PEOPLE MUSIC LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHATEVER THE F**K WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT Issue #9
SODAPOP MAGAZINE September 2014 Issue #9
STAFF Editor In Chief: Edwin Monico Music Director: Cody Middleton Copy Editor: Jessica Monico Graphics: Gian Bautista Staff Photographers: Sara Barnett, Billy Ward
INTERNS Charlie Mirador
Jacob Pulido
COVER Photographer: Edwin Monico Artist: MarĂa Del Pilar
Photography and articles belong to their respective photographers/writers and are used by Sodapop Magazine with permission. No reproductions are authorized without permission from Sodapop. Any questions, comments, and/or concerns can be directed to
contact@sodapopmagazine.com
CONTENT
LETTER FROM THE JEFE SUNDAY MORNING WITH SPENCER FIVE FESTIVAL OUTINGS YOU SHOULD ATTEND IF YOU ARE BREATHING RIGHT NOW MOSS VON FAUSTENBERG ROBERT SZATAMRI JAMES BADOU ALEXIS DUQUE COMMERCIAL OR ART? MARIA DEL PILAR
Letter From The Jefe
This issue we have Maria Del Pilar revealing more skin then she would
have ever thought of doing. We also have a few awesome photographers. Recently, we have added a section for music and while we’ve always had music in one way or another. We are going to make it a bigger part of the magazine because beautiful women are great, but some reading material goes a long way. Right, gentlemen? Nonetheless, it’s a pleasure working on this magazine and the Sodapop team and you are a vital part of the magazine. All of you that read this magazine shape it everyday with the awesome feedback we get. So please continue reading and telling us what we should do better. Or even better. Submit something to us and we just might feature it.
Photographer Sara Barrett
Sunday Morning with Spencer Clothed or unclothed? Depends on the situation.
Disneyland! It really is the happiest place on Earth. And I love Disney princesses. I always wanted to be one.
If sex was a sport, would you
compete? I like to win, so if I could win, I would. What is something you find funny about yourself? I am super clumsy. I walk into doors all the time. Favorite place in the world?
Anything you would like to say? One thing that is important to me is giving back I am always volunteering with kids and helping out. See more of Spencer at https://www.facebook.com/ MissSpencerS
Five festival outings you should attend if you are breathing right now
By: Cody Middleton
Pygmalion music fest is a four-day music festival in UrbanaChampaign, Illinois that kicks off on September 25th and comes to a close on the 28th. In the tenth year of its existence, this shindig seems to continuously pick up more steam as the years go by. What used to be a quaint festival of up and coming bands has turned in to a very respectable event with a downright impressive bill. This year, they’ve managed to snag up and comers, as well as the well-established acts you’ve likely been jamming to for years. Attendees will be able to check out the various other attractions in
between their favorite bands, which includes the Pygmalion Literary Festival and the Made Fest. Featuring a slew of progressive authors, the Pygmalion Literary Festival is open to attendees to come and meet authors who are gaining notoriety in their fields. The Made Fest will be set up at the entrance to the festival for all attendees and residents in the area to attend. Featuring local artists and vendors, this will be sure to bring in a large crowd. Be sure not to miss: Deafheaven and American Football.
Project Pabst Festival Portland, Oregon. September 26th-28th Spearheaded by Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, Project Pabst is a music festival emerging this year in Portland, Oregon from September 26th-28th. With the objective of the festival being to show appreciation to the community of Portland, the bill features an eclectic mix of acts spanning a wide array of genres. Concert goers can expect to see music from the classic Tears for Fears, as well as GZA performing Liquid Swords at the main event. After the
festival closes its main grounds for the day, the shows continue across Portland at select venues. After hours acts will include bands like Built to Spill at Crystal Ballroom and Vektor at Ash St. Saloon. All night shows will require separate tickets for each performance, which is kind of a downside, but the main event looks promising enough to keep our interest. Be sure not to miss: Modest Mouse and GZA
Music Midtown
Atlanta, GA. September 19th & 20th Occupying a weekend in the thick of the Atlanta summer, Music Midtown will be chugging along on September 19th and 20th. The festival bill is comprised of several mainstream artists that are sure to attract a large crowd. Performances will include Eminem, Jack White, and Run DMC with more bands that have yet to be announced. Both days of the festival will take place in Piedmont Park and are open to all ages. The event grounds will be closed overnight,
LouFest
St. Louis, MO. September 6th & 7th St. Louis lays its own claim in the music festival world with the upcoming LouFest, happening in Forest Park. The event has a pretty impressive bill, with artists like Outkast and Washed Out gracing the stage, but the entertainment goes beyond just the music. LouFest has partnered with a slew of local vendors to bring attendees some prime food to enjoy between their favorite bands. If music
so patrons will need to find their own hotel accommodations. It is also worth noting that bringing your own alcohol is allowed, or you can buy your booze from one of the vendors with a valid photo ID. If you’re looking for a festival that’s geared more towards mainstream artists, this is your place.
