APRIL/MAY 2015
mad sounds I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BEING SEVENTEEN
youth in revolt ISSUE NO. 9
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, Emily Hampton
Contributing Photographers - Sheridan Elyse Dyches, Willow Greene, Arvin Rusanganwa, Aidan Doyle, Rai Utomo
ON THE COVER - Photography by William Klenk Featuring Lo Kidd
stay rad, stay mad @madsoundsmag www.madsoundsmag.com @madsoundsmag
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contributors
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life imitates art by AIDAN DOYLE
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a letter from the editor
about a girl by RAI UTOMO
photo journals
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don't play nice by SHERIDAN DYCHES
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sea, swallow me by WILLOW GREENE
& she looks like a riot by CHASE DUN
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why don't we all just run away editorial by ZOE ALLEN
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being lost is better editorial by EMILY HAMPTON
shops 136
interviews
bad vibes brigade an interview with BAD VIBES
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features
parker woods an interview with @parkerxwoods
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james stanciell an interview with @jamesyouth
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tyler mazaheri an interview with @tylermazaheri
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life in progress an interview with LO KIDD
mad sounds contributors
contributors
GISELLE MELENDRES
SHERIDAN DYCHES
WILLOW GREENE
AIDAN DOYLE
@gisellelisabeth founding editor-in-chief California
@sheridanelyse photographer Hawaii
@moody_mind photographer Arizona
@adoyleee photographer California
CURRENT LISTEN: Everyday Is Like Sunday by Morrissey
CURRENT LISTEN: Blind Heart by Cazzette
CURRENT LISTEN: All the Horses by On an On
ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: I would love to meet Casey Liu in person. She is such an inspiration.
ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: I have no idea honestly, that would take a long time to think about!
CURRENT LISTEN: Suburban Smell by The Districts
IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… It would be so cool to be a photographer for Vans or RVCA
IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… I would be the owner or creative director of a company like Free People or Brandy Melville
ONE PERSON THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: Sofia Coppola, my favorite director of all time. I will never get tired of watching Marie Antoinette or The Virgin Suicides. IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… I would love to be an editor for some sort of art or culture magazine! THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF: Passionate, creative, introspective
THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF: Silly, caring, sarcastic
THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF: Real, unique, caring
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ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: Petra Collins IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… I would want to be a fashion photographer for Topshop or American Apparel THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF: Creative, innovative, lost
mad sounds contributors
contributors
RAI UTOMO
ZOE ALLEN
TRINITY GARDNER
EMILY HAMPTON
@paraisitic photographer Kentucky
@eoz_allen writer Texas
@catveins music editor California
@em_pty writer California
CURRENT LISTEN: The Moon Song by Karen O
CURRENT LISTEN: Blue by Marina and the Diamonds
CURRENT LISTEN: 5ft7 by Tonstartssbandht
CURRENT LISTEN: Girl Harbor by Manchester Orchestra
ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: Amandla Stenberg, she is such an incredible and intelligent human being. IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… I would be Ava DuVernay!! THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF: Passionate, empowered, stubborn
ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: David Bowie!!
ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: Amy Poehler
IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… I would be on tour in a band signed with Burger Records
IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… I would be a journalist THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF: creative, crazy, energetic
THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF: Lo-fi music idiot
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ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO MEET IN MY LIFETIME: Keaton Henson IF I COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION… I would be a member of a world traveling artist troupe. Preferably one of theater. THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF: Innovative, empathetic, aware
a letter from the editor
YOUTH IN REVOLT
LO KIDD
W I L L I AM KLENK We are the Millennials, Generation Y, commonly characterized by our innate sense of entitlement and seamless ability to find entertainment in our cell phones. We are the generation of social media and technology, seemingly oblivious to our parents’ favorite records (now replaced by Soundcloud and Spotify), and despondent to the world outside of our phone screens. The disconnect between our past and present generation is significant, often filled with the frustration of miscommunication, and a particular
resentment for this massive cultural rift. Yet one commonality will always remain constant throughout each generation’s adolescent experience, and that is the angst and emotional disarray of the teenage years. This issue is dedicated to the rebelliousness, recklessness, and angstfilled sentiments of youth and adolescence. From Baby Boomers to Millennials, this is our youth, everrebellious, angsty…and ready to revolt. Giselle Melendres Founder & Editor-in-Chief
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DON‘T PLAY NICE photography by SHERIDAN DYCHES featuring KRYSTAL PREISS
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SEA, SWALLOW ME
photography by WILLOW GREENE featuring SHERIDAN DYCHES
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LIFE IMITATES ART photography by AIDAN DOYLE featuring LISEL BALLMER
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ABOUT A GIRL photography by RAI UTOMO featuring SYDNEY KOEPKE
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& SHE LOOKS LIKE A RIOT photography by CHASE DUN featuring DANIELLE RIDGE makeup by RORY GAUDIO
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WHY DON‘T WE ALL JUST RUN AWAY?
