Rhythm Rotate Issue I

RHYTHM ROTATE

CONTENT

08-ANJELIHS 12-RADIX 18-SIVU 22-SLOW RUNNER 26-MEDIC

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EDITOR'S NOTE

For years, I have always been someone who listens to underground musicians. I enjoy searching for new undiscovered bands, interacting with musicians, and learning their creative process.

I enjoy listening to music at all hours of the day. Not a day goes by where I’m not relistening to my favorite albums or searching for a new underrated band. What I love most about music is the value we each create from a song, especially how individuals interpret their own meaning through someone else’s words. We all find songs that are more than just verses, and they become a part of us and guide us through life. That’s what makes music so great.

So I decided to share my undying love for music with you. Because music heals all of our emotional wounds, and who better to do it than a new undiscovered voice.

Cheers,

Genesis Garcia

Editor-In-Chief

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we fell in love right by the

ocean made all our plans down by the

Sand coasts-oceans

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CONTRIBUTORS

Many thanks to everyone who contributed: Anjelihs Radix Josh Kaler Michael Flynn James Page Aaron Wagner Zach Alvey Adam Nealon Pooneh Ghana Rigo Sotomayor David Stringer 13th Witness Photography Brooke Dombroski Photography

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ANJELIHS Interview By: GENESIS GARCIA Photography By: RIGO SOTOMAYOR Anjelihs’ music journey started way before he decided on his current name. In high school, everyone knew him as Breezy. Over the years he has slowly transformed into the artist he is today, crafting a fine tune that uniquely compliments his tone of voice. With a new mixtape just around the corner, Anjelihs is focusing on that craft and creating music that is both authentic and contemporary.

When did you decide you wanted to do music? Is there a specific moment?

Well, I wrote my first verse when I was about 11. I was inspired by G-Unit and music the South was putting out at the time.

What was the first song you ever wrote and recorded?

I don’t remember the first full song I ever wrote, but I used to use a voice memo app on my computer and recorded that way, and then when I was about 17, I went to a youth program called Movement City. They had a studio there and that was my first time ever recording at a studio.

When is your mixtape dropping and what can we expect from it?

I have no release date for my next project yet because I’m still writing and recording, but so far I have songs finished, songs that people are really fucking with.

Who are some of the musicians you collaborate with on your upcoming mixtape?

I have songs with Mick Shabazz and Radix so far and a few of my homies that are producing like Cavah, Pitt and Lexx.

What songs are you most excited for people to listen to?

So far I have three songs I’m excited to release. “Beneath The Grapevine” (which is the first one I released because I thought it’d be a good first impression due to me changing the name up), “Youniverse” and “Good Vibrations.” With these three songs people can see where my mind is at. That’s what I like about them because with just releasing “Beneath The Grapevine” you have an idea of what I’m about.

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The whole summer I chilled at one of my homie’s crib. Every weekend, we always sat under a grapevine.

Where did you look for means of inspiration for this mixtape?

What inspired this next project were the conversations I was having at the time with my friends and self-help books I was reading, which led to this one song I wrote called “Numb.”That one song made me want to put a project together.

Can you talk about the creativity behind Beneath The Grapevine?

That was about summer of 2013. The whole summer I chilled at one of my homie’s crib. We always sat under a grapevine he had every weekend so that moment was pretty easy to talk about once I heard THAT beat.

Why have you changed your name so much? Identity crisis?

I’m indecisive as fuck. Haha, I’m always making changes; my name, project name, names of songs.

Musically, how different are you from when you started writing music?

Well, back then I always just wrote about anything. The songs weren’t really about a specific topic. Now, I try to make music about things I put enough thought into so I can get into detail so it’s easy for people to understand.

Is your music how you’ve imagined it to be? Is this where you dreamed of yourself to be two, three years ago?

I’m actually trying to imagine that now. Three years ago I was just making music, not really thinking about where I wanted to be. But by 25, I want to be touring already. I’m 23 now.

What is something people wouldn’t normally guess about you?

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I LOVE

THE FEELING OF GETTING

ZONED OUT

THATS WHEN I FEEL

ALIVE

ANJELIHS-BENEATH THE GRAPEVINE

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RADIX Interview By: GENESIS GARCIA Photography By: RIGO SOTOMAYOR Radix is the type of musician who thrives in darkness. His music is moody and slightly depressing with a chance of hope yet maintains his signature figurative aggression.

