Rabble Magazine Fall 2018 by rabblemagazine

How to Master the Kickflip 14 Q&A: Screaming Females 15 Omaha Girls Rock: Superstars of Tomorrow 20

SUMMER

2018

FALL 2018

A FOR-YOUTH-BY-YOUTH CULTURE MAGAZINE, PRODUCED BY RABBLE MILL (501c3)

THANK YOU! Without help from these supporters, Rabble Magazine would not be possible: f Find your grind foundation f Peter Kiewit Foundation f Sherwood Foundation f Juvenile Justice Prevention Fund f Woods Charitable Fund f Cooper Foundation f Lee and Debbie Stuart Family Foundation f Pegler Family Foundation f NoVo Foundation f Spreetail f Capital One f Nebraska Global f John and Diane Scott Fund f Sheckler Foundation f Alan and Marcia Baer f Nebraska Arts Council Special thanks to these supporters of our 2018 Skate Art Music Anti-Gala: f Bart Dillashaw f Pascal Finette f Duffy’s Tavern f Lee and Debbie Stuart Family Foundation f WRK Family Foundation f Sheckler Foundation f SecretPenguin f Vivid Sign Co. f Union Bank & Trust f Ameritas f INSPRO Insurance f Berry Law Firm f 98.3 KZUM f Lincoln’s Hit Music 106-3 KFRX f Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska f Nebraska Tourism Industry f Firespring 877 f Agency 2

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Rabble crew ler Sam cris ief ch ditor-in

zoie taylore design editor

Kira Taylore Deputy Editor

Eli Sommerich staff writer

Sawyer Kre ikmeier

staff writ

Sabrina Sommer photogr apher

Will roper staff writer own - br h s a k ter Leah aff wri t s Tes s sta a Wis ff w er rite r

Noelle Ervin staff writer

Nina Peci staff writer

Oliv ia Staf McCown f wr iter

Join Us! Rabble Magazine is a youth-driven print and digital publication which covers skateboarding, music, art and culture in Nebraska and beyond. All stories are written, photographed and designed by our team of high school and college students aspiring to improve their journalism and artistic skills. They aim to show their peers across the state a wide array of possibilities in the creative world, inspiring them to find their passion. It all happens at The Bay — Lincoln’s indoor skatepark, coffee shop, all-ages music venue and art collective — and is a product of Rabble Mill, a 501c3 nonprofit organization which creates more skilled, supported and connected communities through education, outreach and storytelling.

Han Le Interested in helping out? We want to hear from you! Email us Photographer at magazine@rabblemill.org

Not Pictured Editorial Consultant Andrew Stellmon Staff Writers Hailey Stessman Han Le Izayiah Kulawik Andy Morrison

Contents 16 15 Slam Poetry Gives Voice to Nebraska Youth

Screaming Females and the Pursuit of Fulfillment

Standing Out in Style

Omaha Girls Rock

The Drop....................5 The Beat....................6 Back-to-School Fashion......8 Skate Art Music Anti-Gala...11 How to: Kickflip............13 Q&A: Screaming Females......14 Louder Than a Bomb..........15 Mental Health and Music.....16 Omaha Girls Rock............19 Campaigning for Justice.....23 Sound Check: Album Roundup..24 Vena Amoris.................25 Leikeli47: Behind the Mask..26 How to: College.............27 How to: French Press Coffee.29 Amore Meridano..............30 5

BY SAM CRISLER

Hey Reader,

THE DROP

o o o o

I’m thinking back to high school, which in retrospect wasn’t as terrible as I thought it was at the time. I think that’s how a lot of people reflect on the times in their lives that they had to “get through.”

But it definitely wasn’t great.

I went to a high school with a graduating class of barely 60 people and where you were immediately cast out if you preferred brushstrokes or saxophones to basketballs and singlets.

At my core, I was the outcast type, but I kept it to myself. I remember receiving sidelong glances in the hallway for wearing my vintage Nirvana T-shirt and being called “gay” for telling people I played guitar. And when I went home, I’d let off steam by practicing along to Alice in Chains and Rage Against the Machine songs — you know, that angsty music. Nothing was more therapeutic. To avoid total social alienation, I played baseball. I lettered all four years, received academic allconference honors and made a few good friends.

And, was I happy with it all? Hell no. That’s what happens when you pretend to be something you’re not. I would have had a far more peaceful conscience had I quit sports and focused on music.

At 21, three years removed from high school graduation, I’ve made great strides in discovering who I think I am. That Nirvana shirt is now one of my prized possessions, and I play in a band that gives me more satisfaction than anything else. Most importantly, I now know that a fulfilling life doesn’t come from doing what makes you feel accepted. Forgive the cliché, but it comes from following your heart.

That’s why, with hindsight on my side, I write this to you. To let you know that despite what you may think, there’s a future for you in doing what you love. Not what the stuck-up kid with the 4.0 GPA, or the big-mouth guy in your biology class, or your gym teacher, or your out-of-touch guidance counselor thinks you ought to do when you grow up. Even if you don’t make a dime doing it, all that matters is what YOU think you ought to do when you grow up. What YOU love.

Peace and love,

Sam Crisler Editor-in-Chief

All you have to do is find it. I hope this magazine can help.

The Beat Where there’s a girl, there’s a way

o o o

By Nina Peci

Photo by Nina Peci

Ina Bhoopalam and Samavi Rafique’s mission is simple: empower the next generation of youth, girls especially, to use their voices. That mission begins with prioritizing education and creating an environment where girls can grow, in and outside of the classroom. In service of this mission, Bhoopalam (17) founded Nebraska’s first Girl Up chapter with Lincoln Public Schools in August 2017. Girl Up is an international program that runs through the United Nations and works to empower young girls and educate them on world issues, such as poverty and domestic abuse. Since launching last year, LPS’s Girl Up chapter already has more than 100 high school members, as well as teams that work with girls in elementary and middle school. They’ve hosted a screening of the 2015 movie He Named Me Malala and an advocacy bootcamp in order to raise awareness and educate others about international gender equality issues. “Girls have the right to education and access to health care, all the things that Girl Up works towards,” Rafique (15) says. “Every girl [needs to] learn that and should feel empowered enough to speak up when their rights are being denied. That’s what I hope every

girl can get out of this. Gaining a more global view and feeling more empowered.” As Bhoopalam and Rafique work to change the world, Girl Up has changed theirs. They’ve grown more passionate and more aware through the process of creating the chapter, educating and connecting with their community. Bhoopalam has learned how much influence a single person can have, and how that ripple can create even larger change. “The most powerful movements start with one person,” Bhoopalam says. “Don’t ever underestimate the power that you can have alone. Don’t stop yourself from doing something just because you don’t think you have the power or capability to do something.” Learning is just as big a part of the job as educating others. As Girl Up leaders work with girls who open up to them, reality can hit hard when real world experiences come to light. Young girls share their own experiences with discrimination and abuse during meetings and talks with leaders they trust. Leaders at the elementary and middle school level do their best to teach young kids how to open up to others, especially when they see something unjust going on.

“Working with the elementary school-age kids has taught me how real and how personal these gender equality problems are,” Rafique says. “Hearing their stories and hearing how [some of them] are six years old and have already faced these [issues].” During these difficult experiences, Bhoopalam and Rafique are growing as leaders while helping the girls cope with their own issues. Running a program that focuses on empowerment is difficult in a climate where feminism is politicized and the perception by some that it isolates men is ever-present. Bhoopalam and Rafique’s ability to impact the world is often underestimated considering that both the girls are teenagers, but that has not stopped them. Bhoopalam encourages everyone to lead a passionate life, despite the roadblocks they may face. “You’re gonna face a lot of challenges in your life and they’re gonna suck and be hard, but always persevere through them in whatever you’re doing,” Bhoopalam says. “Keep at heart that your hard work will pay off and your fight towards whatever you’re passionate about will make r a difference. It just takes time.” 76

Peter Barnes: Focus on the Solution

“I was on track to go to university for computer engineering,” Barnes says. “But then, I bought a camera on a whim start of the year. It kinda just blew up from there.” Barnes started with landscape photography at the beginning of 2015, but then moved on to concert photography, which he focused on for the better part of a year.

By Leah Kash-Brown

Halfway through 2015, Barnes started to dabble in portraiture and began to move away from concerts. As the Photo by Leah Kash-Brown year progressed, he wanted to shoot more weddings than anything. Lincoln photographer Peter Barnes (21) finds fulfillmentthrough helping clients’ external, internal and psychologi“With weddings, I feel like I’m doing something more imcal problems. portant to my couples and it makes me feel like my work “In wedding photography, your client’s external problem is matters, which was a very strong personal dilemma I faced early on,” Barnes says. that they need pictures at their wedding, but their internal problem could be that they aren’t sure if they’re worth Going forward, Barnes still sees himself as a Nebrasinvesting in, they just want to enjoy their day,” Barnes ka-based wedding photographer. He feels that running his says. “The philosophical problem could be that they don’t business in Nebraska will give him the opportunity to give know if their marriage matters or if their life matters. It’s our job to convey to our clients how we can solve all three back to the community that raised him. problems, not just the external problem.” “I want to dominate the local market,” Barnes says. “I don’t have any intention to leave for any reason, because I Since starting his photography business on Oct. 1, 2015, want to keep doing it. I like where I am.” r Barnes has gone non-stop. He never thought of photography as a career choice in high school. Instead, he came to it after starting down a different path.

