FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
mad sounds I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BEING SEVENTEEN
you’re not the one ISSUE NO. 8
mad sounds I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BEING SEVENTEEN
Giselle Melendres - Editor, Creative Director & Designer madsoundsmagazine@gmail.com
Trinity Gardner - Music Editor
Contributing Writers - Giselle Melendres, Zoe Allen
Contributing Photographers - Sheridan Elyse Dyches, Willow Greene, Arvin Rusanganwa, Aidan Doyle, Rai Utomo
ON THE COVER - Photography by Willow Greene Featuring Pyper America
stay rad, stay mad @madsoundsmag www.madsoundsmag.com @madsoundsmag
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contributors
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a letter from the editor
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eyes bright, uptight by WILLOW GREENE
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stuck on the puzzle by RAI UTOMO
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diamond in the dust by SHERIDAN DYCHES
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you’re not the one by DELANEY HOFFMAN
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kids in love by AIDAN DOYLE
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fiona o’hanlon an interview with @fiorra
don’t owe it editorial by ZOE ALLEN
music
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the house that built… an interview with FEVER FEVER
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ron dadon an interview with @ronathann
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mad sounds must hears review by TRINITY GARDNER
MAD SOUNDS contributors
contributors
GISELLE MELENDRES
SHERIDAN DYCHES
WILLOW GREENE
AIDAN DOYLE
@gisellelisabeth founding editor-in-chief & creative director
@sheridanelyse photographer Hawaii
@moody_mind photographer Arizona
@adoyleee photographer California
CURRENT LISTEN: California Daze by Peace
CURRENT LISTEN: Runaway by Galantis (Kaskade Remix)
CURRENT LISTEN: Our Hearts Are Wrong by Jessica Lea Mayfield
CURRENT LISTEN: It's Real by Real Estate
FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: @chrisburkard on Instagram. His photos aren't my style, but every single picture of his is breathtaking.
FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: First Aid Kit
FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: Petra Collins or Sofia Coppola, the queens of photography and film! ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… Independent films. I absolutely adore the cinematography within these breathtaking features. THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE WOULD PROBABLY CONSIST OF… Lots of songs by Beach House, Blood Orange, and alt-J! A good mesh of dreamy and airy songs.
ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… Sounds cheesy, but traveling. Every time I get to travel, whether it's to a different country or an hour drive, it makes me want to be a better person and photographer.
ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… The cinematography in Sofia Coppola movies THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE WOULD PROBABLY CONSIST OF… How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep by Bombay Bicycle Club
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FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: Keith Haring ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… The SF crew, (@thesfcrew on Instagram), and all of their talent and style! THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE WOULD PROBABLY CONSIST OF… The soundtrack to my life would probably be the Palo Alto soundtrack, it is wonderful.
MAD SOUNDS contributors
contributors
RAI UTOMO
ZOE ALLEN
TRINITY GARDNER
ARVIN RUSANGANWA
@paraisitic photographer Kentucky
@eoz_allen writer Texas
@catveins music editor California
@a.rvin photographer California
CURRENT LISTEN: Like Mariah by Fifth Harmony, kind of a guilty pleasure
CURRENT LISTEN: 305 to My City by Drake
CURRENT LISTEN: I'm loving Teen Suicide, Xavia Claire, Elvis Depressedly, and Alex G a lot right now.
CURRENT LISTEN: Anything by Odesza. They can't go wrong.
FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: I LOVE Bella Kotak and Jacqueline Harriet's photos ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… Other photographers really, haha. I love the energy of creativity coming from inspiring photographers, especially from ones who are attempting photography as a career. True kudos to them! THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE WOULD PROBABLY CONSIST OF… Bad Habit by The Kooks
FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: Pierre-August Renoir ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… Whenever I am feeling lazy, I think about college and my future, and I snap out of it. THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE WOULD PROBABLY CONSIST OF… A lot of Coconut Records, Phoenix, FKA twigs, Lorde, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and Spoon.
