mad sounds
MAY/JUNE 2016
a publication for the young and daring
take what is yours ISSUE NO. 14
mad sounds a publication for the young and daring
Giselle Melendres - Editor-in-Chief, Creative Director & Designer madsoundsmagazine@gmail.com
Contributing Writers - Giselle Melendres, Zoe Allen, Brindy Francis
Contributing Photographers - Sheridan Elyse Dyches, Willow Greene, Arvin Rusanganwa, Aidan Doyle, Rai Utomo, Riley Donahue
ON THE COVER Photography by Erica Coburn Featuring Joanna Kuchta
stay rad, stay mad @madsoundsmag www.madsoundsmag.com @madsoundsmag
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photography by ERICA COBURN featuring JOANNA KUCHTA
introduction 008 contributors 011 letter from the editor photo journals 012 heart in a cage by RILEY DONAHUE 024 it is what it is by AIDAN DOYLE 038 take it or leave it by GISELLE MELENDRES 054 the city never sleeps by RAI UTOMO 066 island in the sun by SHERIDAN DYCHES editorials 082 social media: youth culture by BRINDY FRANCIS features 084 interview with JOHN NOVOTNY 108 interview with ERICA COBURN 140 interview with NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS music 158 interview with ZANDER HAWLEY
mad sounds contributors
contributors
GISELLE MELENDRES
WILLOW GREENE
SHERIDAN DYCHES
AIDAN DOYLE
@gisellelisabeth founder/editor-in-chief Seattle
@willow_greene photographer Arizona
@sheridanelyse photographer Hawaii
@adoyleee photographer California
RAI UTOMO
RILEY DONAHUE
ZOE ALLEN
BRINDY FRANCIS
@paraisitic photographer Kentucky
@rileyjdonahue photographer California
@eozallen writer Texas
@brindyfrancis writer Utah
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TAKE WHAT IS YOURS JOANNA KUCHTA
ERICA COBURN Another month, another issue of Mad Sounds, and I can't believe we've already reached issue fourteen. My journey with Mad Sounds has been a wild and unbelievable ride: from attending the first ever issuu.com Generator's Camp in February, to reaching 5.5 million impressions on issuu, the magazine continues to be my driving passion within both my life and future. Within the past three years that I have published Mad Sounds, I've found that the magazine is not only a publication for photography, but a platform for creatives to express themselves--a platform for young people to be unapologetically themselves.
It's a magazine for people who dare to dream, pursue their passions, and do what they love. And I think there's something especially wonderful about that. In this issue we have some great new artists: featuring photographers Erica Coburn, John Notvony, and Nikos Mavromichalis, along with an interview with musical talent, Zander Hawley. This issue is filled with a boatload of creative talent, and I can't wait for you all to see it. Here's to all the contributors, artists, and writers who make each issue possible. Cheers, Giselle Melendres Founding Editor-in-Chief & Creative Director
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HEART IN A CAGE photography by RILEY DONAHUE featuring KATE OPRE, MARLON FULLER, MARK FUOCO, & EDWIN GARCIA
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photography by RILEY DONAHUE featuring MARK FUOCO
photography by RILEY DONAHUE featuring KATE OPRE
photography by RILEY DONAHUE featuring MARLON MOSES
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IT IS WHAT IT IS photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring HARRISON GLAZIER, TRINITY GARDNER, GARRETT GEBHARDT, & KATJA GOLDE styling by HILLPEOPLE VINTAGE
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photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring GARRETT GEBHARDT & TRINITY GARDNER
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photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring HARRISON GLAZIER
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photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring HARRISON GLAZIER & KATJA GOLDE
photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring HARRISON GLAZIER & KATJA GOLDE
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photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring GARRETT GEBHARDT & TRINITY GARDNER
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photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring TRINITY GARDNER
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TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT photography by GISELLE MELENDRES featuring JOSHUA LANG & HANNAH RYANN
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photography by GISELLE MELENDRES featuring HANNAH RYANN
photography by GISELLE MELENDRES featuring JOSHUA LANG
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photography by GISELLE MELENDRES featuring JOSHUA LANG
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THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS photography by RAI UTOMO featuring ELIZABETH CARRIGAN
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photography by RAI UTOMO featuring ELIZABETH CARRIGAN
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photography by RAI UTOMO featuring ELIZABETH CARRIGAN
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ISLAND IN THE SUN photography by SHERIDAN DYCHES featuring KJ SKORGE styling by AMUSE SOCIETY
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photography by SHERIDAN DYCHES featuring KJ SKORGE styling by AMUSE SOCIETY
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SOCIAL M E D I A: YOUTH CULTURE editorial by BRINDY FRANCIS
photography by RAI UTOMO featuring ELIZABETH CARRIGAN
