extra security guards to watch over these kids.’ Instead it should
Really all I care about is the music. be about the music.
It’s frustrating that venues are not accessible until a certain age. I was inspired to start Undercut by the Riot Grrrl Movement. My dad got me a book about Riot Grrl for Christmas when I was 13 and there was a small quote – it shouldn’t have made much of a difference but it really stuck with me – at the beginning of the book. Most of it took place in Olympia, Washington, and what really stuck with me was that all of the shows in Olympia were all-ages and if the show wasn’t, it was a flop. If it was a bar show, it was a flop. In comparing that to town, it made me think about all the shows I had to go with mom. If they can do it, why can’t we? I consider our community to be fairly progressive and I think this is a step we need to take. If you could pick any artist, who would you want to book? I’ve thought about this before. Currently, I think I would do Noname, SZA, and Kilo Kish. I think that would be a banging-ass show. It would be such a fun show, getting all that girl power. I love all of them. ▪
It’s sweet. It’s psychedelic. It’s stuck in your head.
Bubblegum Acid Pop // emily blue \\
dropping
03.02.17
produced by Pelican Boy photo by Chloe Rose
BY WILL GERARD
ART BY ALEC LINEMAN
Following a series of smaller projects, heavy metal band Earth Witch is scheduled to release debut album, Out of the Shallow, on March 10, 2017.
and is the band’s workhorse when it comes to all the behind the scene work.
Since recording the album, Landolt has moved to North Carolina. Despite the distance, Earth Witch continues to work Earth Witch consists of guitarist together and often will plan out weekend Ivan Catron, bassist Derrin Coad and trips to perform with one another. drummer Nathan Landolt. Catron and Coad both provide vocals, however, One drawback has been the band’s abilithe driving force of the album is ty to play local shows though Coad says furious guitar solos from Catron. that since they have the opportunity to plan ahead, each performance just counts “These are probably some of the best even more. “It’s weird though, when we guitar solos I’ve ever written,” went out to North Carolina and South Catron said. “We were able to douCarolina, we expected to be like a stonble track the solos. The laying of er-rock hot bed but when we asked around the sounds waves created a different there wasn’t much a scene for heavy sound altogether, almost like a cho- music, Catron said. “So I don’t know rus effect or something.” where it thrives anymore. We’re going to eventually find the source.” Likewise, on the album, Earth Witch was able to produce a similar effect Earth Witch has traveled the Midwest for Coad on bass. area – Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee “Derrin has all these awesome bass – and are planning a two-week tour in tones where he tracked his bass,” October. Out of the Shallow features a Catron said. “We had this insane 9-song set, including the song Riff Ridpedal called the Red Witch Zeus ped- er which has already been digitally real and it has a sub-octave effect, leased to the public via Bandcamp. Earth it’s really a blistering heavy ped- Witch credits Tommy Iommi, Black Sabal. All the parts where we really bath’s lead guitarist, and fellow metal wanted to beef up the sound, Derrin bands Red Fang, The Sword and Kadavar as would stomp on it and double track his bass. Darrin has a solo that’s insane … His solo is like a goddam freight train pummeling into your house.” During the song writing process, Earth Witch first focuses on the instrumentation, and in this stage, Landolt contributes feedback for Catron and Coad. “One of the contributions for Nathan – I mean he’d write drum parts and stuff – was he’d help us piece together the riffs,” Coad said. Landolt books the majority of shows
the main source of inspiration for the album. On the seventh and eight tracks, Mermaid and Pilgrim, Catron plays the keyboard. His solo on Pilgrim was tracked along with the vocals, late in recording the process. “Nathan had no idea until he heard the first rough mix,” Catron said. “I don’t know if we’ll ever have a keyboard player full-time. It would be cool but I don’t think we could write full songswith parts. We thought about if I could try to play guitar with one hand and keyboard with the other for certain parts but I don’t think that’s actually possible.” The final track, Earth Witch, details a fictitious creation story about a witch bringing about nature and mankind to a barren planet. “We’re messing up this planet pretty bad,” Catron said. “I’m not saying that’s our message or anything but that song can be a very allegory between people and the planet.” Out of the Shadow, a 42-minute project, has been in the works for the past two years. Despite having to finish before Landolt and producer Brandon Carnes, coincidentally, both moved out to the East Coast, Earth Witch is proud of the final project. “We definitely feel like it’s a good finished album, Catron said. “You always hope the next record is the best thing to date and we can definitely say that with this thing for sure.” ▪
