ISSUE 013 | WINTER 2014
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Table of Contents
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Like Staff
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Letter from the Editor
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Contacts
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Contributors
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106 Art
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December Rain
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Rebirth
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The Melancholic Remedy
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Yugen
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Not the Stem of Autumn
Epic Autumn
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Passover
22 Give Me Love
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Hate Boys
You are here
Yours truly
Words of wisdom
Submissions and advertising
Who did what, where
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GIVE ME LOVE DECEMBER RAIN HATE BOYS PERSEVERANCE MJ LINDO CHRISSY BISI MOBY
CONTENTS
EMPIRE OF THE SUN
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134 Music
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Perseverance
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Danny Brown
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MJ Lindo
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Nick Waterhouse
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Chrissy Bisi
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Smallpools
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TBD Fest
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Ms Mr
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Carousel
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Explosions in the Sky
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Gramatik
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Cherub
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Com Truse
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Empire of the Sun
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Moby
Featured Artist
Photography Interview By Andrew Jurado
Music festival review By Jesse Alford
Like Magazine | Winter 2014 | Issue 13
Jesse Alford: Photographer / Editor Maryanne Alford: Writer / Editor Andrew Jurado: Graphic Design / Editorial Design Christina Hedlund: Graphic Design / Editorial Design Danielle Rueda: Staff Photographer
model: Jena photographer: Reva May
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Letter from Editor ell ladies and gentlemen, its a wrap. 2014 is donezo, caput, outtie. This year came and went like a one-night-stand and it has me thinking…you see, my roommate has this little sign on our fridge that says “What have you accomplished today?” I see it every morning when I open the fridge…when I think food has magically appeared. I see it again an hour later…when I’m really searching for a miracle. None of us are immune to at least the slightest urge to bust out a “new year new you” resolution or two. So, what have I accomplished today? Hmmmm. Things like going to work or doing my laundry just cant make the cut. And other than those two…today was a bit of a dud. Im not going to get down on myself though, instead, I decided to write down some things that I can do to feel more accomplished in 2015, and hopefully, 2016 too. Here are a few of my plans to make 2015 slightly more well-rounded than 2014. Drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning. (It gets the organs going.) Say hello to at least one complete stranger per day. (What’s the worst that could happen?) Have one day a week free of all social media. (I love a good challenge.) Have hot tea at night (It just seems so classy and so damn enjoyable.) Have a vice, and be ok with it. (In-n-out milkshakes might be that vice.) Save money for something special. (Even if it’s a dollar a day for that milkshake on friday. After all, it’s the little things that matter!) Watch more sunsets. (Ideally over the ocean but hey, mountains or valleys work too!) Watch more sunrises. (5:am roughly? I told you I love a good challenge.) Make more phone calls, send less texts. (We were the princes and princesses of land-line, cord-phone conversations, lets get back to our roots.) Buy stamps, send letters. (When my best friend moved to Colorado this fall I became reacquainted with the good-old-fashioned snail mail…it. is. epic.) On behalf of myself, Jesse, and everyone here at LIKE, we want to wish you a happy, healthy, kick-ass new year! -Maryanne Alford LIKE Magazine
Like Magazine | Winter 2014 | Issue 13
Alive
Grab the Alive 1997 + Alive 2007 Boxset at:
www.DaftPunk.com