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“Just like me, you can make friends through social media. Here I am, writing for magazines because of how easy it is to make creations and contact through social media. I would not be living the way I am if it weren’t for the media, and neither would you.” Social media had become a strong influence on our generation very drastically and “outof-the-blue”, one could say. Now, take it back thirty years. In 1980, nobody had a clue that we would have any of these phenomenal inventions until the third Back To The Future episode in 1990 when we see Marty talking to his large TV screen in what seems like a Facetime call. Back then, the idea of seeing someone’s face while on a phone-call was mind blowing! In the early 2000’s, we find everyone creating MySpace and Facebook pages- the introduction of social media. Our generation has been affected heavily by the power of social media. Everywhere you go, you can easily pull your phone out and start Instagramming or Tweeting. It is to the point of accessing almost anything. You no longer have to be hung up at the library searching for information for a school project until closing hours. You can simply turn on your bright screen and Google any question you have. You’ve probably heard your grandma say, “What is up with these kids? Their faces are always glued to their cell phones!” Many argue, especially those of 40 years +, that the media is damaging culture. In some ways, this may be correct. If you’re having dinner with your family, please put your phone away and visit, but there have been all sorts of positive effects.
One of the number one things that I find positive about media is how easy it is to spread awareness. For example, 16 million people in the U.S. are vegetarian because of the spread on social media. You can now sign petitions online! Everyone, especially youth, is involved in politics because of how easy it is to access the information! It is now easy to form opinions and be more of an individual. Although, the tricky part about that is how easy it is now to hide behind a screen and send hurtful comments on people’s photos, videos, and statuses. Cyberbullying is not as intense as it used to be. For a while, it was depressing many and even taking lives, but it is still a thing. So many people are afraid of posting or truly expressing themselves because of the cruel comments they may receive. Something upsetting in recent years is the fact that a large amount of people base their self worth on numbers. It’s damaging and dangerous. The world is so focused on their followers and subscribers that instead of just enjoying this media experience, they are worried about who is unfriending them and putting themselves down for the amount of people on a following list. Although there are some dangerous aspects of social media, it is now a lifestyle. It has been extremely useful for humanity. You can easily advertise your companies and creations. You have easy access to friends and family. Just like me, you can make friends through social media. Here I am, writing for magazines because of how easy it is to make creations and contact through social media. I would not be living the way I am if it weren’t for the media, and neither would you. Millennial youth culture has been heavily affected and there is no way to take it back, so be thankful for it and use it in a healthy way.
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JOHN NOVOTNY photography by JOHN NOVOTNY interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring MANDANA TAHERI
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Meet John Novotny, a Sacramento based fashion and lifestyle photographer whose photographs have inspired a generation of 'youths' in 'revolt'. We sat down with John to talk about his future plans, photography inspiration, and journey to Instagram success. Take a look at his exclusive interview with Mad Sounds.
HI JOHN, THANKS FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US HERE AT MAD SOUNDS TODAY. TO START OFF, TELL US ABOUT A DAY IN THE LIFE JOHN NOVOTNY: Ah, a day in the life. Every day I wake up and grab some coffee and usually work out, go home, take a shower, eat--the usual. Most weekends I have some sort of shoot, either something creative, a collaboration, or a lifestyle shoot. I am also a theatre kid! So, I am either shooting or at rehearsal, or doing homework/editing at my favorite coffee shop in Sacramento. I’m always on the go and on some sort of schedule. It keeps me motivated. YOU’RE A SACRAMENTO BASED FASHION AND LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO IS NYU BOUND FOR UNIVERSITY NEXT YEAR-HOW DO YOU THINK NEW YORK WILL DIFFER FROM YOUR LIFE IN CALIFORNIA? I am so excited for NYU! I think what I am most excited for is the complete 180 moving will allow my work will take. There are so many amazing people, places, things to shoot in the city that I wouldn’t have access to otherwise. There are some awesome agencies and brands in New York that I would love to work with as well. I am the most stoked about being able to do studio work. There is an awesome studio in the
NYU photo department that I will have access to as a student. I am already brainstorming about some cool projects to do in there. HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY? I first got into photography when I bought my first DSLR in the 8th grade. I would take random photos of my friends in cool spots where we live. The photos were terrible but I kept at it. The summer before my freshman year of high school I was lucky enough to work at an internship with the photographer at the state capital. She taught me everything about working my camera, composition, editing, ect. With that knowledge I began working on more creative and conceptual shoots with my friends. With the experience from these shoots, I started shooting senior and family portraits, and even a few weddings. All the while I kept up the creative shoots and found that I favored those. I decided that I wanted to start shooting more fashion work so that I could combine the portraiture with a cool concept or theme, so I began contacting brands that I wanted to work with!
