ENSEMBLE ISSUE NO. 1
FEATURED WORKS BY
alexis bonanza + megan shaller + adriel tangoan
A NEW BEGINNING
INTERVIEW WITH VERSA’S SIERRA KAY
ANDRAI AND ART
on DISCOVERING THE ARTIST’s identity PLUS
FIEL ESTRELLA
the creative mind behind “elision”
THE art of visuals / MUSIC / FILM / LITERATURE / IDEAS
emergence
Hello reader, New beginnings are either a bust or a breakthrough. I always try to make it a point to experience the latter. And in doing so, this magazine was born (from hours of creative labor)! Ensemble Magazine is a youth-based magazine that is geared towards the interests of millenials including any and all things art, culture, music, films, events, people, and more. We wish to stimulate the minds of the readers and to spark a creative movement. Above all else, we hope that being in between the pages of this magazine, we encourage young individuals to embrace diversity, individuality, boldness, and expression. It is healthy to once in a while, if not always, to swim against the current.
R i ca
Editor-In-Chief
CONTENTS
PEOPLE 4 Fiel Estrella 8 Andrai Antonio 10 Sierra Kay IDEAS 12 Originality Is A Trap 14 The Spectrum CULTURE 16 The Reading Room 18 Reel Time 20 Jukebox WORDS 22 Alexis Bonanza 24 Adriel Tangoan PHOTOS 26 Adriel Tangoan 30 Raphael Banico
ON THE COVER ClĂŠo photograhed by Rob Sarte
fiel es
The creative mind behind the i zine’ that caters to the intel Words and interview
strella
independently-published ‘webllectually-hungry millennials by Rica Superable
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midst the craze for any and all-things pop culture, is a web-magazine that exists to go against the status quo. Elision webzine is the brainchild of Fiel Estrella – an English Studies major in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Her love for literature, music, and art was what propelled her, along with her friends, to create a webzine based on their shared passions. Launched in 2013, Elision features a wide array of intellectually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing articles that revolve around art and culture. It is created by the youth for the youth. From poetry, essays, to original illustrations, all of the issues showcase underrated content. “We’ve become dissatisfied by and grown bored of Philippine mainstream publications,” muses Fiel, the editor-in-chief of the webzine. “We wanted to read something that catered to us in ways that are culturally-relevant, deep-digging, creative, and clever.” Having written most of the articles and essays in the issues, it is imperative for Fiel to explore new territories when it comes to content, and there is no denying that she is on a constant creative pursuit. “Creativity is important for me because of everything they stand for and how powerful they are at making us feel something and making us want to live,” shares Fiel. “My life and everything I do are rooted in them.” Elision’s signature candor lingers within pages and pages of creative expression, with topics that subvert the conventions readers of bubblegum pop magazines are accustomed to. The webzine finds its strength in raw and honest-to-god articles, matched with sublime illustrations that encapsulate their very essence. What makes it engaging is that the content is immensely personal to the team behind the webzine, but it is universal at the same time. Now on their seventh issue, Fiel has big plans for Elision. With another issue in the works, she is on top of the contentgenerating game. “[I like] creating something that a number of people actually care about,” says Fiel. “And getting to work with amazing, kind, brilliant people from all over the world, all of whom I can consider friends.” 6
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"Creativity is important for me because of everything they stand for.�
"My life and everything I do are rooted in them.� ENSEMBLE
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andrai and art Get a closer look at Manila’s young artist, Andrai Antonio, as he shares his journey of making his mark in the world of art. Words and interview by Micah Romey
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ON BECOMING AN ARTIST People think pursuing art as a career will not bring food to the table but Andrai thinks otherwise. Considering the booming art industry in the Philippines, his formal job on the side (managing Stronghold MNL), and being fortunate for having supportive parents, he believes that fulfilling his dream will financially support his future endeavors.
