Tongue Tied Magazine Issue 001

tongue tied @ warped tour fashion

the secret society of ex mermaids · luna coast bikinis · static sound apparel

literary

an interview with caitlyn siehl · book reviews · and more!

boy meets world

& more print-only coverage of

black veil brides · as it is

never shout never

twloha · meghann wright

arts & life

microsoft paint illustrations · introversion vs. extraversion · vegan makeup brands

the entertainment institute

editor’s note I’ve wanted to start my own publication for a little while, but I never thought I could pull it off, and I never thought I could put together a staff talented enough to help me pull the weight.

Six months ago, though, I decided to take a head-first plunge into it. I called up my friend Chloe and basically said, “Hey! you’re into fashion, and I’m into music, let’s start a magazine.” Surprisingly enough, she was totally on board. Then, in the next couple of days, we got Rachel on our team, and she now edits both the arts and lifestyle section and the literary section as well as being head of the graphic design department. With Rachel on board, we had our editing staff. We then started taking applications and picking and choosing our staff for each section. As our staff grew, so did our family, and the bond between the editors strengthened, as well as the bond of the team as a whole.

We had been publishing our content online on our website for a little while when we decided to transition over to a quarterly print.

Now, here we are, a couple months later, and you, one of our readers, are holding a physical copy of Tongue Tied Magazine in your hands.

This is our first print issue, and it is huge. For our editors, for our staff, and for you, our readers, it’s a huge step towards showing the world what teenagers are capable of. While most teens sit at home and watch TV and play sports in their spare time, our staff is working around the clock to provide content for you. And with a staff made entirely of teens, that may be more complicated than it seems.

But here we are: a staff of teenagers with three editors aged sixteen, sixteen, and nineteen, and all of this was created completely by us. Here at Tongue Tied, we know just as well as anyone else how underestimated teenagers can be.

This is your chance to show your surroundings what you are made of. Whatever you’re holding back from right now, go for it.

Whatever you’ve been too scared to say, go for it. Whatever you were told you can’t do because you’re too young, go for it. As teenagers, we’re always told to hold our tongues. Now it’s time we bite back.

Mae Krell Tongue Tied Mag Founder, Editor

issue 001 contents 4

music Boy Meets World

10

Warped Tour Set Reviews

15

The Entertainment Institute

18

Meghann Wright

22

Que/Sera Album Reviews:

26

Florence + The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

28

Melanie Martinez – Cry Baby

28

Any Otherwise – Any Otherwise EP

28

The Bird And The Bee – Recreational Love

29

Nite

32

Statik

33

fashion The Secret Society of Ex Mermaids

36

Static Sound Apparel

42

Luna Coast Apparel

44

Susi Apparel

literary Book Reviews: 46

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

46

The Dogs I Have Kissed by Trista Mateer

47

Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine von Radics

48

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

49

Caitlyn Siehl

52

Yann Rousellot

54

arts & life Miranda Lorikeet

60

Introversion vs. Extraversion

62

The Arts: Finding Your Niche

64

To Write Love On Her Arms

66

Jordan Fallas

72

Vegan Makeup Brands & Reviews

76

Tevia Skye

boy meets world meets us * article by: soďŹ a jones

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photos by: mae krell

* and you!

BoyMeetsWorld is an alternative pop-rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Its five members got the attention of their hometown when the five-piece won first place at their tri-state Battle of the Bands. Soon, they were off and away to bigger things.

of the Bands performance, BoyMeetsWorld have had two

The band is made up of lead vocalist Craig Sulken, bass

year, the band were once again asked to perform at Warped

guitarist Brad Sulken, and drummer Ryan Sulken, as well as

Tour, this time for the entire tour—and without having to

Drew Ritcher and Drew Thomason, who both play guitar.

cook anything.

Craig started the band when he realized that his path in life had to involve music, and BoyMeetsWorld was born.

Since gaining speed with their prize-winning Battle

headlining tours, along with playing at MidPoint Music Festival, CollegeFest, and SXSW. The band later played a set at Vans Warped Tour in Cincinnati and were invited back the following year as the ‘Catering Band’ or ‘BBQ Band,’ which meant that in exchange for a spot on the tour, the band had to grill a meal after each show for the bands and crew. This

BoyMeetsWorld came out with their first EP, Do What’s Best For You, in 2013. The debut EP includes their most popular song, “Right Where We Belong,” along with six other tracks.

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That same year, BoyMeetsWorld released another

So, this is your second time doing Warped tour, correct?

album titled Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal…, which

Brad: Well, first time doing full tour. Last time we were catering,

features all-original Christmas tracks written by the band.

this year we’re here for the whole tour.

BoyMeetsWorld’s most recent release, which dropped in June, is a full-length album titled Become Someone. The album has

What’s it been like so far?

twelve tracks, including an acoustic performance of their song

Ryan: It’s been a lot of fun.

“So What?”

Drew: Exhausting.

There is much more to BoyMeetsWorld than what’s on the surface. It might seem like the band is just five guys on a stage, but they are living their dreams out on the road and doing what they love. Their music sends a message that you can get through life and have fun while doing so. Craig Sulken said it best: “We find inspiration knowing that we have a chance to help somebody make their life better through our music.”

Tongue Tied Mag’s music editor Mae Krell got the chance

Brad: A lot of hard work and a lot of hustling but it’s rewarding.

So the way warped works is you guys go on and play about six songs. Do you like that more than doing a whole set?

Craig: I do because to me it’s short and sweet. Not everybody has heard of us so if we have a big crowd of people who haven’t heard of us, we want to give them enough that leaves them wanting more. Versus if we played 15 songs or something, they might get tired of that.

to interview BoyMeetsWorld before one of their Vans Warped

Tour

performances. Read on for the full conversation.

Okay, so your album Become Someone officially came out on June 16th. Tell us about the album.

Drew: It’s dope.

Craig: Rock and roll.

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Drew: It sounds like our other stuff but longer [laughs]. Nah, we

fourth grade. I don’t know what influenced me. I just thought

worked hard on it and put a lot of hard work into it with the idea

drums were cool and then a year later, Craig picked up a guitar

that we just wanted to take what we had on our EP and just take

and started playing that. Brad got us into the style of music we

it over the edge. You know, just make more songs that people love

play because he’s 6 years older than us so he showed us the ropes of

with the same format and I think we did it and it came out even

old school pop-punk and stuff like that.

better than we expected it to.

Brad: All of the stuff that’s good.

What’s the writing process like for you guys? Do you

And last but not least, what do you have to say to new fans

sit down and take time to write or can you just think of

that will be joining you guys after Warped Tour?

something and make a song on the spot?

Drew: Rock on.

Drew 2: Definitely take time and sit and think about stuff and

Brad: Get ready for the future of music.

write. Craig is pretty much the songwriter.

Drew: Thank for taking the time to listen to

Craig: I mean, it varies. Sometimes I’ll start writing a song and

us and for giving us a shot and putting

everything just clicks and I’ll finish a song in a few days. But

us in your ear holes. Just thank you for

sometimes I have an idea and I get kind of stumped and stuck

showing interest, because if it weren’t

in my writing process and I let a song go for a few months before

for you guys, we wouldn’t be doing it.

I ever revisit it and I’m like “hey, I should work on the song I was writing for a while.” So it kind of varies, but normally I like to take a lot of time to write songs and sometimes it takes months at a time to write a song.

So Craig, Ryan, and Brad, you guys are brothers. Is it weird being in a band with your brothers? Do you guys still fight like brothers?

Brad: Oh easily yeah, we fight all the time, but it’s okay. We can’t kick a brother out because he’s our brother.

Craig: I’ve got immunity. We have the same DNA so family functions are gonna be weird if any of us get kicked out.

Brad: That was a joke… Not really. It has pros and cons for sure.

Ryan: We tend to agree and disagree on the same stuff. Like, we all have the same mindset of what we want. We can come to terms easier.

What got you guys into music?

Ryan: Well, my mom and dad listen to a ton of classic rock, like the Beatles and stuff. I started playing drums when I was in 7

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warped tour set reviews articles by: sofia jones photos by: mae krell

definitely got the crowd pumped. Most

She is one of those hidden artists that

of the songs they played were from

seems to be everywhere.

as it is

their new album Never Happy, Ever

When I saw her at Warped Tour,

After. The guys closed with their most

she told us a story about how when

popular song, “Dial Tones.”

she started her music career, she went

On July 2, 2015, I went to Van’s Warped Tour in Atlanta. The day

Overall, this band had me moving

to her producer with a song she wrote

started with a band I had actually never

to the beat and swinging my body the

that she loved and he just told her

listened to before, As It Is. The pop-

whole time. I would see them 50 more

that it was a terrible song and that she

punk band from Brighton, England is

times if I could.

should try again. A few weeks later she

made up of lead vocalist Patty Walters, guitarist and vocalist Ben Biss, guitarist Andy Westhead, bassist Alistair Testo, and drummer Patrick Foley.

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got a call from a rapper by the name

bebe rexa

of Eminem,saying that he wanted her song because he loved it.

EDM and pop artist Bebe Rexha

Bebe’s song titled “The Monster”

The band opened up with “Speak

is a 25-year-old singer from Brooklyn,

topped the charts at #1 for 10 weeks.

Soft,” which instantly got me hooked.

New York. She was on Van’s Warped

She is also featured in David Guetta’s

All of their music had me bouncing

Tour this year and as soon when I saw

song “Hey Mama” with Nicki Minaj

and dancing around with my friends.

her on the lineup I got so excited. Some

and Afrojack.

Patty was constantly jumping around

people compare Bebe to a mixture of

Her stage presence is a mixture

and he looked like he was having a blast

Ellie Goulding and Halsey because of

of sexy and badass. She’s constantly

on stage next to his best friends, which

her stage presence and her unique style.

moving her body and telling it how it

is. Her connection with the audience

there and taking control of your own

Mikel Van Kranenburg (Bass Guitar),

is amazing, and she was so grateful

existence because no one else can do it

and Rico Rodriguez (Drums).

for everything she’s been given the

for you.

opportunity to do.

mod sun Mod Sun is probably one of the

I had been waiting all day to see

When he’s out on stage, it’s like he’s

them. My friends and I had side stage

lost in his own world but somehow still

for them and when you’re side stage,

connects with the audience in a way

you really get to see the impact the

that makes you never want to stop.

band has on the crowd, and this band

most influential people I’ve met in my

vDuring the performance, there

had a huge impact on the crowd. The

entire life. He is an artist who describes

were two fans that brought huge bags

energy they have and the energy they

his music as Hippy Hop, which pretty

of glitter. Mod Sun got off stage to get

put out into the crowd is just crazy.

much explains itself. Mod Sun is an

some of the glitter and cover himself in

During their set, Travis and Rico

acronym that stands for Movement

it. The glitter people made their way

did something on the drums that

On Dreams, Stand Under None. He

to me and then we all followed in the

could be compared to a mix of a drum

adresses his fan base as a “friend base”

steps of the hippy on stage and covered

handshake and drum wars. It looked

because he has such a close connection

ourselves as well. Let me tell you, glitter

like it took them a while to come up

with his fans that we’re basically all

does not come out easily.

with and probably even more time to

friends.

His album Look Up, which took

night riots

memorize and practice. During the drum wars, each member of the band would come back on stage until it all

two years to create, came out in March

Night Riots was the last band I saw

of 2015 and it is remarkable. The album

at Warped Tour. They are an alternative

also features his newest song, “Did I

rock band from California made up of

After they performed, they had a

Ever Wake Up,” which circles around

Travis Hawley (Vocals), Nick Fotinakes

meet-and-greet at their tent. They were

Mod Sun’s philosophy of getting out

(Guitar), Matt DePauw (Guitar),

just really cool dudes.

fell together.

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black veil brides

12

never shout never

13

as it is

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the entertainment institute article by: rachel sandene

The Entertainment Institute, also known as TEI, is an organisation that has found a unique way to educate teens on the music industry and the different careers that it may offer. TEI allows teens and young adults to sit down in group lessons with artists or entrepreneurs they admire and ask questions about the field as well as learn how their mentor (known around TEI as a “guru”) got to where they are in the industry today. TEI creative director Dakota Gartner talked to us about the program while we were at Warped Tour, giving us an insider look at The Entertrainment Institute’s workshops and overall purpose.

