UNCULTURED
U N C U LT U R E D
01 COVER INTERVIEW 03 SPOTTED INTERVIEW 05 MUSIC REVIEW 07 ADVERTISEMENT 09 MIXTAPE 10 CULTURE 11 CONTRIBUTORS
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JOHN 3:16
Fashion Blogger + Photographer Mariana Lola Rose talks to us about confidence, Lemony Snicket, + The Kills
“ ” Wear clothing that makes you feel beautiful.
Meet Mariana, an 18 year old girl who currently resides in San Diego, California. “[However], in the fall I'm fleeing off to New York to study photography at NYU.” she tells me. Mariana likes to go by Lola Rose on the internet + in cafes, “because I like the simplicity.” She also tells me she is an Aquarius and “a strong believer of zodiac signs and all their wonder.” She is half Mexican, a quarter Nicaraguan and a quarter Dutch, which attributes for her unique beauty that captured our attention. Growing up, Mariana has had an interesting ride; “up until I was twelve my family never stayed in the same place for longer than 4 years, I lived eight out of my eighteen years of life in Mexico, yet sadly am not as fluent [in Spanish]as I should be.” Mariana has always dreamt of being an artist. She also did gymnastics, and takes piano lessons. “I have potential to be a good player but lack motivation.” And just so you know, she’s madly in love with the moon. UNCULTURED: Your style
seems one-of-a-kind, where do
you like to find unique pieces? MARIANA: “I know everyone says this, but thrift stores are where it's at! I also enjoy searching random little boutiques or little stores for unique pieces of clothing. Although, I will admit that a great majority of my clothing does come from Urban Outfitters and American Apparel.”
What inspires your photography? What are your favourite subjects to shoot? U:
M: “I absolutely adore photographing people; I think they're what inspire me the most. My whole life I've been really intrigued by humans and the way we act, look and think. [When I realized] I could capture people with photography, I knew it was what I wanted to do. It's like I could capture the different aspects [of] humans [that] I was attracted to. This may be a little strange, but occasionally I'll just sit and watch people. In my head I develop entire stories and backgrounds for [each of] them, and imagine what it would be like to photograph them.” U: What first interested you
in fashion? What keeps you
the last first day of school different, it is my way to stand out and express myself. Recently, I've also been intrigued by the way fashion [can] capture different aspects of [many] cultures, [and their changes] throughout the years and even just different environments around the world. I just think it's an awesome art form that often goes unappreciated.”
interested nowadays?
U: What is your definition
of good style + a good outfit? What
M: “I first became interested in fashion because I was enamoured with the fashion industry and all its beauty. As it became a greater aspect of my life, I started loving it as an art form. I've always seen myself as a bit of a wallflower. I can be rather quiet and introverted at times, but with clothing it's
M: “I think good style is being able to wear clothing that makes you feel confident and beautiful. You can always tell when someone is wearing an outfit they feel comfortable in because there's this certain way they carry themselves. I think the same
does it consist of ?
goes for a good outfit, it's just wearing whatever makes you feel pretty and being creative with it - at least that's what I look at when I'm admiring someone's outfit. Of course having a sense of what goes well together and having a fun wardrobe helps.” U: What are 3 underrated bands in your opinion? Why? M: “Animal Collective. When I first listened to them a couple of years ago, I thought their songs where psychedelic nonsense. However, I've started listening again to them recently, and I've fallen absolutely in love with their music. Their lyrics are simply so beautiful when you really listen to them. [I also love] Feist. I just think her voice is beyond lovely, definitely worth greater acknowledgement especially [with] her latest album. Last but not the least, the Kills. They are simply beyond stellar. [I have a] total girl crush on Alison Mosshart; she and Jamie Hince have the utmost beautiful stage chemistry. Have you seen the music video for The Last Goodbye? They're stunning.” U: What is something that you have a strong opinion about? M: “I highly disapprove of the television currently being aired for children. With an eight year old sister, I've watched how the negative influences of the bratty girls and overdramatic teens
[shown on TV influence] the way she acts and thinks. I also think the value and significance of music has slowly decreased over the years. I feel it's important to be aware of worldly news, although occasionally I am [myself] a victim of ignorance [which I greatly] despise.” U: Who takes your Lookbook
photographs? Where do you like
to take them? M: “Nearly all of my Lookbook pictures I took myself, with the aid of a tripod either in my room or my backyard. I am generally just too embarrassed to go out and take them or ask people to take my picture [for me].” U: Who are the ones to keep an eye on? M: “Oh man, well I feel like there are various artists creating some really original work. Like Petra Collins, whose photography is just beyond lovely, as well as Nirrimi Firebrace. Both [of] their work is simply inspiring. As for musicians, there are so many sweet indie bands right now, if you’re down for some sweet tunes. [I suggest you] check out BoomSnake, Twin Cabins, and Town Hall. I just find new and creative people so awesome - they're worth keeping up with!”