Punching Into the Art Scene By Izayiah Kulawik Harrison Hebb (16) and Payton Luhree (17), Lincoln Southeast junior and senior, respectively, are two new up-and-coming faces in Nebraska’s art scene. Both own and operate the website Right Hooked, an online art distribution business for local youth artists and creators. But the idea for Right Hooked was 17 years in the making. Both Hebb and Luhree grew up surrounded by art. Hebb’s parents exposed him to the most mainstream of pieces, with the Mona Lisa and classical scores from Beethoven making the biggest impact. He has also used his art as a vessel to channel his emotions and let them out via original painted works. His works varies in different mediums with portraits and profiles being his main subjects. Luhree says her family of creative people inspired her.. She would draw just for fun, things like portraits and whatever her friends would request. When both knew they had a hand for art, both went out to make themselves known. Achieving notoriety is a taller task. Hebb struck some luck by being featured at Shindig, an April 2018 get-together for Lincoln youth to mingle and show off their art and music. Hebb was invited to the event through a friend. Through another link with a friend in school, Hebb earned a more prestigious showing at Lincoln’s Iron Tail, where he also got positive reception. “I got pretty good feedback, it was just a good vibe,” Hebb said.

“My friends’ support there really meant a lot.” Luhree also used her connections to spread the word about her art, but it took some time before she felt confident enough to ask for help. “I’ve always wanted to do art shows but was too busy and scared people wouldn’t like my art,” Luhree says. This went on for some time before she had the idea in her head for a website that would be for and run by youth to showcase and sell their personal art. This idea would later become Right Hooked. Luhree bought the domain name righthookedartco.com and was on her way to make it. But she needed a partner, and looked to Hebb for support because of their shared passion for art. The website and store launched on Aug. 13, 2018. When you go to the website, you are greeted by a homemade song, a banger with a skittish beat and lyrics with the name of the website. So far, only Luhree and Hebb’s works are being youth artists but they are looking to get themselves out there and have more artists join. All sales go straight to the creator, supporting each budding artist. Their hope is to have people sell what they want for how much they want. When asked what advice he would give fellow youth artists, Hebb says, “Don’t go with the trends. That makes the art seem un-you.” r

mitchell henderson

Amber Nicole-Wolfe

STANDING OUT in style matt hansen

aimee correa By Hailey Stessman Photos by Hailey Stessman

The term “back-to-school” can invoke a variety of reactions. It can mean dreaded 10-page papers, the mysterious classroom carpet stains and the seemingly endless struggle of trying to maneuver through flocks of conversing freshmen. Or, it can stand high, gleaming at the end of the tunnel, as a gateway to surprising everyone with a completely new look, a new you. Yet, school in general has been known for its sidelong glances and open judgements based on physical appearances. It’s not uncommon when passing others in the hallways that the thought of, “Oh my gosh, what was I thinking when I got dressed?” sits in students’ heads. The vicious tearing down of self-esteem by others unfortunately has become a daily occurance in the school environment. It forces some to constrict how they carry themselves every day — mentally and visually. Turning against the hormonal backpacked critics, some individuals find power within the muttered opinions of others. Instead of falling under the pressure of desired gratification and validation from fellow class members, they’ve grasped the true definition of “self-expression.” With pride for who they are, these four individuals have defied high school through their clothing and bold styles.

AMBER NICOLE WOLFE Within her self-discovery, 20-year-old Amber Nicole Wolfe found a new means of escape to help her come to terms with a recent adjustment. Wolfe gravitated to the therapeutic haven of thrift shopping and developing her own individual style. At 17, her view on life quickly changed with the mention of a single word.

“I found comfort in the way that I dressed,” Wolfe says. “Advice for any situation would be to always be confident in yourself. When you do start dressing out of the norm, I think it’s important to really, really love your outfit, especially when you leave your house. Learn to love yourself so you can always feel that way.”

“The summer after my junior year of high school, I learned that I was autistic, and I went through what is called ‘autistic burnout,’ which I didn’t know at the time,” Wolfe says. “I just went to this music festival and had what I now know as ‘sensory overload.’ I was basically in the hospital all summer. I ended up just going to thrift stores because I didn’t have to talk to anybody. I could zone out and find clothes that made me feel good about myself while I still felt so bad in every other aspect.”

Now an employee at Scout: Dry Goods & Trade—a vintage resale store in Omaha—Wolfe has joined a community that is accepting and aware of what she needs. This includes warnings before any certain noises and allowing time to calm down in the back of the store.

When she lost sense of who she was, Wolfe used clothing to fight against the negative thoughts from her diagnosis. From the frequent thrift store visits, she formed a style that offered a feeling of ease and creative freedom. High-waisted jeans, platform shoes, T-shirts with peculiar phrases and kitschy dresses became staples in her closet.

In addition to her ever-changing style through the years, Wolfe’s relationship with herself evolved into a connection of love and self-confidence. Through wearing unique and thrifted outfits, even enduring the comments and name-calling during high school, she has learned how to love herself. “I have had to find my own acceptance within myself. I didn’t let myself find comfort in it until the word [autistic] sank into myself,” Wolfe says. “I started researching and finding other people online who were autistic as well. That’s when my life really changed. I am so happy that I know and am proud of that label because that’s who I am.” r

Aimee Correa Rooted in balance between heritage and individual interests, 16-year-old Aimee Correa, of Afro-Puerto Rican descent, has been able to show pride for her background, not only through clothing, but from another physical aspect too. “Being half-black, my hair has always been a big thing for me,” Correa says. “When I was younger, my hair was always something I would try to tame all the time. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized, whether I’m wearing braids, dreads, natural, straight, or a weave, it always changes my mood. I think that’s so fun.” In her sophomore year at Papillion-La Vista South, Correa found a signature look by displaying a variety of color combinations, such as maroon with red, and purple with black, in her dreads. When switching it up, she often color coordinated her style with the pops of color in her hair, which also came with some difficulty. Outfits were easy to formulate at first, but as the days went by, the options became limited.

“I did primary colored hair, and primary colors are very prominent, but they don’t always match every little thing. It felt weird to wear pink or green,” Correa says. “After a while, you get over 10 it and realize some of the things look a lot better than what you are conscious of.”

Residing in a mainly white suburb in Papillion, Correa said she has faced harsh judgments toward her appearance, especially surrounded by other students her age. “Living in white neighborhoods my whole entire life wasn’t easy,” Correa says. “What people say is the least important thing. How you feel is what’s important. I’ve gotten, ‘Oh, is that horsehair? How do you wash your hair? Isn’t it gross to have another person’s hair on your head?” Correa says. “I can’t make people’s ignorance my problem, because if I do, I’ll just be burdened with it all the time.” Hoping to be an example for other high schoolers who express themselves by their hair, Correa says she lives by never giving up on wanting to feel good in her own skin, even if some days are harder than others. “Experimenting is great. If you hate a hairstyle, then change it next week,” Correa says. “It’s very beneficial to do as much as you can to find out what you really do enjoy. That’s not even just for clothing. That goes for the overarching theme of life.” r

From attending a private Catholic high school to attending a prestigious fashion school in New York City, Mitchell Henderson has shown that a devotion to one’s passion can take you far. Henderson, a graduate from Creighton Prep in 2017, developed his own way to push the boundaries set by strict high school uniform guidelines.

“In Omaha, it was really great because the community really fosters young growth and pushes you to try new things. Even if you’re not spectacular at it, they want to help you grow with that. In New York, you’re already expected to be something because you’re competing against hundreds, if not thousands, of other designers for jobs and opportunities.” Henderson says.

“I tried to push the boundaries where I could,” Henderson says. “You did have to wear a collared shirt and khaki pants. I wore skinny khakis with combat boots for more of an edgier and grungier feel, which I would pair with an oversized button- up to give myself some contrasting volume.”

While at FIT, he witnessed the presence of original and eccentric styles both on the street and in the classroom.

Once he started to experiment with his outfits, Henderson felt drawn to the world of fashion. At the age of 15, he began to search for different outlets around Omaha through which to express his eclectic style and fashion skills. He signed onto Develop Model Management and had a collection in Omaha Fashion Week alongside other young designers at the age of 17. “That was kind of a trial and error process because I had just started sewing at that point,” Henderson says. “I applied for fashion week, I got in, and at that moment I was like, ‘Oh, crap. Now I really have to produce 10 garments.’ But that’s exactly what I needed in order to push myself to do what I wanted.” As a high school student learning to sew during free period to producing three full collections at Omaha Fashion Week, Henderson began looking forward by applying to schools across the country and landed a spot at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In the new environment, he noticed the increase of competition between younger artists.

