ISSUE 7
Editor in Chief Mariel Bennett
Creative Director Jordan Romanoff
Contributing Editors Holly Alymore Shaniqua King Federica Manca Fydez Tan Alex Vickers Cindy Voong
Photographers
Alex Brunet Michal Czerwonka & Andrew Yoon Johns Hopkins Congdon Jordan Romanoff Special thanks to: Sophie Diagle Elena Mudd Benga Chrome Sparks Balam Acab Cover Look: dress: jason wu for target; belt: think closet;
Contents 01 Gold Essentials 05 A Step in the Right Direction
07 The Way Things a Pier 15 Ma Petite Robe 17 Style Fydez 19 The Lady Who Lunches 29 Vintage Treasures 31 It’s Still Winter 37 Beauty 39 Quando la Malattia Diventa Fascino Dolente 43 Benga 45 Why is turntablism Still Important 49 Chrome Sparks 51 Balam Acab 52 Playlist 53 JHC 57 NYFW Street Style 63 BCB(om)G
Letter From the Editor As the Autumn/Winter presentations march on, there is an undeniable influence from the Spring/Summer collections in our wardrobes. In fact, we are in the time of the ‘March’ issues, and we all know that the March issue is the September issue for the S/S collections. Despite the whimsical notions of soft pinks, mint greens, and light blues that are on our minds, the winter has its way of removing the hazy pastel fantasies that attempt to remind us that soon it will be spring time. Unlike every other winter, where we take comfort in the temporary, beautiful blankets of snow that cover the city every so often, giving us a chance to appreciate our Canada Goose jackets, this winter has only shown us cold, snowless days with limited sunlight. This environment isn’t the best for entertaining any flights of fancy
we may have when it comes to incorporating S/S trends into our everyday outfits; however, if there is one trend from the S/S collections that is present in all seasons it is the ‘Ladylike’ trend. Ladylike is a smart and applicable trend that like style goes beyond just what you wear. ‘Ladylike’ is representative of etiquette and how we carry ourselves. Unlike the past, where acting like a lady meant abiding by ridged social guidelines established by society’s patriarchal constructs, the contemporary concept of ‘ladylike’ is no longer defined by gender or sex. Ladylike relies on our basic human abilities to be polite, collected and respectful. You remember the saying ‘treat others as you would like to be treated’, don’t you? So as the cold weather continues, if all else fails and you still find yourself in a black cashmere sweater, you will always have this trend to fall back on. There isn’t a garment that is nearly as stylish as being lovely. Best Mariel Eve Bennett
Contributors
Holly Alymore Shaniqua King London United States Luxe-Pauvre.blogspot.com ColorMeChic-Fashion. blogspot.com
Federica Manca Italy AfterMorphineOverdose. blogspot.com
Fydez Tan Canada FydezFlightOfFancy. blogspot.com
Cindy Voong London FashionsBeauty.com
Alex Vickers Los Angeles soundcloud.com/ iamvickers
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Dr awi ngbyEv anGoodma n ef goodman. c om
A Step in the Right Direction text by shaniqua king
As the year 2011 drew closer to an end, we reflected on this past chapter of our lives, recounting the good and bad times. We opened our hearts to new romances, our minds to new opportunities and our souls to endless amounts of positive change within our lives, as we embarked on the year 2012. The memories of wild New Year’s Eve parties have faded in the background and all the pieces of confetti are put away. It’s a month later and we find ourselves stuck and in a rut, trying to figure out how to accomplish our list of New Year’s resolutions (which is not necessarily a bad thing). It’s only February and we still have lots of time left this year to accomplish all the things we seek to achieve in life. It might sound like a cliche, but altering some aspect in your life can greatly lift your mood and motivate you to go out and seek positive changes within your time. Whether it’s playing with your hair color, spicing up your current wardrobe, or gaining a new perspective on life, moving in a new direction will make you feel a million times better. When you feel good about yourself on the outside, you start to experience wonderful things from within. Fashion is a breeding ground for change. Every year we experience a new trend, new colors, new designs and a new season to look forward to. So why not do the same
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with your current lifestyle. Even though some people may think that the fashion industry is a reproduction of everything superficial and materialistic, it can be used as a tool to motivate or create a better reflection of yourself. Small changes in your mode of living such as: updating your current wardrobe, trying a different make-up routine or just treating yourself once in awhile, can help you bring positive energy to your way of life. For example, one way to do this is by watching television shows such as What Not to Wear or How Do I Look, whose main purpose is not only to empower women through fashion, but also instill confidence within their own lives. After reinventing themselves through new clothing, they start to develop a new lifestyle. So why not do the same? Fashion is a place where creativity is are endless, individuality is encouraged and expressing yourself through the power of clothing is a form of self expression. When setting out for adventures in the New Year, seek the things in life that bring you happiness and joy, dare to be different and stay true yourself, and don’t forget to stay in fashion. colormechic-fashion.blogspot.com
The Way Things Contrary to popular belief, the beach at Santa Monica, California is not always a haven of warm, blissful weather. While it may not get as cold as some other parts of the country, on a January afternoon the wind on the pier can feel quite hostile. This is particularly true when the sun begins to set one no longer has the protection of its warm rays. At this point the deep turqouise of the sea below starts the feel like a more appropriate 07/08
expression of how the air feels on any exposed skin than the sun stained sand. This was the setting as we reached the end of the pier. The reason for the trip was photographic exploration, and I was enjoying my first opportunity to shoot medium format. The chilled, not-so-beachy weather was suprisingly perfect for my situation, giving me a clear head as I attempted to capture the feel of the moment.
