BRAND AND MESSAGE Lifestyle Publication
Fashion Design and Marketing TRISHA RAO
A D O R N DESIGN / ART / MUSIC / TEXTILE / FOOD / HOME / LIFESTYLE
FIRST EDITION BEAUTIFUL MINDS
C O N T E N T S M USIC Sam Ma he r Humanis m STOR IE S A N D POET E RY L o st T he C ast l e Cur t ai n Pay for a p o e m DE SIG N L o om Te x t i l e s L at h i k a Nambi ar A RT & PHOTO G R A PH Y Ste ve Mc c ur r y Pr i nt ma k i ng : Cy anot y p e Pr i nt St ano C a chov an F O OD Pav Bhaj i Tand o or i C h i cke n DR IN K Smo ot h i e s
STEVE McCURRY “What is important to my work is the individual picture. I photograph stories on assignment, and of course they have to be put together coherently. But what matters most is that each picture stands on its own, with its own place and feeling.” Steve McCurry is an American photographerwho made his first of what would become many trips to India. Traveling with little more than a bag of clothes and another of film, he made his way across the subcontinent, exploring the country with his camera.
On committing to a story “One of the most important principals I’ve learned on work on a major magazine assignments is trying to get to the core to the point, to the central issue that you’re trying to photograph or the story you’re trying to tell. Keep your research days down, stop endlessly ferreting and digging, find the story and then attack it. Because if you have a week to do a story, and you spend 5 or 6 days researching it only leaves you one day to shoot. It’s better to find the story the first two days and then spend 5 days shooting. So you really have to cut to the chase, don’t waste time, commit to the story. Too much preparation can lead to procrastination. The main thing is so get out and shoot. You need to keep shooting, thats the main objective. “ On a lifetime in photography “When i was working on that small newspaper outside Phildofe, Pennsylvania. I don’t think that i ever thought i would be eventually working for a magazine like national geographic, having more than a dozen books published and spending my life travelling to the most interesting places on the planet and photographing some of the most important events of our time. Its been an incredible run, its been an incredible life and im just so thankful that i decided to take this particular journey because its been so rewarding. To be able to witness the things that I’ve seen, and to be literally at the front line of history has taught me so much. I can’t imagine a better way to spend your life, than travelling and photographing and
just seeing this incredible world we live in.
On following your passion “One of the most important points that I always remind myself when doing a story, being a location, is look for situations and be involved in things that you have passion, that you care about, stories that have meaning to you. At the end of the day, the pictures that I care about I think are interesting and successful are pictures and stories that i felt very deeply about, that i cared about. As a young photographer, the first country i went to was India. I immediately fell in love with the culture, the people, the landscape. This was a place, this was an ancient land, ancient traditions, religions, buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, that are going back to hundreds, in some cases thousands of years and it had such depth that although i’d been back that although I’ve been back 80 or 90 times, its a place I’ve never gotten tired of and its a place that you can travel explore endlessly. One needs passion to do your best work, to be involved in situations that you believe in that give purpose to your life. My work, my art, my photography is something you never retire from, Its something that you do until your last breathe. We just go on because that’s our life and that’s our passion that energises us. Thats what gives our life purpose. And you would never want to stop eating or sleeping or breathing and thats the way i view my work. “ On being part of the conversation “ I started travelling when I was 19 and I decided that whatever I do with my life, I want travel to be part of it. But I wanted a purpose and when I discovered filming making and photography. I thought this is something i can do for the rest of my life; travel, photograph, document and tell stories around the world. “ “I’ve often worked in historical places, places that are in transition, places where their cultures last a thousand years and its evaporating within our very eyes. I want to document those places and those situations because i think its important for us to have a memory of how we were,what life was like on this planet. “ “One of the things that has attracted me
