GRIZZLY BEAR SUMMER ISSUE
Photo courtesy: www.firstpeople.us
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GRIZZLY BEAR O
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Martin Logstaff of The Lake Poets-
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The Divine Loophole
Pg.6
Pg. 54
Lucid Dreams Pg.24
Art in Occupying
Anand Wilder of Yeasayer
Pg.56
Pg.8
Songs from the Sea Pg.36
Hollow Cinema
GRIZZLY TUNES
Pg.10
Pg.58
Explosions Wanderlust Pg.14
Pg.50
Farewell Pg. 60
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BEARS thanks for sharing your honey
Virginia Rizzi
Ying Xian Mooi
Aarti Pekette
Rahul Nair
Nurlina Fatima Shafrin
Rozena Falconer
Joasia Gaworska
Editor’s Letter GRIZZLY BEAR is an independent and unique bi-monthly publication for the men and women of the contemporary global generation. Since Grizzly Bear’s inception, the past 8 months have been the most exhilarating of my 20 years. The thrill is perhaps destined by name, Grizzly Bear, to be imposing, yet beautiful. GRIZZLY #2 is a leap of faith in more ways than a few and so I would like to thank everyone that contributed; by being in images or behind them, sharing their thoughts and dreams. I hope that this publication does them justice. That said, as we were putting this issue together, on one side, there was a distinct feeling of impending doom with the Euro zone economy descending deeper into a trench, austerity protests around the world, clashes in the Middle-East still going steady and other not very pleasant worldly affairs; on the other, Summer was on the horizon. The thought of a vacation evoked some really strong feelings. That too seemed a distant dream with the extended cold weather over England, except the freak heat wave in March. That was lovely. Evident in photographic Essays, interviews and articles, conflicting emotions have inspired this issue.
Editor-In-Chief/Creative Director SURBHI SHUKLA
Photo courtesy: Simran Shukla
So sit back, relax for summer is here and we hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed making it.
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The Lake Poets
Grizzly Bear: How old were you when you first played an instrument? Martin: My first instrument was Saxophone; I started taking lessons when I was 11 on some strange whim. I can’t remember why I chose the Sax, or how my Mam & Dad could afford one, but I am very grateful they did as it is a large part of my other band B>E>A>K. I picked up the guitar at secondary school at around the age of 13 as most of my mates were learning it. I mainly play acoustic finger-style but I’ve also got a SG and a Marshall Stack anxiously waiting in the wings for use in the future on some very loud project.
GB: How did ‘the lake poets’ come to be? ML: I’ve always enjoyed writing, whether it was short stories, poetry or lyrics. I didn’t really do much with my writing then in 2010 my Grandad suddenly passed away. He was a big influence on me when I was growing up and it deeply upset me that he never got to see me play any of my songs or share my stories when he was alive. The realisation that life is fleeting spurred me on to look for gigs; I reckoned that as you only live once you might as well strive to do you love doing. I told myself that I should go out and do it as best I can, while I can, and I haven’t stopped since then.
Photo courtesy: Ian West
Sunderland native Martin Longstaff talks about The Lake Poets, influences and being an educational masochist. He plays the guitar, is the vocalist and is joined by friends to create honest music. He recently released his single ‘City by the sea’ inspired by his hometown. Keep up at www.thelakepoets.com
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GB: Who do you consider to be your musical influences? ML: I’ve been compared to recent acoustic acts such as Villagers and Fionn Regan, I think that’s because I have brown hair and look a bit like them. Lyrically I am most influenced by people like Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Richard Thompson, John Martyn, Carole King, Feist, Warren Zevon, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits; all of them real story tellers with a knack for honest lyrics and they all sing and play from the heart. I am not sure there are many people like that around nowadays as most musicians are so obsessed with being perceived as ‘cool’ that they forget to write decent songs that mean anything. As well as mainstream acts there are a number of fantastic unsigned artists in the North East that inspire me massively and keep me on my toes! GB: Your music is so heartfelt, what influences your song writing? ML: My songs are inspired by what I know, have felt and what I want to learn more about. My early songs were about girls, a classic theme. My songs from 2011 all revolve around the harsh finality of death, how to deal with the loss of a loved one and the hope that a people need to cling to survive illness. My more recent songs are about the hardships of adult life, the sacrifices we must make to become a successful adult and how that often includes giving up on your dreams. I’ve also written a few songs about my childhood and the loss of a friend when I was 8. Cheery stuff. GB: How would you describe your music? ML: I feel it’s always a bit odd to describe your own music, other people have said that my musical output is “everything you could ever want from an acoustic musician. The songs are laden with fabulous lyrics, subtle finger plucked guitar melodies and tender vocals”, also I’ve had it said that my “rich, spacious sound, room-filling guitar style, and softly-Geordie, clear, sweet voice are shockingly note-perfect. The tracks he plays ripple with wistful sadness and sharply observed lyrics”. Quite humbling, but who am I to argue. GB: What is the most embarrassing stuff on your ipod?
