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fter my last final day of the fall semester, I knew 2017 would be not only challenging but a year for me to discover where I belong as a creative individual. I struggle to find the perfect response when someone asked me if I found a job yet or the infamous ‘what do you plan to do after college?’ I simply have been discovering my love for helping others and being inspired by strong female individuals who manage to support their own craft and are full of an entrepreneurial spirit. One day, I aspire to be that individual continuing to inspire young creative minds and I plan to challenge myself with new projects and visit the places that I hear stories about. The past few months, I lay in the comfort of my own bed and at times I feel like I was in a creative rut, I was simply afraid of the real world. After spending more time offline and focusing on meaningful conversations with family and friends, I am ready to face the world with what I know and what I am willing to learn more about. I guess watching Gilmore Girls opened my eyes to this discovery about myself. I am content and hopeful for 2017 and I encourage you all to welcome the new year or a new day with a positive attitude and stay open-minded. I am excited for what’s to come for Local Wolves, this issue was no exception. My team did a wonderful job and I couldn’t be prouder, be sure also to read about what ‘unity’ means to our readers. Keep your chin up, everything will be fine. Illustration by Leah Lu (Above) // Illustration by Laura Filas (Right).
Cathrine Khom founder / editor-in-chief insta / tweets / snap: @cathrinekhom
contents
Classics 07
playlist
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munchies
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p.s. positivity
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wolfie submissions
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pinpoint
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safety pinned
f e at u r e s 26
harlie
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halfnoise
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sara li
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lexie lombard
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taylor spreitler
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the griswolds
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alisha marie
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kalin white
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phoebe green
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rvrb
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sean o’donnell
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playdate
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dust to dust
ISSUE 44 // ALISHA MARIE local wolves is an monthly online and print based publication delving into the most creative minds from the world of entertainment, arts and culture. the magazine is driven by a passion for the best coverage and photography to create an adaptive aesthetic. SAY HELLO // LET’S CHAT general: info@localwolves.com press: press@localwolves.com get involved: community@localwolves.com
wolfie team founder / editor-in-chief cathrine khom copy editor sophia khom music curator sena cheung head stylist katie qian h/mua/grooming jessie yarborough publicity ashley bulayo social media caroline edwards, nicole tillotson front cover logo fiona yeung back cover logo isabel ramos cover photo karen hernandez design / illustration kelsey cordutsky, christine ennis, laura filas, lisa lok, leah lu, megan kate potter, lauren wright contributing writers sadie bell, kendall bolam, ashley bulayo, orion carloto, karina diez, meghan duncan, morgan eckel, chloe luthringshausen, hudson luthringshausen, emma matthews contributing photographers mila austin, pamela ayala, megan cencula, riley donahue, amanda harle, katy johnson, rachel kober, chris lampkins, lhoycel marie, penelope martinez, jenson metcalf, naohmi monroe, ashley yu
many thanks alisha marie @alishamarie los angeles, ca
sean o’donnell @theseanodonnell los angeles / new york
halfnoise nashville, tn @halfnoisemusic
taylor spreitler @taylorspreitler los angeles, ca
kalin white @kalinwhite california, usa
the griswolds @wethegriswolds sydney, australia
lexie lombard @lexie new york, ny
connect
phoebe green @phoebehopegreen manchester, uk rvrb @iamrvrb united states, usa sara li @saruhli lawrence, ks
localwolves.com twitter | instagram | snapchat @localwolves read online issuu.com/localwolves print shop magcloud.com/user/localwolvesmag
playlist + W I N TER 2 0 1 7 +
coverage BY sena cheung
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munchies + B O L D B E A N C O FFEE R O A STERS +
Bold Bean. These two words mean a lot in the city of Jacksonville, Florida (“The Bold New City of the South”). Bold Bean Coffee Roasters is a local coffee shop where amazing things happen. People come to gather and talk about creative ideas, reacquaint with an old friend over honey lattes, or sit on a first date talking for hours as you become warm and your coffee goes cold. Bold Bean isn’t just a coffee shop, it’s part of the Jacksonville atmosphere. COVERAGE by Kelly Martucci location: 869 Stockton StREET Jacksonville, FL 32204
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I think it’s safe to say that 2016 was the year of complete and utter disappointment, or “realizing things” as Kylie Jenner once stated. We welcomed in the year with open arms and a mindset filled with opportunity and optimism, yet we are ending with empty promises and Donald Trump as our president. In the folds of this entire turmoil, I believe it’s time we address the fact that we all are turning a blind eye on one important thing. No, it’s not actually understanding that your ex probably wasn’t ‘the one’; it’s recognizing the fact that we all are going against each other in the name of “I’m right and you’re wrong”. Although we were drowning in complete chaos, that shouldn’t be the reason we all are completely against each other. This is a positivity column, what the hell else did you think I was going to talk about?! I believe a goal we all should make for 2017 is believing in the power of unity. People spend so much time making sure that they’re opinions are much more superior and don’t take the time to hear others out. This goes for everyone and everything. Let people speak and truly try to understand— even if you have trouble being of the same mind. This doesn’t mean that you must be bound to agree with someone’s judgement, but it does ultimately gives you another prospective and in the end saves you from an argument that leads to nowhere. It’s interesting to see where conversation leads once you let others speak without completely shutting them out due to contrast. I promise it isn’t as terrible as it may seem. Sometimes listening to the devil’s advocate can shape up your own thoughts about something. I believe a goal we all should make for 2017 is believing in the power of unity. People spend so much time making sure that they’re opinions are much more superior and don’t take the time to hear others
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out. This goes for everyone and everything. Let people speak and truly try to understand— even if you have trouble being of the same mind. This doesn’t mean that you must be bound to agree with someone’s judgement, but it does ultimately gives you another prospective and in the end saves you from an argument that leads to nowhere. It’s interesting to see where conversation leads once you let others speak without completely shutting them out due to contrast. I promise it isn’t as terrible as it may seem. Sometimes listening to the devil’s advocate can shape up your own thoughts about something.