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FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: Neutral Milk Hotel, Artwise: @zah and @grlcreature on Instagram also Agnes Cecile and Keing Haring; Photographywise: Olivia Bee, Petra Collins, Arvida Bystrom, and all my friends! ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… Right now I'm incredibly inspired by the movie Electrick Children. But I'm generally just inspired by pure moments and I love capturing that with my photos/art/music.
FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: I recently followed @jackbelli on Instagram and he is an amazing photographer. ONE THING THAT INSPIRES ME IS… My friends. I love capturing images of them on adventures. THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE WOULD PROBABLY BE… Say My Name by Odesza because I listen to it on repeat wherever I am. It's a really fun upbeat song.
a letter from the editor
YOU‘RE NOT THE ONE PYPER AMER ICA W I L L OW GREE NE Love comes in many forms: in heartshaped boxes and long-stem roses, in homemade mix-tapes and lipstick stains. But as we journey through our adolescent lives, we often realize that love is not always its picturesque idealization as seen in “The Notebook” and “The Vow”. Often, we may discover, that love comes in the form of drunken text
messages and shattered photo frames, in trembling voice messages and tearcovered sleeves. This issue is dedicated to the ups and downs of young love, and all the eagerness, elation, and heartache that comes with it. Here’s to the kids that are stuck in love, here’s to the kids that are still stuck on the puzzle. Giselle Melendres Founder & Editor-in-Chief
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EYES B R I G H T, U P T I G H T, J U S T GI R L S photography by WILLOW GREENE featuring PYPER AMERICA styling by BRANDY MELVILLE USA
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KIDS IN LOVE photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring LOGAN HAMMON, TRINITY GARDNER, DANNY WHALEY, AVA ALEXANDRA,
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photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring LOGAN HAMMON & AVA ALEXANDRA
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STUCK ON THE PUZZLE
photography by RAI UTOMO featuring Maggie McCauley & Sophie Bell
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DIAMOND IN THE DUST photography by SHERIDAN ELYSE DYCHES featuring CHARLOTTE MAYER
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YOU‘RE NOT THE ONE photography by DELANEY HOFFMAN series by GISELLE MELENDRES
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Don’t Owe It editorial by ZOE ALLEN
He told me “it’s just something that guy’s talk about,” when I asked him why he spread rumors about me sending him nudes. He told me “I can’t look like the bad guy.” when I asked him why he told people he had seen me naked. He told me “I just wanted to be nice.” when I asked him why he had lead me on for so long. He told me to “stop being a psycho bitch” when I asked him why he was screwing over my best friend. He told me “I only like you because you’re easy.” when I asked him why he cared about me. These phrases are all reasons why sexism and sex shaming still exist today. With each of these men, I had gone into the relationship thinking the world of them. With each of these men, I have left the relationship thinking the worst of them. One demanded to see my chest and when I refused, he told everyone that he had seen it anyways, cementing my reputation as a “slut”. He said to me “if you can see me shirtless, you owe it to me to be shirtless too.” I do not know you and I do not owe you anything.
For the longest time, I thought I did owe them something. I had an easy reputation for a reason, and looking back on it, I am not proud of it in any way. I have grown since then, becoming a girl knowing that she can do whatever she wants with her body, but does not owe anyone her body. This Valentine’s day, I spent my time with the loves of my life: my team and myself. I swam in a five hour swim meet for my conference championships, spent the last fleeting hours with my team on the long bus ride home, and promptly got home and studied for my impending finals. I do not need the approval of others to make me happy. My insecurity was what drove me to seek the approval of boys. And that, my friend, is not love.
“I do not know you and I do not owe you anything.”