Matt hansen

With a spontaneous time step and a carried vibrato, 19-yearold Matt Hansen has fully embraced the evolution of his image. Finishing up his freshman year at Lindenwood University in St. Louis, where he majors in musical theatre and minors in dance, he has found the style that fits him: a collection of fashion no-no’s done right. Clashing patterns. Graphic tees with witty phrases. Visible tube socks with a slight flair. An occasional flash of a tie to make the look complete. Hansen has found his niche in the balance of practicality and vintage hidden gems. His personal journey with self-image and style began at a period of constant questioning and feeling ultimately foreign in his own skin. His life was built with a predetermined view on the world resulting in a youth spent with an outward appearance and character he didn’t feel comfortable in. “It was a part of my life where I hated myself. I didn’t like myself in my own skin,” Hansen says. “My upbringing and the people around me were like a humble middle finger.” He says each day he sported a default look consisting of a plain Old Navy sweatshirt and simple denim jeans. At school, the look was lost in the crowd of students who wore variations of the same outfit. The constant mask he wore to fit in eventually found its way to the forgotten corner of the closet no one dares to delve into when Hansen stepped into his version of cheap heaven.

ng. er ’s th

mitchell henderson

“It’s just really cool to be able to be in an environment that really cares and encourages uniqueness out there,” Henderson says. “No matter what you wear in New York, no one is going to give you a second look. You can wear the craziest outfit, and nobody is going to approach you or say anything negative to you.” Even in the heavily populated city, Henderson was able to use his Nebraskan roots by establishing connections with Omaha native designers such as Kate Walls. These relations led him to secure a position with a sustainable fashion upstart called Querencia Studio. He is now the associate designer. Through immersing himself in the rapid New York life, Henderson continues to build his own foundation in America’s fashion capital. By walking on the streets and in the classroom, he sees others expressing themselves through clothing every day. “Fashion is really something you can portray as whatever you want it to be. Don’t limit yourself to gender assigned clothing,” Henderson says. “Wear whatever you want to wear. There’s no issue with shopping in the men’s section or the women’s section or wearing androgynous clothing. Don’t be afraid to stand out. Don’t be afraid to be yourself.” r “Somebody wanted to go into a thrift store, and I literally found this ugly sweater, and I was like, ‘This is it. I need this,’” Hansen says. “I found out funkier things were better for me.” A love for good deals on second-hand treasures overcame Hansen as he began to build his own collection of vintage and wacky pieces. He snatched “ugly” oversized “dad” sweaters, quirky button- ups, and oversized worn jackets. As the years of high school went by, Hansen found himself exploring the various depths of his constantly evolving style. Actively a part of the theatre department at Papillion-La Vista South, his close friends encouraged Hansen to grasp his true identity with support and open arms. The group gave Hansen a safe and judgment-free space where he could genuinely convey his preference to stand out. “My best piece of advice is to just stay true to you, and if [your family] doesn’t accept you, you know there are people who will accept you,” he says. “Family doesn’t always have to be blood.” Hansen’s story of self love and exploration of fashion has come full circle with hopes of transitioning his vintage Depop business — named “A Flood of Sunshine” — to a physical establishment. What once seemed to be a brisk stop in a brick and mortar thrift store turned out to be the spark for a deep appreciation for staying true to himself. “I want to be different, I don’t want to be the pretty cookie cutter house.” Hansen says. r

p 11 10

a aaa a aa a a q a a skate art music anti-gala 2018

PHOTOS BY

Lauren Farris

Arianna Bohning

Lindsey Yoneda Odochi Akwani

11 12

a a a a a a a a aq a On Aug. 25, The Bay and Rabble Mill hosted the most elaborate edition yet of their yearly fundraising festival, the Skate Art Music AntiGala. Hundreds of skaters and music fans crowded The Bay to watch Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shaun McKay take home $2,000 from the main skateboard competition and catch New Jersey rockers Screaming Females slay on the outdoor stage. Check out these photos for glimpses at the rest of the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action. r

HOW TO:

KICKFLIP The kickflip is one of the most iconic tricks in skateboarding and among the first flip tricks a skater learns. While it’s simple, it presents an early challenge, but looks great when perfected. We took to The Bay’s indoor skatepark with Lincoln skater AJ Miranda to show you how it’s done. r By Andy Morrison

Set your feet as if you were going to do an ollie, with your front foot near the screws and back foot near the edge of the tail.

1 14

Snap your tail down and lift your front foot into the air, dragging it diagonally off the board toward your backside. Your board should begin to flip.

Keep your feet up and out of the way as the board flips, and prepare to catch it.

C S

Once the board has flipped all the way around ,catch it with your back foot first. Land, pound your buddy’s fist and roll away.

44 3

Screaming Females Femalesand Screaming the Pursuit Pursuit of of Fulfillment Fulfillment Screaming Females are the kind of threepiece band that, like Sleater-Kinney and Nirvana before them, make music at a decibel level that doesn’t seem possible. Much of that volume is thanks to the righteously fist-pumping guitar solos and fierce vibrato of frontwoman Marissa Paternoster. But in 13 years as a band, the trio — also featuring drummer Jarrett Dougherty and bassist Mike “King Mike” Abbate — have struck an interpersonal balance that follows them on the road, often for months at a time. They’ve got seven albums under their belt, and their latest, All At Once, is their most ambitious and critically-acclaimed yet, earning rave reviews from Pitchfork, The A.V. Club and The Needle Drop. It all stemmed from a mutual appreciation for punk music and the decision to work toward what they loved, instead of safely toward money. Before a two-week run of shows in the U.K., the New Brunswick, New Jersey, rockers headlined Rabble Mill’s Skate Art Music Anti-Gala on Aug. 25, and Rabble Magazine got the chance to talk briefly with the band.

Marissa: We didn’t understand that wasn’t, like, normal. We didn’t have that frame of reference.

By Sam Crisler Photo by Lauren Farris

or something. That can kind of put you [in] weird head spaces sometimes, so it’s important to have people around you that are going to support you regardless of whether you’re financially successful or something. I know people have trouble with that, with their parents. But we’re just here watching all these dudes skateboard, and they’re going, like, [crazy] out there. Giving it everything they’ve got. There’s two pro dudes here, y’know. And as a pro skateboarder, unless you’re selling a bunch of your signature board, you’re probably not making a lot of money to begin with. They’re putting their bodies on the line for something that they care about, and it’s all about the culture. All of these people care about each other. And it just gives life a purpose. So it’s important to understand that when you get involved with stuff, of course there are gonna be elements in your life that try to convince you that you need to justify it by income. But that’s not really a good gauge for that kind of thing.

N I M A S E E R L C S EMA IN F EAM S How’s tour prep going?

King Mike: Good, this is kind of a one-off for us. We go to the U.K. on Wednesday. This is kind of a warm-up gig I guess. It’s the warm-up gig for the big U.K. tour. You guys do really long tours. What is that like?

King Mike: I’d rather play a show than not, right?

Jarrett: Someone sent me an email talking about this journalist, Jessica Hopper. She put out a bunch of zines and was really involved with like riot grrrl and stuff in the ‘90s. She came out with a collection of journalism she’s done, and someone mentioned that there was an article in there about us, which I didn’t know. It came out a few years ago, so I checked it out, and it was the first big article ever written about us. By ‘big’ I mean somebody like ‘Oh, my God.’ Jessica Hopper wrote an article about us, and it was on this tour that we did that was 70 days. And I was trying to think back on that, and we’ve done tours that were sort of longer connected altogether. Y’know, we went to Europe, then came home for a couple days, then went on tour in the U.S. too. But that was the longest we’ve ever been out, away from home in one shot, and it still doesn’t feel like it’s that long. I feel like we could do it today. I just feel like, 70 days, meh.

King Mike: And I was 18 at the time. I was ready to take on the world.

I suppose being a three-piece, you get to know each other’s tics and don’t hate each other after awhile. King Mike: We love each other, we know how to make it work.

What was the moment you knew you wanted to pursue music or pursue art in some form?

So you would say for any sort of fulfilling outlook on life, it’s dependent on doing something that you actually love?

Marissa: I always wanted to be an artist. I grew up drawing and stuff, so I don’t think there was ever a question in my mind. It was just like what I was naturally good at, so I got a lot of encouragement, especially surrounding drawing and painting. I ended up going to art school. But then, once I found out about punk — since the two things are so closely linked — I was like ‘I wanna do both.’ I don’t know why I got so obsessed with wanting to be in a band. I just got the bug. I found out about punk. And I was like ‘I wanna be a punk. But I live in, like, suburban New Jersey. How do I do that?’

Jarrett: If it’s something that you wanna get involved in, that you wanna go deep into, you just gotta be prepared for the fact that there might not be money at the end of it.

King Mike: I don’t know if there was a particular moment that made me realize, like, ‘This is what I wanna do.’ But I do feel very strongly that expression is really important. I realized that playing music with my friends and using that creative energy to make something, all of a sudden, I wasn’t thinking about all of my anxieties or insecurities. I was just thinking about how cool it is to make something. We’ve been lucky enough to make a career out of it, I guess you could call it that. Jarrett: It’s important to recognize that passions don’t always equate to income. It’s important to realize that you can be a dedicated, really involved musician without ever making a dime at it, really. And it’s important to have that kind of drive because you love, like, a subculture

King Mike: That’s definitely not why we’re doing it.

What advice do you have for the kids who might be outcasted for their different interests?