to stories like Afghanistan, the Gulf War, Lebanon during it’s civil war. I wanted to be a witness to these events, these pivotal times in those counties history. I wanted to be in a way part of the conversation to be there to witness events for myself and report on these events and to try and tell people, show people what life was like there, share the information and perhaps affect some kind of change for the better. “ On the journey over the destination “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is some of the great pictures happen along the journey and not necessarily at your destination. As you’re driving down the road, you have to be attuned to what’s happening and you have to looking and searching for possible things to photograph. You can’t let good situations and good opportunities pass you by. Because that in the end might be more interesting than where you’re going. Some of my best pictures have happened as I was travelling to a particular place. That destination is long since forgotten but those pictures along the way end up being memorable. One of the best ways I’ve always worked is literally walk outside the hotel door and explore and wander and try and get a sense of the mood on the street and try and get lost in that moment. And then suddenly a magical thing happens when you start seeing pictures, you’re relaxed, you’re observant. You’re almost in a meditative state and that’s when the good pictures come. It’s all serendipitous, its all chance encounters its not planned you’re just open and you’re not trying to force the situation your just letting it wash over you. And then from there being open wonderful things will develop from that mood. If you found a good situation, you need to stay with it. its more about the journey than the destination. Good pictures are often few and far between. Great pictures don’t grow on trees. If you recognise something great, don’t let it slip away, go for it immediately.“
MONK AT JOKHANG TEMPLE
I captured this portrait of a monk at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa during a trip to Tibet. There was something about his face. There was an ancient feeling, some kind of ancient truth there. I had never seen a face quite like it. The lines of time trace a deep personal history across his face. He looks into the lens of the camera with a searching gaze. It seems as though his has been a life of enquiry, a quest for a truth at a deep level.
Steve McCurry
V W
R
I I
N
D D
A
V O
A
N W
“I was walking down a street in Vrindavan when I saw her. I was fascinated at how someone in her physical condition could move around the ancient city streets. I followed her and after a few minutes she noticed me. My translator explained that I was interested in her and wondered where she was going. She invited us into her home for tea and told us her story. She told me that she had married and was widowed by age 13. In some places in rural India, being a widow carried a stigma, because it was a sign of bad karma. This woman had survived her entire life by accepting a few coins from people for whom she would recite prayers in a temple. She had a wonderful sense of humor and I was touched by her indomitable spirit. One can look at her image and feel admiration or sympathy, but the magic of the picture is its ambiguity. She symbolizes everyone who faces difficult challenges and has the will to persevere and survive.�
Steve McCurry
M
O
N
S
O
O
N
During the monsoon in Bombay, I was in a taxi at a red light and this mother and her child came up to my car window looking for some money. This all happened in about 7 or 8 seconds. I raise my camera, i quickly took two frames, i brought my camera down, the light changed and off we went. Well two months later I’m editing my pictures at the magazine and i came across these two frames and i an was really delighted that the picture came out as well as it did. And it really seemed in a way symbolic of my world and her world and the contrast. Im in this air conditioned bubble, she’s out there in the elements that the head and the rain and how these two worlds came together for a moment and suddenly we left and and we drove off and that was the end of the story.”
Steve McCurry
LOST
1998. Rajasthan, India. I remember what it was like back then. I was only eight when I lived in the market place. It was fascinating. A place bursting with sounds. The shouts of vendors and bicycling riders rang in my ears which mingled with the clinking bells from elephants that were guided with slack ropes by men in lime green turbans. Merchants selling baskets of rice would chant out, panch rupee chaval (5 Rupees for Rice). Villagers argued and bargained over fruits and vegetables endeavouring to get the cheapest price. Rich scents drifted in the air. The spicy aroma of chilies and pakoras blended with a musty tobacco essence floated like smooth acid through the crowds and narrow lanes. It was Holi, the festival of colours. The market place was exceptionally vibrant on this day. The villagers sold hills of coloured powder which were neatly showcased on plates. The powder is used to heave at one another in amusement. Only most of the powder was tarnished onto the floral patterned walls of the market place leaving them with unique stories to unfold. I looked up and the sun glared down at me from the sky. I placed my hands together palms facing the sky, fingers side by side and admired the dark orange lines of mahendi designs on my hand. I buried my palms in my face, inhaling the vivid smell of Henna that was embossed within my hands. When all of a sudden I saw a blurred figure through the gaps between my fingers. I took a few steps forward and squinted my left