When did you decide you wanted to be a musician?

It was junior year in high school when I stopped playing basketball and heard the Kid Cudi album Man On The Moon. I also started writing poetry. But that album showed a different aspect than what everyone else talked about. When I heard Kid Cudi’s song “My World,” that just did it for me. I was in my room on an old ass computer and I just played it and I was just like, “Wow.” It just felt so down to earth.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I consider myself an artist that expresses deeper emotions no matter what they are. They’re more on the darker side; ones that can guide the kids like me.

Can you elaborate on your writing process? What comes first, the rhythm or the lyrics?

I have to listen to the beat first. It’s like a big process, I write a lot. I don’t write on paper, I write on the computer as I listen to the beat. Then, I record it on a voice memo on my phone, and listen to it in my car before I record it over and over again.

I’m very picky; I obsess over it, listen to it again and again and again, and then I record it.

Musically, how is the Radix now different than when you first began a career in music?

I’m definitely more mature, and like more developed. I wasn’t wrong before but now I’m more sharpened and defined as an artist.

What was the first song you ever wrote?

It was called “No Twist” or something like that. It was a rock beat but it was just, I don’t know. I never recorded it right so I just gave up on it. But the first song I released was my song “Clones”, not too much of hooks and melodies, but it was the first song I felt confident in releasing.

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What song are you most proud of that you’ve written? Why? Um, it would be “425” and “Timeless” based on the style of writing and the depth of what I’m talking about. “Timeless” is very metaphorical and “425” is very deep and personal.

Is your style of writing very metaphorical?

It just became more flat out but more in my own way, it’s some metaphoric, and I like to do creative writing and use references from like Pokémon, Star Wars, my childhood and every day life to try to relate it to the person even though it’s my life, too.

Who were your favorite musicians growing up?

Growing up, my grandma influenced me, and we listened to Cher, Muddy Waters and Etta James. My mom and I listened to a lot of Mary J Blidge, DMX and ODB. At the time I listened to a lot of Gorillaz, 50 Cent and Eminem. Now, I listen to Radiohead, Neon Indian, obviously Kid Cidu, Kanye, The Weekend, and I still listen to ODB often.

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I wouldn’t know how to label my music actually but I don’t think it’s dark. I Think It’s just aggressive.

Can you remember the first show you played?

My first show was in Miami at like a random club/bar-type thing. My uncle pulled some strings, and I performed there. I was nervous, it was my first show but when I started performing, it was like I wasn’t even there. I also opened up for Big K.R.I.T. as my first significant show. I was ready but not like compared to what I have now. I have stage presence now, but then I was nervous as shit.

What do you want your fans to obtain from your music?

Just express yourself even if it’s dark. Be yourself and do what you feel.

Would you consider your music to be dark?

It’s not dark, it’s obscure beats; certain sounds attract me like the gritty sounds. I wouldn’t know how to label my music actually but I don’t think its dark. I think it’s just aggressive.

Do you think you’re misunderstood musically?

Yeah sometimes, some people think my stuff is cool without getting the full concept of it. At this point I’m known for my visuals and my videos.

What was the last CD you purchased?

Good Kid M.A.A.D. City by Kendrick Lamar. Amazing album.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what album would you bring with you?

Kid Cudi, Man On The Moon II. It expresses me so well and it helped me get through things. I can listen to it for years.

Is there a specific song from Man On The Moon II that just speaks to you?

“Trapped In My Mind.” Damn, I should’ve picked Gorillaz Demon Days. That album has so many switch ups; yet it still has songs where it can get you in a good mood.

You could switch it.

I think I’ll stick with Man On The Moon II.

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LIVE YOUR LIFE. DO WHAT YOU WANT WHILE YOU HAVE TIME. RADIX-425 17

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SIVU

Interview By: ADAM NEALON Photography By: POONEH GHANA Sivu, also known as James Page, has gained notoriety for his hauntingly surreal pop music laced with biblical imagery. With a unique sound that is set to propel the singer-songwriter into further recognition, RR caught up with the Sinatra-inspired musician to talk origins, dreams and animal band.

How does it feel to be supporting one of the most talked about bands [London Grammar] of 2013?

It’s pretty mad, we’ve only done two dates with them, but they’ve been absolutely rammed and they’re super nice dudes as well. It’s just a great opportunity to be playing with a band that’s so hot right now.

