DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015
mad sounds I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BEING SEVENTEEN
come as you are ISSUE NO.7
mad sounds I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BEING SEVENTEEN
Giselle Melendres - Editor, Creative Director & Designer madsoundsmagazine@gmail.com Trinity Gardner - Music Consultant Contributing Writers - Giselle Melendres, Zoe Gilligan, Zoe Allen
Contributing Photographers - Giselle Melendres, Sheridan Elyse Dyches, Arvin Rusanganwa, Aidan Doyle, Rai Utomo
ON THE COVER - Photography by Arvin Rusanganwa Featuring Ava Wittkop
stay rad, stay mad @madsoundsmag www.madsoundsmag.com @madsoundsmag
LIFE IS A MAZE a photo journal by ARVIN RUSANGANWA
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WHITE TEETH TEENS a photo journal by RAI UTOMO
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IT’S A TEEN DREAM TO BE SEVENTEEN a photo journal by AIDAN DOYLE
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COME AS YOU ARE a photo journal by ARVIN RUSANGANWA
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ACHIEVING NIRVANA an editorial by ZOE ALLEN
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LUCAS RAYMOND an interview with LUCAS RAYMOND
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FOR NOW, WE ARE YOUNG a photo journal by LUCAS RAYMOND
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KATY JOHNSON an interview with KATY JOHNSON
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& SHE LOOKED LIKE ART a photo journal by KATY JOHNSON
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FIONA CARLSEN an interview with FIONA CARLSEN
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A SHOT IN THE DARK a photo journal by FIONA CARLSEN
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MAD SOUNDS MUST HEARS reviewed by TRINITY GARDNER
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NO. 7 - COME AS YOU ARE
contributors
GISELLE MELENDRES
SHERIDAN DYCHES
editor-in-chief
photographer
creative director, photographer, & writer
ELYSE
photographed “Come As You Are” p. 48
AIDAN DOYLE
ARVIN RUSANGANWA
photographer
photographer
photographed “It’s A Teen Dream” p. 36
photographed “Life Is A Maze” p. 14
RAI UTOMO
ZOE GILLIGAN
ZOE ALLEN
TRINITY GARDNER
photographer photographed “White
writer
writer wrote “Achieving Nirvana” p. 56
musical consultant wrote “Mad Sounds Must Hears” p. 124
Teeth Teens” p. 24
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARVIN RUSANGANWA FEATURING AVA WITTKOP
life is a m a z e,
love is a riddle
white teeth teens
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAI UTOMO FEATURING SYDNEY KOEPKE, BRIAN COMBS, JAIME BARBOZA
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it‘s a teen dream
to be seventeen
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIDAN DOYLE FEATURING ARIKA BONNEY & ABBEY CONNEL
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come as you are,
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as you were
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHERIDAN ELYSE DYCHES FEATURING KARA KOZUMA
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHERIDAN ELYSE DYCHES FEATURING KARA KOZUMA
MAD SOUNDS photo journal
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MAD SOUNDS editorial
achieving nirvana editorial by ZOE ALLEN
He embraced his quirky character with open arms and often was controversial and exciting, never afraid to make a statement or create a scene. His quirks were his character--his flaws made him who he was.
“Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be” is one of the most eminent song lyrics written by the legendary Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain. He sang it with his classic conviction and drawl, intentionally hooking listeners in with the thing he despised the most: the mold of society. “...as I want you to be” is the phrase that catches listeners eyes out of one of the 90s grunge band’s most well known tunes, Come As You Are. Cobain took his own life in 1994, only a few years into the immortal success of the band. His suicide was sudden, but not surprising. The singer lulled about depression, madness, teenage angst, among other topics. The journals found after his death showed obvious signs of depression and substance abuse. His life was not one filled with joy, and he did not try to cover it up, but seeked refuge in his music. Despite his mental state, throughout his entire career, he did not attempt to be anything or anyone that he was not.
Cobain was adored by all who felt his presence. His ability to speak his mind and fight for his beliefs inspired a world of teenagers who felt oppressed by someone or something. His albums and his lyrics spoke volumes, but it wasn’t just his music that touched the hearts of millions, it was his attitude. He ceaselessly supported the rights of people less fortunate than him and embraced anything the world had to offer.