This Limited Edition DELUXE Box will contain Alive 1997 (1LP) + Alive 2007 (Double LP) + lots of great bonus content: - Alive 2007 limited edition book in LP format, hard cover, 50 pages. (The front packshot will be the same as Alive 2007 double LP) - Alive 2007 double LP in a triple gatefold (clear cyan vinyl 180g) - Alive 2007 Bonus LP. Face A “Human After All/Together/One More Time (cover)/Music Sounds Better With You” (without LP label), Face B etched Alive 2007 logo on a clear cyan vinyl - Alive 1997 same as the original LP with stickers. Silver 180g vinyl - Slip mat with Daft Punk logo (black with phosphorescent ink) - Alive 2007 VIP pass - Download card with: Alive 2007 + Bonus + “Harder Better Faster Stronger” live video (same as the collector edition CD of Alive 2007) + Alive 1997 (A single code would allow the consumer to have access to these albums and the bonus content
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Contacts Soical Media
Submissions Jesse Alford Submit@TheLikeMagazine.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/TheLikeMagazine Instagram www.instagram.com/TheLikeMagazine
General Inquiries Veronica K General@TheLikeMagazine.com
Twitter www.twitter.com/TheLikeMagazine
Advertising Adertising Director Patrick Bateman BeLiked@TheLikeMagazine.com
www.TheLikeMagazine.com
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Contributors Epic Autumn Photographer: Sam Chua & Christina Lazar Schuler Models: Kelsey Moore & Rachel Sargeant Give Me Love Model: Jennifer Chung HMUA: Taryn Miller Makeup www.facebook.com/TarynMakeup Photographer: Jordie Hennigar – The House of Road Photography www.facebook.com/thehouseofroadphotography Say Nothing Photography: Reva May Model: Jena December Rain Photographer: Kaja Tirrul www.kajaphoto.com Model: Victoria P. - Models International Management www.modelsinternational.on.ca/website/talent/98833/victoria-potter/ Hair & Makeup Artist: Taryn Miller www.tarynmillermakeup.com Stylist: Zediwa Louro zeemoda.wordpress.com
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Rebirth MUA: Erika PXA Dress: David Monoco Ph: Tiziana Gallo (Damn Creativity Photography) The Melancholic Remedy Photographer: Reinhardt Anwar Model: Avellia Anwar Stylist: Aldela Yugen Model: Diane Strain MU: Diane Strain Styling: Catie Michel Photographer: Catie Michel Not the Stem of Autumn Model: Gerasimov Denis Photographer: Nechaeva Liza Passover Model / Makeup: Amanda Nicole Designer: Moldie Goldie Photographer: Jesse Alford Hate Boys Model: Katie Rolston Hair & MUA: Marty Collister Creative Consultant / Stylist: Marty Collister Creative Director / Photographer: Jules Szoke www.facebook.com/JulesSzokePhotographer
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Jose Gonzalez Vestiges & Claws www.jose-gonzalez.com
VESTIGES & CLAWS NEW ALBUM OUT 2015 FEB 17
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www.moldiegoldies.bigcartel.com
Photographer: Sam Chua & Christina Lazar Schuler Models: Kelsey Moore & Rachel Sargeant
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Model: Jennifer Chung HMUA: Taryn Miller Makeup www.facebook.com/TarynMakeup Photographer: Jordie Hennigar – The House of Road Photography www.facebook.com/thehouseofroadphotography
Dress: Wayward Daughters Designs
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www.waywarddaughter.com
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a i t g S h o n i y t g N a h o n S y i N a ot h g y S t n a i o g S h N n i t g y h o n a i t N S h o y t i g N a o h n S y i t N a h o g y S t N n a i o S y h N a t g S y o n a i g N S h n y t i N g a h y t a o S thin ng Say No othing S N g y n a i S h i t g N h o n y t i N a o h g y t n a i o S h N ay N othing S t g y o n a i N S h y t g N a o n S y i N a h o g y S t N n a i o S y h N ng a t g S y o n a i g N S h n y t i g a o h n S i t N h o g S y t N n a g n i y No othing S ay Nothi hing Say h t o N y S t N a o g S y h N n a i t g S y h o n a i t g N S h o n y t g N a o n S y i N a h g y S t n a i o g S y h N n a i t g S y h o n a i t g N S h o n y t i g a o h n S i t N h o g y t N n a i o S y h n N a i t g S h o n i t g N Say h o n y t i N a o h y S t N a o g S y N n a i g S y h n a i t g N S h o n i y t g N a o n S y th i N a h g y S t n a i o g S h N n i t g y h o n a i t g N S h o n y t i g N a o h n S y i t N h o g y t N n a i o S y h N a t g S y o n a i g N S h o n y t i N a o h y S ing t N a o g S y N n a i g S y h n a i t g S h o n i t g N a h o n S y t i N a h g y S t No n a i o g S h N n i t g y h o n a i t N S h o y t g N a o h n S y i t N a h o g y S t N n a i o g S y h N a t g S y o n a i g N S h n y t i g a o h n y S i t N a o g S y N n a i g oth S y h n a i t g S h o n i t g N h o n y t i N a o h y S t N n a i o g S y h N n i t g Sa y h o n a i t N S h o y t g N a o n S y i N a h g y S t N n a i o g S y h N n a i t g S y h o n a i g N S h n y t i g a o h n S i t N h o g y t N n a i g o S y h n N a i t g S y h o n a Not ay N othi hing eva y: R h p a togr Pho