If you could have tea with anyone living or dead or inbetween, who would you have it with? Why? U:
M: “I'm gonna have to go with Lemony Snicket. I'm not sure why but he was the first person to come to mind. A Series of Unfortunate Events was my first big read and very much a part of my childhood, also I've read some of his quotes and he's such an intriguing person I'd love to just listen to him talk for hours.” U: What is the centrepiece of your outfits? M: “I usually just go with whatever top or dress I fee like wearing that day and then base the rest of my apparel [around] that. I don't have a very organized manner of dressing.” U: Last question, do you
believe education is important for young people? What needs to be changed? M: “I do believe education is important for young people. I grew up frustrated with my parents’ constant reminder of the importance of being a well-rounded person. But as a teenager I started to realize it really was true. I mean occasionally I'll think, ‘Screw this I'm going to be a photographer - I don't need to know the basis of doing a statistical survey or who's who in government!’ and some of what I learn in school does escape me, but I feel like it's worthwhile [having] a general knowledge of all subjects. I find that often what I learn in school influences the way I see things and therefore what I want to capture with art.” U: Any last words? M: “I'm always interested in knowing what people daydream about, [although it may be hard for them to share their thoughts with others.]” ▲
lust for life - girls
Weʼve Spotted Tori West Welsh Fashion Blogger She has long, straight, dark brown hair which is distinctly European. Her name is Tori West, a 19 year old fashion design student from Cardiff, Wales, but is currently living in Bristol. “I started my blog about a year ago to help me get more of an eye into the fashion world before I went to study it in uni.” she told me. She is crazy about fashion, but is, “also in love with music and write my own.” Tori West has been spotted by UNCULTURED as an up-and-coming street fashion blogger and simply rad individual. Her look is defiantly distinct and uncompromised, and we’re crazy about it.
UNCULTURED: Tell us about your hair’s history. TORI: “My hair has been bleached white + grey for the past 3 years but I've recently died it dark. I'm starting to miss the white though, and hoping to maybe get it back soon and dye back in the baby pink tips!” U: How would you describe your personal style? T: “A girly twist on tom-boy. I prefer old clothes and I like boy’s clothes; as I like to wear things oversized. I like big knits and skinny fit bottoms.” U: Where do you find interesting pieces? T: “Charity shops are my favorite place to find pieces, mainly cause you never know what you're going to find and you have to have a little hunt for good garments.” U: Who are your fashion inspirations? T: “I’m in a fashion course full of interesting people who inspire me, [however] Vogue, and other fashion blogs [like] Thelman blogi. She’s a lovely girl! (thelmanblogi.blogspot.co.uk)” U: What makes a beautiful fashion photograph? T: “I believe a photograph is only good if the lighting is good. Another thing is not to look too posed, most of my pictures are awful as I’m prancing around like an idiot with my housemates. [We] take [my lookbook pictures] outside our flat.” U: What are outfit essentials? T: “Red lipstick, bold prints, and black.” U: What are your favourite looks from your own lookbook? T: “CMYK & Pumpkin Soup! CMYK [shows] my favorite jumper at the moment. I bought it from Topshop, it reminds me of an old Versace print! Pumpkin Soup [was the first look which] brought in a following to my blog + lookbook. The name later inspired me to open my shop, Pumpkin Soup (pumpkinsoup.bigcartel.com).” U: What textures and fabrics do you like to pair? T: “I love sheer fabrics especially for blouses paired with denim.” U: 4 bands that need a shout-out? And why are they special? T: “My dad runs his own record label (3syllablesrecords.com), so I’m lucky in a way, as I got to grow up listening to amazing music. Take a listen to Anni Rossi, Diane Cluck, White Arrows and Guards you seriously wont regret it” U: Last question, what is a bit of
advice to young souls who are trying to achieve their dreams + goals? T: “Do what you want and don’t be anyone you are not.” U: Any last words? T: “Thank you for the interview! It’s lovely knowing people do pay interest in what you do.” ▲
