Issue 11 by Symphonatic Magazine

JACKSONHARRIS OH HONEY | NONSTOP TO CAIRO | WARPED TOUR | BUNBURY FESTIVAL & MORE symphonaticmagazine.com

STAFF FOUNDER EDITOR IN CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER S H A N A MY E R S

co desi gner & photographer B R A N DY N N L E IG H

P HOTOG R A P H E R S Abby Gillardi, Abby Griffey, Amanda Jensen, Amanda Puglisi, Anam Merchant, Brandynn Leigh, Brian Baker, Cassie Deadmond, Chelsea Gresh, Evgeniya, Kait Rairden, Kelli Coyne, Kim Cisneros, Kylee Gregg, Lauren Zaknoun, Lindsy Carr, Lori Gutman, Maeva Valbousquet, Meaghan Brown, Melanie Jacknow, Mika Schmeling, Penelope Martinez, Priten Vora, Sami Wideberg, Shana Myers. Taylor Novak, Victoria George

W R IT E R S Branda Cavanna, Candace Carter, Caitlyn Tanner, Josie Adnit, Lu Lu Green, Maisie King, Mike Martin, Mila Hrisimova, Sarah Kempster, Scarlett Grant, Victoria George

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ON THE COVER

JACKSON HARRIS

CONTENTS SHOW REVIEWS

ALBUM REVIEWS

B U N B U R Y F E S T I V A L 12 W A R P E D T O U R 16

INTERVIEWS

18 O H H O N E Y 20 N O N S T O P T O C A I R O 24 J A C K S O N H A R R I S

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JULY

a l b u m s t o l i s t e n to

5 SECONDS OF SUMMER 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER

RISE AGAINST T H E B L AC K M A R K ET

19 JASON MRAZ YES

GASLIGHT ANTHEM G ET H U RT

T R EY SO NG Z TRIGGA

29 T H EO RY O F A D E A D M A N SALVAGES

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album r e v i e w s 8

ARTIST: 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER ALBUM: 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER RELEASE DATE: JULY 22, 2014

Since their start on YouTube in 2011, the guys in 5 Seconds Of Summer have a lot to prove with their debut full length album. They previously released four EP’s and toured with the likes of One Direction (garnering popularity). Whether you refer to them as a “boy band” or a “pop rock” band, the four do play their own instruments however having a pop leaning more than anything else. The Australian 4-piece has gained global fame recently with hit singles “She Looks So Perfect” and “Don’t Stop” which open up the album. “Perfect” has a mix of upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics that would stick in anyone’s head. It’s no wonder that it has gained mainstream popularity over the past few months and will probably continue to do so. The song “Good Girls” sounds like one straight out of a typical high school movie with the previously released “Heartbreak Girl” having the same vibe to it. This is about a girl who constantly gets her heartbroken while the lyrics state that the “right” guy is “stuck in the friend zone/again and again.” Seems like an old, boring, recycled theme found in a lot of music that should just be retired. They do a good job of having fun, upbeat songs while throwing in slower songs into the mix. With influences like Green Day, All Time Low, etc.; it makes me wonder if their songs in the future will showcase this side. Ranging in ages 18-20, this is still just the start of their career. Much is to be expected from the young musicians and the lyrics are bound to mature. R E V I E W BY : L I N D SY C A R R

