INSPIRER.NU MAGAZINE - MAY 2012

INSPIRER MAGAZINE MAY 2012

Live Review:

The It Gets Better Project: A New youth empowering Movement

Nashville Fashion Week

Mac Miller

Feminist Porn king over

it’s ta

Italian brand

Alcoolique

how dubstep changed music

chris johnson / fakhra younas / raffi torres suspended

table of contents just a few of the articles you’ll catch in this issue!

music live review: mac miller interview with chris johnson how dubstep changed music

19 29 35

news the it gets better project fakhra younas

52 62

fashion nashville fashion week alcoolique

65 82

culture raffi torres suspended are romanitc movies for guys, too?

90 92

CEO/FOUNDER DIRECTORS

PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITING ASSISTANTS

Shannah Leaf Morgan Young (Music Director/Editor), Erika Collado (Fashion Director/Editor), Ella Goldsmith (News Director/Editor), Indi Pattinson (Culture Director/Editor) Noel Pena Kory Woodard Mark Disselkoen, Lillie Allen

FASHION JOURNALISTS

Lena Petersson Malevitis, Giulia Brandimarti, Melissa Ann Fasano, Elisa Voltz, Yukako Chiba, Anarosa Trotta, Jourdan Saseen, Lillie Allen

CULTURE JOURNALISTS

Lindsay King, Marissa Sjolander, Lauren Laveria

MUSIC JOURNALISTS

NEWS JOURNALISTS GENERAL EMAIL

Nicolette T, Heather Hawke, Kory Woodard, Selma Raković, Lauren Gamez, Rachel Martin, Joseph Baker Sandra Kasper, Lena Jabbar Advertising@inspirer.nu Contests@inspirer.nu Info@inspirer.nu Letters@inspirer.nu Sponsorships@inspirer.nu

Our focus is to grow awareness of all different countries fashions, music and culture by including featured news, reviews and more from the perspectives of our diverse staff of Inspirers.

JERED SCOTT photographer Jered Scott is a Photographer whose resume includes working with bands such as MXPX, Blink 182, Relient K, The Rocket Summer, Amberlin, Motion City Soundtrack, and Thrice. He has also done photography work for Alternative Press Magazine, Rock for Health, Island Def Jam, Universal Republic, Tooth & Nail, TWLOHA, and Invisible Children. If two of your passions are photography and music and you love capturing the passion in live band shots just as much as listen to that band’s music, then maybe being a music photographer is for you.

Interviewed by Heather Hawke inspirer magazine | 7

MUSIC

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How did you get started with photography?

That’s a long boring story. Let’s just say, I randomly shot some friends old band, and had a lot of fun. Like 5 years later I picked up a camera again, and really wanted to learn how to use it.

Was it always your goal to be a music photographer?

In 2007 when I began to care, and get serious, yeah. My goal was to go after and work in the music industry.

You have, now, had a lot of photos published in Alternative Press Magazine. What was it like, at first, having a photo of yours published Alternative Press Magazine?

At first it was super weird. I had never really done anything for AP, but had this idea to travel for a few weeks and photograph a bunch of bands that just happened to be certain places. It was this “perfect storm” kind of thing. Norman (the publisher at the time) decided to give me a shot, and “1 or 2 pages.” that eventually turned in to 8 pages when it went to print! I had no idea until I bought a copy and found the article. That was surreal. To this day, it never gets old to me. I still get excited turning the pages to find a photograph tucked in there.

What’s the best story behind a particular photography that you’ve taken?

I don’t have many big stories. A personal favorite goes with this Rocket Summer photo I shot on the last night of their “do you feel” tour. It was a home show for them, in Dallas, TX. Sold out crowd. I had been out with them for 2 weeks, and we really had a blast. Every night, Bryce would step up on his riser for this part, and then jump off it with his back to the crowd. That last night I was like “I should shoot that from the stage instead of the pit.” so right before they played I ran up and told him “hey, if you see me run on stage, just go with It.” he laughed nervously, and said “cool.” it was worth it. To date, probably my favorite photograph I’ve ever taken. (And he knew it too. he said when he landed he saw my face light up as i checked my camera and ran off stage!)

What do you prefer, film or digital?

Digital. I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to shoot film. haha.

What’s your favorite live and posed picture that you’ve taken?

My favorite live photo is the earlier mentioned photo of Bryce of the rocket summer jumping. My favorite posed shot is the first one I shot of my friends in the band Relient K. we didn’t know each other at the time, but they let me tag along on their bus from Nashville to somewhere in Ohio. They were playing a college show, and i found some cool wooded area where we shot for a little bit. There are lots of imperfections with the photo, since i barely knew what I was doing. But something about it makes me love it. The color. The poses. The simplicity maybe. But ya, just love it.

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What inspires you to keep doing photography?

Meeting people whose lives I get to impact. Whether that impact is through a great conversation or finding out something little I do (shooting photos) inspires them to do something. That, and I really honestly whole heartedly love giving people (bands especially) photos that they are really stoked about.

What’s the best and worst thing about being a photographer in the music industry?

Worst thing - everyone and their mother are “photographers.” seems easier and easier for people to get photo passes, and crowd that photo pit. Sad thing is a few months later, they’ve moved on to some other type of photography, or none at all. Best part - getting the best seat in the house for most concerts. Being in front of the front row or tucked behind some amps on stage for my favorite bands is priceless!

Have you ever had a moment where you knew this is definitely what you should be doing for a career?

Lots of those. I have just found that I really enjoy working with musicians. I love the energy of concerts, and love creating alongside them. Every time I shoot a good show, I’m reminded this is where my heart is.

What would be your dream live concert or posed band photos to shoot?

To be honest, I have already been fortunate enough to work with my dream bands. I’ve shot MXPX, Relient K, The Rocket Summer, Bayside, The Smoking Popes, Anberlin...to name a few. Maybe shooting Foo Fighters and Green Day would be cool? But that also probably brings headache’s I couldn’t even imagine.

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MUSIC Besides, of course, skills what does it take to be a music photographer?

Patience. That’s a big part. You gotta wait for the right moments. It’s too easy to just shoot everything, and feel rushed. I say, breathe, enjoy that you’re at a concert of a band (I hope) you like. Try to read their movements. Feel the build in the songs. Watch the lighting. See what it’s doing. See if you can use it. After that, bands want to use people they enjoy having around. A lot of people I see once or twice and never again aren’t good hangs. They come on way too strong, or ask annoying questions or things like that. To get the best photos, you want your subject relaxed, at ease, in the most natural state. it’s hard to get there when you’re asking them for autographs and to do stupid poses.

In your eyes, what has been your biggest accomplishment so far?

How about 2? A business one would have to be that I shot half of the photos for these tour exclusive t-shirts Blink 182 did on their reunion tour. That was pretty rad. A personal one would be that for the last 5 years I’ve been the sole photographer for my all-time favorite band.

The band I fell in love with in jr. high, and the band responsible for me loving music the way that I do. MXPX. Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring music photographers?

Respect the industry. Respect others. Respect yourself. You aren’t doing anyone any favors by giving all of your photos away for free, or next to nothing. You’re keeping yourself out of business, putting other full time photographers out of work, and deflating the industry. Advice I wish I heard early on. I’m not saying to be a money grubber, but value your work enough to charge for it. And be reasonable. Charge what you are worth. And remember, photographing bands is a lot like being a professional baseball player. You get paid to play a game. So freakin’ enjoy it and have fun!

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MUSIC

LA

DISPUTE Songs with meaning. Lyrics that engulf you in their stories.

A band that brings them all together to create music that should honestly be more prevalent today. That’s what posthardcore band La Dispute is all about. So how do they do it?

I caught up with bass player Adam Vass on the San Francisco stop of their current Wildlife tour to get a look at the interworking of the band.

by: Morgan Young 14 | inspirer magazine

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MUSIC on here?

We’ve toured with Balance & Composure before but it was pretty short, maybe two weeks, and it was in Canada. But that’s it. We didn’t know All Get Out at all. And I’d only just met Sainthood Reps in October.

Wildlife was released in October; how have the reactions been for the album?

It’s only our second so it’s kind of hard to gage. But it’s been good, it seems pretty well received and it wasn’t so much of a slow-in like the first record was, but that was because it was our first record. I haven’t really seen or heard of many people being like disappointed in it as a second record or anything like that. I think it’s been fine. I don’t know about sales and junk, but I don’t really care. People seem to like it.

How’s the tour been going so far?

It’s been awesome. Today’s day 10 or 11, so it’s still pretty early. But all the shows have been really well attended. We came pretty much straight west and played in some weird places like Nebraska and Idaho and stuff, but all those shows were even really good.

Better than I thought it was going to be.

Still big crowds out there?

I mean, relatively yeah. It’s been good. And now that we’re in big cities it’s cool that it’s still good. It’ s not just people who don’t have anything better to do. So it’s been really fun. And all the other bands on the tour are all really awesome too. So it’s been nice to watch them every night and hang out and everything.

Have you ever toured with any of the other bands

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Was the writing process different from the first album?

Yeah; I joined the band when Somewhere was already started, but we just didn’t know what it was going to be yet. So there was four songs or something on that record that I didn’t have a hand in. And then I joined the band and we finished the record, and it was kind of just writing the songs and then the vocals would come afterwards. It was very segregated in that way, but then with Wildlife we wanted to try something new. So Jordan (Dreyer-vocals) would come to practice with stories or outlines or at least an idea of what the song would be about, so then Chad (Sterenberg), who’s one of the guitar players, and I would get that idea and then write to it so it would fit a little bit more thematically. Or for some of the more involved songs, Jordan would give us a layout for like ‘I want this part to be a bit heavier and go into this part that’s a bit softer’ or whatever, and we would kind of build the songs around what he told us. And then there would be some back and forth with parts that might have already existed that we wanted to include. Things that we wanted to change like the format of maybe what he was doing. So it was just much more back and forth and cohesive the second time around.

Can you explain some of the heavier lyrical

meanings behind Somewhere?

Without getting too far into it cause it isn’t mine, that record is far more first-person. Even the songs that aren’t first-person on that record are told in a first-person so you don’t even really realize that it’s someone else. So whereas the newest record is more hidden, there’s still things that are close to home or things that we happened close to our house, literally, or in our neighborhood, whatever, but not actually to us or him.

It’s less actually personal but still close.

Are you guys planning on releasing more Here, Hear albums?

We don’t know right now but we probably will. We just don’t know when. We just did Wildlife in October so we’re still not really sure what is next. We haven’t even been home yet. Not literally. The record came out when we were on the tour with Thrice and then we went to Europe and Australia since then, so I guess this is the fourth tour since the release.

What inspires you, personally, to make music?