PHOTO BY JOHN PARVIN
We all must spend more time showing support and truly coming together instead of pitting ourselves against one another because of simple differences. That goes for friends, family, and even strangers. Do you know how incredible if feels to be able to have a support system there for you no matter the decisions you are making? Take some time out of your day to listen and to sincerely give back to others. We can’t expect to make a change in this hateful world by letting ourselves turn our back. In order for us to see a change, we must be the change. As my manager (shout out to you, Rana) tells me best, “team work makes the dream work!” Let’s spend a little more time this upcoming year being there for the people around us. Let’s create a support system with a foundation built on trust and hope so we don’t end up with another sh*t show we have to look back on and mourn upon. Make your 2017 about inspiring, loving, supporting, and most importantly, uniting. From the wise words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent Van Gogh
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unity + W O LFIE SU B M ISSI O N S +
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The concept of unity is vital especially as of recently. Together we can show the goodness of unity through hope and love that has grown alongside inter-community support. ILLUSTRATION (LEFT) / LAURA FILAS Let’s talk about us— our fingers and our hands. Essential parts of us that should act upon life’s misfortunes. The first we misuse carelessly; pointing and mocking what we do not understand. Why don’t we understand it? Is it different? Difference we should learn to learn of. Difference completes spectrums of variety, about life itself. But yet, we’d rather taunt faces of hurt, color— taunt love and devotion. As if we didn’t already know that a person is as sensitive and fragile as glass, as if we weren’t aware of how easily it stains— or how easy our fingerprints make it dirty. Hands however, hold and support which is all we ever need to move forward; to build walls coated with colorful paint and smiles of different shapes, because becoming a singular moment, one that’s mended with a million others, is how we fight a system against unconventional categories. These are both part of us- our fingers and our hands. Fingerprints are meant to smudge souls with influence to do good, no matter how subjective the term is- not urge others to lose their individuality. Because in the end, we’re an entity; however, mistreated and hurt. So hopefully, if we leave a little bit of our good intentions on other’s glass, they will do the same to someone else, and we will all become one. Undivided, and spreading love to whoever needs it. – NATALIA VÁZQUEZ / MEXICO CITY, MX In the wake of tragedy or disaster, our greatest source of security or light stems from unity. One of the worst feelings imaginable is when you’re going through something, and you feel so desperately alone, as if you’re the only being in this universe that feels a certain way. Unity and togetherness is what halts this self-proclaimed loneliness, and makes you realize that even though times are tough— you’re not in this alone. A lot of people are feeling this way recently, and unity is what they should use to carry them through. Certain evils may want us to stray from unity so that evil prospers, but we have to stand together to fight the power. Our differences are what make us stand out, but they should not separate us or make us stand against one another— they should unite us. – MAIA PATERNOSTRO / MORGANTOWN, WV
When I think of the word unity, I mentally picture two hands holding one another. Take a look at your hands. Now don’t be fooled, they may not look like much, but they are of great importance. These guys are what gives us the ability to hold one another, create beautiful things, comfort those in need, snap along to music you love, strum a guitar, cut a delicious slice of pizza, and so much more. In this lifetime, you will encounter different types of hands. Some will be lighter or darker than you, for they come in all shades and colors. Some will be tiny, big, or just right, because they come in different shapes and sizes. Some may have less than five fingers, chewed up fingernails, moles, scars, tattoos, are wrinkled or crippled— because behind every hand is a person who lives a different story than the other. But no matter how different they may be, they are all capable of magical things. One hand can’t carry the world, but united— we are stronger, with love— the world is lighter, and that is pretty magical. – JESS JOHNSON / NASHVILLE, TN In my 12th grade English class, we read the book The Once and Future King by T.H. White. There was one part where the character Wart explained to a goose the human concept of wars and fighting one another. The goose was obviously horrified, and asked, “But what creature could be so low as to go about in bands, to murder others of its own blood?” This question burned itself in my mind, and I also found myself thinking “Why?” Why do we hurt each other? Why do we call each other names and cause physical pain instead of loving and supporting one another? The goose then asks Wart, “How can you have boundaries if you fly?” For us as a country, heck, as a species to improve and grow instead of just falling back into the same cycle of hate and ignorance, we must get past the boundaries, the walls, that separate us. We cannot give up hope, or ignore the progress that we have made. We cannot dismiss others’ ideas because they do not match ours. Instead, we must try to understand each other, and most importantly, love unconditionally. Once we manage to get past our differences, we will realize that we are all human beings, and that we are so much stronger when we come together. – JANET HUANG / CALIFORNIA, USA
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We sat huddled on the couch in our living room, eyes glued to a CNN livestream on a 13” laptop screen flashing blue and red. As the news became known to us, mourning and grieving replaced the previous hope that had filled our optimistic hearts. We held each other’s distressed beings; it was in each other that we dealt with his win. It was with each other that we felt this loss; it is with each other that we will rise above it, stronger with every step we take together, stronger with the solidarity we preach and practice, stronger in the fight. That is the only way. – SIYA BAHAL / SAN FRANCISCO, CA
I am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community so this is a self-portrait to show that we will not be silenced and we will stand tall with pride because people are still people no matter what their sexuality or gender. – SARAH LOOK / CHICAGO, IL (ABOVE) Unity starts with us. Peace is something we can create. The power is in our words and in our actions. We can't undermine the significance of being on each other's side. Unity isn't conformity it doesn't mean we have to be the same, it just means we have to work together. For us to pursue unity we have to swallow our pride. To be able to love each other we have to look past contradictory opinions, that's what being unified reflects. It is essential to root ourselves in what is important and grow together. We fear and that leaves us divided, and once we create a bond there's no doubt that love will win. Peace will win. – RILEY MORAN & PAIGE GILLON / FORT LAUDERDALE, FL This is not the world we dreamed of. We did not dream of bigotry and discrimination. We did not dream of being killed by each other for things such as the color of our complexion. We did not dream of living in fear. We did not dream of this. We never dreamed of this. We dream of a blend of white, caramel, and chocolate. We dream of a world where all people, of all genders, races, and religions can cooperate with each other. We dream of a place where our fingers will be intertwined, and when they are intertwined, we respect and love each other. We will not let bigotry and hatred define who we are. We will fight for what we believe in, and not let anything, or anyone, stand in our way. We will love like never before. We will unify like never before. – RYAN HALL / EDMONTON, AB
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It was a chilly, spring evening when I first learned what unity meant. My friends and I drove from our high school to Cal State Dominguez Hills to participate in Bernie’s Political Rally. The vibes I felt while standing in the middle of the crowd left me breathless. I would do anything to feel that sense of complete openness and vulnerability for allowing all the passion we felt to be exposed. It was everything. That day was only eight months ago. Oh, how much has changed since then. I can’t sit at the bus stop without an anti-Trump supporter wanting to hurt a Trump supporter and vice versa. I can’t watch the morning news without seeing another violent outbreak. I can’t shake the feeling of a man spitting on my shoes for having a Bernie pin on my backpack. I can’t fathom another breathtaking experience like that from eight months ago. All I would like is for us to feel united again. All that I can do is walk past with my head held high, ignore the violence and focus my time and energy into something more positive. Unity between a country may be ruined, but this opportunity should be used as a way to unify ourselves with groups of people with the same positive views that don’t support or focus on the violence. So, stay brave. – KELCI BROOK ARELLANO / BELLFLOWER, CA (BELOW)
– MAX BAKER / SACRAMENTO, CA
– ARIEL TIDHAR / BROOKLYN, NY
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– LEAH LU
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– MEGAN KATE POTTER
my eyes are heavy i’m feeling so lost. people claim they want “a difference” but at what cost? women, minorities and LGBTQ+ alike, we all quiver in fear as we hope for more light. a nation full of love now barely lost to hate; we will fight for equality and we will not wait. we will not give up, we will not back down, we will not let our precious voices be pushed around. we know what we want so let them see us take stand. my sisters and brothers let us all join hands.