A Pier
Text & Photography: Jordan Romanoff
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Ma Petite Robe
fydez tan
I am an absolute lover of dresses. Being the girly person that I am, the cuter the dress, the more I fall in love with it. This is one of my favorites given its design and embroidery. It is very feminine which is perfect for my favorite season, spring. Oh yes, I can’t wait for spring to come so that I can wear dresses such as this and fly like a butterfly when I go out! xx
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dress: zara; necklace: forever 21;
e l y t S
fydezflightoffancy.blogspot.com
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n a T z yde
F y b led
y t s s ook
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Lady who Lunches Photography, Jordan Romanoff, Model/Muse, Mariel Bennet, Art Direction, Michael Pershes for Styleshoutout.com
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carolyne roehm
1980’s claude montana
far left: 1990’s vintage moschino newsprint jacket worn with inset message skirt adjacent: 1980’s jean paul gaultier turtleneck with 1960’s adolfo velvet harem pants photography by michal czerwonka and andrew yoon yoonwonx.com styling by cliff and michael pershes styleshoutout.com
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Vintage Treasures text by cindy voong fashionsbeauty.com Retro, antique, second-hand, however you like to call it. Vintage fashion has become more and more popular in the past few years, but why? That’s a debatable question. Vintage is arguably better for the environment, and could be a great thing for those who are counting their pennies. On the other hand, some say ‘vintage’ is just a nicer way to describe second-hand garments. For some, fashion is no longer about having the latest trends. Some simply love all things vintage, while others like to recycle, or perhaps some just love the reaction they get when they say “it’s vintage darling” which basically means tough luck, you can’t copy me. There are some vintage lovers that purposely choose items that show signs of wear and tear… including stains, just to prove it is true vintage and adds to that uniqueness factor. I guess these people have a really good immune system! Charity shops are the place to go to for true vintage where some items may cost a few dollars. Other vintage shops could set you back a few thousand. So dig around and you’ll sure find the latest trends at a bargain price. Shopping at charity shops could be seen as ‘uncool’ to some people. However, in these current economic times, more people are open to shopping at budget stores and so-called ‘cheap shops’. Besides, in the era of the internet everything can be done with the click of a mouse…all in the comfort of your pajamas!