When I started playing music, it was just for fun.

And I was fifteen or something. And then I just ended up here without really planning it, you know? I just wanted to play shows on the weekend and then I would go out for a week and then that was two weeks, and here I am now. So I didn’t really have any noble goals to begin with. I was just a teenager and didn’t want to play basketball.

Who/what do you think changed music?

I think most music changes music. In reality, even if it’s bad it still has influence over something or someone. Even if the worst record comes out, people will hear it and say ‘I wanna make something that’s the opposite of that’. And then over time, everything is going to influence everything in some way. I think you were looking for more specific, but I think music really changed music.

L I VE R E V I EW :

MAC MILLER’S

MACADELIC

TOUR by: nicolette taber

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MUSIC In five years, Malcolm McCormick has gone through a few name changes, turned the big 20, and, oh yeah, reached two million followers on Twitter, released seven mixtapes and one studio album, and traveled the world to play shows.

Mac Miller is incredibly young for all that he has accomplished.

In 2011, his only studio album, Blue Side Park, reached number 1 on Billboard 200. It seems like this man is unstoppable. With the release of his latest mixtape, Macadelic, Mac Miller set out on The Macadelic Tour to college arenas to spread his passion for music.

The concert in St. Louis, Missouri started off with The Come Ups gracing the stage. They paced back and forth in front of the large Macadelic backdrop for their whole set.

They were not very impressive and were quite hard to understand. In the tightly packed general admission floor, many people screamed negative statements towards The Come Ups. One of the mature remarks made repeatedly was “you suck!” The two front men did not seem to care that the audience was displeased with them as they continued to walk around the stage and shout out the lyrics to their songs. They did not attempt much contact with the audience, either.

There were a few fans dancing but besides that the crowd was bored.

Thankfully, The Come Ups left the stage as they announced that The Cool Kids were coming up next.

The Cool Kids ran on stage much to the audience’s pleasure. They should have been the only opening act for Mac Miller. They got the crowd jumping up and down to their catchy songs. The Cool Kids is composed of Chuck Inglish and Mickey Rocks.

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Simply seeing Mickey Rocks walk around stage with designer sweatpants on proved to the audience that they are confident rappers that don’t really care what others think of them. They definitely did their job well of warming up the crowd for Mac Miller because towards the end of their set nearly everyone on the floor was dancing. As The Cool Kids left the stage, screams erupted from the audience, as they knew the much-loved Mac Miller would be coming on stage soon.

The lights dimmed and intense screaming ensued. A few clouds of smoke popped up throughout the floor, extremely illegal since no smoking of any kind is allowed inside. The large Macadelic backdrop dramatically fell as strobe lights flashed. The energy in the small arena reached an all time high as finally, the one and only, Mac Miller walked on stage. The man of the night started off his set with the short “English Lane.” Decked out in a black hoodie, black jeans, and sunglasses, Mac Miller simply oozed a cool demeanor. He maintains a rapid beat when rapping his lyrics. As his famous “Party on 5th Ave” started it was almost impossible to tell that he had transitioned

from the first song to the second.

Nevertheless, Mac Miller pounced around stage carrying a certain sly confidence wherever he went. As he started “Don’t Mind If I Do,” he made the girls scream by plainly taking off his shades. His mischievous smile and honest lyrics kept the crowd yelling for more.

Whenever Mac Miller would pause and take some time to talk with the audience, the mainly high school/ college aged girls would scream their intense love for him. Those remarks, along with the genuine positive atmosphere of the concert, kept Mac Miller smiling all night long.

He continued on his set with “Loitering.” The never-ending dance party continued as “My Team” was performed as well as the extremely popular “Knock, Knock.” Nearly everyone in the audience put their fists in the air

every time “knock, knock” was said.

“Thoughts From A Balcony.” The way Mac Miller sensually moves around stage makes up for his decent vocal talent. Things slowed down in the audience as “1 Threw

that either Mac was performing only half of every song in his set Mac Miller took a little break as the list, or that he just raps extremely lights dimmed and a video played on fast. Or maybe it was both. The the large screen situated in the back songs seemed to fly by as he would of the stage featuring a character from jump across the stage his recent video Loud. screaming into his “Whenever Mac Miller would pause and The psychedelic “Loud” Multiple played next much to the take some time to talk with the audience, microphone. times throughout the audience’s pleasure. Mac night he would jump the mainly high school/college aged Miller’s simple but addicup and down in place tive lyrics make fans fall in girls would scream their intense love for and shake as much as a love with his music. Durhim. Those remarks, along with the gen- seizure while he fully ing “Loud” the blow up immersed himself in mushrooms on stage were uine positive atmosphere of the concert, performing. After he glowing neon colors. Yes, kept Mac Miller smiling all night long.” finished “All Around there were blow up mushThe World” the heavy rooms on stage. When he 8” played, a less known song off crowd favorite “Best Day Ever” stripped out of his hoodie into a black of Macadelic. As he continued on followed. The expertly chosen tee, screams instantly ensued. with “Ignorant,” another song off setlist gave old fans and new fans The concert carried on with of Macadelic, it became apparent alike a taste of all of his music.

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MUSIC A healthy mix of songs from K.I.D.S., Blue Slide Park, and Macadelic were played with a dash of random singles.

As Mac Miller continued on the night with “Of The Soul,” “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza,” and “The Spins,” it was clear that he was saving some gems for the end of his set. I have never experienced crowd energy quite like this. Fans were screaming, jumping, dancing, and overall having a fantastic time all at once. Mac Miller performed the slow “Angels” with genuine sorrow, which of course got the females to scream, “I love you, Mac Miller!” He performed the classic “Nikes On My feet” to perfection with the support of the thousands of fans singing along. “Diamonds & Gold” kicked off with a glamorous video of Marilyn Monroe in the classic “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” That simple video showed how Mac Miller is simply a respectable man with good taste. Despite some criticism he may receive for being unoriginal or only writes about marijuana, the way he puts on a performance proves that he is his own person with his own ideas.

The last end of the show crept on as Mac Miller started the humorous “Lucky Ass Bitch.” He repeatedly jumped up on speakers and encouraged the fans to scream along.

“Frick Park Market” received by far the most screams and cheers as Mac paced the stage, performing the classic to perfection. “Missed Calls,” one of the few Mac Miller tracks with a serious tone, was the next song in the set. Fans screamed appreciatively as the pace slowed down, allowing them to catch their breath from a hectic set. “Missed Calls” was supposedly written about an ex-girlfriend. The thought-

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ful lyrics reflect that rumor.

As the old saying goes, all good things come to an end, and that became true as the Mac Miller concert closed out with fan favorites “Smile Back,” “F**k Em All,” and “Donald Trump.”

Much to the crowd’s delight he disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a basketball jersey with ‘St. Louis’ stitched onto the front and “Miller 12” on the back. The way he moves his body and shakes while he fully immerses himself in his songs

is something that I will never forget. Some may criticize him for his lack of raw talent, but he is a natural born performer. He never stopped moving during the 75 minutes he was on stage. His flirtatious but reserved persona made fans craving more the instant he departed the stage. Every single fan left smiling. Even though some of the audience members may have been high off of illegal substances, the majority of the crowd became high off of Mac Miller’s energetic stage presence and overall fun concert.

don’t forget to check out inspirer magazine on warped tour in atlanta, ga and orlando, fl this summer!

MUSIC

THE marvelous macc mello by: Kory Woodard

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MUSIC

If you haven’t heard of Macc Mello, then now is your chance. He is an upcoming rapper from UK, but there’s a catch. He’s not just a rapper.

Macc Mello is also a producer, as he produced every song on his latest EP, ‘ORIGINAL’.

I got the chance to interview Macc about his music, and a review of ‘ORIGINAL’ can be found at the end of the interview.

What inspired you to get into the music business?

I stumbled into the music business. It was never a dream, and it was never a dream to be in front of the camera. I started writing and gate-crashing house parties at 13, it was always a hobby. Then I heard Clipse - ‘Grindin’ and wanted to be a producer around 17. So I switched courses from Art & Design to Music Production and got started. The real breakthrough was my friend forced me on MySpace and even started my page up before I even wanted to join.

Does the inspiration for your songs come from real life experiences?

Every project, every song, every line is real life. I can only write about what I know and have experienced. I often mention family, friends, places, clothes, moments in my music and this is really what I’m doing, I’m really bout that life, I’m really sipping Codeine, I’m really in Soho all week with an attractive girl I’ve just meet, I’m really spending dumb money on Junya Watanabe, etc. I really live that my songs say.

Anyone who knows or knows of

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me can tell you this.

What makes you different from other rappers in the game right now?

Hahah good question, I’m Old Skool meets New School. I mean, you’ve heard my music right? It’s all in the music.

What do you do when you’re not writing or recording?

I let lyrics come to me and then when I have everything I record it all at once, so I don’t write or record that regular. Recently my thing is going out to eat with friends and lady friends, I enjoy that. I enjoy female company; I enjoy a female presence and the balance they give me. Also since the turn of the year, I’ve been going in hard on my tattoo game. My tatt game is getting right.

Who have been your biggest influences?

When I think of influences, I always think “well when I was younger it was” now it’s just my life and people but if you want names…when I was younger it was Jay-Z, Nas, D-Block, Mobb Deep, Pharrell, Timbaland, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Wiley, UK Garage to name a few.

Since you’re a rapper, do you listen to a lot of rap music? If not, what do you listen to?

I listen to everything think, like serious, serious, everything from Jai Paul to Waka to Bon Iver to

old Scremo bands like Saetia. In Feb I was only listening to Grunge bands like; Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, etc. Going back to your question, I listen to a lot of rap, old, new, east, west, south. I love rap music, I love music and that’s my main reason I make it.

What are the things about being a rapper that you enjoy the most?

I think just the magic of being able to make a song at any moment, seeing other people enjoying your music and it’s therapeutic for me in away.

If there were one thing you could change about people’s thoughts of the rap genre, what would it be?

Nothing, people can think what they want. I have no control over that; my job is just to make excellence, whether that’s with my music, videos or just my imagery/ brand. Excellence is the bare

minimum; I think Kanye said that, I’m going use that right here.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

Hard question, I could name hundreds of artists and producers. Before when I was younger, I would of jumped at the chance to work with Pharrell, Timbaland or Kanye but now I’m more low-key about it. Right now though…as a rapper probably 40, I’m just a big fan of the feeling 40’s records produce. When ‘So Far Gone’ dropped 1st thing I did was research who produce it, I was super early on that shit. Same with The Weekend’s House Of Balloons, I found out illangelo was heavy involved and reached out to him. As a producer I want to find my own artists, that’s the plan. I want to build a team around me & keep it all in-house &

keep the money circulating within us. I want to be able to give my friends good positions, where they make their own money and all of us are doing the same things together. That’s what 1W4L (1 Word, 4 Letters / Love & Hate) is about, my brothers.

