Issue 12

mf

music .fa

shion

ElizaDushku JulieBenz Lights DJJazzyJay AshlanGorse YoGabbaGabba! thenewno2 AvshAlomGur

Winter 2010

issue 12 $4.50

DAVID ZIGGY GREENE Lives in London, UK. His ceiling is 9 foot high. His house plant is 12 foot high. He’s been doodling all his life. Having directed and edited over 16 music videos, promos and documentaries, David now also VJ’s live custom made videos with bands on tour. He hates cooked fruit. You can check his work at www.samu.co.uk.

Erik Schultz

Editor-In-Chief

Emily Peterson Lead Designer

Star Noor

Fashion Editor

Richard S.

Advertising Sales

Richard S.

Marketing/Promotions

Jesse Weed

Website Dude

Larissa Underwood Aaron Fallon Travis Geny

Fashion Photographers

Pamela Lopez Grant Cover Photographer

MICHELE OESTMAN Michele Oestman is a Detroitbased freelance illustrator. You can check her artwork out at www. micheleoestman.carbonmade.com.

Lauren Weigle, Michele Oestman, Ally Maki, Michelle Nelson, Larissa Underwood, Aaron Fallon, Pamela Lopez Grant, David Ziggy Greene, Monica Alvarez, Tina M. Schiro, Kristy Sparow, Jason Schell, Lucas Cook, Meeno, Janet Sanders, Jimmy Hall Contributors Reach out and virtually touch us at

info@musicfashionmagazine.com

View our hip internet site

www.musicfashionmagazine.com

Tweet with us at

twitter.com/mfmagazine

Wanna be our friend?

myspace.com/musicfashion

If you are looking to see your business become fruitfull then you should get your freakin’ ad in our magazine. Send us an email and we will work with you to make that happen.

TRAVIS GENY Travis Geny is a fashion and portrait photographer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He is former Editor in Chief of Subiesport Magazine. You can check out his work at www.tgphoto.net.

PAMELA LOPEZ GRANT LA based photographer Pamela Lopez Grant has burst onto the scene with vivid color and unequivocal style. A product of Mexico City and San Jose California, Pamela uses her cultured background to create a familiar connection and distinct image. Sublime and unrestrained, her work meanders through flavors of fantasy to neo-surrealism and back. Clients include RGA for Nike and Skechers USA.

mf magazine is published about four times a year by Spec Media.

All material in mf may not be printed without permission from the big chief. The views expressed in these pages are not the views of the magazine but those of the rad people we talk with.

cover ElizaDushku photo by Pamela Lopez Grant Stylist: Leilani Lacson Hair: David Keough for Redken Make-Up: Lauren Andersen for Celestine Agency using MAC Manicurist: Melanie McCulley Cream Ruched Netting & Leather Belted Blouse - Bao Tranchi available at www.baotranchi.com Black fingerless leather gloves - Sermoneta Gloves available atwww.sermonetagloves.com Black leather hi waisted Space Age shorts - Bao Tranchi available at www.baotranchi.com Black onyx beads with silvertone dagger earrings - AA Kinal Jewelry available at www.aakinal.com Black pumps with beaded front - Loriblu available at www.loriblu.it

WHO WE ARE

CONTRIBUTORS

What Those Who Make You Laugh, Find Fashionable.

Ally Maki’s Top 10 Fashion Mixtape! I’ve put together a top ten list of songs that I use

when I am getting ready for a night on the town, need a little bit of fashioninspiration, or just simply want to feel beautiful. Each song has a great beat for walkin’ in those stilettos and are perfect for making your room feel like your own little Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show!

A Girl- Madonna Do I even have to explain why this song is #1 fashion 1) Material inspiration? Madonna was truly a fashion icon and proved to girls that we can be as unique and daring as we want when it comes to style. I mean, I even rock the whole 80's style every -

Fashion Mixtape

.mixtape. 90 Ally Maki B

once in awhile.

Tok- Ke$ha. Ultimate girls night out song! I play this song when I’m with my girls 2) Tik and we can’t get enough of it! It makes you want to look your cutest and rock the hottest outfit, whether it be a leather studded vest with ankle boots or that belted mini dress and sequined jacket you’ve been saving for just the right night.

In the U.S.A.- Miley Cyrus Total feel good song! Perfect for a sleep over 3) Party or just putting on some sweats after a long day. Makes you feel cute without having to get -

all glammed up. Sometimes I feel just as stylish in a pair of PINK sweats as I do in an Alice & Olivia dress.

Beautiful-Taylor Swift Ahh. TSwift. Anything by this girl makes me feel 4) Stay beautiful inside and out. Perfect for any night when you’re just not feeling at your best or like -

you need a pick me up..a.k.a. “mental makeover”.

Glamorous-Fergie Can’t help but feel like I’m in an episode of “Gossip Girl” when I 5) hear this song. Makes me wanna rock a cute headband ala Leighton Meester.

-

B In DFA Remix - Goldfrapp - Any DFA remix is great in my book.

I pop in my earbuds and take to the streets of LA and do a little retail therapy. Melrose, 6) Slide American Apparel, or good ole’ Rodeo; any will do! Makes me feel like I’m in my own ver(Extended)

sion of “Confessions of a Shopaholic”…love that movie!

Sleepyhead-Passion Pit - This electro song is my favorite song of the moment.

7) Perfect song to practice that runway walk with. And yes, I do practice in my room like a total nerd.

State of Mind- Jay-Z (feat.Alicia Keys) - For when I’m trying to channel my inner Chanel. I picture myself in oversized sunglasses and stilettos just walking 8) Empire through the streets of New York. Nothing makes you feel more stylish than feeling like you’re

A

BY -

one of those fabulous Manhattanites.

Photo by Kaizen Imagery

90

music fashion

- Lady Gaga “J’adore” this song! It’s literally an anthem for some of my 9) Fashion all-time favorite fashion designers: Gucci, Fendi, and Prada.

-

on Fire”- Kings of Leon - When I’m getting ready to go out, I HAVE to start 10) “Sex out by playing this song right before I get ready. It gets your heart pumping and ready for the night.

Ally can be seen in ABC Family’s “10 Things I Hate About You”

CONTENTS

Noah and theWhale 8 DJJazzyJay 10 Lights 16 Sonicbids 18 JulieBenz 20 MarkSalling 24 AshlanGorse 26 YoGabbaGabba! 32 ElizaDushku 37 TalaRaasi 48 Client 52 AnshAlomGur 54

rad things we love

photos by beginning with the letter ‘k’ (kellynissl.com)

Family, Kids, Love, Toys and Yo Gabba Gabba!,

what more do you need in life?”

get your Yo Gabba Gabba! on, go to

yogabbagabba.com or megabrands.com

Client

By Star Noor

ess is more. That’s the credo by which Lcreates Client, the German Electro-Pop trio, by. Whether in their musical

sensation or their brand new fashion label, smartly named after the band, a unique understated but profoundly enigmatic style is employed to bring an austere flair associated with Client A (Katie), Client B (Sarah), and Client E (Emma). The fashion brand is “utilitarian, anti-bling, vaguely anti-fashion and really quite timely,” explains designer Katie, Client A. Along with their efforts to reintroduce their Post-Cold War style to the worldironically at a time when the world maybe failing due to a lack of team workthe band has also been jettisoning around the globe promoting their newest album “Command”. “Command” has taken on the dance floors across the world with a general’ stance pumping up free-falling dance lovers from China to New York making the album an undoubted hit for the group who doesn’t measure success with the notion preempted by the one size fits all major record labels. Client A says. “[I think] music's getting colder; there's not so much money around so maybe people want a bleaker sound,” and that bleak, though never bland, sound is exactly what the band brings to the worlds of music and fashion. Here’s what Client A, Katie, had to say about their industrial revolution: You've described your uniform stage costuming as 'Utilitarian', would you describe your fashion label as much the same?

In a word, yes! I want to create an identity for the brand and want the clothes and accessories to be able to be worn every day, even to work. The lines are clean and functional but there is also a sexy twist to every design so even though it is utilitarian it is also a little bit on the edge.

Your music and fashion sense are direct juxtapositions; on the one hand you have the 'Cold War' fashion mentality of "we're all good workers adding to the collective," and a musical sensibility of Electro-Pop which is a re-emerging modern movement and very grounded in the dance world that is the epitome of freedom and self-interpretation. How do the two patterns relate?

Ooh! That is a good question. I have always described our electronic music as cold with a warm heart. We took most of our inspiration from the German pioneers who were definitely more into creating sounds and atmospheres with their music like DAF and Kraftwerk. We love having remixes from the modern dance pioneers but our true spirit is pretty Cold War music, the fashion follows this.

The idea of uniformity somehow forgoes selfexpression and individualism which is directly an antagonist of fashion and has in fact been accused of deleting the fashion world in those eras during which some countries have employed that mentality. However, your pieces are basic and versatile inviting accessorizing and selfstamping individual styles; how do you tie these two themes together while still keeping things interesting?

I think by adding a sexy twist you can turn a functional outfit into something more individual.

Although the clothes are very “uniform”-based I am hoping that the people who wear them have an edge and this will show through in the way the clothes are worn, I would love to see the ”uniform” black dress worn by a bank clerk and underneath she is wearing fishnets and high stilettos. To the public she sits in her booth in her little black dress whilst paying in checks yet underneath she smolders in her sexuality.

you find that somehow cultural and ethnic fashions have merged to form a sort of global uniform anyway?

I think that the world is becoming a mesh of everything. The internet has joined all the dots and eventually the whole planet will look the same. It’s a shame really and that is why I am so against massproduced fashion. Fashion can still be affordable and you don't need to produce it all in China.

Who are your style icons?

David Bowie, Throbbing Gristle, the Antwerp collective, Coco Chanel, and Rei Kawakubo.

What is the one thing you'd never be caught dead wearing?

Tight jeans – in fact any type of jeans at all, I hate them!

Which band, in your opinion, has the best style sense of all time?

Roxy Music

In the modern world where we are striving for globalization, do

mf _ 7

By Michelle Nelson Illustration by Michele Oestman

Noahand theWhale

oah and the Whale’s sophomore release, The First Days of Spring, begins with the N solitary sound of a bass drum that sounds like it is setting the pace for a slow march.

The album leads you on an emotional journey of the stages of grief. Although Charlie Fink, the band’s lead singer, did not want to discuss aspects of his personal life that inspired the music and lyrics of The First Days of Spring, it is difficult not to notice the breakup references throughout the record and not to think about the breakup of Fink and Laura Marling, who sang on the band’s first record Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down. The sound of this record is strikingly different from Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down, and at times almost sounds like a completely different band from the carefree, pop-laden tracks of their debut release. The First Days of Spring is a serious, melancholy record that Fink describes as, “one person’s story.” The album is accompanied by a film directed by Fink that spans the entire length of the record. The film follows the emotional progression that is heard on the record and entices the listener to sit down and spend about 45 uninterrupted minutes with The First Days of Spring, which is an immense accomplishment within itself in the hasty attention span of today’s world.

Can you give our readers a little background about Noah and the Whale?

We’re from London and we’ve been together three years. It’s sort of an evolving line-up. I’m always there and then Tom, who plays the violin, has been there since the start. Urby, who plays the bass, has been there from early on. And then we’ve had people come and go through the years, but currently we’re a five piece.

Your new album The First Days of Spring has a very different sound from your previous album, Peaceful the World Lays Me Down. Can you talk about the inspiration behind each record and what was going on in your life during the writing process of each record that influenced their sound?

There was a very different writing process for the two of them. With the second one, The First Days of Spring, I was trying to write an album rather than trying to write individual songs. You know, trying to write forty-five minutes rather than fifteen three minute [songs]. I think that the influences were different on both records. The influences on the second record are a mixture of avant-garde rock and classical music.

The lyrical content of The First Days of Spring seems as though it was inspired by the healing process of a breakup. Is that true, and if so, can you discuss that a bit?

I never comment on the personal aspects of my music because I think music is something that everyone can project onto and can relate to, and relate their own lives to it. It’s less important how true it is for me. It’s more important how true it is to a listener, whichever way they interpret it.

Do you think that sadness can produce and inspire better art?

Definitely. Creativity is a really big part of the lows. Sadness is definitely very receptive to creativity. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. I think it is important for people to feel sad and important for people to feel happy.

You released The First Days of Spring with an accompanying film. Where did the concept come from to do a film for the full length of the album? It seems like a really creative way to get people to listen to the album the whole way through and learn a lot about the concept behind it.

That’s exactly the reason why I wanted to do it. I feel like the album as a whole is getting lost now. People rather listen to individual songs and parts of songs than listen to full albums. By having a film you kind of encourage people to take in the full narrative of the record and an experience where you’re given context with images and everything.

Were there any films that inspired the cinematography, content and aesthetic of the film?

Yeah, definitely. There is one film called Into the Wild that was directed by Sean Penn that I really liked and was kind of reference for a few things. Buffalo 66 was reference for a few things. There’s a lot of different things that went into it.

You directed The First Days of Spring. Do you have any formal training in film or is it just a hobby of yours? Is film another type of career that interests you?

