july 2014
BLEACH BLONDE | HOTEL BOOKS | GHOST TOWN | PETER SCHREVE & MORE
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STAFF Founded and created by Penelope Martinez Mariana Patino Editor-in-Chief | Designer Penelope Martinez Art & Managing Editor Mariana Patino Writers Kelly Fadden Taylor Hancock Mariana Patino Photographers Jenn Curtis Leah Dickerman Lori Gutman Mimi hong Penelope Martinez Priten Vora Connect focuszine.com facebook.com/focuszine focuszine.tumblr.com @focuszine Contact Us info.focuszine@gmail.com THANK YOU New Politics, Hotel Books, Ghost Town, Bleach Blonde, Summerfest 2014, Peter Schreve, Rachel Miller, Jess Owens, Mike Cubillos, Lyssa Thompson, Abby Reutzel, Ross Anderson, Pete Quinn Earshot Media, Roadrunner Records, Girlie Action, the wonderful staff and you!
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“We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?” I have this tendency of watching too much Doctor Who, even when I have seen every episode made. After giving it some thought, I decided to create a book containing my favorite DW quotes and categorize it by season. This means that I have to watch all of the episodes all over again.. what a bummer!! I have also decided to make this “letter from the editor” thing just to tell you about life and experiences, in hopes that maybe it’ll give you some inspiration or something. Who knows! This month, I was able to travel to Wisconsin every other day to attend Summerfest and it was so nice. Getting away from the huge city of Chicago and discovering new places is always a pleasure. There, I was able to see amazing artists and I got to spend my fourth of July watching Brand New and rad BMX riders. But I also had the WORST frozen yogurt ever. I am not exageratting. This thing tasted like cardboard with water. Never going back. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy this issue, and I hope you’re having an amazing summer thus far.
Penelope Martinez
xo
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on the cover FOCUS MAGAZINE | 4
pg. 30
WHAT’S inside IN EVERY ISSUE + Bleach Blonde + Ghost Town + Hotel Books + Summerfest + New Politics
16 18 20 22 30
+ Artist of the Month + Behind the Band + Art N’ Stuff + Staff Playlist
6 10 12 48
FEATURES
REVIEWS pg. 46 GALLERY pg. 52
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH
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WHO: Peter Schreve WHAT: Graphic Art & Design WHERE: www.peterschreve.com Q. When and how did you begin to design?
you were able to stay focused and determined?
I started early in high school, 6 or so years back, originally because I decided I’d rather learn to use these programs myself than pay someone for my band’s myspace layout or show flyer or the little animated banners you would see everywhere back then. I basically ended up teaching myself how to use programs like Photoshop & Illustrator just well enough to make the few things my own band needed. I think from there it was a lot of curiosity that kept me into it and made me want to progress. I would see something online and wonder how it was done, then immediately start trying to figure out how to make my own version of whatever it was I saw. It wasn’t long before my friends from other local bands in the area started coming to me, asking to make their shows flyers, myspace layouts, tee shirt designs, so on and so forth.
To be honest I haven’t come to a time yet where I even considered not doing what I’m doing. With freelance work, of course the consistency as far as flow of clientele can fluctuate and become unstable at times, but that comes with the territory. Never have I thought “hmm... maybe its time that I go apply at Mcdonalds”, or anything at all, haha. But the fact that I’ve had a consistent enough flow of work and clients that allows me to do this full-time and call it my job is a blessing in the first place for sure.
Q. In such a competitive field, how do you stay inspired and set yourself apart from other designers?
As simple as it sounds, I feel like just being aware has a lot to do with maintaining individuality in a field like graphic design. Staying open-minded and just observing as much different stuff being done around you as you can. It definitely helps to keep you and your work separated from the overdone trends that turn into cliches. On the opposite end, it can also help you get a sense for what is becoming popular; what is ABOUT to be the next big trend, you know? As well as of course just creating high quality, successful work that is original, and being able to pull that off over and over is huge. Q. What’s your favorite part about your job? Least favorite?
I basically love all aspects of it really! I am still just completely intrigued by the whole process of being in total control while seeing something progress from start to finish. As well as the other conveniences like choosing my hours and being able to work at home or just about anywhere. My favorite part though I think, is seeing my work out in public and all over. Whether it’s on peoples shirts, on stage with a band, or on shelves at a store, that’s always a cool feeling that has yet to get old. Q. Have you had a rough time in this career? If so, would you mind sharing an experience and how
Q. What’s been a proud moment for you?
A few come to mind but I’d have to say that doing the album artwork for Issues’ self-titled debut record has been a pretty big highlight for me, this far. Seeing that album do so well and get up to the top ten on the Billboard charts, as well as being my first record that is available in stores worldwide, to the crazy amount of fan art I’ve seen based around it, even getting to see their stage production made from the artwork travel around the world with them. There’s been a lot of really cool stuff that has come from that definitely. Being long time friends with Tyler and Michael from that band myself, and just getting to be involved with and see their debut album do so incredibly well has been pretty insane to watch. Q. Anyone can download illustrator and photoshop now, why do you think graphic designers and artists are such an essential part of the music industry?