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring COURTNEY CLARK
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“I want to make people feel nostalgic for things they’ve maybe never even experienced, almost a surreal world that is a mix of modern and old school.” WHO OR WHAT PRIMARILY INSPIRES YOUR PHOTOS?
My friends, music, fellow photographers, warm colors, the 70s, plants, the sun, pretty lighting. Even clothes; I will be shopping, see a cool piece and suddenly have a whole new concept for a shoot pop into my head. WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS? Too many to name! I love Jorden Keith’s work, Wiissa, Jacqueline Harriet, Natalie Fong, Sasha Samsonova, Alex Stoddard, Brooke Shaden, Alina Celik, Mario Testino, Olivia Bee, among a TON of others.
YOUR PHOTOS ARE EXTREMELY REMINISCENT OF YOUTH CULTURE: DRIPPING WITH NOSTALGIA AND UNDERLYING HINTS OF REBELLION. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE THESE KINDS OF PHOTOS? That’s so great to hear! It’s really what I try and capture. I’m really into 70s inspired shoots, clothes, looks, ect. I really think that shoots that are less about the “production” and more about the experience are what inspires that kind of style. My favorite shots are always those that come from days with friends were I bring along my camera, rather than meticulously planned out shots. Those feel the most genuine to me, and seem to always get the best reception from those who view my work. WHAT FEELINGS DO YOU HOPE TO EVOKE TO THE VIEWER WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? I hope people will see my work and be inspired to create and experiment with different styles. I want to make people feel nostalgic for things they’ve maybe never even experienced, almost a surreal world that is a mix of modern and old school. I really actively try and incorporate that into my work, by creating images that are YOU’VE COLLABORATED WITH A VARIETY OF BRANDS AND COMPANIES FOR PHOTO SHOOTS, WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE COLLABORATION THUS FAR? Every collaboration is different and allows me to have a unique level of control and creative input on the shoot, I really don’t have a particular favorite as they have all been amazing. But I would say that the shoots where I can take the greatest artistic liberties are my favorites.
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring ASHLEE NICOLE
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“Shoot and keep shooting! Research, borrow ideas. You grow from your mistakes, so even if your images turn out differently than you expect, you can still work with them!” ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR BRANDS YOU’D HOPE TO WORK WITH IN THE FUTURE?
I would absolutely love to shoot more of UNIF’s products, and eventually become a contributing photographer for a publication like Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar. YOU’VE RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOOT FOR LOCAL WOLVES MAGAZINE, (ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PUBLICATIONS HERE ON ISSUU)--WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? Working with Local Wolves was AMAZING! I have worked on two shoots for them, one was an editorial with UNIF called “All Day, Do Nothing” and another was for an feature with my good friend Kennedy Slocum. Both shoots were super different but wonderful because I
was able to use a full styling team and shoot in both SF and LA! WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOSHOOT THUS FAR? My favorite shoot so far is a series called Half There. I shot with four of my friends at the campus of a high school in Sacramento on a beautiful day at the end January, the photos perfectly documented the day and my friends and I am super proud of them. MANY OF OUR READERS ARE BEGINNING/ ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STARTING PHOTOGRAPHY? Shoot and keep shooting! Research, borrow ideas. You grow from your mistakes, so even if your images turn out differently than you expect, you can still work with them!! Never be afraid to ask friends to shoot with you, everyone loves nice photos of themselves. Watch a ton of tutorials online to learn more about the technical aspects and different techniques. There are a ton of photographers on youtube who share amazing information. Reach out to fellow photographers in your area through Instagram, we always love to shoot with new people, or even may need an assistant for bigger shoots. Another thing that I have learned over the past year of doing more commercial work, is that when starting out, you will spend 10x more time emailing different brands and companies than actually shooting, so don’t be worried if you’re job as a photographer involves more time with a computer than a camera; it’s normal!