Andrai Adams Antonio Palisoc, or frequently called Andrai Antonio, is a 22-year old artist engaged in painting, music, and arts and crafts. He is currently taking up Industrial Design at the College of Saint Benilde and manages Stronghold MNL, a media production company that specializes in creating photos, videos, graphics, and developing websites. ANDRAI MEETS ART Raised in the Philippines, Andrai’s earliest art experience transpired at an early age of eight when his parents enrolled him in classes to avoid being idle at home during his summer break. These lessons consisted of painting pictures through colors and shapes. The summer program also introduced him to the artist who influenced him the most- Ronald Ventura. ARTIST OR AMATEUR? Andrai believes that anyone can be an artist. Although he thinks he’s not yet where he wants to be, he considers himself as an artist for the countless paintings he’s done since he was young.
ANDRAI’S ART Andrai finds inspiration through different mediums of media: TV, magazines, and social media. He regularly checks Wallpaper Magazine and follows Instagram accounts that advocate art. When it comes to painting, Andrai is still in search of his style. For now, he sticks to modern, contemporary, and abstract. He engages himself in all types of art forms to discover which style showcases his talent the best. Andrai is also fond of singing and playing the guitar. He writes, records, and produces his original compositions. BUILDING ANDRAI THE ARTIST Andrai builds his reputation as an artist by showcasing his artwork through his official website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. He strongly believes that an artist’s perception of his creation will reflect on others’ perception as well. “If people know that you think your artwork is bad, they will think the same way- always be proud of your work even if you don’t like it,” he explains. Occasionally, he gets invited to events wherein he could sell his artworks for promotion and recognition. ANDRAI’S ADVICE His advice for young aspiring artists? Keep the ideas flowing. Always jot down your ideas to the tiniest details. Once you find and motivation, create your artwork. Lastly, as cliché as it sounds, follow your dreams. Andrai encourages young artists to keep working hard until they’ve reached their goals.
“You don’t need to do anything controversial to create art.” ENSEMBLE
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Always the unflappable cool girl, Sierra gamely answered our questions and left us in absolute awe. She of the bandage knee tattoo, multicolored hair, and way-outthere vocals proved that “cool” is never about being ahead of the pack-it’s about knowing who you are, never losing sight of what you want, being adventurous, and being fearless, whether it makes you look weird or dory or, in her own words, “unsure and in need of love”. In your musical pursuits, you’ve always carved out this little niche that’s so unique to you and you only. What role does identity play in your art, and which facets of your identity were you able to discover and accept through music? Thank you, I’m glad you think so! It’s very important to us to be ourselves and follow our guts. Blake’s personality definitely comes through the music, precise yet simple. He takes inspiration from music and things that are very important to him, only stuff that he truly likes. He doesn’t care if it’s cool or uncool, outdated or next level; he just does his own thing which gives us a unique sound. I’ve always had a self-reliant attitude and an amour de soi way about me, but when writing songs I can admit and accept that I am broken sometimes, I am defeated and desperate. Iwant to express every side of myself, even the weak side. Was it a difficult transition for you and Blake, choosing to leave behind a relatively wellknown and loved band and then carving out new beginnings for yourselves, by yourselves? It was difficult at first because things just didn’t feel right, nothing was working out the way we wanted it to and it was one thing after another. From band members to the label, shit was just weird. We were writing music for a long time, so long that the music was changing. We weren’t trying to change but this natural metamorphosis started taking place, it’s still kind of happening and I believe that things happen for a reason. So we just made the choices as we went and now here we are. Just doing what we like, but it takes more time now because we are doing every little thing on our own.
What did it mean for you guys to change your band name into Versa? We chose to shorten it when we parted ways with the label. We weren’t the same band anymore, we needed a new title for ourselves. For you, how important is venturing into new projects and reinventing something that doesn’t work anymore? We’re constantly tinkering with older ideas. We feel the like the more we do what we do, the better we get at executing the sound that’s in our heads. It’s sometimes difficult to work on a really old unfinished idea. Your whole approach to the way you build an idea can change over time. I’ve found that taking breaks from a song and trying to keep your mind oriented is key. What’s the inspiration for your EP, Neon? What’s the theme or message for you? The Neon EP is three phases of a quite passionate yet toxic relationship. “Neon” being the bright and dazzling light someone seems to emit, like a fly that spins and dances around a light bulb all night because they’re convinced it’s the sun. Then you have “Illusion” which may be the moment the fly starts to realize that the light bulb is in fact not the sun. then on to “Wanderlust” where the fly chooses to break free of the light bulb’s falsity and do its own thing while following the real sun. But just like everything, there is a vicious cycle and one day the fly is going to get attracted to that neon light again. There’s many songs to come. Did you guys experiment with different instruments or methods of recording? What is your creative process when writing and working on songs? It’s always different. We’re constantly playing with different instruments and electroncs both inside and outside of the computer. Many of our new songs start as an instrumental loop or beat. Sometimes it starts with a melody and lyric that I’ll send to Blake and he’ll build a track around it, other times Blake has a piece of music and I’ll just freestyle over it till we both hear something we like.