eye to get a better look. There was a girl wearing a bright yellow dress that hung off her shoulders. The sun rested on the side of her face. I got only a glimpse of her eyes when I was interrupted by the sound of a bellowing radio playing an old Hindi tune my Papa would to sing to me. I walked up the corner to buy unripened mangoes smeared in chilli powder and salt which sold on the sidewalks next to a stall owned by a raw-boned puppeteer selling Rajasthani dolls. He had carved them out of wood, wrapped them in cotton cloth and bounded them with metal wire. I was drawn to the puppets. They had harsh make up and bright red dresses with gold borders, much like the cheerful girls who caught my attention a few minutes later. I watched as their hands interlocked, skipping in circles singing melancholy strains. “Why don’t you play with them” it took me a few seconds to realised it was the greyed moustached man who had enquired. I shrugged, smiled and replied “Nahi”, For some reason I was far more interested in seeking the girl I had spotted earlier. When I finally caught sight of her, I observed from a distance, watched her follow a woman in a deep blue silk saree who was holding a baby in her arms. The woman who I assumed was her mother, had her saree over her head to cover the blaring sun from her eyes. They walked around the crowded market place glancing at stalls. The little girl who seemed almost my age tried to tug on to her mother’s saree. All the commotion in the market was overpowered by her mother’s shout “ABHI NEHI”. NOT NOW! Frustrated, the girl ran away and was immediately absorbed by three men wearing traditional headdress of long silk scarfs wound around their heads. Each of their turbans had unique indian patterns. The men had flutes in their hands and a basket each in front of them as they sat crossed legged against a teal wall. They began to play on their flutes when slowly snakes slithered out of the baskets. The girls ocean green eyes widened. The cobra’s yellow beady eyes hypnotising her as they danced to the flowing music. Quickly snapping out of the trance, she eagerly scanned the market in search for her mother. She grew anxious. But then out of nowhere she spotted her mothers deep blue saree. She ran toward it, tried to reach for it, grab on to it. But when she was inches away, the crowd took over and the deep blue saree was nowhere in sight. As all the villagers in the market place closed their stalls, the sun too closed in the sky. I sat cross legged under the blood red sky, against the wall of a narrow alley. Bearded vendors draped in thin blankets laid comatose beside their shops. Blaring Hindi music from radios were nowhere to be heard. From the corner of my eye I saw the little girl walk towards me helplessly. She sat crossed legged next to me. We didn’t utter a word. It began to drizzle, each drop like crystals falling from the sky. The aroma of spices and hot pakora’s still hung in the air of Rajasthan. Holi colours stained the concrete floor of alleys that even pouring rain couldn’t wash away. I looked into her eyes for the first time, deep in despair. The lost girl was on the brink of tears. I faced the obscure floor that laid beneath us, put my arm around her. We sat against the bright blue wall. Drenched, holding each other while my thoughts wandered back to me. My body swiftly shuttered as I realised... I was lost too.
by Trisha Rao
CYANOTYPE PRINTMAKING HOW TO CREATE A CYANOTYPE PRINT
The cyanotype is made up of two simple solutions: Potassium Ferricyanide and Ferric ammonium citrate. Blend the two chemicals together in equal parts. The next step is to prepare the material you want to print on. Take the material, this can be paper. Paper naturally absorbs the material well. Coat the mixture of solution onto the paper using a brush. It is up to you whether you would like to paint the entire sheet of paper or create interesting patterns or lines. However keen in mind that the only areas that are coated with solution are the only areas that the print will appear on. After you have covered the material, leave it to dry in a dark cupboard. While the material is drying you can choose the image or drawing you want to print. Scan the image if required and open it on Photoshop. In order to bring out textures, edit the image on Photoshop using Levels and convert the picture to greyscale. When you are satisfied with the image, change the image to negative and print the image onto tracing paper. Before you move on to the next step, make sure the paper coated in the chemical is completely dry and the sheet will be yellow. With the image on the tracing paper facing downwards onto the yellow paper, stick it using tape and place it under UV light for a few minutes. After the exposure, remove the tracing paper from the paper and immediately place the paper into clear water. The water naturally processes the image onto the material allowing you to see the print in navy blue. After the solution is all rinsed off the material, remove it from the water and leave it on a rack to dry. And when there is no moisture left on the paper, your cyanotype print is ready. By Trisha Rao
M A G E N T A
SMOOTHIE RECIPE Raspberry
one.