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring MIRANDA MILLER & CARLY SEMON
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“[Instagram] has given me a sort of reputation for my work which is so amazing and, in a way, kind of scary [...] I think it’s incredible that people in my area know who I am simply because of an app. It’s really something.”
phy community is HUGE and I wouldn’t have half the friends I do today without it. LASTLY, HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? Instagram has been the most influential part of my career so far. I think the platform it gives me is spectacular. Instagram allows me to easily connect with tons of wonderful creatives who I would otherwise have no means of communicating with. It has given me a sort of reputation for my work which is so amazing and, in a way, kind of scary. I meet people all the time and introduce myself and they will be like “I’ve seen your instagram!” I think it’s incredible that people in my area know who I am simply because of an app. It’s really something.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTOGRAPH? As much as composition, camera settings, and content are important when creating a photograph, I think the most important thing is making something that is striking. The best photos I have ever seen aren’t always some high-production editorial image, or a model with hours of hair and makeup, but just images that make me think twice, or do a double take. Images that pop, or have something unique about them that makes you stop and look. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY/TAKING PICTURES? The people I am able to connect with that I otherwise wouldn’t know existed. The photogra-
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KEEP UP WITH JOHN: Instagram: @johnnnovotny www.johnnovotnyphotography.com
YOU IN REV
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY
photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring COURTNEY CLARK
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring MANDANA TAHERI
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring MANDANA TAHERI
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photography by JOHN NOVOTNY featuring CARLY SEMON
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ERICA COBURN photography by ERICA COBURN interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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photography by ERICA COBURN featuring DAVIE - DISTINCT MODEL MANAGEMENT
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Erica Coburn is a Dublin based portrait photographer whose ethereal fashion photography and precious diary style photo journals captivate and enchant the creative minds of a generation. A millennial based photographer, Erica's work has been featured in Elle Magazine, Joseph-Gordon Levitt’s “hitRECord” photography project, and more. Read the exclusive interview to learn more about Erica Coburn and her undying passion for photography.
HI ERICA, THANKS FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US HERE AT MAD SOUNDS TODAY. TO BEGIN, DESCRIBE TO US A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ERICA COBURN: Hi Mad Sounds! Thanks so much for interviewing me. I am currently studying photography at IADT in Dublin, so when I’m not working on various deadlines at the last minute, I am balancing photography jobs to pay the bills, a parttime job at an ice-cream store, and trying to fit in some personal work too. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU’RE AN IRELAND BASED PORTRAIT/FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER; HOW DO YOU LIKE THE DUBLIN CITYSCENE? Dublin is fantastic for going out, and the people are amazing. I have really enjoyed working with other creatives in Dublin too, I think it’s really important for everyone to feel comfortable at shoots and to have fun as well as creating together. This is easy in Dublin because almost everyone is very easy to get along with, and also very passionate about what they do.
HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY? I first discovered my passion for photography when I was 16 years old, and I was given a camera by my very generous uncle. I have always been creative since I was very young, and when I was in my teens I experimented with a lot of different mediums like painting, drawing, music and photography. I guess photography is the one that really stuck! I still love to play music and make art, but photography is something that I feel I can express myself through without having to say much. YOUR WORK CONSISTS OF ETHEREAL FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY AND PRECIOUS ‘DIARY’ STYLE MOMENTS CAPTURED IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE; WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PHOTOS? I find a lot of my inspiration online. I love the work of Elizaveta Porodina, Nirrimi Hakanson, and Julia Trotti. I could scroll through their work for hours. I have found that I store most of my inspiration in my sub-conscious, whenever I’m taking pictures I sort of let my instinct take over and later on when I look back I can see
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photography by ERICA COBURN featuring JOANNA KUCHTA
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“I also wanted to take the photographs in a way that represents my style and the photographs that I take. Joanna is so lovely and I wanted to present her in the way that I see her.” elements of various things that I’ve experienced or been inspired by. If that makes any sense at all. WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS? I like looking at a lot of different types of photography, so one of my favourite fashion photographers is Emily Soto, her work is just so delicate and it takes my breath away every time she uploads some new work. I also love Shane Black’s amazing landscape/cosmic photography and his beautiful timelapses. I guess I like work that makes me feel something.