ML: I’m certainly not embarrassed by it but I’ve had the piss ripped out of me on many occasions by my mates for my love of 40s and 50s female vocal harmony groups such as The Andrews Sisters, and solo artists of the same era such as Margaret Whiting and Jo Stafford. My mates say that it is Granny music and I suppose it is, but it’s also an example of how perfect, emotive and clear a human voice be. These artists recorded all of their songs live with a full orchestra before the days of autotune, digital effects and all the shameful fakery that permeates music these days. These women could really sing. They don’t make them like that anymore. I am also partial to the odd bit of French House, 90s nostalgia, and Swedish Death Metal. GB: What would you be doing if you weren’t a musician? ML: I suppose I’d most likely be teaching. I’m a bit of an educational masochist, I seem to enjoy putting myself through the torture of essays and exams so I find myself having three degrees, one Undergraduate and two Postgraduate so it would be unwise not to make use of them. In reality though I’d probably be playing Skyrim on my X-Box in my pants or shouting obscenities at the telly when Question Time is on. I can’t really imagine not being a musician, music in its many forms is such a large part of my life and who I am that I think I would have to become a musician if I wasn’t one already. GB: What are your interes outside of music? Do you find them influencing the music you make? ML: I like to read a lot, my love of literature fuels a lot of my own writing; I also like to keep up with politics and the news, which also gives me a lot to write about. I really love sandbox style RPG games such as Fallout 3, Oblivion, Skyrim, Mass Effect, and Assassin’s Creed. It sounds odd but they are very inspiring too, often the writing on these games is outstanding and their settings are very well thought out and can offer a lot of fruit for thought. I like also to get outside and go walking around in the mountains and down by rivers and streams, my love of nature influences a lot of my output. I also love motorbikes and I often cook when I get the chance. It’s a nice mix really, although hard to do all at once.
Photo courtesy: secretlycanadian.com
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Odd Blood Unless one has been living under a rock, everyone knows Yeasayer. The band begins their tour in America next month and Anand Wilder talks to us about the industry.
Grizzly Bear: Describe your early musical influences Anand: I have been interested in music for as long as I can remember. I started playing cello when I was 4, so I had all that classical music as an influence, I was also obsessed with my mom’s classic rock, The Beatles, Dylan, Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel. The first contemporary music I discovered on my own was stuff like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Beck, all that 90’s alt rock. My sister was really into TLC, Kriss Kross, Boyz II Men, so that was a big influence on me too. But it was really those rock bands that made me want to learn guitar, which i learnt by ear, learning from friends in the hallways at school, or at summer camp around a campfire. GB: Paint a picture of your childhood for us AW: I had a really happy childhood. I always loved performing, whether it was cello performances or school plays, I was a big show off, still am. I always wanted to act or be a rock star. GB: Where’s your favourite audience? AW: I really loved touring in New Zealand and Australia. I never thought I’d enjoy playing in Texas, but its now one of my favourite places. Of course the LA and San Francisco area, Paris, because I get to practice my French. GB: You and Chris Keating share being vocalist/guitarists/ lyricists, do you have a preference? AW: I’m not the front man, but I’m not exactly a sideman because I do sing lead on a bunch of our songs, and I really try to put myself out there. If I wasn’t singing lead on at least