V23 Creative Magazine: Winter 2013 (Volume 1, Issue 3) by V23 Creative Magazine

WINTER 2013 VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 3

FEATURING

Rachel Sumner Natalia Wozniak Cassidy Kristiansen Mikaela Hamilton DJ Allison Kinney Liontide Mike Ciecierski Morgan Treni

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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W: Website // B: Blog // FB: Facebook // T: Twitter // P: Pinterest // F: Flickr // I: Instagram // L: LinkedIn // S: Store // SC: SoundCloud // P: Phone // E: Email

Emily McNally Founder, Editor, Designer W: www.emilymcnally.com P: pinterest.com/emc1108 E: emilymcnallydesign@gmail.com

WINTER 2013 FEATURES ART + DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHY

Music

Creative Writing

Rachel Sumner

Cassidy Kristiansen

DJ Allison Kinney

Mike Ciecierski

W: www.sadieraeandco.com

W: www.cassidykristiansen.com

W: dj-ak47.tumblr.com

B: pickoutmyeyes.tumblr.com

FB: facebook.com/sadieraeandco

FB: facebook.com/cassidykristiansenphotographer

FB: facebook.com/djallisonkinney

I: instagram.com/kirklebee E: mikeciecierski@gmail.com

T: twitter.com/sadieraeandco

F: flickr.com/photos/thecassidyjean

T: twitter.com/djallisonkinney

I: instagram.com/sadieraeandco

I: instagram.com/cassidykristiansen

SC: soundcloud.com/djallisonkinney

Natalia Wozniak

Mikaela Hamilton

Liontide

Morgan Treni

W: xerospace.weebly.com

W: www.mikaelahamilton.com

FB: facebook.com/liontide

W: www.morgantreni.com

B: xero-space.tumblr.com

B: mikaelahamilton.tumblr.com

E: liontidemusic@gmail.com

B: adventuresofabeergoddess.wordpress.com

FB: facebook.com/studioxerospace

I: instagram.com/mikaela_hamilton

FB: facebook.com/morgantrenimusic

E: mikaela@mikaelahamilton.com

WINTER 2013 CONTRIBUTORS Caitlin Marcheschi

Maddy Talias

Esmeralda Ferretti

Matthew Tiemann

Photographer

Makeup Artist

Illustrator

W: www.marcheschidesign.com

W: www.maddytalias.com

E: esmeralda.ferretti@gmail.com

W: www.studio-matticus.com

E: caitlin@marcheschidesign.com

B: maddytalias.tumblr.com

B: studio-matticus.tumblr.com

I: instagram.com/maddytalias

S: thecampsite.storenvy.com

E: maddy@maddytalias.com

V23 CREATIVE MAGAZINE

WINTER 2013 | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

hile I genuinely enjoy putting together issues of V23, I will admit that the magazine as a whole can be a lot to take on in addition to working, commuting, and attempting to have a personal life. This issue was particularly challenging as it was under construction during a period of change in my

life, specifically adjusting from the schedule that I had built the magazine on back in 2012 to a new one that I love, but with much less free time. That being said, I could not be more grateful for the creative community that has been growing from this publication since the debut issue and the amazing people that I have had the pleasure of getting to know along the way. Whether Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m listening to Liontideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new EP as I work (page 70) or constantly relating to Rachel wearing multiple hats for SADIERAE + CO. (page 06), these talented and inspiring artists are what fuel the heart of V23 from start to finish and ultimately make the magazine so worthwhile and special. If you are interested in contributing to or being featured in future issues, please see the contact information for V23 at the end of the magazine on page 100. While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there, be sure to connect with us on social media to join our creative network and get the latest updates on our features and contributors, past and present. Happy holidays and cheers to 2014!

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RACHEL SUMNER Natalia WOZNIAK

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No boundaries The Creative Lifestyle of Blogger And freelance Stylist Rachel Sumner Story by Emily McNally and Rachel Sumner Fashion Collection and Photography by Rachel Sumner

persistent passion for creativity has evolved into a lifestyle for Rachel Sumner, a blogger and freelance stylist carving her own path in New York City. After beginning her undergraduate studies at Emerson, she completed her education at Parsons The New School for Design where she graduated

from the fashion design program. “As a fashion designer, I have a very strong sense of print and color,” the New Jersey native states. “I enjoy making people smile and encouraging them to have fun with what they wear, but still feel comfortable.” While creating her first collection was an exciting experience and major accomplishment, Rachel decided to take a break from designing to take up both blogging and freelance styling. “I started as an intern for Alex White, former Creative Director of W Magazine, when I was in my second year at Parsons,” she shares. “I learned an immense amount from her. After interning for a year, I became her part-time assistant while I finished school. Since graduating in May of 2013, I’ve been freelance styling and have been able to work with a number of different personalities on many different aspects of fashion, from commercials to personally work-

ing with individual clients to revamp their wardrobes.” Rachel’s most prominent project that has been in effect since November 2012 is her blog, SADIERAE + CO. Aimed at young women in their twenties, the website serves as an online guide to life in New York City. “My friends have written articles for it and I feel like it’s a very well-rounded site that gives honest opinions about food, fashion, music, and life in general,” she explains. “It’s been an ongoing process for me, but I love that I’m able to combine all of my interests into one creative project and share it with the world!” As the founder and creator, it is up to Rachel to make sure that all posts are in line with her readers while also staying on top of the latest news in the creative and entertainment worlds. “It’s a huge undertaking to be the web designer, editor, writer, and founder,” she admits. “It’s incredibly challenging to keep up with the writing and make sure that I’m consistently adding new content, but it’s rewarding to see a story that I’ve worked on go live and watch the web traffic spike. I’ve gotten so much positive feedback from friends, family, and even strangers! It’s nice to know that what I’m passionate about is getting recognized by more people than just my parents.”