a recount of recklessness, rebellion, and repercussions
editorial by ZOE ALLEN photography by JAMES STANCIELL
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He was found smoking weed in his friend’s basement less than a mile away from where he ran away. My friend found him on the street and told him he was a piece of shit. He laughed and asked her if she had a joint. His life was coming down in shambles: the possibility of expulsion from his school, attempted suicide, and generally just people finding out how much of a train-wreck he was. He thought he was brooding, angsty, and attractive because of his professed depression. All it did was drive people away. He was too much of a fake rebellion. He threw “crazy parties” in which four people shared the same beer and he giggled, thinking he was cool. He would tell me that he had written a song about me just to have him turn back around and cover a 5 Seconds of Summer Song (really, what’s up with that?) A little control now and then is a good thing. He rebelled too much: doing lines in the bathroom at school, cheating on his multiple girlfriends--all this just because he was trying to maintain his rebellious attitude. This all resulted in him running away from home at three in the morning on a school night. Before long, the entire city knew about it. His parents were besides themselves, and his school did everything they could. Even someone like me, who spits on the ground he walks on, did everything in my power to try to bring him home. People were in tears over it. People who didn’t know him or didn’t like him put aside those feelings for twenty-four hours as we all panicked about the possible outcomes of this situation. A day later, he was found smoking weed in his friend’s basement less than a mile away from where he ran away.
“He needs to learn that depression and rebellion aren’t always attractive. He needs to learn how to be happy again.” We were all bitterly outraged. He had put us all through that trauma just because he wanted to get a little high. Police were looking for him, and his family was a ruin because of it. When he was found, we all just hated him more. It’s sad what the need to stir up trouble does to some of today’s youth. There are so many repercussions from almost everything you do in life, and a lot of life is thinking about what ways what you do will affect the people around you. He did not think about what he put people through. For his own selfish reasons, he caused drama, ran away to get grass, and now is in rehabilitation because of it. I do not know if I will ever see him again. His rehab is taking place in Pennsylvania, thousands of miles away from where he had all of his problems. If they teach him one thing while he’s there, I hope it’s how to love himself. He needs to learn that depression and rebellion aren’t always attractive--rebellion is good, but only in doses. He needs to learn how to be happy again, and that revolting isn’t the way to solve all of your problems.
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Sometimes, getting help is the best way. He ran away because he wanted to revolt. But that is no way to revolt. You revolt for something that you believe in. Leaving home to get weed is not revolting for a cause. It’s revolting for snotty, conceited purposes. All he did was attempt to draw attention to himself; and it worked. Deep inside my heart I feel very sorry for him. Someone who has to do something on that kind of level to get the ultimate recognition is obviously very screwed up. He needed to be noticed. He had told people about his problems and they had just brushed them aside, thinking they were petty teenage issues. Of course they were petty. But to him, they were terrifying and real.
Most of us cannot see the long run, we only see the short sprint. Every single problem is real, but it’s how you choose to handle it that defines you as a person. We all have our episodes. Just remember to breathe and think, and most importantly don’t just think about yourself--think about everyone else. Being a teenager can sort of suck. At the same time, it can sort of be great. Make it sort of great.
This is how it is with every teenager: we all have our problems. They appear so palpable and immediate to us, but at the end of the day, the majority of them are things that will not affect us in the long run.
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BEING LOST IS BETTER angst in adolescence: is it always a bad thing? editorial by EMILY HAMPTON photography by PARKER WOODS
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As a seventeen year old residing in Los Angeles, where 70 degrees is cold, and days ought to be happy because they are bright, it's almost impossible to comprehend how the colors I see and the things I feel are dark and hollow. Having to Google why you are sad is one of the most humiliating things, especially when the answer is often "teenage angst."