Strawberry Vanilla Yogurt Honey Beetroot Mint
Blend all ingredients
G R E E N
SMOOTHIE RECIPE
Spinach
two.
Kiwi Vanilla Yogurt Kale Honey Mint
Blend all ingredients
P A R A D I S E
three.
SMOOTHIE RECIPE Pinapple Vanilla Yogurt Honey Carrot Banana
Blend all ingredients
C H O C O N U T
four.
SMOOTHIE RECIPE Chocolate Coconut Yogurt Coconut Milk Sugar
Blend all ingredients
P A V
B H A J I Pav Bhaji is a traditional Indian street food dish that originated as Maharashtrian cuisine.
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
Potatoes
Boil 200g potatoes then peel and dice. Also boil
Tomatoes
150g dressed vegetables like carrots, cauliflower,
Onion
peas etc.
Coriander Peas
In a deep pan fry 100g finely chopped red
Butter
onions in 60g butter till golden. Add 100g
Pav (Bread)
coarsely chopped tomatoes, salt and 15g Pav
Cauliflower
Bhaji Masala.
Pav Bhaji Masala •Transfer the boiled vegetables, 1/2 cup water and, on a high heat, mix and mash them for 10-minutes.
Serve on buttered bread, toast or baps, roast and serve together.
T A N D O O R I
C H I C K E N
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
Chicken (with bone) 2kg (8-10 pieces)
Apply cuts on chicken pieces
Yogurt 1- 1 1/2 cups
Combine all above ingredient for at least 5 hours
Lemon juice 8 tbsp
in a cool place.
Butter/ghee 1/2 cup
Grill on a high flame until crispy on the outside
Shan Tandoori Masala 1 packet
Place chicken pieces on greased baking tray cov-
Chilli powder
ered and keep in preheated oven at 190 degrees
Salt to taste
for 45 mins.
Serve with mint yogurt.
L A T H I K A N A M B I A R What were you doing before you became an Interior designer? Fashion Designer. I had a boutique called ‘Trisha’, named after my daughter. When did you start interior design? 15 years ago In your experience, what has changed since then? Since I began this journey, many things have changed in the field of interior design. In bygone days, majority of people decorated their homes on their own. However today, people are increasingly aware of interior design and are more inclined to invest in hiring a professional. Today, most people invariably hire an interior designer. What kind of clients do you encounter? Contrary to common perception, men are more house-proud than the women. In fact, I’ll say that I’ve dealt with more men as my clients than women. They are more involved and clued-in with the entire process of setting up their homes than the ladies are.
What is the most one of your clients spent on an interior product? In this day, the market is incredibly alluring with a wide range of selections. For instance, there are people willing to decorate their homes with platinum and gold tiles. When it comes to designing homes, Indians spend the most. I know of people who’ve spent Rs 25lakh on just a wash basin! The Milan Design Fair, has a larger number of Indian designers part than any other.
What is interior design to you? If you ask me, interior designing is not just about drawing plans. At its core, it is about ensuring the perfect finish to the clients home. It is crucial that one delivers what’s been conceived in the blueprint to the last bit. What inspires you? Talking of inspirations, even simple things can inspire me. For instance, I once remember having a client who owned an unprepossessing couch. He treasured the couch to an extent that I was forced to work hard to advance a theme that would complement the couch. Although this was a challenging task, it inspires and drives me to design and meet the needs of my client.
What advice would you give to someone painting their new home? When it comes to painting your home, choosing the right colour is very important. It depends entirely on the person taste. However, if you’re looking for a safe option, I would suggest going for muted colours like beige, brown and gold. The subtlety of these shades allow you to experiment with accessories and decor. If you’re adventurous and are more inclined to painting your walls a bright colour then do for it! Although I will say that the problem with painting your walls in vibrant shades is that everything else, from accessories to home decor, needs to complement them. Which will limit your choices for experimentation.