ARTIST: BLEACHERS ALBUM: ST R A NG E D E S I R E RELEASE DATE: JUNE 10, 2014

Jack Antonoff clearly has many talents. From being the front man of Indie rock band, Steel Train, co-writing songs for well-known artists, and everything in between. Currently the lead guitarist for the band Fun., Antonoff has kept his one man band side-project, Bleachers, a secret over the past year until the release of the single “I Wanna get Better.” With the album he dives into synth, layered vocals, and up beat songs. The album starts off slow with keyboard driven “Wild Heart,” which begins the nostalgic 80s vibe Strange Desire gives off. The song “Shadow” talks of the disappointment that can come with love but Antonoff gives reassurance with the catchy chorus that states “If you’re feeling small, I’ll love your shadow”. The song is followed by “I Wanna get Better”, a song that deserves to be played loudly and sung along to. It’s a true energetic pop song that you’ll hear on the radio all summer. Strange Desire deals with themes of loss, overcoming tragedy and the ability to change yourself to be better. A highlight is the joyful song “You’re still a Mystery”. It showcases the ability to move on from your past and follow your passion. The album features collaborations on two tracks with Grimes on “Take me away” and Yoko Ono on “I’m Ready to Move on”. However, the purpose seems to be lost; Grimes sings a repetitive chorus while Ono provides spoken word in their respective tracks. It’s an album for anyone that’s a fan of Antonoff’s previous work, pop music, or just looking for something new. It’s intriguing and shows another side of his many talents. R E V I E W BY : L I N D SY C A R R

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SHOW R

EVIEWS

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FITZ & THE TANTRUMS

NEW POLITICS

Bunbury is a three day music festival based in Cincinnati, OH. This year, it featured artsits such as X-Ambassadors, Fitz and the Tantrums, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, New Politics and more. I had never heard of this festival until I had seen an ad for it somewhere online. I didn’t think it was going to be anywhere near me but I checked it out anyway. I wanted to see who was playing and if it was something I would be able to look into attending. I kind of feel like it was just pure luck that I happened to find that ad. I had a great time and I hope my photos really portray that. It’s definitely a festival I hope to cover next year as well. The ony complaint that I have is that there were too many artists who wanted to stand at their microphone stands and sing rather than get up move around. It was rather hot on both days but when you go to a music festival, you want to see the artists having fun and enjoying what they’re doing. My favorite acts were X-Ambassadors, New Politics, Fall Out Boy and Cage the Elephant. The four of them put on an amazing show and I feel like they enjoyed every moment they had on that stage.

PHOTOS & REVIEW BY: SHANA MYERS

CULTS 14

FITZ & THE TANTRUMS

CAGE THE ELEPHANT

NEW POLITICS

CULTS

CAGE THE ELEPHANT

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PHOTOS & REVIEW BY: SHANA MYERS To see more photos, go to the gallery section of this issue or like us on Facebook, as we will be posting photos periodically throught the month of August. 16

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MY DAY AT WARPED TOUR / JULY 3, 2014 - INDIANAPOLIS, IN This years Warped Tour had, in my opinion, a rather amazing lineup. A lot of my favorite artists were there this year, such as The Ready Set, Mayday Parade, Yellowcard and We the Kings. Though I had previously seen each of those artists before, I was still looking forward to seeing their set. I was looking forward to seeing new artists who are trying to break into the music scene, and I was looking forward to spending the day with a few members of my family. I was excited to be covering the festival. This was only my second year, but third time attending Warped Tour, but so far, I’ve never seen anything like it. You can go to a hundred different festivals and you’ll still never see anything quite like Warped Tour. You see, what I’ve noticed a lot while attending my three dates of Warped (twice last year, once this year) is that the artists performing (at least the ones that I watched) actually care about their fans. They will sit there and tell you that you’re amazing and beautiful and no ones opinion should change the way you view yourself, ect. They could just be saying that to make themselves look good. Who knows, I don’t really care about that. What I care about is the fact that, either way, they’re encouraging people to believe in themselves, not be ashamed to be who they are, and not to care about the negative opinions from those who have nothing better to do with their lives. The crowd’s reaction is always priceless. You’ll see someone who is obviously going through a hard time, based on how they’re screaming to the band, telling the band and themselves that they’re right and they don’t have to take anyones crap. But, that’s not even the thing I love the most about Warped Tour. Warped Tour is the one place people can go and not feel like they’re being judged, or that they don’t belong there. Warped Tour is full of people who accept others for who they are. You might run into a few people who just want to be a jerk, but aside from that, Warped is full of good people. For example,