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The creative world is very open-minded, but it can be tough to be your own motivator; However, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re passionate about your subject and love what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing, there are absolutely no boundaries. The possibilities are endless. Rachel sumner

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While Rachel has been enjoying the growing success of SADIERAE + CO., she is no stranger to the obstacles of being a new blogger on the block. “It’s a challenge to be able to make yourself stand out, especially in one of the fashion capitals of the world,” she acknowledges. “There are so many great bloggers out there who have done it right and it’s hard not to compare yourself to them. As a stylist, it’s the same thing: so many people are trying to break into it, but it’s a really tough industry. Similar to blogging, styling is super competitive and you have to find ways to separate yourself from everyone else.” When the going gets tough, Rachel embraces opportunities to be inspired. “Traveling is my biggest inspiration, but of course I can’t always just pack my bags and hit the road,” she laughs. “Sometimes I just walk around New York City. I love discovering little shops and seeing new things. Almost anything visual can inspire me.” The collection featured in this issue was influenced by travel. Based on a virtual trip to South America, history and culture were the biggest forces in creating the silhouettes, prints, and overall feel of the clothing. Rachel also finds inspiration for her work on the web, particularly Pinterest and other blogs. “Overall, I love blogs that are simple, graphic, and easy to read and navigate,” she confirms. “Some of my favorites are P.S. I Made This, Clementine Daily, and The Glamourai.” As for individuals who have made their mark on Rachel, Grace Coddington, Alexa Chung, and Jennifer Lawrence top her list. She particularly admires Coddington’s timelessness and dedication to fashion, Chung’s fun clothing style and spunky personality, and Lawrence’s sense of humor and bad-ass attitude. Career-wise, Rachel’s ultimate goal is to be able to do what she loves and to be successful doing it. “Right now, that’s getting the word out there about SADIERAE + CO., continuing to create more and more content, and allow the brand to grow,” she expresses. Consequently, she would advise others looking to break into creative careers to just go for it, even if it means taking a financial or emotional risk. “The creative world is very open-minded, but it can be tough to be your own motivator,” Rachel warns. “However, if you’re passionate about your subject and love what you’re doing, there are absolutely no boundaries. The possibilities are endless.” n

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The Architect of Metropolis

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A World of Exploration INSIDE THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIO OF NATALIA WOZNIAK Story by Emily McNally and Natalia Wozniak Artwork and Photography by Natalia Wozniak

hen you have an array of avenues to choose from, life is never dull and there is less of a chance to fall into complacency or an artistic rut,” multidisciplinary artist Natalia Wozniak says knowingly. Growing up in Gainesville, Virginia, Natalia began drawing at an early age.

During her high school years, she became aware of her desire to pursue art and design in college. “My early art foundation courses at James Madison University exposed me to various mediums and ignited my passion for illustration and metal work,” she recalls. “Even though my main concentration is graphic design, I am also doing a secondary study in metals and jewelry.” Natalia firmly believes that as an artist, it is imperative to not be specialized within one niche. Regardless of whether she is buried in an Adobe program or immersed in a metals masterpiece, Natalia tends to find recurring themes in her work including cold, sterile beauty, death and decay, and penchant for the mystical. “I’m fascinated with exploring the duality between light and dark, society’s perceptions of death, and my own psychosis stemming from the reality of the human condition,” she explains. “I would have to say that I am highly influenced by transhumanist ideals as a whole. I’m endlessly intrigued by humanity’s lust for constant technological innovation.” Since she was young, Natalia has been in love with science fiction. “My fate was sealed after growing up on Doctor Who, Ghost in the Shell, and other notable works,” she admits. “What makes us human and our unique perception of our place in the universe confounds and astonishes me. With regards to the macabre, I enjoy using organic material in my metalwork. By incorporating bone, one is presented with the intricacy of the living organism—from the inside. Even though all things must perish, there is always a trace left upon this world.”

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Architectura Botanica

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The Collector

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Crystalline; top view

Crystalline; side view

When beginning new work, Natalia finds it helpful to refer to books, magazines, and blogs in the art and design realm. “From there I compile images, color schemes, textures, and anything else I might find useful into a mood board,” she reveals. “Tumblr, oddly enough, is an unusual wellspring of inspiration as long as you use it respectfully for brainstorming and not as a crutch.” Natalia finds that conjuring up ideas for graphic design take more time and are not as second nature to her as metalworking. “There are often times, especially in metals, where an idea or concept just hits me and infects my mind,” she confesses. “I live for moments like that – they’re intoxicating. It’s beautiful when the mind and the pencil become one organism, breathing and thinking together in perfect harmony. Once I am swept up in a concept, it’s all I can think about — I eat, sleep, and breathe the work.”

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Infinity

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She Has Malice in Her Stride