Be sure not to miss: Eminem and Jack White
and food aren’t enough to scratch your festival itch, there will be a Market Square at LouFest where all manner of local art and clothes will be available for purchase. LouFest is sure to be two days of Midwestern fun for all who are able to make it.
Be sure not to miss: Outkast and Arctic Monkeys
Boston Calling Music Festival Boston, MA. September 5th, 6th, & 7th Our last festival for this issue has my favorite line-up. Spanning three days with three equally promising bills, I’m not sure how anyone would be able to attend just one day. Artists that have achieved legendary status interspersed with those that are well on their way to gaining the same recognition will all be present this year. Bands like The Replacements, The National, and Neutral Milk Hotel make this one of the best looking festivals this year. If that doesn’t do it for you, then surely the Nas w. The Roots
performance will. There will be plenty of food and booze for those that wish to partake, if you can manage to find a band that you won’t hate yourself for missing. All of the festivities will be going on in City Hall Plaza, which means parking will be fairly limited, so it might not hurt to plan accordingly. With a line-up like this, the concert will likely be swarming. Be sure not to miss: Any of it.
S I M
Moss von FAUSTENBERG
See more of Moss Instagram: moss_von_faustenberg Model: Rivi Madison
Robert Szatmari
See more of Szatamri Model: Sarah
James Badou
See more of James Badou Instagram: @jbadou Model: Nicole Gokhman Instagram: @nicoleg625
Alexis Du Columbian artist, Alexis Duque, creates atmospheric landscapes reminiscent of lost cities and that of our sprawling world. Think stills of Dark World with the chaotic structure of a favela thrown in for good measure.
Check out more of his work at Alexis Duque
Acrylic on canvas 24x12 inches
2014
uque
Acrylic on canvas 12x8 inches
2014
Commercial or Art?
Photo shoots can be fun. You
technical lighting that you probably
know, the tasks of scouting out
won’t even get around to figuring out
locations, dealing with schedules, hair,
or using.
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might even have to fork over cash for
the end, all everyone hopes for is to
one of those by the hour “professional”
create beautiful pictures. Myself, two
photo studios. Those big open spaces
words beginning with the letter “i”
usually located in the industrial part of
usually work for me... Intuition and
your favorite city with their bleached
impromptu.
white walls, a plethora of colored backdrops to work with, and all that
Be it commercial or fine art, in
Charlie Mirador- San Francisco CA Visit Charlie’s Instagram: @mmrrdrr_art
.”
María Del Pilar universe
me out is a book that when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn’t happen much, though Catcher in the Rye
Vegan Sushi, Fishbone, Van Nuys, and a small look into
“What really knocks
By Edwin Monico
My youth was spent bouncing around Los Angeles, trying to relate to a culture that my parents were unassuming of. I was torn between Sabado Gigante and The Simpsons. Music was a bigger challenge. My grandmother would listen to Leo Dan, Pedro Infante, Selena, and Los Bukis. At school, I was bombarded with Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop, Punk, Ska, and Emo. It’s hard forging an identity when you don’t know whether you should groove to Marco Antonio Solis, or throw devil horns up to Slayer, or dance to No Doubt. Luckily enough, there was a band that sorted all of that out for me and many 1st and 2nd generation American Hispanic kids growing up in Los Angeles. That band was Los Abandoned, which was led by the beautiful energetic Pilar Diaz. While Los Abandoned is now part of the history books, Pilar Diaz is not. Fresh off an all girls line up tour promoting her Songs + Canciones I, Diaz now goes under the moniker of María Del Pilar and delivers luscious Spanish and English pop sounds. I had the pleasure of spending a day with Diaz after a very intense photo shoot. We ate some vegan sushi in LA. Edwin: What kind of music are you into these days? Pilar: Well, the kind of music that is playing right now... A cacophony of bad Jazz inspired top 100 covers. I’m just going to make jokes this whole interview, FYI. I think I secretly want to be a stand up comic. Edwin: Do you?
on HBO I like. For instance, Bill Marr I like how he shows both sides of the story and I like Vice. I just got the new Jenny Lewis album. It’s really 80’s Fleetwood Mac. I recently saw Spoon. I really like Bob Mould’s (from the band Sugar) new record. I also like Courtney Barnett. She’s Australian. [Briefly interrupted by our vegan sushi waitress because Pilar dropped her napkin.]