What is TEI’s purpose? And

had created, which was basically

college for music, and i transferred

where did the idea come from?

giving

with

down to LA to finish up by degree,

The

institute’s

different artists. So when Jen and I

and I was in a music industry

purpose is to give people who are

met we started combining our ideas,

program. Within that, I became an

interested in giving people who

and then shortly after Matt closed

intern at Kevin Lyman’s office, and

are interested in taking part in

out Bandhappy, which basically

now I got my name as “The intern

the industry either as an artist or

brought the full vision around, full

who would never leave”, because I

a working professional a tool to be

circle. And then Kevin Lyman is our

went from that to intern supervisor,

able to ask the questions that so

connector, he’s our main funding

to marketing coordinator, and little

many of us have trouble answering

person, he’s the guy who makes sure

by little, tried to find a way into

along the way. And basically, the

were able to survive.

the office. To find my own place in

entertainment

lessons

backstage

the office. So, basically, I started

start is a little bit difficult to explain because it was multiple ideas from

Tell us a little about yourself and

booking Kevin’s college speaking

multiple

why you wanted to be a part of

stuff about a year and a half ago,

once. So, I had an idea for creative

the entertainment institute.

and from that we transitioned into

content, then, we had Jen, who’s our

Well, I have been a musician for a

the idea of creating an educational

tour accountant have an idea to do

while, well I started playing guitar

platform. That eventually became

online classes on different industry

when I was six, i’ve been in bands, I

TEI. I wanna be part of it because I

specifications, and then there was a

started really setting up concerts and

see a lot of kids who are in a similar

company called Bandhappy, which

shows when I was about twelve years

position to myself, where they

one of our partners Matt Halperin

old, and so little by little, I went to

wanna break into the industry but

people

combining

at

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they don’t have the connections to get

specification classes. So people who

different things that I have come

in, or they are in the industry, but

are interested in guitar can learn

into contact with along the way.

the don’t wanna ask questions that’ll

from an artist they really look unto,

And i think that pretty much all of

make them look stupid. So I wanted

or, you know, someone who’s looking

our teachers have similar things they

to create something that would give

to be an entrepreneur can look up

can pass on. When you go to school,

people the ability to really like, you

to someone who’s really doing it in

there are professors who are leading

know, maybe not be completely in

the field. About the questions that

specific conversations that they have

the know, but be ahead of the game

come up, I mean, we get a bunch of

gone to school for for you know, years

when they get out there.

different questions because everyone

and years and years. This industry,

who comes to these classes really has

it’s trial and error, so for me at least,

How do the workshops work,

a different background and you

it’s about understanding when you

what are some typical things that

know a different purpose in being

don’t know, and asking the right

happen in workshops?

there, but the most commonly asked

questions at the right time so you’re

We have three different kinds as of

questions are like, how do you get

able to get to where you wanna go.

right now. We have online classes,

into the industry, and I think that

And like, really envisioning what

which is an eight person Skype chat,

like, doing these TEI classes on top

that is, because i’ve had a lot of people

one of our moderators, and the

of being part of a music program, on

say they just kind of walked into it,

teacher, which could be anyone from

top of doing an internship, is really

and for me, although, you know life

Kevin Lyman to Matty Mullins of

a great step in the right direction on

is unpredictable, I’m able to kind of

Memphis Mayfire to we know, we

how you can step in to this field.

set a list of goals, and meet them.

That’s done kind of through asking

have a list of whoever doing these

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classes online. We have on-tour

On TEI’s website, it says that one

questions, through actually doing it,

classes, which is where bands will

of the most important parts of

and overall, just kind of trying to

teach the classes on their specific tour,

the workshops is sharing the first

exceed anyone’s expectations.

and it could be anything from an

hand knowledge and experiences

instrument class to a motivational

in the music industry. Do you

What is the hardest part of

speech and so forth. And then we

have any experiences of your

getting started in the music

have of what we’re doing here on

own that you’d like to share?

industry, and how do you keep

Warped tour, which is where we have

Yeah, I mean, I’m 25, but I have

going despite those obstacles?

multiple artists teaching different

been in the music industry for a

The hardest part of getting started in

classes on different things throughout

while. I mean i’ve been setting up

the music industry is getting started

the day, and basically how those

shows since I was twelve. So I have

in the music industry. I mean, I know

work is that they run as different

a bunch of different stories and

that’s just kind of saying the same

thing but the truth of it is, you know

but maybe it’s not a profession. I

all about small, manageable, bites.

a lot of us, some people are born into

guess it’s about like, realizing where

You can always get to where you’re

it, some people are blessed to be born

your path is headed, and I think

headed, but you have to do that by

into it. Some people are so talented

that’s one of the hardest things. I

taking small manageable bites. That

that they end up becoming part of it

never expected to be where I’m at.

way you’ll be able to gain so much more from it.

because it’s inevitable, right? But I think that a lot of people, they come over with these ideas like, I wanna be a tour manager. but they don’t understand the different specifics of what makes that job what it is and how hard it really is. And so, there’s a lot of falling on your face at first,

Do you have any advice for teenagers and young adults who want to be a part of the music industry?

Take TEI classes. But um, you know, but really, I think that the

Is there any advice you’d give to young people wanting to go into other artistic fields?

Take classes from The Entertainment Institute. I mean, you know, I think that creative fields are all very similar

first thing that you should do is

when it comes to getting into them.

TEI. So they can ask those questions

become part of your local scene.

I think that it’s all about finding

that you know, make you look, not

Become part of your community. I

some type of a mentor, or a place

stupid, but make you look lazy. And

have so many kids who come up to

where you feel like you can grow,

that’s because you can answer them

us and are like “How do I get a job

and really get there. But I think that

by yourself, or you know they will

on the Warped Tour?” and like, you

at the same time, it’s about really

kind of inevitably come to you. So

know, long before I had a job on the

understanding your value as well.

yeah, I think that it’s just about

Warped Tour, I worked every single

A lot of people will work for free

making sure that you don’t give up,

night of a year, or most of the nights

and making sure that you have the

of a year in the local venues in my

and that’s a reason to why we have

ability to create all of these different goals and making sure that you meet them. I mean, it’s just about hard work and dedication, you know?

I mean, if you’re a photographer that can’t really take pictures, then

town. Be it a coffee shop, or a bar, or a restaurant, or a venue that’s like a stadium. You know, I was really embedding myself in my local scene, and then I was able to move onto

for a while as well, and a certain point you need to understand that your worth is important, you know?

So it’s a balance as a creative, of you know, finding someone who’s willing to teach you about the craft that you want to learn about.

And, understanding, when you’ve

bigger and better things from there. I

gotten to a point where you are

think that’s like, something everyone

knowledgeable, and making sure

classes until you get to a point where

needs to take in consideration,

that you’re compensated for it in

you’re, you know, somewhat there,

especially when you’re young. It’s

some way.

maybe you shouldn’t be taking pictures. But, you can always take

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photos by: mae krell | article by: nicolaia rips

Meghann Wright is a New York-based singer/songwriter and founder of musical community The City and the Heart. Originally from Hawaii she accompanies her heartbreaking and genre blending music with a soulful and captivating voice. Her recently dropped album, titled Nothin’ Left to Lose, has already garnered serious acclaim.

When and why did you get into music? Did you ever consider other career trajectories?

Yeah, I considered paleontology, culinary arts, and video production and I did two of those things. But I’ve been playing music my whole life but I never really considered it as a way to life, as a viable career option until my twenties when I really started pursuing it on a professional level.

Do you feel growing up in Hawaii has influenced your music style? How is the music scene there different?

The music scene there is really tight knit and close and cool because I think it’s just a smaller scene. When I was growing up and we would go to shows it wasn’t just like a punk show or like a hard core show, it would be like a punk band and then a hard-core band and then a poppunk band and then a sca band. You know what I mean? Everybody

19

just kind loves music in general so they’re not funky

Sometimes it fleshes out to be a really good song and

about it.

sometimes it turns out to be nothing.

What musicians inspire you?

How would you describe your music?

Artists like Tom Petty, Dolly Parton, Tori Amos, and

Basically I decided to do this singer-songwriter thing

Elvis Costello. These are artists who are just incredible

because I really wanted the freedom to play around with

at their craft but who are also really good people who

different genres of music and not be tied to one thing.

do amazing things with their community and and with

I’ve been in bands where it’s really specific, like a death

culture. I just look up to them a lot.

metal band or a throwback hard-core band or a dancy indie-rock band, where it’s super specific and you want

Can you tell us a little about your musical

to fit that vibe and that sound. As a singer songwriter I

community, The City and the Heart?

feel you have more freedom to dabble and allow a song

Yeah! I started it in 2013. It’s a really organically

to do what it wants. If it has a bluesier vibe, that’s okay,

developed thing. I met so many women similar to myself

or a more rock vibe, that’s okay, or a more country vibe,

where they were new to the scene, and just needed help

that’s okay.

and needed community to be there for them. We started putting on showcases together, we recorded a bunch

What themes do you find pop up a lot in your

of music together, we put out the first compilation

music?

record in 2014 which is available for free and we just

Definitely emotional turmoil and working through it

put out the most recent volume two in May of 2015.

and making sense of it. Then my sub themes usually

You can get both of them at the cityandtheheart.

have to do with addiction and loss and heart break.

bandcamp.com. And again, so they’re available for

However, the ultimate goal of the song is to try to find

free download but if you do want to donate money it

hope or find something at the end of it.

goes to a nonprofit organization called Safe Horizon, which you can check out at safehorizon.org. They are an

What is your favorite song of yours and why?

organization that benefits victims of domestic violence.

People ask me this a lot and i’m like “Why do I have to have a favorite song?”. I think if i had to pick one, it would be a song called Sunshine Through the Rain

Generally I get inspired by life events and I tend to

that’s on my new album Nothin’ Left to Lose. It’s kind

think in melody for some reason. So when I think in

of bittersweet. It’s like seeing the the silver lining.

words it’s already musical. If it’s a cool idea that I really

Even if things are sad you can still look for beauty

like I will record it on my phone. When I get a chance

and love and positivity. There’s always something

to, I’ll work on it at home with my computer and guitar.

better waiting for you.

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What is your creative process like?

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QUE article by: taylor watkins

22

SERA photos by: mae krell

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Jon: Hopefully just on the road all the time.

Nick: Yeah. Ideally, keep growing.

Danny: It’s like, hope for the best, plan for the worst, and just grind it out.

Nick: Hopefully, we’re in a situation where we’re not sweating as much as we currently are.

Richard: I’m not looking forward to Florida next week either.

Danny: I don’t know. Just keep going.

Brandon: Continue doing what we love. Hopefully reach out to as many people as we can.

Que/Sera is a post hardcore rock band based out of Providence, Rhode Island. The five piece band consists of Nick Goins on guitar, Brandon Forbes on bass, Richard Farrands on guitar, Jon Desousa on drums, and Dan Schmiedel on vocals. We were fortunate enough to catch up with the band and ask a few questions.

How did you guys meet?

Nick: I met Richie when I was like 15. We met on MySpace.

He was like, “dude, you’re really good at guitar” and I was like, “thanks, you too.” And then we did a couple of bands that I don’t want to talk about.

Brandon: Me and Jon worked at a guitar store together and they lost their bass player and came in and asked me if I wanted to try out and we lost our drummer so I asked Jon if he wanted a few shows and here we are.

Danny: And then they found me from old projects that i was involved in so… We just kind of assembled from old projects.

Nick: Rhode Island is a small place.

Richard: You just kind of cherry pick whoever’s available two years later.

Where do you see the band going in the next five years?

Nick: 5 years? Ooo, that’s scary.

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Who’s your ultimate musical inspiration?

Nick: For me, my favorite band growing up was Underoath.

I wanted to be as much like that band as I could.

Danny: I think that’s the most universal thing for this band.

Everyone has, like, a middle ground of Underoath. We love that band.

Nick: Being from New England, we have those bands growing up, like Receiving End of Sirens, Lions Lions, Vanna.

Jon: Four Years Strong, too. It’s just like, we’ve been surrounded by crazy stage shows.

Who do you feel inspired you as a whole, not musically?

Brandon: I think either Obama or Nike.

Richard: We actually had a kid say to us… I think this was the first time… Where he said he had started a band and we were their musical influence. So I thought that huge.

Nick: When they wanted to be a band like Que/Sera, that was a really weird feeling.

Jon: That’s when it got like super real.

Nick: You spend so many hours just practicing what you do and trying to get yourself out there that you lose kinda sight of where you’ve been. And that’s kind of cool that you get to see it actually reach people and actually have a tangible affect on someone. That’s a really weird feeling.

Richard: Yeah it’s like really? Show us some riffs, man.

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orence + the machine photos by: emma gould | article by: logan wood

26

album review: how big, how blue, how beautiful Ignorance is bliss. But once you become aware

When it works, I’m absolutely caught up in the calamity. But

of who you are and what you can do, you

when it doesn’t, I’m left missing the sound of the previous

never go back. In How Big, How Blue,

albums.

How Beautiful, Florence Welch

One thing that hasn’t changed is the raw power of

conveys how much she has

Florence’s voice. It transcends any other sour melody that

grown in past four years

I may hear. Her new self awareness and perspective brings

between Ceremonials and

clarity and conviction to already convincing lyrics. There’s

this album. This marks

no more alluding to mythical tales or far off places to say

a big departure from

something, this album is about her and what she has to say.

Florence’s typical sound

The juxtaposition and polarization of the tracks is a welcomed

and stylization. The timid

theme. The songs “Caught” and “What Kind of Man” both

harp and mild melodies

discuss her being in love, “Caught” showing the pull of love

are no more, replaced by

but not yet the punishment while “What Kind of Man” jostles

thunderous percussion, brass

in passion and heart break. Ship to Wreck is crazy party regret

and guitar that combine

while Long & Lost is the post hangover questioning of her

differently in each song.

own validity. This strife intertwines the tracks in a beautiful

Rather than feeling like a

ebb and flow that is hypnotizing to listen to.

dense rain forest framed by

However, a few tracks fell flat for me. “Queen of Peace”’s

fog, it evokes an iridium rich

intro begins promising but speeds up and hurtles it itself into

mountain top or pitch

overpowering oblivion. “Ship to Wreck” was convincing as

skyscraper

a single but included into the full album it sounded shallow

at night. This

compared to the rest of it. The title-track inclusion of “How

is both a

Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” thankfully saves the first

blessing

third of the album from all sounding the same. Its massive

a n d

crescendos and brass flourishes evoke a gigantic world that

curse.

Florence yearns to live in. “Third Eye” gives both an uplifting

black

message and radio ready appeal. “Which Witch” is included as a bonus track on the Deluxe version and I absolutely love it. It reminds me of the old Machine’s primal percussion and Florence’s new righteous fury of self enlightenment.

Honestly, this album is a huge milestone for both Florence and her fans. Florence for finding herself and with laser focus conveying what she has to say. Her fans for waiting four excruciating years for this album. The wait was truly worth it. The few shortcomings of this album are far outweighed

by Florence’s new dynamic perspective and the Machine’s thunderous yet refined sound. Florence and the Machine, I am truly caught up in your creation.