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Planetary Geometries

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The Scientist

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In devoting her soul to art, Natalia has become woefully aware that the road ahead is not paved in gold. “Anything worth pursuing requires unyielding devotion and inevitable leaves you with a certain degree of psychosis,” she affirms. “Every day I have to fight my own mind and inner demons from suffocating me. I operate within a spectrum of extreme highs and lows and have intermittent episodes of crippling self-doubt; however, in the end you need to trust yourself and your instincts. Have fun with your art and don’t perceive it as an enemy; let it challenge you, but do not let it defeat you.” Throughout this process, Natalia has learned that it is highly advantageous to be multidisciplinary. “Increasing marketability is paramount,” she notes. “One thing that I continue to wrestle with is my love for metals and jewelry and the reality that my craft is not in high demand, unlike say, graphic design.” This is ultimately her reason for majoring in graphic design yet studying metals independently. “Being an artist allows you a flexibility that many other careers do not,” Natalia acknowledges. “Each day holds a new problem and a new creative solution will be born in the process. I’m grateful that I’m able to constantly explore the world around me through a variety of mediums.” All of Natalia’s work, ranging from her jewelry to fine art to graphic design, is housed under Xerospace, her multidisciplinary studio. An alteration of the words ‘zero’ and ‘space,’ the name is meant to be slightly descriptive with a bit of mystery as well. “The name implies a state of being beyond this world,” Natalia describes. “A transcendence of the mind, if you will. I believe Xerospace invokes images of the otherworldly and leaves an ample amount of room for the mind to wander.” Future plans for Xerospace include setting up an online store, producing a larger jewelry line, and eventually delving into other areas of adornment and fashion design. “My plans to take the plunge into fashion design one day are daunting, but I just don’t know what the future will hold, and that’s what is so exciting about the creative field, I suppose,” she shares. In regards to her goals as an individual creative, Natalia hopes to take graduate classes in metalworking and then begin a nomadic lifestyle of travel. “I’m terrified of feeling as though I’m bound to any one place, hence my yearning to adventure as much as feasibly possible. My next stop is most likely going to be Berlin — a cultural Mecca of art, history, and design. Just thinking about it makes me flustered with joy.” While being a serious artist takes a lot of heart, Natalia believes that, to a certain degree, it can also turn you into a masochist. “Art is a risky area to traverse, and yet we as artists keep on submitting to the pain of uncertainty in the hopes that we’ll be rewarded,” she expresses. Developing a thick skin early on is a necessity, as criticism is constructive and necessary in the creative field. “I would much rather have a flaw in my design pointed out so that I may revise my work and have the design reach its full potential,” Natalia says wisely. “In the words of Charles Bukowski, ‘find what you love and let it kill you’ – this statement is one of my dearest personal mantras.” n

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CASSIDY KRISTIANSEN MIKAELA HAMILTON PHOTO SERIES

Caitlin Marcheschi

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The Images that matter Throug h the viewfinder of cassidy kristiansen Story by Emily McNally and Cassidy Kristiansen Photography by Cassidy Kristiansen

assidy Kristiansen’s interest in photography was piqued when she first looked through the viewfinder of her parents’ old Olympus point-and-shoot that is now a glorified paper weight. “That was about six years ago, and I’ve been shooting ever since,” recalls the Connecticut photographer. “I enjoy a wide

variety of photography, but I specialize in editorial and fashion portraiture.” Up until enrolling in a ten-month program at the Hallmark Institute of Photography last year, the nineteen-year-old was entirely self-taught. “There was never any doubt in my mind that this was what I would be doing as a profession, but going to school opened my eyes to a wider range of photography that I could immerse myself in,” she explains. “So I ran with it.” While others may see themes in her images, Cassidy makes an effort to avoid getting wrapped up in preconceived notions of what she should be basing her future work off of when it comes to shooting. “I had a teacher, Chat, at Hallmark that was basically the first person to confirm this for me,” she remembers. “He basically got me to start letting go, to photograph the things that I liked and find a common element in the end.” When Cassidy gets a new assignment or has an idea in mind, she likes to create a mood board to help solidify the concept. Her first stop is often her inspiration library on Adobe Lightroom. “There are thousands of images in there, ranging from photographs that I adore to basic color swatches,” she shares. “Building mood boards from these images also make it easier for me to communicate with other team members because a lot of the time, I work from a feeling or a mental image, both of which can be difficult to explain verbally.”

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When shooting the series featured in this issue, Cassidy went into the project with a loose idea of what she wanted the end result to look like. “Beginning with a few shiny clothes and accessories, it became a beauty shoot,” she discloses. “Towards the end, I wanted to show more than just that.” The idea became that just because one may have it all at a certain point in his or her life, it does not mean that it will be forever. “I guess if I were to describe this series in two words they would be ‘Nothing Lasts,’” she comments. “Every moment we have is a fleeting one, things change, and people change. That’s what I ultimately wanted to depict.” Cassidy recently feels inspired by a lot of Paolo Roversi’s portraits, particularly drawn to the depth of them. Additionally, she loves Eugenio Recuenco’s knack for creating sweeping landscapes depicting conceptual scenes that can often take on a painterly feel. Overall, she believes that she can draw inspiration from anywhere and keeps a notebook on her to jot down any and all fleeting ideas. “Most of my images are based on a particular emotion or feeling that I’m experiencing,” she notes. “It’s funny to see how my images transform themselves over the course of a year.” While her goals and dreams change a bit more frequently than she would like, the desire to shoot more remains constant. “No matter how often I’m holding a camera to my eye, it doesn’t feel as if I’m doing it enough,” Cassidy expresses. “Anyone looking to start pursuing photography should absolutely shoot as often as they can – big ideas, small ideas, everything. It’s the only way to develop, figure out what you like, and grow.” Cassidy is looking to break into the New York City scene within the coming year and hopes to find herself in a photography position that encompasses a little bit of fashion, a dash of portraiture, and a whole lot of conceptualization. While being a young photographer can be challenging, it is merely an obstacle on the course, not a barricade. “Sometimes things shift when I reveal my age, such as less emphasis being placed on my opinion in certain situations,” she admits. “But it doesn’t take long for people to realize that it’s the images that matter, not the age of the person taking them.” n