I’ve never been taught how to do it. I started working with film when I directed some music videos for the band. Oscar Wilde said that you can learn everything you need to know about film making in a day, which I don’t think is entirely true…but if you’ve got something to say and you’ve got respect and understanding for the medium, you can make it work. I definitely want to do more in film. I’m writing a short at the moment.

It’s sort of about my grandpa, but it’s a work in progress.

Why did you decide not to have female vocals on The First Days of Spring? When I listened to it, the impression it gave me was a more serious, melancholy sound. Is that what you were going for?

mf _ 8

Its one person’s story, you know. It’s not a duet. I think you would kind of invade on the intimacy of the songs because it’s very much one person’s story.

Where did you find the fantastic red car featured in the film?

I actually found the car on eBay. I just saw a picture of it and thought, “That’s definitely the car.” It’s such a beautiful car. I bought it for the film, but I haven’t been able to sell it yet. I’ve still got it. I’m still in love with it. I was going to sell it, but I don’t think I can now. It’s a Citroen 2CV. It’s a French car.

The track Instrumental I is really different from the other tracks on the album. It seems like it represents some kind of a breakthrough moment. Can you discuss that a bit?

The structure of the record is meant to be where the first four tracks get increasingly melancholy, and then there’s this sort of breakdown in the middle and then there’s a recovery in the second half of the record. I wanted it to be this big central piece that felt completely different from the rest of the record and really stood out…and then that would be the moment where everything shifts. That scene [featuring Instrumental I] was actually the first scene that came into my head for the film. That image about a man in his last moments spent in his office. That scene is definitely the surreal fiction of the film and it doesn’t exist anywhere else in it. It seems like a completely separate entity to the actual film itself, and likewise with the music. In the film you’re seeing a non-reality, where in the rest of it, there’s a definite realness about it. That’s why it’s paired with the song, which has the same effect. The one thing I was most nervous about when doing the film was that you want people to project as much as they can and you want it to mean to them something that you could never tell them about. With the film, I wanted to leave some of it open and leave some of it questionable so that people would put their own narratives onto the stories as well as the ones that I intended.

Your song Five Years Time, off your first record, Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down, was on a Saturn commercial. I wanted to get your thoughts about bands putting their songs on commercials. It’s obviously great exposure, but do you think that it damages the song in any way?

I regret doing it. It was very early in our career and we were sort of pressured into it and I do regret doing it.

I get into trouble with my label a lot because I’ve turned down like over a million pounds in advertising fees.

It’s not what I want the band to do. I regret it, but at the same time, you can’t go back and change things.

The biggest thing with me, which I don’t like, is using my songs to sell other things. I was relatively young and naïve when I did that.

JazzyJay DJ

By Jason Schell Image by Jimmy Hall based on photo by RES-ONE

erhaps rapper Paul Wall put it best in Grillz when he said: “Smilin’ showin’ off P my diamonds sippin’ on Pinot Noir, I put my money where my mouth is and bought this grill, twenty carrot thirty stacks let ‘em know I’m for real, my motivation is from thirty pointers VVS, my mouth piece simply symbolizes success.”

Rappers talk a lot of smack, and it’s refreshing to sit down with a true pioneer and get his read on rap music, current MCs, and the birth of hip hop in 1970s Bronx. Jazzy Jay doesn’t need to talk much smack...among his laundry list of accomplishments he has arguably the largest record collection in the world (roughly 400,000), he was a founding member of Def Jam Records, an original member of Afrika Bambaataa’s Zulu Nation, and is a member of the Technics/ DMC DJ hall of fame. We sat and conversated in Mexico Ciy’s Centro Historico.

So, how are you liking Mexico?

I love it every time I come here...was on Tequila last night, havin' some this night (takes a sip of Jose Cuervo Tradicional), probably still be on it tomorrow when I get on my plane. I always bring a bunch home too.

all start doing “da bus”.

What got you started in hip hop, I mean it hardly existed yet when you began.

Well I always played the drums, that's how I started and when my family moved us from South Carolina to the Bronx there were these events in the parks and community centers and if you missed one you couldn't stop thinking about what you missed out on while you were at school the next day.

There's been some buzz about how the millions being made on rap music and how none of it is being used to help support the lives of the people who started it.

It's not buzzin', everyone knows it! These guys aren't artists, well I guess you can buy a drum machine and be a producer but good production was, and still is being done, by guys like Dre or Premier, not the mainstream.

Those (mainstream) guys aren't artists...back then, we did it ‘cause we had to! If you got paid to be at a gig back when it all started you were real happy. I mean there's only two types of music, not hip hop, and this and that... just good music and bad music, and you'll hear me playin' electro, hip hop, calypso, disco, but you won't hear me playing any of their bad music.

Were your parents cool with you being a DJ? Well, I was already making noise with the drums so it wasn't a big change. My mom's always supported me.

mf _ 10

What did you start out with?

With a Radio Shack mic mixer and turntables people had left out on the street to be picked up, you know, the kind in those wooden cases people had back then.

I mean DJing a party was like my friends and I showing up with 20 records each and putting the needle down on the record one at a time...with like five sitting on the player's waiting stack (showing with his hands how records used to sit on-deck waiting for the player drop them onto the spinning platter)...and Bambaataa would be there, he was a dancer, got people going, and we'd

The bus?

It was like an early Electric Slide (starts demonstrating, but amusingly stays seated).

Where's hip hop going then musically?

Well we can't re-rape all the music we already raped to make it over the past years. It's in the hands of people who are looking forward to take it in a new direction. My son plays the drums and has a band he's working with.

He's still really young and hasn't been influenced yet by all the music that's out there. We need people like who can create without trying to be being jazz, or hip hop, or this music or that.

Esmee Denters

By Star Noor Photo by Meeno

You've had a wild ride within the last few years going from a waitress to a signed recording artist, co-writing with Timberlake, looking back now, what is the most awe-inspiring moment of this journey?

Being invited to The Oprah Winfrey Show was definitely the highlight of my young career so far. I still can't believe I met her.

ver the years we have heard of O a lot of small town waitresses crossing over into the big world of

Pop music in what seems to us like a snap of a finger, all we have to do to think of a mainstay example is think back to American Idol Episode numero uno.

While Esmee works to prove to the entire world that the auspicious vibe surrounding her fledgling career is well deserved we wanted to chat about her journey thus far and get a feel for the Dutch darling.

What is the most important thing that Timberlake has said to you as a mentor that has shifted you to the next level as an artist?

Stay focused.

You've mentioned that being able to relate to your fans and vice versa as being an important factor of your songwriting process. Which song on this album is most relatable to personally more than any of your other songs?

“Memories Turn to Dust” - it’s about losing touch with a friend that I have known for a very long time. It’s about memories that you share and how all of a sudden, it seems like you never knew each other. That realization about really losing a friend gave me the inspiration to write this song.

For Esmee Denters, the Clarksonian crossover of the 20 year old pancake house waitress from Oosterbeek, Netherlands had an electronic verve of its own starting out oddly enough as a self-o-meter curiosity on YouTube singing her favorites, from her favorites Natasha Bedingfield, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Pink. To her surprise the webcam videos were a hit racking up 21 million views and becoming the No. 1 Most-Subscribed to Musician in the history of the website gaining the attention of none other than Justin Timberlake. What started out as a need to answer the ever burning question of ‘do I really have what it takes?’ ended in a record deal as one of the first artists to sign with Timberlake’ Interscope imprint, Tennman Records.

Timberlake, who noticed the amateur talent, was drawn to her voice but as things would go he reached out to her mostly to satisfy his own curiosity of ‘does she really have what it takes?’ JT explains, “One of the reasons I started my label was to be able to discover and mentor new talent, and it’s been a great experience guiding Esmee’ development. I’ve been producing her in the studio and working with some other great collaborators on her album, and I’ve seen her writing go to another level. Some people have it and some people don’t - but this girl’s the real deal!”

You got the idea to gauge your own talents via web-postings by watching other young amateurs, who was your favorite at the time?

I didn’t have a particular favorite; I just got inspired by the many people showing off their talents on YouTube, whether it was a comedian or dancer.

Who is your all time favorite artist?

Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Janet Jackson. They are not only talented singers but they are also powerful woman. On my album, I wrote a song with Ryan Tedder called “Victim”. It’s about being strong and independent, and not letting anybody walk all over you. I am very proud on that song and I hope that a lot of women will get inspired by it and stand up for themselves.

What's next for you?

(Laughing) A number 1 single in America! It seems like a good plan right?

If you did not have YouTube as a tool, how and where did you plan to start as a teenager in the Netherlands with dreams of making it big in the music biz?

Well, funny enough I auditioned for a TV show called Popstars. I didn’t even get to the first round.

So the message to all of the aspiring singers is don't give up!

If you had to sum up your entire experience thus far in one sentence, what would you say?

Wow, this is surreal!

thenewno2

By Erik Schultz Photo by Richard S.

ur conversation started off with which band members had the best honking O story thus far along their tour. I think Jon won! This quickly showed that these were not prissy over-privileged lads but true down and dirty musicians

mf _ 12

getting their brand of rock out to as many people as possible. Because they wanted to be taken seriously as a band first and foremost, they came up with the name, thenewno2, as a vague general concept as to not point out who actually masterminds this electro-rock-hybrid-physco-experimental-indie group. And that is what they have done. Creating a name for themselves without using the star power within the band. Once you have seen them live though, and watched Dhani shred on guitar, there is no mistaking the legendary lineage here. The filter for the band is Dhani Harrison…Yup, son of a Beatle! Rounding out the current “live” line-up are Jeremy Faccone; actor, Jon Sadoff; former Jamiroquai bassist, Nick Fyffe; and drummer for Street Drum Corps, theStart, and recently Motley Crue, Frank Zummo. With all this experience rolled up in one band, thenewno2, are still doing things the right way. Playing small shows, paying their dues, and rocking their asses off. I caught up with Dhani, Jeremy and Jon to chat about how the band has evolved, what brings a smile to their faces and songwriting.

Tell me how your live show as evolved since the release of the record.

Dhani: Basically I took the record, reversed engineered it, found these guys and then the parts that they are playing are…It’s not rocket science the music we’re making, it’s just that there’s a lot of parts, and there’s a lot of layering, and there’s a lot of switching, and there’s a lot of people doing lots of things at the same time in order to make it like the record. When we made the record there were only two of us, it was just me and (Oliver). I kind of vomited onto a ProTools unit. Creatively of course.

Then we had to reverse, sort of, engineer that.

Jon: We spent a long time picking it apart.

Dhani: We had a line-up change again and had the new rhythm section. People come in with fresh legs; it’s like having substitutes on the pitch. Energy also automatically picks up. Now’s the time to rock our asses off. Its horses for courses.

refreshing for everyone involved.

Dhani: We are kind of half way through demoing a new record and it is pretty bizarre. But it’s great. Just the eclecticness of the types of music we are all into. We all have this common love for blues and electronic music. Bristol sound and then old, old blues.

Who had it harder with coming into a situation like this and either having to learn new parts or trying to teach new members of a band?

Jon: For me, it was really fun. It was almost like looking at a painting and then extracting all the colors and all the textures and everything. It was actually really fun. In trying to figure out what was on the record we ended up recreating things and accidently doing them differently and then being like, ‘Oh, let’s just do that’. I think it’s a big reason it is a lot different now.

Dhani: If you hear the record in headphones, really late at night and if you’re a bit messed up. Which we never do, ever (said rather sarcastically). If you’ve got a really good set of cans. You’ll get the same effect but you can’t play like that live and hope that people just get it. You have to attack it more. I have heard these songs so much, I enjoy changing them. I got

this fortune cookie that said ‘Don’t be precise over old work, go with whatever happens’, and I thought that was a pretty good sign to not give a shit and make it really loud.

With this new fresh line-up, how has the songwriting changed?

Dhani: We starting writing (pointing to Jon and Jeremy) for the first time together. I guess it’s like if thenewno2 is a collective of people and this is the band that is here, I am kind of like the filter that everything goes through when people write. Like the last chance saloon, kinda goes through my brain and then whatever kind of sticks, sticks. A whole world of new suggestions.

Jeremy: We just want to make it exciting. That’s the goal.

Jon: We all bring such different things to the table that I think it’s going to be really fun and

How do you find that common ground between all your eclectic tastes and the sound that is thenewno2?

Jeremy: Vocals matter the most. The melody is what we are definitely focusing on more than music.

Jon: Dhani’s aesthetic, I think at the end of the day, like he said, he’s kind of the filter. We all bring all this stuff to the table but if we were to do that all of the time then it would be a mishmosh.

For him to be the filter is going to save us from making a record that is unrecognizable from the first record. It needs to be in the same vein.

Jeremy: We kind of want to do that with every record though. Just keep moving forward. Never just dwell on the past.