I think that as a part of the music industry, design and artwork in general, whether that be album packaging, merchandise, a band’s logo, is hugely important. Especially in first-impression type situations, which is incredibly often now in 2014 when everyone and their brother has a band they’re promoting on every social media website. FOCUS MAGAZINE | 7
The artwork or designs a band uses is their way of branding, or creating an image for themselves because before you hear a band what do you see first? Their logo, maybe an album cover, etc. Sometimes you’re drawn into listening to a band or album just because the cover art intrigues you in some way. If it wasn’t for that album cover, funny shirt design, or whatever it may be that drew you in in the first place, who knows if you’d have discovered that band without it. That can work both ways I think, too. If a band you’ve never heard of has a bad, unprofessional overall-image, its much easier to overlook and/or not take them seriously. Q. Seeing how you also do website designs, do you think it’s tougher to make a graphic design that meets a client’s requests or a website?
I’m not sure if I would say either is tougher, I think different would be a better word! With web design, it just tends to cover more ground, being that you have to create the design for the site in an aesthetically pleasing manor that is simple enough to navigate on the users end, but also conveys all the information that the client requires. In addition to the back-end work like writing the code that will translate your design into an actual functioning web page. So there’s a heavier workload on the technical end of what all needs to be done. When working on something like a band’s logo, it can be just as -if not more- demanding because of how hugely important it is. When designing a logo or identity you have to keep in mind that this is how they are branding themselves to the world, and in most cases, the first impression that a new potential fan will have of them, so they are placing a lot of trust in you to make that impression. Overall, I would just say it’s two very different jobs but I definitely enjoy both, for sure! Q. Do you ever look back at a design and think “oh man, I really shouldn’t have published that.”?
Unfortunately, yes, haha… It seems a lot of designers go through a beginner’s phase and don’t seek out clients or try to sell their work until they’ve got a handle on what they’re doing. But being that I was doing the designs for my own band, most of the work that I did early on as a total beginner ended up as shirts or album covers for other local bands, unfortunately. Most of the stuff I did in that time period makes me want to cringe a bit, but I did sell one design to Emery back FOCUS MAGAZINE | 8
then that I still don’t hate to this day so, not all horrible I guess! haha! Q. Anything you’d like to add?
Not that comes to mind, I think you’ve got it covered! I really appreciate you interviewing me, so thank you so much! And thank you to anyone who took the time to read it! If you would like to check out some of my work or get in contact with me to start a project, my website is PeterSchreve.com! You can also find me on any social media under @peterschreve or PDS Graphic Art & Design! ALL WORK BY PETER SCHREVE
GET CONNECTED www.peterschreve.com peterschreve peterschreve
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B e h i n d T h e B a n d INFO CARD
NAME_____________________ JOB TITLE____________________ RESUME_______________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________
Rachel Miller
Q.How long have you had this job? I have been working at Big Picture Media for 5 years now! Q.How did you begin to work in the music industry? My mom always said to me that when I was little I hit my head right into a stereo plug and it left a huge mark on my forehead. From that moment on, she knew I would work in music! I loved music since I can remember and when I was in high school I would go to shows every weekend, and any week day my parents let me! When I found out that Music Industry was actually a major in college, I was set. I went to Drexel University for Music Industry and from there moved to NYC, met Dayna Ghiraldi and have been working at BPM ever since! Q. What are some misconceptions people have about your position? That’s a good question! A lot of people get very confused with what exactly a publicist does. A lot of people get it confused with publishing, which is extremely different. A lot of people also think that we are bookers, managers, and a label altogether. We do wear a lot of hats in our position but we mainly just work on getting the most press around a band as possible ;) Q.Best and worst thing about being a publicist? Best thing would be seeing a band you’re working with grow throughout the years and being able to go from locking in smaller features to sometimes even exclusive features on Rolling Stone, SPIN, etc! Worst thing would be when a writer doesn’t get back to you regarding a band you’re truly passionate about. Q.What’s a typical day for you? Hmm…there really isn’t a “typical day” but I guess I would say that each day involves a TON of emailing and calling. I’m constantly talking to bands or press and setting up as many features, exclusives, interviews, and show or album reviews for my bands as possible each day! If a band is in town, I will also meet up with them to take them around to the various interviews we have set up for that day and/or go out to their shows that night! Q.Any bad experiences you’d be willing to share? Haven’t had one yet and I’m hoping to keep it that way!
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Q.Most important lesson you’ve learned so far? The most important lesson I have learned so far is that there is no equation to a band making it these days! It’s a TON of factors put into place and you need to keep your eyes on the prize! Q.How do you stay organized? That’s always the question right? Everyone works differently and I just have a TON of To Do lists! I also organize each client into folders, highlight, make sure every email has the band’s name first, etc! Q.What is the most stressful thing about your job? How do you handle it? I would say the most stressful thing would be making sure each band receives the press they deserve, which is always our goal! Also, remembering every show dates, time, etc.! I would say staying organized is the number one key to handling the stress of this job and any job really! It’s good to stay on your toes ;) Q. Any advice for those wanting to go into publicity? My advice would be just to get out there and meet as many people as possible! Talking to bands, industry folks, etc., will be your foot in the door and having these contacts will be the best thing you ever did. Also, we accept interns at BPM! Q.Anything you’d like to add? Hope everyone has a stellar day! =)
GET CONNECTED www.bigpicturemediaonline.com www.facebook.com/BigPictureMedia bigpicturenyc bigpicturemedia
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Arts N' Stuff Summer means cold drinks and hanging outside. Unfortunately, cold drinks can ruin your furniture. Coasters make your life so much easier, so why not make them the way you like them? Check out how to make your own coasters this summer!