“You will always be lost. And always m i g h t b e f o re v e r. T h a t ’s n o t a b a d thing.”
We taste people through their words, smiles, lips, bodies. We grasp whatever skin we can, and tear up The definition of angst relates to uncertainty about our own sometimes. We erase what we hold true so the state of one's life or future. that we have room to grow. We smoke out our morals and drink up our fear. We stand until the Yet, if angst is just an adolescent thing, then why is ground gives, and fall until the paper catches us. my father still wandering through life with his laces tied together? And somehow we find ourselves along the way. Somehow we fill ourselves up and pack away Why did my grandmother write herself check-lists sadness. reading: 1) become successful. We drag our baggage through high school and 2) grow happily. college and adult life, and let it drop when our 3) be somebody? eyelids finally do. My point is, angst exists, and it's shared like bread As a seventeen year old residing in Los Angeles, at the table. where 70 degrees is cold, and days ought to be happy because they are bright, being lost is a My Google search is the same as yours, and the blessing. answer is more obvious than it seems. I love letting vulnerability bleed from eyes and legs You will always be lost. in a pack of theater geek wolves. And always might be forever. Singing at the top of my lungs on a roof while the That's not a bad thing. sun fades away. Running down hills and kissing at the bottom. Nothing feels as free, and life is It's not bad to wander aimlessly, because then priceless. you've got the ability to find something beautiful. Sometimes it's in people. As a seventeen year old residing in Los Angeles, Sometimes you can find unexpected lightning and where 70 degrees is cold, and days ought to be soft rain in someone you thought was desert dry. happy because they are bright, I've learned that At our age, we've often got a craving for a new kind angst is not rebellion, but innocence. of love. We reject that which we've received from our parents, whatever quantity it is, and we search Though it is a way of classifying youth, I will not for sparks and fireworks and explosions. grow old without it.
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PARKER WOODS photography by PARKER WOODS interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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Parker Woods is a Los Angeles based portrait and lifestyle photographer, whose work has graced the pages of Vision, Nationalist, and Unrooted Magazine. Take a look into the life of an aweinspiring artist, whose photos have captivated its viewers with every m e s m e r i z i n g snapshot and i n n o v a t i v e perspective. HEY PARKER, THANKS FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US HERE AT MAD SOUNDS. TO START OFF, GIVE US A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIFE OF PARKER WOODS.
to California while I stayed behind to finish school with my friends. I was living in a one-bedroom apartment by myself and I began skipping school and isolating myself as the year progressed. I ended up missing about half of my final year of high school because I was able to call myself in sick and nobody cared enough to question it. During my Thanksgiving break I flew out to California to be with my parents and while I was there I found an old Minolta SLR that my mom used in the 70’s. I shot my first roll on a pier in Southern California and after I had it developed I immediately loved the feeling I got from creating these images. It was addicting to drop off a roll or two and not know exactly what I would get back. Shooting film solidified my love of photography. YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS CONTAIN RATHER DISTINCT AND ECLECTIC BACKGROUNDS AND LOCATIONS, WHERE/HOW DO YOU FIND THESE UNIQUE SETTINGS? I used to do extensive scouting for locations when I first starting taking portraits, but recently I’ll do a little research or have a few locations I’ve found on the web in mind and then pick one right before we shoot. I like the feeling of seeing something with fresh eyes and not over analyzing a location. The images I take at a place that I’m seeing for the first time in person always seem so much more genuine to me and that’s something I value.
Of course, thank you for having me! I grew up in Colorado and moved out to California for school about 4 years ago and now have plans to move to Oregon this winter. When I’m not shooting I like watching movies, exercising, and traveling. I try to keep my life as simple as possible. HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY? I fell into photography during my senior year of high school. I was 18 and my parents moved out
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“I want to blur the line between diary photos and commissioned work to the point where the v i e w e r , independent of their identity, remembers a feeling or event that’s relevant to their own life.” YOUR PORTFOLIO IS A STRONG MIXTURE OF PHOTOJOURNALISTIC AND EDITORIAL STYLE PHOTOGRAPHY, WHICH STYLE IS YOUR FAVORITE TO SHOOT AND WHY? I think if I had to choose, I’d combine the two styles. I’m still working on producing photographs in the style that I’d like to embody but I’m not quite there yet. I love the effortlessness that photojournalistic styles often evoke but I also appreciate the planning (I’m very anal retentive) and composition indicative of shooting editorials. I think the mixture of the two is my favorite medium because it has the best of both styles and I still get to be in control.