PHOTO BY VERONICA MULLEN
[this is a blank page]
BY COURTNEY GOULD
ART BY RACHEL GONZALEZ
How in the world am I supposed to sum up “who the f*ck Matt Healy is?” I actually have no idea where to start, so I’ll share some of Urban Dictionary’s best definitions: “singer of the band ‘The 1975’ and also one of the sexiest males on planet earth” (*cough cough fact*). A more in depth definition goes something like this: “Matty Healy is the lead singer of ‘The 1975.’ The only thing anyone could say to describe him best is that he is an Emo Lord™. Matty likes red wine, Truman Capote, and using the word juxtaposition. Most importantly, he is the father to a puppy named Allen Ginsberg Jesus Christ.” Now, I get that if you’re not a part of the fanbase, you’re probably lost. But it’s ok because I’m here to guide you through the (my) world of The 1975!! I’ve been a proud fan of The 1975 for about three years now. My unhealthy obsession began in late 2013 after the band released their first, self titled album, “The 1975.” Long story short, a boy I fancied at the time told me to look up their music, so out of curiosity I searched the name on YouTube. Sure enough, I found the music video for “Chocolate.” “Chocolate” was their most popular single released from their first album. By first impression I was actually a tad skeptical. I was unsure if I could fit in with this “black and white hipster aesthetic” band, but I knew I really liked their music. The vibe of “Chocolate” was lively and upbeat, and it was refreshing to hear a sound that was so different from the rest. Within a few weeks I fell in love with the song and decided I needed more. There had to be more. With excitement and an
open mind, I finally saved their album to my Spotify and listened to “The 1975 [Deluxe Edition]” start to finish. Between the zesty beats, questionable lyrics, and Matty’s strong British vocals, I was hooked. I finished that album feeling like a brand new woman. It’s nearly impossible for me to even articulate the feeling their music gave me. This album was so new, yet it felt familiar...with every song, a wave of nostalgia came crashing over me. It made me feel safe and at peace. This band, this “idea” of The 1975 became something I feel very passionate about. I now hold them all (Matty, Adam, George, & Ross) very close to my heart because I spent a majority of my high school years with them. From age fifteen to now, I have felt myself growing and evolving with their music. I value each and every
project they’ve ever put out because every time I come back to them, it feels like I’ve re-discovered their music. For instance, I found “The 1975” as a little sophomore still stuck in high school. Now, as a college freshman, I can return to that album and instantly be brought back to 2013. It brings up all of the memories and emotions I experienced during that time, and allows me to reminisce on the raw innocence of my youth. At the same time, I can now observe the album in a older, wiser perspective and uncover deep themes I initially missed. Getting to be a fan since the beginning to watch them blossom into a huge success honestly makes me so emotional. I’ve already invested over 3 years of my life to the band, and with all the joy they give me, I don’t plan on ever quitting. Since the first record, they’ve continued to give back to the fans,
dropping the single “Medicine,” their second album “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It,” and their most recent single “By Your Side.” Something extraordinary that I’ve noticed overtime is that with every new project comes a new aesthetic for the band. Originally, the band was introduced as “British indie rock.” Many pieces off the first album ranged from jazzy bops to melancholy tones. The album artwork, music videos, and even the band’s Instagram feed strictly remained filtered black and white. The entire aesthetic of the band was very dark, mysterious, and EMO. Since then, the band decided to make some drastic transitions. During the creation of the second album, the band completely changed their aesthetic overnight. June 1st, 2015 was the day to // go down // in history because that’s when the second era of The 1975 was born. You see, for that entire 24 hours the band deleted all of their social media, as well as their official website. Saying the entire fan base was going mad would be an understatement. There were rumors all over twitter fan accounts and news articles claiming that the band broke up, which caused me to die a little inside (alright I was already dying inside because I had finals that next day but this made everything 10 times worse). I spent
