1
APRIL 2010
UND
Britt Middleton Founder and Editor-in-Chief Fashion and Beauty Director Cameron Hubbard Arts&Culture Editor
Alisha Torrealba Music Editor
Christian BC Music Historian Tom Vinson Contributor
Jack Cusumano Art Director
Asha Ellison Copy Chief
Business Contact: sundaemag@gmail.com www.twitter.com/sundaemag
2
APRIL 2010
TABLE OF CON TENTS p4
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR p5
GOOD VIBRATIONS p6 LEADING LADIES p8 SUNDAE’S BEST
p9
p11
SPRING FORWARD p10 HAUTE TALK BAND AID: BOUTIQUE DE BANDEAUX p12 IN BLOOM p13 CORE VALUES
p16
p14 NYC PUNK WHEN AM I GOING TO NEED TO KNOW THIS, ANYWAY? p18 EXCUSE ME, DO YOU CHATROULETTE? p20 IN MEMORIAM: COREY HAIM p21
I READ THIS AWESOME ARTICLE ABOUT THE IPAD... p22 BANGS: ORIGINAL COMIC
3
APRIL 2010
Letter from the Editor If you’re like me, you’re not the typical girly-girl. I fancy Zac Posen dresses and lust for Louboutin heels, but I would take a slouchy Descendents tee and a pair of Chucks any day. That’s why I created Sundae Magazine, a compendium for cool girls like us -- girls with a little bit of edge to balance out the sweetness. Our iPods are stocked with the latest jams, but we love classic throwbacks, too. We read Dostoevsky and The Onion. We party on school nights and do yoga on the weekends. Most importantly, we’re always excited to learn something new. Our staff is constantly searching for what’s new in music, fashion, beauty, and culture. If there’s something bubbling beneath the surface out there, we’ll find it. We believe these things should truly be accessible, so we bring it all to you without the hoity-toity jargon and extraneous noise. Pure and simple. Because it’s officially spring (and so happens to be our inaugural issue), we’re bringing you everything fresh and in bloom. We’ve got eight cool artists you should know in our Music section, and you don’t want to miss our April playlist that’s packed with enough new music to keep you satisfied until May (listen now at 8tracks.com/sundaesbest). Plus, check our complete spring fashion and beauty round-ups, including a spotlight on must-have accessories from NYC’s Boutique de Bandeaux. In honor of National Poetry Month (also in April), we’re breaking down some titles you probably yawned through in high school that you might really dig now! Sorry Cliffnotes -- you’ve been pwned. We’re so psyched about everything in this issue, and even more for what’s to come. We hope you are, too. Love and Leisure, Britt Middleton Editor-in-Chief Sundae Magazine
P.S. -- Is there something YOU love and want to share with us (and the world?) Let us know at sundaemag@gmail.com.
4
APRIL 2010
GOOD
VIBRATIONS
By: Alisha Torrealba
Gorilla z: Plast ic Beach Gorillaz have never failed to make an innovative album. Plastic Beach is no exception. Damon Albarn and company lurk behind an array of guests from Snoop to Lou Reed, sending listeners through a genre whirlwind. “Orchestral Intro” hints at Albarn’s influence from his Monkey-Journey to the West compositions. Not all of the videos have been released yet, but it seems they’ll be right up there in fantastical landscape and general weirdness. A little less poppy than Demon Days, but still a guaranteed get-down album. Owen Pallett: Heartland Since Owen Pallett was forced to drop his Final Fantasy moniker, the result has been a more personal sound. Not only because he is inserted in the concept album’s list of characters, but also by the intense execution of these compositions. More electronic elements are certainly present, and blend in with the complex saturation of movement throughout the album. Describing Heartland as “orchestral” would downplay its elements of everything from synth-pop to chamber quartets. Surfer Blo o d: Astro Coast Though Surfer Blood hails from West Palm Beach, Florida, many of their sonic elements remind us of soCal dudes Wavves and No Age. Astro Coast isn’t saturated with ambitious guitar, yet it’s certainly the driving force of this album. Astro’s serrated tone definitely captures the garage band spirit that’ll leave you with a nostalgic, celebratory buzz. Beach House: Te en D ream Arguably much cleaner than the previous two albums, Teen Dream still manages to maintain its “Polaroid film” aura without being drenched in reverb. How? It was recorded in a fucking church!! Instrumentally and lyrically, Beach House continues to step up their game. “Norway” and “Zebra” are especially powerful, as Victoria Legrand delivers swirling melodies against the somber riffs of guitarist Alex Scally. The cadences alone are enough to bring you to a sweet, dreamy (and occasionally lonely) place. We’re stoked to see where they take us next. *albums rated on a scale of 1 to 5.
