MUSIC
MUSIC
MUSIC
MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC
MUSIC
MUSIC 6 ISSUE
Music is a moral law. soul
It gives
to the universe, wings
to the mind,
flight to the imagination,
and
charm gaiety
and to life and
to
everything. —Plato
WELCOME TO THE
MUSIC ISSUE Music has always been a huge part of all of our lives. Okay, lets be real, music is a huge part of life in general. I mean imagine a movie without the background music? What is to become of our thrillers? Our romances? Our dramas? Nothing is anything without music. Now because of this possibly exaggerated belief, we have wanted to do a music themed issue since the very beginning. Let's face it, from A$AP Rocky to Zappa, there is so much potential in what we pace our lives to. Music is a huge part of humanity and the human with in it and with that we wanted to explore evidence of its affects and provide a space to obsess about artists and music we love. So with that we we bring you— for a long time comin'— the MUSIC issue!
Thank you for reading :) -Lucy & Olivia
@lucyly02 @ollygolly123
Table of Contents
MORRISSEY �����������������������������06 by Lucy J
Natalie Claro ����������������������������08 Cosmo ��������������������������������������10 by Sam R
Kaylyne �������������������������������������12 by Olivia W
Headbox ������������������������������������18 by Noah Reyman
Beautiful old accordion ������������19 by anonymous
Should’ve been me �������������������20 by Sofia G-P and anonymous
Solitude is Bliss Pt 1 �����������������22 by Kristina Zdravkov
A Mixtape for Early Morning Travels ����������� 24 by Lisle J
The Feeling of Music ����������������������������������� 26 by Hana C
Losers favorites Playlist ������������������������������ 27 by Lucy J
Evaporate ���������������������������������������������������� 28 by Ava C.
Failure and Misery ��������������������������������������� 29 by Jupiter
Solitude is Bliss Pt 2 ������������������������������������ 30 by Kristina Zdravkov
White Teeth Teens ��������������������������������������� 32 by Sebastian Matthew
Listen to Abby ���������������������������������������������� 34 by Bella G-P MOVIN’ FORWARD NYC ������������������������������� 36 by Lucy J
Jeff McGregor: Leave them Wanting Less ��� 38 What Does Music Mean to You ��������������������� 44 by Olivia W
Rock Style ���������������������������������������������������� 42 Message From LOSER ��������������������������������� 45
by Lucy J
MORRISSEY
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“When I’m lying in my bed I think about life and I think about death and neither one particularly appeals to me.” -Morrissey
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O R A L C IE
L A T NA
L A T NA
O R A L C IE
8
" I create music due to being a painfully opinionated person. My stress level skyrockets the way any teenager's would and the only way I'm able to calm myself down is by venting... I started using lyrics as a way to express things I'm passionately emotional for." "Music just... makes me feel good. Performing is a high for me... it's like I'm an actress creating a live movie for the crowd..." "Music has practically changed each generation it emerges in. We have a generation it emerges in. We have people who rely on music to encourage them to stay alive. We have artists that become the poster for an entire movement. People like Beyonce being a voice for young black...