Dhani: It has been hard for me also because of, I guess, the English press and my upbringing, my dad’s son and everything, to get the period of time where I can have a band and develop it and actually become a good band. Most people get to do little gigs here and there and play and gel as a band before anyone hears them or reviews them. Whereas people were waiting to pounce on my project. When I came to America, to get away from all that, and didn’t release the record in England and just kinda got the guys and tried to get it as anonymous as possible to try and have the time…Now of course obviously everyone knows, but I feel like we are in a good enough position now to take any criticism of our style of music because it has found a sound. But to get to that point was hard. That is why we kept it sort of quite for a long time. Being in my position I don’t really get that luxury. It gives you a lot of opportunities but also is a bit of a downer. Now that we’ve got the band and there’s a big buffer zone between us, the music and the people, we can actually enjoy ourselves.

Jeremy: The members of the band. I’ve been playing with people that just kind of get stagnant and just want attention. We make each other very excited. I get excited going to rehearsal even and that is not usual for me. I kinda don’t like rehearsing. I love it with these guys. These guys are fun.

Jon: It’s just like a laugh the entire time.

Dhani: Getting out of the studio as well. We were all studio rats as well. The other night at Terminal 5 in New York. I had like 10 or 15 of my oldest, oldest friends who’ve known me since I started playing music. Just to see the people that you respect actually have a great time at one of our shows; that really puts a smile on my face.

‘Cause I know they are not lying ‘cause they are assholes and they’ll tell me.

Watch the full unedited video interview with thenewno2 head over at youtube.com/mfmagazine. They chatted about releasing the album themselves, being a self contained band, not wanting to be on a major label, getting ‘real’ street cred, and making zero money.

ByMichelle Nelson Illustration by Michele Oestman

ulsating beats, magnificently P arranged compositions and soothing vocals make

Fanfarlo’s album, Reservoir, something that initially catches your ear and beckons you to listen to it from beginning to end. The members of Fanfarlo have a passion for music that is undeniably evident in this album. The only thing that makes this more evident is seeing the band play live. Fanfarlo is a group of extremely talented musicians that have a voracious appetite for music and everything it teaches and brings to one’s life. The band incorporates a variety of instruments including the mandolin, the saw, the trumpet and the clarinet into the beautifully arranged songs that comprise Reservoir, the band’s debut record. I had the pleasure of talking to Simon, Fanfarlo’s lead singer about the success of their album, the unique experience of producing the album with Peter Katsis, and the silly situations that the band continually gets into while on the road.

mf _ 14

How did Fanfarlo come together as a band?

We’ve been together for a few years now. I guess it kind of started when I moved to London from Sweden. I had this recording project going that was called Fanfarlo and I just started finding people to play with. Places like London always seem kind of big, but when you start getting to know the scene, it always widdles down. It’s always kind of small in the end. The band congealed out of the scene. You know, you meet people at shows and at clubs.

There is a book from the 1800’s called La Fanfarlo by Charles Baudelaire. Is that where the name came from?

I guess when I recorded those songs; I went through a phase of reading a lot of Baudelaire, Rimbaud, stuff like that. I liked the name because of how it sounds. It is quite evocative for me. Also, for me it’s kind of a nice little reference to a time and place…where I was right then, and a debauched late 19th Century France.

With your new album, Reservoir, you are signed to Atlantic. How recently did that happen and how has that experience been going?

It’s pretty recent. We’re signed to this imprint called Canvasback and it’s a little bit different than being signed directly to Atlantic. We’re working with just about three people all the time. So, it’s a little bit like being signed to a small label with the resources of a big label.

It was also something that came really late in the day. We had recorded our album and we were kind of just doing our own thing anyway. Then these guys came along and they basically offered to help out. We felt that we were at a level where we really wanted to step it up and go touring in the US, and obviously that’s really expensive. It just kind of worked out. It also was on the basis that they came on board with what we were doing already. So they are essentially licensing the album from us. They kind of just came on board.

You recorded your album in Connecticut.

Why was that?

At that time, we were looking for a producer and Peter Katsis’ name came up through some friends and contacts and things we were listening to. We really like how The National’s records sound.

I recently interviewed Frightened Rabbit and he also produced their album. They were talking about how it was a really special experience and often times he has people stay at his house through the process.

What was the experience like for you?

The set up of his house is really interesting. It is kind of in the middle of nowhere. It’s kind of between two small towns. It’s not even in a small town and he has this massive old house that he managed to buy at some point. It is two houses split down the middle. Half of it is the band house and half of it is his fam-

ily’s house because he’s got his family living there. It’s great for him like that, but it’s also great for us because across those two houses is the attic where the studio is. It’s a massive studio full of crazy old vintage equipment… all of these organs and stuff and crazy vintage analog equipment. It was a really organic process recording with all of these things as well because you’d find new sounds and sometimes equipment would get out of tune and you’d pick up local radio stations. If you know where to listen, you can hear radio stations coming in and out on the album. It’s buried because we would literally use hundreds of channels when we were recording.

It was really layered up. We would kind of work out a lot of arrangements as we went along. We were like…why don’t we bang a trash can here…or play lot’s of saw here… or do 25 overdubs with toy pianos and stuff like that.

Frightened Rabbit mentioned that he made some really good chili for them? Did he make his chili for you? Was it good?

He’s one of those dad’s that has his secret chili recipe. It was really good. He cooked a veggie chili because half of us are veggies. We would cook together every night.

What’s it like being a vegetarian on tour?

Do you find that in certain locations it’s hard to find things to eat and you end up eating the same kind of thing all the time?

You find ways of doing it. Every so often you are at a hotel and they have a nice breakfast and you kind of pinch all of the little yogurts and muffins and fruits and stuff it in the van.

We try to ask for soy milk on the rider and stuff like that because basically the van works like a big fridge at night, so we can leave a bit of food in there. You find ways of doing it.

You find your little tricks. We have to eat a lot of Subway sandwiches and Taco Bell and things. If we can find a Subway that has veggie patties, we’re happy.

Your album has been getting a lot of positive attention. How has your life changed recently and what have things been like?

It’s been a real gradual change. The band started out as us playing music together and it has turned into something that we now manage to do full time. I think it is something that a lot of people dream about, so that’s a real achievement for us. But, the biggest change is that we are touring all the time. We are never home, basically. It’s fun, though. I really truly love life on the road because there’s a real kind of singularity of purpose and focus that you just don’t get any other way. There’s almost a spiritual quality to it because it is like this really focused existence. You know exactly what the purpose is of what you’re doing. As long as everything is going well and presumably you are happy doing what you are doing…there is this real sense of meaning and where you are going next and why you are going there and what you are going to do there.

You recently filmed a video in upstate New York in the middle of the night. What song was that video for? Can you talk about that experience?

It was with a director called Alma Har’el. It was for Harold T. Wilkins. It was a real nightmare finding a day where we could do [the shoot]. We did the last show of CMJ. We probably started playing at 11:30, so who knows what time it was by the time we load up the van? We drove all night to the Lake Placid area and crashed for an hour in this log cabin and we did these crazy choreography lessons. We had to learn this dance, essentially. We did that all day, had dinner and then went out into the woods and did a night shoot from 9PM to 9AM. Most of it was in the woods and then at some point we changed locations to a lake and we were all tired and miserable and cold. It was so freezing cold.

It was absolutely ridiculous. It was really tight on time as well. We had to get crucial bits of light doing certain things. Then we did the same thing the next night. So, we kind of didn’t sleep for three nights. Then straight after that, we went back to Brooklyn and hung out there. I slept for about 16 hours when I finally got to.

When did you start playing music?

I started playing music when I was little. I grew up in a house full of instruments with no records. My dad kept buying instruments and trying to learn to play them. So, he played loads and loads of instruments very, very badly and I kind of picked them up. It was a crazy collection of instruments. I took some piano lessons. I wasn’t really into playing classical music and sheet music. I learned the basic skills of playing. I had this musical streak in me, but I didn’t really know what to do with it and then when I was like 16 or 17 I actually moved into Gothenburg and started meeting people who listened to music and actually had record collections. Where I grew up there were hardly any people my age. So, then it was like this whole new world of music. I started listening to Belle and Sebastian at the time. At one time I could play their entire catalogue. I don’t think I could do it now. A bunch of the instruments that we [Fanfarlo] play were actually just picked up. Before we recorded our album, I went out and bought myself a clarinet because I knew that I wanted clarinet on the album and I wanted to be able to play my own parts.

That summer before, Cathy learned how to play the saw. She and I both independently learned to play mandolin because we loved it. I think there is a lot of talk about bands using that kind of instrumentation over the last few years. Sometimes I hear people talking about us and saying that we’re kind of fashionable. I don’t really see myself as a part of that at all because for me it’s the most natural thing in the world because that’s how I grew up. It is really natural for me to hear those things and arrangements and reach for those instruments.

mf _ 16

Lights

By Lauren Weigle Photos by Erik Schultz Comic by David Ziggy Greene

She eats, sleeps, breathes music….

Lto ights! she is music! Aside from her attachment her lap top and her kinship with video

games (particularly World of War Craft), Lights finds salvation through song. Some may have found her to be highly associated with the synth-pop band Owl City as they share similar energies and will be touring together.

However, Lights can definitely hold her own, especially with the support of her family and friends, particularly her long-time manager Jian Ghomeshi. Through her metal band phase and her punk rock days to the indie/ electro-pop way of life that she has adopted as her own today, Ghomeshi has stood by her. For the past eight years, Ghomeshi has remained highly confident and encouraging in Lights’ fiery pursuit of her dream as not only her manager, but as her friend. Lights tells us, “It’s funny how you realize how many people are actually involved in your career. These are the people who are there out of passion and out of a loving relationship. That’s why I’ve been so blessed in this industry.”

How did you come to choose “Lights” as your artistic name?

It was my nickname for a long time and it came from my last name which is Poxleitner. I made it my legal first name years ago, so it’s actually my first name now!

Oh, wow! Well, Lights, as a child, you moved around quite a bit and used music as a safe haven for yourself. Can you describe to me your journey in discovering your inner artist?

Well, moving around a lot was advantageous in the way that you have more time for yourself. Because I was home-schooled, I had more time to spend on music. Having said that, I did spend a lot of time doing music and that was because I found refuge in it. We would be in so many different places and it’s kind of scary for a kid, so my dad would play his guitar late at night. I would hear it coming up the stairwells and it would actually help me fall asleep. It made me realize that music can have that effect on somebody, that it can take away your fear or make you feel certain things that other things can’t make you feel. I knew there was some kind of power in that and it was just the perfect environment to work because my dad could teach me. And, I had all that time at home.

Well, what kind of advice would you give to young fans who deal with similar situations, having a constant-changing living environment?

I would say definitely cling to the things that are stable in your life like your family and find something that you can pour your heart into, not too many things though. Find one or two things like art or music; something where you can convey what you’re feeling because it’s probably the most productive way to express your feelings.

Well, music clearly was a great avenue of expression for you. As a musical explorer, you have become talented in playing many instruments including guitar, drums, and piano. Are there any other instruments you would like to dabble in?

Actually, I would love to become pretty well versed in the cello. I started for a little while before, but I want to pick it up again. It’s just really loud and beautiful. I would love to know how to play the cello.

How would you describe Lights’ signature sound to a new audience?

I always say the same thing. It’s “intergalactic electro pop”. It’s pop music with really good songs that hopefully stand the test of time. It’s electro as in I use a lot of synthetic elements and I always add the intergalactic part because of everything surrounding it, which is a big part of me as an artist…kind of like the comic I’m going to be putting out. It’s very much sci-fi based, very intergalactic.

Well, can you expand more for me on this comic you will be coming out with and your love for comics in general?

Yea! Comics are one of those things that I started reading because I just couldn’t help it. There are no limits. These comic artists and writers can

come up with the wildest ideas, just being absolutely extravagant with their storylines. They can also make it a reality. It’s just an adventure to read and that’s what’s very exciting about it. So, I’ve taken up comics for a while and with the artwork.

I’m not the best artist in the world, but I can draw comics. It’s nowhere close to realism, but it’s fun and leaves room for creativity. So, I met up with Marvel Digital Comics and we were working on a series called Audio Quest: A Captain Lights Adventure. It’s based on pictures of me and right now it’s semi-animated with my music broken down into stems in the background. From one angle it’s comic and it reflects a lot of my interests. On another angle, it’s a way to show people my music and another side of it. I feel like with the future of music and the entertainment industry, things like this are going to be important. It’s finding new, creative ways to show people what you’ve got.

What do you think attracts fans to your music?

Well, I feel that when I write, I’m honest about what I want to write, the sound that I want to hear, and the way that I want to present myself. It’s all very much me…me just having a lot of fun.

People can just sense that honesty in all aspects.

I think it’s also just confidence, no matter whether or not it’s “cool”. It makes people feel like they can be confident too.

Okay, well to help us take a deeper look into your music, can you tell me about your album “The Listening”?

It’s actually my first record. It’s basically 13 songs that are a collection of stuff that I’ve written over the past two years, so it was definitely a long time in-the-making. It felt perfect and natural and exactly the way I wanted it to be. Essentially these songs help me write about myself and I call it “The Listening” because I learned so much about myself just listening to it, making music.

Aside from your need for music, you also are a big “Skate4Cancer” supporter. Can you tell me a little about the charity and your involvement with it?

Yea! Skate4Cancer is a fundraiser mainly to raise awareness and it was started by a good friend of mine. One of the things I love about it is not only the cause, but its love, passion, and integrity.