+ Bathroom tiles (square) + Paint (for ceramics, non-toxic and dishwasher safe are the best!) + Sponge brush + Rubbing alcohol + Mod Podge + Paper towel + Magic Sliders (optional)
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Put a small drop of paint on the tile. You won’t be needing much.
Use your finger to spred out the paint, make sure to clean it when moving on to another color.
Use half of the paper towel to take off some excess paint. Just drop it on top of the tile, press down, DON’T RUB, and peel it off.
*shape should still be defined*
Pour some alcohol on the cap. Using that, pour it on the tile slowly.
Use the other half of the napkin to take the excess alcohol + paint again.
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Dab the tile a bit with the napkins to give it a texture and to mix the colors.
Let it dry for about 45 minutes.
Pour some (not a lot!) of the Mod Podge on the tile.
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Use the sponge to spread it evenly. Make sure to go in one direction so it doesn’t leave stains.
Glue (should be adhesive already) the magic sliders on all corners of the tile. This will prevent the coasters from scratching the furniture.
Let them dry for around 30 minutes before you begin to use or stack them. Now you have personalized coasters which you can easily give away or maybe sell on etsy? So many ideas!
mod podge $3.99 paint $1.99 tile $0.69 sponge $0.49 rubbing alcohol $0 magic sliders $5.99 Total
$13.15
2 hours // 3 tiles
Try it yourself and put your own touch! Tweet or Instagram a pic and tag us so we can see your style. Mention @focuszine and tag #focusart
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BLEACH BLONDE In this huge and vast universe many people question what the key to success is. Bleach Blonde, for once, believe it’s all about timing. Comprised of Danny Cooper (drums), Danny Stillman (vocals), Michael Payne (guitar), David Barella (guitar/vocals) and Coty Eikenberg (bass), the band has reached an impressive crowd since their formation in 2012.
It’s safe to say that Nirvana has influenced many artists and the music industry in general. For the guys in Bleach Blonde, Nirvana provided them with the first half of their name, Bleach, being one of their favorite records. They decided to add the blonde part because it “had a nice ring to it,” says Danny. FOCUS MAGAZINE | 16
Although they haven’t been around for long, in the two years they’ve been together they caught the attention of Rise Records, whom they are currently signed to. They recently got the opportunity of being able to work with producer Kris Crummett (Dance Gavin Dance, Issues, The Devil Wears Prada) on their first full length, Starving Artist, which was released last year. “Kris Crummett was absolutely awesome to work with. Anything he touches turns out amazing. We’ve become really good friends with him and hope we get another chance to work with him again in the future,” comments Danny. Earlier this year, the guys toured with Dance Gavin Dance and Capture the Crown in support of ‘Starving
Artist,’ on the Acceptance Tour. Reaching old and new fans, the guys share that they enjoyed every night from that tour. “Almost all the shows were packed with kids that came to have a good time!” adds Danny, saying that watching Dance Gavin Dance was also a great way to end every night. In the beginning of what would soon become Bleach Blonde however, Danny and David would write music via email rather than sitting down and brainstorming together. While this was a difficult position for them, they obviously made it work out, “I think it turned out pretty neat. Once we finally got together in the same room and made music, the creativity really started to come out.” Being broke and traveling in a van is something many artists have faced at one point or another, Bleach Blonde is no exception. As much as they enjoy being on tour, it creates a lot of struggles. From barely being able to afford gas to be able to make it to the next show to sleeping in a small van with 6 or more people. This, by no means, discourages them from living their
dream, “that's what it takes to make it in the music world. So the struggles are worth it to us.” As of right now, they’re writing new music and hope to release it soon for all us. In the meantime, make sure to check out Starving Artist and follow them on their social networks to stay updated!
STAY CONNECTED
www.thebleachblonde.com www.facebook.com/thebleachblonde thebleachblonde INTERVIEW: Taylor Hancock STORY: Penelope Martinez PHOTO: Provided
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WITH
Q + A
G H O S T T O W N
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For those who don’t know, who makes up Ghost Town? How did you all meet? The band is KevGhost, AlixMonster, MannYtheDrummeR, EvanPearce.
them? No major setbacks... Just wanted to get it out. We were sitting on really good material, so we were just really anxious for everyone to hear it.
Kevin and Alix met in Elementary school, Evan and I (MannYtheDrummeR) met in a Hollywood Party Crew. A Couple of years later Kevin went to work on songs at a studio where Evan happened to be. They met and decided to work on a song together that him and Alix wrote. Two weeks later, I randomly called Evan to check on him and he mentioned what they were working on and asked if I could be the drummer. After hearing the music, I couldn’t say no. We were then a full Band.