Marissa: Having fulfilling life experiences and taking the time to figure out what makes you happy is way more important than money or any kind of social capital. None of that stuff really summates into happiness, I’ve found in my personal experience. The stuff that makes me happy is all of the friends I’ve made through doing something that I care about.

King Mike: Especially in high school, too. Like, it’s hard to realize that these bullies aren’t gonna be a part of your life in four years. You’ll never have to see them again, and you can go on to be yourself and matter to the people who care about you.r Screaming Females’ latest LP All At Once is available via Don Giovanni Records

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Real, Deep and Honest: Slam Poetry giving Voices to Nebraska Youth By Sawyer Kreikmeyer

Photo by Sabrina Sommmer

Grace Ellis wrote one of her best poems while on the Waverly High School Louder Than A Bomb slam poetry team during the 2017-2018 season, her final year. Although the poem was emotionally difficult for Ellis to perform, she continued to recite it at Louder Than A Bomb competitions. It is written in the form of a letter, addressed to her father, with whom she has not spoken in nearly two years. “I had been trying to write this letter to him since my parents’ divorce back in 2010, and something just finally clicked this year,” Ellis says. “I couldn’t perform it without crying. I knew with this piece, I had finally accepted within myself the way I felt and was able to convey it in the way I had wanted to for so long.” Louder Than A Bomb competitions are emotional, energetic and competitive. However, the atmosphere is also filled with encouragement and support. Louder Than A Bomb was founded in Chicago in 2001, as result of a Chicago loitering law that specifically targeted young people of color which inhibited their ability to congregate in groups larger than two. Two Chicago-based poets, Kevin Coval and Anna West, as well as a group of educators, decided to address this disheartening legislation. They began hosting slam poetry competitions in basements and bars. The result was Louder Than A Bomb, a place where young people could congregate and tell their stories through poetry. Since then, Louder Than A Bomb has grown throughout the country. Louder Than A Bomb first came to Nebraska in 2011 through the Nebraska Writers Collective. Waverly High School was one of the first 12 Nebraska high schools to have a slam poetry team. Louder Than A Bomb has grown throughout Nebraska since first arriving in 2011. Since then, the competitive 15 16poetry reading series has provided

Nebraska students an outlet where they can creatively express their unique experiences through poetry. Today, the Nebraska Great Plains chapter of Louder Than A Bomb is the second largest in the United States, and includes nearly 50 Nebraska high schools, stretching from Omaha to Ogallala. Ellis discovered Louder Than A bomb through a 2014 performance by the Waverly High School slam poetry team at Waverly Middle School. An eighth grader at the time, she was uncertain about where she would best fit in when she began high school, but knew she was interested in writing. Prior to viewing this performance, Ellis had not known that an outlet existed for her to express her creative writing competitively. Watching and listening to the poets spill out their hearts and souls through poetry changed that. “I was immediately hooked,” Ellis says. When Ellis began her freshman year at Waverly High School in the fall of 2014, she decided to join the Louder Than A Bomb slam poetry team. Although she was nervous, she was driven by her love to write. “I was new and had no idea what I was doing,” Ellis says. “All I knew was that I wanted to write, and I felt like I had things to say that were worth writing.” Ellis admits that her first year was rough. She felt her writing was messy and cliché, and it was a little disheartening to not perform any of her poems that first year. This was mostly due to her poetic insecurities and her nervousness of the stage. But she stuck with it and continued to write. She was able to grow as a writer and a person through the support of many teaching artists and her coach, Kelly Bielenberg, who she refers to as “Mama B.” “Every coach I have had has been such a tremendous support in my life,” Ellis says.

Bielenberg, an English teacher at Waverly High School, introduced Louder Than A Bomb here in 2011. At the time, she was finishing up her graduate classes with the Nebraska Writing Project, where she had gotten some information about starting slam poetry teams in Nebraska.

has been writing stories and poems for as long as she can remember. “I love how writing a poem is like putting together a puzzle that you design yourself, purposefully crafting stanzas and juxtaposing words and ideas,” Marco says.

Since introducing Louder Than A Bomb to Waverly, Bielenberg has had the opportunity to work with many students of differing backgrounds and stories. Her students use her nickname as a nod to the motherly support she gives to her slam poetry team. Bielenberg enjoys every minute she gets to spend with her slam poetry team, and never has she regretted introducing it to rural Nebraska high schools.

Marco’s writing has varied immensely, she has written about her personal struggles, such as depression and suicidal ideation, as well as a piece about Hannah Montana. Through her writing she has been able to more fully understand her personal conflicts and the world surrounding her. Marco attributes much of her growth as a writer to her teaching artists and her coach, Bielenberg.

“Becoming involved with slam poetry has been one of the most unique and rewarding things I have done as a teacher,” Bielenberg says. “The poets that I have had a chance to work with are all so creative and open-minded.”

“Mama B. is one of the most nurturing and fiercely compassionate people I have ever met,” Marco says.

Marco also stressed the important role her fellow teammates, specifically Ellis, have had on her Throughout the year, Bielenberg is “All I knew was that I writing. Marco and Ellis have worked on helped by teaching artists, usually wanted to write, and I felt multiple group pieces together. The two college students, who volunteer their like I had things to say that have often helped edit and revise each time as mentors and coaches for other’s work. During their creative writwere worth writing.” high school slam poetry teams. One ing classes and lunches, they would pore teaching artist, Tina Le, a senior at over each and every word in their poems. the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, donates her time with both the Waverly and North Star high school slam poetry “I could always trust Grace to be brutally honest when I teams. Le says writing allows students to understand was going down a bad path, offer constructive criticism, themselves and the world around them and gives them and calm me down when I got too upset about a poem,” an outlet where they can express complex emotions and Marco says. “That’s the beautiful thing about slam: the ideas. Slam poetry allows students to understand that they friendships you make are real, deep and honest.” are not alone in their struggles. Ellis and Marco graduated together from Waverly High “High school can be isolating and lonely,” Le says. “LoudSchool in 2018. Ellis is attending the University of Nebraser Than A Bomb lets them know that other kids share the ka-Lincoln this fall, studying secondary education with same experiences and provides them with unification in an endorsement in English and language arts. She also an environment where there is no fear of judgment.” plans to minor in creative writing. Similarly, Marco will be attending Doane University to study secondary English Le says volunteering as a teaching artist has been an education with an English language learning endorseincredibly fulfilling experience and that she hopes she ment. Both hope to continue to be involved with Louder can someday coach her own team. Through her work as Than A Bomb. a volunteer she has encountered a number of high school poets, two of which are Ellis and fellow Waverly poet “Maybe one day I can sponsor a team and become a Ashley Marco. “Mama B.” for someone else,” Marco says. 3 Like Ellis, Marco joined the Waverly slam poetry team her freshman year in 2014. Her sister, Amanda Marco, then the captain of the Louder Than A Bomb team, nudged her to join because she knew her sister loved to write. Marco

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nervous system: Mental Health and Music’s Symbiotic

Relationship

By Noelle Ervin

Often, when people are sad, they listen to music. It calms. It excites. It opens the mind up to new possibilities. To put it simply, music has the power to make people feel better. When looking into it more, however, exactly how much influence it can have on the brain may be quite surprising. Mental health and musical fields have an intertwining relationship that is often taken only at face value. You hear it time and time again, that “such beauty comes from such tragedy.” This, however, simplifies a strong connection into a generalization. It ignores the nuances within the overwhelming, interconnecting network between songs and mental health. It also implies that people with mental illness are tragic figures and that their illness defines them and their work — not the other way around. One artist trying to push back against this generalization is classical musician Tanya Gabrielian (35). 18

She’s been playing piano since she was three years old and has expanded her music into activism, earning praise from the The Washington Post and The New York Times. In her performances, she showcases composers who had mental illnesses, such as Beethoven, Chopin and Sergei Rachmaninoff, which she said creates an opportunity to start a dialogue with attendees about mental health. Not only does this help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, but it also brings forth the power music can have. “I want to use music instead as an equalizer,” Gabrielian says. “[I want to] show that music is so powerful because it shows us that we all have so much in common, regardless of our mental health, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and so on. That’s why the same music has remained relevant through centuries.” The works Gabrielian performs are created by masterful minds, not broken ones. The composers’ pieces prove the dynamism the arts have, both internally — for the artist — and externally — for the listener. What’s spectacular about this relationship between the arts and mental health is that you don’t have to create art to reap its benefits. Sometimes, the artist does the work for you. Music therapy is a relatively new technique that came about professionally in the mid-20th century. It helps with both physical and mental illnesses. In music therapy, licensed professionals use music to help tackle goals specific to the individual. Nicole Jacobs, the director of music therapy at Concordia University, Nebraska, described it as using music as a tool to address non-musical issues. Therapists focus on music’s therapeutic nature and focus it in order to maximize its healing potential. Music therapy combines both listening to and creating songs. Some main techniques include analyzing lyrics, active listening, improvisational playing and songwriting. Jacobs deals with using music therapy with in-patient care.

This means she teaches patients techniques in how they can use music to help them after they leave her office. The methods used may often vary on whether the patient already has a musical background. If so, the therapist may utilize songwriting more often, whereas, if the patient has little practice, he or she may use strategies more like lyric analysis. Differing patient needs also influence melodies and methods used. In music therapy, patients can express thoughts and feelings in ways that may be too difficult to do with words. Often, they can emote more freely and honestly through listening and creating. Part of the comfort in music therapy, Jacobs said, is the ease that comes with it.