5
APRIL 2010
By: Jack Cusumano IN RECENT YEARS it’s felt like the most exciting developments in music were happening outside the realm of traditional rock and roll. Following this marathon binge on hip hop, disco and electronica, however, 2010 is shaping up to be an exciting year for guitar-centric rock music. Of this new crop of bands, some of biggest standouts are female-fronted groups. Here are a few to watch in 2010.
Fronted by sisters Jessica and Cristi Jo, Zambri play an dynamic and emotionally charged brand of rock and roll that some have taken to calling “apocalyptic pop.” From the Lauper-esque “Easier” to the driving epic “W/Somebody,” Zambri’s Bang For Changes EP packs a sound big enough for an arena while never losing a sense of raw intimacy. “Let It Said” wraps up the seven song stomper with emotive guitar wails that hearken to Pinkerton, and a cathartic chorus on par with “Say It Ain’t So.” By the time it’s all said and done, your head is spinning in anticipation of their first full length release.
ZAMBRI
GIANT DRAG 6
APRIL 2010
Giant Drag’s brand of grunge revival first arrived on 2005’a Hearts and Unicorns LP, but didn’t seem to make much of a splash on a listening public that was currently captivated by glittery dance hall hedonism. Fast forward to 2010, a world ripe for a resurgence of the brash and dirty aesthetics of early ‘90s alternative. Where 2005’s Hearts may have felt out of place, 2010’s Swan Song EP feels perfectly synched with the current zeitgeist. Unlike some of the peers, however, Annie Hardy & co. have been at this for a while, and it shows with well constructed rockers like “Swan Song” and “White Baby.” Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another 5 years for the next release.
Illustration by Jack Cusumano
LA based three piece The Happy Hollows, led by the energetic Sarah Negahdari, could easily be seen as what The Pixies might sound like if fronted by Karen O. Of course, that oversimplification wouldn’t do justice to this charmingly noisy trio. Every song on their self titled LP packs both a powerful punch, and a wide-eyed sense of earnest fun; this band is clearly having a blast doing what they do. Between the Samsung ad featuring their album highlight, “High Wire,” and their recent stint at SXSW, The Happy Hollows appear to have an upward trajectory upon entering the first part of 2010. Let’s hope it continues in the near future.
THE HAPPY HOLLOWS
Zola Jesus is the name of Nika Roza Danilova’s brooding, lo-fi gothic music project. Her latest release, the Stridulum EP, takes the sparse, moody aesthetics from her debut LP The Spoils, and refines them to a beautiful science. Haunting, powerful vocals dance over gorgeous, dark textures to create a rich and stirring sonic experience. If you’re collecting clever genre buzzwords, people are calling this one “crimsonwave.” Whatever you call it, you can’t afford to miss this release.
ZOLA JESUS 7
APRIL 2010
Sundae’s Best Welcome to Sundae’s Best, our answer to the best playlist. Ever. Our Staff picks ‘em, you take all the credit at tonight’s party. We come at you each month with a new set of songs. You’re welcome.
with the cowl necks, in with the cut-offs! Our April picks roll in just as cooly with some bands you may not know like Parenthetical Girls and Free Energy, plus some well-known favorites (Bieber, anyone? Don’t worry; we like him, too!). Listen live at
8tracks.com/sundaemag You dig? Tell us at SundaeMag@gmail.com.
8
APRIL 2010
APRIL 2010
SPRING seemingly hits you out of nowhere. Out
SPRING
FORWARD By: Britt Middleton Do you really need an excuse to indulge in cargos, fluttery dresses and structured accesories? We didn’t think so.