17 year old alt-rock artist, Natalie Claro <3 <3
...girls around the world. Bands like Queen erupting a chain reaction of uniqueness in rock. Friendships being created over similar fanbases and memories lasting forever from concerts and festivals . Music in my opinion is the most emotionally impactful industry there is. Who knows how the world would even function without it.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6A0AOpJ7VsZvimYUSbE1Iw iTunes: https://itun.es/us/sqLA Facebook: facebook.com/natalieclaromusic Youtube EPK: https://youtu.be/7achLoyfs6M Web: http://www.natalieclaro.com/
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O C 10
O M S b
R m a yS
Click Me to play video
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LIVI
BY O
NE
KAYLY
AW
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Shoes- TRPL THREAT http://trplthreat.com
Music has a healing power, it has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;elton john 13
“THE WORLD IS UGLY BUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL TO ME” —my chemical romance
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love is old love is new love is all
love is you â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Beatles
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“IM A GONER,
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SOMEBO
ODY CATCH MY BREATH”
—twenty one pilots
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Beautiful old accordion by anonymous Music is something I never really understood. Why do sounds and words put together cause pleasure and create memories? Why is music often associated with the most powerful and meaningful memories? I’m not sure. It just happens that they do. Here’s one. An old accordion stands in the corner. Three girls nervously stand over it in a dim lit room. Although it’s almost noon, thick red curtains cover the windows, letting nothing but a hazy yellow light flood the room. Along one wall, is a plump red couch with pillows in faded floral bedsheets, and a worn rug thrown behind it. Next to the bed is a nightstand with pills, a crayon, and a vase with fake yellow sunflowers. A cluster of plants with leaves reaching to the few drops of sunlight cram a single windowsill, and a photo of each of the three girls lines the shelf above it. “Do it. He said not past noon,” I hissed. “Easy for you to say. He works like a pack dog and sleeps like a bear. Although I’m only 10, I know he deserves a few more minutes,” the youngest girl whispered back. “Enough. Just wake him,” the eldest mutters. She reaches over and gently strokes grandpa’s back. After a few seconds, he stirs and rolls over with a tired smile on his face. “12:04pm, not bad,” Grandpa says. “I’m sure that’s my new record!” Grandpa laughs and it echoes through the room putting a smile on the girl’s faces. “Now. Who’s ready to make some music?” Grandpa reaches over for his accordion and strokes the green leather. He traces his finger over the year 1986. Slowly, he starts playing his favorite tune, one that he never told me the name of. The accordion is loud and strong, just like Grandpa. It brings a smile to everyone’s faces and causes even Grandma to laugh and shake her hips to the beat. It echos out the window and makes people on the street say “Yup! There he goes again, playing the classic.” Then grandpa opens his mustache covered lips and sings. He wasn’t a good singer but he sure knew how to make people happy. Some, who knew the tune sang along. Others wiped tears from memories associated with that song. Regardless, I loved it. I didn’t know the words, but that didn’t stop me from humming and dancing my heart out. It didn’t stop me from loving him and his beautiful, old accordion. Oh God, how I loved it. It’s a memory I will never forget, ever. Why? Because that was the last time I heard him play. All that’s left now is his accordion. But not him. 19
Should’ve been me lyrics by anonymous
Sitting here looking at the stars
Wondering what could’ve been
Now you’ve been stolen away
Now I’m not the one who’ll win
I used to be the one for you
And you used to be the one for me
Now he has taken my place And you’re just letting me be Oh that could’ve been me
No that should’ve been me
But now you’re moving on
and now I’m stuck here singing this song Now when I hear his name I’m about to now you you’re all
go insane needs to throw him out I’ve been thinking about
Oh that could’ve been me No that should’ve been me
But now you’re moving on
and now I’m stuck here singing this song 20
“the room is on fire and she’s fixing her hair” —the strokes
by Sofia G-P @sofbarcelona
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;...Movement doesn't flow quite like it does when I'm alone...
