Seven Shades of Black - two by Seven Shades of Black

two

Contributions Editor

Soraan Latif

Writters

Daniel Lee Harvey Peter Davis Roman Dennis Robert Jones Elliot Bentley Andrew Hollingworth Ricardo Pereira Clare L T Dunn Marcus Kuzvinzwa Nneka Idika Jake Brown Soraan Latif James Worsfold

Photographers

Rachelle Sabourin Courtney Boydston

Artist

Jordan Nicholai Max Capacity Chamo San

Illustraions by

Benni Tiley Dan Rynne Soraan Latif

Special Thanks

Rachel Klahn, James Worsfold, Jose Espiritu

Front cover - Dan Rynne danielrynne.tumblr.com

Editors Notes We have a ten page special on the beatmaking culture interviews featuring the comments of Handbook & Negrosaki. Writen by Daniel Lee Harvey, I am sure that he will enlighten you onto new sounds just like he did in issue one. Up and coming artists Chamo San and Jordan Nicholai gave us their time to answer a few questions along side 8-bit junkie Max Capacity.

The Beastie Boys are featured by two different writers, while Ed Banger prince SebastiAn also gets featured with his much anticipated album Total. In the fashion work we have a brilliantly written feature about the art within fashion by Nneka Idika, while Roman Dennis tackles the three designers that make up KRUHX.

The cult film culture takes a firm grip within the magazine with a delighful Rubber review while we have another feature about cult films themselves as a genre. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so much more to mention but I shall keep that as a surprise for you. Enjoy.

Contents

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Max Capacity I came across Max’s work on Flickr only a few

My dad had an Intellivision. I remember the

days before the deadline of the magazine. I

first game I ever played was AD&D. But when

was just overcome with his style, colours and

I was a little older I saved all my money and

the nostalgic feel that his work possesses

bought a NES with Super Mario Bros. and

I simply had to put him in the magazine.

Duck Hunt. I’m not a collector so much, due

With Kavinsky’s 1987 ep rolling in my ears

to space issues mostly. If I could, I would have

I asked him a few questions and luckily he

a collection of arcade games. But I mostly buy

managed to answer them all, enjoy.

games and then end up reselling them when I’m done. Or I tear them open and glitch them

Max Capacity. Interesting name, where did it

out and end up throwing them away.

come from ?

One night I was drinking a beer in my garage and I had an old NES sitting next to me

My real name is Max, and I saw a sign that said “Maximum Capacity” on a machine somewhere. So I took it.

I also noticed that you kept your own portraits either very pixaled or you’re hiding your face. What’s the attraction for you and the hidden persona ?

It’s mostly an internet anonymity thing. Partly because I’m a shy person. I post lots of pictures of myself on my Tumblr blog, but for all my more official-ish stuff I like to use more ambiguous images.

What was your first gaming console? Do you collect old video games

When did you start making pixaled design encrusted with glitches ?

One night I was drinking a beer in my garage and I had an old NES sitting next to me and I decided to try circuit bending it. I had done some audio circuit bending before, so I had an idea of what I wanted to do. But then it worked, and I liked it, so I took some photos

of my TV and posted them online. I think that

palettes, but I definitely have my favorites

was some of the first stuff I ever did.

that I go back to all the time. I suppose if I do

of people to work for.

confine my palette, it would be only the fully

With your cityscapes you have a range of styles

saturated colors. I really do enjoy working in

from minimal to detailed designs, is there a

monochromatic black and white also.

reason for the variety ?

for converting things between PC and ZX

You designed an ep for Kuedo’s Videowave ,

When I first started doing the cityscapes I

Spectrum or C64 protocols a lot. I’m still using

out July 4th. Would you be interested in other

was simply extracting (and in some cases

Photoshop 5.0 because it’s all I really need.

music projects ?

reconstructing) pixels from games. And there

What software do you use ?

I use lots of weird small homebrew apps

Virtual Dub is also really useful for working

was a wide range of detail present in those

with videos. I go between Virtual Dub and

I was so proud to be involved with Kuedo and

sources. It got me thinking about what it really

Photoshop 5 constantly.

Planet Mu! I’d love to do more work like that.

takes to signify a living city. Then as I went

I’ve done a few music videos for some artists,

on, I was less satisfied with that and I started

Your colour palette is rather strange but for

but I would most like to do album cover art.

manipulating the sources along those same

the purpose of your style it works. Who would

Electronic musicians seem like the natural

lines to make them more “mine”

have know that a toxic mix of orange, pink and

choice, but I’d really like to do some covers for

You have many references to 80’s/90’s pop

green could have worked so well for instance.

some punk or new wave type stuff. My favorite

culture, such as MTV, Teenage Ninja Mutant

I don’t confine myself too much to any color

band is The Spits, so they’d be my first choice

Turtles and an endless source of other material.

like alcohol, pop culture needs to ferment a little before it really gets good

hate when I’m excited to see a shitty movie

the future.

and someone tells me “it sucks.” I think once there’s some distance in time from cultural

How do you think you can develop your style for

material we get to form our own complete

the future, after all the retro stuff is a fashionable

image and opinion with less influence from the

trend now but probably wouldnt be in a few

world around us. Maybe that’s what nostalgia

years time.

is. I remember all the video games I played as a child looking much more vivid than they

Oh, I think there will always be something cool

actually do upon inspection.

or fun to do. And if things start to go badly for nostalgia in general, I’ll just become more and

Do you think It’s possible to take cultural

Apart from gifs and digital work, have you looked

references from the present and give it that 8

at the possibility of anything else, collaborating

bit feel, but at the same time have that same

with someone in a completely different field ?

more degenerate.

By Soraan Latif Max Capacity’s

nostalgic effect on the viewer ? I’ve dabbled with that idea a little, but budget I think, like alcohol, pop culture needs to

is often a concern for me. Collaborating is

ferment a little before it really gets good. I

something I really love though, so hopefully

don’t even go to movie theaters anymore. I

I’ll have more opportunities to branch out in

flickr.com/photos/max-capacity

Chamo San Chamo San is an illustrator that started early in his career to gain an online reputation. The cause of this internet buzz are San’s moleskin sketchbooks. As you read his thoughts and view his illustrations, I’m sure you will understand why.

Chamo, growing up in the great city of Barcelona, have you been influenced by the culture your city ?

I’ve always lived in Barcelona. I’ve grown up in a very cosmopolitan city where people are very kind. When I moved to Paris for a year I knew that Barcelona is my place.

After studying at university for four years,where

new world. For me it was a relaxing exercise

The freelance work I think is hard for everybody right now

because you don’t start from a blank page.

Even though you’re currently an illustrator, have

Then I discovered a lot of ancient techniques

you ever gone back to uses the other techniques

with Atelie Retaguardia, but I come back to

such as sculpture, within your present work?

you experimented with photography, sculpture and I’m sure many other materials, what brought you back to illustration ?

I’ve always been good at drawing, but it’s a very isolating world. I started to experiment with photography and then I discovered a

illustration because I know that’s my field.

Now I start to draw on different surfaces. I’ve never worked in classic sculpture. I aboard the 3rd dimension with the Penique productions project.

Any main influences in general or anyone that has really inspired your work or style? Did your tutor in Paris Philippe Comar greatly influence you?

I have so many influences from artists around the world (past and present). I like paintings

but love the pure drawing, from James Jean

he decided that we could work as a team. In

to Juan Francisco Casas. The work of Philippe

the team there is Sergi Arbusà, Pablo Baqué,

Comar doesn’t inspire me actually (I can’t say

Pol Clusella and I.

I really know his oeuvre), but he is an excellent drawing teacher “(the best I had in Paris.

in terms of paid jobs.

Has there been a major turning point in your career so far when you started to get recognition

Initially, before you began to develop a reputation

online ?

online, did you find it hard to get freelance work ? No, I don’t think so.

How did you get involved with the Penique Reputation online came perhaps because

I know my career has just begun and I must

I’ve worked with Conrad Roset, Guim Tió or

continue to work as I’m doing now. That

Penique productions start as a class project

Amaia Arrazola. The freelance work I think is

reputation online it could be something

by Sergi Arbusà. A university friend of mine

hard for everybody right now, at least in Spain.

ephemeral. I know, I love to see other people

since we started Fine Art. After some proofs

So much free publications, but not so much

works and I think a lot of them are just like me.

productions ?

They don’t think to please other people with their work, but themselves.