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y t i a o h S y N Nothing t N o g y N n a i S y h a t g S y o n a i t g N S h o n y t i N g a o h y S in t N a o g S y N n a i g S y h n a i t g S h o n i t g N a o n S i N h g y t Noth hing Say n a i o S h N t g y o n a i t N S h o y t g N a o h n S y i t N h o g y Sa t N n a i o S y h N a t g S y o n a i g N S h n y t i g a o h n y S i t N a h o g S y t N n a i g o S y h n a i t g S h o n i t g N h o n y t i N a o h g y S t N n a i o g S y h N n i t g Sa y h o n a i t N S h o y t g N a o n S y i N a h g y S hing ng Say Not othing Sa ay Nothin hing Say N S i t N h o g y t N n a i g o S y h n N a i t g S y h o n a i t g N h o n y t i N a o h y S t N a o g S y N n a i t g S y h o n a i t N S h o ng y t g N a o n S y i N a h g y S t n a i o g S h N n a i t g S y h o n a i t g N S h o n y t i g N a o h n S i t N h o g y t N n a i o S y h N a t g S y h o t o N g Sa ay Nothin ng Say N Nothing y a S i g S y h n a i t g N S h o n i y t g N a h o n S y i N a ot h g y S t n a i o g S h N n i t g y h o n a i t N S h o n y t i g N a o h n S i t N ay h o G y t N n a i o S y h N a t g S y o n a i g N S h n y t i N g a o h y S t N a hin o g S y N n a i g S y h n a i t g S h o n i t g N h o n S y t i N a o h g y S t N n a i o g S y h N n i t g y h o n a i t N S h o y t g N a o n S y i t N a h o g y S t N n a i o g S y h N n a t g S y o n a i g N S h n y t i g a o h n S i t N a h o g S y N n a i g S y h n Not a i t g S h o n i t g N h o n y t i N a o h y S t N a i o g S y h N n a i t g S y h o n a i t g N S h o y t g N a o n S y i N Sa ay ing oth
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Photographer: Kaja Tirrul www.kajaphoto.com Model: Victoria P. - Models International Management modelsinternational.on.ca/website/talent/98833/victoria-potter/ Hair & Makeup Artist: Taryn Miller tarynmillermakeup.com Stylist: Zediwa Louro zeemoda.wordpress.com
Shirt - Vintage Canadian Scouts UniformTM| Necklace – Condsi | Socks – Marc by Marc Jacobs
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Like Magazine | Winter 2014 | Issue 13 Dress – Copious Fashions | Necklace – Aldo
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Dress – Elise Bourque | Necklace – American Vintage
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Bottoms – Victoria’s Secret
Top and Shorts – American Apparel
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ebirth MUA: Erika PXA DRESS: DAVID MONACO PHOTOGRAPHER: Tiziana Gallo (DAMN CREATIVITY PHOTOGRAPHY)
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Photographer: Reinhardt Anwar Model: Avellia Anwar Stylist: Aldela
Shorts – H&M
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Cap – AW Wardrobe | Sweater – Romwe
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Hat – Romwe | Skirt – Just Label |Shoes – Zara
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Melancholic Remedy
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Model: Diane Strain MU: Diane Strain Styling: Catie Michel Photographer: Catie Michel
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Dress: Ecote from Urban Outfitters
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Model: Gerasimov Denis Photographer: Nechaeva Liza
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PASSOVER Model / Makeup: Amanda Nicole Designer: Moldie Goldie Photographer: Jesse Alford
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Model: Katie Rolston Hair & MUA: Marty Collister Creative Consultant / Stylist: Marty Collister Creative Director / Photographer: Jules Szoke www.facebook.com/JulesSzokePhotographer
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Denim Overalls – Lee | Hand Crochet Crop Top – Cape Town Market
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Vintage Fur Coat | Sports Crop – Nike | Vintage ‘Roller Girl” Shorts | Boylegs - Calvin Klein (worn underneath) Sunglasses – Odyssey | Footwear – Vans | Vintage Sterling Silver (resized gent’s) Eagle Ring | Square Cut Gem Ring – Lovisa
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Sweatband - Le Coq Sportif | ‘Warfie’ Beanie – Pulp Kitchen | Boyleg Underpants – Calvin Klein (worn underneath) Basic Gusset Boyleg Underpants | Drop Crotch Jersey Pants - Bassike
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“Hey you, ‘sup girl? Check you out - loosen up, get a drink out in the scene. What are you wearing? You smell nice, come here...” “It’s all just a little fun, take it easy calm down. I won’t jump the gun. I’m nervous... but you’re so sexy... It’s new again... whatever I don’t care... That was good but I feel like shit... I’ve got stuff to do hey, so shut the door on your way out. I hate boys - I know what you’re all about...