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...I’ll be the one who’s free You and all your friends can watch me, today Don’t ask me how you’re supposed to feel”
—lyrics by Tame Impala
by Kristina Zdravkov @dvijesaksije
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MUSIC IS A WORLD WITHIN OURSELVES, IT IS A LANGUAGE WE CAN ALL UNDERSTAND.” —Stevie Wonder
YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRANSLATE IT... IT JUST EFFECTS YOU AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHY.” — David Byrne
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A MIXTAPE FOR EARLY MORNING TRAVELS ON THE MTA
by Lisle J @lislejamieson
LENGTHS BY THE BLACK KEYS YOU ARE YOUR MOTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHILD BY CONOR OBERST ONLY ONES WHO KNOW BY ARCTIC MONKEYS TOOTHPASTE KISSES BY THE MACCABEES GLASGOW BY CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN LOST BY CHANCE THE RAPPER IS THIS SOUND OKAY? BY COCONUT RECORDS OLD SOUL SONG BY BRIGHT EYES AROUND BY LOTION 505 BY ARCTIC MONKEYS THIS CHARMING MAN BY STARS MIDNIGHT COWARD BY STARS
photo by Lucy J @lucyly02
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by Hana C
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LOSERS FAVORITES a collection of LOSER contributors and readers’ favorite songs by Lucy J
GOOD FEELING BY THE VIOLENT FEMMES TUNGS BY THE FRIGHTS CHILD’S PLAY BY DRAKE THE LOSER BY ZACH FARACHE STARMAN BY DAVID BOWIE RIDE BY LANA DEL REY SONG FOR ZULA BY PHOSPHORESCENT WHEN DID YOUR HEART GO MISSING BY ROONEY LOVE MY WAY BY THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS DESPERADO BY RIHANNA PENNY LANE BY THE BEATLES SO SAYS I BY THE SHINS FIRST DAY OF MY LIFE BY BRIGHT EYES HIS CHARMING MAN BY THE SMITHS
photo by @jian.hong 27
E by Ava C. @avachessum
ap O a r V
t
e
I get home after a long day of prying my eyes open. I managed to climb an extra two flights to get to the place where I can finally sit. It hasn’t been a very good day, after all the times that I felt myself falling. I allow my eyes to close, and I click on that playlist that lies in the back of my computer. I turn it up all the way, put my headphones on, close the door of my room, and look out the window. I turn out the window so loud I can hear the hidden baseline, I can hear the thumps beat on and on and on that I couldn’t hear when I listen to it quietly. The music seeps into my ears seeps into my eyes and then to my lungs and into all that is me at that moment because I am not OK and music is the only thing that can take me out of that hole, please. My brain is filling up with all the things that I’m worried about, the music is louder than my ears can handle and suddenly I can’t hear myself. The problems fade away like the fabric of my curtains. Disappearing. Fading. Evaporate.
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by Jupiter @punkjupiter
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30
Nothing else matters, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care what I miss
Space around me where my soul can breathe
BY KRISTINA ZDRAVKOV @dvijesaksije
Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay, solitude is bliss 31
Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL LET
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YOU IN O N
SOMETH
ING BIG
I AM NOT A WHITE TEETH TEEN
I TRIED TO JOIN BUT NEVER DID THEY ARE THE WAY THEY SEEM â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Lorde
photos by Sebastian Matthew @sebastian.matthew
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LISTEN
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by Bella G-P
TO ABBY
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MOVINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; FORWARD
NYC
Located in the wicked under ground scene of ping pong heaven, breakdance, and NYC focused art, music infiltrated its every aspect. Welcome to SPIN NYC.
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WHY DO YOU LIKE MUSIC? because it makes you move your body” —@syrupkids
Music for me is like food; It’s needed for energy, for me to move; without it I would die” —yoko
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JEFF MCGREGOR:
Leave them wanting less
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Mark Twain remarked, “Thousands of geniuses live and die undiscovered — either by themselves or by others.” Jeff
Here is a case where it’s a little bit of both.