IF YOU COULD ENCOMPASS YOUR CREATIVE VISION IN ONE WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Nostalgia WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECTS TO CAPTURE IN PHOTOGRAPHY? Anyone with unique or defined facial features. I love how much there is to look at in just a headshot. WHAT FEELINGS/MESSAGES DO YOU WISH TO EVOKE WITHIN YOUR WORK? Nostalgia is a huge theme in my work. I want to blur the line between diary photos and commissioned work to the point where the viewer, independent of their identity, remembers a feeling or event that’s relevant to their own life. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY AS A WHOLE? FROM WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS INSPIRATION? Other photographers who come from similar backgrounds and are doing the type of work for the type of people that I’d like to be doing are constant sources of motivation and inspiration. I am also easily inspired by high fashion work from the late 20th century from photographers like Richard Avedon. I could spend hours looking through his books.
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“I shoot in film for all of my portfolio work and I still get antsy and e x c i t e d a b o u t picking up rolls of film.” I AM PARTICULARLY FOND OF YOUR “GEMINI” SERIES, FEATURED UPON YOUR ONLINE PORTFOLIO; WHAT INSPIRED THIS COMPELLING SERIES OF PHOTOS?
YOU TEND TO SPEND YOUR TIME BEHIND T H E L E N S , B U T H AV E Y O U E V E R EXPERIENCED LIFE IN FRONT OF IT? I’ve never modeled for anything that wasn’t part of a project I was doing/ helping with. I’ve taken a few self portraits but if I’m being completely honest I just feel anxious in front of the camera (laughs). I think I just look like some goofy kid in photographs. DO YOU PRIMARILY ENJOY SHOOTING IN DIGITAL OR FILM? I shoot in film for all of my portfolio work and I still get antsy and excited about picking up rolls of film. WHICH OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS AND PHOTO SHOOTS HAVE BECOME YOUR ALLTIME FAVORITES? That’s tough. I think the images in the series Coulomb would have to be my favorites. I took those photos while on a road trip from California to Colorado with my girlfriend and they bring back such vivid memories of that trip.
Gemini was something that I wanted to do for a while, and it wasn’t until I met James and Brandon (and they expressed interest in shooting it), that the series came together. I wanted to explore the similarities and differences that exist within a relationship between identical twins. WHICH PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE INSPIRED YOU AND YOUR WORK? Justin Tyler Close, Parker Fitzgerald, Dakota Gordon, Ann He, Tim Barber just to name a few.
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“No matter w h a t fi e l d you’re in, art or otherwise, you need to p u s h forward in order to make any progress.” WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON CENSORSHIP WITHIN PHOTOGRAPHY? WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WHO FIND THE ARTISTIC D E P I C T I O N O F N U D I T Y, S M O K I N G , DRINKING, ETC. OFFENSIVE? To each their own. I think what truly matters more than the perception of art is the artists intentions. There are a lot of photographers who produce work that I feel is explicit for the wrong reasons and I find it redundant and tasteless. I just don’t view their work anymore though and that’s all you can do.