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Like Magazine | Winter 2014 | Issue 13
NYC Jock Jacket – Lazy Oaf | Pleated Maxi Skirt – Charcoal | Hand Knit Pompom Beanie | Basic Ankle Socks
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y name is Berta Alvarado and I am the designer of Freebird dbb. I also have a love for all visual arts and fashion shows give me a platform for this interest. A Freebird dbb fashion show will always have a visual art theme to it that often starts with a song and a strong message that can be felt throughout the details. The PERSEVERANCE fashion show was born of a message firstly to myself and then the message I wanted to convey to the youth. It started as an invitation from Blackbird Kitchen+Bar+Gallery to have a fashion show to engage more with the Sacramento art scene. Freebird dbb and Blackbird sounded like a natural collaboration. It has a gorgeous urban loft aesthetic with painted blackbirds, much like my logo, flying along the outside and inside walls of this two story building in the heart of downtown Sacramento. I had previously and successfully collaborated with my friend Layla McArthur of Umidita skin & after tattoo care for a fashion show at Reggae In the Hills during Tribal Seeds performance and knew I wanted to work with her again. Upon reaching out to her, she was not only agreeable but suggested making it a benefit for art and youth in the community!
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Perseverance
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My good friend, Flower Vato, connected me with Xico Gonzalez. Xico is an all around talent. He is an artist, poet, and community activist. He is also the Spanish teacher, student advisor, and art teacher at The Met High School. The Met is a title one charter school. It is made up of a group of very diverse students that majority qualify as low income. The teachers are not able to require the students to purchase their own classroom supplies. As we know, school’s art programs are the first to be squeezed out from their education. Yet art is an intricate part of one’s self that is often discovered during school years. Art is everything to me and that took root during my high school years in particular. (The school is also a mile from Blackbird Kitchen. Another natural fit.) I was invited by Xico to speak to the school of 317 students about my life experiences and who I am today. This is where PERSEVERANCE was born. I knew I wanted to do an androgynous theme merging the masculinity of woman and the femininity of man that is within each of us. I had been waiting for the proper platform and this dingy alleyway hugging, yet pretty establishment screamed proper. Speaking about your life experiences when it is not a pretty story is tough. I am not a public speaker in any sense of the word. I had told myself I would grow and take on new challenges and this one hit me head on. Of course I said yes and it was an honor to do so. We are born to be tough and face struggle. Through these experiences and a conscious mind to remain in a state of love we persevere. Our moments of pseverance are the building blocks of who we are and choose to become. That is the message I wanted to pass on to the youth. It is the analogy of the flower growing through the
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Perseverance
Freebird dbb
concrete. The jewelry to compliment this was body chains and shoulder chains, often unisex. I used metals like; copper, gold, silver, antique brass. I mixed them with unique textures and stones such as leopard jasper, titanium aura quartz, ox horn, labradorite, pearls and more. Some of the earrings were nails adorned with a stone or magnetite skulls then wire wrapped. The night consisted of many talents. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to invite artists who’s work I admire. The show opened with a poem “Free Birds” written by Xico Gonzalez, followed by my niece, designer Melissa Kay, designer/stylist Retrospect Vintage Fashion and Freebird dbb. Melissa Kay is known for her classic, sexy gowns. Retrospect Vintage Fashion is fun and funky. We had student involvement leading to and on the night of the event. I also mentored a student interning as an assistant. We had a student photographer, some students modeled, while others helped with set up and assisted with the converted upstairs “Beauty, Body & Art Boutique”. Local businesses and artists donated their time, talent and money. The people of Sacramento have a gift for talent and coming together for a cause. They certainly stepped up to support our next generation of Sacramento artists! Funds were raised through this night and an online donation site and the night was a success!
Freebird dbb
a unique jewelry line for both men and women. With the love of metals, vintage, repurposed findings, and stones for their properties it is ever evolving. Freebird dbb includes earrings, necklaces, tie bars, sweater and jean chains, traditional and non traditional Rosaries, men’s and woman’s pocket watches, brooches, Milagros and Dia de Los Muerto’s jewelry, body chains, shoulder chains and more.