“c o m e a s you are, as you were, as I want you to be.“
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Come As You Are’s infamous lyrics are a complete contradiction throughout the entire 3:39 minute long song. At first, the person welcoming you as a friend appears open minded, but quickly and selfishly changes, trying to mold you into something preferable to them. Another interpretation of this song is that the narrator does not mind what the person does, as long as it satisfies them. The song was written about “people and what they’re expected to act like,” said Cobain. Interpretations aside, this piece was obviously a device to point out how ridiculous it is to ask someone to come as something they are not. Cobain left an everlasting legacy that impacts and will continue to impact people over twenty years since his death. Not only is he remembered for his influence on the grunge scene in the nineties, a time where the genre was at it’s peak, but because of how he was able to embrace every single aspect of himself, and show people that it is okay to be who you are and show it off to the world.
“ h e re ’s m y bit: if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.“ Kurt Cobain was a man of countless notions and words. His dogmatic nature earned him the contempt of many but the hearts of many more. The originality and melodramatic atmosphere he brought upon the music scene in the nineties made him skyrocket to the halls of history, but he never forgot what he stood for and where he came from (Aberdeen, Washington). No writer ever purposely tries to sound cliché without valid reason, so here’s my bit: if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
Cobain may have seemed cynical, but on most of the arguments he so blatantly alleged for, he was correct. His hatred of homophobes was so forward, so rude, and so, so beautiful. In a fight against modern day oppression and opposition to civil rights, he never stopped battling, and he never changed his opinions, despite the cynicism. Kurt may be well known for his band, or for his lyrics, or for his suicide, but to me, he should be remembered above all for how he never allowed himself to get lost in other people’s expectations. The Nirvana singer was worshipped as a God to teens of all shapes and sizes from different backgrounds and cultures, even still today. Kurt Cobain’s legacy still exists, and his flame still burns, because as he so eloquently said in his suicide letter, quoting singer Neil Young, “it’s better to burn out than to fade away”. Cobain may have taken his life, and while the mourning will be eternal, he sure as hell will never fade away.
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“he should be remembered above all for how he never a l l o w e d himself to get lost in other p e o p l e ’ s expectations.” 063
an interview with
lucas raymond
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Lucas Raymond is a California based f a s h i o n photographer who embodies the creativity of a generation. Often shooting for Brandy Melville USA and more, Lucas’ photos astound his viewers within each poignant shoot. MAD SOUNDS: TO START OFF, WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS? LUCAS: I use a canon 6d with a 50mm 1.8. WHAT DIFFERENT MESSAGES/FEELINGS DO YOU HOPE TO PORTRAY WITH YOUR PHOTOS? I try to have a vision of what I'm looking for in every shoot. I try to avoid doing the same thing over and over again which is sometimes a challenge when you're working with models and clothes. Fashion photography tends to repeat itself and the photos become very predictable. I like to mix it up and sometime my photos have dark aspects to them whereas other times I'll be on a beach in Southern California with blue water and it turns out to be the exact opposite. I guess I would have to say it all depends on what I'm looking for.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR LOCATIONS IN WHICH YOU PREFER SHOOTING? You can never go wrong with LA. Laguna beach is great too. I love a great view in my photos, having a beautiful model with great clothes is great, but I strongly believe that setting is a huge contributing factor in creating awesome photos. HOW DID YOU PHOTOGRAPHY?
GET
INTO
FASHION
People always ask me this and I never have a solid answer. I think Instagram had a lot to do with it. Once Instagram started getting popular a lot of brands seemed to put such a huge emphasis on growing their popularity on social media and it was something I wanted to be apart of. For as long as I can remember Iv always considered myself an artist so I guess photography seemed to be the next step for me. WHO ARE SOME PHOTOGRAPHERS?
OF
YOUR
FAVORITE
I'm friends with a lot of them. My friends are always my biggest source of inspiration and if met many of them through Instagram. Crazy, right? One of my favorite photographers is Cammy (@Trouseaux- I probably spelled that wrong) she has started doing a lot more fashion photography and I had no idea how good she was at this. Aside from the quality of her photos, she has some awesome settings and is so fun to be around. Other photographers I'm obsessed with are Fiona O’hanlon (also another great friend) Patrick Gray, Vincent Farone, Anastasia Krivosheva, Willow Greene (she has a great website) Ted Emmons, Britney Panda (since freshman year of High School) , Chuck Lang, and a ton of other people I'm probably forgetting.