American Eagle Outfitters Camo Utility Crop Pant: $39.50 We spied lots of army-inspired looks storming the spring runways. This look goes two ways: pair with Converses and an easy tee for effortless cool; or dress it up with a blazer and T-strap pumps. ae.com
Mimi & Red Chrissy Tunic: $46.00 This spring we’re thinking outside the (flower) box with bright, obscure prints. shop.mimiandred.com
Boutique de Bandeaux “Kohala” Red Orchid Tulle Headband: $22 Headgear is typically a faux pas. This season it’s anything but. boutiquedebandeaux.etsy.com
ASOS Leather Stud And Zip Clutch: $76.92 Give your spring ensemble some stud love. asos.com
9
APRIL 2010
HAUTETALK
BY: BRITT MIDDLETON
DINO-MITE! Stop poaching from grandma’s jewelry chest, already! If you’re looking for something really vintage -- say, prehistoric era -- check out this piece from watchmaker Louis Moinet. Apparently, the Jurassic Tourbillon features actual fragments of bone from the Diplodocus species. For $300,000 a piece, you can own a veritable piece of history. And, perhaps, a piece of Dino too.
Photo Credit: Fashionista
PRETTY IN POSEN We marked our calendar weeks ago for this momentous occasion! Zac Posen’s highly anticipated line for Target hits stores on April 25th, yet we found a sneak peek at some of the cravePhoto Credit: Louis Moinet
worthy tops, frilly dresses and menswearinspired separates! Prices for Posen’s signature frocks start at $39.99 (we’re swooning over the hot pink tiger print dress, $39.99). Who needs buyer’s remorse with prices so good?
10
APRIL 2010
BAND-AID By: Britt Middleton
Got big hair? So does head designer Chanel of NYC-based hair accessories line, Boutique de Bandeaux. She shares her inspiration, her new spring line, and tips for taming that poof.
SM: When did you first get into accessory design?
Photo Courtesy Boutique de Bandeaux
Chanel: When I went natural about two years ago, I started to embrace the hair accessories trend that had
on themselves. I think my shop helps my customers
blown up over the summer. Unfortunately, I found that
to indulge in themselves for a change. Investing in
many of the headbands I tried would get practically
a small luxury like a handcrafted headband can do
swallowed by my afro, were too small to actually hold
wonders for a girl’s confidence. When you’re wearing
my hair back, or included embellishments that would
something crafted by hand and not mass produced,
tug at my hair. After I initially made a few for myself to
you can’t help but feel special.
wear, girlfriends started requesting I make some for them, too. Once I discovered [selling them on] Etsy.
SM: Every woman needs a few good accessories. In
com, it was love at first sight!
your opinion, what should those be?
SM: We see a lot of floral shapes incorporated into
Chanel: Every girl definitely need pearls; they can
your designs. Are flowers your biggest inspiration?
“class-up” any outfit. Bangles are funky and feminine. Of course, I believe headbands are a necessity - I
Chanel: Flowers are just so fresh, so feminine, so
don’t know how many times they’ve saved me on a
colorful! When I look at vintage celebrities like Billie
bad hair day!
Holiday, I get so inspired. I’ve adapted these styles into my own modern designs. Recently though, I’ve
SM: Embellished headbands are a major trend this
been stepping out of my “flower comfort zone” and
season. What are some techniques you will employ
embracing other decorative items such as jewels,
to show the best of spring?
ruffles and feathers. I want my store to be versatile and appeal [to both] the casual girl and those who
Chanel: Be on the look out for bright colors,
appreciate a more formal look.
multifaceted jewels that sparkle on sunny days, flowers and flowy tulle!
SM: Your style is definitely feminine and flirty! What kind of woman are you designing for?
Shop her styles at:
http://boutiquedebandeaux.etsy.com Chanel: Generally I’m concerned with designing for women with prominent thick, curly or kinky hair. We all know women tend to focus much more on others than
11
APRIL 2010
INBLOOM
By: Britt Middleton
The flora is fawning -- and so will you over our picks for spring.
Victoria’s Secret Love Rocks Scented Mist, 8.4 oz, $22.00 Hypnotic plum, violet and va-va-vanilla mingle in this sheer, sexy mist. Think “The Secret Garden”... after dark.
Maybelline Colorsational Lip Color in Pink Please, 0.15 oz, $7.49 This takes pastel pink over the top (and with a lightweight feel, to boot!).