YOU RECENTLY SHOT WITH JOANNA KUCHTA FOR HER SPRING LOOKBOOK, WHAT INSPIRED YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE SHOOT? I really love Joanna’s whole aesthetic, and while I wanted the photographs to suit her personality and her instagram, I also wanted to take the photographs in a way that represents my style and the photographs that I take. Joanna is so lovely and I wanted to present her in the way that I see her. I had also just gotten a new lens that I had been saving for, whenever I get a new piece of equipment to play with I love experimenting and see what I can do with it! YOU’VE ALSO COLLABORATED WITH A VARIETY OF CREATIVES IN FASHION, MEDIA, AND MORE--WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE COLLABORATION THUS FAR? My favourite collaboration so far has probably been the Alice in Wonderland shoot with designer Eamonn McGill. Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favourite tales, and to explore that with other creatives was a great experience. It was also a chance to work with the amazing Irish model Danielle Winckworth. I had wanted to work with her for a while and she was the perfect choice to portray Alice. Oh, and the fact that there were 2 great danes and 6 pug puppies at the shoot definitely contributed to it being one of my favourite collabs!
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photography by ERICA COBURN featuring SHARON @ ASSETS makeup by SARAH JANE CARNEY styling/dress by DUBLIN VINTAGE FACTORY
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“Every time we shoot together we have such a laugh and I think it’s so important to relax and have fun on a shoot.” I’VE ALSO SEEN YOUR WORK FEATURED IN A RECENT ELLE U.K., WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE?
then, we get along so well and I think that she looks so comfortable and effortless in the photographs I took of her recently on Dollymount Strand. Every time we shoot together we have such a laugh and I think it’s so important to relax and have fun on a shoot.
WHO WOULD YOU HOPE TO COLLABORATE WITH IN THE FUTURE? I would absolutely love to take photos of English model Georgie Hobday. Her look is so intriguing to me and she really suits the high fashion/editorial look. DESCRIBE TO US YOUR DREAM SHOOT: I have always had a picture in my head of a shoot that I’d love to do, and I’ve always pictured the model being Amanda Seyfried. It involves some very delicate braids, a lot of white roses, a bed in a forest and a mysterious male figure. I won’t say much more.
I did a shoot with @thereallovejewels and the gorgeous Sophie Merry on her rooftop in Dublin. The shoot featured some stunning outfits and it was a pleasure to work with them for this feature! It was incredible to see my photos in such a big publication. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOSHOOT THUS FAR? A shoot I really enjoyed was a shoot with my good friend Megan Tiernan. We went to secondary school together, and when I was just starting to become interested in photography Megan and I would do little shoots after school. It was a great way for me to learn and Megan and I still meet up to shoot every now and
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featuring GODA @ MORGAN THE AGENCY styling and design by LIZ BENNETT makeup by SHEILA
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"I had all these ideas and would doodle them, think about them and dream about them, but I wish I had done more doing. So, yeah. As Nike says, just do it." WHO/WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT? At the moment I would have to say @Kindranikole, she is such an inspiration to me and I had the pleasure to meet her when she was travelling through Ireland a few months ago. I just love how consistently Kindra works, and she is just so passionate about everything she does and it’s clear to see.
like really and where my life is going to go. I think the reason I get nervous is because money is a thing, and the idea of being a full adult is very daunting but I’m sure I will manage somehow. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A ‘GOOD’ PHOTOGRAPH? A photograph that triggers something inside of you is a good photograph in my opinion. Be it a memory or an emotion, or just a feeling. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS OR CREATIVES IN GENERAL? I would say that if you think of an idea for a photo or anything really, just go ahead and do it. Don’t just mull it over for ages until it gets lost in your mind and swept away by other aspects of life. I was awful for that, I had all these ideas and would doodle them, think about them and dream about them, but I wish I had done more doing. So, yeah. As Nike says, just do it.