Sierra Kay Versa’s Sierra Kay talks music and identity, booze and boys, new beginnings, change, and “SaturnJuice.” by Cheska Famantiga 10
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Which teen movie archetype are you? Uhm, ha, how about Veronica from Heathers? Blake would probably be Michael Cera’s character in Juno! What’s your favorite show at the moment? How can I choose one?! The Erica Andre Show, Bob’s Burgers for sure. I recently watched The 100 and really loved that, it reminded me of Battlestar Galactica, which is an all time favorite What can we expect from Versa’s new tunes and when can we hear them? The questions of the century! Simple hand crafted mellow goodness. We’ve been working on other projects but right now Versa is our main priority. We are working on an EP that will come out this year (including some shows), then planning to do a crowd fund for a full length.
One word to describe Versa’s new sound? SaturnJuice. What are your favorite things in life? Adventure! Of course singing and performing are my absolute favorite things. But I love to travel and experience the world. I live for nature. Deserts and mountains. Birds and bugs. Laughing with good people around a campfire with some cold brews sounds pretty perfect to me. Anything that makes for a good story. What’s a bad habit you can’t (or won’t) break? Booze and a Boy.
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ORIGINALITY Growing up, everyone was told that they’re special and unique. “There’s no one like you”, the elders would always say. People were conditioned to think that that’s enough. You get out of the house, go to school, graduate and end up like a packaged doll, batteries included. You then make an effort and even go out of your way just to find an angle that hasn’t been seen by the majority, somewhere you could mark as your territory and call your own. This is where you fall into an endless cycle of finding yourself, letting it go then forgetting it altogether, leaving you hungry for a new identity.
O UTSI DE A VAC UUM
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There will always be that one other person that likes the same things you like and wear the same clothes you do. Chances are that you had these similarities by coincidence so don’t take it against anyone if they look like a copy of you. Everything that we are is because of something or someone else. The irony is that the more you try to set yourself apart, the more you’ll be taking time to carefully package yourself based from the ideas of others. There’s really no way for you to be pure especially in a developing world that’s overloaded with a rich culture that’s mostly based on things from the past.So the real question lies: How do you stand out from a crowd without being pretentious?
LI ES AND STE R E O T YP E S
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Our society has been too harsh on the idea of blending in. Ads for women would mostly be about being different so that a guy would take any interest. Recently, stereotypes like common white girl and basic girl are used as tags to poke fun at girls who live a monotonous life of coffee runs at Starbucks and Instagram posts. Subcultures or groups, which don’t seem to celebrate individuality are looked down upon and seen only as people who lack any sense of self-actualization. The common misconception here is that when you fail to completely stand out, you lose your control over what’s important and that is to set a personality that’s independent by being confident about yourself.
Y IS A TRAP! T HE S E C R E T
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“Amateur artists imitate, Great artists, steal” The greats themselves are proud that nothing about them is original. This signifies that they are a sponge; ready to take in any information that interests them. Exposure to culture will get anyone far. Grab a book, watch a film, and you just might surprise yourself with the things you will get to find. Be passionate about anything and work hard to make whatever you have seen and heard yours. Put your signature style into it and let yourself be consumed in a space that’s dense with things from both ends of the pole. Learn to weigh your options and trust your judgment of them. Be sure to be careful because when one is disarmed and overwhelmed with everything, they tend to slip away from their true selves. I think that it’s all about striking a perfect balance but before anything else, people need to acknowledge the fact that originality is nonexistent. It is a state of mind, an excuse where individuals who fear the idea of possibly walking lightly on this world hide. They fear taking risks and being judged by their actions. Our individuality must always be embraced but never at the cost of integrity. Although it takes time before one becomes certain of their selves, this should never be a justifiable reason to pretend just to be different because pretending while lying will always be notch below unoriginal.