Currently, what is your favorite song off TAP and why? “Carnival.” During the writing process, I was finding myself in a relationship. I wasn’t the man I was supposed to be and made some stupid mistakes to a wonderful person. I was in love but didn’t know how to handle it at the time. A lot of that emotion went into making the song when I put my parts in. Every time I hear it, it reminds me of how far I’ve come since then and that it’s ok to make mistakes, you just need to be able to forgive yourself and never do it again.
What were some of your goals when you first started the band? How have they changed since then? Our Goal when we first started the band was just to get our music heard. We didn’t care where, how, or who was going to do it for us. We knew we had something different, and a special message to deliver to a group of spirits we call “Ghosts” and also to the world. You recently released your second full length album. What was your writing process for that like? The writing process was a lot easier for this album. During our last album, we were having a few studio issues in the beginning -we didn’t have a place to stay for a few months. On this album, we were settled. We’ve grown up and matured together as a band, we’ve shared the stage with each other and got a chance to meet our Ghosts and get to know them personally. Coming into the studio with all of these experiences made it easier to record this album and really make it the best music we’ve ever made. How have the fans reacted to “The After Party” in comparison to “Party In The Graveyard?” They were so much more excited for this album because we haven’t gave them any new music in over a year, so the anticipation for this record was there and they loved it. To sum up everyone’s opinion it would be “NextLevel Ghost Town.”
What is one of your most memorable moments that you’ve had with Ghost Town? Getting our first couple fans on Twitter and thinking about being where we are today. You’re on the first half of Warped Tour this summer, how did you decide on your setlist? We’ve been on tour for almost four months straight, so we’ve played numerous sets. We know what works and what doesn’t by now. We wanted to give out as much love and energy as possible and really make our mark on Warped Tour. What are some things that you are currently focused on? Getting some rest! We’ve been on the road for four months so my focus is my bed for now. Lastly, anything else you’d like to say to your fans? We LOVE You, We Thank You, You complete us!
GET CONNECTED www.officialghosttown.com www.facebook.com/officialGhostTown ghosttown ghosttownband INTERVIEW: Leah Dickerman PHOTO: Provided
Were there any setbacks in the making of “The After Party?” If yes, how did you overcome FOCUS MAGAZINE | 19
HOTEL BOOKS Firstly, can you tell us your names and what you each play in Hotel Books? My name is Cam Smith and I am the vocalist in Hotel Books. How did you each get started in music? I began playing music when I was a very young child. I remember going to concerts with my dad and seeing bands like dcTalk and wanting to do that. I had a karaoke machine that recorded cassette tapes, so I would record “albums” by playing the preset beats on my Casio keyboard while I would attempt to rap on top. I started gigging when I was thirteen in a Christian punk rock band that I started with friends I went to church with. FOCUS MAGAZINE | 20
Your new album sounds like a genuine and raw piece. How would you describe your sound? Thank you very much. I tell people that we are an ambient band with spoken-word poetry. Our new EP adds some new elements to our sound outside of ‘ambient’ music. A lot of people put us in the emo genre, but I don’t know about that one. We just like to play music that accents the emotions of the lyrics. You seem a bit religious, but would you describe yourselves as a Christian band? Yes, we are a Christian band, but we did not come to our Christian beliefs through a religious agenda. We found ourselves blessed by a loving God, and we want to share
Love with everyone else. We don’t have any sort of religious plan to convert individuals through some sort of conceptualized version of a God we worship. Sorry if that sounded a bit pretentious, I guess the ideals of religion sometimes scare me, but I guess that religion can help keep many accountable. Who are some of your major influences? We have a lot of influences that sometimes pop up in conversations when we’re writing, and then other bands that have nothing to do with our sound, but they inspire us to play. Modest Mouse, Cake, Nada Surf, Pedro the Lion, Built To Spill, and Jars of Clay are some moreclassic bands that we draw from, but there are also some new bands
that we love, including My Iron Lung, Fish Tank, and Frameworks. Seeing as how you're spoken word, how would you describe your live performance? If I’m allowed to say this, our live performance is our best attempt to remove any social walls that we as humans build between one another. We want to create an emotionally-compelling platform for Love to take place. Sonically, we split the sent between spoken-word pieces and full-band pieces, trying to play a fair amount of each sound. Are there any traditions you do before or after a show? While our guitarist is playing the intro riff, we all look at each other and say “I love you guys.” I know it’s cheesy, but sometimes we care so much about reaching out to an audience, that we forget to reach out to each other. This practice helps us stay in check with each other, I guess. After shows, I usually have to run outside and breathe because I’m too out of shape to run around for a half hour under stage lights. Who has been your biggest support, besides your fans of course? InVogue Records has been an amazing family for us. Nick and the team have been amazing to work with and build relationships with. Our best friend band, Hearts Like Lions, is a group of young men who have really inspired us to keep working hard for what we believe. Also, our families are very supportive. What would you be doing if you weren't doing music? If I was not in Hotel Books, I would
be cooking at an L&L Hawaiian BBQ until I had enough savings to open my own restaurant, and probably still working at Step Out Touring as a booking agent. Why should the readers pick up your latest album? We do our best to share our honest hearts, with no restraint, and we would love for all individuals to take part in that. We want people to live life with us, and listening to this album is a great introduction to do so. In your album, you have the song Lose One Friend, and following it Lose All Friends, and afterwards, Lose Yourself. Were you hoping to get a message out there with the track titles and lyrics? There are multiple reasons as to why we decided to do that. We originally released those three songs as “I’m Almost Happy Here.” The phrase “lose one friend, lose all friends, lose yourself” is a quote from an episode of Boy Meets World. In the episode, Eric Matthews watches all of his best friends hate each other, so he detains them all in a classroom together and reads them the secret to life, which he said was ““lose one friend, lose all friends, lose yourself.” The song Lose One Friend is about a time that I lose a friend who passed away, Lose All Friends was about a time that I felt so isolated after losing a girl that I pushed away all of my friends, while Lose Yourself is about a time that I struggled with suicide and lost myself.