Overall, he is just pouring his whole life into this cause, so it’s not just the cause I support, but it is also the idea of that and the way he goes about it. I even wrote a song about it called Year of The Cure, which I feel definitely gets the point across.

So, I know you enjoy performing different cover versions of songs for fun. If a particular band of your choice were to cover one of your songs, which band would you pick and what song would you wish for them to cover?

Oh, that’s a good question! Um, my first instinct would be that I think Coldplay would do a beautiful cover of one of my songs, but I’d probably like to go with something a little bit more contrasting.

I’m a big fan of that. I would love to see what a band like Korn would do with one of my songs.

3

THE

YOUNEEDTOKNOW

By Lauren Weigle

Come take a look at Versant, VERSANT “Curve balls are a part of life. They find a way into your plan no Spring Summer, and The matter how seamless and indestructible you think you've made it. They can really only slow you down. Never stop you. It's just Woodlands…and the talent- a matter of ALWAYS remembering why you are doing what it is are doing, as well as remaining positive. We've had curve ed front-women that make you ball after curve ball with this group. It's honestly attempted to these three music groups pop. test the boundaries of how much we really want this. If needed, will finish our goals with the last breaths of life we have.

Although the musical spec- we Moving forward at all times is key.” –Versant trum of these three bands Great advice isn’t the only thing Versant brings to the table. ranges across the board in Music that delivers you from your every day doldrums and proa sort of refuge inside its electronically-infused rock terms of everything from vides world is the epitome of Versant’s identity. In fact, a sense of instrumentation to theme to identity is just what front-woman Carah Faye aims to pass along to Versant fans. “Identity and a place to run to… There were image, they do all share one times in my life where a song could better explain how I felt highly admirable trait: posi- than words could. If someone connects with a song, or a lyric, tivity. Positivity is a key ingredient in the success of any venture, dream, or way of life. It is no wonder that each of these groups strives to constantly push the edge of the envelope, playing what they want to play, and living how they want to live.

As leaders, Carah Faye, Hannah Robertson, and Jennifer or even merely the vibe of an intro, we've done our job.” Let’s Furches act as strong fe- face it. Everyone looks for an escape of some kind every now then. What better place to find sanctuary than in honest male figures who just like and lyrics, fresh sounds, and entertaining riffs. It’s quite upliftto do what they love. Their ing to hear a group of artists so enthusiastic about just playing what they want, adhering to no one’s musical guidelines but music serves as an avenue their own. At the same time, it is heartening to see them step of their own zones of melodic comfort in trying to create for self-expression and a out epic songs that will grip a variety of audiences. The band is curway for them to touch their rently working on their self-released EP, which will be made in the next few months and they are incredibly excited to fans, in hopes of freeing public do so. In particular, they are eager for fans to hear their song Away. “It was our first song. It's the best rounded song others from their daily wor- Push emotionally, sound-wise, and in feeling what we want people to ries or cares. These women think of when they think of the band.” When Versant describes ambitions in terms of its listeners, the band expresses that, simply want to enjoy life its “Hopefully, it’s something different for them. We want them to with all it has to offer and hear our music and feel taken away for that moment. People can sense a genuine intention. So, all we can do is create music we they certainly do lead by ex- truly enjoy, and push it out there in faith that others will grab hold of it.” ample.

mf _ 18

THE WOODLANDS

Summer romance…it began as a very common tale. Two soul-mates masquerade their true feelings for each other behind masks of friendship. Inevitably, the two destined lovers cannot continue to hide their affections from each other. And so, Hannah and Samuel become inseparable. Consequently, the harmonious duo’s talents begin to surface in the budding of a small town romance. Samuel il-

lustrates their journey, “Sitting on the midnight rooftop of a house together, I listened to Hannah strum her guitar while she whispered her creation to the night, and I decided that I would teach myself to play guitar. Autumn crept in and we spent the next several months working and saving to travel. We lived in Australia for a few rambunctious months and returned to the U.S. enamored with each other beyond repair. We began plotting and charting the rest of our lives together, and soon discovered that music would be an inextricable part of the adventure.” Their way of life, their history together, even their general way of speaking clearly all flow as sweet poetry, which is very much emblematic of their music as an indie-folk pop duo. The two describe their soothing sounds, saying that, “As far as our music goes, we have always felt proud of the focus that we have given to the emphasis on lyricism and the depth of meaning in our songwriting.

People have responded a lot to what they describe as a sincerity and honesty in our songs, and that they experience the profound beauty of the imagery and stories we tell.”

Recently, Hannah and Samuel were able to produce their debut album in their Portland studio “pillow fort” in hopes of carrying their listeners off to a world of beauty and peace…the very themes by which their writings are influenced. “Our song themes and inspirations are pretty varied. Hopeful melancholy, the glimmer of wonder and awe, frustration about the state of certain things we long to be changed, romantic love, the need for an outlet to process sorrow, contemplation and interaction with our Creator, observations about the simple and subtle beauty to be found in life, pain for the oppressed, adventure of travel. Some of these are fairly universal topics, so we will most likely write about them to some extent, but the details and nuances and circumstances and perspectives will always continue to shift and develop as we continue to experience life,” the two tell us.

Not to overuse the word, but the “beauty” of this couple, both musically and personally, is their desire to just simply live a happy life.

For example, when asked what the word “success” meant to them, they replied with this: “Dwelling in an inner state of vibrant joy despite shifting circumstances. Paying rent. Laughing. Traveling. Traveling a lot. Loving recklessly. Cooking and enjoying delicious food.

Thrift store shopping. Adventure. Learning. Making music. Making art. Making friends. Making a living. Making mistakes and moving on.”

We should all be this successful, shouldn’t we?

SPRING SUMMER Photo by Mia Kirby

What advice do you have for people who strive to succeed in starting their own band?

DO IT!! It's the most fun thing ever!

It’s this refreshingly vibrant outlook that makes Spring Summer folk-pop front-woman Jen Furches enjoyable on so many levels. Her enthusiasm for music is unparalleled, especially when it comes to her adoration for her band. “I play with a rotating group--most of whom played on the record. Patrick Park I've known for a long time and he sort of picks up the slack--whatever instruments are lacking. He also makes his own beautiful music and sometimes I play with him too. My drummer Matt Mayhall also plays with Patrick, as well as a few other great LA bands. And, actually so does my bass player, Kevin Houlihan. Hmm. I guess I just borrowed Patrick's band! I know April from our days in Sea Wolf--and Dustin from a tour we did with The Devics. And Charlene Huang is the very talented violin player from Leslie and the Badgers. I love my band!” The feeling is undoubtedly sure to be mutual. Aside from Spring Summer, though, Furches enjoys playing with other bands as well in order to better her performances, further develop creatively, and learn from other musicians. Not to mention, she takes pleasure in performing with other artists simply because of the pure delight she takes in music itself.

In fact, other than her dabbling in various musical groups, she likes to take time playing a considerably unique assortment of instruments, which she sometimes includes in her different works. Furches expresses that, “For now each show seems to be a bit different from the last. We just played with the full band, for instance, but have two very different shows coming up: one with only piano and guitars and the other with strings and banjo. I imagine the show will e v e n t u a l ly evolve into a p r e d i c ta bl e line-up but I'm enjoying this challenge of n avig ating everyone's schedule. I think there are great discoveries to be had every time we have to re-arrange a song to fit what we've got.” Because she is such a huge fan of all music, she is able to incorporate so many different facets of musical styles into her songs, particularly her Spring Summer record. With the generous help of Patrick Park, Furches’ great efforts in putting out an eclectic collection of sounds which listeners can embrace definitely show on this album. In terms of future records, her enthusiasm is just as animated as it is for her current collection. “I'm excited for the next phase--playing as many shows as possible--but I really can't wait to start working on the next one.”

If you would like to submit your band to mf magazine for a possible feature head on over to sonicbids.com/mfmagazine

By Michelle Nelson Photos by Aaron Fallon

ave you ever dated someone with a hidden alter ego? Julie H Benz’s character on Showtime’s hit show Dexter knows this situation all too well. Benz plays Rita Bennett, a woman moving

on from an abusive marriage, who just happens to fall in love with someone who is secretly a serial killer. Not to worry….Dexter is a serial killer who chooses to satiate his urge to kill other human beings by killing other criminals. Dexter is on its fourth season and manages to consistently keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The viewer is always wondering if Benz’s character Rita will ever find out about Dexter’s dark side and whether or not Dexter will ever get caught. Benz has been acting since age 16 and has appeared in films such as Rambo IV, Boondock Saints II, Saw V and Jawbreaker. Benz’s drive and dedication could be seen at a very young age when she was a nationally ranked figure skater.

Her figure skating career ended at age 13 and left her time to pursue other interests such as acting and modeling. I chatted with the lovely Julie Benz about her career as an actress, her day to day life, and what it’s like to learn how to twirl a pistol.

Can you describe Dexter to our readers and how your character, Rita, has evolved through the seasons?

Dexter is a serial killer with a heart of gold. He is a serial killer that kills other serial killers. He lives by a code and only kills bad people, although, he wants to kill everybody….so he is very much a sociopath. I think the show is a bit of a dark comedy. There is a lot of comedy in it. If you listen to his voice-over, you get to hear what he’s thinking and there is a lot of humor to the show. It’s not just violent. It’s not just about murder. I play Rita. I am now Dexter’s wife and mother of his child. In Season 1, Rita started out as this very damaged, fragile bird who was coming out of a very abusive marriage and now she’s the love of Dexter… the love of a serial killer. She has become stronger and stronger and stronger, and now she’s got everything she has ever wanted in her life. From the outside everything is perfect. She’s got the house in the suburbs, a new baby, perfect kids, pretty clothes….everything is perfect. But not everything stays perfect on Dexter.

What has it been like working with Michael C. Hall on Dexter? Were you a Six Feet Under fan?

I was a huge Six Feet Under fan. My cell phone ring used to be the Six Feet Under theme song, until I got cast in Dexter and I had to change it. I was a huge Michael C. Hall fan. I think he is so talented. He is an amazing actor and is an amazing person to work opposite of. I could just be relaxed on set and just really listen to him and he had the ability to affect me on a very deep level.

What has it been like having a romantic role with Michael C. Hall when Jennifer Carpenter [his wife in real life, and sister on Dexter] is acting on the same show?

They met and fell in love working on the show. I always thought they should be a couple. It’s not weird at all. Jennifer is one of my best friends and it’s just very natural that they’re together. Michael and I, it’s our job to play love interests…it’s a job and it doesn’t carry itself over. I have been acting for a very long time, so love scenes and all of that stuff doesn’t seem odd to me.

There have been more love scenes and nudity in the more recent seasons of Dexter? Are you comfortable with that?

Any time I have had to do nudity or had a love scene on the show, it has not been gratuitous. It has been a story point, to move the story forward in some manner.

So, for me, it’s only been a handful of times throughout the four years that I’ve had to do nudity and it has always been handled very delicately and with the utmost respect to the character as well as to me, the actress. Do you ever really get comfortable getting naked in front of a group of people? Not really. It’s amazing where you can stick double stick tape. It is part of the job, and when it’s an important story point and the character is being treated with respect, you’re more than willing to do it as an actor. Every time Rita has gotten naked on the show it’s been for a very specific plot point and it makes sense. We have an amazing VP, Romeo Tyrone, and the few times I’ve had to get naked, he makes me look so gorgeous and stunning and beautiful that I would do it again for him any day.

When did you start acting?

I started acting when I was about 13 years old. I was a figure skater growing up and I had an injury that put me off the ice for about a year and my mom didn’t want me to be lazy sitting around the house, so she dragged me to an audition for a play and I got the role. I really liked it and I started doing some modeling and acting at that time. I started going to New York for auditions and then I went to NYU and then moved out to LA.

mf _ 20

Jul

lieBenz

What is the most challenging role you’ve had to date?

I can’t say that there was just one [role] because they all offer challenges in different ways. I would say that the most physically challenging and the most difficult project that I worked on was Rambo IV because of the conditions we were shooting in. We were in the jungle and it just made me realize the physical intensity as well as the emotional intensity that goes into an action film. The stakes are so high in every scene and you just throw yourself into it. You are physically and emotionally drained at the end of the day, but it is also exciting to go back to work the next day. We were shooting in 120 degree heat in the middle of the jungle in Thailand…spraying myself down with 100% DEET every day, taking malaria pills every day. The conditions were just difficult, and it made it difficult, but to me it was like, “Wow, this is what movie making is all about.” The other film that was difficult was when I worked on The Boondock Saints because I had to learn how to twirl a pistol and I had to do a very specific southern accent…and I worked my ass off on both of those. I’m not one of those naturally accent talented people. I have to really work at it, and study it, and I get it…but I have to live with the accent. I end up talking the whole time with the accent while I’m working on the movie. It does take a lot of work because you have to get to the point where it just comes out naturally. Because people who are speaking with an accent aren’t “speaking with an accent,” they’re just speaking….so you can’t make it look like you’re speaking with an accent. You have to make it look natural and the mouth moves differently and it feels foreign. In Boondock Saints, I had a ton of dialogue and giant monologues. It was a lot of work…but the pistol twirling, too, was difficult. I never twirled a pistol before, and now I can.