LOOK AHEAD TO FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WHAT DO YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING OR PURSUING? I see myself hopefully living somewhere warm, both working as a photographer and having time to go on adventures and create photographs for myself. Whenever I think about the future I get this nervous feeling in my belly, because I just have no idea what it’s going to be
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KEEP UP WITH ERICA Instagram: @ericacoburn www.ericacoburn.format.com
A GIR L IS A GUN photography by ERICA COBURN featuring JOANNA KUCHTA
photography by ERICA COBURN featuring SHARON @ ASSETS makeup by SARAH JANE CARNEY styling/dress by DUBLIN VINTAGE FACTORY
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photography by ERICA COBURN featuring ERICA COBURN
featuring DANIELLE WINCKWORTH @ STORM/MORGAN styling by EAMONN MCGILL make-up by RACHEL TAGLIENTI set/props JILL BEECHER
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photography by ERICA COBURN featuring JOANNA KUCHTA
photography by ERICA COBURN featuring (left) MATZE ENGEL (right) MARY-KATE @ 1ST OPTION MODELS makeup/styling SANDRA PAWLOWSKA-NAHLIK
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featuring (left) KATHRYN IZATT (right) COURTNEY @ DISTINCT MODEL MANAGEMENT makeup by (left) RACHEL DUFFY
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photography by ERICA COBURN featuring JOANNA KUCHTA
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NIKOS MAV photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS featuring ELLA FLOOD
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Nikos Mavromichalis is a portrait and lifestyle based in Los Angeles, California. A photographer of youth culture itself, we talked to Nikos about his creative inspiration, favorite photography equipment, most memorable photoshoot collaborations, and more. Read on to learn more about the photographer behind the lens, and the voice behind @nkios.
HI NIKOS, THANKS FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US HERE AT MAD SOUNDS TODAY. TO BEGIN, TELL US ABOUT AN AVERAGE DAY FOR NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS? I start my day by going to my favorite coffee shop as soon as I get out o f bed, I catch up on emails,school, and editing for a few hours and after that ill usually meet up with a friend, or a model if have a shoot. The rest of the day is usually unplanned! YOU’RE AN L.A. BASED PORTRAIT/LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER, HOW DO YOU LIKE THE LOS ANGELES LIFESTYLE?
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO PORTRAY WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? I hope to portray more than just a person in front of my camera if that makes sense haha. Like my picture can somewhat tell a story if you think about it. WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SHOOT THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR? This is always changing for me but right now my favorite shoot would have to be with Ella Flood.
I love the LA lifestyle so much!! Whenever I travel I always realize how much I missed my life here when I get back. WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PHOTOS? I find inspiration in my models and location! I usually will think of something cool for a shoot after i know who or where I'm shooting!
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photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS featuring CAIRO DWEK
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Instagram has given my photos a platform for tons of people to see. Whether I'm meeting a model through Instagram or someone is contacting me for a shoot through the app, it has really brought me together with tons of new people!
HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? Instagram has given my photos a platform for tons of people to see. Whether I'm meeting a model through Instagram or someone is contacting me for a shoot through the app, it has really brought me together with tons of new people! DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER OR CREATIVES IN GENERAL? I would say just stick to your own individual style it might take a little to find it, but once you do stick to it!!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EQUIPMENT TO USE?
Right now I'm loving shooting 35mm film so I'd have to say my film camera. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOSHOOT COLLABORATION? I just got sent to Coachella with Subdued that was one of my favorite collabs so far. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD' PHOTOGRAPH? I feel like clothes, models, and location can all create a sick vibe for a great photo.
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KEEP UP WITH NIKOS Instagram: @nkios
TEEN IDLE photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
featruing BEAN MCLEAN
photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS featuring MAGGIE WHITE
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photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS featuring (left) CLARE HACKWITH (right) ELLA FLOOD
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photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS featuring VALENTINA CYTRYN
photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS featuring (left) CAIRO DWEK (right) NATE NIEHAUS
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photography by NIKOS MAVROMICHALIS featuring (left) VALENTINA CYTRYN (right) ELLA FLOOD
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ZANDER HAWLEY interview by ZOE ALLEN
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As an avid activist and Amandla Stenberg devotee, I discovered Zander Hawley through their duo act “Honeywater”. Since that day, Zander has evolved into a solo singer/songwriter whose powerful and moving vocals and lyrics have taken me to the brink of tears alone on a Saturday night. Not only does his voice and talent have the ability to take him far into the Nashville (and wherever else his career takes him) music scene, his vibrant, witty and amiable personality will take him far in life. Zander, it was an honor to interview you. Chatting with you was one of the best times I’ve had in awhile. Love, Zoe HI ZANDER! CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF? WHAT YOU DO, WHAT YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ARE, AND YOUR BACKGROUND?