The style thieves doesn’t worry me at all. Perhaps I’ve created a new movement It must be a great feeling to see your work on sites like fffffound.com

Sure. It’s very exciting. It means that you are good, but they always show the same pictures. I must create new things or everybody (including

Most of your work is within the space of

Do you theme your sketchbooks or do you just

myself) will start to get bored about my work.

sketchbooks, is there a level of comfort that

express any emotion you may have at that time

you have within your sketchbooks because

within them ?

Is there a part of you that worries when you

your so you’re so used to working in them? I have two types of sketchbooks. The big ones,

see your work across sites such as Tumblr or The most “famous” of my works was just

where I draw isolated things. And the little ones

made because I was bored. It’s easier to do

I always carry with me and where I draw real

The style thieves don’t worry me at all. I mean,

something well when you don’t have high

things happening during my day

if a lot of people start to create the way I do,

expectations. When I take a job I put a lot of

perhaps I’ve create a new artistic movement,

pressure on myself and sometimes the work is

Do you use any type of biro pen within your

it could be nice.I don’t know... I don’t think I

not so natural (that’s because I’m beginning).

work, or do you have a preference about the

fffffound that other artists may steal your style ?

have MY STYLE. I’m young.

branding of the pens you use ?

That reputation online it could be something ephemeral

He can just work easier.

Lastly do you have any tips of students coming into this hard economy, where its hard to get

I read a review of one of your pieces online

jobs ?

(above) The reviewer suggests that you are making a comment about the colours associated

It’s hard to get work in Spain and elsewhere

with good and evil, by using white for the wolf.

right now, but even if it’s hard you must try to

Is this something that you were trying to make

work in the field you love.

a comment on ?

By Soraan Latif It really doesn’t matter. Obviously a good

Hahaha... No... I really didn’t put that much

painter uses the best brushes, but it’s not

thought into this one while I drew it.

because of the brushes he is good at painting.

Chamo San : chamosan.tumblr.com

Jordan Nicholai Jordan is a multi-talented British artist who can

Living in London, one of the most multicultural

Conceptual artist? I wouldn’t say that I’m

work with anything that you throw at him. A firm

cities in your world, has that at influenced you ?

not. But i’m more symbolic. I’m not really into

believer in self expression, he gave me a very

creating ‘concepts’ I prefer to be myself and

honest interview, allowing his personality to

Definitely. Maybe. No. I’m not too sure. London

examine my own thoughts.

seep through the pages. We talked about his

has its diversities for sure, but most of my

work and the ideas behind them. I feel very

influences come from what’s beneath the

How do you approach your work, is it all very

privileged to have met him in the flesh.

obvious. In a way I would agree that the rhythm

personal about you or a mixture alongside

of the city, its uniqueness has affected my work

issues that effect other people ?

.... or maybe its the idea of a city? It could be any city. Its just that feel of being buried within

I approach my work very honestly. Many of my

the high concrete buildings, walls, cosmetic

pieces examine my own emotions, thoughts,

capitalism, the money and the dirt, all seeping

memories. I would definitely say that even

together. I am just this single speck. I like that

though my pieces stem from a personal realm,

feeling. It gives me time to think.

I want the viewer to take something personally subjective out of it.

Would you describe yourself as a conceptual artist ?

Where do you draw your inspirations from ?

I draw my inspirations from everywhere. Music,

and drawing, sound effects are my main ones.

helping photograpers especially at university.

It’s all building toward a masive installation. I

But in a way I am the photograher, the stylist

keep exploring.

and the fashion designer. I need to do it all to

film, television, ideas of ideas. Childhood

be satisfied. I hope I’m not sounding arrogent.

programs, family photos. Objects without

When did you start to place items ontop of

meaning. I love Pipilotti Rist and fashion.

your work, how did this come about and why do you do this ?

Whats the process from the blank canvas to the finished piece, on the left ?

This piece was a long flowing process. I found

Do you think that it’s easy to fall into the trap of following trends within art ?

First began collaging actual objects earlier this year. I love finding random objects. I’m inspired

I don’t look for trends for inspiration. Why

my them. I feel close to them. So i use them.

would you ? Especially if you’re doing a fine

this vintage shop, and adored the mannequin that was dressed the window. She looked sad.

Im just passionate.

art course. I think true artists look outside the Do you do anything else apart from paintings ?

I liked that. I used the image as a foundation

art frame as a basis for inspiration. Never lie to get ahead. Be honest. No mater if people

for the piece, overlaying with paint, evocative

I do other things. I love photography. I use a

hate you.

fabrics (e.g lace), vintage perfume bottles.

lot in my paintings. I would still love to do film,

I think i started this method originally within

i have so many ideas. They just come to me

Where do you see yourself in a few years after

my sketchbooks.

as i’m going down the street. I love the idea

you have finished university ?

of music and incorporating it with imagery. I What techniques and methods have you played

also style and create fashion wear.

of life. I have desirables. An art director, a

with ? You do some fashion styling don't you ? Methods and techniques. I’ve done most things. except film. Collages, painting, photography

Carreer wise. I have no idea. That’s the beauty

stylist, a photographer, an author...there are so many things i want to be, but I’ll probably

Yeah I’ve done a few fashion styling things,

end up in Tesco.

By Soraan Latif

ild house parties, smashing up shops and

career, who are the real Beastie Boys? Are

being confronted by your future selves: it’s

they the lanky, gawky punks that released

all in a day’s work for the Beastie Boys. The

‘Licensed To Ill’ twenty-five years ago, or the

video for ‘Make Some Noise’ - lead single to

middle-aged hip-hop superstars of 2011?

‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’ and sequel

(Ironically, in this case the answer is neither;

to the classic 1987 video to ‘Fight For Your

all six are played by an A-list cast that includes

Right’ - sees the continued misadventures

Elijah Wood and Will Ferrell.

of Mike D, Ad-Rock and MCA, ending with a dance-off between the 1987 incarnation of the Beastie Boys and the “future” Beastie Boys.

After Adam Yauch (that’s MCA to you lot) was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, the comeback album ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part One’ was

It’s an apt metaphor for the constant question

understandably delayed; but for inexplicable

facing musicians that last as long as the Beastie

reasons the second part has been released

Boys themselves. A quarter-century into their

first. Regardless of the twisted logic of its

release, ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’ is

hip-hop egotism, the political messages of ‘To

Conversely to most bands, the Beastie

the first proper album from the Brooklyn hip-

The Five Boroughs’ long abandoned.

Boys seem to have become increasingly

hop trio since 2004’s ‘To the 5 Boroughs’, and

apprehensive in their old age, with few of the

after seven years of nothing but a greatest hits

As with all of the Beastie Boys’ work, however,

relaxed grooves of their classic work present.

collection and a disappointing download-only

this is in no way straight hip-hop. Their work

It’s difficult to place the blame: is the result of

instrumental album, an important chance for

has always been an eclectic mix of funk, rock

an emphasis on electronic sounds, which by

the Boys to prove they still have what it takes.

and whatever they feel like sampling at the

nature are often more intense, or something

They once again revisit their noisy punk roots, with surprisingly decent results

time. ‘Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win’

more innate?

Anyone worried that the Beastie Boys might have succumbed to the commercial, autotuned hip-hop currently clogging up the charts can breathe a sigh of relief. Instead, they stick to the distinctive sound they have refined over a

is a bouncy reggae number, bolstered by a charismatic geust turn from Santigold, and

If the big songs are a little on edge,

‘Tadlock’s Glasses’ is an unexpected treat, a

then, it’s the short interludes interspersed

claustrophobic electronic track with hisses,

throughout are truly entertain. The half-song

bleeps and bloops.

‘Funky Donkey’ is blessed with some of the

The trio mock their own tradition of introducing themselves

long-spanning career: funky guitars, energetic

best riffs and wittiest lyrics of the entire album, while in ‘The Larry Routine’ the trio mock their own tradition of introducing themselves.

The album ends with two of the weakest of the bunch, however - a disappointing and unsatisfying ending, particularly considering the strong opening of ‘Make Some Noise’. Which leads us nicely back to that dance-off, which (having descended into a literal pissing contest) is ended by a squad of police cars

drumming and deep bass that can only be

In ‘Lee Majors Come Again’ (originally

arresting both the old Beastie Boys and the

described as “phat”. Yet, as sumptuous as the

included on the ‘Solid Gold Hits’ compilation

new Beastie Boys. The metaphor is an apt

production of ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’

as a bonus song) they once again revisit their

one: in ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’ the

may be, it often threatens to obscure the songs

noisy punk roots, with surprisingly decent

Boys just about prove that they’re not mutton

themselves - not to mention the Boys’ rapping,

results. The weakest link is a new version

in lamb’s clothing, but a force still worth to

which is so laden with reverb, distortion and

of ‘Too Many Rappers’ - originally released

be reckoned with.

vocoders that it’s often difficult to make sense

as a single almost a year ago - that still

of a word they’re saying.

doesn’t quite hit the spot, despite featuring basslines that could easily level a building.