Fashion trends repeats every now and again. Christian Dior, Prada and Chanel are a few brands that gave us retro on the catwalk. If it’s good enough on the catwalk, it’s good enough for us mere mortals. We’re constantly seeing fashion comebacks, remember the seventy’s flare jeans, sixty’s shift dress and the most comfortable ‘fashion repeat’…leggings, anyone?! Other than clothing, another great way to add a retro feel to your outfit is to opt for vintage accessories. From handbags to brooches, hair accessories to gloves. You don’t have to go full-on vintage if a little item can make a statement for you. Most of us have great pieces lying around in our house without realizing. In fact, you probably have a few items that were given to you by your ever-so-stylish mom perhaps. Go search, you’ll be surprised! If you do find any old items in your wardrobe that screams ‘what was I thinking’, you could possibly be looking at a feature on the bestdressed list. Fashion trends are like red wine; the longer you keep it, the better it is once it’s in use. Just don’t spill any red wine on your garments, on second thoughts...that’s a stain right? fashionsbeauty.com
It’s Still Winter up North photography
by johns hopkins congdon
jordan romanoff
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elena
dress: betsey johnson; jacket: french connection; fur: vintage herve; tights: wolford; shoes: model’s own;
sophie
dress: banana republic; fur: vintage; socks: antipast;
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sophie oversized flannel: vt flannel co.; leggings: wolford; socks: antipast; elena
waffle knit: free people; flannel: vt flannel co.; vest: woolrich; skirt: burberry;
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Quando la Malattia Div text by federica manca photos by alex brunet
La moda ormai non nasconde più questa moda delle pillole, delle malattie depressive ecc... tante pillole colorate come lo sono i vestiti, tutti i nostri vestiti buttati sul pavimento, checreano un’arcobaleno, che quando abbiamo comprato ci hanno fatto sentire meglio dalle nostre angoscie, dai nostri problemi... Quando l’estetica brucia, tutto migliora; il difetto diviene protagonista delle proprie questioni di fascino estreme, è forse il principale concetto del fenomeno heroin chic nato negli anni 90. Quando l’immortalità, le ferite, il tempo sulla pelle, sono diventati tocchi favorevoli al nostro fascino? forse un modo per differenziare e proclamare a tutti il nostro stile di vita voluto o non, che si catapulta dunque in trasformazioni nel corpo, e le basi a definire cio’ sono una forma di magrezza e d’esser androgini, modo di vestire raffinato ed elegante ma nello stesso tempo per dar una pelle confortevole, tessuto dolce nei confronti del nostro corpo. Si aggiunge anche il fascino della malattia, forse a spezzare quel silenzio e scandalo che lo stare male se è un dottore a dirlo cambia tutto? la malattia è affascinante, non solo vista come il nome stesso che compone quello stile di moda, vale a dire heroin chic addiction chic? da eroina e derivati oppiacei... sempre che la dipendenza sia una malattia? O qualsiasi altra sorta di distruttiva ma euforica ripetitiva ricerca per respirare del nostro corpo, a ciò’ si aggiunge tutto cio’ che predispone debolezza , tali : carenze, pressione bassa, allergie, problemi psicologici quasi scontati da dire di qualsiasi tipo(depressione, ansia, …),
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venta Fascino Dolente osteoporosi, epatite, problemi vari di fegato in minore età, vasi capillari rotti o esplosione rossa. Un flacone di semplici vitamine prescritte a Elvis Presley sono messe in asta, l’ho letto in una rivista di moda, ora ogni lato della vita anche troppo semplice o troppo proibito viene mostrato nei shooting, più che foto verità è una foto che narra il glamour della rarità, essere ad uno stadio terminale, mortale, o sul letto di morte con fascino è riservato a pochi. Tutte queste cose «sintomi o definizioni»che rappresentano in un certo senso il fregarsene di conseguenze fisiche dei nostri atti, come forse dev’essere tutto nella vita oltre che nel vestire, perchè la divinazione di noi stessi è molto attraente , citando dunque il finale dell’opera omonima Caligola di Alber Camus, che nel momento della morte sente la più forte divinazione potenza e splendore dei suoi anni, dunque anche quando l’imperatore sta per morire ma continua a dire «sono ancora vivo» perché certe volte si è cosi’ vicini alla vita solo quando si sta morendo Certe volte mi dico che non sono mai stata tanto bella o forse solo affascinate sempre su momenti di bilico fisico psicologico, come se la fragilità e debolezza riesce a darmi una sentenza di bellezza diversa, più forte e che respira la verità. , il rischiare dell’osare fino a la vita stessa per un qualcosa di solamente visivo? una forma decadente di stile? Seni che entrano nelle coppe di champagne perfettamente portati senza reggiseno con un body nero da danza classica e jeans vita alta CK 90’s, vestiti neri classici alla Tiffany-Audrey, riempirsi di
antidolorifici per poter camminare meglio sui tetti con delle Louboutin fino all’alba, e sangue sur les levres forse chanel? occhi grigi fumanti e la mattina la nicotina che esce dalla bocca marcia profumata, e le pellicce che sia false o vere sono tanto malate forse perchè riflettendo, se fossimo sani non le compreremmo. aftermorphineoverdose.blogspot.com
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DM: I’m sorry, you’ve probably been asked this a lot, but I feel like our readers might not be too familiar. How and when did you get your start in music? Benga: I was about 11/12 and my brother’s were MC’s, they use to go round to their mates house and make ‘oldskool garage’ tapes. I went with them once, and after i saw their mates decks I begged my mum to get me a pair, she bought me Technic 1210’s. DM: What albums had the most impact on transitioning garage to dubstep? Benga: It would have to be ep’s/12’s and I’d say Digital Mystiks - Pathways/Ugly Loefah - Mud Skream - Request Line DM: Do you have a favourite moment from your career so far? Benga: Every year carries many, its been a crazy few years. Some of the festivals i played last year like Coachella, Bestival, Roskilde were amazing, but there were a lot. DM: Whats your favourite city you’ve traveled to? Benga: Impossible to say!! I’ve just got back from asia and i’ve got to say singapore is up there! DM: Is there any particular tune that you love to see the crowd’s reaction to? Benga: Benga - Smack your bitch up which is me and skreams intro and sets our show off!