– MICAH BALLIF / SALT LAKE CITY, UT
– MADISEN GUMMER / DALLAS, TX and i saw my hopes reflected in your eyes great pools of melting sunlight which gleamed with an unapologetic passion and a shining conviction that each of us might someday come to realize that the nameless people we pass in streets and in dreams share more with us than just a sphere of rock and water come to realize that beneath our fragile skin veins trace patterns akin to butterflies’ wings yet within these spidering stained-glass vignettes flows the ambrosia of our shared unity dark red ribbons— impossible to erase connecting our souls in biological harmony and so as your eyes spoke of this truth my fingers ached with the history of millennia gone by we are one, you see born of different cultures different languages and different beliefs but stitched together by time itself our stories speak of courage and cooperation of hope and harmony and love and our future shines with the promise of progress if only our eyes are open to see it – MONICA THI / TORONTO, ON
– AVERY WARKENTIN / MONTREAL, QC
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pinpoint + BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA + COVERAGE BY SARAH COUGILL
Undeniably, there's something magical about a college town. And there's something even more magical about my college town, Bloomington, IN, an inclusive place that constantly reminds me to shop small and dream big. It's lined with coffeehouses where first dates, final essays, and gal time come to fruition over a latte (or two) and a playlist of local bands. Speaking of, there's always some sort of show going on— be it house, bar, venue, etc.
Everything about Bloomington seems to give light to the entrepreneurial spirit— the small business owners, from cold brew makers to a gourmet grilled cheese food truck, the beginning musicians, local artists, students, and many more. There's something for all to love, but there's almost nothing more fulfilling than finding the surprising beauty in alleyways, a cup of locally sourced coffee, or in the smile of a passing stranger.
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If you’ve ever seen Brigitte Bardot in a beret, there’s a good chance you were unexplainably pulled by some sartorial-magnetic force to dig through the accessory bins of your local Salvation Army until you found one of your own. At least that’s how it happened for me. Winter is the perfect time to get weird with hats, and to do some unexpected styling with something other than a tired ribbed beanie, which are great— but, come on— live a little. And wearing a beret doesn’t have to make you look like a try-hard-Parisian-poser either (maybe avoid horizontal stripes to be safe), because it’s just a hat and there’s nothing inherently pretentious about it. Patterned pants, men’s pants, a velvet dress or your favorite t-shirt are all the perfect canvas. Actually, anything you feel your best in is ready and begging for a winter-esque beret. COVERAGE BY MEGHAN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY RILEY DONAHUE BANNER BY LAURA FILAS
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LOOK 1 thrifted coaches jacket vintage ralph lauren velvet mini tuk black creepers vintage rivet beret
LOOK 3 thrifted pink blazer unif thorn crop thrifted trousers thrifted black mules vintage rivet beret
LOOK 2 thrifted white long sleeve dickies mens work pants thrifted sheer socks vans old skool sneakers thrifted wire butterfly choker vintage rivet beret
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harlie
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WRITTEN by Meghan Duncan PHOTOGRAPHy by Claire Leahy H/MUA & STYLING by Harlie & Liz Nistico
For Harlie, being a musician is so much more than jotting down catchy lyrics, booking profitable gigs, and gaining Instagram followers. Instead, Harlie treats her music as an extension of her identity— something used to make connections, overcome heartaches and make sense of a confusing and beautiful world. Songwriting and performing weren’t always a priority for the young starlet, though— Harlie spent a majority of her childhood performing on Broadway. From acting she transitioned into her career as a musician, making her one of the most show-biz-experienced millennials you’ll meet. Harlie recalls her first encounters with songwriting: “I remember writing lyrics in my journals from a very young age, but I think the first song that I wrote from start to finish— and was proud of— was when I was 18. My friend was in an emotionally abusive relationship and I wrote a song called “In The Trees” that paralleled her experience through a story about a girl who was trapped on the branches of a tree and her lover/captor wouldn’t let her leave. I remember playing the song for her, and her emotional reaction to the song was what made me think that I should continue writing.” Since that first experience of writing, Harlie has developed a habit of looking in secluded (but also conspicuous) places. She explains, “Any time I’m talking with my girlfriends about our love lives or our day-to-day problems, I’m thinking about how it could be used in a song. I think it’s such a helpful tool to listen to other people’s stories because there are periods of my life when my inspiration
is lacking so I have to draw from someone else’s life. I also draw inspiration from films and photography or looking at a stranger in a coffee shop and thinking about what their life might be like.” She took the same sentiment into writing her single “Atmosphere”, “I wrote “Atmosphere” with my producer Dayyon Alexander and it came from this idea of resisting opening your heart to someone but they have a hold on you that breaks through all of the walls you’ve built up. I feel like we all have that one person who makes us lose control and we can’t seem to shake the emotional connection. This song is about that person and I chose it as a single because it’s relatable and such an accurate description of my first experience with love. I want to be honest and personal with my music so I thought this would be a great song for my debut.” She’s learned to create a sense of effortlessness, but that doesn’t mean her work comes without hours of effort. Harlie shares a glimpse into her process with us: “I’m a preparer in my life in general so I prepare even more when it comes to writing sessions. I like to go into a session with at least a concept for a song. So I’ll usually pull from something that is fresh on my mind and that I have an emotional experience attached to. Sometimes it’s a dream I had the night before, or it’s something that’s been on my mind for months that I just need to get out. But, when I go into the session I try to drop any preconceived ideas about what the song might be and just kind of let go and see what happens. (But as a Virgo, I have to prepare!)”
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The ability to turn experience into art is not just aesthetic, but informative and progressive as well. Harlie makes a conscious effort to manifest this perspective into every part of her career. To her, it’s not a matter of comfort. Artists shouldn’t stay quiet just because it can be uncomfortable, or even risky, to speak their mind on relevant social issues. But rather, Harlie says,
“It’s the duty of artists to share our thoughts, especially when it comes to politics or social issues.” “There are a lot of young minds out there who just need some encouragement that it’s ‘cool’ to be an informed individual and care about what’s going on in the world. I will always speak out on what candidate I’m voting for or what social issue I am most passionate about without pushing my ideas onto other people. There is strength in simply sharing thoughts and having tough conversations. I myself am impassioned about equality for women and the eradication of racism within our country.”