NO. 7 - COME AS YOU ARE
It is physical attraction at best. Sometimes it is not even that--it is just an overwhelming desire to fill up an emptiness inside you. It is filled temporarily, and then I would wake up the next morning hating myself all over again. Putting on a little black lacy pair of lingerie can only make you feel whole for so long. You can only wait so long until you take them off and change back into pajamas and remember who you actually are. Throughout this entire cycle, I think I had legitimate feelings for only one of the boys. This boy did not require anything from me--it was unconditional. He was sweet, and absolutely normal--which was what made it so rare for me. Eventually, his feelings for me went away, but mine for him remain to this very day. It’s egregiously ironic how I could get his entire school to fall for me, yet I could only get him to trip. Two of his “friends” got jealous of how I felt about him and told him horrible lies. The day before they were together, he was telling me how much he felt for me. The day after, he was telling me how we needed to stay friends. He can barely look me in the eye anymore. With every time he ignores me, I feel like he’s stepping on my heart, and it will not stop bleeding.
“Putting on a little black lacy pair of lingerie can only make you feel whole for so long.“ The Smith’s said it so beautifully: “I want the one that I can’t have, and it’s driving me mad.” Actual feelings are so hard to come by and it seems like when I find them, it is never reciprocated. In a world of sexting, drunk hookups, date rapes, and cat calling, true romance is a fragile, feathered thing. It is breakable, delicate, and will leave you in the blink of an eye. I have yet to find it--and I don’t think I am anywhere close.
AN INTERVIEW WITH RON DADON photography by RON DADON interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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Meet Ron Dadon, an Arizona native and fashion photographer, whose work has been seen within popular clothing brands Brandy Melville USA, Freshtops, and more. Read on to learn more about Ron’s dreams, aspirations, and journey in photography. MAD SOUNDS: TO START OFF, WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS? I use a Canon 5D mk iii and a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens. YES 10/10 would recommend!
DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR LOCATIONS IN WHICH YOU PREFER SHOOTING? I love shooting on rooftops and in fields during sunset, but I am starting to get into studio photography so hopefully I'll have a go-to studio soon as well. DO YOU PREFER INDOOR OR OUTDOOR SHOOTS? I'm more comfortable with outdoor shoots because that's what I started with. I've grown with my photography by doing outdoor shoots. Although, if a space is nicely lit and has interesting details to it I would absolutely shoot there, no questions asked! WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS? I am in love with Annie Leibovitz, Rosie Hardy, Julia Trotti, Jorden Keith, and way more that I (sadly) can't think of off the top of my head right now. WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PHOTOS? Quotes, music, lighting, location, clothes, faces, life.
WHAT DIFFERENT MESSAGES/FEELINGS DO YOU HOPE TO PORTRAY WITH YOUR PHOTOS? Sometimes I'll be inspired by a quote and I'll create a photograph that portrays the quote in some way. I love making people think when they look at my photographs, and I love playing with lighting because it helps create emotion within a still image.
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“I'm currently working with B r a n d y Melville USA, Freshtops, A ' G A C I , Shantiques D e s i g n s , Olloclip, and many more.” HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH SUBJECTS/MODELS TO UTILIZE WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS?
WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SHOOT THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR? I actually stared at my computer for so long trying to think of an answer to this question but it's absolutely impossible to choose! WHAT IS YOUR DREAM EQUIPMENT? What I own :-) ALTHOUGH THE EQUIPMENT DOESN'T MAKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER, WHICH DO YOU FIND TO BE MORE IMPORTANT, A GOOD LENS OR A GOOD CAMERA? A good lens on a less fancy camera will take you further than a fancy camera with a weak lens. DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR EDITING PROCESSES. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS TO UTILIZE AND HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR PHOTOS? I use Photoshop CS6 and VSCOcam on my phone! I just play with Curves, tweak the colors, and adjust it until I like the way it looks.
Most of the time I choose the model first without a clue of how I want the shoot to look like and then I kinda just go out with my camera and wing it! WHAT BRANDS AND COMPANIES HAVE YOU ENJOYED WORKING WITH THUS FAR? Ahhhh I love every single company I've worked for, everyone is so sweet and supportive. I'm currently working with Brandy Melville USA, Freshtops, A'GACI, Shantiques Designs, Olloclip, and so many more. I love working with them all.