I sound like Jay, say I sound like Wayne - they don’t even sound the same”. I love these lines because I don’t know if people actually say he sounds like these rappers, but he definitely is true saying they don’t sound the same, and he sounds nothing like them.

Any advice for those interested in getting into music?

Don’t but if you really want to, learn your craft and then learn other crafts. Magic.

The next track, “Praise” features a smaple of ‘Praise You’ by Fatboy Slim, which is fitting. Mello’s rapping is on point in this song, and the sample does a great job at splitting up each verse.

‘ORIGINAL’, Mello’s five track EP, starts off with “Gave A F*ck”.

The song starts off different than what you’d probably expect from rap music: there’s thunder, rain, and a creepy laugh. My favorite lyrics from this song have to be, “They say I sound like Pusha, say

One of my favorite tracks (it’s a tie!) is the next, which is “Rough Patch”. The song starts off kind of slow and sad, but it slowly speeds up and the mood changes to something a little more positive.

“Troublemaker” is the fourth track on ‘ORIGINAL’, and boy do I believe him when Mello says he’s trouble. This song is much more upbeat than the others, but they’re all just as good.

“Tyson”, which is the final track of the EP, is featured in the video on Mello’s website. This is my other favorite song. I love when he says, “You’re a comedian, tryin’ to get some laughs in. Well ha-ha, there you go!”

Macc’s music is most definitely different than most popular rappers here in the states, but that doesn’t make him worse than them. In my opinion, he’s just as good, especially since he’s rapping about his real life and not made up stuff.

Be on the look out for this dude; He’s going to go far!

You can get ‘ORIGINAL’ for free from his website: maccmello.com

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BEHIND THE SCENES INTERVIEW:

CHRIS JOHNSON (Tour Manager/ Co-Owner of Music Machine Entertainment)

H

by: Heather Hawke

ard worker, initiator, extremely competitive, perfectionist.

If these words describe you and you also love music and traveling then being a Tour Manager might be the job for you. Tour managers are the people who help to organize the administration for a schedule of appearances of a band or artist while on tour. Being a tour manager, some of your duties would be accounting, supervising the entire show (crew, merch, tech, production), being in constant communication with the label and management and passing along info to the band/artist, making sure that everyone is getting along and to defuse any issues that come up.

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MUSIC Tell us a little about yourself.

How long have you been working in the music industry? What’s your current job title? Have you had any other titles since you started?

Chris Johnson. Co-owner of Music Machine Artist Management. Tour Manager for Matt Toka Warner Bro Records. Tour Manager- VersaEmerge, Artist vs Poet, NeverShoutNever, Conditions, The Bigger Lights. Owned a talent buying/ promotions company in Virginia.

Worked at Avalon Recording Studios, Bethesda, MD. Assistant at The Collective- LA. What exactly are Tour Managers duties?

Supervision of the band/ artist on the road, making sure that all their needs are met on the road. You handle all the expenses, settling on the guarantee, making all road purchases, doing all the touring accounting. You also supervise the entire show as well. Making sure all the production needs are met at the venue, all the techs and crew have what the need to perform their duties, whether its setting up guitars, changing drum heads, the LD has the right movers, or DMX cables, your FOH guy has all the stage inputs and your merch guy has all his needs met as well. Making sure any merch shipments arrive on time as well as the right quantities. You are in constant communication with the label and management facilitating between the bands/artist needs to the label/management and passing along info to the band/artist. Beyond that you are managing personalities, making sure everyone is getting along with each other, the other artists on the tour, as well as defusing any problems or issues that come up on the road.

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You co own Music Machine Management, can you tell us how you decided to start this company?

What goals do you have for this company?

I run the company with a longtime friend Luca Zanello. We had previously worked together on a band, My Ticket Home, that we still represent and is signed with Rise Records. After some time we decided to partner up and build a company together that provides unique opportunities for its clients and develops careers not just a 5 year run, but with all that we still want to maintain a since of family and team. Making it about the music and

the artist not just about the bottom line and the dollar signs. We choose the name Music Machine because every aspect of the company helps someone else. Luca is heavily involved in the clients that I have and I in his. We work as a machine to achieve the most for our clients.

How did you know you wanted to work in the music industry?

I had no idea I did, I never perused music. Actually, I wasn’t even into music beyond what was on the radio in high school. I had some cool opportunities growing up learning how to do live sound through my

church and running a few battle of the band shows at my high school.

I was attempting to play college basketball and I owned a lawn and landscaping company as well. A year after HS I ended up selling my company and went and interned/ apprenticed at a recording studio.

I was there for 2 years on and off.

I ended up running into a friend from high school that was in a band in the “local scene” and I started hanging out with him and going to shows. From that I met a local promoter and we hit it off and a couple months later I began working for

him, being an assistant talent buyer and helping run production for the shows.

After about a year I left and started my own company which I ran for 3 years booking shows throughout VA. During that time a handful of bands got signed, one of which was The Bigger Lights to Doghouse Records.

They asked if I would like to come out on the road and TM’ for them. I worked for them for a handful of tours, then NevershoutNever, Artist vs Poet, VersaEmerge, Conditions and now Matt Toka on Warner Bro records, who is currently out on tour with Breathe Caroline and The Ready Set. Throughout the past 4 years or so I had been working with and managing unsigned artist helped develop them for the next level.

I’ve worked with The Downtown Fiction, My Ticket Home, Boys Will Be Boys and The Endless

Summer.

What inspires you when working in this very stressful/high energy industry?

I’m an extremely competitive, high strung, perfectionist type person, and this industry embraces all of those things.

Now, more than ever, music is ever-changing. What do you think is one genre of music that you hope will never go out of style?

I hope just that straight guitar drive, real rock music never falls to the waste side. I don’t think it will, there will always be bands like the Foo Fighters that hold the genre down.

Who do you think changed the music industry? Why? Al Gore! He invented the internet right!?! But seriously the internet has changed the game obviously.

It’s become easier for bands to get their music across the country and world now, unlike 20 years ago.

However because of this we’ve lost the regional influence of bands, in which have destroyed the local music scene. Beyond that digital music sales and illegal downloading have completely changed the model of how the industry makes money. Unfortunately, we haven’t added or adapted a new model completely. We are still learning about our customers and how people still participate in music.

What’s the biggest surprise about working in this field? Was it what you thought it would be like?

I never had this perception, but I think most fans/kids see their favorite band and crew on stage and see them drinking a beer or a whiskey and coke and they think it’s just a big party. However its work 24-7 whether it’s on the road

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MUSIC or in the office. Its long nights, early mornings we just get to drink during our work day.

What’s the best and worst part about working in the music industry?

New cities and new people to work with every day. I love traveling and I love the overall work grind. It’s hard work, its competitive. As far as being a manager goes it allows you to be creative stretching yourself to take a band from one point in their career and raising the bar for them. The only frustrating part is that I love to sleep and I never

get enough of it!

Have you ever had a moment where you realized this is the perfect job for you?

There are moments during a client’s sets that I look out to the crowd, whether it’s out on stage or behind the sound board where the crowd is really into it and the band is killing it, and I get chills. I just realize how lucky I am to do what I do. I’m very blessed.

Any advice you have for people who want to work at a record label/ music industry?

It’s a lot of hard work, learning from

everyone and taking it all with a grain of salt. Always go out and expand your network, meet people, and develop friendship not just a name with a phone number that you hope can get you something in the future. Expect to fail and refuse to accept it. You won’t be successful right away but over time as you learn more and more you will. But that’s just life in general.

Lastly, what albums are currently on heavy rotation?

Foo Fighters- Wasting Light Needtobreathe- The Reckoning Conditions- Florescent Youth Jay Z/Kanye West- Watch the Throne

free bird couture

MUSIC

DUBSTEP MAY 2012

L

BY SELMA RAKOVIĆ

yrics flowing together with corresponding melodies is one of the most beautiful forms of expression for artists all over the world. Lyrics can sing of heartbreak, joy, and determination, and they are universal in emotion regardless of what language they are spoken in. They are crafted from individual experiences, yet their stories can be generalized and applied to virtually any listener’s life. But what happens when the closest things to words you hear in a song are simply wub, wub, skree, wub, wub, yio?

Originating in the garages of English producers fooling around with electronic instruments, dubstep has emerged in the past decade as one of the most popular styles of the Electronic Dance Music genre.

Electronic music has been around since the 1940s, but the meshes of drum machines, synths, and sequencers we are so familiar with only began dominating the scene in the 80s and 90s. In today’s music culture, EDM can be found intermixed in virtually any genre.

Whether it be heavy metal, Disney pop, or classic rap, all genres of music have adopted electronic instruments as a common alternative to full band performances. Though physical instruments have dominated the music scene since the first song was even written, electronic instruments have been found to require only one person to function them, thus making the recording and touring processes cheaper and simpler. With the touch of a button easily mimicking an entire band, it is not surprising that single DJs have soared in popularity. Whether it be Dubba Jonny, Porter Robinson, Deadmau5, or Skrillex, dubstep DJs have infiltrated the music scene with their bass drops, light shows, and paint parties. Despite the fact that these DJs can sell out a stadium in minutes, many people are against their genre of “artificial music.” Masses complain that the music lacks personality, complexity, or meaning, and that adding drops and “wubs” to popular songs is easy and does not require actual talent. Regardless of how much traditionalists complain about dubstep, it is evident that this genre of music is revolutionizing the scene as we know it.

The 21st century world is obsessed with in-

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This electronic genre of music has decomposed language barriers, allowing for universal bonding over the love of futuristic sounds and fluorescent spandex, creating a sense of community among concert goers.

novation; nothing is ever fast, small, or aerodynamic enough. With the incessant stream of inventions coming from companies like Apple and Microsoft, we are stuck constantly updating and upgrading to get the fastest, most futuristic performances. We want to be able to hovercraft places, time travel, control objects with our minds, and eradicate disease. From biological robots delivering specific antibiotics through a person’s blood stream to vacuum bots cleaning up the house while we sit around, computer-controlled intelligence agents have become our friends. People

dream of colonizing the moon, and futuristic movies ranging from Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century to The Hunger Games have seized our theaters by storm. It is no shocker that the sci-fi-esque, robotic bass lines and synths that dubstep is composed of are being listened to by more and more iPods and sleek car stereos each day; we are obsessed with the future.