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“I look for someone with a unique look, I try to keep t h i n g s different with the models I use.” WHERE DO YOU YOUR PHOTOS?
FIND
INSPIRATION
FOR
I find a lot of my inspiration on Tumblr, in movies, through my friends, magazines, pretty much anything inspires me. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH SUBJECTS/ MODELS TO UTILIZE WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS? I like to focus on models who have really unique looks. I try to avoid the stereo typical gorgeous blondes and focus in the girls with freckles, interesting features, pretty eyes, etc etc all that kind of stuff plays a huge role in determining what type of models I'm always on the look out for.
WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR?
SHOOT
This is such a hard question! I really loved the shoot I did with Erika Myrvik from Next Model Management, same goes for my shoot with Helena Hahn from No Ties Management. Both of those girls were super fun to work with and the photos turned out great. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM EQUIPMENT? Realistically, a 5d mark III with a 35 mm L lens is something I'm saving up for! However if I had all the money in the world I'd shop Leica! ALTHOUGH THE EQUIPMENT DOESN'T MAKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER; WHICH DO YOU FIND TO BE MORE IMPORTANT, A GOOD LENS OR A GOOD CAMERA? Although a lens has a lot to do with what kind of exposure you can create, I'd say a good camera matters most. I started using a canon 6d and the manual settings and color depth is great and something I definitely didn't have on my last camera. DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR EDITING PROCESSES. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS TO UTILIZE AND HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR PHOTOS? As confusing as it is at time, I love playing around with photoshop. I spend a lot of time watching tutorials on you tube for photoshop and I have a pretty good understanding of how everything works. I also love VSCO cam for the iPhone shots I get every once and a while. They have awesome film presets to use that make photos look really cool.
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“Instagram has definitely fueled my passion of f a s h i o n photography. W i t h o u t Instagram, I'd have no where to share my work.” I HAVE CONSTANTLY VIEWED YOUR WORK ON THE BRANDY MELVILLE INSTAGRAM, AND HAVE SEEN YOUR MODELS SPORTING THE BRANDY MELVILLE ATTIRE, WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPANY? I've been using their clothes in shoots for years now and I finally thought "why not reach out to the company" so I finally contacted them. Iv gone up to Santa Monica a few times to shoot for Brandy and it's so much more fun now that they actually know who I am. I'm going up this Saturday in fact, so stay tuned! WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH SUCH A POPULARLY KNOWN CORPORATION? I'm very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been faced with at such a young age. It's nothing I take for granted, and I hope that it continues.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD' PHOTOGRAPH? If you love it, it's a good photograph. I'm always looking for a good model and a good edit. These are two components that always stand out for me personally but I think it's different for everyone. Like I said before, It all depends on the vision you had before your shoot. HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? Instagram has definitely fueled my passion of fashion photography. Without Instagram, I'd have no where to share my work. I love all the support and attention I get from my work and watching it grow has been awesome. It's had a huge impact on my life and has granted me several opportunities regarding free lance photography. I’ve done editorials, personal shoots, senior portraits, and weddings for people who have all found my through Instagram. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS?
ADVICE
FOR
If photography is your passion like it is mine, don't give up. I know it's something we hear all the time and it may get annoying whenever you feel like you aren't as good as your peers but practice always plays a huge part in your future success. If you take a look at the photos I took with my first camera that cost me about $300 compared to my photos with my camera now that costs $2500 there's a huge difference. Like most hobbies photography is very costly but if it's your passion, if it makes you feel alive, etc. etc. then it's obviously worth it!
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for n o w, we are young PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUCAS RAYMOND FEATURING ISABEL JERMAIS APPAREL BY BRANDY MELVILLE
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an interview with
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Meet Katy Johnson, a San Diego native and fashion photographer with an eye for the eclectic and alluring. From Local Wolves magazine, to The Secret Society of Mermaids, Katy inspires with her unique portraiture and composition. MAD SOUNDS: TO START OFF, WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS? I was lucky enough to be given a 5d mk i by a photographer I worked with a while back, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to other photographers. It’s an amazing camera because I can see a HUGE difference with the full frame versus what I was shooting with before, a canon 60d, but the LCD screen is broken and the shutter doesn’t move as quick as I’d like it to for concert photos - it also lacks a video function. I also recently saved up and invested in a 35mm 1.4 lens, it’s an incredibly beautiful lens I would recommend to anyone serious about photography.