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“I will continue to march in solidarity and vote in solidarity with those beliefs. I wrote a song over the summer after the Orlando shooting and then created an art piece/PSA video about gun violence. I think that music can connect people in violent and disturbing times and I definitely want to continue to write songs about world issues. Being an active member of society, I want to encourage young people to do the same—because our generation is so educated and powerful. My generation has the tools and the hearts to heal these social divides.” Harlie’s genuine heart is reflected in everything she makes, and perhaps this is what’s so appealing about her. She is completely herself as an artist, but also refreshingly vulnerable—letting the world know that she’s still in the process of finding answers and inviting her fans to step into that undertaking with her. You can experience for yourself Harlie’s palpable, down-to-earth vibes in the music video for her single, “Atmosphere”, which premiered in December 2016.
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halfnoise WRITTEN by Chloe Luthringshausen PhotographY by Megan Cencula
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Zac Farro is no stranger to the music scene. As former member and drummer of rock band Paramore, Farro knows what it takes to produce top-charting songs and anthemic beats. However, Farro is now paving his own path in the music industry, stepping away from the familiar powerhouse sounds of Paramore with his new indie-pop project HalfNoise. With his new album Sudden Feeling out now, Farro proves he is ready to step out from the drums and be the front man of his own musical venture. Farro’s musical career began when he was only fourteen years old, forming band Paramore with his younger brother Josh in 2004. Being immersed in the music industry at an early age taught Farro many lessons he wouldn’t trade in for the world. “I learned so much from being in that band. I learned how to record, perform, and tour,” says Farro. “But the most important thing I learned was that music is what I love doing and I don’t want to do anything besides create and perform!” As Paramore achieved global success, touring all over the world, Farro learned how to grow up on the road, both as a musician and as a person. “I met so many life long friends, saw so many different countries, and got to play music for people around the world,” says Farro. “Once I stepped away from the band I was only twenty years old, so I felt like I had another future right in front of me.” And that future is his new indie-pop project, HalfNoise. The creation of HalfNoise happened naturally, for Farro learned on tour with Paramore that he loved to sample drum beats and build his own unique tracks. “For years I have been creating loops and building tracks, so once I wasn’t touring full time, I made it my goal to finish those ideas,” says Farro. “I felt like the only way to move forward was to finish those ideas and put them out. The name HalfNoise came from a part of a song title that I thought sounded cool.”
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Thus, HalfNoise was born. After parting ways with Paramore in 2010, Farro realized that a change in scenery is exactly what he needed to help change his musical sound. It was when Farro moved to New Zealand that he discovered his true passion for creating his own music. “I learned everything about myself there. It was single-handedly the best thing for my life to date,” admits Farro. “I found myself there and found my passion for writing my own music. I found out how to enjoy life and try and find the good in everything. It truly changed my life.” Farro admits that transitioning from a band to a solo project was easy, but “the toughest part was figuring out what I wanted HalfNoise to sound like and what I wanted it to be.” Coming from the drummer of a rock band to the producer, singer, and front man of his own project, Farro admits it was a big jump at first. However, it wasn’t until Farro stepped away from the drums that he discovered his talent and passion for singing, writing, and producing. “I’m stoked that I discovered my love for creating music,” says Farro. “I love drums and will always be a drummer, but now I know that I love producing, writing and singing as well. It’s really the best of both worlds!” His recently released album, Sudden Feeling showcases Farro’s enthusiasm for writing and producing, for the songs not only allow listeners to hear Farro’s talent, but also feel his true passion for music. With a collection of songs that mix indie-electronic beats with emotionally weighted lyrics, Sudden Feeling displays Farro’s skills as both a drummer and a songwriter. “When I was writing Sudden Feeling, I was really into artists like the Beatles and the Kinks for the classic sound and songwriting, while Talking Heads and Afrobeat music influenced the percussive elements,” explains Farro.
When asked how Farro would describe his new album, he says that you can expect “upbeat indie rock/electronic songs with a lot of heartbreak and meaning in the lyrics.” One listen to Sudden Feeling and you instantly feel the warmth and sentiment behind the words. The album’s first single, “Know the Feeling” expresses the pains of losing a loved one without even a goodbye. The haunting beats mixed with the heartbreaking lyrics causes listeners to physically feel the emotional depth behind the song and relate to the feeling Farro sings about. Farro admits he always writes from personal experiences, allowing him to create music that is emotionally relatable to audiences. “When I write, music almost always comes first followed by the melodies and lyrics,” explains Farro. “Music puts me somewhere and most times it’s in a period of time I have experienced before, such as past love, both the good and the bad of relationships. It’s therapeutic for me.” HalfNoise’s new album is not only emotionally therapeutic in its lyrics, but also upbeat and optimistic in its indie-electronic sounds. Farro admits that he hopes his music “brings people good vibes and happiness.”Farro now finds himself coming full circle, revisiting the years on the road as he tours as his own solo project, HalfNoise. Farro admits that touring is hard work and takes a lot out of you, but it is all worth it when you get to play your music to different cities all over the world. “I genuinely love meeting new people and playing this record, Sudden Feeling every night. It never gets old. As soon as I play the first note, it’s all worth it,” admits Farro. He currently resides in Nashville, where the music scene is very different from his own sound. “Living in Nashville hasn’t really influenced my sound as much as my close group of friends has,” admits
Farro. “We are all like-minded people and we always show each other rad new music and art.” With a group of supportive friends, a talent for creating beats and writing lyrics, and a true passion for music, HalfNoise is on its way to global success. When asked what fans can expect from HalfNoise in 2017, Farro says, “Just more music and hopefully tons of shows!” One listen to HalfNoise’s new album, and you will have that Sudden Feeling of happiness and warmth. Farro’s music might be half noise and half lyrics, but it sure is full heart and passion.