IN 2015, YOU RELEASED YOUR EP, “I WISH I WAS”. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCESS OF MAKING IT. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THAT?
Well, I’m Zander. I’m 18 and from Los Angeles, and I’m currently living in Nashville. The things I love to do? Well, obviously, music. And I love films and TV. Some of my favorite artists are Noah Gundersen, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lone Bellow.
It was my first structured recording experience. I actually did the whole thing in three or four days, all in a row (I interjected and said, “wow, that’s impressive). I had to keep going back in because I’m fucking particular about the little things. So much credit for “I Wish I Was” goes to Marshall Vore, my producer. He was great. I think why I love that EP so much is because it’s honest. I mean it when I write it. The people who loved it could tell that.
IN TERMS OF GENRE, MOST PEOPLE DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC AS FOLK. IS THAT WHAT LABEL YOU WOULD GIVE YOURSELF? HOW DO YOU CLASSIFY YOUR MUSIC AND YOUR ART? Folk isn’t wrong. In college, people in the music major are so desperate to know your genre. I would tell them that my genre was “alt folk”, which doesn’t exist. It was just a bullshit answer. If I gave myself a genre it would probably be singer/songwriter, you know, like James Bay. I’m a singer/songwriter.
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“I was listening to the Honeywater EP maybe three months ago, just after I put out my solo one, and it is a completely different feel, which I didn’t think it would be. That’s why I think there’s value to keep them both going, which is definitely not impossible.” BEFORE YOU RELEASED YOUR EP, YOU WERE HALF OF HONEYWATER WITH AMANDLA STENBERG. HOW WAS THAT AND WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? HOW IS MAKING SOLO MUSIC DIFFERENT TO MAKING MUSIC WITH AMANDLA? WHICH DO YOU PREFER?
Honeywater was my introduction to music. It took us a year and a half to come up with the name, Honeywater. We went through some pretty bad and boring ones. The first show I ever played, [Amandla] played with me. That girl means the world to me, I love that girl. Making that EP was really different from making mine. We made it in Sebastian Jones’ garage with our other friend Aron. They’re both really talented, you can tell in the sounds on that EP. We just sort of did everything ourselves, whereas my EP was more semi professional. For that, I played drums, and I don’t
play drums. I was listening to the Honeywater EP maybe three months ago, just after I put out my solo one, and it is a completely different feel, which I didn’t think it would be. That’s why I think there’s value to keep them both going, which is definitely not impossible. I made an album, actually, last week, a solo album. And going through that and figuring out my own sound is really different from Honeywater. I just think [those differences] are so valuable to me, besides how much fun it is and how much I love that girl. It helps me stay diversified and get really specific with each project. [Despite living in different cities], you might hear some more Honeywater sooner than you think. WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO FOR INSPIRATION? HOW DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC? There were two moments, really. The first, in ninth grade, I heard a song called “Winter” by Noah Gundersen. I had been trying to write songs for awhile, and I did not like any of them, and I heard that song, and thought “what is he doing that makes that song so good”? I think it was the simplicity. It was very straight forward, “here’s what I’m feeling”. I heard it, and I was like “wow, here’s what I want to do”. I’ve listened to that song probably a thousand times. It still gives me new inspiration every now and then when I listen to it. That was the moment that made me want to write. The second moment was the moment that made me want to play, around a year later. I went to see a friend of mine named Jackson, who played with this girl named Phoebe [Bridgers]. I went to go see their show at a weird place in Hollywood. The seats are like little pews, and it reminds me of the Korean Church from 21 Jumpstreet. I went with my dad, and I was talking with him on the way over, trying to decide if I was good enough to play live. Well this Russian guy opened for Jackson, and his first song was about unicorn sex and the next was about mushrooms. And I was like, “maybe I can do this”. Then Phoebe