Pilar: I’m still in the closet about it. Edwin: I think you just came out. Pilar: [Laughs]I did, speaking of comedy, I’m not listening to much music as I’m stand up comedy and commentary on what is happening in the world. There is a couple shows
Pilar: I was waiting for a young, handsome gentlemen to bring me a napkin like in the movies. Edwin: [Laughs] Ok. How does it feel to be front-woman? Pilar: I feel like stand up comedy is the ultimate performance. For me, I kind of
hide behind a microphone. Not when I’m performing alone, but with a band. Edwin: Do you get annoyed? Pilar: (Immediately says) I do. Edwin: Is it certain questions? Do you get annoyed when people ask you about Los Abandoned? Pilar: I don’t get annoyed. It was a great time in my life. As the time goes by I get asked less and less. It’s been 7 years since the band broke up. Edwin: Do you think the Spanish rock scene is dead in LA? Pilar: I feel like we need more bands that are committed, but what is happening is the Mexican Ska Scene. Edwin: I feel like that is always going on. Pilar: Yeah, I agree they are always on. Edwin: So where did you grow up? Pilar: Half in Chile and half in Los Angeles. Edwin: Where in Los Angeles? Pilar: Van Nuys.(Laughs) Edwin: Well that makes perfect sense now.(Laughs) Edwin: just recently saw your Huaso video. Pilar: Yeah, that was for my Dad. It was
really good right?
somebody give you a record?
Edwin: Yeah, i thought it portrayed the culture really well.
Pilar: (Points at her Fishbone shirt) Yeah, somebody gave me a Fishbone album. My friends were listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers, X, Jane’s Addiction, Los Lobos. My first show was a Fishbone concert and I was 14. I snuck out of the house.
Pilar: It was done by friends who did the Van Nuys video. Edwin: Is there a large Chilean community in Los Angeles? Pilar: Not really, mostly in Canada.
Edwin: Couldn’t you have just asked to go?
Edwi: So how old were you when you got to the States?
Pilar: Maybe, but my front was to be rebellious. (Laughs)
Pilar. I think I was 9 when my parents finally decided to stay. My mom was a really adventurous person and she wanted to grow and live somewhere else.
Edwin: So Fishbone? That is great insight into your life.
Edwin: So, musical influences?
Pilar: You know why? The Fishbone thing was stuff my mom would teach me about. She was a teacher and was so against racism and antigossip. She thought it was such a waste of time. You can do much better things with your time. My mom was so insistent of being tolerant. That Fishbone spoke to me musically because they mixed up so much music. After that, it was Cafe Tacvba Re. When it came out, it changed everything for me. I feel like it was a confident record.
Pilar: Chilean music. I started playing music with my parents. My mom and dad had a Chilean Folkloric group. I started really young and my mom was like, “Pilar has musical talent.” So she got me started off playing Bombo when I was 6. Then I moved on to the guitar specifically for Chilean Folkloric. I learned Violeta Parra songs before anything. Then I moved on to the piano and took it pretty seriously. I was Edwin: As a fan first and a writer always doing musical things growing second, this insight is magical. up. Pilar: I’m happy to be here. Thank you. Edwin: So when did rock music come in? Edwin: Have you ever read Catcher in the Rye? Pilar: Junior High. Edwin: How did it take place? Did Pilar: Yeah, I have.
Edwin: So halfway through the book, Holden Caulfield mentions that when he’s done reading a book he wishes the writer was a pal he could call up. I think that just happened between us. Pilar: (Laughs) Thank you. Edwin: I wanted to humanize you a little bit. Pilar: Yeah, you got some good pin up pictures. I really liked the umbrella. I was really connecting with it. Edwin: I felt like when the umbrella came in things got better. I felt like maybe there was a bit of awkwardness between us.
record. Exciting. Anything else? Pilar: I’ve been writing and just doing music for me. I leave the promotion for other people. I love doing work for other people and when I come back to my own stuff I sometimes incorporate that work. I just stay pretty busy. Edwin: So I totally envisioned you to be super cool and you didn’t fail me. Pilar: Yeah..... thanks i’m a goof ball. [This is where our lunch ended and we wandered around a Korean Mall in DTLA]
Pilar: No, not that all. The jacket was heavy. Edwin: So I played Los Abandoned at the shoot while a Suicide Girl moved to the music and posed. You mentioned that you haven’t listened to it. Any reason why? Pilar: Yeah, I just don’t listen to it. I’m always writing music and moving forward. Future projects? Pilar: A new album and I’m doing a really cool remix of dancefloor. I’ve also been writing music for other artists. Edwin: Anybody you would like to mention? Pilar: Yeah, I wrote for No Doubt’s new
Be sure to catch a María Del Pilar show and visit her website at: http://www.maria-del-pilar.com and follow her exploits on instagram @mariadelpilarrrr