through a tough time, but as the album goes on, in Nicole to be exact, you bring out that hope and tell the listeners things that we need need to hear every once in a while. What were you thinking about in the writing process? Was this what you were going for? Well, the first five songs make up the re-release of the EP “I’m Almost Happy Here” and the last six songs are from the new EP “But I Never Feel At Home.” Basically, this album is a double EP. The first half struggles with loss, as I kind of explained in the previous question, where the second half of the album is more an exploration of emotions, not situations. I did not have too much of a plan when I wrote, but I do like how it fell into place. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans? We love you, family. STAY CONNECTED www.imalmosthappyhere.com www.facebook.com/hotelbooksband www.hotelbooks.bandcamp.com INTERVIEW: Kelly Fadden
With the album in mind, it begins with the lyrics about being lost and just, generally being sad and going FOCUS MAGAZINE | 21
This year’s Summerfest lineup was one of the most diverse and incredible lineups I have ever seen. Summerfest -also known as the World’s Largest Music Festival- runs for 11 days with over 1,000 performances and over 800 acts. The festival began in 1968 with 35 separate locations throughout the city, unlike now where it is located lakefront in Milwaukee. This move began in 1970, and throughout the years, stages made out of wood were converted into solid concrete ones. Eventually in the 1980s, the city of Milwaukee came to an agreement and the festival grounds were established. The only thing missing was the Marcus Amphitheater which was built in 1987. Finally, the future seemed promising and more people began to travel from various places to attend it. With 11 stages, there was always someone to watch. Each stage seemed to target a specific audience, however. Miller Lite Oasis, for example, had well known artists such as Arctic Monkeys, B.o.B, Atmosphere, Ludacris, The Fray, and many more. Right next door was the Harley Davidson Roadhouse stage where you could find Brand New, Five Finger Death Punch, Rise Against, and other rock artists. A few stages away was the U. S Cellular Connection stage which many artists such as Bleachers, Neon Trees, Smallpools, Wild Cub, St. Lucia, The Neighbourhood, Phantogram, Jake Bugg and so many more. For those who wanted to see some even bigger artists, they could attend the performances held in the Marcus Amphitheater. Every night, there was a national tour playing there. From Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and Outkast to Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and One Republic. FOCUS MAGAZINE | 22
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Like many other festivals, Summerfest had various activities for the family. From the Ferris Wheel and Skyglider to an arcade tent, there was always a place to go and relax after jamming out. It was pretty inexpensive to attend, if you planned accordingly. Purchasing your ticket before 4pm saved you around $7 meaning you only paid $11 to watch the day’s artists. You could also pay $20 for a weekday pass, saving over $200. Parking was a bit pricey however, $20. If you were lucky to find a spot on the street, it was free, but you had to keep exiting until 6pm every two hours to switch spots. The food was pretty incredible. Curly fries, burgers, gelato; it was all worth my money. There was even a
Wendys inside! That wasn’t worth my money though, $10 dollars for chicken nuggets?! Nope. Instead, I went and bought myself a cute cupcake which tasted great, considering the fact they had them there for who knows how long. Drinks on the other hand were ridiculously expensive, as always. You couldn’t find a beer cheaper than $8 and all other drinks were $3 or more. My best bet was taking a thermal bottle and settling for water all day. The thing I loved was the re-admission. If there weren’t any performances you were interested in, you could go out and explore the city. The public market had the best burgers I ever tasted. I preferred eating here mainly because it supported local vendors. FOCUS MAGAZINE | 25
For the times when you wanted to give your ears and feet a break, there were tons of acts to watch. On the Gruber Law Offices SportsZone stage, you could watch basketball players do tricks or the awesome Division BMX Stunt team. There was also a Playstation trailer where you could play some of their latest releases. Next door was the U.S Cellular trainer which had a free phone charging station and played Disney movies for you to watch while relaxing. There were a lot of other vendors as well. You could find wallets made out of recycled paper, or get temporary tattoos. Some people even had customized toe rings. It’s safe to say there was a little bit of everything.
