Heart Eyes Magazine / Issue 8 by Heart Eyes Magazine

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the team editor in chief gabi yost creative director jared elliott public relations caleigh wells photography coordinator heather zalabak production jiselle santos & ky kasselman social media ashleigh haddock, madi mize & felicia krampitz editors peyton rhodes music coordinator brandon quiroga

the contributors writers

carissa mathena, erin christie, jillian johnsen, yasmin ettobi, mallory haynes, katherine stallard

photographers

caylee robillard, bella peterson, ky kasselman, landon lacey, emma hintz, samantha schraub, elizabeth wiltshire, erika osborne, alex pinzon

graphics

georgia moore, jessica whelihan a special thank you those who contributed artwork

alyssa pacheo, amanda elman, amanda marable, amanda swain, bre wheeler, daniela lourenco shiber, eliza semple, emma clune, emma gallagher, julia brickner, mady barns, natalia arias, nya saint fleurant, sarah tillet, katie burton

twitter @hearteyesmag instagram @hearteyesmag website hearteyesmag.com

for submissions & questions, email us at

hearteyesmag@gmail.com

interviews coin fans neaptide jukebox the ghost colony house coin

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CONTENTS

culture coming of age sountracks rex orange county using phones at shows roy blair decade resurgance in music teenage emotions + how to cope

photography 8 28 38 50 51 66

swimming with bears run river north x ambassadors vista kicks magic giant hayley kiyoko dashboard confessional

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A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear readers, Thank you for picking up the 8th issue of Heart Eyes Magazine. Starting just a year ago, we have accomplished so much because of the drive and passion of our team, contributors, and the love given to us by you, the readers. Our anniversary issue takes us back to the beginning and features the band that brought us all together. With COIN, many other wonderful artists, articles, and art are within this issue. About a year ago, this magazine was just a dream that I had no clue would become a reality. Without the stars aligning just right and the underlying meaning of COIN’s sophomore album ‘How Will You Know If You Never Try’ encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone and give it your best shot, Heart Eyes Magazine would not be what it is. As I sit and reflect on the past year, I feel nothing but joy and love for everything and everyone that this publication has brought me. My heart is so full for the now, and things to come. Thank you for your never ending support. There’s so much more to look forward to. Best,

gabi yost, editor in chief

COMING OF AGE a playlist for growth Time Machine - COIN West Coast - FIDLAR Landslide - Fleetwood Mac Time to Pretend - MGMT Next Year - Two Door Cinema Club Growing Pains - COIN When I Get Older - Wild Party Fountain of Youth - Local Natives 17 - Youth Lagoon I Wanna Get Better - Bleachers Kids - MGMT Coming of Age - Foster the People Dog Years - Maggie Rogers Don’t Cry 2020 - COIN Memory Remains - Oberhofer Yes I’m Changing - Tame Impala

SOUNDTRACKS

THE BEST MOVIE

By Erin Christie It goes without saying that as we grow and go through life, we are affected by what we see, hear, and generally experience- and that includes film. Some of my earliest memories include going to the theater to see Ratatouille with my extended family or being scared out of my mind when I was showed another Disney classic, The Haunted Mansion, for the first time. Whether we realize it or not, the entertainment industry plays a huge role in shaping our lives - the way we think, interact with others, and approach certain situations that we encounter.

Undoubtedly, there are certain pieces of cinema that stick out among the rest: those select few films that we have grown to hold dear, to reference in times of heartache, to look to for guidance as we age. What does “coming of age” truly mean in terms of genre? We all see content defined by that descriptor cycle in and out of our local theaters and in ads, but in the long run, what makes these films something to pay attention to? In a few words, “coming of age” stories typically revolve around the growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood (whether in a physical sense, or in terms of maturity). This growth is emphasized through the transitional phase, in which said protagonist experiences various changes, turmoil, and high points. As the film goes on, you follow the characters enduring various life milestones - ranging from first heartbreak, to getting into college, to more troubling topics such as teen pregnancy or death in the family - and that’s what makes these films so impactful. They’re able to build a relationship with the audience based on mutual understanding and shared experiences - we relate to these themes, to these feelings, and that makes us feel as though we are immersed in the plot ourselves. Of course, it’s important to note how significant of a role music plays in constructing films of any genre, and particularly so for those marked “ coming of age.”

One of the most important movies to me growing up, and even now, is an adaptation of Joe Dunthorne’s novel of the same name, Submarine. The film follows a young adolescent, Oliver Tate, in the throes of life - experiencing heartache so impenetrable that it requires a doctor’s note and dealing with his mother potentially having an affair with a neighbor (and borderline cult leader), coupled with the effects of commonly held teen angst. Though Oliver’s experiences are very much particular to him, it’s difficult to not sympathize with him - don’t we all sometimes want to curl up in bed and float away? Alongside the emotionally-drawing storyline and witty humor comes the cherry on top - the beyond wonderful soundtrack, composed by none other than Sir Alex Turner (of Arctic Monkeys and The Last Shadow Puppets fame). Each song included within the original soundtrack is beautiful beyond words and drenched with emotional backstory. My personal favorite is the fourth track, “Glass in the Park” - Turner’s hauntingly hypnotic vocals create the image of a picturesque love affair, a high note among the dreary undertones exhibited throughout the film. One of the most prominent recent examples of a truly fantastic coming of age soundtrack that comes to mind is certainly the film that put up-and-comer Greta Gerwig on the map as a director, 2017’s Lady Bird. The film follows a young Christine - better known as Lady Bird - who is desperately looking for reinvention. High school and college bring about this same desire - to be able to cling onto some kind of label, to find one’s niche purpose, and to stand out amongst the greys of the world. I know I can personally attest to wanting to leave my hometown and to falling in love with a “fake deep” indie boy with long, greasy hair who thinks that he’s a god among us and to feeling lost and alone in an unforgiving world that doesn’t seem to relent. The moments that Gerwig so effortlessly portrays, with the help of the lovely and poignant soundtrack bring about a huge wave of nostalgia for me, and, I’m sure, for many others.

Another recent film of great importance takes shape in Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the fantastic novel by Andre Aciman, Call Me By Your Name. The plot opens during a life-changing summer in northern Italy (circa early 1980s) in which a then 17-year-old Elio Perlman comes to discover his first true love in his professor father’s 24-year-old graduate student assistant, Oliver. Besides the film being visually spectacular and immaculately cast, the story is nothing but compelling, tugging at the heartstrings (to almost a traumatizing degree) and leaving a lasting impact. It’s difficult to find a film that depicts love in such an innocent state, especially one that isn’t heterosexual - and that’s part of what makes this such a significant adaptation. As Guadagnino himself said in reference to making the film, he never saw it as a “gay” movie, but rather, the “beauty of the newborn idea of desire, unbiased and uncynical.” This zeroes in on the archaic concept that non-hetero love stories aren’t the norm, and makes it impossible for them to become a part of the norm. Call Me By Your Name challenges typical structures in that sense, for in its raw depiction of Elio and Oliver’s relationship, paving the way for a rare love story to take shape. It has inspired a generation of queer youth and adults to consider that, yes, their love is something that deserves to be recognized, and that it is something award-worthy. For the film, the ever-amazing Sufjan Stevens wrote two original songs (as well as including a remix of the classic, “Futile Devices”), each rich in feeling and imagery. The absolutely devastating “Visions of Gideon” draws tears to my eyes each time I listen to it, reminding me not only of the specific scene during which it plays (as those who have seen the film most likely can also recall), but also of the pain of lost love and unresolved feelings. Stevens’ involvement in this project is not only stunning because he is a musician talented beyond words, but also because he is a gay man himself. The beautifully light and charismatic “Mystery of Love,” for example, was written with the intention of describing an unadulterated, genuine love like Elio and Oliver’s - one that is queer and unapologetic. Through-and-through, this film - as well as the novel from which it takes its story - is some of the most beautiful content I have ever come across. As a gay individual, it means a lot to me to know that a film as wonderful as this can be seen in the public eye

as the masterpiece that I believe it is. Alongside Call Me By Your Name, another novel-to-film adaptation to send shockwaves throughout Hollywood is Love, Simon, a new take on Becky Albertalli’s 2015 novel, Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda. In Simon’s world, Jack Antonoff (of FUN. and Bleachers fame) partnered with some amazing musicians to engineer the impeccable soundtrack, which includes hits by artists such as The 1975, Troye Sivan, Bleachers (of course), Jackson 5, and even Whitney Houston. Many of the songs included were originals, written by Antonoff with the film in mind, such as Sivan’s “Strawberries & Cigarettes,” Jack and MØ’s “Never Fall in Love,” and “Alfie’s Song (Not So Typical Love Song),” which was written with the help of the legendary Harry Styles. In a word, the soundtrack is jawdropping and adds only positive things to the already well-done film. For me, one of the most important films that i have ever seen is Almost Famous, which details a young William’s aspirations to become a music journalist (whilst falling in love on the road with a legendary rock band). This movie not only inspire me to want to become a music journalist, but also inspired a huge part of my music taste - the 70s and 80s birthed some of the most spectacular acts in music history, and this film emphasizes and celebrates that fact. Movies such as this - which include tracks from the icon David Bowie as well as The Who, The Beach Boys, and even Todd Rundgren - add to the much needed discourse surrounding the importance of films as a whole. “Coming of age” as a film genre is so much more than simply coming of age, or growing up, but it’s about being the awkward phases of life, the ups and downs of adolescence, the most important people and experiences we endure, the best laughs we’ve had, and even the worst heartbreaks. Films that are able to portray those moments and do so in a way that resonates are truly the most significant breed. If you were to construct your own film based on your personal “coming of age” story, how would everything pan out? Would your protagonist be jamming out to Talking Heads and crying whilst watching old Ned’s Declassified re-runs like mine would?