What advice would you give to couples starting out building a house? I have a very simple piece of advice to couples who are starting out building a house: Research the market well. Visit all the different stores in your city before you decide on your home’s decor because as it always happens, once you start doing up your home, you will end up spending more than the allocated budget. So I’ll say, better be prepared before you jump into the bandwagon. What is your aesthetic interior style? I am a minimalist. I often get cranky over a congested room. A decorating idea I love to follow is having just one painting hanging on a large wall. What is the most important aspect of designing a home? I place extreme importance on quality. Once again, my advice to anyone looking to buy stuff for their houses is to be quality-conscious. You’d rather spend more on a top-class product that will last you for a longer period of time than spend less only to have it replaced in six months. I believe there’s no single idea that fits all houses, which is why giving generic tips for decorating homes never works for me. But all the same, I always tell people that when you are doing up your home, the thing to remember is to make it a happy place that you want to return to at the end of every day. You needn’t necessarily have a mansion, but if done well, even a shoe-box apartment can keep you happy.
LOOM HOME TEXTILES Loom Home Textiles is one of the leading manufac-
Indian Cotton available. Vertically integrated to
turers and exporters of textiles. The company offers
handle
Kitchen tains,
linen, Outdoor
everything
from
Bed
linen,
Cur-
tailoring.
Loom
textiles
and
More.
provides
end-to-end
is
a
dyeing,
weaving,
and
well-oiled
machine
that
home
textile
solutions.
‘Understated luxury’ is the trademark of Loom. The em-
The
phasis of this handloom, home textile Mecca is always on
satisfaction, quality and creativity. Loom Textiles uses
weave, fibre and styling. The range of products is vast and
world class technology to deliver impeccably finished
eclectic, providing users with a wide variety of options.
products. The product range at Loom is innovative
Loom products are manufactured using high grade,
and fashionabl. The company is on a fast track towards
export quality cotton textiles – the best grade
penetrating both domestic and international markets.
focus
of
Loom
is
always
on
customer
S A M M A H E R
“I’m from Perth in Australia and I play an instrument called the hand pan. It was originally invented in Switzerland and I took it up after seeing someone on the Internet play it. I became a little bit obsessed with it so I hunted it down and once I found it I realized it had a really great power of pulling people into it and that’s when I decided to go travel the world with it. When travelling it allowed me to communicate with people I wouldn’t normally know how to communicate with through playing music.”
Who taught you how to play? I taught myself because it’s a new instrument there’s not that many people in the world that can you can get taught by. Its only been around 15 years so it was just a matter of watching YouTube and seeing how other people do it and experimenting on the streets. I’ve been playing music since I a lot since I was little and I’ve been playing in bands as a percussionist so it was easy for me to pick up this instrument and it’s a drum that’s really musically so its rare for a drummer to get there hands on something like that.
So we heard this instrument has to be mathematically precise? Where was it made and how did you obtain it? A couple in Switzerland made it and it’s a bit of a work in genius because its one sheet of metal hammered in a certain way to get the shapes. So its one piece of metal and if one side gets a dent it will affect the sound on the opposite side. It’s mathematical because it’s all about sound frequency. If one side is really tight and pitch the other side needs to be lower so it’s quite an art to get it right. Therefore it’s hard to get right. It started with just two people who could make it but now there are probably 20-30 people in the world who can. Hundreds have given it ago but have failed. Have you attempted to make one? Ha-ha no… but I’ve attempted to fix one with a deodorant can and a tea towel. I tried to band it into shape but I destroyed it so I’m not someone who is mechanically minded like the couple who invented it.