O
n a lawn chair somewhere in southern California sits a man who isn’t quite sure he wants you to know who he is. Having dropped out of the music scene 15 years ago, he nevertheless went on to write, perform on, and produce a sizable number of recordings of beautifully crafted, intelligent, and insightful songs. It is bewildering how a body of work of this quality -- and quantity -- could have remained effectively unknown for all these years, but as they say, these things happen. They don’t happen very often, but when they do, there almost certainly a time when the art of a great talent comes into the light. That time is now. Probably. https://play.spotify.com/album/4wpkcd9Rh5exQTsfDOuoFF 39
With a bit of prodding from his friends, family and small coterie of fans, the Solipsistics will be releasing a “virtual boxed set” of this work, Honey and other complaints. This band, the brainchild of Jeff McGregor (the guy sitting on the lawn chair), had previously released the 4 albums featured in this set from his startup label Frigidisk. But the albums were actually conceived as larger musical project to be experienced in their entirety. Written and performed by McGregor, and produced by Earle Mankey ( of Sparks fame), this project culminates here with the release of Honey and other complaints. Along side the previous 4 albums collected here are (actual number) previously unreleased tracks. Jeff McGregor’s road to The Solipsistics has been long and varied, having spent his childhood years in NYC before moving to LA where he attended Beverly Hills High and later met up with future infamous punks like Pleasant Gehman, Darby Crash, and Tomata du Plenty. McGregor’s first taste of the spotlight came in a stint with LA punk icons The Screamers, followed by an assortment of eclectic line-ups. Along with the dalliance of fame though, came a darker life for Jeff McGregor. Sparked by some personal and family dramas throughout his early to late twenties, Jeff was forced to put much of his musical production, as well as much of is life for that matter, on hold. While certainly an unpleasant time for 40
him, it did eventually come to inform, and inspire, what would become his most prolific and creative period for him artistically. Lyrically both complex and simple, music that ranges from irreverent, to a loving reverence of great songwriting of the past., HAOC is dark, harshly realistic, (and yes, often solipsistic), but more often than not— just plain hilarious. Equally humorous and harrowing, displaying a wry wit a la Randy Newman, but with a dry observational sense that recalls Lou Reed, and as is the case with these writers, you aren’t often completely sure if McGregor is being glib or ironic, or if he’s just trying to scare you.
Playing bass with the Snot Puppies
Jeff and Tomata Duplenty sing(?) at Screamers concert in 1978m
HONEY AND OTHER COMPLAINTS ( 1995-2000 )
The Solipsistics
This release of this Sopisistics compilation is ultimately to address the “discovery by others”. Truth is we don’t know what attention this is really worthy of. But now is as good a time as any to find out. 41
NO CHANGE IN MUSICAL STYLE WILL SURVIVE UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A CHANGE IN CLOTHING STYLE. ROCK IS TO DRESS UP TO.” -Frank Zappa
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WHAT DOES MUSIC MEAN TO YOU? a way to process ur thoughts smoothly –luke
an escape
“a place to escape , when reality is too much” –anon
–Hana C.
music is like that moment when you are riding in a car during a rainy day and you pass under a bridge and it all goes silent... it is like that... except it lasts longer.”
From the time I was really young, it’s always been the thing that has inspired me, driven my ambition and even given me hope when I needed it. The artists that I love feel like part of my family, and I feel really lucky that I’ve been able to get to know a lot of them. –Jeff Slate
it’s an escape from the stress and pressure that comes from our lives –Mia S
–Tahrim + Olivia
everything
–Jack N and Julius P
music is air
music is a form of anesthesia –cosmo
–jennifer
to me music is a place to go when the world has turned its back on you, its the friend you can rely on the most. –Sam R
music is everything, like its an outlet for me, it expresses every possible emotion and it allows me to be free in the most amazing, creative way –Lisle J music is like a mental refuge for me —sasha a
“music is life... i can spend hours dissecting each song and examining it piece by piece so each tiny aspect in a song then has meaning. Every time you listen to a song you find something new and thats why music is so special to me. its power can completely shift my mindset and mood which is something no other thing can do. My life without music is absolutely nothing and there’s always a song going through my head. Personally, I only begin listening to the lyrics in songs after i have analyzed every minuscule beat patterns, shift, new bpm, etc. I do this because I can only appreciate a song after I’ve reached its core. Afterwards, i can simply enjoy the song in all of its monumental glory” –Zanna A 44
DEAR LOSERS,
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THANK YOU FOR READING!
LOSER ZINE (Stay tuned for the next Issuu!)
instagram: @loser.zine feel free to submit at: hello.loser.zine@gmail.com 46