As teenagers begin passionately living by mottos like YOLO and the threat of the 2012 apocalypse has become an excuse to party like it’s the end of the world, dubstep raves have soared in popularity. Neon

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and spandex have plagued clothing stores all over the world, and “the shorter, the better” has become a commonly accepted standard. Art supply stores are running out of body paint and glow sticks, and Native American craftsmen are struggling to keep up with the soaring demand for feather headbands and dreamcatcher accessories. I’m exaggerating, but raving has become a culture. Colours are brighter, the crowds are denser, and the illegal substances keep flowing. Festivals like Camp Bisco, Tomorrowland, and Electric Zoo are herding teenage YOLOers that are eager to throw their scantily clad bodies against each other to the rhythm of the bass lines being dropped. Bikinis have become a common alternative to concert clothes, “Free Hugs” shirts are peppered all throughout the crowds, some taking the innocent banners to more provocative levels, and forgetting morals and leaving regrets behind is encouraged as long as one promises to take lots of pictures for future posting to Facebook. Dubstep shows have made concerts less about the music and more about the memories, or lack thereof, that result from them.

This electronic genre of music has decomposed language barriers, allowing for universal bonding over the love of futuristic sounds and fluorescent spandex, creating a sense of community among concert goers. People care less about shoving to the front of

36 | inspirer magazine

the stage to visually molest their favourite lead singers, and everyone is there for a common goal: to have fun. Ravers have become fearless, dancing freely with anyone and everyone, and trekkers to multiday festivals like Camp Bisco have seen themselves sharing tents, food, and stories with other adventurers from all over the nation. The culture of dubstep unites people through the common love to dance and have fun, and as a construction worker on the train to Boston said to my friends and me when he saw us dancing along to the dub blaring from his headphones, “there ain’t no shame in havin’ fun.”

Dubstep has put a quirky twist to music. The ability to intertwine vocal samples of modern culture icons with the synths, beats, and bass lines of electronic music has unleashed an indescribably large capacity for creativity in the music scene. DJs compete for who can have the cleverest drop, memorable ones ranging from Rusko’s “Charlie Bit Me” to Lay’s “Young Frankenstein”, and crowds explode with liveliness as they hear popular cultural aspects being incorporated into their music.

This genre of EDM has also expanded horizons for rising artists. Because not everyone can be trained in multiple instruments, a feat requiring much talent and financial stability, computer generated music combined with networking avenues like YouTube, Sound-

Cloud, and Twitter have given birth to a new population of underground musicians. Basement DJs, which include several of my friends, are spreading their creations like wildfire, and college music scenes have helped expose many of them to the masses in the raving culture.

Dubstep is a free-spirited form of expression whose possibilities for creativity run greater than the packs of partiers it attracts to its shows. Though people complain about its alleged simplicity, the genre is, in reality, very complex.

The DJ must be well-versed in music theory, understanding brokenbeats, synths, steady-beats, fractional notes, bpm’s of tempos, quantization, bass lines, and two-step beats, and have a spirit for lighthearted-

ness as he (or she) incorporates quirky audio samples and drops seamlessly into the endless combinations of previously described jumbles of music. Personally, I would not know where to start if I wanted to make a piece of dubstep, but blaring dubs from album compilations like UKF Dubstep or various underground mixtapes is one of my favourite hobbies as I cruise around in my car. Though it is easy to go wrong, dubstep can be mind-blowingly good if played at the right volume. The genre of electronic music has inspired a new culture of free spirited adventurers, and there is nothing better than a good bass drop to get one pumped up for a workout or a lengthy drive. After all, there ain’t no shame in havin’ fun.

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“We’ve seen music have the ability to unite people and build bridges. I want to be a part of that side of music.”

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interview with

Koji by: rachel martin

Andrew Koji Shiraki, better known as Koji, is a singer/ songwriter and activist from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Last year, Koji was named one of Alternative Press magazine’s “100 Bands To Know in 2011”, and he released a split record with close friends, La Dispute, shortly after that. In 2011 he embarked on a ten week full US tour called the “Resolve Tour” where he helped raise awareness of the atrocities going on in the world including the heartbreaking story of child soldiers in the LRA under their leader Joseph Kony, to group discussions on what steps to take to achieve world peace. Koji uses his music to spread an inspiring message to his listeners that reminds people that they have a voice, and they can use that voice to make change positive, proactive change in their lives and in the world.

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On April 21, 2012 in Dallas, TX, Koji took a short break after sound check to sit down and talk with me about his recent start on his second US tour with Never Shout Never, as well as his accomplishments and goals for his career.

I showed up to this interview not really knowing what to expect because I didn’t know much about him. When he walked out the back door of House of Blues and greeted me with a handshake and a smile and offered me a bottle of water, you could already tell he had an addicting personality, and I understood why people are drawn to him.

After sitting with him for just a few minutes, I felt like I had known him for years already because he was so open about his life and what he loves to do. In conversation you can hear the passion in his voice when he is talking about something he desires and truly believes in.

So, you just started the tour with Never Shout Never yesterday, how’s it going so far?

It’s really good, this is the first tour that I’ve ever done, hmm, I don’t know exactly how to phrase it. Every tour is a new experience, you know, and this tour certainly feels like the first one and it feels that way every time. Everyone has been really gracious and kind 40 | inspirer magazine

to us and we’re really fortunate to be a part of something like this. Last night was an awesome start to tour. I don’t go into things with expectations and I was thinking “I’d be lucky if just one person would listen”. The Never Shout Never audience is really sweet and it’s just been good vibes. We were all remarking after the show just how much we smiled the entire time.

You played in Austin, TX at the Parish last night. How’d you like it?

I’ve actually never played Austin and I’ve never played Dallas. I’m playing a lot of new places on this tour and this is my first time in any clubs and that’s really cool too. I come from the basement- living room- house show scene and every once in a while I’ll play VFW’s and fire halls and every once in a while I’ll get into a club and it’s just a totally new experience.

So is this probably the biggest tour you’ve ever done?

Yeah, this is actually only my second US tour. It’s really cool to get to know other parts of the country. I’ve actually toured the UK a few times and I’ve toured mainland Europe and the US once before last spring. This is really super fun.

You are a solo artist, but do you every tour with a live band?

I’m by myself right now, but if you listen to my records I have a lot of people that I make them with. I’m currently working on a record and my band is a collection of friends who are also in other bands.

My drummer for the last few records is Brad Vander Lugt of La Dispute and then my bass player is Matt Warner from a band called Balance and Composure. Together we make the “Koji ensemble” I guess.

I read that you did an album with La Dispute, how was that experience?

It was amazing! It was a very collaborative project from sort of the conceptualization of the

get tours. This is like a really cool time for everybody because there’s tons of growth happening, you know? And, like I said, we all come from the same basement-house show scene so it’s crazy to even think that we’re still even playing music and we’ve kind of graduated into playing clubs and stuff. It’s insane because I’m really proud of the peer group I have because no one’s in it for the money, it’s only for the love, and that’s why it’s miraculous that we’ve seen any sort of amount of success.

do music, you know? It was a really great thing that gave me peace and I’m still able to keep playing so every day is a really great day.

What are your plans for after the Never Shout Never tour?

I’m going to be on the entire Warped Tour on the Acoustic Basement Stage. That again was something I grew up going to…

At this moment, a gentleman walks up by the name of George Sims and said “Hey That’s amazing. Tell me man, I hate to interrupt but I saw you last night and great songs and the direction that I about your background.

When did you start playing job. Great music, awesome take them into the art. They are really wonderful people to music and what inspired you style and we really enjoyed it.

We we’re in Austin last night work with and I think it’s even to do it?

I started playing guitar when and came to Dallas to see you better to work with people tonight and we’ll see you in that are your friends, so to do I was 11 or 12 and I started playing in bands shortly after. Houston tomorrow as well!” a project like that is a really I’ve been playing shows since nice document of our friendI was about 12 or 13 and then Well that’s really cool, haha, ship, our relationship, and in 2010 I thought I would try do you have that happen a where we’re at musically. It lot? was a really cool thing to share doing music full time and I just started touring, and I just You know, last night was realwith people. I think we have didn’t stop. Now I’m getting ly cool because hardcore kids the same attitude. They just ready to work on my very and punk kids don’t want autohave a really generous spirit about their work so it’s really first full-length which will be graphs and last night I signed coming out in the fall under people’s faces, t shirts, and awesome to collaborate with Run For Cover Records. But shoes. Multiple people walked people like that. it’s been a long journey, I’ve up to me and said “Can you Do you think that album helped you get a lot of expo- been a part of a lot of different sign my face?” which is like, things whether it’s music or a sentence you never expect to sure and gain new fans? not music. I was a photograhear said aloud. Those words Yeah, definitely! I think with pher and an art student before in conjunction with one antheir second record happenother I just never anticipated ing, and for me I’m starting to this. I had a lot of fun doing that but I always felt called to in my life I’d hear. It’s crazy, inspirer magazine | 41

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Dallas to the rest of the world.

Have you done any fundraising or tours that help these kinds of causes?

Oh yeah. The first US tour was a complete DIY tour for ten weeks across the entire United States where we collected signatures, handwritten letters, scheduled lobby meetings, and have community discussions at my shows.

We would show film and photography, and I would sing and we would talk about this issue of child soldiers in central Africa. Through the efforts of the advocacy movement here in the United States we were able to get a strategy funded to get humanitarian aid to the people affected by the LRA and get rehabilitation and settlement aid and also actions to take down the rebel leader Joseph Kony, who’s been committing these atrocities for over 25 years. This is not the only issue that’s important to me, but it was something that I really felt the need this is a totally different experience. Like I to say something about as a musician and as was saying before, I come from a punk DIY scene. I’m also involved with a lot of different a human being. At my shows, we would talk about the history of the conflict and what we advocacy causes whether it’s like issues with could do here in the United States and at the homelessness, or trying to get people affordend of the night during the community disable education in the inner-city of Harrisburg cussion we would say “these are the tools to or all across this country, to international issues that are really important to me like human control not only this issue, but any issue that trafficking or the act of child soldiers overseas you care about”, so every night people would . Especially human trafficking, I’ve been read- share what they were passionate about and what sort of causes they were interested in and ing a lot about people taking steps to kind of it was amazing to go across the entire US and correct our policy and really bring that to an hear that everyone cares about something, that end. Those sort of social justice issues sort everyone has a heart for something. We grew of form the way that I try to do music, and I up in a society that’s so negative, cynical, and do that by just really being honest and using jaded and it’s so easy to act like that. We are music to communicate ideas and share with acting that way as a society because it’s so people. Music has this incredible potential to be a spark for people, to be a starting point for difficult to see the injustices of the world, so change in your life personally, and also exter- you get cold and you grow hard from that, but nal change. We’ve seen music have the ability truly deep down I believe we care more than we ever lead on that we do and it’s important to unite people and build bridges so I want to be a part of that side of music. It’s awesome to that we talk about it so people can connect have the opportunity to contribute from here in and really start to make change. The concert 42 | inspirer magazine

experience can be a source for change because it’s definitely been a spark in my life. I’m only here today because I saw bands when I was a kid, because I listened to records when I was a kid, it gave me something to really channel myself through and that’s what I’m really pushing for, for people to express what they care for and it will really make a difference.

at people by stereotype, or what bands they like or what clothes they’re wearing, people are just people to me. It ultimately just comes back to that same message to just stay positive and doing your own thing and benefiting the world through that. That’s what I have to say to people at every show and in every city.