Where’s your favorite location to play? Oh there are so many! Erm I’ve had a lot of good times in Bolivia. Bolivia was a country where the majority of the population where ingenious. Going over there was confronting as there was a lot of homeless people and as they where speaking in the indigenous language the hand pan was made communication easy. There was many beautiful moments where I wild be sitting on the street playing and all of a sudden I would be surrounded by these homeless children listening and having a good time. I’ve had a few magically moments with people I haven’t been able to communicate with until as soon as a play it there’s an instant click and bond through playing the music so that was cool. So you preformed in an abandon castle in the video what inspired you to play there? Well I have a thing for abandoned places because I feel like you can really feel there was life inside it. This abanded castle used to be a children’s fun park so I had this idea to play in it because it was quiet eary and it provokes a feeling of calm. I like that kind of feeling when I go to them places. The feeling on entropy. So tell us about South America? What experiences did you encounter there? All sorts ha-ha. I met every kind of person there. Homeless, under privilidged. School kids, businessmen. All sorts of people would walk by me. I met all sorts good and bad. Just everything.
What experiences do people share with you when you play. Well it seems like the instrument allows people to let down a barrier when they sit down next to me and listen. It seems to get rid of that thing that makes people hold back so many times where I have been sitting down and playing and noticed someone watching me for half an hour and then I stop and talk to them. For some reason people let this trust on you once there herd it. The first time it happened to me actually inspired to me go travelling with it. It was in Australia and I was sat playing it in the rain under a cover. This woman started crying and hugging me and I was like woahhh what is going on. since then I realized its something about the instrument that makes people trust you. I don’t know they let you know all there problems. Its nice because I feel I can be there for people its like a magical thing. So you have such an affect on other people. How does it make you feel? It feels great. For me it’s like an outlet to meet new people. Otherwise I would just have my friends and family. Other locations you want to travel to? How about the uk? I want go everywhere. The next trip I’m planning is next year I’m touring south east Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. I tend to gravitate towards the third world countries right now because I feel like while your still young I can rough it up. I could always go to Europe and stay in a nice hotel over night while now I’m comfortable sleeping on couches and playing on the streets. Yeah and India is on the list too.
What’s your most significance experience whilst travelling Ok so I’ve had bad experiences as well its not all good. Bad experiences are still significant because they teach you. One time I was playing and people where protesting. I thought this was a busy street and I ended up getting punched by a gang member. So yeah that was a significant moment ha-ha. But some many good things have happened from it like opening up positively to people. So what’s the future for hand pan. Where do you see your self in 5 years time? Well now that I’m back in Australia I’m doing a bunch of recording to sell on the streets when I’m out there. Also I’m going to do more videos as the one online is old and I’ve gotten a lot better since then. So I’ll be focusing on doing videos and recordings and then later down the track 2-3 years I’m planning a big trip. I also want to do proper shows not just on the streets.
Is there anyway we can listen to your music online? Not at the moment you can only find me on Facebook but I’ll have videos up and running so I’ll be on YouTube. I will be making it available soon. If you had one piece of advice what would it be? I usually tell people to not get too caught up in life and be prepared to take a big risk and leave because it’s always worth it. There’s a lot more in the world than what you think your doing. I sold everything I had when I went travelling. Letting go of that was really hard and very un characteristic of me but I was forever grateful for it.
AN INTERVIEW WITH
H U M A N I S M “Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence (rationalism, empiricism) over established doctrine or faith (fideism).”
ANDI ANDERSON How do you describe your music to people? Usually say ambient, alternative, psychedelic indie rock as that’s what magazines normally say about Humanism.
What are your songs about in general? The first album was a mixture of subjects ranging from love, self-doubt, fear, religion, passion, and hatred. Not always from personal experience, sometimes I write about the people around me or my view on things that are going on around me. The new album, ‘Porcelain Soul’ is predominantly a love story from different perspectives of a relationship. Some positive and others negative and at times very dark.