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The Fray
Fitz & the Tantrums
Into it. over it.
five finger death punch
oh honey
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Spending almost every night watching amazing bands is something you don’t get to do often. One major highlight was spending the Fourth of July here, watching Brand New. This was the best way to celebrate. Plus, Fitz and the Tantrums were playing on the next stage. Two great bands, who wouldn’t want to be here? Summerfest was one of the best festivals I’ve attended. It was clean, considering the fact that over 10,000 were attending per day. The local food was phenomenal, and worth every cent. You never got bored, ever! There was always something to see, and you discovered new artists everywhere you went. We hope to come back next year, but they’ll have to step up their game. Summerfest 2014 was one for the books. PHOTOS + WORDS|Penelope Martinez
WILD CUB
ATMOSPHERE
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The name ‘New Politics’ is probably beginning to sound a bit familiar. Supporting acts like Thirty Seconds to Mars, Pink, and most recently (and currently) Fall Out Boy and Paramore, they have proven that they are a force to be reckon with. The three piece alternative/dance rock band was originally a duo consisting of David Boyd (lead vocals) and Søren Hansen (vocals and guitar). David and Søren, who both hail from Denmark, were originally working on separate projects but wound up writing music together about seven years ago. Soon after, they signed to RCA and moved to the states where they met Louis Vecchio (drums). Right from the start it was a perfect match. David shares that, "it only took one rehearsal with the three of us to know this was the line up". 'New Politics' sounds political at the very least, but rest assured that it's not, though they do share the same outlook on the world. However, this was not the first name they wanted. Originally coming up with the name "The Politics", they were forced to change it due to legal reasons. Looking for a simple fix in the name, they stuck with New Politics. Their inspiration for what would be their stage name came from the movie "This is Spinal Tap". For those of you who have not seen the movie, it is about a band, who at first called "The Originals," had to change for legal issues, much like they did. To fix this they simply replaced 'the' with 'new.' Though the band formed only a little under a decade ago, music has always been a big part of their lives, as far as admitting that "music was [all of their] first love[s]". It gave them a feeling that "you only know it [exists] when you've found that special thing" and that feeling happened to be in the creation of their music. Their goals are simple: play hard and write great songs - while having fun - and it's easy to tell that they
have accomplished all of them. They have turned the band into something so special to them, and they share this feeling with the fans. One thing Boyd reminds the fans at shows is that life is about good music and good company. Their hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. Recently signing to D2C2 (Pete Wentz' record label), they were brought out to join Fall Out Boy and Paramore on the Monumentour. They stated that they "couldn't be more excited to be out on this tour with such great people". They have always felt supported by the members of Fall Out Boy so this signing was just "icing on the cake". Though they love being in the studio, they prefer touring a lot more. Being able to share their experiences with the crowd is "why they do what they do," comments Boyd. The energy of the crowd is incredible and they look forward to connecting to their fans at their shows. Their new album, "A Bad Girl in Harlem" is full of catchy and fun songs, but when asked what they believe is the best song they've written they couldn't give a definite answer, "it changes daily, given the crowd reaction and our general mood that day." Nevertheless, they are extremely proud of their album as a whole. They wanted to put something out that would not only please all of their fans, and maybe pick up a few more, but also something that would represent them. Even so, they do have folders of joke songs that they have created in the studio. Though they may not have a favorite song, David says his favorite lyric is "Kids, don't listen to your parents, your parents can't teach us, all they ever left was a world in a mess". This lyric, to him, means that "responsibility now lies in our generation and the future is now". One lyric he wishes he would have written is the classic line "All you need is
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love” by The Beatles, which is inspiring to him. But don’t we all wish we would have written a Beatle lyric? With their whirlwind of success, it’s important to them to remember the obstacles that led them to where they are. Having no money and trying to write a record is hard enough, but when you have just moved to another country it adds in countless other obstacles. When Søren and David first came to America, they were touring constantly and had no time to relax. When they
finally took the time to write “A Bad Girl in Harlem,” they realized all the things they once took for granted, like being near their friends and family. In fact, if it wasn’t “for Louis being American” they would have no one here. This culture shock is actually where most of the inspiration for their album came from. Musical inspiration however, is something that New Politics can find anywhere. Some of their biggest inspirations range from Rage Against the Machines, Bob FOCUS MAGAZINE | 34
Dylan, and Nirvana, to The Pixies and Led Zeppelin. In fact, “nothing is out of the box for [them]”. David shares that they love all kinds of music because “a good song is a good song,” regardless of the genre. They may be one of the biggest up and coming bands around, so their schedule is pretty tight. When they do finally get some well deserved time off, they all love to play video games. Louis recently became interested in DJing and spends his downtime doing that. David is
also an accomplished dancer. He used to be a full time dancer and didn’t think of a life outside of dance that is until he started writing music. Once he met Søren and began working with him, he knew that this was the life he was supposed to be living. When asked what the best piece of advice they had ever been given they said “don’t give up on something you truly love,” as cliché as it may seem. This is a statement that they have clearly followed.