27

album reviews melanie martinez cry baby article by: emma orland

hear the songs without being distracted by obnoxiously loud instrumentals.

In my opinion, Cry Baby is an

the bird and the bee recreational love article by: logan wood

The titles of songs off of Melanie

incredible album and it’s definitely

There are a lot of bands today that

Martinez’s debut album, Cry Baby,

worth the listen! To fully experience the

really try to emulate a certain decade

could easily be mistaken for an artist

album I highly recommend playing it

in their music. But I’ve never heard

similar to The Wiggles, with titles such

from start to end and listen closely to

someone so tastefully recreate yet not

as “Dollhouse,” “Training Wheels,”

the lyrics. It’s a magical 46 minutes.

imitate as The Bird And The Bee. Their

“Cake,” “Teddy Bear,” and so on.

sound slowly sweeps across your ears

However, these songs are far from

like a gentle breeze on a summers day.

childish; behind the titles are dark and explicit lyrics. Much like the Dollhouse EP, the songs cover the darkest of relationships,

family

or

romantic.

any otherwise any otherwise ep

Their newest album, Recreational Love, is filled with 60’s inspired vocals and

article by: taylor watkins

cultured jazz rhythms. Sugary lyrics

Martinez’s debut album is a concept

Any Otherwise is a “sad and loud”

record—starring her alter-ego, Cry

band based out of Savannah, Georgia.

Baby.

The three piece band is made up of

The story of the album is a

Justin Therrell on guitar and lead vocals,

recollection of Melanie’s (pre)teen

Adam McLamb on bass, and Corey

experiences, exaggerated. This is not

Freymuth on drums. The three first got

your average fairytale. It is about a

together in late 2012 and have since

little girl who lives in a household with

released an EP as well as a single called

an alcoholic mother and encounters

“Paper Skin”. Their second EP will be

romantic affairs, being kidnapped, and

released in early July.

so much more. Cry Baby is crazy, but she

AO’s self titled EP and single have

embraces it and it eventually helps her

literally been on shuffle since I found

out of a tough situation as told through

out about the band. The soul they put

“Milk and Cookies,” where she manages

into their music is felt deep within the

to poison her kidnapper and escape.

bones of the listener. It’s absolutely

and odes to young love harken back to the days of space age culture and the golden age of 007. But with timeless style and effortless finesse, Recreational Love would be just as welcome on my grandparents turntable as it is on my speakers.

Upbeat serenades like “Young And Dumb,” “Runaway,” and “Will You Dance?” further flesh out the theme of this masterful album. More eclectic songs including the lullaby-like “Lovey Dovey” and “Los Angeles” (a love song dedicated to the city of the same name) help to diversify the band’s already

these

cultured sound. Groovy bass and clear

to the whole childish baby aesthetic

It’s a real wonder how I haven’t

give the whimsical vocals of lead singer

of the album, the instruments in the

gotten sick of their single “Paper Skin”

background of the song sometimes

because I’ve probably listened to it at

Combined, The Bird And The Bee

seem to be a xylophone or a baby piano

least a hundred times this week (and

evoke airy amusement yet grounded

that’s off-key or other instruments that

I really wish I was exaggerating). I

sound that is magnetizing to the ear. No

you could find a little kid playing with.

honestly cannot find words to explain

matter what you think of them, they

Luckily, the backtracks are perfectly

how excited I am for their next EP.

will most certainly make you dance.

Musically, the album could be described as alternative pop. To add

28

balanced with the vocals so you can

awe-inspiring

how

talented

gentlemen are.

percussion produced by Greg Kurstin Inara George room to blossom.

introducing: nite

article by: lydia krumper | photos by: chloe hendrix additional art by: tiffany tremaine

Nite is a two-member band comprised of Dallas, Texas natives Kyle and Myles Mendes. Tongue Tied interviewed the duo about their latest single, “We Were Strong,” as well as their roots and how they plan to grow.

Where do you see yourselves in three years?

be something more aggressive than our current

Kyle: Well, right now it looks like we are working

album, not that we aren’t gonna make pop

with a guy named Bob Mar, a producer, and

music anymore.

I’m thinking that in a few years we are gonna be partners with him and working with him, we

What have you been working on lately?

don’t know where that’s gonna take us, but that’s

Miles: Lately we’ve actually been working on an

the plan as of now we kind of signed on with

EP and we are gonna be playing shows here and

him. Musically speaking probably something a

there. This summer, we’ve been really focusing

little more energetic, more upbeat, we are gonna

on the new music that we will be doing, I think 29

we are gonna be doing three or four songs, we are almost done with it and then once we release it, I guess the sky is the limit.

That’s awesome! When did you guys start working on the EP? Miles: Late spring, I would say. We recorded quite a few songs already, but we are gonna pick the best to be recorded.

How long have you been a band/duo?

Kyle: We’ve been a band since we were 15 years old, playing music together since we were 13. We’ve actually never been in a band without each other, every music project we’ve done has been together.

That’s super cool! What went into making your song, “We Were Strong”?

Miles: We actually recorded it a few times, we made a demo at home with it, we wrote and recorded it

at home, and then we recorded it at a friend’s studio and we made an album with it.

Kyle: About the meaning of the song, I actually had a friend that was engaged for a couple years and broke that off and uh, I kinda just wanted to step in his shoes and pretty much, wrote the song about me being in his shoes, kind of like how I would feel going through that moment.

I started writing songs about experiences I’ve never had and I think it’s a lot more insightful to hear people, like, respond like “oh my god! I really connect with this!” And it’s like, I didn’t even go through that, but the fact that you connect with it is really awesome.

Miles: I think it’s like there’s only two songs like that on the album, both his songs, “We Were Strong” and “The City of Power are both like outward experiences, but I think everything else on the album is like direct experiences that we’ve had and every song is based off something, we are writing about fear, fear that we have. Like we have gone through some trials or something like this. One of the things

30

I’ve written about is when I was eleven years old,

What are some of your favorite bands and/or bands that inspire you?

Kyle: Well, there are a few bands we love: New Order, Depeche Mode, classic eighties bands. We also like a lot of bands of today, like White Lies, Interpol, Beach House, The Jets.

Miles: Arcade Fire, I think, too. And, I don’t know, a lot of the bands that we’ve played with actually are awesome and they’ve inspired me in ways.

FMLYBND? Those guys are really nice.

Kyle: We played with a band called Clean Bandit and they’re really nice.

Do you think living in Dallas has influenced your music?

Kyle: I think it definitely has. Going to UNT ‘cause everyone is a music student there. It’s almost like even if you’re getting a business degree, you’re into music or art. This place is so heavily focused on art and music.

I witnessed something traumatizing and so I wrote a song about it and almost every song is about something, like overcoming fear. Like a love song that went bad.

Kyle: Everyone has a fear and just because you haven’t experienced it doesn’t mean other people haven’t.

Miles: Like you can watch a movie and be touched by it, you can write a song and be inspired by that and that’s kind of what we are pulling from.

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interview & album review: statik article by: taylor watkins

Statik, an up-and-coming

musician out of Los Angeles, California, has slowly begun to wiggle her way into the music industry.

Originally

known

for

her

photography, Statik (also known as @hauntedghost on Instagram) started releasing her music bit by bit at the beginning of this year. After months of waiting, an album is finally here.

Her first EP, The Headlights, was released on the fourth of September.

With seventeen reviews on iTunes so far, it’s without a doubt becoming a hit among many fans of her photography skills as well as friends she has gathered along the years through social media.

The EP, consisting of six songs, has made its melodic way into my top ten favorite records of this year. “You

What inspired you to get into the

tones and bubbly rhythms. It makes

music industry?

itself a must-have for your next party

I’ve wanted to do this since I was 5. I don’t

soundtrack.

think there was ever any inspiration, just a feeling in me that knew it was what I

How did you come up with the name

meant to do.

Statik?

Well…if we’re going to be 100% real

Who

right now, my math teacher said “static”

inspiration when it comes to your

one day in class and it stuck with me. It

musical career?

was when I first started doing work with United Family Music, and I had spent months trying to find a name that wasn’t totally lame, but when I looked up the definition of static and it said it means “motionless, fixed, being at rest”. Seeing as I’m none of that, but I love the sound of he word, I changed the “c” to a “k” and boom. Statik.

How long did it take you to write “The Headlights” EP?

would

you

say

is

your

I have so many! But Sara Bareilles is my inspiration for a lot of things. Her songs are equally as beautiful as they are heart wrenching. She’s beautiful, her music is beautiful, and I love her.

Where do you see yourself going in the next two or three years musically?

I’m definitely going to be releasing a full length soon. I see myself working my way up and learning from the best. I want longevity.

I started recording on February 7, 2014.

When will we be seeing you tour?

The first song I wrote didn’t make the cut.

Hopefully early next year!

Tore Down My Walls,” “Daughter of

Neither did the second. A lot of people

the Sun,” and “Catastropic” are by far

would say a year to write six songs is a

If you could tour with anyone dead

my favorites on the record. Each song

long time, but there were a lot in between

or alive, who would it be and why?

has its own spin and personal story that

that didn’t make it to the studio, and a

It would be a dream to tour with

many people will be able to relate to.

few that simply didn’t make it through

Florence + the Machine. Her shows are

this round. I do plan on releasing all of

a work of art… It would be incredible

my music, though.

to be a part of it.

Statik’s sound would definitely be described as rock with a pop-twist.

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The record contains smooth guitar

the secret society of

ex mermaids

article by: rachel sandene | photos by: chloe hendrix

The Secret Society of Ex Mermaids is an online clothing brand that was started by Francki Harrell, an ex-mermaid herself. Tongue Tied Magazine got an interview with Francki to discuss fashion, individuality, and, most importantly, mermaids.

What made you want to start the Secret Society of Ex Mermaids clothing brand? Does your history of studying fashion design in NYC and London as well as working with various fashion designers in the past have any influence on the brand?

Working for other designers taught me a lot about the fashion business, but I have always been more in love with the weirdo brands. I wanted to create a fashion brand that also felt like telling a story. It’s my dream for customers to feel a strong connection..“Like, yea, I wish we were friends” when they find The Secret Society of Ex Mermaids.

I like being a brand that you can discover.

How do you come up with designs for the apparel sold in your online shop? Where do you find inspiration?

I am very inspired by subcultures on tumblr and I also stalk on instagram. When I find a cool girl’s account, suddenly I am looking at something from 35 weeks ago and I have to back away... but I like seeing how creative real girls can be with their outfits and photography. I am currently obsessed with Japan and I just got back from a trip to Tokyo... So watch out for lots of Harajuku influence coming up!

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On the subject of inspiration, where did the “Ex Mermaids” concept first occur to you? Is there a personal significance to the idea?

I knew I wanted to create a fashion brand that would work well on social media, so the idea of a Secret Society seemed exclusive and fun. The Ex Mermaid idea was just a way to capture that otherworld, alien feeling that so many teens and young adults have. And Ariel has always been my favorite Disney Princess. Who doesn’t want to claim mermaid heritage?! I named the brand in a day or two....I wrote down a lot of options and Ex Mermaid was my favorite and it wasn’t anywhere on google or social media. Today there are tons!

The best way to find your original style is to not care about what other people think of you and just care about other people.

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Who doesn’t want to claim mermaid heritage?

What do you consider the distinguishing features of Ex Mermaid’s products? How are you different from other clothing brands?

Everything is developed and made in New York City... And that is getting more and more rare. I also have made several colors and styles at the direct request of my followers!

You’ve been featured in Nylon Shop and other places around the Internet. How do you feel about the rising popularity of the Ex Mermaid brand? Do you have any plans for the future?

I love building the brand little by little right now. It feels exciting and experimental and I have a lot of freedom. I am not in any hurry to be worn by everyone... I like being a brand that you can ‘discover’ and not a brand that’s in every Urban Outfitters. My vision right now is to eventually be big enough to develop a whole collection and have a runway show!

Is individuality important to you? What advice would you give to teenagers and young adults who are struggling to find their own sense of style and individuality?

Individuality is very important, but honestly, I think pop culture focuses way too much on it. The best way to find your original style is to not care about what other people think of you and just care about other people. Which is really hard when so much of our interactions are crafted and filtered on social media and it starts to feel like one big competition. Your teen years will seem like you are super limited..and no, you can’t go sign a lease, but you basically get a free pass to have bad hair color and experimental fashion and my advicewould be to run with that! Sport the space buns. The goal is for your 40 year old self to look back and cringe a little in her perfect, understated silk tee shirt. My hope is that Ex Mermaid is providing some of that expressive wardrobe for the odd girls out.

35

static sound apparel

Static Sound Apparel is a graphic tee brand whose designs are inspired and based on music and popular culture. Tongue Tied interviewed Angela, Static Sound’s founder and designer, to learn more about the brand. article by: rachel sandene photographs by: kitty levin

36

37

Your clothing line has a very specific aesthetic. What

the brand, even though I had no idea whether or not

is the inspiration behind that aesthetic, and what

people would even buy from a small unknown company.

do you think makes it appealing to your customers?

It definitely was worth it, seeing as a year later, the

Through my clothing, I really just aim to keep my designs

company is still here and doing well!

and clothing simple yet pleasing. I always think about whether or not I would wear it, because I tend to like very minimalistic things. Most of my designs are inspired by either music or pop culture, so I’d say much of our aesthetic is also inspired by both. Because I try to draw my designs based on popular song lyrics or things popular in culture, I think this is also what makes it appealing to customers.

What is the biggest risk you have taken so far with

What is your most popular item at the moment?