St. Ives Hydrating Vitamin E Lotion, 14 oz, $4.79 Smooth, supple skin for under five bucks? We won’t tell if you don’t.
Diptyque Feuille de Lavende Candle, 7 oz, $60.00 Go ahead, light your fire with this faintly woodsy, calming scent.
12
APRIL 2010
CORE VALUES How Deep Is Your Love... For Your Skin? When you live in a superficial world it’s easy to forget the importance of inner beauty.
We spend so much
time consumed with ourselves, spending major time (and money!) in an attempt to remain current. What ever happened to caring for yourself from the core? A little exercise and a healthy diet are both things that can make you look good from the inside out, but how you feel in your own skin makes a world of difference, too.
Radiant skin builds confidence, charisma and eliminates the desire for cosmetic enhancements. Recently, I found myself hiding internal beauty behind a wall of problem
to start anew and purchase products that benefit my complexion sans harsh chemicals. Ambi’s Even & Clear Exfoliating Wash tones and smoothes my skin texture in one quick step. Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Facial Cleanser fights off acne with non-drying doses of salicylic acid. Even better, I get both products at my corner pharmacy for less than $10 a piece—proving that feeling beautiful
By: Asha Ellison
skin. In an attempt to channel my inner rock star, I decided
doesn’t mean going broke.
13
APRIL 2010
NYC
PUNK
By: Christian BC PLEASE KILL ME. That’s what leapt out at me. Arranged in cutup letters on a bright orange spine, sticking out in the B&N music section the way its content did in the 60s and 70s. I sped toward it and pulled it free, desperate to know what this book could possibly be about. The cover elaborated: PLEASE KILL ME The Uncensored Oral History Of PUNK. Below that was a quote from William S. Burroughs (you know, the writer/junkie/queer/explorer): “This book tells it like it was. It is the very first book to do so.” It pulls off this feat by consisting of absolutely no narrative; at least not in a traditional sense. The entire content of the book comes from interviews with those who were there, from Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, to Joey Ramone and Richard Hell. Thousands of hours of interviews were masterfully weaved together by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain to form a cohesive tale of how this music evolved. And if all that wasn’t enough, the second half of the cover was devoted
14
APRIL 2010
to a picture of four dudes (The Heartbreakers) in
out of control, thanks to some overzealous Brits.
white shirts whose hearts were bleeding profusely;
After all was said, I was left with a fascinating story
their faces: completely disaffected. Ok, you’ve got
of punk, New York in the 60s and 70s, depravity,
my attention.
fashion, cultural upheaval, and the redefinition of rock music as the world knew it. I’ve read the
At this point in my life, I fancied myself a punk.
book four times since then, loaned it to numerous
The only problem was, I didn’t know much about
friends, and even bought a second copy due to the
how it all began. That’s why I was put off a little
wear and tear. Hell, it even inspired my girlfriend
when I sat down to read the book and found that
and I to move to New York. Unfortunately, NYC
the story began with the Velvet Underground and
isn’t the same place it was in the book. But I’m not
Andy Warhol. “What the fuck do they have to do
hindered. PLEASE KILL ME changed my life (for
we punk?!,” me thoughts. “Everything,” future
real), and for better or worse, it continues to inspire
me answered. Pretty soon, my questions were
me to this day.
answered, but it didn’t matter either way because I was hooked on the story of VU and the seedy history of New York circa the late 60s. There were the hippies, and there were the McCarthyites, and there were even the Beatles, but there was nothing like the LES, the Factory, and the Velvets.
From these beginnings, came a detour through the Doors to lay some groundwork, then off to the Motor City for the Stooges and the MC5. Once the stage was set, we were back in New York for good, as the New York Dolls, Patti Smith and Television slowly began creating what would soon be known as punk. CBGB OMFUG soon followed and once the Ramones arrived, the whole thing exploded. But it wasn’t long before things began spiraling
15
APRIL 2010
WHEN AM I GONNA NEED TO KNOW THIS
ANYWAY? By Cameron Hubbard Did you snooze through Senior English class? In
However, there’s a good reason almost every high
part one of our poetry series, we’re revisiting the
school English class includes the same poets --
famous works of T.S. Eliot. And we kinda dig ‘em!