selfish pursuit and although the idea of profiting from doing what I love sounds nice, I don’t want the industry to permanently ruin my favorite past time for me. The whole process of taking photographs is sentimental and for the time being, I think it will stay that way. HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE A ‘GOOD’ PHOTOGRAPH? Haha such a loaded question! I think, at a base level, a good photograph is captivating and aesthetically appealing to the majority of viewers. I like photos that keep me looking and that I feel took some amount of skill, or at least luck, to achieve. ANY LAST ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS? Everyone tells you to keep shooting but I think you need to set goals for yourself and know your own worth. Getting practice and experience is important, but if you’d like to pursue photography as something more than a hobby you need to be decisive and self-reliant. Also, there are always going to be photographers doing what you want to be doing with the gear you wish you had; don’t l e t c o m p a r i s o n b e t h e re a s o n y o u f e e l discouraged. Find value in aspects of your own work and then work on the areas you think are lacking. No matter what field you’re in, art or otherwise, you need to push forward in order to make any progress. Keep up with Parker: www.parker-woods.com @parkerxwoods
DO YOU HOPE TO PURSUE A CAREER WITHIN PHOTOGRAPHY? I do and I don’t. Photography continues to be a
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GROWING PAINS photography by PARKER WOODS
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JAMES STANCIELL photography by JAMES STANCIELL interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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Meet James Stanciell, a Ca l i f o r n i a b a s e d p o r t r a i t photographer and the creator of popular street-wear brand, ‘Bad Vibes Brigade’. From editorial shoots, to portraiture, James captures a wide variety of subjects with an unparalleled sense of artistry and composition.
WHAT, WOULD YOU SAY, IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? To be honest, it’s been a good 5-6 years since I started photographing and I’m still trying to figure that out. I want to say, it’s my obsession with capturing the beauty within my friends and places I visit—in the best way that I can. WHICH STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY IS YOUR FAVORITE TO SHOOT AND WHY? I’m a huge fan of portraiture. People fascinate me. WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE LOCATIONS TO SHOOT? I enjoy photographing in places with lots of color. I tend to mostly shoot in the Los Angeles area. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EQUIPMENT TO UTILIZE FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? I love Prime lenses and I love Kodak film, mostly Portra.
HI JAMES, THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US TODAY. TO BEGIN, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JAMES STANCIELL? Hey! Thanks for chatting with me! A day in the life would consist of me getting up pretty early to go to work, and coming home after a long day to relax and or skate with some friends. HOW DID YOU MEET FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHER AND COMPANION, PARKER WOODS? Parker and I met sometime in in late 2012…I believe through a mutual friend!
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“Feeling. I want people to f e e l something, not just look at it. (Short and sweet.)”
WHICH FORMAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TO SHOOT, FILM OR DIGITAL? Film and Film WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO PORTRAY WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS? Feeling. I want people to feel something not just look at it. (Short and sweet.) DO YOU HOPE TO PURSUE A CAREER WITHIN PHOTOGRAPHY? I used to really want to dabble in the fashion world, shooting look books or certain pieces. Now I just see photography as something I enjoy doing. HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE A ‘GOOD’ PHOTOGRAPH? A good photograph, in my eyes, is a photograph that makes me pick up my camera and go shoot as soon as I look at it.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR CAPTIVATING SERIES, “AFTER/THOUGHT”?
ANY LAST ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS?
After/Thought was inspired on the thought of losing friends/people in your life, and not being able to recognize them anymore, not just appearance but memories and times shared as well.
Keep Shooting x100 Keep up with James: www.james-stanciell.squarespace.com @jamesyouth
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? My mind has been all over the place the past couple of months, but I’m trying to do something with Primary Colors in the near future.
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IT‘S A CRUEL WORLD B U T I T ’S COOL photography by JAMES STANCIELL
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AN INTERVIEW WITH TYLER MAZAHERI photography by TYLER MAZAHERI interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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Tyler Mazaheri is an Arkansas based fashion photographer, whose eclectic eye and ethereal photographs have inspired a new generation of aspiring I n s t a g r a m photographers. From dreamy sun flares to enigmatic portraitures, Tyler depicts modern day youth like no other, and powerfully portrays the various emotions and complexities of youth and adolescence. HI TYLER, TO BEGIN THE INTERVIEW, WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS? As of right now I use a Canon 6D with a Canon 50mm f/1.4. I would without a doubt recommend the camera to fellow photographers, but not so much the lens. I’m currently saving up for a better lens (a sigma 35mm 1.4 or something of the sort) because I find that Canon’s 50mm f/1.4’s focus is way too soft for what I’m wanting.
struggling to find my message or the theoretical feeling that I would like to convey with my works. As of right now I just work to produce works that are appealing to my eye as well as my audience’s, but hopefully that will further develop soon. One day I’d like to develop my style to be more professional and fashion-based, but as of right now it is what it is. DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR LOCATIONS IN WHICH YOU PREFER SHOOTING? I live in a small town in Arkansas so there isn’t really any dreamy, jaw-dropping, scenic locations for me to work with (or at least not to my knowledge) so I have to make do with what I have. I initially developed my style around shooting in open fields, like most photographers do, but more recently I’ve enjoyed exploring more urban spots like rooftops, parking garages, and abandoned buildings. DO YOU PREFER INDOOR OR OUTDOOR SHOOTS? Since I began photography shooting in open fields, searching for sun flares, I think I’ll always find a sense of comfortability in shooting outdoors. Though I think shooting indoors permits you to have a lot more control of what’s occurring in your photo, shooting outdoors is more natural and fluid for me.