WHAT DIFFERENT MESSAGES/FEELINGS DO YOU HOPE TO PORTRAY WITH YOUR PHOTOS? Recently I’ve been playing a lot with feelings and emotions inspired by the teenage years. I love the irony of hopelessness with a lack of notion of consequences that teens have - that’s what gets me thinking recently. I hope teens, adults, and kids alike can relate to the emotions in my photos. DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR LOCATIONS IN WHICH YOU PREFER SHOOTING? I love shooting when no one’s around. Just me, maybe a model or two, an assistant, and nature. It’s so inspiring to feel so small in an enormous world. DO YOU SHOOTS?
PREFER
INDOOR
OR
OUTDOOR
I’d have to say outdoor, but I would really like to start working in studios sometime soon. WHO ARE SOME PHOTOGRAPHERS?
OF
YOUR
FAVORITE
I really admire Petra Collins & Olivia Bee for being so young, yet having accomplished so much in the industry so far. Their photography is mixed with tinges of feminism and teen angst and I love that. I also adore that they use film, something I’ve been trying to incorporate into my work for a while. I also really enjoy Tim Walker’s take on fashion photography - that man is a genius.
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“Music, films, p o e m s , paintings, even people I just see walking down the set a spark to that inspirations e e k i n g something in my brain.” WHERE DO YOU YOUR PHOTOS?
FIND
INSPIRATION
FOR
How cliche would it be if I say everywhere? Music, films, poems, paintings, even people I just see walking down the set a spark to that inspiration-seeking something in my brain. DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR EDITING PROCESSES. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS TO UTILIZE AND HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR PHOTOS?
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH SUBJECTS/ MODELS TO UTILIZE WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS? Lucky for me my close friends are actually beautiful models so I shoot with them quite often, but excluding them, a lot of thought goes into who I would like to model for me. I have been really drawn to people with edgy looks recently, but then I also enjoy shooting models that don’t need makeup and just utilize their innocent side. I like when models know what they are doing and take initiative with poses and expressions as well, when a model knows what I’m trying to portray and can work well with me, there is no better feeling. WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR?
SHOOT
Ahhh that is honestly such a hard one. I recently shot a clothing company called The Secret Society of Ex Mermaids with a model I had never worked with before and our energies collided to create some of my favorite photographs to this date. We got out to the site right after sunset for our night shoot and after taking the first photo I just knew that this shoot was going to be a great one. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM EQUIPMENT? I really would like to work with a 5D mk iii to upgrade my full frame which, fingers crossed, I’m saving up for before college next year. I also would like to invest in a 17-40mm lens for better group portraits for bands.
I’ve recently got into using Lightroom for editing concert photos and it has helped so much with saving time. Normally I would use Photoshop cc and take the photo in for retouching, some color correction and curves toning.
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“It’s not only given me c o n fi d e n c e in my craft, but helped me realize what I really want to do as a job in the future.” ALTHOUGH THE EQUIPMENT DOESN'T MAKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER, WHICH DO YOU FIND TO BE MORE IMPORTANT, A GOOD LENS OR A GOOD CAMERA?
I'VE SEEN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY PUBLISHED IN LOCAL WOLVES MAGAZINE, HOW WERE YOU SELECTED AS ONE OF THEIR PHOTOGRAPHERS? You have? That’s awesome! They actually contacted me after they saw my work on my website, www.kgenre.com, and asked if I’d like to be a part of the magazine considering they didn’t have a photographer in San Diego yet! I gladly obliged, i’ve wanted to work with magazines ever since I was little. WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH SUCH A BIG PUBLICATION? It’s such an incredible experience, I can’t even begin to describe to you how much it has changed my life. It’s not only given me confidence in my craft, but helped me realize what I really want to do as a job in the future. I am actually planning on going to college to study marketing, journalism, and business! I have met so many amazing people through the mag that have inspired me artistically and I’m so glad to say I’m a part of Local Wolves. Not to mention it looks great on my resume!
Honestly a good lens. You could be using a 5d mk iii but with an old kits lens on it, it won’t being doing much for ya. DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR EDITING PROCESSES. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS TO UTILIZE AND HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR PHOTOS? I’ve recently got into using Lightroom for editing concert photos and it has helped so much with saving time. Normally I would use Photoshop cc and take the photo in for retouching, some color correction and curves toning.