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“ W h e n people laugh and say that they don't get your vision, just laugh back at them because you're the one who will make it big someday.”
HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? I would not be where I am today without Instagram. I've met so many incredible people and have been offered so many incredible opportunities over the years that have shaped me into the person I am today. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS? NEVER. GIVE. UP. When people laugh and say that they don't get your vision, just laugh back at them because you're the one who will make it big someday. Meet as many people as you can, never say no to trying new things, always think outside the box, and always look to improve. BE BOLD. PUSH TO GET WHAT YOU WANT. Email the company you've always wanted to shoot for. What if they email back? The opportunities are endless, go find your inner artist.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD' PHOTOGRAPH? I like to think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so there's not really one “right” or “good” way to make a photograph, it should appeal to the photographer themselves and then that factor makes it an incredible photograph.
Keep up with Ron Instagram: @ronathann rondadonphotos.com
DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? That's the dream!
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I WASN‘T C R A Z Y, I WAS DIVINE photography by RON DADON
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AN INTERVIEW WITH FIONA O‘HANLON photography by FIONA O’HANLON interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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Meet Fiona O’Hanlon, a SouthernCalifornia based fashion photographer who inspires her viewers through a unique and innovative style and distinctive vision. MAD SOUNDS: TO START OFF, WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS?
WHAT DIFFERENT MESSAGES/FEELINGS DO YOU HOPE TO PORTRAY WITH YOUR PHOTOS? I hope to portray happiness, and trigger memories. I want to inspire people to go on an adventure and document it. Take so many photos! You can never have too many. Leave your house and get out of your comfort zone, meet new people! One day you will be feeling sad and stumble across photos from a really really happy day, and you will remember that at one time everything was okay. At one time all the stars aligned and everything came together and nothing was planned. But there were no tests to study for or essays to be written, it was life as raw as it comes. That's what photos are for. DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR LOCATIONS IN WHICH YOU PREFER SHOOTING? Location is everything. But at the same time it isn't. I love the ocean, there's something about how the wave will always come back to the shore and the ocean is never quiet. I also love abandoned buildings because they have been through so much and are still able to stand tall without any maintenance. A recent thing of mine is lookouts and rooftops, a good friend told me that the reason I love it so much is because everything is so peaceful from 14 stories up. Nothing but the sky and the city, and my company.
I use a Nikon D600 as my main camera and also a Fujifilm x100, and a Nikon f100 + Olympus trip 35 for film. But some of my old film photos were on a Nikon n80 which is now in camera heaven. Yes! I would recommend all of the above to any photographers, as they are all pretty simple cameras that preform well, and won't break the bank.
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“If a model has a special look, or catches my eye, I like her automatically. I don't like cookie cutter models- which is when girls all look the same.” WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS? Petra Collins, all day everyday. Also, Ted Emmons, Henrik Purienne, Lucas Passmore, Jennifer Stenglein, Phillip Lopez, Raul Romo. Are just a few coming to my mind right now, I have a lot of old old photographers from the 1800 & 1900 that I'm obsessed with that everyone already knows about.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH SUBJECTS/MODELS TO UTILIZE WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS? If a model has a special look, or catches my eye, I like her automatically. I don't like cookie cutter models- which is when girls all look the same, like they were cloned. They don't even have to be skinny or have perfect skin they just have to look different than everyone else. I hate working with boring models, they have to inspire me with their look and then it will be a good shoot. WHAT BRANDS AND COMPANIES HAVE YOU ENJOYED WORKING WITH THUS FAR? I've worked with a lot of companies but my top would be Coulbourne. I love the minimalistic designs and its run by the coolest people ever. Watch out for them cause theres big things coming. WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SHOOT THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR? I don't know if I can pick a favorite because everything is different. But my best photos always come out of thin air. For example, I could be at a shoot and we will have the model changing outfits, and ill take random photos to test lighting, and then when I get home I'll look back and there will be one amazing photo that was completely candid and unplanned.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PHOTOS? Keep up with Fiona Instagram: @fiorra fionaohanlon.com
I find inspiration in old movies and my daily life. Also the earth and travels are a maaajor inspo for me. A lot of photographers can inspire me to come up with cool 'new ' ideas but I try to never copy anyone's work.