Fashion Show & Youth Art Benefit The Met H.S.
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J Lindo’s artworks translate a story through imagery and subliminal messaging using animals and motifs. They are stories told through the expressions on womens faces and through the suggested motifs used in her paintings. While her art evokes emotion and wonder it often shares insight into a contemporary women’s story.
“It is up to the observer to put the pieces together of the story or emotion” MJ often works with a wooden canvas which adds a sort of strength and dimension to her paintings. It often leaves us with a feeling of transparency in her subjects. MJ’s women are often seen to have hair illustrated in a way that adds movement to her paintings. It is a trait carried through her work that allows our eyes to move along the painting.
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instagram: @mjlindo mjlindo.bigcartel.com
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M A G A Z I N E 13
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Photography Interview
Chrissy Bisi
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ast October I traveld to San Francisco to interview a photographer named Chrissy Bisi. It was decided to conduct this interview in a less formal, yet casual hike through the thick forest hills of the Presidio near the golden gate bridge. This might sound exciting, invigorating even! however to embark on this journey meant enduring the damp fall weather, gusty winds, chilly temperatures and a six mile route, for the most part uphill! This side of the city, though a common tourist destination, has a surprising amount of natural forest environment preserved. I found the area to be a refreshing take on urban San Francisco.
Roaming about the world; a digital age nomad, on a mission to snap the modern urban culture.
Her lens consistently captures scenes undiscovered, and outright unobtainable unless by gaining access to some colossal 600+ ft. skyscraper roof tops! Whether it’s the defying of deathly heights, questing the bowels of San Francisco’s street life, taking in the rich culture of the Bay Area or shooting surreal images in wondrous perspectives, all have invariably led to lasting friendships, fabled adventures, collaborations and some pretty sweet pics.
Having failed to complete the interview during our first meeting, I sat with Chrissy to get those last few questions in as she received a large size tattoo on her left thigh. Visually she seemed to be taking it well, it didn’t look like she was holding back tears or anything. My questioning may have been an adequate distraction from the pain. You might be asking why I was unable to complete this interview first go, and honestly I had my questions typed out on my phone and was inserting the answers up until my fingers froze over and were unable to perform the basic operations required for phone use.
Featured Photographer: Chrissy Bisi
The interview was conducted on the go, stopping at times to rest and for Chrissy to snap a few shots. We strolled through small forests and off beat paths, past abandoned Navel structures, the Golden Gate Bridge, along cliff sides overlooking the ocean front before going back to the city. About 5 miles into the interview it began getting dark and harder to walk. It was about another mile back the way Chrissy Bisi’s photography is authentic in this crewe came before this hike was through. atively saturated system. Living in San Francisco, Tired, cold and practically crippled we Chrissy is one creative that stands out amongst others. sluggishly made our way back.
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So Chrissy, what is your favorite kind of photography? City Scape Photography.
Featured Photographer: Chrissy Bisi
How would you describe “city scape” photography? I don’t know, it’s like a different way of experiencing life. It’s basically getting on rooftops but allows you to see the city in a wide perspective. I appreciate the city for what it is. I enjoy photographing the city its history and architecture, like the beautifully designed 1920’s stair cases, the Victorian style houses, the buildings, bridges, shores lines and the city lights. Why is Photography important to you? I like to travel to take my mind off of things and photography allows me to do so. It takes all sorts of places, I climbed under the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge, and I’ve walked along the underside and watched the beautiful sun set. I went to New York, it was great. The subways are really cool. I watched another sunset in Dumbo (the Brooklyn pier), they had fireworks for no reason, and it was perfect for photos. Abandoned warehouses are cool, lots of different feels, some creepy some with really nice rays of Sun light coming through the roofs. I look at everything like a photo before I take the photo. It is about the adventure, I love getting out there and seeing things in a different way. Take a door way for example, its symmetry, its design and surroundings are what make it different. When did you become interested in the field of Photography? High school, the only reason I took graphic design in high school was because I heard they were building a dark room, and had to get into the advanced graphic design class for that. But my mom use to buy me disposable cameras and id run thought that quick. Did you study photography, have you had any formal training? Yes, when attending college at FIDM we were all required to take digital photography that was studio focused. You learned on a Cannon but when I graduated my gift to myself was a NIKON D7000, as a result, I had to teach myself a whole different set up.