that evening mourning to all of their music, just in case this was really the end for them. Of course, the next day I woke up feeling like a total moron because suddenly all of their online platforms were re-activated (not to mention I totally under-studied for my finals :/ ). Every band member had simultaneously posted a photo of a fluorescent pink sign in the shape of their classic rectangle logo. This began the new, colorful, controversial era of “ ILIWYSFYAS…”yeahyeahokMattywegetit.” Eight excruciatingly long months later, the band finally released the second album, which completely altered their former colorless and mysterious image from the first. This new, more colorful aesthetic included romantic roses, shades of pastels, and a fresh polished look for Matty. He decided to trade in his iconic “black left ripped knee” skinny jeans for a crispy suit and a pair of Gucci loafers, smoothly transitioning into his next era. As I mentioned before, Matty is a very complex individual, it’s quite hard to sum him up with just one definition. Although his image may be subjected to change, his personality remains constant. Using the best of my knowledge, I would describe Matty as a very bold, compassionate, raw, and a tad bit of a pretentious character. Basically, I STAN Matty because his messages are not only inspiring, but empowering. As cliche as it sounds, he is SUCH a significant figure in my life and I vow to love him unconditionally. The music is so deeply ingrained in me they could change their entire genre, sound, and aesthetic (check check and check) and I’d still be on board (check). Seriously, my obsession has gotten so out of
control I would consider selling my organs if that meant meeting Matty. Actually, scratch that, it’s 2017 now and the band is exponentially growing in popularity, so in this day and age I’d probably have to SELL MY SOUL to get a meet & greet and a hug. :”( But I’m not giving up any time soon. This year, I’ll be going on my 5th round of seeing The 1975 live. As if their music wasn’t phenomenal enough, their visuals are absolutely incredible. At each concert, the entire stage is set up for one big light show. As the boys first enter the stage, the lights begin to flicker purple as their signature intro (also titled “The 1975”) begins to play. The anticipation KILLS the crowd as we all wait to hear the sharp riff of “Love Me” (yes I know the setlist by heart ok). Suddenly, Matty Healy takes center stage and proudly grabs the mic as pink light reflects onto the crowd. What really makes this production magical is that the texture/tones/intensity of the lights vary depending on the song that is performed (in case you’re wondering, yes I follow The 1975’s light/conceptual designer @tobiasrylander). Healy claims that the light production represents what he envisions in each song. Basically, he wants the crowd to experience the song the way he prefers. For instance, the mellow anthem of “Change of Heart” fills the stage with a blend of magenta and muted blues, creating a relaxing mood for the audience. For the more nostalgic melodies of “Medicine,” the stage is completely absorbed by the projection of a glowing cityscape. As this lingering song progresses, fans hold up their lighters until the entire crowd becomes one united constellation. On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, the band can also put on quite the rave. For their
hit song, “Sex,” the band uses white strobe light effects to match their angsty, fast-paced tempo. Yet another thing I admire about this band is that during their live shows, the focus is purely on the music. With all of the colorful sets of lights, it makes it nearly impossible to see the band members in detail. Unlike most “superstars,” Matty avoids using a single spotlight. In fact, from the crowd’s viewpoint, it’s pretty difficult to capture anyone on camera. All you can see are the silhouettes of each band member. In all honesty, I find this performance way more creative and thought-provoking compared to the other live shows I’ve seen. The entire stage presence of The 1975 is very rare to find amongst other artists and musicians. They’re truly one of a kind. Now I will admit that at one point, I was sure that I was in my deepest phase of this The 1975 obsession... but in all actuality the phase is only getting deeper! I truly CANNOT FATHOM HOW THIS BAND MAKES ME FEEL. If you really want to know what keeps me coming back concert after concert, the answer is simple. It’s the giddy, euphoric high the band feeds me. This cloud nine feeling has gotten so addictive that I crave it. I feel like I cannot go on without it. Therefore, I get my dose by throwing away all my savings into my concert funds. Speaking of // M.O.N.E.Y. //, have you ever thought about how much you spend just to get emotionally // black and blue //? But I suppose it’s alright considering I usually enjoy getting emotionally disoriented seeing Matty Healy IN THE FLESH. That my friend, is worth every penny. Even though I’ve seen The 1975 numerous times, each show has signifi-