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“A good photograph, in my opinion, gives off a thick vibe of nostalgia that causes you to not be able to take your eyes away.” I SEE YOU'VE ALSO SHOT MANY PROMOTIONAL PHOTOSHOOTS FOR BRANDS SUCH AS 'IWEARSIN', THE SECRET SOCIETY OF EX MERMAIDS, ETC.; HOW WERE YOU CONTACTED TO PHOTOGRAPH FOR THESE AWESOME COMPANIES? I actually contacted them! I told them I worked for a magazine and would love to photograph and feature their clothing on some models for the mag, they said they’d be delighted and here we are today!
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD' PHOTOGRAPH? A good photograph, in my opinion, gives off a thick vibe of nostalgia that causes you to not be able to take your eyes away. In a less poetic sense, a good image should have a depth created by highlights and shadows, clean composition, and beautiful tones. HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? Instagram has influenced me in so many ways as not only a photographer, but a person as well. It has helped me learn how to social network and meet some incredible people. I’ve shot with people all over the world, San Francisco, London, Texas, Hawaii, and continue to meet inspiring people each day through this app. It has also showed me to stay true to my style and try not to follow the trends that literally every other person follows, be unique, even if it loses you followers. Ultimately, Instagram has given me the courage and power to share my work publicly. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS?
ADVICE
FOR
Photography is one of the most expensive hobbies / careers out there, but if photography is really something you want to do, do it. Don’t take yourself too seriously, remember where you came from and who helped you get to where you are today.
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& she looked like art PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATY JOHNSON APPAREL BY THE SECRET SOCIETY OF EX-MERMAIDS
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an interview with
fiona carlsen
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From conceptual portraiture, to f a s h i o n photography, Fiona Carlsen , a California-based f a s h i o n photographer, enchants her viewers with her s t u n n i n g perspectives on the female model. MAD SOUNDS: TO START OFF, WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS? I use the Canon 5d Mark II, and I absolutely love it! I just recently upgraded and I couldn't be happier. I definitely recommend this camera because it gives you so much creative control.
WHAT DIFFERENT MESSAGES/FEELINGS DO YOU HOPE TO PORTRAY WITH YOUR PHOTOS? When I create a photo, my main goal is to make people feel like they relate to the people in the photo, like they want to be where the person/people are. I also really enjoy showing nostalgia because it makes people think about themselves and their past and possibly bring back happy memories for them. DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR LOCATIONS IN WHICH YOU PREFER SHOOTING? In the general sense, I prefer to shoot in nature backgrounds with a lot of light opposed to urban or city locations. DO YOU SHOOTS?
PREFER
INDOOR
OR
OUTDOOR
Definitely outdoor! So many more opportunities for natural beauty. WHO ARE SOME PHOTOGRAPHERS?
OF
YOUR
FAVORITE
My absolute favorite photographer is Annie Leibovitz, while Mario Testino is a close second.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR LOCATIONS IN WHICH YOU PREFER SHOOTING? In the general sense, I prefer to shoot in nature backgrounds with a lot of light opposed to urban or city locations.
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“I like to show the different shapes of people's faces and e x p r e s s emotions with their b o d y language.” WHERE DO YOU YOUR PHOTOS?
FIND
INSPIRATION
FOR
WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR?
SHOOT
I think that my favorite shoot to date has to be one I did with two of my friends at my uncle's house. They were dressed like actresses from the 20’s. ALTHOUGH THE EQUIPMENT DOESN'T MAKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER, WHICH DO YOU FIND TO BE MORE IMPORTANT, A GOOD LENS OR A GOOD CAMERA? I personally believe that the camera is the most important. A good camera can make any lens look much better than a lower quality camera. DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR EDITING PROCESSES. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS TO UTILIZE AND HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR PHOTOS? I edit my photos on photoshop cs5 and I mostly just play around with the curves and color balance options until I find the combination that I was trying to achieve!
I love to flip through vogue magazines or old pictures that my parents have to find new ideas. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH SUBJECTS/ MODELS TO UTILIZE WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS? I love to find people who have a unique look. I like to show the different shapes of people's faces and express emotions with their body language.