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Their music means so much to not only them, but the loyal fans they have around the world. Whether in the studio or on the road, they give everything they have to make sure that it is the best performance or track they can create. If you weren’t able to catch them on the Monumentour, they have headliner coming up in the fall, so make sure to be on the look out for more news about that. One final thing they wanted to add was "Thanks so much for all the support and to our fans. You all are awesome and we love you more and more everyday!" INTERVIEW + STORY|Kelly Fadden PHOTOS|Penelope Martinez
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Louis Vecchio || drums
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S ren Hansen || guitar
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David Boyd || vocals
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Tigers Jaw Charmer
The release of Charmer marks the last one with the original Tigers Jaw line up. In the past few years, three members have decided to leave the band, but recorded Charmer as a sort of parting gift for fans. Overall, the band’s sound has definitely matured. The production of Charmer is easier to listen to as the instruments flow together from song to song. Now former lead vocalist, Adam McIlwee, delivers an intriguing performance. For me, his voice in tracks such as “Charmer,” “Slow Come On,” and “Soft Spoken” sounds whiny. In a way it slightly distracts me from the song because the vocals sound as though he is literally dragging his feet just trying to get through the song. Conversely, there are songs such as “Distress Signal” and “Frame You” the vocals are strong like McIlwee actually opens his mouth to sing. “Frame You” is actually one of my favorite songs off the album. The lyrics tell a story of the end of a relationship and the acceptance of that fact. Another song that really stands out on the table is “Hum,” which features vocals from keyboardist Brianna Collins. Her vocals add a fresh spin on the album that separates this band from others in the scene. Charmer features honest lyrics such as “I don’t want to be known for lack of control / I don’t want to be the last to know / I’ve come to find we are consumed by what we try to hide.” These lyrics tell confront our fears and thoughts of how others perceive us.
Although keyboardist, Brianna Collins, and guitarist, Ben Walsh, are the only original members to remain in Tigers Jaw, this is nowhere near the end for the band. They are willing to keep on going, if you’re willing to listen. So go ahead and pick up or listen to Charmer, the band’s latest record, at http://runforcoverrecords.bandcamp.com/album/charmer. by Leah Dickerman
Hebrews is the sixth studio album from the band Say Anything. When you first look at the track list and see all the guest vocals, you wonder what this album is actually going to sound like. Boasting additions like Blink 182’s Tom Delonge, Saves The Day’s Chris Conley, and frontman, Max Bemis’ wife, Sherri DuPree-Bemis from the band Eisley, among many other talented guests. In fact, there is not one song that is just the band themselves. I found that I actually enjoyed that. This was something new and exciting; I caught myself stuck between wanting to keeping replaying the last song I listened to, and wanting to move on to the next.
Say Anything Hebrews
The main thing that really stood out to me was the harmonies they were able to capture on their songs. I feel as if harmonies are a lost art in most songs nowadays, they proved me wrong. Many musicians focus too much on all the other aspects of the song; when in reality just putting in a few harmonies would fill the song up in the way that they are looking for. The album also has a punk feel, but without the traditional sound. Not guitars nor do the drums take center stage. They’re actually more of a background feel. One thing that is extremely different, but once again amazing, is the use of string instruments. They give the music an older sound feeling. Placing the soft, smooth, string instruments next to the harsh sound of Bemis’ vocals, along with the guest vocals, allows for the unique sound. Overall Hebrews is something that I have never heard before. It’s something that is new and refreshing to hear. I definitely recommend sitting down and listening to the album. By Kelly Fadden
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Linkin Park
The Hunting Party
Linkin Park have been a band for almost twenty years. “The Hunting Party” marks the release of their sixth studio album. Many know them for their hit song “In the End,” which was released in the early 2000s. Longtime fans of Linkin Park should be pleased with what this album offers. Multiple tracks feature Mike Shinoda’s classic rap styled vocals. LP is a band that sticks to its roots while being able to incorporate new elements of their changing genre. They can be considered a pioneer in rock scene for combining rap and hardcore rock. Punk rock is growing in popularity at an alarming rate and with the song ‘War,’ Linkin Park has jumped on this band wagon. Lead vocalist, Chester Bennington, has successfully delivered his snarling vocals. The whole song is fast paced and gritty. The album’s opening song, ‘Keys To The Kingdom,’ has elements of both their old and new sound. Bennington uses a vocoder to deliver his seemingly disembodied screams. ‘Shinoda’ entices listeners with both clean vocals and rapping in the main verse. I feel this is one of the strongest tracks off the album. I would say that my favorite track off the album is “Until It’s Gone.” It has a slower tempo and added electronic elements but the melody is haunting. The chorus erupts in a burst of guitars which are backed by faint rhythmic synthesizers. It takes a total 180° from heavier songs like “Guilty All The Same” and “War.”
Each song in the first half of the album increases in intensity. The guitars become more heavy and worthy of a headbanger’s praise. Towards the end of the album, in ‘A Line in the Sand’ to be exact, they slow things down and showcases Bennington’s vocal abilities. There is a song on this album for everyone that is a fan of any kind of alternative/rock. Linkin Park is a band that isn’t afraid to try new things and develop their sound. Whether you have been a fan of theirs for years or have just recently discovered them, it’ll be worth your while to check out “The Hunting Party” which is out now! by Leah Dickerman With so many punk and hardcore bands out there, it is hard to get some recognition in the scene. So when I looked up Heart To Heart’s new album, Dulce, I was afraid I would have to listen to another forty or so minutes of generic, already been done before music. Thankfully, this was not the case. By the third song I was glad that I was able to review this album.