cantly differed from one another. I’ve learned a very valuable lesson that the people who surround you throughout the show will affect everything! Lucky for me, I’ve found some pretty remarkable concert companions along the way. In fact, as peculiar as this may sound, half of the shows I’ve attended have been “blind friend dates.” During those desperate times where I bought one too many tickets, I had to force myself to venture out and ask a few social media friends to come through (shout out to Emma & Meliza). Going to these shows with my newer friends made me realize just how impactful the 1975 has been on my life. If we didn’t share the same love for the band and their music, would we have ever thought to befriend each other? Negative. In other circumstances, I’ve also had the opportunity to experience the show from the barricade with a some friends I’ve known for years. Precisely, the show that fell on October 28th, 2016 marks the day of my spiritual awakening. This show was extremely important to me since it took place in my hometown, Champaign, IL. Even when I bought the tickets 5 months in advance, I could sense that this show would be a special one. My group of friends and I decided we wanted to camp outside of the venue a whole day early, which ended up being the best decision I’ve ever made). So on the eve of our concert, we packed up all our camping essentials (phone chargers, makeup, and mase) and made our way to the State Farm Center to pitch the tent. That night of the 27th ended up being super chilly and I didn’t get to sleep much due to excitement...
but I didn’t mind. However, the next day felt like self torture as we all impatiently waited for the doors to open. Just when I thought I was going to explode from all of this anticipation, I look up to see The 1975’s photographer, Adam Powell, standing two feet away from me. This sight sort of triggered my internal fan girl mode, but I knew I had to keep it together. The conversations we had with Adam were actually super casual and intriguing. He informed us that he loiters around the venue a few hours before the show to meet and interview the fans. After a few minutes of chatting, he revealed his microphone and began asking us open ended questions about our lives. We discussed the band, the importance of music, what we’re passionate about, and even our political views. He made everyone in the line feel very comfortable and welcome. Speaking with him not only eased my nerves, but allowed me to connect with everyone else at the show. Hearing the respectable stories and opinions of other fans inspired me. This is where I found the beauty in the fanbase. I realized that we all come from such unique backgrounds, yet we all share identical love for the band. As for the performance, I truly have no words. The 1975 never ever fails to leave me stunned. All I can really say is that you had to be there. Snatching a barricade spot at the 1975’s show in MY HOMETOWN was an unforgettable moment for me. I danced, screamed, laughed, cried, and even hyperventilated for a bit. That night I had my very first // encounter // with Matty, and I ART BY CHLOE ROSE
kid you not I almost passed out. During their intro I was able to spot Matty in the dark as he entered the stage. Once “Love Me” began, he waltzed his way over to my side of the crowd. From then on, everything played out in slow motion. Our eyes locked for a few seconds, but it felt like eternity to me. He started singing and waving to me and my friends, and we all lost it. I swear I could feel my soul levitating up and out of my body. In that moment, my Emo Lord™ knew I existed. And that’s all that mattered to me. After my long history with The 1975, will conclude that this band has ruined me in the BEST way possible. When I decided to embark on this musical journey, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. Ever since my first show of theirs, both my iPad and phone contain zero storage. With photos, concert videos, and their entire discography on me at all times, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Although this obsession may seem a bit unhealthy, it should be known that everything the band does brings me an infinite amount of happiness, and I cannot thank them enough for that. Discovering The 1975 brought so many new people into my life and I’m thankful that we can all bond over our unconditional love for Matty, Adam, George, and Ross.▪
thank you f o r reading