Did you watch the original Rambo movies as a kid?

I did. Not when they first came out. I didn’t really watch them all until I started studying acting and working in film. I think they are great film making. When they first came out I was a kid and I was more prone to watch Rocky than I was to watch Rambo. I’m a bit of a girly girl. I wasn’t necessarily wanting to watch a male action movie. I saw every Rambo except for Rambo III. We were actually told not to watch Rambo III. [Sylvester Stallone] said it was a vanity piece and he said he wasn’t proud of Rambo III. Were your parents supportive of the idea of you becoming an actress?

My mom was. My mom always kind of put it in our heads that we could be whatever we wanted to be, we just had to work hard at it. My dad I think was a little more skeptical. I remember when he sent me off to college, he said, “I hope you find a rich husband.” I just think that he is very much a man of science and not art and he didn’t think it was possible to be able to make a living as an actor. I laugh because I have been doing this for a very long time and I’ve been working for a very long time and they still to this day offer to pay for my airline ticket home to visit them. They still worry and they’re still fearful of the industry. If I go through a short time where I’m not working, they freak out, but I don’t.

Do you get recognized a lot when you’re in public? Do you have any stories about that? Does it bother you at all?

I don’t mind getting recognized. It’s part of the job. It gets a little uncomfortable when you are in an uncomfortable situation. Like if you’re in the middle of an argument with someone. A couple of times I have been buying some underwear at Target or something. Sometimes people just follow you and they don’t say anything. One time this lady was following me and I got really scared. She was just following me and I didn’t know what to think. And then finally she came over and said something and I was so relieved. Another time I was walking down the street with my dogs and some guy pulled his car over, left it running and jumped out and came running towards me. I freaked out. I thought he was trying to mug me or something. He was a fan and when I found out I told him that he almost gave me a heart attack. The rest of the time, it’s always very lovely to have a fan come up and appreciate your work. I don’t know anybody that doesn’t enjoy that.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

I love to cook and I cook a lot. I cook a lot of food all the time. I love having people over for dinner. I love reading cook books, buying cook books and trying out new recipes. It’s kind of like my obsession. I also work out a lot, and I know that most people don’t think that’s a hobby, but for me it really is a hobby. I love working out and I love training. It just clears my head. That’s pretty much how I spend my day. And since I love to eat, I have to work out. I read a lot, too.

What are some of your favorite books and what are you currently reading?

I just bought a Kindle and I love my Kindle. Right now I’m reading The Wolf of Wall Street. It’s this memoir about this guy who works on Wall Street and it’s so good. I love reading memoirs. Some of my favorite books of all time…The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B that whole series of historical fiction about Josephine Bonaparte. I love Ayn Rand. We the Living was one of my favorites.

What are some of your favorite bands and what is some of the music you are currently listening to?

[I recently] saw Ghostland Observatory and those guys are pretty crazy. There is this new song called Fireflies by Owl City and I’m obsessed with it. I’ve been playing it non-stop. I listen to a bunch of different stuff. When I’m working out I like to listen to pop music because I like to pretend I can sing. I love Empire State of Mind. I listen to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire, which is like the best movie ever. I warm up to that song when I’m on my spin bike.

mf _ 23

n the first episode of the hit Ithat, television series Glee, it is written “By its very definition, glee

is about opening yourself up to joy.” This is definitely the case when it comes to the gorgeous, laid-back, and funny star, Mark Salling. Playing the role of Puck, the egotistical football player who bullies his fellow students, Salling succeeds in capturing his audiences with his humorous bad boy act, bringing joy and laughter to his fans. Being such a convincingly arrogant trickster, you would think that Salling and Puck would be one in the same. Fortunately, this is not the case. In fact, when asked if he was at all like his mean-spirited character when he was in high school, he described himself as just the opposite. Salling was slightly on the “hippie” side, very laid-back and “chill”. Another conflict of interest Salling admits to is that his Glee character prides himself on taking on the world “commando style”, meaning “minus the briefs”. Salling, on the other hand, chuckles, “I like comfort and support in all aspects of life.” Aside from their many differences, however, Salling does share one trait with his character Puck and that is his athleticism. Participating in both high school wrestling and intramural rugby, Salling found a love of fitness in addition to his musical passions.

MarkSalling

By Lauren Weigle Photo by Larissa Underwood

For Salling, life growing up in Dallas was a bit more reserved, being brought up in a conservative household where he was home-schooled for several years. At home, nonetheless, is where he discovered his affinity for music, taking piano lessons and writing his own songs at an early age. Even today, living in Los Angeles, he still makes his way back to Texas quite often where he enjoys spending his time with family, friends, and his dear 90-year old grandma. When he isn’t found there, you can probably find him at the gym, on the golf course, or “jamming out” with other musicians. Experiencing a variety of music with different musicians is a great pastime of Salling’s when he has time free from filming, making appearances, and signing CDs. To boot, the good-looking 27-year old has his own solo project titled Jericho.

Jericho’s debut album, Smoke Signals, was released in 2008 in order for Salling to perform some of his favorite sounds (jazz, rock, and country) “under one roof” so to speak. Developed on a “shoestring budget”, Salling produced the album himself with all the vocals.

Before the Dallas native released Smoke Signals and became hunky, bigheaded Puck on Fox network’s Glee, he began his music career in Los Angeles, attending music school in Pasadena where he mastered the guitar.

In turn, he began teaching guitar lessons, which carried on for 5 years. He tired, however, of living paycheck to paycheck and yearned for something more. This is when Glee came into his

life. The premise of this show is that a high school teacher, against all odds, brings the school’s Glee Club back to life while helping a group of misfit students reach their full artistic potential.

Unlike traditional glee clubs, this one has a somewhat unorthodox approach to glee stardom in that its musical medleys are filled with chart toppers and billboard hits. This aspect of the show is a definite crowd-puller and, in turn, keeps the actors on the show enthralled in their performances. When asked if he had any particular songs in mind to be featured on future shows, Salling replied that he’s, “down for whatever,” and further detailed on how talented the writing staff is at selecting the show’s songs in order to properly fit the story lines. However, he did admit that he’d love to see a Nine Inch Nails song performed on Glee…but he doesn’t see that happening any time soon. In the meantime, Salling loves every minute of being part of the hit show, meeting wonderful people along the way and just enjoying the experience. Eventually, once the show has wrapped, he would love to have a stable and respectable music career under his belt in addition to a strong presence in the acting world. He has high hopes for the future, but is happy just to be a part of Glee and if Glee turns out to be the height of it all, he’s content to have just been a part of such a great project. Clearly, both Salling’s modesty and genuine appreciation just show us a fraction of his gentleman-like charm and down-to-earth personality.

mf _ 26

By Lauren Weigle Photos by Larissa Underwood

AshlanGorse

s an expert on lifestyle and pop A culture, television personality Ashlan Gorse gives us the latest on celebrity news, fashion, and gossip through the E! network. After working her way from the bottom of the entertainment totem pole to the top, Ashlan has dug her stilettos in and has become a permanent correspondent for red carpet events. However, her talents are not just limited to this. In fact, she has appeared on many shows including The Today Show, CNN, The O’Reilly Factor, The Insider, and Chelsea Handler. Aside from appearances, she has also worked behind the scenes on Saturday Night Live, The Conan O’Brien Show, and Access Hollywood. But enough about her resume. Let’s get to know this blonde bombshell!

Can you give me a bit of background on your growing up and how you came to choose a career in entertainment?

Growing up in North Carolina, I was the little kid who could never sit still, always singing and dancing around with a sparkly top hat. There was always something in me that drove me to perform and more importantly, make people smile and laugh. As I grew up I stared modeling but my performing bug never died. It wasn’t until the first time I was Cindy Crawford hosting MTV's "House of Style" that I realized what I was meant to do. Then, after becoming an obsessed fan of “Wild On”, I set my sights on getting my dream job at E!

A born performer! Well, since we’re talking about MTV…a while back you participated as a coach on MTV’s show Made. Can you tell me a little about that experience?

I got to coach this sweet girl Marisa. She was a total tom-boy and had to throw her sister a bridal shower. I grew up in the South, so manners and party-planning are like born into you down there. I worked with her for about two months, flying back and forth from NYC to East Lansing, Michigan. In the end we pulled off the shower and Marisa feel in love with New York so much, she decided to go to school there for a year.

So, you lived in both New York and California, moving coast to coast. Having lived in both Manhattan and Los Angeles, what are the pluses and minuses of the two areas? Which do you prefer in terms of keeping a home life?

Living in New York City was the most thrilling four years of my life, but also the hardest. I was working as an NBC Page at 30 Rock, making two grand a month (before taxes) and my rent was $1200. I still have no idea how I did it but I still can’t look at Top Ramen Noodles to this day. I truly worked my way from the bottom up from Page to Production Assistant, to Producer. I honestly think I couldn’t have moved up anywhere else other than NYC. The move to LA was nerve-rattling. I didn’t have a job waiting for me, didn’t know anyone in LA and only 10K in the bank. But the move was the best thing I’ve done in my life. I have a convertible, I can wear shorts all year around, and as much as I love the Big Apple, it’s not sunny every single day like here.

This is true. Well, your move to LA helped in your steps to becoming a member of the E! channel family. What aspect do you most enjoy about being a correspondent for E! News?

I love that I get to meet new people every day.

That’s always been so interesting to me. I’m the girl that talks to all her cab drivers and knows everyone at the deli. People fascinate me and I personally couldn’t have a better job than this one. I’m so lucky.

It sounds like life with you is never dull. With that said, can you describe your typical day for me?

The thing with my job is it’s never typical. I never know what I am doing ‘till the night before and even that can change at any moment. Every day is different and exciting. It’s hard to keep a personal life as I have to cancel plans all the time, but my friends are great and totally understanding. I can be at work, hosting “E! News” or “The Daily 10” or flying off to NYC or Bora Bora on a day’s notice.

Well, aside from The Daily 10, your resume includes working on several shows including Saturday Night Live, Access Hollywood, and The Insider before acting as Editor-at-Large for Life & Style magazine. Are there any other additional avenues in the entertainment industry that you would like to pursue?

Travel has always been a passion of mine…hosting and producing my own travel show would be a dream come true.

As a television reporter, you’ve conducted many interviews on the red carpet from the Golden Globes to the Academy Awards. Do you ever feel pressure to come up with clever words or questions for the celebrities you interview? Do you ever get caught up in a “starstruck” moment?

I don’t really find myself getting nervous about meeting someone ‘till after it’s over. The first time I met Meryl Streep we had the best conversation. She is such a doll. But it wasn’t ‘till after the interview that I was like “Holy crap, I just hung out with Meryl Streep!”

Well, in addition to the amazing Meryl Streep, what has been the most memorable red carpet encounter for you?

Johnny Depp. I interviewed him for Public Enemies. I had never talked to him before but have always been a fan. He walked up to me, was so sweet,

and surprisingly was very humble and soft-spoken. I fell in love with him even more that day!

Yes, I think I would have absolutely melted in my gown and down into my shoes. In any case, you’ve said that fashion in general is a great passion of yours. Who is your favorite designer and why?

I love to find new designers and new lines that no one else has. But with all my experience, especially on the red carpet, there is one designer who always stands out: Oscar de la Renta. His gowns are the most beautiful and delicate dresses. Every time someone steps out at an award show, I know in a minute it’s Oscar’s design as they float down the sea of red like a regal, elegant lady with a touch of sexy; a mixture that only a special dress can do.

While on the topic of fashion, what are the three most essential items in your closet that you absolutely cannot live without?

Number one is a great bra. It’s the building block of any outfit. Number two is my Gucci dress from two years ago. It’s timeless and sexy and if my house was on fire I would actually go back in for it…I’m kidding…well, kinda. And, number three are my pair of studded Louboutin Mary Janes. I am a huge believer in getting a few nice things and pairing them with inexpensive pieces.

I’m a big believer in that as well. Aside from couture and stilettos, what other hobbies or activities do you enjoy when you’re not making waves in the pop-culture scene on the E!?

I love cars and I love to drive. I put good 80’s music on, put the top down and drive out to Malibu. I also like hiking, though the gym isn’t so fun. But most of all, I love finding new wines. A great glass of wine and some good friends is always the prefect night to me.

mf _ 32

YoGabbaGabba!

By Monica Alvarez Photos by Pamela Lopez Grant

he Disney folks lied to me.

T Disneyland is NOT the happiest place on earth. But fear not. I

HAVE found it. It’s a magical place that goes by the name of Gabba Land and the rulers of the land are you and me and every rad person we know. Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz are definitely in the running to be America’s Best Dad. With a hit TV show, movie in the works, hugely successful new toy line through Mega, and bands knocking on their door, Yo Gabba Gabba! is on course to change children’s television forever.

mf _ 34

Where did the idea for the boom box storyboard come from?

Scott: The 80’s. It was a way to dance.

Christian: We had been developing the show for a long time.

Scott: Years.