At the moment, it’s probably our Arabella T, inspired by the Arctic Monkeys’ song, Arabella.

How do you adjust your brand to keep up with ever-changing fashion trends?

The thing about graphic t’s is that they’re always “instyle” since they’re so easy to style - you can wear them with just about anything. The main adjustments I make primarily deal with the designs on the shirts, trying to

Static Sound Apparel? Was it worth it?

keep up with what is most popular amongst my followers.

Honestly, the biggest risk that I’ve taken was just starting

However, I also do continuously change the style of the

the company. I invested a few hundred dollars and a

shirts that we use to add a bit of variety and to fit for

lot of time into making designs and trying to market

specific seasons.

39

Do you hope to see Static Sound Apparel expand in the next few years?

What are your future plans for the brand?

I would love to see Static Sound expand, but right now, I’m not sure what the future of the company is. I kind of just plan for the next few weeks, or next few months with making new designs and finding new styles of shirts to sell, and don’t plan much for the far future. I would love to establish a physical presence of the store, but I’m also currently a college student so it’s not practical for me to do so at the moment. We do have some new products coming out very soon that I’m excited aboutm so you should definitely look out for that!

Are there any words of advice you would give to teenagers who are trying to find their own unique style?

I would tell them not to worry too much about consciously trying to find their own style - I think “style” is really something that stems from each person’s idea of aesthetics and what they personally like.

40

o c a n lu

l e r a p p a t as

y: photos b

42

atkins

skylar w

Luna Coast Apparel is a swimsuit brand

sold online. Tongue Tied Mag interviewed

them about what they believe is important in a swimsuit (hint: it’s that wearing a bikini

shouldn’t make you feel bad about your body). Read on for the full conversation.

What inspires your swimsuit line?

Our swimsuit line was inspired by my girlfriend Skyla. She’s helps us design and we make it happen.

How should girls feel in themselves when wearing your swimsuits?

They should feel beautiful and confident in their own skin.

Our swimsuits strive to bring out the confidence girls need nowadays. Society has created an unrealistic idea of beauty, and we aim to shut that down.

What is your goal in the near future for you swimsuit company?

Our goal for the near future is to create swimsuits that embody the normal girls of the world. Most swimsuit companies sell bikinis for unreal prices, and we want to take those same stylish bikinis and make them available to the majority of girls.

What’s one word to describe your swimsuits?

Radiant.

What swimsuit top and bottoms are most popular?

The most popular top is our Reversible Sydney Top and the most popular bottom is the Reversible Sydney Bottom!

43

susi apparel Susi Apparel is an Etsy shop headquartered in the United Kingdom, created and stocked by illustrator Venla Valve.

photos by: chloe hendrix

44

Your shop is based in the UK, but its description states that your designs are inspired by Scandinavian folklore, among other things.

How did this source of inspiration come about?

I live in the UK, but I’m from Finland and I find myself inspired by a lot of things back home. It didn’t used to be that way, but I think living abroad makes you appreciate your own heritage more.

Describe to us your creative process. Do you ever doubt yourself when you’re making things?

I’m really bad at describing my process!! I don’t doubt myself as much as I used to, because sometimes you make good stuff and sometimes you make bad stuff, but the most important thing is to just draw loads of different things, everyday, and eventually you’ll make something awesome.

Your clothing products have such unique designs printed on them.

Do you draw these yourself? How do you come up with your ideas?

Do you have any ideas planned for the future?

Yes I draw everything myself! As I said above, I just basically make a lot of things, and then choose ones that I think would look good in the shop and fit the theme and then develop those ones further… I have loads of stuff planned! The hardest thing is to find time to do them. I’ve just graduated uni and have a proper job now, so I can only really make stuff on weekends.

Which design is your favorite? Why? That’s really difficult to answer, my favourite changes all the time… At the moment I really like the tie-dye crop tops I just put up on the shop.

What advice would you give to teenagers or young adults trying to find their own style?

I’m really the wrong person to ask this… Be brave I suppose? I’ve heard so many friends say how they’d like to dye their hair weird colour or shave it or get piercing or something but are too afraid to do it and I feel that’s really sad. You shouldn’t feel scared to express yourself!

Where do you see Susi Apparel going in the future? Would you like to expand, or do you think staying small is better for your business?

Eventually I would love to be able to do it full-time. I don’t think I’d want to expand it that much, just make enough that I could live on it!

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book reviews all the bright places by jennifer niven article by: logan wood

ropes Violet into being his partner.

Once this pairing is made, the story morphs into a road trip/romance

something that so vividly illustrates the toll mental illness takes upon those affected and their families.

narrative that I wasn’t keen on at first.

All The Bright Places begins with

All The Bright Places, by Jennifer

It felt like a John Green knockoff that

the tired premise of teenage coming

Niven, illuminates a world that most

was a little too angsty for my taste. But

of age but evolves into a sprawling

of us have dwelled in before. Frustrated

they don’t talk like philosophers or

world. Both Violet and Finch grow

with their current situation, anxious

spontaneously come up with profound

individually through the help of each

about their future, and scared from

quotes, which really grounds the

other. Small towns can prove suffocating

their past sets the premise of which

characters and makes them relatable. As

to a forward thinking populace (a fact

the characters Violet and Finch are

I continued to read, Finch and Violet

I’m unfortunately acutely aware of )

introduced. Violet, a former popular

progressed

but Violet and Finch created their

girl, has slowly drifted from the

characters and as a couple.

Violet

own oxygen. Messages of life and

spotlight after her sister Eleanor died

absolutely refused to ride in a car

love are made clear by the bittersweet

in a car crash. Finch, the small town of

after Eleanor’s death but Finch helps

conclusion. This book was a labor of

Bartlett’s own “freak” is a misunderstood

her to move on with her life and face

love, and reminds you that even if you’re

rebellious kid from a town too small to

her fear. Finch struggles with times of

in a dark period now, you will truly find

contain all his ideas. They meet on a

being what he calls “asleep”. This is a

all the bright places.

fated day at the top of their school’s bell

side effect of his bipolar disorder that

tower. Violet, overwhelmed with grief

is poorly treated by his scarred mother

about her sister went there to possibly

and abusive father. Violet helps by truly

end it all. Finch is there just to get

caring about him, whether or not he’s in

away and sees Violet on the edge. He

a bright place or not.

naturally

as

individual

the dogs i have kissed by trista mateer article by: taylor zmijewski

quickly talks her down while making

Reading Jennifer Niven’s notes at

it look like Violet was the one helping

the end of the book show how deeply

Twenty-four year old Baltimore

him. Once they descend from the tower

she cares for issues behind mental

based writer, Trista Mateer (tristamateer

the repercussions of this incident begin

illness. She crafted this story to bring

here on Tumblr), is the author of two

to take hold on both their lives. Violet

to light the social double standards

collections of poetry: Honeybee and The

begins to drift even further from her

behind the public’s perception and

Dogs I Have Kissed. I have had the lovely

once popular friends and boyfriend.

treatment of mental illness. It ties in

experience of reading the latter of the

Finch becomes excited to have a person

beautifully to the narrative’s conclusion

two. Mateer explores many different

genuinely respect him. When their

as her commentary follows right after

topics in this book, although it may not

history teacher assigns a project to

the story’s final page. You really feel the

seem like it on the surface. As I started

wander Indiana for landmarks, Finch

urgency of her points after you’ve read

reading through the first few poems,

46

I felt as though they all had the same

There is pleading for forgiveness and

into four parts, each titled based on

common theme, and that is one of the

begging a lover to stay. There is the

lines extracted from poems within the

things I love about it. Mateer explores

feeling of guilt when you love someone

book. The first part, “Change Came

the

hatred,

else more than your partner. There is the

to Me So Ugly Then,” begins with a

sadness, and realizations of a young

feeling of exploration and the realization

sourness that tastes like hope. It contains

woman, regardless of her environment,

of who is and isn’t right for you. There

poems of self-discovery rather than self-

sexuality, or backgrounds.

are the texts sent to exes that you wish

destruction. It ends on a bittersweet

you hadn’t sent.

note: “I drank you like the cure when

heartache,

confusion,

She covers some very hard topics,

maybe you were the poison.”

ones that I wish I could have read a

The Dogs I Have Kissed is such a

year ago. One that really hit me hard

confessional collection of poetry that

In the remaining three parts,

was “To Selene Who Is Not Dead but

it feels like Trista Mateer is sitting right

Clementine explores the fragility and

Wanted To Be.” This particular piece

next to you, telling you her stories and

intensity of being in love, the sharpened

of writing explores the responsibility of

all you can do is think of how similar

knife of knowing that it will end, and

befriending somebody (and carrying out

they are to yours.

the clinging hope for something that

a very meaningful and close friendship)

will last forever—or at least as close to

who is very depressed and very suicidal.

forever as it can get.

You don’t know what to do and you’re more distressed after the fact than you are in the moment. These lines from the poem are a perfect example: “The first

mouthful of forevers by clementine von radics article by: rachel sandene

The

interesting

thing

about

Mouthful of Forevers is that it progresses in a way that a reader would not expect.

It’s almost as if the poems within it are

time you told me that you wanted to

Clementine von Radics is a poet

a uncombed mess of words trying to

kill yourself, I should have called your

who gained a following on Tumblr

sort themselves out in a way that makes

mother instead of letting you think

with a blog that now has hundreds

sense. Despite their tangled uncertainty,

you could rely on something as shifty

of thousands of followers. Her work

the words have deeply personal, emotive

and indifferent as me… It’s just that I

ranges from haunting pieces about love

meanings to both poet and reader.

thought it was one thing to want to die

and loss to poems that pierce the reader

On the back cover of the paperback

and another thing to pick up kitchen

straight to the soul. She has published

edition, there is a statement that

knives.”

three books of poetry, the most recent

Clementine writes “with a piercing

of which, Mouthful of Forevers, was

bravura that speaks not only to her

released in April of this year.

generation but to anyone who has

The Dogs I Have Kissed does not revolve around suicide, however. It also does not revolve around relationships

Mouthful of Forevers is a small

ever been young.” Mouthful of Forevers

with men (or women, for that matter).

paperback of barely over 100 pages, but

is certainly worth reading by anyone

This exquisite read revolves around one

it packs more than sixty poems into that

who wishes for their feelings to be

thing and one thing only: Trista Mateer.

limited amount of space. It is divided

understood.

47

afterworlds by scott westerfeld article by: sean glatch

“More than all I’d seen and heard,

boundaries of religion and philosophy,

the struggles of Lizzie, who experiences

allowing the reader’s imagination to

similar feelings of uncertainty and

experience what life after death could

weariness in the face of her dramatically

very much feel like, while still writing

new situation.

the world through the lens of both his

it was coming back to life that made me

Thus, Westerfeld effectively creates

believe in the afterworld,” says Lizzie

two new realistic heroines into one

How Westerfeld ends both halves of

Scofield, whose story is only half of

seamless novel. Darcy and Lizzie both

the story, in my opinion, is questionable.

Scott Westerfeld’s daring new release,

endure alternate realities about the

Though the novels each end with the

Afterworlds. Having narrowly escaped a

terror of growing up, balancing the

reader wanting more, there was nothing

terrorist attack in which she was the only

woes and hormones of adolescent

survivor, Lizzie unknowingly transports

to really sink my teeth into. Instead,

angst with their inchoate struggles

herself into the world of life after death,

of greatness. What makes this novel

it felt like the last bite of something

known as the “flipside.” There she

intrinsically unique, aside from its

meets Yamaraj, a three-thousand-year-

rampant

old psychopomp who develops a love

wonderful ability to create and combine

interest in Lizzie, and teaches her about

different worlds. For teens and young

the workings of the afterlife.

adults especially, its the struggle Darcy

ingenuity,

is

Westerfeld’s

Interwoven with the story of Lizzie

finds in maturity, sexuality, culture, and

is the story of Darcy Patel, a newly high

self-realization that makes her character

school graduate whose luck has garnered

feel so real, forcing the audience to

her a $300,000 deal for the release of

cheer at every success and cringe for her

the story Afterworlds and its untitled

awkward moments. The novelist doesn’t

sequel. Faced with the glamorous life of

attempt to make his character act great,

writing in Manhattan, and the not-so-

its the greatness of her writing and her

glamorous reality of entering adulthood

ingenuity that makes her gift as a writer

so quickly, Darcy’s story is one about

all the more believable.

the difficulties in growing up.

What

48

her own - are all gorgeously blended into

makes

Afterworlds

In a similar way, Westerfeld makes

plucky heroines.

very delicious was taken away from me without me noticing, and instead I had to fill in the gaps of where the two heroines ended their stories. Maybe this has literary merit, ending with the unspoken contemplation that humans are prone to fill in the gap between life and death with what they want to believe in. Yet, it’s Westerfeld’s abrasive and enduring prose, and his intensely well-spoken storytelling, that leaves the reader with saliva in their mouth, hungering for more.

Although Afterworlds is Young Adult fiction, the novel is a lasting testament to the agonies of abandoning

so

the world he creates in Lizzie’s story

ambitious is the interaction between the

brazenly tangible. Sparing none of

stories of Darcy and Lizzie. Although

the details, his descriptions of the

Westerfeld wrote both halves of the

Underworld and the Afterlife are both

novel, he writes Lizzie’s story

from

as intricate and as complicated as his

the perspective of Darcy’s cruel but

stories become, entangled in a web of

crumbling naïvete, sparing none of the

ghosts and memories that have existed

nitty gritty details one would expect

for as long as humankind. In a world

from a precocious teenaged writer.

where everything is haunted, and

This book is recommended for writers,

Darcy’s personal life - her struggle to

where “the memories of the living are

dreamers, and anyone who understands

finish rewrites, meet deadlines, and face

what keep the dead alive,” Westerfeld’s

the thrilling reality of Lizzie’s sentiment

the pressures of romance and living on

masterful storytelling transcends the

that “believing is dangerous.”

our

childhood

innocence

and

experiencing the anxiety of the real world. Scott Westerfeld’s caustic insight into the minds of both writers and teenagers alike provides for a gripping story that builds two very different and arduously interconnected worlds.