illustration by Megan Schaller by Gabrielle Abrahan
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THE SIDES OF THE
SPECTRUM E
very artist is well-aware that the path to success is not always smooth sailing. There’s the internal struggle of the chronic creative block, there’s the uncertainty of finding your signature style, and like it isn’t tricky enough, of course, there’s the stereotypes – The Starving Artist and The Sell Out. Both on the extreme sides of the spectrum, these limiting labels are damaging to artists.
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by Rica Superable
Let’s admit it. Taking the road less traveled by, deciding to specialize in the arts and becoming an artist is not exactly what a lot of people would call the most “practical” choice. As a kid, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would ecstatically respond with “a writer!” (followed shortly by “astronaut”, but even I knew that was a long shot). However, the more I grew up and stood by my dreams of becoming a writer, the more I raised eyebrows. In a world fueled by big corporations, commodities and profit, people are taught to frown upon artists and creative souls. Bravery and the need for a non-conventional career are often mistaken for “stupidity” and heck, even “selfimposed poverty”. I’ve had my fair share of people telling me things that start off with “but what if ”, and a thousand eye-rolls later, I can never seem to make the nay-sayers understand that choosing the creative career path does not doom me to a life of misery. The myth of The Starving Artist is not a person so much as an ideal. The notion that art is better and more vulnerable when it is created by poor people instead of someone who’s had it easier stems from romanticizing poverty. Funny how people see it as a noble way of life, too, and I agree but only to a certain extent. I’ve always believed there’s a fine line between being noble and being irrational. There’s nothing wrong with allowing yourself to make money off of hard work, because after all, a creative career is still a career. Going down the Starving Artist path isn’t helpful and may ultimately back-fire on an artist’s self-worth. Dispelling this myth will dispel the stereotype. Sure, paying homage to Van Gogh who died broke only to gain posthumous fortune may seem like a great idea, but all I’m trying to say is, contrary to what purists may believe, earning from a work of art may not be such a bad thing. Romanticizing stories of failure has that elegiac nihilism, but come on. Really. This mindset is also one of the reasons why parents tend to turn down children’s plans to become an artist and put a stop to something that hasn’t even started. It saddens me to think that the creative industry lacks the amount of respect it deserves because of this social stigma.
On the other side of the scale, however, is the complete opposite - The Sell Out. The pursuit of money is necessary wherever you are and whatever you do. As much as it makes us sound like shallow, materialistic people, it’s the hard truth. And although I’d like to think providing for myself and a future family doesn’t weigh as much as having passion for my career, it does. Frankly, it’s one of the things that people, even The Starving Artist in the slightest way, consider. Art and business may not always see eye to eye, as you have to sacrifice one thing between the two. In this case, success is measured by the profit an artist gains, compromising the artist’s authenticity and artistic integrity. This has always been the issue in mainstream media and the more I consume, the more I realize that things that gain commercial success will always be plagued by this notion.
ART AND MONEY JUST DON’T ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE More artists dread to be sell-outs more than starving artists which says a lot about our pop culture. Being a sell-out is associated with having sold your artistic beliefs in order to gain a wider, more commercial audience. I mean, in other words, it’s as good as selling your soul to the devil. Sort of. Changing the style of an artist can be seen as the turning point of their creative maturity or a symptom of succumbing to corporate orders and losing artistic value. Either way, I still believe that not all those who made big names for themselves compromised their artistic integrity. It’s a tad disrespectful and belittles what talent an artist may actually have. Just because you earn from your art doesn’t immediately make you a sell-out, so the guilt is totally uncessarry. After all, you still have to feed yourself.