Photo By Gabriella Hughes

COIN COIN FAN FAN INTERVIEWS INTERVIEWS By Ashleigh Haddock Being a COIN fan is a unique experience. That might sound a little over exaggerated, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true. Every COIN fan you meet will have a story about how meaningful a certain conversation with one of the guys was, or how special a certain show was for them. Many COIN fans have formed extremely strong bonds with other fans, whether it was through queuing for a show, in the pit, or over Twitter. I asked a few fans, like myself, about their experiences as a COIN fan, their favorite memories, and how this band has affected or impacted their lives.

HEM: When did you first become a fan of COIN? Parina: My friend suggested I listen to them the summer of 2016, and I really liked them, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say it became official when I saw them live in December 2016 at the 3 Florida shows they did with The 1975. Allison: I first became a fan of COIN after hearing Talk Too Much on 97x. Once the Next Big Thing lineup was announced and they were on it, I looked into them. Now they are, without a doubt, my favorite band and group of people. Andrew: I first discovered COIN shortly after the Saturdays EP was released in 2012. I was scrolling through noisetrade and saw their EP and loved it. Macy: I went to my first COIN show on July 28, 2017 in Bentonville, Arkansas. I didn't really know the band beforehand; I just knew it was a show in my state, and I was bored during the summer. These two girls in front of me and my friend in line told us we would absolutely fall in love. I thought they were a little crazy, but it was true. A few weeks later I was travelling 8 hours to attend Forecastle Festival to see them again. The Bentonville show was an instant connection. I'm a bit of a later fan, but it feels like that doesn't matter in a fanbase like COIN's. Gabriella: I attended one of their shows back in 2015, when they opened for Neon Trees in Saint Petersburg, Florida. With little to no

COIN COIN COIN knowledge of their music prior to their set, their high energy performance and large amount of kindness led them to easily become one of my favorite bands from the start. Katia: I first became a fan of COIN around the beginning of 2016. Many of my Twitter pals had been gushing about their love for COIN, and I decided to go to their show in L.A. The rest is history. HEM: Out of any of the shows you’ve been to, what has been your favorite memory? Parina: This one is hard because I’m torn between their recent show at the House of Blues Chicago and their set at Music Midtown last year. I could feel the ground shaking in Chicago and seeing the huge crowd at Midtown screaming along to Talk Too Much brought me to tears. Those two shows have my heart forever. Allison: Of the four times I’ve seen COIN, each has provided its own new memory. However, at the most recent show, in Tampa on February 3rd, it was an experience like no other. This band has crafted such a perfect show, and to be able to experience it up close after waiting in the streets of Ybor all day was definitely astounding. I went into this day with the goal to have “try!” written out by one of the guys, and now it is tattooed on my right wrist for as long as I live. Andrew: I have been to seven COIN shows now, and each

of them hold such special memories. From seeing them headline for the first time, to experiencing “Are We Alone” live for the first time, to seeing them play at a rib festival, COIN shows are always unforgettable. My favorite memory has to be the first time I saw COIN live. They were opening for Grizfolk and I had entered a contest to win two tickets. I won the contest, so I was going to take my best friend and then buy two more tickets for my little brother and dad. I thought I had purchased the other two tickets, but when the day of the concert came, it turned out that I had not purchased the tickets and the show was sold out. We still went to the show to see if we could possibly get my brother and dad in, so when I went into the venue, I ran into Ryan, who recognized me from twitter. I told him the situation and he immediately went out to the security guard and put my little brother and Dad on his personal guest list for the show. It was one of the coolest things and makes for one of my all-time favorite memories. (The show was awesome too, they had an energy unlike any band I had ever seen live prior to that show.) Macy: My favorite show was the Little Rock date on the HWYKIYNT Part 2 Tour. Little Rock is about an hour from me so it truly felt like a hometown show, especially since it was joan’s hometown show, too. Every show is special with the COIN boys, but this one was just very intimate.

COIN COIN COIN

Photo By Gabriella Hughes

COIN COIN COIN

COIN COIN COIN COIN COIN COI N

“I have been to seven COIN shows now, and each of them hold such special memories.”

-Andrew 11

Gabriella: Picking a favorite memory from these shows is comparable to that cliche of picking a favorite child - nearly impossible. However, something that does stick out is that break in their live show after their performance of “Malibu, 1992” and before “Talk Too Much.” In this small time frame, the crowd begins to cheer in a way that differs from the other times. Some nights are really special and just stay with you. Katia: My absolute favorite COIN memory is seeing them at Austin City Limits in 2017. I finally got to see them with the people that sparked my love for them and it was the first real set I saw during one of the best weekends of my life so far. HEM: If you could pick a favorite song from the 2 albums to the new singles, what would it be? Parina: This feels basic but “Don’t Cry, 2020.” It’s always stuck out to me and I keep going back to it. I have this attachment to it because it helped me deal with this odd fear I had with turning 20. I felt terrified to leave my teen years, but I saw COIN before my birthday and then right after my birthday. Hearing “Don’t Cry 2020” before and after somehow made everything feel okay. Allison: Although it is hard to choose a favorite song, it would have to be out of, “Are We Alone,” “Better,” and “I Would.” Andrew: “Atlas,” hands down. Some of my other favorites include “Honey,” “It’s Okay,” “Boyfriend,” “Talk Too Much,” and “Run.” Macy: As cliché as it sounds, I would choose “Hannah” to be [my favorite.] I think “Hannah” really encompasses everything COIN means and stands for, at least to me. Gabriella: “Atlas” has always been that song. Only being three years old when Y2K occurred, I am unable to really relate to the lyrics, but I kinda just associate it with memories from the beginning. However, “Growing Pains” is everything right now. Katia: I don’t think I can choose one song as my favorite. “Miranda Beach?”

Photos By Gabriella Hughes

HEM: Have you met any friends through this band? If so, how did you meet them? Parina: I’ve met an insane amount of people through COIN! It began with talking to people in line at the shows and recently it’s been through Twitter. This COIN family is pretty small; it’s weird how we all basically know each other or know of each other. These shows feel like home for that reason. Allison: All of the people I have met through this band; I’ve either met them at shows, while standing in the pit, in line, or on Twitter. Although I am not super close with them, even having a mutual follow creates a bond. Andrew: I have met so many incredible people through this band! Many of them I met through the awesome COIN twitter community, while there is always the regular Chicago crowd. Being a part of the COIN community has introduced

me to so many talented and diverse friends, and Katia: After going to ACL in 2017, I got to I love when I get to see them at shows! I love actually meet a bunch of the Heart Eyes Mag seeing artwork, photographs from shows, and fam, who I consider friends and sweet angels tattoos of fellow COIN fans. I wouldn’t know that must be protected at all costs, face to face. about Heart Eyes Magazine without the COINI also met my friend Joana for the first time at munity! their L.A show. HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU NEVER Macy: My best friend, Macy M., has been with HOW me through my entire COIN journey. I truly think COIN brought us closer as friends and I have HOW no clue what I’d do without her. COIN’s fanbase has welcomed me with the most loving arms. HOW Every single person I have met in a queue, after a show, or just on Twitter has been the sweetestHOW person ever. It was truly intimidating knowing how close some fans are to the boys and how HOW many times they’ve seen them, but I’ve never HOW had a bad experience at a COIN show. The people are part of the reason I keep coming back. HOW Gabriella: A majority of the people I consider to be my closest friends and even family have all HOW been brought into my life from their live shows HOW or from their online fan base. Looking back at those specific points where first interactions HOW were had, compared to where these friendships are currently, was very unforeseen, but I am so HOW thankful that these relations did occur and truly HOW couldn’t imagine my life without them.