a few songs I’d be really disappointed in myself. GB: Is there a different consciousness involved with being South Asian and a musician in an industry environment where there are so few? AW: Das Racist engage South Asian and “brown identity issues” in the most sophisticated and hilarious manner of any contemporary artists. Truthfully, I don’t feel a burden of responsibility as a South Asian musician. I am half Indian, so if I want, I can identify with the multitude of ridiculously talented mixed breeds out there: James Brown is part Apache, Bob Marley’s dad was white and Prince is definitely something weird. And Freddie Mercury is the greatest
singer of all time, and he’s a Parsi, born in India. But, I guess you could say that those guys identified themselves as Black, and Freddie Mercury did everything he could to play down the whole Asian thing and is remembered as a British pop star. That’s what’s so great about Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) and M.I.A. - their brown faces are front and centre. I’m sort of halfway there. Indians who live in America are not a downtrodden minority. It’s fine as a subject for stand up comedy, but it doesn’t appeal to me as a subject for a song. What are the problems Indians face in America? Parents pressuring their kids into becoming professionals; valuing academics over social lives; pressuring their kids into marrying young. When you think about it in the grand scheme of things, that’s really not that bad! I’m pretty sure Indians are America’s wealthiest ethnic group – I think if I was fully Indian, statistically I’d be a richer man! At least more educated. So the only thing holding us back from being in the spotlight is ourselves. If I can be onstage and inspire some brown kid out there to pursue something artistic, something other than being a doctor or engineer, then I’m doing a good job. And if they want be a doctor or an engineer, good for them! Less competition for me. GB: What is the one instrument you would love to learn but don’t know how to play? AW: I would love to actually know how to play the piano. GB: What is your opinion on the state of the music industry today? Has the internet hindered or helped Yeasayer and other indie bands? AW: I don’t think we would exist without the internet. I don’t think Yeasayer would have had the same rise without the exposure and support of bloggers, or webzines, or YouTube. The internet was our first press, our first video, our first live recordings. The record industry is a sinking ship, especially the major labels, because of illegal file sharing and their unwillingness to cater to the shifting paradigm of how people access music. So this shift is a good thing, but it also hurts record sales, which means in order to make a living, we have to tour our ass off. So it’s a double edged sword I guess. PP: Where would you be if you weren’t in Yeasayer? AW: Working some crappy job and struggling to make people notice how amazing my unsuccessful band is.
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Bird Brain The Works of Julia Davis
Not only is Julia an image of raw beauty, but she is also immensely talented. Based in Bloomington, Indiana, Julia recalls to me her influences over a Skype call. She tells me most of her work is inspired by instances, images, memories and objects from her childhood. Having graduated from the State University of New York, Julia spent a semester in Newcastle, England, where she started print making for creation of artist books. The women in her family are fascinated by birds she says, they lovingly called each other bird brains. She tells me the story behind one of her pieces, the story of her great-grandmother who came to America under the Pseudonym “Itka” from Brunary, now a part of Poland. “I’d like to go back to see what life was like for her. She said the place was infested with vampires that killed their chickens. Brunary is near the Carpathian Mountains, where the legend of Count Dracula comes from.”