Increasing awareness of mental illnesses through music is central to Gabrielian’s goal. Her focus lies more in showing that underneath it all, people are inherently the same, regardless of mental status. She doesn’t look into the healing properties of music, but she does recognize the power it has. Gabrielian hopes to showcase music’s power during her performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in October, where students and Lincolnites can experience Gabrielian’s mission firsthand.

“A performance is an opportunity to bring people together, and becoming part of a community is integral for general wellness,” Gabrielian says. “And with mental illness, it’s crucial to address the stigma around the issues, increase understanding, “We all use music every day, so provide care and resources and to “A lot of the times, it it’s a familiar thing,” Jacobs says. involve a community to promote doesn’t feel like “A lot of the times, it doesn’t inclusivity, rather than the feelings feel like therapy. It just feels like therapy. It just feels like of isolation that mental illness they’re playing music.” creates.” they’re playing music.” Music therapy research shows that it helps with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and substance abuse. It acts as a calming agent for overactive minds, reduces heart rate and releases endorphins. Because no one particular part of the brain is “in charge” of music, it can be used to intersect the different pathways, Jacobs says. A 2017 review written for Frontiers in Psychology discusses 28 separate scholarly articles discussing the effects of music therapy. It finds that 26 of these studies showed significant results in reducing depression. Fortunately, support for music therapy and using art to aid with mental health has increased over the years. As the conversation around destigmatizing mental illnesses grows, so does talk of how to help people experiencing them. People are realizing the arts are legitimate aids in calming their minds.

By musicians like Gabrielian showcasing mental health in the arts, more artists experiencing mental illnesses can get their work seen. Art galleries are popping up across the nation that feature these artists and their work. The Mental Arts Festival, which happened this past August in London, celebrated all types of art created by those struggling with mental illnesses. Without others speaking up in support, major events like these may not exist. Music’s healing powers go beyond a temporary mood boost. It can help deeper psychological issues through both appreciation and creation. It can open up a dialogue on important issues, such as the stigma surrounding mental illness, and create lasting change. Realizing the possibilities for internal healing helps people in dealing with struggle. It helps them reach a 19 sense of harmony. r

OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR OGR

OGR 1920

Superstars of Tomorrow:

By Olivia McCown

Rock

photos By odochi Akwani and Olivia McCown

*The following story involves real Omaha Girls Rock campers whose names have been changed to protect identity.

On the morning of July 9, 58 girls from the ages of 13 to 16 years old began their journey through a week full of intense instrument instruction, workshops, practicing with newly formed bands, and writing their own music. Some seasoned veterans knew what was in store, but most campers looked awestruck as they were welcomed into what was surely one of the more formative weeks of their summers. Like many of the campers that entered the Holland Center for Omaha Girls Rock’s (OGR) second session, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the camp, which emphasizes empowering girls through music education. The amount of support I felt from just being there for half a day, was incredible. Walking through the transformed hallways of Omaha’s most notable performing arts center, I was surrounded by posters of iconic women, inspirational quotes, and a giant “I AM FEARLESS” poster greeting me as I observed girls writing notes to their friends on huge the shoutout wall, sectioning off half of the hallway. Messages like, “We love you Maria!” and “Thank you volunteers,” summed up the supporting and accepting environment of the entire camp.

Omaha Girls

R R R R R R

OGR’s mission is to empower the women and young girls in the area to own their artistry and to create a more inclusive community through music. The camp environment is set up to allow them to bring out their true, creative selves, whoever they may be. There are two different camps during the summer; one for girls ages 10 to 12 and one for girls ages 13 to 16. Throughout the week, local artists perform for and work closely with campers to share their experiences. They also work closely with volunteers from the community, who teach campers about future possibilities through music. At the end of the week, participants perform in the OGR showcase in front of family and friends to show off their progress throughout the camp. Along the way, camp counselors draw on inspiration from popular and influential female artists in order to empower the next Stevie Nicks, Patti Smith, or Siouxsie Sioux to realize her own potential. “We are always positively encouraging them and always reaffirming that who they are right now and how they identify themselves is exactly how they should be,” says Melissa Wurth, the Executive Director of Omaha Girls Rock. Originally a teacher, Wurth

decided to fully dedicate her time to OGR in 2014. OGR was founded by Stefanie Drootin-Senseney, a seasoned bassist and vocalist, who has played in bands such as The Good Life, Big Harp, and Umm. Originally from Los Angeles, she spent some time in Omaha in the mid-00’s amid a tight community of musicians and other art enthusiasts. She saw there were other similar camps across America, and saw the need for one in Omaha. So she got together a bunch of other friends, musicians and artists and, in 2011, started Omaha Girls Rock from her L.A. home, with Wurth being involved since the beginning. Though they focused on other topics as well, music was always the central theme of the camp. “The reason music was originally the nucleus of this organization is that within music, there’s a disparity of women in specific roles,¨ Wurth says. ¨So using that as a metaphor for the other sectors of the community is one way that we use music. The other way, is that there’s so much creative expression within music, that it’s just a powerful way for somebody to identify themselves, as well as express themselves.”

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I am f Fearless

During Day Four of the July 9-13 session, Wurth discussed the development that happens within each camper throughout the week. Their message of affirmation in the campers’ personalities and their sense of self is empowerment enough to change quiet, timid girls into the rock stars that own the stage in front of over 300 people by the end of the camp. “And when you see them come off the stage, the looks on their faces say it enough,” Wurth says. Throughout the course of the week, campers operate in an environment built for creativity. Mornings start with “circle time,” where they talk about what they want to accomplish that day. The campers also spend time learning about influential women making a difference in their own community, and create projects — posters, artwork, and more — about them. The campers are grouped into bands, where they write their own songs together, decide what roles they will each play, decide the look and the name of their bands and have the freedom to make all of the decisions themselves. By the end of the week, those bands cap an immersive process by showcasing not only their original songs but a ton of growth. “The main focus is the process of camp,” Wurth says. “Through the camper’s experience of learning an instrument, creating a song, forming that band and taking part in all these different workshops and projects, it’s really the process of finding their identity.” The sense of growth is prevalent among all campers, from those who have attended OGR for years to the girls who are attending for

the first time. Many of the campers remarked they had never even imagined that one day they would perform in front of a cheering crowd, until they went to camp. “When I first started camp, I was super shy,” says 15-year-old camper Kendall. “Then I got up on stage and realized I liked it, and so I tried out for show choir and I made it. So it really helped me get out there.” Hannah, 14, is a returning camper at Omaha Girls Rock and says she loves the environment camp creates, teaching empowerment through music. She puts it simply. “I go because I can have fun here,” Hannah says. Towards the middle of the day, I stumbled upon the groups of campers, each working on their projects for the week. They provide some real-world examples of influential women, with the groups each picking their own topics. Some researched female activists such as Kasha Nabagesera and her work for LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda, and other groups studied the fashion styles of iconic female musicians over time. These projects, while not solely based in music, were displayed at their final show for audience members to see. The extra activities that the campers do are an integral part in the process as they learn more about themselves throughout the week. OGR also works on bringing in local speakers, like community advocate Precious Mckesson, to talk about their experiences and how they got to where they are

today. Mckesson is the president of the North Omaha Neighborhood Alliance and talked about getting involved in their community, serving as a real-life example of the change they can make for themselves. Speakers like McKesson bring another level of education into the campers’ experiences. “I do this because it teaches me something my parents can’t,” says Lilly, age 15. “It helps you learn really good qualities that you can take into the future.” Wurth discussed the need to build up the younger generation of women in our community because, even with how far women have come in the music industry, there is still a lot of work to be done. “Even still in Omaha, in 2018, there’s still a disparity of representation of women in music, and I think that can be said to be true for Lincoln as well and other surrounding communities,” Wurth says. The impact of OGR is already apparent in the community. Wurth noted that girls who were former long-time campers are coming back to help out as junior mentors. After they aged out of being a camper, they choose to pay that forward to the next generation. “They’re realizing the necessity for service and giving back to their community, especially an organization that they have been so strongly involved with,” Wurth says. “And I think that’s pretty impactful.¨ r

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Q&A: Deena Deena Keilany, Keilany, campaigning campaigning for for justice justice at at 21 21 By Tessa Wiser