when I was standing in line to meet Jordan Witzigreuter (The Ready Set) I asked my mom if she had a bandaid. I was getting a blister on the back of my foot and I wanted to prevent it from getting worse. The girl who was standing in front of me had overheard and gave me one out of the box of bandaids she had brought out of pure generosity, as she was telling her friend, who had apparently said it was stupid to bring bandaids, that she had pretty much just proved her wrong. During my day at Warped, it was a little stressful. I had so many problems with my camera. When I first got there, it wasn’t turning on even though my batteries were fully charged. My battery grip had gotten loose and I was freaking out so much that I didn’t even realize I was turning the dial that held it onto my camera, the wrong way. Then, my lens started messing with my camera, only letting me occasionally get some photos during The Color Morale’s set. Turns out my camera / lens doesn’t like going any further than f2.8. I’m not sure if that’s a problem with my camera or if it’s a problem with my lens, but it was saying the only way I could fix it was to format my card. I wasn’t even about to do that. I would have lost everything prior to that moment. Luckily there was a moment where it had finally let me get to the menu and change the f-stop back to 2.8. Shortly after, I had to change my memory card because I was running out of memory. Now, when you shoot in RAW, you need a high speed card. The files are a lot larger than JPEG, and so it takes a faster card in order for your camera to work faster. I only had one high speed card with me, which was the one that was low on memory. A slow camera = you miss even more shots which = a bit of stress for photographers. But I didn’t let either of those problems get to me. I still had an amazing time with my family and that, to me, is one of the most important parts of life; making memories with the ones that you love.

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OH HONEY INTERVIEWS

How did you two meet? / How did Oh Honey come to be? We had met about a year and a half or so prior to doing music together. We were reconnected by a buddy of ours who thought we’d be a good fit. We got in the studio and all the pieces kind of just clicked, thus Oh Honey was born and the rest is history!

Where’s your favorite place to perform? On our current tour with The Fray, we played Red Rocks in Denver, which is their hometown so the show was sold-out. It was absolutely nuts playing in front of 10,000 people. It rained during our set so it made the experience feel that much more epic-- it has to be the most beautiful venue in the world, even in a storm. We also loved playing the Greek “Be Okay” has become a huge hit in the past few months, Theatre in LA and the brand new Pier 97 in NYC. We were even being covered on Glee. Did you think it would become the first band to ever play on that stage -- pretty cool since that popular so quickly? it’s our hometown! We also love Rockwood Music Hall in the Things have definitely moved quickly. The song being feaLower East Side of New York -- it’s where we got our start tured on “Glee” kind of set everything in motion, and it’s been playing shows as a band. a whirlwind since. “Be Okay” is now featured in a commercial for this other new Fox show “Red Band Society” where the What do you guys hope to accomplish in the future with the cast mouths the lyrics and dances along to the song, which band? is also very Glee-like. It’s still so surreal to hear our song on Once this tour ends we’ll be back in the studio finishing up commercials or the radio. We feel so fortunate to literally our album, which we’re really excited about. We’re looking watch our dreams come true every day. forward to doing more of what we’re doing now -- touring, writing, recording, just hopefully on a larger scale as time Who came up with the idea for the music video you made for goes on. :) “Be Okay”? We wanted the video to be happy and carefree like the song, and also feature our hometown of Brooklyn. A day in the life. It was a collaborative idea between the both of us, and the video took shape as we filmed it. A lot of it was just us going up to random people and dogs on the streets and asking them if they wanted to be in a music video. We got some friends together to hangout at the bar for the final scene and some actor friends to bust some dance moves down in Coney Island and it all kind of culminated in this really fun day in Brooklyn. What musicians is your music influenced/inspired by? Our music is pretty organic and very honest. Artists along the lines of Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Adams, Bon Iver, Ingrid Michaelson, Butch Walker, The Lumineers etc. help shape our sound. How did the name Oh Honey come about? Oh Honey is the name of the Katy Perry episode of “How I Met Your Mother”… Our favorite episode! What’s your favorite part about touring? Our favorite part of touring is probably visiting new cities we never thought we’d see. At this point we’ve seen most of the US a few times over. At every show we get to meet new fans and it’s always really rewarding being able to connect with the people who support us. And obviously, we love getting to perform onstage every night. We honestly have the coolest job in the world!