View more of Julia’s work at http://www.etsy.com/people/theartofjello
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WANDERLUST Photographer RAHUL NAIR
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LUCID DREAMS Fashion Editor & Photographer SURBHI SHUKLA Model: FAYE DIXON
American Apparel Tank Top American Apparel Disco Pants Prada Brogues Vintage Swarovski Earrings
Retro Vintage Blouse; Opposite Page: Retro Vintage Dress, Elizabeth & James Shoes
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SONGS FROM THE SEA Fashion Editor & Photographer SURBHI SHUKLA Model: HOLLIE SCORER
Pins and Needles for Urban Outfitters Skirt American Apparel Tank Top Deena & Ozzy for Urban Outfitters Chelsea Boots
Prada Dress Vintage Levi’s Denim Jacket D&GScarf Jasmine Rings & Bangles
House of Holland Dress, Spitfire Sunglasses, Jasmine Arm Cuff , TopShop Gold Choker Necklace & Earrings. Opposite Page: Retro Vintage Jumper, Dannijo Necklace, Topshop Skirt, Deena & Ozzy for Urban Outfitters Court Shoes
Maarten Van Der Horst Hawaiian Shirt,Vintage Levi’s Shorts, Spitfire Sunglasses, Jasmine Ankletts, Banlges & Necklace
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Explosions Photography SURBHI SHUKLA
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The Divine Loophole Illustrator Sanjay Patel has been getting a fair amount of cyber attention for his illustrative book Ramayana: The Divine Loophole, which graphically re-imagines and retells the tales of the legendary Hindu epic. Sanjay spent his formative years in a motel run by his Indian-born parents in San Bernardino, California. Sanjay used to sit in on daily prayers with his father and while he spent that time praying, he incorporated the images of the deities in his mind. His fascination for Hindi deities grew along with his love for graphic art, translating it into career. He is now an animator at Pixar and has worked on movies like ‘The Incredibles’. His illustrative style retells the Hindu epic in a whimsical and light-hearted voice and even incorporates humour, which he says is inspired by the late modernist, Charley Harper. His book highlights that the Ramayana is, in fact, all about random meetings and chance encounters surrounding specific quests and heroic pursuits. A great number haven’t read the Ramayana, but the beauty of the book is that the accessibility and understanding of the details are built in through his illustrative style. His text doesn’t particularly deviate from the original epic and is written in a very light manner, which puts the focus on what makes Ramayana truly worth reading as a non-religious book- the graphic art.
Image Courtesy: gheehappy.com
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Art in Occupying In the span of a year, unassailable tyrants have been toppled, media moguls humbled, and a second international financial crisis threatens to accelerate the crash. In the same span, the world has seen turmoil and consequential protests. The Arab spring tainted with gun powder, austerity protests throughout Europe, the inferno of the London riots, the crowds of anti-corruption movement in India amongst many others. In the midst of all these events is an inspiring a revolution that spread to 82 countries within a span of weeks; Occupy, a revolution inspired and propelled forward by art. “All art is political in the sense that it serves someone’s politics,� the playwright August Wilson once rightly said. The movement has brought together musicians, poets and painters alike to speak coherently about their afflictions through song, verse or art. There has been so much art centred around the occupy protests that one can only wonder if this is what the Romantic Era felt like in the 1800s, devoid of iphones, news reporters and of course, the catalytic social media. True to the digital age, the revolution is an evolved form of protest as it has gone further to create a diverse, multi-media culture of art production and distribution. The visual impact
of the art surrounding the idea is responsible for the global spread of the movement against backsliding government policies. The most iconic symbol of the movement has been the 99% bat sign by a group called The Illuminators; A culturally legible signal for the people to be their own superhero. More often than not the media’s depiction of a protest is either wrongly portrayed or is received awry. This is another tangible feature of the movement, its narrates it’s own story through various art forms, leaving no room for Chinese whispers. ‘Occupy Comics’ is a unique graphic anthology that brings together over 50 artists to tell their stories and capture the Occupy Wall Street movement as it unfolds in New York, however its includes contributors from Occupy movements from around the world. Another distinct feature of the art surrounding the Occupy protests is that it is designed to be shared as opposed to being bought which has made art the most potent tool of this movement. And rightly so, too many times in rebellion has sheer ugliness taken the forefront of revolution in the form of violence.
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GRIZZLY TUNES YEASAYER - HNRTTA THE LAKE POETS - CITY BY THE SEA DR. DOG - HEART IT RACES GRIMES - OBLIVION THE BOXER REBELLION - LOCKED IN THE BASEMENT JOHN DENVER - COUNTRY ROADS ALEX CLARE - TOO CLOSE M83 - MIDNIGHT CITY KAVINSKY - NIGHTCALL JOHN MAYER - AGE OF WORRY JACK JOHNSON - NEVER KNOW MONDO - UNDER THE GUN YOUNG BLOOD - THE NAKED AND FAMOUS FOO FIGHTERS - EVERLONG IN THE JUNGLE - ELLIPHANT MATT CORBY - BROTHER BON IVER - MICHICANT FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - BREATH OF LIFE PAUL MCCARTNEY - MY VALENTINE
Listen to the entire playlist at tumblr.com/blog/grizzlybearmag
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Farewell Photographs AARTI PEKETTE
Scenes around Praça do Comércio, Lisbon, Portugal.
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