Christian: I think when we were finally in pre-production to actually make the show we were trying to think of a creative way for (Gabba Land) to all happen. And there are a lot of different influences in the show. It’s pretty diverse musically and stylistically.

Scott: I think we definitely wanted to have toys come to life. That was at the core of the show. And we thought, okay, he’s gotta have something to carry (the toys) in, so we through all the different brief cases.

Christian: Yeah, like the kind of brief cases that magicians use. Or like you have your camera and your lenses in it with the foam. And we like, yeah, that’s cool. And then it just dawned on us. It was like almost instantaneous.

Scott: It was, like, this show is a music show. It should somehow reference music. Can (DJ Lance) carry around a musical suitcase?

Christian: A BOOM BOX! Scott: And then it just kind of happened.

Christian: Which, a lot of things on the show kind of happen that way.

I know that some of the characters were developed from some of the ones that the Aquabats had on stage during shows. Are the colors of the costumes selected specifically to draw kids’ attention? I’ve noticed that they’re pretty much all monochromatic.

Scott: The start of the idea was to make a show really for the youngest kids. Our own kids at the time were like one and two.

We wanted it to be really simple. They each were to have their own personalities, their own color, their own shape, their own texture…their own character.

Christian: And you’ll notice in kids’ programming that it’s a pretty common thing. Like, each Wiggle is a different color, or like, everything sticks to the color palette of the rainbow pattern or whatever. Scott and I both, and a lot of the people that work on the show…a lot of us come from a design background as well, of graphics and doing all kind of things so, we just wanted to do what was kind of the norm but twisted a little bit so you didn’t notice. If you really analyzed the show you might say, ‘Oh, that’s just like this but it’s so different.’ But you don’t (recognize it as), ‘Oh, that is primary education. Oh that is preschool basics.’ It is pretty simple to the core but because we get to land the plane in such a graphically rich area, that people don’t notice it as much and it seems like this is a funky, crazy show! But it’s not, really. It’s just a color here and there and it’s totally different.

Scott: Just color in general is really important to us.

How is it that some of the characters came to be? Which traits were you trying to cover when creating each of the characters?

Christian: I think we looked at our own kids and, like, each child has a round personality. You know, like a rounded out personality.

Each child is going to cycle through different types until they kind of lock into what kind of person they are but in general, as people, we all kind of fall into these stereotypical ways. We maybe didn’t base (the characters) so much on our individual children but more on those common traits and then we stepped it up a little bit. And each character has specific personality trait: a positive and maybe something that they could work on. Not like a negative (trait), but not perfect. And each character is not perfect by any means. Like Muno, he’s energetic and fun but he’s also incredibly clumsy and a little bit careless sometimes. It’s just those personality combos that we see in our kids, you know.

Why is Plex the only one who “crosses over” the different colors/ worlds of the storyboard in the opening credits and doesn’t really have his own land?

Scott: We were thinking that the idea with Plex…

Christian: Wow, look at that [directing our attention to a character that just walked out of the costume lab]!

All: Woah!!

Christian: Nice!!

Scott: Very nice.

Christian: Wow that looks so good. Queen of the Oski Bugs They just finished it. The characters get shrunk down like Honey, I Shrunk The Kids and they go underground and visit bugs.

So back to Plex…

Scott: Oh yeah, Plex. You know, we felt like the four main characters, and Plex, he’s one of them, but he’s kind of like the bigger brother.

Since he’s a robot, he’s older and he’s a little bit more of a teacher.

Christian: And a little bit of it is left over from the original development of the show. In the original treatment of the show, Lance and Plex

were a team and they discovered this magic world of Yo Gabba Gabba!, or Gabba Land. And so Plex becoming one of the toys was sort of like a last minute thing. He was supposed to be Lance’s helper. So it made more sense… Plex is Lance’s go to guy. He’s like teacher’s aide, kind of thing. So that questions comes up a lot.

The kids ask us that question. They ask, ‘Why doesn’t Plex have his own place?’ And we say, ‘He does… right over there. In the robot closet.’ That was something (our own) kids brought up to us, too. With a lot of things in the world, there is a logic to Gabba Land even though it doesn’t seem like it but sometimes we forget, like, ‘Oh yeah. He needs a place to go.’ But like Scott was saying, he’s Lance’s helper. So as a robot and a teacher he doesn’t have a specific locale. And he’s not biological.

Scott: I think he’s more like the caregiver. Lance… he’s not there all the time to teach them and help them out. They’re kind of working out fun things about life together. So if there’s ever a moment that kind of needs to be taught, it’s kind of Plex that’s helping out. Even though he’s not perfect and knowing himself, he’s kind of doing the best he can to his robot knowledge. And then Lance is just overseeing, you know?

I saw you in full costume earlier for your guest spot as one of the Aquabats. Are there any other projects that either one of you are working on (related/non related to Yo Gabba Gabba!)?

Scott: Yeah, we’re working on spinning off the Aquabats into a television show.

Christian: Which is where Yo Gabba Gabba! came from. We were working on that and we were just like, ‘Let’s do something different.’

Aren’t you glad you did?!

Christian: Yeah, totally!! We still believe in the Aquabats show. We think it will be a cool show; we have a few other ideas that are coming up. We have like a little list of things that we’re developing right now… mainly other shows. But we’re always looking for creative outlets. We’re talking with some bands about doing music videos.

Would you guys be directing the music videos?

Christian: Yeah, maybe… or maybe just producing them. Creatively consulting.

Who have you crossed off from your wish list that consisted of The Pixies, The Gorillaz, Del The Funky Homosapien, Run DMC, and Bill Murray?

Christian: We shot Devo last week, which was a HUGE one.

Scott: It was like WOW… FLAMING LIPS! Christian: Weezer was on the list and they came in on Thursday.

Scott: That was a powerhouse week.

Christian: Yeah, Flaming Lips, Weezer and Devo. We love The Sounds [that day’s musical guest]. They’re awesome. Pretty much anyone who’s been on the show has been on the list, right?

Scott: Yeah.

And obviously people have been hitting you guys up because they’re fans of the show or their kids are fans of the show.

Christian: We hit up The Killers the first season and they were like, ‘We love the show and we’re touring...’ and then just kind of out of the blue during this season, we kind of had forgotten about it and then they came back and said, ‘We want to do the show.’

And I know it was definitely connected to Brandon’s son being old enough to say Gabba Gabba. When he came here, it was like he would have almost rather just walked around his son, hang out with the characters and he was like, ‘Aw, I have to sing… oh all right.’ It was more about his family and that’s totally cool, you know?

Who’s on the wish list now?

Scott: Well, we almost got The Pixies. It was a scheduling thing.

Christian: That’s like our generation’s band, you know?

Scott: And it ALMOST happened.

Christian: It almost happened. We locked them on and our schedule

shifted back a little bit and they were like, ‘No, we can’t shift it.’ But we’ll see. That’s still a big one for us. There are some other ones, too. I mean, we like so much music.

How do you pick the lucky kids that get to be on the show?

Scott: A lot of friends and family.

Christian: That’s no lie. We’re not going to pretend.

Scott: I think this season, we’ve had so many friends, and not just our friends, but like people who work on the crew, EVERYONE. Christian: Because you can imagine that if the The Killers are calling to be on the show, any remote connection to us, like family and friends, people I haven’t talked to in like 20 years, are like, ‘Dude, what’s up?! I got a four year old that wants to be on the show!’ So there’s no, uh, lack of THAT. So, is there any room for a 27-year-old writer to do her Dancey Dance on the show?

Christian: Aw, yeah!

Scott: That would be awesome.

Christian: We were actually trying to Will Ferrell or Joel McHale or somebody whacky to do it. Like, “My name is Will, I can dance” or “My name is Joel...”

[Laughing] Christian: We’re open to opening the age group from 3 to, like…80.

“My name is Harry…”

Scott: Harry is doing the grandpa dance again.

How did Biz Markie get involved?

Scott: Same as a lot of the bands and stuff.

Christian: That was one of Scott’s genius visions as well. We were shooting the pilot and he was like, “We need Biz Markie to be on the show.” Rahzel called us after he saw Biz on the show. He was like, “Hey, wait a second. I can beat ‘em!”

Scott: We finally did and it was like a week before the show and he showed up.

Christian: I think it was like a myspace connection. We tried everything and then finally we were like, “Well, let’s just try myspace.” It happened instantly. He said, “I’m going to be in L.A. on this day,” and it just happened to be the week we were shooting.

(Biz) came in and originally he did a Dancey Dance. At the end he said, “If you guys get picked up, I want to teach kids how to beat box.” We said, “Well, let’s just shoot it right now!” We shot it and it became Biz’s Beat of the Day. Do you have a favorite segment?

Scott: Favorite segment on the show? Oh, that’s like having a favorite child. I don’t know if I should divulge that. [Laughs] I lean towards The Super Music Friends Show. For me, personally, I love those types of bands, but I just love having music…a diverse range of music…but you know, I love all the other segments, too.

It’s hard to pick.

Do you have a favorite musical guest?

Scott: Oh, yeah. You know. We’ve been lucky in that most all of the bands that we’ve worked with, we’ve all been a fan of. Like, a big fan of them. We haven’t really created a show where we’ve hard to sort of have bands that we’re not fans of on. Which is kind of a dream come true. So to pick one, I would have to say, probably, you know, in Season 2, I had a really special moment with Paul Williams and The Rainbow Connection, just referencing my childhood and what that song meant to me. I would say that was probably the most touching moment. But man, Flaming Lips was AMAZING last week. Can’t fail to mention that.

Do you feel like you’ve given kids today what we had as kids, like Sesame Street and Pee Wee’s Playhouse?

Scott: You know, that is the hope and the dream and what we worked for. That’s absolutely our goal. It wasn’t to make a kids show. It wasn’t to make a kids show that we can get money from.

The sincere motivation was to make a truly, great kids show. And as I look back on the past and look at when they were creating Sesame Street, and it was the best puppeteers, the best writers, the best musicians, it was such a collaboration of that. And that’s what we wanted to try to do. We don’t have to just do animation.

Let’s go to get the best animator that we find in the world and have them contribute things that aren’t just our vision but, you know, creative, great, different looking stuff. Every week, it’s kind of like a different looking animation. The same for musicians, bands…even

songwriting, an eclectic mix of the best of what society can offer. It doesn’t have to be a guy with an acoustic guitar for it to be a kid’s song. We want to make it appropriate for the kids and something that they can understand and comprehend lyrically. But musically, we can really open the doors, or the floodgates to so much more eclectic music in the world.

Which subjects are you looking forward to covering in the forthcoming seasons?

Scott: There’s no shortage of things to cover in parenting. If you have kids, it’s like an amazing cavalcade of experiences. Things that you not just want to teach them but things that you wanna have fun doing with them. Like being excited about bubbles and balloons.

What is your involvement with W!ldbrain?

Scott: We partnered up with W!ldbrain early on, before we even shot anything or wrote anything, just after we made the pilot and we were getting ready to make the first season of Yo Gabba and we met with a lot of people, and flying above all the rest was W!ildbrain. They were the best company. There were no other contenders. We partnered up with them and we’ve been together ever since.

What’s your favorite format or style of animation?

Scott: My personal favorite style of animation is definitely 2D. I’m a huge fun of everything that Kyle Yamazaki does. I love everything that Hayao Miyazaki has done. I loved Ponyo. I saw it with my kids and they loved it. And I’m sure even Christian will say the same, but we’re definitely more 2D fans but that’s not to say that we don’t see some 3D that pushes boundaries and really uses it in an artistic way. We use it on our show also but not a lot and not overly done and not in a lot of the ways that it’s used.

How does the show that we see on television get translated to the stage for the There’s A Party In My City tour?

Scott: That’s a good question because in approaching that idea, we’ve seen how other shows have done it, and we felt like our show, it’s such a musical show, this live venue, it’s really not going to be just like the TV show but just up there live. We really need this to be an exciting and amazing concert like experience that’s like a music concert for kids. And we have all the same elements that we have in the show but I would say contrasting it to like, a more narrative, theatrical, stage play.

Who got to decide the songs that actually made it on the album?

Scott: Oooh. That’s a good question. We have definite favorite songs. We really wanted to go with interactive songs. Ones that we’ve had success with…that kids will stand up and interact with it and participate and have fun and be excited. We tried to really pull out the stops on a lot of those so that it would make it fun for the kids. There’s also other songs that are a little more well known and that kids remember.

Are there any plans on expanding the brand to include CD for each of the forthcoming seasons?

Scott: There is. Definitely. We just got a new record label that is putting them out so they have big plans and high hopes. We’re excited about it because they are going to release like multiple a year. I think we’re trying to do like 2 or 3 a year. We got so much music. We just need to unleash it, you know.

What does the future hold for Yo Gabba Gabba!?

Scott: My dream for the future of the show is to continue on to Season 20 or Season 30. Just to keep making awesome stuff for the kids and I think it would still stay fresh and important. It’s hard to speculate beyond that.

So what’s the deal with the Yo Gabba Gabba! movie that I’ve been hearing about?

Scott: We haven’t shot it. We haven’t even finished writing it. We’re gonna do it. I will say we will do a theatrical release. Hopefully we’ll do it next year and release it end of next year.