“music puts me somewhere and most times it’s in a period of time i have experienced before, such as past love, both the good and the bad o f r e l a t i o n s h i p s .” local wolves — 33
sara li WRITTEN by Kendall Bolam PhotographY by Lauren Hakmiller
When I first saw Sara Li on social media, I thought, “This is a girl who could be friends with anyone.” Harboring a cheerful countenance and a colorful aesthetic, Sara Li is a bright ray of sunshine. A twenty-something sophomore at the University of Kansas, Li has already accomplished what many writers take years to achieve. She is the creator of her own blog, OMFG SARA and the founder of Project Consent, an advocacy group with the aim to educate others on rape culture and sexual assault. Aside from running and managing these successful projects, Li has also written for major online publications such as Elite Daily, Thought Catalog, and MTV Founders! With each new blog post and article written, Li is quickly becoming a strong voice for our generation. Having spent her early childhood years in China, Li’s whole life changed when she moved to the United States at the age of six. “I had this totally fabricated idea of what America was going to be like. To say that I wasn’t prepared for the cultural shock is an understatement. I remember entering elementary school for the first time ever and feeling rejected because it was a completely new world. I sat alone at lunch for a couple of months because to everyone else, I was just some foreigner. I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t understand the customs, and I didn’t know if I would ever belong. Even to this day, I remember the loneliness of growing up and the fear of never being able to call America ‘home.’”
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Despite the difficulties, Li is grateful for those experiences. “I think going through that experience gave me a sense of empathy that I might’ve never otherwise obtained. I have so much respect for my mom and anyone else who’s ever had to relocate and restart their lives in a brand new world. Growing up in the United States has been an immense privilege in so many ways and I’m thankful to be in a position where I can, hopefully, help others overcome their own struggles and make the world a better place.” On the subject of writing, Li describes what made her fall in love with the written word. “It’s very cliché to say, but I grew up as an avid reader and that was the start to everything. No matter what I was doing, I would always have a book in my hand. That’s where I would find my comfort and solace and joy: tucked in the pages of Harry Potter or Matilda. Writing is the only thing that’s ever felt natural to me. I like the idea of connecting to people through something that I created. I like knowing that someone a thousand miles away can read an article, a novel, or a song that I wrote and experience something that I evoked. We’re getting philosophical now, but I think that it’s art like writing that keeps all of us connected in some manner or another. I read because other people write and I write because other people read. It’s as simple and complex as that.”
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OMFG SARA, Li’s personal blog, is a place where she can be 100% herself. Each blog post contains what she describes as mostly “late night thoughts” and never falls into the same category as the last. Each post is unapologetically Li. When Li recalls her experiences with writing, she describes the amount of tenacity and fearlessness it takes to make it as an online writer.
the genuine, heartfelt response to it made me feel less alone. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had something to give the world that wasn’t taken from me. I still had power and I wanted to use that to battle the very thing that had robbed me of so much.” Combatting an issue that is too often swept into the shadows has been nothing short of life-changing for Li.
“I knew that I wanted to be a writer so I just wrote. When opportunities came, I leapt. I never cared if the odds were a million to one, if I wanted something, I went after it. No one, especially in this industry, is ever going to open the doors for you to waltz through.”
Despite the onslaught of positivity for Project Consent, that didn’t stop her from becoming more infuriated by the real, prevalent issue of sexual assault. “I don’t think people realize how badly I wish Project Consent didn’t exist. I wish that we lived in a safe world and I’m not applauded for saying ‘Hey, no one deserves to be raped’ because it’s already on everyone’s mind. But that’s not real, so I get mad. And I let that anger fuel me because I’m ready for the day when people stop making asinine excuses for rape like, ‘Oh, but she was already a slut’ or ‘Guys can’t be assaulted.’ If that means spending the rest of my life fighting for it, so be it.” Project Consent is Li’s way of creating community. It’s her way of creating a place where people can feel a little bit safer and a little less lonely. “I can’t go back and undo what’s been done to me, but I can try, every day, to make the world a little less lonely for someone else. That’s where I found my purpose and no one, not even the person who hurt me, can take that away.”
“You can spend an entire lifetime waiting for someone to ask you to work for them, but that’s lazy and unrealistic. More often than not, you have to bang (metaphorically) on their door and say, ‘Hi, I’m Sara. Let me show you what I can do.’ Sometimes they say no, but sometimes they say yes. You’ll never know until you try and if you’re not trying, you don’t love it enough.” This advice, though harsh on paper, is completely true. Li reminds us that anything and everything can be accomplished when you work diligently, and with a fiery passion. Like Li stated earlier, you cannot wait forever for someone to respond to your actions. Sometimes you must do something to create change. That is exactly what Li did. Her organization, Project Consent is the result of her insatiable desire for positive change in our society. When asked where the inspiration for Project Consent came from, Li proceeded to share her story. “I was raped when I was young by someone very close to me. As a result, I spent months and years afterward feeling unsteady and broken. What did I do? Why did it happen to me? How am I supposed to move past this? No matter where I went or what I did, I was always going to remember the night where I was reduced to something less than human. It took a long time for me to feel whole again and even longer to feel like I could be something other than my trauma. I credit most of my recovering to Project Consent. I was 17 years old when it started as a small art project; I remember sitting in my room, feeling the anger and guilt and sadness build up, and needing some sort of outlet. Project Consent was ultimately birthed out of a place of deep rooted pain but
As Li continues to live out her dreams of being the modernday Rory Gilmore, she reminds us to laugh and laugh often; to remember how lucky we are to be alive. When asked the greatest piece of advice she’s been given, Li said, “Fail hard and fail often. Disappoint and frustrate and enrage yourself until it’s 2:00 a.m. and you can’t sleep because you’re overwhelmed from the uncertainty of it all. Then grow from it. Nothing worth pursuing has ever been easy. Just months ago, a book deal of mine fell through and I thought that I was never going to write again. If I stopped with every bump in the road, I’d never get anywhere at all. So, as my friend Priyanka likes to remind me, ‘Cry. But only for two minutes. You have to get up after that.’ There is no such thing as success without failure.” Like a true millennial, Li’s future is wide open with many amazing opportunities and experiences awaiting her over the horizon. While she may not know what’s ahead of her, we can be sure that Li will continue to push the envelope and create pathways for change. She is a bright light shining on some of the darkest issues in our world today, and we applaud her for it.
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lexie lombard WRITTEN BY EMMA MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE ERNST
YouTube is full to the brim of young creatives who are trying to make it. Whether it’s a young, stylish vlogger who wants to break into the fashion industry or an up-and-coming musician who wants to share his latest tracks, new users pop up on the platform every single day. “I genuinely started creating videos because of boredom. My friends and I would film skits or music videos at sleepovers and post them the next morning. It continued from there and the rest is history,” says NYC-based content creator, Lexie Lombard. Since launching her channel back in 2010, Lombard has gained over 400,000 subscribers. All of whom are hooked on her down-to-earth videos that discuss everything from money saving tips to how to get out of a funk. One of her most recent videos is called “What High Schoolers Are Actually Wearing”. Created in various different cities, it quizzes students on their clothes and asks whether they dress for themselves or for others.