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W
hen it comes to picking the next book to read, it may seem instinctual to make a beeline towards the bestsellers section. Totally normal! However, without realizing it, you just might be walking past your next favorite book on your way there. The pursuit of the next great read outside of the best sellers section is no easy feat, especially when you find yourself in between shelves and you have no idea where to begin. And while John Green’s amazing (not to mention, critically-acclaimed) works grace the front row of bookstores, let’s not forget that other aisles of bookshelves are also home to a chock full of literary gems. Here are five underrated books of varying genres that may have quite a small readership, but will surely make a lasting impression.
infinite jest david foster wallace
Both philosophical and entertainingly hilarious, it centers on an endearingly dysfunctional family set in a nearby substance-abuse recovery center and a tennis academy. It may sound intimidating, the novel only requires complete patience. This complex work leaves you with essential questions, and when once finished, any avid reader would consider the experience as an accomplishment.
THE READING ROOM by Rica Superable
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unreal city michael smith
If you’re all about London’s underground culture, Unreal City should make it on your top list of books. The narrator is an idler, bewildered by the fast speed of which the city is changing in the digital age. As he watches the advertising hipsters take over, and the painters and sculptors fade away, he expresses nostalgia for the shabby days of before the modern age. With the sophisticated and meditative tone of the book, Smith shares that they are not to be digested as narratives, but more like poems. The pages are unbound and accompanied by six-track original CD soundtrack, as well as a record containing two remixes. Both the book and the soundtrack are meant to be consumed together, with the music complementing the words, making it a wonderfully odd experience.
The Museum of Intangible Things Wendy Wunder
Friendship. First Love. Roadtrip. Sounds like the perfect formula for a sweet, summery tale, much like what the cover suggests. Between the pages, however, lies a heavier tale that stomps around the well-worn territory of adolescence, damaged families, and mental illnesses. The book centers on Hannah and Zoe, both itching to flee their small, down-and-out New Jersey town then soon find the courage to go on a roadtrip where they chase storms and make new friends. Along the way, Zoe helps Hannah get a grip on the intangible things in life like audacity, insouciance, and karma. This stunning tale of adventure and their pursuit for a greater and bolder existence is well-written, with whimsical proses and a charming voice.
please ignore vera dietz a.s. king
cathy’s book Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman
The novel revolves around Vera who’s been secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. In the aftermath of Charlie’s dark death, Charlie has been accused of something and Vera realizes that she’s the only who can clear his name; but after his betrayal, does she even want to?
It follows the story of Cathy whose life has been turned upside down upon her break-up with Victor, her father’s death, her failing grades, and the unresolved conflict with her best friend.
As far as melancholic books go, they either make you shrug your shoulders or they leave you drowning in your own pool of tears. Please Ignore Vera Dietz makes it a point for you to experience the latter.
The book deals with sorrow, guilt, and the “what ifs” that soon haunt a person. It is heartbreaking with a good dose of realism that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with its beautifully crafted narrative structure.
With a mysterious clear plastic envelope stuffed with actual elaborate and intricate “evidence” behind the cover, Cathy’s Book is a narrative and alternative reality game combined that makes for a refreshing read.
The “evidence” provided in the form of letters, photographs, newspaper clippings, calling cards, certificates, and the like allows the readers to join Cathy in her investigation and decipher the mystery that soon unfolds. It’s intended for ages 12 and up, but is still categorized as Young Adult Fiction. The interactive book is a one-of-a-kind experience. ENSEMBLE
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6 YEAR S (2015)
Executive-produced by Mark and Jay Duplass, it’s a coming-ofage drama wherein the disintegration of a young couple’s (you guessed it) six-year relationship unfolds, brought about by a cascading sequence of disagreements and diverging life choices as they navigate their final years in college. Movies that make me wistful are my favorite kind. In the opening montage, and throughout the film when they’re not busy biting each other’s heads off, viewers are provided glimpses of the dynamic between Mel (Farmiga) and Dan (Rosenfield), and it is all kinds of intimate and ideal, at least on the surface. The small details add up and make you want to root for this twosome to thrive: They were next-door neighbors. They’ve been together since they were fifteen (my estimate). They lost their virginity to one another. They’re comfortable and secure and beautiful and untouchable.