Then again, perhaps that’s a good thing the rhymes and flow may be up to their usual

What is noticeably missing from all of

standard, but there’s little more than traditional

these is the relaxed swagger of past albums.

By Elliot Bentley

The Beastie Boys

If you were born in the 90’s you probably don’t

wouldn’t last long, the teenage angst would

know who the Beastie Boys are. And even if

come out as one of the most revolutionary

you have heard of them, you really needed

sounds of the last two decades. With the

to grow up with their music in your cassette

release of their first hip-hop hit, Cooky Puss,

player to fully understand their commitment

rap became the bigger part of their identity,

to their ideas and sounds.

incorporating heavy metal riffs and angry b-boys. After opening for Madonna in her The

Irony would dictate that a group of teenagers,

Virgin Tour and being on the road with big

all from wealthy Manhattan families, playing in

industry names as Run DMC and LL Cool J,

hardcore punk bands, would come together

the trio was set.

in the early eighties as the Beastie Boys. And even if their underground hardcore punk sound

But being the first all white rap act to get to the

surely can’t.

Intergalactic.

enough comparisons to other rap legends like

For their following albums the band decided

Eight records later, two decades of music

Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel or the Fab Five

to create their own record label, Grand

and a teenage skin shed behind, influences

Freddy would become inevitable. They were

Royal, as well as a magazine by the same

as broad as they can be and an immense will

obvious sources of inspiration for the band, but

name, intended to cultivate a larger musical

not to settle for average best describes the

the clash of a parody style with an insightful

community. Rumor has it that the magazine

Beastie Boys journey. We can even blame the

point of view in their songs would make them

introduced the popular expression “mullet”

Beastie Boys legacy for popular bands like

stand out on their own. The same can’t be said

to the world and was also where the British

The Black Eyed Peas. But we’ll try not to hold

about the silly style of their follower, Vanilla Ice,

band Sneaker Pimps got inspiration for their

that against them. Still, the mainstream music

who could never be taken seriously like the

name. Either by songs, political statements or

scene is packed with unnoticed Beastie Boys

Beastie Boys were

even films, the Beastie Boys reach the masses

references. Hip Hop, rap, pop, techno, punk,

The release of their first album, License to

with different points of views of how the music

mixed and matched in a poor combination of

Ill, became the fastest selling rap album of

industry should work. They are, above all,

the band’s sound scattered by lazy producers

the 80’s and the first ever to get to #1 on the

music lovers and that’s what sets them apart

and over-produced bands with little to say.

Billboard album chart. In a time where MTV

from the common band. We know every band

Fortunately the rare exceptions do exist and

was as huge as porn for teenagers, the first

loves music to some extent but it takes a real

we can also thank the trio for the inventive

single from the record, (You Gotta) Fight For

listener (and a spark of genius) to transform

rock sound of Beck, the psychedelic echo of

Your Right (To Party!), would become the music

what you absorb into something new. They

Daft Punk or more blatantly, the comedic trio

channel’s anthem and Beastie Boys were now

didn’t follow trends, they set them.

The Lonely Island. We go as far as to say that

top of the charts didn’t come easy. And soon

big enough to get away with their revolutionary

even Rage Against The Machine were clearly

violent lyrics about drugs, guns, alcohol abuse

By mid the nineties the Beasty Boys cultural

listening to some Beastie Boys at the start of

and empty sex. Surprisingly, the first popular

influence had spanned as far as to create a

their career.

act to openly sing about such themes.

whole new music genre known today as nu metal which was made famous by bands

Nowadays, it’s almost criminal to put the

By the time the second album was released,

like Limp Bizkit, Korn or Kid Rock. Even

Beastie Boys in one box. They transcended

in 1989, few could predict how the band’s

though the band [inspired, created, which

the rap act genre and earned themselves a

Paul’s Boutique would set the tone for nineties

ever you like] this genre of music, the reject

category of their own. Internet may have killed

psychedelic pop. And despite its modest

being associated with it as stated in their 1999

MTV, but it didn’t kill its video stars. And Hot

success, the experience of collaboration with

single ‘Alive’: “Created a monster with these

Sauce Committee Part 2 just comes to prove

the Dust Brothers would make them leaders

rhymes I write, goatee metal rape please say

that 20 years later the Beastie Boys still claim

on the art of sampling, ultimately proving that

goodnight.” Luckily or not, nu metal faded while

their right to party like no one else.

there was no new ground the band couldn’t

The Beastie Boys were only getting started. Ill

break. Could you even imagine a world where

Communication and Hello Nasty would take

contemporary R&B, rap and hip-hop didn’t

the last decade of the twentieth century by

use samples on most of their songs? Eminem

storm with massive hits like Pass the Mic and

By Ricardo Pereira

Beat Makers

What is your first thought when I mention beat maker?

Someone who sits in their bedroom getting intoxicated on a conjunction of weed and sushi, someone who respects music for what it is or someone who feels the need to deconstruct tracks into something else, in fact the beat maker has many identities; there is no need for labelling as everyone is entitled and able to do it. The thing I love most about it is though... there are no limitations; you as the conjurer

are able to piece together a delicacy from a sample that has been lost for years or is fresh from release.

So when did beat making start up? There is no answer, beat making could be a clap, a vocal or an instrumental, it transpires through history to the earliest of musicians, but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the elements of how a beat is done today.

In the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, individuals like Kurt Blow and Afrika Bambaataa pioneered the notion. Kurtis

Blow’s ‘‘If I Ruled the World’’ used the first sample loop; it was from a record by the Trouble Funk called ‘‘Pump Me Up’’. With the help of hip hop producers, J.B Moore and Robert Ford, he was able to slice it into a continuous loop which repeated through different sectors of the song. The 80’s on a whole, mothered many beat-making contraptions, the Fairlight CMI, a digital sampler released in 1979 continued to be one of the main parts of any studio set up within the decade. Another is the Roland TR808 which was used heavily by Bambaataa. His album “Planet Rock” was unlike any other before it, it didn’t contain samples, it contained instrumentals. ‘‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’’ is a great example of this and shows how the use of vocal and synth can harmonise each other through a 4 by 4 beat sequence. noted for pioneering techno. All of these I

something we did not think could be achieved.

speak of from your Blow’s to your Bambaataa’s

When the 90’s rolled in, beat-making became

are the nitty-gritty to beat making. I say nitty-

concentrated in hop-hop and also the rate of

gritty because they are some of the first, they

samples being used in tracks multiplied. Your

created something that embellishes samples

basic structure would be the sample and then

from their production into something alot more

a drum machine that would divide it through

retrospective. Alot of people will find a track

breaks. The one thing that is almost visible

memorable due to a rhyme in lines or how a

in any 90’s hip hop track is an intro which

bass, guitar, synth or drum can keep it locked

is usually 1 to 8 bars. This is a portal to the

Juan Atkins was another who experimented

in a small department in the back of our minds.

listener ears, I know I do and probably alot

through futuristic motherboards and

With Beat-making, a producer will find this

of others will determine the rest of the song

sequencers. His track ‘‘Cybrotron Clear’’ is

part that makes us remember it and turn it into

due to the quality of its start. Take Pete Rock

Your basic structure would be a sample and then the drum machine

on the feeling of desperation, self-denial and

many artists made tributes, many still wear t-shirts saying ‘‘J Dilla Changed My Life’’

pain bought on by love. He wanted the track

For Starters, J Dilla made an angelic difference

to be in shadow with his emotions on his loss

to the hip hop scene, especially in America in

& CL Smooth’s ‘‘They Reminisce Over You’’,

and it worked incredibly. I find that many in

the intro is a minimalistic soul sample which

the 90’s focused upon subjects that related

features a strumming guitar and a drum line

to society, cultural discrimination and one’s

that amplifies every bar. This in itself just shows

thought on relationships and life ambitions,

how an intro can intricate the theme, ‘‘They

these days that innovation has changed.