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“originality is the only authentic way to outshine everyone in an oversaturated c o m m u n i t y.�
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Trolls shouldn’t put anyone off creating their own channel though. There is a long list of things Lombard has learnt in the past six years of sharing her world online. Not only had it helped her developed her social skills, but it’s taught her how to be more business savvy. “Filming in public taught me confidence. Traveling alone at such a young age taught me independence. Participating in panels at conventions taught pubic speaking skills. Hiring managers and collaborating with brands taught me business communication skills. Being my own boss taught me responsibility!” she reassures. “My advice for anyone who wants to start YouTube is to do it for fun, though. Do it to learn about yourself. Do it if you have a message to share. Don’t just do it with the intention of getting rich or famous!”
“The series only started in October 2016 but it has a lot of potential. One of the ways I come up with ideas is by brainstorming with someone who knows little to nothing about YouTube— someone like my boyfriend’s mom or one of my guy friends from high school,” continues Lombard. “It’s easy to look on YouTube for YouTube video ideas, but that’s what created the formulaic video styles we see all the time, that’s why the community is oversaturated.” Oversaturation isn’t just the only drawback to YouTube. Every regular vlogger will know how damaging trolls can be and how easily it is for them to knock your confidence. Though online anons haven’t hit Lombard too hard, she does get them every now and again. “When I get one, I find the root of the comment’s purpose. Is it boredom? Projection of that person’s own insecurity? Is it ignorance like lack of manners or not knowing any better? Or constructive criticism?” she says. “I try to acknowledge the difference between a troll and constructive criticism. I see these two confused all too often. It’s important to use your critical thinking skills Just because a comment isn’t necessarily positive, doesn’t mean it’s a hate comment. If I’m seeing a repeated negative message dominating the comment section, I very well could be at fault.”
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taylor spreitler WRITTEN by Karina Diez PhotographY by Matty Chatburn
Taylor Spreitler was born and raised in the small town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she began taking part in local talent competitions. It didn’t take long for the young starlet to be scouted by a modeling agency. “Luckily, my mom was down for an adventure so we went to New York and I modeled for a bit. Then I decided I wanted to act so we moved to LA,” said Spreitler. Her mother’s support has been a tremendous encouragement to Spreitler throughout her life, as she expressed that her mother is, without a doubt, her greatest role model. Although she had the talent, Spreitler still came across a few challenges in the early stages of her acting career. “When I started, I was a really shy kid with a Southern accent. Those were my two biggest obstacles,” said Spreitler. “Lots of hard work and patience went into overcoming them,” she says. But overcome them, she did. Spreitler earned herself a spot on the popular daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives in 2009. Spreitler spent most of her youth growing up on the set of the television sitcom, Melissa and Joey, with Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence.
For 5 years, Spreitler played the part of Lennox Scanlon, the spunky college student who absolutely adores expressing herself through the written word. After 5 years of making audiences across America laugh, Melissa and Joey aired its final episode. “It was bittersweet. I was so sad to say goodbye to Lennox but I was also excited to see where we were all headed,” said Spreitler. “We are still very close and keep in touch often, but I miss seeing them every day.” Spreitler’s latest venture is that of the new series, Kevin Can Wait with Kevin James, which aired just earlier this year. She plays the character Kendra Gable, Kevin’s daughter who suddenly announces to her family that she will be dropping out of college in order to support her fiancé. “I feel like we are both young women trying to navigate life, work, and love. She just has a funnier way of doing it,” said Spreitler. Fans may be used to Spreitler making them giggle on camera, but she will soon be taking us to unchartered territory. Be on the lookout for Spreitler’s film, Amityville: The Awakening in January 2017.
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the griswolds WRITTEN BY SADIE BELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAIGE SARA
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After Australian alternative band THE GRISWOLDS released their shimmering breakout single “Beware the Dog,” in 2014, the band accelerated to international indie success, embarking on a coveted U.S. tour— meaning consecutive nights of wild parties, misadventures, and the reality of their childhood rock star fantasies. But once they distilled the glitz and the glamour of it all, The Griswolds came face to face with heartbreak and the destructiveness of distance, witnessing the darker side of rock-stardom that is seldom exposed. Now, with the release of their sophomore album High Times for Low Lives, the band has come to realize the benefit of engaging with both the good and bad and learning from their mistakes— a humane, mature perspective inherently fueling the band’s unceasing rise to success. “A lot of the songs [on High Times for Low Lives] are about some of the high times on the road – some of the good times and the experiences that you loved,” said lead singer, Chris Whitehall. “But I think what we really wanted to do was not just sing about the good times. We wanted to tell stories about some of the harder things we dealt with on the road.” Whitehall said, “We wanted to get really raw and honest and almost vulnerable— paint a picture that it isn’t always pretty.” The band made up of Whitehall (vocals), Daniel DuquePerez (guitar), Tim John (bass), and Lachlan West (drums) hailing from Sydney, Australia has had unabated success since their inception due to their unsystematic rhythms, bashfully catchy lyrics, and standout sound that disparages the boundaries of genre— their original style bringing them a tour with Walk the Moon, memorable festival performances, and rising radio popularity. Their latest release upholds this original sound, taking it to an ethereal level with production from another realm, encapsulated by closing track “I Want It All”, and glistening pop elements driven by the lush vocals and infectious percussion, heard in songs like “Role Models” and “Feels So Right”. “We kind of wanted to be a band that was influenced by how old school R&B and hip hop made music. They were kind of free to create whatever they wanted. We really wanted to stand out from being another indie rock band in the indie rock circle. I feel like a lot of bands are starting to sound very, very similar and we wanted to break free from that on this album.” High Times for Low Lives undulates between the extreme, effervescent highs and the inevitable crashes— it relishes in the passion, but acknowledges the pain; it is a story that expands beyond the chronicle of where the band has been and where they are going, as this story is one that resonates with everyone in one form or another.