WHAT DIFFERENT FEELINGS AND MESSAGES DO YOU HOPE TO EVOKE WITH YOUR PHOTOS? Ever since I’ve started photography I’ve been
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“Being from a small town, I’ve only had the opportunity to work with a few local boutiques, and more recently, a men’s fashion blog, which I’m really excited about.” WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS? It’s so difficult to bring it down to just a few! More recently I’ve been loving Asher Moss (@basementfox), Kesler Tran (@keslertran), Derren Versoza (@derrenversoza), and of course Jorden Keith (@jordenkeith). There’s so many more I adore but they are the few that I’ve consistently found myself liking their posts every time they come up on my feed.
and how my models are posed all depends on my mood and how creative I’m feeling. More times than not I’ll have a ton of energy to get onto a location and make something new and different and something I’m proud of, but then whenever I’m actually there and having to communicate with my model, I fall flat and I end up returning to my list of go-to poses. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH SUBJECTS/MODELS TO UTILIZE WITHIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS? Not to be self-deprecating, but I like to remain in my comfort zone as much as possible, so I tend to keep within the same group of models from whenever I began photography even whenever I’m shooting today. I just find that since I’ve had so much practice with them, they know what I like and what I don’t, and they can create what I’m wanting quickly. Now that graduation is coming in the next month and they’re all seniors, I’m scrambling for new models and it’s just kind of a random process. If I find something interesting about someone, whether it be their lips or their cheekbones or their hair, I’ll try my best to arrange a shoot with them and get acquainted. WHAT BRANDS AND COMPANIES HAVE YOU ENJOYED WORKING WITH THUS FAR? Being from a small town, I’ve only had the opportunity to work with a few local boutiques, and more recently, a men’s fashion blog, which I’m really excited about.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PHOTOS? I am a very off-the-top-of-my-head type of person when shooting in that it is very rare that I will have anything planned out. How my photos are edited
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“Being a photographer is a constant journey of development a n d improvement, so as long as you can continue and feel good about what you do, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.” WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SHOOT THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR? My favorite shoot of mine to date was maybe two years ago, and we’d just gotten an unusually large surge of snow and my friends and I shot in my friend Maddy’s backyard which is huge and leads out to the river. It was freezing cold but none of us seemed to care and everybody was focused on getting some great shots and I got to work with my friend’s mother’s fur coat, which was so dreamy. The only thing I wish I could’ve changed about that shoot is my camera. That shoot was before I upgraded to the Canon 6D and I was still shooting with a Rebel t2i and the image quality and color depth was pitiful.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD' PHOTOGRAPH? I define a “good” photograph as any picture that I am so in awe of that I’ll feel the need to come back to it later, and still feel the same way then. DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? Honestly, photography will more than likely always be a hobby of mine, or maybe even a side job, but I don’t think I’ll ever use it as a full career path. With so much competition in our generation, and there being so many people my age who’re more developed and established, I just don’t think it’d be practical for me. HOW HAS INSTAGRAM INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER/PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT MADE ON YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? Instagram has definitely both benefited me and hurt me when it comes to photography. I see Instagram as a great way to share content and get feedback, and I love that, but also it feeds into my competitive, self-deprecating side, where I’m constantly comparing myself to others. Sometimes I find myself getting into ruts of discouragement, but that’s bound to happen and I just have to keep going. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS? As cliché as it may be, just be yourself, do whatever you want, and never stop trying whenever it comes to photography. Being a photographer is a constant journey of development and improvement, so as long as you can continue and feel good about what you do, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
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A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE photography by TYLER MAZAHERI
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BAD VIBES B R I G R ADE
created by JAMES STANCIELL collaborators
WYLEE RISSO, ERNESTO BELTRAN, MITCHIKO KHEM
interview by GISELLE MELENDRES
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Bad Vibes Brigade is a Southern California based street-wear line, whose collection includes a wide variety of graphic tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, and more. Read our interview with James Stanciell to learn more about the eclectic streetwear brand, and its journey to online acclaim. WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATION OF ‘BAD VIBES BRIGADE’ AND HOW WAS IT STARTED?