Which instruments do you play? I am a vocalist at heart but I feel more expressive with an instrument in my hand. Guitar, Drums, Bass, Piano – any will do Who are your musical influences? I feel inspired whenever I really connect to music and this can be from any source or artists. I was raised on anything from Vivaldi, Beethoven to Abba, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, a little bit of everything. My ipod is currently overrun with Lana Del Rey, Four Tet, Copeland, Circa Survive, Mute Math, He Is Legend, Death Cab For Cutie to name a few. What’s your favorite album by another artist? No idea, I could never narrow down all the great albums out there…
Humanism are an ambient/alternative quartet from Whitley Bay. Founded in 2012, they have released two full length albums and become a prominent force in the north east music scene. Their sound has been described as “Dreamy indie rock with swoony hooks and ambient gorgeousness”. Capturing the attention of BBC Introducing and local artist developers Generator, the band have had numerous radio features as well as a headlining slot at Evolution Emerging Festival 2014. Humanism are currently playing from their second album, ‘Porcelain Soul’ which has been described as “A real revelation” (The Crack Magazine). Porcelain Soul was mastered at ‘Metropolis’ studio in London by John Davis, and mixed by ‘The Pineapple Thief ’s’ Steve Kitch.
Are there any songs you’ve produced that you regret? There are sometimes songs which don’t come out quite how you’d have liked, I think regret is a strong term though, at the time of producing a song I think there’s always a reason and feeling behind it. Sometimes songs are a bit too close to home and can mean too much which makes them difficult to perform. I could tell you songs that I’m not particularly satisfied with (or had better plans for how they actually turned out) – ‘Victim of Love’ from the first album didn’t quite come out how I wanted and ‘Closed Minds’ off the new album I’m not really a fan of either.
Boring I know, but that’s about all really.
What profession would you see yourself doing if music hadn’t had such an influence on your life? I would probably have gone in to a job involving caring for people on some level or possibly in to something sport related. If you were to manage or write music for your dream band who would make up the band members? Right, that’s a hell of a question – We’re looking at Alive or Dead?... Of
current
living
people,
probably:
Where do you work best? Is there a café you regularly go to write? I am often inspired when I’m out and about but I do the majority of my writing from home. Sometimes I go down to the coast and sit with a pad – I’ve often come up with poetry which progresses in to lyrics in this setting. Tynemouth Longsands is pretty inspiring.
Drums – Darren King – Mute Math Bass – George Alex Katunich (a.k.a Dirk Lance) - ex-Incubus Guitar – Mikey Einziger - Incubus Vocals/Keys – Aaron Marsh – Copeland Guitar/Vocals – Jim Adkins – Jimmy Eat World Vocals – Brandon Boyd – Incubus
Where is the most enjoyable or inspirational location you have performed? What made it so special? I really loved Solfest 2013, that was an incredible atmosphere and we had some good friends with us for the weekend too so it was just a big party. I have to say though, I can’t look any further than the Porcelain Soul album launch show at Newcastle Uni. Having a room full of our family, friends in a local setting with amazing sound was just wonderful.
...
What have you been listening to recently? Anyone you’ve discoved? Anyone you think our readers should check out? My favorite album at the moment to listen to is probably ‘Ixora’ by Copalnd. I’m recently discovering an artist/artists called Purity Ring – check out a song called ‘Push Pull’.
Have you or would you collaborate with anyone? If so who and why? (Include your dream collaboration, if you wish) No collaborations as of yet but I would always be open to it, should the mood fit. If I could collaborate with anyone in the world it would probably not be Kanye West.
What songs are you most proud of? What’s your favorite? Why? They all mean something special in their own way, I’d say the song I’m most proud of is probably Porcelain Soul, which is also my favorite. It’s definitely the most expressive song on the new album, along with Reset.
Do you have any rituals or a set routine before you perform? I tend to get butterflies before shows if that counts. I try and stay calm and keep the band calm and communicative, one member of the band goes very quiet when he’s nervous. Aside to that, I drink lots of water and I never eat before I perform.
6
members
I
know,
ha
ha.
If our readers what to listen to your work how can they find you? (Bit of cheeky publicity for yah) Awesome, thanks. All music is available on iTunes and Spotify, also www.soundcloud. com/humanism-band – www.facebook.com/ humanismband – Twitter @Humanismband
What are your long term career goals? Who knows, see what happens with the band, although I’m heavily involved in the production and co-writing of other artists currently so that could be an angle I’d consider for the long term.
What’s next for you? 2 new music videos and some new music to come this year. A big local show this June and then a tour later in the year also.