and it’s not because all the textbooks are made by the same three companies. Well, that might have
For most of us, high school English classes were a
something to do with it, but a lot of the reason is
monotonous and seemingly pointless routine: day
because the works are genuinely important to the
after day of lessons you’re forced to sit through
development of literature and culture. So, with
despite the knowledge you’ll never need to
that in mind, we present a collection of authors
remember half the things you’re leaning. Rare is
you probably hated in high school that are worth
the job that requires you to have a back catalogue
a revisit now (and since April is National Poetry
of literary knowledge or to read and analyze a
month, they’re all poets).
novel (unless, of course, you’re a writer, teacher or college English professor).
T.S. Eliot: Eliot’s most famous work, “The Wasteland,” begins with the line “April is the
And at some point in the hours spent doodling
cruelest month,” and really, it doesn’t get much
in the margins of notebooks, we begin to resent
more fitting to the task at hand than that. Plus, he’s
those writers we’re forced to muddle through. The
usually studied in American and English literature
more difficult the reading, the more we dislike the
classes, so if there’s anyone you’ll end up hating
writer (and perhaps the teacher).
by senior year, it’s this guy.
16
APRIL 2010
Why you hated him in high school: In many ways, the modernist poets can be some of the most convoluted writers high schoolers are likely to encounter. The fragmented realities and deconstructed language can be hard to navigate with even the best of teachers. And Eliot’s most famous poems are nothing if not quintessentially modern, toying with the English language and structure to create a dense poetic experience. Compounding the issue is Eliot’s tendency for allusion. While you might catch the references to Shakespeare, it can be difficult to discern their significance. All in all, it’s a cumbersome task to muddle through a work like “The Wasteland.”
Why you should revisit him today: Eliot’s poetry is modernism encapsulated. While there are plenty of other important modernist works, “The Wasteland” is one of the few that fully captures the zeitgeist of the era. In other words, Eliot can be considered a poster boy for modernism, his poetry a gateway drug to the movement. The poems can be incredibly difficult, yes, but they are all the more beautiful for it. The language is at times frantic, confused, even desperate. However, with time and patience, the once densely packed, nearnonsensical lines will unfold, presenting an image of a world and general malaise that, while removed by almost 90 years, is not so far from our own.
Poems to start with Cutting your teeth: “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” Read for a challenge: “The Wasteland” Digging a little deeper: “The Four Quartets” (published towards the end of Eliot’s career and after his conversion to Anglicanism)
17
APRIL 2010
EXCUSE
ME
DO Y0U
CHATROULETTE? By Cameron Hubbard HOW TO JOIN THE REVOLUTION WHILE KEEPING YOUR DIGNITY. There’s nothing quite like the Internet to rapidly build a trend and change the way we interact. A few years ago, the only thing that “tweeted” was a bird, and now everyone from the kid across the
“My first night on the site, I ran into the semi-infamous Cat Man. The name pretty much says it all.”
street to your grandfather to CNN is tweeting up a storm. By now, though, Twitter is old hat. Enter the latest online craze: Chatroulette.
The idea is pretty simple: video chat with total strangers around the world. As the name implies, it’s a bit like Russian Roulette (incidentally, the site was created by a Russian teenager). You might run into a celebrity, a group of friends in Michigan or maybe a friendly Frenchman. A word of caution, however: it’s the Internet, and Chatroulette almost always connects you with a total stranger, so there are a lot of naked guys (seriously, tons of them). And a few naked girls, but it’s pretty rare.
My first night on the site, I ran into the semiinfamous Cat Man. The name pretty much says it all. He dresses up in a full-on cat costume and
18
APRIL 2010
video chats with complete strangers. It certainly
blackness might have a lot of people F9-ing you
wouldn’t fly at work, but this is the Internet, so I just
when they think your camera is turned off.
went with it. If you’re wondering, he was actually a pretty nice guy.