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LIFE IN PHOTOGRAPHS the storytelling nature of Mikaela Hamilton Story by Emily McNally and Mikaela Hamilton Photography by Mikaela Hamilton

ikaela Hamilton is more than just a photographer. “I like to refer to myself as a story teller, people lover, and wanderer,” she reveals. “I’m a huge advocate for investing in communities and sharing people’s stories.” Currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, the Texas native consistently finds herself inspired

by the creative community around her, comprised of talented artists who are extremely supportive and encouraging of one other. “That’s one of the things I love most about Nashville,” she admits. Mikaela also considers herself to be a permanent student. She is constantly being challenged creatively and learning new and different ways to improve her craft. As a photographer, Mikaela possesses a very natural and organic aesthetic, calling natural lighting her best friend, and particularly enjoys capturing people in their candid states. Prior to beginning her undergraduate studies at James Madison University, Mikaela filled most of her time playing sports; in fact, she originally intended to play soccer during her college years, but ultimately chose not to due to a combination of being injured and just feeling a bit burnt out. It was during her sophomore year that she randomly asked her parents for a Nikon d60 for her birthday. “I went on a trip that spring with my school to the Dominican Republic and documented some kids at the school where I was volunteering. I remember taking a picture of a boy named Samuel, looking at it and thinking, ‘Woah. I think I like this whole picture-taking thing.’” Over the next year, Mikaela began shooting anyone and anything within her reach. Her talent was noticed and she landed a job as a photographer for the Department of Technology and Design at James Madison University. It was there where she really started to learn and understand the mechanics behind photography. “I think people often think that not having good equipment or a cool location means their photos will be bad, but if you become familiar enough with the workings of lighting and shooting, you can turn even the grossest location into art,” she comments.

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As her college graduation approached, Mikaela recalls being repeatedly hit with the question, ‘what are you doing to do next?’ She knew that she loved photography, but the idea of pursuing it professionally seemed both terrifying and unrealistic; however, she really couldn’t envision herself doing anything else. “I ended up listing some cities that I knew I would enjoy living in that had good creative communities – Austin, Nashville, Portland, Charlottesville, Brooklyn.” She narrowed it down between staying with her parents in Austin or moving to Nashville on a whim. “I found out in late July that there was an opening in a house in Nashville, and three weeks later I moved there, living with five strangers who have now become some of my closest friends,” she shares. “I could not be more grateful that I made the move. I love my parents and I love Austin, but taking the risk of moving to a new city with no form of income and no community forced me to take pursuing photography seriously and figure out something to pay my rent.” A huge advocate of people pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones, Mikaela believes that it is during such times in her life that she has grown the most. “I got a nannying job and a restaurant job within a week of moving to Nashville and started shooting some new friends around town,” she remembers. “I had some weddings lined up this past summer, so in April of 2013, I quit both jobs and started shooting full time.” Since then, she has been taking her photography all over the country. When Mikaela has creative control of a shoot, she’ll often evaluate the people that she’s shooting before anything else. Initial question topics include style, personality, and environment. “Based on their answers, I’ll think of poses that I’d like to do with them,” she explains. “I have around five poses that I’m super comfortable with in case I get a creative block or don’t know what to do next, but then I’ll brainstorm ways of altering those poses to go outside of my normal realm.” When dealing with a creative block outside of a shoot, Mikaela enjoys running or being surrounded by nature. She is also a musician, which allows her to be creative in a completely different medium. “I like to say that I need both music and photography the way my body needs both food and water,” she expresses. “They both creatively sustain me for different reasons.”

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The best way to learn is by practicing, messing up, and learning from your mistakes. The best way to keep yourself from growing and developing is by comparing yourself to others. It is important to be inspired by other people, but it is also important to walk away from the computer, pick up your camera, and create your own style and work. Mikaela Hamilton

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As a young photographer, Mikaela acknowledges that there are times when she doesn’t initially feel trusted or taken seriously – occasionally even because she’s a woman. “I think there is sometimes a false preconceived notion that men photographers are more knowledgeable about photography and have more of a creative edge, whereas women photographers are more cutesy shooters,” she describes. “I guess that’s also a good motivation for me to know what I’m doing and have a purpose behind my aesthetic.” Additionally, Mikaela has faced another set of obstacles being a self-taught photographer; however, she would not change the way that she has developed as an artist. “For me, I think I needed to figure it all out on my own,” she confirms. “I needed to prove to myself that it was something I really wanted to do.” No stranger to being self-taught, Mikaela has begun exploring cinematography as well. “Video is an entirely new beast to tackle, but I’m really looking forward to experimenting with it more,” she says. “I got to explore it a little when I worked in the Department of Technology and Design with my good friend Jon Combs, who is the friendliest person you will ever meet and also a super talented film maker. I’m hoping to make more short films that creatively tell stories, whether that’s a music video or a dinner gathering.” From a photographer’s perspective, Mikaela finds it equally challenging and rewarding to look at a scene that she would normally try to freeze in a picture and instead capture in a series of moving pictures. As a productive year comes to a close, Mikaela is actively thinking ahead to her future goals. “I think I’m in the process of developing my dream career – which is terrifying and an absolute blessing to be able to say,” she confesses. “Ideally, I would love to have a schedule that is balanced enough to shoot weddings, portraits, musicians, shoot videos, and play music on the side. That’s probably a bit ambitious but now is the time for me to try it out.” Mikaela would advise others who may be looking to seriously pursue photography to shoot, shoot, and keep shooting. “Seriously,” she affirms. “The best way to learn is by practicing, messing up, and learning from your mistakes. The best way to keep yourself from growing and developing is by comparing yourself to others. It is important to be inspired by other people, but it is also important to walk away from the computer, pick up your camera, and create your own style and work.” Based on her own experiences, she has found that personal work can equal paid work. “Grab some friends, offer to shoot some photos for a local coffee shop that just opened up, snap some pictures at the concert you’re going to; start to see the world in photographs and you will realize that there is an infinite amount of things to shoot all around you.” n

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Oatmeal mask; modeled by Chloe Seipel