Reminisce Over You’’ was a track dedicated

But there was someone that made the 90’s

to TROY better known out of Heavy D & the

definable in beat making, it was a dude known

Boyz. Pete Rock sampled a Tom Scott cover of

to his artists and fans as J Dilla, but what made

Jefferson’s Airplane Today. This song focuses

him so special?

the heart of Detroit. Having produced albums

record over. He was very humble about his

to some of the biggest names in the game, J

work. Take the Slum Village’s ‘‘I Don’t Know’’,

Dilla progressively became more and more

it flips the James Brown vocals from ‘‘Make It

dominant and it wasn’t until I heard his solo

Funky’’. Just by hearing it, you can tell J Dilla

material, I found how much skill and creativity

spent time perfecting when the sample would

a human being of his stance could possess.

enter during the lyrics.

heartedly say that his 2006 instrumental album

J Dilla unfortunately passed away on 10

‘‘Donuts’’ was the perfect showcase for his

February 2006, just 3 days after his 32nd

Thanks to guys like Flying Lotus, I felt it possible to make my own music.’’

talent. Every song on this album is crafted to

birthday and the release of his final album

From this, I decided to speak to someone who

the point, the samples, the instrumentals and

‘‘Donuts’’. However upon his death, his legacy

creates beats on a regular basis. He goes

authentic scratches emulated to what I like to

continues, many artists made tributes, many

by the name of Handbook. Handbook has

call salvation through music.

wear t-shirts saying ‘‘J Dilla Changed My Life’’,

been someone who I’ve known for a couple of

a foundation was made in his name that will

months but during that period it feels like I’ve

J Dilla would search through the most

help to cure children affected by lupus and

known him for years due to the supremacy of

transcendent of record stores in order to find

a number of projects developed that aim to

his music making. Handbook originates from

that perfect sample. He didn’t just crack it in

source the future generations of aspiring beat

the ever-so-lovely York and creates his sounds

two and give it away to some languid mc to

makers and producers.

through a home studio. I asked Handbook

For any fellow J Dilla fan out there I can whole-

one simple question ‘‘why did you start beat

finally felt as though I was making something

actors and actresses of the past and gives

making?’’ and this was his explanation.

worthwhile. Thanks to guys like Flying Lotus, I

life to their traits through slick cuts, slices and

‘‘Beat makers such as J Dilla and Flying Lotus

felt it possible to make my own music.’’

dices. One key element that has been made

J Dilla and Flying Lotus paved the way for a new generation

apparent through alot of his work is the way he

paved the way for a new generation of people who wanted to get involved in making their own music. After I discovered these guys a couple of years ago, the desire to make music of my own really took a grip of me and I had to work out how I was going to start producing my own music. I bought an MPC1000 from a friend and that was it. Sampling, making beats and constructing my own pieces of music, I loved

handles percussion. It isn’t too noticeable yet it manages to intensify the uncooked flavours of the sample involved. Handbook has done greater glory on this one and when listening to it, you can begin to visage a 1950’s Hollywood with blue skies and bustling film studios.

To hear celebriteeth, check out handbook’s

it. I felt liberated and found myself devoting

Handbook has just released an album called

bandcamp:

hours and hours of my life to making music that

‘‘Celebriteeth’’ and to anyone who is already

handbook.bandcamp.com

I wanted to hear, but felt wasn’t being made

familiar with his work, you know it’s his best by

or more closer to the point, not in the volumes

far; he just grows and improves every time he

that I wanted to hear it. I spent most of summer

produces something new. With this album in

2010 making a couple of tracks a day and it

particular, Handbook focuses upon the iconic

beats, so i went by the name kin jazama (play of the name jin kazama from tekken) for a while, and then shogun. the name negrosaki is open to many interpretations, but i mainly chose it because it sounds cool, and it’s a play of “nagasaki” in japan.”

A big inspiration of mine is Roy Ayers. His use of synth is masterful. Beat maker Marcell James who goes under

As a child, i was exposed to r&b (from the 70s

the name of Negrosaki is continuously pulling

to the 90s era), new jack swing, gospel, hip

out interesting and innovative projects; Marcus

hop (late 80s to early 90s), and even video

Kuzvinwa, one of our fellow seven shades of

game soundtracks that i would listen to after

Since i was at least 7, i’ve always had some

black writers explores deeper into his sound,

i played each game. i was most influenced

kinda desire to create music. i would copy

his influences and future.

by 90s r&b, and it’s reflected in much of my

songs on the piano by ear. i officially started

own music today.”

making beats in 2007. one day i started messing around in fl studio 4, and had so

Negrosaki. as a child which music were you exposed to and would you say this has

How did you actually start making music?

How did you come up with your name?

much fun that i made multiple songs for the heck of it. after showing people the beats and

influenced your music and the way you create it? I went through a bunch of aliases before i got

seeing their positive reactions, i decided to

to negrosaki. i used to rhyme before i made

keep going with it.

the music, not the equipment.

yes indeed. a big inspiration of mine is roy

I wanted folks to know that I’m more than just a remixer who can sample

ayers. his use of synth is masterful. i noticed

cook up your beats? also why do you use these

Looking at your earlier compilations with

I wanted folks to know that i’m more than just

in particular?

‘’negrosaki remixes the 90’s’’ and ‘’negrosaki

a ‘remixer’ who can sample. i have my own

readjustment’’ which both incorporate many

sound too. that being said, i wanted folks to

Fl studio 9. i’m used to how fl studio is

different styles, but your latest ‘’negrosaki from

hear how my music would sound if it was in a

organized, and so much can be done with it,

scratch’’ track seems to strut into more of the

video game of some sort. i recently graduated

more than many people realize. many people

funk realm, is this a genre you delve alot into

college and my major was game art & design.

don’t know what i use, even after hearing like

for inspiration?

in many video game projects that i’ve worked

In terms of your sound, how would you describe it and what genre would you put it in?

It is kind of difficult for me to describe, but if i had to put it in a genre, i’d put it in the “neck breakery” genre. it’s a mix of r&b, hip hop, video games, and some occasional glitches.

What are your favourite tools that you use to

how many producers on soundcloud have incorporated a style of funk too, and it really made me want to try it myself.

In your newest relese negrosaki from scratch, tell us about how you wanted it to sound?

10 of my beats. that just goes to show fl studio

on in school, i was the official go-to guy for

haters out there that it’s the producer that makes

music.

In your short bump videos, we noticed that you

mean, yeah, i’m part of music groups like kc.93

use an array of videos to accompanny your

records, but that’s still developing. That’s an extremely tough one. but i’ll probably

songs. we’d also like to ask how you came up with your callout, ‘negrosaki’?

Last of all, favourite record of all time?

It seems that artists have certain integral pieces

have to go with “i can’t help it” by michael

that act as a catalyst to their creative proccess,

jackson.

I came up with it in late 2007. i’ve always

for example erykah badu and flying lotus with

liked to let folks know whenever they heard

their jewelery. do you have one?

something that was mine. i felt it was a nice

Wish you all the best for the future and thank you for your time

touch. though recently, my tagging techniques

Hmmm... nothing like that comes to mind for

have changed a bit, and are less robotic and

me. all i have is my mind.

thanks a bunch for interviewing me.

By Daniel Lee Harvey

distracting. If you could collaborate with any three visual,

Interview written by Marcus Kuzvinzwa

We’ve noticed that your’e not currently on a

musical or any other type artists from the past

Contribution bu Jake Brown

record label. whats is your reason for this?

or present who would they be?

Marcell James / Negrosaki soundcloud.com/negrosaki

Ever since starting college, my main focus

I’d love to collaborate with madlib, pharrell

was just school and expressing myself. i never

williams, or roy ayers.

gave joining a record label much thought. I

INTERPLANETARY MUSIC

Now in the 2000â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, beat making has turned a corner and has become more in tune with space, there are so many mimics within the industry who do it for all the wrong reasons but in order to be a true beat maker, you have to be able to hear what other people cannot hear within them. They are the inner-voice and as the inner-voice, they have to communicate to others what they are distinguishing off the sample they find.

Flying Lotus will have to be one of the key contributors to this style. His albums, solo works and collaborations all have a unique

style to them. I call it future music. It just

The cuffs on our arm represent freedom and

cannot be labelled; there are so many different

most of the clothing she wears contains traces

approaches that it is almost offensive to label it

of sentimental history. She sews it all together

as a genre. He draws on a wide-range musical

into a character and changes it per project

palette and learns to focus it into a muse of

she is involved in.

low bass-lines and distortion.