TRY

WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU NEVER TRY

HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU NEVER TRY

HEM: How has this band impacted or affected your life? Parina: The number one thing I’m thankful for is the friends I’ve made. It’s so special to find people who love the same artist as you. The opportunity to travel across the country and support this band and watch their growth is so insanely special and I can’t believe I get to be a part of it. Allison: This band has impacted my life in so many ways. For starters, they’ve indirectly introduced me to numerous bands and artists I probably wouldn’t be listening to right now if it weren’t for them. They have given me the idea to try, because why not. Their music has inspired so many aspects of my life, from my outlook to my Instagram feed. These four guys, along with their fans, have introduced a way of living that I admire. Andrew: COIN has had a significant impact on my life. They have been my most listened to band of all time, getting me through hard times, drives to work, jam sessions with my brother, long trips, etc. I have made so many friends through this band and introduced everyone I

meet to them to share the joy that their music brings. COIN ultimately makes fun music that always puts me in a better mood, and I just want to share the feelings I get when I listen to their music. Macy: This band has introduced me to a world I don’t think I would’ve ever found without them. Right after my first COIN show, I experienced some pretty traumatic life stuff. I had COIN as a constant positive in my life. The music pushed me, the guys pushed me, the fans pushed me to keep going. Without this constant positive, I doubt I would have ended up where I am, mostly happy and healthy. As many fellow fans do, I adopted the motto “How will you know if you never try?” as a reminder to keep pushing and trying my way through life. A few months ago, I got a tattoo that says “HWYKIYNT” along with a calla lily to show my love and dedication to this portion of my life, so heavily influenced by COIN. On top of their direct impact, COIN introduced me to so many loving and supporting people. COIN helped me discover my true love and passion for music.

“As a reminder to keep pushing and trying my way through life. A few months ago, I got a tattoo that says “HWYKIYNT” along with a calla lily to show my love and dedication to this portion of my life, so heavily influenced by COIN.” -Macy

1992 2020 FOREVER 1992 2020 FOREVER 1992 2020 FOREVER 1992 2020 FOREVER 1992 2020 FOREVER 1992 2020 FOREVER

Photo By Parina Patel

Gabriella: Back in October of 2017, I attended this event where [COIN] spoke at Belmont University about their process of becoming a band. I remember Chase speaking about their time about being newly signed and saying something like, “A golden hand isn’t going to open all of these doors for you.” Joe also mentioned something along the lines of, “People become timid about releasing their work, but that isn’t going to stop other people from doing so and getting further ahead.” At the time, I didn’t think too much about what I had heard and how I could apply it to my own life; however, looking back I realize how important those forty or so minutes truly were. This is just one example, but how they go about creating has heavily inspired my creative outlook. Looking back at where I was prior to meeting them in relation to now is a major difference. I am much more comfortable with taking on opportunities and I am confident with showing my work, which entirely stemmed from admiring their attitudes towards creating. Katia: This band has affected me by being a constant source of happiness not only for myself but for my friends and something we can always turn to if we need motivation or to enhance a beautiful day. I now have some more amazing friends and experiences, all because of COIN. I think the biggest impact they’ve had, though, is in inspiring and encouraging many of my friends to pursue their dreams, live their lives to the fullest, and to be happy. I love them because

they have had such a good impact on my friends and have made them happy, and that makes me happy. HEM: Lastly, if you could say anything to COIN, what would you say? Parina: To put it as simply as possible, thank you. You’ve given me the best friends and the best excuses to travel and see new places. The feeling I get at the live shows is so special and I never want to stop feeling it. Thank you for the post show conversations and thank you for being some of the kindest people I’ve ever known. Your music has soundtracked some of the most important years of my life and I’ll never forget it. Love you! Allison: If I could say anything to COIN, I would definitely start with thanking them. Not only for the amazing music they share and produce. I would express my gratitude for them appreciating their fans as much, if not more than we appreciate them and how it shows. I admire that as they grow and become more known, they still meet fans after shows and personalize all of the encounters. They stay in touch with those who support them and they actually listen to their fans. It is visible that they see their fans as friends and a family, and that is very refreshing to see. The fact that Ryan remembered my face from the crowd of a prior show, or that Chase recognized my Twitter from a reply he sent a

THANK YOU THANK YOU year ago shows who they are. I want them to know that all of their success is well deserved, and that the time has come for the world to know COIN. Andrew: #JUSTICEFORHONEY!!! I would tell them first of all that I am so proud of all that they have accomplished over these past years. It has been one of the coolest experiences for me to watch them grow and evolve as musicians and people. Seeing their fan base grow from less than 500 fans to thousands and their music get millions of plays fills me with so much joy and pride. I am so thankful for the kindness that they showed me at that first show and their continued kindness since then. Every time I see them they remember me and ask me how I am doing, and that is one of the best things about COIN. They truly care for their fans. I am a forever COIN fan. Macy: If I could say anything to COIN, everything could more or less be summed up in thank you. Thank you for creating a happy and safe place for your fans to interact, and appreciate your music. Thank you for always being so kind and loving towards everyone, no act of kindness goes unnoticed. I can only hope we make you guys as happy as you make us. You four and everyone involved in COIN put so much dedication into everything you do and it is all paying off. You are gaining attention constantly! This is it; it is what you are here for. Continue sharing and loving with your music and impact for as long as you desire. Your fans will always be here to support you in all your endeavors. I truly cannot say how much I love you. Gabriella: I love you, thank you for everything, and bring back “Atlas”. Katia: If I could say anything to COIN I would say 1. I could never dent your hydro flask, Zachary and 2. I hope you know how much light you shine on our lives and that we can reflect some of that back onto you.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I first became a fan of COIN during my senior year of high school. One day after school my twin sister played “Run,” and later that night I listened to their self-titled album. I was hooked! I was elated when Bad Suns announced they would be touring with COIN in the fall of 2016. I’m now about to be a junior in college and I’ve seen them perform six times. It never gets old. I’ve made countless friends and memories because of this band. This sounds cheesy, but I can’t imagine my life if I never became a fan of COIN. It would be boring and uninspiring, to say the least. I would be without life-long friends, heartfelt memories, and even this magazine I care a lot about. My life is exceptionally better with COIN in it. If you weren’t a COIN fan before reading this, I hope mine and these fans’ experiences have encouraged you to reconsider. 17

the debut interview

interview by jared elliott | portraits by erika osborne | live photos by alex pinzon

ailing from Atlanta’s northern suburbs, Neaptide is an indie-rock outfit formed by lifelong best friends Connor Jones (vocalist, guitarist, lyricist), Peter “PJ” McFarlane (drummer, lyricist), and Matthew Hare (bassist, guitarist). From the feel good sound of “Agitated Honeybees” to the nostalgic sound of “No Future” the young band is definitely one to look out for. Our very own Jared Elliott sat down with the band in Atlanta’s most prominent creative neighborhood for their very first interview Where did you guys meet and get into music Connor: I’ve known Matthew since maybe... kindergarten? And I’ve know PJ since he moved to Georgia in like 2008. So we all became friends after that. Matthew: We all kind of always played music when we were younger, and then when we were like 13 or 14 we all just said, “lets be in a band!” and then we didn’t do much for like 4 years. What is the backstory behind the name? PJ: So a neap tide is the tide when there’s either a one quarter or three quarter moon, where it is the least amount of differentiation between high and low tide, so there is this really calm tide. The name itself is meaningless. Matthew: We actually just looked up “nautical terms” and just picked one.

So speaking of nautical, tell me about the starfish Matthew: Oh, Stanley! PJ: So, in Sarasota, Florida, there’s an abandoned children’s science museum, and there’s a mural of sea creatures, so I took a picture of this starfish. I did some photoshop magic and made him colorful and put it on the cover... and we’ve since named him “Stanley.”

With your first self-titled EP coming out, did you guys expect such good feedback? Connor: I didn’t really expect it to do anything. Matthew: We honestly walked into the studio with hot trash and it ended up working out. Connor: I don’t think any of us really expected the EP to do as well as it has done so far, in relative terms. So it’s to my understanding that you guys went to Nashville to record, so how was going to a new city to record something in-studio? Matthew: So we worked with Brandon Bell at Southern Ground and it was really cool. Connor: Yeah so the studio we recorded in, Southern Ground Records, is where the Foo Fighters and Zac Brown Band recorded their last two records and the studio itself used to be a church, it’s almost like a civil war era building. 19

Actually going there to record was kind of surreal like, I don’t think any of us realized what we were getting into. I distinctly remember walking into the studio and all of us were just like, “Oh shit, this is real.” When recording and writing, what is some of the main influences on your lyrics and sound? Matthew: It’s kind of like a hodgepodge of sounds. PJ: Yeah it’s just a big melting pot of a bunch of different influences anywhere from like, Queens of the Stone Age, to like the low-fi chill/indie sound of Local Natives, to the overtly political and angry lyrics of System of a Down. So you guys recently won a contest to play a festival here in Atlanta, how was going up against so many local bands and winning? Matthew: Absolutely terrible. Connor: That week was so stressful, I think I went to bed nearly in tears every night. PJ: The competition was organized via Twitter polls, as in who received the most votes in the twitter poll progressed to the next round, but none of the rules of the contest were ever explained to us.