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DM: The brostep debate aside, Americans definitely like the Skrillex brand of Dubstep, he got nominated for 5 grammies. Do you think there’s a space for the UK sound? Benga: Yes definitely, its up to us as producers and how ambitious we are! DM: How’s the second Magnetic Man album coming? Benga: Its started being produced and thats all i can tell you! DM: Do you have to be involved in the club scene to make club tunes? Benga: Involved? In clubs? Listening to sets? DM: How do you stay motivated? Have you ever gone through periods where you don’t work a lot, and do you think breaks are an important part of creativity?
Hooks keep people hooked.... simple DM: What is the craziest thing you’re ever seen a fan do? Benga: I saw a guy in Denmark try and do a back flip off the stage and knock himself out.
B: I’m a strong believer of taking a break, your mind doesn’t work as well when its tired. I think the key to my motivation is goals and achievements, I will win a grammy! DM: Any advise for young producers? Benga: Yes put in 10000 hours it pays off. DM: What is your favourite thing to do when you have a free afternoon? Benga: Watch football. DM: If you check them, do you have any favourite music blogs? Benga: I normally spend my time out on the road or in the studio, so i cant say I do! DM: Whats the story behind the garage shout out? Benga: Garage MC’s use to sound like that. We thought it was funny so we started to replicate them. DM: I’ve read that you have a strong history with football. If you could play with any squad past or present which would it be? Benga: I’d have to say Man Utd
DM: Do you have a personal mantra? Hooks keep people hooked.... simple. DM: If you could steal any animal from the zoo, which would you steal? Benga: I would definitely steal a monkey like the monkey from the hangover 2! DM: Do you have favourite clothing brands? Benga: Yes. At the moment, Unconditional and Burberry. DM:: What is your everyday uniform? Benga: I wear a lot of vests from Villain and jeans from Diesel. DM: Do you have any essentials that you bring with you when you are touring? Benga: Yes my Diesel Teppah Jeans they look good with anything! benga.co.uk twitter.com/#!/iambenga soundcloud.com/iambenga myspace.com/bengabeats facebook.com/iambenga
Why is Turntablism Still Important?
text by alex vickers
If you’re reading this article, let me venture a guess: you or someone you know is a D.J. In this day and age, with the Internet’s universal access to free music and software, D.J. culture has never been stronger. And with Skrillex’s Grammy success, and Avicii’s Bud Light feature in last Sundays Superbowl, it really shows no sign of slowing down. But with this increase in access comes a sacrifice. The “up and coming” nature of the EDM scene breeds unfamiliarity, and the drug-fueled “rave” label prevents many from discussing the genre seriously. The cutting edge is always emphasized, as the blogosphere stalks the newest trends like a pack of hyenas. The disposable nature of the dance music scene prompted me to create this series, “Why Is ______ Still Important?” For the purposes of this article, turntablism refers to the art of welding songs into an endless mix using two turntables and a mixer. While this definition has since shifted in the wake of the DMC scene, I chose to use the original definition for semantics sake. This inaugural article is going to take you back to the very beginning of DJ culture, where two turntables reigned supreme. The late 1970s was an amazing time for Dance Music. It was the first golden-age of the DJ, whether you were at Studio 54 in Manhattan, at a Grandmaster Flash Block Party in the Bronx, or at a Franky Knuckles set at the Warehouse in Chicago. This was truly a magical time in American dance music, and
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it all started with the invention of turntablism. A magical time that 90% of DJs today have no idea about. Disco is often considered the birthplace of the DJ and of Dance music in general. After a New York ordinance against gay-bars in the early 1970s, the scene was pushed into the underground. Parties like The Loft were unlicensed and invite only, providing a venue for the disaffected gay community of New York. According to legend, the Loft was the place that turntablism was born, the first place where two records were mixed together. In the middle of Classic Rocks heyday, here was this illegal party that was created out of a marginalizing circumstance, birthing the dance music movement. As the disco movement began to gain steam, so did DJ culture. Technological innovations like the “click track” allowed musicians to stay (almost) perfectly on time, allowing DJs to mix the rhythm of two songs seamlessly. Nicky Siano and Ricky Kaczor, the resident DJs of The Loft, went on to become the first residents of Studio 54. The same sound that took the ostracized gay community by storm soon took the rest of America by storm, and Siano went from DJing a rundown loft to the nicest night club the world had ever seen. Hip-Hop as we know it today wouldn’t exist without turntablism. Adapting the idea of using two turntables to mix music that their Manhattan compatriots pioneered, Hip Hop