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“Go on cool adventures and meet cool people. Don't worry about the amount of likes you get or how many followers you have because all of that is just background noise.” IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD' PHOTOGRAPH? A good photographer is someone who is passionate and can see the details in everything. I love fashion photography because everyone is thinking outside of the box, and I like that. But I also love candid photographs with emotion because its real. I try to combine the two into my own work. DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? I have to go to college. My parents are very against me making a career with my photography because they want me to go to school and have a 'real job'. So I understand that, and the time hasn't come to make the decision yet. So in a few
years I'll see where I am with photography and decide from there. I want to be a photographer, and I'm serious about making it a career but I'd like to keep all my options open. DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR EDITING PROCESSES. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS TO UTILIZE AND HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR PHOTOS? I upload my photos into my desktop and pick my favorites. And depending on what I want to do to the photos I'll either start with Photoshop or Lightroom. So if I start with Photoshop then I'll put them in Lightroom after, then everything goes into Dropbox and I'll make little adjustments on VSCO on my phone. HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? I hate Instagram and all forms of social media. Its taken over the thoughts of everyone and no one does anything anymore without the intent of posting something on their platforms about it. Instagram killed doing something to do it, I hate how commercial its become too. BUT- because social media has taken over the world- I get work and models and what not through it. I would've deleted my Instagram(s) years ago if it wasn't for those things. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS? My last advice is keep doing you. Keep taking lots and lots of photos because practice makes perfect. Go on cool adventures and meet cool people. Don't worry about the amount of likes you get or how many followers you have because all of that is just background noise.
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YOU CAME AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME photography by FIONA O’HANLON
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THE HOUSE THAT BUILT FEVER FEVER
INTERVIEW BY GISELLE MELENDRES
How was Fever Fever originally formed? A few close friends got together and decided to start a band even though two of them didn't even know how to play instruments. We learned everything together and grew very close in the process. What inspired the name “Fever Fever”? It's really just a random name that we thought sounded cool. Kind of lame I know, but that's the truth!
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“Ohio alternative rock band Fever Fever proudly wear their alt-rock inspirations on their sleeves. There's a little Phoenix here, a little fun there, and a melting pot of the communal indie sing-alongs of the last ten years.”
opinions. We landed here as a result of the people who have come before us. The Killers, U2. The Lumineers, Sigur Ros We like to find that it's a blend of nature and personal and Phoenix have all been huge influences for us. experience. A lot of our songs could be considered Where is your hometown? How have your friends and allegorical. family reacted to your recent success? What is your process for song writing and musical We grew up in a suburb of Columbus called Grove City. Our composition? family and friends have always been supportive, they're Usually one of us will come up with a musical idea or really proud of us and excited for the things to come. concept and pitch it to the rest of the group. It's usually a group effort after that, the drummer will come up with What musical instrument does each member play/prefer to play? percussion parts and our singer will write lyrics and melody. Where do you find inspiration for your songs and lyrics?
Drew - Guitar, Vocals, Percussion Zack - Drums, Vocals by Vocals What influenced this particular style? We call it alternative Andrew - Bass, Double Bass, Vibraphone,photographs FEVER FEVER Flute, rock. It's tough to boil all of your music down to a few words, Wes - Guitar, Harmonium, Mandolin, Vibraphone, but we like alternative rock just because it doesn't really Vocals interview by answer any questions and forces people to make their own GISELLE MELENDRES How exactly would you describe your style of music?