Commercialised producers follow trends and will seek an opportunity

Others like Erykah Badu channel this future thesis through their appearance. The jewellery, the tattoos and the clothing pieces all seem to dock a specific message. At her latest festival appearance, Erykah was fashioning an Indian black saree and several tribal tattoos along with her usual line up of rings. Erykah is a massive believer on how humans are

There are so many artists I can label and

continuously evolving and I think this is the

say beautiful words about but the point I am

way she expresses it. Her ankh ring is a piece

trying to put across is that something different

of Egyptian symbolism which means new life.

is happening and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a movement we will be

lucky enough to see. Beat making has made

create something that is opposing others?

This is simply the music people will be playing

some dramatic changes and through time,

We all sit and question, why are the charts

in their spacecraft in the year 3015.

producers have advanced their senses. With

continuously sprawling the same sort of

people like Negrosaki and Handbook, they

material? It’s because they know its successful,

are both from normal backgrounds; they both

commercial producers follow trends and will

make it from home and both do it because

seek an opportunity if it means they can get

they enjoy it. It isn’t about the equipment but

large sums of money out of it.

the person behind it. With underground genres like trip hop, they We can all focus on receiving samples but do

earn to seek the help of the internet. There

we all have the ear and the ability to pick up

are so many different forums and projects

a piece of a equipment to create something

that people are free to collaborate in and

that is innovative and unique?

it’s a massive boost to promoting upcoming producers as well. Trip hop is massive in the

No, it’s all depends on yourself; you cannot

U.S but in the U.K, the genre has the slightest

seek the help of others but yet yourself. It’s

of being seen. It’s formulates around the inner

the same with any genre of music out there,

circles of the underground but won’t brace the

what is the point of emulating when you can

service until the next couple of millenniums.

By Daniel Lee Harvey

SebastiAn - Total

adies and Gentlemen! I give you

There are certain tracks on the album which

When I read this, I could not help but agree

Total, Sebastian’s latest album. An

sound far too good not be listened to without

with him especially when I heard ‘Love in

eargasmic mix of heavy bass and

getting up and dancing around you’re bedroom.

Motion (ft Mayer Hawthorn)’ because the vocals

mellow tunes to keep the listener

Tracks such as ‘Embody’ mark a turning point

sound exactly like Prince and his style but with

satisfied from beginning to end.

for Sebastian. Pedro Winter (Busy P & Owner

Sebastian’s dark twist.

of Ed Banger Records) stated the following; I am sitting in my garden with my headphones

I have been a big fan of Ed Banger for

on full volume listening to this melodic

about 3 years now and every time I hear a

masterpiece and for the first time in my life I am in awe at how brilliant this album is. It has been a three year wait for die hard Sebastian fans and I can assure you that this album will not disappoint. The contrast between smooth electronic funk in tracks such as ‘Love in Motion’ and the fantastic ‘Embody’ and the punk-rock rage of ‘Total’ is something only Sebastian can pull off with his trademark style. It seems as though he has been preparing for this album through out his career with the appearance of a small number of his earlier work making it into this album and fitting in so well that i feel like its the first time I have heard the tracks.

“When I heard “Embody” for the first time I imagined Prince and Sebastian in Paris, sharing a glass of wine in a smoky basement”

live DJ set from Busy P or Justice, I pick up on a track I have never heard before, i used to search the hundreds of electronic music blogs for hours at a time with no mention Of these unknown songs until I heard this album, they are all here! Ed Banger say that they are like a big family made up of close friends and the artists on the label, so it is no surprise that a few of these tracks end up finding their way into a set only to blow the crowd away without realising they just heard a future classic in the electronic world. Which leads me to believe that this album will be an all-time great with electronic music fans around the world for many years to come.

remix. I highly recommend you have a listen to

think sebastian wants people to associate a

the already stolen sound in my opinion. Some

this particular Remix if you are yet to experience

sound with something that people don’t like,

people say that this is killing the electronic

it. Sebastian has been said by Busy-P (Pedro

only a dark and twisted genius can pull this

music that we know and are passionate about,

Winter) to have created the “Ed Banger sound”,

off without sounding like they tried to hard.

I also believe that pop bands would have

the sound we are so familiar with. I believe that

finished off an already wounded genre if it

the ‘Ross Ross Ross - Single’ started this so

Since 2007, electronic music started

wasn’t for this album and a helping hand with

call sound, the dark twist of hard drum beats

to become unpopular with all the current

Justice’s ‘Civilization’. After listening to this

and little samples randomly dropped in. He

pop artists copying the style of the original

album, i hope it spurs on other artists to get

carries on this trademark sound today in tracks

electronic artists that started a sound that

back into the studio to secure the future of this

like ‘Total’, albeit very slightly, there samples

would be loved for many years to come. Artists

genre once again.

put in that remind me off someone dragging

such as ‘LMFAO’ and ‘Lady Gaga’ have started

their finger nails down a chalk board and i

to produce tracks with a very french twist on

By James Worsfold

CULT CLASSICS

’m sure we’ve all seen Boyle’s cult classic

simply something that happens and something

Trainspotting and felt the same feelings of

that we understand as an audience. Whatever

discomfort and anguish as we’re submerged

it is that makes something a classic transcends

into the dark and murky depths of life as a

from the screen and impacts us leaving a

junkie. As we watch the relatively mundane

lasting impression and feelings of uneasiness

action unfold through the eyes of Renton we

far beyond the final scene.

experience the struggles and turmoil of leading

The individual against the group

a life of addiction, fuelled by the constant strive to reach that alluring next hit. But how can a film of such depravity contaminate us so much that we herald it on that mysterious cult classic pedestal?

Cult classics seem to reek of anarchy and we seek pleasure in temporarily suspending

When we watch a cult classic we know it and

our normal lives as we are submerged into

feel it, but how? We have a perception of what

the narrative. There’s often that element of

we understand ‘cult’ to be, but there doesn’t

non-conformity which challenges the way we

seem to be any rules. There are no set motifs or

perceive the world. For the most part we plod

paradigms that a director can work towards; it’s

along living within the constrictions of society

but for some brief moments when watching a

edge before succumbing to the dark realms

beyond the mere narrative. Cult narratives are

cult classic we can broaden our horizons and

of the forbidden. This struggle between the

thus, to a certain extent, social commentaries

experience a different way of life. Cult narratives

chaste and the lewd is presented ironically

which transport the reader or viewer to a

provide us with illicit and taboo content which

aesthetically beautiful in films like Trainspotting

particular place or time through references

we would normally not consider and presents

despite the typically undesirable, harsh and

to iconic factors of their contextual environment

them ‘disguised’ in the medium of film. Without

ugly subject matter of the narrative.

which may include geographical landmarks,

We challenge society and break laws.

musical references or trends and fashions. Cult

us realising it we are submerged into filthy surroundings of drug addicts, criminals and underdogs. They are provided as the only protagonists and for this reason we watch with awe. We find ourselves watching for all the wrong reasons following the gritty twists and turns of an underworld which we realise isn’t ever far from us.

narratives present these aspects aesthetically, forcing the immersion of the viewer so that they too can share and experience the moral troubles and social climate of the protagonists.

The irrationality of cult fiction identifies it as Cult celebrates the now and cult classics

being in opposition to conventional rational or

eternalise the notion of the now lived irrationally

‘normal’ society. It is abundantly clear then that

There is a constant struggle between good

and to excess. The cementation of narrative

cult represents a form of counterculture, one

and evil, the respectable and the unrespectable

in a particular time period creates an air of

that errs away from the norms of acceptability

and we seek great pleasure in teetering on the

poignancy, resulting in effects that linger far

challenging the strict social structures of its

environment. Cult is and always will be the

When we watch a cult classic we momentarily

psychological against the social - the individual

become the “bad-ass”. We challenge society

against the group, the personal against the

and break laws. For the fleeting moments that

general. The protagonist is our leader and

we are watching a cult classic we are the guys

through them we are able to challenge similar

on motorbikes corrupting girls and scaring

social suffocation and escape into a momentary

towns, we are drug addicts and criminals

world of rebellion.

fighting against “the man,” we are underdog vigilantes we are counterculture and we love

The majority of viewers will live a life of

it. We love it because for a while we can rebel

conformity, going through life within the

and challenge our own constructs and we

restrictions of law and social acceptability.

love it more as afterwards we realise that our

Cult bombards us with the illicit and the illegal

lives of social acceptability aren’t so bad at all.

invading our contrasting serenity. We relish in this temporary juxtaposition and welcome it into our mundane lives.