Caitlyn Siehl, known widely on Tumblr as alonesomes, is a poet and writer of her own kind. Her words cover countless topics, from love and lust to death and even bits and pieces of mythology. A well-rounded individual, Caitlyn has successfully published a few books of her poetry, such as Literary Sexts and What We Buried.

poet interview: caitlyn siehl

article by: hailey kriska

When and where did your passion for writing

attention and I couldn’t handle it, so I deleted to the

begin? Can you credit anyone with exposing you to

account. I couldn’t stay away for very long, though!

your love for the art?

I came back and I was just blown away by what an

It kind of came out of nowhere. I used to have a journal

amazing platform Tumblr is for writers. I am so

that I’d write fragments of thoughts in and, once I got

thankful to be where I am, but I never expected it.

a Tumblr, I transferred them onto there. That’s when it started. I started following all of these amazing blogs

If you could pick a piece of yours that you’re most

and amazing writers, which gave me the courage to

proud of, which would it be? Why?

start writing seriously. My journal entries went from

Gosh, this is so hard. I’m thinking maybe “Rain,” because

fragmented thoughts to full poems, and I just kept going

it’s the hardest one for me to understand, and I love that. I

from there. I remember reading “The Love Song of J.

love looking at one of my poems and being almost baffled

Alfred Prufrock” by TS Eliot and wondering how anyone

as to how and why I wrote it. People are so complex, and

could write something like that. He made me want to

writing has forced me to deal with emotions and people

try.

that I didn’t even think I had to deal with. I like when my work isn’t transparent, when I have to do a little

Where do you like to write? Do you have a specific

digging to understand myself. Here’s the poem:

place you write best?

I like to write poetry. I dabble in prose, but it isn’t my

To pull the rain out of

strong suit. Poetry gives me the freedom to be as messy as

someone’s back.

I’d like, uninhibited by plot. The poem ends whenever

To do it in the daylight. On a

you feel ready to end it, you know? There’s freedom in not

park bench. At the movies.

having to really tie everything up. Honestly, I write best

In the middle of Times Square.

on my phone! Most of my poems come to me when I’m out, so I just kind of stop what I’m doing, pull up a new notepad on my iPhone, and type away.

Your work has gained quite a lot of attention on the Internet, Tumblr especially. When you began posting your work, did you ever anticipate/aim for this success?

Never! I actually had another Tumblr account before Alonesomes. A piece of my writing gained a lot of

To touch the drenched spine. To kiss the river in front of every taxi, every yellow car in the city.

To drain it until you find gold in them hills.

A new, gentle earth nestled in the tail bone.

A wild, water love.

49

English teachers constantly preach to “write what you

(however limited) flowing. Writer’s block can really get you down,

know.” How do you feel about this quotation? Do you

and this little exercise helps keep me positive. Most importantly,

write what you find familiar, or do you branch out?

I’m inspired by the fact that the words always come back to me.

I think it’s limiting. Writing is about a lot more than experience.

Always. It’s just a matter of waiting, of being patient.

Poetry is deeply personal, but it’s also a form that encourages me to challenge myself, to try on different hats. It gives me the chance

Do you have a favorite topic to write about? If so, what is

to reinvent myself, to make myself braver. I like to think of it as

it?

talking to myself in the mirror. I don’t know if you’ve ever done

I like to write about love, if I’m being honest. The resilience of

that, but, sometimes, when I feel like I haven’t handled a situation

a person after it has happened to them. The whole “you used to

well, I’ll reenact it in my head, talking to the mirror and saying

love me but now you don’t and I’m okay with it” poems. They’re

what I wish I’d said then.

so empowering. Reminding myself that love isn’t supposed to be

Sometimes I write what I know, but I don’t know a lot. I’m still

something you claw your way out of. It’s a house that just doesn’t

learning. It helped me at first to stick to my little pool of experience

fit you anymore, and you can walk right out of it.

but, as I grew, my writing grew and it got hungrier. There are stories everywhere, and I think it’s important to explore different

Do you have any advice to offer beginner writers that you

ways of telling them. I’m my own world, yes, but there are other

wish you would have heard when you began writing? If so,

people in it.

what?

Please do not get lost in the Internet. Writing on an Internet

What inspires you to write when you have writer’s block or

platform can be really, really discouraging when you’re just starting

experience a “dry spell?”

out. Your voice may feel like a tiny shout into the void, and it’s

I usually just let writer’s block happen. I’ve found that forcing out

tough to stay positive. My advice is to make sure that you are

writing results in some of my least favorite work. When I have

writing for yourself, first and foremost. Make the writing enough

writer’s block, I people-watch more. I cry a lot more. I sleep a

for you. Sharing it is brave, but so is meaning it when you write it.

lot. What I’ve started doing is writing down one word thoughts

Getting noticed is a struggle, and I know how frustrating it is, but

each morning and then stringing them together to make a poem.

stick with it, even when no one’s watching. You’re a writer because

It’s a really cool exercise and helps a lot to get the creative juices

you say so, because you write. That can be enough.

50

book review: what we buried by caitlyn siehl

article by: logan wood

They tell you not to fight fire with fire, but that is

her lover and more about herself without them. She

only because they are afraid of your flames.

finds herself in the hole left in his absence. Siehl then

— “When The Boys Come”

realizes that she can shake the ground by becoming one with it.

In What We Buried, Caitlyn Siehl explores what makes us human: the ability to love. With that love

I will go to my grave with the memory of

comes righteous fury that burns with passion and

the bravery in my bones.

— “Unrequited”

longing, fury that absolutely demands to be felt.

Siehl’s words buzz with the electricity of hope and heartbreak. It’s a bittersweet realization of what could but may never be.

Siehl rebuilds herself with the knowledge that only she decides who she will love. She, being armed

While reading this book, I was forced to form a

with this realization, flourishes in her newfound self-

picture in my mind of someone I could love. Siehl’s

worth. With resilience she speaks to herself, her future

writing is so deeply personal that you feel the passion

children, and to her readers with intense optimism

and infatuation as if it’s happening to you. I’ve never

and fortifying hope. With animosity she rebukes

been in love, but once I finished the book, I felt like

her flaws and oppressors. This searing double edged

I had been in a whirlwind romance. Like echoes in

sword of assurance and fervor becomes her strength

the darkness you experience her world, yet perceive it

and weapon.

as your own. This is Caitlyn’s crowning achievement: she makes you observe from her eyes.

In summary, Caitlyn Siehl pours out herself in her poetry. Her words are so universal because she is

The collection’s pacing starts with her falling

simply herself. She loves passionately and endlessly.

deeply in love. The words come at a steadily profound

She knows herself and reveals it in her tangible

flow until they are pounding against your skull in

storytelling. She is saying what she needs to say, and I

comprehension. The poems slowly become less about

am so happy that I get to hear it.

51

book review:

dawn of the algorithm by yann rousselot

article by: reagan miller illustration by: brian murphy

Imagine you are living in the world

poems are black-and-white illustrations

today, that people make fun of his

in postmodern times. What would

that perfectly match each poem. All of

little arms and scientists think he may

it look like? Would people be living

his poems have really cool names, too,

have had feathers (how embarrassing).

in capsules and eating meals in a pill?

from “Ugly Bags Full of Mostly Water”

To make the poem even more fun, the

Would people be flying cars? What

to “Laughing like Lemmings” to

illustration is of a T-Rex laying down

if I told you that you would actually

“Made-Up Statistics.” Each and every

defeated with a chicken trying to put

witness that household pets are now

one of his poems has massive attention

feathers on him.

Ebola monkeys and in 2099 spaceships

to details. Just by reading the book,

To put the cherry on top of

could use cannibalized fuel and the

you can tell Rousselot invested a lot of

the cake, Yann Rousselot recorded

pilots of those spaceships would have

time into his work. Each one of these

himself speaking some his poems (did

robo-arms? Who would of thought of

cleverly-named poems has beautiful

I mention he also does spoken word?)

that?

writing that really puts the image of

from Dawn of the Algorithm and put

Yann Rousselot, author of the

what is happening right into your head.

them on Soundcloud so his audience

science fiction poetry book Dawn of the

One of my absolute favorite poems

could have another way of experiencing

Algorithm, put together a wonderful,

from the book is called “T-Rex is Sad,”

his poetry. Hearing the author speak

playful, dark view of the postmodern

not because it helps you see Yann’s

his poems in his own voice really adds

world. And while some of his ideas are

unique view of the future, but because

another layer to his work and Yann

crazy (Ebola monkeys as pets?!), they

it is a view into the past. The poem is

does a phenomenal job.

all come together in a wonderfully

about a T-Rex who is sad about how

brilliant, crystal-clear view of what he

people look

really

sees for our future.

at him

this

Dawn of the Algorithm has four chapters of poems and one epilogue, and

alongside

R o u s s e l o t ’s

52

most

of

All in all, I

and

enjoyed book, I

would

recommend it to all of my friends (I already have).

poet interview: yann rousselot What is your inspiration for your

You are writing in a extremely

work a full time job and try to keep an

unique concepts in your book? I

different genre of poetry at this time.

active social life, so when it comes to a

mean, ebola monkeys for pets?! That’s

How do you feel about going against

writing routine, poetry is often squeezed

so specific and interesting.

the status quo of poetry?

into the cracks (for better and for worse).

I’m a movie-junkie, a book nerd, and a

I don’t believe I decided to work against

I take notes in a journal I always keep

gamer... In clever academic speak, you

the grain as a matter of principle. And

in my bag, then type it into my “Drafts”

could say I like to explore archetypes and

keep in mind there is a LOT of sci-fi

document, and then it stays there for

tropes in modern cinema, games, and

and fantasy-inspired “speculative poetry”

days or weeks or even months as I revise,

being written today; it’s just not very

sometimes workshop, and when I think

“mainstream”. My work reflects my

it’s clean I put it in a “Finished” doc.

personal taste more than anything: I

Sometimes they get demoted back to

particularly enjoy poetry that is highly

Drafts, promoted again, deleted entirely,

contemporary, soaked in mass culture,

rewritten years later... It’s a slow process,

satirical and irreverent, never afraid to

though once in a while a first draft feels

have a little fun. However, I do believe a

polished and I don’t revise at all (which

lot of poetry these days is geared for a tight

is a great feeling, but very rare). When

market of high-cultured individuals, and

I’m working on a manuscript, however,

while I admire that (it fosters the vital

it’s a more diligent, structured approach.

notion of “good taste” over and above

As awful as they are, deadlines make the

popularity), it can also create a closed,

heart beat faster; they make you work.

literature and regurgitate them as poetic social commentary. The Ebola Monkey poem focuses on our obsession with disease and contagion (think every zombie movie ever). Our deep fear of pandemics (or the politicised version: biological warfare) is often based on pseudo-science, pop culture, fear-mongering media; we all have our preconceptions about health and prevention, ranging from overexposure to clinical levels of sanitation, and everyone thinks they know best. I find that pseudoknowledge fascinating and kind of tragic, and it’s gaining traction with for example the prevalence of faith healing or antivaccine movements. As usual I try to poke fun at a human foible, to shed light on an obsessive kind of trend, and push it to the extreme of absurdity.

incestuous environment, which can be dangerous in any artistic community.

Who was the first person you told

Poetry needs to reach out to the wider

when your book got published?

world.

It was crowdfunded so when it was financed, it was all over the internet

What is in your future? Another

(read: my small corner of the internet).

book? Where do you see yourself in

When I finally got the book in my hands,

5-10 years?

I told my mum obviously. She squealed.

I hope to have another poetry book or Out of all of your poems in Dawn of

two out in the next decade, and possibly

Is there any talent that you don’t have

the Algorithm, which is your favorite?

a novel. But honestly, I’m not a good

that you really wish you had? What

Why?

long-term planner. I may still live here in

is it?

That’s a tricky question. I always enjoy

Paris, or wherever my career or my love

I wish I wasn’t so bad at mathematics,

reading Stranger Danger, because it reads

life takes me. I’ll play it by ear.

or knew how to code. Both are languages

in a singsong, lilting kind of way, and

in their own right and, taken on their

the music of language is what drew me to

What are the steps you take to write

own terms, everything always fits nicely

poetry in the first place. And El-Ahrairah

poetry? Do you have a specific place

together, seamless, unlike spoken language

is also important to me, as it explores some

to write? How do you deal with

which is messy and nuanced. From the

intense personal feelings and provided a

writer’s block?

outside, complex mathematics and code

sort of roadmap for me to deal with them.

I fit poetry into my life wherever I can. I

look like magic to me.

53

miranda lorikeet creating inside the box

In a modern world where everything has already been done and originality is hard to come by, Miranda Lorikeet defies all odds. Located in Sydney, Australia, Miranda is an illustrator better known by her blog’s title, “Lazy Bones Illustrations.”

With her illustrations, Miranda takes the concept of originality, throws it out the window, and then does something that everyone has done before. All of her drawings are created in one of the most normal, yet unlikely, art mediums. If you’ve ever used a Windows PC, you know this medium quite well: Microsoft Paint. article by: rachel sandene

54

Where did you come up with the idea for doing these

gives me a lot of freedom. I’d never created digital art before

detailed pieces of art in Microsoft Paint, of all places?