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went up and played her song, “Georgia” which is one of my favorite songs. It was raw and honest, and it was incredible because she fucking felt it. I’ve seen her play that song maybe 2 dozen times, and every time I think “fuck, how can I get that good.” After that performance, I was like “I don’t just want to play, I need to play”. YOU SPLIT TIME FROM NASHVILLE AND LA, CORRECT? DO YOU MISS EITHER OF THE TWO WHILE YOU’RE GONE? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT BOTH? I miss both when I’m in the other one. It’s sort of similar to the solo vs Honeywater thing. It’s different but in a way where one isn’t better than the other. LA is my first home, where I grew up, where my family is, where all of my formative musical experiences are. But Nashville, I’ve only been here six months, but it’s already become a place of good relationships and music. Right now I’m in the process of deciding between living in Nashville or LA. On the one hand it’s where you came from, and on the other hand it’s like deciding where you need to go. Right now I’m in the process of deciding between living in Nashville or LA. On the one hand it’s where you came from, and on the other hand it’s like deciding where you need to go. I LOVE THESE LITTLE ANECDOTES. WHAT IS THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD BECAUSE OF YOUR MUSIC? I have a few. The first one is when Amandla and I played (pre figuring out Honeywater) at a benefit show for a charity. It was a really good organization for kids with cancer and they write a song for them that incorporates elements about their lives, like their favorite food and sports teams. We played at a benefit for that organization and the acts who opened for us was this band, Player, (the hair was exactly what’d you expect, the outfits were exactly what you’d expect.) Next was Frank Stallone, Sylvester Stal-
lone’s brother. Not only did I not know that Sylvester had a brother, I didn’t know he wrote all of the music for the movie Saturday Night Fever. And he was basically just Sylvester Stallone [the actor most notable for playing boxer Rocky Balboa in the Rocky series] singing. It was awesome. Then Amandla and I went up and played a few songs, including a Mumford and Sons cover. And then we walked off, and Frank Stallone said “you did good up there, son”. And to this day, I remember that I am a member of the Stallone family. The second is just that it’s just cool when people start to know you. I was at some sort of round table type situation with a guy named Larry Kloess, who puts together secret shows in Nashville. He sets up Noah Gundersen shows. He came into this round table that I was at with some other songwriters, and he sat down, and then we all introduced ourselves to each other. I said my name and he goes, “oh! I was listening to your EP earlier”. And I was like, “oh, that’s really cool!” Very minor but very cool Nashville moment. The third is that two weeks ago, Phoebe and our other friend Harrison Whitford and me played a show together where we each played a set. I had played with each of them separately but never with both of them together. We all went up in each other’s sets. When we all went up during Phoebe’s set, we all used the one mic, corny as it is, and we sang “Say Yes” by Elliott Smith. It was surreal--those are two of my songwriting heroes--and now they’re my friends.
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“I had that sort of experience that inspired it. It’s one of those things where it wouldn’t feel right singing it or putting it out anywhere with anything other than my name on it.”
YOUR MOST POPULAR SONG IS PROBABLY “HID IN THE LITTLE THINGS”. THROW ASIDE POPULAR, WHAT SONG DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO WHEN HEARING YOU FIRST? WHAT SONG HAS THE MOST MEANING TO YOU? I did [“Hid in the Little Things”] with my dad on Garageband, in my room. It was really cool. My dad played drums on it, which was cool. The songs on this new album, that I’m in the process of finishing, each one really means alot to me. [From what’s been released] It’s gotta be “Daylight”. That was the first song I wrote where I was like, this isn’t a Honeywater song, this is for me. It’s easy to tell from the song what inspired it. I had that sort of experience that inspired it. It’s one of those things where it wouldn’t feel right singing it or putting it out anywhere with anything other than my name on it.
WHAT IS IT LIKE PERFORMING LIVE? DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE PERFORMANCE RITUALS? Performing live is my favorite part of music as a whole. In the studio, you have to be very careful and particular, or at least I am. At a show, I can let go. At a show you can go ten times what you do in a studio. You can just fucking go. The song that I get the most climax from is (Zander laughed and said, “that’ll sound weird on paper) is “Drops of Jupiter” by the band Train. (Zander and I then spent a lot of time discussing how underrated Train is, and about Taylor Swift’s live cover of the same song).
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KEEP UP WITH ZANDER Instagram: @zhawl Twitter: @zanderhawley
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STAY TUNED there’s more mad sounds on the way! DO YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED? email madsoundsmagazine@gmail.com with a cover letter & link to your online portfolio not all submissions will be featured for publication
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