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I K N O W, I LOVE YOU EVEN T H O U G H‌. How does this selection of musical instruments contribute to the unique sound of your band? We like to think that we don't use many electronic instruments in our records. Instead of hunting for sounds we have sort of imagined what we need in certain songs or parts and then found instruments that fill that spot. So our sound was definitely crafted through a few years of experimentation and searching for the right tools. We love that we have so many unique instruments, it just makes everything all the more fun.
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“It's a sort of brotherhood that you enter and never leave. Even people who we meet in their 40s and 50s who were touring musicians and now wear suits to work, they all still live in that brotherhood. We're very grateful to be a part of the culture. It's been amazing.”
Out of all of the songs you have recorded, which are your personal favorites?
How has music affected your lives and the world around you?
We like Sea Meets Earth and Hallucinate probably the most. Which is bizarre because they are far from our most successful songs.
It's completely redirected the course of our lives. We all had different ambitions and lifestyles before becoming touring musicians. It's a sort of brotherhood that you enter and never leave. Even people who we meet in their 40s and 50s who were touring musicians and now wear suits to work, they all still live in that brotherhood. We're very grateful to be a part of the culture. It's been amazing.
What has been your favorite city or state that you have toured while performing? We love California. San Francisco is an amazing town. San Diego, Chicago and Nashville are up there too.
What advice can you give to other aspiring musicians, singers, and song writers?
Outside of music, what are your favorite hobbies? Buckle up, it's a rough road. But it's so worth it. We love to play basketball, go hiking, and we appreciate a good whiskey. Drew is a producer in his free time, Zack has a side project called Permeation that he releases original music under, Andrew is a short-film director and runs a production company in Columbus, and Wes lives out in the country and raises goats and chickens.
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MAD SOUNDS MUST HEARS
HAND-PICKED AND REVIEWED BY TRINITY GARDNER
ALEX G
Twitter: @sandyalexg sandy.bandcamp.com
Alex Giannascoli, known as "Alex G" is a chill, Lo-fi artist based in Philadelphia. The 21 year-old indie songwriter is best known for his mesmerizing guitar riffs, muffled sound, and iconic construction of narratives that call for repeated listening. At only 17 years old, Giannascoli posted his debut album, Race on his bandcamp. 'Fader' once labeled him as "The internet's secret best songwriter." This is probably because his music had little to no recognition from 2010 to late 2011. It wasn't until about 2 and a half years ago that lo-fi legend, Mat Cothran, the face behind "Elvis Depressedly" and "Coma Cinema" found Alex's music and immediately contacted him. Cothran once tweeted, "RT if Alex G is the greatest songwriter you can think of." Giannascoli produces all of his music using his laptop, a mic
“ The 21 year-old indie songwriter is best known for his mesmerizing guitar riffs, muffled sound, and iconic construction of narratives that call for repeated listening.� (which reportedly is balanced on an open book because his mike stand broke), and Garageband. This is where Alex, and many other great lo-fi artists (i.e. Teen Suicide, Grooms) earn the title, "Bedroom pop" or "DIY Dreamers." Today, Alex is signed with Orchid Tapes Records and his newest album, DSU, is available on iTunes and Spotify.
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CHERRY GLAZERR Twitter: @sandyalexg sandy.bandcamp.com
Cherry Glazerr is a garage-punk "beach goth" band based in LA. The band took route in 2012 when lead singer, Clementine Creevy started making demos in her bedroom under the name "Clembutt." Later on, bassist Sean Redman and drummer Hannah Uribe were added and the band was formed. Burger Records released their first collection, Papa Cremp on tape. Cherry Glazerr's sound ranges from aggressive, clashy garage music to soft, playful, and clever. For example, the angry, fast-moving "White is Not My Color This Evening" is only 2 songs above the track called "Grilled Cheese", which consists of basic, rather silly rhyming patterns such as "If you want a bite, go fly a kite" and other childish, catchy phrasing. My personal favorite tracks from the band are "Teenage Girl" and "All My Friends" for their witty, yet sensitive lyricism and cleverness.