Tell me a little bit more about how you got What bands or artists were you listening to the change to do the Warped Tour this as a kid that really made you want to do this summer? kind of thing?

Actually my friend Bryan was putting together Growing up I would listen to Motown, R&B a stage and he asked me to do it. I wasn’t restuff, folk music, like Otis Redding or Sam ally sure how I felt about it because in previCook, these artists are talking about humanous years I don’t think it would have made a ity struggle. As a teen I was really into NAS, whole lot of sense to have an acoustic stage Outkast, since we’re in the south UGK, haha, on a metal tour, but this year I have so many I was into artists like The Clash, Papaghandi, of my friends playing like Into It Over It, just a really big mix of stuff and it really who I did a split record with, he’s playing on shaped my world views and what people talk my stage. I also have friends like Title Fight, about.

Transit, A Loss For Words, and so many others who are doing the tour as well. When I was What do you want readers to know about 12 or 13 going to Warped Tour and having my you? mind blown, I was like “man, I would love to Well, I want people to know I’m working on do that”. That’s why I ended up being a young a house show record. I put one out a couple of musician, that was my dream, but what I didn’t years ago called “Spring Song Volume 1” and think of was I’d being playing Warped Tour I’m working on a second installment and it’s with all of my friends, that’s just insane to all recordings of house shows. Since that is my me. I get to spend a summer on Warped Tour background I wanted to do something that cel- with some of my best friends and that’s what ebrated DIY music and my roots, but also say- it’s about to me. It’s not about the money, it’s ing to people that “You can make music hapabout friendship and self expression, and about pen anywhere, you just have to be creative.” the music.

I know Never Shout Never fans are mostly young people and young people are extremely influenced by artists and bands that they listen to and look up to so what is your message you want to send out on this tour to these young people?

My goal doesn’t change verses audiences, I don’t define people by race, religion, sexual orientation, age, or gender, I also don’t look

Koji’s albums, including Spring Song Volume 1, his record collaboration with La Dispute, and his joint record with Into It Over It are available for purchase at http://colormake.bigcartel.com/ and you can check out the rest of his tour dates with Never Shout Never as well as his Warped Tour Dates at http://kojisaysaloha.com/. inspirer magazine | 43

album REVIEWS by joseph baker

the shins PORT OF MORROW It has been five long years since The Shins released their last album “Wincing the Night Away,” but that’s not to say James Mercer hasn’t been a busy man.

Mercer (the founder, songwriter and sole remaining original member) has spent this long hiatus establishing his new group The Broken Bells with Gnarls Barkley alum James Burton (Danger Mouse). Thankfully he has revitalized the Shins lineup and unveiled a new album entitled “Port of Morrow” released on March 20, 2012

overall rating::

4/5

Mercer has taken a bolder step than is typical of The Shins with a prevalent incorporation of electronic euphony. The electronic dabble is apparent from the moment you first listen to the opening track “Rifle Spiral” and becomes more and more prevalent until you come across the song “Bait and Switch” which is an ambient dance between old and new world Shins. In the second half of the album Mercer returns to his roots with songs characteristic of the old Shins idioms. I must admit I was very skeptical of Mercer’s ability to produce on this latest venture but to my delight, I’m pleased to say he has come through. Port of Morrow is a taste of classic Shins seasoned with a hint of new Mercer and the compliant is a savory flavor the musical community will enjoy.

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rusko SONGS

In recent years the musical spectrum has been under attack from the head banging, bass belting, musical entity known as Dubstep. Thanks to entrepreneurs like Rusko, Dubstep has evolved from a Drum and Bass sub-genre, in the underground clubs of Britain, to the mainstream force we know today.

Rusko released his second album “Songs” on March 26, 2012.

Just as the Dubstep genre has been evolving so are the DJ’s, who are looking for the next big sound to infuse with their brand of Womp and Wobble. Rusko is no exception to evolution and exploration of new sounds. From the moment you here the intro to “Songs”, you realize this is going to be primarily a Reggae/Dubstep fusion album and for some this might be a good change of pace from his typical voice but for most not so much.

Rusko’s direction becomes even more confusing for the Dubstep faithful with the dance tune “Thunder.” Mercifully Rusko isn’t fully committed to his reggae venture in the tunes “Somebody to Love” and “Opium” which are more of the style Rusko fans have come to know and love. For me the album is a lackadaisical effort from one of the “Godfathers” of the Dubstep movement.

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2.5/5

paul van dyk

When it comes to Electronic Music Paul Van Dyk. Van Dyk has spent th izing dance music, remixing countle and spending his nights performing a five-year hiatus since his last albu latest installment entitled “Evolution

“Evolution” is a largely collaborativ from Owl City and Russian DJ/Prod first open up “Evolution” you cannot of the concepts that shaped his olde pecially apparent in the hard-hitting ately transported to the dance floor w Way” and “A Wonderful Day” work th Van Dyk’s best album there is still s the simple elegance behind the albu gests, a look at the musical evolution halls and radios around the world fo

overall rating::

jack white BLUNDERBUSS Over the last 20 years Jack White has established himself as one the most successful and brilliant musical minds of our generation and he has done so without selling his soul to the tragedy that is today’s mainstream Pop music.

Throughout the course of his odyssey, Jack has formed three highly successful bands The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather. Now for the first time Jack is taking some time away from his previous endeavors to pursue a solo career. His first studio album “Blunderbuss” was released on April 24, 2012.

Over the course of his career Jack White has made a name for himself as a world class guitarist and he doesn’t shy away from that title in the second track “Sixteen Saltines” as he rips right into a guitar venture taken straight from the pages of the 70’s hard rock era. Jack slows things down a bit with the acoustic ballad “Love Interruption” and “Hypocritical Kiss’’ a tragic track featuring a chilling piano melody. Jack picks things up in the later half of the album with a barrage of guitar and piano riddled tunes like “Weep Themselves,” riding this storm until the albums untimely conclusion. To put it bluntly “Blunderbuss’ is the best album to come out thus far this year and it will be a hard task for any to remove it from its podium. “Blunderbuss” is an emotional Blues/Jazz/Rock infused rollercoaster ready to lift the hearts and minds of all brave enough to take the ride.

overall rating::

4.5/5

EVOLUTION

c few names demand more respect than he better part of his 40 years revolutioness tunes, releasing four studio albums, to hundreds of devoted fans. Following um Paul Van Dyk has returned with his n.”

ve album with the likes of Adam Young ducer Arty joining Van Dyk. When you t help but feel Van Dyk has pulled some er music into this album. This idea is esg Trance tune “Verano.” You are immediwhen the heart pounding tunes “All the heir way into your ears. Though this isn’t something completely engrossing about um. “Evolution” is just what the title sugn of a DJ that has been infecting dance or decades.

3.5/5

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live review:

Koji & Never Shout Never by: rachel martin

On April 21, 2012 I arrived at the House of Blues around 4pm for an interview with Never Shout Never’s opening act, Koji, and there was already a massive line of fans for the 7pm show. This was the second night of the Never Shout Never acoustic tour and, like most of the dates on this tour, was completely sold out.

The room got quiet as it was getting closer to 8pm and Koji was preparing to take the stage. When the time came, he grabbed an acoustic guitar he borrowed from Christofer Drew of NSN because his was stolen after an unfortunate break in a few days before.

He introduced himself and right off the bat his charming personality won over the mostly teenage audience. Koji started his set with a song about autumn titled Hemlock. I was familiar with this song from a YouTube video I had watched the day before and was impressed to see that he is just as talented live, if not more, than he is in recordings. He then graced the crowd with an ear pleasing tune titled Matches, which can be found on his split with the Chicago based band, Into it. Over It. His modesty was apparent when he couldn’t stop smiling after he admitted how fun it was to hear the fans yell after he teased them about the Austin, TX crowd being louder. One thing I love about artists like Koji is they don’t know how good they actually are and it’s amazing to witness his awe as he can’t believe the size of the audience that’s appreciating his art. After a few more songs, Koji impressed the audience with a flawless cover of Bob Dylan’s Wagon Wheel. His contagious smile once again shined as the crowd sang along with him and the acoustic guitar. He ended his set with Spring Song and it was amazing to watch his connection with the fans as he taught them the lyrics to the chorus and the sound of everyone singing was breathtaking.

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The young fans waited not so patiently as the half hour set up for Never Shout Never was taking place. Christofer Drew Ingle, accompanied

by Taylor MacFee on bass and Hayden Kaiser on drums, ran on the stage like a lost boy from Neverland in his all white ensemble with his bare feet and two red lines painted under each eye. Chris, like Koji, has this smile that never leaves his face when he’s playing in front of his devoted fans.

They opened the show with a new song called Til’ The Sun Comes up and his devoted fans already knew most of the lyrics. They sang along ecstatically and the audience erupted in cries of approval. A few songs into the set Chris asked the fans what they would like to hear next, and the majority went with the band’s first hit, Big City Dreams. Chris confessed that was the first time the band had never not played that song last. The band then transitioned into a few favorites, including Can’t Stand It. I even caught parents singing along to this catchy tune. Another crowd pleaser, Time Travel, was a peak of the set, being the song that named the title of Never Shout Never’s album that was released in 2011. As they ran off stage, the fans called Chris’s name and he ran to meet them and kissed their hands and thanked them for their gratitude.

The devoted crowd was engaged the entire show which is hard to do for some tours. I feel like both of the artists’ musical styles complimented each other beautifully. They connected with the audience in a way that’s not seen at a lot of concerts anymore, which is an amazing thing to see.

You still have a chance to catch a show on the tour/ as it doesn’t end until May 17 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. You can also check out Never Shout Never at Bamboozle in New Jersey on May 19 and Koji will be playing the Acoustic Basement Stage on this summer’s Warped Tour.

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NEWS

The It Gets Better Project:

A Youth Empowering

Movement 52 | inspirer magazine

by: lubna safi

As a teenager, feeling that you don’t belong is hard enough without taunts and harassment over your difference. Bullying and its repercussions are hard to stop but Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller have found a niche in awareness. ​In September of 2010, Savage and Miller launched the It Gets Better Project, an Internet based movement, in response to suicides by teenagers who were bullied because they were gay.