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What did you major in? Graphic Design. Do you feel as though Graphic Design has helped you with your photography? Absolutely, with graphic design its more art focused where I had to learn the principles and elements of design, which I then apply when taking photos. Photography & Graphic Design make a lovely couple,
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have you any techniques, tricks or ways of unifying the two? I’ll take photos and overlay type and designs. A design is on a 2d digital image and by combining that with a simple landscape or cityscape photo, it can unify the two elements which brings both sides to life
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What do you find to be your “sources of inspiration� or information when taking your photos? Its other photographers and the adventure. In general, a lot of it is just getting out of the house and capturing moments in time. Photography started out personally, I only started posting photos after one time showing my roommate and being encouraged to edit them and share them on Instagram. I like to take photos of my friends, it goes back to these photo diaries that I kept as a kid, where I was fascinated with taking photos of family and friends that I now have boxes and boxes of.
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Featured Photographer: Chrissy Bisi
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Very cool. I have a couple of tech questions for you. As an amateur photographer I always seem to get shaky photography, anything you can suggest to help reduce motion blur? A tripod for sure, but if you don’t want to carry around a big thing you can get a Joby which is like a smaller tripod but can easily attach to poles and other surfaces. If images are coming out too dark or light what can be done? Start with adjusting the ISO. If shooting at night, keep the shutter open and use a tripod. If you’re editing a photo take it into Photoshop or light room and adjust the levels. Do you shoot RAW or JPEG? Raw, because you’re getting your best quality photo. Jepg’s can be unpredictable, they can have variations with it being too grainy or too light. So shooting raw covers your bases and you can always save a jpeg after editing.
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What equipment do you use? I shoot with a Nikon D 7000 body and I have a 1024mm wide angle. I use a website called photojojo. com and purchased a flash diffuser, which helps eliminate harsh light and shadows and leave your photos looking more natural. It connects in front of the flash on my camera and has a shiny material that distributes the light more evenly throughout the room.
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Photography & Reviews by: Jesse Alford
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arousel was the first band I wanted to check out. I didn’t discover till upfront and ready - I was given the wrong media pass. Uh oh… I was not allowed in the photo pit. I managed to get some photos from the crowd while an airborne fruity cocktail found it’s way smashing into my head and down my neck. I caught the first couple songs before running out to sort the media pass “situation”. WORD. Made it back for the last half their set. OK - now I can focus. Immediately got into the tunes. Upbeat - feel good music. PERFECT way to (re)start my night. You can’t help but bounce your shoulders up, down, and to the side. As I watched from a far, it seemed everyone else was rocking the same ‘dance’ as I. Nice job Carousel, you put me back in a groovy mood. Hit up their site for a (currently) free download of “Another Day”! Also, you have to watch this video of “Tom Cruise” fighting for a babe to this track. I love it, and you probably will too. www.carouselmusicpage.com
AS I WATCHED FROM A FAR. IT SEEMED EVERYONE ELSE WAS ROCKING THE SAME ‘DANCE’ AS I
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lright. Who’s up next. Slovenia artist, Gramatik! Not only does this guy create some awesome music but is a stellar performer. Combo of electronic and hip hop - perfect balance of the two delivers ultra sounds. Haha, ultrasounds. Funny. For some reason he reminds me of like, a party version of Tommy Guerrero. Gramatik is a master of his craft. I really vibe to this shit. He has all his albums on his site available to download for free. You can donate after you realize how much you dig it. AND MOST DEFINITELY see him live if you ever get a chance… it’s a grade A fucking performance and good time. You can tell; not only does he enjoy creating the music but also creating a dopetastic atmosphere. He tours around the world. Get tickets, download free music, and live life at: www.gramatik.com
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I DIG LOSING MYSELF TO SYNTHE SOUNDS AND ZONE THE FUCK OUT
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om Truise was next on my list to check out. His sounds reminded me very much of Kavinsky (if you’ve seen Drive with Ryan Gosling - Kavinsky did that track you love, “Nightcall”). I dig losing myself to synthe sounds and zone the fuck out. The music was great, but maybe not the best time to - “zone the fuck out”. Wasn’t the most entertaining of performances - following Gramtik’s hyped performance would be tough for most. All in all, Com Truise delivered great music but he wasn’t animated enough to hold my interest. So, I got another beer and rode a Ferris Wheel with a cute girl. www.comtruise.com
MOBY
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ho doesn’t like Moby (besides maybe, Eminem)? Moby has been producing music for incredibly long. Homeboy turns 50 next year, and has had that much time to fine tune his music to perfection. As he walked onto the stage I was stoked to see him
wearing a Black Flag shirt. Hell yea. Immediately, Moby dives right into a high energy performance. Watching his intense movements you see that he hears every sound within the sound. Every note was carefully constructed to captivate the listening sensation. Moby has collabed with so many artists, it’s insane.