“I find their slightly warped, quirky tones running through my brain at any given time.”
the subjects of youth, friendship, and the blatant feeling of missing the one person you want to see the most. Like every great band should, CBMB has a song for every occasion.
CYBER BULLY MOM CLUB Twitter: @CBMCband cyberbullymomclub.bandcamp.com
After discovering Cyber Bully Mom Club (CBMC) through a friend, I have found myself to be simply addicted to every aspect of this band. CBMC's Shari Heck is the host to one of my all-time favorite female voices. I find their slightly warped, quirky tones running through my brain at any given time. With their undeniably catchy tunes such as "Can't Say I Wanna" and "Fight Night Champion", it's almost impossible not to leave happily humming. While CBMC has a lot of silly, upbeat tracks, they rage to exceedingly intimate, personal songs. Their lyrics touch on
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MAD SOUNDS MUST HEARS ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD Instagram: @AJJtheband Twitter: @AJJtheband andrewjacksonjihad.com Andrew Jackson Jihad (AJJ) is without a doubt in the ranks for one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time. Sean Bonnette's unconventional voice emits a sort of vulnerability that any listener can connect to. They are one of those rare bands that never has a song/album that's only so-so. Every single track that AJJ produces is well thought out and meticulously crafted. They are the perfect cross between two genius bands: Modern Baseball and Neutral Milk Hotel. My favorite thing about AJJ is their absolute fearlessness when creating music. Their tracks are brutally honest, blatant, and rude - but in the best way possible.
“They accomplish this by using clever lines and witty remarks like, ‘I'm a straight, white male in America - I've got all the luck I need.’” With tracks such as "American Tune" , "Rejoyce", and "Temple Grandin Too", AJJ covers extremely heavy subjects including religion, feminism, rape, domestic violence, murder, gender inequality, and politics. They accomplish this by using clever lines and witty remarks like, "I'm a straight, white male in America - I've got all the luck I need"
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NO. 8 - YOU’RE NOT THE ONE
or my personal favorite, "There's a bad man in everyone, no matter who you are - There's a rapist and a Nazi living in our tiny hearts." While some tracks are gruesome and aggressively controversial, others are positive and motivational. AJJ's music holds some of the most short, yet impactful lyrics ever written, such as "Hating you won't make you suck any less" or "Find a nicer way to kill it." Overall, I recommend that you listen to Andrew Jackson Jihad if you enjoy the truth, awesome lyrics, and simply brilliant music.
“His lyrics never fail to relate to everyone in some way, by leaving room to apply his words to your own life experiences.” DANDELION HANDS
it's all in your head by DANDELION HANDS
THESE DAYS BY NICO
Instagram: @dandelionhands.mp3 Twitter: @nick_heck dandelionhands.bandcamp.com
Dandelion Hands is probably one of the most intriguing bands i have ever come across, partially because of sound, partially because of absolute sweetheart, Nick Heck, the face behind the music of Dandelion hands. He labels his music as "post-emo down tempo electronica" which seems like a perfectly accurate way to describe it. His chilling, warped tones are the epitome of a great lo-fi artist. His tracks range from sweet and catchy with songs such as "I Like You" and "Bleak Week" to extremely personal, dark, and dreary with songs like "How To Never Stop Being Sad" and "Dreamy Suicide Pact." Not only are Heck's songs aesthetically pleasing to listen to, but his lyrics never fail to relate to everyone in some way, by leaving room to apply his words to your own life experiences. I recommend "I Like You" and "Home is Where the Snes is" for first-time listens.
Whether its your best or worst day ever, this song can be the soundtrack to your life at any given moment. This track has the powerful ability to emit both happiness, tranquility, or sadness depending on the listener's situation. The lyrics are so simple, yet so powerful. Nico's distinct voice secures its spot on my list of favorite songs for the rest of my life. It's one of those songs where when you hear it, you'll either want to cry, or tell that one special person how special they really are. In the end, this song means a lot to me, and I hope that you give it a listen because it will make you feel something.
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mad sounds