Matthew: Yeah so the basis of it was, if you go up against somebody and you lose, you’re out. So we tied with someone and went up against them again and lost, but we got put back into the competition, so we don’t really know how it happened. Connor: It was definitely one of the most stressful experiences I’ve ever had. Matthew: But we’re also very thankful it happened. Connor: Yeah, it was a really fun venue to play and everyone was great to work with.

With that contest came your songs playing on the alternative radio station here, did you guys ever get used to that? Matthew: Never. It was definitely surreal hearing our music on the radio, I definitely didn’t expect that.

“It was definitely surreal hearing our music on the radio, I definitely didn’t expect that.”

The festival was also your first live show as a band, tell me how that went. PJ: I think the stage crew helped us tons. Connor: Yeah, the stage crew were really awesome. PJ: The primary worry was that there was going to be some bizarre, technical issue. Connor: Yeah, and we’ve never seen how other bands set up their stage before this show. And it was also raining during the show so there were some issues with water getting into things, but otherwise the show went really well. What are you guys working on next? PJ: We’re currently working on a full length album. Matthew: And we plan on releasing a new single here pretty soon, sometime this summer is the goal. PJ: And we also want to continue playing shows around Atlanta. Is there a specific sound to the next record or is it like the first one? PJ: It’s difficult to say because the first EP has no defined style, and I feel like it’s going to be the same for the LP coming up - a mix of different styles. Connor: I think it’s going to be taking the different styles from the EP and expanding on them.

speed round Dogs or Cats? Matthew: Dogs. Connor: Dogs. PJ: Cats.

Favorite musician/ band? Connor: I’m gonna go with John Mayer. Matthew: Maybe Glass Animals? Or Neutral Milk Hotel. PJ: This sounds pretty cliché but Led Zeppelin, I just like how varied their discography is and the influence they have on so many bands.

Tea or Coffee? Connor: Coffee Matthew: Coffee. I haven’t had enough tea. Connor: I think tea has more diversity, but coffee is just my main drink. Matthew: Coffee just always has your back.

Finally, is a hotdog a sandwich? Connor: Yes! Matthew: Dude, it is not a sandwich. Connor: Okay, define to me a sandwich. Matthew: It’s not really about what it is but how it’s made, because the bread is different and the stuff in the middle is different.

Who is each of your dream artist to collaborate with? Connor: Oh that’s hard, I’d probably say Portugal. the Man. Matthew: Or Tame Impala. PJ: I’d say Arctic Monkeys. Matthew: There’s just too many to pick.

Do you guys have a guilty pleasure song? PJ: “Sk8er Boy” by Avril Lavigne, hands down the best song of 2002. Connor: I’m embarrassed to say it but I have a weird guilty pleasure for The Chainsmokers. Matthew: “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani. PJ: Any early to mid 2000’s pop is the best.

Check out Neaptide’s self-titled EP on Spotiy and Apple Music now! Stay tuned for new music this summer

swimming WITH BEARS photos by Ky Kasselman

REX COUNTY making emotions relatable. written by yasmin ettobi

may not know the name Alex Y ou O’Connor, but chances are that

you’ve heard of Rex Orange County, O’Connor’s alter ego for his musical endeavors. Whether it be on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, onstage with Tyler, The Creator, or on the Snapchat story of some girl that you went to high school with but haven’t talked to in three years, O’Connor and his latest single “Loving is Easy” are nearly inescapable. What is it about this song that has caused such a vast population of people to obsess over it? It could be the joyous instrumental, boosted by a vivacious string section and melody that make you feel like you’re in the middle of a coming-of-age film. It could be O’Connor’s boyish yet incredibly charming vocals and harmonies, giving the track a loving and tender sense of feeling. Or it could be the simple truths expressed in his lyrics, which are easy to understand and remember, but also sensible and intelligent: “Loving is easy, when everything’s perfect / Please don’t change a single little thing for me.” More likely, it’s a combination of these three elements that have rocketed Rex Orange County into musical acclaim from both critics and fans. 28

The way in which O’Connor utilizes songwriting, melody, and an overall musical atmosphere to express his emotions provides a type of music perfect for young listeners to share with their friends and blast in the car, but also to sit down with by themselves to interpret on a deeper level. If you were to make a Venn diagram analyzing Rex Orange County’s music with one circle dedicated to ‘happy songs’ and the other to ‘sad songs,’ you’d find that an abundance of his songs fall right in the middle of the two. It’s rare to find an artist who can portray these emotions through music so flawlessly, and mix the two for even more complex results. When O’Connor writes a sad song, the simple relatability of his lyrics are often what makes it so heartbreaking. No track displays this better than “A Song About Being Sad” off his 2016 release, bcos you will never be free. “See the months of obsession / And crying for hours I even started sitting down in the shower, girl”

Aided by only a reverb-heavy electric guitar and his own vocals, O’Connor captures pure heartbreak and loneliness within this song. He sings about a situation that plenty of us have been in with such a straightforward knowledge and apparent firsthand experience, you can literally hear the pain that he’s in. Happiness and romance are two feelings displayed frequently in music, but Rex Orange County takes it to another level of completion. His summery single “Sunflower” embodies the warmest, most joyous possible feeling of love. “And so she sat me down and told me that I didn’t have to cry / Said I didn’t need to get down and feel empty inside…” In “Sunflower,” O’Connor simply sings about a girl changing his life around for the better. The horn section, saxophone feature, and mid-way monologue add a dramatic, almost theatrical zeal. He can portray the happiness, he can display the sadness, but it’s when the two join forces that O’Connor truly thrives as a songwriter and composer. “Never Enough,” a track off his most recent album Apricot Princess, is an outstanding showcasing of all Rex Orange County’s talents in action.

“...When you lose the ones you love / you might find / it hard to cry / Until it’s only you / and everybody else has left the room…” Without paying any attention to the lyrics of this song, you might just think it to be Rex Orange County’s happiest tune. The frenzied tempo, rampantly clattering drums, and melodic chorus evoke an intense feelings of exuberance and giddiness. However, the lyrics aren’t quite as joyous as the instrumental may lead you to believe. This is another one of O’Connor’s many songs about heartbreak and “losing the one you love,” but he presents it differently than a typical slow ballad. A lot of times in music, artists present a sensationalized and unrealistic vision of what affection, remorse, and joy look like. Rex Orange County is able to present his music in such a way that you feel his sorrow, his elation, his shame, and his pride. His mix of indie, R&B, rap, and jazz is a powerful tool to help fans through their happiness and their heartbreak. It’s safe to say that Alex O’Connor is going nowhere but up.

art by amanda marable

art by amanda elman

art by alyssa pacheco

art by amanda swain

art by daniela lourenco shiber

art by eliza semple

photo by julia brickner

art by mady barns

JUKEBOX THE GHOST JUKEBOX THE GHOST JUKEBOX THE GHOST

Jukebox The Ghost is a three-piece power pop band consisting of Ben Thornewill (pianos, vocals), Tommy Siegel (guitar, vocals), and Jesse Kristin (drums, vocals). Heavily influenced by Queen, the band has delivered five studio releases of pop anthems, the most recent being their LP Off To The Races. Ky Kasselman got to sit down with Ben and discuss the new album and their Off To The Races Tour.

Off To The Races is your first full-length album in 4 years, right? Ben: 3 or 4 years, yeah.

interview + BY portraits by ky kasselman INTERVIEW

So what’s different about this album? Ben: I feel like every record has its own brainspace and feels like the first thing you’ve ever made. We spent a lot of time on this album. We weren’t on the label when we were making it, so this is the first truly independent release we’ve had and because of that, we took a lot longer to make it. We made some of it in Los Angeles, some of it in New York, we had it mixed by a guy in London, it’s all over the place. In the past, we’ve been on a record label, and it’s been like, “Here’s the amount of money you have, now make a record,” and for this one we were sort of piecing it together and figuring out how to make it, but what that ended up creating was a lot more space and better decision making for how to make the songs, and so it feels like a creative victory. So how is it being back on tour and playing live? Ben: It’s great, we love it. And we never wanted to press pause in any way, it was just logistics and practicality. This is our first full tour in like two years, I think, and it feels great, it’s our favorite. What is your favorite song off the album and why? Ben: I don’t know if I have a favorite, each of them has a moment. “Everybody’s Lonely” is getting radio play and no song of ours has ever gotten substantial radio play before so that makes me feel very grateful for that song existing. “Jumpstarted” is another one, it’s the way the record opens and it’s got like 130 vocal tracks on it. It’s this totally insane piece of music and I love that. I could monologue about every single one of the songs to be honest. Have you had a favorite to play live that you didn’t expect to be as fun as it is? Ben: “Fred Astaire” is crushing live and so is “Colorful,” which is a real surprise. Those are both getting really big, really exciting crowd reactions which makes us more eager to play it. So it’s been ten years since your debut full length. How does that feel? Did you think you would be where you are now when you started? Ben: It’s funny, I think part of who I was when we first debuted thought we would be superstars by now and some part of me thought we wouldn’t be doing this at all anymore. So I don’t know. I’m so grateful for where we are, surprised that we’re still doing it, but I’m thrilled that we are still playing music with the same guys and we’re still making records.