And you’re also supporting Marika Hackman – these are some big names. Do you feel overwhelmed by all of this or does it feel like it’s your time?

I’ve been really lucky. We’ve had some really great opportunities, which is so good. I’ve just been really fucking lucky.

It’s great. I really like Marika Hackman and obviously London Grammar too.

How has it been working with the producer Charlie Andrew? What have you learned from him?

It’s been amazing. I love him. We’ve been working together for nearly three years. I met him when I was doing session work and I always thought he was great. We did a few tracks together just when he started working with Alt J, and then that kicked off, and that was really great for him. We’re just

mates, and it’s been so nice to work on the album together; we’ve spoken about it for so long, but to now actually get to do it, it’s just been a dream. His [Charlie Andrew] wife plays violin with us in the band as well. She wrote and plays all the strings. I’m just super lucky to have worked with him. Everyone wanted to work with him, so to be friends was just really great.

Take us through how Sivu came to be?

I grew up in this town called St. Ives, just outside Cambridge.

I was always playing in bands, and we always used to play in Cambridge. We did a bit of touring, but that kind of fizzled out because the singer Adam makes music videos. He moved to London and did that, so it felt like quite a natural thing for me to go, too. I was already making solo music, but I knew if I wanted to do anything with music I had to move to London. I moved there about three years ago and started doing session work. I was quite lucky in that I played with a few people who were signed, and I was always writing on the side. Then I did a session with Charlie Andrew, and we got on really well. I sent him some acoustic tracks and he really liked it. We did one track called “God Speaks in Tongues” and it went from there.

What was growing up in a small town like in terms of musical output?

There were loads of bands and you all played to each other. I thought of London as one of those golden places. I remember going up there and playing to no one, whereas at home

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I thought of London as one of those golden places. I remember going up there and playing to no one.

nothing because no one really cared–I just knew I had to get to London. I think moving there is important because you see so many artists, and you realise how good they are, and you have to up your game. There are so many amazing people all doing the same thing, so really you just have to work harder.

As a songwriter, an artist… anything, it just focuses you.

A lot of comparisons have been drawn from your music to the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club and Wild Beasts. Are these people who you take influence from? And of course, who are your influences?

I absolutely love Wild Beasts, they’re one of my favourite bands. When I started writing the Sivu stuff, I was listening to Frank Sinatra, Bjork, Beck and things like that. With Frank Sinatra, it was just the melodies. I just wanted to put a classic side on the melodies. They’re just so timeless, some of those songs. In terms of songwriting, I knew I didn’t want it to be just me and the guitar. With Beck, Bjork and Feist, they’re singer-songwriters, but they’re not the stereotypical ones, which of course there’s nothing wrong with being that, but in terms of the production, I wanted to do something different.

There have been mentions of your debut album coming out next year. How is it all going?

As soon as this tour is over, I’m going back into the studio to hopefully have it finished by the end of this month. We’re talking about bringing it out in May/June time if things go well. We’ve got about 20 tracks so it will be a case of filtering them down. I just want the album to flow really nicely. I think that’s really important; that the album fits and feels like a journey.

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Without focusing too much on the fact that people often think there’s a lot of religious connotations in your songs, what inspires the lyrical content?

Well, the religious thing was never really intentional. I was writing about living in a small town and wanting to get out– you know all those typical things. So when I did the new stuff, I knew I had to do something different. I’m not religious at all, but my friend Simon was telling me about his St. Christopher’s cross and the story with that. I just got interested in all those stories, like the Noah’s Ark story and using those references and visuals as a way of writing songs, almost like creating a mental image for my audience.

Silly question – If you could have one animal in your band, what would it be and what instrument would they play?

That’s amazing! Erm… Initially I thought a bear because you could snuggle it up, but it would have to play like slap bass or something. Yeah, a bear playing slap bass really high up and just make it become a bit more like Level 42. Yeah, that’s what I’d go for.

Finally, what dreams and aspirations do you have for 2014 for Sivu?

I’d really like to tour as much as possible next year and just playing to new people, especially with the new songs. Fingers crossed the album will be out, and I’d really like to play some festivals. I’d really like to do Glastonbury – that would be amazing. And Latitude again, maybe get on some of the other stages – that would be a dream.

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We’ll sleep in a stranger’s bed,

Whispering things You can never take back.

While the rest of the house is under attack.