Photos by Hailey Stessman

Through her youth, Deena Keilany’s Syrian family struggled to make ends meet, and she was forced to watch her parents get passed up for job opportunities because of their background. Fueled by these past experiences, she entered Elkhorn High School, where she could finally explore the possibilities of using activism to make a difference in her community. She started with zines that covered an array of issues ranging from sex trafficking to mental health and harm reduction. With her parents in mind, she became heavily focused on immigrant rights. Her passion for activism soon transitioned into policy work. Once she realized her voice was heard and her actions created something she was proud of, she joined Comprehensive Health Education and Equal Responsibility — or CHEER — a responsible sex ed advocacy organization started by Megan Hunt, a 2018 candidate for the Nebraska Legislature. Starting a couple years ago, she became involved in a campaign to revise the sex education curriculum in Omaha Public Schools after over 40 years of no change. Due to Keilany’s efforts with other activists, OPS has now updated its sex education class and passed a gender non-discrimination policy. Changes to this policy included making controversial topics such as abortion, emergency contraceptives, sexual orientation, gender identity and transgenderism talked about in OPS classrooms. Now as a 21-year-old political science major at UNO, Keilany’s interest in fighting for justice has led her to managing Hunt’s campaign. But she still faces the obstacle of thriving as a college student while providing for herself and her family. Read on for a conversation with Keilany, in which she discusses her political progression and how she got involved as Megan Hunt’s campaign manager. Rabble Magazine: How old were you when you started becoming politically involved? Deena Keilany: I got involved in CHEER probably like four years ago. And then I interned at Planned Parenthood, and I met the organizer for Planned Parenthood. She did a lot of grassroots work.We would partner with local campaigns, and that would really be the impetus for my work. I think the first campaign I really worked on was during the 2016 election cycle, and it was a state legislature race. That was really exciting for me. So I was like 19. RM: What were some of your duties during the legislature race? DK: 24A lot of what I did was on-theground work. So I would make calls

to voters, I would go out canvassing, I would knock on doors, talk to voters and tell them why they should vote for this candidate and why I believed in her. Most campaigns, they have a script, but you can kinda deviate a little bit, because I think a lot of people are more receptive to listening to your personal story. When I talk to voters now, for Megan, I still bring up the regular policy positions and talking points that I recommend everyone bring up to voters, because I know certain things we’ve included in developing the script. But, also, I will bring up my own story. So I will tell people that I’m a full-time student, and I am also a full-time employee, and I am in the coverage gap, so I struggle every month to make the decision of putting food on the table for my family or contributing to pay for the mortgage. Also, if I ever need health care services, that can get in the way. And every month, I just pray I won’t get sick so I don’t have to go see a doctor. And if I go see a doctor, I have to pay money, and that takes away from the money I have budgeted for my family’s regular monthly expenditures. A lot of people have similar experiences to that.

mer, I was really excited. I reached out to her, and I said ‘Megan, I would love to have a meeting with you,’ and so we set up a time, and I had put together this job description for myself. I started out as her field organizer, and I put together a job description for field organizer. And I gave it to her and said “This is what I want to do for your campaign,” and she was like “Uh okay, sure. You’re hired!” RM: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from this experience so far? DK: Well, I think it’s a really unique experience. For the Megan Hunt campaign, specifically, everyone who works for the campaign are mostly women of color and women of various immigrant backgrounds and religious backgrounds. So, it’s all these feminists getting together to get someone they really believe in, in office. It’s a really, really unique experience, and I’ve really learned that the community you surround yourself with has a huge impact on your quality of life and how it lets you enjoy what you’re doing. RM: Have you been surprised by anything you’ve seen or experienced so far? DK: I think that my faith in humanity has been restored, mostly. I didn’t think people would be as receptive to our message, so I really didn’t think people would really be willing to open up and talk to us about their individual struggles and their experiences in Nebraska. But I’ve been really happy about that. People want to talk, people want to tell you what they experience, people want to engage, people want to find someone that can represent them well, and people are willing to listen to you if you are willing to listen to them.

So I encourage a lot of our canvassers and volunteers to tell why they are passionate about Megan’s candidacy and why they believe, why their personal experiences they have had have brought them to believing in Megan. A lot of what I do has to do with strategy building, event organizing and volunteering voter outreach. Most of what I do, like most of what Megan does, and most of what our volunteers do, is talk to voters. RM: When did you first meet Megan and how did you become involved? DK: I connected with her a few years ago on the sex education and gender non-discrimination policy in OPS, but I kinda followed her work since then and have been involved with politics since that experience. But when she announced her candidacy last sum-

RM: What advice would you give other young people who are interested in getting involved? DK: I would just say don’t be afraid to reach out and start small. I know it can be a little intimidating to make phone calls or knock on doors for the first time, but there is always something for everyone to do. If there is a candidate you are passionate about, reach out to them. They will always have something for you to do, no matter the capacity of what you want to work in. So if you don’t want to talk to any strangers at all, that’s fine. There will be something, they’ll have you design posters for them or you can write letters to the editor. You can utilize your strengths in so many different ways. And the people you end up interacting with are going to be so friendly, they’ll guide you through the experience.

sound check By Eli Sommerich

Dana Murray, Negro Manifesto Dana Murray, an Omaha singer-songwriter, recently released Negro Manifesto, an album that discusses prejudice and subtle racism through a blend of soul, jazz, blues, rap and other African-American-pioneered genres. Soft saxophones and harps are matched with heavy drums and dark bass, showing the vast variety of instruments and sounds Murray and his band are capable of using. Angelic vocals, gritty raps and sermon-like interjections tell of a stilted system which traps the youth into restricted futures. “Stand By Your Man (Lady Liberty)” stands out as a highlight as vocalist Elizabeth Kantumanou delivers a beautiful performance of this country-tinged song while simultaneously letting her voice drip with sarcasm. A couple tracks later in “Suite Kaepernick Mvt 2,” the drowsy vibes completely dissolve into an enraged woman backed by muddy guitars and distorted bass preaching about the U.S.’s hypocritical, flawed societal system, comparing it to a machine. Murray’s carefully crafted mix of genres and instruments makes the listener find something new every time through Negro Manifesto. r Listen: danamurray.bandcamp.com

House Vacations, Pictures of Friends Omaha psych band House Vacations released Pictures of Friends on May 25th and features a wealth of dreamy vocals and guitar riffs, as well as dark and eerie undertones. House Vacations draws from countless different rock genres, seeming to be influenced by The Beatles, Nirvana and even Metallica. A good example of the band’s wide array of inspirations is “Mudfish.” By switching back and forth from distorted alt-punk themes to a mellower singing style, House Vacations shows their versatility. On “Glass Spring,” frontman Andy Birch delivers a catchy hook backed by the rest of the band giving a full, supportive sound. Pictures of Friends uses many interesting sounds to successfully draw the listener in. r Listen: housevacations.bandcamp.com

Hop Along, Bark Your Head Off, Dog Saddle Creek Records band Hop Along’s new album Bark Your Head Off, Dog uses bright instrumentals and frontwoman Frances Quinlan’s vivid lyricism to paint colorful pictures in the listener’s mind. Poetic metaphors combined with sweet vocals create a summer-y and overall happy vibe. The song that stands out the most is “Somewhere a Judge.” While talking about death and questionable government motives on this track, Hop Along still pulls off a very warm feeling with a catchy chorus and bright instrumentals. This album could be played anywhere at anytime, whether it be cruising with the windows down or right before you go to bed. r Listen: hopalong.bandcamp.com

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ENA AMORIS:

By Han Le and Sam Crisler

Where creative fuel is at your fingertips

For 23 years, the family-owned Rhino Stop gas station and convenience store at 2000 West O Street has established itself as a West Lincoln institution, with friendly hometown service and a near monopoly on gas-hungry traffic coming off of Highway 77.

tured and understanding in this partnership, compared to last year.”

In December 2016, when a Casey’s gas station opened across the street, Rhino’s control was threatened, which came as good news for travelers in search of competitive gas prices, but as bad news for Lonnie Schrader, Rhino’s founder and owner, and his family. Rhino’s suddenly needed something to set itself apart.

“He is into landscape, and I am into portrait,” Langer says.

With the family at a crossroads, one of the younger Schraders, Dawson, hatched the idea with his girlfriend Analise Langer to use half of the convenience store as a café-style coffee shop with an art and performance space. There were few such coffee shops on the West O corridor, or in Lincoln altogether, and in April 2018, the coffee shop opened as Vena Amoris.

“Our space is limited since we’re located inside a gas station,” Langer said. “This can provide customers with a new experience. It is our home.”

Dawson Schrader was 20 and Langer was 18 when they proposed their idea to Schrader’s father. Langer said the idea seemed unrealistic to some because of their young age. Outsiders believed the idea would end along with what they thought of as a high school relationship. But while teens worried about what they’d wear to a date or about which class to take, Schrader and Langer preferred to pursue their passions — and their committed relationship — early on.

‘Vena amoris’ is latin for “vein to the heart,” which points to a Roman ritual of wearing rings on the fourth finger because its vein was thought to run straight to the heart. “Dawson and I found the theory out together,” Langer said. “And we both loved how amusing that was. The name means a lot to us.”

Schrader and Langer met in high school through a mutual love for photography.

The two went on their first date in October 2016 at The Mill. At that point, Schrader had yet to fall in love with coffee. But it wasn’t long until he had a reason to appreciate it. He traveled to South Africa in December 2016, and found a coffee shop that did etching latte art. He visited the shop every day. Now, inspired by the South African coffee shop, latte art — often designed atop matcha and charcoal lattes — is one of Vena Amoris’s specialties, and they have an Instagram page full of Schrader’s art to show it off. Six months after launching the page, it had amassed more than 1,000 followers and become a driving force in building a community around Vena Amoris, mostly of Capitol Beach residents and UNL students. To further foster that community, Langer and Schrader plan to incorporate their appreciation of creative expression into Vena Amoris’s mission and share it with others. One of their goals is to spread their artistic knowledge to the community, to provide resources for their guests to pursue their interests. They’ve already got a studio set up for podcasting, but they want to expand to provide a photography studio too. And in the fall, Schrader and Langer are planning to hold latte art and home-brewing classes. “People need help or encouragement to push them in their journey,” Langer says. “We’re trying to create a collaborative environment that’s fitted for everyone.”