Heart to Heart Dukce
It is obvious how hard they had worked on this, but the song ‘Hellbound’ was what really convinced me that this album deserves recognition. In fact, I listened to the song three times in a row before I was able to move on to the next song. Not only are the lyrics pure literary genius, but the melody is perfect; not too hard, but not too soft either. Something that you could get your friends to listen to who tend to lean towards the more pop side of music, and to those who like the heavier stuff. Most of their songs tend to start off slow, but then pick up pace, though in one song, “Your’s Truly, You” does begin fast paced. It is another favorite, even though it is difficult not to recommend every single song. What really captured me was the lyrics. This song is basically a suicide note to himself, saying “You were never meant to be / Do us both a favor and take your life / ’m sorry you’re me.” The lyrics are, obviously dark, but vocalist Nick Zoppo sings this in such a beautiful manner, showing the emotion throughout the whole song, and it is exquisitely done. This entire album is incredibly well written, produced and performed; everything. It is something that must be listened to. You would be doing yourself a favor by putting this album on. So make sure to pick it up! By Kelly Fadden
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Wrey Wrey
Originating from Birmingham Alabama, the band Wray recently released their self titled album. Although the band itself is relatively new, it’s members -David Brown, Blake Wimberly, and David Swatzell- have been in the music business with other bands for 15 years. The seven track album has an indie punk rock vibe. The album opens up with a 50 second instrumental intro with a nice gradual crescendo, giving a great introduction to the music. The album in general features longer song intros and instrumental breakdowns, which is nice to hear and helps get to the roots of the music. As far as the vocals of the album are concerned, they have a soft melodic tone that almost has a calming effect. However, they can be hard to understand and occasionally have a whiny quality that doesn’t seem to quite fit with the rest of the music. The highlight of the album would definitely be the guitar breakdowns, which are featured in almost every song. One of the best guitar breakdowns is the one towards the end of the track ‘Swells.’ This track is by far the best track on the album. It has more of an upbeat feeling rather than the melodic calming vibe on the rest of it. The instrumentals flow in and out and have a really catchy rhythm to them, and the vocals seem to fit well within these. Overall, this album gains points in good instrumental quality but still lacks in the vocal department. by Taylor Hancock
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SIDE A SEVENTY TIMES 7 BRAND NEW COME AS YOU ARE NIRVANA WHEN I’M SIXTY-FOUR THE BEATLES MISS MURDER AFI THE ROCK SHOW BLINK 182 PAINT IT BLACK THE ROLLING STONES
Side B LIFE OF A SALESMAN YELLOWCARD SCARS PAPA ROACH BLACKBIRD THE BEATLES black mamba the academy is THIS AIN’T A SCENE, IT’S AN ARMS RACE fall out boy twist and shout the beatles Find our playlist on:
bit.ly/july14sp
bit.ly/spjuly14
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POP PSYCHOLOGY TOUR ft. Neon Trees Smallpools Nightmare & the Cat Photos + Review|Leah Dickerman
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Neon Trees are some of the best live performers that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The first time I saw them was at a free outdoor show in Boston. As soon as lead singer, Tyler Glenn, announced that they’d be back in Boston, I knew I had to see what they could do as a headliner. I can honestly say that each band on The Pop Psychology Tour definitely delivered. Nightmare and The Cat was an excellent choice to begin the show. Their indie sound and catchy melodies were able to get the crowd moving without draining everyone’s energy. Before this concert, I had never heard of their music but I was thoroughly impressed. I kept thinking to myself how good this band was and of how much I wanted to tell my friends that they needed to check them out. Although their set was on the short side, they were able to bring up the energy of the crowd in order to get the show started. Next up was Smallpools. I had seen them before last winter, but didn’t give them much thought afterwards. However, one thing that really stuck with me was how well their performance was. During this show, I made sure to give them my utmost attention. I was blown away by how good of a show they put on yet again. I was even more blown away after lead singer and keyboardist, Sean Scanlon, told the crowd they have only been a band for a little over a year. The crowd loved them; I heard a few girls screaming “I love you!” while many others were dancing and simply enjoying themselves. They were a perfect choice to play before Neon Trees as they got everyone pumped and ready. When one would hear the term “Pop Psychology” they would most likely think of vivid colors and images. That is exactly how Neon Trees’ stage and production was set up. From each member’s outfits to their incredible lighting design, it was all bright and colorful. It seemed that with each song played, there was something different about the band; whether it was their outfits, Elaine Bradley stepping out from behind the drumkit to sing a few duets with Glenn, or his crazy dance moves. This show was so fun and everyone had so much energy. Playing music is what the members of this band love to do, which they displayed from their incredible stage presence. At one point in the middle of the set, Tyler got emotional as he explained how grateful he was for all those in attendance and how music is his true passion and the reason he can live a happy life. It really hit home with me and possibly everyone else in the room. If you missed the Pop Psychology Tour, I definitely recommend that you see Neon Trees the next time they are touring,. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did! FOCUS MAGAZINE | 51
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ARCTIC MONKEYS by Penelope Martinez
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THE FRAY by Penelope Martinez
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FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS by Penelope Martinez
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SMALLPOOLS by Penelope Martinez
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OH HONEY by Penelope Martinez
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