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MASKED A PHOTO series Photography by Caitlin Marcheschi Modeled by Chloe Seipel, Courtney Wright, Courtney Snell, Damary Rapetti, Jade Govel, Mary von Gersdorff, Naina Mangalmurti, and Victoria Riggio

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Passion fruit peel-off mask; modeled by Courtney Wright

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Avocado mask; modeled by Courtney Snell

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Mud mask; modeled by Damary Rapetti

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Strawberry mask; modeled by Jade Govel

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Chocolate mask; modeled by Mary von Gersdorff

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Honey and yogurt mask; modeled by Naina Mangalmurti

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Spearmint mask; modeled by Victoria Riggio

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“This photography series was created to highlight the common beauty ritual of face masks. The images highlight the natural beauty of each individual, but are subverted by the very face masks meant for beauty. Additionally, each mask offers different texture and color that allowed for a variety methods to be showcased. Many of these masks were certified ‘beauty recipes,’ while others were store-bought mixes.” Caitlin Marcheschi

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DJ ALLISON KINNEY LIONTIDE

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Just Keep Spinning the fearless force that is dj allison kinney Story by Emily McNally and Allison Kinney Photography by Maddy Talias Styling by Esmeralda Ferretti Jewelry by SixP

ecoming a DJ was a happy accident,” Allison Kinney says honestly. “I thought it would be fun and I hoped I would be good at it, but I didn’t expect it to turn into a full time career.” Striving to fill a musical void in her life, the Brooklyn based musician wanted to perform without playing an instrument or singing,

and also wanted to introduce people to amazing music. “That was my ‘Eureka!’ moment,” she remembers. “It took me a while to actually break out the equipment and get serious about it, which I ended up being semi-forced into; I booked my first non-college gig on New Year’s Eve going into 2012 at the Mandarian Oriental in Manhattan, so I learned fast! From there, I didn’t want to stop.” Allison grew up in Virginia and first began focusing on music in high school. “I was lucky enough to have a group of extremely talented friends that saw potential in me, and from there it became an unstoppable force,” she recalls. “By the time I enrolled at James Madison University, I knew I wanted to pursue music, but it took me a few years to discover how exactly I wanted to do that.” Allison began DJing a radio show at the college station in the midst of preparing for her opera recital, which she majored in, and something just clicked for her. “With a few people encouraging me along the way, I bought some DJ equipment and taught myself how to use it. Three years later, I’m still bringing that same gear with me to gigs.” Allison mostly DJs at private events with some fun club shows sprinkled throughout her schedule. Influenced by many different styles of music, she incorporates a little bit of everything in her overall funky dance feel.

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As a young female DJ making her way in one of the world’s top cities, Allison is no stranger to challenges. “DJing can honestly be extremely terrifying,” she admits. “You bear the sole responsibility of playing music for your audience and making that audience happy. Beyond that, technology can be extremely fickle and things can go wrong at any moment! I have experienced so many disasters at this point that I am now a fearless warrior.” Her gender consistently plays a role in how others perceive her and she has dealt with extremes on both ends. “I’ve had people roll their eyes at my when I enter the DJ booth, but I’ve also had people be so beyond amped to even see someone like me spinning,” she shares. “I am extremely fortunate to have received some recognition that makes me appear credible to the doubters, but that doubt is what drives me to be better at my craft! It took time for me to be taken seriously and I hope that any small successes of mine can pave the way for more female DJs.” The sheer population of DJs in New York is a challenge in itself to any up-and-comer. “You may think of the perfect niche for yourself as a DJ, but someone already has that job at that venue,” Allison expresses. “It’s hard to establish yourself when there are so many fish in the sea, but trying a little bit of everything at first helps build that foundation.” After gaining some experience, she started to try to keep her public gigs more cohesive to build her brand. “In the beginning, it’s hard to say no to gigs you know you’ll hate, because it’s still a gig and you’re still getting paid,” she reveals. “It took me years to build a level of self-respect and learn how to say no to opportunities that aren’t good for me. Turning down money and exposure is hard, but I always remind myself that something better will fill the void that I create by being particular.” When researching new music and putting together sets, Allison usually sets apart some time to sit down with her good headphones and see where the Internet takes her. “Finding one great track usually leads to another, and I like to find a lot of good music in one session as opposed to just a few songs more frequently,” she explains. “I draw inspiration from what I hear other DJs play, what I see friends listening to on Spotify, and from remembering old songs that people still love. Some of my favorite tracks are remixes of old songs by artists like the Rolling Stones, James Brown, and Biggie.” At this time, Allison particularly admires Sleigh Bells, Viceroy, The Neighbourhood, James Blake, and The Knocks.

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It took me years to build a level of self-respect and learn how to say no to opportunities that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t good for me. Turning down money and exposure is hard, but I always remind myself that something better will fill the void that I create by being particular. DJ Allison Kinney

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Since beginning her DJ adventure, Allison’s biggest change in her style has come from shifting towards music that people want to hear and away from music that she wants them to hear. “Not all DJs make that their mission but making my audience happy is my top priority,” she confirms. “I have always been open format but I’ve grown more capable of fusing genres together to create something different during every performance. I’ve gotten way into older genres that I wasn’t alive to experience in real time, so becoming more well-rounded in that regard is exciting for me.” On the heels of the new year, one of Allison’s top goals for 2014 is to play a Fashion Week gig in any city. Additionally, she will be doing her first Las Vegas gig in January. “I’ll be out there for the Consumer Electronics show helping my headphone manufacture partner, 808 Audio, launch their new series of personal speakers and headphones,” she states. “I’m so excited to go out there for the first time and to play with some great DJs.” Setting realistic goals within short time periods is one aspect of the business that has really helped Allison get to where she is today. “Keeping yourself accountable is especially important when you might be managing yourself, booking yourself, and being yourself at the same time,” she describes. “Doing something small, like managing your online presence, can make you appear experienced and professional even if you aren’t doing many gigs yet. I think and hope that the female DJs who stand apart are the ones who have great attitudes and are willing to stick it out.” These days, Allison is always searching for as much peace as she can get. “Personally, that has become more and more important to me and has helped me balance a life of work that is play on top of just being a human and taking care of myself. Professionally, I just want more of what I already have, and I am so lucky to be able to say that!” n