The name took on even more meaning in May, when Schrader proposed to Langer. She said “yes.”

Though Langer and Schrader’s own journey together can be stressful, they know when they lock up after 12hour days that it’s worth it. For them, fulfillment lies where hard work meets passion.

“We knew that we were going to get married despite other people thinking we were too young,” Langer says.

“I love coffee, photography and people so much,” Langer says. “That’s what makes the job rewarding.”r

They said their love of art and coffee — despite the 80-hour work weeks they’ve had to undertake to run the business themselves — has helped them grow and brought them closer together, strengthening their relationship every day.

“We 26 had to be mature at a faster pace, and every day we feel ourselves grow more and more,” Schrader said. “The coffee shop has made us a team. We are more ma-

Leikeli47: Behind the Mask By Eli Sommerich

Photo by Nikko La Mere

You were talking about your community a bit. Would you say that the New York sound in general has had an effect on your music? I think music, period, has had an effect on my music. Artists Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Lil’ Kim, Aretha Franklin. I think it’s more the sound for me. I just draw in from everybody. It was those guys, it was Michael Jackson, that’s what it is for me. Leikeli47 is one of the New York rap scene’s most interesting characters. With her diverse musical background that reaches from funk to classic R&B, her provocative cutout bandana masks and a name like “Leikeli47,” she stakes her claim as true product of the Internet Era. She released her self-titled debut album in 2015 and continued to release hit singles until her 2017 album Wash & Set, and she’s got a new album Acrylic set to drop soon. Read on to learn why she wears her mask, where she’s at in her creative process, what advice she gives to aspiring young artists and what she has planned for her Lincoln Calling performances. You’ve stated in previous interviews that you wear the mask to keep all of the attention on your music. Could you elaborate on that? You said it right there. It’s to keep the focus mainly on the art. I just want to have some fun, I want to be heard, not for people to focus so much on what I look like and all that other jazz. When in your career did you start wearing it? It’s been an on-and-off thing. There’s definitely been a journey with it. It’s been with me for a very long time. When and how did you start making your music? I’ve been doing music since I was a very little child. It’s something I’ve always known myself to do. I’ve never been without it. It’s been something I’ve been studying and doing for so long that I don’t know anything else. It’s honestly been out the womb, y’know, the womb to the tomb for me. You’ve also said that you grew up in a house with all different kinds of artists. Yes, absolutely. Music was all around me and I think when I speak on my house, I speak on my neighborhood and the places I’ve lived, anywhere I’ve been from the stoop or indoors. Music was always around, especially growing up in the black community in the areas where I’m from. Music helps us. It’s our survival. It’s our blueprint. It eases us and it soothes us. It’s something I’ve always been around and loved.

Do you have any new stuff coming? Absolutely. I have a new album coming, it’s called Acrylic. It will be coming your way very, very soon. I’m really excited, that’s pretty much what I’ve been working on and focused on. The album was done a long time ago, but you know how it is when you get close to releasing. You always want to tweak it, freshen it up, and just have a little more fun with it. That’s the process I’m in now.

We can definitely hear that in a lot of your music with variations of different artists and grabbing from different genres. So how do you come up with ideas for songs?

This magazine is a for-youth, by-youth project and a lot of the readers are aspiring artists. Do you have any words of advice for new musicians or artists in general?

It depends on the day. It’s not like I go in and I have this one message. It depends on the mood, it depends on the feeling, it depends on where I’m drawing the inspiration from. Sometimes the beat comes first, sometimes the lyrics come first. The production process isn’t always the same. Sometimes I want to start with the boombap or I may want to start with something melodic. You just never know. That’s the beauty in selling out to the moment.

Well, first let me say, we’re in the same boat. I don’t know if I have advice, but what I will say is don’t ever stop, don’t ever give up, trust the process and be easy. Be kind and listen. People like working with people who listen. That’s not to say give up your voice, but there’s a gift in listening. Know when to listen and what to listen to. Those are some of the things that I apply to myself. I don’t know if that’s much advice, but those are some tools to help you get to the next level. Always be mindful of that. Again, trust your process and protect your art. Do it afraid, no matter what the cost, do it afraid.

You make a lot of your own instrumentals. Does that free you up as an artist? Absolutely. This is something that I’ve always done, so I’ve always been familiar with this process. But yeah, it’s very fulfilling to be able to go over your own production at times or collaborate with other people and learn different things and come up with new sounds. It’s pretty dope. I’m completely free. So you’ll be at Lincoln Calling in September. What can we expect from one of your performances? High energy, a lot of fun, no fear. We just get up there and we have fun no matter what’s going on. If you know me, join in, if you don’t, feel free to look around and hopefully you’ll like what you see. It’s just a lot of fun, we get up there and we do what we do. We’re very chill people, we’re regular. The main thing is I like to bring the energy and I like to bring the fun. And a lot of bass. Well, we’re looking forward to that. So another Lincoln Calling headliner is the duo Lion Babe, who you have a song with. How did you guys link up? We’re all like family, so honestly it was just a phone call. They asked if I was down, and I was like, “Heck yeah.” Anytime they call for anything, I’m there. They show me so much love and I’m such a huge fan of theirs. I can’t wait to get them on one of my songs. We’re just going to continue to work. I love those guys. I love Astro, I love Jillian, I love their whole squad. Their entire team is amazing.

Another thing you’re very good at relating to art is the music videos. How do you go about making your music videos? I don’t like talking about it a lot, but film is such a huge part of me. I love directing, I love producing, so when it comes time to do the visuals, it’s actually a highlight for me. The process is really just the same as music. The inspiration can hit you at anytime. The cool part about doing your own videos is that most of the time, the video comes to you as you write the song. I really like to sell out to what I’m doing, and so far so good. Maybe one day I’ll be nominated for a nice little VMA or something. So you said you’re interested in directing and producing. Would you ever be interested in being in the film business? Absolutely. That’s definitely something that’s right there. For me, I think of entertainment as all one thing, it all falls under one umbrella, it all sits at one table. My music is definitely driving me and taking me into all of the other areas and streets and blocks that I’ve wanted to go down. It’s something I can’t wait to get into.

Leikeli47 performs at Lincoln Calling on Saturday, September 22nd.

How To:

college. By Kira Taylore and Olivia McCown

It’s finally here. The looming source of pressure that has been haunting students for their entire high school careers — college. These long-anticipated “best years of your life” are full of blind hope and ambition, with a heaping spoonful of anxiety and existential dread. What if people hate me? What if I fail all of my exams? What if all of my money goes to waste and I end up a complete failure living on my parents’ couch for the rest of my life?

In hopes of not royally screwing up what we have been building toward for the past 13 years of our lives, we wanted to understand how to successfully tackle college by going straight to the source — the students. We dived deep, asking seasoned students about the do’s and don’ts of college life. With a perspective past the stereotypes and misconceptions, we asked them what they think they did well, or not so well, in their first few years of college, in hopes to learn from their personal experiences.

What is one misconception you had about college while you were in high school?

“That it was just going to be crazy parties all the time. For some people it is, but they usually drop out. Don’t be that person.” - Sawyer Kreikemeier, graduated English and ethnic studies major at UNL (Rabble Magazine staff) “Honestly how [the sorority side of] Greek life worked. I thought it was going to be WAY more like the movies.” - Noelle Ervin, senior journalism major at UNL (Rabble Magazine staff)

“That it was going to be ridiculously hard to the point of where I’d be restricted from doing any extracurricular activities.” - Ethan York, sophomore finance major at UNL “That it would be easy, and classes would all relate to my interests/majors.” - Chris Burma, graduated marketing & management major at UNL

What were you most looking forward to in college and how accurate was it?

“Meeting new people. It was pretty accurate.” Kreikemeier

“The freedom. Pretty accurate, but with that much freedom, a lot of responsibility is required.” - York

“Hecka bonding with my random roommate. It was not accurate at all. My first roommate stopped talking to me and then my second one didn’t speak a whole lot of English. I did get close with a lot of people in my dorm though.” - Ervin

“I was looking forward to social aspects: Making new friends and discovering life on my own, while obviously working my butt off in class. It was pretty accurate to what I was expecting.” - Burma

What did you get involved in your first year? “Nothing, really. I wish I had though. A friend I met in class attempted to start a unicycle club, but it never panned out. So we just rode unicycles randomly around campus.” - Kreikemeier

“I was low-key my freshman year and just got involved with my sorority and my church and 28 occasionally some dorm things.” - Ervin

“Nothing. I focused on my studies.” - York “Student Government, Residence Hall Association, Student Alumni Assn. Greek Life, Campus Ministry (Lutheran Chapel).” - Burma

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Where did you meet most of your friends? “I met a lot of my friends in Andrews Hall, the English building. I also met a lot of my friends at my job, off campus.” - Kreikemeier “My sorority and my dorm.” - Ervin

“In the dorms.” - York “Through the dorms, classes, and Greek Life events.” - Burma

What is one of your favorite things to do on campus? “Bike, study in Love Library, read, lay in the “Studying in the library with a coffee.“ - York grass.” - Kreikemeier “One of my favorite things was going to the “Read outside the library by the garden when it’s recreational center. Whether it was working out really nice out. Also taking walks around campus or participating in intramurals, it was always an on beautiful days when everyone else is boarded excellent time.” - Burma up in their rooms dying.” - Ervin What surprised you about college life?