Do you have any big plans for the rest of the year? Ben: Yeah! We’ve got festivals coming up this summer, and then hopefully just a lot more touring. Hopefully “Everybody’s Lonely” continues to get radio play, and that just lets us continue touring. Which festivals are you playing? Ben: The big one for us is Bottlerock up in Napa. And then some other radio station hosted summer festivals. What do you want people to take away from your music and your live show? Ben: From the music, I want people to take away some sort of connection. Whatever it is, whatever place they’re in in their life, whether it’s joy or solace or whatever it happens to be. Just a human connection with it. For the show, just joy and entertainment. That’s what we’re here to do, to show people a good time and dance around and party and smile and sing. That’s what we do. What is your favorite place that you’ve been so far on this tour? Ben: We started the tour at one of our favorite venues - Union Transfer in Philadelphia. We all lived in Philadelphia for a couple years and the venue itself is beautiful, so we had a pretty special moment there. But I’m also happy to be in Texas, because it’s warm and sunny and the crowds are great. So what would you say your favorite aspect is about being on the road? Ben: I think it’s not even about seeing the country or the travel. It’s the playing for different people and getting a feel for all the people in the different geographic parts of the country and how they’re all so different and yet somehow our fanbase is all kind of the same everywhere we go. They all kind of look the same. So it’s all about playing the shows and being in front of people.

RUN RIVER NORTH

photos by Samantha Photos By Schraub

PHONES PHONES AT AT SHOWS SHOWS by MALLORY HAYNES

ow, more than ever before, we are constantly using our cell phones. It seems as if they are glued to our hands. We use them everywhere - in class, at the dinner table, in the car - even if their excessive presence is frowned upon. One scene in particular: concerts. Recently the debate between using or not using phones during concerts has heated up among audiences. Most all concert-goers use their phones in one capacity or another during showtime, but when does phone usage cross the line? On one hand, it affects the artists. If flash photography is used, it distracts artists, therefore affecting their performance. In addition, audiences are commonly seen staring down at their phones, scrolling through social media during the opening act. Many see this as rude, because the openers are mainly there to gain more fans and to have their music be heard. 38

“I feel it’s very disrespectful to be on the phone during an opener because you’re basically shouting out, ‘I could care less about you,’” said Heart Eyes writer Jada. “Which is not fair because you know they’re trying to get somewhere also.” However, using your phone during an opening act is not always detrimental. Heart Eyes writer Yasmin said, “I’ve put an opener on my snap story before to have a couple people swipe up and say ‘Who is that? I really dig their sound,’ and because of that, they gained a couple new fans.” Not only are the artists affected by excessive phone usage at shows - fans also face consequences. For example, some fans become angered when the people standing in front of them block their view of the stage by filming entire sets via their phones. Heart Eyes writer Carissa states, “I think to use [your phone] during the whole show is disrespectful, especially if it’s blocking the view of the people behind you. But some people

have favorite songs and want to remember that moment and I think that’s fair.” In addition to fans being annoyed by this, some artists have even become irritated upon seeing their fans use their phones at shows. Artists such as John Mayer and Bon Iver have begun using Yondr, a service that requires concert-goers to lock up their phones for the duration of a concert. While some fans believe that this policing of phones has gone a little too far, others understand the artists’ frustrations with their fans’ excessive phone usage. “I feel like Yondr is a great idea for artists to introduce because it puts you back into the old way concerts used to be, where everyone talks in between sets and you actually remember the concert,” said Heart Eyes writer Ava. Though it seems that phone usage at shows only causes negative consequences, others feel it can be beneficial. Some audience members using phones are seen as “rude” or “blocking the view,” but their intentions could not be more opposite.

WHEN DOES PHONE USAGE CROSS THE LINE?

A great number of fans have friends who, unfortunately, could not attend certain shows due to other conflicts. Out of the kindness of their hearts, they use their phones to film or even FaceTime - certain performances to provide their friends with experiences that leave them feeling as if they were actually there. “You can be annoyed, sure...but you have no right to police someone’s cell phone usage. You don’t know why they have their phone up,” said Heart Eyes writer Carissa. “I was at a show where someone next to me was facetiming their friend who couldn’t go because they were hospitalized.” Still, one of the most popular arguments against phone usage at shows remains: the failure to “live in the moment.” Many concertgoers argue that when fans choose to record performances or to use social media during shows, it takes away from the experience of the performance happening before your very eyes. “I always was the one to record everything on my phone to watch later, but the best time I ever had at a concert was when my phone died and I had no choice but to enjoy every second of it live,” said Savannah Newton, junior at Auburn University. “I think they’d enjoy their experience a lot more if they’d put [the phone] down and be present.” Next time you see someone using their phone at a concert, do not be so quick to judge. No matter where you stand on this issue, take into account both sides of the argument. Ultimately, if people want to use their phones, they are going to use their phones. Respect the people who don’t along with the people who do. And most importantly, be sure to enjoy every moment of the show you are at.

COLONY HOUSE

Nashville-based band COLONY HOUSE is made up of brothers Caleb Chapman (vocals) and Will Chapman (drums), guitarist Scott Mills, and bassist Parke Cottrell. The quartet has been a staple of the alternative rock community since the release of their first album, When I Was Younger, in 2014. The recent (2017) release of their sophomore album, Only the Lonely, has been met with both critical and fan approval. We sat down with the band to talk about their new music, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social climate, and their past selves.

interview by BRANDON QUIROGA photos by CALEIGH WELLS

Parke: We do. Scottie: We do. Caleb: That’s about all we know. Yeah, we’re writing and recording whenever we’re home so we don’t know when things will be released, but there is music in the works. HEM: A lot of artists today are using their music as a platform to speak on current social issues. How do you see yourself reflecting on today’s climate? Caleb: We were literally just having this conversation today…yes is the short answer. We’re trying to figure out where we fit in and what we’re supposed to say. We’re always trying to figure out that, like, what role do we play and where does our voice hold weight. And figuring that out is always tricky, because we’re in confusing times. And music has always HEM: On your first album, When I Was Younger, played an important role in social matters, you have a song called “2:20” and then on your politics and everything, so we like being a part second album you have one called “3:20.” Any of the conversation and we like engaging in significance? conversations and we think music is a powerful way to have conversations in a way that engages Caleb: Both of the songs were a coincidence. “2:20” was a song that was just like a soundcheck song, more or less, and we decided to play it one night at a show but we didn’t have any words for it and so we were like, “well what are we even going to call it?” So we just timed it and it was two minutes and twenty seconds that time, so we were like, “2:20. That’s it.” Then, on the new album, me and Will were in the studio; we had recorded most of it and we were like, “we need a riff song.” So we started writing what became “3:20” and we got done with the demo of it and we bounced it to send to everyone and it was exactly three minutes and twenty seconds so we were like, “it’s destiny.” So that’s the correlation. HEM: So it’s been a little over a year since the release of your last album, but do you have any new music in the works right now? Will: Indeed.

a lot of people with different ideas. Which is the beautiful thing about music. So we don’t take that lightly. HEM: How has growing up touring and doing music with your father [famous Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman] impacted or influenced the way that you make music? Scottie: Our dad is the biggest influence. Will: Don’t listen to Scott right now. It’s impacted us a lot, I think. Me and Caleb started off playing for our dad when we were about fifteen or sixteen, so he’s always had a huge influence on us just from being on the road with him. He’s always inspired us. He taught us kind of how to play our instruments in a way andCaleb: How to write a song. Will: -how to tour the right way and respect people and love people. I think he’s a huge part of how and why and what we do. HEM: Any current or up and coming artists that you’re inspired by today?

Caleb: Very much so. Up and coming? Well, we just toured with Tall Heights, and they’ve been around for a while, but they’ve had a special kind of breakout moment and they’re an amazing band with an amazing sound. So Tall Heights would be one for me. Parke: There’s a band I listen to - they only put out two songs at a time, they’re called Night Flowers. I don’t even know where they’re from or if they tour. They’ve only put out a couple of songs but they’re super cool and I like them a lot. Scottie: I haven’t been listening to anyone really up and coming recently-Will: Kanye West put out a new song recently and it’s hilarious and I love it. Scottie: He has a lot of potential, maybe a future for him. Caleb: There’s so much music coming out these days, I feel like I can’t even keep up. I just always find myself going back in time and those are the

people who are inspiring me still. Just because I sometimes don’t even know where to look. There’s so much, so I almost feel like I need to do my homework on what happened before. I always love Randy Newman, but he put out an album not that long ago that has some really beautiful songs on it. HEM: Are there any songs you play live that have the most meaning to you? Scottie: Our song “Moving Forward,” and when we get to play a nice long set like tonight, sometimes we’ll throw in a song called “This Beautiful Life.” A couple of our ballads. I think the reason why we do music as a band is kind of tied up in both of those songs, and it’s super fun to get to play those when we have the right amount of time. HEM: If you could say anything to your past selves when you first started out as a band, what would you say? Will: Practice more. We practice a lot, but I answered that more personally. As a band we practiced all the time.

the past couple of years - just grinding it out and touring so much that we’ve gotten into the sweet spot where we take things very seriously but in a light-hearted, fun kind of way. At the very beginning, I just feel like we took it very seriously and in a perfectionist kind of way. I’m having a lot more fun playing music these days than when we first started out. We’re just out here enjoying ourselves and having fun. We want to do the best job we can and still have a great time. I think overall we’re taking ourselves a tiny bit less seriously; we don’t feel like we have as much to prove doing what we enjoy doing. It’s made it a lot more fun as far as making music and writing music. Something I heard it from a friend recently was about an author who said that he sometimes gets so consumed in writing for everybody, in trying to make everybody love his words, that he feels like he’s missing the mark. So we tried writing as an experiment for one person, like thinking about one person in mind. “Focus on what you’re trying to say,” is the point that I would make. Music is opinion, art is opinion, so don’t stress about that. Do something that matters to you and people will connect with that. The people that need to will connect with it. That’s maybe what I would say.