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR THESE CLOTHING DESIGNS AND IDEAS? We gain inspiration from the experience’s that life has thrown at us. In turn we design from the inspiration we’ve gained.
THE ARTISTRY AND PRESENTATION OF YOUR CLOTHING ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE COMPANY AND ITS BRANDING, HOW HAS PHOTOGRAPHY PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE WITHIN ‘BAD VIBES BRIGADE’? Agreed. It helps that myself, Parker & Jerrod are all actually aspiring photographers. We share that common ground. Although Bad Vibes Brigade is a unit of creators that all take part in similar passions, every single one of us has a very different style. It’s our common ground that unites us.
WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND ‘BAD VIBES’? The meaning behind Bad Vibes is to accept those bad vibes and turn them into something beautiful, something worthy of experiencing.
Sometime around Fall 2013 I was going through a rough time, naturally when I'm feeling low I tend to create. Well around the same time, I had some ideas running through my head that I wanted to put on shirts and so I came to my best friend Jerrod with the idea and that is what birthed "Bad Vibes Brigade".
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE STYLE OF ‘BAD VIBES’? Our style is very loose in a way; we like to leave that open to the buyers.
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“ J u s t remember who you are. The world will try to change you into someone else. Don’t let them. That ’s the best advice anyone can give you.”
Bad Vibes wavy design which was one of our best selling shirts from Spring 14’, and what’s really tight about that design is that it eventually lead to the creation of what is now our well-known Bad Vibes wavy logo. DO YOU HOPE TO EXPAND ‘BAD VIBES BRIGADE’ INTO A LARGER COMPANY IN THE FUTURE? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.
DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST ADVICE FOR YOUNG AND ASPIRING 'ENTREPRENEURS'? Honestly, just a quote I got from Tumblr: “Just remember who you are. The world will try to change you into someone else. Don’t let them. That’s the best advice anyone can give you.”
Check out Bad Vibes online: http://www.badvibesbrigade.us/ @badvibesbrigade
WHO DESIGNS THE SHIRTS, SWEATERS, HATS, AND VARIOUS PRODUCTS WITHIN YOUR STORE Jerrod and myself (James Stanciell) as well as some artists/friends we collaborated with.
WHAT ARE A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS FEATURED WITHIN THE SHOP? We released this long sleeve shirt I designed for our winter 14’ that was a rip of The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry". I switched it to "Boys DO Cry" and I thought that represented us 3 very well (laughs), so that’s definitely one of my favorites. Also another favorite would have to be Jerrod’s
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“Y O U CAN‘T MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY“
KEEP UP WITH BAD VIBES: badvibesbrigade.tumblr.com http://www.badvibesbrigade.us Instagram/Twitter: @BadVibesBrigade
interview by GISELLE MELENDRES featuring LO KIDD photography by WILLIAM KLENK
LIFE IN PROGRESS an interview with LO KIDD
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Meet Lo Kidd, a fresh face at Ford Models and Robert Black Agency. Seemingly ethereal and enigmatic, Lo is changing the face of fashion and modeling, and has followed her own direction in this world of photography and art.