Slow Runner - Varsity Drag 22

SLOW RUNNER Written By: GENESIS GARCIA Photography By: DAVID STRINGER Whether you’re sensing it through the pulse in the mellow rock instrumentation or in the illustration of their subtle harmonic lyrics, Slow Runner creates music to mend your damaged heart.

In the past decade, Michael Flynn and Josh Kaler, the two members of Slow Runner, have released four albums. Each of these albums showcases their vulnerability and reveals their sentiments to the world, relating to every core fan who still believes in their music.

With limited rise in the music industry and constant rejection from record labels, the group has decided to end an era of what seems to be a band with great music that never got its chance to shine.

The roots of the band go back to the late 90’s. Flynn and Kaler met in a music workshop at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. But it wasn’t until their graduation in 2003 when the duo became a band. They moved back to their home state of South Carolina and spent months fine-tuning a craft and a vision that they would devote the next 10 years to.

Their vision as artists consisted of making genuine and sincere music significant to others, yet maintaining their clever sarcasm as writers.

“To me, it’s sort of mildly weird pop songs with lyrics that at least try to be about something,” songwriter Flynn said about their writing style.

Fast-forward to 2013, when the band was still waiting for their big break. Kaler, who at first had low prospects for what it would take to feel validated, now feels the opposite. “I do sometimes wish more people knew that we existed.” Still, the band members thrived as underrated musicians.

Their success as a band should not be downplayed. In 2006, Slow Runner released their first full-length album No Disassemble, which got them a signed deal with J Records. Although that deal did not go in Slow Runner’s favor and was released a year later, their music was all over television soundtracks in 2006. They were featured in tevelvision show soundtracks such as One Tree Hill and Grey’s Anatomy.

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From left to right: Michael Flynn, Josh Kaler.

They also got to tour around the world with bands like The Damnwells, Josh Ritter, William Fitzsimmons, The Avett Brothers and Say Anything.

Since their label dump in 2007, Flynn and Kaler created three more exceptional albums. Shiv!, which was recorded after their drop from J Records, features hopeful ramble with songs like “Varsity Drag”, still carrying that same overemotional mellow ambiance.

Flynn, the songwriter for the band, mentions that it became harder for him to write as he made more music.

“It’s like you start off in a white room with perfectly blank walls, and each song is you coloring in a square on one wall.

Eventually you look around and all the walls are covered and you’re just trying to find a blank spot to color on. Each of our records has been exploration of different walls and we always want it to feel that way to the listener.”

With limited coloring space, the band debuted their third album, Mermaids, in 2008. This time, they began to emphasize on creating more depressing beats with a video game concept. Songs like “I’m Gonna Hate You When You Go” and “Make You Love Me” bared Flynn’s complex songwriting

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Josh Kaler, Charleston Music Hall.

skills. They created elegant, corroded beats, yet maintained that hopeful emotion. On the other hand, songs like “Strange Days” showed Flynn and Kaler’s strength as dynamic rhythm makers.

Although they remained unnoticed in the music industry, their determination to stay together as a band never deteriorated.

With no rise to fame, they produced one of their best albums, Damage Points, which was released in 2011. They opened their musical closet and created authentic Slow Runner music, completely accepting their sullen signature tones.

“Devil Moon”, a song from Damage Points, was written in the car when Kaler and Flynn were driving back from a show in Atlanta. “On that drive back Kaler and I stayed up and talked a lot about playing music and getting older and trying to make a life happen amidst so much frustration and rejection,” Flynn said.

Flynn had made up his mind and told Kaler, “This is the last song I’m ever going to write.” Quickly, he added, “It wasn’t, but it was good for me to feel that way.”

Nonetheless, even after releasing one of their greatest albums, Slow Runner is still overlooked in the music industry.

Not catching that break has caused frustration for both Flynn and Kaler.

Kaler began to focus more on other musical projects and Flynn entered a new chapter as a father. Slow Runner wasn’t a focus either of the guys anymore. This frustration and struggle between Kaler and Flynn grew and two years after the release of Damage Points, the duo decided it was time to say goodbye.

“It was weird at first… even depressing. It’s just so different,” Flynn commented on no longer being known as a band member of Slow Runner.

“Our last show as Slow Runner was on September 27, 2013 in our hometown at the Charleston Music Hall… we needed that closure.”

Kaler described rehearsal for the show as weird and fun for everyone involved. “Ending Slow Runner in our hometown with our local crowd was surreal…It was the right way to end things.”