Do the Reggay Toots & The Maytals the offspring of gospel, soul + ska It’s a flashback to the ‘80’s as director Shane Meadows takes me through the back streets in his fantastic film, This is England. Skinheads and Princess Diana are featured among the milestone riots of the ‘80’s. But it’s the track paired with this montage that intrigues me. A quick Google search opens the doors to a whole new realm of reggae music. I have found Toots & the Maytals. Their sound instantly has me hooked. Frederick Hibbert’s sweetas-honey voice is the perfect welcome to the genre of reggae. Reggae veterans, Bob Marley fans and new listeners can all agree that the vocal trio has been advantageous for the reggae genre. The Maytals received positive feedback in 1963 for their first studio album Never Grow Old. Their unique sound, a combination of gospel, soul and ska, guaranteed them success in the western world. At this time reggae was just beginning to introduce itself to the West; groups like The Maytals were breaking out from Jamaica, ready to share their stories with North America. It all began in the gospel churches of May Pen, Jamaica. Frederick Hibbert grew up singing in the church choir, developing a powerful voice and stage presence. However in his early teens he left for Kingston in 1961. It was here that he met the future members of The Maytals, Henry Gordon and Nathaniel McCarthy. Banding together they created “The Maytals”. It wasn’t until Hibbert’s prison release in 1967 that they added Frederick’s nickname,‘Toots’ to the title. In 1972, Funky Kingston dropped. There are two versions of the album, the first released in Jamaica and the other in the UK. In 1975, the second was released in the US with different tracks like “Time Tough” and five others from their follow up album In The Dark. Only three tracks were kept from the original version. Nevertheless, both versions are essential to listen to. Thus far, Funky Kingston remains my favorite. I am a fairly new fan of Toots & the Maytals, having discovered them a year ago. They were on the playlist of my summer with: “Pressure Drop”, “54-46 Was My Number” and “Funky Kingston” carrying me up and away to a level of peace I haven’t been graced with musically for some time. It’s the intro to “54-46 Was My Number” that hooked me. The band has an epic, powerful opening and Hibbert’s soulful outcry is the cherry on top. I found it wise to have the raw vocals without the band’s backing at this point. It makes the song an all more moving experience. Then the beat sneaks up and steals my heart. Before long I am singing and dancing along. With any Toots & the Maytals track I’ve listened to, I’m always pleasantly surprised. Their melodies are so upbeat and different with each piece. It’s an aural treat. Even upon listening to a song many times, as with “Funky Kingston”, I’m still surprised at how great it’s constructed. Every detail stands out each time, and every time I’m put in a better mood.
I’m impressed that each of the Maytals most popular songs sound so different. Richard Berry’s 1957 song ,“Louie Louie” as covered by the Maytals remains a masterpiece. Listening to Berry’s version illuminates the Maytals great talent. Deciding to create a reggae rendition is a smart, innovative move by the Maytals and is a great feature on Funky Kingston. The heart of Jamaica is effortlessly strung together with “Pressure Drop” and I’m taken away to a calm mindset. Hibbert’s incredible vocals in “Funky Kingston” sound especially raspy, this evoking even more of a soulful quality. The female choir in the background gives the song a great edge and balances out Hibbert’s harshness. This is great to dance to. All the songs have different vibes, but everyone of them has the same lasting effect - creating a very impressed, enthused listener. Toots & the Maytals are incredibly versatile. I love the way they cover songs because their renditions are so entertaining and original. Their covers end up being completely different than the originals, but Toots still manages to hold onto the original qualities. Given the time period Toots broke ground in, they didn’t have much to choose from, genre-wise. Up until the 60’s, music was very rigid with country, swing and jazz. Seeing the reggae that comes out of these songs is phenomenal. Frederick, Nathaniel and Henry are gifted musicians and their universal success is well deserved. Recommended Tracks: “Louie Louie” - Richard Berry. This song is extremely fun. It evokes giggles out of me every time. “When a Man Loves a Woman” - Otis Redding. Frederick Hibbert’s voice was often compared to Redding’s. Can you notice a resemblance? This song is a classic, maintaining the same soulful gospel quality the Maytals featured in their music. “Let Down” - Toots & the Maytals. Interestingly enough, the trio covered this Radiohead song in 2006 for a tribute album called Radiodread, by Easy Star All-Stars. It’s an interesting take on the song. ▲
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Feel Good Inc. Mixtape tunes for topdown, sun shining, wind-in-your-hair, joyrides Everybody can appreciate the magic of a good mixtape. Whether it be handmade personally or gifted, the thought and preparation behind mixtapes always makes a great story. I made this mixtape in early September to lift my spirits for the coming winter. Hence, the name Feel Good mixtape. (It may be lame, but it sums it up perfectly. Sometimes simplicity says it all). These are all the songs I find to be happy, energizing, uplifting, and/or invigorating.