As individuals, both Mel and Dan are completely fleshed out and true to life, each with their own dreams, differences, plans and paths, lives outside of their relationship, and tons of flaws and bad choices, and they both go through character developments separate from and in sync with one another. I suspect this is a result of the improvisation techniques, because their reactions feel more real and their actors are more invested and injected into them this way.
At its low points, 6 Years is predictable at times and offers no resolution to each conflict presented, ending on a vague interrobang of some sort. But at its best, it is a well-shot and thought-out progression of a doomed romance, taking its time to show you how its foundations crumbled in extremely painful ways, every intense moment leading into another until it’s clear as day. And still you can feel the love linger. You find yourself wanting to shake the characters and yell at them, snap them back to attention, because it makes you care.
S O M E W HE R E (2 0 1 0)
The film captures Hollywood without the glamor, particularly through Johnny Marco, a big-time actor who stays in the Chateau Hotel with money to waste, women at his disposal, and a lifestyle that has severely numbed him, resulting in his passive and robotesque demeanor. With the sudden introduction of Cleo, his eleven-year-old daughter to his life, his world is shaken, waking him up from what seemed like an emotional paralysis. The beauty of the film is its focus on character study, with long stretches of silence and the aimless, mechanical movements of Johnny as he sits on his couch, dragging on a cigarette and basking in an all-consuming loneliness. Contrary to making the film dull, the application of slow cinema extremely heightens the realism of the film. I’ve realized that working with a laconic script is its essence; the majority of the film is spent in contemplative silence and it urges the audience to really look and think. The film gives the audience the opportunity to look deeper and to feel deeper. It is hushed and quiet, intimate and authentic.
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The use of subtlety and minimalism and directs the attention to the characters and examines them. Who are they? What are they thinking? The film presents scenarios and allows the audience to draw conclusions for themselves Sofia’s representation of each characters is something that gives life to the film.
PALO ALT O (2 0 1 3)
The film is directed by Gia Coppola who happens to be Francis Ford Coppola’s granddaughter (of course the skills run in the family). And long story short, this is one of those films that one could easily label as “pretentious” or “unoriginal” because it does stomp around well-worn territory, and it’s basically the beenthere-done-that kind of plot, but there is just something about this film that draws me in. The cynicism is not at all romanticized which I highly appreciate. I guess I just a have a knack for moody themes and elegiac nihilism (Adult World and The Art of Getting By are the two films I’m currently thinking about, which also coincidentally stars Emma Roberts) but whatever it is, it’s enough to get me to watch it more than five times in a week. Palo Alto is the kind of film that prioritizes mood over message. Most of the scenes are long stretches because of the characters’ lack of motivation for specific goals, nor are there clear reasons behind their actions and behaviour. The film tiptoes around conventional teenage issues, but does not confront in a way that the director provides solutions. However, the characters are given a shot at redemption by making pivotal choices that somehow allow them to grow. Because the film is all about the well-worn territory of teenagers and coming-of-age, it is easy to regard the film as banal, but its beauty is that it goes through a range of emotions. April, Teddy, and Fred, no matter how indifferent they are presented, hide behind smokescreens to cover emotional damage. The film may be a been-there-donethat feature; however, it does inject a welcome dose of sympathy for the unaided teens. What I appreciate is that Coppola does not romanticize their cynic behaviour, however one can’t help but see its poignant demeanor. More importantly, the film is paradoxically blithe and intense, with the characters constantly torn between feeling everything at once and feeling nothing at all.
REEL TIME films that attempt to unravel the youth are more often than not a hit or miss. when it comes to the psyche of the tirelessly emotional kids, it’s always an unfamiliar territory. by ric a s u p e rab l e
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THE JUKE BOX a guide to love, loss & desperation the wombats (2007)
The title of the album says it all. It’s definitely a feel good album with songs that will pick you up. It’s loud and fun and absolutely something you can dance to. When I recently made mixed CDs for my best friends, I loaded them up with songs from this album to kick start the summer vibes. This one’s been on repeat and I’ll probably only stop once I get tired of it... which is never.