PAY F O R A P O E M
You could be in love and not even know it, We sometimes don’t realize until they show it, So you don’t need to be a poet to SOMETHING it or fall in love, But some people think it comes from above, Cupids his name and love is his game, and you know when its true love. All the best with your beautiful love.
S TA N O C A C H O VA N What does the role of an artist bring to society? The possibility of dreaming, we have a different perception of the world. We have the ability turn materials into art, which can spread a massage. The art is supposed to speak to people straight away. What is your strongest piece of work and what does it tell people? Leaf project – leaves can be perceived as rubbish. I changed the direction of its way of life. No one cares about leaves, they die and degrade. I can find a way for it to be of use and admired in a new light. I used them in a project about 4-6 months ago and they’re still fairly in tact. If I hadn’t have done anything with them they wouldn’t be here, they’d be dead. Where did you get that idea? Lots of people do it but its not part of mainstream art. There are artist who transform nature for example and give it some type of pattern (turn it into art). Because nobody really cares, so I try to make people care. Attention to small things, and see beauty in everything. ** You can compare us to leaves; we are the ones with life that are still alive. We only have a certain time on this planet so like the leaves as they die there is a new generation reborn ** Where do you get Inspiration? I like to be lead by intuition. What do you do in your spare time? I love to be outside. I like to study nature. Nature is therapeutic. How has art changed from when you first started out? There are many different levels of art, and many things I don’t know and have yet to learn about. I don’t like to criticize art that is a available to us as it’s all to do with personal opinion and preferences. For example; when I went to Baltic, I thought it was a joke but then I researched it and you then understand and I liked it. All about what you understand about the work and how you perceive it.
Do you think galleries are the best way to exhibit artists work? Only a few people may fully enjoy / receive it as its meant to be seen Would u like your work in a gallery? Yes,Baltic. If you had to branch out into any different genre with your art what would it be? Healing people. The ability for me to enhance peoples lives through colours that have therapeutic effects. Every colour is supposed to activate some kind of feelings. I believe that health is only a mirror of our inside feelings. *There are many cases of ill people visiting healers and only an understanding of their feelings leads to healing themselves. Its all in the mind* Most inspirational place? Rocks, when I rock climb/ climb a mountain, you have to make some sort of plan and all the rocks look different, specific rocks have to be used for specific purposes. Is this your greatest challenge? Keep trying, because after one hard climb you will not be satisfied to climb something easier. It’s all about leaving your comfort zone and that being the only way to strengthen yourself. Is that what your doing in your current project? Are you in you comfort zone or out of it? At the moment I am experimenting, seeing how it behaves, Jackson Pollock style. Analyzing how I’m loosing control of it, see how it looked better in the beginning and how its loosing control as my mind is elsewhere.
THE CASTLES C U R TA I N
Sat in the corner of pub, scenes play out in front of me. I watch strangers sculpt a one night stand of friendship moulded in the space between loneliness and companionship. They swap stories of hardship, compare broken hearts laughing at the tarot cards they’ve been dealt so far. A gargoyle man hunches on the corner of the street. A weather worn face erased of expression, chest inhaling the fresh fragrance of rush hour,exchanging the days strain with the city in whispers. I listen to Jack-the-Lads chat about ex-girlfriends, subtly covering sentiment and fresh broken hearts with curse words, shrugged shoulders and blankets ale. Changing awkward small talk to sport teams and tactics. I watch River Island suited yuppies yap and bark in G&T crystal puddles. Powdering their public school noses, showering one another in signet ring-o’-roses. Troubled teenage eyes hide under flat cap life lines, finding safety in the confines of a hood. They cower in small suspicious circles, eager to prove manhood and worth to their elders and Uncles. A baby-face barmaid politely smiles her way through a tumble of transparent compliments to the light at the end of an eight hour shift. Old time Billy the Kids whip outdated sweet talk from the hip which is brushed off her thick skin. She gathers shine in her tip jar, clock watching ‘till last orders. I glance into a dusty mirror frame. Second hand vanity and the echoes of disused refections I see A man passing judgement on others, dissecting them piece by piece thinking observations, analysing their lives in widescreen scrutiny in a desperate attempt to make something measure in his.
Alex Gwyther