September 2010, saw the tragic death of Billy Lucas, a 15 year-old from Indiana, who hanged himself after enduring intense bullying from his classmates. The first video of the project was posted by Savage and Miller around twenty days after Lucas’ death.

The project’s goal is to prevent suicide among teens by giving gay adults the opportunity to convey the message: that it gets better, that their lives will improve. ​ “I wish I could have talked to this kid for five minutes,” Savage wrote on his blog, “I wish I could have told Billy that it gets better. I wish I could have told him that, however bad things were, however isolated and alone he was, it gets better.” His wish has fed the pulse of the project, encouraging many groups and individuals to do the same. ​ A month after the launch of Savage’s video, President Barack Obama posted his own video reiterating the message and condemning bullying of all kinds. “I don’t know what it’s like to be picked on for being gay, but I do know what it’s like to grow up feeling that sometimes you don’t belong,” Obama said. “You are not alone,” he continued later on in the video, “You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t do anything to deserve being bullied. There’s a whole world waiting for you filled with possibilities.” ​ The encouraging and hopeful message of the video has been restated in over 40,000 video responses that have been posted to the site as well as to Youtube and the number is only growing. ​Videos have also been created by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Adam Lambert, Anne Hathaway, Colin Farrell, Matthew Morrison of “Glee”, Joe Jonas, Ellen DeGeneres, the staffs of The Gap, Google, Facebook, Pixar, the Broadway community, and many others.

In the beginning of April this year, Baylor University students posted their own version. The 22 students of the Birmingham based school created the video to send the message out to struggling gay students who are also Mormon. ​ “We’re trying to live it and create new spaces for us to be gay and Mormon and be active in the church,” said Adam White, 21, “That in and of itself is an ’it gets better’ message.” ​ The statistics for bullying are staggering.

Nine out of 10 gay teenagers experience bullying and harassment at school, and gay teens are four times likelier to attempt suicide. Many LGBT kids who do kill themselves live in rural and suburban areas, places with no gay organizations or services for queer kids. ​ The project gives these teens somewhere to go when they need support. “ItGetsBetter.org is a place where young people who are lesbian, gay, bi, or trans can see how love and happiness can be a reality in their future. It’s a place where our straight allies can visit and support their friends and family members. It’s a place where people can share their stories, take the It Gets Better Project pledge and watch videos of love and support.”

Awareness and support are the anchors of the site and the community is growing fast. The wish to inspire hope among teens who are being harassed because of their sexual orientation remains the project’s number one goal. ​ “Today we have the power to give these kids hope,” said Savage, “We have the tools to reach out to them and tell our stories and let them know that it does get better.”

The site has received over 40 million views all around the world, prompting presenters in over 10 countries and most of the European Union. ​“For us, every video changes a life. It doesn’t matter who makes it.” inspirer magazine | 53

NEWS

Motivation of Chevron allegations in Brazil: Nationalization or Human Rights by: brandon kampert

T

his year, Brazilian

prosecutors filed criminal charges against 17 executives of oil company Chevron and drilling contractor Transocean built upon police and prosecutors reports. The unsettled criminal case also includes a 11 billion dollar environmental lawsuit, the largest Brazilian lawsuit in history. Chevron has already been fined 110 million dollars by environmental and oil regulators.

The charges on file are in relation to the 3,000 barrel (110,000 gallons) leak in Frade field near an offshore well about 75 miles off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although, the leak did not reach the shore. The charges include:

“Failure to realize protocols to contain the leak, failure to take steps to kill the well and stop the drilling process, breach of licenses, legal norms and regulation, including altering documents, and failure to meet legal and contractual duties.”

The prosecutor Eduardo Santos de Oliveira in a statement said, “The

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leak affected the region’s maritime ecosystem, could lead to the extinction of species and jeopardize the area’s economy. Chevron have caused a contamination bomb with a prolonged effect… They knew they were drilling in a highpressure area and that the walls of the well could not withstand that pressure.”

ezuela and other countries, whenever President Chavez nationalized his countries oil.

Essentially, he’s accusing this prosecution as of the same manner of what happened in Ven-

The prosecutor has answered to the allegations of being an advocate of nationalization, “I

But those accusations center around Brazilian state-run energy giant Petrobas that is owns 30 percent of the Frade oil field has made larger and more damaging oil spills than the spill by Chevron last year.

In 2001, for example, whenever

Prosecutor Oliveira has Petroba’s p-36 oil platform excertainly been accused by others for ploded and sank in 2001, killing being a advocate of nationalization 11 workers and made a spill three and anti-foreign business. times larger than Chevron. Oliveira Adriano did pursue The leak affected the region’s Pires, head civil damof energy maritime ecosystem, could age against thinktank, Petroba. In lead to the extinction of Brazilian a statement, Infrastructhe said, “Our species and jeopardize the ure previous efarea’s economy.

Institute, forts former oil regulator claims, “These succeeded on paper but nobody has charges are being used by those been punished. I want to do better who want to shut out foreign inthan that.” He said that Petrobas has vestment and vilify foreign compa- been successful in deferring most nies.” payments in that case.

don’t care if the company is American or Brazilian or whatever. This is about protecting the environment where I live.”

sponded appropriately and responsibly to the incident. Chevron will vigorously defend the company and its employees. “

Fabio Sclair, head of the Brazilian Federal Police’s Environmental Division in Rio, part of the investigation made a statement as well, ”They could not and should not have been drilled under the conditions presented in the area.

All indications are that a desire for profits led (Chevron) to take the prohibitive risk.”

Eric Smith, offshore oil expert at Tulane University responded to this situation:

A prohibitive risk? The allegations are that Chevron simply ignored the signs that the drilling could blast through rock and the seabed as they tapped into a highpressure reservoir in an area whose faults and fissures made it prone to an underground blowout. Chevron has claimed its encountered reservoir pressure levels were far above those in previous wells.

Aside from the quarrels of politics, that is not the problem.

The problem is environmental and how some of these oil companies operate and should be held accountable for such things to formulate environmental standards that better suits the environment.

Chevron spokesman Kurt Glaubitz made a comment regarding these allegations, “ these charges are outrageous and without merit. Once all the facts are fully examined, they will demonstrate that Chevron and its employees re-

“If you start locking up executives, people back in other oil companies like Shell, BP, ENI and anyone else with a concession in Brazil will notice and become wary.”

President of Brazil depicted that at a swearing in ceremony for the new head of ANP, “ On this question there can be no exceptions to being within safety limits and knowing them, to never test them and never go beyond them.”

seepage that was spotted earlier in the month. It’s where the spill took place last year.

Earlier, in this month of April, the prosecutor has filed a second lawsuit on that situation. Santo de Oliveira said, “ the second leak is as serious or more serious than the first, so the damages have to be in the same category.”

The new lawsuit includes the prevention of Chevron and Transocean from operating in Brazil, transferring Brazilian profits oversea, and obtaining govt. backed finance and moving equipment from the country.

In other news, Chevron is upheld for a 18 billion dollar historic lawsuit this year for a deliberate contamination of the Ecuadorian Amazon and has been in an 18 year long legal battle by at least 30,000 indigenous peoples that has suffered under these conditions.

On March 15th, Chevron confirmed that there was a new oil

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NEWS

Porn: When women hear the word “porn,” there is often a sense of embarrassment and even discomfort. It is rare to find a woman who is generally familiar with the world of porn, and even more so to hear a woman speaking openly and willingly about it. The adult video industry, however, is experiencing a wave of feminism that may be revolutionizing the way that women view, perceive, and think of porn.

Numerous female filmmakers and directors are now infiltrating a once male-dominated industry, reviving a feminist porn movement that began in the 1980s. These women have come in hopes of reconstructing the image of the porn business by providing the content, characters, and diversity that women yearn for.

By doing so, they are hoping to put a positive spin on the industry that has been seen as a negative impact on our society.

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It is not so much that porn itself is “bad,” but that is has altered the male perception of what is attractive. Porn stars are idolized for their primarily artificial appearances, giving males false standards for what their women should be like, and lowering the confidence of our

nation’s everyday women. Female porn writers and directors are steering away from these superficial

Not Just for Men

Anymore

BY ELLA GOLDSMITH standards, casting members that according to erotica writer Erika Lust “don’t necessarily conform to the typical big-boobed, tiny-waisted ideal; some sport armpit hair. They look more like the average woman walking down the street or standing in line at Whole Foods than “porn stars.” These women are asking the world, can porn truly be feminist?

If you imagine “feminist” porn as soft, delicate, gentle, wholesome, and romantic, think again. While this is the case in many female porn creations, part of the feminist movement is allowing females to explore their most graphic fantasies and desires. This means that these films can rage anywhere from hardcore lovemaking to bondage. The actresses are “diverse in shape, size, sexual orientation, age, and race than in mainstream pornographic movies, but that the performers engage in sexual behaviors they enjoy.” This

makes the films more realistic and caters much more to the needs of women, as opposed to the one-dimensional porn for heterosexual males.

Feminist adult videos, while still not mainstream, have begun to gain a vast audience around the world.

This genre of entertainment even has its own awards ceremony. The Feminist Porn Awards, now in its seventh year, “acknowledge, celebrate, and endorse films and filmmakers that are redefining what porn can be,” says Goodforher.com’s Carlyle Jansen. The ceremony has been highly successful and has a slew of categories ranging from best transsexual, to best lesbian, and even the “Best Straight Movie.”

The adult video industry, however, is experiencing a wave of feminism that may be revolutionizing the way that women view, perceive, and think of porn.

As the world continues to question the boundaries of sexuality and exploring our previous ways of thinking, it is no doubt that the idea of female-oriented porn will play a significant role. For more information on this movement, please visit http://goodforher.com/feminist_porn_awards.

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NEWS

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THE CITY OF LIGHTS TURNED HEAVEN ON EARTH by: grace abboud

H

emingway once stated, “Il n’y a que deux endroits au monde où l’on puisse vivre heureux: chez soi et à Paris.” Translated, this means, “There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris.”

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NEWS So, when I first heard that I would finally be getting my chance to fly out to Paris on April 30th, 2012, I couldn’t hide my overwhelming excitement. After dedicating over five years of my life to learning the language, appreciating and cooking the fine art of French cuisine, and following every French fashion show known to man, I encompassed more eagerness than a starving artist to see Paris with my own eyes, and feast on every bit of beauty the city had to offer.

It is only now that I’ve returned from my trip that I can fairly say that everyone should travel to Paris, if only once, to gain a sense of what passionate living feels like.