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Whitehall said, “This album talks about experiences and whether they’re good or bad or whether they’re parties or whether they’re hopeless, darker experiences, but I think it is all in all just about living and learning from those experiences. You are going to get them. It’s inevitable that you won’t know what to expect. That’s probably the biggest lesson that I’ve learned and what this album comes back to.” Since the release of the band’s debut album Be Impressive,” Whitehall said, “I’ve learned that not all experiences, just for the sake of having fun, are always the best way to go. I think I’ve definitely learned from my mistakes and learned from some of the hurt that I put around me and into myself.” Whitehall said that when fans listen to their music, he hopes they learn to:
“able just to experience life the way you want to. Not beating yourself up if you do it wrong. At some point you have to make a choice, take the left or the right, not just stay still and not move. You have to make a decision one way or the other and sometimes that’s not easy and sometimes you’re not going to make the right decision. You just got to go through those experiences and you’ve got to learn from them.” While The Griswolds have tasted the bitterness of life on the road, it is impossible to ignore the lasting sweetness of their dream turned to reality. Whitehall said originally the band set out to get on Australian radio, hopefully connecting with people who loved their music, but “We’ve achieved that goal and so much more,” he said. “Now, having traveled the world a few times around, it’s surreal. It’s really surreal and something that we’re eternally grateful for every single time,” he said. “I think we’ve definitely achieved our goals so far. I guess the goal post gets further back as you keep pushing. You keep setting new and bigger goals.” Just as story of High Times for Low Lives goes, The Griswolds are bound to welcome more moments of bliss due to their eclectic talent and the fantasy world that they have found themselves in, even as they continue to make mistakes and face personal struggle. But through whatever comes their way, The Griswolds plan to revel in it all, as it is the amalgamation of the ups and downs that feed our experience and make it all worthwhile.
“we just wanted to create s o m e t h i n g t h a t w e l o v e .”
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m a a h r s i WRITTEN BY sadie bell PHOTOGRAPHy by karen hernandez HAIR & MAKEUP BY jessie yarborough
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Growing up, no one would have ever thought Alisha Marie would feel comfortable sharing her life with four million strangers over the internet. She said, “I was probably the shyest person ever. I always struggled with what other people thought of me. Anytime I talk to people I grew up with, they always say, ‘I never would have thought you would do something like this.’” But Alisha came across YouTube just as the site was expanding into the massive creative platform that it is today, and for her, it was a community that she was eager to be a part of and one that she felt she could truly be herself in. “YouTube is what helped give me a voice and find myself. I’m a thousand times more confident than I ever thought I would be and I have my viewers to thank for that,” she said. With YouTube as a platform and viewers willing to take a chance on her DIY, fashion, and beauty videos, Alisha became comfortable with exactly who she is and found the power in sharing her creative, expressive voice with a greater community.
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“YouTube allows people to be whoever they want to be and gives them a platform to express themselves. This concept is what really motivated me throughout my early YouTube career.” Today, Alisha shares whimsical DIY-style how-to, fashion and beauty tutorials, and quirky advice uploads to her channel, each video garnering millions of views, lending itself into what once seemed like an unfathomable career of opportunities, like the chance to tour the country with other content creators and see thousands of viewers at organized meet-ups. She mentioned, “I remember seeing YouTubers with two million subscribers and thinking, ‘Wow, I’ll never be like that,’ which was my biggest downfall. Why couldn’t I do that? Why not me? But I just kept doing it ‘cause I loved it and four million subscribers later, here I am.”
And with that in mind, Alisha realized that as she shed her shy shell and flourished as a the free-spirited, confident content creator that she is today, she could be a positive voice of influence in the lives of her viewers. “I want people to realize I’m just like them. I want to be that big sister people come to for advice or can watch a video of mine and be like, ‘Yes, I do that too! I thought I was the only one!” she said. “I’m totally fine with showing my awkward, dorky side because, trust me, it’s there and if that can help girls and boys feel more confident about themselves, then that’s all that matters!” By being herself and sharing the message of self-love through her fashion tips and beauty tutorials, Alisha uses her YouTube channel to radiate positivity. She said, “Growing up, I felt out of place a lot, so if I can help just one person not feel that way, then my job is done.” Though Alisha originally pursued YouTube enamored by the site’s seemingly endless endeavors, it proved to have
a much greater impact on her life than she could have ever imagined. She said, “Even though I had no idea what I was doing, I just followed my heart and didn’t let anyone stop me,” allowing for her wildly bright, confident self to thrive. “I think back to myself when I first started YouTube and then see how far I’ve come in my channel and as a person. It can be easy to get caught up in it all, but I always remind myself that this can all be gone in two seconds, and if it does, I’ll be okay because I’m still me,” she said.
“I don’t know how long this will last, but I know for now I’m here and this is what I’m doing and trust me, I’m not planning on leaving any time soon.”
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kalin white WRITTEN BY Kendall Bolam Photography BY myrah sarwar
Kalin White, a 22 year old pop artist, has recently come out of the woodwork and onto the music scene. A promising new star, White’s single “Twisted” reached #4 on the pop charts and landed him a well-deserved spot in the competitive world of R&B. Formerly part of the musical group Kalin and Myles, White is pursuing his solo career with a huge level of success. With vocals reminiscent to artists like Chris Brown and Post Malone, Kalin White is making waves within the R&B community. Raised in the Bay Area in California, White describes his hometown as the place that has made him who he is today. From style to music, the Cali culture effected White in every way. When asked how his surroundings affected his songwriting, White replied, “Being from the bay has inspired me to the fullest from the music I listen to, to the music I make.”
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“the greatest advice i’ve ever received regarding art is that there’s no wrong way to create it. e v e r y t h i n g i s a r t ! b e y o u .”
White’s most recent release, Chapter 21, is filled with straight up jams! A compilation of love songs, late night musings, and club hits, his new project stems from his own personal experiences. White describes his music as a direct expression of himself. “Every lyric and melody is an expression of the way I’m feeling in that particular moment. Those moments come from real life situations whether with a girl, having a good time, or in my feelings. It really just depends on the situation at hand,” he adds. White recalls the process of writing his first album as effortless and one of his greatest achievements to date. Great artists have great influences and Kalin White is no exception. White credits Michael Jackson as one of his biggest role models. You can see the influence MJ has had on White, especially in his music videos, which incorporate dance, acting, and killer vocals into one video. He shared, “advice to anyone trying to make it in this industry is just to work hard man. You can be talented but if you don’t really go out and get it it’s not going to come to you. Be creative and consistent! You got it!” As White continues to climb the entertainment industry ladder, his fan base is growing rapidly. With tours lined up there is much more to come from White. All we can do is wait with bated breath to see what that might be!
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phoebe green WRITTEN by Morgan Eckel Photography by Matthew Trimby
Hailing from the UK, Phoebe Green is creating music that’s making people feel something. Growing up in Manchester, a city that has bred some of the greats such as Oasis, The Rolling Stones, and Joy Division, it’s an incredible city for creatives and those trying to emerge themselves in the music scene. “I honestly do believe that this city is the best for indie music in the UK so I’m so happy to be a part of that.” With her new release of her first album, 02:00 AM, she’s still reeling over the fact that it’s her reality and exactly what she had imagined. “I feel like nothing else could capture everything I’m about so accurately. The songs and the emotions they evoke are all I’ve ever wanted in something I have created. I think the songs are all pretty different and reflect different aspects of my personality and attitudes towards different people.” As for 02:00 AM, the inspiration behind her new album is in the story and the truth behind it. “The album is called 02:00 AM as I’m most inspired during the early hours when I can’t sleep. I’ll be replaying moments in my head and overthinking things and I will end up fixating on people and things they say and do and a song will shortly follow! I just really enjoy writing about personal experiences and people I encounter. I was speaking to my best mate (Isobel, the last track on the album was written for her) last night about the fact that we are the only two people that can listen to the album like a film soundtrack, remembering every memory that the songs relate to. I really like that.”