block parties began springing up in the streets of the Bronx. The first hip hop “beats” were created by DJs stringing together break-beats, which were little sections of Soul and Funk records where there was a break in the music. This is the first instance of “turntablism” in the way we use it today, ie. using a turntable as a nuanced musical instrument, paving the way for the DMC scene of the late 80s and 90s. DJs like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambatta, and Grandmaster Flash would string together minuscule bits of old records their parents used to listen to create whole new songs. It’s this same spirit that influenced the development of sampling, which has had untold effects on modern music. These producers began remaking their own versions of these “party breaks” utilizing samplers and drum machines to create Hip Hop as we know it today. Rapping developed as a way to keep the crowds entertained and as rhymes became longer and longer, the MC took center stage. Breakdancing, graffitti, the “block party” all were inspired by this point in time, all of which have spawned their own individual cultures. House, and electronic music in general, began out of the death of the disco movement in the late 1970s. With its meteoric rise came a drastic collapse, as the “Disco Sucks” movement caused a huge backlash. Black audiences embraced the Hip-Hop movement while white audiences turned to Punk, but the gay community didn’t let go of the dance
beat that Disco created, returning back to the underground where they started. Drawing inspiration from the Loft parties in New York, exclusive disco parties began popping up all over America. DJs like Larry Levan and Franky Knuckles began speeding up Disco records to the magical “128 bpm,” whipping their crowds into a frenzy. The Warehouse, a Chicago club which the gay community converted into an L.S.D fueled bacchanal, was the spearhead of the movement. House music gets it’s name from the crates Franky Knuckles compiled in the record store he worked at which were labeled: “As Heard At the Warehouse.” That got shortened to “House” and the rest, as the cliche goes, was history. Soon these DJs began to produce their own music, using the same electronic equipment as the Hip Hop artists, but drawing influence from Disco instead of Soul. So what is the state of DJ culture today, and why is turntablism still important? Before we begin with an analysis of the DJ culture today, let’s outline what a DJ set from back in the day would be like. First of all, the DJ would have spent years developing his record collection, and would only be able to bring a few crates (around 60 records) to their gigs. Using only their ears and their knowledge of their songs, they would beat match these records together seamlessly. It was truly a craft, honed through experience thats frankly hard to imagine. Factor in that these legendary DJs
were often drunk or on drugs, it makes it even more magical. Then CDJs came along, which mitigated the problems of turntables (needles skipping, vinyl wear, etc) and allowed DJs to use CDs instead of vinyl (cursory, until you consider how much easier it is to bring a 100 CDs to a gig!). The relatively recent advent of DJ computer software, like Serato, Traktor, and Ableton allowed DJs to use their iTunes libraries, and afforded certain advantages like quantization which beat-match songs for you. Part of the reason why everybody’s a DJ nowadays is that the software takes out a lot of the work. The lowering of the bar has opened the floodgates so that nearly anyone with a pulse can DJ. This has caused the “art” of DJing to be cheapened in some ways, but it has also shifted the focus from DJ-ability to music production. The modern “Producer/DJ” is someone produces electronic music, and plays these productions mixed with other songs in their DJ sets. While I’m by no means arguing that modern DJing isn’t “real,” it does pale in comparison to the turntablists of yore. While I hate giving Sonny Moore, aka Skrillex, any more attention than he already has, he really is the driving force of modern DJ culture. There’s never been an EDM artist who’s experienced such a meteoric rise, and he’s one of the first dance artists to be fully