DJ Note: Listen to this compilation on a sunny day. Loaded - Primal Scream
When I was making this mixtape I knew this song had to be the opener. This song elicits so much euphoria for me. The opening speech, drums and trumpet give me the perfect visual of longboarding down a big hill in summer sunshine.
Funky Kingston - Toots & the Maytals Extremely fun. This song makes me pumped up and ready to dance. The Maytals’ beats are always enjoyable and I believe everything they do.
We Can Get Down - A Tribe Called Quest Firstly, these guys create some of the most flawless hip hop I’ve come across. Their reputation and popularity is well deserved. This song is (again) perfect for boarding. This beat flows so well that I can almost picture waves of good vibes flowing all around me.
54-46 Was My Number - Toots & the Maytals Good times are brought with this song. When Frederick Hibbert’s voice cries out, I’m instantly reminded of blasting this while driving (lost, I admit) in Vancouver. Flawless spontaneity.
Gimme That Nutt - Eazy E Scarring children everywhere since ‘93. Eazy E conveys his innermost feelings perfectly in this hilarious track. Listening to this song in public will always be chucklesome and rapping to this song in public is always satisfying.
Hypnotized - The Notorious B.I.G. I can’t help but add this, It always feel so badass.
Calypso Blues - Nat King Cole & Damian Marley I thought this song was really unique when I first heard it. The beat is really uplifting and I like how much they talk about food.
You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates There is no way you can make a feel good mixtape and not have Hall & Oats on it. Now, the musical number in 500 Days of
Summer can be yours too. Post Acid - Wavves Personally I have a love/hate relationship with Nathan Williams. However, “Post Acid” is filled with so much noise and chaos (as are much of his other songs from King of the Beach) that I can’t help but dance it all out. It gets me pumped. I also really like the alien in the music video.
The Dawn of Your Happiness is Rising - The Violens Perhaps I put this in the mix subconsciously to recover from the intensity of Wavves’. The Violens give a more classic feel that reminds me of the ‘80’s-’90’s. For some reason I’m reminded of the dance sequence in The Breakfast Club.
Buggin’ - The Flaming Lips
The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
I love the guitar riff and the twinkling. Not to mention how Wayne Coyne’s lead vocals are simply lovely. The summer feel of this track is very mucho. And it’s easy to sing along to.
Teenage Anthem. ‘Nuff said.
I Believe In a Thing Called Love - The Darkness Flashback. If you ever need to freak out, jump around and get down, this is the song. Even after all these years, I still can’t hit those high notes Justin Hawkins’ hits effortlessly. I can’t explain all the feelings that this song is making me feel.
Lilacs - Matt Costa A pleasant song, great for bike rides. His voice is nice and he does great in the live version. I belt this song whenever it is necessary which is always.
Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells I’m not sure how I still enjoy this song. Its repetitiveness should have made me kick it to the curb a long time ago, but the melody is so entrancing, almost soft.