I N T E R V I E W B Y: M I R I A M M O R E K P H O T O S B Y: S H A N A M Y E R S 18

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NONOSTOP TO CAIRO I know you all did music individually or in other bands before forming NSTC, so how did you guys all meet? How did you become NSTC? The original Nonstop to Cairo was actually a metal band. But in the beginning of 2009, our guitarist and vocalist Nick had a table saw accident that severely damaged his fret hand including an amputation of his middle finger. With the future of his guitar playing in question, our next move was uncertain. We reached out to some of our closest friends to fill in on shows we’d already booked. Those shows were the beginning of our evolution from metal into funk. I love your name, and I am so curious about it. Why “Nonstop To Cairo” and who thought of it? We had played a few shows under different names, but hadn’t decided on a permanent one. On the way to a Rangers game, Nick saw an airline advertisement on the train with the phrase, “Nonstop to Cairo – Flights Starting at $299!” It just popped out at him. He suggested the name to us at a meeting and we figured Nonstop to Cairo could work. So we settled on using the name. As time passed, it became more and more apparent that it was the perfect fit. Nonstop to Cairo molded the music to the name. In your eyes, what makes you different? What makes you stand out from the rest of the music scene? We all grew up together, for the most part, and there’s a lot of inherent energy in that connection. We vibe well and it allows us to push for new ideas to keep our sets fresh. Nonstop to Cairo really takes pride in bringing our energy to the audience and keeping an open door to any kind of creativity in the musical spectrum. How would you describe your sound to people who haven’t heard you? We’re a funk rock group that draws in elements of ska, hip-hop, and reggae. We were a lucky generation to grow up with such a variety of music at our disposal. Nonstop to Cairo is a reflection of that. This is a little bit more of an individual question: A lot of interviewers ask “who is your inspiration,” but I am more interested in why. Why music? Because music connects people. Even when you don’t speak the same language, you can still be

P H O T O S & I N T E R V I E W B Y: K A I T R A I R D E N symphonaticmagazine.com

moved by the same sounds. We all want to tell stories, connect to people and communicate, and music is the way that makes the most sense for us. I know a lot of people who are trying to do what you do, so how did you do it? How did you get where you are now? Dedication to our craft. A commitment to the music and making it a priority, not a hobby. The practice routine 3 times a week, then shows on the weekend. Knowing that when we step on stage and connect with someone new we’re on the right path.. Do you have a “best experience” or “story” as a band yet? It may sound corny but getting to know the people in the bands we play with on a personal level has been the most rewarding experience so far. We’ve been meeting so many talented artists. This past winter we performed a great event hosted by Raised Fist Propaganda and were honored by Fishbone’s very own Angelo Moore who came up on stage for an impromptu jam session in front of a packed house. Chances like that can be once in a lifetime, so we were elated for something that unforgettable to happen to us. Last we heard, you were working on an upcoming LP, how is that going? Is there anything you can let us know about what to expect? The recording is underway. It’s a slow and steady process for us to make sure that this album comes out exactly the way we want it to. We’re very excited about the group of songs we’ve put together and can’t wait to give everyone a chance to hear what we’ve been hard at work on. You guys have been really busy this summer because you just played Beer Fields. How was that? Also you have a music video coming out, when will that be released? This was our second year performing at Beer fields and it was a great experience. The guys that run the festival really put in the time and effort to ensure everything ran smoothly. It’s very impressive to see what it takes to organize something so massive. The rest of the summer has us playing shows up and down the east coast so keep an eye out for us coming to a city near you! Award winning director Jeff Pliskin of Raised Fist Propaganda, who has worked with Slightly stoopid, Wu-tang, G-love and many more, filmed and directed the video for our song set the tone. We are very excited to unleash it upon the world in late July/early August. Where do you want to be this time next year? We try to keep focused on our next goal. Gotta keep priorities straight! But being on the road with some work in the studio and a couple singles on the radio sounds good for next year. This last question is one for your future. Is this a career? Is there a life after Nonstop to Cairo? As long as the heart and soul of the band is in it, there will be a Nonstop to Cairo. symphonaticmagazine.com