all our favorite stories dog is dead (2012)
Although some of the songs are not as upbeat as the others, I like the vibe that this album gives off every time I listen to it. It just puts me in a really calm and happy state that I think I should be in more. They’re also such an underrated band and with this much talent, they deserve to be heard more. I hate how there’s so much talented musicians out there that go unnoticed and unrecognized for years. So I highly recommend that you give them a listen. Make your ears happy!
junk of the heart the kooks (2011)
The first track off of this album is my absolute favorite. I’ve only recently found out about this band and I definitely don’t regret checking them out. It has an old school sound to it that I really love and despite it being rock and loud, it’s not overwhelming to listen to if you want to just sit back and relax. It’s light, catchy and fun. Definitely my summer favorite. 20
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What my sister would usually describe as “teen angst” songs, I call my “roll-thewindows-down” music. These albums are perfect for driving with the windows down, feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. by r i c a s u p e r a b l e
dive tycho (2011)
Much like the album art implies, the entire tracklist is like riding the soft waves with total abandon. I’ve never pretty much appreciated tracks without lyrics before, but the melodies are really all that you need. It’s great for when you’re studying. It’s not completely overwhelming, but it does tickle the senses. Its musical style is “chillwave” mixed by electronica artists and it’s been around since the mid-2000’s. The eccentric feel immediately got me hooked and it’s amazingly multidimensional.
heartbreaker ryan adams (2000)
A lot of my friends who I shared this album with have told me that he sounds like the country version of John Mayer with “a shitload of harmonicas”. I’m not sure I disagree. I’ve had this in my files for a couple of years now, but it’s been recently unintentionally ignored and I haven’t listened in such a long time. Do your ears a wonderful favor by listening to “Come Pick Me Up” and “Oh My Sweet Carolina”. I like how the entire album almost feels untouched, it feels so raw and vulnerable and it’s imperfectly elegant.
our endless numbered days iron & wine (2004)
Imagine if your favorite cup of hot chocolate transformed into songs, because these would be it. Another thing I absolutely love about it is its paradoxical title which comes from the lyrics of another one of their songs called Passing Afternoon. The songs are dramatic and beautiful, yet light and airy. Also, I’m crazy about the album art! It’s perfect for a cozy night in on a Sunday. It just radiates this kind of peace that I’m in love with.
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THE DUSK
He may be alone in a coffee shop Reading his favorite book Marking the passages, the quotes that touch him the most Or he’s probably wandering around the park Taking a leisurely stroll Letting the daylight caress his face As he thinks Thinks of where you can possibly be
She’s probably around here Somewhere Maybe I’ll meet her on the other side of the world We’re looking at the same stars after all She’s just waiting, she’s been waiting patiently As she searches for constellations In the sky He’s been searching for the One Keeping his heart and soul untouched For he knows that when he gives her his All. She will do the same, she would.
He’s alone by the pier Taking a leisurely stroll On the scraped white wooden floorboards As the water reaches his toes He looks at the horizon Breathes Sighs And imagines what paradise may be with you
art by evy edens poetry by alexis bonanza 22
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Silhouettes of two Dancing by the pavement Sleek, silent and meek And the leaves falling from above prance to the wind’s howl And the moonlight gleaming is then overshadowed As hands are clasped, Bodies intertwined A bold luminescence Its essence, equivocal art by evy edens poetry by alexis bonanza
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I put on the music that reminds me of you
I set up the table with me across you
I lit up a cigarette inhaling the scent of you
A sip of whiskey for every thought of you
Fumble on my sheets dreaming of you
SO LI LO QUY
The break of dawn yearning for you
Conversations over coffee with me and my thoughts
NO MA TT ER
A song plays on the radio that reminds me of you a song that talks about true love but is your love for me true too?
The birds soar across the sky that reminds me of you a bird is as free as the infinite sky but is your love as infinite too?
Plastic roses sit behind a glass window that reminds me of you formed to have undying beauty but is your love as undying too?
How I wish an innocent child could remind me of you a child who wouldn’t dare tell a lie
art by trash riot poetry by adriel tangoan 24
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but you’ve already lied to me too.
THE SALVING SERI ES Photos by Adriel Tangoan
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FUSION
photos by raphael banico
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