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free to be The authentic magic That is lionti de Story by Emily McNally, Liliana Rose, and Jeff Fiorello Photography by Maddy Talias Styling by Esmeralda Ferretti

e have made this record in a little bubble, a sanctuary away from the world,” says Liliana Rose of the American music trio Liontide. “When we go into the studio, it’s about the three of us.” Formed in the winter of 2012, the New York City based group is made up of Liliana, Jeff

Fiorello, and Greg Griffith. Their first EP, Waiting on the Sun, was released this past October. Overall, Liontide’s songs are fairly thematically driven, tending to focus on freedom and release. Back in 2005, Liliana and Jeff were both starting out as individual singer-songwriters on the circuit and met at Caffe Vivaldi in Manhattan. “I met Jeff singing at the Monday open mic night there,” Liliana recalls. “Everybody plays a song or two and the idea is that you are among friends and compatriots, no judgment, but I think it’s the toughest room in the city because it’s a room full of musicians. So it’s good motivation; you have to get it together before you play a song to that crowd.” As someone who, at the time, was like a stone on stage and extremely focused on channeling her music into a column of ener-

gy, Liliana was drawn to the way Jeff moved around on stage. After seeing him perform a couple of times, she was presented with the perfect opportunity to flag him down. “Jeff is always wearing a hat – always,” Liliana states. “God knows why because he has great hair, but there you have it. Anyway, one night he forgot his hat on the chair next to me and I returned it to him. We have been friends ever since.”

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Joining musical forces was inevitable for the pair, running around the Lower East Side of Manhattan with all of their gear and all of their friends; however, it wasn’t until Greg was added to the mix that Liontide was born. Jeff and Greg, composers at a music production house, brought Liliana in to sing a jingle back in 2011. As three different personalities with different ways of being inspired and different musical sensibilities, the group decided it would be fun to co-write. “Co-writing happens a lot in this industry and you never know what’s going to come of it,” Liliana shares. “Maybe you will write something great and someone else will want to sing it, maybe you’ll keep the song for yourself, maybe the song will never be heard again after that night. It’s more of an exercise, really, so I didn’t think much going into it.” Much to their surprise, ‘Kiss Me Goodnight,’ the leading track on their newly released EP, was written in about five minutes. “It just came right out of us, like it was always there. It was a lot of fun and I got hooked on that electricity,” Liliana acknowledges. “I had been a solo singer for a long time and at that point, I was going through a period where I was thinking about everything too much. Liontide makes me feel free.” As a group, Liontide takes a collective risk by keeping their music under wraps during the creative process. “I don’t ask people for advice about Liontide; I let it be what it is,” explains Liliana. “I’ve kept it a bit of a secret from everyone, something friends and family aren’t used to. People don’t hear the tracks until they are ready, nobody gets to hear it ‘first.’ It’s my thing, it’s our thing, and I don’t want somebody tell me to change some lyric or note. You’d be shocked at how hard that is to accomplish when all of your friends are songwriters.” Jeff’s personal favorite aspect of the creative process is that the group has created a safe place among themselves. “We made a point to understand that there are no bad ideas,” he reveals. “We may throw a lyric, a melody, or a half-finished song in the hat. From there, we use our collective styles to mold it into something that we all can enjoy and be proud of.” While the group’s method to songwriting is different every time, the overall approach is that it has to be authentic to them as individuals.

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Since Liontide started playing together, they have steadily been building a big orchestra of sounds. “At first, we were writing more straightforward pop songs, but now we are playing around with sounds and instruments a little more,” Liliana describes. “It feels flat if there are just a few instruments, like guitar and drums, so we have been throwing in quirky little sound counterpoints here and there.” Additionally, Jeff adds that since their formation in 2012, the group has come a long way in terms of learning how to write and create music with other people. When they hit a creative road block, live music often jump-starts their inspiration, as Jeff notes that hearing other people interpret and create music is a great way to get out of your own head. “I’ll go to Rockwood [Music Hall] and watch a band play,” Liliana comments. “It always reminds me what I love about music.” Liontide credits friendship as the backbone of their musical experience and advises other young musicians to embrace new relationships. After all, had Liliana never flagged Jeff down that day at Caffe Vivaldi, there would be no friendship between the two and subsequently no Liontide. “Friends will enrich your ideas and your spirit,” Liliana affirms. “A shared community is one of the most important things that you can have.” On a similar note, Jeff advises other up-and-coming artists to be good to everyone and never burn bridges. In the future, Liontide aims to change the model for releasing music and put out new material on a regular basis as opposed to the idea of an EP or an album. “When it’s your music, it’s never done — it’s always evolving,” Liliana discloses. “When you are guiding the ship and there is no deadline, it’s easy to say ‘one more week’ or ‘one more month;’ however, at some point, you have to let it go. Literally go, out there into the world.” n

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Mike Ciecierski Morgan Treni

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Peggy A Collection of Poems by Mike Ciecierski Artwork by Matthew Tiemann

Grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nimble fingers I sit and wait for dinner thinking of apple juice. 1 I turn on the hose to water my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plants while she is away. The smell of water is full, my hands sticky from the sun. 2 Driving up and down the state of New Jersey I see the billboards of wheat fields and the industrial smoke stacks and I know one thing: Love is the guttural sound we make when we die. 3 On the humid days, I feel like I am swimming through air, swimming through memory like lint in the pocket of my jeans. 4