History Town - Mos Dub (Max Tannone) I found this thanks to a young man with impeccable musical taste. Mos Dub is a downloadable remix album featuring Mos Def lyrics and dub reggae music. It’s incredibly unique; I highly suggest checking it out. As far as the mixtape goes, this is the perfect way to end it all on a high note. ▲
Editorʼs Rant Heil IBM? how IBM was actually a war profiteer in WWII, helping Nazi forces to identify, segregate and slaughter millions of Jewish people The sick taste in my mouth wouldn’t seem to disappear. I sat in my chair in History class, relentlessly shifting around in hopes of diffusing my nausea. The words of the article I read seemed more like a fanatical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ than a legitimate newspaper article. Yet what I read made perfect sense. To sum it up bluntly, on a trip to a Jewish memorial museum, a man named Edwin Black discovered something very peculiar. On the machines of the Nazi tabulators were the letters IBM. IBM as many of us know, is a leading computer manufacturer. But what Edwin Black soon discovered through very dedicated research was that our little IBM friends aren't really our friends at all. In the heat of WWII, Hitler and the president of IBM did business - plain and simple. IBM sold the Nazis tabulating machines that made taking census, what used to take years manually, only a few short months. This great technology was the perfect “secret weapon” for a man like Hitler, because it gave him the ability to identify Jewish families at a rate that was unheard of at this point in time. This ‘coal to the fire’ brought his dreams of
eventually exterminating the Jewish people to an alarmingly quick start. The tabulating machines identified, with the Nazi segregation of Jewish people into ghettos, concentration and death camps to follow; where most met their horrifying ends in gas chambers and firing squads alike. At this point I shake my head. Are you seriously telling me that a product I’ve been using for years - ultimately supporting financially - is one of the helping hands of Hitler? Instantly I lost my lunch as you could say, because I sympathize greatly with the Jewish people who suffered immensely at the hands of this horrible man. Reading further in this article, I learn Edwin Black has written a very detailed, extensively researched book incased in a whopping 700 pages based purely upon sound evidence and cold, hard facts; I would say that this guy has got it together if you see what I mean. IBM did respond to their involvement in WWII in a sense, if you accept a statement that is purely sidestepping and scapegoating the issue. Their defense was that their branch in Germany was taken over by the Nazi government. IBM realizes they took their technology, but only because the German Branch enabled it. I personally would love to laugh in the man’s face who gave this statement, because on the cover of the article I am reading there is a conference photograph with Hitler and the president of the entire IBM company. The president of IBM outrightly admitted that doing business with Hitler was never questioned. He had the product and Hitler wanted to buy that product - it seemed like a good deal. But how could this president not have seen any of the New York Times headlines of ‘the horrors of Nazi Germany’ when he was an extremely successful business mogul? It is no mystery why IBM became increasingly successful (rich) at this time. Yeah, as you can see the scale isn’t really tipping in this idiot’s favor. This leads me to ask many questions: why was Edwin Black the first to notice this? Why has IBM escaped the sadistic stamp of being a war profiteer? Why hasn’t IBM paid reparations to Holocaust survivors or descendants of thereof ? And most importantly in my mind, why doesn’t anyone seem to care or do anything about this since it has been exposed? Some claim Edwin Black’s argument can’t be proven 100% since many of the transaction papers were “lost” when the Nazis attempted to cover up their tracks at the end of the war by burning anything that could get them into trouble. However, lets be honest. It is well known that the Nazis were extremely talented record keepers. With this knowledge, how can we truly believe there was only one transaction receipt between IBM and Hitler? IBM must have had one back in North America, but they certainly would not openly go looking for it; they would rather stick to the “fire ate my homework” line. Some also say that 2000-era workers shouldn’t be held responsible. But this is the bottom line: When you represent a company, you represent their ideals and choices they make. That means you suffer their consequences and get the retaliation of those possessing the ideals. You are responsible for cleaning up the mess your company made, it doesn’t just disappear. Today, no one is leading the investigation of IBM’s involvement or asking for reparations. Why not? We as people are part of a global family. Those who suffered and were killed were our brothers and sisters, neighbors, acquaintances and friends. It is our job to speak up when we see injustice, especially when we can speak loudly by being a conscience consumer, choosing what companies + products we support. If we see that it is wrong to rob a store while a riot’s taking place outside, we also need to see what IBM did so very quietly while the rest of the world was watching the front lines. ▲
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Contributors Editor + Layout Design Kat Wawrykow
Interviews Kat Wawrykow
Music Review Jenna Bentzen
Art Work pg.7 - “Cocaine” - Jenna Bentzen pg.8 - “Toots & The Maytals” - Jenna Bentzen pg.12-13 - “Untitled” - Kira Leigh pg.14 - “Concentrate” - Kat Wawrykow pg.15 - “Touch” - Jenna Bentzen
People Featured Mariana Lola Rose - (w4ndering-vessel.tumblr.com) Tori West - (tori-west.blogspot.ca) Kira Leigh (kuuura.tumblr.com)
Mixtape Jenna Bentzen
Culture Pages
Kat Wawrykow is the creator of UNCULTURED, she is an illustrator, photographer, vintage enthusiast and creative museling.
Kat Wawrykow
Photographers
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Cover Photograph - Mariana Lola Rose pg. 4 - Mariana Lola Rose pg. 5 - Mariana Lola Rose pg. 6 - Tori West pg. 10 - Kat Wawrykow pg. 11 - Kat Wawrykow
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A big thanks to everyone who has supported and contributed! -- MAKE YOUR BOOTY POP April 2012 - 003