3. A Redirected Camera: If your web cam isn’t attached to your monitor,
In the spirit of Cat Man -- and in the spirit of my
just turn it away from your face! There are the
personal desire to maintain complete anonymity
more boring angles: a blank wall, fingers on the
-- I’d like to offer my top three ideas for identity-
keyboard. And there are the more fun ones: an
concealing Chatroulette costumes and camera
action figure, your cat. The bonus here is if you
angles.
don’t feel like talking as yourself, you can just pretend to be whatever the camera is pointed at
1. A Basic Mask:
(this doesn’t work as well with the more boring
Surely there’s an old Halloween mask sitting
angles).
around your home somewhere. If not, make one yourself! The simplest method? Cut some eye holes in a paper bag and put it over your head. Personally, I like to pull out an old Halloween mask that conceals just enough of my face to make me unrecognizable to everyone but my closest of friends. Just be prepared for some of those naked guys to think it’s a little kinky (don’t worry; you can always F9 them!).
2. A Dark Room: Turn off the lights! Unless your computer screen is as bright as the sun or if you sit abnormally close to the monitor, they won’t be able to see you. Your nose and glasses (if you wear them) might show up a bit, but for the most part, your face will be obscured. Sadly, though, the near-complete
19
APRIL 2010
THE
LO ST
B OY By: Britt Middleton
You might know Corey Haim as one-half of “The Coreys”, a moniker earned with best bud and fellow teen actor Corey Feldman during the height of their fame in the late 1980s. With an insatiable appetite for drugs and alcohol, Haim was a staple in the Hollywood party scene, one he never escaped. On March 10, 2010, he was found dead in his home, suffering from pulmonary edema; initial reports speculated an accidental drug overdose, but those claims remain unconfirmed. To me and countless other fans, Corey Haim wasn’t a punch line. He was a hero. Haim was never nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe, or Screen Actor’s Guild Award. His movies weren’t blockbusters – they weren’t even relegated to the Lifetime Movie Network. But his delivery was always honest – vulnerable -- which is why his movies spoke to me in ways modern flicks didn’t. At their very core, they told stories of the underdog, taught poignant lessons about love and friendship. Haim choose roles that showed how he was just like us, and from those turns we learned that we could also conquer the bully. We too could seize sweet freedom from parental oppression. We could get the girl. And in the movies, Corey Haim always got the girl. In recent years, Haim had all but faded into obscurity. In 2007, he again teamed up with Corey Feldman for the A&E bomb “The Two Coreys”, a reality series chronicling their adjustment from teen idols to near forty-something dudes. In 2008, he reprised one of his most famous roles in The Lost Boys: The Tribe, the sad sequel to 1987 cult favorite. Fast forward to 2010 and there isn’t much more to mention than his constant struggle to get clean and his on-and-off friendship with Feldman, which kept his name alive only in supermarket tabloids. A string of bit parts in “C-“ films had become his legacy. Sadly, we 80s film buffs will never celebrate his triumphant return to the top, and when Haim was announced dead on March 10th, a small part inside of us died, too. But there is something to be remembered about the kid with the flaxen hair and blue eyes the size of saucers. Haim, albeit flawed, was indeed a hero who taught me to believe in something. He taught me how to bring vampires to a painful “death by stereo”. He taught me how to score a License to Drive. He taught me to forever Dream a Little Dream. Here’s to you, Corey.
20
APRIL 2010
I READ THIS AWESOME ARTICLE ABOUT
THE IPAD... By: Tom Vinson
“The Wall Street Journal had a great cartoon on page six this morning.” “Excuse me?” “I say the Wall Street Journal had a great cartoon on page six this morning.” “Oh, I’m sorry I hadn’t read it.” “You should look into it. It made me sneeze my eggs benedict all over the kitchen table.” “What was it about?” “It was about the recent Toyota debacle. A man of Asian descent is sitting across the table from another man, explaining his primary influences.” “What does he say?” “Get this; Congress.” Silence A young man asks another man if he can cut in line. An older gentleman wearing a suit and tie checks his watch Taxis honk at reckless pedestrians crossing the street. Silence “You got any gum, pal?” “I don’t think I do, no.” “No prob. So yeah, I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about the Ipa…” “Actually, I think I have a few stray pieces in my wallet. You like Trident?” “It works I s’pose.” A lanky woman on a bicycle walks her bike through the line. Two blind men sit on the front steps gnawing on a granola bar. The bus makes a stop as a man with a grocery bag climbs down, holding the door for a lady.
21
APRIL 2010
22
APRIL 2010