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スイートコーン

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Early morning Brooklyn streets littered with trash and eighteen wheelers, I am here Walt Whitman but your beard is on fire and the air smells of burning hair. 5 Driving back to New Jersey, seven dead deer paint the side of the highway, 6 In the twisted metal bridges and the rusted bars of steel, there are geometric visions of love: one way to offset the loneliness before lunch. 7 Brendan: Please help me to remember that living in an understatement. That this prophetic, disgusting apartment is where people go to die, that Brahms speaks in oscillating time, that pennies are made out of zinc. Please help me to remember that watching your face turn purple helped me re-read the story that we all choose to swear by- that this, this mess of a life is just like our holiest nightmare. 8

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On an interstate in the middle of Texas I ate a piece of watermelon and let the juice drip onto the ground. 9 There is something sacred in hands, in the rotation of bicycle tires, and the way the sun looks at seven forty-two in the morning. There is something sacred in our sand covered genitals, in the taste of ocean foam, and the way we hold hands when the sun goes down, our words cheapened by the sound of an alarm clock. 10 Ambiguous American values I sleep in microwaves 11 In these man made, concrete jungle landscapes, where voices echo off of steel walls, and waking up in the morning means waking up to lawnmowers, where we have created a language that emphasizes ownership, where people die in the hot, lonely streets, where clouds in the sky comes from factories on the soil. Where I sit inside while sheets of rain cover the asphalt and think about how none of it means a thing. 12

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I scribble secret poems and watch the grass grow above our kneecaps because I feel something and I think it is better to feel (something) than to feel nothing at all. 13 In the pocket of time there are drunks pissing in the corner, bouquets of sunflowers, endless chatter about each other. In the pocket of time there is no such thing as money, a lost bird, self-loathing American landscapes. In the pocket of time there is movement, an affinity for mayonnaise, Brautiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suede hat. In the pocket of time there are ten thousand good-byes dogmatism on whole grain Grandma staring into the sun. In the pocket of time there are golden eyes, polluted tap water, cavemen drawing on walls with holy blood. 14

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I want to live in a house, with a woman where the unmade bed is a sign of affection, where a dinner of rice and beans is eaten with the radio on, where the warm sun leaks through the windows in January, where we sit on the couch at night under a blanket, where the refrigerator is old and the right door creaks when it opens, where we never fix the old, wooden floor. I want to live in a house, with a woman under the warm night sky and never see a single star. 15 Blue skies and bumble bees; an incongruous way to say â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love you.â&#x20AC;? 16 I hear the slow breaths of my friends sleeping and the low voices of the family upstairs. The small waves of sound crash up against the warm wooden posts and the drone of cicadas in the hot swampy heat sounds like the static from which we make a home. 17

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Even in the hot shower, when my toes are under water I think about all the times that I have felt alone, the rusted engine that Hank tried to kick, and the sound of my mother calling for dinner. The hot tin roofs in Virginia and the smell of coffee when the morning is still dusty when in the final hours the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shit eating grin and all the goodbyes left in the dark corners of apartments will be met with the thunderous roar of water hitting the cold porcelain, our final words scribbled on used paper napkins. 18 Watching the sun peek its way through the ninth floor window in Richmond, Virginia squinty eyed and sprawled out, my heavy salt water breaths met by the hum of the air conditioner. 19

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Sitting in the rain today it is August and my grandmother wishes that she could cook me flounder and understand what it was that I was watching on television. 20 There are words in the whiskey, in the stairs creaking at five a.m in the dust covered shades in the spider that chokes in the bathtub. There are words in the buzzing of lawnmowers, in our empty leather wallets, there are words underneath the engine. 21

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The napkin in my grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s window flutters in the wind and it is August, the words from her mouth come out in stutters and slurred speech, and the nurse feeds her applesauce with her medication, her shoes worn and her heart still beating. 22 Five hours and twenty five minutes away from New Jersey I feel the rush of what is beautiful: screaming and dancing around a DeCamp bus, tacking pieces of our skin onto highway signs, blood rushing from our stomachs to decorate the lifeless grey asphalt. 23 Waking up in the morning to the sound of the trees rustling in the New Jersey wind. Understanding time as something stagnant, something that does not move in a line but instead moves as a spider in a tangled web. The soft, cotton bed sheet hugs warmth to the body and the kids park their cars and walk to school, the sound of the doors slamming bounce off of the small, suburban duplexes. The carpet is soft under tender morning feet as the golden doorknob turns, creaks, and clicks. The cats wait patiently to be fed. Coffee brews in the small, metal pot. The sound of the water filtering through the machine gurgles through seconds, through minutes. Staring at the tree through the kitchen window, a thought surfaces and then fizzles. The coffee is always just ok. The steady hum of silence in the winter is calming. Feet sweat in flannel slippers. The shower is turned on and adjusted. Taking five extra minutes to face the bitter tile floor feels like hours. Dressing to go to work should be less of struggle. The thought of eating is nauseating, the coffee will hold hunger off for another hour, maybe two. There was a fire in Croatia last night. A hundred dead. A space shuttle launches to go to Mars. We take our steps slowly, hoping to find some kind of grace in our movements. The door closes and the car starts and the day continues as our actions go unnoticed. Life is the sewer water running through every town, every state, the loud crash of two sedans colliding on the highway, and when we reach for the end, we will be blindly grabbing towards the light that was never there. n 24

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Untitled Haiku Poems by Mike Ciecierski

White clouds Over Manhattan New York Is not as romantic As the silence in My bedroom A herse on Long Island The sun is a ghost And the earth is a casket. Horizontal power lines And unused aqueducts Ill get drunk and flick off the moon A man stands And contemplates The interstate To become One With traffic I sit drunk On the train And wish That there were fire flies. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a while Hank I miss your Los Angeles This is the New York I love Harlem and the dreary eyed Brick buildings, where (no one Is) trying, and living all the same.