ElizaDushku

Stylist: Leilani Lacson Hair: David Keough for Redken Make-Up: Lauren Andersen for Celestine Agency using MAC Manicurist: Melanie McCulley

By Lauren Weigle Photos by Pamela Lopez Grant

ou’ve grown up with her in That Night, cheered with her in Y Bring It On, and fought demons alongside her in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Listed many times in Maxim, Stuff Magazine,

and FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women, this brown-eyed vixen is not just a pretty face. Her friends would describe her as crazy, spontaneous, and loyal, but I’d like to add a few more adjectives to that list…strong-minded, worldly, and whole-hearted. As an entertainment industry veteran, she has not only succeeded as a Hollywood actress, but lately has taken on roles behind the camera lens as well. She has also recently finished filming a psychological thriller titled Valediction opposite Ben Barnes.

With looks, talent, and brains, this fiery woman’s possibilities are limitless. With that said, let’s take a dive and dig deep into the inner-workings of the vivacious Eliza Dushku.

mf _ 39

Tell me how you got started in the entertainment business. What inspired you to pursue acting?

Well, actually, I literally tripped and fell at my brother Nate’s audition when I was 9 years old. I was just tagging along and I ended up getting the attention of the casting director.

I just basically ended up at this “cattle-call”, cross-country search for this young girl in the independent film That Night and I ended up getting the part in that by sort of luck. And, then it kept finding me. Nineteen years later I’m still trying to work with people I love and pick up and go when these opportunities present themselves. It just keeps growing and changing. It’s been a wild ride.

I’ll say. Well, when you take breaks from the wild ride, when you’re on location for a film somewhere, how do you like to spend your down-time?

I love travelling, but obviously I can’t do that on my down-time.

Lately, I try to get a little rest in when I find time. (She chuckles.) I love big dogs. I usually have them on set with me.

They hang out with me and the crew. I’ve also been working a lot on my production company and on putting together these films that we have coming up.

My brother and I work together, finding and acquiring new materials and stories. Now, sitting in the seat of producer has added a whole new line of work.

What inspired you to get behind the scenes as producer and what has been one of the biggest challenges for you?

Just having done this for so long, knowing so many fine producers and film-makers, I’ve learned what it takes to get a movie made. One thing that has always attracted me to this business is sharing people’s stories. To go from the initial germ of an idea and build it has always been something I’ve wanted to do. Then, when I started to do it, it got my brain firing and me, with my Type A, control-freak personality gives me a lot to do, putting pieces together. I really enjoy it. I love collaborating with people and networking. All the people and resources that have built up over the years…I mean, it’s definitely been challenging, but it’s been also easy in a lot of ways because of my experience.

Well, I know you’re on set right now for the Dollhouse series finale. How was it working with Joss Whedon again after working with him on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series? And, how do you feel now that Dollhouse comes to a close?

The show’s had its ups and downs, but for me it’s been mostly up. It’s been two of the most amazing years of my life being on this with him. He made this happen and I don’t think he’ll ever know how really grateful I am, how life-changing this has been. He’s a dear friend and he’s just a nice soul, like a brother, a mentor…really extraordinary. We’ve had just as much fun this time around as we’ve had in the past as teammates.

I hear you always take the back of your director’s chair home after a shoot. Are you planning on taking anything away as a souvenir or memento from the Dollhouse set?

Well, we’re under surveillance from Fox. (She chortles.)

Oh no! (I laugh.)

I know! There’s so much cool stuff on this set that everyone sort of wants a memento of some sort, but I hear Fox wants to keep it, so…

In any case, you’ve played a variety of characters that possess edgy or tough qualities.

What do you think draws you to these roles?

Well, I guess there’s a side of me that’s edgy and tough that I like to tap into pretty organically. You know, I never really grew up as the “girl next door”. I had a feminist mother

and three older brothers. I was always sort of this outspoken and precocious little girl. I mean, anything the boys could do, I could do better if not just as well. I mean, I first started playing these roles as a teenager, whether it was that daddy/daughter relationship that was under those pressures of divorce or abandonment or just the roles dealing with teen angst. Eventually, having Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I took a leap into the bad girl where nothing was just black or white. Even though I was playing this girl who did these horrible things, it was from her painful experiences and really amazing when fans would find that they really empathized with her despite that she killed people and tortured people.

She was dealing with redemption and identity. And, it’s just been presented to me in roles that have been really deep and layered, definitely with this tough fighter behind it.

Well, one role in particular was your rebellious part in the movie True Lies as daughter to Jaime Lee Curtis.

Having said in the past that this talented actress was an idol of yours, how did it feel to play opposite your idol as her daughter?

I came to know her on that movie. I was twelve years old, so she was really the first example of an actress, of a woman that I looked up to in my new field and life as a professional actress. I admired her professionalism and her fearless way of showing up in a room full of guys

while holding her place, holding her ground. She’s provocative and also just fiercely sharp, intellectual, caring, just the whole package. I remember even my mother saying, “Watch this woman. She’s who you might become and aspire to be in this business.

Looking to the present, I know you have a project in development called The Perfect Moment. Can you give me a little glimpse into the film?

Yea. It’s a biopic on the late photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and it’s a project that I’m doing with my brother. We’ve had the project in various forms of development and story for about seven years now. It came to Nate through a writer he was working with in New York who noticed a physical resemblance between my brother and Robert Mapplethorpe. Then my brother started to look into his life and his story to see parallels in between their lives. He and I also just started to realize what a fascinating man, story, and identity this man was. We’ve met and teamed up with this filmmaker Ondi Timoner who had a few incredible films at Sundance and has predominantly done documentaries.

He really has captured the dark and the light, the essence of the subjects in these documentaries. We’ve proposed our ideas and are really thrilled, terrified, and excited with this project where we try to shed some light or some dark, provocative insight into this man’s life, his work. We want to show beyond what people know of him, not just this controversial, often perverse artist.

In addition to this one, do you have any other projects that you would like to shed some light on?

One thing I’ve learned in the producing world is that you have to play your cards sort of tight to your chest until it’s time to launch. There are things that we have going on, but we’ll be announcing them in due time.

mf _ 43

Well, when you’re not busy with these projects, how do you like to spend your time? I know you mentioned travelling.

What else do you enjoy?

Yes, I do love travelling. I’m gearing up to go to the east coast, heading back to Boston where I was born and raised. I have my family there and also from there we will be making a trip to Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia?!

Well, my mother was a Political-Science professor. She taught African politics, Russian politics, European politics, women’s studies and, growing up, she would chaperone groups of students around the world to different countries. Fortunately, she was allowed to bring a kid with her. I mean, she made four trips to the Soviet Union, before, during, and after the collapse. We really were raised to travel these places, hearing people’s stories. All in terms of what I do now, there’s no better way than diving in and creating people’s connections in their heads. It really invigorates me and fuels me to come home and tell story.

While we’re on the subject of what intellectually stimulates you, can you tell me about some of the charities you are involved in as I know they definitely motivate and give you “drive”?

hope after being exposed to something they wouldn’t normally have been…that’s the win right there. We were also in Uganda last May studying the rehabilitation and re-integration of child soldiers from the war in Uganda. Again, we visited a town in northern Uganda called Guru, visiting these kids who were forced to kill their family members and their friends.

They have not come out of the bush. I mean it’s difficult to come home after you’ve killed your family members or killed your friends. It’s a group with a woman who we just met who is umbelievably on-firing. She works with these young kids, teaches them, and nurtures them in being kids again.

She rehabilitates them after being involved in such horrible, horrible things.

That’s incredible. But, shall we move to some lighter subjects like, I don’t know…late night cravings?

Yea (laughing). Late-night craving food. Mmmm…We like to go for pancakes sometimes late at night and there’s a place down the street from me that’s like the oldest pancakes in L.A. called Du-par’s and they make the best, thick buttermilk pancakes that are just insane.

Okay. What runs through your head when you watch your own movies or shows?

Oh God. It can be bizarre, especially after having my whole

I’m involved with charities and organizations here at home, but in other countries as well. One place that is really close to my heart and to my family is Camp Hale in New England.

It’s a camp for inner-city kids in Boston. My father, he was a young immigrant who came from Albania and actually attended the camp when he was young. It really changed his life. Kids come and not only learn about camping, but learn leadership skills and about connection. It gives them a place to learn about things they don’t get on the streets and with their families. My brothers also were involved and were counselors. It was an all boys’ camp, but we’re looking to expand it to include both boys and young women. Then, there’s Africa…as I’ve travelled with my mother all over Africa. There is a school in Senagal called the 10,000 Girls School and the woman that founded it is a dear friend of my mother’s. We’ve worked with them and in building the education for these little girls. One person, one little girl who has an opportunity or

adolescence documented on film. It’s always funny when you’re flipping through the channels and you come on as a thirteen year old with braces and bad skin and you’re sitting cuddled up with your boyfriend.

And then of course they make you watch it. (I joke.)

Yea, and then I try to grab the clicker. Move fast. I mean, as I’ve gotten older it can be kind of sweet and nostalgic. You get to share. It starts reminding you of stories and things you can share with that person.

Speaking of nostalgia and reminiscing, what is the best piece of advice you think you’ve received along the way, throughout your career?

Honestly, I think there have been a few…it’s changed. I mean, it went from “go big or go home” to “just have faith”. Yea, I’d keep it simple. Have faith.

3

11

35

5

28

14

23 27

4 18

15

20

31

2

32

26

13

10

34

36

12

1

6

Ready to Wear 17

24

7

4

?

22

16

36

30

19

21

9

8 8

the light stuff

1.Anastasia Malanova Charlotte Dress $279 2.Deka Ray Multi Leaf Ring $180 3.Dermologica Stress Relief Candle $14 4.Carolina Pagano Maribel $418 5. Leila Hafzi RTW Floral Dress $1363 6.Zapphire Floating Bib Necklace $390 7.Muratori Designs Petal Bag $975 8.Lauren Hutton Naturals Face Disk $60 9.Philip B. Lovin Body Crème $27 10.Itty Bitty Strapless Bra $62.50 11.Belabumbum Jasmine Bikinni $29 12.Koress Japanese Rose Body Wash $19.50 13.CC Skye Caryn Spear Earrings $245 14.Elise Overland Matt Pallete Dress $575 15.LD Tuttle Shatter with Pipe Heel $625 16.Evan & Dean Cyclone Dress $460 17.The Balm For Keeps Watercolor Lip Stains $28 18. Kilian Rose Oud $395 20.La Vanilla Pure Vanilla Perfume $ 21.WEN Sweet Almond Mint Hair Mask $72 22.Loeffler Randall Jumpsuit $450 19.Velvet Angels Lido De Paris $295 23.Canopy Verde Pomelo Convertible Clutch $85 24.Swatch Full & Empty $75 25.Melissa Finelli Sound Waves Earrings $150 26.Miss Oops! Block Your Locks $14 27.L’Occtaine Shea Fabulous Serum $39 28.Larocca Shield Lip Balm $18 29.Loeffler Randall Zola $475 30.Patricia Nichols Pearl Bracelet 200GBP 31.Odacite Jojoba Beads Exfoliant $40 32.Ole Henriksen ART Mask $ 33.Risto Cinch Skirt $525 34.Rock Bands Crocodile Rose Quarts Band $150 35.Renee Rouleau Triple Berries Smoothing Peel 36.Sheila Frank Ivey Jumper $176

A Softer side of the Seasonal Spectrum

41

7

40

30 13

14 17

8

21

1

37

11 43

39

4

34

22

29

24

33

3

28 36

31

35

Ready to Wear

19

23

32

6

16

9

15

10

18

42

27

38

2

26

5

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE 1.Adidas Fafi Leather Jacket $500 2.Disaya Graffiti Bangles £116-£143 3.Disaya striped bow strapless bow dress £215 4.Melissa Finelli Do Dads Earrings $275 5.Velvet Angels Royal Bar Black $295 6. Smashbox Lash DNA $19 7.Proenza Schouler SS10 $2760.00 8. CC Skye Clash Cuff $200 9. CC SkyeRich Hippie Tote $595 10. Matohu Geo Knit $403 11. Barlow Leather Skirt $595 12.

Jennifer Elizabeth Michelle Necklace $175 13.Pencil Me In color pencils $6.99 14. Luca Luca Belt $290 15.Lush Cocoa Hand & Body Lotion $19.95 16. Keva Senali Swimsuit $200 17. Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer $29 18. Laeken Cairo Bustier & Perth Skirt $120 $161 19. LD Tuttle The Float $672 20. Morphine Generation Mouse Tank $ 21. Skingraft Aerial Shorts $90 22. Benefit Sugarbomb $28 23. Isaac Mizrahi SS10 RTW 24. Hunting Season Onyx Python Crescent $1995 25.The Balm Shady Lady Palette $35 26. Avsh Alom Gur Printed Canvas Jacket £798 27. SPIJKERS EN SPIJKERS SS10 RTW 28. Shu Uemura Essence Absolue $65 29. Noir Jewlery Do the Hustle Earrings $60 30. David Wyatt Collared £526 31. Storm of London Mashiko Hot Pink Watch £99.99 32.Rebecca Beeson Tie Dye Tunic $110 33. Miss Sixty Zip Shot Trousers $229 34. Luca Luca High Waisted Silk Pant $850 35. SUNO SS2010 print jacket $495 36. Mechante Tilly $800 37. Miss Sixty Hingroad Pochette $119 38. Skyn Detox Travel Kit $45 39. Mixed Chicks Hair Silk $11.99 40. Matt Brensen Gold Bar Clutch $156 41.