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WATCHING HIS INTENSE MOVEMENTS YOU SEE THAT HE HEARS EVERY SOUND WITHIN THE SOUNDS
David Bowie, Public Enemy, New Order, Daft Punk, and the list continues. As he is now also an iconic performer, I’d suggest going to one of his shows if ever given the opportunity. Friday came to an end and Moby left me energetic to continue on with my night. So, ‘continue’ I did.
www.mobydj.com
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o, first off - I hadn’t really checked out Danny Brown till I did my research of what bands I wanted to check out at TBD. After the first track, I was like… “yup, gonna have to see him.” Dj came out and was playing for what seemed like, ever. It was getting weird, like… is Danny coming out or is he “grinding on your bitch while i’m grinding on my teeth”? hah. EVENTUALLY he came out with his tongue hanging to the floor. Instant party - let’s do this. It was a dope ass performance. His tracks are catchy as fuck. His rhymes make you - “ugh, yea”. Something about Danny, isn’t your typical rapper. The beats mixed with his tone, the (almost) sense of humor you can pick up in his tracks, it’s just good shit - you can tell he’s having fun with it. Overall delivery just gets you giggin. Even this white boy. Danny Brown has some really rad music videos too, which I feel says a lot about an artist. Check them out. If you ever get a chance to hit up one of his shows - do it. www.xdannyxbrownx.com
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he swanky sounds of Nick Waterhouse was next. I met an older gentleman that was waiting up front for Nick Waterhouse - “that rapping character isn’t really my scene”. Pretty big culture hop across from stage to stage. Which is always cool, diversity at a music festival. ANYWAYS… Whole band came out ready to deliver. This group of talented musicians will take you back an era for a fun ride. I was looking for a young lady in a dress I could bust out the twist with… it just wouldn’t have worked in all the booty short occupants I was surrounded by… and, I probably would have gotten in trouble if I jumped on stage to dance with the foxy tambourine player. I was enjoying the music… but, maybe not the best place to see the performance. Weird, I didn’t realize till now… some bands are not meant to be seen at a music festival on dirt. Like, we’re all dirty and shit… I’d have rather been all cleaned up in fancy ass clothes listening to them in a bluesy cocktail lounge. I think to fully escape into the performance… it’d be a plus. Furthermore, the Giants game was on at the undeclared Bud Light stage. Shit was suspenseful. www.nickwaterhouse.com
I WAS LOOKING FOR A YOUNG LADY IN A DRESS I COULD BUST OUT THE TWIST WITH
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group of guys having fun making music. Smallpools publicist hit me up last year with their track “Dreaming” which they performed in a fancy lobby in Glendale, California. It’s such a sick song, and equally sick video since it’s all like, sporadic and shit. Super cool. I’ve been wanting to check them out live since. I was stoked to see they’d be performing at TBD! Smallpools is still a “new” band and doesn’t have a plethora of tracks yet, so I was assuming a short show. A bit longer than I thought... it was a good one! They tried out some new tracks, which is exciting since that must mean an album is in the works ;) Overall - feel good music. Again, Smallpools really just seems like dudes having fun, doing something they really enjoy. And uh, that’s what life is all about. www.smallpoolsmusic.com Like Magazine | Winter 2014 | Issue 13
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k. Holy shit! I had of course heard the track, ‘Hurricane’… it’s a good one, but just from that track - never really encouraged me to check out more of MS MR’s music. It was definitely enough to put them on my TBD ‘to see’ list. Right from the start… way too good. I was immediately hyped. I’m hyped just thinking back to it. I have a thing for passionate female vocalists, and added this young lady to my list. The whole band had awesome energy - but, front lady: Lizzy Plapinger was on another level. You could feel her excitement just bursting out of her pores. There is something incredibly special about witnessing a performer that gives off such an intense level of excitement. It’s beautiful. MS MR had just spent a good amount of days recording and were bottled up about to explode ready to perform live - great timing to see them. They played a full filled show of goodness. From old to new music and an Arctic Monkeys cover, ‘Do I Wanna Know’… which was really rad. The crowd was enjoying the show as much as I was. After getting photos I went into the middle of the crowd to get lost in performance. The energy level she delivered was getting thrown right back from crowd. Hot damn. Getting goosebumps just thinking about it. All together the band compliments each other quite well. The collision of genres is all kinds of alluring. It’s hard to pin-point a specific genre for MS MR… those uncertain genres are always my favorites. They have some staples of indie-rock but it goes so much deeper. Strange… like, there aren’t any similarities in sound with ‘soul’ music… but, something about the delivery and the lyrics are so soul. With a splash of darkness and mystery. I’m still trying to figure it out. All I know is I love it and one of my new favorite bands was discovered this year at TBD.