Scottie: I think we’ve gotten into the sweet spot

x a m bas sa d o r s

photos by Landon Lacey

Tequila on Sunday by Emma Clune Drunk nights fabricate fragile mornings. My mind twists around “what if?” and “why?”, but the pressure of your lips against mine grounds me in reality. Your lips travel across the unfamiliar map of my body they dance in the valley between my shoulder blades. They stumble across the bridges of my collarbone, and trip over the indistinct borders of my jaw. Eventually, our sleepy lips meet. I realize that you taste like home, but also vaguely like tequila. Tequila has never tasted so good.

captivity by Sarah Tillet it’s hard to forgive and forget when the person you forgave forgets the promise they made to you. when they told you they weren’t thinking and they never will. when they told you they’d do better and they never do. when they told you they were sorry and they never are. it’s hard to forgive and forget when you can’t free yourself from the chains they have created so you can never leave their sight never leave their life never not forgive and never not forget.

THE KIDS.

by Emma Gallagher

‘We’re only trying to protect the kids’ Something we’ve heard every politician say Ironic how you use this line, As you vote our future away. Those who voted in June ’16 Voted for consequences they may not see, And who will carry the burden of Brexit? The Millennials; the Generation Z. ‘We’re trying to keep our children safe’ A line every politician has said But when a cop in America shoots a black child, It’s fine, sometimes mistakes are made. A time the Government really cares about our kids, Is before our babies even reach the earth. We ignore the cries of Mothers in pain, Forcing them through a deadly birth. There are laws in place to control women’s bodies, Ironically put in place by men. But soon the Irish women will have their vote, The 8th will see its end Growing up Be whoever We’ll love They’re L,

you tell our kids, they want to be them anyway, unless of course, G, B or T

I guess it’s sweet how our politicians care, That’s is until we’re bombed or shot at Because then the best we can hope for, Are your sincerest thoughts and prayers. The war in Syria has become a massacre, It looks as if judgement day has come. Unluckily for you, a young girls last words Were ‘I’m telling God everything you’ve done’ In Florida, after the shooting this year, They want to give every teacher a gun. As our leaders act like children, the kids are stepping up, They know what job needs to be done.

K KI K IC C K

V V

A T A T S IIS

photos by Caylee Robillard

ROY BLAIR BLAIR by Jillian Johnsen

t has been nearly 5 months since the release of Roy Blair’s debut record Cat Heaven, and though this is no extensive length of time, knowledge of his existence is already spreading like wildfire. Thus far in 2018, the singer has been featured in Coup De Main magazine, racked up 61k Instagram followers, and opened for Kailee Morgue at The Echo in LA. If things continue at this rate, this time next year we should be seeing him perform on late night television shows and appearing on red carpets for Hollywood music events; this is the kind of attention Blair deserves, after creating such an amazing piece of art. You might know Blair already as the boyfriend of Enya, a popular YouTuber, or as a backup singer on Kevin Abstract’s album American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story, as well as on his “Death of a Supermodel” tour. But in the past 5 months, Blair has begun crafting his own story and his own image separate from that of anyone else. Cat Heaven can be described as beachy alternative pop, with a hint of hip-hop thrown in. Any record that melds different genres together in such a way is destined to make waves, sure, but Blair’s work has made more than just waves – it has created a full-on tidal surge. The sound that he was able to create is incomparable to anything else I’ve ever heard. Backing up this statement perfectly is the track “Jane,” which represents to a tee the entire vibe of the album. In the verses of this track, Blair raps over a lighthearted acoustic guitar riff, the kind that makes you think of summer days and fields full of flowers. Continuing in this style, he sings a catchy melody on the chorus, a man with a low voice coming in a few times as a sort of back-up singer, but in a hip-hop style. Combining all these elements together, listeners are left with an ironically happy song, as the lyrics, which include “the best thing about not having you around / I can finally make myself think out loud,” are definitely anything but happy. At this point, Blair only has one music video out, for

track “Perfume,” but thankfully it’s one that can be watched over and over without getting old, so listeners will be satisfied. (He has actually hinted on Twitter as well that he’s going to be filming another one soon.) The “Perfume” video was filmed on an old-school camera, giving the whole thing a very vintage vibe, which works perfectly with the song it accompanies, another happy/ summery track. Footage in the video alternates between Blair singing in a forest, walking along a beach, and sitting in front of red and white backdrops. As the lyrics in this song are more on the romantic side, (“Everything I do is for you”), it makes perfect sense that Blair is singing straight into the camera throughout the whole video; it’s the kind of thing your boyfriend would send to you if he were singing you a song. That image causes the video to give off a very sweet, homemade feel that makes it nearly impossible to not admire Blair. “Homemade” is a word that works not only to describe the “Perfume” music video, but also to describe the album as a whole. Opening on a more acoustic note, track one, “Grow Up,” resembles in sound the audio recordings on an iPhone. It’s easy to imagine Blair sitting in his bedroom with a guitar, writing this nostalgic song about childhood and the way certain people fade out of your life as you get older. This vibe is found similarly in tracks “California,” “Grand Theft Auto,” and “September.” There are a few louder tracks that give off a lot of energy as well, but none of them are overproduced; there aren’t any unnecessary elements. This simplicity in sound counteracts the complexity of everything making up that sound, which is undoubtedly part of the reason why Cat Heaven is so unique, and why I can’t compare Blair’s sound to any other artist. With every passing day, more people around the country are discovering his music, telling their friends about him, and posting about him on social media. Blair might still be in the “rising action” stage of his story, but the apex of his career is certainly not far off, and he’ll be dazzling in the spotlight before we even know it. His work might even inspire the creation of an entirely new music genre. Whatever happens, Cat Heaven will always be a one of a kind album, and Blair will be a one of a kind artist. So if you’ve been needing something new to listen to, this is it. Check it out and go to Blair’s shows before he really blows up; I don’t imagine that moment is very far away.

DECADE RESURGANCE IN MUSIC

written by katherine stallard

usic always changes. From decade to decade, there are always new sounds and motifs that present themselves, defining the audio form of the era. These songs and beats from the decades cement themselves in music history and each decade holds unforgettable distinctions and sounds that make them unique. While music is ever changing because of young new artists and young new trends, the influence of music from previous decades enables newer, more innovative songs to be created and executed. The decades before us, and the music created within them, present snapshots of moods, feelings, and the people that lived then. The music speaks to us even today, and as times change, the ever-present groove of previous generations integrates itself into today’s tunes. For a while, music wasn’t like anything ever recorded before. With the intense technological and pop-y sounds of the 2010s, the music, mirroring the rapidly changing and advancing world, was brand new and innovative, demanding to be different from the rest. Finally dwindling down into a lull of normalcy after the huge techno-boom of the time, music has found itself, once again, returning to its roots with skilled influencing from decades before us. Sometimes a trope prevalent in a previous music era can be set aside for years before it’s brought back and revived in present day music. Whether it be in a sort of homage to the sound, or a stand alone piece of work reviving a long dead beat pattern, all music comes from somewhere, a product of multiple, strong, musical influences.

As of late, we’ve seen an especially wide return to funk sounds of the 70s. This scene had an incredible impact on music, paving the way for today’s hip hop legends as black artists flourished in the diverse and expanding richness of the era. Welcoming the funkalicious sounds of the 70s back with open arms are artists like Childish Gambino. With his most recent album “Awaken, My Love!”’s sexy chords and groovy melodies, the music world is more than happy to accept the sounds of the past back in the faces of our newer, cherished artists. Decade resurgence is also present in not just individual artists and their music, but is prevalent in themes that transcend genres. In another arena, a resurgence of that same funk vein but with a more 80s-90s r&b vibe, is finding itself all over the charts, whether it be through Bruno Mars or Charlie Puth. The flavor of music before us is springing up all over the music map, in a way that almost even echos the current events and ideas of the eras before us but with a our own new-fangled technological twist. This resurgence is not limited to funky or R&B genres - it can even be seen in the psychedelic sounds produced by the likes of Tame Impala, reminiscent of the 60s and jazzy and swing sounds in other music, or of 80s “dreamy” rock like Fleetwood Mac. The decades before us are far from past. Not only do they teach us important things with their historic influence, but the music they leave behind weaves into time itself, influencing the next generations of music in waves for as long as the art continues. As music finds itself once again overlapping with previous sounds and music from years gone by, new music will burst from the hearts of artists everywhere and once again. Everything old becomes new.