Tarte Dark Circle Def Light 42. Loeffler Randall Honey Acid $570 43. Bunny Got Nailed Wrap $190

NEONS, FRINGES, OPTICAL GEOMETRICS: THE SEASON’ SAY LOUD SAY IT PROUD STYLES

Tala Raasi rowing up in an Islamic country, I constantly had to cover up and felt like a carbon copy "G of every woman around me. I've always felt that a woman should embrace her body and show their personality through fashion," says Tala Raasi, an Iranian born designer and owner of Dar

By Star Noor

be Dar, an infant U.S. label which recently launched with a line of swimwear. Tala has a unique perspective on fashion and perhaps understands it's constructive powers better than some having faced a Totalirian regime and the fine lines of what is and is not acceptable within such a government as far as self-expression and self-awareness goes through fashion, and having spent so much time exploring abroad and viewing the world and its simplicity and splendor like a philosopher looking for truth hidden amidst symbolism, tradition, evolution, and layers of fabric.

"During my first trip to Brazil, I was overwhelmed by the sense of style and sexiness of the culture.

I realized a woman's body is a work of art and should be celebrated. I felt like I was finally seeing what it meant to be a confident, independent woman." Tala' travels extends to her labels launch, "Exploring the exotic beaches of South America, I was inspired by the bright colors and various styles of bikinis which is why I decided to launch Dar be Dar with a line of swimwear," she goes further to explain, "On my travels to Brazil, New York, and Florence I met with designers to discuss different trends, patterns, and silhouettes. I spent countless hours testing out different fabrics and cuts to seek out what works best. I want my clients to enjoy their clothing and exude confidence in Dar be Dar." Her aesthetics as a designer is best defined by her admiration of Brazilian designers for taking risks in their designs and being truly attentive to a woman' body, and her recognition of Victoria Beckam as a style icon of our times, "She's edgy, sexy and sophisticated in her clothing," explains Tala. Not designed for the wallflower, Dar be Dar is the manifestation of Tala' feminine freedom, one that might have in some ways taken shape as a result of spending so much time dealing with a lack of freedom and true equality which is an ideal of social balance.

mf _ 48

Many Islamic countries still allow for a sense of selfexpression which abide by Islamic rule of dress and of course this is more lax for men, but in Iran this allowance seems to be more muted as young people, especially women, are threatened by possible persecution by the special police called Gashteh Ershad. Nonetheless, many young people have developed a sense of style and are eager to have a sense of fashion. Why do you think that in some countries self-expression through fashion is seen as dangerous?

Self expression is viewed as a threat because it encourages freedom of thought. This thought may weaken the willingness of people to follow or tolerate the extremist views of those that have forgotten that Islam is a religion of beauty, love, and forgiveness. The young people of Iran dream of this freedom to be oneself, it is only natural for them to seek ways to express their individuality however it can be expressed.

Why do you believe that no matter how harsh the penalties have been in the past the younger generations have continuously defied the rules and struggles to gain freedom even if it's not by Western standards?

The soul yearns to be free, to be true to itself, harsh penalties just make that yearning stronger.

As a young woman living under the rule of a government which projects such importance on the chastity and purity of women, do you believe that the Islamic dress code actually helps or hurts these moralities?

I believe that the dress code actually hurts, the Western world struggles with balance as does the Islamic World.

Beliefs and practices must evolve from the past, reflecting a respect for the thoughts of others. In today' world we need peace, love, and respect. Morality diminishes as an issue where morality is followed out of respect and love rather than the boundaries of arbitrary and severe rules.

Many Muslims claim that women are celebrated in Islam but not sexualized. However, this is often lost upon us by the images we see of countries ruled by

Fundamentalists and the rantings we hear which declare women to be one half of men. Which do you believe reigns truer in Iran?

If you look at the problems in the world as a whole they almost always rise from one group of people trying to remove the rights of another. Muslim women are treated poorly in many countries but the truth of the way they should be treated can be found in a loving home where the bonds of family stand as the pattern for how a family should treat each other. Where love and respect rule these things do not happen.

Do you think that by covering women up it helps keep them from being sexualized in the minds of men?

Even in the history of the West sexualization has been shown to be completely unrelated to the dress of women. When Americans used to cover themselves up the literature of the day talks about men waiting to glimpse the sight of a woman' ankle as she got into a trollie. The sexualization comes from the de-humanization of women and their representation by some men as sex objects.

The failure to respect women as free individuals with rights of their own is what causes these to be excused.

The Muslim world will someday recognize the truth that all people have a right to their own private beliefs and that women are truly equal to men.

Before the revolution Iran was also considered a Muslim country but the people were free to dress and live as they willed. Many Iranians have expressed to me that in those times people believed more wholeheartedly in Allah and the teachings of the Koran than many do now, even though at first glance by an outsider the opposite might seem true; do you find this statement to be true or false, and why?

The past is very complex and defies a simple answer as it reflects a number of complex social movements amongst students, nationalism, and religious revival. The fervent desire to be free from the oppressions under the Shah combined many of these forces but then the revolution lost its roots as it turned on many of its own people.

AvshAlomGur

By Star Noor

he latest Londoner storming the fashion world in a T wild rage fit for a prodigy is Avsh Alom Gur, the Israeli-born designer who has amongst many other

exciting posts at the fashion houses of Chloe, Cavalli, and Osie Clark has now launched his eponymous label simply because, “I fulfilled my dreams too quickly, I got the job I wanted with the people I wanted and I was able to learn a lot. Then, it was the realization that I have a problem. My problem was that every fashion house that I worked in- after working there for a whileI had this fantasy of sacking everyone, rehiring all my friends, changing the direction of the company, and being involved in every aspect of the company.”

The label thrives on some basic concepts: challenge traditional ideals of femininity and beauty, combine Eastern and Western elements, and be economical versus luxury. Modernity is a must for Avsh even if the subject of his musings is a period piece like the “King and I” which was a recent inspirational point for him for his 2009 gown collection. So important is the avant-garde in his signature work that it pops up in his past collections as the neo-couture recycled fashions based simply on rubbish (beautiful garments with recycled elements worked into every look), and in the now, with his present SS10 OpArt collection with minimalist cuts and bold injections of geometric shapes and color, a presentation which the company boasts as a “collection for the new mood of fashion.”

Many designers aim to "challenge the traditional ideals of femininity;" what are those ideals in your opinion and how do you challenge them?

I would say that many women choose evening wear that enhance their figures in a way that was expected in the 18th and 19th centuries, tiny waists and pushed up busts, achieved by wearing a corset.

In modern times some designers have chosen to either get rid of the corset, and/or utilize the corset as an item of clothing. I choose to design garments which create space between the body and the garment usually creating the silhouette by adding a belt or drawstring in a juxtaposition.

mf _ 54

What is a mode of creativity that is underrated amongst fashion designers in your opinion?

I wouldn’t know what other designers consider underrated. However, I believe that creating your own color palettes and prints for your fabrics, from scratch, alongside applying techniques and inspirations from the arts and crafts world are essential to create an individual and unique collection.

How do you plan to set apart your signature label from anything else you've done with other design houses?

It is very simple. Design is a very personal expression of individuality.

However, the design process can be lent to others. While designing for other fashion companies I take onboard their design identity, history, mission statements and needs while applying my design methods and techniques only. When designing for Avsh Alom Gur, I have to do it all according to my own design identity.

Why did you choose OpArt as the central theme of your SS10 collection?

I was inspired by Victor Vasarely’s books and the mood of that period. I also felt that these kinds of prints would work perfectly with the clean shapes of clothing that started to evolve at my studio. There is something quite modern, yet timeless in these unique shapes and color combinations.

At the center of OpArt stands the relationship of form and function contained within a structure of analysis and rationality, how did you achieve that as it relates to fashion?

I hope that I achieved it simply by creating engineered prints to follow the shape of the pattern and therefore enhancing the figure of the human body. OpArt creates an illusion and in some cases distortion of reality, which in many cases is in the heart of fashion and art.

Is there one static point, in your opinion, which stands out as the most formidable basis of design no matter what the overall idea for a collection may be?

Quality, and passion for beautiful execution.

What do you think about the fashion rising out of the Middle East?

I think fashion is an international language led by talented individuals, wherever they may be.

SWAG WIN ALL THE CLOTHES SEEN HERE - TURN TO PAGE 58

CREDITS/SWAG INFO

3

1 2 4

Eliza Dushku clothing credits Look 1

Red satin oversized shoulder dress - David Alexander available at www.davidalexanderfashion.com Black Peepshow boots - Velvet Angels available at www.velvetangels.com Stone drop earrings - Ileava Ring - available at www.skinnystyle.com

Look 2

Silk Chiffon snakeskin Victorian Ruched Cuffed Blouse - Bao Tranchi available at Storm blue Logan skirt - Seneca Rising Heels - Velvet Angels available at www.velvetangels.com Earrings - Guy and Eva Jewelry available at www.guyandeva.com Ring - Misis available at www.misis.it

www.baotranchi.com

Look 3

Cream Ruched Netting & Leather Belted Blouse - Bao Tranchi available at www.baotranchi.com Black fingerless leather gloves - Sermoneta Gloves available at www.sermonetagloves.com Black leather hi waisted Space Age shorts - Bao Tranchi available at www.baotranchi.com Black onyx beads with silvertone dagger earrings - AA Kinal Jewelry available at www.aakinal.com Black pumps with beaded front - Loriblu available at www.loriblu.it

Look 4

Pastel green gown with tulle bolero - Enzoani available at www.enzoani.com 7 strand freshwater pearl and sterling chain with a smoky quartz drop- Safia available at www.safiaday.com Purple velvet Gold label Heels - Jinny Kim available at www.jinnykimshoes.com Large Domed "Finger Candy" Ring with Champagne "Pearls" - Skinny Jewelry - available at www.skinnystyle.com

Look 5

Creme and black body suit - Lee Klabin available at www.leeklabin.com Nude & Black silk organza and Feather Ballgown Skirt - Bao Tranchi available at www.baotranchi.com Multi-chain cluster necklace - Micha Design available at www.michadesign.com Gold jeweled heels - Shelight available at www.shelight.com

mf _ 58

MAKE THE

FREE AND EASY

SWAG fashion credits Photography by Travis Geny Make-up by Ashli Kellogg Hair by Jill Humble Hair by Liz Mayfield

1-

SWITCH TO DIRECTV!

(tgphoto.net)

PACKAGES STARTING AT

29

Skirt: Estate by Robin Forsythe (estatepdx.com) Top: Estate by Robin Forsythe (estatepdx.com) Purse: Megan Leone Designs Nacklace: Shelley Loring (shellisxena.etsy) Earrings: Shelley Loring (shellisxena.etsy) Hairclip: Gypsy Eye Studio (gypsyeye.etsy.com)

$

2- Top: LEE337 Apparel Designs

Leggings: Pebelle (pebelle.com) Necklace: Adian Amiro (shalottlilly.com) Bracelet: Teryn Ashley (myspace.com/heavenmeetsglam) Ring: Idle Hands Designs Earrings: The Raving Stitch (theravingstitch.etsy.com)

ELBW Designs 3- Dress: Bag: M-Horton (m-horton.com) Necklace: Idle Hands Designs

5

LEE337 Apparel Designs 4- Top: Necklace: Paper Treasure (papertreasure.net

Earrings: The Raving Stitch (theravingstitch.etsy.com) Ring: Idle Hands Designs

Tea Stain (teastainclothing.com) 5- Top: Bracelet: Teryn Ashley (myspace.com/heavenmeetsglam) Nacklace: Adian Amiro (shalottlilly.com)

99 mo.

Switch from cable to DIRECTV!

1-877-672-2104 Eligibility for local channels based on service address. All programming and pricing subject to change at any time. Offers end 2/8/10 and are based on approved credit; credit card required. New customers only (lease required, must maintain programming, DVR and/or HD Access). Lease fee of $5/mo. for second and each additional receiver. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Š2009 DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc.

You want to win the SWAG from the give-away spread?

Simply go to www.musicfashionmagazine.com; fill out the nice little survey; then each week we will draw a winner; you might just get hooked up with some rad clothing.

EXTENDED FREE TRIAL* SIGN UP AT

www.gamefly.com/print ENTER CODE: NEWS156

*New members only. Free trial valid in the 50 United States only, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one per household. First-time customers only. Internet access and valid payment method required to redeem offer. GameFly will begin to bill your payment method for the plan selected at sign-up at the completion of the free trial unless you cancel prior to the end of the free trial. Plan prices subject to change.

Please visit www.gamefly.com/terms for complete Terms of Use. Free Trial Offer expires 12/31/2010.