”Kaler is the most talented person I’ve ever met, musical or otherwise,” said Flynn. “There’s a better feeling in life when someone gets you. They understand you at some indescribable, fundamental level. To truly have that in a creative collaboration is rare.”

“Michael Flynn changed my life when I met him in Boston 13 years ago,” said Kaler. “Musically speaking, I haven’t come across anyone since then that extracts the very best out of me. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years, and I’m optimistic that there will be more things to be proud of in the future.”

While the focus of Slow Runner is changing, both members are ready to end this chapter and start a new one.

“We never really longed for anything close to fame. We just always wanted to make good art that meant something to others,” Kaler said.

When asked to say a few words about each other it is obvious that there is a mutual admiration between the two artists.

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From left to right: Drew Bernard, Dominick Wagner, Aaron Wagner, Miller Harveaux

MEDIC Written By: AARON WAGNER Photographed By: ZACH ALVEY In high school I was voted “Most Likely To Be A Star.” Not going to lie, it was amazing to receive that affirmation from my peers, and all signs pointed to such things. Years later, no one cares, I make less than 20k a year, and I’m still not a star. I hate to be the guy to put a time stamp on senior superlatives but come on! Was this it? Am I foolish and maybe a bit selfish to expect more?

See, my biggest strength and weakness is that nothing is ever big enough. I’m a dreamer–some might say visionarywhich I use in the humblest regards. I always want the result multiplied by a thousand. Not sure why. I’m just wired that way I guess.

Growing up, my dreams were to be a rock star. I spent my summer nights under the stars at Red Rocks Amphi theater

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seeing thousands of people join in joy-laden melody with thick rock guitars soaring into the atmosphere. I would scream the lyrics and air guitar my little heart out until my voice was hoarse and my arms couldn’t move. On the way home I would stare at the sky and bargain with God on the terms in which I could accomplish what I had just seen.

Music has been a lifelong journey for me. I have dreamed and worked relentlessly to make things happen so maybe, just maybe, I would find myself in the heat of the lights at Red Rocks on a summer night singing my songs. All you hipsters and punk rockers may shrug and call me a sellout but whatever. You have your dream, I have mine.

Fast forward 15 years. I just finished a set at Draper Correctional Facility in Montgomery, Alabama, and am shaking the hand of Vernon, a young man no older than 25 who has eyes full of pain and rough hands that have wrought things that he wished he could take back. With tears in his eyes, his lips quivering with every ounce of humility he could muster, Vernon looked at my band and I, and said “thank you”, shook our hands and proceeded to follow orders to go back to his cell for the night. Vernon was the first in a long line of guys who followed suit. We aren’t allowed to bring cameras into the prison but I will never forget the faces of these men, young

With tears in his eyes, his lips quivering with every ounce of humility he could muster, Vernon looked at my band and I, and said “Thank you.”

and old, grateful that guys like us would take the time to remember that they are still here.

As a young boy I never dreamed of doing this but last night something in my heart said, “You’ve made it”.

I may or may not play massive shows, my bank account may or may not ever reflect that I was voted Most Likely To Be A Star, but I have made it. My brothers and I are making music that matters for people who matter and that is what I am forever committed to. It seems that in all my dreaming big, the Vernon’s slip through the cracks–but they still matter, and I love being that band that can be a part of letting them know.

This is the reason Medic started making music: to give people hope.

What a weird life this is: a half black rock band from Colorado playing a weeklong bluegrass gospel event in the prisons of Alabama and Florida. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

and then to play as hard as he could and that everything would be okay. I’m not sure he would’ve listened, but I can pretend I would’ve.

This tour has made me confront my dreams face to face and made me question what I do. We’ve played for everything– crying middle school girls, empty bars, screaming sororities backed up by tough guy fraternities, and prisoners. All of them different; all of them beautiful; all of them exactly what we signed up for.

I’ve made peace with where I am at. I’m not wishing that we were something bigger and better than what we are, because where we are is exactly where we need to be. Night after night we are able to join in song with people of all religions, races, shapes, sizes, socioeconomic status and age. I will return home with less money than the onset of the tour. I will sleep for days, but I will have created memories with my brothers and planted seeds of hope around the southern states. What else could I ask for?

I wish I had known 15 years ago what I know now. I wish I could tell that 7-year-old boy not to worry so much; to enjoy the ride and not put so much pressure on himself to be a star.

I would tell him to love as best he could first and foremost

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