Nothing feels as luxurious as a day in Paris, I can promise you. Sitting at a café while people watching and sipping on a deep burgundy wine, I found myself encircled in a haze of constant cigarette smoke that mixed sweetly with the never-ending murmur of surrounding cafes and shops, bustling with Parisians of all sorts. The Parisians are the heart and soul of the city, and while watching a cluster of elderly gentlemen playing cards and arguing about philosophy one night, one man looked up and “Il n’y a que deux ensmiled, droits au monde où l’on offering a raspy puisse vivre heureux: but kind chez soi et à Paris.”

“Bon soir mademoiselle.” It is actually the kindness and playfulness that I notice most about the locals – although warned my entire life that the French tend to be “snobby”, I found that I noticed more laughter, hand holding, and kissing than I ever have in the States…a refreshing change from my every day, stressful, jam-packed life.

It is now that I’m comfortable to say that Hemingway may have been right…Paris seems to bring the life out in people. Whether it’s because of the bustling streets, the noisy cafes, or the fact that people tend to drink wine at every hour of the day, once experienced, Paris has a hold on your soul forever. I couldn’t be luckier to have found my little heaven on Earth, and urge each and every one who can: Go to Paris, sit back at a café, order a glass of wine, listen to the buzz of the language, and close your eyes. You might be surprised with just how charmed you’ll be.

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NEWS

Fakhra Younas: One Life, Two Deaths by: sandra kasper THE ATTACK

WHO WAS FAKHRA YOUNAS? Fakhra Younas was born into a poor family in Karachi, Pakistan.

She worked from a young age as a "dancing girl," which is a Pakistani euphemism for a prostitute. She became a mother as a teenager.

In 1997, life for eighteen year old Fakhra completely changed. She married Bilal Khar, a member of one of Pakistan's best known political families. This marriage, which most would consider to be every Pakistani girl's dream, was riddled with unhappiness and allegations of domestic violence.

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In 2000, Fakhra sought safety and peace from her estranged husband at her mother's home. One night while she was sleeping, two men broke into the home and doused Fakhra with acid. When she wiped her eyes, she witnessed her husband Bilal Khar running away from the room.

Shortly after, she collapsed.

This brutal attack horribly disfigured Fakhra: burned the hair off of her head, fused her lips, blinded one eye, obliterated her left ear, and melted her breasts.

Khar, who was the son of the former Pakistan governor, was acquitted of all charges. Fakhra spent over three months in the hospital, and then, she returned to her husband.

MOVING ON In 2001, Fakhra finally left Bilal Khar, and she wanted

to leave Pakistan behind as well.

Pakistani authorities made sure to create obstacles for Fakhra that hindered her hopes of leaving Pakistan. However, the former wife of Khar's father, Tehmina Durrani, campaigned on behalf of Fakhra, enabling her to gain a passport to travel to Italy.

TWO DEATHS While in Italy, Fakhra endured 38 surgeries to repair her horribly disfigured face and body. Tehmina Durrani commented,“I have met many acid victims. Never have I

seen one as completely disfigured as Fakhra. She had not just become faceless; her body had also melted to the bone.� The progress made by the surgeries may have somewhat reassembled Fakhra's image; however, she was unable to let go of the painful memories. Her scars were permanent reminders of the horrific attack and the injustice she suffered. Fakhra committed suicide of March 17, 2012 in Rome, Italy.

Although Fakhra Younas has passed, both her name and her suffering will be remembered. On March 27, 2012, Pakistani Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution seeking "comprehensive and dedicated laws" against anyone found guilty of throwing acid on human beings.

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A DIFFERENT WORLD by monique freemon

Everyone has a dream. My dream is to be a fashion designer. All I want to do is live, breathe, and eat fashion.

Unfortunately, this dream has been put on hold, while I work on my B.A. in Communications, but that still doesn’t mean I can’t expose myself to the fashion world in different ways.

This story actually starts last year when I found out about Nashville’s Fashion Week. (Yes, they do have a fashion week.) I desperately wanted to go, but due to school and work, I wasn’t able to attend. I promised myself that next year I would go. I kept looking out for ticket sales online and I bought two tickets- one for my sister and I. I have to admit, for the next three weeks, I was ecstatic and nervous at the same time. I love fashion but for once in my life I couldn’t figure out to wear.

My sister and I were going to spend the whole day in Nashville. We were going to first go to the Mall at Green Hills to see and listen to Tim Gunn talk about fashion and style (two completely different terms). I had to make sure that I was comfortable yet stylish. I decided to wear a pair of skinny jeans (City Streets), a cream see through bell sleeve blouse (a.n.a.) and a pair of taupe oxfords (Xxappeal).

We first went to the mall and it was amazing.Tim Gunn talked about how to style your body types, talked about his experiences being on Project Runway, discussed Spring fashions and also answered questions from the audience about colors, necklines, and silhouettes.Then after talk came picture time.The only catch was people who wanted a picture had to spend $150 at Juicy Cou

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FASHION

ture, Lucky Jeans, and/or Kate Spade.Well thanks to my wonderful sister, we got our picture, even though I had to force her to take it with me. She knows how much I’m a diehard fan of Project Runway, fashion, style, and Parsons New School (not just because it is on the show). He was very nice and sweet. I told him I was a big fan, but I was super nervous. Not only did we get a professional picture, but my sister handed one of the women her phone and she took a ton pictures when we met him.Then we receive a “free” signature tote that said,“What would Tim Gunn do?”All in all it was one of the best days of my life so far.

The next few hours until the fashion show, we drove around Nashville, grabbed a bite to eat at Pie in the Sky, and went to shop at Burlington Coat Factory.

We arrived early be-

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cause the “doors,” which were really elevators, opened a 7:30 p.m. and the show started at 8:00 p.m. I think everyone was so excited that we all started to head to the elevators, even though nobody told us to.

Then at exactly eight on the dot, the elevator doors started to open.There were four of them out of the dozen that were available (the other elevators led to different floors).

When the doors opened it was a whole different world.The entrance to the floor was a wide hall draped with white curtains on each side.They at first illuminated a cerulean blue from the ground up.

After you went through the doors, the lights start to turn red.We took a right and there was the 360 degree view of Nashville,TN on the 21st floor. I have seen views that were amazing and breathtaking, but for some odd reason I felt the same way.The

whole floor looked more like a studio/ penthouse apartment- concrete floors, black ceiling, full glass windows, etc.There were four bars- two on each side to serve the guest and they were going around offering ordouvres.

My sister and I had soda, because we don’t drink, let alone we don’t have the desire to drink.

As I was throwing my napkin way and placing our empty glasses on the tray, I noticed that we under dressed just “a little.” Almost every single woman on that floor had a dress or skirt on with a pair on heels. Also everyone was taller than us (in heels) which is weird. I’m 5’6- 5’6 ½ and my sister is 5’7 ½, which is not short, but not tall either. Everyone was talking and mingling, and I was just observing and thinking. I was thinking could I really be in this world…could I survive in this world? I’m not

the type of girl who likes to wear heels (used to though), short dresses, and skirts. I like to experiment with fashion; I like to wear colored tights, combat boots, Converse, mix patterns, etc.Then I started to think I can handle this business, I can do this! I’ll just be different; it’s kind of funny in a way. When I do become a fashion designer, I'm mostly likely going to be very mellow and chill, probably go get a bite to eat at a small café with some friends, then an after party with a bunch of people I do not know.

To some this might seem odd that I call this a different world. I find it different probably because I have not been exposed to it, except for watching television shows and rewatching The September Issue and The Devil Wears Prada over and over again.

Anyways, at the end of the night I had a pretty amazing day.

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L-R// Kal Rieman, Magid Bernard, Sylvia Heisel, Randi Rahm

FASHION

Courtenay Smith by: lena petersson

This month we present Courtenay Smith. She is a young designer of 29 years old, and she works as a waitress and writer in Winchester, Virginia, USA. However, she also customizes shoes for ETSY.

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We chose to show two pairs of her Vans that show off her hard work and creativity. We then interviewed her about these pieces.

Who is your favorite designer?

My favorite designers are not afraid to take risks: I love New York Couture (which is found on Etsy), vintage Anna Sui, Cacharel and Azzedine Alaia. I love a style which is playful yet bohemian, very gyspy butterfly.

Your inspirations?

I have so many inspirations. I first saw Sailor Moon on TV when I was 12, and I like to say it taught me to draw because I couldn’t stop doodling anime girls after that! Music is also a huge style inspiration. By seeing musicians like David Bowie, Tommy Bolin and Katy Perry, you learn that you can express what the music means to you on your body (or on your feet)! I love big, bold colors and when my customers get my shoes, they love how they look like they came straight off a TV set, they are so bright.

Your favorite pieces in your collection?

I love everything I’ve designed, but I really love the burgers and fries shoes, because they were my first and are the reason I started this store, the cat eye shoes and a pair of black Sailor Moon heels I haven’t listed yet.

How do you define your universe?

My universe is one of taking in constant inspirations. Some of my greatest ideas actually come while seeing live music, because my entire mind and body come alive and I am burning with inspirations.

You can find her amazing shoes on her ETSY website, here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kawaiikutiez?ref=seller_ info

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FASHION

AN INTERVIEW WITH

MIA‑ DORE

BY LILLE ALLEN

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FASHION First of all, we’d like to know the meaning behind the word Miadore, and perhaps its influence on the collections and pieces. Then, what do you wish to represent as Miadore?

beautiful landscapes and living things, most of them odd looking yet still evoking a sense of elegance and style when translated to fashion.

MIADORE came from my parent’s nicknames (MIA&ADOR). It is my homage to them as my guide and inspiration. I also wanted my clients to adore my pieces as much as I did upon creating them.

My mother used to customize her own accessories during her early years as an educator. It became one of our bonding moments wherein she would allow me to strung all her beads and play dress up with her.

As Rajo Laurel states, “MIADORE represents a beautiful paradox between the raw and the refine. A combination of two different worlds translated into something precious.”

What are some of the things that inspire the pieces in your collection?

Does the culture of the Philippines influence your creations in any way?

The Philippines is blessed with

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How did jewelry design begin in your life?

With my current collection, CULT of HALCYON, the facets of crystals got me inspired. The details beneath a single cut and zooming in its amazing industrial like structure.

HALCYON means clear, which means the use of clear acrylic.

Are there stories behind each of the pieces?

Stories build a collection. Mood sets the theme and colors make up for a set. During my past collections, I was inspired by the vast skies at night, an odd looking plant and sometimes even a single stroke of a pen creates a story. As for my current collection, my love for the Aztec Civilization got me inspired. I was intrigued with how I can translate their rich culture into something modern and wearable.

And finally, how long does it normally take for one of your pieces (or entire collection) to be complete?

An entire collection needs a month to be conceptualized and another month to be produced. A piece can take up to three nights.