I started using MS Paint because I never had the patience

To be honest, I was just bored at work one day and saw

to learn how to programs like photoshop or illustrator. Those

the MS Paint application sitting in the Start menu of my

programs seemed really confusing and daunting. I never once

computer. This all just started as a way to fill in time and

thought I’d be making digital art.

keep my hands busy. I had no idea it would ever turn into what it has now. I’d used MS Paint when I was a kid, and

You have a particular style of art that is both very flat

more recently I was using it to remove smudges and marks

and multi-dimensional. There’s a lot of movement

from some of my hand-drawn illustrations. At some point I

in the images. Was this style intentional, or did it

just stopped drawing with pens and paper and started only

gradually develop over time?

using MS Paint. It wasn’t a conscious choice, I just sorted

That was definitely unintentional. I had no idea what I was

ended up using it because it was available to me. I liked

doing when I started using MS Paint. The drawings were

how simple it is, there is no right or wrong way to use it. It

incredibly flat and 1-dimensional when I started out and 55

I’m only just learning how to give them a bit more depth,

without using either of those colours so I always lean towards

so they’re still developing. It’s slowly changing but I’m

palettes that work well with pink and red. Recently I’ve been

want to stick with the dimensional 90s-video-game sort of

drawing black mountains which is a big deal for me, up

look. Recently I’ve been really inspired by old video games,

until recently all the mountains were pink or purple. When

particularly a Japanese computer game called LSD Dream

I get obsessed with certain colours I end up using them for

Emulator from 1998. I love how flat and endless the scenery

everything. I dress myself in whatever colour I’m in love with

is in them, the landscapes seem to go on forever into an

at the time and it usually shows in the drawings. Every time

endless pixelated void.

I start doing a drawing and try to use a new set of colours I end up hating it and deleting it. I don’t think I’ll ever stop

Your color palette is pretty consistent throughout

using pink and red.

each of your artworks. Do you see yourself ever taking

56

a different turn with the colors you choose (darker,

Where did you get the idea for the name of your blog,

more muted, etc.)?

“Lazy Bones Illustrations”?

I try to be more adventurous with my colours but I just really

I’ve always made “Lazy Art”, put in very little effort (tools-

like pink and red. I actually find it hard to do a drawing

wise). I used to draw with whatever old pen was lying

57

around, scraps of old paper, notebooks. I’ve never really had

not really sure what happened in between, but all of a sudden

the “proper” materials around to create art, and that is kind

I was only using MS Paint.

of what Lazy Bones was originally all about; making art with whatever you have in front of you.

Here’s a fun one (and based off of the female nudity in some of your artworks): what’s your opinion on the

Do you have a background of traditional art mediums

viral “Free The Nipple” campaign?

or are your MS Paint illustrations the first artistic

I think we need to free all of the nipples, especially the lady

venture you’ve done?

ones.

I’ve been drawing since I could remember, I’ve always loved it.

58

My mum is an artist and was a huge inspiration throughout

Do you have any future plans for your MS Paint

my childhood so she influenced me a lot. I drew all through

illustrations? What about your artistic career in general?

high school, and the years after. I always drew with black felt

So far everything is just slowly going in the right direction, I’m

tip marker and was mostly drawing detailed illustrations of

actually so happy about it. I’m very lucky. I’m going to keep

bedrooms and everyday objects. I used to scan them to my

drawing, exhibit my work, design some new products. I’ve got

computer and edit them using MS Paint. I was doing that for

some exciting things on the horizon and I’m very optimistic

quite a while before I realised how amazing MS Paint is. I’m

about the future!

59

introversion vs. extraversion article by: laura rose

If I asked you to tell me what

and social butterflies. However, what

are sensation-seeking and live action-

an extravert looks like, you would

you might not know is that the terms

filled lives, introverts prefer to “quiet

probably visualize a person at a party.

have a long history,

A technicolour image of bright lights,

being defined by much

hundreds of people moving to the beat

more than just social

of blaring music, and a single person

patterns.

in the midst of it all. On the flipside,

credited

heads by living in a more reclusive fashion. This relates to why extraverts are

more

visibly

if I asked for your take on what an

psychologist

introvert looks like, your mental image

with popularizing the

would be a lot less vibrant. A picture

two words. He believed that introverts

introvert counterparts. Social affairs

of a person alone in their bedroom,

focused

“inward”;

such as parties tend to drain introverts

reading a novel or binge-watching

concentrating on their own thoughts

while extraverts actually become more

Netflix. Someone who may have been

and feelings. Extraverts, on the other

energized.

asked to that same party where your

hand, directed their energy “outward”,

This does not, however, mean

extravert is having the time of their

at things outside of the self (such as the

that introverts can’t have friends. One

lives, but someone who rejected the

social environment).

difference between the two types of

their

energy

social than their

Hans Eysenck, another notable

people is that each one places value

And you’d be correct, to some

psychologist, believed there to be a

on a different aspects of socialization.

extent. In popular culture, the words

biological basis for extraversion. He

Introverts

“introvert” and “extravert” have been

believed that the brains of extraverts

conversation to smalltalk, and will

adapted to describe two basic patterns

were perpetually under-stimulated, and

often have small, tight-knit groups of

of the way people interact. Introverts

introvert’s brains were over-stimulated.

friends. Extraverts are more likely to

are known to be quiet, analytical and

Both develop different lifestyles to

be involved with wider, more diverse

reclusive; extraverts loud, carefree

compensate for this. While extraverts

groups. They are perfectly comfortable

invitation.

60

Carl Jung is the

Introverts are known to be quiet, analytical, and reclusive; extraverts loud, carefree, and social butterflies.

the noise” in their

prefer

meaningful

with having a variety of people to

their lives. Introverts are thoughtful,

fall back on, while introverts tend

self-aware and oftentimes intense.

to find that up keeping a multitude

Introverts might be

of relationships is tiring. Introverts

quiet most of the time,

are not inclined to strike up friendly

but when they do

conversation with a stranger for this reason. They may come across as being uncomfortable, awkward or indifferent until you get to know them.

One of the most famous concepts in personality psychology to date is the five-factor model of personality.

You may have heard of these “big five” traits in the past. Essentially, it is a theory that places importance on five major

personality

have something to say, you’ll be the one left speechless.

their energy.

As you can see, introverts and

Extraverts, on the other hand, direct their energy outward, at things outside of the self.

extraverts are innately different. Each type of

person

interacts

differently with the many life,

aspects and

each

of has

Introverts also tend to have

something unique to offer the world.

different intrapersonal relationships

An extravert cannot make the same

than extraverts. Introverts are more

contributions an introvert can, and

comfortable spending time alone. This

introverts can do no better acting as

is where they get their reputation for

extraverts. I personally like to think of

being quiet and borderline antisocial.

introversion and extraversion as two

They are more likely to indulge in

ends on a spectrum, balancing one

Introverts focus their energy inward, concentrating on their own thoughts and feelings.

solitary such

as

activities

another out. Perhaps extraverts will

reading,

never quite understand the appeal of

self-

cancelled plans, and introverts will

Because,

forever be bemused at how anyone

as Jung would say,

could ever enjoy holding conversations

introverts focus their

over text message. However, it is

described as social, of course, but also

energy “inward”, they are more aware

undeniable that both types of people

as impulsive, optimistic, enthusiastic

of their own inner worlds. Looking

are necessary, both are special, and

and gregarious. They tend to be happier

back on their thoughts and feelings

how they behave at parties is just the

is how introverts de-stress and regain

tip of the iceberg.

traits, one of which is

extraversion.

Extraverts

are

in general, and more satisfied with

writing reflection.

or

61

the arts: finding your niche article by: anna pembroke

In a world where most of us have access to the arts; it’s easy to wonder where we fit in. How creative are we? Does

Once you have a broad knowledge of one discipline,

our creativity manifest itself in a way that pleases others, or

you may want to try out another. Oils and watercolour

is it entirely personal? Getting lost in the whirlpool of the

paint are just two examples of paint that is easily found in

arts is all too common- so in this article I’ll be exploring

shops, and could be fun to try.

the main different variations of ‘the arts’ and how to find your niche.

When you’ve tried these out, you may want to move on to something different (either out of interest or because

Let’s start with the activity often associated with

you feel that none of those were quite right for you). Some

the arts: fine art. This is an incredibly generic term, so

of these include spray paint, cartoons, graphic design,

we’ll start with the most common forms of physical art:

animation or even printing. If you look, you’ll discover

drawing and painting.

that there are plenty of clubs and societies that you can

Luckily for everyone, drawing is one of the most

join: whether it’s local or online.

accessible forms of art to carry out- pretty much all you

Then we can move on to photography. The wonderful

need is a pencil and paper. Start by drawing what you

thing about photography is that you’ve probably done it

see. You can try out different styles, different pencils and

already. Ever picked up your phone to take a photo? That’s

different colours. Beyond that; there are lots of resources

photography.

to help you develop your skill. The most helpful of these

If you’re lucky enough to have a family camera, or

(and this applies to many of the activities) is the Internet.

a friend who’s willing to lend their camera to you- that’s

A quick ‘how to draw’ Google offers up a plethora of

great! Spend as much time as you can learning about how

different ideas. Some may be too advanced, and some may

that camera works and then go and find something to

be too simple. But with practice ; and possibly an upgrade

photograph. It can be anything from your garden to your

of equipment; your sketches will improve rapidly.

best friend to the sea. Make sure you understand how to

Painting is slightly more circumstance dependant.

Those fortunate enough to be in education will probably

62

to be as good as everyone else straight away.

adjust things like the aperture depending how you want your photo to turn out.

have access to an art department who will hopefully

If you decide you like it, it could be time to invest in

have a variety of paint to use. The recommendation is

a camera of your own, or an upgrade. If you’ve never had

that you start with acrylic paint and a canvas, although

the opportunity to use one, perhaps you might want to

you may be told otherwise. Whether in education,

purchase you’re a basic camera. Spend time selecting your

or not: there are many different painting clubs and

camera: maybe look at some online forums or chat to an

courses you can participate in, all varying in cost and

expert about exactly what you’re looking for. For DSLR

difficulty. Painting with others and sharing ideas can

cameras, it’s also important you know which lenses you

be really helpful when trying it out, but don’t expect

require depending on what you want to photograph.

When you’re set up: get out there and do it! You may

others: you can still participate while trying to find a way

have to travel to photograph what you’d like, or it may be

to do so. There is a library of free monologues available

in your backyard. If you feel you need some help, attend

online OR you could go to a bookstore and buy a book of

a photography class or hire one to come and give you

monologues and acting exercises. The best way to practice

lessons. There are also tons of online forums that you can

drama, however, is to join either an amateur club or a

submit your photos to for critique!

school club. You’ll be coached by those who know what

The next form of the arts is another incredibly broad

they’re doing, and you’ll learn how to act with those of all

one. . This covers pottery and wire sculpture to sewing

different abilities. Once you’ve done a production, you’ll

and woodwork. This is design or applied art. Getting into

become more involved with the community. Acting is a

design is harder than fine art, but you can pick up many

great way to make friends as well as channel your creativity.

beginner sets at many major retailers. Once you have

The last hobby I’ll talk about is writing. This, again,

the tools you need, you can get started! A major form of

is a very generic term and can cover prose, poetry, script

design you could explore is sewing/fashion. The fashion

and factual writing ,to name but a few. Luckily, this is also

industry surrounds us at every waking moment. We wear

an incredibly easy hobby to pursue. It can also be done in

it, we read about it, we watch it. What can sometimes be

a variety of different scenarios. You can write for yourself:

forgotten is that most of the big names in fashion started

maybe creatively or potentially in the form of a journal.

with a needle and a thread.

I find that it’s incredibly difficult to write unless you are

There are different stages of fashion, and it’s definitely

interested or you enjoy what you’re writing about. Write

something you need to plan and practice. Most people start

about what inspires you: you’ll find that you can apply this

with a simple hand sewing kit: needles, thread, material

to suit a number of different styles. Imagine you’ve been

(and possibly a needle threader, a thimble, stitch ripper

playing with your puppy all day, and you’re really enjoying

and measuring tape). There will probably be instructions

it. You could write creatively about a puppy, write a poem

about the different types of stitches that can be used in

about it, do a piece of factual writing about your puppy.

different situations. One you feel comfortable, you should

Whatever you choose to do, your work will be that much

move on to a sewing machine. This is faster and more

better because you’re writing about something you like:

efficient. You can find lots of material in local stores,

your emotion will transfer to the writing.

as well as clothes patterns online. Once you’ve created

That’s it for some different activities to try when you’re

something; why not show a friend for their feedback. It.

trying to find your niche in the art! For some people, none

It can help further your creative ideas and possibly enable

of these may suit you, but there will be lots of hobbies

you to begin to profit from your hobby.

out there that will! My biggest piece of advice would be

Another way widely used to explore the arts is drama.

to experiment. Even if you’ve already found one creative

This is one of the easier hobbies to pursue as all you

release: what’s to say there’s not another that you’ll enjoy

require is yourself! Although you may prefer to act with

just as much, if not more!

63

inspiration. motivation. change.

to write love on her arms at warped tour

article by: hailey kriska | interview by: taylor zmijewski

Everyone comes with a story: a collection of moments or snippets of dialogue or thoughts and feelings that, when woven together, create a human being.

Everyone comes with a story, and every story is important. Regardless of where you come from, what you have or haven’t done, or what you think you deserve, your story is important. It means something. It matters. This is one of the many slogans, to use the word loosely, of To Write Love on Her Arms.