FAVORITE… Song: "Boris" by Lo Fang Band: the 1975 and Sir Sly Artist: Andy Warhol Book: Lolita, the Outsiders and Catcher in the Rye Movie: There are honestly so many. Nightcrawler, Boyhood, Donnie Darko and the Virgin Suicides are probably my top four though. TV Show: Skins (the UK version) and American Horror Story Female Celeb: Lara Stone or Ola Rudnicka Male Celeb: I think I speak for every teenage girl when I say Lucky Blue Smith. Place: Manhattan Drink: Soy Dirty Chai Quote: "Don't touch my soul with dirty hands." -Annonymous Store: Top Shop or Free People Instrument: It's a cliche, but I'm a sucker for the guitar or piano. Movie Soundtrack: it's a toss up between the Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. Animal: Cats! Holiday: Halloween by far
RANDOMS… Last movie you watched? I'm actually watching Palo Alto as I answer these.. Coffee or tea? If I absolutely HAVE to choose, I'm going to have to say coffee. Comedies or dramas? dramas Big city or small town? Cities so big you lose yourself! What is your most worn item? Easily my Doc Martens. It's a rare thing for me to leave home without them. What are your biggest pet peeves? when people make up answers to questions instead of searching for the real answer Favorite place that you’ve ever traveled? That's a tough one.. Probably, Boston or Seattle. Hot or cold weather? the colder the better East or west coast? Undoubtably, East Coast Worst fears? having a dead-end job to pay for a small house on the hill of some suburbs with an average marriage
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If you could have one talent, what would it be? I would love to be able to whistle, but I'm not sure if that really counts as a talent. You have a free trip to anywhere in the world, where do you go? I would love to go to London during fashion week. That would be Heaven on Earth! If you could be any television show character, who would you be? Everyone tells me I'm exactly like Cassie from Skins, so I guess that question has already been answered for me. If you could have any job in the world, which would you choose? It's a dream of mine to curate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You have $1,000, what do you spend it on? I've never really seen money as something that is overly valuable, so I would probably give it to someone who is down on their luck. They'd make better use of it than I ever could. If you could relocate to one place, where would you live? Is that even a question? New Fucking York!
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“I love to walk around art galleries, take long drives with no destination in mind, and go on coffee dates. I don't do anything overly exciting past that.” YOU'RE AN EXTREMELY GIFTED MODEL, HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY INTO THE MODELING INDUSTRY? I actually never meant for this to happen. I like to surround myself with creative people, so a lot of my friends are photographers. Last year, one of them asked if she could use me as the subject of her AP studio art's portfolio and I agreed trying to help a friend out… it just so happened that I wasn't completely awful at it. After other photographers saw that work, a lot of them started to contact me over social media and it just sort of took off.
a friend. I was scouted at the airport to go to an Open Call, but after I took the business card, I sort of just laughed it off. A few months later, I was retelling this story and a good friend of mine told me that I would regret passing up the opportunity, so after a (very) long talk, I agreed to check it out. It was actually the owner of Ford/Robert Black Agency that decided to sign me after that. TELL US ABOUT THE ARIZONA LIFESTYLE, WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT? Arizona is beautiful- don't get me wrong- but its not the place for me. I think it's too comfortable a lifestyle and I honestly can't wait to get out. WE SEE YOU’VE WORKED WITH ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS, WILLIAM KLENK, WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? Shooting with Will was a wicked good time! He's so incredibly talented, funny and sweet; I honestly am blessed to have not only worked with Will, but to call him one of my good friends. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY OUTSIDE OF MODELING? I love to walk around art galleries, take long drives with no destination in mind, and go on coffee dates. I don't do anything overly exciting past that.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A FACE AT FORD/ ROBERT BLACK AGENCY? It was really just dumb luck and the persuasion of
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“I'm slightly obsessed with the fact that there are seven billion unique people walking around of this planet and every single one has d i f f e r e n t hardships, aspirations and perspectives.”
wrecking my mom's car, it was seriously such a good day! DO YOU HOPE TO PURSUE MODELING AS A PERMANENT PROFESSION? Honestly, I've never put much thought into it. I never really thought it would be an opportunity that would present itself to me. IN A GENERAL SENSE, WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS? Strangers have always been some of my biggest inspirations. I'm slightly obsessed with the fact that there are seven billion unique people walking around of this planet and every single one has different hardships, aspirations and perspectives. We complain that we're not learning anything in school, but there's so much we can learn from everyone around us. THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF: The Cat's Pajamas.
OF THE MANY SHOOTS THAT YOU’VE MODELED FOR, WHICH HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE? My favorite shoot by far was one that went the complete opposite of the way we planned it. You see, we were trying to drive up to Williams, Arizona for a photo shoot and I may or may not have accidentally crashed my mom's car about two-thirds of the way there….. After the tow truck came for us, we were trapped at a small gas station in the middle of nowhere, Arizona for about three hours waiting for someone to pick us up and decided to have a shoot there to pass time. We got some killer shots and despite me
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