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“I think it’s music that makes you feel something, even if you can’t describe what that feeling is. The fact that art is meant to provoke is something that has stuck with me.” With a unique blend of some of her favorites— Peace, Wolf Alice, and Alvvays, her sound is thought provoking and meaningful. “I think it’s music that makes you feel something, even if you can’t describe what that feeling is. The fact that art is meant to provoke is something that has stuck with me, especially whilst writing. I really enjoy writing dead descriptive songs that are a little too honest. The combination of poetic phrasing and vulgarity is my favorite thing.” What can we expect to see from Phoebe in the future? “I’d love to tour and travel and make my music heard; that’s all I’ve ever wanted. Just to see people singing my songs back at me would be a dream come true.”
3 songs she could listen to on repeat: + Tyrants by Catfish and the Bottlemen + Milk by Kings of Leon + My Song 5 by HAIM
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RVRB
RVRB written by sadie bell
Photography by joe robles
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One afternoon in 2015, musicians Cameron Mitchell and Nick Livingston met over coffee. The two knew each other through mutual friends and had met briefly before, but this encounter was different— Mitchell wanted to start a band and he wanted Livingston to fill the piece of the project that was missing. “[Cameron] showed me this EP that he put out and I fell in love with everything,” said Livingston. “It was the best thing I had ever heard.” Just two days after their meeting and their plans had come to fruition, Livingston had a flight to catch to Europe, but that didn’t matter because Mitchell sent him on a mission to capture what would become the visuals behind their burgeoning project. Livingston said that Mitchell told him to:
“just go, take photos, soak everything in, and let’s come back and put together the power of what we want this emotional music that we’re putting out to look like.” When he returned several weeks later, their partnership as the electronic indie band RVRB was born. Though RVRB has been a long-time-coming effort from former singersongwriter and Glee Project cast member Cameron Mitchell, he found in Nick Livingston the collaboration that was missing.
Now with him on board, Mitchell’s dream pop project was finally able to take flight, giving him an opportunity to become the expressive, visionary artist that he was always meant to be. “You get to this point as an artist sometimes and you feel like you’ve done everything that you know how to do, but there’s another piece missing or you finally realize that you need help with stuff,” said Mitchell. “I met Nick and all of these pieces started falling into place. Meeting Nick was like the best thing that ever happened to me.” Now as RVRB, Mitchell writes the sincere lyrics and works on the intricate production as Livingston contributes mesmerizing guitar work and curates their minimalistic graphic design. Together, the pair has taken what was Mitchell’s solitary, bedroom project and turned it into a cosmological effort of dedication and experimentation, sounding equal parts luminous and lonely as it taps into the sonic elements of what could be the soundtrack of a dream world and the persistent lulling of melancholy. Mitchell said initially “[RVRB] was just a way to not use the name ‘Cameron Mitchell’ because I get really tired of just my name, so I wanted something to hide behind and shelter with.” Overtime, though, as he wrote his debut EP Faded , Mitchell found himself with a tangible outlet for his melancholia and the inspiration to keep writing.
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“In my life at the time and in the past few years, it’s been pain and heartbreak and loss and I feel like those are really important topics,” he said, “[RVRB has] just been a release for me because everyone goes through pain. Everyone goes through heartbreak. Everyone feels it, but I feel like for some reason it’s a lot easier for me to articulate pain in a song.” As the band continues to work on new music in hopes of releasing a number of new EPs in the coming months, it’s clear that Mitchell and Livingston have found something special in RVRB – as if their music contains the sentiments that they simply need to express and those are the words that we all need to hear. “This is what I need right now in my life, so I’m going to get it out,” said Mitchell. “I have this desire to put out everything in my heart.”
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In early 2016 Mitchell, Livingston, and the rest of their live band played together as RVRB for the first time to a sold out crowd in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it was a definitive moment for the band and for Mitchell, specifically, as the threads of what he was hoping for in terms of his artistry were finally being woven into one piece. Livingston said, “It was a magical moment,” and with all that the band has planned, that moment seems as if it’s going to continue to last. Mitchell said, “My life since I was eighteen has been nothing but transition, but I feel like in 2017, for the first time in my life, it feels like I will settle somewhere. I don’t know what will happen with RVRB, but we will work harder than anybody. I don’t know how it will go, but it’ll be good I think.”
“what i want to make, i want it to be so great that there will be no s a c r i f i c i n g .”
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sean o'donnell WRITTEN BY KARINA DIEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY CALVIN MA
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When he was a child, Sean O’Donnell watched The Parent Trap, as many of us did, but did more than fall in love with Lindsay Lohan’s ability to play not one but two roles in the same film. He loved the way the film made him feel and longed to be able to invoke that same sort of sentiment in someone else as well. Before graduating high school, O’Donnell made a name for himself via Instagram, which now has a current following of 1 million followers. He used the platform to share his love of photography and connect with people from all walks of life. At the same time, O’Donnell was also searching for ways to express himself on the stage and not just with a camera. After graduation, O’Donnell took a chance and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. It was a gamble to say the least, but one that paid off in the end. When he was auditioning for parts in the area, he realized that his demeanor played a huge part in his ability to get call backs. Aside from his obvious talent, his sense of positivity and kind character made him a covetable actor for many roles. O’Donnell’s recent film venture, Mamaboy (2016), is definitely off the beaten path. The plot revolves around Kelly Hankins (O’Donnell), a baseball star who undergoes a pregnancy in lieu of his girlfriend due to scientific advances. The uniqueness of the plot and challenge of having to play a male who is carrying a child drew O’Donnell to the film.
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playdate PHOTOGRAPHER Carolyn Do MODEL Jess Newman HAIR & MAKEUP Nadine Mouawad STYLIST Nick Tran
dust to dust PHOTOGRAPHER KELLY SPARKS MODEL LOGAN FOWLER STYLIST KRISTIN MCINTYRE HAIR AND MAKEUP ANDREA GILLILAND ASSISTANT ASHLEY HIGHBERGER BTS VIDEOGRAPHER BROOKE HAWKINS
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