www.msmr.com
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o… a couple years ago, I can’t remember who… but, someone sent me the ‘Doses and Mimosas’ music video. It “reminded me of you”, she said… not sure why, I don’t even like champagne. Regardless, it was a dope video and song… watched it a few times that week… catchy mother fucker. Used it up and forgot about it, UNTIL earlier this year it started blowing up all over radio stations. I was like… “is this that one song with people partying on roofs and shit?”. Yes. It is that one song.
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When I saw Cherub on the TBD lineup, I knew I had to check them out. But, in all honesty… I wasn’t expecting much. In my ignorance, I only heard that “one song”… it’s a great track… but, seemed very - one hit wonderish. Using drugs and alcohol to escape reality/ problems… duh. It seems even though he’s aware this doesn’t solve any problems long-term, he doesn’t care… what else are you gonna do - ‘fuck it’ attitude. Shit… anyway, before you think this is going to be a negative review, let’s transition.
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Cherub was dope. From Nashville, Tennessee - yet, they have a grungy LA party people vibe... as I was expecting. It added to the music in a weird way… made it all more real. Like, it suits them so well. Funky electronic sounds that put you in party mode. They put down a bunch of really great tracks. It was a pleasant surprise. I was shocked and felt like an ass for having my expectations so low. For the thousands of times I have heard ‘Doses and Mimosas’ come on
the radio… why haven’t I heard any of these other killer tracks? It’s crazy how that’s decided of - WHAT TO PLAY. Fucking conspiracies and shit. Cherub is a good time. Their duo stage presence is great. The vibe they gave off made me feel like I was at a house party watching a friends friend play. I can dig it. Good times. www.cherublamusica.com
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I HAD A FEELING IT WOULD BE A THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE... BUT, HAD NO IDEA TO THIS EXTENT. IT WAS INSANE
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nother band I was excited to see on the TBD list. I have been in to their killer tunes for quite awhile now, yet... this was my first time seeing them perform. For how elaborate Empire of the Sun’s music videos are, I had a feeling it would be a theatrical experience… but, had no idea to this extent. It was insane. Felt like I was watching a show in Las Vegas. Set was broken down in all of these different scenes - dancers with great butts in different costumes. It was a trip. Not sure if there was an underlying story going on or the overall connection. I just didn’t give a shit to try figuring it out - It was visually stimulating to accompany their exciting music. Not everything needs to be over analyzed, ya know? Just enjoy it. Empire of the Sun is a confusing band and I think that’s what I like about them. Like, where the fuck does their inspiration come from? From their fabulous outfits, wild make up, AND something about their music is just so… incomparable to other bands. Front-man, Luke Steele has a crazy intriguing voice… almost
like a whimsical character singing you a story. In collaboration with Nick Littlemore they have created some ground-breaking goodness. Facebook states genre as “dreamy electro pop”… As I mentioned earlier, I love bands that have a tough to pin-point genre. Makes for a new listening experience. Which is what so many of us crave… the desire for new music to fall in love with. Seeing Empire of the Sun perform should be on everyones bucket list. It’s a beautiful fucking experience.The blend of instruments, electronic sounds, and vocals / the overwhelming visual factor with choreography of performance / the sexy costumes / the skilled dancers… there are so many reasons. Oh, and Luke smashed his guitar at the end of performance like a true rock star… so, I decided to end my TBD experience with the close of Saturday night and pass on Sunday. Sorry Blondie :( Shout out to everyone that helped put TBD together and show such amazing talent in the capital of California, yet again. I look forward to seeing you outdo yourselves next year. Till then… www.empireofthesun.com
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“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have” - Vince Lombardi