To Write Love on Her Arms, also known by the acronym TWLOHA, is a non-profit movement concerned with helping those with issues such as suicide, depression, self-harm, and addiction. They stand upon and spread hope, which is easily visible through their many projects such as their campaign for National Suicide Prevention Week/Day, “We’ll See You Tomorrow,” which took place in early September.

Jamie Tworkowski, founder of TWLOHA, began the organization without trying to. He posted the story of a friend who was struggling to MySpace once she entered treatment, and a spark was ignited. Soon one story had inspired thousands of messages, and one story brought countless people to realize that their stories were valid, and they were never alone.

Since 2006, the TWLOHA team has responded to almost 200,000 messages from over 100 countries, traveled more than 3,000,000 miles to meet and inspire individuals from around the globe, as well as received $1,000,000 to bring another project of theirs, Heavy and Light, to seventeen cities. The response has been massive. Celebrities such as Calum Hood from pop/rock band 5 Seconds of Summer has even been seen showing his support for TWLOHA with stickers on his bass guitar, as well as Twitter photos with 64

the organization’s merchandise.

TWLOHA offers several methods to get involved, which are strongly encouraged. Previously, TWLOHA has hosted a high school level campaign titled “The Storytellers,” in which a student organizer could bring messages of hope and inspiration to their high school campuses while also advertising the organization, since so many have still not heard of it.

Other involvement options include the TWLOHA intern program, an opportunity to join the team in Melbourne, FL to make a difference with others committed to spreading the idea that everyone has a story, and it is okay to talk about things that can be scary, difficult, and nerve-wracking.

Tongue Tied Mag interviewed TWLOHA team member Emily Tworkowsi at VANS Warped Tour, where we learned more about the organization, its partnership with the music community, and how absolutely anyone can get involved and spread awareness and love.

For those who don’t know, could you explain what To Write Love On Her Arms is, your part of the team, and how you got involved with it?

Yes, To Write Love On Her Arms is a nonprofit that started to pay for one girl’s rehab. Since then, we’ve kinda grown to raise awareness and funds for depression, drug addiction, and self-injury. Now, it’s not just specific to that one girl. We have programs in high schools and colleges. We also support different treatment centers and help people pay for their counseling and rehab. My name is Emily and I work on booking and events and I basically help organize speaking events for our founder and a couple other people on staff. Then I also do stuff like this on The Warped Tour and other types of things where we have a merch table set up and I go out and do that. I got involved ‘cause my brother is actually the one who started it, so I started helping

from the beginning and then over the years my role has changed

get lost in your head. And just that you can talk about this stuff,

and now I’m on staff.

because everyone deals with pain in some way, and you shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about what you’re going through.

Are there any specific responses that TWLOHA has gotten that have a special place in your heart?

Will TWLOHA be doing any public, non-music related

I think any time anyone takes time out of the day to like pause,

events?

especially at a place like this, to pause all the chaos and like have

We do a lot of college events throughout the year and those are

an honest conversation, it means so much to me and it reminds

up on our website, that’s probably most of what we do. A lot

me of why we do what we do. I think that one of the biggest

of the festivals and stuff like that have music related things as

things that stands out to me is when parents come up, ‘cause I

well, but college events are definitely the big thing. Just speaking

think there’s something.. I’m not a parent, I’m younger than them

and talking about what we do. We also have a program called

and I think it’s really humbling seeing people’s responses to it at

“Move,” which is like a conference where you learn a little about

any age. I just feel honored to be able to have those conversations

the issues that we talk about.

with people.

What made you want to get involved?

How did TWLOHA get involved with music, more

Initially, it was family and about Renee who I knew, so it

specifically the Vans Warped Tour?

was very very personal and just wanting to help out with that

The music thing happened pretty naturally, my brother who

situation. And then as it grew, and had so many other people

started it already had a lot of friends in the music industry, so

related to it, I grew with it. I just love what we do and that we’re

they just started supporting it off the bat and it was kinda a word

able to do it. Like I wouldn’t, I mean I don’t ever, want to have

of mouth thing. Some of them were in the Warped Tour scene, so

a job that I don’t believe in and I think it’s just such a gift that

we naturally fell into place coming out here. and Warped, they

I get to do this.

have a non-profit section on the tour and they’ve been so great to us. It’s our ninth summer out here.

How can people get involved with To Write Love On Her Arms and help others?

How did having a movie come out solely about To Write

We have a “get involved” section on our website where you

Love On Her Arms affect the organization?

basically type in your email and your zip code and it lets you

I think it allowed us to just branch out beyond the Warper Tour

know when we’re in your area and if we need volunteers, like

or the college scene. We had movies in RedBox and on iTunes and

we have two volunteers today that we met through the website,

it allowed a different audience to see us in a different way. A lot

so I’d say that’s a pretty hands on way to do it. Another thing is

of people come up to the tent and are like “I kinda know what

just practicing what we preach in your own life and being that

this is but I don’t know what this is,” and it’s a very simple, you

person to the people around you and allowing people to be there

can watch a movie for two hours and kinda see the whole story

for you as well.

of it, and that’s really unique I think.

How can people stay informed about To Write Love On What is the main message that To Write Love On Her

Her Arms?

Arms wants young people to receive?

Social media! Yeah! Twitter, Instagram, the website, those are the

I think just that they’re not alone in anything in their life,

easiest. Like, pretty much everyone has an iPhone or something

whether it’s the stuff they love and are excited about or the things

that they’re keeping track of stuff on.

they’re terrified of or the hard things that have happened in their life, just to know that they’re unique and important and that people love them whether they feel that or not ‘cause it’s easy to

For more information, visit the TWLOHA website and find out how you can share your story and invite others to find their own voice.

65

jordan fallas portraiture with a pop

Jordan Fallas is a

First of all, can I say how striking

visual artist currently

your works are? What inspired

living in the UK. At only 17 years

your unique style?

old,

Thank you so much! I guess

he’s already acquired

my biggest inspiration would

an impressive portfolio of

colourful

be my favourite artist, Kemi

human

Mai. She pushed me towards

portraits: you may

using more vibrant colours

even recognize a

and concepts, while still

few familiar faces.

Jordan

keeping it detailed and

claims

realistic too. A few years

the reason for

ago, before I started

his use of colour

producing

is to contrast the

artwork, I thought

dull surroundings of in

his

in a very black and

home

white way; if it’s not

England,

photo-realistic, it must

something a quick

be completely abstract,

look at his work will

which is a totally naĂŻve way

prove correct. We

of thinking for a budding

interviewed Jordan

and learned a few

artist. Mai introduced me to the

things about his busy

wonderful grey area where you

life, his future plans, and,

can be both creatively free,

most importantly, his art.

abstract, and still hold onto

article by: anna pembroke

66

digital

the beautiful detailed aesthetic of the human portrait. I also live

reference photo is the image resolution and lighting, so I can see

in a pretty grey area of England where nothing much happens.

the details in the eyes, skin and hair, although I’m trying to deviate

It’s slightly depressing and so I wanted my works to be the polar

away from being too heavily dependent on a reference photo. If I

opposite.

can’t find any image I like, I usually go back to drawing a celebrity as there’s often a pretty big catalogue for reference pictures and the

Why do you illustrate the people you do?

cycle goes on.

When I was 14 or 15 and drawing my own graphite portraits, my favourite musicians and singers just seemed like the most obvious

You’re currently studying at college: is it easy to find time

people to draw, while also making the slow process of creating a

to continue with your work?

portrait more worthwhile and bearable. Making fanart carried

Luckily I’ve been on my 10 week break from college, though I go

out in my early beginnings of digital art because of the similar

back in a few weeks, so I’ve had all the time in the world to work

reasons, I hadn’t got the knack of how to digitally paint properly,

on portraits and it’s great. I’m a lot more devoted to my artwork

so painting someone I admired gave me more reason to stick to it,

than I am to some of my college work, so to me, college can feel like

even if I thought I was doing pretty shit.

a distraction from my art, though I’m sure it should be that my art is a distraction from college (how art-school-drop-out of me).

After a while, it became quite repetitive to keep drawing familiar

It’s probably a dumb mind set, but I often put my portraits first.

faces and I didn’t want to get bored or overkill my favourite

I’m more likely to work on something which is really important to

singers. I began to start looking for any image which I found to

me even if it won’t academically advance me, than I am to work

be aesthetically pleasing, the first none “fanart” portrait I did was

on something that isn’t important to me, but will academically

“Pink Summer”, done using an image I found somewhere online

advance me. That isn’t to say I don’t find college important, it

from a fashion magazine, it probably popped up on Tumblr. Unlike

is, but I don’t have any concrete career goals, so it’s hard to stay

all of my previous portraits, I didn’t know who I was painting at

motivated a lot of the time, all I know is that I hope I’m doing

the time; it was kind of like working with a blank canvas because

something I enjoy for my career, so all I have in mind is being a

I had no preconceived ideas of the person. I later looked into the

concept artist... maybe, but in a perfect world I can just paint

image I used and found that the girl in the painting is Lena Fujii,

whatever I want and live a comfortable life.

to some people it might seem naive of me to not know it was her, as she has released songs and pursued a modelling career. Not

How long has it taken you to become comfortable with

drawing people I knew of was also when, visually, my art style

using your Bamboo tablet? At what stage would you

began to change, Pink Summer was a pretty big turning point for

recommend amateurs to purchase one?

me and ever since then I started using clothing as negative space

Well, I’m always learning and advancing with every portrait I

and more exaggerated colour palettes.

make, so it’s a constant process, but it definitely took me a looong time, so don’t worry if you don’t know what you’re doing the first,

So when I’m not looking for a celebrity to paint, I just pick a

second or thirteenth time using a graphics tablet. Though my

picture which I happen to like, the key things I look for in a

friend makes pretty realistic portraits, she picked it up in no time 67

so it varies from person to person I guess. The first graphics tablet

decent photo-manipulation program, though.) Portraits like

I ever, ever used was my Grandpa’s, he was a total tech buff, years

Amor, Patience and Daydream are ones that I did in black and

ago, he predicted that T.V’s would become much more advanced.

white first. With Amor I went through so many different colour

I ended up using his tablet at about the age of 15 (I’m 17 now,

combinations before finally deciding on the ones I did, but with

by the way) but I wasn’t doing any portraits, because it was such

Patience I had my mind set on the pink/ purple colours after

an old tablet at that point, it probably didn’t have many pressure

finishing it in black and white.

levels (in English, meaning it wasn’t very sensitive) and it was just so big, chunky and obsolete, but it did the job and planted the seed

The reason why I use such extreme colours is because the last thing

to go out and by my own tablet.

I want my art to be is dull, boring or forgettable, when I was reading up on harmonious colours I took it very literally in my

When I first got my Bamboo Pen & Touch I had no clue how

work, going from bright pink to bright purple, or from red to

it worked, well I got the basics, but when it came to creating

orange to create the most loud and bizarre colour combinations

actual artwork in Photoshop or Gimp or whatever else, I was

in my portraits, while still keeping everything relatively realistic

clueless. Before that point all I did were graphite drawings and I

and detailed my work, it’s kind of like an irony or juxtaposition

expected digitally painting would have the same method. I was so

between the realistic and fantasy.

wrong. I didn’t do my research whatsoever on how to blend brush strokes together and blending is key. I convinced myself I couldn’t

I tend to gravitate towards colours between pink and blue, I’m

do digital art and my £70 graphics tablet was collecting dust for

hoping I can get out of that comfort zone and start using colours

a while, it was only until I lost the pen for it I really wanted to

outside that spectrum.

get back into digital art, I guess you want what you can’t have.

So while I was waiting for the new pen (which cost £30, so don’t

What’s your biggest challenge you face while creating these?

lose it) I bothered to learn how to actually create digital art. I

Is there any body part you dislike drawing?

read a lot of tutorials and watched a lot of speed paintings to

I try not to draw exactly the same thing twice as I’m always

learn how artists would go about laying down their brush strokes

hoping to push myself forward, but I don’t think there’s anything

and blend everything together. I was looking at everything I

I majorly dislike drawing. I find portraits pretty interesting as it

didn’t know how to do. DeviantART is full of tutorials and so is

forces you to zoom in and really understand how faces “work”.