COIN a conversation with

interview by madison mize portraits by caleigh wells live photos by bella peterson -

bout a year ago, Heart Eyes Mag was born. I’ll spare you the sappy story about the creation of the magazine, but something that I won’t glaze over is the fact that it was, obviously, inspired by Nashville based indie-pop band, COIN. It’s safe to say that a good number of our readers know who COIN are, but just in case you don’t, COIN consists of Chase Lawrence (vocals and synth), Joseph Memmel (backup vocals and guitar), Zachary Dyke (bass), and Ryan Winnen (drums). They formed when Lawrence met Memmel in a music theory class at Belmont University, and the rest is history. COIN is gaining traction on alternative radio with massive hits like “Talk Too Much” and, more recently, “Growing Pains.” I got a chance to sit down with the guys on the Houston date of The North American Tour to talk about new music, “home,” and the songs that meant the most to them on this tour. Thank you guys for sitting down with us and taking time out of your busy schedule to talk. First of all, congratulations on the success of “Growing Pains,” because it’s only been out for about a month and it’s almost at a million streams on Spotify. [“Growing Pains” has since hit 1 million plays.] So I guess my first question is, what does it feel like to hear the crowds at all of the shows catch on to the lyrics to songs that you’ve either just started playing, or songs that you haven’t even released yet, like “Youuu”? Chase: It’s a weird experience. It gets to a point where it becomes normal, you know? There’s this normal thing, and you expect a certain amount of people to know the lyrics to certain parts, but then there’s the other shows that really surprise you, like Dallas, when they know the deepest lyrics to songs like track 12 [Malibu 1992] or [Lately II/ Nothing Matters] and they’re screaming back the strangest things. I think that’s when it surprises me, but you know, there’s always this normal level but then sometimes cities just explode and it’s pretty wild. Joe: It’s also crazy when people sing lyrics to a song that’s not even released yet because that means that they put in the effort to either write it down or record it to figure out what Chase is saying live over all the instruments! That’s crazy! That’s insane!

Chase: That is true, I forgot about that. That’s wild. Joe: That is big time dedication and it’s really endearing. Chase: We wear in-ears onstage so sometimes it’s hard to hear what’s actually happening in the crowd. In Chicago, I got off stage and I was like, “I feel like they weren’t that loud,” and then we saw that video that we later posted on Instagram and, oh boy! [laughs] Madi: Yeah, trust me, that show was loud! In November of 2017, COIN went to the UK to open for PVRIS on their European tour. I have always heard that there is a big difference between crowds in the US and the UK, so I asked if they noticed a huge dissimilarity to the audiences here in the US. Chase: A little bit. It’s just like playing different cities in the US, too. Different cities react different ways to music. For some reason, Texas and Florida and, I don’t know, the Midwest, for instance, all go really hard for concerts, and then, some cities are more easy going listeners. And I think it’s the same as cities like Glasgow being more easy going, while London goes a little harder. There are these parallels. But they just genuinely appreciate music and it was cool to finally watch our music spread, and people just consuming it. I don’t know, I guess we’ll see when we go back.” 53

Next, we talked a little bit about their growth over the last couple of years, the development of their sound, and Zach’s affinity for producing music. Madi: You guys have had a considerable amount of growth over the last few years both in terms of popularity and and your sound. Has there been a moment where you guys have had to take a step back to soak in all of the love and support? Chase: I do it every night. I think everyone knows that. Negative thoughts are like velcro in my mind. For some reason they stick so, so easily and instantly, and most of the positive thoughts are so fleeting that you kinda have to take time to focus on them. So I make sure to take these moments to take in and stare at as many faces as I can after songs, so I can just really focus on that moment and have it for later.” Madi: Chase, you’ve said that How Will You Know If You Never Try was about coming to terms with growing older and mortality. Is there gonna be an overarching theme for the third album, or are the songs just going to stand alone? Chase: Yeah, there’s definitely a theme.

I guess it’ll become more clear over time, but yeah. It’s less about questioning our legacy, like in an existential way, and more about asking questions about where we are now. Madi: You can tell by the new songs that you guys have been playing that your sound has kind of shifted and maybe kind of developed a little bit. Was it something that you guys talked about that you wanted to happen or did it just kind of happen organically? Chase: It’s funny because it’s actually… down shifted. It’s changed, but it’s because we’re thinking less. We’re not trying to be something we’re not. I think we did that with How Will You Know If You Never Try, but we’re thinking less and less and less and just doing what actually feels good. We’ve kind of lied about that in the past and said that maybe we did it for another reason. Finally, if we wanna make this album, we’re gonna make this album, and if we wanna make this song, we’re gonna make this song. We’re trying as much as possible to not second guess anything, and if that means differences like, “Growing Pains” was mostly just a demo.

It was a demo that we added drums to it and it was done, that was it. I made it in my bedroom, and we just rode with it, so we’re just gonna keep doing that. We’re gonna be as honest as possible. Madi: So it’s just about doing things that you guys feel like you wanna do instead of thinking about too much? Ryan and Chase: Definitely, totally. Madi: Is there any information that you can give us about some of the new music? Chase: It’s all about heartbreak. Different kinds of heartbreak. Every kind of heartbreak. Ryan: It doesn’t have to be relationship oriented. Madi: Zach, I have a question for you. You’ve been producing music for some of your friends and other artists. Can you talk a little bit about that and whether you like behind the scenes stuff more than the onstage stuff, or is it kind of a balance?” Zach: They’re just totally different things. I have always had an appreciation for everything that happens behind the scenes. I just think that there’s just so much that goes unnoticed, and those people are often the true heroes - not always, obviously. I just always become obsessed with people that are involved in roles like that. I love both things.

“It’s less about questioning our legacy, like in an existential way, and more about asking questions about where we are now.” - Chase Lawrence

I don’t know, It’s fun to play, it’s fun to work on things and not have people know that you worked on it. It’s cool! For anyone following COIN over the last year, the phrase “home is a COIN show” isn’t new to you. I asked the guys about the origin of it, what it means to each of them, and about the songs that meant the most to them on this tour. Madi: For a while now, the phrase “home is a COIN show” has been pretty significant. Can you guys explain the origin and what it means to each of you? Chase: For me, home is not obviously a location - it’s like, I think, a gathering of likeminded people in one place for one reason. I think it’s who you’re with and why you’re there. I think that’s what home is. Home can be anything, but, particularly, any city we go to, we try to make the show as accepting and loving with as much love spread as possible. That’s what I think home is. Madi: I totally agree with that. All the friends that I’ve made, I’ve made through you guys. They’re my family.

Chase: It’s so weird sometimes how we can I can feel at home on stage. Our tour manager will burn incense on stage and it will just feel comfortable. I feel like I’m literally at home, and that is a special feeling. Joe: To speak off of what you said, that you’ve made a lot of friends at the COIN shows and stuff, like how a lot of people go from city to city and follow us around and stuff. I remember two tours ago, I got home and I felt like I knew the people were traveling with us more than I knew my own

roommates, [laughs] like, I spent more time with those people [the people on the barricade each night] than I do with my friends in Nashville. Chase: I think that’s where it spurred from, actually. Joe: I’d get home and I’d be like, “oh my own bed, this is great!” and a week later I’d be like, “oh my god. What am I doing? Where are these people? I haven’t seen them in a week! This is weird!”

On tour, you see them all the time and it just becomes a little family. It’s home, you know? Chase: *quietly* Home is where the heart is. Ryan: I like it because I don’t really know where it originated from.” Chase: I remember the first time I said it. It was in Cleveland. Ryan: I feel like it came from us, but it’s more so been supported by everyone that comes to the shows, because a lot of these people haven’t traveled extensively in their lives, and really, we

hadn’t before this band. So these are people that are finding a sense of familiarity everyday by seeing their people, who are now their friends, and they get to share the experience with them. We look out from the stage and fans look up, but a lot of that is really just putting us on the same level. No one is “on the stage” or “off the stage” in my mind because we’re coming “home” every day.

It makes us feel welcome everywhere when we see those people. We miss real home, for lack of a better term, with family and friends and stuff like that, but it’s different. Madi: I guess home is what you make it. Chase: Totally. You can say, “home is a COIN show,” and we can do as much as we could, but it’s perpetuated by you guys. It’s perpetuated by the people being there and making it home. Home has nothing to do with the venue, nothing to do

with the music we play, and everything to do with who you’re with. Ryan: Exactly. If we saw different faces every night, like, completely different faces with no consistency, it probably wouldn’t feel that way. We’re fortunate to have some people that are always with us.