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“Instagram has made me more confident in my body of work and it has given me the chance to meet so many amazing people I can now call my good friends.”
HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? Instagram started it all. Maybe I would have found my love for photography without it, but it definitely inspired me to try taking photos early on. Instagram has made me more confident in my body of work and it has given me the chance to meet so many amazing people I can now call my good friends. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS?
ADVICE
FOR
The only thing I can think is, don't give up! Yes, I realize that is the most cliche advice thus far, nonetheless I think not giving up is very important. If you let one creative block completely end your photography career, you will never reach your full potential!!
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD' PHOTOGRAPH? I consider a good photograph to be one that makes me feel something. One that I have to look at multiple times before I can get the full effect. DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? Yes definitely! WHAT IS YOUR DREAM EQUIPMENT? I have the camera I want right now, but in the future I would love to work with leica cameras and large format digital cameras.
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a shot in the dark PHOTOGRAPHY BY FIONA CARLSEN
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mad sounds must-hears HAND-PICKED AND REVIEWED BY TRINITY GARDNER
E L V I S
D E P R E S S E D L Y
Elvis Depressedly is one of my all-time favorite Lo-Fi artists. His production style and soothing voice have the exceptional ability to lift the stress of any situation. Not only are his tracks unbelievably relaxing and great to listen to, his lyrics are incredible as well. With thought-provoking verses such as, “If there’s a cold spot in hell, I hope you’ll get it. If there’s a cold spot in hell, I know you’ll get it” in his song “Weird Honey,” he never fails to keep his listeners interested.
T E E N
S U I C I D E
Teen Suicide is a Lo-Fi band from Maryland who has been labeled a “DIY Dream” because of their unique garage-band sound. For only being a band for roughly one year (2011-2012) the group produced a great deal of albums and EPs. The band keeps their listeners on their toes by constantly switching the tones of their tracks. For example, on their EP “Goblin Problems” the clashy 4/4 punk beat song, “Hayden’s Getting a DDR Pad” is then followed by “I Wanna Be a Witch” which takes a more laid-back, acoustic approach. Overall, Teen Suicide is a brilliant yet short-lived band, and I highly recommend all of their songs for rainy days when you’re feeling extraangsty.
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MAD SOUNDS featured
K A R E N
O:
‘C R U S H
S O N G S’
In her album ‘Crush Songs,’ Karen O proves that she has mastered the art of hushed sounds and simple, yet effective rhyming techniques (ex. city/pity). The 15-track EP is a summary of a time in her life that she labels “An ever continuing love crusade.” The album is an audio representation of all that she went through after having her heart broken, and trying to fill the gap of longing with various “crushes.” Karen omits so much emotion through her songs to the listener that it’s almost impossible not to be left with some of her heartbreak. Overall, the album is outstanding, emotional, and catchy. I recommend this to anyone, but especially those who are going through a breakup.
T H E
D E B A U C H E E S
The Debauchees are that extraordinary band that will always leave you tapping your feet and humming along. Their EP Big Machines and Peculiar Beings showcases their ability to write exceedingly catchy songs while bringing rare originality and vibrancy to the independent music scene.
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T H E
B L A N K
T A P E S
Two years ago, I found the Blank Tapes by browsing in the indie section of my local record store. I decided to pick up a vinyl of their album Home Away From Home simply because I liked the cover art. And two years later, after seeing them live, I can tell you that I am incredibly glad I decided to do that. The mastermind behind The Blank Tapes is the lead singer, Matt Adams, who has produced over a dozen albums of 1960′s inspired psychedelic-surf-pop-folk-rock. Matt is said to have written over 400 songs since 2003, and he claims to remember all of them. The Blank Tapes’ music is perfect for any lazy day at the beach or pool. My personal favorites by them are the tracks “Black Hair” and ‘Place In My Heart.’
A L T - J Whenever I get sad because I’ll never be able to see classics like the Beatles live, I remember that Alt-j exists. This band’s sound is so unique and vibrant compared to every other current artist I’ve heard. Alt-j somehow maintains their spot on the billboard charts without losing any originality. Every track by them is methodically crafted with chill tones and unforgettable guitar riffs. In some songs like “Fitzpleasure,” Alt-j incorporates EDM influences. I highly recommend this band to anyone with ears who enjoys listening to brutally amazing music like Alt-j.
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