By Andrew Hollingworth

R U B B E R

“In the Steven Spielberg movie, E.T. why is the alien brown? No Reason…”

ather up your family. Find yourself some shelter. Do not... I repeat, DO NOT answer the door to anybody! Good

people of the world, Bin Laden might have been killed but the world is still not a safe place. Something is still out there that has the power to kill, maybe something worse... in fact! Yes! Ladies and Gentlemen we face a new threat by the name of Rob. Rob the tyre.... Wait, what!?

Yeah OK, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause alarm and bring the world to a stand still but I needed your attention (and hey, why the hell not edit this review last second and exploit Osama’s death?) because quite frankly, this is one of the best films I have seen this year. The film of course is Quentin Dupieux’s Rubber. A lot of well deserved hype was made prior to this film’s release and being one of the people who knew from the early days of pre production, I feel like I have been on a journey

with this film. Yeah I’ll stop rambling and get

shoot some really interesting and genuinely

with Quentin’s films or his music under the

straight on with it!

beautiful shots. Quentin’s eye for a good angle

name of Mr. Oizo you know already what to

Just the way the tyre moved amazed me ... in fact it still does

is something I haven’t seen before. As far as

expect. Obscure comes to mind... in fact a

tyres go... this is the best looking tyre I have

word more severe than that... can’t think of

ever seen! The Californian desert itself looks

it though! There are a lot funny lines that will

amazing, especially combined with the use

even take the hardest Oizo fan by surprise

of lighting. Cinematography is picture perfect

including an amazing little speech right at the

(is that a pun?) all the way through this film.

start of the film.

Aside from looking original, the plot and the dialogue are just as interesting. The story

Their beards could take over the world

I’m not going to bore you with a scene by

takes me back to films from the Grindhouse

secen review of this film. In fact this is less of a

era. This is the best exploitation film that wasn’t

review and more of a promotion for this amazing

made in the 70’s. All you need to know is that

Let’s talk more about the tyre and the special

little flick. Right off the bat, this is one of the

Rob is a tyre and he kills a lot of people...

effects. One of the many things that surprised

best looking films I have seen for a while. The

And a couple of animals. The body count is

me was how well effects are. Just the way the

film is shot (from what I have researched) on

pretty, pretty, pretty high in this film. The police

tyre moved amazed me... in fact it still does.

a Canon 5D. There is so much detail in every

are trying to stop him. Will they? Won’t they?

You don’t see any string (yeah, real technical

shot. The tread on the trye, the single strands

Well you have to watch for yourself won’t you

talk) or anybody pushing it... It looks awesome

of hair, the Calirfornian desert... this is just a

sonny Jim!? So yeah, that’s all you need to

and moves as if it is alive.

gorgeous looking film and makes me wonder

know story wise.

why Hollywood invests billions in developing

What also amazed me was the practical

these uber 3D cameras and such when they

One of the most overlooked things about

effects in general. Got some really nice head

can pick up a point and shooot camera and

this flick is the dialogue. If you are familiar

explosions that are a great throw back to

Scanners and Chopping Mall. Like I said, it’s good old exploitation. Overall, the effects are something to be witnessed.

In a nutshell, if you like weird films... this is for you. If you are a fan of Grindhouse films or good old exploitation... this is for you. If you

Finally I would like to talk about the cameos

like some good gore... this is for you. If you

and the soundtrack. Straight away you will

like contemporary films... this is for you and

see some actors you already know. Fans of

hey, if you like the idea of a tyre perving on a

Ed Banger will also see some familiar faces.

gorgeous French girl in the shower... there’s

The soundtrack is provided by Quentin and

something with us... I mean you.... and yeah,

the better half of Justice; Gaspard Augé.

this is for you. Just go out and watch it!

Collectively, their beards could take over the world because they’re awesome but that’s

Oh and before I forget, the film snob inside

enough of my weird little facial fetish... that

me would like to advise you to go out and try

sounded worse than I’d hoped. ANYWAY, the

to seek out the 3 disc French blu ray edition...

soundtrack. Bloody awesome and just what

ces’t super!

you would expect from Quentin and Gaspard. If you aren’t familiar with their music, shame on you.... and go check them out... Sorry.

By Peter Davis

Names and Roles?

where we could make them a reality. That is

Yana Matusovski, I am the photographer and

why we created KRUHX.

the coordinator of the shoots.

J: I feel like us just taking control of what we

Garrett Naccarato, I’m the art director and

wanted and creating a vision and having it

stylist.

come alive was reason enough to for us to

Jordan Reimer, I’m the makeup artist and stylist

want to create our own world under our name.

How did KRUHX begin? What does ‘KRUHX’ mean? Y: We had been working together at fashion and art events around the city. I think we noticed our

Y: the word kruhx or (crux), has many

mutual attitudes towards the artistic community.

definitions; it is a cross, a constellation, but

Despite Calgary having a small fashion base,

also “the critical or transitional moment”. We

everything is done by the same people, with the

are obsessed with the piece that completes

same stylists, models and photographers. And

the composition. The one thing that throws it

with the monopoly, everything ends up looking

off slightly, but inevitably make it a unique and

exactly the same and unoriginal. There was

distinct form of art. The word kruhx means that

no outlet for our vision, so I said “fuck trying

pinnacle moment of a challenge, the moment

to break in with these people! let’s do our own

where we are most creative.

thing.” We wanted to create something all our own, with our own ideas and philosophies. We’ve always had a rebellious mentality and

Tell us what you do as KRUHX?

I think that is how style is made. G: We started because we were very frustrated

Y: we create artistic, photographic spreads.

and uninspired with the fashion industry in

G: We utilize all of our talents to create thought

Calgary. We had so many ideas but no outlet

provoking editorials.

J: inspiring young kids wanting to create a

and architecture. Most of my work has a

world within their world and following their

somewhat geometric feel to it; I love sharp,

dreams and hopefully in some way challenging

clean, crisp, structured things. I’m also inspired

Y: I used to have many, but I’ve realized there

views through art

by everyday life and individual style which is

is no point to idolize someone or something,

why I look towards street style blogs as well.

your expectation of yourself becomes bias, and

J: old films, documentaries, gay culture,

your work can become boring. I like mixing

theature, pieces of music, for me it’s a mash

it up. I guess we are bias as human beings.

Y: Music, the people I see on the train, alot

up of things but I always store away in the back

G: I don’t really have any specific idols. I tend

of artists on the Internet. I wouldn’t say my

of my mind something that really caught my eye

to look up to people who are successful, happy

aesthetic is necessarily similar to theirs, but I

or made me inspired and ill start sketching or

and doing what they love.

am motivated by their passion to create.G: I

making things to start the creative juices and

J: I am inspired a lot by the typical music icons

draw the majority my inspiration from geometry

elaborate on the piece as i go.

billy idol,george michael, madonna, grace

What are you most inspired by?

Who are your idols in life?

jones and then my other idols range from

my love for design and my love for fashion.

bloggers to actors to directors i listed off my musical idols first cause music has inspired

creating interesting pieces most of which will all be hand done and hours of time have been

What are you currently working on?

put into them!

Y: We just finished up our campaign in

Sounds fun! Tell us what do you do outside

collaboration with the Fabricated show, and

of KRUHX?

alot of my ideas for our photoshoots.

7 shades of black love ‘Form’, tell us all about it

now we are moving onto a new creative shoot. G: Well...because I’m inspired so much by

G: Right now we have a few shoots on our

Y: Rock n Roll.

geometry I wanted to shoot an editorial based

brain and we’re going to be shooting another

G: Work just like everybody else.

solely around geometric structural shapes and

one real soon.

J: i always wonder if people expect us to say

having a background in graphic design I found

J: the next shoot is going to be amazing

something glamorous but truth be told we

it to be the perfect opportunity to combine both

because its going back to our roots and

are honest people who do the same things

working our way to the top, getting my coffee

personally love to work for a publication. Who

black, going to the magazine store, going to

knows, I can’t even think about 6 months

To finish tell the readers of 7 Shades of Black

work then coming home and looking forward

down the line.

one fact that no-one knows about you

to hot summer weather, which will mean better

G: I see KRUHX becoming a creative agency

weather to shoot in.

where we work on various fashion related

Y: ....

campaigns and projects. Eventually I’d like

G: I love playing video games. I’m a closet

Besides “rock n rolling” Where do you all see

to work for a fashion retailer where I’d assist

gamer haha.

yourselves in ten years time?#

with the marketing and buying aspects.