Zach: I guess that I just always understood it as, we’re doing our best to foster an accepting and loving community and that’s what home should always be, so that’s what we want for the shows. Madi: “Heart Eyes” is obviously a pretty important song to us. Are there any songs that have become especially meaningful to you guys on this tour? Chase: I’ve started to feel the weight of “Growing Pains.” I didn’t

understand it really - I was excited to put it out because I was excited to put new music out, but I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t know if people would like it or not, and the more we play it, the more I understand it, and the more I feel the weight of the lyric. It’s funny, the more people sing it, the more I begin to get it, I don’t know. That one, I’m starting to really get. It’s really hit me recently, and it feels like a real song that I’ve always known, you know? I don’t know, I don’t know how to explain it.

Joe: There is a song that we haven’t released yet that we play every night, and it’s called “Youuu”. That one’s real sad, but that’s mine. It almost makes me cry every night, no joke. It hits hard, for sure. Ryan: I actually have been enjoying “Heart Eyes” a lot because my mom said that she really likes it. She told me that’s her favorite song, so I’ve been liking that. And “Feeling,” too on this tour because it’s just been a lot crazier. I’ve been loving that every night. That’s been awesome. Chase: Yeah, it pops off. Zach:“Nothing Matters” was fun last night. Ryan: Yeah! Joe: Very, very, very fun! Ryan: Yeah, that one’s just off the rails and fun to play.

COIN is heading to the UK in August for Reading & Leeds Festival and a show at The Garage in London and will be back in the US soon.

“For me, home is not obviously a location - it’s like, I think, a gathering of like-minded people in one place for one reason. I think it’s who you’re with and why you’re there” - Chase Lawrence

Magic Giant

photos by Emma Hintz

Difficult THINGS TEENS DEAL WITH & HOW TO COPE by Carissa Mathena

THE TEENAGE YEARS

: the years almost every song, movie, or book seems to focus on. And there’s a good reason for that. You experience the most change, pressure, and confusion during your teenage years. If you’re a teenager (or even if you’re not) and struggling with identity, heartbreak, or any other myriad of problems, here are a few ways I’ve found to cope with these difficulties:

The pressure to constantly fit in: This stems from the constant search for identity. Often, you are made to be a product in your environment. You are who your parents have taught you to be. You have their ideals, their morals, their mannerisms. It seems impossible to break out of that cycle and become a separate person. And even this learning is shaped by the stipulations that come with being a teenager; the need to fit into a certain crowd, to be “liked.” It can be a challenge to juggle all of this at such a fragile age of a person’s life. On top of this, the media constantly portrays people who you are supposed to look like, be like, and almost worship, in a sense. You then have three different things trying to shape you into the person that they want you to become. Peer pressure, societal pressure, and parental pressure can be hard to face on a day to day basis, especially when you’re trying to find out who you are.

to become. The truth is, everyone is just like you, searching for who they are. Find people who compliment you. That can be easier said than done. Join groups that spark your interest, let go of people in your life that make you go against your newfound beliefs, ask your parents questions about religion, sexuality, politics. If your parents aren’t available, talk to a friend or an adult you trust. Challenge what you believe to be wrong. And the most important thing is to remember that there is no time limit on finding your identity. I am 22 and still finding out things about myself daily. It’s perfectly okay to be confused - embrace it.

Heartbreak: First loves can be all-consuming. They can be all that you think about, all you want to see, and the only person you want to be with forever. Feeling something new for the first time is always exciting and exhilarating. You get set in the “puppy love” phase with someone, and sometimes it never really fades. When all of that comes crashing down, losing the future you envisioned can be devastating. You’ve felt something for the first time and lost it. You don’t know how to deal with that loss, as you’ve never needed to before. This can lead to a lot of bottled emotions that you keep to yourself, which is never good for someone who probably is dealing with a lot of preexisting emotional stress.

How to cope: Heartbreak is a difficult thing. There is an overwhelming feeling of loss. The good news is that it won’t be that way forever. You have just lost someone you trusted, someone who cared for you. At this time, trust in your friends to help you. They are going to be there for you to help you remember that you are not alone. Make sure you are not covering or running from the pain. To get over something, you need to go through it. This can How to cope: The most important part of being be difficult for some, but seeing a therapist is a teen is finding out who you really are. What version of yourself would make you the happiest? never a bad thing if you need to. This is the Who do you want to be? The only person that can time to look out for yourself and focus all of that energy you had split for your love interest answer that for you is you. Take all that you’ve solely on yourself again. Focus on the great learned from your parents, your peers, and the media and let it shape you, yes, but only take the things about yourself; allow time to get to know who you are as a single person. Share the parts you want to take. It is okay to want to fit love with the others in your life that deserve in, but you don’t need to fit in with people that make you act out against the person you’re trying it, whether that be your friends or your family.

Never be afraid to ask for help, write down your feelings if you have to, but make sure you are not going through this alone. It is never easier.

Bullying: Bullying can be the result of a peer pressure situation. Your group of friends might make fun of someone, and to “fit in” and be “cool,” you go along with them. This could also happen to you. In a school setting, bullying is much harder to escape from. You are not allowed to escape; you are stuck with these people in classes and in the halls. Teenagers are very unforgiving and cruel. They can be relentless and never cut you any slack. How to cope: Bullying is a situation that you cannot handle alone. Going to someone anonymously is an easier solution than coming forward. Sometimes you don’t know how to ask for help or even say how you are feeling in this situation, and that’s why anonymity is a good alternative. You can also go talk to someone in person and tell them what you’re struggling with. Again, keeping everything bottled up is not a good idea. If you cannot talk to anyone anonymous or not, you can always call 24 hour help lines just to talk to someone about it and have someone actually hear your problems. Another tip is to stay confident. If you can stay confident in the presence of a bully, if you show that it doesn’t affect you, they aren’t getting what they want and it becomes less enjoyable. Don’t give them the satisfaction of showing them how much it hurts. Never being taken seriously: At this age, you are growing towards adulthood. You’re trying to make decisions for your future; you’re trying to envision your future. You have taken on the responsibility of more classes, more course work, maybe a job, maybe playing on a sports team, whatever it may be. The adults in your life want you to take your own steps into becoming an adult. On the contrary, most of these adults don’t take you seriously because of your age. This could range from your ideas, your feelings, and the actions that you think are best. It is extremely hard to feel misunderstood by the people who you want to be understood by most. How to cope: Let your parents, or whichever adult isn’t taking you seriously, know your frustrations.

It is important to use your voice and speak out against the belittlement of not being taken serious. Show them that you are growing up and, even if you aren’t a legal adult yet, you are responsible and your voice matters. You also shouldn’t feel like you have to prove anything to them. You know that you are becoming an adult and you know the responsibility you take on on a day to day basis. Be confident in that and if they can’t understand where you are coming from when you share your frustrations, don’t let it bother you.

Hormones: Hormones are a difficult thing to process. They add to the already chaotic life you are leading at this age. It can be hard to control your emotional stability when your hormones are in a constant fluctuation. This can lead to major mood swings involving depression, aggression, and mental breaks when things seem like they’re too much. Your body is essentially fighting against you in every way, making your life more difficult. How to cope: Unfortunately, hormones are harder to cope with. They are going to change your body whether you like it or not and whether you’re ready or not. Your skin will breakout, you will begin to grow body hair, have crazy emotions, and more. The important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. Literally everyone is either going through exactly what you are, or they have already gone through it. Try different things to help you with your different problems. Figure out which skin care routine works for you. Research what to do with the body hair you’ve gotten - what to shave, what to wax, what not to touch so it doesn’t grow back thicker. If you’re sad, eat ice cream unashamedly. You have time to figure this stuff out. You can always talk to a trusted adult or older teen. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, the Internet was made to be used. Take a breath because in a few short years, this will be over and your body will be back to normal.

HAYLEY KIYOKO HAYLEY KIYOKO HAYLEY KIYOKO HAYLEY KIYOKO HAYLEY KIYOKO HAYLEY KIYOKO HAYLEY KIYOKO HAYLEY KIYOKO photos by Caleigh Wells

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL photos by elizabeth wiltshire

Natalia C. Arias narias@mica.edu 3057618945

DISCO DE VINILO Cursed by crippling Purple dots and Cadillac dreams What can I say, When you throw me And toss me aside? Just let the record play. Amongst a natural narniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s precious pulps, A fruitful delight waits inside And cannot help to burst. This beautiful blackfruit no longer oozes melancholic juice, But is now squeezed to release divine nectars. I have found a safe space, An impenetrable sanctuary, Where you cannot use me again A locked safe filled with coniferous memories Where screams assault me, Finish and remove me. When we fade out, you grind the grooves As I am put to rest. Just let the record play.

by natalia arias

by nya saint fleurant

by katie burton

by bre wheeler