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accepted by the “industry.” This past Sunday, he won three Grammies, and dominated a lot of discussion surrounding the award ceremony. For many, Skrillex is their first introduction to Electronic Dance Music and DJ culture. While I can’t take issue with his “bro-ey” albeit amazing musical production, I do take issue with how Skrillex chooses to DJ given his position as the EDM Hegemon. Skrillex uses Ableton Live to do his DJ sets, there is not one Technic or CDJ involved in his performance. If his laptop died and Sonny was given a crate of records or a pack of CDs, he wouldn’t know what to do with it. While other DJ Softwares like Traktor or Serato offer visual crutches to assist in beatmatching, Ableton Live is completely quantized and even allows DJs to prearrange their sets. The modern DJ scene has fundamentally changed what it means to be a DJ, and no one better exemplifies this sea change than Skrillex. The emphasis has shifted from a DJs performance to the entire production. People expect “Daft Punk’s Pyramid” or “Justice’s Cross” or “Deadmau5’ Cube” or “Skrillex’s Mothership.” Frankly, it’s become a bit of a pissing match. Call me a romantic but I miss the good old days when all a DJ needed was his set up and a crate of records. This sea change has caused the performance aspect of DJing to become an after
thought, as DJs have sacrificed technicality for big LCD screens and fireworks. Remember the outrage of the early 2000s when we found out all these boy bands were lip syncing their larger than life performances? Skrillex is effectively “lip syncing” every one of his DJ sets, everything is prearranged. His stage production and music is always on point, but personally it takes a lot away from the artistry of DJing when a set is produced rather than performed. I may seem like a bit of a stickler, especially given Skrillex’s success, but at least I know Larry Levan is turning in his grave in agreement. The sad truth is that turntablists are a dying breed, which is a shame given their illustrious history. To conclude, I’d like to answer the question that is the title of this article: “Why is Turntablism still important?” Well for one, the Technic 1200 is arguably the single most transformative musical instrument since the guitar. The DJ Culture that evolved around the Technic 1200 spawned the Disco, Hip-Hop, and Electronic Dance Music movements which in and of themselves define most of the music we hear today. The Hip-Hop concept mixing break beats back and forth fomented the idea of sampling, which has come to define modern popular music. The idea of remixing has become a facet of our modern way of life, it has completely revolutionized how we view and consume media. These early DJs also spawned the DMC scene, and elevated turntablism to an art form. Disco had an immense impact by defining what it meant to be a DJ in American club culture and creating house music in its ashes. And now that EDM has really gotten its foot in the door, it has the potential to be the most influential genre American popular culture has seen since Rock and Roll.
Turntablism is also a symbol of what it means to be a DJ. While Skrillex and his followers would likely argue otherwise, you can’t really consider yourself a DJ unless you’re using two turntables and a mixer (or CDJs I’ll throw in that bone). Additionally, in an era where technical skill isn’t really necessary, people really take notice when a turntablist takes the stage. The obvious example is A-Trak’s commercial success, after conquering the DMC scene in the late 90s, he’s gone on to become one of modern EDMs most respected and sought after artists. While it’s hard to say if turntablism is still relevant today in today’s modern world, it certainly has the aura of a lost art. Its practitioners are like Buddhist monks who’ve honed their craft through years and years of training. And while these modern-day samurai may not get the credit they deserve, I hope after reading this article you’ll respect the tradition that they chose to preserve. soundcloud.com/iamvickers
Chrome Sparks chromesparks.bandcamp.com facebook.com/chromesparks
DMM: How did you get your name? CS: I began with the name Professor Purple early on in high school, which is when I started making electronic music. Later on in high school, my stuff started going in different directions. I was making housey dance music, chill downtempo jams, DJing, and doing solo loop based performances all under the name Professor Purple. I got sick of telling buddies what I’d be doing at any given show and I wanted to see how many music myspaces I could legitimately create (I think I had 7, including my jazz/klezmer quartet and songs I made for school projects). Chrome Sparks became the name for my less dancey music that I performed live. There’s no deep meaning behind that name, I just came up with it after brainstorming for a minute. I think I would have taken Chrome Heart if this metal band didn’t already. Looking back now, I’m really glad they already took that name. I still DJ under the name Professor Purple, but I’m retiring that name after PP opens for Rusko later this month.