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I watched a five year old Cry at a dead bird Come back, he said, come back Six chances For the light To look like beams from heaven Your eyes look like prehistoric jewels Black silhouetted trees Where blue fades Gently into orange We are primal In the shadows of evening 10.01.13 1046am I realized today That I have amazing friends: Love, being beaten out of our ear drums. Something about Chet baker, Buddhism, And cutting wood The fall crickets Smoking weed To the sound of the gnat buzzing in My ear I listen to the trumpet While I pass graffiti Hoping that I can sleep tonight Falling into black holes Of traffic All the cars fall into place

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My mothers friend From California Kissed my cheek when he said goodbye October is the month Where things look whole In their passing The past year Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been A ghost in Virginia Geographical consciousness And a pit In my stomach Two cows In love On the side of the interstate The ants In my car Have become my friends The sound Of a spatula Frying an egg I stand in line Waiting And thinking of the weather The radio waves And the bad pop music Leaves turning the colors That make death exciting n

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[1.] Words by Morgan Treni

Amphibian. Vegetarian. Flower Box. Vine climbing up trunk of tree. It’s exciting and scary how these days have come and gone so quickly. Swallowed up inside this Scroll. Hello! I feel like an amphibian whose waddled up and onto the shore from the strange lake they call “Childhood.” Where’d the days go? What happened to siblings racing for the bathroom before school? Girlfriends sharing secrets in the car? Finch park. Real bagels. Yellow buses, and band? Poof. Gone. Shattered like a brick hit some mirror. Walking around my new neighborhood the leaves crunch under my shoes. The cold air sends me soaring back to elementary mornings and walks down Elbert and Grove. “Five more minutes,” as I pulled the blankets over my head, a habit I’ve still yet to break at age twenty four in my Grandmother’s bed from our cabin in Southern Ohio. I turn on the coffee and think, “When did this happen? All of these fancy brown grounds..” A stocked fridge of vegetables from an Organic farm and a record collection of jazz? What happened to those days on the bleachers sipping lattes outside of school next to marching band hats with trumpets on laps and that terrible, silly gold plume? Now, the last apples fall from the orchards. And, I think of Mom baking pies. Apple crisps, toffee bars, and sweet coffee cakes--- the favorites that stuck to my thighs. It’s strange how it happened so quickly, like a curtain fell over a veil. I twist and I climb as a fierce fighting vine, and I wonder where’s that Childhood gone? n

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[ABT Ballerina] Words by Morgan Treni

How gently can I meet, she thought my point shoes to the floor? -The legs in her pink stockings reflected in the mirror upon the hardwood floors.Ribbons tied. Warmers up. “Legs Together. First Position,” the teacher clapped; the teacher called. “Heels together. Place the arms. Grand Plié.” Arms: let them lift from armpits. Hands: let the fingers part. Chest lift up long through torso tight as string. Pointe carry. Make me weightless. Over and across the floor. n

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[Little Painted Wise Men] Words by Morgan Treni Artwork by Matthew Tiemann

The wick caught and flame flickered, and I remembered scent of the cinnamon candle burning at Christmas time. It sat in the center of the green runner on the dining room table, glowing inside it’s cradle of evergreen branches. The decoration was always first to come out for the season. Then, the small hand carved manger, and finally the little tower of small painted wise men. Our home was warmest around the holidays. Mom was always baking something. Carols and classical orchestras sounded from the Music Room, up the steps and out the French doors. The radiators were hot and hissed loudly. Sparks and flames hiccuped in the fireplace, and stockings dangled from the mantle above. The tree glistened in white lights and gold musical note ornaments; icicle ballerinas; the heavy wooden soldiers that slipped off the pine arms. Now I understand the lyrics for “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” I hear the bells and I see the laughter; Someone in the back room writing music; Sisters sipping champagne bubbles on the couch, giddy; One little brown dog; One drooling black dog beside the new Dad popping corks of craft beer; Hugs and hellos walking down steps from friends at the local town bar... And, the little painted wise men swiveling round and round.-- The blessings and scenes that haunt me. n

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[Leafless Tree] Words by Morgan Treni

I sat and I read Philosophy books outside on the library stoop past two in the morning in the cold height of winter and sinking my way down the ocean Of riddle and rhyme, caught like gum in the mind which mimicked our games of cats cradle. Now, I walk as a grounded crustacean, a disciple for the power of Words, clasping brambles and fungi, thistles and thorns, to digest this level of Eye. The lovely thing about winter is the shedding of transformative leaves. A canvas of slate for the dreams that await when we step the bank of our Soul. n

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THE WRITERS AND THE ARTIST Mike Ciecierski lives in New Jersey in a

Morgan Treni is a writer of Creative

Matthew Tiemann is a cross-platform illus-

town called Montclair. He works in TV

Non-Fiction. Words are her paint. She

trator with a knack for line art and playful

production and would one day like to ride

presently resides in Columbus, Ohio, writing

color. His influences include 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture,

his bicycle to California.

wine and beer reviews for her brand new

super flat art, and toy collecting. Recently, he

city. Also, singing her original songs.

co-created an online store that specializes in homemade toys, prints, and pinback buttons.

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WE WANT YOU Interested in contributing to or being featured in future issues? Questions or comments? Just want to say hello? We would love to hear from you! Please contact Emily at v23.creative.magazine@gmail.com for more information.

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There is no passion to be found playing small â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. Nelson Mandela

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SPRING 2014 VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1