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“How many different people and perspectives I encountered everyday” - Kreikemeier “Freshman year academics were not that much harder than high school, and online classes rock! Also, it’s not always as easy to get involved as you’d think; you have to actively work at it. You will not like every class you’re in, and you may not like your major. Don’t be afraid to change it before it’s your senior year and you’re like ‘Oh heck, I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life!’” - Ervin

“How everybody is the same despite what year they are. You aren’t a freshman, sophomore, etc. You’re just a college student and everyone relates on the same level.” - York

“The most surprising thing was other peoples’ readiness for college. There were a lot of my friends that couldn’t (and didn’t) make it through the first couple of years. Also, I was surprised about the amount of people who drank or did recreational drugs. Probably 90 percent-plus of the student body participated in this lifestyle.” - Burma Did you feel prepared to handle the stress that comes with college, academically and otherwise? “Yes and no. It’s really easy to fall behind in classes if you don’t manage your time right. I had a job all throughout college, so balancing work and school was sometimes difficult.” - Kreikemeier

“Yes, for the most part, but there was definitely some adjusting to do in the beginning. It’s a learning process. Time management is huge when it comes to managing stress and everything else.” - York

“Yes, academically (because I have a big support system and love academics), not so much socially. When everything combines, though, things can get tough.” - Ervin Any recommendations for freshmen?

“Drink lots of water. Go to each of your professors’ office hours at least once during the semester. Take classes you are interested in. If you’re struggling in a class, get help! There are lots of resources on campus. Get a planner and organize your time. Give yourself time to complete your projects. It’s not fun staying up all night writing a 10-page paper. Go to different events on campus. There are a lot of speakers and writers that come speak in the evenings on campus. Set time aside for yourself to just unwind.” - Kreikemeier

“GET INVOLVED! College will be so rough without friends and a support system. Find just one group you can get into and then go from there. Greek life, RSOs, religion, your dorm, whatever. Just find something you like!” - Ervin “Focus on classes and studying, but don’t forget to have fun, meet new people, and create memories/ experiences that you will never forget.” - Burma r 29

HOW TO:

FRENCH PRESS By Leah Kash-Brown

Austin Bonk, the café manager at The Bay, first stepped into the ever-changing world of coffee when he moved to New York City in 2012 to pursue an acting career. He soon got a job slinging coffee, and it soon became his true passion, and acting his hobby. “When you first meet people it’s generally over coffee, from there you get to know people, learn about culture from places you’ve never been and make new relationships,” Bonk says.

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As he delved further into a career in coffee, he added more and more brewing methods to his repertoire — one of which is the French Press method. The French Press method is unique because it uses no filter when grinding the coffee grounds. Without a filter, the coffee has a much fuller and flavorful body. Read on for Bonk’s steps to make the perfect cup of French Press coffee. r

Measure out 60 grams of grounds and grind it to coarse. The texture should feel like sea salt. Set aside.

Pour enough hot water to make sure grounds are spread out and let it sit for 30-60 seconds.

After letting it bloom, pour an additional 900 grams of water into the carafe.

Stir with a long spoon to eliminate all clumpy grounds.

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Ingredients: Coffee Beans Grinder Scale Hot Water French Press Long Spoon

Put lid and plunger on carafe and let it sit for four more minutes.

After four minutes, push plunger down all the way.

Pour coffee.

Enjoy!

From New York to Italy:

Trevor Zank Merges Tastes with Amore Meridiano

By Will Roper

Photo by Leah Kash-Brown

Zank says he decided to choose business classes to learn skills that could help start something creative for himself. Entrepreneurial, financial and marketing skills helped him learn how to create and market a brand, and he says combining these tools with his artistic abilities was integral to starting Amore Meridiano. Zank’s eye for street fashion intersects with his longtime hobby of skateboarding. As a young skateboarder, Zank says his friends would often comment on his uncommon choice of polo shirts that didn’t necessarily blend with the common baggier clothes worn by other skaters. He felt caught in between two distinct realms. With Amore Meridiano, he wanted a style that connected with kids who wanted to stand out in both high-fashion prep and skate streetwear. The genesis of Nebraska-based fashion brand Amore Meridiano came from a sign its creator Trevor Zank, 22, noticed as he was leaving his first trip to the Big Apple. In a city filled with world-class fashion brands like Supreme, Louis Vuitton and Ann Taylor, the dull green “Meridian St” highway exit sign was the cherry on top of an inspirational New York City trip that spurred the beginnings of both a clothing brand and a medium for artistic expression. After some tweaking and contemplation on the purpose of his blossoming idea, “Meridian St.” became part of a brand-defining name. “What it basically represents is to love the process of what you’re doing,” Zank says. “Love the journey.” Zank is the founder and designer of Amore Meridiano, a clothing brand he operates in Nebraska. Having just released his first drop of clothing designs in 2017, Zank is gearing up for his fall collection release in a couple of months. He fashions every aspect of the company himself, including painting the art, photographing his paintings and designing the clothing around his finished pieces. Despite operating as a one-man show, Amore Meridiano has begun to gain attention across the country. After graduating from Burke High School, Zank, an Omaha native, studied business administration at the University of Nebraska Omaha before transferring to the Lincoln campus to study marketing. His true passions, however, were in architecture and design, endeavors that didn’t fit well for him in an academic setting. “Going into school, I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted to do,” Zank says. “I always knew I was creative, and I didn’t want to go to school to learn a set of rules to be creative. I thought that kind of diminishes the whole purpose of creativity.”

“It’s also a luxury brand that can relate to kids like me growing up,” Zank says. Amore Meridiano’s first collection is titled “Migliora con L’eta,” which roughly translates to “improves with age.” The loose-fitting collection of sweatshirts, t-shirts, tote bags and hats with large images on the front and back have a focus on wine. This collection features two original paintings by Zank, and both, as alluded to by the collection’s title, center on wine and what he feels is a bright future for the brand. The first painting, “Vino prefigurato,” focuses on an up-close portrait of a bottle of wine and companion glass promisingly filled halfway. The second painting, “Vigneto distante,” presents a sunset-painted crimson sky over a landscape of an Italian vineyard, an imaginary depiction of the kind of place he hopes to live someday. Both paintings, after being photographed by Zank, are printed largely onto either the front or back of his clothing collection. He said the immense amount of work involved in painting, photographing and designing the clothing leaves room for plenty of creativity. “What this collection represents is this whole idea of vintage clothing coming back and being trendy,” Zank says. “I’m the type of person who wouldn’t even wear some of my favorite clothes just because I didn’t want to ruin them. [Migliora con L’eta] is a play on that idea, where you might as well just enjoy what you have and wear it.” While Zank creates the ideas, paintings and designs primarily by himself, getting his clothing to reach people in Los Angeles and New York City takes help from a strong base of admirers and fellow creatives.

Austin Show is a friend of Zank’s and a fellow creator and graphic designer from Fremont, Neb. In 2017, Show started the Everyday Project, a social media endeavor aimed at posting an original design to Instagram everyday. He and Zank began exchanging messages over a mutual respect for each other’s designs and work ethic. However, Show says he was an admirer of Amore Meridiano before he knew Zank was the founder. “From the early stages, I thought, ‘Man, this is really legit,’” Show says. “He’s doing all the right things. It looked super professional, [and] you could tell he put the time in. Right away it caught my attention.” Show started his creative career in photography while in high school, and has since moved into videography and graphic design after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With Zank similarly employing multiple creative tools like painting, photography and t-shirt design into Amore Meridiano, Show says Zank has inspired him to grow as a creator and to continue a trend of perseverance and work ethic. “He’s inspired me a lot to be more and do more with my creativity,” Show says. Show is working to create his own creative brand for his talents sometime in the future, and says that Zank has been a large inspiration for how to do that effectively. “Having him as a close friend that I get to talk to every week or so helps me move forward in that aspect. I’m just looking forward to what he’s got next.” Creative freedom is an essential reason why Zank established Amore Meridiano. However, he says seeing people wearing his clothing, enjoying his designs and starting conversations about his art is priceless. At times, Zank says he can be overly critical of his artwork in his pursuit for perfection, a trait that can slow down the creative process. But he’s still growing and looking forward to further collections and projects, with a fall collection right on the horizon. After Zank’s trip to New York City in 2016, it didn’t take him long to have a clothing brand with multiple collections under his belt. He says drive and dedication helped push Amore Meridiano to what it is today. For those looking to pursue a passion of their own, he says don’t keep waiting for a sign to push you to do something you love.

“Just start.” Zank says, “Never give up r and just keep going.”

Photo by Shane Adams