J: when i was 9, jawbreaker among other

Alternatively, I’d love to work for a publication

movies got me really interested in fashion.

Y: I would love to see KRUHX take on new

as a Creative or Art Director of shoots.

projects within the fashion community. Fashion

J: The one question everyone asks in interviews

By Roman Dennis

shows, maybe creative direction in films. I’d

and the one i will never have an answer to.

kruhx.com

The Art of Fashion

he art and beauty of fashion extends further than the simple colour and style of a garment; a basic knowledge of draping does not a designer make;

and the “do these make my rear look like the Himalayas?” moments should not be the fruit of a designer’s labor. A keen perspective, however, and the knowledge that art, like fashion, is wearable are paramount in creating unique works of art meant for the human form. While the use of geometric shapes in clothing is not a new concept, designers are finding new

Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake is

and creative ways to extend their knowledge of

at the forefront of such artistic expressionism.

fashion from a simple silhouette, to the larger

One of his newest ventures, 132 5. Issey

than life haute couture pieces that are not only

Miyake, is a clothing line made from various

avant garde and daring but beautiful in their

recycled materials. While this might be a

architecture as well.

difficult concept to grasp (try to follow me on this though), Miyake’s creations are meant to be two-dimensional pieces with various cuts and shapes embedded into them. The two-dimensional pieces, which look like nothing more than intricately tailored table mats, can then be pulled upward and into 3D form to create dresses, jackets etc. These unsuspecting pieces are perhaps most striking in their geometric fortitude and their ability to unfold into wearable pieces.

While the mainstays of ready to wear seem to be translatability for the masses, the structured and often abstract pieces are the ones that grab and hold our attention. Like sculpted art we watch, mesmerized, as models barrel down the runway in pieces that jauntily flare at the hip and point at the shoulders. Often times complimented by blunt haircuts and makeup straight out of Zenon the Zequal, for a moment these designers allow us to explore the boundaries of fashion and art in the 21st century. London based designer Louise Goldin’s F/W 2010 line, for example, is full to the brim with pieces that are both futuristic in their detailing but authentic to the human form in their padded nature. Both Oblong and dimensional shapes flare from top and bottom ends of the Goldin’s pieces creating interesting silhouettes while forcing us to find the beauty in the shape of them.

obtuse, and equilateral nature, many of the

be to impress and to push the boundaries of

pieces are set to colours like white, black, and

imagination, fashion is also meant to be worn

Similarly, Russian born designer, Irina

gold, giving a futuristic quality to the crafted

and enjoyed. Many designers are now learning

Shaposnikova is creating pieces that both

pieces. The line’s biggest strength however,

to present their pieces in such a way as not

intrigue the mind and appease the eye. The

is its practicality and the wearability.

to become lost in translation. Less obvious,

designer’s 2009 debut line ‘Crystallographica’

however, is the convention and beauty in these

presents memorable pieces that resemble

The biggest challenge for consumers and

pieces but more apparent, and some would

crystalline ice structures more than they do

designers alike is getting past the barriers of

say more important, are the attention to style

garments. Constructed like glass houses,

the impracticalities in geometric based fashion.

and architecture that comes from artists who

Shaposnikova’s works are glowing and ethereal

While they’re intriguing to look at and fun to

dare to forgo tradition.

in their texture and material but meticulous in

discuss, many pieces can, at times, come off

their build. Made up of triangles of the acute,

a bit costume -y. While a major goal should

By Nneka Idika

Self Simulation

have no idea what I look like. Seriously. Walk

I don’t know anyone else that retouches his

over to a mirror right now, and what do you

or her images as much as I do, and I’m not

see? Eyes? Cheeks? Lips? If I walk over to

just talking about landscapes and kittens; I’m

a mirror right now, this is what I will see: A

talking about portraits.

little burn tool at half opacity under my cheek bones would really define them, and my eyes

Enhancing one’s appearance in media

are looking dull, so some dodge tool would be

dates back far before our friend Photoshop

great. Jesus when did my cheeks get so puffy?

was born. One of the most famous examples

Some liquefy tool will correct that. Anyone

is an 1814 painting by Jean-Auguste Ingres

out there familiar with Adobe Photoshop will

called La Grande Odalisque. This stunning oil

recognise these tools. The problem is, I can

painting of a nude woman reclining with her

see them at work in my mind on my reflection,

back to the viewer was done at the hey-day of

not just on a computer screen.

photorealistic paintings, towards the end of the neoclassical era. As your eyes take in the figure

Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be some

of the woman you can tell something is off; your

long-winded dissertation of some personal

eyes do not deceive you. Ingres chose to add

issue of poor self-esteem or a body dysmorphic

five extra vertebrae in her spine. Art historians

disorder. This is going to be the story of digital

have come up with numerous theories as to

retouching and how it affects millions of people

why he did this, but the point is he chose to

around the world, including myself.

depict this beauty in an inhuman way.

First of all, I do not condemn the practice

Fast-forward 197 years and let us examine

of enhancing images in the digital darkroom.

how this false depiction of people, particularly

It would be hypocrisy at it’s finest if I did, since

“beautiful people” affects us. Although it’s no

secret that virtually every single image of your

the grass and plants around their waists and

my own to “improve” myself and I find myself

favourite celebrity has been doctored to erase

legs is warped. Although I wasn’t surprised that

thinking, “I looked so good then!” when in

their fine lines, blemishes, and unsightly fat,

the girls were retouched to look thinner, I was

reality I never looked like my simulated self.

many of us still forget. We see these images

shocked that such obviously sloppy editing

and long to look as flawless, and when we

made it into a popular magazine.

see ourselves in the mirror disappointment and anger creep into our minds and cloud

“To simulate is to feign what one doesn’t have”, straight forward words written by

Of course, aside from glaringly visible

Jean Baudrillard in his book Simulacra

Trust me, you will be fighting a losing battle.

and Simulation. It is an immensely difficult

acceptable place to purchase these mind

edits, there are the more masterful and hidden

his text, but what I was able to draw out of his

numbing publications) and was dumbstruck

ones that our eyes accept as photographic

cynicism was some new insight on images as

by what I found inside. There was an article

truth. The gaunt cheeks, concave stomachs,

signs. Let’s say this was a perfect world, and a

about the Kardashian sisters rejoicing about

and mile-wide gaps between thighs. None

picture taken of you fell into the image phase he

their wonderful new slim and fit bodies. They

of this is possible. This brings me back to

describes as, “it is the reflection of a profound

credited their new physiques to a product

what I said earlier: I have no idea what I look

reality,” or in fewer words: what you see is

called QuickTrim. To the more observant

like. Browsing through my Facebook or Flickr

exactly what exists. With digital retouching in

individual it was painfully obvious that their

pictures of myself does not show me what I

the mix, the image falls under the more ominous

“new bodies” were the work of our friend the

looked like at the time the photo was taken. That

phase of, “it has no relation to any reality

liquefy tool in Photoshop. Kim and Khloé are

being the case, I look upon these images that

whatsoever.” This needs no translation; his

standing in front of a backdrop of foliage, and

I consciously and deliberately retouched on

message is clear. René Magritte had a similar

our vision.

Advertisers know this, and they take advantage of the untrained consumer eye. I think it was a year or two ago that I purchased a gossip magazine at the airport (the only

read, nothing I would ever recommend, but Baudrillard makes some points that are relevant to my topic.

I apologise in advance if I have misinterpreted

idea in his famous painting The Treachery of

programmed into my mind’s eye, just

Images (Ceci N’est Pas Une Pipe). The painting

remember to never trust your own eyes when

isn’t really a pipe; it’s a painting. Likewise, our

it comes to captured images. There is no

brains should remember that the images we

more photographic truth, so don’t go beating

see in media all around us aren’t what they

yourself up if you never measure up to what

depict; they are just images, and most likely

artificial beauty is laid before you. Trust me,

they fall into Baudrillard’s category of an image

you will be fighting a losing battle.

that has nothing to do with reality.