JACKSON HARRIS

For those who have not heard of you how would you describe your music? I think the best way to describe my music is honest pop/rock. I do my best to tell stories with each song and try to capture the emotions of the listener. I want each person to hear my music and feel like it’s their story. What made you want to become a musician? I wanted to become a musician because of how making and playing music makes me feel. I lose track of time and feel most confident when I am in the studio, on stage or just sitting with my guitar. How has your prep school background impacted your career, has it been positive or negative? I think it has been both negative and positive. I have found that people in the prep school world sort of look down on me because I didn’t go the traditional route- going off to college and working for a bank or big business. Though sometimes it is a positive because of the connections I’ve been able to make by living in New York City and growing up with some of the most connected people in the world. In the end, I try to make the best of my surroundings and be as positive as possible, even in an environment that doesn’t necessarily promote creativity. Who or what do you draw your inspiration from? I love listening to classic records, watching documentaries, absorbing all different kinds of art and artists, traveling and of course, girls…. Your album Sharks and Vampires just came out. What was it like recording this? What is your recording process like? Recording this record was a labor of love. The songs were written by myself and my producer over the course of a year. I don’t ever want to tell a story that didn’t happen to me. My recording process is very relaxed and calm. I like to spend all day in the studio coming up with different ideas or lyrics, and allow myself to be creative and not stuck to a rigid schedule. What inspired you to name this album “Sharks and Vampires”? It seems like every other day there is a new vampire book or movie and the same goes for sharks (a la Shark Week). “Sharks and Vampires” is a play on these pop culture symbols. Some people are ‘vampires’ and they’ll try to suck the life out of you and bring you down, and other people can be ‘sharks’ and they’re vicious hunters out for blood. This album is about fighting and rising above the sharks and vampires. What was it like working with Lucy Hale on your “Come Back Down to Earth“ music video? It was an amazing experience. Lucy is beautiful and a talented woman. She was so sweet and nice to work with. She’s a great actress, extremely professional

and, most importantly, a really good person. She drove out to the middle of nowhere in the dessert and had a great attitude about it. I’m so excited to see her career blast off as she becomes not only an accomplished actress but also a popular music act! Which one of your songs from this album are you most proud of? Why? I think the song I am most proud of on this album is ‘Miss Me’. I wrote this song about my ex-girlfriend and it is the hardest song on the album to sing live in concert because of all the emotion attached to it. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and write from the most honest place in my soul. It is a song simply saying “I miss you and I hope you miss me too.” I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling. Is there another song that you have written which you are more proud of? Another song that means a lot to me is “Life Through a Lens,” which is a recent single written for my friend ShayCarl. He is the co-founder of Maker Studios, and is one of the most watched and loved vloggers on YouTube. The song tells a story of how we all record the memories in our life and how to live on with a spirit of adventure and love! It is a song about following your dreams and surrounding yourself with positivity. .You are about to go on a European tour with Cody Simpson, what are you most excited for? I am excited to work with Cody, and to visit all these countries that I have never been to! I can’t wait to perform in front of new audiences and really enjoy the summer traveling to new places. And I LOVE food, so I look forward to any opportunity to eat a local dish or delicacy of whatever country we are in! Of all the shows you have played, which has been the most memorable? My most memorable show has to be one of my first bigger performances; it was in New Jersey at the Count Basie Theater, opening up for the artist Ryan Beatty. It was a full theater of 1,500 people screaming and yelling and singing along with my music. My family was there, my team was there and it was a great moment to see all of our collective hard work and love finally pay off. Do you have any stories you would like to share with us? I would just like to share that I didn’t do this on my own. I am a solo artist, but I have a band of guys behind me who have now become my brothers. I also have an incredible manager and her assistant who make so much of this possible. Not to mention my mother and sister who are some of my biggest supporters. The moral of the story is that you can’t do it on your own… and frankly if you did, who would you get the share it with? And thank you so much to all the readers, fans, and friends along the way!

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G A L L E RY

P HO TO T A K E N BY : S H A N A MY E R S

JACKSON HARRIS

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P HO TO S T A K E N BY : P R IT E N V O R A

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P HO TO S T A K E N BY : H A N N A H P LY M PT O N

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P HO TO S T A K E N BY : B R I A N B A K E R

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P HO TO S T A K E N BY : S H A N A MY E R S

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