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DMM: How long have you been making music and how did you get started? CS: Wellllll, when I was a baby I would bang on everything at the dinner table. My parents got me a drum set for my 2nd birthday to get it out of my system, but that plan completely backfired. I started taking drum lessons at five, then got into guitar and other instruments in elementary school. In 5th grade I joined a band on guitar with a bunch of 8th graders called Tunnel Vision. I think that was around the time that
I started making multitrack recordings by recording back and forth between two boomboxes. I kept doing the band thing until I got to high school. I went to a public performing arts high school in Pittsburgh, and we had a music technology class. I spent a lot of time in the computer lab and got really into electronic music then. From there I went to University of Michigan as a percussion major. Just left to spend more time on my own stuff though. DMM: What is your favorite song you’ve worked on? CS: “I’ll Be Wait For Sadness Comes Along” has a special place in my heart. It’s the first Chrome Sparks song that got me any internet attention, which really introduced me to the blog world and opened my eyes to a lot of stuff. I also remember making it out of a recorded practice I did in looping different sounds. That’s why the first half of the song is all building loops. It was also a bit of a turning point for the current sound I have as Chrome Sparks. Totally remember sending it to my friends and saying “this is what I’m after! my sound! got it!”. DMM: Who are your favorite artists? CS: According to my itunes play count, (in order) ... Bibio, Dirty Projectors, Caribou, The xx, James Blake, Beach House, Jens Lekman, Sébastien Tellier, Air, Flying Lotus, Hercules and the Love Affair, Aphex Twin, and Beck. I have an obsession with disco and collect disco 12”s. Sometimes I DJ with them under the name Sean Broadway. Lately I’ve been listening
to a lot more dance music... 123MRK, Jaques Greene, Julio Bashmore, Floating Points, and Deadboy. Gotta shout out to some of my biggest inspirations and best buddies, the Ann Arbor crew of boys who are KILLIN it right now... fthrsn, Kohwi, Subvader, Sad Souls, Lou Breed, Medicine Hat, and of course, DreamPeter. DMM: Do you have any non-musical inspiration? CS: Mostly girls... sometimes feelings... maybe nature. DMM: How would you classify your music? Shittttt I honestly can’t bring myself to do that. Some nice describing words people have used that I like are “beat-centric pop” and “experimental synth pop”. DMM: I know you also perform with a band, how do you find the differences in the creative process between working with a group and solo? CS: The scenario of having a band recreate things that I’ve already created myself is weird. I’m lucky enough to have friends who are incredible musicians and can play all the things I program, not to mention they can put up with me telling them every note to play. There really isn’t much wiggle room, although I’d like that to change in the future. It’s really like they’re playing classical chamber music in that they have set parts to play in the ‘ensemble’ and don’t really deviate or improvise that much. I’ve written out the parts at times, but mostly I’ll just meet with the individual members and show them what to play, then later on we’ll all come together and practice as a full band. DMM: What is your favorite thing to wear? CS: I just spilled red spaghetti sauce on my black jeans an hour ago and couldn’t even see it. It was a really nice moment that made me appreciate a solid pair of black jeans. Most of the stuff I wear on my top half used to be my Mom’s, which is especially weird because I’m 6’3”. She kept a lot of clothes from the 70s in the attic, and I’ve found my favorite flannels, t shirts, and two fucking fantastic Woolrich jackets there. Oh man, this one Woolrich wool vest is my favorite. I wore it as a joke in high school, but now I’m mature enough to wear it seriously. Very proud of that. DMM: Do you read any blogs? What makes a good blog? CS: I mostly just read music blogs that people I
know write for... portals, smoke don’t smoke, head underwater, life aquatic, cloudcastle. Xlr8r and Fader always keep me coming back for more. Pretty reliant on my buddies via facebook and twitter over blogs though. DMM: What is one of your favorite memories? CS: A few summers ago, I attended a chamber music program in Switzerland called Music X with an INCREDIBLE chamber group called eighth blackbird. One night we all got together and played a game we made up called Philip your Glass. The idea of the game is to play through Philip Glass’s “Music in Similar Motion” without making a mistake (which is very hard, especially without having practiced). There were about 20 of us playing so many different instruments.... I was on vibraphone. When someone made a mistake they had to drink, then find their way back in. The piece lasted maybe 15 minutes. Not only was playing this piece with so many great musicians an incredible experience, but we were partying at the same time in such a beautiful way. It was the most gorgeous melding of minimalism and partying that I’ve ever experienced. DMM: If you could steal any animal from the zoo which would you steal? CS: Monkeys monkeys monkeys. When I was young, I had a stuffed monkey named monk and I wanted for him to be alive more than anything in the world. It’s really hard for me to let go of feelings that strong. I need a monkey and hope to have one someday. Probably of the squirrel monkey variety. DMM: What is your favorite city? CS: NYC! I’m hoping to move there by the end of 2013. I go there a lot and every time it feels more like home and it’s harder to leave. On a basic level, there’s just so much high quality shit there and I want to experience it all. DMM: What quality is your favorite in people? CS: humor-honesty. DMM: Would you rather be able to fly or have x-ray vision? CS: omg flyyyyyyyyy no question about it.