If you take nothing away from this article, besides a headache and the notion that I’m psychotic for having auto-Photoshop

Rachelle Sabourin

Photographer - Rachelle Sabourin Hair/makeup - Rachelle Sabourin Models - Laura Malden, Rachelle Sabourin Camera - Nikon fg mslr flickr.com/photos/intrachelle

Courtney Boydston

Photographer - Courtney Boydston Hair/makeup - Courtney Boydston Models - Courtney Boydston, Curtis Beavers Camera - Canon 50D flickr.com/photos/kortini

Image in music that errs away from the norms of acceptability challenging the strict social structures of its Yes they all have a need to convey their ideas and concepts visually but they can also easily fall victim to it. Glance over your shoulder to the 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and notice the difference between the styling of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. ause for a second and consider what exactly made

Once Parlophone had twigged the potential

you interested in this article.

within the group, The Beatles had their early

The painfully cool font that

Rocker look binned and were thrown into

plasters these pages? Or

sharp suits. They now looked smart and

something really strange,

wholesome, and consequently were loved

the quality of journalism?

by all demographics of society from, little Lucy right up to Great Aunt Vera. Jagger and

From the local Supermarket to Ebay, art to

his mob were almost opposite, their early

music, the images and pictures you see sway

sharper image progressed into a selection of

your judgement as to whether you should take

louche Technicolor attire with influences from

a deeper interest. You are just one consumer

Asia that conveyed a mantra of indulgence

in a sea of billions. How important then do

and excess. A group that were loved by the

you think presentation and image are in the business of music? Bands are often victims of their own image based prisons, be it The Beatles and The Rolling Stones or Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.

environment. Cult is and always will be the psychological against the social - the individual against the group, the personal against the general. The protagonist is our leader and through them we are able to challenge similar social suffocation and escape into a momentary world of rebellion.

The majority of viewers will live a life of conformity, going through life within the restrictions of law and social acceptability. Cult bombards us with the illicit and the illegal invading our contrasting serenity. We relish in this temporary juxtaposition and welcome it into our mundane lives.

rocky ravine to continue its ailing existence. On occasion a band that breaks rapidly manages to maintain the quality and quantity of its acts that get by with a decent sprinkling of sex

creative output; Arctic Monkeys for example

throughout their work, tracks like “S&M” or “I

continually manage to keep the time between

Kissed a Girl” are proof of how sexing up sells

albums down to two years. Even when looking

instantly. And then you have those that are just

into the spectrum of music that would be

rebel within most teenagers of the day and

bizarre, artists like Lady Gaga who produce

considered independent from the charts, you

not trusted by their parents. Nowadays this

synthed up pieces of pop music that are woven

encounter a similar issue of fashion and fads.

powerful combination of style and image is

into an alternate reality. She and the team

Bands that are born out of fast burning music

arguably even more important than the music

behind her have wielded the notion of style and

scenes tend to be the victims of fashion, tossed

itself, building an entire world for the act to

image creating a persona so powerful it almost

a new genre, over hyped for a few weeks and

exist within or destroying their chances before

renders her music irrelevant. This is nothing

then kicked out to recycling banks at the local

a single note resonates. Styling alone has the

original either, even when analysed casually

Morrisons, ready to be turned into next months

ability to break a burgeoning career as easily

you can see Lady Gaga for the repackaged

“Best Band Eva!!!”

as snuffing out a candle.

Madonna product she really is, a definitive exhibit of the force of style in the music industry.

With manufactured pop acts ruling the

However, is this just the limping beast that

airwaves again, image has helped to forge the

is pop music? Each new band or artist is just

career of people such as Rhianna, Katy Perry,

a concept that has its brief sprint across the

Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. This ranges

golden plain before tripping and falling down a

from those considered saccharine sweet and oh-so innocent like Bieber, with his fan-base of addicted fangirls and skin crawling middle aged women. Then we have the more risqué

The Horrors were dismissed as manufactured

product clad in black skinny jeans, black winkle-pickers, black barnets and black waistcoats. Their strong styling caused them to be considered as a brief flash in the pan that would boost the sales of monochrome clothing for a couple of months. Critics failed to notice the black 7” discs of vinyl clasped close to their chests, the source of an encyclopaedic knowledge of 60’s Garage and Psychedelia, New-Wave, Soul and Electronica. Such a passion for the afore-mentioned would hint that they were destined for more than the well constructed and vociferous play on snotty 60’s punk that was their debut album. Indeed, they produced a Mercury Award nominated follow up album that featured in many critics “Albums of The Year” lists. An album that had the ability to nod at those inspirations from the

past, without recycling any of it with the same ethos as mainstream pop.NME made it their number one album of the year (although they would vote an album of “Rainforest Sounds” you find in a garden centre with the same merit if it was trending on Twitter long enough.) But their skinny jeans image did little to assist their rise to credibility.

Es dd Advice to aspiring bands: Build an image and concept to live within but do not let it overshadow the creative process of your song writing. Your style is an aspect that should evolve naturally, observed more by those outside than those within the music bubble.

Advice to consumers: To be blunt, don’t purchase whatever the mannequin in Urban Outfitters is wearing and don’t cut your hair like that guy from “that new band, you know them, the cool ones, with the cool hair.” Time to consider the conclusion that will finish this article neatly with a proverbial pretty bow on top. So why did you decided to read this? The alluring pictures dotted around the page and the painfully cool font would both draw my eye. But was it worth the time, did you gleam anything at all? Or was this just another flash in the pan.

By Robert Jones

‘Didn’t they write...?” Famous Authors and Their Other Books

An author wants to be remembered for their

of four works of literature written by authors,

craft, for all their pieces of art. Nobody in

most famous for a particular novel, and my

the artistic world wants to fall into the trap

reasons as to why these are as valuable as

of being a ‘one-hit wonder.’ However, some

their well-known pieces, if not greater.

do and cannot always escape it. The author remains known for one novel and one novel only, their other books are cast aside and are neglected somewhere on a book shelf. Well I’m here to amplify those lesser-known works. To prove that these pieces are worth a read just as their hit-making ones were. Below is a list

Her Fearful Symmetry Audrey Niffenegger known for The Time Traveller’s Wife the knowledge and horror of what they had

is now a completely different person. Expect

When Elspeth Noblin dies she leaves her

done spread before him.”

to encounter a love-hate relationship with the

London flat overlooking Highgate Cemetery to

Three words: Blew. My. Mind. The fact that

characters, there will be moments when their

her twin nieces (who never knew of Elspeth’s

this novel was consumed by myself in a mere

actions will put you into a state of shock. It’s a

existence), Julia and Valentia Poole. The

four and a half hours should assure you that it

warped journey through Niffenegger’s brain and

condition being that their mother is to never

is, most definitely, of the same calibre as The

the twists are unexpected and unpredictable.

cross the threshold. The twins uproot from

Time Traveller’s Wife. Niffenegger has this

Admittedly, some of the descriptions are a

their suburban American home and hope that

amazing knack with characters. She manages

little contrived and had me cringing, but when

in London their own separate lives can finally

to get right underneath their skin, exposing

looking at the arrangement and the situation

begin but they have no idea that they have

their strengths and weaknesses so the reader

being depicted, there is little any author can

been summoned into a tangle of fraying lives.

feels like they know them. However, she tricks

do without achieving some kind of ‘cheese’

you, she pulls the rug out from underneath the

factor. A new favourite in my bookshelf, and

“Robert lay with her in the dark, in his bed, as

reader’s feet and the character you grew to love

I wholeheartedly urge you to enter into this ghost story with a difference For One More Day Mitch Albom known for The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Charley Benetto, a broken man on the brink

Mitch Albom deserves some kind of trophy

all over them. His dialogue, the exchanges

of suicide takes a midnight ride, his final

marking him as ‘an author who succeeds in

between Charley and his mother, his character

journey to his small hometown. However, as

making readers cry.’ If you enjoyed The Five

development are almost flawless. Cecelia

he staggers into his childhood home, he makes

People You Meet In Heaven, then this is most

Ahern states that ‘Albom sees the magical in

an astonishing discovery. His mother - who died

definitely the novel for you. The novel carries

the ordinary,” which really sums up what this

eight years earlier - is there, and welcomes

heavy hints of death, after-life and self worth,

novel is about. Whether or not you believe

Charley home as if nothing had ever happened.

which though not everyone’s cup of tea, very

in life after death, this novel really brings to

much appeals to your inner emotions. If you’re

the forefront the importance of now and the

“Because there was a ghost involved, you may

the kind of person who loves to throw quotes

significance of the decisions you make. With

call this a ghost story. But what family isn’t a

into day to day conversations, particularly

a more simplistic tone than The Five People

ghost story? Sharing tales of those we’ve lost

ones of depth, Albom has a whole stack of

You Meet In Heaven, don’t be surprised if you

is how we keep from really losing them.”

them piled up in here with your name written

prefer this.

By Clare L T Dunn