YouTube. The tutorial which had the biggest impact on me was

After a while you begin to realise what different parts of the face

created by deviantART user Vakhara and I always recommend it

look like at different angles which makes painting a lot easier

to beginners.

as you become less reliant on the reference photo and start using your own mind. Hands aren’t actually too hard to paint, unless

68

How do you decide on the colours you use for each portrait?

you’re trying to paint or draw one from memory, then things get

Sometimes I just instinctively know what colours will translate

complicated. All those phalanges. With the limitations of my

well from the reference photo and other times it’s like throwing shit

beginners drawing tablet, trying to accurately draw fine hairs is

at the wall and seeing what sticks (if you’ll excuse the expression).

become a bother, eyelashes and eyebrows are a pain because it take

When I know what colours I want to work with I jump right

about 10 tries before I get one decent strand of hair, which has

in and start painting in those colours, but other times I’ll paint

to be accurately placed. Unlike eyebrows and eyelashes, hair on

the portrait in black and white first, and apply the colour on

the head is the easiest to draw because I can just have fun with

top thanks to Photoshop magic (you can do that in any half

it. When painting a face, if you get something off, it’s going to

be obvious as our brains are hardwired to recognise what a face

What advice would you give to those wanting to enter your

should look like, but with hair, you could draw it pretty much

industry?

and any shape, colour, texture you like and no one’s going to bat

Well I’m just a freelance artist at the minute, I can’t that that I’m

an eyelid. However I would like to say to the budding artists

really a part of an “industry” but I’m hoping I will be one day.

out there, when drawing hair, please don’t start of by doing it

If you’re thinking of getting into digital art then go for it, unlike

strand by strand, it’s doing to look messy and gross. Start your

traditional media you can manipulate your works in any way

brush off big and work your way down to fine hairs. When it

possible without limitations, you just need to know how to work

comes to pencil, just start of slowly and do it little by little, don’t

the program. If you can draw traditionally, then your skills will

make the hair consist of dark lines, hair isn’t a dark void that just

transfer onto digital art too. Wacom’s line of Bamboo tablets are

sucks in light, it reflects light too, making is look shiny and nice.

great for beginners, if you get anything from Wacom you can’t

69

really go wrong. Keep persevering and pushing yourself to see what

I’m working on or anything like that, If I’m lucky I might get

you can create next and don’t beat yourself up if you’re not happy

approached for a commission (which I’m always open for), it’s

with whatever you’ve made, practice makes perfect, as they say.

always interesting working with other people as they pull you out of your comfort zone and in the end you end up creating something

What’s your favourite piece of work you’ve done?

you never would imagined of if it wasn’t for them. I’m hoping to

I’m especially proud of Pink Summer because of how different it

deviate from my usual (highly) restricted pallets though, I’ve been

is to the previous paintings I had done at the time. That’s when

trying to combine both loud, vibrant colours with the realistic,

I really started creating my own personal look to my paintings.

mainly because it’s something I haven’t done before, so I’m eager

Considering I didn’t know

to see how my next portrait

what I was doing with

will turn out. I never know

colour, I’m surprised at

what it will look like until

how well dark purple and

it’s fully finished. With

orange/ yellow go together,

Daydream I thought I was

to this day I don’t know

finished once I painted

how I managed to do

the head, then I wanted

that. I think my favourite

to make it a little more

thing about that particular

interesting, which lead to

drawing is the incredible

me adding the neon rings

neckline to it, it’s so low cut

around his head, and the

and goes over her shoulder,

colours reflecting off his

and although we can’t see

skin. The rings completely

anything from the neck

changed the whole mood

down, it contours her body

of the painting, so even

created an invisible image

when I think I’m finished

in our mind. I knew that

with

once I made that painting,

still a big chance I’ll end

I didn’t want to go back to

up completely changing

just doing black and white

something.

something,

there’s

or realistic colours, I found my “thing”. I’m pretty pleased with how well everything blended,

Bonus question: for those curious, what inspired your

it’s not streaky and messy at all and I lot of the stuff I made at that

Tumblr name?

time period was.

It’s a pretty lame story, I just wanted to keep the URL short, it’s a reference to all the dude-bros with Dorito dust on their fingers complaining about the “friendzone” saying “m’lady” and I changed

upcoming projects?

to “mlorde” like the singer, making it like a gender swap thing and

As a freelance artist there’s never any big commercial projects

showing my appreciation for one of my favourite singers.

70

Is there anywhere we will be seeing you in the future? Any

71

vegan make-up brands and reviews

article by: sami dawkins

There seems to be a stigma surrounding Vegan Makeup in the makeup industry/ community. Most people seem to think that if a brand or product is vegan that it won't be as high quality as say, MAC. When, in reality, there are plenty of high end cosmetic companies that are vegan and cruelty free (unlike MAC). Companies such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, Buxom, Urban Decay, and even Nars are vegan and cruelty

72

free with amazing quality products. And even though it’s hard to fight the urges I won't be buying MAC anytime soon. Over the past few weeks I have been receiving products from a few generous vegan companies that I would like to share and review with you. Two out of three of these companies sent me products for free, and the third is a company I purchased from myself, and then later found out was vegan.

zosimos

Earthtone: This lipstick was amazing and I am even contemplating buying the full sized version. As you can see from the picture, it is the lightest of the four, coming out as a light golden color. It seemed as if it had

Although I received more than four lipsticks from

a pearlized finish on the lips and it seemed strangely

this company, only four were vegan. This company

natural. I’d have to say it was my favorite.

has a vegan and non-vegan (only uses beeswax) line of lip products. I’d like to start off by saying that these

Dahlia: This is an everyday pink color on the lips. It

lipsticks were incredibly smooth, as most vegan lip

was slightly sheer but definitely buildable, and I found

products seem to be due to the fact that they have

myself wearing it constantly the few days after I received

more natural oils in them compared to non-vegan

it.

lip products. Although I did find that most vegan lip products seemed to be based off brownish or orangey

Black Cherry: For some reason, this lipstick seemed

colors, these lipsticks had beautiful payoff on the lips.

smoother than the rest from this company but it

The colors (from left to right) are Earthtone, Dahlia,

seemed similar to Dahlia. It was a purplish berry color

Black Cherry, and Onyx.

with brown/gold undertones and although it was (once again) sheer it was totally buildable.

Onyx: Black! It was black and amazing. I did have to put a few coats on for it to be totally opaque, but it didn't stain at all and stayed on! I literally have no complaints about it, it was just amazing and black (those are synonymous though).

Overall this company is amazing. You can find their products at www.zosimosbotanicals.com. It was well priced in my opinion, and the people that I talked to were very sweet and helpful. An amazing company, and I have no complaints!

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vapour

(the siren collection)

I was surprised when I opened up my package from this company to find three full sized products instead of sample sizes. Although these lipsticks are on the slightly more pricey side, I feel that they are well worth the price ($24). They felt a little waxier that Zosimos, but they have a great color payoff and an amazing selection of colors (27). I received three colors (from left to right); Naïve, Tempt, and Au Pair.

Naïve: Naïve is described by the company as “cool coffee with milk” but of course in french.

For my skin tone, I thought this was an excellent vampy nude with gray and brown undertones.

For people darker than me (almost everyone) this could be a perfect cool toned nude.

Tempt: This was my favorite out of the three and I have found myself wearing it non-stop for the past week or two. It has become one of my neutral go-to colors. It is an extremely versatile everyday pinky nude color. It isn’t shiny or matte, but out of the three it seems to have a more satin finish than the others.

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Au Pair: This is a very gorgeous berry toned lipstick. It seemed slightly sheer but I was definitely able to build it to a rich cranberry color.

All of these colors were of extremely high quality and there are now in my top 10 go-to list. None of the colors were waxy or seemed heavy on the lips, but they were firm enough in the sense that they wouldn’t budge on the lips (even after an entire day and eating). And although they slightly smell like crayons, it’s nostalgic and I enjoy the product even more.

These lipsticks are a 10 in my book. You can find them at www.vapourbeauty.com.

fierce magenta I

be strangely natural. It has a very

purchased from myself, and I must

pearlescent look to it and I have

say that this is my favorite. The

worn it multiple times. I keep it in

uniqueness of the company and

my purse just in case I need to rock

its products astounded me, and I

a blue shine lip.

This

company

is

one

that

was even more impressed when I received my products in the mail.

Luna Green: Although I wear this

I purchased these lip glosses and

color significantly less, it is still

one lipstick not realizing until after

amazing. These glosses put (almost)

the purchase that the lip glosses

every other gloss I own to shame.

their etsy shop at www.etsy.com/ shop/FierceMagenta.

You

don't

have

to

buy

vegan

makeup, you don't have to buy any makeup. But I recommend buying makeup that is 100% cruelty free. I don't want to guilt trip you, or make you feel bad if you own MAC, but all I’m saying is that there are plenty of companies that sell high quality products for cheaper than the cost of an animal's life.

happened to be vegan. Without even trying them on I knew I had

Overall, the hospitality, quality, and

to include them. This etsy shop

uniqueness of this shop astounded

has an amazing variety of strange

me. In the packaging, the glosses

and unique glosses and lipsticks to

seem almost luminescent and almost

choose from plus good deals! The

hypnotizing if you stare at them

two I purchased was (top to bottom)

for too long in the right light. And

Luna Blue and Luna Green.

although glosses are usually not as opaque as a lipstick, you can add a

Luna Blue: This is definitely my

few extra layers if you are going for

favorite product out of all of the

that beautiful mermaid look. Even

products I reviewed for this article.

the lipstick (as smooth as it was)

The Luna glosses are all a clear

looked metallic and amazing on. I

gloss with a colored shine, and for

don't know how they do it, but they

some reason, Luna Blue seemed to

do it good. You can purchase from

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When Will My BFF Return From War?

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tevia skye dreamy princess hq article by: rachel sandene

Teenage photographer Tevia Skye’s unique ideas may, upon first glance, seem a little weird—or even

flat-out bizarre—but they have a certain atmosphere that compels the viewer to look again.

really wanted to create something with a certain aesthetic, and though each image is different from the next, I wanted the pieces as a whole to be fluent and coherent.

The name of this series is “Dreamy Princess HQ.” Why? Once I was watching one of Lorde’s interviews and one of the questions that came up addressed how she came up with the name for her Pure Heroine album, and she replied with a small story on how she has always loved the way words look together, not only the meaning of two

Her photo series, “Dreamy Princess

say that, personally, each set of photos

words, but the visual appeal of them.

HQ,” is composed of vibrant, almost

represent different stages of trauma or

With titling my overall series, I wanted

sickly-neon

asynchronous

an emotionally heightened event: Grief,

the visual appeal of the words to be as

props, and edited additions that clash

Transformation, and Embracing The

appealing as the photos themselves.

with the photos themselves; yet, these

Change.

colors,

elements all come together to form

‘Dreamy’ definitely fit with the fantasy

pieces that are, somehow, cohesive.

What inspired you to create this

aspect of the series, ‘Princess’ to me gave it

We interviewed Tevia to learn more

photo series? Was it motivated by

the soft and delicate view but also hinted

about her featured series; read on for

anything in particular?

at a sort of regal-ness that I wanted to

the full conversation, and be sure to

When making this series, I heavily inspired

portray as well. With ‘HQ,’ it stands for

take a good look at her acid-trip-esque

by one of my favorite photographers, Petra

‘headquarters,’ and though it may be

photographs.

Collins. Collins’ work explores beautiful

selfish, I named it with the purpose of

subjects in quirky ways, and through the

being in the media, and with the subtle

perspective,

project I tried to replicate her success in

hint of naming it with HQ, it gave a

I would describe your photos as

originality. Along with this, I was also

superiority over those creating work in a

psychedelic; as the creator, how

inspired by old Renaissance paintings as

similar genre.

would you describe them?

well as influences in alien pop culture.

Though I was going for a psychedelic vibe,

These images were cultivated with no

In the movie Almost Famous (one of my

I also wanted to go for a soft, angelic, zany

intention of crazy editing, but as I

personal favorites and inspirations for a

sort of series. As the creator of the Dreamy

continued with the photos I realized I

majority of my work), Penny Lane talks

Princess HQ series, the piece went

didn’t want to do something boring; I

about her real name (of which I will

through an evolution from starting as a

wanted to create something that would

not disclose for the sake of spoilers) and

modern take on femininity to something

stand out when people would see it on

how her mother named her with hopes

more multidimensional and new. As far

their timeline, newsfeed, or dashboard.

she would become something bigger than

as reflecting on my finished work, I would

Visually, as far as editing is concerned, I

just a girl, something royal and beautiful

From

a

superficial

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and big. I’m the same way. I wanted to

Where do you see your work in 5

give my series a big name so even if it stays

years? Have you got anything in the

local and doesn’t get far, it will make a big

immediate future planned?

impression.

Currently I’m focusing more on Film/ Audio Producing, but I hope to still work

What editing software do you use for

on photography when I have the time. So if

your photos?

I still work on photography, or just move to

I currently only have access to one photo

predominantly photography, I would like

editing program at the moment, and its

to see myself getting more into the media

Pixelmator, which doesn’t have all of the

and maybe helping young people (Tweens

same features as photoshop, but it still gets

and Teens) learn how to use professional

the job done nicely. Plus for the amount

photo editing programs to set them up for

of work I have done using the program

creative success. But over all I hope to excel

it was definitely worth paying only $30

in my photography and arts knowledge in

for it (cough cough, that was a stab at

general.

Adobe for how ridiculously priced their

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programs can be, especially if you’re just a

Is photography your main medium,

beginner!) Though I will be upgrading to

or do you explore any others?

photoshop soon, Pixelmator is still a great,

I love film, and I would love to go into

simple, user-friendly program that I would

the film industry through my adult life.

recommend to anyone trying to learn

Currently I make short films and I would

about photo editing basics.

be nowhere in that area of life without

Night at the Cinema

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Dreamy Punk Science Queen

80

My Alien Grandmother

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Weird Light Trip

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the education I’ve received from The New Orleans Center for

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Creative Arts (a high school for local students who plan on

“don’t bow down to other people’s expectations of you; you don’t

pursuing a career in the arts.) I also experiment with visual arts,

have to be a slave to what people think. if you be yourself and are

I dabble in water color and I doodle a lot, but it’s never anything

confident in what you do and who you are, then what people say

super serious, more of just a hobby. One of my favorite things to

doesn’t matter.” I used to have a real issue with getting worried

do is combine film and visual arts by creating 2D hand drawn

about what people think of me (and sometimes I still do), but

animations to go over my films. I have grown into loving stop

through my years of pursuing the arts I have found the truth in

motion animation as well, and that is quite interesting to me!

that piece of advice.

contributing team members editors Mae Krell Chloe Hendrix Rachel Sandene

music Emma Gould Emma Orland Lydia Krumper Nicolaia Rips Sofia Jones Taylor Watkins

fashion Kitty Levin Skylar Watkins

literary Hailey Krista Logan Wood Reagan Miller Sean Glatch Taylor Zmijewski

arts & life Anna Pembroke Hailey Krista Laura Rose Sami Dawkins Taylor Zmijewski

graphic design Rachel Sandene Armando Rodriguez Isabella Silverio