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Playlist Shigeto - Soaring FaltyDL -The Sale Ends Teams vs Star Slinger - Say Please Shlohmo - The Way U Do Bwana - Not Gonna Fall Lapalux - Yellow 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chrome Sparks - <3 & Soul John Talabot - Missing You Fantastic Mr. Fox - Evelyn Mux Mool - Live at 7-11
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Fashion Week Street Style
bryanboy.com
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shadees of black
shinebythree.com
tweed with printed derss
black and tan with stripes
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brittneybanks.com
lateafternoonblog.com
alexabj.blogspot.com
outofabook.blogspot.com
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girlsack.com
an-unknown-quantity. blogspot.com
black and gray fur
BCB (om) G We had the tables turned on us recently when were asked some questions by Cliff and Michael Pershes for BCBG’s style blog. Here’s what we had to say: 1. What is Dress Me Magazine? Dress Me is a free, web-based publication dedicated to the online creative sphere. We began catering exclusively to the fashion world, but have since expanded into music, visual art and design as well. Our work is created for and with bloggers from around the world. 2. Describe your personal style. We are both very minimalist, inspired by the idea of an everyday uniform. The only major difference is that Mariel is very into layering and warm, cozy sweaters. Oh, and lots of dresses…and ankle boots. 3. What inspires you? Minimalism and modernist typography have been huge influences for both our design and personal style. We like geometric, clean spaces that still have room for flares of whimsical fantasy. 4. Who are you listening to? It changes all the time and is probably more than we could list here, but right now on our work playlist you can find Teen Daze, Slow Magic, Lake Radio, Tycho, Chrome Sparks and Bird Peterson’s Drankenstein series. We also frequently listen to work from the Brainfeeder, Wedidit and LuckyMe collectives.
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5. Why do you love BCBGMAXAZRIA? We like that they touch on a varied range of chic and classic styles and silhouettes. There is really something for everybody within BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP. Also, Mariel likes the sweaters and those sport leggings! photographs by michal czerwonka
& andrew yoon
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WHERE TO BUY
DMM ONLINE
American Apparel www.americanapparel.net
Goldwell www.goldwell-northamerica.com
Antipast www.barneys.com
Happiness is a $10 Tee www.10dollartee.com
Ark & Co. www.arknco.com
Herve Leger www.bcbgmaxazriagroup.com
Bad†Taste http://btclothing.bigcartel.com
Hudson www.hudsonjeans.com
Banana Republic www.bananarepublic.com
Juicy Couture www.juicycouture.com
Babyliss www.amazon.com
KMS California www.kmscalifornia.com
BCBG Max Azria www.bcbgmaxazriagroup.com
Lush www.lushclothing.com
Burberry www.burberry.com
Prada www.prada.com
Cheap Monday www.karmaloop.com
Shiseido www.shiseido.com
Conair www.amazon.com
TanTowel www.sephora.com
Create Build Destroy http://createbuilddestroy.com
Target www.target.com
Dior Homme http://www.brownsfashion.com
Think Closet www.thinkcloset.com
Dollhouse http://shop.dollhouse.com
Theory www.theory.com
Free People www.freepeople.com
Vermont Flannel co. www.vermontflannel.com
French Connection www.frenchconnection.com
Wolford www.vermontflannel.com
Gap www.gap.com
Woolrich www.woolrich.com Zadig & Voltaire www.zadig-et-voltaire.com
WEBSITE www.dressmemag.com Visit our website to read our archives, find information on how to contribute, advertise, and more! BLOG http://blog.dressmemag.com The Dress Me Magazine blog is a look into the lives of Editor-in-Chief Mariel Eve Bennett and Creative Director Jordan Romanoff. The DMM blog serves to document the integration of their lives with the creation of the magazine. TUMBLR www.dressmemag.tumblr.com The DM team’s virtual moodboard TWITTER www.twitter.com/dressmemag Follow us for Dress Me updates FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/dressmemag You may not like us, but we like you! Let’s resolve our issues and then you can Like Dress Me on Facebook