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paint it green by: elisa voltz

Paint In Green, created by Alicia and Christian, is a brand based in Berlin, Germany. Principally working on wood, they make gorgeous jewelry pieces. You’ll also find clocks, stamps, pillow, and many amazing necklaces like you can see on pictures. My favorite piece is probably the black necklace mustache, black and shiny, simple and edgy!

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Your first name, age, occupation

Your inspirations?

Alicia, 29, Writer, Author, Blogger

Love, Life, Music, People, Our City, Fashion,

Christian, 29, Graphic Designer

Literature, Digital Life and we get also inspired by our parents.

Your favorite designers?

Shepard Fairey, Christian´s Father Erich Kle-

How to define your universe?

ine (Illustrator, Artist), Alicia´s Mother Isa-

It´s our little handmade universe. We do what

bella Hiepler-Metz (Ceramic Artist), Jean Paul

we love and we love what we do.

Gaultier, Coco Chanel, Lala Berlin, Horn van Bö and many Street artists.

Favorite materials?

Plywood, Acrylic, Blackboard Lacquer... It’s

Your favorite pieces in your collection?

great to work and play with different materials

Alicia: My favourite piece is our wooden

and styles.

feather necklace. I´m wearing it almost every day.

SHOP HERE : http://www.etsy.com/shop/

Christian: The Chalkboard Clock, because I

paintitgreen

can write my own Time.

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B •

BEAUTY TIPS KEVIN MURPHY INVENTS THE COLOR.BUG

BY GIULIA BRANDIMARTI

Do you have a rock soul and want to turn you into a pop star with colored hair, but the day after you get back to real life? Now it’s possible thanks to the COLOR.BUG! These little capsules, invented by the famous hair stylist Kevin Murphy, are going crazy all worldwide, girls. To color your hair, you only have to scratch the bug on your wisps, and the work is done. The operation is quick and easy and allows you to give vent to your imagination: you can colorize only a few wisps, or just the ends, or you can use multiple colors to create an even more original effect. If you have patience you can color the entire head of hair to get a real pop-star effect, as Rihanna or Katy Perry, who is a fan of this method. More information about COLOR.BUG at www.kevinmurphy.com.au •

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”

I WANTED FULL ON COLOUR BUT WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT.

FASHION

alcoolique by: Giulia Brandimarti

Alcoolique is the brainchild of two young designers, Rocco Adriano Galluccio and Gennaro Palumbo.

The creative duo meet in Naples, the city where they lived and studied industrial design at the Fashion SUN.

After several work experiences with national and international companies, they meet again in Milan, where they pool their skills and experience in a project dedicated to the urbanwear from a point of view of haute-couture.

inspired to Italian religious tradition more feel in southern Italy for sure. This sober religious tone is smoothed by transparences and fabrics like silk, wool, cloth wool... everyone declines in indigo blue, bordeaux, ochre, grey and black.

Another couple of young designers to keep a watch!

Visit their website: www.alcooolique.it

Alcoolique wants to dig up -with a essential way-, the Neapolitan tailoring tradition, using only Italian fabrics and Italian dressmakers, promoting a culture of Made in Italy.

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FASHION

interview with

Francis Frank by: erika collado

When INSPIRER.nu first interviewed designer Francis Audelo on her innovative brand By: Francis Frank, she was best known for her distinct feather creations. Now she’s one of Etsy’s best sellers! Her latest creations have taken a modern twist entailing various chains, charms as well as an assortment of one of a kind vintage finds. This California girl utilizes simple and nature linked materials to create affordable and chic jewelry for all us fashion forward gals!

We caught up with Francis recently for an update on her latest accessories.

“By Francis Frank has begun to evolve into a new line with elements from my past collection.

Some of my newest creations are my head chains using brass chains from new to vintage with a bohemian/rocker vibe. I’ve also started working with chain cartilage ear cuffs using various charms like, skulls, and spikes as well as some cultural inspired pieces like hamsa hands and crosses. Some other new creations are slave bracelets, and chain peter pan collars as well as some new feather pieces.

I’m really excited about the beaded head chains. I

haven’t seen too many out there and very excited to offer a different spin on the basic head chain.

Some of my best sellers are definitely the head chain and the chain Peter Pan collars.”

Which creation is by far your most favorite?

My favorites are always changing... but right now I would have to say my one of a kind vintage head chains. I enjoy antiquing and thrift store shopping on my days off, so it’s really special to me when I find vintage jewelry I can reconstruct and bring back the life it once had. It can become a heirloom, to be able to pass down my jewelry to my customers and maybe one day they’ll pass it down to their children or someone special to them.

The chain Peter Pan collars are my personal favorite, how long does it normally take you to finish one of these?

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FASHION

each piece is identical to the photo and making sure your customer is 100% satisfied and know they’ll come back for more.

When you first started By: Francis Frank what were some of your ambitions for the brand’s growth?

Since I started making jewelry in 2007 my ambitions were to be in local boutiques in L.A, but since then By Francis Frank has become global selling in boutiques in Japan, Australia, and Europe to name a few. This year I want to be more active in the fashion world, so this past L.A Fashion Week I was able to participate in a show with First Communion clothing line and was able to see my designs on the runway which was really exciting!

What new items can we expect from “By: Francis Frank” this summer?

This summer my shoppers can expect pieces that include new chain slave anklets, which I gave a little sneak peek on my Facebook last night.. as well as more beaded head chains and body harnesses that I’m currently working on. By Francis Frank is gearing up to vend at local craft shows and music festivals so be on the lookout for those dates!

Find By: Francis Frank on Etsy.com!

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favorabl

clean bun

hair t SUMME

fo

airy upsweep

elegant wa

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le center part

trends ER 2012

romantic curl

or

by: yuka chiba handsome all back

aves innocent bang

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CULTURE

PHOENIX COYOTES' RAFFI TORRES SUSPENDED 25 GAMES by: lindsay king Every sports fan knows that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are very fast paced and oftentimes brutal.

On Tuesday, April 17, one of the Chicago Blackhawks' main men, Marian Hossa was carted off the ice on a stretcher after a late hit and blow to the head in Game 3 by the Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres.

Although there was no penalty on the play, four days later news that Torres has been suspended by the NHL for 25 games has surfaced.

Torres' suspension is the longest since December 2007, when New York Islanders forward Chris

90 | inspirer magazine

Simon was suspended 30 games for stomping on Jarko Ruuto's leg.

Torres could make an appeal to

league commissioner Gary Bettman.

Brendan Shanahan, NHL Vice President for Player Safety, who

was in charge of the suspension, said, "First, this violent and dangerous hit caused a severe injury. Second, Torres not only is a repeat offender as defined by the CBA, his extensive Supplemental Discipline history consists mainly of acts very similar to this one — including two this season."

Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said in a statement Satuday April 21, "Raffi plays a hard, physical game yet this contact crossed the line on what is acceptable in our game today. We hope Marian Hossa makes a full and speedy recovery as we all enjoy watching him perform. The Club accepts the NHL's decision and will focus on our game tonight."

If the Coyotes season would happen to end before

Torres' 25 game suspension was up, whatever remaining games of his suspension would carry over into the next regular season, and Torres will be banned from participating in any preseason games until his suspension is completed. Also, if Torres' suspension is not served completely before the regular season, he will have to forfeit $21,341.46 of his salary for each game of the regular-season he sits out.

"A lot of us were kind of surprised by it. A lot of us thought he was going to get 10 games or somewhere in that area," Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane said of the suspension. "To see 25, it shows the NHL wants to crack down on these kind of hits."

Hossa did not play in Game 4, and has been ruled out for Game 5. There is no set timetable for his return.

inspirer magazine | 91

CULTURE

Romantic movies: Just fo

We all know how men are when it

way of proving that you have a sensitive side

comes to choosing a movie to watch. Of

than by watching a romantic comedy? Not

course, it will involve action, stunts, and a

only does the girl see you in an entirely dif-

whole lot of explosions. However, accord-

ferent light, but while watching a movie filled

ing to a poll taken by over 100 girls, it would

with the power of love, it has been scientifi-

much more beneficial to men if they chose a

cally proven that couples will create and eve

movie with romantic influence over one filled

stronger bond and feel even closer to each

completely with masculine things.

other. In addition, not only will the couple

become more in tune with their feelings and

Think about it, women, including my-

self, love a man who can be in touch with his

emotions, but it will also add a romantic atmo-

feelings and not be shy about it. What better

sphere leading to a very amorous evening.

92 | inspirer magazine

or girls, or open to men? by: lauren laveria

If a man feels as if his game isn’t on

always a positive factor in trying to win over

track, or would even like to pick up a few

a woman, and with secrets like these, it will

tricks, all he would have to do is instead of

definitely be an added increase in possibly

listening to murky advice from his guy friends

winning your dream girl over.

and strange blogs from the internet, he can

watch a romantic movie, such as “Titanic,”

as Johnny Depp, Ashton Kutcher, Leonardo

“50 First dates,” “He’s just not that into you,”

DiCaprio, and Mark Ruffalo watch and act in

and “10 Things I Hate About You.” Believe it

these kinds of movies. If guys like that are ok

or not, but these movies can help a man with

with it, why not you?

Don’t believe it? Even great men such

new flirting techniques and help boost his self-esteem by trying new things. Romance is inspirer magazine | 93

in this issue Cover photo : Alcoolique 6: All photos by Jered Scott 14: Morgan Young, Jordan Dreyer, Adam Vass 24: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marvellous-Macc-Mello/310479046616 28: Amanda Rae Stephens, Jessie DeFlorio 34: Bennett Sell-Kline, Sandy Carson, Getty Photo, Cal for Salacious Sound, Seth Browarnik/Worldredeye.com 38: http://www.rockkent.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/koji.jpg, http://grassrootsy. files.wordpress.com/2010/01/koji.jpg, http://grassrootsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/ koji.jpg 48: All photos by Rachel Martin 52: http://www.realvail.com/images/community/original1/It%20Gets%20Better%20authors%20.jpg 55: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/21/chevron-oil-spill-brazil-fine_n_1105517. html 56: http://kalidraws.blogspot.com/2010/05/feminist-porn-awards.html, http://queeriesmag.com/index.php/2012/03/16/things-stuff-march-16th/ 58: http://www.hiren.info/desktop-wallpapers/other-mix-pictures/louvre-aglow_paris_ france, http://wikitravel.org/en/Paris 62: http://www.newslinemagazine.com/2011/03/a-burning-issue/ 88: http://www.carolinedaily.com/index.html 90: Getty Images, Nam Y. Huh/AP, Michelle Coveny/The Rising Hollywood Images for fashion articles were provided by designers and models themselves.